TPPCGEM Chapter 42

Three people squeezed into a corner. Chu Qingjian stood slightly farther away, one hand behind his back, hiding what he had unsuccessfully tried to hand over earlier.

Xia Zhinian frowned and whispered, “It hurts.” Yan Ci loosened his grip and frowned, asking, “What’s wrong?”

Chu Qingjian glanced back and forth between the two of them, remaining strangely silent.

Yan Ci lifted the boy’s sleeve, revealing a fair, slender wrist. Several dark bruises stood out, overlapped by a few fresh red marks.

The size of the marks was consistent, making it clear they were made by the same person.

Chu Qingjian was momentarily shocked and looked at Yan Ci.

Yan Ci: “…”

It must have been from yesterday by the lake when he got angry and squeezed too hard.

He pursed his lips and softened his movements.

Noticing that Chu Qingjian was glancing over, Xia Zhinian thought, The protagonist gong and shou finally made some progress. He can’t let this black sesame dumpling ruin this off! So, He quickly withdrew his hand, dropped his sleeve, and said, “It’s nothing, just a little accident. I was just out for a walk, and now I’m going back.”

You two continue. Don’t stop, please, don’t stop!

Xia Zhinian’s almond-shaped eyes curved into a smile, and he dashed off, his footsteps light.

Yan Ci, mindful of his wrist, didn’t try to stop him. He watched the boy’s retreating figure, his little tuft of hair on top bouncing slightly, and there was a hint of excitement in his eyes as they darkened.

Hadn’t this little rice cake previously seen him as a “rival in love”? Why did he look so happy to see him alone with his “crush” Chu Qingjian?

Once again, a vague sense of unease crept up inside Yan Ci, as if things were slipping out of control.

Like the hand he failed to catch yesterday, he felt a growing sense that he couldn’t grasp the boy, and the danger of losing him climbed into his chest, making him inexplicably anxious.

Chu Qingjian handed over the delicate little gift box. “This is for Xia Zhinian. Keep it safe.”

Yan Ci returned to reality, took the box, and slowly thanked him. He took out the carefully selected watch inside and examined it, feeling sour discomfort in his heart.

In the classroom, Yan Ci first went to the infirmary to get some medicine, then returned.

Xia Zhinian was kneeling on his seat, his upper body slumped over the desk. His bottom slightly stuck out as he played with his phone, coughing twice into his hand.

Zou Ziqian sat in Yuanlang’s seat, talking to him. He sighed, “Former deskmate, you managed to fall into the lake while drawing. That’s quite a feat.”

“…”

Xia Zhinian smiled awkwardly and asked about the stones under the water.

Zou Ziqian explained that seven or eight years ago when the scenic lake had just been completed, a student had walked along the lakeside path and accidentally fallen in.

The school promptly filled the edge with a circle of dark stones. They’re not very noticeable, but they offer solid protection.

Zou Ziqian shook his head in amazement. “I used to think they were pointless, but now I see the school was very thoughtful.”

“But why haven’t you sat down today?”

Xia Zhinian: “…”

Xia Zhinian rubbed his nose, stifling a sob, and muttered, “Nothing, just… changing positions.”

His bottom was sore from the fall. Sitting was just too painful.

So embarrassing.

As the class bell rang, Zou Ziqian returned to his seat. A slight movement caught his attention, and he turned his head.

Yan Ci, tall and long-legged, pulled out his chair and sat down. He meaningfully gazed at Xia Zhinian’s strange and knee-straining position. He placed the ointment on his desk, his voice noticeably gentler.

“For your wrist. Twice a day.”

Xia Zhinian glanced at him, then at Chu Qingjian, curious about what they had been discussing. But asking about the protagonist gong and shou’s private conversation didn’t seem right.

With a smile and curved eyes, he accepted the ointment. “Thanks.”

