The Slacker Academic Always Gets Caught (SLACKER)
Chi Ning felt his exhaled breath trapped against Qin Heng’s palm.
That palm was scorching, its lines deep and rough, and the skin that were slightly calloused, kept scratching against his cheek.
He stared blankly at the mirror.
The bathroom’s dim, amber lighting cast an ambiguous glow, the mirror reflecting their figures and the caramel-toned, European-style wallpaper behind them with its intricate patterns barely visible.
Qin Heng wasn’t standing too close—one hand covering Chi Ning’s mouth and the other casually tucked into his pocket—appearing perfectly composed and effortless.
Chi Ning inhaled again, the scent of sea salt mixed with mugwort overwhelming, so intoxicating he couldn’t help but want to breathe it in deeper.
"Qin Heng," Chi Ning lifted his gaze, meeting the other’s eyes directly through the mirror. His voice came out muffled against the loose hold over his mouth. "Let me answer your first question."
Qin Heng: Hm?
With so much information thrown at him, most people would’ve responded to the last point first.
What was up with Chi Ning?
Couldn’t he see the diamond-studded steps Qin Heng had carefully laid out for his poor, flustered lamb?
Had his praise not sounded sincere enough?
Chi Ning grabbed Qin Heng’s hand away, his tone steady. "First, I’m not some little liar. None of these lies hurt anyone."
You are!
"Second, claiming I have someone I like gets rid of most troubles. I’m not planning to date anyone right now."
Qin Heng felt himself split apart, like a shopping mall divided into Wings A and B.
Wing A said: Chi Ning’s still young. It’s good he’s not thinking about dating yet.
Wing B said: Why isn’t he thinking about dating?!
"Finally." Chi Ning hesitated for a moment, then decisively sidestepped the topic of how he’d fooled his parents, mimicking Qin Heng’s own tactics. "Just from listening to Shen Minyi, you pieced together the whole picture from the scattered clues these past few days. You’re sharp—you’ve got a mind made for business."
Qin Heng coughed lightly and the tips of his ears turned faintly red.
Chi Ning chuckled. "Too bad. For a high school senior, you still managed to get a middle school math problem wrong."
All the romantic tension in Qin Heng’s heart evaporated instantly.
Well, God was fair after all.
He’d given Chi Ning a peerless intellect and a face that could enchant anyone, but in return, stripped away his sensitivity to matters of the heart.
Not bad.
Qin Heng found solace in his bitterness. If even he couldn’t lure Chi Ning in, then no one else stood a chance. They were all equally hopeless.
Equally out of luck.
...
Chi Ning felt he had gained the upper hand and patted Qin Heng's shoulder. "Let's go, time to go over the problems."
The vanilla ice cream on the table had melted into a milkshake. Chi Ning ate it while explaining the concepts to Qin Heng.
The basics were easy to catch up on. Qin Heng wasn’t slow—he grasped things quickly and could apply what he learned, making teaching him effortless.
Perhaps because the stimulation had gone too far, he didn’t even want to take a break after three straight hours of studying.
Chi Ning covered the test booklet, unusually sheepish. "Ahem, let’s stop here for today. It’s already ten—time to rest."
He had nearly finished reading his copy of Human Gene Programming.
Qin Heng set down his pen and flexed his wrist. "What do you do when you’re tired of studying?"
Chi Ning showed him the book in his hand. "Read extracurricular books."
Qin Heng hesitated, at a loss for words.
He glanced at the contents—colorful diagrams, a mix of Chinese and English, with small tables filling nearly half the page. The academic tone was unmistakable.
"Excuse me… how exactly do you define 'extracurricular books'?"
Chi Ning answered instantly, "Anything that isn’t a textbook."
Eager to share, he added, "This is really interesting—I’m already on the last chapter. Do you know about the Major Histocompatibility Complex?"
"It’s abbreviated as MHC and plays a crucial role in immune function. It’s polygenic and polymorphic."
"If two parents have different MHCs, their child will inherit a more diverse set of MHC molecules, leading to a broader immune system and lower cancer risk."
Qin Heng didn’t understand, but that didn’t stop him from admiring the sparkle in Chi Ning’s eyes under the lamplight.
