The White Moonlight is Both Competitive and Predatory - Chapter 7

“Yan Chi, would it be convenient for you to help me apply this?”

At this location and at this time, seeing Ji Yueting here made Yan Chi feel that his previous question was now unnecessary. As for the “group” mentioned earlier, Yan Chi could not imagine it being anyone other than Changying.

The tallest child pulled on Yan Chi’s finger and gave it a squeeze. “Teacher Xiao Chi, do you know this uncle?”

The sunlight was too bright, so Yan Chi looked away. “I do.”

“Why does he call you Teacher Xiao Chi, too? Do you teach him how to do math problems as well?” Children’s thought processes were always quite unique, and the questions came one after another. “Is he so old and still bad at math?”

Yan Chi could not help but smile. He said jokingly, “Why don’t you go and compare yourself with the uncle and see?”

The little fellow was eager to try. Hearing this, Ji Yueting raised an eyebrow and raised an objection. “Uncle?”

The little girl behind him tapped the boy on the head and said crossly, “Stupid, he is so young. You should call him ‘Brother’ instead!”

“Ah!” The boy rubbed his head piteously and let out an “Oh.”

The Director and Qin Siming were completely out of the loop. It was only after an explanation from Yan Chi that they learned the two had actually been high school classmates. Although they were in different classes and grades, they were indeed schoolmates. As for anything else, Yan Chi did not say much.

“This is truly a wonderful coincidence,” Director Fang lamented after hearing this. “Today is Mr. Ji’s first time visiting the orphanage, and it happens to be when Xiao Chi is back.”

Ji Yueting said reservedly, “It is indeed a very fateful coincidence.”

“Since you are old classmates, you must be very well-acquainted. In my opinion, why don’t we let Xiao Chi show Mr. Ji around?”

Director Fang made the decision, and Yan Chi naturally had no objection. However, there was another party involved who had not spoken, so Yan Chi asked proactively, “What does Mr. Ji think? I am quite familiar with this place. Wherever you want to go, I will take you.”

The summer cicadas began to chirp in the trees. Ji Yueting nodded readily. “Then I will trouble Teacher Xiao Chi to lead the way.”

The sun was strong outside, and aside from a few trees, there was no other cover. Yan Chi had developed a thin layer of sweat. He urged the little ones to go back inside to hide from the heat while he took the box from Qin Siming’s hand, intending to leave the items downstairs first.

“Do you have work to do here as well?” Ji Yueting asked.

“I have a project in collaboration with the orphanage,” Yan Chi said. “I made some soothing aromatherapy for the children. I brought samples today and plan to put them in their bedrooms to try them out first.”

Ji Yueting’s gaze bypassed Qin Siming, who was half a head shorter than him, and landed on Yan Chi’s fair neck, which was glistening with sweat. “Let’s go set them out for the children first. Shall I accompany you?”

An extra person to help was always good. Yan Chi nodded and walked inside. “Follow me. Their rooms are all upstairs. There is no elevator here, so I will have to trouble you to climb a few flights of stairs.”

Ji Yueting stepped up to follow. He had long legs and took large strides, catching up to Yan Chi in just a few steps. The Alpha’s broad back followed closely behind, almost entirely obscuring the Beta in front of him.

To the side, Qin Siming realized his position was gone after a momentary lapse in focus. He was a straightforward person and felt that something was not quite right. Just as he was about to follow them, he was pulled back into the office by Director Fang to organize some files.

The children’s rooms were on the fourth floor. Yan Chi had only taken a few steps out when the protruding bone of his left shoulder was lightly pressed down. He turned around, and Ji Yueting’s high bridge of the nose and aggressive features came into view. The distance was so close that the sight of this face made Yan Chi feel a bit dazed. “What is… wrong?”

Ji Yueting pointed to the box he was carrying. “Is it heavy? Shall I help you carry it?”

“It is actually alright.”

