Straight Man A Was Labeled As Fake A. - Chapter 3

 

Lu Yingchi shook his head. Jian Song’s expression shifted, and he tried to stop Jiang Qi from speaking.

Before he could cover Jiang Qi’s mouth, Jiang Qi blurted out, “He ranked last in the entire school! He scored barely over two hundred points, hahaha!”

Jiang Qi’s uninhibited laughter and Jian Song’s attempt to silence him immediately drew the teacher’s attention. The teacher’s head throbbed. He had not intended to deal with Jian Song, but the boy had jumped right into the line of fire.

The teacher took a deep breath, slammed his palm against the desk, and shouted, “Jiang Qi! Jian Song! Both of you, stand up!”

Accustomed to being scolded, the two stood up by reflex. Faced with the teacher’s fiery gaze, Jiang Qi gave a timid smile. “T-teacher.”

The teacher looked at them with a mixture of anger and disappointment. “Jian Song, you two, what am I supposed to do with you?”

Jiang Qi lowered his head, staring at the floor, leaving Jian Song to face the teacher alone.

“Teacher, I was just discussing a problem with Jiang,” Jian Song said, feigning innocence.

The teacher walked down the aisle. “What kind of problem requires a physical brawl?” He looked at Jian Song’s neat but empty desktop and sneered, “Oh, the sun must be rising in the west today. You actually cleaned your desk.”

Jian Song raised his chin. “Of course. I am a very clean person.”

When Jian Song said this, the class let out a collective, deflating laugh. The teacher, amused by the eccentric boy, smiled. “Then where did you put your textbooks?”

Jian Song fumbled through his desk compartment, but his smile slowly faded. The teacher’s smile, however, widened, and his voice became deceptively kind. “Student Jian, have they disappeared, or did you leave them at home?”

Jian Song looked up and offered a miserable grin. “Teacher, they are here. Inside. Let me look for them.”

The teacher crossed his arms. “Fine. Let us see if you can find them.”

Jian Song broke into a cold sweat, feeling anxious. Where were his textbooks? He clearly remembered putting them in the cabinet. It was all Lu Yingchi’s fault, he thought. Why did he have to sit with him for no reason? He sat down and then complained about his desk.

Just as Jian Song was spiraling with complaints, a brand-new textbook quietly appeared in his line of sight. Jian Song froze. He wanted to look at Lu Yingchi but feared being caught by the teacher. He hurriedly grabbed the book and flashed a relieved smile. “Teacher, look, here they are.”

The teacher glanced at Lu Yingchi, who was sitting perfectly upright, and chuckled. “Is this our new student?”

Seeing the teacher’s attention shift, Jian Song nodded eagerly. “Yes, Teacher. Did you not know? He is a genius from No. 1 High.”

Upon hearing this, the teacher became interested. “From No. 1 High? He must be quite famous.” Remembering the model students praised by teachers from various schools, the teacher’s eyes lit up. “You are Lu Yingchi?”

Even when recognized, Lu Yingchi remained calm and composed. Jian Song watched from the side, dumbfounded. He had not expected the teacher to actually know Lu Yingchi, and seeing Lu Yingchi’s unfazed demeanor made him feel a sudden sense of imbalance.

“Teacher, how did you recognize him?”

The teacher tucked his books under his arm and asked, “Why did you transfer here? Was your previous school not good enough?”

Lu Yingchi replied calmly, “My family processed the paperwork incorrectly while I was ill.”

The teacher beamed. “They filed for a withdrawal instead of a leave of absence?”

He received a faint nod from Lu Yingchi. The teacher was astonished that their school had managed to land such a student. “Your former school was actually willing to let you go?”

Lu Yingchi smiled slightly. “My father went to handle the paperwork.”

Hearing that Lu Yingchi’s father had gone in person, the teacher immediately understood why the school had been so quick to let him leave. The pressure from a top-tier Alpha was no joke.

The teacher patted Lu Yingchi’s shoulder. “Good. No matter what school you attend, you must study hard.” Lu Yingchi played the part of the obedient student, nodding to everything the teacher said.

As the teacher returned to the podium, he muttered, “I never expected such a big name to end up in our class. This is a real achievement.”

After speaking with the teacher, Lu Yingchi turned to see Jian Song looking quite pouty. He raised an eyebrow and asked kindly, “What is wrong with you?”

Jian Song rolled his eyes and said sarcastically, “Good students are just different. The teacher ignored me completely.”

Lu Yingchi had not expected Jian Song to be angry over that. He could not help but chuckle. “You should be glad the teacher did not pursue the issue of your missing textbooks. Do you want to be punished?”

Upon hearing the word “punishment,” Jian Song shook his head vigorously. “Forget it, then. Being ignored is fine.”

Lu Yingchi could not help but smile at Jian Song’s reaction. The teacher continued the lesson, and Jian Song slumped over to sleep. Just as he closed his eyes, his arm was poked. He opened his eyes impatiently to meet Lu Yingchi’s gaze.

“What do you want?”

Lu Yingchi pursed his lips. “Do you have a pen? Lend me one.”

Jian Song scoffed. “A genius like you does not have a pen? That would make people laugh if they heard it.” Despite his sharp words, Jian Song reached into his drawer and pulled out a handful of pens for Lu Yingchi.

Lu Yingchi went silent as he looked at the dainty, pink pen handed to him. A few seconds later, he asked, “Is this a gift from your significant other?”

Jian Song looked at him in horror. Before he could respond, Jiang Qi walked over, grinning. “What? Brother Jian has a significant other?”

Lu Yingchi was about to ask for clarification, but he saw Jiang Qi laughing in an exaggerated manner. “God, what kind of joke are you telling? If Brother Jian has a significant other, I will let him use my head as a ball. I refuse to believe he will not be single for the rest of his life.”

Jiang Qi’s debunking made Jian Song’s face darken. He looked at the bold Jiang Qi, then at the podium—the teacher was gone.

“Is class over?”

Upon receiving confirmation, Jian Song approached Jiang Qi with a wicked grin. “You are asking for it!” He lunged to grab Jiang Qi’s throat, but Jiang Qi dodged him with lightning speed.

Jiang Qi, still teasing, provoked him: “What is it, Brother Jian? Can you not handle the truth?”

Jian Song chased after him, laughing. “You brat, stop right there!”

Lu Yingchi watched the two of them wrestling. His gaze darkened. “Jiang Qi, is Jian Song very popular at our school?”

Hearing this, Jian Song and Jiang Qi stopped. Jiang Qi proudly draped an arm over Jian Song’s shoulder. “Of course. At this school, at least two-thirds of the students love Brother Jian. Who does not love a handsome, tough Alpha?”