At that moment, all colors faded from his vision—only Chi Ning remained vivid and bright.
He noticed Chi Ning twitch his nose slightly, as if sniffing the air.
"Actually, the immune system influences mate selection in organisms."
Chi Ning casually closed the book. "Research shows that scent preferences based on MHC are a key factor in human mate choice."
Qin Heng straightened up—this, he could follow. "So scent is one of the criteria for choosing a partner?
"Right. If you dislike someone’s scent, it means your MHCs are too similar—genetically, you’re not suited as partners." Chi Ning propped his chin on his hand, recalling slowly.
"Ye Xinran smells a bit like boiled leaves. Getting too close makes me dizzy."
Qin Heng couldn’t help but grumble inwardly: He remembers that? And he got close enough to smell it?
That close?
Tch.
"Zhang Qiuwen…" Chi Ning frowned, pausing. "Hmm, sweat."
Does he not shower often?
Qin Heng reflexively lowered his head to sniff himself.
Good, no sweat smell.
Chi Ning waved a hand toward Qin Heng, openly taking a whiff. "What detergent do you use?"
"The cheap one from the supermarket." Qin Heng was torn between laughter and exasperation. "What, do I smell like laundry detergent?"
He tugged at his collar to sniff. No way, right?
According to the book, if Chi Ning couldn’t detect his natural scent, didn’t that mean he completely failed Chi Ning’s mate selection criteria?
Chi Ning narrowed his eyes. "Which brand?"
Qin Heng said, "The five-yuan one with a cat on the bag. Zhang Qiuwen uses it too."
Chi Ning lightly tapped his fingers.
Though Qin Heng and Zhang Qiuwen used the same detergent, their scents were entirely different.
Simply put… he could smell Qin Heng’s pheromones. His scent.
The strong sea breeze that was laced with the scent of mugwort, carried a faint yet distinct hint of sweetness and fragrance.
"Not bad," Chi Ning remarked nonchalantly, closing the book only to reopen it immediately. "The laundry detergent is good."
Qin Heng paused. "Hmm." His lips curled slightly as he noticed Chi Ning's fingers gripping the pages tightly.
How could a five-yuan laundry detergent be any good? Chi Ning must have caught his scent, mistaking it for fragrant detergent—hence the question about what he used.
Now, saying this meant Chi Ning had realized the scent wasn’t from detergent at all, but... but... but from what?
Chi Ning’s MHC was choosing him.
This extracurricular reading was paying off!
...
Chi Ning finished the book and turned to see Qin Heng wearing a satisfied smile while flipping through Comprehensive Test Papers.
Chi Ning: ?
Has he lost his mind?
"What’s up?"
Qin Heng wiped the smile off his face, adopting a serious tone as he recited mechanically, "Nothing. Just thinking that when God closes a door, He opens a window. He’s so fair."
Chi Ning pondered briefly. "So God closed the door to your academic talents and opened the window to business acumen?"
Qin Heng froze.
No, well... the road ahead is long and arduous.
Maybe God isn’t that fair after all.
10:30 p.m.
The dismissal bell rang at No. 1 High School, and Chi Ning’s phone buzzed.
He glanced at the caller ID. "Hello? Brother?"
Chi Yang leaned against his motorcycle parked around the corner of the school gate. "Class over? Want a ride home?"
Chi Ning tensed. "Huh... huh?"
But he hadn’t even attended evening self-study?
“How come you have time to pick me up today?”
Chi Yang: “The equity transfer is done. No need to keep up appearances anymore. I can pick you up after school every day from now on.”
Chi Ning bit his lip, mentally mapping the route from Tea River Parlor to First High School.
His memory was sharp. There were three possible routes from Tea River Parlor to the school, and only one could be covered in under ten minutes—even then, only if he sprinted the entire way.
He couldn’t let his brother find out he’d skipped evening self-study. He still needed that time to sneak off and conduct his experiments.
Chi Ning’s mind raced. “Bro, wait—my classmates asked me to help them solve a few problems. Can you give me ten minutes?”
As he spoke, he jabbed Qin Heng’s arm and blinked rapidly at him.
