Yan Ci originally had a slightly downcast expression with furrowed brows, but upon hearing this, his gaze deepened, his ink-black eyes like an impenetrable abyss, staring straight ahead.
After a while, the corners of his lips curved into a faint smile, and he spoke softly.
“Really, you’ll let me touch you?”
Xia Zhinian’s face flushed hot, and a tantalizing crimson spread from the tips of his ears. He averted his gaze, his cowlick standing up, and stammered, “Didn’t you say you were uncomfortable?”
After all, Yan Ci saved him.
Yan Ci chuckled, a hint of predatory excitement flashing in his eyes, though he restrained it and smiled gently, his voice calm and slow. “I’m uncomfortable, so you… let me touch you?”
“Hmm? Look at me.”
Xia Zhinian: “…”
“Why do you talk so much?!”
Xia Zhinian’s ears burned fiercely, the crimson spreading across his face. Clutching his clothes, his heart pounded wildly as Yan Ci’s gaze made him feel extremely uncomfortable. Bracing himself, he puffed up, baring his teeth fiercely. “Just say if you want to touch or not!”
Yan Ci stared at him, the corners of his lips rising. “Touch, I want to touch.”
The little rice cake offering itself, how could he not touch him?
“Ring, ring, ring.”
“Ring, ring, ring——”
The urgent bell signaling the start of class rang, and Yan Ci, through his sleeve, grabbed Xia Zhinian’s arm and led him back to the classroom. They sat in the last row where no one was around, and the teacher was engrossed in the lecture.
Yan Ci sat down, slightly turning his body, a gentle smile on his face, placing the choice in Xia Zhinian’s hands, speaking softly, “Come on, Classmate Xia, you decide, where do you want to touch?”
Xia Zhinian: “??!”
Xia Zhinian’s eyes widened. “How would I know where to touch to make it better?”
Yan Ci chuckled, “Touch anywhere, anywhere will help. Wherever Classmate Xia wants to make it better, just touch it there.”
Xia Zhinian’s amber eyes widened in shock, “Only the place I touch will get better? I can’t possibly touch you all over.”
Yan Ci’s lips curved up, unable to suppress his laughter, “I wouldn’t mind.”
“I mind!” The little rice cake exploded, his face turning beet red, “I won’t touch you anymore, just bear with it!”
“Classmate Xia, it’s not good to go back on your word.”
Yan Ci’s eyes bent with his smile, a low laugh emanating from his chest. Fearing he had teased the little dumpling too much, he softly reassured, “It’s okay, you can choose any place.”
Xia Zhinian’s earlobes looked like they were about to drip blood. His eyes were both fierce and soft, and looking at Yan Ci’s smiling face, he felt as if he had been tricked.
But looking at the wound on Yan Ci’s arm, he gritted his teeth and blushed even more.
“Then… the right hand.”
Yan Ci extended his chosen right hand, palm up, his long, jade-like fingers clearly defined.
Despite being cool-toned, his hand had a somewhat enticing color.
Xia Zhinian couldn’t help but glance at it twice.
Yan Ci maintained his composure, smiling, “Go ahead, however you want to touch.”
Xia Zhinian: “…”
Ahhh!
Black sesame dumpling, shut your mouth!
Xia Zhinian gritted his teeth, his ears turning completely red, with no deterrent power at all, making him seem soft and adorable.
Yan Ci’s smile broadened as he wiggled his hand to prompt, “Classmate Xia, hurry up, it’s really uncomfortable.”
Xia Zhinian: “…”
Xia Zhinian bit his lip, slowly raising his hand, hovering it above Yan Ci’s palm, hesitating to lower it, then pulling back slightly, glancing at Yan Ci.
Yan Ci didn’t rush, patiently waiting with a warm smile.
Xia Zhinian hesitated for a long time before finally, slowly, slowly, placing his hand on Yan Ci’s, their palms barely touching.
