The Slacker Academic Always Gets Caught (SLACKER)
Chi Ning sneezed from the overpowering scent.
Qin Heng had originally wanted to ask just how bad the smell was—was it worse than yesterday's laundry detergent? But hearing Chi Ning sneeze, his teasing mood instantly faded.
After a moment's thought, he pushed the freshly served croissants and butter cheese toward Chi Ning. "Have some?"
The sweet aroma of the croissants immediately overpowered the cheap perfume.
Chi Ning took a bite of the crisp croissant. The sound of the flaky crust shattering was soul-stirring, mingled with the rich, buttery fragrance that rushed from his mouth to his nose.
Delicious.
Qin Heng said, "I'll step out for a bit. I'll be back in ten minutes—won't delay your studying."
Chi Ning: "Okay."
The sweet croissant left his mouth watering. He turned to look out the window.
Early September in Yangcheng City carried a hint of autumn chill in the evening air.
In the corners of the sidewalk that were untouched by the dim streetlights, the occasional small lamp illuminated the vendors' tiny yet exquisite stalls.
Chi Ning's gaze settled on the end of the street. The vendor there was an elderly man with graying hair, with his stall filled with handwoven pendants. Even from the third floor, the pendants looked delicate and beautiful.
Much prettier than the one Qin Heng had tucked in his pocket.
Chi Ning frowned, displeased.
Third year of high school was such a critical time—if he had no real interest, why accept gifts from girls? Wasn't that just leading them on and distracting them?
Qin Heng had been such a smooth talker in his past life—who knew if he'd already been playing with hearts back in high school?
What a jerk...
Qin Heng left the private room and took the elevator to the top floor of the Tea River Parlor before unlocking the door with a key.
Xu Jiahao lived here.
Qin Heng took a quick shower in the bathroom, changed into spare clothes, and went back downstairs—all in under eight minutes. By the time he returned to the private room, Chi Ning was almost done with his croissant.
He had saved a piece and asked Qin Heng, “Want some?”
Qin Heng’s expression was somewhat inscrutable. “Yeah.”
Casually picking up a fork, he stuffed the buttery bread into his mouth and sat down beside Chi Ning.
Chi Ning was taken aback—he had assumed Qin Heng would just grab it with his hands. The man had changed clothes, and the dizzying scent from before was gone, replaced by a faint, familiar fragrance that was rather soothing.
Connecting the dots with the luxury cars in the Tea River Parlor’s garage, he instantly realized Xu Jiahao’s residence must be upstairs.
Qin Heng asked, “What are we studying today?”
English. Let’s finish Chapter One first, and I’ll go over the mistakes and vocabulary with you directly. It’s faster than following the textbook.” As Chi Ning spoke, he felt a little dazed.
Qin Heng’s way of handling things reminded him of CEO Qin from his past life—mature, composed, measured, tactful, and considerate.
He was even more thoughtful than when they first met.
Chi Ning had merely mentioned the smell was unpleasant, and Qin Heng had immediately showered and changed. When he returned, he didn’t pester him with questions like, “Is it better now?” or make crude jokes like other guys might. He simply let the matter pass naturally.
Somehow… it was really comfortable.
Qin Heng finished the quiz quickly.
Chi Ning looked at the test paper, and his budding admiration for “Young Master Qin’s” emotional intelligence instantly faded.
He said solemnly, “Let me explain the grammar first, then give you some similar exercises. Mark the words you don’t understand in the mistakes and memorize them.”
Qin Heng grunted in acknowledgment. When he got tired of studying, he turned his head to watch Chi Ning, who was holding a book.
Chi Ning had switched books today. The spine was printed in bold Song typeface: An Actor Prepares.
Qin Heng: Huh?
Yesterday it was The Human Gene Code, and today it’s An Actor Prepares? That’s quite a leap.
He looked more closely and noticed Chi Ning was far more engrossed in this book than the academic one.
The young man frowned intently while occasionally jotting down notes.
He had portioned some of the complimentary snacks from the Tea River Parlor onto a small plate, cradling it in one hand while popping pieces into his mouth now and then. He chewed almost soundlessly, like he was sneaking bites.
