Chapter Thirteen: Words for Show

“Now that you know who we are, maybe you should consider introducing yourself a little? Don’t worry, we’re not registration police, not checking your household info—just tell us your name so we know how to address you,” Kang Ge said, entirely unbothered by the tall, thin man’s earlier skepticism, his demeanor as relaxed as if he were meeting an old friend.

“My name is Xu Hao. I live in the dorm next door to Xu Wenrui,” the tall, thin man replied, straightforward enough, giving a brief introduction as Kang Ge asked, then followed with a question of his own: “Why are you pretending to be Xu Wenrui’s sister and brother-in-law? And why did you deliberately trick me into coming out?”

“It wasn’t exactly deliberate—just happened that you were available,” Kang Ge laughed. “You leave your own dorm to hang around in Xu Wenrui’s, so I guess you’re pretty close? Then help us out and let us know a bit about him. Let’s talk about Xu Wenrui—what’s he like?”

“Heh, I have nothing to do with him. I go to their dorm because I’m close with someone else there, not Xu Wenrui,” Xu Hao waved his hand dismissively, putting on a forced smile that barely concealed his indifference.

“No worries, we’re not digging into his private life—just casual conversation, the kind of ‘everyone knows’ stuff about his daily life at school,” Kang Ge said offhandedly, making it clear he wasn’t leaving Xu Hao any excuse for refusing to talk.

“You’re an odd pair,” Xu Hao gave Kang Ge and Yan Xue a strange look. “Wouldn’t it be easier to ask his advisor about this? Why come to me? I’m in the same major, not the same class, and we don’t even share an advisor.

Fine, fine, since I’m here now, but I’m not close with him, so don’t blame me if I can’t help much!

Xu Wenrui is pretty good at school—active in all sorts of activities, teachers’ favorite, seasoned student council fan, image ambassador for his major, campus singing competition winner… that’s about it!”

Though the words sounded like praise, coming from Xu Hao’s mouth, they carried an undertone of mocking sarcasm.

“So he’s one of your school’s big shots, right?” Yan Xue asked. “But I’ve heard his popularity isn’t great?”

As soon as Yan Xue spoke, Xu Hao again gave her a probing, suspicious look, while responding, “How could that be! Xu Wenrui—he’s got the looks, tall, fair-skinned, big eyes, jet-black hair!

And he’s talented too—plays guitar, dances street, sings well! Such a top-quality young man who’s adored by all—are you telling me he’s unpopular? Are you joking?”

Before Yan Xue could react, Kang Ge burst out laughing at Xu Hao’s remarks.

“You managed to insult him while praising him—masterful!” Kang Ge gave Xu Hao a thumbs-up.

“That’s your interpretation, nothing to do with me. I meant exactly what I said,” Xu Hao shrugged, clearly unimpressed by Kang Ge’s compliment, then glanced at Yan Xue, “He’s definitely a cop, but you’re not, right?”

Yan Xue was impulsive by nature, but not reckless—she restrained the urge to flash her badge immediately. “Why? Do I not look like a cop?”

“Of course not!” Xu Hao took her rhetorical question as a tacit admission and laughed, “What do you think these eyes are for? Am I supposed to believe everything you say?”

He stopped Yan Xue from trying to fish for information any further. “Look, I’ve agreed to sit down and talk with you—can’t you be a bit more transparent? Even if you won’t admit it, I can probably guess what’s going on, so why bother?”

“Then take a guess,” Yan Xue said, curious about Xu Hao’s take.

“Alright, I’ll give it a shot!” Despite pretending to be mature, Xu Hao was still a young student, and feeling Yan Xue had relaxed, he grew more smug and less guarded. He pointed at Kang Ge. “He’s your brother, a cop, and you and Xu Wenrui have some issue—he offended you, so you brought your brother for backup, hoping to gather dirt on him for leverage or to negotiate! Am I right?”

“You’ve got quite the imagination,” Yan Xue chuckled.

“Are you that little fan girl he was planning to meet after an online romance recently?” Xu Hao clicked his tongue, incredulous. “You’re a beauty, but your taste is… so… ordinary!”