Yan Ci’s gaze lowered, his dark eyes blatantly focusing on the raised curve of his bottom. He pointedly remarked, “It’s for your body too. Apply it the same way.”

Xia Zhinian: “…”

Xia Zhinian immediately straightened up, pulling his bottom back, his ears burning. “…Oh, okay, got it.”

.

By evening, Xia Zhinian struggled to prop himself up by the desk.

He had barely sat down all day. The Xia family’s meals were light, catering to his illness, so the food prepared by the housekeeper was even more bland. He hadn’t eaten much at all.

After enduring the whole day, he touched his shrunken belly and sighed softly.

…So hungry.

It was the last class, and as usual, it was self-study. Old Qin had called Yan Ci away, so the class representative sat at the podium, doing homework while maintaining discipline.

The classroom was quiet, with only the faint whispers of students discussing questions.

Suddenly, Xia Zhinian’s stomach let out a loud growl.

“!!!”

Why was it so loud?

The surrounding area was silent, and that growl seemed to echo throughout the class. Xia Zhinian’s expression froze, his ears instantly turning red. He quickly covered his stomach and looked around.

Fortunately, no one was sitting in the last row, and Yuanlang and Chu Qingjian were engrossed in their phones, oblivious to the world around them. No one seemed to have noticed.

Xia Zhinian secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

No, this won’t do. He was too hungry.

He glanced around, quietly moved his chair aside, and under the pretence of picking up an eraser, slowly slid between the desk and the chair, crouching in the space. He grabbed his backpack and tiptoed to the back of the classroom, walking like a little duckling.

He silently opened the back door just a crack and peeked out.

No one was outside.

Yan Ci wasn’t around either. He wouldn’t suddenly appear.

Now was the perfect time—run!

Xia Zhinian chuckled, squeezed through the crack in the door, and avoided the teachers’ office as he headed downstairs.

The sky outside was already darkening. Since it was class time, the school was empty. The breeze was cool and refreshing, and the quiet was almost serene.

He touched his stomach and reached the small, low wall that Zou Ziqian and Yuanlang had mentioned behind the school.

He had never skipped class; he usually claimed he wasn’t feeling well and left openly. He had never climbed over a wall, so getting up took him some effort, huffing and puffing.

Sitting on top of the wall, his bottom hurt from the hard surface. Xia Zhinian grimaced, covering his dry throat as he gasped for breath. “Cough, cough, cough.”

“Xia Zhinian, get down!”

Xia Zhinian: “?!!”

A low voice suddenly sounded from below, and a hot hand unexpectedly grabbed his ankle with considerable force, holding him firmly in place.

“Who?!”

Startled, Xia Zhinian looked down.

Yan Ci had appeared out of nowhere, a few beads of sweat on his forehead. His brows were furrowed, and his dark eyes stared at Xia Zhinian without blinking his aura cold.

“Get down.”

He repeated, his voice slightly chilly.

Yan Ci pressed his tongue against the back of his teeth.

When he returned from Old Qin’s office and looked over, the fair-skinned boy was nowhere to be found. He asked around, but no one had seen him.

That unsettling sense of loss from the lakeside surged up again, and without thinking, he came out to search for him, only to find him sitting precariously on the wall.

His fingers tightened around the boy’s ankle, and he felt the warmth through the fabric. Yan Ci barely managed to calm down.

“…Are you looking for me?” Xia Zhinian asked, staring blankly at the boy who had suddenly appeared. He wiggled his leg, trying to shake off the grip.

Yan Ci tightened his hold and steadied him, pursing his lips. “Be good, don’t move.”

“Where were you planning to go?”

Xia Zhinian replied, “I—”

“Gurgle, gurgle.”

At that moment, Xia Zhinian’s stomach let out another loud growl. His ears immediately flushed red, and he stammered, “I… cough… I’m hungry.”

“You’re skipping class because you’re hungry?”

