The Slacker Academic Always Gets Caught (SLACKER)
Crack—the ornament shattered on the floor.
The agent hurried over, wanting to check on his client, but upon getting closer, he suddenly felt like an intruder. Instead, he crouched down to gather the broken ceramic pieces.
The shards were sharp. Qin Heng’s grip around Chi Ning’s waist tightened slightly, fingers easily sinking into the soft flesh as he guided the seemingly stunned man further back.
Broken porcelain can be so sharp—what if it cuts someone?
Chi Ning hesitated, feeling as though he might melt under the scorching heat of that palm.
What was going on? Why was Qin Heng’s hand so hot?
Was he running a fever?
The air fell silent, leaving only the crisp clinking of the real estate agent cleaning up the shattered pieces.
The agent was sweating bullets, terrified that his sales performance would shatter along with the decor.
Chi Ning had come to look at the apartment earlier in the day. Though the agent had found the young man familiar, he had refused him on the grounds that minors couldn’t rent property.
It wasn’t until he returned to the sales office that he remembered—this was Second Young Master Chi, who had recently been featured in the Yangcheng Gossip Tabloid. There was no way he couldn’t afford the rent. The agent immediately regretted his decision.
Thinking he had missed his chance, he was shocked when, late at night, Second Young Master Chi showed up with an adult in tow—proof of his determination to rent the place.
In the agent’s mind, a script began to take shape: the young master splurging extravagantly to elope with his lover. By the time the mess on the floor was cleaned up, the imagined plot had already escalated to the young couple lost in the throes of sexual intercourse, oblivious to the world.
"Mr. Chi, I’m truly sorry. Do you still want this apartment?"
Diudiudiu!
The agent’s business and the phone rang simultaneously.
Startled, Chi Ning quickly ducked out of Qin Heng’s protective embrace and answered the call. "Hello?"
Qin Heng rubbed his fingers together before clenching them into a fist and shoving it into his pocket.
The agent’s mind raced.
Oh-ho! Feels good, doesn’t it? Can’t bear to let go of that touch, so you’re trying to preserve it by clenching your fist?
Chi Ning caught the teasing look in the agent’s eyes, and the warmth at his waist instantly spread. He didn’t even register what the person on the phone was saying, reflexively blurting out, "Huh?"
Chi Baichuan: "..."
"Your dad is asking why you’re not home yet. It’s almost 1 a.m.—isn’t it dangerous?"
Chi Ning: "Oh?" This kind of physical contact was the most intimate he’d experienced in two lifetimes.
His brain short-circuited, and guilt crept in. "I-I’m on my way."
Chi Baichuan: Seriously… Does your dad look that easy to fool?
What kind of road is this quiet, with no car sounds at all?
He probed further, "Where did you go today? Out for so long?"
"Playing at the billiards hall," Chi Ning stammered under the agent’s increasingly teasing gaze. "I-I’ll be back soon. Gotta go, Dad. Bye."
Chi Baichuan was stunned. "Which billiards hall is still open at this—"
Beep beep beep…
The call ended, and Chi Baichuan’s drowsiness faded. Staring at the empty house, a wave of sorrow washed over him.
His eldest son, acting for the sake of the family business, had just had a huge fight with him and had been deliberately kicked out. His youngest son had suddenly become lively and too busy having fun to think of home. His beautiful wife, driven by ambition, was working hard overseas, leaving him alone to guard an empty nest.
He was lonely.
Chi Ning hung up and exhaled deeply. "Bring the contract. We’ll take this place."
The agent beamed and was about to fetch a pen when Qin Heng stopped him.
"Let’s inspect it more carefully first."
Chi Ning was puzzled. "What’s there to check? Isn’t it fine?"
Qin Heng sighed and led Chi Ning on a thorough walkthrough before turning to the agent.
"The water heater hasn’t been used in a while, right? The water pressure’s weak—replace it."
"The gas stove’s ignition is faulty. Did you check it?"
"The bathroom drain is clogged. Was the floor tile repaired? There’s a waterproofing issue. Why didn’t you mention this earlier? Hmm? Think I’m easy to fool?"
"Trying to pull a fast one on me?"
“The washing machine’s wiring was re-soldered, wasn’t it? Are you planning to give us a machine that could break at any moment?”
