Lu Jingcheng and Ye Qingyang heard that and returned to the formation, standing back in their original spots.
They practiced goose-stepping for a while, rested for a bit, and then Instructor Xu started teaching them military boxing.
Ye Qingyang had never learned this before. Seeing that he did not know it, Instructor Xu said with some curiosity, “Well now, rare to see our class monitor not know something. Rare—very rare.”
Ye Qingyang replied modestly, “You live and you learn.”
“Then you’d better learn it well.”
Ye Qingyang nodded. “Don’t worry, Instructor.”
Instructor Xu had finally found the feeling of being an instructor again with him, and his mood was excellent. Even the speed of his punches was faster than before.
However, that good mood did not last long, because Ye Qingyang quickly learned everything. Not only that—Lu Jingcheng learned it too.
Instructor Xu: …
Sometimes students being too smart was not necessarily a good thing.
Instructor Xu felt his mood become rather complicated.
After practicing military boxing the entire afternoon, that evening Instructor Xu led everyone in singing a few military songs. They even had a military-song PK battle with the Second Company next door, and just like that, another day of military training came to an end.
Ye Qingyang felt his shoulder was a little sore. He tapped it with his hand while looking at the message Zhang Ye had sent him on WeChat.
The message was simple—Zhang Ye wanted Ye Qingyang to help him fold his blanket.
Zhang Ye sent a kneeling tiger emoji: [Please, boss!]
Ye Qingyang helplessly refused: [The spirit is willing but the hands are not. If only I were a spider spirit!]
Zhang Ye: [Tiger crying.JPG]
Ye Qingyang: [Patting dog head.JPG]
Lu Jingcheng had been picky that afternoon and had not eaten much, so he was a little hungry now. He stood up and walked over to Ye Qingyang.
“Do you have anything to eat?”
“You’re hungry?” Ye Qingyang asked.
Lu Jingcheng refused to admit it. “I’m just bored.”
Ye Qingyang did not expose him. He opened his suitcase and took out ham and marinated eggs. “Do you want to eat them just like that, or should I make you a sandwich?”
“You even brought bread?” Lu Jingcheng was shocked.
“Guokui.” Ye Qingyang pulled out a plastic bag from the suitcase. “It’s really good.”
Lu Jingcheng, who had never eaten guokui before: … Really? He did not believe it.
Two minutes later, Lu Jingcheng sat beside Ye Qingyang eating guokui with chili sauce, ham, and marinated eggs, sincerely sighing, “So good.”
Dong Yu from the opposite bunk swallowed and said, “Uh… Ye Qingyang, I want one too.”
“Guokui is two yuan, sausage and egg are one yuan each, chili sauce one yuan. Five yuan total. You sure?”
Dong Yu nodded and transferred him five yuan on WeChat.
The others also started speaking up.
“I want one too.”
“Me too.”
“Don’t forget me.”
…
In the end, it turned into a dorm-wide late-night snack gathering. Everyone ate guokui while looking at Ye Qingyang with admiration, as if he possessed a magical treasure chest.
He was definitely the soul of their dormitory—absolutely indispensable.
After finishing the snack, they went to the washroom to wash up. Once Ye Qingyang finished, he naturally climbed onto Lu Jingcheng’s bed and helped hang up the simple curtain.
Zhang Feng from the opposite bunk laughed. “Why’d you two even set that up? What, you don’t want us seeing your private world?”
Lu Jingcheng had just been about to climb up. Hearing that, he paused and suddenly felt a little embarrassed.
He knew it. Ye Qingyang’s little thoughts would get exposed sooner or later. Who told him not to restrain himself?
No cover at all!
Practically beating drums and gongs!
As if he wanted to announce it to the whole world!
Meanwhile, Ye Qingyang poked his head out and asked with a grin, “You want to see?”
“I didn’t say that, I didn’t mean it, don’t make things up,” Zhang Feng immediately denied. “How could I ruin your private time?”
“Exactly,” Li Lan from the next bed added while making his own bed. “Peeping at the Emperor and the Empress sharing a bed gets your eyes gouged out. Crazy Zhang, you don’t want those eyes anymore?”
“I’m lying down to sleep right now!” Zhang Feng said and instantly flopped flat.
Li Lan burst out laughing.
Bai Le sighed dramatically.
Chen Wei looked at Lu Jingcheng, who was still standing there. “Why are you dawdling? Aren’t you getting up there? You going to make your beloved consort guard the empty chamber alone?”
Lu Jingcheng: !!!
Lu Jingcheng felt like his roommates were absolutely unbearable!
Every single one of them siding with Ye Qingyang to tease him!
Wasn’t this supposed to be his empire?
Why did it look like Ye Qingyang’s empire instead?!
Was his Great Jing about to fall?!
“Mind your own business!” Lu Jingcheng glared at Chen Wei and climbed onto the top bunk.
Ye Qingyang had already changed into pajamas and crawled under the blanket. Seeing that only his head was sticking out, Lu Jingcheng suddenly thought he looked just like those concubines in the palace dramas his mom watched when she was bored—waiting to be summoned.
