Ch 23: How To Be A Good Lackey

He looked up at the title at the top and confirmed he hadn’t opened the wrong thread. Then he carefully looked at the photo of himself in the original post. Honestly, it was a pretty good shot—handsome, even. Shao Ye couldn’t help but long-press to save it. While he was at it, he even gave a like to the guy in the first comment who said he wasn’t small, but actually quite big.

Good eye.

“Little boyfriend?”

What part of him was little?

The world was getting ridiculous. Maybe later he should call his parents and ask if he had a long-lost twin brother.

Taking a deep breath, Shao Ye scrolled down. He thought maybe the comments would all be roasting the original poster.

But reality didn’t quite match his expectations. Aside from a few clueless anonymous students asking if it was true, most people were actually providing “evidence” to support the claim.

One student replied: “Every time he went to pick a fight with Si Xu, he said he was the president’s person. I thought he was just a lackey—turns out he’s the boyfriend? What a twist.”

: Si Xu: I didn’t know either! He never told me!

: When he brought the medal to the president yesterday, didn’t you see how the president was smiling? Like a blooming flower.

: I’m in the student council. Once he came looking for the president, but the president had gone to a meeting with the principal. I deliberately told him the president was in the cafeteria. Now I’m kind of scared—am I going to get kicked out of the student council tomorrow just because I stepped into the president’s office with my left foot first?!

Damn! No wonder he couldn’t find the president after circling the cafeteria three times that day—he’d gotten so mad he ended up eating three servings of mango pudding. He was definitely going to tell the president about this tonight!

Wait…

Was something off here? Whatever, forget it!

Shao Ye scrolled through a few more pages. There was no reversal—if anything, more and more people were convinced he was the president’s boyfriend.

He slowly lowered his phone, sinking into a strange, hollow state. He felt like he should say something, but had no idea where to start.

His desk mate made a fist like a microphone and held it in front of Shao Ye’s mouth. “Student Shao Ye, do you have anything to say? Everything you say may be used as evidence in court.”

After thinking for a long time, Shao Ye looked up and asked, “Why are they slandering my innocence?”

His desk mate blinked, nearly failing to process it. “So… is what the post says true?”

Shao Ye thought back and nodded. “Yeah, probably. But that’s not the important part.”

Then what is the important part?

His desk mate stared at him suspiciously. “So… are you… innocent?”

Shao Ye: “…”

Under that stare, he felt a bit unsure himself. “More or less?”

Well then—what else was there to say? Might as well skip straight to wishing them a long and happy relationship.

“This is a setup. It has to be a setup.” Shao Ye muttered, swiping through the screen. “They’re jealous that the president values me, so they’re trying to make him distance himself from me with this kind of rumor.”

He sighed. “Has human nature really become this sinister? When I get back, I’ll have the president ban them all.”

His desk mate gave him a complicated look, lips twitching like he wanted to say something but held back.

Shao Ye paused mid-typing and asked, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

His desk mate quietly took a few steps back to maintain a safe distance before answering, “Do you know what you look like right now?”

“Like what?”

“Like a scheming consort whispering in the emperor’s ear.”

Shao Ye: “…You’ve been corrupted by them.”

In the end, Shao Ye didn’t send the post to Xi Guanming—but he refused to admit it had anything to do with what his desk mate said.

After rehearsal, the class monitor came up to him and warned, “If you mess up during tomorrow’s performance at the arts festival, I’m reporting you to Xi Guanming—telling him you’ve been playing with the feelings of multiple girls in our class.”

Shao Ye: “?”

He asked, “When did I ever do that? And why report me to the president?!”

“We have high expectations for you. If you mess up, that’s basically playing with our feelings. And as for reporting to the president—stop pretending.”

Shao Ye went blank. He already knew where this was going.

“Didn’t expect it,” the class monitor said, standing on tiptoe to pat his shoulder and give him a thumbs-up. “You really can’t judge a book by its cover, Brother Ye. Put in a good word for us in front of the president—our class is definitely getting the honor flag this semester.”

Shao Ye: “……”

He had a mountain of curses he wanted to unleash, but there were too many, all stuck in his throat. In the end, they condensed into one long, bitter sigh.

The goal he had always wanted to achieve… seemed to have been reached in a very strange way. So did that count as success or not?

Sigh.