Xia Zhinian: “…”

Caught red-handed, Xia Zhinian had no excuse. He sat on the wall, biting his lip, his little tuft of hair swaying as he gave a sheepish smile and averted his gaze.

Yan Ci stared at him for a long moment, his eyes trailing over the scar at the corner of his own eye, cool and distant. After a pause, he tugged at the corner of his mouth, braced one hand against the top of the wall, and, with a swift movement, vaulted effortlessly over the low wall.

“!!”

Xia Zhinian was dumbfounded, his almond-shaped eyes wide and round. Before he could react, Yan Ci had already moved to the other side and grabbed his ankle, applying some force.

“Hey, hey, don’t pull me. Cough, cough, cough! I can get down myself, I can get down!”

Startled, Xia Zhinian’s almond eyes widened, and his breath became uneven, triggering a coughing fit.

Yan Ci’s brows furrowed slightly, his gaze dark and deep. Avoiding his wrist, he grabbed Xia Zhinian’s forearm instead. “I’m not pulling you. Get down yourself.”

Xia Zhinian breathed a sigh of relief, moved his other leg over, and jumped down, landing steadily on the ground.

–

Since he had already skipped class, Xia Zhinian didn’t want to go back. Surprisingly, Yan Ci didn’t plan on returning either. He sent a message to Mr. Qin, crafting a legitimate-sounding excuse for their absence without batting an eye.

Xia Zhinian: “…”

Well, okay then. He’s impressed.

Yan Ci asked what he wanted to eat. Since Xia Zhinian didn’t have many preferences, he thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up, and he blurted out, “Barbecue!”

“…?”

Yan Ci frowned slightly, his refined features calm as he chuckled softly. “You’re still sick, and you want to eat barbecue? Do you want to ruin your throat?”

Xia Zhinian pouted, whining, “I’ve barely tasted anything lately.”

Yan Ci glanced at him, thought for a moment, and then led him to a hotpot restaurant, where he ordered a clear broth hotpot.

Xia Zhinian didn’t mind missing out on a barbecue. He waited eagerly, his eyes bright.

Hotpot was fine, too. He had never eaten hotpot before.

When the pot arrived, a faint aroma filled the air. Xia Zhinian’s little tuft of hair on his head perked up in excitement, and the corners of his lips lifted. His happiness was obvious.

Yan Ci observed him closely. The unsettling feeling from earlier of not being able to hold onto him slowly dissipated. He exhaled softly.

“Yan Ci.”

Xia Zhinian called out, a bit hesitant. “This is a single pot, so we can’t eat it separately. Aren’t you going to eat?”

Yan Ci raised an eyebrow. “Of course I’m eating. Why wouldn’t I? I’m hungry too.”

“Huh?”

Xia Zhinian blinked in confusion, his almond-shaped eyes wide. “But don’t you have a cleanliness issue?”

The fact that Yan Ci was willing to accompany him to eat already surprised him.

Yan Ci chuckled softly, his voice gentle. “My cleanliness issue doesn’t apply to you, my deskmate. You should know that by now.”

Xia Zhinian: “…”

Well, okay. He had assumed that the cleanliness issue only applied to physical contact, like touching or hugging.

But since Yan Ci said so, Xia Zhinian didn’t mind. He happily dipped his food into the sauce and ate with enthusiasm.

Nowadays, most people are picky eaters, avoiding certain foods. But Yan Ci noticed that Xia Zhinian wasn’t picky at all. He ate whatever was given to him.

The amber light in Xia Zhinian’s eyes was clear and bright, and he seemed soft and easy to please—very easy to take care of. Yan Ci chuckled lightly.

The hotpot meal lasted quite a while. After eating his fill, Xia Zhinian patted his belly and sighed in satisfaction.

It felt so great to eat freely.

He was in a perfect mood, his almond-shaped eyes curving in a smile. He extended his hand to Yan Ci, saying, “Thank you for eating with me. Can I touch your hand?”

