Chapter 9: Auntie Has Already Given Her Approval

Xie Yan was very glad he had worn a mask.

Even more glad that he hadn’t exposed himself earlier, because otherwise he wouldn’t have known how to comfort Lin Chuji, whose face—even partially hidden—clearly showed his flustered state.

 

If he weren’t afraid that Lin Chuji would be too embarrassed by the video, Xie Yan wouldn’t have minded a face-to-face reveal right then and there.

 

Afraid that everyone would really misunderstand, Lin Chuji was still trying to explain: “It’s all blurry.

Aside from both being male, how does that look like me?”

“We’re just kidding, teasing you.

It’s pitch black—what can you even see?

Besides, night vision always distorts things a bit,” the officer said with a smile, lowering his head to write the report.

 

Lin Chuji’s anxious heart slowly settled back down.

“No, even though I took the drug and it was dark, I remember very clearly…”

Zhang Ming recalled.

“Shut up!”

Lin Chuji turned his head and snapped, afraid he might say even one more word.

 

Xie Yan spoke slowly: “How could it be the same person?

That’s my friend’s friend.

They don’t even know each other, right?”

 

Lin Chuji looked at him gratefully.

 

Zhang Ming was also getting confused.

He narrowed his eyes.

“Is that so?

Even though I never saw him take off his mask, I waited in the corridor for quite a while.

That narrow waist, those long legs—I couldn’t be mistaken.”

 

Xie Yan gave a half-smile.

“Buddy, you’re still reminiscing even after getting brought to the police station.

Since you’ve already admitted it, there doesn’t seem to be much point in continuing this.”

 

Only then did Zhang Ming belatedly realize he had been tricked.

He was speechless.

 

Seeing the chaos at the scene, the officer spoke up: “Um, we have the evidence.

You two sign your statements, and we’ll handle the rest.”

 

Lin Chuji nodded, saying nothing.

 

The officer added, “By the way, did you know there was something wrong with the drinks at the bar last night?

Someone was selling fake alcohol.

Are you feeling unwell anywhere right now?”

 

Lin Chuji shook his head, then nodded.

No wonder I was so out of it.

I really don’t remember a thing.

Fake alcohol is dangerous.

“Get some rest.

Get checked out if necessary.

If there’s anything else you need to add, I’ll contact you again,” the officer said simply.

 

After finishing the procedures, the two came out of the office and looked at each other.

The more Lin Chuji didn’t speak, the more Xie Yan started to panic.

 

In the end, it was Xie Yan who broke the silence: “My friend was in a hurry when handing over the evidence and didn’t pay attention during editing.”

 

Lin Chuji said softly, “Why are you explaining to me?

I’m not the victim.”

 

Xie Yan: “……”

He added, “Right.

I was afraid you might over-identify and read into it.

So, never mind.”

“Thank you for providing the evidence.

Zhang Ming will definitely… receive the appropriate punishment.”

Lin Chuji couldn’t continue the lie.

His scalp tingled with embarrassment.

“So, we…”

 

Xie Yan nodded.

“Yeah.

My friend is still waiting for me—the friend who provided the video.

So I’ll go first.”

 

Only then did Lin Chuji belatedly find it strange.

He was worried that revealing himself would be awkward, but why is Xie Yan hiding?

What is he avoiding?

 

Lin Chuji decided to ask directly: “Why didn’t your friend bring the video himself?”

 

Xie Yan said unhurriedly, “He was afraid that coming to the police station would damage his tall, mighty, and glorious image.

It wasn’t convenient for him to show up.”

 

Lin Chuji: ?

 

Xie Yan said casually, “You know how it is.

The extremely handsome all have idol baggage.

What if some acquaintance saw him?

It would affect his future reputation at the sports academy.”

 

Lin Chuji: “……”

Fine.

I would never have thought of that logic in eight lifetimes.

It fits his persona perfectly.

 

But that aside, the video indeed showed himself and Xie Yan, so what Xie Yan said in the morning was true.

He had hugged him, acted cute, been all clingy—all initiated by him.

 

Fake alcohol is dangerous.

 

Unbearable to look at.

Might as well just jump into the sea and end it.

 

Lin Chuji’s cheeks were practically on fire.

He turned to leave.

“I’ll go back first.

I wish you a pleasant trip.”

 

He practically fled from Xie Yan’s line of sight, quickly disposed of the mask, and leaned against the wall to calm down for a while until his racing heart finally settled.

 

When he returned to the beach, he heard someone calling his name.

“Lin Chuji!

Come quick!

They’re catching crabs!

A huge one!”

It was Shen Yinan.