Those people in the thread were saying they’d have to be careful not to offend him in the future, that he’d definitely go crying to the president. Seriously—how could they say something like that about him?

The arts rep walked over, glanced at Shao Ye—whose grin was practically stretching to his ears—and whispered to the class monitor, “Why is Brother Ye smiling like that?”

The class monitor shook her head. “I don’t want to know. It feels like petty villain energy. My fists are itching.”

Even on the way back to the dorm, Shao Ye was still thinking about it. So many people believed he was the president’s boyfriend—but he wasn’t. Sooner or later, the truth would come out.

If people joked about it in front of the president… Shao Ye had a bad feeling it wouldn’t end well for him.

But what if he really became the president’s boyfriend…

Shao Ye quickly shut that thought down and internally scolded himself. Shao Ye, you’re not human. How could you even think that?

The student council was checking safety conditions for the arts festival venue, so Xi Guanming came back late. Shao Ye was lying on the bed playing on his phone, completely absorbed, not noticing his return.

Xi Guanming walked over silently and looked down at him. Shao Ye’s feet dangled off the edge of the bed, his toes curling and uncurling. Xi Guanming’s gaze traveled upward from his calves to his thighs, then to his rounded, lifted hips.

He walked over, picked up the glass on the table, deliberately making a slight noise to get Shao Ye’s attention, and then asked, “What happened? You look so happy.”

Hearing his voice, Shao Ye immediately put down his phone and sat up, shaking his head like a rattle drum. “N-no, nothing.”

So clueless—his face was already that red, and he still said nothing was wrong. Who would believe that?

But Xi Guanming didn’t expose him. He just smiled and said, “Go to bed early tonight. Do well at the arts festival tomorrow.”

“Got it.” Shao Ye glanced at his phone one last time before reluctantly setting it aside.

Just now, he had been fiercely arguing with people anonymously on the forum, posting under the trending thread that Shao Ye was currently only the president’s subordinate, and asking everyone to respect the person involved and stop spreading rumors.

The fellow students hadn’t expected that after more than twenty pages of discussion, someone could still come out and spout nonsense with a straight face. If this was how Xi Guanming treated his “underlings,” then they would all be willing to become his underlings.

As soon as that was said, Shao Ye didn’t dare say another word. Not only had he failed to control the public opinion, he’d even gained a bunch of competitors. It was terrifying.

Shao Ye backed off, but the others refused to let it go. They kept throwing out all kinds of “evidence,” trying to prove that Shao Ye was definitely the president’s boyfriend. Some of them even wished they could drag Xi Guanming out to livestream and give Shao Ye an official title.

Shao Ye knew he should be angry at their nonsense, but looking at all their so-called evidence and analysis, the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but lift. Did he and the president really look that convincing together? It was kind of embarrassing.

Realizing he was about to laugh out loud, Shao Ye quickly took a deep breath and adjusted his expression. This was anger. It had to be anger.

He secretly brainwashed himself, telling himself he’d just lost control of his expression because he was mad.

Still, those students were really good at shipping. They even knew he and Xi Guanming were living in the same dorm. Luckily, they didn’t know they were now sleeping in the same bed. If they did, who knew what outrageous things they’d say.

When he went to the bathroom to wash up, Shao Ye glanced at the still-collapsed bed and wondered why the school maintenance department had become so inefficient. Was fixing a bed really that hard? He’d have to mention it to the president.

But as soon as he came out of the bathroom, he forgot all about it. It takes three days to form a habit, and now he could naturally climb into Xi Guanming’s bed after washing up.

Maybe it was because the forum calling him the president’s “little boyfriend” had hit him too hard, plus he’d napped too long in the afternoon and had a cup of milk tea at night. For once, Shao Ye, who usually fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow, experienced insomnia.

More than half an hour after lights out, his brain was still unusually active. He lay there counting sheep, from one sheep to two hundred seventeen, then somehow back to one hundred nine.

Suddenly, Xi Guanming’s voice came from beside him: “Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

“Probably drank too much milk tea,” Shao Ye sighed. His deskmate had said it worked better than coffee. He hadn’t believed it, but now he had to.

Xi Guanming turned onto his side and asked softly, “Do you need help?”

Help how? Was the president going to tell him a bedtime story?

Before Shao Ye could answer, Xi Guanming’s hand had already slipped under his blanket.