Yan Ci had just taken a sip of juice. Hearing this, he paused, set the cup down slowly, and looked down.

The boy had a faint smile on his face, his soft palm extended as if equating eating with him to the need for a touch.

In other words, in his mind, this was purely transactional.

Yan Ci’s smile faded slightly, his warm, jade-like face showing a trace of uncertainty as he studied Xia Zhinian.

…The little rice cake seemed to be very guarded.

He didn’t like getting too close to others, not even his parents or older brother.

The only exception was… Chu Qingjian.

Xia Zhinian tilted his head, noticing the slight change in Yan Ci’s mood. His eyes widened a bit, and he began to retract his fingers. “Did I do something wrong?”

“…No, nothing.”

Yan Ci smiled faintly, not being polite. He took Xia Zhinian’s hand and played with it for a while. His fingers brushed against the soft palm, making the boy shiver.

Instinctively, Xia Zhinian clenched his fist, but the other hand, long and slender, stopped him, intertwining their fingers.

Yan Ci lowered his gaze calmly, a faint smile on his lips.

–

It was already mid-June. At No. 3 High School, final exams usually took place in early July. However, as a key school that emphasized the development of intellectual and physical abilities, No. 3 High School’s finals included academic subjects and a physical education exam.

Yes, the dreaded PE exam.

Of all the subjects, only PE was tested. To ensure students’ physical fitness, the school conducted physical tests every semester before final exams, and these tests counted towards their grades.

Students who failed were publicly criticized during the parent-teacher conference and had to retake the test during every PE class in the next semester until they passed. It was terrifying.

Xia Zhinian stood on the field, frozen in fear after hearing this rule from Zou Ziqian. His expression was as if he had been struck by lightning.

Oh heavens, save him.

Last time, he had barely passed any of the physical tests.

How was he supposed to manage this?

Full of energy, the PE teacher stood with hands on his hips and shouted, “Alright, same old rules. All students, male and female, take the same tests. The only difference is in the passing scores. It won’t be too hard.”

“But for some students who performed poorly on the last test…”

He raised his voice, glancing pointedly at the boy in the corner, smirking. “You better be careful. Don’t let me catch you failing again.”

Xia Zhinian: “…”

Why are you smirking like that? What’s there to smirk about?! Help! QAQ

This time, students were allowed to form their own teams. No tricks, just straightforward testing.

Xia Zhinian looked around and immediately spotted Yan Ci and Chu Qingjian standing at the back of the line. They were of similar height, both good-looking and made a perfect pair.

…Wow, the protagonist gong and shou are finally making progress!

Xia Zhinian’s eyes lit up, and he suddenly felt reinvigorated. Seeing Chu Qingjian about to find Yuan Lang to team up with, Xia Zhinian quickly rushed to Yuan Lang, calling him first.

“Yuan Lang, Yuan Lang.” Xia Zhinian called out excitedly. “I want to team up with you. Is that okay?”

“With me?” Yuan Lang was stunned for a moment, glancing around in confusion. “But what about the class president?”

“The class president has plenty of—”

“Deskmate, are you abandoning me already?”

A slender figure approached, sighing softly. Yan Ci, warm and gentle, moved closer to Xia Zhinian. Chu Qingjian also walked over.

Teaming up didn’t take long. Familiar people quickly found their partners, and soon, only four were left undecided.

Xia Zhinian looked at the main couple standing together, feeling secretly excited. He turned to Yuan Lang, saying, “Yuan—”

“I had already arranged to team up with Yuan Lang. We’re deskmates, so you two can pair up.” Chu Qingjian interrupted with a frown.

Yuan Lang: “??”

Yuan Lang was confused, sending a questioning glance his way. When had they made that arrangement?

Chu Qingjian furrowed his brows and blinked.

“Brother Chu, you…”

Xia Zhinian didn’t notice their silent exchange of glances, but he deflated a little.

