Ch 12: How To Be A Good Lackey (QT)

Xi Guanming gave a quiet “mm.” The boy whose hand had been blocked by the champagne bottle reluctantly withdrew it and explained, “President, I think you misunderstood. I just saw that this classmate’s clothes were dirty and wanted to help wipe them.”

Xi Guanming lowered his gaze to the large patch of red wine soaking Shao Ye’s chest. Beneath the fabric, the wounds he’d gotten that afternoon in the oak grove were faintly visible. His tone turned slightly cold. “With your hands?”

The boy let out an awkward laugh. “I was in a hurry just now and didn’t think of it. You’re not mad at me for that, right?” he asked Shao Ye with concern.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. It’s just a shirt, no big deal,” Shao Ye said, waving it off casually. Then he lowered his head and began digging through his pockets, trying to find a pack of tissues.

“You’re really nice,” the boy said sincerely, his eyes practically sparkling.

Xi Guanming watched their interaction, the corners of his lips slowly curving upward, and casually placed the champagne back on a nearby rack.

For some reason, the temperature in the air seemed to drop a few degrees. The boy felt a chill creep up his spine. He turned to Xi Guanming and asked, “Um… President, are you here looking for this classmate? Am I interrupting you two?”

Xi Guanming smiled. “It’s fine. If you two are enjoying the conversation, you can chat a bit longer.”

Looking at the gentle smile on Xi Guanming’s face, the boy felt even more uneasy. Deciding to trust his instincts, he chose to retreat. “Then I won’t disturb you, haha.”

After the boy left, Xi Guanming took out a handkerchief and handed it to Shao Ye.

The wine had already been mostly absorbed by the shirt, so wiping it wouldn’t help much, and it would just waste his boss’s handkerchief. Shao Ye refused. “No need, President.”

“Wipe it again,” Xi Guanming said.

Shao Ye had no choice but to take it and carefully wipe the stain on his shirt once more.

Even after leaving, the boy kept turning back every few steps, looking longingly at Shao Ye. But soon Xi Guanming shifted slightly to the side, completely blocking his line of sight.

The boy sulked while asking others what the relationship was between Xi Guanming and that muscular guy. Translated on Hololo novels. No one really knew. Only a few gossip-loving students had heard some rumors, saying he might be Xi Guanming’s follower. The boy grew even more confused. He only wanted to touch the follower’s chest, not his partner’s, so why was he being so controlling?

That chest was trained that well, wasn’t it meant to be touched?

What a waste! What a waste!

Shao Ye stuffed the used handkerchief into his pocket and asked curiously, “President, why did you come back?”

Before Xi Guanming could answer, he suddenly let out an “oh,” his face lighting up with realization. He blinked at Xi Guanming. “I get it. You still couldn’t stop worrying about Jiang Yan, right?”

What exactly does he think he understands?

Shao Ye glanced toward the entrance and continued, “But I haven’t found Jiang Yan yet. She might be in the next hall. President, should we go check?”

Xi Guanming said, “No need. Your clothes are wet. Go back.”

“It’s fine, really.”

“Everyone’s looking at you,” Xi Guanming said.

Shao Ye turned to look around. Indeed, quite a few people were glancing their way. The moment he looked at them, they all pretended nothing was happening and quickly looked away.

Shao Ye simply flicked his tailcoat back and said boldly, “Let them look. I’m not afraid. Protecting your love life is more important.”

“I think I saw Si Xu come in just now, dressed like a peacock. Compared to him, your outfit is low-key, luxurious, and refined. Jiang Yan will definitely choose you as her dance partner—”

Xi Guanming cut him off. “Jiang Yan didn’t come.”

Shao Ye froze for a moment before processing what he said. He blinked, confused. “But her classmate told me she was coming tonight.”

“Maybe something came up and she didn’t,” Xi Guanming said. “Can we go back now?”

“Well…” Shao Ye had nothing more to say, though he felt a bit disappointed. “Alright, let’s go back.”

Seeing them suddenly leave, the boy who had been secretly watching quickly pushed through the crowd and chased after them, calling out, “Hey, we haven’t added each other yet!”