 

Hearing the keyword, Lin Chuji instinctively looked up and searched for Xie Yan.

In such a short time, he had also changed clothes—from the buttoned-up jacket he wore in the morning to a simple white T-shirt.

 

He stood barefoot in the water, as if the person who had appeared at the police station earlier was a completely unrelated other.

The sea breeze billowed his shirt, giving him a carefree, unrestrained look.

 

A guy from the party a few days ago held Xie Yan’s camera and said, “Quick, hold up that crab!

Let’s take a group photo to commemorate it.

Lin Chuji, you get in position too!”

 

Being called out, Lin Chuji had no choice but to slowly shuffle toward the group.

He had wanted to pick a spot at the edge, but Xie Yan pulled him and he unexpectedly ended up right in the center.

“I don’t want to stand here,” Lin Chuji protested quietly.

“It’ll be done in a second.

What’s the big deal about a photo?”

Xie Yan said breezily.

 

Lin Chuji moved his lips and said softly, “If my memory isn’t failing me, we said we’d each do our own thing and not bother each other.

That was just before bed last night.”

“Yes, that was before today.

But then you made overtures to me, so I generously forgave you,” Xie Yan said casually.

“But next time, don’t do it that way.

It was too enthusiastic.

I appreciate the sentiment, but I can’t handle the rest.”

 

Lin Chuji: “…………”

 

He had seen the video, and now he really couldn’t refute it.

He felt extremely guilty.

 

Xie Yan, of course, knew this too, but didn’t say it outright.

He continued slowly, “I’ve carefully recalled, repeatedly recalled, deeply recalled, back and forth, diligently recalled—you did indeed hug me.

It really happened.

I didn’t misremember.”

 

Lin Chuji didn’t know what to say.

He was at a loss for words.

The verbal sharpness he had displayed in the morning was gone.

He could only grind his teeth and squeeze out: “Don’t.

Talk.

Look.

At.

The.

Camera.”

 

Xie Yan laughed softly and stopped teasing him.

 

The guy taking the photo called out: “Everyone, shout a slogan together.”

“Erudition, deliberation, discernment, sincerity!”

A chorus of voices, perfectly in sync.

“That sounds like a school motto…”

Lin Chuji murmured.

 

Xie Yan looked straight ahead and explained, “Yes, it’s Jing University’s motto.

This group is a bunch of classmates from the same club who signed up for the trip together.

They already said that the other day.

Did you forget?”

 

Then he added fuel to the fire: “Even though neither of us got in, no need to be jealous.

Looking at it from another perspective, our schools are pretty great too.

Going deep into the masses, integrating into the grassroots—we’re still contributing to society.”

 

It’s a shame the excavator tech school didn’t hire you for PR, Lin Chuji thought.

Then it belatedly hit him: What?

They’re ALL from Jing University!

 

It was his fault for being distracted that day and not listening carefully to the introductions.

He had walked into a nest of Jing University students.

Oh my god.

At least Xie Yan wasn’t one of them, or he’d have to withdraw his application overnight.

 

Today was clearly an unlucky day.

Nothing good had happened since entering the police station in the morning.

“Three shots.

Don’t move.

Let me check if anyone blinked,” the guy taking the photos said, scrolling back to review them.

He exclaimed in surprise, “Hey, wait, this video…

Boss Xie, what were you two doing hugging in the middle of the night?”

“What?

Let me see too.”

The people who had just been posing for photos swarmed over in an instant.

 

Lin Chuji’s eyes widened.

He realized instantly and wanted to die on the spot.

He also had to pretend it was the first time he was seeing it, so he slowly walked over and asked, “What is it?”

 

Then he put on an incredulous expression: “There’s video too?”

Even he thought his acting was painfully bad, making his scalp crawl.

 

Xie Yan strode over and took the camera back, using a rare serious tone: “Don’t go through that.”

 

But a few people had already seen a few blurry frames and wore teasing expressions.

 

The guy taking the photos brushed it off and laughed.

“Sorry, I scrolled too fast while looking through the photos.

But even if you two did hug, so what?

You’re both guys.

What’s the big deal?”

 

Shen Yinan coughed heavily.

“Exactly!

We hug too.

Come here, bro, hug!”

Shen Yibei opened his arms to welcome him, and they hugged tightly for two seconds, both wearing expressions of disgust.

“Bro, this is still a bit disgustingly sticky.”

 

Originally, no one would have thought anything of it, but with these two acting it out, it seemed like they were trying too hard to cover something up.

 

Lin Chuji’s lips were pressed tight, but he couldn’t utter a single word.

