The “Little Flower’s” Ambush and the Misunderstood Photo

As the sky gradually darkened and the streetlights below flickered on, Chu Ci finally emerged from the classroom with Ji Yanli.

There weren’t many people left on campus. Only from the distant basketball court could the faint shouts of a successful basket be heard. Chu Ci lowered his head slightly, staring at the gently swaying shadows on the ground.

By unspoken agreement, neither he nor Ji Yanli spoke. Simply listening to each other’s breathing was enough to make the heart in Chu Ci’s chest thud wildly.

It was supposed to be a tutoring session after school, but in reality, the wicked Ji Yanli took advantage. Whenever Chu Ci accidentally got a problem wrong, he would press Chu Ci’s head and kiss him for several minutes. By the time Chu Ci was kissed into a daze, his heated brain would inevitably make another mistake. Ji Yanli’s eyes would darken as he continued the kiss, all while innocently claiming he suspected Chu Ci was doing it on purpose.

Back and forth it went—Chu Ci didn’t learn the solutions to the problems, but his lips were kissed until they were visibly swollen. Thinking of this, Chu Ci couldn’t help but scowl, feeling as though he had been toyed with by Ji Yanli.

The youth beside him, however, looked to be in an excellent mood, walking unhurriedly at Chu Ci’s side. His fingers, hanging at his side, would “accidentally” brush against the back of Chu Ci’s hand.

The faint night wind slipped between their fingertips. This cautious yet ambiguous touch made Chu Ci’s heart rate climb steadily. Coupled with the dull ache in his chest, Chu Ci almost thought his heart condition was acting up again.

Before he knew it, Chu Ci had reached the base of the dormitory building. He stopped and looked up at Ji Yanli.

Since they had returned late, the area was deserted. The empty entrance only had a few moths fluttering under the lighting. A hazy orange glow spilled over the top of Chu Ci’s head, bleeding into his dark pupils as he looked up.

“I-I’ll head up first.”

An inexplicable sense of bashfulness surged in his heart. As he stammered out the sentence, Chu Ci was momentarily stunned. His first thought was: Game over, I’ve been possessed.

[Wait.]

[Who is this “little wife” who’s hanging her head, afraid to look at Ji Yanli, and twisting her fingers??]

Chu Ci blinked, staring at his fingers currently tangling in the fabric of his clothes.

Then, as if triggered by his own behavior, he immediately snatched his hands back and hid them behind his back.

[Holy crap, the little wife is me!]

[No, no, Chu Ci, how can you act so “cheap” and flustered?!]

Beneath his active inner monologue was a conflicted expression he couldn’t hide. He even considered raising a hand to give himself a slap.

Just as the thought occurred, Chu Ci reflexively started to lift his arm, but before he could move, Ji Yanli grabbed his wrist and pulled him into his embrace with a sharp tug.

The other’s warm body heat instantly enveloped Chu Ci. A faint fragrance lingered at his nose. Chu Ci’s pupils contracted slightly; he clearly hadn’t expected Ji Yanli to suddenly hug him.

The hands around his waist tightened gradually until their chests were pressed flush against each other. Two violently thumping hearts, separated by bone and flesh, began to sync their rhythms bit by bit.

Ji Yanli was much taller than Chu Ci. He leaned down to hold him, letting Chu Ci rest his chin lightly on his shoulder. Like a fluffy large dog, he affectionately rubbed his head against Chu Ci’s reddened ear.

“What’s wrong?” After a long while, Chu Ci finally came to his senses, his hovering palm settling on Ji Yanli’s back.

The youth by his ear shook his head, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he answered in a low voice: “Nothing, I just wanted to hug you.”

The sound vibrated along the bone to Chu Ci’s eardrum. The flush spread from the tip of his ear to his cheek. He slowly lowered his long lashes, instinctively burying his head deeper into Ji Yanli’s chest.

“I won’t be able to see you for a whole night,” Ji Yanli continued, his tone sounding quite weary.

Usually, he knew his boundaries, giving off a sense of approachable distance. That was why, despite being a heartthrob with many admirers, few dared to take the initiative to approach him. This soft, clingy side was something Ji Yanli would never show to anyone else.

It belonged solely to Chu Ci.

