Chapter 20
The car stopped at the school entrance. After getting out of the driver’s seat, Yan Zhimo walked around to the passenger side, opened the door for Jian Anmian, and took his hand as he helped him out.
Special Assistant Yuwen and two bodyguards in black uniforms got out from the back seat. Under Yuwen Chi’s direction, the bodyguards collected Jian Anmian’s luggage and silently followed Yan Zhimo and Jian Anmian through the school gates.
It was freshman registration day, and the school didn’t allow cars inside. New students and their parents had to find their own way to transport all their luggage.
The tree-lined roads were packed with parents bringing their children to school. The freshmen wore youthful faces filled with anticipation, sweating profusely as they dragged their luggage while looking around curiously. Volunteers in red vests enthusiastically welcomed the new students and their parents, tirelessly boasting again and again about their school’s long history and how incredibly impressive it was.
Just then, two tall men wearing sunglasses and black suits, looking like gangsters from a television drama, approached in silence, each carrying two suitcases.
Behind them walked a tall, handsome man whose extraordinary bearing was apparent at first glance.
The man wore an expensive black suit and sunglasses that concealed his eyes. Yet his high nose bridge, prominent, sharply defined brow bones, and cold, thin lips revealed his powerful presence and aloof temperament.
And yet this intimidating man carefully held the hand of a frail, sickly-looking boy in one palm while attentively holding an umbrella over him with the other.
The boy wore a mask that obscured his face, but the visible portions of his skin were as white as snow, and his lowered eyelashes were long and thick. He held the man’s hand nervously, his obedient demeanor filled with dependence and admiration for the man.
Almost instantly, everyone within a five-meter radius fell silent. They simultaneously retreated to either side and instinctively lowered their heads to clear a path. Only after the group had passed did they curiously raise their heads and begin gossiping excitedly.
“Holy shit, who are they?”
“What a grand entrance!”
“Fuck, bodyguards! I’ve only ever seen them on TV. Which family’s young master is here to attend school?”
Jian Anmian was so embarrassed that his toes practically curled into the ground. He desperately wanted to hide his face in the man’s chest. This was far too humiliating!
Yan Zhimo had long grown accustomed to other people’s stares and felt nothing whatsoever. He glanced sideways at Jian Anmian, the corners of his lips involuntarily curving upward.
The little puppy was so shy and clingy. Every time they went out, he had to press close against Yan Zhimo, utterly devoid of any sense of security and deathly afraid of people.
How could such a delicate little puppy possibly survive without him?
Yan Zhimo savored the boy’s dependence and comforted him gently. “Don’t be afraid. They can’t touch you.”
“That’s not it…” Jian Anmian shook his head miserably, looking as though he was about to cry.
It was true that nobody could touch him, but didn’t Yan Zhimo realize how incredibly conspicuous they looked?!
His social anxiety was going to kill him! Sob, sob!
Yan Zhimo froze, apparently realizing that they looked like black-clad underlings clearing a path for a gang boss. He told the bodyguards ahead of them, “Walk behind us.”
“Yes, President Yan.”
The black-clad bodyguards therefore moved from in front of them to behind them.
Now it looked like a gang boss patrolling his territory with his black-clad underlings.
Jian Anmian: “…”
Yuwen Chi: “…”
Yan Zhimo froze, then said, “Perhaps you should walk on either side of us.”
“Yes, President Yan.”
The black-clad bodyguards moved from behind them to either side.
Now it still looked like a gang boss patrolling his territory with his black-clad underlings.
Yan Zhimo covered his face and waved a hand. “…Stay farther away from us.”
“Yes, President Yan.”
The black-clad bodyguards moved several meters away.
As a result, the empty space surrounding them expanded by several more meters as well.
Jian Anmian: “…”
Yuwen Chi: “…”
Yan Zhimo: “…”
Jian Anmian inhaled softly, his face crimson as he abruptly clutched the man’s arm, nearly losing his balance.
Yan Zhimo asked anxiously, “Mianmian, what’s wrong? Do you have heatstroke?”
“No.” Jian Anmian’s face was so red it was about to explode. Covering it with one hand in despair, he trembled as he said, “It’s just too embarrassing. Sob, sob.”
He was about to stop breathing!
Yan Zhimo: “…”
A solution occurred to Yuwen Chi in his desperation, and he hurriedly said, “President Yan, why don’t I take them ahead to wait for you? Once you arrive, we can all go upstairs together.”
Maintaining his domineering-CEO demeanor, Yan Zhimo nodded. “Fine. Go on ahead. I’ll take Mianmian to register and collect his key first, then we’ll meet downstairs at the dormitory.”
After the bodyguards left, the situation improved considerably.
Although the man was so extraordinarily handsome that they still attracted plenty of attention…
At least they no longer had to worry about the alarmed campus security guards mistaking them for criminals and arresting them!
…
A little over ten minutes later, the group met downstairs at the dormitory.
The bodyguards carried the suitcases upstairs with brisk, powerful strides.
Unfortunately, Jian Anmian’s room was on the fifth floor, the highest floor in the entire building.