However, as soon as the words left his mouth, the box was taken by the Alpha.

“I will take it. Let’s go.” Ji Yueting’s arm naturally pressed against Yan Chi’s lower back. The heat penetrated through the cotton fabric, bringing a sense of unfamiliarity that made the patch of skin where he was touched feel numb.

Yan Chi instinctively quickened his pace. The windows in the hallway were small, and his back became even wetter.

Before long, the two arrived at their destination. The room was very tidy. It was clear that these children took great care in organizing it. Although the quilts at the foot of the beds were a bit crooked, they were at least folded into squares.

Time was tight, so Yan Chi had brought a limited number of samples this time, only enough for some of the children to try. However, he was not in a hurry; he planned to gather some feedback from the children before making further improvements.

He chose to give the first batch of aromatherapy to the older children. The lack of pheromones had a longer and deeper impact on them; if external intervention were to be used, the effects would be more noticeable.

“Give me the box. I will take the things out.” Yan Chi tucked a strand of slightly long hair behind his ear, knelt down to open the box, and took out several simply packaged, pale purple aromatherapy bottles. Labels were attached to each bottle with the nickname of each child written on them.

After placing the aromatherapy bottles on each of their bedside tables, Yan Chi took out sticky notes and a pen from his pocket. He knelt on one knee and began to write hurriedly, using the bedside table as a surface.

In this posture, his head was lowered, and the hair at the side of his face fell down with gravity. Yan Chi found it to be a nuisance and shook his head to the side, but the hair was not very obedient and quickly fell back down.

“Do not move.” Ji Yueting’s warmth suddenly drew near. A slightly coarse fingertip brushed against the sensitive skin by his ear. “I will help you.”

As he spoke, he helped Yan Chi tidy the unruly strand of hair.

It was so itchy.

Yan Chi could not help but shrink his neck. His breathing slowed down, and he felt his ears grow even hotter. With his attention diverted, he could not focus entirely, so he could only finish writing the sticky notes as quickly as possible.

“The scent of the aromatherapy is very pleasant.” Ji Yueting was in no hurry to leave. He leaned down, seemingly sniffing the air seriously.

The Alpha’s presence was like a wave crashing down, covering Yan Chi’s thin back with an invisible weight that was more scorching than pheromones and impossible to ignore. The distance was too close, and Yan Chi turned his head away uncomfortably. “Please move aside. Let me stand up first.”

Ji Yueting politely stepped back half a pace to give Yan Chi space. But just as Yan Chi was about to exert force, he discovered that his leg had actually gone numb. It was likely due to insufficient blood flow from kneeling for too long.

The situation was a bit awkward. Yan Chi quietly tapped the muscle on the side of his leg. The movement was subtle, and he thought Ji Yueting would not be able to see it.

But unexpectedly, Ji Yueting spoke up. “Is your leg numb?”

“…Yes, I knelt for too long,” Yan Chi looked up at him and had no choice but to tell the truth. “I cannot stand up.”

Meeting that upward gaze, Ji Yueting’s Adam’s apple shifted. Because he was backlit, Yan Chi could not see his expression clearly; he only saw the Alpha reach out his hand, indicating that Yan Chi could take it.

There were actually bedside tables and other supports nearby, but perhaps because the room was too stuffy, Yan Chi’s mind was not quite clear, and he reached for Ji Yueting’s hand without a second thought.

The Alpha’s palm was broad and warm. As soon as Yan Chi placed his hand on it, he was held firmly. Their palms met and their fingers interlocked. A steady pulling force was transmitted along Yan Chi’s forearm, and with only a slight movement of the muscles beneath Ji Yueting’s shirt, he pulled Yan Chi up and helped him stand steady.

Inertia carried him forward, and the further shortened distance made the scent on the Alpha’s body even more distinct. It was not pheromones, nor did it come from any perfume; it was a faint but incredibly strong scent that even Yan Chi could not immediately describe in words.