Chu Ci couldn’t help but laugh. His hand on Ji Yanli’s back rubbed up and down, his movements as gentle as if he were soothing a puppy with separation anxiety. “We can see each other tomorrow.”

Ji Yanli didn’t speak, only continuing to nuzzle him. His soft hair tickled Chu Ci’s neck, and the fine itch made Chu Ci want to push him away.

But the other wouldn’t give him the chance. Instead, he held him tighter, his palms kneading Chu Ci’s lower back as if trying to melt him into his own body.

“I’ll find a way to move back into the school dorms.”

It had been nearly two months since Ji Yanli had moved back home. The fact that he could now openly linger with Chu Ci for so long was thanks to Song Qichen’s help.

Ji Yanli had targeted Song Qichen, using some tactics to make Song Qichen tell his parents that the reason he was late coming home every day was because he was staying at Song Qichen’s house.

His parents trusted Song Qichen. Over time, they even agreed to turn off more than half of the surveillance cameras in the house.

As for exactly what tactics were used, no matter how much Chu Ci asked, Ji Yanli remained mysterious and refused to tell him.

However, the purpose of doing all this was simply because he wanted to be with him.

Chu Ci narrowed his eyes, secretly teasing in his heart.

[Ji Yanli, you kid.]

[You’re so captivated by me you can’t even walk straight.]

[Can’t help it, I’m just that charming.]

The other’s “support” made Chu Ci start to feel quite smug. He let himself be held by Ji Yanli for nearly half an hour, only reluctantly letting go when someone approached.

“Then I…” Chu Ci deliberately left the sentence unfinished, pointing his finger at the dorm building next to them.

Ji Yanli curled his lips into a gentle smile, his obsidian-like pupils reflecting Chu Ci’s shadow. He nodded: “Go back to the dorm.”

Chu Ci hummed a low response, then turned around slowly. After a few steps, he turned back to look at Ji Yanli, who was still standing in the same spot.

He was still wearing the ordinary school uniform of Chengqing No. 1 High School. The simple design took on a different charm on him. His trousers were a bit short, revealing a section of long Achilles tendon. His thin, lean silhouette stood under the orange streetlight, making him look somewhat surreal.

Ji Yanli was still watching him, raising his hand to wave a few times the moment he turned around.

Chu Ci squinted slightly, then looked away. He didn’t even notice the smile hidden in his eyes; only the passing night breeze could see it.

He went upstairs step by step. At every turn in the staircase, Chu Ci would secretly look down from the window. However, it was as if Ji Yanli had a detector specifically for him—whenever Chu Ci looked, Ji Yanli would inevitably respond.

After lingering in the hallway for nearly ten minutes, Chu Ci finally reached the dorm entrance. Before opening the door, he couldn’t resist leaning over the windowsill to wave his arms at Ji Yanli. Ji Yanli keenly caught the sentiment, shook his head helplessly, and turned to leave the dormitory area.

Chu Ci watched his shadow until it completely vanished from sight. He pulled the key from his pocket to open the door, and at the same time, the phone kept with the key vibrated several times.

[Persona: White Flower; Reality: Old Schemer Who Loves to Play Dead Green Tea]: “I’m heading back. Get some rest early tonight.”

Chu Ci bit his lower lip. A simple sentence from the other caused an inexplicable wave of warmth to slide through his body. He thought for a moment and was about to reply when Ji Yanli quickly sent another message: “So fast.”

“I’m actually missing you already.”

Thump, thump.

In the silent, dark room, the sound of Chu Ci’s heartbeat filled the air. The heat gathered at his fingertips rose bit by bit. He slid down slowly against the cold door, then raised his hands to cover his cheeks, unable to hide the laughter escaping his throat.

Chu Ci opened the chat box, typed a few words, then deleted them. He typed again and deleted again. After agonizing back and forth many times, the reply he finally sent back was only three words: “See you tomorrow.”

After a thought, Chu Ci tapped Ji Yanli’s profile picture and changed the previously set remark from [Persona: White Flower; Reality: Old Schemer Who Loves to Play Dead Green Tea] to a serious [Ji Yanli].

Thinking for a few more seconds, Chu Ci added a few more words behind “Ji Yanli.”

—Willing to Spend Effort for the Emperor Edition.

After the screen displayed “Saved Successfully,” Chu Ci narrowed his eyes.

Satisfying.