Yan Ci suddenly tensed up, an indescribable thrill surging from his palm to his nerves, his lips curving, a touch of wild pleasure and madness flashing in his eyes.
The soft palm brought a gentle warmth, instantly alleviating the numbing cold pain.
His fingertips turned white as he fought the urge to tighten his grip and hold that hand. He smiled, allowing the desire to spread unchecked within.
This was the first time the little rice cake had taken the initiative to touch him.
Yan Ci smiled.
Xia Zhinian’s hand rested lightly, without pressure, just barely touching, with a noticeable gap between them.
The direct skin contact made him want to pull away. His long lashes trembled, but he held back, his ears burning, his body tense.
Looking at Yan Ci’s pleased expression, Xia Zhinian was startled.
“Why are you smiling?”
Why does Yan Ci look like he’s going to devour him?!
Instinctively, he tried to withdraw his hand, but Yan Ci’s fingers tightened, stopping him. Yan Ci lowered his eyes and smiled gently, “Nothing, just… very happy.”
He released his grip, and Xia Zhinian’s hand regained its freedom, still hovering over his palm.
White and slender, Xia Zhinian’s hand was smaller than Yan Ci’s, unable to cover it entirely.
His palm felt a bit moist, his heart pounding, round eyes looking at Yan Ci hesitantly, “Is… is this better?”
It didn’t look any different.
Yan Ci made a sound of acknowledgment, looking at the bewildered little dumpling, his desire growing, his tongue touching his teeth as he smiled softly.
“Much better now, thank you, Classmate Xia.”
… No rush, take it slow.
Xia Zhinian shivered at his smile, quickly retracting his hand, hiding it in his other palm, feeling something was off. He rubbed his hands together, placing them far from Yan Ci.
The bandage on Yan Ci’s arm had come loose, so he went to the infirmary for a new one and returned for the little dumpling to re-wrap it.
Seeing the deep wound, Xia Zhinian thought of those punks and pouted, wrapping the bandage.
It was the third class break; he had gotten up late, washed up, and rushed over without breakfast. Now, the hunger pangs were overwhelming.
Rubbing his empty stomach, he fished out some leftover candies from his desk and popped them into his mouth, slumping on the table.
Yan Ci gently patted his head, “Didn’t eat breakfast?”
Xia Zhinian shook his head, trying to shake off Yan Ci’s hand without success, his chin resting on the table, hugging his stomach pitifully.
“Woke up late.”
Last night, his mind was full of Yan Ci holding him and saying he was scared, and he couldn’t sleep.
… Now he was so hungry.
Although the candies were sweet, they couldn’t alleviate his hunger for long.
Yan Ci didn’t have the habit of carrying snacks, so he glanced around.
The back door opened, and Teacher Qin came in with a stack of homework books.
“Xia Zhinian.”
Xia Zhinian sat up and turned around. Teacher Qin handed him the books and smiled kindly, “Good job, although a bit disjointed, at least it wasn’t copied wrong. You can write well if you try.”
Xia Zhinian: “…”
Not copying wrong means writing well?
Teacher Qin smiled, looking relaxed, “One good effort deserves another. Since you copied it once, copy the entire Chinese homework tonight and show it to me tomorrow.”
Xia Zhinian: “?!”
What?!
Xia Zhinian was stunned, holding his stomach and sitting up, “Teacher, I—”
“Classmate Xia, is your stomach uncomfortable?”
Xia’s voice was cut off, his eyes wide, intending to resist the copying task.
Teacher Qin looked at him, not giving him a chance to speak, suddenly understanding, “Oh, woke up late and missed breakfast, huh? Wait here.”
Teacher Qin waddled away, not taking no for an answer.
Xia Zhinian: “…”
Xia Zhinian: “?!”
Xia Zhinian’s eyes were wide and round, unable to get a word in, utterly bewildered, taking a while to react.
Oh my.
Once he starts copying homework, it never ends… But the original owner’s handwriting was vastly different.