Jian Song laughed proudly, too. “I cannot help it; my charm is just too powerful!”

Lu Yingchi watched the two “brothers” with their arms around each other and took a deep breath. They messed around in front of him for a long time until the bell rang for the next class.

Back in his seat, Jian Song fanned himself with his collar. His fair, snow-white skin was slicked with sweat, appearing to glow.

Lu Yingchi asked in a low voice, “Is your relationship with Jiang Qi always this close?”

Jian Song panted, nodding without hesitation. “Of course. Little Qi and I have played together since we were kids.”

Lu Yingchi gave a muffled “Oh,” then turned to ask, “Brother Jian, why is your skin so fair?”

Hearing Lu Yingchi use the term “Brother Jian,” Jian Song was stunned for a moment, then overwhelmed with joy, completely ignoring the second half of the question.

“What?! You called me Brother Jian? Hahaha!”

Lu Yingchi had not expected Jian Song to focus on that. His smile stiffened slightly. “What is wrong?”

Jian Song could not stop laughing and waved his hand. “Nothing, nothing! I just did not expect you to be conquered by me so quickly! Hahaha!”

Lu Yingchi was speechless. How could anyone be so oblivious?

After he finished laughing, Jian Song finally answered the question. “It is natural. You cannot envy my skin tone.”

Lu Yingchi looked at his own skin, then at Jian Song’s, and extended his own arm. It was the most direct comparison. The healthy, wheat-colored skin formed a stark contrast with Jian Song’s fair, pink-toned flesh.

Lu Yingchi’s pupils contracted, and his breathing grew rapid. Yet, Jian Song acted completely indifferent, even daring to reach out and poke Lu Yingchi’s bulging muscle, exclaiming, “My god, Lu Yingchi, how did you work out to get these muscles? They are so solid. I go to the gym every day, but my muscles stay soft.”

Lu Yingchi’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He reached out and pinched the flesh on Jian Song’s arm; it was indeed very soft. It was also slightly cool, like cold jade in the heat of summer, making it impossible to let go.

Lu Yingchi pinched it a few more times, and as he continued, Jian Song’s laughter faded. He looked up at Lu Yingchi. “Hey, kid, how much longer are you going to pinch that?”

Chapter 3: Brother Jian’s Fair Skin

Lu Yingchi shook his head. Jian Song’s expression shifted, and he tried to stop Jiang Qi from speaking.

Before he could cover Jiang Qi’s mouth, Jiang Qi blurted out, “He ranked last in the entire school! He scored barely over two hundred points, hahaha!”

Jiang Qi’s uninhibited laughter and Jian Song’s attempt to silence him immediately drew the teacher’s attention. The teacher’s head throbbed. He had not intended to deal with Jian Song, but the boy had jumped right into the line of fire.

The teacher took a deep breath, slammed his palm against the desk, and shouted, “Jiang Qi! Jian Song! Both of you, stand up!”

Accustomed to being scolded, the two stood up by reflex. Faced with the teacher’s fiery gaze, Jiang Qi gave a timid smile. “T-teacher.”

The teacher looked at them with a mixture of anger and disappointment. “Jian Song, you two, what am I supposed to do with you?”

Jiang Qi lowered his head, staring at the floor, leaving Jian Song to face the teacher alone.

“Teacher, I was just discussing a problem with Jiang,” Jian Song said, feigning innocence.

The teacher walked down the aisle. “What kind of problem requires a physical brawl?” He looked at Jian Song’s neat but empty desktop and sneered, “Oh, the sun must be rising in the west today. You actually cleaned your desk.”

Jian Song raised his chin. “Of course. I am a very clean person.”

When Jian Song said this, the class let out a collective, deflating laugh. The teacher, amused by the eccentric boy, smiled. “Then where did you put your textbooks?”

Jian Song fumbled through his desk compartment, but his smile slowly faded. The teacher’s smile, however, widened, and his voice became deceptively kind. “Student Jian, have they disappeared, or did you leave them at home?”

Jian Song looked up and offered a miserable grin. “Teacher, they are here. Inside. Let me look for them.”

The teacher crossed his arms. “Fine. Let us see if you can find them.”

Jian Song broke into a cold sweat, feeling anxious. Where were his textbooks? He clearly remembered putting them in the cabinet. It was all Lu Yingchi’s fault, he thought. Why did he have to sit with him for no reason? He sat down and then complained about his desk.

Just as Jian Song was spiraling with complaints, a brand-new textbook quietly appeared in his line of sight. Jian Song froze. He wanted to look at Lu Yingchi but feared being caught by the teacher. He hurriedly grabbed the book and flashed a relieved smile. “Teacher, look, here they are.”

The teacher glanced at Lu Yingchi, who was sitting perfectly upright, and chuckled. “Is this our new student?”

Seeing the teacher’s attention shift, Jian Song nodded eagerly. “Yes, Teacher. Did you not know? He is a genius from No. 1 High.”

Upon hearing this, the teacher became interested. “From No. 1 High? He must be quite famous.” Remembering the model students praised by teachers from various schools, the teacher’s eyes lit up. “You are Lu Yingchi?”

Even when recognized, Lu Yingchi remained calm and composed. Jian Song watched from the side, dumbfounded. He had not expected the teacher to actually know Lu Yingchi, and seeing Lu Yingchi’s unfazed demeanor made him feel a sudden sense of imbalance.

“Teacher, how did you recognize him?”

The teacher tucked his books under his arm and asked, “Why did you transfer here? Was your previous school not good enough?”

Lu Yingchi replied calmly, “My family processed the paperwork incorrectly while I was ill.”

The teacher beamed. “They filed for a withdrawal instead of a leave of absence?”

He received a faint nod from Lu Yingchi. The teacher was astonished that their school had managed to land such a student. “Your former school was actually willing to let you go?”

Lu Yingchi smiled slightly. “My father went to handle the paperwork.”

Hearing that Lu Yingchi’s father had gone in person, the teacher immediately understood why the school had been so quick to let him leave. The pressure from a top-tier Alpha was no joke.

The teacher patted Lu Yingchi’s shoulder. “Good. No matter what school you attend, you must study hard.” Lu Yingchi played the part of the obedient student, nodding to everything the teacher said.

As the teacher returned to the podium, he muttered, “I never expected such a big name to end up in our class. This is a real achievement.”

After speaking with the teacher, Lu Yingchi turned to see Jian Song looking quite pouty. He raised an eyebrow and asked kindly, “What is wrong with you?”

Jian Song rolled his eyes and said sarcastically, “Good students are just different. The teacher ignored me completely.”

