“<Good Morning, Hongcheng> is on air! Today, for Cancers, it’s a busy day. You’ll be juggling so much you might overlook things, but financial luck is on the rise and blossoming all around. As for love… they’re close yet seems so far—”
Peng Xingwang abruptly switched channels. “Didn’t you say you don’t believe in horoscopes?”
Jiang Wang reached out to switch it back, staring at the radio for a few seconds before looking away. “Just a coincidence.”
Recently, he had been working on creating materials for his tutoring center. He had contacted various high schools in Hongcheng’s capital and often helped his team deliver test papers.
To start a tutoring class with lasting power, with a strong and expansive reputation, the first priority was to have in-house materials and exam questions that were refined, classic, and representative.
Standardized materials and unified difficulty levels make the program appear formal and professional.
Thus, lately, students in Shuangcheng had been flooded with test papers every month. Finish one set today, and a new one would arrive tomorrow, each one targeting the types of questions with pinpoint precision, each one more challenging, hitting core concepts that left students with chills down their spines and beads of sweat on their foreheads.
Their teachers, however, beamed with delight. “Like it or not, happy with them or not, Such high-quality free test papers are free! Totally worth it!”
Well-informed students found out that these were the handiwork of the older brother of a certain fourth-generation British Royal kid at Hongshan Primary School. They were already sharpening their knives.
They’re absolutely ready to form a team and storm into the bookstore, beating up that bastard boss! Who let him print test papers everyday for fun!!!
Jiang Wang had been sneezing more often recently and occasionally felt a sense of resentment directed his way. But whenever he turned around, all he saw were students absorbed in their books, focused on their tasks. Nothing amiss.
Strange. His unlucky year was already over. Maybe he should start wearing red underwear for some extra luck.
Since he’d returned to Hongcheng, personnel changes had been frequent, and the company had a never-ending stream of meetings. Jiang Wang hadn’t felt a single flutter of excitement that should come with the start of a relationship.
After a busy day, he finally managed to escape home, dodging all social obligations. At home, he not only had his young boyfriend but also a little rascal.
Just as he tried to cozy up for a kiss, Peng Xingwang was seated nearby doing homework.
He wrapped an arm around and leaned closer, only to see the kid chewing on a dried sweet potato, looking over at them.
Like a shadow, he’s everywhere.
Peng Xingwang IS EVERYWHERE1originally in English, all caps lol.
Jiang Wang eventually waited until he was asleep, then went to the living room to lounge and watch a movie with Ji Linqiu. Settling down with a pillow and blanket, he hadn’t even snuggled in when the kid rubbed his eyes and came over.
“Oh, I haven’t seen this movie either. Let’s all watch together! Big Brother, make some space for me!”
Jiang Wang’s face darkened, and the kid looked a little hurt. “Big Brother, why don’t you like me anymore?”
“Not that. But you have school tomorrow, go to bed.”
“Tomorrow’s Saturday!” The kid bounced onto the sofa like a little puppy, nestling right beside Ji Linqiu.
Ji Linqiu looked over at him with a faint smile, smirking slightly as he focused back on the movie.
Grinding his molars, Jiang Wang wrapped himself in his blanket, scooting to the other side of Ji Linqiu. He’s ready to rewatch this old movie he had seen several times.
If one were to time-travel to twenty years ago, every “new” movie they watched bound to feel nostalgic.
It was early spring, still chilly, and a light rain was falling outside. A step outdoors would bring a cold breeze that seeped through to the bone.
Ji Linqiu relaxed into the soft sofa, engrossed in the film, his body slowly settling into the seat. At one moment, his fingers brushed against warm skin.
He paused for a split second, realizing it was Jiang Wang’s hand.
Peng Xingwang was slumped against the teacher’s shoulder, watching intently, completely unaware of the slight contact under the blanket.
