When Xi Ting opened his eyes, the afternoon sunlight filtered through the window curtains, casting a warm glow on the floor.
As his consciousness returned, a sharp, stinging pain shot through the side of his neck, as if someone had indeed bitten him with just enough force to leave an invisible mark.
The sensation felt too real, even carrying a lingering warmth and a shiver-inducing aftertaste that made his skin prickle with involuntary tremors the moment he woke.
He abruptly raised a hand to cover his neck, but the skin beneath his fingertips was smooth, without any trace of injury.
This wasn’t the first time he’d had such a dream.
This time, he dreamed of a jealous lover—the lover’s relentless biting and the tenderness in their apology. Every detail remained unusually clear in Xi Ting’s memory.
Except for the face of the person in the dream, which remained blurry, as if obscured by a layer of mosaic.
As a staunch materialist, Xi Ting didn’t dwell on it too deeply. He thought it might be due to recent stress or perhaps a belated surge of adolescent restlessness manifesting as erotic dreams. After all, appropriate erotic dreams could indeed relieve stress, so Xi Ting wasn’t overly troubled by it.
It was just that when the lover in the dream became too domineering, the dream itself felt exhausting. Psychology suggested that dreams reflected reality, so perhaps it was precisely because of the immense pressure that the dream’s subject acted out in such a way.
He took a moment to steady himself before sitting up, rubbing his eyes and pressing firmly on the side of his neck where the phantom pain lingered, trying to dispel the annoying illusion.
After spacing out for a while longer, he slowly got out of bed.
He had a riding class in the afternoon.
He walked into the bathroom, where the mirror reflected a young man with slightly disheveled black hair, a few damp strands clinging to his smooth forehead. His eyes still held a trace of lingering moisture, and the corners were tinged with a faint, almost imperceptible blush.
He splashed cold water on his face and began changing into his riding attire.
Objectively speaking, every uniform at Aishelun Noble Academy was exquisitely crafted.
The tailored white stand-collar shirt was buttoned all the way up to just below his Adam’s apple, the fabric crisp and fitting snugly against his slender yet well-defined shoulders, back, and waist.
The dark brown riding breeches perfectly outlined his straight, long legs, tucked neatly into polished black short boots. Xi Ting fastened his own badge last, quickly tidied himself up, and headed downstairs.
As expected, Xi Xing was in the living room on the first floor, frowning at several documents spread out on the coffee table, a cup of long-cold black tea beside him.
The Xi family nominally had two sons—one biological, one adopted.
Xi Ting was the adopted one.
Thanks to the Xi family’s prestigious background and long-standing history, even as an adopted son, Xi Ting was able to attend Aishelun Noble Academy to complete his studies.
Xi Xing was three years older, now in his senior year of university, and had long since begun shouldering the family’s responsibilities. Hearing footsteps, he looked up, his sharp features beneath gold-rimmed glasses a stark contrast to Xi Ting’s softer appearance.
His demeanor was steady, his posture upright, and even after sitting and working for a long time, his school uniform remained impeccably unwrinkled. On his chest, he wore a bright silver badge with a simple, clean design of a crossed sword and shield, edged with delicate iris motifs—the symbol of A-Rank.
“Awake?” Seeing his brother come downstairs, Xi Xing set down his pen and focused his gaze on him. “You don’t look too well. Didn’t sleep properly?”
"No, just had a dream," Xi Ting said vaguely, walking to the bar to pour himself a glass of water. The cool liquid slid down his throat, dispelling the last traces of drowsiness. He then poured a cup of warm water for his perpetually busy older brother. "I have equestrian class this afternoon, so I’ll head out first."
"Mm, be careful," Xi Xing smiled gently, accepting his younger brother’s thoughtful gesture. He lowered his head again, the pen tip scratching softly against the paper, but then seemed to remember something and looked up, calling out to him.
"For some reason, Wen Zheng is in your group. I’ve spoken to the instructor, but I doubt he’ll be able to restrain him. That guy… anyway, try to keep your distance from him."
Xi Ting acknowledged with a soft, "Mm, I know."
Leaving the small villa, Xi Ting walked at a leisurely pace along the central tree-lined avenue.
Flanking the path were aged ginkgo trees, their dense branches and leaves intertwining overhead to form a broad green archway, casting dappled, dancing spots of light.
Passing through the tranquil residential area, the view suddenly opened up. On the pristine marble base of the circular fountain plaza, several jets of water surged upward, refracting tiny, brilliant rainbows in the sunlight.
This was Aishelun Noble Academy—a pyramid that fused ancient traditions, strict etiquette, illustrious lineage, and absolute individual prowess.
Every student who set foot here came from a family of either renowned prestige or staggering wealth. Yet, backgrounds that could command influence in the outside world were merely expensive tickets of admission here.
Academic performance, physical skills, artistic cultivation, social connections, and even the continuous influx of resources and influence from their families—all were incorporated into a complex and rigorous evaluation system. Students were divided into five ranks: S, A, B, C, and D, ultimately materialized as the small badge worn on their chests.
It silently determined everything about one’s place in this school, or rather, this miniature society—including but not limited to the depth of courses accessible, resources available, living conditions, and how others treated you.
