The Scent of Sour Grapes and the Kitten Strategy

Because of the “accident” the previous night, Chu Ci treated seeing Ji Yanli the next day like facing a formidable enemy. He uncharacteristically left early, skillfully dodging every spot where he might run into him.

He didn’t even know what he was running from. He was certain Ji Yanli hadn’t woken up, yet an inescapable sense of guilt clung to him.

Perhaps his avoidance was too blatant. Ji Yanli, sensing the cold shoulder, finally lost his patience. During the break between classes, the youth stood up and walked directly to Chu Ci’s side. He raised a hand, his prominent knuckles rapping lightly on the desk.

Knock, knock, knock.

The light sound pulled Chu Ci’s drifting thoughts back. He looked up, startled to find Ji Yanli right there. Fluttering his lashes rapidly to hide the flash of panic in his eyes, he feigned a relaxed tone: “Wh-what is it?”

His stuttering tongue betrayed him. Chu Ci’s delicate Adam’s apple bobbed. His bright, dark eyes stared straight at Ji Yanli before his gaze drifted—unconsciously—down to the other’s thin, slightly reddened lips.

His heart began its uncontrollable racing again. As his eyes traced the shape of those lips, Chu Ci recalled their softness and warmth. He subconsciously licked his own lips, leaving a lingering, ambiguous sheen on them.

Ji Yanli stared at his own reflection in Chu Ci’s pupils, then noted the strange flush spreading across the boy’s cheeks. He tilted his head, leaning down slightly to get closer, and arched an eyebrow curiously: “Why is your face always so red?”

A faint scent swirled around Chu Ci’s nose. The breath from Ji Yanli’s speech seemed to scramble the very air around them. Chu Ci’s eyes widened, his raven-feather lashes trembling. Suddenly snapping back to reality, he recoiled violently—

‘Why are you leaning so close!!’

‘It makes us look way too intimate!’

Noticing the panic replacing the shock in Chu Ci’s eyes, Ji Yanli stood up straight. A shallow smile played on his lips—a smile that would usually make bystanders faint, but in Chu Ci’s eyes, it looked purely mischievous.

Sure enough, a second later, Ji Yanli’s thin lips moved, dropping a sentence only the two of them could hear: “People who don’t know better might think you like me.”

It might have been Chu Ci’s imagination, but those last four words seemed intentionally emphasized. Each word hit his heart like a hard stone. The thunderous pounding of his heart made his muscles go numb.

‘Who likes you! You’re clearly starved for affection!’

Realizing his words had caused the “little cat” to bristle again, Ji Yanli quickly changed the subject, fearing that one more tease would result in Chu Ci extending his claws.

“Are you going?”

The question came out of nowhere. Chu Ci frowned: “Going where?”

“Weren’t you worried about Lin Yu? Do you want to go to the hospital to see him after school?” Ji Yanli explained softly.

Hearing this, Chu Ci forcibly suppressed his irritation. Yesterday, Ji Yanli had successfully stopped an original plot point, effectively changing the trajectory of Lin Yu’s life. Chu Ci didn’t know if this would have side effects on the world or on Lin Yu himself.

Out of genuine concern for Lin Yu, Chu Ci agreed.

Ji Yanli’s eyes curved with satisfaction, the smile on his lips deepening: “Then it’s a deal. Wait for me at the school gate after school.”

He paused, then added: “Don’t run off by yourself.”

As if he were some disobedient child.

Chu Ci “tched” and waved a hand: “I get it, I get it. I won’t run.”

Ji Yanli didn’t leave. Instead, he suddenly crouched down and cupped Chu Ci’s head with both hands, forcing him to turn. Their eyes met—dark against light—staring directly at each other for nearly half a minute. Only after confirming that Chu Ci wasn’t lying did Ji Yanli slowly release him.

Before his palm left Chu Ci’s face, his fingers intentionally kneaded the boy’s earlobe a few times. Once the soft flesh was stained a bright crimson, Ji Yanli stood up victoriously and returned to his seat.

He left behind a red-faced, red-necked Chu Ci, who collapsed onto his desk in silent internal screaming.