On another street, Ji Yanli looked down at the three words Chu Ci had sent in the chat interface and let out a doting chuckle.

He understood Chu Ci’s personality. The message he had just sent must have made the boy’s cheeks burn. He probably sat with his phone, feeling awkward for who knows how long, before agonizingly replying with that sentence.

Without even thinking, Ji Yanli could almost see Chu Ci’s pure yet “tsundere” expression—perhaps he was even making up excuses for himself in his head.

His long lashes flickered, and the smile in his dark eyes deepened. He didn’t even realize how soft his expression was at that moment, only feeling as if his previously empty heart had been suddenly filled.

Just as his finger hovering over the screen was about to tap, suddenly, less than half a meter away from Ji Yanli, a massive “BANG” rang out.

This sudden sound caught the attention of those nearby. The curve of Ji Yanli’s lips froze. He turned his head and looked toward the sound.

A flower pot from somewhere had fallen from the building, landing exactly where Ji Yanli had been standing less than two minutes ago.

The ceramic pot shattered across the ground. The soil inside even splashed onto Ji Yanli’s clothes. The green plant within was crushed. Because a passerby didn’t pay attention and stepped on it, the sap from the flower stem mixed into the dirt, making a slight, squelching sound.

It was an unforeseen accident. Most people only paused for a few seconds before hurrying on with their business.

Ji Yanli slowly furrowed his brows. After all, if he hadn’t chosen to walk a few steps further, the flower pot wouldn’t have hit the ground—

It would have hit his head.

He looked down at the flower pot on the ground, then looked up at the windows of the residential building behind him. Though there was a wind tonight, it wasn’t strong. Unless someone upstairs hadn’t placed the pot securely, it shouldn’t have been blown down by the wind.

So now…

Ji Yanli looked at each dark window, the space between his brows beginning to ache with a frown.

An indescribable, subtle feeling surged in his heart.

“Young Master.” His driver pulled the car steadily in front of Ji Yanli, calling out softly after rolling down the window, pulling Ji Yanli back from his thoughts.

Ji Yanli retracted his gaze and took another look at the shattered flower pot on the ground. The ceramic shards were being swept into a dustpan bit by bit by a sanitation worker, along with the plant that had been stepped into mud.

He opened the car door and climbed in. After he buckled his seatbelt, the driver stepped on the gas. Ji Yanli propped his head on one hand, massaging his temple, his gaze fixed on the street scenery flashing past the window.

Upon returning home, Ji Yanli gave a brief greeting to Aunt Zhang. Using the excuse of being unwell and having no appetite, he went straight to his room.

The harsh light pierced the darkness. The room, composed of black, white, and gray, remained lifeless. Ji Yanli put down his backpack and looked down at the dirt stained on his trousers and the hem of his shirt. The brown marks were very conspicuous, making Ji Yanli feel inexplicably uncomfortable.

He decisively stripped off his school uniform and threw it aside. Just then, he saw the phone on the desk light up. Ji Yanli walked over quickly and picked it up; it was a message from Chu Ci.

[Chu Ci (Cat.emoji)]: “Are you asleep?”

Likely because he had seen the message but hadn’t replied, causing a certain kitten to think he was asleep.

Ji Yanli replied quickly: “Not yet, just got home.”

[Chu Ci (Cat.emoji)]: “Oh.”

[L.]: “I encountered a bit of a situation.”

As he spoke, Ji Yanli felt all over his body and finally found a scratch on his finger. He then opened the camera, snapped a picture with a click, and sent it to Chu Ci.

On the other end, Chu Ci was wondering what Ji Yanli had encountered. One hand was holding a cup to his mouth for a drink of water, while his eyes were fixed unblinkingly on the phone screen.

[Ji Yanli (Willing to Spend Effort for the Emperor Edition)]: “[Image.jpg]”

Chu Ci was stunned for a moment, then tapped the photo Ji Yanli had sent.

The next second, he couldn’t help himself and sprayed the water from his mouth.

The transparent liquid traced a perfect arc in the air before pitter-pattering onto the floor.

Chu Ci hurriedly raised his hand to messily wipe the water stains from the corner of his mouth. His wet fingers frantically tapped to open the image, closed the image, opened the image, closed the image.

After repeating this a dozen times, he swallowed hard.

Wait… dammit.

Why did Ji Yanli send a nude photo of himself??!