The Slacker Academic Always Gets Caught (SLACKER)
Chi Ning led Ye Xinran to the most secluded bamboo grove on campus.
Ye Xinran's expression was grim. "What do you want?"
Chi Ning: "I want to give you my scholarship."
Ye Xinran instantly clenched his fists, his thoughts in turmoil.
Has their family's debt situation been exposed? How did Chi Ning find out?
Did those guys from Class 18 spread it? If such an embarrassing matter got out, how would his classmates see him?
Would they think of him as a deadbeat's son?
What should he do?
"Don't be nervous." Chi Ning pulled out a bulging envelope. "I just learned about your situation. I can lend you this money."
Ye Xinran abruptly looked up, staring intently at Chi Ning, searching for any trace of disdain or pity in his eyes.
But he found none.
Chi Ning's eyes sparkled, brimming with eagerness for talent and the desire to poach someone else's asset.
"There's no rush to repay it, but you'll need to sign an agreement with my father. After you graduate, you'll work for our family's company. I don't know the exact terms—it's probably similar to a personal sponsorship. Our family should be able to help you resolve the illegal loan interest."
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When Qin Heng found Chi Ning, this was what he heard.
Reflexively, he grabbed Zhang Qiuwen, who was about to rush toward Chi Ning, and the two hid behind a wall to watch.
Chi Ning was forcefully shoving the envelope into Ye Xinran's hands. "Take this for now to handle the emergency. Come to Jiurong Mingcheng, No. 31, tomorrow at 10 a.m. I'll introduce you to my dad. Study hard, achieve success, and work diligently for our company in the future—no second thoughts."
He paused, then muttered emphatically, "No need to thank me. Once we help you resolve this, you'll belong to our company. No one can poach you—consider it selling yourself. Understand?"
Ye Xinran held the envelope that was nearly twice as thick as his own with his expression dazed and his mind blank.
Chi Ning's last sentence had been spoken with noticeable hesitation, clearly improvised on the spot—probably to ease his psychological burden.
Apart from his mother, no one would ever believe he could achieve fame and success.
Now there was Chi Ning too.
Gripping the envelope, Ye Xinran's throat felt dry. "Thank you."
Zhang Qiuwen, who had been hiding by the wall eavesdropping, clicked his tongue. "Chi Ning is too soft-hearted, helping anyone and everyone. Ye Xinran is ruthless in his actions—not as pitiable as he looks."
Qin Heng didn't hear Zhang Qiuwen's remark. His gaze was fixed on the envelope in Ye Xinran's hand as he recalled what Chi Ning had said a week ago during a shoot with Mo Yuanzhou:
"There's a sum of money I want to give someone openly, but I don't want them to feel inferior or resent me because of it, nor do I want them to be overly grateful. How should I go about it?"
At the time, he had thought Chi Ning was referring to him.
A flash of irritation crossed Qin Heng's mind. He remembered how Chi Ning had ordered 300 yuan worth of bayberry juice just to ensure he repaid his medical bills on time, and how the driver had bought out the entire stock under the scorching sun.
He recalled their first meeting—Chi Ning's red-rimmed eyes, yet with icy calmness as he tied the backpack strap around his thigh.
The doctor had said that without the immediate hemostasis and timely medical attention, he could have been in serious danger.
Was Chi Ning this kind to everyone?
The thought surfaced inexplicably.
Qin Heng immediately frowned and muttered to no one in particular, "None of my damn business."
Zhang Qiuwen: "Huh?"
"Let'sgo." Qin Heng slung his backpack over his shoulder and turned to leave.
Zhang Qiuwen didn't understand.
He cast one last reluctant glance at Chi Ning and Ye Xinran bathed in the sunset before departing like a starved weasel.
Farmer Chi Ning's ears twitched. Turning toward the wall, he asked warily, "Who's there?"
Ye Xinran didn’t notice. "There shouldn’t be anyone here. This place isn’t frequented."
That was true.
Chi Ning liked having lunch here precisely because no one came.
Relieved, he waved at Ye Xinran. "Remember to come tomorrow. I’ll be waiting for you at home."
Ye Xinran hummed in agreement, his expression softening with a faint smile.
After returning home, Chi Ning immediately told his father and older brother about the matter before lavishly praising Ye Xinran’s academic potential.
In his past life, he had been fond of striving, and though he wasn’t planning to actively push himself in this one, he still got quite fired up when hyped.