The final bell rang. Chu Ci packed his bag and stood up. Despite his recent proximity to Ji Yanli, none of the “Prince’s” admirers had come to find trouble. Ji Yanli must have said something to them.

As for what was said, Chu Ci didn’t care. Without those stumbling blocks, completing missions and pushing the plot was much smoother.

He walked toward the school gate alone, his shoes crunching the fallen leaves. He lowered his head to reply to a message from Ji Yanli asking him to wait a moment, then switched off his screen.

At that moment, someone slammed hard into Chu Ci’s shoulder. Hissing in pain, he spun around, only to see a youth in a hoodie hurrying past.

The stranger had his hood pulled up, walking so fast the wind exposed a flash of hidden blonde hair. He didn’t seem to notice he’d hit anyone. Within seconds, he vanished from Chu Ci’s sight.

Chu Ci rubbed his aching shoulder, grimacing.

Outside the gates, he stood obediently by the road. The scorching sun hung overhead. He squinted at the cloudless blue sky and touched the gauze on his face.

The thin bandage felt slightly damp with sweat. Just as he was about to peel it off, a hand gripped his wrist.

The cool sensation traveled through his skin, making him stiffen. He turned to find Ji Yanli standing beside him, gaze fixed on Chu Ci’s raised right hand.

“Don’t move,” he said in a low, gentle voice. The wind ruffled his black bangs, revealing a smooth forehead and beautiful eyes. “Removing the gauze yourself might hurt. Let me.”

Ji Yanli’s fingers gently peeled away the adhesive tape. As the tension on his skin released, the discomfort faded.

“There.”

Warm breath brushed against the hair by Chu Ci’s ear. He finally reacted, a single bead of sweat rolling down his temple.

“Weren’t you going to be delayed?” Chu Ci asked, looking up. The bruises on his skin were still purple, but the frightening swelling had gone down. His dark, shiny eyes watched Ji Yanli.

Ji Yanli stared at the corner of the boy’s mouth, then spoke slowly: “I handled it quickly. I was afraid you’d wait too long.”

He still hadn’t let go of Chu Ci’s wrist. His palm was beginning to feel damp. Chu Ci bit his lip, subtly twisting his wrist to break free, then nodded with a muffled “Oh.”

The Ji family car was parked just ahead. Chu Ci followed behind Ji Yanli, quietly eyeing the back of the other’s head.

Suddenly, an urgent voice pierced through the air behind them.

“Wait!! Wait for me!!!”

They stopped and turned. The usual crowd of students was thinning, but one tall youth squeezed through the throng and ran up to Chu Ci.

It was Bo Yu.

The youth bent over, hands on his knees, gasping for air. His tan skin was a shade darker from the heat, and his hair was damp—likely just washed—but the sprint had turned it into a messy, “scruffy dog” look.

He caught his breath and stood straight. After a quick glance at Chu Ci, his gaze landed on Ji Yanli.

“Does this student need something?” Ji Yanli asked calmly. His voice sounded the same as ever, but Chu Ci, standing with his back to him, felt an inexplicable chill.

It was cold—an aura that clearly broadcasted: Do not come near.

Chu Ci frowned in confusion, stealing a glance at the expressionless Ji Yanli.

‘Strange.’

‘What is he so annoyed about?’

“That…” Bo Yu still felt instinctively shy seeing Ji Yanli. He rubbed the back of his head, agonizing for a few seconds before finally making up his mind. “I wanted to ask Ji Yanli… why haven’t you contacted me?”

Chu Ci’s interest was instantly piqued. His eyes sparkled as he turned to look at Ji Yanli, ready for the drama.

‘Ji Yanli actually didn’t contact him.’

‘Why? Is he not interested in Bo Yu at all?’

Chu Ci reconsidered. ‘Well, Ji Yanli eventually falls for Song Qichen. Bo Yu doesn’t seem like the sharpest tool in the shed; it makes sense he wouldn’t catch Ji Yanli’s eye.’

