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Join the ServerWith his mother and sister present, Wei Xiuyuan naturally wouldn’t reveal the truth.
He cast a cool glance at Ji Xiao, then suggested, “Shall we move this discussion to my room?”
Ji Xiao merely smiled. “Certainly,” he agreed.
Wei Xiuyuan entered the room first. Seeing Ji Xiao close the door behind him, he spoke in a cold tone.
“What exactly is Young Master Chen trying to do?” he demanded. “Are you not satisfied? Have you not had enough fun yet?”
Ji Xiao approached him, then lowered his head to fasten the jade pendant to Wei Xiuyuan’s waist. He gently held Wei Xiuyuan’s hand.
“Ziyan,” Ji Xiao murmured, “I truly am deeply fond of you.”
Wei Xiuyuan’s gaze remained aloof. “Young Master Chen overestimates my worth. Ziyan cannot accept such affection.”
Ji Xiao sighed softly. “What will it take for you to give me a chance?”
“My humble home is not suitable for guests. Young Master Chen should leave now.”
“…”
Ji Xiao walked to the doorway, unwilling to give up. “Did I truly bring you no joy?”
“*Zixing yi!*”
“Ah? What was that?”
Wei Xiuyuan’s eyes turned icy.
Ji Xiao swiftly opened the door and hurried out.
****
At the Chen Residence.
Upon seeing him return, Qiu Zhi immediately rushed forward. “Young Master, you’re back!”
“Yes. Is there anyone in our household who is well-versed in scholarship?”
“Steward Chen?”
“Tell him to come to my courtyard.”
“Yes, Young Master!”
When Steward Chen arrived, Ji Xiao was seated in the courtyard, sipping tea. Qiu Zhi stood beside him, occasionally offering a pastry or a peeled grape.
Steward Chen asked with a smile, “Young Master, did you need something from this old servant?”
“Uncle Chen,” Ji Xiao said, swallowing a pastry. “What does ‘Zixing yi’ mean?”
‘It sounds like ‘you should go’ or something similar. But I don’t think Wei Xiuyuan would say something so pleasant.’
Steward Chen’s smile faltered. “May I ask, Young Master, in what context did you hear this?” ‘Could someone have been indirectly insulting our Young Master, taking advantage of his lack of scholarly knowledge? How outrageous!’
“It was spoken by the host when bidding a guest farewell.”
‘Just as I thought.’ Steward Chen’s face darkened. “May I ask, Young Master, which guest was this?”
Ji Xiao, ever curious, asked, “But what does it mean?”
Not wanting his young master to remain ignorant in such situations, Steward Chen explained, “If he was bidding you farewell and his tone was unpleasant, it means ‘get lost’.”
Qiu Zhi’s eyes widened. “How dare they! How dare they tell our Young Master to get lost!”
Ji Xiao chuckled.
Qiu Zhi tilted their head. ‘Why is Young Master laughing after being insulted?’
Steward Chen blinked. ‘Why is Young Master still so foolish?’
“You two wouldn’t understand,” Ji Xiao said triumphantly. “We have a good relationship. He was just joking with me.”
Qiu Zhi and Steward Chen exchanged glances. ‘If Young Master says so, then so be it.’
****
The next day.
Ji Xiao had just woken up when the Black Cat reminded him, “Ahem, today’s dose of grass.”
“…”
While eating breakfast, Ji Xiao instructed Qiu Zhi, “Find someone connected to Ziyan and arrange a gathering. Ensure Ziyan’s presence at this event.”
Qiu Zhi’s eyes sparkled. “Understood, Young Master!”
Wei Xiuyuan had intended to rest at home for a couple of days. However, an old classmate, who had recently arrived in Ancheng, sent an invitation that he couldn’t refuse, so he went.
Only upon arrival did he realize that the classmate’s banquet was being held right next to the Chen Residence.
‘This area is incredibly expensive. How could my classmate have become so wealthy in such a short time?’
After presenting his invitation, a servant invited him inside.
The banquet was set in the garden.
The few scholars in the garden were all familiar faces to Wei Xiuyuan, either former examination companions or fellow provincials.
However, he didn’t recognize the lavishly dressed young man beside his classmate.
Upon seeing him, his classmate came forward. “Ziyan, it’s been two years. Do you still remember me?”
Wei Xiuyuan’s clear, cool eyes softened slightly. “Of course I remember. I could never forget Qianzhi, even if I forgot everyone else.”
Lin Cheng’an, whose courtesy name was Qianzhi, was his former classmate who had helped him greatly.
“Haha, I knew Ziyan wouldn’t forget me,” he said, guiding Wei Xiuyuan towards the lavishly dressed young man. “This is my newly acquainted good friend, Chen Yu.”
