TPPCGEM Chapter 24

What did he touch to cause such a big reaction?

“Sorry, I didn’t control my strength,” Yan Ci apologized, his voice clear. “Classmate Xia, if you’re embarrassed, why don’t you cover your face?”

Yan Ci continued his push-ups with standard movements, maintaining a steady rhythm. Suddenly, he lifted his right hand, calmly grasping Xia Zhinian’s wrist through his clothes.

The boy trembled violently, his whole body tensing up, and his ears turning as red as blood.

Yan Ci paused, chuckling, then gently lifted one of Xia Zhinian’s hands, loosely covering his eyes.
“I’m not touching you anymore, don’t get angry.”

Xia Zhinian: “…”

With one hand loosely covering his eyes and the other clutching his clothes, his face burning hot.

“Stop—time’s up!”

The PE teacher shouted at the rows of mats, “Get up, switch!”

Xia Zhinian let out a long breath, quickly getting up and standing to the side, taking a few deep breaths of fresh air, trying to cool his face.

Yan Ci calmly lay down, his hands crossed over his abdomen, looking like a sacrificial lamb.

“Go ahead.”

Xia Zhinian: “…”

Go ahead, my foot.

The teacher urged them to hurry up. Xia Zhinian’s bruises from the previous fight had almost healed. He squatted down first, lifted Yan Ci’s arms high, then placed them over his face, covering it completely. Only then did he get into position.

Yan Ci: “…?”

His vision plunged into darkness, and after a moment of silence, he asked, “Classmate Xia…do you have a special reaction to my face? Do you not like the way I look?”

“You look fine. You look even better when you’re not talking.”

Xia Zhinian’s ears weren’t as red anymore. He smacked his lips, pressing Yan Ci’s hands harder over the lower half of his face, trying to block his mouth.

Unable to see the face or hear the voice, the world suddenly became peaceful and calm. Xia Zhinian started doing push-ups at the whistle.

He had never participated in any physical activities before. He had only seen others do push-ups; this was his first time trying them himself, and his movements were far from standard.

But glancing around, he saw that few people were as precise and steady as Yan Ci. Most were as wobbly as he was, just going through the motions.

He relaxed and continued slacking off.

“Class president, what are you doing?”

Zou Ziqian’s voice suddenly rang out. He chuckled and looked over curiously.

Their handsome, gentle class president was lying on the mat, his hands covering his face like a delicate little wife.

And his deskmate, the brave warrior Xia Zhinian, was doing a low-quality version of push-ups above him.

The scene was quite amusing.

“What are you doing?” Zou Ziqian laughed until his stomach hurt. “Why is the class president covering his face? He looks so good; one look at him would make Xia Zhinian try harder!”

Yan Ci chuckled softly, his voice clear, “I’m shy.”

Zou Ziqian was stunned for a moment, then burst into loud laughter.

Xia Zhinian: “…”

What are you laughing at?

Yan Ci, eyes closed, felt the boy’s legs press against the mat beside him, groaning in annoyance. But he maintained his position.

“Classmate Xia, I can’t see, so how can I count on you?”

“You’re slacking off.”

Classmate Xia: “…”

Xia Zhinian was exhausted, a bit embarrassed, pressing against Yan Ci. The fading blush reappeared slightly. He murmured defensively, “I can count myself. I’m not slacking off. Just shut up.”

Yan Ci chuckled, “Classmate Xia, you sure have a lot of demands.”

Why does that sound so familiar?

Xia Zhinian was stunned.

When the mysterious man had covered his eyes in the hospital and he had asked for a coat, the young man had said something similar.

When the time was up, Yan Ci finally regained his vision. Opening his eyes, he saw the little rice cake staring at him strangely.

“What’s wrong?”

“You…”

Xia Zhinian hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. “Nothing.”

After much effort, Xia Zhinian finally completed the entire physical test.

He could secretly add a few more push-ups, but for something like the 1,000-meter run, he had to accept his fate.

When he started to pant heavily, he slowed down, finishing last.

Meeting the teacher’s disappointed gaze, Xia Zhinian rubbed his nose and looked away guiltily.

The physical test ended with some time left before the class. Most students stayed on the field for free activities.

In the empty classroom, Yan Ci stood by the desk, frowning. The constant pain from various places made his nerves ache, making him feel cold all over, like being trapped in an icy pond, gnawed at by fish and worms.

This increased his craving for that soft warmth.

Yan Ci’s lips were pale, and a hint of frustration and fierceness rose in his pitch-black eyes. He dug his fingers into his arm, leaving a bloodied scratch.

…The pain has become more frequent in the past few days.

During the physical test, even through the thin clothes, he could faintly feel the boy’s warmth. But it was like scratching an itch through a boot, making his desire grow even stronger.

But it seemed he cared too much about the little rice cake.

If the little rice cake was a special medicine, why didn’t he get closer?

Just because Xia Zhinian didn’t like being touched?

