The Slacker Academic Always Gets Caught (SLACKER)
Chi Ning murmured, "He’s..."
"Stop!" Chi Baichuan raised a hand, cutting him off.
He was afraid of hearing an answer he didn’t want.
He needed to brace himself...
Chi Baichuan steeled himself and forced out, "Alright. Go on."
Chi Ning lowered his gaze, weighing his words, then peeked at his father. "Dad, he’s my classmate, a schoolmate from No. 1 High. He’s working part-time right now. The reason Jiang Shijie got beaten up was because he not only smoked in Boss Xu’s billiards hall but also sat on Boss Xu’s billiard table. And he tried to make me play with him and President Shen."
Chi Baichuan’s fury flared.
Shen Zongze and Jiang Shijie were cut from the same cloth—everyone knew what kind of men they were!
How dare they ask his son to accompany them?
Did they even deserve that?
Chi Ning paused, then added, "Qin Heng stepped in to protect me. He thought it was too late for me to come back alone, so he sent me home."
The deceptive tactics Qin Heng had mastered in his past life actually came in handy now. Omitting certain details was much easier than outright lying.
Chi Baichuan exhaled sharply, set down the newspaper, and clenched his knife. "Why didn’t they beat Jiang Shijie to death?"
Hah...
Chi Ning quietly let out a sigh of relief.
Chi Yang wasn’t fooled. His fingertips tapped lightly on the dining table. "Ning, Boss Xu’s billiards hall closes at 11:30. The Southern Harbor District isn’t that big—a round trip by taxi would only take twenty minutes. So why did you get home close to 1 a.m.? Where were you during that extra hour? And what were you doing with Qin Heng?"
Chi Ning: Why isn’t Big Brother falling for it at all!
His father’s gaze landed on him again. He bit his lower lip and nearly blurter out the truth.
But what if he became the accident that caused the Chi family’s downfall again? Would this month’s happiness vanish in an instant because of his mistake?
He didn’t dare take that risk.
Chi Ning clutched the edge of the table, unsure how to respond. His nose reddened as he stammered, "I—I, he—"
Chi Baichuan’s heart softened instantly. He kicked his eldest son under the table before turning to his youngest. "It’s fine. We’ll talk after lunch. You must be hungry, right?"
Chi Ning lowered his head. "Okay."
The nanny, perceptive as ever, quickly set out the dishes.
The food looked and smelled delicious, but Chi Ning barely tasted any of it. Distracted, his mind was wholly occupied with how to explain himself to his father after the meal.
Chi Baichuan and Chi Yang watched as Chi Ning mechanically finished his rice, then continued mindlessly scooping air into his mouth from the empty bowl.
Chi Baichuan: "..."
Chi Yang: "..."
"Want more rice?" Chi Yang prompted.
Chi Ning snapped out of it. "No, I’m full."
Chi Baichuan found his youngest son’s flustered state endearing and teased, "Figured out what to say yet?"
Truthfully, no.
But he had a plan.
Chi Ning shut his eyes. "Dad, Brother... What if I like boys?"
He was so brave!
In his past life, when he realized he liked boys, his family was already gone, leaving him utterly alone. He’d never even considered dating or coming out.
But this life was different. His parents and brother would live long lives, and he needed to plan for the future too.
Chi Yang and Chi Baichuan exchanged a glance.
Having studied abroad, they were open-minded and wouldn’t judge Chi Ning for his sexuality. But for him to say this meant he already had someone he liked.
Chi Baichuan maintained a calm, gentle expression. "Are you dating that brat?"
"N-Not yet." Chi Ning’s face burned crimson.
He didn’t seem to like Qin Heng anymore after coming back, but he had no choice but to admit it now.
Chi Ning swallowed, his mouth dry with nerves. "He doesn’t know I like him."
This story wouldn’t hold up under scrutiny—if his father and brother went to Qin Heng for confirmation, he’d be exposed.
Chi Ning hastily added, "I didn’t tell him. Yesterday, we just talked randomly while walking down the street. Just casual conversation."
The boy hung his head, looking dejected and pitiful, his bangs falling slightly over his expression. The sight of him being content with just a conversation made Chi Baichuan’s heart ache.
He thought it’d be better if they were actually dating.