"Dad, our main business is in pharmaceuticals right now, but given the current economic climate, anyone with eyes can see that the golden age of information technology and real estate is coming. Even pigs in the eye of the storm can be lifted."
The moment Chi Ning thought of the Shen Family, his guilt over buttering up his father gradually faded, and he hit his stride.
"JiuZhi Group has been targeting us so much, even smearing Big Brother in the newspapers. We can’t just let this slide..."
Chi Baichuan listened, utterly dumbfounded.
"We..." Chi Ning paused, then corrected himself. "You need to take a bite out of JiuZhi Group."
Chi Baichuan chuckled.
His son was clearly feeling guilty because he knew he wasn’t cut out for finance.
Adorably so.
His youngest son had never been materialistic, so it was rare for him to make requests. As long as this Ye Xinran fellow had decent character—as long as he wasn’t scheming and could work diligently—helping him out a little wouldn’t hurt.
The next morning at ten.
Ye Xinran walked into Jiurong Mingcheng with trepidation. He had initially felt out of place here, expecting the security guards to give him dirty looks.
To his surprise, the moment he entered, a chauffeur ushered him into a car and smoothly delivered him to the villa’s doorstep.
Chi Ning, who had just woken up not long ago, yawned as he led Ye Xinran to his father, then drowsily listened to the entire conversation from the sidelines.
Perhaps his enthusiastic praise from yesterday had worked—his father only asked about Ye Xinran’s family background, reviewed some documents, then had someone bring the inkpad to sign the contract.
The whole thing took no more than half an hour.
"Whew." Chi Ning exhaled in relief before turning to Ye Xinran. "I forgot to remind you to bring the evidence and documents about the loan yesterday. Sorry about that."
Ye Xinran’s ears tingled slightly, and he shifted his posture. "I should’ve brought them myself."
When Chi Ning’s father looked up, Ye Xinran broke out in a cold sweat. Truly the formidable leader of a corporate empire.
He didn’t know about Chi Ning’s brother, who often appeared in the newspapers, but Chi Ning himself had no imposing aura whatsoever.
Like a piece of candy masquerading as an ice cube.
Unaware of Ye Xinran’s thoughts, Chi Ning asked, "Lunch is about to be served. Want to join?"
Ye Xinran shook his head. "No, I need to go back and study. I have an international tech competition coming up."
Chi Ning: "Oh."
Got it. A Competition King.
He saw Ye Xinran out and had the chauffeur drive him home.
After lunch, Chi Ning decided to go house-hunting.
It was time to get his little lab underway.
Pharmaceuticals and biotech were actually his hobbies. Though they had turned into a soul-crushing career in his past life, deep down, he still enjoyed them.
As long as he didn’t overwork himself, conducting experiments was practically like playing—certainly less torturous than sitting around doing nothing all day.
Chi Ning wandered around Yangcheng with hope in his heart, visiting eleven properties, but none were willing to rent to him. Everyone refused to lease to a minor, afraid of getting involved in anything illegal.
He sighed.
He didn’t want to involve his family in setting up a lab. Knowing his father’s temperament, he’d probably arrange a top-tier setup for him outside, but the family was tight on money right now—such extravagance wasn’t an option.
It was better to handle it himself.
Chi Ning walked into a pool hall, rented a table, and absentmindedly played by himself but still unable to come up with a solution after a long while.
On weekends, Qin Heng and Zhang Qiuwen had to oversee the venue and couldn’t play as freely as they did from Monday to Friday. Mo Yuanzhou wasn’t around either.
Bored with the game, Chi Ning was about to buy a bottle of water when the plastic curtain at the entrance was yanked aside.
The newcomer made quite a racket, unlike the regulars who moved quietly.
Chi Ning looked up to see Jiang Shijie swaggering in with a cigarette dangling from his mouth.
Jiang Shijie scanned the room and scoffed disdainfully. "This dump? And you had the nerve to bring me here?"
"Brother Jiang, this is the best pool hall around," the person trailing behind him fawned. "The environment is really good."
Jiang Shijie snorted, then his gaze suddenly fixed on Chi Ning. "Well, well, if it isn’t Second Young Master Chi?"
Chi Ning didn’t respond. Jiang’s loud voice was embarrassing.
"Ignoring me, huh?" Jiang Shijie strode over to Chi Ning’s table, propped himself up, and sat right on it, completely disrupting Chi Ning’s game.
