The original pajamas no longer fit, so Chi Shuyi handed Bai Zhou one of his own shirts.
The shirt was large enough to reach Bai Zhou’s knees. After changing, Bai Zhou planned to slip quietly back to his own room, but before he could take more than a step, Chi Shuyi’s arm circled his waist, pulling him close again and setting him right back on the bed.
“Hey, ” Bai Zhou lifted a small fist in protest, but the man caught it easily, brushed his lips over his knuckles, and smiled.
“When your winter break starts, let’s go back to Jinzhou together,” Chi Shuyi murmured.
He pressed his cheek lightly against Bai Zhou’s hand, his voice low and warm, and before Bai Zhou could answer, he tilted his head to place another soft kiss against the back of that small hand.
Jinzhou, the hometown of both the original Bai Zhou and Chi Shuyi. In the novel’s script, that city had meant something else entirely. But thinking about the so-called “original plot” now only made Bai Zhou sigh. The novel’s version of reality was no longer accurate. None of it was.
“What for?” Bai Zhou muttered. His resistance was useless anyway. When Chi Shuyi leaned in once more, clearly intent on stealing another kiss, Bai Zhou narrowed his eyes and, out of mischief, bit him on the face.
The man froze, then laughed softly through the sting.
“Let’s visit Aunt Zhao,” Chi Shuyi said, unbothered. “Or if you’d rather bring her here, that works too.”
He spoke with such ease that Bai Zhou could only stare. Was he really arranging a family meeting this naturally?
“…We’ll talk about it later.”
Normally, avoiding a question was cowardly, but sometimes it was practical.
Unfortunately, Chi Shuyi wasn’t the type to let things slide. His patience for vague answers was nearly nonexistent, and instead of backing off, he leaned in closer, gaze sharpening.
“What does that mean?” His voice dropped a note lower, quiet but edged. “Are you planning to pretend nothing happened?”
Bai Zhou tensed. The man’s tone was calm, but the air around him carried danger.
“What are you talking about?” he asked, trying to sound casual.
Chi Shuyi gave a quiet laugh that didn’t reach his eyes. “Zhou Zhou,” he said softly, “you enjoyed yourself, didn’t you? So what now? You won’t even admit what we are?”
“Chi Shuyi!” Bai Zhou flushed scarlet. “You!”
The man’s reply came close to his ear, his breath brushing warm across his skin. “If you won’t say it,” he whispered, “I’ll have to find my own way to make it official.”
That single sentence sent Bai Zhou’s thoughts scattering.
He pushed at the man’s chest in panic. “Fine! Fine, I admit it! Happy now?”
Chi Shuyi’s laughter was low and pleased. He pressed his forehead lightly against Bai Zhou’s shoulder and murmured, “Then tell me, what are we, exactly?”
Bai Zhou hesitated, words catching in his throat. “Can you… give me some time?”
He needed time, to figure things out, to report back to the system that had suddenly gone silent, to make sense of how everything had spiraled off-script. The plot had derailed completely, and he refused to take all the blame. Where was his ever-reliable system when he needed it most?
Chi Shuyi’s voice came again, softer, more intimate. “But I’m running out of time.”
Bai Zhou shot him a glare. “You’re impossible.”
The man only smiled, unrepentant. When he reached for Bai Zhou’s hand again, Bai Zhou jerked away and snapped, “My wrist still hurts, you know! You really are hopeless!”
Chi Shuyi froze, then sighed and took both of Bai Zhou’s hands gently, rubbing his thumbs over them. He lifted them to his lips and blew lightly as if to ease the ache. Then he tried to kiss them again, only for Bai Zhou to swat him away, face red.
“You’re like a persistent puppy,” Bai Zhou muttered.
“And you… fierce little dinosaur, more like,” Chi Shuyi teased, catching Bai Zhou’s hand mid-swat.
“I’m not!”
“Then maybe a fluffy little bear disguised as a dinosaur?” he said, utterly at ease, clearly delighted by his own observation.
Chi Shuyi knew Bai Zhou’s temper well by now, easygoing on the surface, but sharp and fiery underneath, the kind of person who refused to bow to anyone.
Bai Zhou huffed, at a loss for words. Finally, he threw himself at the man and gave him a harmless little bite on the shoulder.
Chi Shuyi fell back onto the bed with a startled laugh, his breath unsteady. He slid a hand behind Bai Zhou’s neck, allowing the younger man to vent his frustration.
When Bai Zhou lifted his head, the man shifted and easily rolled him onto the mattress, pinning him beneath.
“Chi Shuyi!” Bai Zhou glared up at him, but the man only chuckled, pressing another quick kiss against his temple before finally relenting.
“I’m going to take a shower,” Chi Shuyi said, his voice rougher than usual. “You should rest.”
Before Bai Zhou could respond, he was already tucked firmly back under the blanket, cocooned like a spring roll.
The moment the bathroom door closed, Bai Zhou exhaled in relief. At last, a reprieve.
‘System! If you don’t come back online, everything’s going to collapse!’ he shouted inwardly.
A crisp tone chimed in his mind. Ding!