Lu Yingchi had not expected Jian Song to be angry over that. He could not help but chuckle. “You should be glad the teacher did not pursue the issue of your missing textbooks. Do you want to be punished?”

Upon hearing the word “punishment,” Jian Song shook his head vigorously. “Forget it, then. Being ignored is fine.”

Lu Yingchi could not help but smile at Jian Song’s reaction. The teacher continued the lesson, and Jian Song slumped over to sleep. Just as he closed his eyes, his arm was poked. He opened his eyes impatiently to meet Lu Yingchi’s gaze.

“What do you want?”

Lu Yingchi pursed his lips. “Do you have a pen? Lend me one.”

Jian Song scoffed. “A genius like you does not have a pen? That would make people laugh if they heard it.” Despite his sharp words, Jian Song reached into his drawer and pulled out a handful of pens for Lu Yingchi.

Lu Yingchi went silent as he looked at the dainty, pink pen handed to him. A few seconds later, he asked, “Is this a gift from your significant other?”

Jian Song looked at him in horror. Before he could respond, Jiang Qi walked over, grinning. “What? Brother Jian has a significant other?”

Lu Yingchi was about to ask for clarification, but he saw Jiang Qi laughing in an exaggerated manner. “God, what kind of joke are you telling? If Brother Jian has a significant other, I will let him use my head as a ball. I refuse to believe he will not be single for the rest of his life.”

Jiang Qi’s debunking made Jian Song’s face darken. He looked at the bold Jiang Qi, then at the podium—the teacher was gone.

“Is class over?”

Upon receiving confirmation, Jian Song approached Jiang Qi with a wicked grin. “You are asking for it!” He lunged to grab Jiang Qi’s throat, but Jiang Qi dodged him with lightning speed.

Jiang Qi, still teasing, provoked him: “What is it, Brother Jian? Can you not handle the truth?”

Jian Song chased after him, laughing. “You brat, stop right there!”

Lu Yingchi watched the two of them wrestling. His gaze darkened. “Jiang Qi, is Jian Song very popular at our school?”

Hearing this, Jian Song and Jiang Qi stopped. Jiang Qi proudly draped an arm over Jian Song’s shoulder. “Of course. At this school, at least two-thirds of the students love Brother Jian. Who does not love a handsome, tough Alpha?”

Jian Song laughed proudly, too. “I cannot help it; my charm is just too powerful!”

Lu Yingchi watched the two “brothers” with their arms around each other and took a deep breath. They messed around in front of him for a long time until the bell rang for the next class.

Back in his seat, Jian Song fanned himself with his collar. His fair, snow-white skin was slicked with sweat, appearing to glow.

Lu Yingchi asked in a low voice, “Is your relationship with Jiang Qi always this close?”

Jian Song panted, nodding without hesitation. “Of course. Little Qi and I have played together since we were kids.”

Lu Yingchi gave a muffled “Oh,” then turned to ask, “Brother Jian, why is your skin so fair?”

Hearing Lu Yingchi use the term “Brother Jian,” Jian Song was stunned for a moment, then overwhelmed with joy, completely ignoring the second half of the question.

“What?! You called me Brother Jian? Hahaha!”

Lu Yingchi had not expected Jian Song to focus on that. His smile stiffened slightly. “What is wrong?”

Jian Song could not stop laughing and waved his hand. “Nothing, nothing! I just did not expect you to be conquered by me so quickly! Hahaha!”

Lu Yingchi was speechless. How could anyone be so oblivious?

After he finished laughing, Jian Song finally answered the question. “It is natural. You cannot envy my skin tone.”

Lu Yingchi looked at his own skin, then at Jian Song’s, and extended his own arm. It was the most direct comparison. The healthy, wheat-colored skin formed a stark contrast with Jian Song’s fair, pink-toned flesh.

Lu Yingchi’s pupils contracted, and his breathing grew rapid. Yet, Jian Song acted completely indifferent, even daring to reach out and poke Lu Yingchi’s bulging muscle, exclaiming, “My god, Lu Yingchi, how did you work out to get these muscles? They are so solid. I go to the gym every day, but my muscles stay soft.”

Lu Yingchi’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He reached out and pinched the flesh on Jian Song’s arm; it was indeed very soft. It was also slightly cool, like cold jade in the heat of summer, making it impossible to let go.

Lu Yingchi pinched it a few more times, and as he continued, Jian Song’s laughter faded. He looked up at Lu Yingchi. “Hey, kid, how much longer are you going to pinch that?”

Chapter 3: Brother Jian’s Fair Skin

Lu Yingchi shook his head. Jian Song’s expression shifted, and he tried to stop Jiang Qi from speaking.

Before he could cover Jiang Qi’s mouth, Jiang Qi blurted out, “He ranked last in the entire school! He scored barely over two hundred points, hahaha!”

Jiang Qi’s uninhibited laughter and Jian Song’s attempt to silence him immediately drew the teacher’s attention. The teacher’s head throbbed. He had not intended to deal with Jian Song, but the boy had jumped right into the line of fire.

The teacher took a deep breath, slammed his palm against the desk, and shouted, “Jiang Qi! Jian Song! Both of you, stand up!”

Accustomed to being scolded, the two stood up by reflex. Faced with the teacher’s fiery gaze, Jiang Qi gave a timid smile. “T-teacher.”

The teacher looked at them with a mixture of anger and disappointment. “Jian Song, you two, what am I supposed to do with you?”

Jiang Qi lowered his head, staring at the floor, leaving Jian Song to face the teacher alone.

“Teacher, I was just discussing a problem with Jiang,” Jian Song said, feigning innocence.

The teacher walked down the aisle. “What kind of problem requires a physical brawl?” He looked at Jian Song’s neat but empty desktop and sneered, “Oh, the sun must be rising in the west today. You actually cleaned your desk.”

Jian Song raised his chin. “Of course. I am a very clean person.”

When Jian Song said this, the class let out a collective, deflating laugh. The teacher, amused by the eccentric boy, smiled. “Then where did you put your textbooks?”

Jian Song fumbled through his desk compartment, but his smile slowly faded. The teacher’s smile, however, widened, and his voice became deceptively kind. “Student Jian, have they disappeared, or did you leave them at home?”

Jian Song looked up and offered a miserable grin. “Teacher, they are here. Inside. Let me look for them.”

The teacher crossed his arms. “Fine. Let us see if you can find them.”

Jian Song broke into a cold sweat, feeling anxious. Where were his textbooks? He clearly remembered putting them in the cabinet. It was all Lu Yingchi’s fault, he thought. Why did he have to sit with him for no reason? He sat down and then complained about his desk.