What kind of taste did that Qin kid have? How could he not like Ning?
Unrequited love... So the tabloid’s story was fake. Before the meal, he’d thought his son had been tricked into going to a hotel.
President Chi’s emotions were complicated.
This felt harder to handle than a multi-million-dollar business deal.
He advised, "You’re still young. Feelings at your age change quickly."
Maybe he’d grow out of it.
"Wait a little longer. Stay friends for now. See if you still like him after high school."
After graduation, they’d go their separate ways!
No matter how much he grumbled inwardly, Chi Baichuan still put on a good show. "If you still like him then, go ahead and pursue him. Dad supports you."
Pursue my ass. Dad thinks it'd be better if you didn't date so soon.
Chi Ning slowly let out a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness, he'd managed to dodge that bullet.
But to Chi Yang and Chi Baichuan, that sigh seemed to be for Qin Heng's sake, which only deepened their gloom.
Chi Ning's eyes darted around before he remembered the matter of connecting Xu Jiahao with the Chi family for collaboration. Playing the obedient son, he said, "Yesterday..."
Chi Yang's heart clenched, fearing another earth-shattering revelation.
Chi Ning continued, "Yesterday after playing basketball, I asked Boss Xu if he'd be willing to collaborate with our family. He agreed."
Chi Baichuan: "..."
Huh?
Who had his son just recruited for him?
"Xu Jiahao?"
"Yeah." Chi Ning thought for a moment. "Boss Xu told me to inform you. If everything's okay, you can call to schedule a meeting."
Chi Baichuan was momentarily dazed. "Alright."
Xu Jiahao had always maintained absolute neutrality. Known for his eccentric personality and most of his businesses were overseas or in Macau. He'd previously stated he wanted no part in Yangcheng's messy affairs.
How had his son managed to pull him into their camp?
Through sheer sincerity?
The Chi family's meal was eaten with mixed emotions.
Meanwhile, Qin Heng was so busy he hadn't even eaten.
1:00 PM.
A photo studio on South West Street, Yangcheng Port.
Qin Heng stared at the developed photos in a daze.
He had taken time out during his meal break to develop the photos.
That paparazzo might be a scumbag, but his photography skills weren’t bad.
The photos had a hazy quality to them—at first glance, it almost looked like Chi Ning was leaning into his embrace.
Out of the 20 photos developed from the film roll, only two had captured Chi Ning.
One of them was a shot of Chi Ning pulling open the curtains in the morning, likely taken secretly from outside the window. In the photo, the young man’s eyes were still drowsy with sleep, and the morning light streamed through the window, piercing through his thin sleepwear to outline his slender waist.
“Do you still want the negatives?” the photo shop owner asked.
“Shred them,” Qin Heng said after inspecting the negatives. He personally fed them into the shredder and tossed the remains into the trash. “How much?”
The owner replied, “40 yuan.”
Qin Heng paid, taking only the photos of Chi Ning and leaving the rest on the counter. He studied the images, lost in thought.
Today was the second day of the holiday—the first day Chi Ning’s Bayberry juice supply had been cut off.
Yesterday, he had deliberately avoided mentioning a renewal, just to see if Chi Ning would come to him personally for the juice.
If he did, Qin Heng had his own ways to get Chi Ning to sign up for another two months. If not, he’d just ask directly.
Qin Heng imagined the young man sitting in a corner of the billiards hall, lowering his voice to ask if he could order Bayberry juice for the rest of the summer.
Qin Heng couldn’t help but smirk at the thought—then suddenly froze.
His first instinct hadn’t been about how to squeeze another 600 yuan out of Chi Ning!
No, it was worse than that. Over the past two days, not only had he not made any money off Chi Ning, he’d even spent some because of him.
Qin Heng snapped back to reality and returned to the billiards hall.
Boss Xu’s newly purchased billiard table had arrived at some point, the entrance wide open as workers carefully replaced the old one. Zhang Qiuwen stood outside supervising.
Qin Heng walked over and asked, “Do you think I’m generous?”
Zhang Qiuwen thought, What kind of nonsense is this?
“Pretty stingy, right?”
Qin Heng nodded. “I think so too.”
Zhang Qiuwen: “…”
Bro, at least you’re self-aware.