Shao Ye’s body stiffened. Now he understood how Xi Guanming planned to “help” him.

Time seemed to stretch endlessly. His body tensed slightly, fingers gripping the bedsheet tightly as he struggled to suppress any sound.

When it was over, Xi Guanming got up and turned on the light. Shao Ye lay on the bed, the blanket having been pulled aside during everything. The dim, warm yellow light fell over him, as if coating his skin in a layer of honey.

Shao Ye stared blankly at the wall lamp above, suddenly recalling how he had been arguing fiercely with people on the forum not long ago, and felt a bit guilty.

“Can you sleep now?” Xi Guanming sat beside him, his gaze openly tracing every line of muscle on his body.

Shao Ye pressed his lips together, his throat moving slightly. He didn’t dare say that after a brief moment of calm, he now felt awake again.

He felt like he’d let down the president’s goodwill. He didn’t dare meet Xi Guanming’s eyes, his gaze drifting elsewhere… only to land on Xi Guanming’s lower body, which startled him.

It looked like the president wasn’t exactly sleepy either.

His mouth fell open, making him look even more foolish. Noticing his expression, Xi Guanming, who had been wiping his hands, looked up and asked, “Still can’t sleep?”

Seeing Xi Guanming pause, as if about to “help” him again, Shao Ye hurriedly said, “No more, really, no more.”

It wasn’t that he lacked stamina. He had to perform on stage tomorrow. If something went wrong, the class monitor would definitely go complain to the president and ruin his reputation. He should’ve let the class monitor play the thirteenth dark wizard back then.

“Alright,” Xi Guanming said, sounding rather regretful.

Rationally, Shao Ye knew he should go to sleep. But his eyes kept drifting toward Xi Guanming.

The boss was in trouble. How could a subordinate just ignore it? What kind of future would that subordinate have?

After struggling internally, Shao Ye finally gathered the courage to ask, “President… do you need help?”

“Hm?” Xi Guanming looked up at him.

“Well… that.” Shao Ye blinked at him.

Xi Guanming understood and smiled. “If you’re willing.”

Shao Ye quickly got up on his knees beside him. Xi Guanming leaned back against the pillow, one leg slightly bent, watching Shao Ye’s every move with a calm expression.

Shao Ye pressed his lips together, not daring to use much force with his hands. His expression was serious and proper, lips drawn into a straight line, like a devout believer facing a sacred object.

How could he be this cute? He should just pin him down and— Xi Guanming ran his tongue over his teeth again and again, suppressing the surge of wild thoughts in his mind.

After trying for a while with little effect, Shao Ye frowned and asked in frustration, “President, am I just bad at this?”

Xi Guanming smiled. “A little.”

Shao Ye looked even more defeated. He couldn’t believe he was worse than the president even at this.

“Is it too late for me to learn now?” he asked sincerely.

“It’s not too late,” Xi Guanming said, sitting up straighter and adjusting his posture slightly. “But there’s an easier way.”

“What way?” Shao Ye asked innocently.

“Take off your clothes, turn around, and lie on the bed.”

Shao Ye did as he was told. But as soon as he lay down, he realized this scene felt familiar, like something that had just happened not long ago.

He wasn’t about to get spanked again, was he? That didn’t make sense. He’d been behaving well lately and hadn’t interfered with Jiang Yan anymore. Could it be that the president knew about the forum?

“Put your legs together,” Xi Guanming’s voice came from behind him.

Shao Ye obediently brought his legs together. A flicker of something dark passed through Xi Guanming’s eyes. His palm itched, and in the end, he couldn’t resist—he brought it down in a smack.

He really did get hit again.

“President, why did you hit me again?” Shao Ye asked, full of confusion. He didn’t dare admit that it had actually felt a little… good.

“Sorry, couldn’t help myself,” Xi Guanming replied with a smile.

Shao Ye opened his mouth to say something else, but in the next moment he completely forgot what he wanted to say.

He clutched the pillow under his head tightly with both arms, not daring to relax his legs at all. Even when they were forced apart, he immediately pressed them back together.

Xi Guanming noticed his reaction. His gaze deepened as it trailed down from the back of Shao Ye’s neck. His spine was straight, his shoulders broad, his waist narrow. A thin sheen of sweat covered his skin, glistening under the light. There was a small red mole on his left trapezius. Xi Guanming fixed his eyes on it, suppressing the strong urge to bite down on it.

