The Slacker Academic Always Gets Caught (SLACKER)
Chi Yang was fuming, "Who? The one who gave you the gold medal?"
He couldn’t pin all the blame on Qin Heng—that would be too embarrassing.
Chi Ning thought for a moment and said, "Not that one."
Chi Yang: ?
There are two more?
"Maybe you should just take me to see the laboratory instead?"
Compared to two random men, the laboratory was far more acceptable.
Chi Ning’s eyes lit up with surprise. "You believe me now? When can we go?"
Chi Yang: …
Do I look like I actually believe you?
Staring at his younger brother’s fair and obedient face, he couldn’t even bring himself to be sarcastic. Instead, his words came out as, "Forget it. Do you have enough money?"
Chi Ning shook his head honestly. "Not really. But I can earn some. I heard amateur tournaments sponsored by companies offer decent prize money. I’m pretty good at Snooker, so I’ll try my luck when I have time."
The lab equipment was mostly set up, but he still needed to buy some consumables.
Chi Yang clenched his fist, barely holding onto his rationality, and said stiffly, "I’ll transfer you some. Spend it wisely. You can date or spend money however you want, but don’t do anything reckless."
"Got it." Chi Ning sat beside his brother and gave him a quick hug. "Thanks, bro."
Chi Yang felt a pang of bitterness. Just as he was about to return the hug, Chi Ning murmured against his shoulder, "Bro, I told you all this in secret. You won’t tell Mom and Dad, right?"
Chi Yang instantly pushed him away.
Chi Ning lowered his lashes. "I only told you because I trust you. I know it’s wrong, but..."
Under the fluorescent light, his long eyelashes cast shadows over his face. Before he could even finish, Chi Yang’s already thin restraint vanished completely. "It’s fine."
He said, "It’s not your fault."
The usually aloof and rebellious eldest brother softened his tone. "We didn’t tell you when we planned this act, so you felt neglected and wanted more affection. I get it."
Chi Ning: ?
There was such a backstory?
He listened quietly as his brother filled in the gaps of this imaginary scenario, his mind blank except for one big question mark.
Huh?
Chi Yang patted his shoulder. "Go to sleep. I’ll transfer you the money tomorrow."
No need to save—spend it all!
Tucked into bed, Chi Ning still couldn’t figure out how his lie had somehow smoothed things over.
Once the lights were off, he rolled under the covers before gripping the edge of the blanket tightly.
Too much had happened today, so his body was exhausted, but his mind was still racing, replaying every detail uncontrollably.
Among all the things Shen Minyi had said, only one sentence stood out:
"Keeping a fallen family’s young master around to watch isn’t too outrageous."
Chi Ning absentmindedly twisted the blanket between his fingers.
That statement revealed something interesting. No matter how desperate the Chi family was, they would never sell their youngest son to a rival.
How could Shen Minyi have the confidence to say such a thing?
Could Shen Minyi be involved in his brother’s death?
If Shen Minyi was connected to his brother’s death, and Sun Boxing—who stole the data—was Shen Minyi’s man, then what about his parents?
Was there something wrong with the hospital they went to when they fell ill?
Chi Ning suddenly sat up as a chill ran down his spine.
If his brother’s accident was orchestrated, then simply telling him not to ride motorcycles wouldn’t help. If not a motorcycle, it could be a car, a bicycle—anything.
He had to integrate into his brother’s social circle and find out who tampered with his brother’s vehicle.
Socializing wasn't his forte, but he could learn.
Chi Ning turned on his computer and Googled: How to become a social bandit?
Google provided a reading list: An Actor Prepares, High EQ Means Knowing How to Speak, The Art of Communication...
Chi Ning jotted them down, determined to buy them the next day and start learning immediately.
The following day.
Chi Ning arrived at school, and the moment he stepped into the classroom, he was met with Li Qiuhe’s face.
The bespectacled boy yawned and said gloomily, “Who knows which pleasure God Chi indulged in last night? Leaving dozens of us in the classroom, pining away in longing.”