It felt as if a feather had brushed across Ji Linqiu’s heart. He kept his eyes on the screen, but his thoughts were now elsewhere, hesitating over whether he should lean into that touch, maybe even let his entire hand rest against Jiang Wang’s and hold it quietly.
Just as he was about to make up his mind and move his right hand to pretend it was an accident, Jiang Wang leaned forward to grab some dried fruit from the coffee table, leaving him empty-handed.
Ji Linqiu’s heart dropped, only to meet Jiang Wang’s gaze as the man turned, a teasing smile in his eyes.
“Want a piece of dried purple sweet potato?”
Ji Linqiu turned his head away, not even bothering to respond.
This bastard.
The more he thought about it, the more irritated he became. So he leaned left, pressing against Peng Xingwang and not even giving Jiang Wang a shoulder to lean on.
Jiang Wang looked all heartbroken in front of the kid, playing the victim. “Teacher Ji is staying so far from me now, doesn’t even want my snacks anymore.”
Peng Xingwang gave a thumbs up, “Teacher Ji likes me! Of course, he’s going to snuggle with me to watch the movie!”
Jiang Wang grinned, grinding his teeth.
‘Little boy, hurry up and skip a grade right until college. I will enroll you in a tutoring class tomorrow.’
By the time the movie finished, it was already 12:30 AM. Jiang Wang took Peng Xingwang back to his bedroom, made him brush his teeth again, and tucked him in. Just as he was about to say goodnight, he suddenly remembered something.
“There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”
Jiang Wang wasn’t great at talking to kids, so he paused for a moment, sitting by Peng Xingwang’s bed, and said in a calm tone, “Teacher Ji and I are planning to work in the provincial capital. Xingwang, do you want to transfer schools and come with us?”
“We’d still need to discuss it with your parents, of course, but I wanted to hear your thoughts first. No rush to answer right away.”
Peng Xingwang was momentarily stunned, his face puffing up in frustration. “Now I won’t be able to sleep!”
“How could you bring this up right before bed!”
Jiang Wang shrugged, unapologetic. “That’s just how I am.”
Transferring schools was such a sudden decision, it would definitely take a few days to consider carefully.
For now, Peng Xingwang was still just a second-grader, with little experience in making major life choices.
After mulling it over for a while, he decided to ask his friends for advice.
Zhang Xiaolu and Yang Kai were playing Monopoly in the bookstore, counting money and building houses with a bunch of classmates.
“Wang-zai, come have some milk tea!”
“Wanna join? There’s still no one playing as Madam Qian!”
“Who likes Madam Qian anyway? She’s so ugly.”
Peng Xingwang felt tempted by the board game but didn’t forget his purpose. He pulled Zhang Xiaolu and Yang Kai aside to talk.
“I have something to ask you guys…”
The idea of transferring felt a bit like betrayal to him, so he hesitated, taking a long time to explain the situation.
Yang Kai was still focused on his plan to win Zhang Xiaolu’s money. Zhang Xiaolu, after listening, flipped her ponytail and offered the ultimate truth, “Go wherever there’s less homework. Fewer assignments and kind teachers—that’s what matters!”
Yang Kai reluctantly tore his eyes from the game and turned to him, “So you might transfer, huh, Xingxing?”
“I haven’t decided yet,” Peng Xingwang mumbled, looking downcast. “If I go to Yuhan, I won’t get to see you anymore.”
“You don’t see us every day anyway,” Yang Kai said, puzzled. “When we go to middle school, we’re bound to go different ways, and we won’t see each other at all once we’re in college.”
“As long as you add me on QQ, we can chat on the computer later. Or we could send text messages, but those cost money.”
Zhang Xiaolu looked confused. “Don’t you have to change your QQ number every day?”
“Who told you that?” Yang Kai widened his eyes. “Once you register, you keep it forever.”
“Ah! I’ve been re-registering each time!”
Peng Xingwang quickly pulled the conversation back on topic. “So! If I transfer, will you guys still remember me?”