Short-term practice couldn’t bridge such a big gap; no one would believe it.
Xia Zhinian pursed his lips.
Yan Ci didn’t know what he was thinking, but he gave him a meaningful sidelong glance.
Teacher Qin soon returned, holding a sandwich wrapped in a hard, transparent plastic shell, and handed it to him.
Xia Zhinian was taken aback.
“This is…”
For him?
“You’re too skinny. Eat something,” Teacher Qin said with a smile. “If you feel unwell, speak up, or tell the class president.”
Xia Zhinian sat at his desk, holding the sandwich, feeling its warmth. He stared at it for a long moment, his pale face showing a trace of confusion.
… This was the first time someone had given him food.
Before, he had so many allergies that others feared he would have a reaction and blame them.
Yan Ci’s gaze deepened as he stared at the clearly distracted boy. Yuan Lang, sitting in front, sniffed the air and leaned over with a look of shock.
“Oh my god, Teacher Qin, do you actually eat this? Is this stuff really good?”
“How is it not good? I made it myself!” Teacher Qin glared. “I share it with you guys, and you still complain!”
Yuan Lang’s expression was a mix of despair.
He had eaten this sandwich before, as had many in the class. Although Teacher Qin taught math, his heart perhaps longed to be a chef. He loved cooking and sharing his creations with the class.
At first, everyone appreciated his efforts, but unfortunately, Teacher Qin’s culinary skills were never quite up to par.
Yuan Lang looked sympathetic, while Xia Zhinian held the still-warm sandwich, looked at Teacher Qin, and unwrapped it.
His amber eyes lit up, and a sweet, childlike smile appeared on his face, like a kid receiving a new toy, both cautious and curious.
Peeling back the cling film revealed a slice of soft white bread.
It was packed with fried egg, lettuce, bacon slices, and… green chili peppers and cucumber?
And some other fillings.
Colorful and not very appetizing, but it smelled good.
He took a bite, and his taste buds were met with a hint of sweet and spicy sauce.
… It was spicy!
Xia Zhinian’s eyes sparkled as he took another big bite, exclaiming in surprise, “This is actually pretty good.”
Yuan Lang: “?!”
What?!
Yan Ci’s expression was also a bit strange.
Only Teacher Qin, after a moment of laughter, said, “See, it’s not my cooking that’s the problem.”
Yuan Lang was confused, “Old Qin, did you change your recipe?”
Teacher Qin shook his head, “Nope.”
“Then why is it good now?”
Yuan Lang’s face showed horror, calling over Zou Ziqian, “Old Zou, you tell us.”
Zou Ziqian hesitated, choosing his words carefully, “Well, it’s still… um, average.”
Xia Zhinian continued to eat, obviously enjoying it without any signs of forcing himself. Yan Ci, Yuan Lang, and Zou Ziqian all stared at him with different expressions.
Zou Ziqian clicked his tongue, “Old deskmate, are you sure you’re not just… starving?”
Xia Zhinian looked up, his long lashes fluttering, lips slightly smudged with crumbs, and sincerely said, “… No.”
He genuinely thought it was delicious.
The sandwich wasn’t large, and he finished it in a few bites, satisfied, patting his stomach.
Yan Ci’s gaze lingered on his mouth, his dark eyes flashing with an unreadable emotion.
After a moment, he handed Xia Zhinian a tissue.
—
The lunch break was long. Usually, Xia Zhinian went home directly, coming back in the afternoon with a driver. But today, he stayed because Zou Ziqian had promised to bring him some barbecue.
The classroom was still quite full, some students having ordered takeout, others simply preferring to eat away from the crowded cafeteria. With various food smells in the air, one extra portion of barbecue wasn’t noticeable.
Zou Ziqian had brought plenty, sharing with those around him, and there was still a lot left. Xia Zhinian, holding his stomach, finished it all and couldn’t help but burp lightly afterward.