The Xi family, which had adopted Xi Ting, was once illustrious, but by his grandfather’s generation, its influence had begun to wane. Students from the family barely qualified for A-Rank status. However, the next heir, Xi Xing, displayed remarkable talent, serving as the academy’s top student for three consecutive terms. The entire family placed high hopes on him, believing he could lead the Xi family to greater heights.
As for Xi Ting, an adopted son with little claim to inheritance, he was relatively well-loved within the Xi family and got along harmoniously with his older brother Xi Xing. Yet, strictly speaking, he was no different from the specially admitted commoners. In Aishelun Noble Academy, where status and influence strictly dictated rank, he could only be rated as D-Rank.
But Xi Ting didn’t mind at all.
He cherished solitude and valued freedom. Setting aside the rigid hierarchy, Aishelun Noble Academy provided top-tier educational resources that fulfilled all his needs, making his campus life richly fulfilling.
Walking past the grand library that blended classical and modern elements, he could faintly hear the intermittent yet still elegant orchestral rehearsals drifting from the nearby concert hall. Passing the climate-controlled botanical garden, the sunlit greenhouse reflected dazzling light, with the silhouettes of exotic flowers and rare plants faintly visible.
Everything was so exquisite, magnificent, and orderly, exuding the superiority of a top-tier institution.
The riding grounds were located on the western side of the academy, adjacent to a vast forest training area that simulated natural terrain. Even before approaching, the scents of dry hay and leather polish drifted on the breeze.
The grounds were exceptionally spacious, with lush green grass trimmed to uniform perfection. Obstacles of varying heights—wooden frames and fences—were arranged in an orderly yet varied layout. In the distance, several rows of long, clean, and stately stables stood, from which came the sounds of snorting, the clip-clop of hooves pawing the ground, and the occasional gentle commands of the trainers.
Many students had already arrived early, scattered across the grounds, speaking in hushed tones. Some were stretching and warming up, while others were receiving their assigned horses from the stable managers.
Xi Ting instantly spotted the figure his brother had warned him to stay away from—Wen Zheng.
It wasn’t intentional, but it was hard not to notice him.
Wen Zheng was mounted on a black horse.
It was clearly a top-tier purebred, its coat gleaming like the finest silk, flowing with a glossy black sheen under the sunlight. Tall and long-limbed, its muscles were full and sleek. At the moment, it was pawing the ground impatiently with its front hooves, exhaling hot breaths, yet it remained under the effortless control of its rider.
Wen Zheng himself was dressed in a flawlessly tailored black riding outfit that matched the elegance of his magnificent horse. His short hair was tousled slightly by the afternoon breeze, a few unruly strands falling across his broad forehead. This softened the haughty air he usually exuded, adding a touch of youthful sharpness and boldness.
A group of students naturally clustered around him, standing on the ground and looking up with an admiring gaze as they chatted and laughed with him. Wen Zheng occasionally turned his head to respond, a faint, aloof smile playing on his lips.
As if guided by some invisible instinct, the moment Xi Ting’s gaze unconsciously drifted over, Wen Zheng suddenly turned his head. His pale blue, ice-like eyes seemed to function like radar, instantly piercing through the crowd and locking firmly onto Xi Ting.
The faint smile on his lips immediately shifted, curling into an expression Xi Ting knew all too well—one of undisguised interest.
Years of experience told Xi Ting that trouble was brewing. He turned on his heel, intending to head in the opposite direction, but it was clearly too late.
Without even finishing his conversation with his companions, Wen Zheng gave a light flick of the reins, urging the tall black horse to amble leisurely toward Xi Ting’s direction. The steady clip-clop of hooves striking the ground carried an imposing, almost oppressive air as they drew closer step by step.
“Well, well.”
Wen Zheng reined in his horse a few steps away from Xi Ting. The black horse snorted, its hot breath nearly brushing against Xi Ting’s front.
Leaning forward slightly, Wen Zheng fixed his gaze on Xi Ting’s face. His voice was clear but deliberately drawn out, carrying an unpleasant, leisurely scrutiny. “Look who it is. Our… dear classmate Xi Ting.”
His eyes swept over Xi Ting like a brush—from his slightly pursed, pale lips to the meticulously buttoned collar of his white shirt, lingering briefly at the waist cinched tightly by the riding jacket, then down to the straight riding pants and boots, before finally returning to Xi Ting’s expressionless face.
“Every time I see you, you’re so… meticulous, little gentleman.” He emphasized the word “meticulous,” making it sound less like praise and more like a subtle mockery.
Xi Ting did not respond, not even sparing a glance, as if what stood before him was nothing but irrelevant air. Years of experience told him that engaging at this moment would only fuel the nuisance further.
He turned and walked straight toward the stables, intending to find his own horse.
What he didn’t know was that this complete disregard stirred Wen Zheng’s nerves more than any verbal retort ever could.
The sound of hooves drew closer from behind, almost brushing against his back. Wen Zheng’s voice came from slightly behind and to the side, lowered yet clearer: “In such a hurry? The Xi family must be growing poorer by the day, not even providing you with a decent horse, forcing you to ride these second-rate ones at school? How about this,” he said with a leisurely tone, “call me ‘brother,’ and I might consider lending you Wu Xue for a try.”
Patience was something Xi Ting had in abundance, and he dismissed all these words as nothing more than noisy background chatter.
Author’s Note:
Originally planned to update every other day, but seeing an extra bookmark—there’s a reader following along!!! Hehe, too excited, I’ll update right away!!