“Probably,” his childhood friend responded loyally. “Your big brother still runs the bookstore here, so of course, we’ll remember.”
That was true.
The feeling of betrayal Peng Xingwang had been harboring faded a little, though he was still undecided. It wasn’t long before he was dragged into the Monopoly game, setting his worries aside for now.
Before they’d been playing for long, around 5 PM as dusk set in, an elderly woman in a flowery cotton jacket suddenly walked in.
Zhang Xiaolu glanced over by chance and shivered, whispering, “It’s Teacher Xu! Teacher Xu is here!”
“Hide it, hide it! Quick, quick, quick!!”
“Oh my God!”
The kids scrambled, but there was nowhere to hide, and they were caught red-handed.
“It’s not safe lately. All of you, hurry home!” It had been ages since Teacher Xu last visited the bookstore, and this time, she was all business. “It’s getting dark, everyone should head home. If you can, walk together!”
The kids thought the real danger was actually this fierce old teacher, and they scattered, abandoning the game board. They reflexively shouted, “Goodbye, Teacher!” as they bolted, fearing she’d smack them.
Xu Rong tucked her hands back into her pockets, watching until the children had all gone home. Then she went to the counter to instruct the staff, “It’s been unsafe around here lately, don’t let the kids stay too late.”
The staff quickly agreed, assuring her they’d keep a closer watch on the time.
Satisfied, Xu Rong nodded, casting a wary look around outside before finally leaving.
Meanwhile, Ji Linqiu officially joined Buwang Cultural Company as an advisor.
Since he hadn’t formally left his teaching position, he was technically only an educational consultant but could still take on project leadership duties.
The company hired three education students specifically to assist with book selection and organization, all under his direction.
Though Teacher Ji was ostensibly just an elementary school English teacher, his credentials were impressive, with a college entrance exam score over 630 and strong proficiency in Chinese, Maths, English, politics, history, and geography. Tutoring high school students presented no challenge at all.
Boxes of books started piling into the house, and he worked methodically through each grade level, maintaining a high level of productivity.
While Jiang Wang spent his days traveling north and south, the evenings back home looked like an intense college prep class in the dining room, with both teacher and student deep in study.
Boss Jiang felt a surge of wistfulness.
So close, yet so far.
Couldn’t even steal a kiss. Fuck that.
A week after starting, Ji Linqiu produced his first project report and chaired a formal company meeting.
Lacking a suit, he wore a wool vest and white shirt he’d typically wear to school, sleeves rolled up as he wrote and explained on the whiteboard with flawless organization.
The three hours flew by, and everyone listened more intently than usual, not a single person’s attention wandering.
Many were meeting this “Advisor Ji” for the first time, but he seemed to win them over completely, as they all spoke to him with utmost respect afterward.
And understandably so.
Even without laying out his credentials directly, a person’s knowledge and competence reveal themselves in their words and demeanor.
With his refined, composed appearance, sharp, decisive language, and steady work ethic, Ji Linqiu had already impressed quite a few people on his first day.
Boss Jiang was among the audience, listening in on the three-hour meeting.
This was Jiang Wang’s first time in his own company’s meeting room, observing Ji Linqiu in a professional context as a colleague.
For the first half-hour, he was genuinely focused on the presentation, but as time went on, a subtle itch crept into his throat.
He couldn’t help but be captivated by how Ji Linqiu spoke with cool detachment and authority.
That urge to disrupt—something he couldn’t control—began to sprout deep within, making him want to bite down on Ji Linqiu’s throat, watching him as his eyes watered and he whimpered, pleading softly.
Ji Linqiu adjusted his glasses, tone neutral. “That’s about it for today’s meeting. Boss Jiang, do you have anything to add?”
Jiang Wang smiled, responding with politeness.
“No, that was excellent.”
‘But honestly, from now on, you’d better avoid me in the office.’
‘After all, I’m not some kind of beast.’