After climbing two flights, Jian Anmian began panting softly. A few more steps made his heart race as well, so he could only slow down as much as possible and climb at an unhurried pace. A journey that an ordinary person could finish in a few minutes was forcibly stretched several times longer by Jian Anmian.
Yan Zhimo showed no impatience whatsoever. Instead, he supported Jian Anmian with concern, his dry palm resting gently against Jian Anmian’s slender back as he complained unhappily, “What kind of lousy school is this? How poor must they be that they can’t even afford an elevator in such a tall building?”
Jian Anmian’s eyes widened in disbelief.
This was one of the country’s top universities, yet the man had actually called it a lousy school!
With his brows tightly furrowed, Yan Zhimo said disdainfully yet domineeringly, “It’s time someone sponsored a few elevators for this broke-ass excuse for a school.”
Jian Anmian: “…”
As expected of you, domineering CEO.
…
By the time Jian Anmian finally persuaded Yan Zhimo to abandon the idea of buying elevators, they had unknowingly arrived at the dormitory door.
Yan Zhimo unlocked it with the key.
The bodyguards carried the suitcases inside, then silently and efficiently began cleaning the room.
A boy crouching on the floor and unpacking his luggage raised his head in confusion. Seeing a crowd suddenly enter the room—including two tall, muscular thugs in suits—his first reaction was to suck in a terrified breath.
The next second, however, he composed himself and adopted an extremely serious expression. Rising to his feet, he greeted them coolly. “Hello. My name is Mu Ziweng. I’m from the School of Physical Education.”
“Hello, I’m Jian Anmian, from the Literature Department.” Jian Anmian hurriedly removed his mask out of politeness and nervously rubbed his hands against the seams of his trousers, hesitating over whether to shake his new roommate’s hand.
But he had just come in from outside, and his palms were sweaty. Wouldn’t shaking hands be awkward?
Fortunately, his new roommate had no intention of shaking hands either. He nodded coldly, then crouched down again, awkwardly folding his large body into a small ball as he silently resumed unpacking.
Jian Anmian: “…”
Strange. He seemed to detect the familiar aura of a fellow socially anxious person from his new roommate.
Yan Zhimo walked over to Mu Ziweng, who was crouching on the floor and covertly sneaking glances at them, and said politely, “Hello. Mianmian is in poor health and needs to take medication regularly. He’s also allergic to many things. I may have to trouble you to look after him in the future.”
His features were sharply defined, and his bearing was elegant and proper, his entire presence radiating the composure and authority of a mature man.
Mu Ziweng shot to his feet, his face flushing bright red. After a long while, he knitted his brows tightly and forced out a muffled, “Mm.”
Jian Anmian: “…”
He seemed to have discovered something remarkable!
Yan Zhimo looked around and asked, “Are you the only one here? Where are the others?”
Mu Ziweng lowered his eyes, his voice deep. “…It’s just me. The others haven’t arrived yet.”
Yan Zhimo nodded and took out his phone. “Let’s exchange contact information. I may need to ask you about Mianmian’s situation at school in the future.”
Mu Ziweng didn’t dare refuse. His new little roommate’s guardian had such a powerful, intimidating presence. Although he genuinely didn’t want to casually add a stranger on WeChat, he still steeled himself, took out his phone, obediently opened his QR code, and held it out.
“Are you his older brother?” Mu Ziweng instinctively typed “Jian Anmian’s guardian” as the contact note.
He never paid attention to business or finance, so he didn’t recognize Yan Zhimo’s face.
Yan Zhimo glanced at Jian Anmian, who had instinctively looked over, then curved his lips into a smile. “I’m his husband.”
Mu Ziweng: “!!!”
Seeing his new roommate looking so shocked, Jian Anmian shyly lowered his head, resembling a bashful young wife.
Mu Ziweng was stunned by that title.
His new roommate, who looked so delicate and tiny… was actually someone’s wife?!
Although same-sex marriage was legal, it was still relatively uncommon. Besides, how old were they now?
Married as soon as he reached adulthood—didn’t that mean they also had to do that?
Th-this-this was far too… lewd! /////
At that exact moment, Mu Ziweng accidentally met Jian Anmian’s pitch-black eyes. Whatever he imagined caused his face to turn instantly scarlet. No longer daring to look at Jian Anmian, he turned his tall body around and hid behind his bed curtains.
Jian Anmian: “…”
…
Yan Zhimo personally helped Jian Anmian unpack, while Yuwen Chi efficiently stepped in whenever appropriate to assist him.
Their dormitory had a standard loft-bed-and-desk configuration. A ladder ran along the side of the wardrobe, while a partially enclosed desk stood directly beneath the bed.
As Yan Zhimo put things into the wardrobe and drawers, he carefully explained their locations to Jian Anmian and told him to remember them. He particularly emphasized that the enormous case filled with medicine had to remain locked and carefully hidden at all times.
Once they had finished unpacking the suitcases, Yan Zhimo wiped down the chair and firmly pressed Jian Anmian into it. He then climbed onto the bed to hang the bed curtains for him.
Because the boy loved sleeping, Yan Zhimo had specially chosen these starry-blue bed curtains, covered in a brilliant, glittering sea of stars that looked both magnificent and serene.
