CHAPTER 85: TAKING LITTLE XI SHOPPING

Chancellor Lasson’s voice carried the weight of authority, though his tone was warm. "You two run along now. I will see you at the start of the semester."

Jian Ci and Yu Xi saluted him smartly before setting off together. Lasson watched their departing figures with a small smile tugging at his lips. Jian Ci’s laughter echoed faintly down the corridor, and the Chancellor felt a quiet satisfaction. He was glad to see the boy in such good spirits.

Just then, his communicator chimed. Lasson glanced at the screen, and his brows lifted. The results from the morning exams had arrived. Yu Xi’s name dominated the top spot, each score gleaming at a perfect one hundred percent. Lasson’s lips twitched. So-so, my ass, he thought, recalling Yu Xi’s modest reply. He turned, intending to stop them, but the two had already vanished into the crowd.

Without hesitation, Lasson strode toward the simulator hall. He wanted to see for himself how Yu Xi had performed in the practical trials.

Meanwhile, Jian Ci was busy cheering Yu Xi up, his energy infectious. He led them into a sprawling shopping mall, its glass walls glittering under the afternoon light. They walked straight to the store Jian Ci had in mind.

Yu Xi raised a brow. "What are we here for?"

Jian Ci grinned, pulling out a gift card. "Wei-ge gave me this. We are getting us clothes."

Yu Xi frowned slightly. "Why not just buy them on Starnet?"

Jian Ci smirked, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Where is the fun in that?"

Yu Xi was curious to see what Jian Ci would choose for himself. The two of them stepped into the luxury store, a place so opulent it seemed to belong to another world entirely. Polished marble floors gleamed beneath their feet, while walls lined with mirrors stretched into infinity, reflecting endless rows of tailored suits and silken shirts. Above them, chandeliers of crystal light scattered soft radiance across the aisles, illuminating fabrics that shimmered like liquid gold.

Jian Ci moved through the store with quiet confidence, his eyes sharp and discerning. He selected pieces with ease, as though he had done this countless times before. The attendant followed closely, arms filling quickly until an entire rack stood ready, curated entirely by Jian Ci’s taste.

Yu Xi didn’t think much about money, but even he was stunned when he glanced at the price tags. Each garment cost more than he could imagine spending, yet Jian Ci picked them up without hesitation, as if his supply of wealth was endless.

What surprised Yu Xi most was Jian Ci’s method. He would hold a jacket or shirt against his own body first, then place it against Yu Xi, tilting his head thoughtfully to see if it suited them both. It wasn’t just shopping, it was Jian Ci weaving them into the same image, the same style, as though he intended their presence to be inseparable. Yu Xi watched silently, a mix of bewilderment and quiet warmth stirring in his chest.

Since Jian Ci had done it several times, Yu Xi finally asked, his tone edged with curiosity, "What are you doing?"

Jian Ci tilted his head, holding another shirt against Yu Xi’s chest. "We are the same size, right?"

Yu Xi hesitated, then nodded. "More or less."

Jian Ci’s grin widened. "So we can wear the same clothes."

Yu Xi blinked, lips parting. "..." He finally said, "That’s unnecessary."

"Why?" Jian Ci pressed, his voice playful but insistent. "You don’t like sharing things with me?"

Yu Xi’s heart tightened. He loved it. He loved sharing clothes with Jian Ci. When Jian Ci returned them, they were drenched in his scent, and Yu Xi cherished it. It was like Jian Ci was hugging him even when he wasn’t there.

"No, I don’t mind," Yu Xi admitted softly.

Jian Ci’s smile brightened instantly, his eyes gleaming. "Good. Then let’s go try these out."

They moved to the changing rooms, each emerging in turn, stepping out to face one another. Their feedback was a mix of honesty and amusement, laughter spilling between them as they judged cuts and colors. Jian Ci discovered that Yu Xi looked good in nearly everything he picked, his tall frame and calm aura lending elegance even to the simplest designs.

This time, Yu Xi stepped out in an ensemble that exuded sleek, understated confidence: a dark gray button-up shirt, sleeves rolled neatly to his forearms, paired with fitted black pants that sharpened his silhouette. Jian Ci’s eyes lingered, admiration unspoken but clear, as though he had sculpted the image himself.

The outfit spoke in muted tones but carried a strong presence. It was modern, versatile, a blend of casual ease and quiet authority. Yu Xi stood before the mirror, the fabric draping elegantly across his frame, understated yet commanding. Jian Ci stepped forward, his gaze lingering with a quiet intensity. He reached out, gently pinching the collar between his fingers, adjusting it as though the smallest detail mattered.

Yu Xi frowned slightly. "What?"

Jian Ci’s smile was subtle, almost mischievous. "You look really good, but... something is missing."

Yu Xi’s brow arched, suspicion flickering in his eyes. Without another word, Jian Ci unclasped the pendant from around his neck. This pendant was of great importance to Jian Ci. It was of great importance to all the Jian brothers. They each had a similar pendant with the only difference being the colour.

He slipped it around Yu Xi’s neck, the chain settling against his collarbone with a quiet weight.

Then Jian Ci turned him toward the mirror, stepping behind him, his hands resting firmly on Yu Xi’s shoulders. Jian Ci leaned in, his chin brushing Yu Xi’s shoulder, their reflections meeting in the glass. "That’s what was missing," he said softly, his smile warm and certain.

Yu Xi bit his lip. "I can’t keep your pendant."

Jian Ci’s voice was calm and resolute as he said, "I know. So we should get you one too."