… He had eaten too much.
He was feeling a bit stuffed.
Many students didn’t go home for lunch, choosing instead to nap on their desks. Xia Zhinian glanced around and followed suit, resting his head on his desk.
Yan Ci returned after eating and saw the boy curled up, sleeping quietly on his desk.
His side profile was pressed against his arm, a faint red mark visible, soft strands of hair falling over closed eyelids, lips slightly parted, long lashes occasionally fluttering, indicating he wasn’t in a deep sleep.
He looked peaceful, without a hint of defense.
Yan Ci observed his fair, soft-looking face, feeling an inexplicable itch in his fingers, wanting to poke it.
After some consideration, he refrained, knowing he would have plenty of opportunities in the future.
Yan Ci smiled, moving quietly.
The weather was unpredictable. It was clear in the morning, but by noon, it had turned cloudy and started raining. The rain tapped rhythmically against the spotless window, making a clear, soothing sound.
Xia Zhinian’s mind was a jumbled mess, vaguely dreaming of his childhood.
After his parents and younger brother died in a car accident, he moved in with his grandparents. On the table, there was a small plate with a handful of milk candies.
He wanted one but couldn’t reach, standing on tiptoe and barely touching the table edge. He turned to the figure standing in the doorway, speaking in a soft, childlike voice.
“Grandma, I want some candy. I can’t reach it.”
An elderly woman, neatly dressed but with a stern expression, stood in the shadows, her voice cold.
“You haven’t even repaid me for taking three lives. Do you deserve candy?”
“Go back to your room and stay there. Don’t come out unless necessary.”
The small child, barely taller than the table leg, retracted his hand timidly, lowered his head, and returned to his room. Just before closing the door, he heard the old people downstairs talking.
“Why wasn’t it him that died?”
“Sickly as he is, he survived such a serious car accident. Must’ve stolen his parents’ and brother’s luck.”
“Yeah, stay away from him. He’s bound to pay for it someday.”
“Bad luck.”
Rain pelted the ground outside. Xia Zhinian slowly opened his eyes, sitting up, covering half his face with his hand, and taking a deep breath.
… Why was he dreaming of those times again?
Xia Zhinian pursed his lips, intending to find some leftover candy in his desk, but he only found a few empty wrappers.
… He had finished them all in the morning.
His long lashes trembled slightly.
“What are you looking for?”
A clear voice suddenly sounded nearby.
Xia Zhinian turned to see Yan Ci watching him, his expression calm and composed.
“Nothing.”
Xia Zhinian took a deep breath, finally waking up from his memories. He slumped back onto his desk, his voice soft and sleepy.
“I was just dazed from my nap.”
Yan Ci glanced at the places he had searched, then fished something out of his pocket, placing it in front of Xia Zhinian. He tapped the table gently, smiling warmly.
“Want some?”
His long fingers naturally splayed out, palm up, revealing a few brightly wrapped fruit candies, making his skin look even paler.
Xia Zhinian was stunned, sitting up straight, his almond eyes wide as he looked at the candies and then at Yan Ci.
“… For me?”
Yan Ci shook his hand casually, “Who else?”
Xia Zhinian’s fingers fidgeted with the edge of the table. The dream’s content resurfaced, and after a long pause, he lowered his gaze, speaking softly.
“Thanks, but I don’t want any.”
Yan Ci raised an eyebrow, “You sure?”
He was clearly looking for candy earlier.
Why refuse now?
Xia Zhinian sighed, his cowlick drooping, and shook his head, slumping back onto his desk.
Yan Ci’s gaze lingered on him, dark and contemplative, as if wanting to peel back his exterior layer by layer to see what lay within.
—
The rain continued until the end of the school day. Xia Zhinian didn’t have an umbrella and looked at the puddles forming outside, intending to dash through them. But Yan Ci pulled him back, drawing him under his own umbrella.