Not yet.

But soon.

No need to rush.

Food that’s been waited on for a long time always tastes better.

Lying face down on the bed, Shao Ye gradually regained his scattered thoughts. In a daze, he felt like the president’s “method” didn’t seem that effective after all. So much time had passed, and the results weren’t exactly obvious.

After who knew how long, Xi Guanming finally let go of his waist. With a satisfied tone, he said, “Thank you, Shao Ye.”

What was he supposed to say?

After thinking for a moment, Shao Ye replied, “Y-you’re welcome?”

A low, magnetic laugh sounded behind him. Xi Guanming took two wet wipes from the bedside table and carefully cleaned the cream from the mango pudding.

From the moment he realized how Xi Guanming planned to help him “fall asleep,” Shao Ye had already suspected he wouldn’t be able to sleep at all—and he was right. The inside of his thighs felt strange, a little itchy. There was no way he’d dare let the president help him like that again. He shut his eyes tightly and pretended to sleep.

Xi Guanming, having at least gotten a small “appetizer” tonight, knew he was faking and didn’t tease him further.

Shao Ye kept up the act all the way until the next morning. Early on, he went with his classmates to the auditorium to watch performances. By the time it was their class’s turn, it was already afternoon. A large group of them rushed backstage, changed into costumes, and went on stage.

After delivering all his lines, Shao Ye was “cursed” and fell backward with a thud onto a small cart padded with soft cushions. Then he lay there silently, waiting for the “grass” on his head to sprout so he could make his honorable exit.

Soon enough, the poor wizard—who couldn’t be awakened by true love’s kiss, who had fallen into eternal sleep, and now even had grass growing on his head—was pushed, cart and all, into a cluttered storage room backstage.

Shao Ye thought the little cart was actually pretty comfortable. He hadn’t slept at all the previous night, and his nerves had been tense the whole time—especially to avoid the class monitor reporting him for “playing with girls’ feelings.” Now that his part was over, he finally relaxed, and exhaustion hit him like a flood.

A classmate called for him to get up, but he shook his head and told them to go ahead. He wanted to nap on the cart for a while.

The play on stage continued, the princess and prince’s dialogue drifting into the small storage room.

He heard the princess sobbing:
“I crossed mountains and deserts to break his curse, traveled through endless barren sands and the cold, dark depths of the sea. I risked my life countless times and finally found a way to open the black castle.

“But now, I can no longer give him a true love’s kiss. No one in this world will ever love him again. He is doomed to sleep forever in that dark castle.”

“Oh, my dear princess,” the prince replied, “do not be sad. Your tears are the sharpest weapon in the world, piercing my heart with ease.

“You need not feel guilty or pity him. He fell asleep carrying your most precious love with him. He will never wake, and so the love he once received will last forever. My princess, do not blame yourself—this is fate.”

Half-asleep, Shao Ye listened to the overly dramatic lines and, for a moment, vaguely felt as though he had truly been cursed—doomed to sleep forever in this storage room.

The door opened, then closed again. Footsteps approached, stopping beside his cart. A long shadow fell across his face, and then a hand covered his eyes.

Was someone trying to play a “guess who I am” game with him?

How childish, Shao Ye thought, and actually started thinking seriously about who it could be.

The footsteps sounded familiar. It should be—

Before he could figure it out, a pair of soft lips pressed briefly against his.

It was a very light kiss, gone as quickly as it came.

Shao Ye froze. His muddled mind felt like someone had suddenly set off a string of firecrackers inside it, crackling wildly.

He heard the owner of that shadow say, “Wizard, you can wake up now.”

He snapped fully awake, eyes flying open—only to see darkness.

“President?” He stopped halfway through sitting up and called out instinctively.

Xi Guanming removed the hand covering his eyes. Light flooded back in. At first everything was blurry, but after a blink, his vision cleared—and there was Xi Guanming, smiling.

Shao Ye stared at him blankly, recalling what had just happened.

“Why didn’t you go back to the dorm to sleep? Weren’t you afraid you’d get locked in here?” Xi Guanming asked.

It was as if Shao Ye hadn’t even heard the question. Carefully, he asked, “President… you just kissed me, right?”

“Yes,” Xi Guanming answered, without the slightest attempt to hide it.

