The Pitiful Guy I Saved Is a Possessive Big Shot - Chapter 17

When the party reached a little past eight o’clock, Shi Qingning left early.

The gathering was not noisy. People spoke in an orderly way, and the sound of conversation did not even drown out the elegant light music playing from the Dolby speakers on the wall.

There was no lingering smoke or pungent smells inside, as everyone was well aware of the young master’s health condition.

However, Shi Qingning was, after all, a patient who had only recently recovered. Mrs. Shi worried that he was not yet used to such crowded settings and sent him to rest early.

Back when the young master was ill, the Shi family had never even held parties at home.

Shi Qingning was indeed quite tired.

Since his corrective surgery, his bedtime had gradually moved from 9:30 PM to 10:00 PM, slowly aligning with the normal sleep schedule of a high school student.

But today, it wasn’t even 9:00 PM, and he was already feeling drowsy.

Shi Qingning knew his own body. After supervising him as he took his medicine, Sun Ming excused himself first.

Only Bai Yexi, who should have already been on a bus by this time, remained by his side, never leaving.

“I’m fine.”

Shi Qingning rubbed his eyes. The wrist extending from the soft quilt was white and slender, so thin it felt as though a single hand could circle both of his wrists.

The boy’s voice carried an unintentional hint of laziness, making it sound even warmer and softer.

“I’ll just sleep early today.”

Bai Yexi sat by the bed, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

He watched the slow rise and fall of the boy’s chest and gently raised his hand, using two fingers to test his breath.

The breathing was a bit heavy, but he didn’t feel feverish.

“There’s an oxygen pack in the cabinet,” Bai Yexi asked in a low voice. “Do you want some?”

Shi Qingning shook his head and smiled. “No need.”

Bai Yexi’s fingers didn’t actually touch him, but across the tiny distance, he could feel the other’s body heat.

That touch of warmth made the tip of his lip itch slightly. Shi Qingning couldn’t help but smile, sticking out the tip of his tongue to lick his lips.

His lips were very soft, and the Cupid’s bow looked sweet just to the eye. Though his lip color was pale, it turned red easily; with a single lick, they became a damp, light pink.

He continued to open and close those lips, saying:

“It’s so late today. Why don’t you stay over?”

Bai Yexi didn’t speak. He stood up, remained silent for a moment, and then left.

Shi Qingning wanted to call out to him but couldn’t stop a yawn.

His vision blurred. Due to the dull ache at his temple and the dizziness in his head, he ultimately didn’t speak again.

Inside the bedroom, only a single nightlight by the bed remained on, casting a soft, amber glow.

Shi Qingning felt groggy and wanted to drift off, but the slight tightness in his chest and the throbbing in his temple kept him from falling into a deep sleep.

He was long used to this; to him, this didn’t even count as pain.

However, sleep quality was not something he could control. Thinking back, the only times he had slept more soundly than usual were during his hospital stay for surgery and the few times he had drifted off in the music room.

Shi Qingning squinted his eyes and turned his head, nuzzling into the pillow.

The down pillow made a soft rustling sound.

Perhaps because the noise was so faint, Shi Qingning thought he heard the sound of a piano, like a trick of the mind.

He opened his eyes. The room was dim, making it hard to see clearly.

But there was indeed a hazy light not far away, accompanied by the real sound of a piano.

It was Bai Yexi.

The boy was sitting on the sofa nearby, holding a tablet. He seemed to have opened a music app and was playing the piano for Shi Qingning.

The tablet was a new model Shi Qingning had asked his mother for a few days ago. He knew Bai Yexi wouldn’t accept such an expensive gift, so he didn’t offer to give it to him; instead, when he first got it, he simply added Bai Yexi’s fingerprint to the device.

Bai Yexi indeed hadn’t touched the tablet much these past few days.

Under his fingers, the music was soft and simple, occasionally punctuated by brief pauses.

He seemed to be getting used to this electronic way of playing.

Soon, however, the music became fluid.

Shi Qingning blinked, turned over, and found a more comfortable position.

The heavy, muffled sound of his own breathing was gradually masked by the piano.

At first, it was The Blue Danube, but then the piano grew even more soothing, turning into a melody Shi Qingning hadn’t heard before.

The boy’s fluttering long lashes finally grew still.

The piano slowed its tempo; the music slowed time itself.

In a daze, his blurred vision felt a sense of deja vu, as if this scene had played out many times before.

Shi Qingning thought groggily:

Mint and I have only lived together for a few days, yet I’m already this used to him?

The music felt distant, like a soft quilt woven from moonlight, or a dense protective layer formed by the night.

In the long winter night, the gentle piano music drove away all pain and cold.

The boy’s breathing on the bed slowly leveled out.

The music rose slightly, modulating for a measure.

It felt like a whisper.

Goodnight.

When Shi Qingning woke up the next day, the daylight was already bright.