Just as Jian Song was spiraling with complaints, a brand-new textbook quietly appeared in his line of sight. Jian Song froze. He wanted to look at Lu Yingchi but feared being caught by the teacher. He hurriedly grabbed the book and flashed a relieved smile. “Teacher, look, here they are.”

The teacher glanced at Lu Yingchi, who was sitting perfectly upright, and chuckled. “Is this our new student?”

Seeing the teacher’s attention shift, Jian Song nodded eagerly. “Yes, Teacher. Did you not know? He is a genius from No. 1 High.”

Upon hearing this, the teacher became interested. “From No. 1 High? He must be quite famous.” Remembering the model students praised by teachers from various schools, the teacher’s eyes lit up. “You are Lu Yingchi?”

Even when recognized, Lu Yingchi remained calm and composed. Jian Song watched from the side, dumbfounded. He had not expected the teacher to actually know Lu Yingchi, and seeing Lu Yingchi’s unfazed demeanor made him feel a sudden sense of imbalance.

“Teacher, how did you recognize him?”

The teacher tucked his books under his arm and asked, “Why did you transfer here? Was your previous school not good enough?”

Lu Yingchi replied calmly, “My family processed the paperwork incorrectly while I was ill.”

The teacher beamed. “They filed for a withdrawal instead of a leave of absence?”

He received a faint nod from Lu Yingchi. The teacher was astonished that their school had managed to land such a student. “Your former school was actually willing to let you go?”

Lu Yingchi smiled slightly. “My father went to handle the paperwork.”

Hearing that Lu Yingchi’s father had gone in person, the teacher immediately understood why the school had been so quick to let him leave. The pressure from a top-tier Alpha was no joke.

The teacher patted Lu Yingchi’s shoulder. “Good. No matter what school you attend, you must study hard.” Lu Yingchi played the part of the obedient student, nodding to everything the teacher said.

As the teacher returned to the podium, he muttered, “I never expected such a big name to end up in our class. This is a real achievement.”

After speaking with the teacher, Lu Yingchi turned to see Jian Song looking quite pouty. He raised an eyebrow and asked kindly, “What is wrong with you?”

Jian Song rolled his eyes and said sarcastically, “Good students are just different. The teacher ignored me completely.”

Lu Yingchi had not expected Jian Song to be angry over that. He could not help but chuckle. “You should be glad the teacher did not pursue the issue of your missing textbooks. Do you want to be punished?”

Upon hearing the word “punishment,” Jian Song shook his head vigorously. “Forget it, then. Being ignored is fine.”

Lu Yingchi could not help but smile at Jian Song’s reaction. The teacher continued the lesson, and Jian Song slumped over to sleep. Just as he closed his eyes, his arm was poked. He opened his eyes impatiently to meet Lu Yingchi’s gaze.

“What do you want?”

Lu Yingchi pursed his lips. “Do you have a pen? Lend me one.”

Jian Song scoffed. “A genius like you does not have a pen? That would make people laugh if they heard it.” Despite his sharp words, Jian Song reached into his drawer and pulled out a handful of pens for Lu Yingchi.

Lu Yingchi went silent as he looked at the dainty, pink pen handed to him. A few seconds later, he asked, “Is this a gift from your significant other?”

Jian Song looked at him in horror. Before he could respond, Jiang Qi walked over, grinning. “What? Brother Jian has a significant other?”

Lu Yingchi was about to ask for clarification, but he saw Jiang Qi laughing in an exaggerated manner. “God, what kind of joke are you telling? If Brother Jian has a significant other, I will let him use my head as a ball. I refuse to believe he will not be single for the rest of his life.”

Jiang Qi’s debunking made Jian Song’s face darken. He looked at the bold Jiang Qi, then at the podium—the teacher was gone.

“Is class over?”

Upon receiving confirmation, Jian Song approached Jiang Qi with a wicked grin. “You are asking for it!” He lunged to grab Jiang Qi’s throat, but Jiang Qi dodged him with lightning speed.

Jiang Qi, still teasing, provoked him: “What is it, Brother Jian? Can you not handle the truth?”

Jian Song chased after him, laughing. “You brat, stop right there!”

Lu Yingchi watched the two of them wrestling. His gaze darkened. “Jiang Qi, is Jian Song very popular at our school?”

Hearing this, Jian Song and Jiang Qi stopped. Jiang Qi proudly draped an arm over Jian Song’s shoulder. “Of course. At this school, at least two-thirds of the students love Brother Jian. Who does not love a handsome, tough Alpha?”

Jian Song laughed proudly, too. “I cannot help it; my charm is just too powerful!”

Lu Yingchi watched the two “brothers” with their arms around each other and took a deep breath. They messed around in front of him for a long time until the bell rang for the next class.

Back in his seat, Jian Song fanned himself with his collar. His fair, snow-white skin was slicked with sweat, appearing to glow.

Lu Yingchi asked in a low voice, “Is your relationship with Jiang Qi always this close?”

Jian Song panted, nodding without hesitation. “Of course. Little Qi and I have played together since we were kids.”

Lu Yingchi gave a muffled “Oh,” then turned to ask, “Brother Jian, why is your skin so fair?”

Hearing Lu Yingchi use the term “Brother Jian,” Jian Song was stunned for a moment, then overwhelmed with joy, completely ignoring the second half of the question.

“What?! You called me Brother Jian? Hahaha!”

Lu Yingchi had not expected Jian Song to focus on that. His smile stiffened slightly. “What is wrong?”

Jian Song could not stop laughing and waved his hand. “Nothing, nothing! I just did not expect you to be conquered by me so quickly! Hahaha!”

Lu Yingchi was speechless. How could anyone be so oblivious?

After he finished laughing, Jian Song finally answered the question. “It is natural. You cannot envy my skin tone.”

Lu Yingchi looked at his own skin, then at Jian Song’s, and extended his own arm. It was the most direct comparison. The healthy, wheat-colored skin formed a stark contrast with Jian Song’s fair, pink-toned flesh.

Lu Yingchi’s pupils contracted, and his breathing grew rapid. Yet, Jian Song acted completely indifferent, even daring to reach out and poke Lu Yingchi’s bulging muscle, exclaiming, “My god, Lu Yingchi, how did you work out to get these muscles? They are so solid. I go to the gym every day, but my muscles stay soft.”

Lu Yingchi’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He reached out and pinched the flesh on Jian Song’s arm; it was indeed very soft. It was also slightly cool, like cold jade in the heat of summer, making it impossible to let go.

Lu Yingchi pinched it a few more times, and as he continued, Jian Song’s laughter faded. He looked up at Lu Yingchi. “Hey, kid, how much longer are you going to pinch that?”