—Too obedient.
Like he was completely at someone else’s mercy.
Man the knife, I the fish.
Totally letting the other person do whatever they wanted.
Lu Jingcheng’s resolve wavered as he changed clothes and quietly lay down.
The moment he lay down, the dorm lights went out.
As usual, Ye Qingyang scooted inward a little so he would not crowd Lu Jingcheng.
But his shoulder still felt a little sore today, so he raised his hand and started kneading it again.
In the darkness, Lu Jingcheng saw him suddenly lift a hand and asked cautiously, “What are you doing?”
Just sleep beside me!
Don’t hug me!
Before, when you were half asleep, I could pretend not to notice!
But now I’m still awake!
And you already want to hug me?!
How bold!
Completely lawless!
Shocking to the world!
Have you eaten the gall of a bear and the heart of a leopard?!
Ye Qingyang kneaded his right shoulder and said, “My shoulder hurts a bit, so I’m rubbing it.”
“Your shoulder hurts?” Lu Jingcheng frowned. “Why would it suddenly hurt?”
“Muscle strain, probably,” Ye Qingyang said calmly.
Before he transmigrated, his own body did not have that issue, but his mom did. She would often go to a nearby blind-massage shop for it, so Ye Qingyang was not worried.
It was nothing serious.
But when Lu Jingcheng heard “muscle strain,” he suddenly felt that Ye Qingyang was really pitiful.
He was so young—how could he already have muscle strain?
Lu Jingcheng had never seen him study that hard or do tons of practice papers every day. So could it be from suffering at home?
Thinking about Ye Qingyang’s current living situation, Lu Jingcheng figured it out. His aunt did not even give him pocket money, forcing him to sell things himself. That meant she probably made him do chores all the time—sweeping, mopping, cooking, washing dishes. Maybe even serving tea and water.
Ye Qingyang was so weak. At school he could not beat anyone in a fight, let alone an adult.
Thinking about this, Lu Jingcheng felt it was unacceptable. He had never made Ye Qingyang serve him tea or cook for him—so what right did that aunt have?
In his opinion, Ye Qingyang might as well move out. Lu Jingcheng could give him pocket money, and Ye Qingyang could focus on studying and improving every day.
The more Lu Jingcheng thought about it, the better the idea seemed.
He turned toward Ye Qingyang and was about to say it when he noticed Ye Qingyang still kneading his shoulder.
In the dark he could not see clearly, but since they were so close, he could feel that Ye Qingyang’s hand had not stopped.
“Does it hurt that much?” he asked quietly.
“Not really. It just feels better when I press it.”
Lu Jingcheng nudged him. “Turn around. I’ll massage it for you.”
Ye Qingyang froze for a moment, then immediately turned over with his back to him. Getting a massage from someone else was definitely more comfortable than doing it himself.
If Lu Jingcheng was willing, he certainly would not refuse.
Lu Jingcheng placed his hand on Ye Qingyang’s shoulder and pressed lightly.
Ye Qingyang instructed, “A little to the left… yes, a bit lower… yes yes, right there. Lu-ge, press harder.”
Lu Jingcheng had no choice but to increase the pressure.
Only then did Ye Qingyang feel comfortable. He closed his eyes and enjoyed it.
Lu Jingcheng massaged him slowly and asked, “Does it feel good?”
Ye Qingyang hummed softly and said in a flattering tone, “Lu-ge, you’re the best.”
Lu Jingcheng snorted lightly, thinking, Of course I am. Who else has ever gotten this treatment from me?
Of course I treat you the best!
Feeling the warmth of Ye Qingyang’s skin beneath his hand, he remembered the thought he had earlier and said, “Ye Qingyang, how about you move out and live somewhere else?”
“No need,” Ye Qingyang refused. “I’m doing fine at home.”
“What’s fine about it?” Lu Jingcheng did not believe him at all. “Moving out would be better.”
Ye Qingyang turned to look at him. In the darkness he could not see Lu Jingcheng’s face, but he knew Lu Jingcheng was looking back at him.
“There’s no need,” Ye Qingyang said. “Living outside costs money, and I don’t really have any.”
“I can give you money.”
Ye Qingyang smiled. “You already gave me money before, remember? I don’t want to take too much from you—especially for unnecessary expenses.”
He continued gently, “There’s really no need. If I ever need money, I’ll borrow it from you. But right now I don’t need it, and I don’t want to borrow money for something like this.”
Seeing how firm he was, Lu Jingcheng did not say anything more.
But he still wanted Ye Qingyang to move out. Moving out was better than living under someone else’s roof.
The question was—how could he convince him?
Lu Jingcheng felt troubled.
Meanwhile, Ye Qingyang was getting so comfortable from the massage that he became sleepy.
He turned over, and Lu Jingcheng withdrew his hand. Then he heard Ye Qingyang mumble, “Ge, you can stop now. It doesn’t hurt anymore. Thank you. Let’s sleep.”
Lu Jingcheng replied, “Oh,” and pulled his hand back—but somehow it felt awkward no matter where he put it. In the end he simply draped it over Ye Qingyang’s waist.