Qin Heng wiped a thin layer of sweat from his brow. “If I spend money on someone without expecting anything in return, and the first thing that comes to mind afterward is their smile… what do you think that means?”
Zhang Qiuwen’s eyes lit up. “I know!”
Qin Heng’s throat tightened. “Go on.”
Zhang Qiuwen declared, “You want to acknowledge him as your dad.”
Qin Heng: “…”
Are you an idiot?
“Qin-ge, what’s with that look?” Zhang Qiuwen pondered for a moment before suddenly realizing. “Wait, you already have the answer in mind, don’t you? Why ask me? Testing me or something?”
Chi Ning had just arrived at the entrance when he overheard Zhang Qiuwen’s words and eagerly approached. “Testing what? Let me hear too!”
“Nothing,” Qin Heng said, his heartbeat quickening slightly as he lied smoothly. “Zhang Qiuwen’s just messing around.”
Zhang Qiuwen: ?
Bro, don’t be ridiculous.
Either you want to call someone ‘Dad’ or you’re trying to scam yourself a little sister-in-law—what’s so hard to admit?
Who is it, anyway? Pretty or not?
Zhang Qiuwen glanced at Chi Ning and, in a moment of impulsiveness, decided he wouldn’t acknowledge anyone less good-looking than Chi Ning.
Qin Heng shot him a smile and casually undid the top button of his shirt.
Zhang Qiuwen instinctively shuddered. “Y-yeah, I was just joking.”
He quickly changed the subject. “The new billiard table’s here. Perfect timing—wanna try it out?”
Chi Ning suffered terribly in the summer heat. After just a short time in the sun, his face became damp with sweat. He had no desire to play billiards at all—all he wanted was an ice-cold glass of bayberry juice.
Unfortunately, he'd forgotten to renew his subscription at the end of last month, so he probably wouldn't get any today.
Ah, whatever. The air conditioning would have to do.
The workers finished setting up the billiard table and filed out. As Chi Ning entered, he bumped into Boss Xu who was on his way out.
Xu Jiahao said, "What a coincidence! Your father just called me to discuss a partnership."
Chi Ning gave an acknowledging hum. "Then I'll wish you a successful collaboration in advance."
Xu Jiahao was so charmed he couldn't speak.
He thought if Chi Baichuan would let him take care of his son for a couple days to fulfill his paternal dreams, their partnership would undoubtedly be extremely pleasant.
As soon as Xu Jiahao left, Chi Ning pressed his face against the standing air conditioner and kept squinting with pleasure.
The cool air blew directly on his face, gradually lowering his body temperature, yet making his mouth feel increasingly parched.
Chi Ning licked his lips and glanced at Qin Heng, asking casually, "Why haven't I seen you selling bayberry juice lately?"
"The weather's too hot—the ice melts too quickly."
After saying this, Qin Heng instinctively added, "Yangcheng Street isn't a tourist spot, only locals go there. With this heat, fewer people are out shopping. It's hard to sell."
He seemed to have a natural talent for keeping Chi Ning's attention on him. These were all truthful statements—Chi Ning had a soft heart, so hearing this would surely...
"Then I'll subscribe for two more months." Chi Ning pulled out 600 yuan, but still felt disappointed knowing Qin Heng probably hadn't prepared anything in advance today.
Qin Heng took the money and casually stuffed it in his pocket. Turning around, he retrieved a pre-hidden bottle of iced bayberry juice and a small bag of frozen Chinese bayberries from the cooler, handing them over. "I brought one bottle, and some frozen bayberries."
"Wa!" Chi Ning accepted them with delight. Pressing the frozen bayberries against his cheek, he found them far more effective than the air conditioning.
He laughed, "How did you know I love eating these in summer?"
As the words left his mouth, he froze mid-action.
Lately, he'd been acting somewhat childish, spoiled by his father and brother. Perhaps happy families always made people want to be kids again.
Chi Ning peeked up discreetly.
The corners of Qin Heng's lips were curled up—he seemed to be smiling.
Chi Ning became alert. "Are you laughing at me?"
"No." Qin Heng cleared his throat lightly and averted his gaze.
He'd imagined this scene several times in his mind, but Chi Ning's reaction was even more vivid and adorable than he'd anticipated.
How could just some bayberries make him so happy?
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