Qin Heng then checked the circuits and lights, finding several small bulbs that wouldn’t turn on. “Fix these before we sign the contract. The annual rent here is steep, and you agents already take a hefty cut. No need for me to spell it out, right?”
The agent hadn’t expected to meet someone so tough.
Issues like these were usually glossed over by agents whenever possible—after all, few tenants would notice, and every little advantage counted.
Who could’ve imagined…
Qin Heng carried an intensity that belied his age. The agent might’ve dared to swindle the seemingly gullible Second Young Master Chi, but Qin Heng? Not a chance.
“I’ll get them fixed ASAP. Leave me your number, and you can inspect again the day after tomorrow.” The agent didn’t even dare ask Chi Ning for a deposit, politely escorting them out of Nine Glory Residences.
Chi Ning was stunned and just kept staring at Qin Heng even after they got into the taxi.
Having kept up his act all day, Qin Heng was exhausted. He slumped lazily against the backseat and tilted his head with a low chuckle. “What? Seeing me for the first time?”
In private, he was meticulous to the penny, never accepting losses—short-tempered, vindictive, and frighteningly adept at fights and threats.
“Do you regret it?” Qin Heng asked quietly.
Regret saving him?
Regret bringing up the rental?
Regret knowing him?
Chi Ning: “Huh?”
The sudden emotional shift left him struggling to keep up.
But if Qin Heng was this guarded, he must’ve suffered plenty growing up—cheated, taken advantage of, even swindled out of money when he was young.
Chi Ning softened his voice. “You’ve had it rough all these years, haven’t you? Did people bully or exploit you when you were younger? Being cautious is good—it means you won’t be easily fooled.”
Qin Heng froze.
How did the conversation turn here?
He thought of the lies he’d told Chi Ning today. The little black wolf in his mind guiltily hung its head, apologizing to the lamb: I’m sorry.
Chi Ning tapped the back of Qin Heng’s hand with his fingertips. “You’re already amazing. There’s nothing wrong with standing up for yourself. Without you, I might’ve fallen for the agent’s tricks. Thank you.”
In the iron-hard soil of Qin Heng’s heart, a green sprout suddenly popped forth. Peering closer, one might even spot a tiny, tender white bud.
“Nine Glory Residences,” the driver announced.
Chi Ning paid the fare and was about to tip extra for the driver to take Qin Heng home, but Qin Heng swiftly plucked the 20-yuan overcharge from the driver’s hand and pressed it back into Chi Ning’s palm. “Don’t waste money. I’ll walk back later.”
Driver: …
To have the duck snatched right from his beak—the free 20 yuan gone just like that. Never seen anyone so damn stingy.
Unfazed, Qin Heng shielded the car’s roof edge with his hand. “Let’s go. It’s too late—I’ll walk you to your door.”
12:15 a.m.
Chi Ning was already yawning nonstop from exhaustion. As he stepped out, he bumped his head against Qin Heng’s palm without realizing it.
Only after steadying himself did it dawn on him—without that protective hand, he’d have knocked himself wide awake.
By the time it registered, the moment to thank Qin Heng had passed.
In silence, they walked side by side down the dimly lit path, the air thick with the damp scent of night dew.
To Chi Ning, it only deepened his drowsiness.
As they neared the Chi residence, Qin Heng—walking on the left—suddenly raised his arm with his palm outward to loosely shield Chi Ning’s face from the right.
Chi Ning was taken aback. "What's wrong?"
Qin Heng replied impassively, "Nothing. It's not far now, you can go back by yourself."
Chi Ning: "Oh."
He was too exhausted to think straight, responding mechanically and walking along the path.
When he got home and opened the door, he saw his father sitting alone in the brightly lit living room of the villa. The TV was playing karaoke, with a singer belting out in Cantonese: "Who will love me—"
Chi Ning: "..."
The midlife entrepreneur's melancholy had struck with overwhelming intensity.
He remembered how deeply in love his parents were. With his mother away on a business trip for so many days, his father must be missing her.
Chi Ning said to Chi Baichuan, "Dad, I'm dead tired, I'm going to bed. You should turn in early too, don't stay up too late—take care of yourself."