Just being the center of attention made him nervous, and to have such an embarrassing moment exposed to everyone made him feel utterly helpless.

 

Xie Yan coughed lightly.

“There was a mouse in the room.

He got scared and jumped right into my arms.”

 

Lin Chuji steeled himself and echoed, “Yes… a huge one.

Bigger than this crab.”

 

Shen Yinan nodded, then asked doubtfully, “On the sea… there can be mice?”

 

Xie Yan closed his eyes, wanting to assassinate his friend.

“There could be.

Have you seen Approaching Science?

There are mice that can swim.

They go sh-sh-sh, super fast,” Shen Yibei said, flailing his arms dramatically.

“Is it possible that it scurried aboard when the ship docked?”

Xie Yan said, exasperated.

 

The group began studying the various possibilities of mice appearing.

Lin Chuji quietly retreated from the noisy crowd.

So tired.

Don’t want to play anymore.

Want to go home.

 

But today’s sun was still quite pleasant—bright and soft.

He picked a lounger and lay down slowly, quietly reviewing the details of the past few days.

Aside from the uncertain explosive factor of Xie Yan, everything else was pretty good.

 

Overall, the pros outweighed the cons.

 

His phone vibrated in his pocket.

He took it out and saw it was a video call from Zhan Wanqiu.

Lin Chuji’s hand shook.

He declined it.

Can’t you just type!

Why does it have to be video?

 

Zhan Wanqiu called again persistently.

He waited a minute, mentally prepared himself, and then answered.

“Mom, is something wrong?”

“Two things.

One, I’m asking if you’ve filled out your college application yet.

The other is to see how your trip is going.”

 

Lin Chuji answered in order: “I filled out the application for Jing University, the way you wanted.

As for the trip, overall it’s been good.

Very relaxing.”

His gaze fell straight ahead, watching Xie Yan and the others holding up the crab and video-calling someone too, laughing brightly.

Unconsciously, he also smiled and became a bit more talkative: “The ship docked at an island.

We’re on the beach now.

We just caught a really big crab—a few pounds at least.”

 

After a moment, he added, “So you see, I can socialize on my own.”

 

Zhan Wanqiu was a bit surprised.

She had almost never seen such a lively expression on her son’s face.

Her own tense demeanor relaxed slightly as well.

“That friend you’re with—call him over.

I want to meet him.”

 

Lin Chuji bolted upright from the lounger, stammering, “He… he’s not here.”

“Liar.

Weren’t you just saying you caught crabs together?”

Zhan Wanqiu’s tone became stern.

“Or have you been lying to me all along?

This person Xie Yan doesn’t really exist, does he?”

 

Lin Chuji shook his head.

“No, he exists.

He really does.

I’ll call him over now.

Just a moment.”

 

He put his phone aside, got up, and slowly walked over, but didn’t know how to start.

Asking someone to chat with a parent they’d never met was indeed too awkward.

But he knew Zhan Wanqiu’s suspicious nature all too well—if he didn’t comply, she would only cause even more troublesome situations.

 

Over there, Xie Yan was video-calling a girl.

Straight bangs, big eyes, looked cool and aloof, barely said a word—it was all Xie Yan doing the talking, with the Shen brothers acting as the atmosphere crew.

 

Lin Chuji lightly tugged the hem of his shirt, embarrassed to speak: “Um…

I need to tell you something.”

 

Xie Yan glanced back at him, then said to the screen, “Wanwan, something came up with your brother.

I’ll call you back in ten minutes.”

“Okay.

Bye.”

The other party hung up without mercy.

 

Xie Yan put away his phone and introduced her freely: “My little sister.

She doesn’t talk much.”

 

Lin Chuji nodded.

He always felt an inexplicable affinity for people with similar traits.

No wonder Xie Yan talked so much—if the other one also spoke little, the household must be pretty quiet.

“What’s up?”

Xie Yan asked.

“My mom is video-calling me.

She wants to see you,” Lin Chuji said, each word coming out with difficulty.

 

Xie Yan raised an eyebrow.

“Your mom.

Wants to see me?”

 

Shen Yinan overheard and drew out his words: “His mother wants to see you—wow—so impressive—”

Shen Yibei chimed in: “Wow—so many people on this trip, and she only asked for you—”

Lin Chuji was completely confused.

Did these twins get stung by a pufferfish?

Why do they keep talking nonsense?

 

Seeing Xie Yan looking at him inquisitively, he explained, “She just wants to see my roommate.

She… was afraid I’d be too bored traveling alone.”

 

He and Xie Yan weren’t that close yet.