Chi Ning: “…”
He took a step back with his sleep-deprived mind still foggy. “Huh?”
Li Qiuhe followed Chi Ning step for step and watched as he sat down before leaning mournfully against the doorframe. “We waited half the night for a few problem sets, yet God Chi was apparently detained by some other class, ignoring us so heartlessly.”
Chi Ning finally caught on.
He thought: What a "Li" Daiyu.
He reached out his hand. “Give me the problems. From now on, ask me during the day—I won’t be coming for evening self-study.”
Li Qiuhe’s heart instantly turned ice-cold.
He probed further, “Class One’s problems must be too stale now, not as interesting as what others ask?”
Chi Ning patted Li Qiuhe’s shoulder. “No, stop talking like Lin Daiyu. Hurry up and give it to me—I’ve got things to do later.”
His schoolbag was still with Qin Heng, and he needed to find a chance to get it back.
Li Qiuhe humphed twice, knowing when to quit. “Ah! I thought you’d been tricked away by someone from another class. Those kids from Class Two are practically losing their minds now that we’ve made so much progress. They want your notes but don’t dare ask.”
Chi Ning laughed. “Just photocopy them a set. We’re all from the same school—no need to be stingy.”
Li Qiuhe felt conflicted. “Aren’t you afraid Ye Xinran will surpass you?”
“If he can surpass me, that’s his skill.” Chi Ning snatched Li Qiuhe’s problem sheet and pen before scribbling as he spoke. “It’s just a small favor.”
Li Qiuhe knew this kind of help couldn’t simply be called a “small favor”. If he really got into S University, Chi Ning would be his greatest benefactor.
S University—if he could actually make it in, he’d be willing to serve Chi Ning tea and water, or work like an ox or a horse for him.
Chi Ning handed the solved problem back to Li Qiuhe. “Go photocopy this and give it to whoever needs it. I’ll explain it during morning self-study.”
Li Qiuhe accepted it with both hands. “Yes, Teacher Chi.”
God Chi, the compassionate, suffering-relieving, soul-saving Chi-Observer Bodhisattva!
Ah, what a great academic god—now he had to be shared with Class Two.
Just as Li Qiuhe ran off to make copies, Qin Heng sent Chi Ning a message.
[Bag. Come get it. Bamboo grove.]
Chi Ning glanced at his phone and found the text amusingly cryptic, like some underground rendezvous. He replied with a “1” and quietly slipped out the back door of the classroom, heading straight for the bamboo grove.
“How was yesterday?” Qin Heng asked.
“Fine.” Chi Ning sighed.
The risk of being caught sneaking over the wall was nothing compared to the shock of checking his bank account. More than that, he was worried about his parents and older brother’s safety.
He slung his retrieved backpack over his shoulder and suddenly caught an out-of-place scent.
This definitely wasn’t Qin Heng’s usual smell—it was a cloyingly sweet perfume that was dizzyingly strong.
Chi Ning paused before glancing at Qin Heng.
Ever since acknowledging his godfather, Qin Heng no longer lacked clothes. The worn-out windbreaker was nowhere to be seen. Instead, he wore his school uniform shirt under a loose cotton jacket, looking noticeably more refined.
Truly, clothes make the man.
Chi Ning averted his gaze but caught a glimpse of something pink peeking out from Qin Heng’s pocket—an exquisitely crafted pendant, perhaps?
A gift from some girl?
Pursing his lips, he said, “I’ll head back first.”
Qin Heng called out, “Wait.”
Chi Ning stopped and turned, lowering his eyes to glance at the pendant in Qin Heng’s pocket. “What?”
“Bayberry juice.” Qin Heng handed him a glass bottle.
“Oh.” Chi Ning took it.
How had he not noticed Qin Heng brought bayberry juice earlier?
Something felt off.
He turned the bottle in his hands. The glass was different, and there was no “Ning” character at the bottom.
Glug—the juice bubbled as it tilted.
Chi Ning felt like someone had forced a round puzzle piece into a square hole. It fits, but not perfectly, leaving gaps where it shouldn’t.