Yan Ci’s eyes showed a hint of frustration. Continuous insomnia made his headache, and his eyes dark and heavy. He took out a bottle of pills and swallowed a dozen at once.

He walked to the back to get water, but suddenly there was a small rustling sound at the back door.

A furry head appeared outside the back window, almond eyes wide and round, looking around suspiciously, sneaking around.

Yan Ci stood at the dead corner near the bookshelf at the back, watching the boy checking if anyone was around.

He paused, the corners of his lips curling up, but he didn’t move or speak.

Xia Zhinian entered the classroom.

He had thought about it all night. The protagonists had almost no progress in their relationship, not even a spark of emotion.

If that’s the case, he would find a way to make them realize that being together was an option!

Ha!

Yan Ci watched as the boy took something from his bag and leaned forward, reaching out, placing something, and then ran to…

His desk?

The boy chuckled, his waist thin, his face still flushed from the physical test. He slipped something into Yan Ci’s desk and quickly left.

“??”

Yan Ci raised an eyebrow.

What trick is the little rice cake up to now? Another toy snake?

He rubbed his cold, numb arm and walked over. Inside the desk was a delicate pink envelope…

A love letter?

Yan Ci rarely hesitated, then opened it. The contents were even more outrageous—

A printed A4 paper with a few big lines.

First line: Yan Ci, I’ve secretly liked you for a long time.

Second line: I know your secret.

[Although we’ve been at odds for a long time, who wouldn’t like the school grass? You are so perfect. It seems like I’m against you, but actually… I’m secretly in love with you! ♡ ♡ ♡ !! ]

[I know about your physical condition. I won’t tell anyone, but I’m worried about you and don’t know how to express it. After school, can we meet behind the lab building? Don’t be surprised when you see me. I’m just being hard mouthed. Love you!]

Yan Ci: “…”

Yan Ci: “…?”

Yan Ci looked at the A4 paper again, a rare trace of confusion on his face.

What does this mean?

The little rice cake…likes him?

But a few days ago, he was all about “Brother Chu.”

Yan Ci took another look at the letter, his dark eyes narrowing slightly.

—

After school, Xia Zhinian squatted in a secluded corner, hugging his knees and anxiously looking ahead.

He had left love letters for both Yan Ci and Chu Qingjian, with the same meeting time and place, but he wasn’t sure if they would open and read them, let alone show up.

This plan had many flaws, but if they did come, neither the black-hearted boss nor the pretentious cool guy would openly expose themselves. They would only reveal half the truth.

In this way, the strange new seeds of emotion might occupy a small place in their hearts, waiting for the opportunity to sprout.

Xia Zhinian squatted in the corner, checking the time, then continued to look anxiously into the distance.

Two tall figures approached from afar. Chu Qingjian frowned, looking around. “Where is he? Who?”

Yuan Lang, holding a blue piece of paper, laughed loudly. “Who is this talented person? A love letter printed out and written like a primary schooler. This is so f*cking funny.”

Xia Zhinian: “…?!”

That was an online template!

Why didn’t Chu Qingjian come alone?

And he brought the letter?

Chu Qingjian clicked his tongue. “Is anyone here? Who wrote this? Come out.”

…Oh no, if Yan Ci saw this, his plan would be exposed!

Xia Zhinian’s almond eyes widened as he jumped up, looking around to see if Yan Ci was nearby.
But then, a shadow loomed over him from behind, silently. Suddenly, a terrifying force grabbed him from behind, wrapping around his waist, and a hand firmly covered his mouth.

Xia Zhinian: “!!!”

“Mmph!”

The moment their skin touched, Xia Zhinian trembled, his whole-body tensing. He opened his eyes wide and kicked backward, trying to escape.

“Shh, be quiet.”

The person behind him spoke softly, their voice low and slightly hoarse, as if suppressing their temper.

Xia Zhinian: “!!!!!”

Yan Ci!

Ah, help!

Xia Zhinian’s eyes widened, his body stiffening. He trembled. “Mmph!”

“Look over there.”

Yan Ci held him from behind in a peculiar embrace, covering his mouth and slowly forcing his gaze toward Chu Qingjian’s direction.

Breathing near his earlobe, Yan Ci spoke slowly, his voice low. “What is Classmate Xia trying to do by sending two strange love letters to me and Chu Qingjian?”

Not far away, Chu Qingjian and Yuan Lang were still looking around. Xia Zhinian felt the warm breath on the back of his neck. He swallowed hard, his almond eyes wide open, his heart pounding, shivering.

“Mmph.”

Yan Ci!

“Don’t call me.”

Yan Ci laughed softly, his voice carrying a chilling coldness, slow and deliberate.

“Let me guess, is it a new game? Or…”

His arm tightened, his eyes cold and dark. He chuckled lightly. “Or is Classmate Xia trying to use my secret to win favor with your Brother Chu?”

“Speak!”