Chi Baichuan looked at his drowsy son and listened to the thoughtful concern. The reprimand he'd prepared instantly became impossible to voice.
All he could do was turn off the TV, unplug the CD player, and follow his son upstairs to sleep.
Outside the Chi residence.
The moment Chi Ning's figure disappeared, Qin Heng immediately pivoted on his heel and strode toward the nearby greenery.
Nine Glory Residences was home to the wealthy, and the landscaping was impeccable—shrubs trimmed into specific shapes and a lush greenery where a whole group could easily hide.
Qin Heng swept his leg at one of the bushes and said coldly, "Get out.
The man stumbled sideways from the kick, shielding his camera as he fell. "What the hell? Damaging the shrubs costs money, and assault is illegal!"
Qin Heng wasn't intimidated in the slightest. Did this guy really think he'd pay?
"You hiding here to take sneaky photos isn't illegal? You're the one who damaged the shrubs by squatting there—pay for it yourself."
The paparazzo hunched his shoulders while still clutching his camera tightly. His eyes darted around before he grinned slyly. "What's your relationship with Second Young Master Chi? Are you two dating? Why else would you be bringing him home so late?"
Qin Heng said, "None of your damn business."
The paparazzo took his response as confirmation and seemed to gain confidence. "The Chi family is elite—President Chi would never accept his son being with a man. Here's the deal: you call Second Young Master Chi out here, let him pay for the film. I'm confident I can get a good price, and we'll split the money fifty-fifty. How about it?"
Qin Heng: "How about no."
He took a step back, sizing up the paparazzo's combat ability, then scoffed. "I'll give you two choices. Either hand over the film and leave properly right now, or I beat you and your camera to a pulp, and you crawl out of Nine Glory Residences."
The paparazzo faltered.
He'd met all kinds of people and had a nose as sharp as a dog's. He could tell Qin Heng wasn't bluffing.
Qin Heng reached out his hand. "Give me the camera. No tricks."
Once the film roll was taken out, there was no chance of a last-minute switch.
The paparazzo was utterly aggrieved but had no choice but to obediently hand over the film roll containing the photos of Chi Ning.
Having suffered such a loss, he couldn’t resist spitting out a few harsh words.
"You think confiscating mine will make a difference? There are plenty of paparazzi here. Even without me, there are others! Just you wait."
Qin Heng tightened his grip on the film roll, watching as the paparazzo scrambled away in a panic.
He raised his hand, about to toss the film into the trash, but then thought better of it—someone might fish it out later. So he pocketed it and took it home.
The next day.
Chi Ning slept until noon. After washing up and heading downstairs, his stomach growled loudly with hunger.
He greeted his older brother with a casual "Good morning" before plopping down at the dining table, waiting for food.
Chi Yang sat beside his younger brother, his expression shifting unpredictably, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated repeatedly.
Chi Baichuan’s demeanor was even more severe, the atmosphere resembling an inquisition.
He asked, "Ning, tell Dad the truth—why did you come home so late yesterday?"
Chi Ning paused mid-motion, then improvised, "Playing billiards."
Chi Baichuan took a deep breath. "Jiang Shijie got beaten up. Did you know?"
"Of course I knew." Chi Ning answered confidently this time. "He broke Boss Xu’s table, so the staff at Boss Xu’s place beat him up."
This response eased the tension on Chi Yang and Chi Baichuan’s faces slightly.
Chi Ning pondered for a moment, quietly relieved.
Chi Yang chuckled. "I knew it. Without any photos, that nonsense about Xu Jiahao 'flying into a rage for his beloved' must’ve been made up by the paparazzi. Boss Xu would never stoop to something so cheap. Sure, he runs gambling, but he’s an upright guy."
Chi Baichuan snorted, then snapped open the newspaper with a crisp rustle.
"And this?" His lips pressed into a stern line as he read through gritted teeth. "'Second Young Master Chi escorted home late at night by his boyfriend while appearing unsteady on his feet and the two lost in affection.'"
In the photo, a boy half a head taller than Chi Ning stood by a taxi, while Chi Ning leaned against him as if barely able to stand.
"Ning, explain this to your father."
Chi Baichuan’s face twitched with anger at the thought of someone coveting his 16-year-old son. "Who is he?"
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