“Does Xu Wenrui have a girlfriend?”

“He used to, but they broke up, got back together, broke up again. Now, definitely no girlfriend. Don’t ask me for anything else—I don’t know!” Xu Hao looked as if he was watching a show. “If you want answers, go to the source, don’t drag unrelated people into it. We’re seniors about to graduate—why step into a mess?”

Yan Xue, hearing this, lost interest in further banter, wasting time was not her style. After Xu Hao made his position clear, she took out her badge and slid it across the table. “You checked my colleague’s earlier, now check mine—see if it’s real.”

As soon as Yan Xue’s badge appeared, Xu Hao’s expression grew subtly complicated. He stared at her, mouth slightly agape, looking a bit stunned.

“So? With this to back us up, does she look like a cop now?” Kang Ge smiled, delighted to see Yan Xue abandon her patience and reveal her identity. “I was so honest with you earlier, and you still didn’t believe me! Do you believe now?”

“Well… I just didn’t expect there’d be this kind of cop…” Xu Hao awkwardly rubbed his neck, and unlike with Kang Ge, didn’t dare pick up Yan Xue’s badge to examine it.

Yan Xue put away her badge, and Xu Hao quickly recovered from his brief surprise.

“If you’re really both cops, then you must be here for official business. Did Xu Wenrui cause trouble, or did something happen to him? If it’s the latter, who’s the hero who rid the world of evil?” His tone shifted from cautious to relaxed.

“Feeling better now? Not afraid of getting caught up in the mess?” Yan Xue was surprised by Xu Hao’s quick attitude change.

“Not afraid, not afraid!” Xu Hao seemed genuinely at ease, waving his hand. “Originally, I thought you were some girl tangled up with Xu Wenrui, coming to demand answers. I don’t know anything about your situation, so I couldn’t say much.

Now it’s different! Either Xu Wenrui caused harm or was harmed—either way, something’s up. So I’m just a good citizen cooperating with the police, not kicking someone when they’re down, right?”

“I like your attitude!” Kang Ge was generous with his praise for Xu Hao’s change.

The willingness to talk was welcome, but Yan Xue remained skeptical. “So, judging from what you said, you and Xu Wenrui aren’t particularly close?”

“You got that right—we’re not close at all,” Xu Hao no longer bothered to hide his true feelings, his expressions growing more animated. “I barely know him, we’re not the same type. I’m friends with someone else in his dorm, so sometimes I hang out there. Didn’t really know Xu Wenrui before, but after going often, you can’t avoid meeting him.

But we don’t talk much. I don’t like him, he doesn’t like me. We’re just mismatched—don’t need any interaction to be annoyed by each other!”

Xu Hao laughed as he spoke, as if recounting an amusing tale.

Yan Xue found his attitude odd, and clearly Kang Ge thought so too.

“So mutual dislike is entertaining to you?” Kang Ge asked, intrigued.

“That’s right. In this world, the only thing as satisfying as being liked by someone you like is being disliked by someone you dislike!” Xu Hao didn’t shy away from his feelings. “If it were the opposite, now that would be tragic!”

“But as you say, you and Xu Wenrui hardly talk, barely know each other—how’d you end up mutually annoyed? Don’t you need to interact first to develop a grudge?”

“He never actually dealt with me, but he offended my friend! My buddy’s honest and easygoing, didn’t bother with him, but I can’t stand him!”

Xu Hao paused, as if hesitating.

“I think you’re pretty straightforward. Since we’re being honest today, let’s just say what we need to say—it’s uncomfortable to hold back, right?” Kang Ge encouraged patiently.

Xu Hao thought it over, then seemed to make up his mind. “Alright, you’ll end up hearing it from someone else anyway, so I may as well tell you myself. If you hear a twisted version from someone else, you might start guessing and overthinking.

It’s nothing complicated—recently, I offended Xu Wenrui. Before, we had no direct conflict, but I played a prank on him not long ago, got a bit carried away, and pissed him off.”

“What kind of prank?” Yan Xue asked.

“I… pretended to be a ghost and scared him…” Xu Hao replied, scratching the back of his head and smiling sheepishly.