TPPCGEM Chapter 28

The abrupt sound of the class bell broke the tense and eerie atmosphere in the stairwell. Xia Zhinian swallowed, quickly pushed aside Yan Ci, and slipped away.

Yan Ci didn’t stop him, following behind leisurely as he returned to the classroom.

After returning home in the evening, Xia Zhinian frantically searched for information on skin hunger. The more he read, the more alarmed he became.

This condition was rare, often stemming from childhood experiences. Symptoms included a strong desire for physical touch, irritability, withdrawal, insomnia, and emotional instability.

Xia Zhinian pressed his temples, feeling a wave of confusion and helplessness over him.

… This wasn’t right.

Yan Ci’s symptoms were severe, and due to his cleanliness obsession, he avoided physical contact, preferring to endure medication rather than be touched.

But the original text made no mention of this at all.

Throughout the entire original story, Yan Ci’s skin hunger was never mentioned.

Xia Zhinian bit his left index finger, his almond-shaped eyes filled with uncertainty. This was the most significant deviation from the original setting he had encountered since transmigrating into the book.

While emotional arcs could change due to different experiences and personalities, such a severe, impactful condition rarely deviated from the original plot, was this world developing differently from the original?

And what about his role as the cannon fodder villain? Would his final car accident scene go wrong, too?

Xia Zhinian’s temples throbbed, his head aching. He quickly got up and went to the window, opening it to take a few deep breaths and biting his finger to calm down.

He decided to observe the situation first.

In his bedroom, Xia Zhinian stood by the window in a daze. The setting sun cast a warm glow, and the evening breeze fluttered the curtains, gently brushing his cheeks.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

“Knock, knock.”

“Nian Nian, are you busy?”

Xia Zhinian opened the door and was momentarily stunned to see two figures, one tall and one short, outside. His amber eyes widened slightly.

Jiang Yuan smiled brightly, delighted. “Nian Nian, Xiao Ci was worried about your studies, so he took the time to come over and help you with your lessons.”

Beside her stood a boy with long legs and apparent, handsome features. He stood to one side, a gentle smile on his face.

“Good evening, Classmate Xia.”

There was none of the frightening demeanour from the banquet or school.

Xia Zhinian: “…”

He knew the disguising abilities of this black sesame dumpling well and was not surprised. He pressed his lips together tightly.

“It’s rare for you to have a friend. You should talk it out no matter what misunderstandings you had before or what happened at the banquet.”

Jiang Yuan was genuinely happy that someone his age was willing to interact with her younger son. She smiled warmly.

“You two talk inside, and I’ll cut some fruit to bring up.”

Xia Zhinian felt a headache coming on. He couldn’t refuse directly before Jiang Yuan, so he bit his lip and let Yan Ci in.

After closing the door, Xia Zhinian stood to one side, keeping a few steps from Yan Ci. His round almond eyes glanced over warily, his unmistakable voice tinged with caution, like a small animal on guard against a predator.

“What do you want?”

The room’s curtains were open, letting in bright light. Yan Ci’s delicate, pale face in the orange sunset glow looked almost overly white.

Xia Zhinian immediately became alert, his hair on end as he swayed slightly. “You need to take your medicine, don’t you?”

“…?”

It was the first time Yan Ci had heard someone so bluntly tell him to take his medicine. He chuckled, the corners of his lips curving up. “Classmate Xia, you’ve made great progress, knowing when I need my medicine now.”

The boy kept a distance from him, wearing matching short-sleeve pyjamas. His slender, porcelain-like legs were exposed, his ankles clearly defined, and his feet nestled in fluffy slippers.

He looked exceptionally soft.

Yan Ci tilted his head, his smile gentle. “Yes, I do need my medicine. That’s why I came to find my special remedy classmate.”

Xia Zhinian: “…You think of me as medicine?”

Xia Zhinian took two steps back, his face scrunching as he recalled the information he had read. His wide amber eyes were filled with complicated emotions.

This condition made one crave physical touch, but not necessarily from anyone specific. Yan Ci’s severe cleanliness obsession made him prefer medication to human contact.

Except, he found something different in himself at the hospital that day.

Yan Ci didn’t find him repulsive, which led to Yan Ci’s excessive attention afterwards.

As for the banquet and the sixth-floor stairwell incident in which Yan Ci lost control, it was probably because he wanted to kiss Chu Qingjian, and Yan Ci, who considered him medicine, couldn’t tolerate it due to his cleanliness obsession.