After providing this small favor, Ji Yueting reached out to help Yan Chi pick up the box. “What did you just write? Is it for the children?”

“I left a few words for them. Otherwise, I am afraid the little ones will cause a fuss later.” The brief moment of closeness was like a gust of wind blowing past, coming and going without a trace. Yan Chi did not think about it further, only focusing on the work at hand. He asked with a bright smile, “My work is finished. Where would Mr. Ji like to go now? I will take you there.”

Mr. Ji. This form of address was strangely formal.

Ji Yueting rubbed the fingertip that had touched Yan Chi’s hair and gave a laugh. “Anywhere is fine. Teacher Xiao Chi, why don’t you lead me starting from the classrooms?”

Yan Chi agreed, suspecting that Ji Yueting’s constant use of the title “Teacher Xiao Chi” was a tease, but he had no evidence.

Ji Yueting stayed half a step behind. Before casually closing the door, he took in the elegant and sharp handwriting on the sticky note on the bedside table.

[To the little cuties -v-]

[This is the aromatherapy Teacher Xiao Chi made for you on the bedside table. You can ask Grandpa Director to light it for ten minutes before you go to bed at night. (PS: Do not light it for too long. Extinguish it before you sleep. You must not play with fire, or you will wet the bed. (PPS: This is very important.))]

[Additionally, Teacher hopes you have sweet dreams. May you see the brightest sun every day when you open your eyes. Be happy every day, and stay safe and healthy.]

[From: Teacher Xiao Chi]

Although the orphanage was old, the interior was decorated very warmly. The blackboards at the back of each classroom were covered with the children’s creations, which were imaginative and limitless.

As Yan Chi walked ahead of Ji Yueting, his heart felt completely at peace. In high school, his background had been publicized everywhere. Everyone knew he had no parents and was an adopted orphan, and Ji Yueting naturally knew as well. If it were the Yan Chi from his student days, he might have felt embarrassed now, but the adult Yan Chi did not.

He had come from an orphanage, but what did that prove? Today, he was more successful than most people he had ever met. His birth was no longer something he needed to hide, and no one dared to make a fuss about it anymore.

“Did you used to study here as well?” Ji Yueting pointed to a corner of the classroom where a painting hung. A childish and rounded character for “Chi” was written in the bottom left corner.

Yan Chi followed his gaze, surprised by Ji Yueting’s keen power of observation to have even seen that. “Yes, I attended classes in this classroom until I was seven. This painting was done during a math class. At that time, our math was taught by Director Fang. I was caught by him for being distracted in class. I thought I would be scolded, but instead, he praised my painting and even helped me frame it.” Yan Chi’s tone was a bit helpless.

“So, the children call you ‘Teacher Xiao Chi’ because you also taught them math here?” Ji Yueting seemed to be fixated on this title.

Yan Chi laughed. “I have taught them. It was a coincidence at first; the math teacher had something to do at home, and since I happened to be there, I thought I would help out. It felt quite wonderful, and I unknowingly kept it up.”

“I see,” Ji Yueting unfastened a button at his collar and pressed on the back of his neck. “They seem to like you very much.”

“You are very likable,” Ji Yueting added with emphasis.

“It is quite normal. Children are the most innocent; they like whoever is good to them,” Yan Chi said, noticing his movements. “Do you feel unwell? Is it too hot?”

Ji Yueting was, after all, a CEO. The fact that he had come in person to conduct a field inspection of a public welfare project had already surprised Yan Chi. Now that he was leading the tour, he naturally had to keep a close eye on this “golden goose” in Director Fang’s eyes to ensure nothing went wrong.

“It is not a big deal. The collar is a bit tight.” Ji Yueting’s tone was calm, and Yan Chi initially thought it was nothing.

However, in the next second, Ji Yueting said, “The suppression patch was accidentally rubbed loose. Yan Chi, would it be convenient for you to help me apply it?”