Yan Ci’s lips curled slightly, and he looked Xia Zhinian over, his gaze deep.

Something… felt off.

Setting aside his position, if the little rice cake liked Chu Qingjian, shouldn’t he have rushed to team up with Chu Qingjian first?

Even if the Xia family had instructed him not to disturb Chu Qingjian’s life, he should have at least turned to someone he was more familiar with, like his former deskmate Zou Ziqian, not Yuan Lang.

But just now, Xia Zhinian had gone straight to Yuan Lang.

…After glancing in the direction of Chu Qingjian and him.

The PE teacher urged them loudly. Yan Ci raised an eyebrow, pushing down the questions in his mind. He grabbed Xia Zhinian’s arm, half guiding him forward, his voice gentle.

“Deskmate, don’t interrupt their bonding time.”

Xia Zhinian: “…”

Xia Zhinian sighed, a little depressed at first, but after a moment, he adjusted and patted his cheeks.

At least progress has been made, no need to rush.

Yan Ci smiled, leading him to the edge of the mat.

“First team!”

The P.E teacher shouted with energy between two long rows of mats, “Sit-ups, lie down and get ready!”

Yan Ci lay down as instructed, long legs bent, while Xia Zhinian crouched down, hands grabbing his calves over his pants.

Lying there, Yan Ci glanced over, smiling elegantly, “Deskmate, you can’t hold me like this. You need to press on my feet.”

Xia Zhinian looked to the side, shifted his weight forward, and then plopped down, kneeling on Yan Ci’s feet and sitting back on his own heels. “Like this?”

Yan Ci’s lips curved slightly, smiling kindly, “That’s better.”

The P.E teacher checked the timer and raised his hand, “Ready! Three, two, one, go!”

Yan Ci placed his hands behind his head, his core engaging as he rose smoothly and unhurriedly, not showing a hint of strain, as if it was effortless.

His form was perfect. He fully sat up, leaning forward, his head almost brushing against Xia Zhinian’s, who was holding down his feet.

Xia Zhinian leaned back slightly, silently counting.

“Deskmate.”

Yan Ci did another sit-up, then said, “Don’t move around. Your balance is off, you can’t hold me down.”

Xia Zhinian blinked in confusion, “Huh?”

“…Really?”

Yan Ci remained calm, his tone gentle and composed, “Why would I lie to you?”

Xia Zhinian, who had only done a physical fitness test once, was still determining. Biting his lip, he adjusted his position again.

Yan Ci leaned forward, bringing a light breeze carrying the faint scent of either laundry detergent or body wash. Their foreheads nearly touched.

Xia Zhinian’s round almond-shaped eyes widened. His body frozen, he struggled to lean his neck back further in an awkward posture.

Yan Ci chuckled, his lips curving upward.

The minute quickly passed, and still calm and composed Yan Ci completed 62 sit-ups.

Xia Zhinian was astonished by the strength and stamina of this seemingly gentle yet powerful protagonist shou.

From beside them, Yuan Lang called out the count for Chu Qingjian, “Wow, 59, full marks, bro. You’re strong!”

Xia Zhinian: “…?!”

F-fifty-nine?!

Xia Zhinian’s expression shifted to one of slight alarm.

No way. The protagonist gong can’t possibly be weaker than Yan Ci, right?

No, no. The protagonist gong was clearly stronger in the original novel. This must be just a coincidence.

Xia Zhinian, shaken by this unexpected development, clicked his tongue.

Now it was his turn. The boy lay down on the mat, and Yan Ci held down his feet. Soon, the teacher started the countdown.

Seeing how easily Yan Ci had done it, Xia Zhinian thought he could, too, forgetting how exhausting sit-ups really were. He struggled to sit up, clutching his head and straining hard.

“Everyone!” The P.E teacher raised his voice, “Put in the effort! If you don’t pass, you’ll have to retake the test every class next semester until you pass!”