Xia Zhinian didn’t want to get entangled with the protagonist shou. He pursed his lips, showing his reluctance.

“I’m not your medicine. You should keep taking your pills.”

The black sesame dumpling likely had methods to cope with his illness over time without needing special medicine.

The young, doughy-looking boy showed clear unwillingness. Yan Ci wasn’t surprised. His fingertips felt a tingling cold as he smiled gently, his eyes bending.

“Classmate Xia, what a great handle you have. Don’t you want to consider it? You could blackmail me and get anything you want.”

Xia Zhinian: “…”

Xia Zhinian pursed his lips. “Blackmail you into making Brother Chu like—”

Yan Ci’s expression stiffened, the curve of his lips changing subtly.

“Knock, knock.”

There was another knock on the door.

“Nian Nian, I brought some fruit.”

Xia Zhinian’s words were cut off as he went to open the door.

Jiang Yuan came in, placed the fruit tray down, and reminded the two of them, or rather Xia Zhinian, to study seriously with Yan Ci.

Xia Zhinian: “…”

The boy drooped his head, nodding dejectedly.

Yan Ci chuckled softly, his cold fingertips gently squeezing before letting go. He walked to the desk and put down a set of essential test papers he had brought.

As his eyes swept around, he suddenly noticed a few pink envelopes on the desk corner. The contents were peeking out, written in the same slanted handwriting with equally pink ink—

“Brother Chu ♡”

“Brother Chu ♡ ♡ ♡”

Yan Ci: “…”

Yan Ci stared at them for two seconds, his eyes darkening. A faint, discontented fire burned in his heart as he picked up one of the letters, lightly clicking his tongue against his teeth.

He paused, his smile growing even more gentle, his voice soft and smooth.

“The last time you gave me a printed love letter, but this one for Chu Qingjian is handwritten.”

“Classmate Xia, you are different to Chu Qingjian.”

Xia Zhinian pursed his lips, reaching out to take the letter back. “Of course, I like Brother Chu. If you want a handwritten one, you should write one too.”

Write it for the protagonist gong!

Yan Ci: “…”

Yan Ci stared at him, his dark eyes profound. He wanted to say something but stopped, recalling the upcoming arrangements, and held back his words, his smile faintly cold.

–

The meteorological department predicted a meteor shower over Nanjia City in a few days. The suburbs, with their wide-open views, were ideal for watching it.

Coincidentally, it was Friday and also Children’s Day.

Old Qin, the homeroom teacher, organized a Class 2-1 trip to the suburbs to watch the meteor shower, cheerfully saying it was an opportunity for them to wish for a few extra points on their college entrance exams.

Not every detail in the world was covered in the original story. This wasn’t part of the original plot. Xia Zhinian, having failed to kiss last time, still had time to figure out a solution.

… Unfortunately, Yan Ci kept following him.

Old Qin rented a bus. Xia Zhinian sat by the window, glancing at the boy with jade-like features beside him. He pursed his lips, looking down to play with his phone, not wanting to engage with Yan Ci too much.

The class group chat was lively, and this face-to-face messaging felt oddly exciting.

[Zou Ziqian]: Calling @Chu Qingjian, is Brother Chu here? Sneaky smile.jpg

[Yuan Lang]: My deskmate is behind me, eyes closed, resting.

[Yang Qin]: I can see it too. It’s closed.

[Zou Ziqian]: Hahaha, Brother Chu isn’t here? By the way, is Brother Chu dating someone? Rogue smile.jpg

【Zou Ziqian】: [Picture]

The image shows Chu Qingjian walking with a gentle-looking girl with long hair. Tall trees frame the background, and the girl smiles at Chu Qingjian, creating a perfectly framed scene.

【Zou Ziqian】: Brother Chu has been seen with this girl from Class 8 recently. I’ve seen them together several times. Now, she’s even coming to watch the meteor shower. Are they dating?

A mischievous grin emoji appears.

Xia Zhinian: “???”

What is this…

Xia Zhinian stared at the picture for a while, enlarging it to look closer. He then straightened up slightly, his face full of doubt.

Isn’t this the same girl in the blue dress who was with Chu Qingjian at the banquet? Is she also from their school?

He tapped the screen to type.

【Xia Zhinian】: This is probably a misunderstanding. Don’t jump to conclusions.