Qin Heng caught on immediately, sliding the book he’d just closed back toward Chi Ning. “How do you solve this one?”
Chi Yang said, “Alright, go ahead. Don’t keep your classmates waiting.”
Chi Ning hummed in agreement, hung up the phone, and didn’t even bother with the book. “I’ll head back first. See you tomorrow.”
Qin Heng looked skeptical. “You think that’ll fool your brother?”
Chi Ning froze.
Qin Heng: “There’s only one school gate. You run to the entrance, and then what? Everyone else is leaving from the school, but you’re coming in from outside?”
Chi Ning opened his mouth, then shut it, before humbly seeking advice. “Then what should I do? Pretend I can’t find him and walk around outside for a bit?”
“No need. I’ll take you.” Qin Heng stuffed Chi Ning’s “extracurricular reading” into his own backpack. “Let’s go.”
They took the elevator down to Tea River Parlor’s underground garage. When the lights flickered on, the space revealed a dazzling array of cars, their polished surfaces reflecting light so brightly Chi Ning had to squint.
His eyes widened as Qin Heng strode toward a sleek, all-black Harley, swung a leg over it, and patted the seat behind him. “Hop on.”
Chi Ning hesitated. “You have a license?”
Qin Heng: “Yeah. My godfather hired an instructor. I got it over the summer.”
Chi Ning stared at Qin Heng’s long legs planted firmly on the ground and remembered his brother’s warning: You’re too short. If you can’t touch the ground on a motorcycle, it’s dangerous.
Misinterpreting his hesitation, Qin Heng lowered his voice. “I’ll drop you off by the back wall of the school, near the bamboo grove. Once you climb over, I’ll leave.”
Chi Ning: “…”
It was kind of depressing. All they were doing was sneaking out to study.
When Chi Ning still didn’t move, Qin Heng added, “Next time, I’ll get a bicycle. No engine noise.”
Chi Ning vaulted onto the seat like he was jumping a hurdle. “We’ll worry about next time later. Let’s go.”
Qin Heng unhooked a helmet from the handlebars and handed it to him. “Put this on. Hold tight.”
As he fastened the helmet, Chi Ning caught another whiff of Qin Heng’s scent. They smelled nice.
It then suddenly struck him that not riding Qin Heng’s bike in his past life had been a bit of a shame.
Once both were helmeted, Chi Ning wrapped his arms around Qin Heng’s waist and barely had time to tighten his grip before the Harley roared to life and shot forward.
Chi Ning couldn’t help an internal shout: Holy shit, this is fast!
Through the helmet’s visor, the world blurred into streaks of light and sleek tail lamps. His palms pressed against Qin Heng’s taut abs, and he barely dared to breathe, afraid the wind might lift him right off the bike.
The shortest route from Tea River Parlor to the school had only one red light. While waiting at the intersection, Qin Heng stretched out a leg and gently pried at Chi Ning’s fingers. “You—you can loosen up a little.”
He was squeezing his abs hard enough to hurt.
Chi Ning’s muffled voice came through the helmet. “You’re going too fast. You ride even wilder than my brother. I’m scared I’ll fall off.”
Qin Heng: “…”
Chi Ning thought for a moment and added, "There are countless roads, but safety comes first. Drive recklessly, and your loved ones will shed tears."
He paused, "You should think about your godfather who had you late in life. There are so many cars in his garage waiting for you to inherit."
Qin Heng was amused. After passing the red light, he slowed down as suggested, forcibly reducing the speed of the Harley from 180 km/h to 40 km/h.
But even at 40 km/h, the bike was still faster than walking.
When they reached the school's back wall, Chi Ning jumped off the bike and stared worriedly at the two-meter-high wall.
What to do?
After a long moment of eye contact between Qin Heng and Chi Ning, Qin Heng parked the bike right against the wall. "Step on the bike to climb over."
Chi Ning: …
This bike costs at least 460,000. The Harley would cry.
"Biubiubiu!" The phone in his pocket rang again.
The school's back wall wasn't exactly quiet, with faint sounds of traffic audible. Afraid his elder brother would see through his lie, Chi Ning didn't dare answer.