The system’s calm voice finally returned. [What happened?]
“You’re finally back!” Bai Zhou groaned, half exasperated, half relieved. He poured out everything that had happened over the night in a rush, ending with a helpless sigh. “Where were you all this time? If you’d been here, things wouldn’t have gone so wrong!”
The system was silent for a while. Just as Bai Zhou started to think it had crashed again, a faint glow appeared before him, threads of deep blue data swirling together until they formed a vague, human-shaped silhouette.
“I underwent an upgrade,” the system said evenly.
Bai Zhou blinked, staring at the figure. “So… this is you?”
He reached out tentatively. His fingers passed through the glowing form, and streams of blue data curled warmly around his fingertips.
“Yes,” the system replied. “But this is the best I can do for now. My current level isn’t sufficient for a complete reconstruction.”
The implication was clear: someday, it could appear entirely human.
For the first time, Bai Zhou truly grasped the nature of this world. Everything here, every person, every object, was made of data. Everything except him.
He was the only one that was real.
He took a deep breath. Don’t overthink it, he told himself. It’s all just a program.
“The storyline’s deviation might be due to incomplete world stabilization,” the system continued. “Just follow the task as usual.”
“Alright,” Bai Zhou said. Then, hesitating, he added, “But… Can you go back to talking in my head? Having you stand in front of me feels strange.”
The blue figure flickered slightly, as if surprised. “You… don’t like my new form?”
“No, that’s not it!” Bai Zhou said quickly. “It’s just… awkward.”
After all, Chi Shuyi was currently in the bathroom, and standing right beside his bed was a holographic figure whispering in his mind. It was absurd.
The system seemed to process that for a moment before its image shimmered and began to fade.
“Would you prefer I take the shape of a small animal?” it asked. “A cat or a dog, perhaps?”
“I don’t mind either,” Bai Zhou said honestly. “You were fine as you were.”
“Understood,” the system replied simply.
Before Bai Zhou could redirect the conversation, he sighed. “The male lead wants to confirm our relationship. What am I supposed to do?”
The system’s answer was cool and instant. “He’s not worthy.”
Bai Zhou blinked: …Did something get corrupted in your core files?
Deciding that the system was no longer reliable, Bai Zhou resigned himself to handling things on his own.
Since everything here was made of data, he reasoned, there was no need to be overly anxious. It was just a simulation, a game.
With that thought, the tension left his body. He sprawled lazily across the wide bed, feeling his muscles melt into the soft sheets.
For all his complaints, Chi Shuyi’s care wasn’t bad at all. Bai Zhou’s body felt weightless, relaxed, as if floating in warmth.
He was half asleep when the bathroom door opened and Chi Shuyi returned, still carrying a faint scent of steam and clean soap.
The man gathered the half-drowsy Bai Zhou into his arms, smiling as Bai Zhou instinctively burrowed closer. The younger man’s hand slid across his abdomen, fingers brushing faintly against firm muscle before settling there comfortably. Within moments, he had drifted back to sleep.
Chi Shuyi chuckled softly, brushing a kiss across Bai Zhou’s cheek before switching off the bedside lamp.
Across the city, another man sat awake in the dark.
Fu Linyi stared at the empty space beside him, eyes fixed on the message thread on his phone that remained unread. The quiet hum of the city outside only made the silence heavier.
Dawn filtered through the thin curtains, scattering faint light across a neatly made but lonely bed.
Meanwhile, sunlight spilled over tangled sheets and the sleeping figure of a boy curled beneath them. Bai Zhou’s face was peaceful, his lashes casting pale shadows on his skin.
The alarm shattered the stillness.
Groaning, Bai Zhou reached blindly for his phone, but before he could find it, someone pressed it into his hand.
When he opened his eyes, he met a pair of smiling ones above him.
“Good morning,” Chi Shuyi said, fully dressed, his tone light.
Seeing Bai Zhou’s sleepy expression, he couldn’t resist reaching out, cupping the boy’s face and planting a quick kiss on his forehead. Before Bai Zhou could react, Chi Shuyi had already stepped back, laughing softly. “I’ll bring breakfast.”
Bai Zhou silenced the alarm, blinked himself awake, and checked the time on his phone. Instantly, sleep fled.
Monday.
He sat bolt upright.
Racing through his morning routine, he threw on his clothes and thundered downstairs, still wearing his slippers.
“Drive me to school, quick!”
Chi Shuyi caught him by the waist before he could reach the door, laughing. “Relax. Training’s over. You only have afternoon classes today.”
He smoothed down Bai Zhou’s messy hair with practiced ease, his expression amused. “See? I told you.”
Bai Zhou blinked, finally exhaling. “How do you even know my schedule?”
“I memorized it,” Chi Shuyi replied easily. “Preparation matters.”
Bai Zhou rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at his lips.
Over breakfast, he messaged his system. Next world, no early mornings or military training, please.
[Approved] the system answered.
That afternoon, Chi Shuyi offered to drive him again, but Bai Zhou refused firmly and took a taxi on his own.
He reached the classroom ten minutes early. Only a few students had arrived.