Xia Zhinian: “!!!”

Oh no, help!

His stomach muscles ached, and the bruises on his bottom throbbed dully. His breathing quickened, eyes wide with fear.

“H-how many have I done?”

“…”

Yan Ci was silent momentarily, then gently replied, “Just ten.”

Xia Zhinian: “?!”

Ahhhhh!

Panicking, Xia Zhinian put all his strength into trying harder, but he just couldn’t do it without practice.

He could feel the time slipping away, his heart racing with anxiety, pounding louder and louder. Despite the pain in his bottom, he forced himself to do a few more.

“H-how many now?”

Yan Ci: “…Only sixteen.”

Xia Zhinian’s panic grew, “How many to pass?”

Yan Ci’s voice was regretful, “You need thirty.”

Xia Zhinian: “!!!”

Ahhh, help, help!

Why so many?!

He was out of energy, barely getting halfway up before flopping back down. He tried again, but he couldn’t get up.

Panicking, his wide eyes filled with a desperate whine, “I can’t anymore, I can’t get up.”

He didn’t want to have to retake this test every class.

Yan Ci, seeing his flushed face, tried hard to get up only to fall back down pitifully. He felt a tickle in his chest. Unable to resist, he softly smiled and lowered his voice.

“Do you want me to help?”

“Yes, yes, yes!”

Xia Zhinian’s face lit up with sudden joy, “How can you help?”

Yan Ci glanced at Chu Qingjian’s group beside them, remembering how Xia Zhinian always called him “Brother Chu.” His brow raised, lips curving up, “Call me something nice first.”

Xia Zhinian: “??”

What?

“Isn’t time running out? Can’t I call you later?”

Yan Ci estimated the remaining time, chuckled, and shook his head. “No, what if you don’t keep your word? Do it now.”

Xia Zhinian: “!!” Ahhh, nooo.

Flustered, his mind raced, “Class president? Campus idol? Academic top scorer? Genius?”

The genius wasn’t moved.

Xia Zhinian frantically searched his brain, thinking of what others had called him, his expression pitiful, “Yan God? Yan bro? Bro!”

Please let me off.

Yan Ci smiled, “Your brother is Xia Wenhan. Try again.”

Seeing a reaction, Xia Zhinian bit his lip, his almond eyes confused. After a moment of thought, he softly called out——

“Big brother?”

The boy’s voice was soft and light, and Yan Ci felt a slight tickle in his heart, smiling happily.

He originally thought Xia Zhinian would end up calling him “Yan bro,” but he unexpectedly stretched it out so much.

But “big brother” was even better.

His lips curved with satisfaction as he used his body to shield the teacher’s view, gently grabbing Xia Zhinian’s arm, and lightly pulling him forward.

Ah——

The boy’s body lost control, being pulled up, then laid back down, and pulled up again.
In a daze, he felt like a springy little gummy candy, letting go of his strength and letting himself be moved.

“Time’s up——”

Yan Ci released him, and Xia Zhinian, dizzy and lying back on the mat, felt like his soul had been shaken out of him. His mind was not entirely clear.

Yan Ci’s voice was clear and smooth, “Exactly thirty.”

Xia Zhinian: “…”

The boy’s face was warm, a soft blush spreading as he opened his mouth, taking small breaths. His movements had been too big, causing the hem of his shirt to lift, revealing a small patch of porcelain-white, delicate skin on his belly, rising and falling slightly with his breaths.

Yan Ci’s gaze slowly moved down, his eyes darkening. Worried that Xia Zhinian might catch a chill, he reached out to pull down his shirt.

Xia Zhinian was just about to get up when, unexpectedly, cool, firm fingers brushed against his soft stomach.

“Ah.”

Unprepared, the boy’s eyes widened, his body trembling for a moment as he instinctively curled up to avoid the touch. Inadvertently, that cool hand slipped against the warm skin of his waist and belly, tensing his body instantly.