The Ocean of the Great Wall and the Fallen Pen

“The logic for solving this problem is actually the same as the previous one, it just changes slightly…”

[AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!]

The ear-splitting scream exploded directly in Ji Yanli’s ear.

He frowned, attempting to ignore it. “The coordinate for x is…”

[I’m not clean anymore!!!! I don’t want to live!!!]

The mental noise from the person beside him made it difficult for Ji Yanli to continue. He closed his eyes, forcibly steadying himself before speaking again. “So the relationship between these two coordinates—”

[But this kid Ji Yanli’s face is so pale and tender… a kiss is a kiss. I’m not losing out anyway, hehe.]

[Who knew my first kiss would be with a guy.]

Ji Yanli: “…”

He put down his pen and turned his head, locking eyes with Chu Ci. The latter froze for a split second, his expression gradually shifting into pure guilt.

His dark pupils darted left and right. Chu Ci blinked, slowly lowering the hand he had been using to cover his mouth. The lingering warmth seemed to remain on his lips. Ji Yanli was very close—if he moved just an inch forward, Chu Ci’s eyelashes would brush against his cheek.

[He couldn’t have felt it, right…]

It happened so fast, and Ji Yanli had been focused on the math problem, so Chu Ci was betting he hadn’t noticed a thing.

But being stared at like this, Chu Ci suddenly wasn’t so sure.

His eyelashes fluttered. Chu Ci watched his own reflection in Ji Yanli’s pupils until, finally, Ji Yanli slowly looked away. He picked up the pen again and tapped a question in the workbook.

“Did you understand what I just said?”

The youth’s voice was as gentle as ever, his gaze calm and unreadable.

Chu Ci blinked again and shook his head honestly.

“Then why have you been staring at me?” Ji Yanli asked, sounding somewhat helpless.

Hearing this, Chu Ci was certain Ji Yanli truly hadn’t noticed the accidental kiss. His guilt evaporated instantly. He straightened his back and cleared his throat. “Because your eyes are like the unfathomable depths of the sea, and I only wish to be a fish in your ocean.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Chu Ci’s internal monologue followed like a tidal wave.

[I’ve been killing fish at the Great Wall Supermarket for thirty years! Which one of them are you?!]

[And can we please update the vocabulary for this ‘Deep Affection’ buff??!]

[No, seriously, let’s negotiate—can we not make me say such disgusting things right after I’ve eaten?]

His lips curled in distaste and his brow furrowed, making his face look like he was suffering from extreme constipation. Ji Yanli tilted his head, then raised his hand and tapped Chu Ci’s forehead with his pen.

“Smooth talker.”

Chu Ci wailed, rubbing the spot where he’d been tapped. His voice was thick with fake grievance, whining as if Ji Yanli had used a massive amount of strength.

Seeing this, Ji Yanli knit his brows slightly and brushed the black hair away from Chu Ci’s forehead. “Does it really hurt that much?”

Chu Ci pouted and didn’t answer. Ji Yanli stared at the faint pink mark on the fair skin, and in the next second, he caught the corner of Chu Ci’s mouth which hadn’t quite hidden a smirk.

—So, he’s a little liar who loves to play pitiful.

Ji Yanli narrowed his eyes. In an act of “revenge,” he leaned in closer. His fingers brushed against the skin of Chu Ci’s forehead, his soft fingertips circling the red mark before suddenly pressing down hard right in the center.

“OW!!”

Chu Ci ducked his head, covering it with both hands. A sharp sting shot through his skull. He hissed through his teeth, and the sound of Ji Yanli’s laughter followed.

“You did that on purpose!” He looked up at the youth, his tone full of resentment.

Ji Yanli shrugged. “That’s the punishment for not listening to the lesson.”

“I already said I don’t want to learn,” Chu Ci muttered.

“No.” Ji Yanli’s clear eyes stared straight at him. “If you don’t learn, you won’t pass the monthly exam.”

“If you don’t pass, Teacher Wang won’t let you off the hook.”

Chu Ci rolled his eyes, utterly indifferent.

Ji Yanli suddenly leaned in closer, asking seriously, “But I saw your previous grades; they were actually quite good. Why did you do so poorly last time?”

[That wasn’t my fault!]

[I had just transmigrated during the last exam! I hadn’t even adapted to the body yet, and you wanted me to take a test?!]

[Be human for once!!!!]

Chu Ci moved an inch away, creating some distance between himself and Ji Yanli. He grumbled under his breath, “…What does it have to do with you?”

Ji Yanli: “I applied to the math teacher today. From now on, your homework has to be checked by me before you hand it in.”

“The teacher already agreed.”