For comfort, Chi Ning leaned into the pile of cushions in the corner with one leg bent and his calf resting on the opposite knee. The seemingly slender leg looked plump when pressed like that.
Qin Heng squeezed the soft grip of his pen, unable to resist imagining how that calf might feel. Probably soft… gripping it would be like holding jelly.
Damn it, what the hell am I thinking?!
Qin Heng cursed inwardly. If he didn’t study properly, forget legs—he wouldn’t even get to hold hands.
His mind even conjured an image of Ye Xinran standing gracefully beside Chi Ning, taunting, “Qin Heng, if you can’t even get into Gangnan, what do you have to compete with?”
Qin Heng: Fuck!
Screw this—he could do five more sets!
The sound of Qin Heng’s pen stabbing the desk was loud. By 10:30 PM, he had worn out one pen.
Chi Ning glanced over and chuckled. “That much resentment?”
Qin Heng thought, You have no idea.
But on the surface, he maintained a serious demeanor, even appearing somewhat troubled. "I have strong hands—when I get absorbed, I unconsciously apply more force."
After saying this, he paused, suddenly realizing the unintended implication of his words. Clearing his throat lightly, he stood up to open the door for Chi Ning. "Shall I take you back?"
"No need, it's only a little past ten. I'm heading to Boss Xu's place to play some ball." Chi Ning shook out his jacket and draped it over his shoulders.
Qin Heng: "Perfect timing, I was just about to head there too."
"Then let's go together."
Chi Ning had spent most of the day reading An Actor Prepares and now had a general understanding of why his lies always gave him away and why his acting never felt convincing.
Because deep down, he didn’t believe what he was saying was true.
The professional term for it seemed to be "lack of immersion."
Fortunately, after learning to observe, even this issue could be resolved.
Learn! Everything can be learned!
In half a month, even if he couldn’t master high emotional intelligence, he’d fake it till he made it!
...........
On the day of Chi Yang’s birthday in early October,
Chi Ning was cornered in the dressing room by his mother and forced into a white suit.
Chen Mingxian clicked her tongue twice and remarked to Chi Baichuan, "Your wife’s got skills—both our boys are so handsome. Pity Chi Yang’s nose takes after you, dragging his looks down a notch."
Chi Baichuan: "......"
He nodded. "Yes, yes, my dear wife is absolutely right."
Chi Yang, whose nose indeed resembled his father’s, also changed into a white suit and stood with Chi Ning to greet the guests.
Visitors couldn’t help but comment, "These brothers are so dashing."
Though they said this, more eyes lingered on Chi Ning.
When Qin Heng arrived, the scene that greeted him was Chi Ning smiling at the guests.
The young man was dressed in a well-fitted white suit and the red shirt collar left open without a tie, revealing a glimpse of his fair neck. Standing beneath the European-style Roman columns at the hotel entrance, he looked like a star fallen into a murky lake.
Utterly out of place in this world of fame and fortune.
Xu Jiahao, who had brought Qin Heng along, cleared his throat. "Eyes."
Qin Heng immediately averted his gaze, turning instead to Chi Yang.
Chi Yang wore a slightly bewildered expression and his smile stiffening for a moment before he quickly extended a hand. "Boss Xu, you’ve arrived? What an honor."
Nearby guests and President Shen, who had just stepped out of his car not far away, smirked in amusement.
Rumors outside claimed that Xu Jiahao and Chi Baichuan were collaborating, their relationship so close it was practically inseparable. But what kind of serious business partner would bring the younger son’s rumored love interest—a man, no less, and the one that the paparazzi labeled as troublemaker—to the Eldest son’s birthday banquet?
Wasn’t this a slap in the face to the Chi family?
Xu Jiahao remained unshaken under the collective scrutiny, gripping Chi Yang’s hand before pulling him into a shoulder bump.
He patted Chi Yang’s back in a brotherly manner. "You’ve grown taller again, kid. Not bad."
This clearly signaled that their relationship was indeed solid.