It was a single umbrella, with limited space, close enough that their arms were almost touching.
Feeling a bit awkward, Xia Zhinian moved to the side.
“Classmate Xia.”
Unexpectedly, his arm was grabbed, and the force that didn’t allow any resistance pulled him back directly.
Yan Ci clicked his tongue, his voice warm, sighing, “If you keep running, I’ll have to chase you with the umbrella. My right arm wound will get soaked in the rain.”
“Classmate Xia, can you bear to do this to me?”
Classmate Xia: “…”
Xia Zhinian touched his nose, his voice soft, “You don’t have to follow me. Just use your own umbrella.”
He actually liked rainy days.
Yan Ci lowered his eyes to look at him, the scar at the corner of his eye extending like eyeliner. Tilting his head, he smiled, “That’s not going to work. Since you’re my assigned help object, I don’t want your grades to suffer because you fell ill. That would be my failure.”
Xia Zhinian: “…”
Xia Zhinian wanted to run even more but was held by a strong force and trapped under the umbrella.
The raindrops above hit the umbrella surface, making continuous sounds. Under the umbrella, it was quiet. Despite the constant rain sounds, he could still hear the slight rustling of their school uniform jackets brushing against each other.
Reaching the school gate, they immediately saw Xia Zhinian’s car. Yan Ci, holding the umbrella, brought the boy over.
Opening the car door, Xia Zhinian looked up and was stunned by what he saw inside.
The elegant and gentle-looking man in the back seat raised his head and smiled at him with a hint of joy, “Nian Nian, Dad is back to take you home.”
…This was the original owner’s father, Xia Hongyu.
Xia Zhinian paused, coming back to his senses after a moment, his fingers curling slightly, making a sound from his throat.
“Uncle Xia, Brother Xia.”
Yan Ci glanced at the boy beside him, nodded politely to the two people inside, and smiled gently, “Classmate Xia didn’t bring an umbrella, so I brought him over.”
Xia Hongyu knew about this eldest son of the Yan family and had heard from Jiang Yuan that Yan Ci had a good relationship with his younger son. His smile was amiable.
“Xiao Ci, the rain is heavy. Get in, and we’ll give you a ride home.”
“I have a car coming to pick me up, waiting just behind. Thank you for the offer, Uncle Xia.”
After some polite exchanges, Xia Zhinian got into the car, and Yan Ci turned to leave, soon getting into his own car.
Xia Wenhan was driving in the front, and Xia Hongyu looked at his younger son, sitting by the window, eyes downcast and silent. Despite being usually very composed at the negotiation table, he seemed somewhat nervous now.
His younger son had just been found and brought home. Due to work, he had to go abroad, only returning now.
They hadn’t spent much time together, and from talking to Xia Wenhan, he knew their relationship wasn’t very close.
…His younger son didn’t talk much at home.
“Nian Nian.”
Afraid of startling him, Xia Hongyu called softly, trying to close the distance. After thinking for a long time, he decided to ask the most basic question, his voice gentle, “How are you getting along with your classmates?”
Xia Zhinian: “…”
Xia Zhinian felt a bit overwhelmed and nodded, “Pretty good.”
Xia Hongyu: “…Oh, that’s good.”
“Do you need pocket money?”
“…No.”
“Oh, okay. If you need anything, just tell Dad, Mom, or your brother. Don’t be shy.”
“…Okay.”
The conversation stalled, and awkwardness quickly filled the car. Xia Zhinian clutched the edge of his clothes, biting his lip.
It was a bit awkward.
Finally reaching the Xia home, Jiang Yuan was clearly very happy at the dinner table.
Her lips curved in a smile, her almond eyes shimmering with slight tears as she looked at her son, lost for over ten years.
“After so many years, our family is finally reunited.”
Xia Hongyu patted her shoulder, soothing her gently, “It’s okay, Yuan. We’re reunited now and won’t be separated again.”