As he walked, he shook the bottle. Five bayberries surfed the bubbles inside, and the clear juice soon turned murky.
No payment, no customer service.
There wasn’t even a single word on the bottle.
Chi Ning snorted with a cold edge to his voice, “Businessmen.”
Class 18, Senior Year.
Qin Heng pulled something out of his pocket and tossed it onto Zhang Qiuwen’s desk. “Utterly useless. He didn’t even ask about it.”
Zhang Qiuwen grabbed it and took a sniff, nearly gagging from the overpowering scent. “It’s strong enough, isn’t it? Couldn’t he smell it? I poured half a bottle of that perfume and marinated it overnight. He really didn’t ask?”
Hesitating for a moment, his voice wavered, “If he doesn’t like you, no matter what you’re wearing, he won’t feel jealous.”
Qin Heng shot him a glance.
Zhang Qiuwen’s mind buzzed with alarm.
Carefully, he tried to protect his bro’s fragile teenage heart. “Bro, maybe he didn’t resist when you covered his mouth because it’s no big deal between two guys. And when he held onto you tighter on the bike, it was just because you were going too fast and he got scared. Like… what you see is what you get.”
No hidden meanings here.
“Bro.” Zhang Qiuwen hesitated, then hesitated some more before finally saying, “Don’t overthink it. And could you… maybe not call me in the middle of the night?”
He was so exhausted he felt like his soul had been sucked dry.
Qin Heng scoffed, but before he could speak, Zhang Qiuwen immediately relented, “Fine, call me anytime.”
After all, he was currently living in a place Qin Heng had provided.
For the sake of brotherhood, he’d answer no matter how many calls came.
“Is Uncle Xu really taking us to the Chi family’s birthday party for Chi Ning’s older brother?” Zhang Qiuwen smacked his lips.
Qin Heng gave a noncommittal hum. “He’s using this chance to declare his stance on cooperation.”
And, incidentally, formally introducing him as an adopted son to the public.
Zhang Qiuwen sighed. “Then what am I going for?”
Qin Heng paused. “Didn’t we agree when we were kids? If I get meat, you’ll at least get the broth.”
Zhang Qiuwen: “Whoa, I remember. Except for wives, everything else is shareable, right?”
Qin Heng lightly kicked the back of his knee. “Cut the dirty talk. Get lost.”
Zhang Qiuwen chuckled, teasing, “God Chi’s tutoring sessions—you didn’t share those with me either.”
Qin Heng raised a hand as if to strike, and Zhang Qiuwen immediately bolted.
Evening, Tea River Parlor.
Chi Ning stared at Zhang Qiuwen. The two of them exchanged awkward glances for a moment.
Chi Ning turned to Qin Heng. “You want one-on-two tutoring? That’ll cost extra.”
The Five-year Chinese Bayberry Juice was priced for one person.
Qin Heng scoffed. “One-on-one. Zhang Qiuwen already has a tutor.”
Zhang Qiuwen: The hell I do.
Before he could finish his internal grumbling, he turned to see a bespectacled man in a suit—with arms as thick as Chi Ning’s thighs—walking up the stairs.
The man held a teaching plan and adjusted his glasses as he addressed Zhang Qiuwen. “Hello, sir. I’m your tutor. S University graduate. Here are my diploma and teaching certificate.”
Qin Heng smirked at Zhang Qiuwen.
You wanted tutoring? Here’s a professional.
Zhang Qiuwen: Damn it…
Was his bro getting back at him for teasing Chi Ning? Protecting him like this when nothing’s even official yet?
After having his laugh at Zhang Qiuwen’s expense, Qin Heng followed Chi Ning into the private room. He moved to sit beside Chi Ning like last time, only for the younger boy to wrinkle his nose.
Chi Ning: “Sit across from me.”
Qin Heng paused, confused. “Wouldn’t that make it harder to read together?”
Chi Ning shifted further away and even opened the window.
Waving a hand to disperse the scent, he muttered, “You don’t smell good today.”
How could a fragrance smell so foul?
Weird.
It must be that his MHC dislikes Qin Heng.
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