Shao Ye heard him and wanted to stop, but Xi Guanming acted as if he hadn’t heard anything and kept walking quickly. Of course, Shao Ye wouldn’t abandon his boss for someone whose name he didn’t even know. If he did, his whole “career” would probably be over.

After leaving the auditorium, Xi Guanming slowed his pace and said, “Was someone calling me just now?”

“No, they were calling me. We said we’d add each other earlier,” Shao Ye replied.

Xi Guanming seemed a bit apologetic. “Sorry, I was thinking about something and didn’t notice.”

Shao Ye chuckled. “It’s fine. I told him I’m in Class 5, second year. If he needs anything, he can just come find me.”

Xi Guanming’s expression stiffened for a moment before returning to normal. He asked casually, “What’s your relationship with him?”

“Just met him tonight,” Shao Ye said.

“Just met, and you’re not worried he might be one of Si Xu’s people?” Xi Guanming asked.

Shao Ye laughed and raised his fist in front of him like a show-off. “President, I can knock out three guys like him with one punch.”

Xi Guanming smiled along with him. “I’m just worried you might get tricked. There were so many people in the hall, yet the wine just happened to spill on you.”

“True,” Shao Ye followed his line of thought. Maybe that guy didn’t want him to stay in the hall. Translated on Hololo novels. Maybe he was trying to drive him away for Si Xu. Realization dawned on him, and he nodded. “President, you’re right. Next time he comes looking for me, I’ll ignore him.”

“Up to you,” Xi Guanming said with a smile.

The two walked one after the other toward the dorms. After a while, Shao Ye looked up and spotted a familiar figure running toward the auditorium in the distance. He quickly called out, “Hey, President, I think I just saw Jiang Yan!”

Xi Guanming kept walking straight ahead without even glancing over. Hearing Shao Ye, he didn’t stop, only saying calmly, “You’re mistaken.”

Shao Ye craned his neck, squinting hard in that direction. “No, I’m not! It really is Jiang Yan! President, let’s go back and check.”

“Not going,” Xi Guanming refused flatly.

Shao Ye couldn’t figure out why Xi Guanming wouldn’t go. He urged, “President, it’s a ball! You can invite Jiang Yan to dance. If you don’t go, Si Xu might take that chance!”

Xi Guanming stopped and turned around. Shao Ye hadn’t expected him to stop so suddenly and nearly bumped into him. He rubbed his nose and took half a step back, putting a little distance between them.

The night breeze was cool, and against his soaked clothes, it felt even colder. Under the streetlight, the damp fabric clung to Shao Ye’s chest, the chill making the two points there faintly stand out. Xi Guanming’s tongue moved slowly inside his mouth, his teeth lightly grinding together. It was as if the oral fixation from infancy had returned in a strange way. He suddenly had the urge to bite something.

“Aren’t you cold?” he asked.

“Huh?” Shao Ye looked up, puzzled by the abrupt shift in topic. “No, not cold.”

“The wind will pick up soon. Go back quickly,” Xi Guanming said.

“But—” Shao Ye tried to push again.

“I have something very important for you to do,” Xi Guanming said seriously.

Shao Ye let out an “ah,” instantly tossing Jiang Yan out of his mind. Eager, he said, “Then let’s go back!”

---

The autumn wind swept through the branches, sending a few yellowing leaves spinning down.

Most dorms in the academy were double rooms, but Xi Guanming was special, living alone.

The moment he entered, he turned on the lights. At a glance, his dorm looked almost the same as the lounge in the office building, just a bit larger, with a bigger bed. Other than that, there was hardly any difference, and nothing that reflected his personal preferences.

All the way back, Shao Ye had been wondering what important task the president would give him. He had even been brought back to his dorm. That meant he was being treated as a confidant, right? He was rising so fast. Was he really that outstanding?

Xi Guanming took off his coat and turned around, only to see Shao Ye standing at the door, grinning foolishly. His thin white shirt, stained through with red wine, had become almost transparent, clinging tightly to his honey-colored skin. Under the bright light, not only his full chest muscles but also his well-defined abs below were clearly visible.

“Do you want to take a shower first?” Xi Guanming asked.