Gritting his teeth, he took off his shoes and threw them over the wall first. Then he stepped onto the Harley's rear seat, grabbed the top of the wall, and hoisted himself up. Swinging his leg over, he decisively jumped down.
Qin Heng heard Chi Ning grunt upon landing, as if he'd rolled on the ground.
The Harley's rear seat bore no footprints, looking spotless as if no one had ever stepped on it.
He still remembered how amazed he'd been when he first saw this bike over a month ago. Back then, he'd never have imagined that a month later, he'd let someone use it as a stepping stool.
Qin Heng's mind wandered: Chi Ning's black boat socks are so white.
Wait, no.
The gold on Chi Ning's ankle is so shiny.
Wonder if he managed to fool his brother.
Chi Ning ran to the school gate and stopped before hiding in the shadows to take several deep breaths. Once he'd caught his breath, he brushed off the grass and bamboo leaves clinging to his clothes.
Still unsure, he stopped a student who was slowly walking out with a backpack. "Hey, is there anything on my back? I accidentally fell earlier."
The student stammered, "Chi-Chi-Chi?"
Chi Ning smiled. "Chi Ning." He turned around. "Can you check for me?"
"Oh." The first-year junior obediently said, "There are two leaves. I'll remove them for you."
"Thanks." Chi Ning asked, "Which class are you in? I'll treat you to candy sometime."
"Class 1, Grade 10." The junior kept his head down shyly, not daring to look at this campus celebrity while thinking: I'd prefer the study god's notes.
Chi Ning waved at the junior and quickly headed toward the school gate. Just a few steps outside, he heard someone call, "Ning-zaizi!" (Little Ning)
He froze, then walked over with a stern face. "Brother, don't call me that in public."
Chi Yang said "Oh," then asked, "Where's your backpack?"
Chi Ning hesitated briefly before replying nonchalantly, "Didn't bring it. Nothing important to take."
As he got on the back of Chi Yang's motorcycle, he took out his phone to message Qin Heng: "I was in too much of a hurry earlier that I left my backpack in the private room."
"Why didn't you answer my second call?" Chi Yang asked casually.
Chi Ning's fingers paused. He tapped into the call log and pretended to check for a few seconds before answering, "Didn't hear it. I was surrounded by classmates—too noisy."
After speaking, he glanced at Chi Yang's expression. His elder brother's face remained as impassive as ever, unreadable.
Soon, his view was blocked by a helmet being placed over his head. "Put it on. Let's go home."
"Oh." Chi Ning obediently fastened his helmet, but as the motorcycle started, he felt like a lifetime had passed.
Riding a motorcycle twice in one day, each time with a new sensation.
When they got home, Chi Ning caught the scent of sweet egg custard, but he'd already eaten too many sweets at Tea River Parlor today and couldn't stomach another bite.
He absentmindedly stirred the custard and just took tiny sips.
Chen Mingxian sat at the dining table and ate bird's nest dumplings but was amused by her youngest son's scrunched-up face. "Don’t want it? If you don’t, give it to your brother. Let him eat two bowls."
Chi Ning immediately pushed the bowl over.
If he ate any more, it would come right back up—no way.
Chi Yang: "..."
Fine.
Chi Ning sat at the table, counting on his fingers, only to notice the dust from the school wall still on his palm. He quickly rubbed it off on his pants.
Before he could finish cleaning it, Chi Baichuan spoke up: "Ning-zi, your brother’s birthday banquet is in two weeks. Clear your schedule for that weekend."
Chi Ning: "Got it."
Once the banquet began, Chi Yang would officially step into the spotlight as the heir, no longer needing to play the part of a spoiled rich kid—free to do as he pleased.
The Chi and Shen families would also completely sever ties, going head-to-head from then on.
Chi Yang, overwhelmed by two bowls of custard, wolfed them down before turning to ask, "Ning-zi, do you want to get involved in managing the group?"
Chi Ning: Are you kidding me?
He leaned back slightly, feeling like he was sitting on pins and needles. "Bro, what do you mean? Are you trying to trick me into working?"
Chi Yang was taken aback.