“Why?” Shao Ye asked instinctively.

Xi Guanming let out a soft laugh, lowered his head, and asked in return, “Didn’t they say only a true love’s kiss could wake you?”

“Yes, but that was—”

Before he could finish, Xi Guanming cut in, “Seems like it really works.”

Shao Ye blinked, feeling like his brain had been overloaded. He tried to piece together what had just happened.

But it had been too brief—there wasn’t much to piece together.

A true love’s kiss…

You don’t hear of any story where a boss gives his subordinate a “true love’s kiss.”

—The president definitely likes him. I swear on the three remaining hairs on our homeroom teacher’s head.

At that moment, the comments from the forum suddenly flooded into Shao Ye’s confused mind. It felt like everything clicked into place all at once.

Without thinking, he blurted out, “President, do you mean… I can actually be your boyfriend?”

Xi Guanming paused slightly. Before coming here, he had imagined many possible reactions from Shao Ye, but never that he would jump straight to this conclusion. It seemed that confession wasn’t the trumpet of a charge, but the flag of victory.

He rolled the words over in his mind and asked, “Boy…friend?”

That didn’t quite sound right.

Shao Ye didn’t catch the teasing tone in his voice and continued, “President, didn’t you see the posts on the forum?”

“What posts?” Xi Guanming asked. He had been busy lately and hadn’t paid much attention to the school forum, though he could guess the kind of gossip they posted.

“It’s nothing,” Shao Ye said, shaking his head.

Xi Guanming took out his phone, opened the forum, and saw several trending posts pinned at the top. He tapped into the one with the most replies. His gaze lingered on the photo in the first post for a couple of seconds before he saved it and continued scrolling.

“They’re all talking nonsense,” Shao Ye said. “It has nothing to do with me.”

Xi Guanming skimmed quickly. Without paying too much attention, he used his permissions to privately message the person who claimed to have secretly taken many photos of him and Shao Ye, asking for the originals. At the same time, he asked, “Really nothing to do with you?”

How was he supposed to answer that?

Yes… or no?

Staying in the president’s dorm had been his own idea. He had broken the bed. He was the one who hung the medal around the president’s neck.

If he said it had nothing to do with him, that didn’t seem very convincing.

But if he said it did… that would be unfair!

Xi Guanming didn’t seem to need an answer anyway. After casually skimming a few more posts, he put his phone away and asked, “So, Shao Ye… do you want to be my boyfriend?”

Shao Ye felt like his heart was about to leap out of his chest. This wasn’t just butterflies anymore—it was like a dozen bulls tap dancing inside him.

His mind was a complete mess, unable to find a single coherent thread. When he finally opened his mouth, the first thing he asked was, “President… are you gay?”

The moment he said it, even he realized how stupid the question sounded.

Xi Guanming: “…”

“What do you think?” he asked.

Shao Ye coughed, rubbed his nose, and, at the thought that the president might like him, felt ridiculously pleased. If he had a tail, it would already be sticking straight up.

The president had asked if he wanted to be his boyfriend… Shao Ye couldn’t help putting on airs and asked, “President, what are the benefits of being your boyfriend?”

Xi Guanming found it amusing—so adorable. He really ought to pin him down and give him a spanking first, then keep him busy for three days and nights, until his voice turned hoarse, his eyes filled with tears, and his body was covered in marks… that would definitely look nice.

Dark thoughts circled through Xi Guanming’s mind, but on the surface, he remained calm. Smiling, he said, “If you’re not my boyfriend, then you don’t even get to be my subordinate.”

Shao Ye: “…”

What kind of deal was that?! Not sincere at all!

“Have you decided?” Xi Guanming asked again.

“…Then I’ll be your boyfriend,” Shao Ye said, sounding reluctant, though the corners of his mouth had already lifted high.

Xi Guanming extended his hand. “Alright, boyfriend. Get up. Let’s go back to the dorm and sleep.”

Shao Ye responded with an “oh,” took his hand, and quickly climbed off the cart with a bit of leverage. Though honestly, he didn’t think he’d be able to sleep anymore.

Boyfriend… hehe!

After leaving the storage room, they walked into the brightly lit hallway, where students occasionally passed by. Shao Ye kept holding Xi Guanming’s hand, letting out a small laugh every now and then.