“No need. I’ll just wash up when I get back to my dorm. President, what exactly did you call me here for?” Shao Ye rubbed his hands excitedly.

Xi Guanming smiled. “It’s nothing much. I was just a bit bored tonight and wanted someone to talk to.”

?

This was the “very important” matter?

While the president’s mental well-being was indeed important, Shao Ye felt like he wasn’t particularly useful in that regard. After thinking seriously, he said with regret, “Then why didn’t you chase after Jiang Yan just now when you saw her?”

Was it because the president now realized Jiang Yan might be dancing with Si Xu, so he felt bored?

Xi Guanming: “……”

He ignored the question and asked instead, “Have you still been skipping night classes to go to the gym lately?”

Shao Ye’s expression froze. Then he explained in a small voice, “President, you know I have to follow Jiang Yan. I don’t have time to train during the day, so I can only go during night classes. It’s not my fault. I feel like my chest muscles are shrinking lately.” His tone turned a bit aggrieved.

Xi Guanming’s gaze fell on his chest. Smiling, he said, “No. They look the same as before.”

“Really?” Shao Ye reached out and roughly measured them himself, though he couldn’t really tell the difference.

Xi Guanming sat down, crossing his legs, and said sincerely, “Your chest muscles are very nice.”

Shao Ye lifted his chin proudly, like a kindergarten kid being praised by a teacher.

Xi Guanming rested his elbow on the table, rubbing his temple with his fingers before asking, “But I’m a bit curious. Are they hard or soft?”

Shao Ye poked his chest lightly and answered honestly, “When I’m relaxed, they’re soft. When I flex, they get hard.”

“Is that so? I didn’t know,” Xi Guanming said, sounding faintly regretful.

Shao Ye opened his tailcoat a bit wider, trying to please him. “Yeah. President, do you want to touch?”

Xi Guanming looked at him, let out a low, meaningful laugh, and said slowly, “Alright. I’ll take a look.”

---

Author’s note:

【????????????????????】

Wait, can someone tell me what exactly is being streamed in No. 6’s room? I don’t understand anymore. Didn’t you all say the president was going to destroy No. 6? I specifically switched over from No. 4’s stream, and this is what I get? Calcium supplements??

: Don’t talk nonsense. What calcium supplements? It’s just touching a chest

: “Just touching a chest”? Read what you just said

: What’s wrong with that? How do you know the president isn’t planning to use some new drug to dissolve his chest muscles? That would be a devastating lesson for No. 6

: What a creative theory, what a stubborn mouth

: Seriously, before this I thought this was about infrastructure-building streams, turns out it’s about… other kinds of “building.” If I’d known, I wouldn’t have watched. What a waste of No. 6’s muscles. I thought he was a real man

: How is he not? Real men like men

: Any micro-expression experts have insights on the president’s expressions today?

: The expert says the president has excellent emotional control. He’s using a teasing manner to mask his deep disgust and hatred for No. 6

: That does sound like something an expert would say

: I told you No. 6 tampered with the backend data, you didn’t believe me, huh

: The president wouldn’t actually… right?

: What are you thinking? Of course not. He just said it casually. Who knew No. 6 would be so shameless as to offer. The president just couldn’t refuse

: Casual? I feel like the president is guiding this on purpose

: What’s wrong with being curious whether muscles are soft or hard? I want to know too

: Doesn’t the president have his own? Why touch No. 6’s?

: He does. I remember in No. 3’s stream there was a swimming scene. The president’s physique is great. That gif got shared like crazy

: So why touch No. 6’s?

: Sometimes we need to look at things from a developmental perspective. Just because he’s touching now doesn’t mean he’ll always be touching

: So why touch No. 6’s?

: Touching someone’s chest doesn’t mean anything. My roommate and I do it all the time

: So why touch No. 6’s?

: The same action can have different meanings in different cultures. For example, the “OK” sign means good to us, but elsewhere it can mean something offensive. Thumbs up can mean praise here but insult elsewhere. So maybe in their academy, touching someone’s chest has a different meaning, like expressing deep disdain

: …

: So why… never mind, I give up

: Master, I understand now! Next, the president will definitely… enact revenge in a very special way!

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