Chapter 3: Brother Jian’s Fair Skin

Lu Yingchi shook his head. Jian Song’s expression shifted, and he tried to stop Jiang Qi from speaking.

Before he could cover Jiang Qi’s mouth, Jiang Qi blurted out, “He ranked last in the entire school! He scored barely over two hundred points, hahaha!”

Jiang Qi’s uninhibited laughter and Jian Song’s attempt to silence him immediately drew the teacher’s attention. The teacher’s head throbbed. He had not intended to deal with Jian Song, but the boy had jumped right into the line of fire.

The teacher took a deep breath, slammed his palm against the desk, and shouted, “Jiang Qi! Jian Song! Both of you, stand up!”

Accustomed to being scolded, the two stood up by reflex. Faced with the teacher’s fiery gaze, Jiang Qi gave a timid smile. “T-teacher.”

The teacher looked at them with a mixture of anger and disappointment. “Jian Song, you two, what am I supposed to do with you?”

Jiang Qi lowered his head, staring at the floor, leaving Jian Song to face the teacher alone.

“Teacher, I was just discussing a problem with Jiang,” Jian Song said, feigning innocence.

The teacher walked down the aisle. “What kind of problem requires a physical brawl?” He looked at Jian Song’s neat but empty desktop and sneered, “Oh, the sun must be rising in the west today. You actually cleaned your desk.”

Jian Song raised his chin. “Of course. I am a very clean person.”

When Jian Song said this, the class let out a collective, deflating laugh. The teacher, amused by the eccentric boy, smiled. “Then where did you put your textbooks?”

Jian Song fumbled through his desk compartment, but his smile slowly faded. The teacher’s smile, however, widened, and his voice became deceptively kind. “Student Jian, have they disappeared, or did you leave them at home?”

Jian Song looked up and offered a miserable grin. “Teacher, they are here. Inside. Let me look for them.”

The teacher crossed his arms. “Fine. Let us see if you can find them.”

Jian Song broke into a cold sweat, feeling anxious. Where were his textbooks? He clearly remembered putting them in the cabinet. It was all Lu Yingchi’s fault, he thought. Why did he have to sit with him for no reason? He sat down and then complained about his desk.

Just as Jian Song was spiraling with complaints, a brand-new textbook quietly appeared in his line of sight. Jian Song froze. He wanted to look at Lu Yingchi but feared being caught by the teacher. He hurriedly grabbed the book and flashed a relieved smile. “Teacher, look, here they are.”

The teacher glanced at Lu Yingchi, who was sitting perfectly upright, and chuckled. “Is this our new student?”

Seeing the teacher’s attention shift, Jian Song nodded eagerly. “Yes, Teacher. Did you not know? He is a genius from No. 1 High.”

Upon hearing this, the teacher became interested. “From No. 1 High? He must be quite famous.” Remembering the model students praised by teachers from various schools, the teacher’s eyes lit up. “You are Lu Yingchi?”

Even when recognized, Lu Yingchi remained calm and composed. Jian Song watched from the side, dumbfounded. He had not expected the teacher to actually know Lu Yingchi, and seeing Lu Yingchi’s unfazed demeanor made him feel a sudden sense of imbalance.

“Teacher, how did you recognize him?”

The teacher tucked his books under his arm and asked, “Why did you transfer here? Was your previous school not good enough?”

Lu Yingchi replied calmly, “My family processed the paperwork incorrectly while I was ill.”

The teacher beamed. “They filed for a withdrawal instead of a leave of absence?”

He received a faint nod from Lu Yingchi. The teacher was astonished that their school had managed to land such a student. “Your former school was actually willing to let you go?”

Lu Yingchi smiled slightly. “My father went to handle the paperwork.”

Hearing that Lu Yingchi’s father had gone in person, the teacher immediately understood why the school had been so quick to let him leave. The pressure from a top-tier Alpha was no joke.

The teacher patted Lu Yingchi’s shoulder. “Good. No matter what school you attend, you must study hard.” Lu Yingchi played the part of the obedient student, nodding to everything the teacher said.

As the teacher returned to the podium, he muttered, “I never expected such a big name to end up in our class. This is a real achievement.”

After speaking with the teacher, Lu Yingchi turned to see Jian Song looking quite pouty. He raised an eyebrow and asked kindly, “What is wrong with you?”

Jian Song rolled his eyes and said sarcastically, “Good students are just different. The teacher ignored me completely.”

Lu Yingchi had not expected Jian Song to be angry over that. He could not help but chuckle. “You should be glad the teacher did not pursue the issue of your missing textbooks. Do you want to be punished?”

Upon hearing the word “punishment,” Jian Song shook his head vigorously. “Forget it, then. Being ignored is fine.”

Lu Yingchi could not help but smile at Jian Song’s reaction. The teacher continued the lesson, and Jian Song slumped over to sleep. Just as he closed his eyes, his arm was poked. He opened his eyes impatiently to meet Lu Yingchi’s gaze.

“What do you want?”

Lu Yingchi pursed his lips. “Do you have a pen? Lend me one.”

Jian Song scoffed. “A genius like you does not have a pen? That would make people laugh if they heard it.” Despite his sharp words, Jian Song reached into his drawer and pulled out a handful of pens for Lu Yingchi.

Lu Yingchi went silent as he looked at the dainty, pink pen handed to him. A few seconds later, he asked, “Is this a gift from your significant other?”

Jian Song looked at him in horror. Before he could respond, Jiang Qi walked over, grinning. “What? Brother Jian has a significant other?”

Lu Yingchi was about to ask for clarification, but he saw Jiang Qi laughing in an exaggerated manner. “God, what kind of joke are you telling? If Brother Jian has a significant other, I will let him use my head as a ball. I refuse to believe he will not be single for the rest of his life.”

Jiang Qi’s debunking made Jian Song’s face darken. He looked at the bold Jiang Qi, then at the podium—the teacher was gone.

“Is class over?”

Upon receiving confirmation, Jian Song approached Jiang Qi with a wicked grin. “You are asking for it!” He lunged to grab Jiang Qi’s throat, but Jiang Qi dodged him with lightning speed.

Jiang Qi, still teasing, provoked him: “What is it, Brother Jian? Can you not handle the truth?”

Jian Song chased after him, laughing. “You brat, stop right there!”

Lu Yingchi watched the two of them wrestling. His gaze darkened. “Jiang Qi, is Jian Song very popular at our school?”

Hearing this, Jian Song and Jiang Qi stopped. Jiang Qi proudly draped an arm over Jian Song’s shoulder. “Of course. At this school, at least two-thirds of the students love Brother Jian. Who does not love a handsome, tough Alpha?”