The three-piece bedding set was patterned with stars and clouds. Yan Zhimo had also brought the floppy puppy plush from home, placing it soft and cuddly beside the pillow once more.
Finally, he clipped a small star-shaped lamp to the railing beside the bed and hung a little basket outside the bed curtains for tissues and other small items. He had considered every last detail.
Once everything had been arranged, Yan Zhimo stepped back and admired his handiwork with satisfaction.
Merely imagining the beautiful boy sleeping soundly every night inside the warm little nest he had personally arranged filled Yan Zhimo with a strange sense of satisfaction.
…
Once Special Assistant Yuwen and the bodyguards finished helping, they quietly withdrew, intending to wait for Yan Zhimo outside on the first floor and leaving Yan Zhimo and Jian Anmian alone for their final farewell.
Before leaving, Yan Zhimo stroked Jian Anmian’s head, his deep voice unbelievably gentle. “Good boy, take good care of yourself at school. You don’t need to participate in military training—I’ve already spoken to the school. I’ve arranged for the nearest restaurant to provide your three daily meals. Someone will deliver them every day, and the dorm supervisor will let them inside. Just wait in your room and open the door. Don’t eat anything from the cafeteria. It would be terrible if you accidentally had an allergic reaction. The weather has been very hot lately, so stay in your room and rest whenever you have nothing to do. Don’t run around everywhere, or you might get heatstroke. If anyone at school bullies you or you feel unwell, call me.”
“I understand, Mr. Yan.” Jian Anmian gazed at the man’s gentle features. Thinking of how meticulously the man had arranged everything for him, his heart softened, and a powerful sense of reluctance to part suddenly welled inside him.
The man had already accompanied him for two full months since he transmigrated into the novel.
Although the man truly was domineering and forceful and always enjoyed teasing him, he was still gentle most of the time. He was handsome and powerful and gave Jian Anmian an immense sense of security. Yet now, Jian Anmian suddenly had to leave him and begin living alone.
If possible, he didn’t want this kind of freedom at all.
He merely wanted to lie inside a small, enclosed nest for the rest of his life, doing nothing as he ate, slept, and waited for death.
Yan Zhimo pinched Jian Anmian’s cheek. “You’ll still come home on Saturdays and Sundays. I’ll visit whenever I have time.”
“All right. Goodbye, Mr. Yan.” Jian Anmian followed closely behind him to the stairwell and watched helplessly as the man descended. He waved longingly, resembling a reluctant little puppy whose owner was sending him away to be fostered elsewhere.
Yan Zhimo stood at the bottom of the stairs and silently looked up at Jian Anmian through the row of railings.
The boy wore the clothes Yan Zhimo had personally chosen, both hands clutching the railing. His lips drooped, the light in his shining eyes dimmed, and his face looked utterly miserable. Yan Zhimo could almost see the drooping ears atop his head and the tail hanging dejectedly behind him.
The sunlight from the rooftop descended from the vast sky like Cupid’s golden arrow, piercing through the half-open stairwell skylight and shooting straight into Yan Zhimo’s heart.
Yan Zhimo suddenly felt as though a heavy piece of his heart had collapsed, like a great building toppling inward, while a deafening crash thundered through his mind.
His heartbeat then accelerated rapidly, each powerful thud striking against his chest as all the blood in his body began to boil.
“Mianmian, come here.” At that moment, Yan Zhimo’s reluctance to part with him reached its peak. Instinctively raising both arms, he said, “Give me a hug.”
Jian Anmian froze. The next second, a radiant smile instinctively spread across his face. He hurriedly turned and pattered down the stairs, his face flushed as he opened both arms. With sparkling eyes, he shyly and happily threw himself into the embrace.
“Mr. Yan!”
There was a muffled thud.
The young man burrowed into the man’s chest and was wrapped tightly in his strong arms.
Tiny motes of dust were stirred into the air, floating weightlessly like countless little fairies dancing.
The golden sunlight gilded Jian Anmian’s soft, wispy hair with a honey-colored sheen.
Yan Zhimo lowered his head, buried his nose in the boy’s fine, soft hair, and inhaled gently. The fragrance of white magnolia shampoo washed over him, carrying the refreshing quality of a summer breeze.
He had personally chosen that as well.
Jian Anmian’s heart was beating so fast. He had lunged too forcefully just now, burying his entire face in the man’s chest. Every breath was filled with the scent of cologne mixed with a faint trace of tobacco, elegant and refined. He hadn’t known the man smoked.
“Mr. Yan, thank you for taking care of me all this time. I’ll miss you.” Jian Anmian’s voice was muffled, his face crimson.
Yan Zhimo felt as though a little milk puppy had nibbled his heart. It didn’t hurt; instead, it tingled pleasantly and softened beyond belief.
“So good,” Yan Zhimo murmured, involuntarily tightening his arms around him.
He regretted it.
Yan Zhimo gritted his teeth at the thought.
Even when he failed, he never regretted anything he did.
But this time, he truly regretted it.
What on earth had he been thinking when he agreed to let the boy live on campus?
Damn it.
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