To be honest, that laugh didn’t exactly sound like it belonged to a decent person.

Xi Guanming glanced at him and couldn’t help smiling too. He walked him to the entrance of the auditorium and said, “There’s still some work to handle on the student council side. You go back to the dorm first. I’ll come later.”

Shao Ye lingered, reluctant to leave. “President, can I stay with you?”

“Not sleepy anymore?” Xi Guanming asked.

Shao Ye shook his head. With his heart in this state, how could he possibly sleep?

Xi Guanming nodded. “Alright, then come with me.”

The arts festival was going smoothly. Most of the student council members had finished their tasks and were chatting in the backstage lounge. When they saw Xi Guanming walk in holding hands with Shao Ye, who was dressed in a black wizard robe, they immediately exchanged knowing looks.

They had guessed right—this really was the president’s partner. Later, they’d have to secretly take a photo and slap it on the forum to shut up those stubborn deniers.

As soon as Shao Ye entered, someone quickly offered him a seat. Another handed him a cup of water and said, “Ma—uh, classmate, have some water.”

It was Shao Ye’s first time receiving this kind of treatment at Golden Laburnum, and he felt a bit awkward. Over a dozen pairs of eyes were fixed on him, like he was some kind of national treasure.

When he didn’t drink, someone else asked, “Classmate, want some snacks? Some fruit?”

“Is there fruit?” Shao Ye asked. He had already scanned the room—there were only two bags of sunflower seeds.

“Not right now, but I can go buy some. What would you like?”

Shao Ye didn’t hold back at all. “Then get a bit of everything.”

Leaning back in his chair, he sighed inwardly. So being the president’s boyfriend felt this good?

Xi Guanming watched him bask in borrowed authority without saying anything.

But these student council members were all sharp. After warming up to him, they began asking questions about their relationship with clear ulterior motives. Shao Ye, when he got going, was liable to say anything, so Xi Guanming finally had to interrupt:

“Stop teasing him. Go check how many performances are left. It’s about time to wrap up—finalize the awards and hand them out so the students can go home early.”

“Oh? The president’s being protective?” someone nearby joked.

Xi Guanming gave a soft “mm” and didn’t deny it.

Shao Ye lifted his chin. If he wasn’t protecting him, was he supposed to protect those others instead?

The student council members had nothing to say and could only go back to what they were doing.

The arts festival ended successfully. Shao Ye’s class play was especially innovative and ended up winning a gold award. It wasn’t particularly useful, but at least it would add a line to a résumé.

Shao Ye and Xi Guanming walked back toward the dorms. On the way, they ran into Zong Xingze, who had just delivered a small gift to Jiang Yan and was about to head home. Seeing Xi Guanming, he immediately said, “President, I heard something pretty funny. People are saying you and your little follower here are together.”

Zong Xingze had really wanted to see Xi Guanming’s expression change dramatically upon hearing this. But after he spoke, he realized that not only did Xi Guanming not react, even Shao Ye beside him looked calm.

Silence. Complete silence. Only the rustling leaves overhead, oblivious to the atmosphere.

Zong Xingze felt so awkward his toes curled. He forced a stiff smile and asked, “That joke wasn’t funny?”

Xi Guanming extended his hand. With a smack, Shao Ye immediately placed his own hand into it, their fingers interlocking. Zong Xingze froze, suddenly feeling even more like a clown.

Recovering, he shouted in shock, “Wait, Xi Guanming, are you crazy? You’re really with him? You’d actually go for someone like him?!”

For Zong Xingze, the idea that Xi Guanming liked men should have been good news, since it meant one less strong rival in pursuing Jiang Yan. But at that moment, his only thought was that something must be wrong with Xi Guanming’s brain.

Shao Ye wasn’t happy. What kind of way was that to talk?

He nudged Xi Guanming’s shoulder and said, “President, don’t talk to him anymore.”

Xi Guanming nodded. “Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

Zong Xingze: “…”

That was some unbearably sweet PDA. Ugh!

No one cared about how Zong Xingze, suddenly force-fed such a huge amount of sweetness, would cope. He was left standing alone in the chilly evening breeze, quietly falling apart.

As soon as they entered the dorm, scenes from the previous night replayed in Shao Ye’s mind. The president had been secretly taking advantage of him, hadn’t he?

Who would’ve thought the upright and reliable president was actually this kind of person!