Chi Ning pressed, "Why would I do that to myself?"
Why give up being a carefree slacker and abandon his research, just to inherit some lousy family business and get played by subordinates?
"You didn’t actually believe some paparazzi’s nonsense, did you?" Chi Ning eyed his brother suspiciously before waving a hand in refusal. "No thanks."
Chi Yang: "..."
Fine.
Chi Ning didn’t give his older brother another chance to speak, heading straight upstairs.
He’d climbed a wall to dodge his brother earlier, rolled in the dirt after falling off, and was covered in dust—he was desperate for a shower.
Freshly showered and in clean pajamas, he was about to collapse into bed when he spotted his brother sitting at the edge and holding a book.
"What’s up?" Chi Ning tilted his head as he towel-dry his hair, utterly confused.
Something felt off—his brother had been paying way too much attention to him today.
After a long silence, Chi Yang pulled out a lengthy form and placed it in front of Chi Ning. "Take a look."
Chi Ning picked it up, wary.
The header of this form read Huashang Gold Seal Bank, displaying clear transaction records line by line.
Chi Ning felt bubbles of guilt rising as he read halfway through.
The cardholder listed was him, and the last four digits matched his account—9904, the one he used for his scholarship and pocket money.
Chi Ning flipped to the balance: 10,600 yuan.
Not a single cent was off.
Chi Yang gripped his wrist and asked in a low voice, "How did you spend so much all at once? The withdrawals start at 20,000, and there’s even a huge one over 200,000—where did it all go?"
Chi Ning pressed his lips together, raised his hands, and draped a towel over his head like a cat's eye snail burrowing into the sand.
Chi Yang yanked the towel away, stripping him of his disguise. "Where’s the card?"
Chi Ning: "..."
He’d given the card to Qin Heng.
How did this happen? How did his brother find out?
He’d been so careful!
Chi Yang stood up, his towering height of 1.9 meters and long legs radiating overwhelming pressure.
He walked up to Chi Ning. "Did someone scam you out of your money?"
Chi Ning shook his head. "I spent it myself."
Chi Yang didn’t believe him. "How could you possibly spend that much?"
"But if it really was a scammer, why would they kindly leave me 10,000?" Chi Ning argued logically.
Chi Yang was left speechless.
That… made some sense.
"Then how did you spend it? If you really bought something, where is it?"
Chi Ning didn’t know how to explain.
At first, he’d secretly set up a laboratory behind his parents’ backs to apply for patents, quietly carve out a market share, and help his parents take down the Shen Family.
Later, the lab was established, but before it could be fully operational, Madam Shen made a fatal mistake by sending him a gold medal through Shen Minyi.
This pushed the Chi Family to reclaim their shares—a process originally estimated to take at least five years.
Recovering the shares was the most crucial step. After that, there would still be tasks like rooting out commercial spies and minions.
Did he still need to hide this from his parents?
Probably not… but his current patents were the result of relentless research from his past life. If he revealed them outright, wouldn’t his parents think he was a freak?
Testing the waters, Chi Ning confessed, "Brother, is there a possibility… that I set up a lab outside? Secretly doing research, applying for patents, and then suddenly surprising you all with them?"
Chi Yang was exasperated. "Do you think I’m that easy to fool? Even a genius wouldn’t be doing research in high school."
Chi Ning pursed his lips. "Fine. What if I take you to see the lab?"
Chi Yang scoffed. "I was your age once too. I know you could just rent someone else’s lab and pass it off as yours. You think showing me would make me believe you?"
Chi Ning: Oh. So you just don’t want to believe me, huh?
You don’t want the truth?
Fine, then he’d just make something up!
After a brief mental scramble, Chi Ning decisively pinned the blame on an imaginary love interest.
"I have someone I like. The money was spent on gifts for them."
He hid his hands behind his back wtih fingers twisting. In another year or two, once he was in university, he could reveal the patents without raising suspicion.
Chi Yang was furious. "Who? The one who gave you the gold medal?"
He couldn’t dump all the blame on Qin Heng—that’d be too embarrassing.
After some thought, Chi Ning said, "Not that one."
Chi Yang: ?
There are two others?
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