Hearing the internal monologue, Ji Yanli suppressed his frown and cleared his throat: “Cough… sorry. I’ve been very busy lately.”

“When I have time, I’ll contact you.”

As the last word fell, Ji Yanli instinctively reached for Chu Ci’s hand, but the latter skillfully dodged.

Finding his fingers grasping empty air again, the light in Ji Yanli’s eyes dimmed. Chu Ci caught a flash of displeasure.

‘Wait… who upset him now!’

Bo Yu bit his lip, his brow furrowed in disappointment. Chu Ci, ever the “helpful” plot-pusher, broke the awkward silence: “If you ask me, why not go today?”

Ji Yanli arched a brow: “Weren’t you going to see Lin Yu today?”

“I can go tomorrow!” Chu Ci said, stepping back intentionally to leave Bo Yu exposed to Ji Yanli’s field of vision.

But within seconds, Ji Yanli silently pulled him back to his side.

Chu Ci: “?”

“Really? Can I?” Bo Yu’s gloom vanished instantly. He looked at Ji Yanli with expectant, beautiful peach-blossom eyes.

Chu Ci also turned, tilting his face up and blinking rapidly at Ji Yanli. He quietly grabbed the hem of the other’s shirt, giving it two light tugs: “It’s fine, right?”

Usually, when he acted like this, Ji Yanli would agree to anything.

As expected, Ji Yanli finally relented: “Of course.”

But before Chu Ci could celebrate, Ji Yanli added remorselessly: “But, you have to promise me one thing.”

Chu Ci froze, thinking he was talking to Bo Yu. But seeing that Ji Yanli wasn’t even looking at Bo Yu, he pointed to himself: “Me?”

Ji Yanli nodded, a shallow curve appearing on his lips. Chu Ci looked at that smile and felt an inexplicable shiver.

‘Why is he smiling like that?’

‘Like a total pervert.’

But for the sake of the plot, he gritted his teeth and agreed.

“Thank you!!” Bo Yu’s eyes lit up. He stepped forward to pat Chu Ci’s shoulder, but Ji Yanli swiftly pulled Chu Ci into his arms. Bo Yu looked confusedly at the scene—at how Chu Ci was practically being embraced from behind without even realizing it.

“And thank you, Chu Ci.”

Bo Yu felt like he was being glared at. He awkwardly retracted his hand.

Chu Ci laughed nervously: “No problem, you’re welcome.”

According to Ji Yanli, the stray kitten from school was currently being boarded at a pet shop. They had posted an adoption notice, but there had been no replies yet.

“Sigh—I wanted to adopt it myself.”

The pet shop was a bit far, so Bo Yu naturally joined them in the car. Because of his large frame, he sat on the edge. The cool wind through the half-open window blew the water droplets from his hair, making his messy locks look ruggedly handsome.

“But my mom is allergic to cat hair,” Bo Yu said regretfully.

Then, remembering something, he took out his phone and waved Chu Ci over: “Let me show you what Xiaobai looked like when he was tiny! So cute!!”

He pulled up a photo of a brown kitten curled into a ball. The soft sunlight on its fur and its pink paw pads hit Chu Ci right in his “cute” spot.

Chu Ci’s eyes went wide. Clutching his chest, he leaned in close to Bo Yu: “Are there more? Show me more!”

“Yeah,” Bo Yu chuckled, introducing each photo. “This was the first time Xiaobai ate a cat treat. This was the first time he tried catnip—he was so excited…”

Chu Ci was so dazed by the kitten’s cuteness that he didn’t notice he was leaning closer and closer to Bo Yu, his chin almost touching the boy’s shoulder.

“I can’t wait, I want to see him now!”

“If only my house could keep—”

Before Chu Ci could finish, a force suddenly grabbed his arm and yanked him away from Bo Yu.

The sudden pull left Chu Ci stunned until his back hit a warm chest. Ji Yanli’s voice came from above.

“My house has cats. If you want to see them, I’ll take you.”

One hand firmly gripped Chu Ci’s shoulder, keeping him pinned.

Chu Ci: “?”

‘Nobody asked you!’