President Shen, walking up the red carpet behind them, wore a slightly displeased expression.
But who wasn’t here just to play their part?
Chi Baichuan had sent him an invitation, and hadn’t he shown up? Everyone knew the Shen and Chi families didn’t get along.
President Shen, accompanied by Shen Minyi and Madam Shen, followed the usher at a leisurely pace.
Chi Ning glanced down at the trio’s position and immediately reached out to brush Chi Yang’s sleeve. "Dust, brother."
Hurry up with the pleasantries—don’t freeze now. If President Shen and Boss Xu ended up face-to-face, the act would be hard to maintain.
Chi Yang caught on, suddenly feeling as though his younger brother had matured a little, beginning to grasp the nuances of social etiquette.
Releasing Xu Jiahao’s hand, he turned to Qin Heng. "And this gentleman is...?"
Xu Jiahao had a strong suspicion that the pause was meant to conceal the words "some random man." He let out a hearty laugh and gave Qin Heng a pat on the back. "This is my son. Handsome, isn't he?"
Everyone was taken aback, their minds racing. If Qin Heng was Boss Xu's son, the implications were significant.
It was common knowledge that Boss Xu had no intention of dating and might never have a biological son in his lifetime. He had long considered adoption but had never found a child that caught his eye—until now?
Chi Yang was cursing inwardly.
Handsome my foot. Handsome, handsome, handsome. All he does is deceive young boys!
He smiled brightly on the surface. "Handsome indeed. Congratulations, Boss Xu. Please, both of you, come in."
Chi Yang grabbed Qin Heng's hand and gave it a resentful squeeze.
Qin Heng smiled. "Hello, Brother Chi."
Chi Yang thought, Brother my foot. Am I your brother? Dream on. Hello my foot.
He smiled again. "Hello."
Xu Jiahao pretended not to notice the silent exchange between the younger men and led Qin Heng inside.
They had barely walked a few steps when Shen Zongze appeared in front of Chi Ning.
President Shen asked, "Where's Baichuan?"
"My dad loves a lively crowd. He's inside preparing his speech," Chi Yang replied cheerfully.
Chi Ning also smiled.
That speech was about the shares. The outside world still didn’t know the Chi family had reclaimed their shares, assuming the ones dispersed earlier had been picked up by retail investors.
The Shen Family, though wary of alerting others, still believed they had a chance to buy in secretly.
Who knew what expressions President Shen and Shen Minyi would wear when they heard the truth?
Would they fly into a rage or pin the blame on Madam Shen?
"Hello, President Shen," Chi Ning greeted sweetly, then added impartially, "Hello, Madam Shen, Brother Shen."
Not "Young Master Shen," but "Brother Shen."
Didn’t Madam Shen think he was seducing Shen Minyi? He could reluctantly endure the disgust and stir the murky waters of the Shen Family.
Murky waters are best for fishing.
Chi Ning's smile left Shen Minyi momentarily stunned.
It was too sweet, almost unsettlingly so. Chi Ning had never smiled at him like that before.
Chi Ning elbowed Chi Yang in the ribs, feigning complaint. "Big brother, why aren’t you inviting President Shen inside? I’m checking the guest list, and he’s the only one missing."
He muttered, "The Shen Family is quite close to Gangxi, just a ten-minute drive, right? I thought they’d arrive earlier than Boss Xu, who lives in Gangnan."
Chi Yang: "..."
Damn! My little brother actually knows how to be passive-aggressive about someone arriving late!
Though it’s a bit obvious, it’s still progress!
Listen to that—so sweet, so well-mannered, so pleasant. Who could resist such a complaint?
Shen Minyi wanted to explain, but remembering his parents beside him, he gritted his teeth and held back.
Chi Yang chuckled. "Ah, kids can’t stand for long. I’ll take my brother inside first. President Shen, shall we go together?"
After speaking, he left the Shen family hanging, turned, and guided Chi Ning by the shoulder toward the door.
The two brothers leaned close, whispering.
Chi Yang said, "Not bad, you."