He didn’t want to tell him how, during his long years of growing up, he had been monitored so strictly by Zhan Wanqiu that he ended up without a single friend.

That would seem strange, like a freak.

 

Xie Yan was easygoing.

He nodded.

“Alright.

A few words is fine.”

 

For the first time, Lin Chuji was grateful that he had such a generous, outgoing personality.

He felt relieved.

 

The video call connected again.

Xie Yan appeared in the frame, smiling as he greeted her: “Hello, Lin Chuji’s mother.

My name is Xie Yan.”

 

Zhan Wanqiu smiled, then began interrogating him like a household registration check: “What do your parents do?

Do you have any other relatives at home?”

 

Xie Yan paused for a few seconds, then answered truthfully: “Both parents are police officers.

I also have a younger sister.”

 

Zhan Wanqiu seemed fairly satisfied.

She then asked, “How did you and our Xiao Chu meet?”

 

Lin Chuji’s internal alarm bells went off loudly.

 

Oh no.

I forgot to coordinate our stories.

We’re going to be caught.

 

Other than through the trip, how else could they have met?

But Xie Yan’s mind worked quickly—he immediately sensed something off.

He turned to look at Lin Chuji and raised an eyebrow in a silent prompt: “You tell her.”

“Didn’t I mention it before?

We used to be online friends.

We discussed schoolwork,” Lin Chuji said.

He had never been good at lying, and now, with the person himself standing right there, he was even more flustered.

 

Xie Yan, however, found it a bit amusing.

Got it.

They must have been using studying as a cover for dating.

I’ve gone from backup to shield.

“I recall you said you’re in the same year, right?”

Zhan Wanqiu paused for a few seconds, then got straight to the point: “Then may I ask what your college entrance exam score was?”

 

Xie Yan hesitated.

How many points do you need to get into a sports academy? 300 enough?

Eh, might as well round up. He began slowly: “Four—”

Lin Chuji cut in and gave a number: “Six hundred ninety.”

 

Xie Yan choked.

You really dare to make things up.

You almost made me blurt out my real score.

 

But the words were already out.

Xie Yan had no choice but to nod along.

“Yes.

I did worse than expected.

Otherwise I could have broken 700.”

 

Lin Chuji was dumbfounded.

Oscar-worthy.

A true acting emperor.

Going to a sports academy is a waste of his talent.

If he acted, he’d be a huge hit.

 

Zhan Wanqiu’s expression relaxed another notch.

“Only one point higher than our Xiao Chu.

Even your test scores are so close.

You really are friends.”

 

Xie Yan looked at Lin Chuji in disbelief.

Wait a minute.

You lie to your parents about your college entrance exam score too?

You got over 600 points but told her you’re going to Tieling Excavator Tech?

That’s insane.

 

After a few rounds of this, Lin Chuji just felt exhausted.

He said softly, “Mom, don’t you think asking so many questions is a bit intrusive?

That’s probably enough, okay?”

“It’s not okay.

How can I not vet properly?

You’re still young.

You can’t tell what’s good from bad,” Zhan Wanqiu said sternly.

“You’ve already asked so much.

You should know enough by now.

We have other plans,” Lin Chuji said.

“I’m afraid you’ll make bad friends.

Is there something wrong with asking a couple more questions?

Can’t you understand a mother’s feelings?”

Zhan Wanqiu’s tone grew heavier.

 

In just a few exchanges, Xie Yan could clearly see that she had an extremely strong controlling nature.

Figuring he was already playing the role of shield, he might as well go all the way.

 

He spoke slowly: “Auntie, don’t worry.

I’ll stay with him every day for the next few days.

And… when we get to university, since we’re both going to Jing University, I’ll continue to take good care of him.

There won’t be any problems.”

 

Lin Chuji: “……”

Headache.

Where am I supposed to find another Xie Yan at Jing University?

 

Zhan Wanqiu looked at Xie Yan a few more times, satisfied.

Finally, she gave her verdict: “Not bad.

You’re much better than that previous friend of his.

I didn’t like that boy, so I’ve already stopped them from seeing each other.

You two get along well.

Goodbye.”

 

Xie Yan was still stuck on the last sentence.

 

Much better than the previous boy.

So he came out to his family.

And his mother is comparing me to that haunting ex-boyfriend.

At least I won.

 

Lin Chuji breathed a sigh of relief, turned to him, and smiled, his voice soft: “My mom really likes you.”

 

Xie Yan nodded solemnly.

“I could tell.

I performed too well.

I overacted.”

 

He had overacted to the point that even a rigid parent gave the green light.

In less than three minutes, she had approved of him.

 

---