Jealousy and the Sweet Taste of Betrayal

The other’s tone wasn’t teasing; he sounded remarkably serious.

Ji Yanli stared unblinkingly at Chu Ci, as if trying to see through every emotion hidden within his eyes.

As the final syllable fell softly by his ear, Chu Ci froze for a few seconds. He then recalled that the original character’s setting was to be deeply infatuated with Ji Yanli. Therefore, being jealous of Song Qichen’s confession was perfectly in line with his role.

Steadying his nerves, he lifted his gaze to meet Ji Yanli’s eyes and admitted candidly, “Of course. It’s not like you don’t know I like you.”

A confession that would make anyone else blush came out of Chu Ci’s mouth with a different flavor. He was so matter-of-fact about it, it was as if he were simply asking, “How’s the weather today?”

Facing this version of Chu Ci, Ji Yanli felt a faint sense of irritation. The youth before him had camouflaged himself again, playing the part of a stranger.

Ji Yanli arched an eyebrow, hiding his dissatisfaction. After gazing at Chu Ci for a long time, he dropped a low remark: “Liar.”

The blurred words brushed past Chu Ci’s ear. He didn’t hear them clearly and instinctively asked, “What?”

“I said, goodnight.” The youth before him curved his lips slightly, his voice as soft as ever. After speaking, he even let out a yawn and put on a weary expression, though whether it was intentional was hard to tell.

Chu Ci blinked blankly. Just before Ji Yanli entered the room, he snapped out of it. “Wait—didn’t you say you only came back to get something?”

Hearing this, Ji Yanli turned back. The corners of his eyes held a faint flush, and with his downcast gaze, he looked exceptionally harmless.

“But it’s so late now. Do you really have the heart to make me take a taxi back alone?” he asked in a muffled voice, his fox-like eyes round and watery, looking like a pitiful puppy.

Chu Ci was suddenly speechless.

He stole a regretful glance at the soft, large bed in the room, then decisively withdrew his gaze as if severing a limb.

‘[Curse it… my perfect pre-sleep ritual has been ruined by that damn Ji Yanli again.]’

‘[Goodbye, my beloved bed. Goodbye, my favorite plush blanket.]’

‘[It’s the evil villain Ji Yanli who has torn us apart, wahhhh—]’

Standing at the door, Ji Yanli felt his temple throb violently. He arched an eyebrow, crossed his arms over his chest, and said nonchalantly, “How about you sleep with me?”

The wailing internal voice vanished instantly. Chu Ci retreated to the sofa in a flurry, the motion of pulling up the blanket and lying down to say goodnight happening in one seamless breath.

Ji Yanli shook his head helplessly, then walked into the room and closed the door.

When Chu Ci woke up the next morning, Ji Yanli had already left the dorm. After groggily getting ready and heading out, he instinctively walked toward the cafeteria.

With mid-term exams approaching, the cafeteria was twice as crowded as usual. Chu Ci squeezed through the throng, instinctively looking toward a corner table.

Ji Yanli used to buy breakfast early and sit in that spot waiting for him.

Only this time… Chu Ci couldn’t find him. Seeing the familiar seat occupied by someone else, Chu Ci felt a wave of stuffiness in his chest.

He couldn’t describe exactly what the emotion was, but it directly robbed him of his appetite. He bought a cup of soy milk and wandered out of the cafeteria, gnawing on the straw.

Autumn mornings always carried a bone-chilling cold. A sharp wind snaked up from under his hem. Chu Ci hissed, inhaling the cold air. Tossing the empty cup, he rubbed his freezing hands together and started a slow jog toward the classroom.

Before entering, Chu Ci took a peek through the hallway window. Seeing that familiar silhouette, his steady heartbeat quickened. He wasn’t sure what he was relieved about, and he even subconsciously smoothed his wind-blown hair.

Straightening his back, he stepped toward the classroom. The wind whistling past his ears couldn’t drown out his heartbeat. But just a second before entering, Chu Ci happened to collide with Song Qichen, who was walking in at the same time.

The other seemed to have run there as well. A misbuttoned collar directly broke his refined and polite setting from the original novel. His face was flushed, and a tuft of hair stood up rebelliously.

Song Qichen was panting heavily. Upon seeing Chu Ci, he stopped abruptly, hiding something he was carrying behind his back and gesturing for Chu Ci to go in first.

This was completely unlike Song Qichen’s behavior in the original text. Chu Ci couldn’t help but steal a few glances at him, feeling that something was off.

He walked slowly back to his seat. As he passed Ji Yanli, he very deliberately knelt down to tie a shoelace that hadn’t even come undone. Seeing that Ji Yanli didn’t greet him as usual, Chu Ci felt an instant pang of frustration.

He used his peripheral vision to peek at Ji Yanli. The latter was buried in a book, his expression serious and focused.