Chi Ning huffed softly. "That photo of Qin Heng giving me the gold medal was taken on Madam Shen’s orders. Though it’s blurry, Shen Minyi is in the background. She meant to warn her son not to fall for the wrong person, but we ended up benefiting. I hold grudges, you know."
Chi Yang’s expression cooled. "So that’s how it is. What did Shen Minyi want with you?"
Chi Ning murmured, "He came to give me a gold medal too..."
Chi Yang tightened his grip on Chi Ning’s shoulder. "Shen Minyi’s no good."
Even worse than Qin Heng.
But he didn’t elaborate and only warned, "Don’t let anyone fool you. I might not be able to keep an eye on you during the banquet. If anyone bothers you, just show them your displeasure—don’t hold back."
Chi Ning: "No worries."
He wasn’t here today to scowl. He was here to test what he’d learned!
Chi Ning took a glass of juice from a server’s tray and quietly positioned himself on the second floor, where the open view allowed him to observe everyone’s expressions when his father announced the inheritance structure.
His spot happened to be directly above and slightly behind Shen Minyi.
Buzz.
The microphone screeched as Chi Baichuan stepped onto the stage. After a lengthy opening speech, he handed his notes to Chen Mingxian and drew his wife close.
Chi Ning heard faint, envious gasps from below. Chi Baichuan and Chen Mingxian’s relationship was enough to make the hollow couples of high society green with envy.
Leaning against Chi Baichuan, Chen Mingxian began announcing matters of inheritance.
Chi Ning didn’t fully understand, but roughly, 80% of the shares went to his eldest brother, 15% remained as joint marital assets, and 5% was set aside for him as dividends.
Not bad. Even 1% would last him a lifetime—5% was more than he could ever spend.
Chi Ning glanced down and, sure enough, saw Shen Zongze’s furious expression.
The man’s eyes bulged, as if he couldn’t believe the Chi family had so effortlessly turned the tables. Shen Minyi also looked pale and his hands trembled slightly behind his back.
He was panicking. And scared.
Chi Ning laughed, finding today’s freshly squeezed orange juice especially sweet.
But the most amusing was Madam Shen.
The woman who had mocked him in the papers as a seductive fox was impeccably made up and dressed in an elegant, figure-hugging gown. Yet no amount of finery could hide her disarray.
Her gaze was vacant and earrings swaying faintly as she swayed on her feet.
"Ha." Chi Ning let out a short laugh. "Serves you right."
The harsher Madam Shen’s insults, the greater the Chi family’s gains.
He owed her a huge thanks for painting him as a flirtatious, two-timing male vixen.
Chi Ning tipped back the last of his juice and was about to head downstairs when, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Shen Minyi retreat to a corner and wave toward another direction.
Looking closer, a figure approached from not far away.
The man was dressed in a gray-blue sweater, with peach blossom eyes, a few small moles on his cheeks, and black-framed glasses perched on his nose. His skin was neither dark nor pale, and he wore a Franck Muller watch in blue-black on his wrist.
His looks were somewhat delicate but lacked distinctiveness.
Until he spoke, "Brother Minyi, what's the matter?"
Chi Ning suddenly recalled the last words he had heard before being drugged and collapsing in the Laboratory in his previous life. The speaker's voice was sticky, a naturally high-pitched male tone.
He had said, "Brother Minyi, what's the matter? The files are copying, don't rush."
Chi Ning abruptly tightened his grip on the slender stem of the wine glass, his vision darkening momentarily.
It was Sun Boxing.
The one who had stolen his data back then!
This man was already acquainted with Shen Minyi at this point? How long had they been plotting?
Before he could react, an all-too-familiar scent drifted over from beside him.
Qin Heng approached Chi Ning and whispered, "There are cold grape egg tarts downstairs, your favorite, limited edition."
Chi Ning snapped back to reality as a delicate small porcelain plate holding four egg tarts settled into his palm.
The fragrance of grapes immediately dominated his senses, diluting the PTSD-like panic.
Qin Heng pulled him aside and murmured, "Don't stare so openly, your gaze is about to bore holes through them."
"Come, I'll take you eavesdropping."
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