"You’re not supposed to sit on the table," Chi Ning reminded him.
Jiang Shijie seemed to have lost his mind. Not long ago, he’d been clinging to Chi Yang’s coattails, but today he was acting especially brazen. "I’ll sit wherever the hell I want. If it breaks, I’ll pay for a new one." He took a drag from his cigarette and blew the smoke right into Chi Ning’s face. "It’s not like it’s worth much. Can’t the Chi Family afford it?"
Chi Ning held his breath and stepped back.
Jiang Shijie’s arrogance suggested he’d found a new backer.
In Yangcheng, the only family that could rival the Chi's right now was the Shen Family.
At that thought, Chi Ning’s gaze turned icy.
Jiang Shijie felt an inexplicable chill. "What’re you glaring at?"
Chi Ning was speechless.
You disrupt my game, and I can’t even glare at you?
"Sir," Qin Heng stepped over smoothly, subtly positioning himself between Chi Ning and Jiang Shijie. "Smoking isn’t allowed here, nor is placing heavy objects on the pool tables. Loud noises that disturb other players are also prohibited. Please be mindful."
Dressed in a suit, Qin Heng momentarily intimidated Jiang Shijie, who didn’t recognize his face. Assuming he was just an ordinary person outside their circle, Jiang Shijie quickly regained his arrogance. "So what? I’ll just rent the whole place out."
"We don’t offer private bookings," Qin Heng replied calmly. "If you refuse to extinguish your cigarette, I’ll have to ask you to leave."
Chi Ning blinked slowly.
Even if Qin Heng’s politeness and refinement were just an act in this moment, he couldn’t help but want to cheer for him.
Instead of putting out his cigarette, Jiang Shijie flicked the ashes onto the floor. "I’ve got business to discuss here with the Shen Family later. You really want to take responsibility for the consequences if you delay that?"
Chi Ning lowered his eyes.
The Shen Family—owners of Nine Refinements Pharmaceutical.
So Jiang Shijie really had teamed up with them.
He just wondered how many of his brother’s friends had already been bought off by the Shen's.
Chi Ning tugged lightly at Qin Heng’s sleeve, signaling him not to argue with Jiang Shijie.
After all, Qin Heng didn’t have much leverage right now.
Qin Heng pushed Chi Ning's fingers away with a backhand motion, then lightly grasped them for a brief moment before letting go. Without turning his head, he chuckled at Jiang Shijie, "Please wait a moment. I need to make a call to my boss."
Jiang Shijie replied arrogantly, "Go ahead. Just remember to apologize to me afterward."
Qin Heng rubbed his fingertips and turned to walk toward the counter.
He didn't know why he had held Chi Ning's fingers for that instant, but now wasn't the time to dwell on it.
Chi Ning watched as Jiang Shijie finished his cigarette, the falling ashes burning a small black hole in the billiard room's carpet.
He no longer felt like playing and began disassembling his cue to put it away.
Bolstered by his newfound backing, Jiang Shijie grew bolder, his wandering eyes lingering on Chi Ning's slender waist. "Don't be in such a hurry to leave. Why not stay and play a few rounds with us when President Shen arrives? We're all in the same industry—you might have something in common. President Shen particularly enjoys the company of young men."
Before Chi Ning could even feel disgusted, he noticed Qin Heng had already finished his call and was standing behind Jiang Shijie.
His suit jacket was off, and his shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows.
Qin Heng reached out and patted Jiang Shijie's shoulder. "Sir, are you sure you don't want to leave?"
Jiang Shijie turned around and cursed, "F*ck your mother, you—"
Qin Heng clenched his fist and punched Jiang Shijie squarely in the face.
No one had time to react. The lackeys who had come with Jiang Shijie were stunned.
Qin Heng grabbed Jiang Shijie by the collar with both hands and dragged him off the billiard table before kneeing him in the stomach.
Jiang Shijie gagged and coughed violently.
Under Chi Ning's shocked gaze, Qin Heng pressed Jiang Shijie's face firmly into the small burn mark on the carpet left by the cigarette ash.
His tone was calm, his eyes lowered, and his breathing steady. "My boss asked me to tell you: pass a message to President Shen, who likes young boys, that Xu Jiahao wouldn't welcome him here because Mr. Jiang smoked in his billiard hall."
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