Xia Zhinian pursed his lips, looking at the two people across from him, then lowered his eyes, sighing lightly in his heart.
…They’re not really reunited yet.
He didn’t want to take anyone’s place or replace someone else’s life.
He had transmigrated here and didn’t know if the original owner was dead or alive or had transmigrated to his place.
But according to the original novel, whether it was him or the original “Xia Zhinian” was destined to die.
Xia Zhinian fell silent, looking at the happy Xia parents. And the elder brother, although not saying much, stayed at the table after finishing his meal. His heart ached a bit.
He needed to quickly advance the relationship between the protagonist gong and shou.
Dragging it out would do no one any good.
–
But advancing the relationship was easier said than done. Xia Zhinian saw that Yan Ci and Chu Qingjian hardly interacted, and he couldn’t think of a solution no matter how hard he tried.
Sitting in the classroom with one hand supporting his chin, Xia Zhinian was lost in thought. He had taken time yesterday to visit a calligraphy shop, paying them to copy Yan Ci’s Chinese homework in the original character’s handwriting.
He had just delivered it to the teacher, and now, the tuft of hair on his head swayed in the wind, particularly noticeable.
The front of the classroom was noisy.
The sports committee member, Du Bao, stood on the podium shouting, “We have three days off for the Dragon Boat Festival this weekend. Who wants to go out and have fun together?”
“Fun, fun, soon it’s finals, and then we’ll be in the third year!”
“Hey, study committee member, don’t talk like Old Qin.”
“I heard we have to take supplementary classes during the summer before the third year. We only get ten days off, and the three days for the Dragon Boat Festival count as a mini-holiday.”
Amid the noise, Yan Ci tapped his fingers on Xia Zhinian’s desk.
“Classmate Xia, do you have any plans?”
“Me?”
Xia Zhinian snapped out of his thoughts, his voice clear and pure.
“I’m not going.”
The original Xia Zhinian wouldn’t participate in such activities.
“It’s a class bonding activity, you have to go!” Yuan Lang, hearing the commotion, turned around excitedly, leaving no room for refusal.
Xia Zhinian: “…”
The boy looked dazed and a bit helpless, his almond-shaped eyes wide and round. Yan Ci smiled.
The classroom was bustling, the noise seemingly about to lift the ceiling. The class monitor didn’t intervene, but amid the laughing and shouting, he turned sideways, extending his bandaged arm, his voice light. “Classmate Xia.”
“…It hurts.”
Xia Zhinian: “??”
“Does the wound hurt?”
Xia Zhinian was taken aback, thinking of Yan Ci holding an umbrella with him yesterday, his expression changing slightly, “Could it be… you got soaked in the rain yesterday?”
Yan Ci’s arm wound wasn’t deep but was caused by a knife and quite long. Though it had been wrapped in gauze, it still bled occasionally.
Now that the weather is getting warmer, if it gets infected…
He looked left and right through the shirt sleeve, blinking, “Should we see the school doctor?”
Yan Ci smiled, his scarred eye tinged with an inexplicable darkness, his voice low, chuckling, “The school doctor can’t help me.”
“The one who can help me is right in front of me.”
Xia Zhinian was startled, looking up.
“Classmate Xia.” Yan Ci said softly, “You are my special medicine.”
Xia Zhinian: “…?!”
Xia Zhinian froze, his ears suddenly burning. His almond-shaped eyes widened, and the tuft of hair on his head stood straight up. He whispered, flustered.
“I’m not a medicine, and didn’t I already touch you yesterday?”
Yan Ci chuckled, his voice deep, hiding a deep-seated desire.
“Not enough.”
Far from enough.
He wanted this boy to be forever trapped in his grasp.
With no escape.
He warned himself to take it slow, but after a day, he couldn’t help but want more.
He extended his hand further, his elegant features darkened with a hint of excitement and asked softly. “Classmate Xia, it really hurts.”
“Can you… touch me for a little longer?”
