Ci Mei’s body stiffened.
His gaze was like a snake lurking in the jungle, cold and full of inquiry. The faint purple glow in those eyes was like an invisible frost, chilling Ci Mei to the bone for a split second.
The nickname “Little Darling” was affectionate, but coming from him, it inexplicably carried an extra layer of teasing.
Seeing that Ci Mei still had not answered and was just standing there in a daze, Old Earl Wis尔 spoke in a somewhat odd tone: “My child, are you not the closest to His Majesty? He is talking to you, do not just stand there foolishly.”
With that, Old Earl Wis尔 motioned for Ci Mei to sit in the seat between him and Xi Men.
Ci Mei felt as though every cell in his entire body was resisting.
Xi Men was noncommittal regarding Old Earl Wis尔’s gesture.
Sitting at the end of the sofa with his legs crossed, he did not participate in the surrounding people’s discussions about his ruling capital, instead watching the struggling, conflicted beautiful youth before him with keen interest.
His figure was reflected in the youth’s rounded, clear pupils. His full, rosy lips were slightly pursed, his brows lightly furrowed, and his obedient, exquisite face looked somewhat distressed.
He looked pitiful and lovable.
Xi Men closed his eyes slightly, concealing the naked straightforwardness in the depths of his gaze.
Ci Mei ultimately yielded to the gazes constantly cast over from the surrounding people and sat down between the two of them.
As soon as Ci Mei sat down, Old Earl Wis尔 turned to the side to chat and laugh with the person next to him, completely ignoring Ci Mei whom he had just pulled over.
Feeling the faint, benevolent gazes from all around, yet looking around and not recognizing a single person, Ci Mei thought: “…”
So, so awkward.
It instantly brought back the dream-like horror of visiting relatives during the Spring Festival in the real world.
Thinking about this, Ci Mei subconsciously straightened his posture. Beneath his oversized jacket, his fingers twisted his hem, his fair, pinkish fingers exposing his nervousness.
Xi Men took all of this in, a trace of strangeness flashing through his heart as he found it amusing: “Little Darling, what are you nervous about?”
He was already sitting close to Ci Mei. When he turned his head, the distance suddenly shortened, and speaking slowly, his voice was low and hoarse. His hot breath felt like a hook, scratching lightly at Ci Mei’s auricle, raising a thin layer of red.
It was almost as if he were doing it on purpose.
Uncomfortable, Ci Mei tilted his head away. With a look that was half-resentful, half-spoiled, he gazed at Xi Men with those slightly damp eyes and replied in a similarly lowered voice: “I am afraid they will ask me if I remember who they are.”
Xi Men: “…”
Xi Men was inevitably somewhat puzzled, what was there to be afraid of about that?
No one would ever dare ask the emperor if he remembered who they were, and even if he did not remember, there were plenty of people willing to tell him. Therefore, Xi Men had never experienced the ritual of having to recognize all seven aunts and eight uncles.
He did not quite understand, but he just nodded and comforted him offhandedly: “Do not be nervous, they would not dare ask.”
Ci Mei: ! So this is what having a backing feels like.
The youth’s fair, pretty face revealed a bit of reliance and trust, looking foolishly cute.
Xi Men stared steadily for a moment, then suddenly let out an amused laugh and asked, “What do you think of Pei Huai, the new transfer student who just joined your academy?”
Ci Mei fell silent for a fraction of a second, then let out a light huff: “Not as good as me.”
Like a smug little brat.
Xi Men’s long, narrow, dark purple eyes half-closed, making his emotions unreadable. His tone was bantering: “Hmm? So the flowers he conjures are uglier than the little flowers Little Darling conjures?”
Ci Mei: “…”
The original host was a plant-magic major, but because he always slacked off during classes, students in the same department could already summon high-attack plants like man-eating flowers, whereas Ci Mei could only conjure pretty little flowers that looked nice but were completely useless.
Ci Mei’s face slumped, his voice sounding somewhat muffled: “Xi Men, you are so annoying.”