He didn’t even know when Bai Yexi had left.

The tablet was sitting on the desk. Curious, Shi Qingning went over to check it.

To be honest, his knowledge of electronics was limited; he hadn’t even opened many of the pre-installed apps, let alone known that playing piano on a tablet could be so smooth.

He hadn’t expected Mint to know how to do this.

Shi Qingning looked at the home screen and realized there were no newly downloaded apps.

Then what did Mint use to play?

Shi Qingning was puzzled.

He swiped up to see the open programs and realized the most recently used app was the system’s own GarageBand.

Eh?

Shi Qingning had never touched this app. He tapped it and saw the page was currently on a piece of music that had already been recorded.

Shi Qingning pressed play.

The melody from last night began to play.

The clear music was elegant and beautiful, and it confirmed to Shi Qingning that he had never heard this piece before.

This wasn’t a classic piano piece; perhaps it was some niche music, or perhaps…

Shi Qingning glanced at the description of GarageBand.

“Create your own melodies.”

This is a piece Mint composed himself?

Shi Qingning tapped the back button.

He suddenly couldn’t help but laugh.

On the page after returning, the song had been given a very short title.

“Lemon.”

Followed by an emoji.

It was the moon icon named “Goodnight.”

Shi Qingning poked the moon icon, laughing as he leaned back against the sofa.

The piano music was still playing.

The sound was a bit more complex than what Shi Qingning had heard last night; Bai Yexi had later added accompaniments and reverb.

It was no longer just a slightly raw, single melody, but more like a semi-finished piece.

A serenade.

A song singing goodnight.

For the next few days, Shi Qingning kept playing this tune before bed.

On one hand, it was because it was truly beautiful.

On the other hand, it was because from that day on, Bai Yexi never came back to the Shi house.

Time passed quickly, and there were less than ten days left until the end of winter break. Shi Qingning was preparing for school. He had asked Bai Yexi, and the other seemed to be preparing for his studies as well.

Since Bai Yexi was busy with his own business, Shi Qingning naturally didn’t want to force an interruption.

Moreover, this time Bai Yexi didn’t refuse the bodyguards. Now, two men in black suits ensured his safety every day.

Only protecting, not interfering.

He wouldn’t get hurt, and Shi Qingning felt a bit more at ease.

However, sometimes Shi Qingning would feel a bit dazed.

Recently, there was another rare day of good winter weather. The sunlight in the music room was excellent, and the mint in the greenhouse had grown new leaves.

When Shi Qingning listened to “Lemon Goodnight” again, he occasionally felt a strange sensation.

It was as if this piece wasn’t just for sleep.

But also for a farewell.

Shi Qingning didn’t know where this feeling came from. Clearly, Bai Yexi was still in Haicheng. Even if they didn’t go to school together, they could still meet.

Clearly, they hadn’t been together for long. From Bai Yexi’s perspective, their relationship hadn’t even reached the point of a “parting.”

Let alone composing a piece specifically for such a departure.

Shi Qingning felt he was probably just too nervous about the novel’s plot. But essentially, he had his story, and Mint had his own life.

They both had to walk their own paths.

He just needed to help Mint avoid those irreversible harms, right?

Thinking this, Shi Qingning slowly adjusted his mindset.

And soon, they were going to meet.

Specifically, at Shi Qingning’s enrollment party.

The party was held a week before the winter break ended. The Shi family specifically chose the most luxurious top-tier hotel in Haicheng and booked an entire floor.

This banquet was much larger in scale than the previous small gatherings at the Shi house. Naturally, there were many guests. Besides relatives and friends, the Shi family invited many people from the same social class.

It wasn’t for show or to brag. Aside from necessary social reasons, the Shi family simply wanted to inform the outside world that their child was going to school.

The situation is special; please look after him.

This could be considered the young master’s first public appearance.

Many people were quite interested in this young master and had been looking forward to seeing him.

However, Shi Qingning himself didn’t do much extra preparation.

Before the banquet, he read as usual, and he didn’t even go to see the hotel while the Shi family was decorating it.

Compared to those things, Shi Qingning cared more about meeting Bai Yexi.

The temperature dropped on the day of the banquet, and the sky was a bit gloomy. Bai Yexi didn’t arrive early. He didn’t wear formal attire like the others, either, sticking to his usual white shirt and black pants.

But Shi Qingning was already very happy just to see him. After more than a week apart, Mint hadn’t grown thinner.

The banquet was about to begin, and many guests had gathered in the main hall. Shi Qingning, who was staying in the side hall, originally planned to go out with Bai Yexi. He remembered that a very famous musician would be coming today.

If he could introduce Mint to that person, the musician might even give Mint some timely guidance on his studies.

“Let’s go meet the guests together?” Shi Qingning said. “My brother is coming soon; he said he’ll introduce us.”

But Bai Yexi shook his head.