Jian Song laughed proudly, too. “I cannot help it; my charm is just too powerful!”

Lu Yingchi watched the two “brothers” with their arms around each other and took a deep breath. They messed around in front of him for a long time until the bell rang for the next class.

Back in his seat, Jian Song fanned himself with his collar. His fair, snow-white skin was slicked with sweat, appearing to glow.

Lu Yingchi asked in a low voice, “Is your relationship with Jiang Qi always this close?”

Jian Song panted, nodding without hesitation. “Of course. Little Qi and I have played together since we were kids.”

Lu Yingchi gave a muffled “Oh,” then turned to ask, “Brother Jian, why is your skin so fair?”

Hearing Lu Yingchi use the term “Brother Jian,” Jian Song was stunned for a moment, then overwhelmed with joy, completely ignoring the second half of the question.

“What?! You called me Brother Jian? Hahaha!”

Lu Yingchi had not expected Jian Song to focus on that. His smile stiffened slightly. “What is wrong?”

Jian Song could not stop laughing and waved his hand. “Nothing, nothing! I just did not expect you to be conquered by me so quickly! Hahaha!”

Lu Yingchi was speechless. How could anyone be so oblivious?

After he finished laughing, Jian Song finally answered the question. “It is natural. You cannot envy my skin tone.”

Lu Yingchi looked at his own skin, then at Jian Song’s, and extended his own arm. It was the most direct comparison. The healthy, wheat-colored skin formed a stark contrast with Jian Song’s fair, pink-toned flesh.

Lu Yingchi’s pupils contracted, and his breathing grew rapid. Yet, Jian Song acted completely indifferent, even daring to reach out and poke Lu Yingchi’s bulging muscle, exclaiming, “My god, Lu Yingchi, how did you work out to get these muscles? They are so solid. I go to the gym every day, but my muscles stay soft.”

Lu Yingchi’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He reached out and pinched the flesh on Jian Song’s arm; it was indeed very soft. It was also slightly cool, like cold jade in the heat of summer, making it impossible to let go.

Lu Yingchi pinched it a few more times, and as he continued, Jian Song’s laughter faded. He looked up at Lu Yingchi. “Hey, kid, how much longer are you going to pinch that?”

Chapter 3: Brother Jian’s Fair Skin

Lu Yingchi shook his head. Jian Song’s expression shifted, and he tried to stop Jiang Qi from speaking.

Before he could cover Jiang Qi’s mouth, Jiang Qi blurted out, “He ranked last in the entire school! He scored barely over two hundred points, hahaha!”

Jiang Qi’s uninhibited laughter and Jian Song’s attempt to silence him immediately drew the teacher’s attention. The teacher’s head throbbed. He had not intended to deal with Jian Song, but the boy had jumped right into the line of fire.

The teacher took a deep breath, slammed his palm against the desk, and shouted, “Jiang Qi! Jian Song! Both of you, stand up!”

Accustomed to being scolded, the two stood up by reflex. Faced with the teacher’s fiery gaze, Jiang Qi gave a timid smile. “T-teacher.”

The teacher looked at them with a mixture of anger and disappointment. “Jian Song, you two, what am I supposed to do with you?”

Jiang Qi lowered his head, staring at the floor, leaving Jian Song to face the teacher alone.

“Teacher, I was just discussing a problem with Jiang,” Jian Song said, feigning innocence.

The teacher walked down the aisle. “What kind of problem requires a physical brawl?” He looked at Jian Song’s neat but empty desktop and sneered, “Oh, the sun must be rising in the west today. You actually cleaned your desk.”

Jian Song raised his chin. “Of course. I am a very clean person.”

When Jian Song said this, the class let out a collective, deflating laugh. The teacher, amused by the eccentric boy, smiled. “Then where did you put your textbooks?”

Jian Song fumbled through his desk compartment, but his smile slowly faded. The teacher’s smile, however, widened, and his voice became deceptively kind. “Student Jian, have they disappeared, or did you leave them at home?”

Jian Song looked up and offered a miserable grin. “Teacher, they are here. Inside. Let me look for them.”

The teacher crossed his arms. “Fine. Let us see if you can find them.”

Jian Song broke into a cold sweat, feeling anxious. Where were his textbooks? He clearly remembered putting them in the cabinet. It was all Lu Yingchi’s fault, he thought. Why did he have to sit with him for no reason? He sat down and then complained about his desk.

Just as Jian Song was spiraling with complaints, a brand-new textbook quietly appeared in his line of sight. Jian Song froze. He wanted to look at Lu Yingchi but feared being caught by the teacher. He hurriedly grabbed the book and flashed a relieved smile. “Teacher, look, here they are.”

The teacher glanced at Lu Yingchi, who was sitting perfectly upright, and chuckled. “Is this our new student?”

Seeing the teacher’s attention shift, Jian Song nodded eagerly. “Yes, Teacher. Did you not know? He is a genius from No. 1 High.”

Upon hearing this, the teacher became interested. “From No. 1 High? He must be quite famous.” Remembering the model students praised by teachers from various schools, the teacher’s eyes lit up. “You are Lu Yingchi?”

Even when recognized, Lu Yingchi remained calm and composed. Jian Song watched from the side, dumbfounded. He had not expected the teacher to actually know Lu Yingchi, and seeing Lu Yingchi’s unfazed demeanor made him feel a sudden sense of imbalance.

“Teacher, how did you recognize him?”

The teacher tucked his books under his arm and asked, “Why did you transfer here? Was your previous school not good enough?”

Lu Yingchi replied calmly, “My family processed the paperwork incorrectly while I was ill.”

The teacher beamed. “They filed for a withdrawal instead of a leave of absence?”

He received a faint nod from Lu Yingchi. The teacher was astonished that their school had managed to land such a student. “Your former school was actually willing to let you go?”

Lu Yingchi smiled slightly. “My father went to handle the paperwork.”

Hearing that Lu Yingchi’s father had gone in person, the teacher immediately understood why the school had been so quick to let him leave. The pressure from a top-tier Alpha was no joke.

The teacher patted Lu Yingchi’s shoulder. “Good. No matter what school you attend, you must study hard.” Lu Yingchi played the part of the obedient student, nodding to everything the teacher said.

As the teacher returned to the podium, he muttered, “I never expected such a big name to end up in our class. This is a real achievement.”

After speaking with the teacher, Lu Yingchi turned to see Jian Song looking quite pouty. He raised an eyebrow and asked kindly, “What is wrong with you?”

Jian Song rolled his eyes and said sarcastically, “Good students are just different. The teacher ignored me completely.”

