Moonlight filtered through the lattice window, spilling into Shen Yanchu’s study and casting a warm, golden glow across the room. Shen Yanchu’s brush struggled across the paper, the handwriting as chaotic and disordered as his current state of mind. He let out a soft sigh, his heart filled with helpless resignation.
“At this rate, even I will not be able to recognize my own handwriting,” Shen Yanchu muttered as he looked at the wild, cursive scrawl before him, unable to resist a helpless smile. That smile was like a spring breeze, carrying a hint of self-deprecation and carefree indifference.
Right at that moment, a light and rhythmic knock sounded gently at the door, as if the visitor was afraid of startling anyone inside. Shen Yanchu remained completely still, not even lifting his head as he simply said in a calm tone, “Come in.” His voice was not loud, but it carried clearly to whoever stood outside.
The door pushed open slowly, and Ji Yanche walked inside holding a neatly stacked pile of copied papers. Every single character was arranged with precision, looking as neat and uniform as printed text.
He approached Shen Yanchu’s desk, gently set the stack of papers down, and straightened up. A trace of imperceptible amusement flashed in his eyes as he smiled at Shen Yanchu and said, “Xiao Chu, I copied these for you.”
Hearing this, Shen Yanchu finally raised his head to glance at the stack of papers on the desk. His gaze swept over the immaculate handwriting before the corners of his mouth twitched upward into a faint smile. “Thanks.”
Yet Ji Yanche made no move to leave. Instead, he planted both hands on the edge of the desk and leaned forward slightly, closing the distance between them.
His deep gaze locked onto Shen Yanchu, radiating an ambiguous aura. In a soft and teasing tone, he asked, “Xiao Chu, is a simple thank-you all I get? How do you plan to reward me?”
Shen Yanchu looked up, meeting Ji Yanche’s profound eyes, and felt a slight flutter in his chest. A cunning streak hid within Ji Yanche’s gaze, making him look like a fox plotting against its prey.
“Yanche, are you trying to take advantage of my predicament?” Shen Yanchu feigned composure, attempting to defuse the awkward tension.
Ji Yanche leaned in even closer, a dark, calculating smile tugging at his lips. “Xiao Chu, you know I never do business at a loss. Helping you copy all of this requires some form of return, does it not?”
Shen Yanchu’s large eyes rolled swiftly as a thought flashed across his mind like lightning.
Sneakily leaning in close to Ji Yanche’s ear, he lowered his voice and whispered, “I am telling you, that Su Rongyu fellow absolutely loves playing the forceful tyrant route.” With that, he did not forget to wink at Ji Yanche, acting as though he had just divulged a state secret.
Hearing this, Ji Yanche offered a helpless smile, thinking to himself, Why does she always use Su Rongyu as a shield for everything?
Yet right as he pondered this, a subtle pause flickered in his eyes, accompanied by a quiet trace of playfulness. He let out a soft laugh, his amusement carrying both exasperation and lightheartedness, clearly won over by Shen Yanchu’s little diversion.
Moments later, Ji Yanche gently pushed Shen Yanchu aside, a half-smile touching his lips. “Regardless, you now owe me a massive favor.”
The moment those words left his mouth, he turned with practiced nonchalance and strode away, leaving Shen Yanchu standing in place and staring blankly at his departing back.
Right at that instant, Jiang Siwang, who had been hiding outside the door all along, tiptoed into the room.
Looking with burning indignation toward the direction Ji Yanche had departed, he fumed, “Well, look at you, Ji Yanche! How dare you sneak around taking advantage of our little Yanchu when no one is watching! Too much! Don’t pay that guy any mind, Yanchu darling. I will have a few Demon Realm experts come help you write these tomorrow, and I guarantee they will look fantastic!”
Seemingly hearing those words from afar, Ji Yanche did not even bother turning his head as he tossed back a single line: “Lacks sincerity.” With that, he continued striding forward and vanished from sight in a flash.
Seeing Ji Yanche walk away with such nonchalant grace, Jiang Siwang felt his dissatisfaction ignite like a powder keg, exploding instantly. He refused to let anyone bully Shen Yanchu, not even the notoriously calculating Ji Yanche.
“Ji Yanche, you stop right there!” Anger lacing his voice, Jiang Siwang bolted in pursuit, determined to demand justice for Shen Yanchu.
Hearing Jiang Siwang’s shout, Ji Yanche paused his steps for a fraction of a second before turning slowly around. A faint smile hung on his lips, as though he cared nothing for Jiang Siwang’s fury.
“What is it, Jiang Siwang? Do you intend to start a fight here?” Ji Yanche’s voice remained level, though his eyes flashed with blatant provocation.
Provoked past his limit by Ji Yanche’s words and attitude, and already harboring a deep grudge against him, Jiang Siwang threw caution to the wind and swung a punch straight at Ji Yanche’s face. Ji Yanchu dodged effortlessly, a gleam of amusement flashing in his eyes as he found Jiang Siwang’s impulsiveness entertaining.
The two instantly began exchanging blows right in the middle of Shen Yanchu’s courtyard. Jiang Siwang pressed the offensive with fierce intensity, but given Ji Yanche’s superior cultivation, he easily parried every attack while slipping in timely counterstrikes.
Watching the two battle it out, Shen Yanchu figured that when city gates catch fire, nearby fish get scorched. If he did not slip away now, when would he? Grabbing his pillow with practiced efficiency, he sneaked off to Xie Huaizhou’s room.
Meanwhile, a vastly different scene played out inside Su Rongyu’s quarters. Candlelight flickered within, casting long and short shadows of the two occupants across the walls.
“Senior Brother Su, listen to that! The commotion outside is starting up again. Talk about lively!” Jihe cooed, her expressive eyes sparkling with curiosity as she perked up her ears, eager to catch any additional sounds drifting in from outside.
Initially, Jihe had resolved to completely slack off during the upcoming grand examination, but after much deliberation, she decided such a strategy was unwise. Thus, taking advantage of the deep night before dawn broke, she had sprinted over to Su Rongyu’s room, begging him for guidance and help in outlining the key exam topics.
Su Rongyu looked at her with helpless resignation, gently shaking his head as he offered a wry smile. “Junior Sister Jihe, please keep your focus. Look at this, you have not even gotten halfway through the textbook.”
Lifting his right hand, he tapped Jihe lightly on the forehead with a stern warning in his voice, “If Elder Huiming discovers you are being this unfocused when the time comes, you are going to be in for a world of pain.”
Yet far from being frightened by the reprimand, Jihe rewarded him with a sweet smile, revealing two shallow dimples that made her look as lovely as blooming spring flowers. A hint of cunning mischief danced in her smile, showing she cared little for Su Rongyu’s warnings.
As expected of the male lead I wrote, even when he gets angry, he is this handsome and gentle, Jihe thought with a quiet giggle of amusement.