“You are the protagonist today. I’ll just find a place to sit.”

Shi Qingning didn’t care about being the protagonist of a party, but he also knew Bai Yexi was antisocial and didn’t like crowds. After thinking about it, he didn’t push.

“Second Young Master!”

Kong Que found them.

“Many people our age are here today. I found a few classmates who are in high school to chat about school stuff. Are you coming?”

Kong Que had told Shi Qingning before that he would help introduce schools. Hearing this, Bai Yexi also said:

“Go ahead and get busy.”

Shi Qingning didn’t hesitate for long before being taken to the main hall by Kong Que.

Bai Yexi stood in place, watching the other’s silhouette until it disappeared before looking away.

He said he would find a place to sit in the hall himself, but he didn’t move.

However, not long after, the door to the side hall was pushed open. Mrs. Shi and a female companion walked in.

“Xiao Bai?”

Mrs. Shi said something to the woman beside her. The woman nodded and left first. Mrs. Shi closed the door and walked over.

“Long time no see.”

She looked at Bai Yexi, then looked through the glass door toward Shi Qingning in the main hall. She suddenly said:

“Are you planning to leave?”

Bai Yexi did not deny it.

Mrs. Shi asked softly, “Does Xiao Ning know?”

Bai Yexi finally spoke.

“I haven’t told him yet.”

Mrs. Shi sighed softly.

“Think about it again. He has been worrying about you.”

Bai Yexi was silent for a long time. So long that Mrs. Shi thought he wouldn’t speak again. Then, she suddenly heard his voice.

“I am a person of ill omen.”

The boy’s voice was calm, but it carried a certainty that left no room for argument.

“If I stay by his side, I might harm him one day.”

Mrs. Shi was slightly surprised. After a pause, she spoke.

“I don’t know why you think that.”

“However, Xiao Ning has been sick since he was a child. For his sake, I used to believe in many things, going everywhere to pray to gods and Buddha, only wanting him to be safe.”

The woman’s voice was gentle, and her expression was kind.

“Later, I slowly discovered that what I truly believed in was Xiao Ning himself.”

“He is my faith.”

“Xiao Ning was willing to survive, and he is working hard to grow up,” Mrs. Shi said softly.

“You can try too. Perhaps, he is stronger than you think.”

Shi Qingning, who had been pulled into the crowd by Kong Que, felt quite uneasy.

He had come over too hurriedly and hadn’t had a chance to talk to Bai Yexi properly.

And now, people were gathering around him.

They were all the same age, and they spoke casually.

Even with Kong Que there to keep things in check, a few people couldn’t help but talk about Shi Qingning’s looks.

“Second Young Master truly is… it would be a shame if you didn’t go to school. Think of how many people’s eyes would miss out on such a blessing?”

“Exactly. Last month, No. 4 Middle School just voted on the ‘School Grass’ list. If you had gone earlier, Young Master Pang would have to give up his first-place spot.”

A tall, thin boy smiled and said, “If I give it to the Second Young Master, I accept it wholeheartedly.”

This was Pang Hui, the person ranked first on the “School Grass” list that everyone was talking about.

“Alright, alright, stop it.” Kong Que frowned. “The Second Young Master is going there to study. Who’s like you guys, thinking about such nonsense all day?”

“Study?”

Several people laughed.

“What’s there to study? Hey, Peacock, don’t put too much pressure on the Second Young Master. Since when has No. 4 Middle School cared about studying?”

“Right, it’s not like that group of nerds at No. 29 Middle School.”

“Isn’t high school the time for dating? If nothing else, the looks of students at No. 4 are pretty good. You can pick a partner. Unlike No. 29.”

“Don’t worry, Second Young Master. Don’t listen to those who say high school is strict. Do whatever you want once you’re in school. Our dean doesn’t even care if he catches couples kissing.”

Shi Qingning’s gaze remained fixed on the side hall, and he was listening half-heartedly.

He didn’t explain that he hadn’t chosen No. 4, which was full of children from wealthy families. Instead, he was going to No. 29—the school this group called a nest of nerds.

It wasn’t until a familiar long-haired figure walked in from the hall entrance that Shi Qingning’s heart finally settled a bit.

His expression instinctively became much livelier.

Shi Qingning was already handsome, and now with a smile in his eyes, he made everyone’s heart skip a beat.

The people around him spoke even more enthusiastically, just to attract more of his interest.

That “School Grass” classmate spoke directly:

“There’s a ball at school a week after the semester starts. Does the Second Young Master know about it?”

Pang Hui smiled and said, “I’m currently worried about not having a partner. I wonder if I might have the honor of inviting the Second Young Master to go together?”

The people nearby all started shouting.

“No way, holy crap! Isn’t that the famous ‘couple’s ball’ for tenth graders?”

“Old Pang, are you trying to take advantage of the Second Young Master?”

“Yeah, you’re moving too fast!”