Xi Guanming, however, acted as usual. He took off his coat and glanced back, noticing Shao Ye staring at him with a strange look. He didn’t mind and let him stare, asking, “Are you going home for the break?”

Shao Ye snapped back, shook his head quickly. “No.”

His parents were rarely home, so home and school made little difference to him. Actually, school was better since it had mango pudding.

Xi Guanming continued, “Then how about coming home with me?”

Shao Ye froze. Go home with the president?

Go home… to do what?

Having been a “lackey” for so long, he wasn’t quite used to his new role.

“Hm? Why aren’t you saying anything?” Xi Guanming asked.

Shao Ye turned in place a couple of times, muttering, “Isn’t this too fast? It’s my first time, I’m a bit nervous. Shouldn’t we go to the supermarket first and prepare properly?”

Xi Guanming looked at him in surprise. “You even know that?”

“Of course!” Shao Ye puffed up his chest proudly. “This kind of thing is important. You have to be careful. Maybe we should look up what to buy online so we don’t miss anything.”

Xi Guanming had thought that before he made things clear, Shao Ye would have zero awareness of this kind of thing, even though Shao Ye wasn’t exactly straight.

And yet he even knew to prepare in advance. Had he been secretly researching this behind his back? Was he really that eager?

Xi Guanming felt an overwhelming sense of fondness, the delight showing in his eyes and brows. He asked, “Where did you learn that?”

“From my dad,” Shao Ye answered.

At that moment, a faint crack finally appeared in the usually composed Xi Guanming’s expression. Original translation at HololoNovels dot com. He cautiously asked, “…Your dad?”

Shao Ye nodded. “Yeah. The first time my dad went to my grandpa’s house, he bought two boxes of apples, but the ones at the bottom were all rotten. My grandpa has been laughing at him for over twenty years.”

Xi Guanming covered his forehead, silently laughing. It was hard to say which of them was more eager. One had just confirmed the relationship and was already thinking about meeting the parents, while the other was thinking about… something else.

He pressed his lips together and said, “It’s just me at home. No one else.”

“Oh…” Shao Ye stopped overthinking.

Xi Guanming asked, “So, are you coming or not?”

“I’m coming!” Shao Ye agreed immediately, going to the bedside to pack some clothes. After a moment, he asked, “But I want to grab a mango pudding from the cafeteria to bring along. President, do you want one too?”

Standing behind him, Xi Guanming’s gaze slid slowly down Shao Ye’s back. With a faint smile, he said, “I already have my mango pudding. Bring a bottle of red wine instead.”

---

Author’s note:

[According to my rigorous statistics, after the president and No. 6 got together, 17 people need to eat… something upside down, 39 need to livestream eating keyboards, 87 need to crawl on the ground barking like dogs, 211 need to spin while washing their hair, and 56,211 need to enjoy lifelong prosperity with balanced meals]

: Something weird slipped into that last one…

: Who would’ve thought the president would actually confess to No. 6! Anyone who says he was just playing around, I’ll pour boiling water on their money tree

: A thousand years later, a young man enters a dark castle and falls in love at first sight with a sleeping wizard, offering a belated kiss of true love… destined fate! So shippable!

: During those thirty seconds when No. 6 said he’d go to the supermarket, President, were you thinking about which size to use or what flavor?

: Didn’t expect you to be like this, President

: The president personally confessed and proved it. What does the “Qingming Sect” think now?

: What do we think? We celebrate too!

: The neighboring thread is full of CP fans now. Even if moderators ban a batch, some will slip through

: True

: Wait, this is such big news for No. 6, but the stream data seems to be dropping. Aren’t people coming to celebrate?

: It exploded

: ?

: No need to be that dramatic just because you’re not celebrating

: What exploded?

: The auditorium exploded

: Which one?

: Auditorium 125 exploded

: ?????

: What about 34?

: 34 was eliminated earlier

: Is this really something I get to watch for free in a campus drama?

: Incredible, truly incredible. I apologize for ever saying the official storyline was cliché

: Official: we didn’t expect this either

: That “official” accent sounds suspicious

: It’s official alright, whether it’s serious is another question. Someone stamp it

: “Xi-Wang Field tonight do stamp.jpg”

≽^•⩊•^≼

Thandar: Damn this author so good at avoiding censorship lol

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