“So, within half a month, your math grade needs to be in at least the top twenty.”

Recalling his single-digit math scores from his own student days, Chu Ci waved a hand. “I suggest you give up. I’m just mud that can’t be stuck to a wall.”

“Is that so?” Ji Yanli smiled. “I don’t believe there’s any mud I can’t fix.”

Looking at his determined expression, Chu Ci’s temples throbbed. He suddenly felt a wave of inexplicable malice.

[No, he’s definitely sick in the head…]

[If you’re so bored, go mind someone else’s business! Why mine…]

Chu Ci glared at him silently.

Ji Yanli selectively ignored the glare. He uncapped his pen and briskly drew a line on the paper. “Then I’ll explain how to do this problem one more time.”

His handwriting was elegant and beautiful. His warm voice hovered in Chu Ci’s ear, and his explanation was simple and easy to understand. Chu Ci watched him write a string of complex formulas, his gaze sliding from the slender fingers up to the other’s fine profile.

A few minutes ago, Ji Yanli had turned off the room lights, leaving only the desk lamp as the sole light source in the vast space. The hazy white light fell on Ji Yanli’s pale skin, his long lashes casting a beautiful shadow over his eyelids.

Chu Ci’s heart began to beat heavier without him realizing it. Ji Yanli’s voice grew blurry, the tones drifting as if through a thin veil of mist.

“Chu Ci?”

Ji Yanli suddenly raised his volume, snapping Chu Ci out of his daze. He opened his eyes wide. His long bangs were poking his eyes uncomfortably. As Chu Ci instinctively reached up to rub them, his wrist was caught and held firmly in mid-air.

Ji Yanli’s other hand reached out, gently brushing back Chu Ci’s soft black hair, his cool palm covering his forehead.

“How strange.” His thin lips parted as his fingertips caught a strand of hair, rubbing it carefully. “Your hair is so long; I’m surprised Teacher Wang hasn’t made you cut it.”

Ji Yanli looked down, staring at Chu Ci from above. From this angle, he could see the boy’s trembling eyelashes perfectly.

Uncomfortable under the scrutiny, Chu Ci fidgeted, trying to break free from Ji Yanli’s grip. He muttered in a low voice, “Why do you care so much…”

“So naggy.”

The last word managed to slip into Ji Yanli’s ear. He raised an eyebrow, taking Chu Ci’s thin chin in one hand and tilting his head up slightly.

“Actually…” The youth paused for a few seconds, his gaze wandering over Chu Ci’s face before continuing seriously, “Your eyes are very beautiful.”

“Like obsidian.”

The light sentence dissipated quickly in the air, brushing against Chu Ci’s heart like a soft feather. An inexplicable, tingly itch spread through his veins. Chu Ci was at a loss, blinking rapidly. By the time he regained his composure, the tips of his ears were red enough to bleed.

[What… what are you saying!]

[Don’t think that just because you say nice things I’ll actually like you!]

A flush crept from his ears to his cheeks. His head felt light and dizzy. His normally smooth hair was now a mess from Ji Yanli’s ruffling, making him look like a disgruntled, ruffled kitten.

Seeing Chu Ci’s disheveled state, Ji Yanli knew that if he teased him any further, the boy would truly lose his temper. He withdrew his hand and stood up, his fingers secretly rubbing against each other at his side as if lingering on the sensation.

“Alright, that’s enough for tonight. I’ve already had Auntie Zhang prepare the guest room next door.”

Ji Yanli rubbed his numb arm and watched as Chu Ci packed his books. When the zipper of the bag closed, Chu Ci reflexively turned his head toward Ji Yanli’s bed.

He only caught a glimpse before quickly looking away, but Ji Yanli caught the movement.

Ji Yanli curled his lips. “Or do you really like sleeping in my bed?”

His words were blunt and suggestive. Chu Ci’s face burned bright red. He stammered his rebuttal: “Who… who would want that!”

With that, Chu Ci grabbed his bag and bolted out the door, looking terrified that Ji Yanli might see through him.

The door clicked shut behind him. Only when the scent of Ji Yanli had completely faded did Chu Ci stop. He stood there panting slightly, then walked to the window at the end of the hallway, letting the cold outside wind hit his face to disperse the heat.

Just then, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out; it was a message from Ji Yanli.

Fake Poser: “You dropped your pen on the floor.”

Fake Poser: “I’ll give it to you tomorrow.”

Fake Poser: “Rest early. Goodnight.”

Chu Ci stared at the screen for a long time before replying with a single word: “Oh.”

He didn’t expect the other party to reply instantly with another message.

Fake Poser: “By the way.”

Fake Poser: “Did you kiss me today?”