Lu Yingchi had not expected Jian Song to be angry over that. He could not help but chuckle. “You should be glad the teacher did not pursue the issue of your missing textbooks. Do you want to be punished?”

Upon hearing the word “punishment,” Jian Song shook his head vigorously. “Forget it, then. Being ignored is fine.”

Lu Yingchi could not help but smile at Jian Song’s reaction. The teacher continued the lesson, and Jian Song slumped over to sleep. Just as he closed his eyes, his arm was poked. He opened his eyes impatiently to meet Lu Yingchi’s gaze.

“What do you want?”

Lu Yingchi pursed his lips. “Do you have a pen? Lend me one.”

Jian Song scoffed. “A genius like you does not have a pen? That would make people laugh if they heard it.” Despite his sharp words, Jian Song reached into his drawer and pulled out a handful of pens for Lu Yingchi.

Lu Yingchi went silent as he looked at the dainty, pink pen handed to him. A few seconds later, he asked, “Is this a gift from your significant other?”

Jian Song looked at him in horror. Before he could respond, Jiang Qi walked over, grinning. “What? Brother Jian has a significant other?”

Lu Yingchi was about to ask for clarification, but he saw Jiang Qi laughing in an exaggerated manner. “God, what kind of joke are you telling? If Brother Jian has a significant other, I will let him use my head as a ball. I refuse to believe he will not be single for the rest of his life.”

Jiang Qi’s debunking made Jian Song’s face darken. He looked at the bold Jiang Qi, then at the podium—the teacher was gone.

“Is class over?”

Upon receiving confirmation, Jian Song approached Jiang Qi with a wicked grin. “You are asking for it!” He lunged to grab Jiang Qi’s throat, but Jiang Qi dodged him with lightning speed.

Jiang Qi, still teasing, provoked him: “What is it, Brother Jian? Can you not handle the truth?”

Jian Song chased after him, laughing. “You brat, stop right there!”

Lu Yingchi watched the two of them wrestling. His gaze darkened. “Jiang Qi, is Jian Song very popular at our school?”

Hearing this, Jian Song and Jiang Qi stopped. Jiang Qi proudly draped an arm over Jian Song’s shoulder. “Of course. At this school, at least two-thirds of the students love Brother Jian. Who does not love a handsome, tough Alpha?”

Jian Song laughed proudly, too. “I cannot help it; my charm is just too powerful!”

Lu Yingchi watched the two “brothers” with their arms around each other and took a deep breath. They messed around in front of him for a long time until the bell rang for the next class.

Back in his seat, Jian Song fanned himself with his collar. His fair, snow-white skin was slicked with sweat, appearing to glow.

Lu Yingchi asked in a low voice, “Is your relationship with Jiang Qi always this close?”

Jian Song panted, nodding without hesitation. “Of course. Little Qi and I have played together since we were kids.”

Lu Yingchi gave a muffled “Oh,” then turned to ask, “Brother Jian, why is your skin so fair?”

Hearing Lu Yingchi use the term “Brother Jian,” Jian Song was stunned for a moment, then overwhelmed with joy, completely ignoring the second half of the question.

“What?! You called me Brother Jian? Hahaha!”

Lu Yingchi had not expected Jian Song to focus on that. His smile stiffened slightly. “What is wrong?”

Jian Song could not stop laughing and waved his hand. “Nothing, nothing! I just did not expect you to be conquered by me so quickly! Hahaha!”

Lu Yingchi was speechless. How could anyone be so oblivious?

After he finished laughing, Jian Song finally answered the question. “It is natural. You cannot envy my skin tone.”

Lu Yingchi looked at his own skin, then at Jian Song’s, and extended his own arm. It was the most direct comparison. The healthy, wheat-colored skin formed a stark contrast with Jian Song’s fair, pink-toned flesh.

Lu Yingchi’s pupils contracted, and his breathing grew rapid. Yet, Jian Song acted completely indifferent, even daring to reach out and poke Lu Yingchi’s bulging muscle, exclaiming, “My god, Lu Yingchi, how did you work out to get these muscles? They are so solid. I go to the gym every day, but my muscles stay soft.”

Lu Yingchi’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He reached out and pinched the flesh on Jian Song’s arm; it was indeed very soft. It was also slightly cool, like cold jade in the heat of summer, making it impossible to let go.

Lu Yingchi pinched it a few more times, and as he continued, Jian Song’s laughter faded. He looked up at Lu Yingchi. “Hey, kid, how much longer are you going to pinch that?”

Chapter 3: Brother Jian’s Fair Skin

Lu Yingchi shook his head. Jian Song’s expression shifted, and he tried to stop Jiang Qi from speaking.

Before he could cover Jiang Qi’s mouth, Jiang Qi blurted out, “He ranked last in the entire school! He scored barely over two hundred points, hahaha!”

Jiang Qi’s uninhibited laughter and Jian Song’s attempt to silence him immediately drew the teacher’s attention. The teacher’s head throbbed. He had not intended to deal with Jian Song, but the boy had jumped right into the line of fire.

The teacher took a deep breath, slammed his palm against the desk, and shouted, “Jiang Qi! Jian Song! Both of you, stand up!”

Accustomed to being scolded, the two stood up by reflex. Faced with the teacher’s fiery gaze, Jiang Qi gave a timid smile. “T-teacher.”

The teacher looked at them with a mixture of anger and disappointment. “Jian Song, you two, what am I supposed to do with you?”

Jiang Qi lowered his head, staring at the floor, leaving Jian Song to face the teacher alone.

“Teacher, I was just discussing a problem with Jiang,” Jian Song said, feigning innocence.

The teacher walked down the aisle. “What kind of problem requires a physical brawl?” He looked at Jian Song’s neat but empty desktop and sneered, “Oh, the sun must be rising in the west today. You actually cleaned your desk.”

Jian Song raised his chin. “Of course. I am a very clean person.”

When Jian Song said this, the class let out a collective, deflating laugh. The teacher, amused by the eccentric boy, smiled. “Then where did you put your textbooks?”

Jian Song fumbled through his desk compartment, but his smile slowly faded. The teacher’s smile, however, widened, and his voice became deceptively kind. “Student Jian, have they disappeared, or did you leave them at home?”

Jian Song looked up and offered a miserable grin. “Teacher, they are here. Inside. Let me look for them.”

The teacher crossed his arms. “Fine. Let us see if you can find them.”

Jian Song broke into a cold sweat, feeling anxious. Where were his textbooks? He clearly remembered putting them in the cabinet. It was all Lu Yingchi’s fault, he thought. Why did he have to sit with him for no reason? He sat down and then complained about his desk.

