CHAPTER 98: ALARNA

Yu Xi rubbed his temple, dread creeping in. "No... did I dance like that when I was drunk?"

Jian Ci chuckled. "That and more."

Yu Xi’s panic surged. His mind raced, wondering what else he might have said or done that night. His blood ran cold, a biting chill spreading to his toes and fingers. "What did I do?" he asked, his voice tight.

Jian Ci curled his finger, beckoning him closer. Yu Xi hesitated, then leaned in, his heart pounding. Jian Ci lowered his voice to a husky whisper, brushing close to his ear. "You called me Gege... so affectionately."

Yu Xi’s heart trembled at the sound, his breath catching. Shock and relief tangled together—relief that it wasn’t worse, shock that he had said something so intimate.

Jian Ci’s smile lingered, teasing yet warm. Yu Xi swallowed hard, silently vowing to himself: he should never drink in public ever again.

Jian Ci leaned against the desk, his grin mischievous. "Can you show me the dance again?"

Yu Xi’s eyes narrowed. "No."

"Don’t be shy now, little brother," Jian Ci teased, his voice warm and playful. "Let your gege see."

Yu Xi sat back down, his tone firm but quiet. "It’s reserved for my lover."

Jian Ci chuckled, tilting his head. "But I already saw it. Wouldn’t your lover be jealous?" His voice carried that teasing lilt that always made Yu Xi’s composure falter.

"They won’t be jealous," Yu Xi replied, forcing steadiness into his words.

"Okay okay," Jian Ci said with a smile, reaching out to ruffle Yu Xi’s hair before straightening. "Get dressed and let’s go."

Once Jian Ci left the room, Yu Xi collapsed forward onto the desk with a heavy sigh. He had thought that with time, his feelings would settle, that he would learn to restrain the desire that burned quietly within him. But now that they were in the Academy, surrounded by so many others, his anxiety only grew. There were plenty of rivals here, and who knew, Jian Ci might find a girlfriend.

Yu Xi’s chest tightened at the thought. He regretted not being born a Guide, not being born a girl. Maybe then things would have been simpler. Running his fingers through his hair, he forced himself upright and went to his wardrobe. He picked out a simple pair of jeans and a plain t-shirt, nothing remarkable, before opening the door and stepping out, his heart heavy.

Jian Ci had picked out the same simple outfit, jeans and a t-shirt, and now stood in front of the mirror, fussing with his damp hair. He tilted his head, running his fingers through the strands until they fell just the way he liked. Catching Yu Xi’s reflection behind him, Jian Ci asked lightly, "You’re done?"

Yu Xi gave a small nod. "Mm. Let’s go."

"Coming," Jian Ci replied cheerfully. "We need to get some snacks on our way there."

"Okay," Yu Xi said, stepping out of the room.

As he did, Jian Ci’s hand brushed against his waist, lingering just long enough to make Yu Xi’s back stiffen. He turned his head sharply, but Jian Ci’s expression was casual, as if nothing unusual had happened. It wasn’t the first time, and Yu Xi knew it wouldn’t be the last. He told himself he wasn’t bothered, yet the question gnawed at him. ’What does Jian Ci think when he touches me like that?’

Jian Ci noticed his daze. "What? What’s wrong?" His tone carried genuine concern.

Yu Xi shook his head quickly. "Nothing. Let’s go."

Jian Ci released him and tapped the elevator panel. Two students passed by, greeting them politely. Jian Ci returned the greeting with his usual warmth, his smile easy and bright.

The elevator doors slid open. Jian Ci gestured with a flourish. "After you."

Yu Xi stepped inside, silent, while Jian Ci pressed the ground floor. The elevator hummed to life, descending to the foyer.

Jian Ci turned toward Yu Xi, running his fingers through his damp hair with exaggerated care. "Is my hair fine?" he asked, his tone almost childlike.

Yu Xi glanced at him briefly. "It’s fine. You look good."

"Just good?" Jian Ci pressed, his lips curving into a pout.

Yu Xi’s expression remained steady. "Just good."

But Jian Ci wasn’t about to let it go. He leaned closer, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Don’t be like that, Little Xi. Look at my face and tell me if I look just

good. Look closely."

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime. Yu Xi stepped out smoothly, smirk tugging at his lips. "Just good," he repeated, walking away.

Jian Ci blinked, startled, then broke into a grin. He dashed after him, reaching out to grab Yu Xi’s arm. Yu Xi dodged, quick and agile, his pace increasing as laughter spilled from him. Jian Ci tried again, but Yu Xi slipped away, heading out through the foyer.

Students nearby and even the receptionist froze, stunned by the sight of the chase. Jian Ci, determined, finally caught up and scooped Yu Xi over his shoulder in one swift motion.

Yu Xi’s face went blank. "..." He wriggled, trying to free himself. "Ci, put me down!"

Jian Ci chuckled, tightening his hold. "Call me gege and I will let you go."

Yu Xi burst into laughter despite himself. "How can you be this shameless?"

Jian Ci grinned wider, carrying him forward like a prize he refused to release. "You truly don’t know how shameless I can be," he said.

Yu Xi struggled against Jian Ci’s grip, his voice sharp with laughter. "Okay, okay—gege, let me go, please." He was afraid someone will take a picture of them and plaster their business on StarNet.

Jian Ci smirked, satisfied. "That’s more like it." He set Yu Xi down gently.

Yu Xi straightened his t-shirt, glaring half-heartedly. "You are unbelievable."

Jian Ci only chuckled, ruffling Yu Xi’s hair. "Tell me how I look."

Yu Xi sighed, exasperated. "Fine, fine. You are handsome—the most handsome man I know."

Jian Ci’s smile widened until his eyes curved into crescent moons. "Aww, really? You mean it?"

Yu Xi rolled his eyes and walked away, but Jian Ci quickly caught up, draping his arm around Yu Xi’s shoulder. Together they strolled toward the vending machine. Jian Ci picked out a few snacks and handed them over with a flourish.

Once done he said"Come here," suddenly. Yu Xi obeyed, leaning closer, and Jian Ci reached out to fix his hair with surprising tenderness.

Just then, a voice familiar to both of them rang out. "Ci-ge."

They turned to see Alarna standing nearby, accompanied by a young man who was most likely a Guide.

"Oh, hi," Jian Ci said, his tone flat and unenthusiastic.

Yu Xi glanced at him, sensing the shift in his mood. Jian Ci’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. He didn’t know if Alarna herself had a hand in the plot to connect them together like they were in a relationship, but her father was most certainly involved. That alone soured Jian Ci’s expression. He wasn’t pleased to see her at all.