Chu Ci took a breath, suppressing the surge of emotion. He let out a cold snort and sat down angrily.

‘[If you don’t want to talk, then don’t.]’

‘[Starting now, you better not say a single word to me, or the consequences will be very serious.]’

‘[The more I think about it, the angrier I get… It’s me! What right does he have to be mad at me?!]’

Chu Ci ground his teeth. Just then, Song Qichen came over.

Instead of walking straight to his own seat behind Chu Ci, the youth stopped by Ji Yanli’s desk. He was far too eye-catching; Chu Ci’s attention was forcibly dragged over. He saw Song Qichen, with ears turning bright red, place the breakfast he was carrying onto Ji Yanli’s desk.

“I remember this was your favorite osmanthus cake when we were kids.” Song Qichen looked uncomfortable, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. “I happened to pass by this morning, so I bought some for you.”

As he spoke, he took the initiative to open the bag. A faint, sweet scent instantly filled the classroom.

Besides the soft, white osmanthus cakes, the bag contained other items. The small kraft paper bag was stuffed to the brim; one would think he had bought out the entire breakfast shop.

“It… it’s still warm. Hurry and try some.” After finishing that short sentence, Song Qichen was flushed as if he had a fever. The surrounding students’ attention was drawn in just like Chu Ci’s, and a few even began to jeer playfully.

“Of course it’s warm. I saw Student Song at the school gate this morning. He was cradling Student Ji’s favorites in his arms, terrified they’d get cold.”

“Student Song and Student Ji grew up together. Even after being apart for so many years, he still remembers what Ji likes. Such deep feelings—”

“Speaking of which, Song Qichen probably chose our school specifically when he transferred. Even though Chengqing High is top-tier, I feel like that wasn’t his only goal.”

“Isn’t it obvious? He has ‘I like Ji Yanli’ written all over his face.”

“…”

The chattering discussions came from all sides. Chu Ci’s temples throbbed. To make matters worse, the desk mate beside him chimed in: “Look at the bond between Song Qichen and Ji Yanli. If I were you, I’d choose to back out.”

Chu Ci swallowed hard and rolled his eyes internally.

‘[What are you all cheering for? When Ji Yanli brought me breakfast before, why weren’t you this excited?!]’

‘[Double standards, right? Targeting me, right?!!]’

‘[“Happened to pass by”? You bought it specifically. Everyone knows what you’re up to.]’

Chu Ci didn’t realize how petty he looked at that moment. He let out a “tsk” and glanced at his desk mate. “Bringing breakfast means deep feelings? Then Ji Yanli has held me before—does that mean our bond is as strong as gold?”

His tone was sour, laced with a hint of fire.

“You’d choose to back out because you lack confidence and have an inferiority complex. Fine, but don’t drag others down with you.”

Stunned by the verbal barrage, the desk mate’s face turned pale. “You…”

“No self-awareness at all. Truly thick-skinned.”

With that, the desk mate flipped open a textbook and ignored the defiant Chu Ci.

Suddenly, a deafening cheer erupted in the classroom. Chu Ci turned quickly and saw Ji Yanli holding Song Qichen’s wrist, leaning down to take a bite of a soft osmanthus cake.

“Mmm…” Ji Yanli chewed slowly, as if savoring the taste. Then he curved his eyes and smiled tenderly. “It’s delicious. Still the same flavor as before. Thank you.”

The action caught Song Qichen off guard. The handsome youth, his face red enough to bleed, stammered a few responses: “The grandmother at that shop is still there. Let’s go see her together next time. She used to like you a lot; she’ll be very happy if you visit.”

Ji Yanli lowered his gaze, his thick lashes obscuring his expression. After a moment, he answered softly, “Sure.”

“Then… then I’ll go back to my seat.” Overjoyed, Song Qichen couldn’t hide his grin as he walked dizzily to the seat behind Chu Ci. He was so excited his lips were trembling.

W-What is happening?

Yesterday Ji Yanli was still resisting Song Qichen. How did they get so close overnight?!

The sudden leap in affection between the leads made Chu Ci instinctively panic. He rubbed his fingers anxiously. His heart felt like it was being sliced by a dull knife—a numb, aching sensation spreading through his veins.

He bit his lower lip hard. The inexplicable irritation brought him to the brink of a breakdown. Especially seeing Ji Yanli eat while holding Song Qichen’s hand, the jealousy buried deep within almost drowned him.

This was a feeling he had never experienced before.

Chu Ci knit his brows, attempting to cast out these strange emotions.

But the more he resisted, the more he cared, the more he couldn’t stop thinking about it, and the more afraid he felt.

A sticky, suffocating feeling pressed against his chest like a tide.

It was terrifying.

But Xiao Ba had told him clearly that the original host’s consciousness was slowly fading. So, was this surging emotion truly from the original host?

Or was it—

Chu Ci’s breath hitched.

Do I…

Really like Ji Yanli?