‘Chen?’
Wei Xiuyuan politely greeted him.
Chen Yu looked at him with curiosity. “So you’re the genius classmate Qianzhi speaks of, Wei Xiuyuan?”
“Qianzhi is merely being too complimentary.”
…
Soon, they began playing drinking games.
A maid, carrying drinks, stumbled as she passed Wei Xiuyuan. The lid flew off, and the wine spilled onto him.
The maid immediately knelt. “This servant did not mean to, please forgive me, Young Master!”
Chen Yu’s expression darkened. “You wret—”
Wei Xiuyuan raised a hand. “It’s fine, she didn’t do it on purpose.”
Chen Yu merely snorted, then turned to Wei Xiuyuan. “If Ziyan doesn’t mind, I have some new clothes. They might not fit perfectly, but they’re better than staying wet. Would Ziyan care to change?”
Wei Xiuyuan glanced at the wine stains on his clothes, then noticed the maid’s pale face and red eyes. He stood up. “Then I shall trouble you.”
Chen Yu glared at the still-kneeling maid. “What are you waiting for? Take Young Master Wei to my courtyard to change!”
“Yes,” the maid quickly rose, flustered. “Young Master Wei, please follow this servant.”
“Thank you.”
Lin Cheng’an started to rise. “I’ll accompany…”
Chen Yu pulled him back. “He’s in my residence, he won’t get lost. You lost this round, sit down, no cheating.”
Lin Cheng’an said helplessly, “I’m not cheating.”
“Then sit.”
…
Wei Xiuyuan followed the trembling maid out of the garden. “It was an accident, you don’t need to be so afraid.”
The maid’s face was mournful. “Yes.”
She led him into a courtyard, her expression shifting subtly, before finally stopping on a flagstone path.
“Young Master Wei…”
“Ziyan, what a coincidence.”
The maid’s face went white.
Ji Xiao, accompanied by Qiu Zhi and two maids, walked towards them. With a wave of his hand, the two maids immediately pulled away the maid who had been leading Wei Xiuyuan.
“Young Master’s cousin, no—”
Her words were cut short as the two maids clapped their hands over her mouth and dragged her away.
Wei Xiuyuan’s expression darkened slightly. “What are you doing?”
“I went to look for you, but you weren’t home. Then I heard you were visiting my cousin’s house. Isn’t that quite a coincidence?”
“…”
Wei Xiuyuan turned to leave.
Ji Xiao quickly ran over, hoisted him onto his shoulder, and sped up.
“Chen Xiao! Let me go!”
“Shh, Ziyan, don’t shout. We don’t want to attract my cousin and the others.”
“You’re shameless!”
Qiu Zhi lowered their head, seemingly oblivious to the outside world, and opened a small door connecting the two residences through a wall.
Ji Xiao carried Wei Xiuyuan through the small door. “Go deal with Young Master’s cousin.”
Qiu Zhi replied, “Young Master, rest assured.”
Ji Xiao carried Wei Xiuyuan straight back to his room, carefully placed him on the bed, and then ran to close the door.
Wei Xiuyuan stood up, trembling with anger. “Chen Xiao, you are simply…”
Ji Xiao went over and hugged him, gently sniffing his hair. His voice held a hint of grievance. “I missed you.”
“Let go!”
“I won’t!”
“Shameless!”
Ji Xiao chuckled, then pushed him gently to sit on the bed. He embraced him, tentatively kissing the corner of his lips.
Wei Xiuyuan’s body stiffened.
Ji Xiao closed his eyes, deepening the invasion.
‘No refusal means there’s a chance. If he refuses… I’ll just find another way.’
“Ziyan, I want you.”
“Shut up!”
Ji Xiao chuckled again.
‘That’s the sound of mortification turning into anger.’
“I’ll make you happier. I wasn’t clear-headed that day, but now I am.”
“Silence.”
“Alright, I won’t speak. I’ll act instead.”
…
When Wei Xiuyuan’s cool eyes became clouded with desire, Ji Xiao pulled out his hair tie and used it to cover his eyes.
“What are you doing…”
“Don’t look at me. I’m shy.”
“…” ‘Such a shameless person, yet he claims to be shy!’
Upon hearing this, the Black Cat scoffed. ‘Shy? I think you’re just afraid he’ll see the clear awareness in your eyes!’
It watched impassively. The moment Wei Xiuyuan reached out to tear off the blindfold, Ji Xiao’s gaze, fixed on him, was filled with nothing but infatuation and deep affection.
The Black Cat shivered, then vanished. ‘My host is definitely an actor of emperor-level skill!’
The adventure continues! If you loved this chapter, This Time, I Will Never Let You Go is a must-read. Click here to start!
Read : This Time, I Will Never Let You Go
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