The protagonist gong’s official pairing should be the protagonist shou. Even if the romantic plot is lacklustre, it won’t completely derail someone else. Guessing wildly isn’t good for the girl.

【Zou Ziqian】: …

【Zou Ziqian】: @Xia Zhinian, I forgot you were also in the group since you’ve been so quiet. Haha.

【Yuan Lang】: …

【Du Bao】: …

Xia Zhinian smiled slightly with his almond-shaped eyes. Since he was supposed to be obsessed with Chu Qingjian, it was no wonder Zou Ziqian and the others felt awkward. He raised his hand to type, but another message popped up quickly before he finished.

【Zou Ziqian】: In that case, sorry in advance!

Fist clasp emoji.

Xia Zhinian sent out a question mark.

“Ding—”

Sorry, you have been removed from the group chat.

Xia Zhinian: “…?!”

What?

Xia Zhinian stared at the notification, his eyes wide with disbelief.

What is going on?

A low chuckle came from beside him, the voice cultured and gentle.

“Classmate Xia, I can add you back to the group.”

“??”

Xia Zhinian turned his head. Yan Ci was also looking at his phone. Then he waved the screen in front of Xia Zhinian, speaking slowly: “They’re still discussing Chu Qingjian in the group. Do you want me to add you back?”

Xia Zhinian nodded like a pecking chick, the tuft of hair on his head flicking up and down, “Do it.”

He wanted to know who that girl was.

Yan Ci glanced at the screen, tilting his head, “But we’re not friends yet. You need to accept my request first.”

Xia Zhinian: “…”

Oh, right, he forgot about that.

Yan Ci held his phone out towards him, the corners of his mouth curling up, the scar by his eye softening, “Shall we?”

Xia Zhinian looked at him hesitantly, feeling something was off. Suddenly, he asked, “Didn’t you tell me to stay away from Brother Chu?”

Yan Ci slightly raised his eyebrows, watching the unusually perceptive little dough ball, his expression serene, “The class group chat isn’t only about Chu Qingjian. It doesn’t matter.”

“But it’s rare for Classmate Xia to remember my words.”

Xia Zhinian: “…”

Seeing Yan Ci smile made Xia Zhinian feel uneasy. He pursed his lips and curled closer to the window, “Never mind, Zou Ziqian will add me back soon.”

He turned his body and leaned against the window, closing his eyes for a nap. The bus was noisy for a while, but soon, everyone followed suit, preparing for the night’s activities.

The enclosed bus quickly fell silent. Only the hum of the engine and air conditioning remained.

The viewing spot was in the suburbs, quite remote. Soon, they were on a dirt road. The bus hit a bump, causing the entire back row to jolt violently.

Xia Zhinian let out a muffled “ugh” sound, biting his lips as he opened his eyes.

… Damn it.

This body gets carsick.

The bus jolted severely, and his empty stomach churned because Xia Zhinian hadn’t eaten dinner. The motion made him feel dizzy, and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

He cautiously stood up, glancing beside him. Yan Ci leaned back in his seat, eyes closed, seemingly sleeping peacefully. Everyone else was also dozing off in various postures.

Xia Zhinian rarely experienced carsickness this bad. His face turned pale, and he felt extremely unwell. He stood up, avoiding Yan Ci’s legs, and stepped out.

“Bang.”

The bus suddenly jolted again. Xia Zhinian’s stomach lurched, and he felt dizzy. He was top-heavy and about to fall.

Yan Ci opened his eyes. The scar by his eye was flushed red, and a fierce look flashed through. He saw the boy stepping out, swaying unsteadily, and a fierce glint flickered in his dark eyes.

Instinctively, he grabbed the boy’s clothes, pulling him towards himself.

“Ugh, let go.”

Help!

Xia Zhinian’s legs went weak; a strong force pulled him forward, and he rolled into Yan Ci’s arms, their chests pressed together, his head knocking against Yan Ci’s shoulder.

Yan Ci tightened his grip, his voice low and hoarse, a chill in his eyes.

“Classmate Xia, where are you going now?”

Xia Zhinian’s head spun, his face brushing against the warm collarbone.

The moment their skin touched, he shivered, almond eyes widening like a startled animal. He trembled uncontrollably, brows furrowed, face pale, and struggled to push away, slapping Yan Ci’s arm.

“Don’t touch me!”