By the window sat Fu Linyi. Bai Zhou slung his bag over his shoulder and jogged toward him.
“You’re back,” Fu Linyi said quietly. His voice was rough, his eyes shadowed with fatigue, as if he hadn’t slept all night.
“You didn’t rest?” Bai Zhou asked, frowning.
Fu Linyi didn’t answer right away. His gaze lingered on Bai Zhou’s collarbone where his shirt had slipped slightly. His tone was steady, but there was a sharpness beneath it.
“You didn’t come home last night,” he said.
“It was late,” Bai Zhou replied honestly. “I stayed at Shuyi ge’s place.”
Fu Linyi’s voice remained even. “And you didn’t reply to my messages.”
Bai Zhou opened his mouth to explain, but then Fu Linyi’s eyes narrowed slightly, and his next words came quiet, almost too soft to hear.
“You came back smelling like him.”
✦ ✧ ✦
Vynellia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
Every small bit of support means something to the person behind the translation.
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
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ChaptersChapter 1 · Green Tea Bun (1)Chapter 2 · Green Tea Bun (2)Chapter 3 · Green Tea Bun (3)Chapter 4 · Green Tea Bun (4)Chapter 5 · Green Tea Bun (5)Chapter 6 · Green Tea Bun (6)Chapter 7 · Green Tea Bun (7)Chapter 8 · Green Tea Bun (8)Chapter 9 · Green Tea Bun (9)Chapter 10 · Green Tea Bun (10)Chapter 11 · Green Tea Bun (11)Chapter 12 · Green Tea Bun (12)Chapter 13 · Green Tea Bun (13)Chapter 14 · Green Tea Bun (14)Chapter 15 · Green Tea Bun (15)Chapter 16 · Green Tea Bun (16)Chapter 17 · Green Tea Bun (17)Chapter 18 · Green Tea Bun (18)Chapter 19 · Green Tea Bun (19)Chapter 20 · Green Tea Bun (20)Chapter 21 · Green Tea Bun (21)Chapter 22 · Green Tea Bun (22)Chapter 23 · Green Tea Bun (23)Chapter 24 Part 1 · Green Tea Bun (24)Chapter 24 Part 2 · Green Tea Bun (24)Chapter 25 · Green Tea Bun (25)Chapter 26 · Green Tea Bun (26)Chapter 27 · Green Tea Bun (27)Chapter 28 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (1)Chapter 29 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (2)Chapter 30 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (3)Chapter 32 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (5)Chapter 33 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (6)Chapter 34 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (7)Chapter 35 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (8)Chapter 36 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (9)Chapter 37 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (10)Chapter 38 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (11)Chapter 39 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (12)Chapter 40 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (13)Chapter 41 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (14)Chapter 42 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (15)Chapter 43 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (16)Chapter 44 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (17)Chapter 45 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (18)Chapter 46 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (19)Chapter 47 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (20)Chapter 48 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (21)Chapter 49 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (22)Chapter 50 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (23)Chapter 51 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (24)Chapter 52 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (25)Chapter 53 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (26)Chapter 54 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (1)Chapter 55 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (2)Chapter 56 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (3)Chapter 57 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (4)Chapter 58 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (5)Chapter 59 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (6)Chapter 60 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (7)Chapter 61 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (8)Chapter 62 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (9)Chapter 63 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (10)Chapter 64 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (11)Chapter 65 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (12)Chapter 66 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (13)Chapter 67 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (14)Chapter 68 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (15)Chapter 69 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (16)Chapter 70 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (17)Chapter 71 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (18)Chapter 72 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (19)Chapter 73 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (20)Chapter 74 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (21)Chapter 75 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (22)Chapter 76 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (23)Chapter 77 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (24)Chapter 78 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (25)Chapter 79 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (26)Chapter 80 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (27)Chapter 81 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (28)Chapter 82 · Apocalyptic Lord (1)Chapter 83 · Apocalyptic Lord (2)Chapter 84 · Apocalyptic Lord (3)Chapter 85 · Apocalyptic Lord (4)Chapter 86 · Apocalyptic Lord (5)Chapter 87 · Apocalyptic Lord (6)Chapter 88 · Apocalyptic Lord (7)Chapter 89 · Apocalyptic Lord (8)Chapter 90 · Apocalyptic Lord (9)Chapter 91 · Apocalyptic Lord (10)Chapter 92 · Apocalyptic Lord (11)Chapter 93 · Apocalyptic Lord (12)Chapter 94 · Apocalyptic Lord (13)Chapter 96 · Apocalyptic Lord (15)Chapter 97 · Apocalyptic Lord (16)Chapter 98 · Apocalyptic Lord (17)Chapter 99 · Apocalyptic Lord (18)Chapter 100 · Apocalyptic Lord (19)Chapter 101 · Apocalyptic Lord (20)Chapter 102 · Apocalyptic Lord (21)Chapter 103 · Apocalyptic Lord (22)Chapter 104 · Apocalyptic Lord (22)Chapter 105 · Apocalyptic Lord (24)Chapter 106 · The Real World (1)Chapter 107 · The Real World (2)Chapter 108 · Extra 1