Ye Qingyang did not notice. Half asleep, he drifted off.
Listening to Ye Qingyang’s steady breathing, Lu Jingcheng suddenly felt his heart start beating faster.
Feeling Ye Qingyang’s body warmth, he slowly—very slowly—leaned closer to the person beside him, and then quietly wrapped his arms around him.
This bed was too small, Lu Jingcheng thought. Ye Qingyang did not sleep very steadily either. If he did not hold onto him, this guy might push him off the bed in the middle of the night.
That would be inappropriate.
After convincing himself, Lu Jingcheng confidently hugged the person in his arms. He even could not resist poking Ye Qingyang’s cheek.
Pretty soft, he thought.
Holding Ye Qingyang, he soon fell asleep.
When Ye Qingyang woke up the next morning, he unconsciously nuzzled forward. Only when he felt his lips touch something did he groggily open his eyes.
That was when he realized he had accidentally kissed Lu Jingcheng’s chin.
Ye Qingyang instantly jerked his head back.
The downside of a small bed was exactly this—when two people slept so close together, it was easy to end up hugging each other, and if you were not careful, you might even kiss.
Ye Qingyang did not think much of it. He turned off the alarm, pried Lu Jingcheng’s arm off him, and was about to get out of bed.
However, Lu Jingcheng grabbed his hand again and pulled him back into his arms, clearly still half-asleep as he mumbled, “What are you doing?”
Ye Qingyang sighed. “Your Majesty, it is time for morning court.”
“Again?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. You rest first. I will fetch water for you.”
Only then did Lu Jingcheng reluctantly let go. He rolled over and went right back to sleep.
Ye Qingyang got out of bed, washed up himself, then went to get water for Lu Jingcheng before returning to the dorm to wake him.
This time Lu Jingcheng was fairly cooperative. He did not make Ye Qingyang help him—he got dressed and washed up on his own.
“His Majesty has truly grown up. This old minister is deeply gratified!” Chen Wei sighed dramatically.
Li Lan laughed. “That is because our Empress has disciplined him well.”
Lu Jingcheng nearly choked on a mouthful of water and snapped in embarrassment, “Shut up.”
Li Lan smiled and made a zipper motion across his lips.
Morning training began with running. As Lu Jingcheng jogged, he was still thinking about Ye Qingyang.
How could he rescue that foolish guy from the wolf’s den?
He thought about it for a long time but still could not come up with a good solution.
During the noon break, while Ye Qingyang had gone out to fold blankets, Lu Jingcheng opened the school forum and posted a thread.
Title: How can you get someone to willingly accept your money?
Original post:
I have a friend. That friend has a brother. The brother’s family is poor, and his living conditions are not great. My friend wants to help him—at least improve his living situation. But the brother refuses to accept his help. So the question is, how can my friend get his brother to willingly accept the money?
1L: The “friend” the OP is talking about is actually himself, right? Classic “asking for a friend.”
Road to the Horizon replies to 1L: Flawless deduction!
2L: Kill!
Road to the Horizon replies to 2L: Dodge!
3L: Why are you guys suddenly playing Three Kingdoms Kill? Anyway, OP, this is simple. Have your brother tutor you and say you are hiring him as a tutor. Then the money goes to him naturally.
4L: Third bro is right.
5L: Third bro is right.
Road to the Horizon replies to 3L: That will not work. My brother’s grades are even worse than my friend’s. Hiring him as a tutor sounds fake.
6L: I thought this was the “poor but brilliant top student” setup. Did not expect a poor failing student instead…
7L: Yeah, if he is a failing student, saying he is tutoring you would be way too fake.
8L: OP could introduce him to a part-time job. That way he could earn money himself.
9L: Right. People from poorer families usually feel their pride hurt if you give them money directly. Better to help them find a part-time job.
Road to the Horizon replies to 4L: What is wrong with failing students? Did they eat your rice?!
Road to the Horizon replies to 8L: That will not work. His grades are already bad. If he takes a part-time job too, he might as well forget about the college entrance exam.
…
30L: No part-time job, no tutoring… OP might as well give up.
31L: Does OP secretly like his “brother”? You seem very determined. The guy does not want your money and you are still trying so hard to give it to him.
32L: OP, do you need another brother? The kind that lacks money!
33L: OP, I am also a failing student. Look at me! I can be your brother. No need for you to try so hard—give me however much money you want and I will take it.
34L: I ship the OP and the brother.
35L: I thought this was a debt repayment thread, but instead you lured us in just to slaughter single dogs. Single people truly have no way to survive these days!
Lu Jingcheng: ????
Lu Jingcheng wondered if everyone at their school had gone insane.
He liked Ye Qingyang? Clearly Ye Qingyang was the one who liked him, okay!
What kind of thinking was this?
Wild imagination?
Nonsense speculation?
Daydreaming?!
Road to the Horizon: Can you all stop going off-topic first!!! High school students are forbidden from dating!!! My brother and I just have pure brotherly friendship!!!