Just as Jian Song was spiraling with complaints, a brand-new textbook quietly appeared in his line of sight. Jian Song froze. He wanted to look at Lu Yingchi but feared being caught by the teacher. He hurriedly grabbed the book and flashed a relieved smile. “Teacher, look, here they are.”

The teacher glanced at Lu Yingchi, who was sitting perfectly upright, and chuckled. “Is this our new student?”

Seeing the teacher’s attention shift, Jian Song nodded eagerly. “Yes, Teacher. Did you not know? He is a genius from No. 1 High.”

Upon hearing this, the teacher became interested. “From No. 1 High? He must be quite famous.” Remembering the model students praised by teachers from various schools, the teacher’s eyes lit up. “You are Lu Yingchi?”

Even when recognized, Lu Yingchi remained calm and composed. Jian Song watched from the side, dumbfounded. He had not expected the teacher to actually know Lu Yingchi, and seeing Lu Yingchi’s unfazed demeanor made him feel a sudden sense of imbalance.

“Teacher, how did you recognize him?”

The teacher tucked his books under his arm and asked, “Why did you transfer here? Was your previous school not good enough?”

Lu Yingchi replied calmly, “My family processed the paperwork incorrectly while I was ill.”

The teacher beamed. “They filed for a withdrawal instead of a leave of absence?”

He received a faint nod from Lu Yingchi. The teacher was astonished that their school had managed to land such a student. “Your former school was actually willing to let you go?”

Lu Yingchi smiled slightly. “My father went to handle the paperwork.”

Hearing that Lu Yingchi’s father had gone in person, the teacher immediately understood why the school had been so quick to let him leave. The pressure from a top-tier Alpha was no joke.

The teacher patted Lu Yingchi’s shoulder. “Good. No matter what school you attend, you must study hard.” Lu Yingchi played the part of the obedient student, nodding to everything the teacher said.

As the teacher returned to the podium, he muttered, “I never expected such a big name to end up in our class. This is a real achievement.”

After speaking with the teacher, Lu Yingchi turned to see Jian Song looking quite pouty. He raised an eyebrow and asked kindly, “What is wrong with you?”

Jian Song rolled his eyes and said sarcastically, “Good students are just different. The teacher ignored me completely.”

Lu Yingchi had not expected Jian Song to be angry over that. He could not help but chuckle. “You should be glad the teacher did not pursue the issue of your missing textbooks. Do you want to be punished?”

Upon hearing the word “punishment,” Jian Song shook his head vigorously. “Forget it, then. Being ignored is fine.”

Lu Yingchi could not help but smile at Jian Song’s reaction. The teacher continued the lesson, and Jian Song slumped over to sleep. Just as he closed his eyes, his arm was poked. He opened his eyes impatiently to meet Lu Yingchi’s gaze.

“What do you want?”

Lu Yingchi pursed his lips. “Do you have a pen? Lend me one.”

Jian Song scoffed. “A genius like you does not have a pen? That would make people laugh if they heard it.” Despite his sharp words, Jian Song reached into his drawer and pulled out a handful of pens for Lu Yingchi.

Lu Yingchi went silent as he looked at the dainty, pink pen handed to him. A few seconds later, he asked, “Is this a gift from your significant other?”

Jian Song looked at him in horror. Before he could respond, Jiang Qi walked over, grinning. “What? Brother Jian has a significant other?”

Lu Yingchi was about to ask for clarification, but he saw Jiang Qi laughing in an exaggerated manner. “God, what kind of joke are you telling? If Brother Jian has a significant other, I will let him use my head as a ball. I refuse to believe he will not be single for the rest of his life.”

Jiang Qi’s debunking made Jian Song’s face darken. He looked at the bold Jiang Qi, then at the podium—the teacher was gone.

“Is class over?”

Upon receiving confirmation, Jian Song approached Jiang Qi with a wicked grin. “You are asking for it!” He lunged to grab Jiang Qi’s throat, but Jiang Qi dodged him with lightning speed.

Jiang Qi, still teasing, provoked him: “What is it, Brother Jian? Can you not handle the truth?”

Jian Song chased after him, laughing. “You brat, stop right there!”

Lu Yingchi watched the two of them wrestling. His gaze darkened. “Jiang Qi, is Jian Song very popular at our school?”

Hearing this, Jian Song and Jiang Qi stopped. Jiang Qi proudly draped an arm over Jian Song’s shoulder. “Of course. At this school, at least two-thirds of the students love Brother Jian. Who does not love a handsome, tough Alpha?”

Jian Song laughed proudly, too. “I cannot help it; my charm is just too powerful!”

Lu Yingchi watched the two “brothers” with their arms around each other and took a deep breath. They messed around in front of him for a long time until the bell rang for the next class.

Back in his seat, Jian Song fanned himself with his collar. His fair, snow-white skin was slicked with sweat, appearing to glow.

Lu Yingchi asked in a low voice, “Is your relationship with Jiang Qi always this close?”

Jian Song panted, nodding without hesitation. “Of course. Little Qi and I have played together since we were kids.”

Lu Yingchi gave a muffled “Oh,” then turned to ask, “Brother Jian, why is your skin so fair?”

Hearing Lu Yingchi use the term “Brother Jian,” Jian Song was stunned for a moment, then overwhelmed with joy, completely ignoring the second half of the question.

“What?! You called me Brother Jian? Hahaha!”

Lu Yingchi had not expected Jian Song to focus on that. His smile stiffened slightly. “What is wrong?”

Jian Song could not stop laughing and waved his hand. “Nothing, nothing! I just did not expect you to be conquered by me so quickly! Hahaha!”

Lu Yingchi was speechless. How could anyone be so oblivious?

After he finished laughing, Jian Song finally answered the question. “It is natural. You cannot envy my skin tone.”

Lu Yingchi looked at his own skin, then at Jian Song’s, and extended his own arm. It was the most direct comparison. The healthy, wheat-colored skin formed a stark contrast with Jian Song’s fair, pink-toned flesh.

Lu Yingchi’s pupils contracted, and his breathing grew rapid. Yet, Jian Song acted completely indifferent, even daring to reach out and poke Lu Yingchi’s bulging muscle, exclaiming, “My god, Lu Yingchi, how did you work out to get these muscles? They are so solid. I go to the gym every day, but my muscles stay soft.”

Lu Yingchi’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He reached out and pinched the flesh on Jian Song’s arm; it was indeed very soft. It was also slightly cool, like cold jade in the heat of summer, making it impossible to let go.

Lu Yingchi pinched it a few more times, and as he continued, Jian Song’s laughter faded. He looked up at Lu Yingchi. “Hey, kid, how much longer are you going to pinch that?”