"I can’t go on a vacation with you alone," Jian Ci said, his tone flat, eyes still locked on Caelus as the boy disappeared into the exam room. "We have to invite other people."
Alarna blinked, her smile faltering. "But I meant just you and me—"
"I am going in," Jian Ci cut her off, already turning.
"Wait, I brought you—" she started, lifting the food bag.
But he was already gone, striding away without a glance back.
Alarna stood frozen, her hand still outstretched. Her lips pressed into a thin line before she forced herself to smile and turn, walking away with measured grace. Inside, though, she was seething. If he won’t come to me willingly... then I will just have to make him want to.
Jian Ci had no idea she was already scheming. He stomped toward the exam room, his steps heavy with irritation. He didn’t know why he felt so restless. All he knew was that something in his chest was tight and unsettled. He pushed open the door and scanned the room.
Yu Xi stood near the back, talking to Caelus. The two of them were laughing about something, Yu Xi’s hand brushing against Caelus’s arm as he gestured toward the lunch bag the other boy was holding.
A good friend would have turned around and given them space. He should have let the moment bloom.
But Jian Ci was no good friend. He walked straight over, eyes sharp. "He doesn’t like this," he said, plucking a packet of sweet cake from the bag.
Caelus blinked. "What—?"
Jian Ci didn’t stop. He rummaged through the bag, pulling out a drink. "Doesn’t like that. We already have this. This one tastes horrible." He handed it back with a look of pure disdain.
Caelus stared at him, stunned into silence. Then, slowly, his expression twisted into something less polite. "Why are you speaking on his behalf?" he asked, voice tight. "This isn’t for you."
Jian Ci turned to him, smugness radiating off him like heat. "Because I am the person closest to him," he said, voice low and deliberate. "I am the last person he sees before he goes to bed, and the first person he sees when he opens his eyes."
Caelus’s jaw clenched. He had never fought anyone in his life for anything, he never needed to. But in that moment, he wanted nothing more than to punch the tenth prince square in the face.
Not that he would succeed. Still, the thought was tempting. If he didn’t know any better, he would think Jian Ci was competing with him for Yu Xi.
Yu Xi sensed the tension before it could spiral. Jian Ci’s glare was practically a laser beam, and Caelus looked like he was one breath away from snapping. With a calm smile, Yu Xi stepped between them.
"I am about to start the exam," he said to Caelus, voice light but firm. "Let me walk you out."
Before Caelus could protest, Yu Xi was already packing the snacks back into the bag with practiced efficiency. Then, with a casual ease that made Jian Ci’s jaw tighten, he draped an arm around Caelus’ shoulders and steered him toward the door.
Jian Ci watched them go, his eyes sharp and unblinking, as if silently warning Caelus: Watch your back.
He dropped into his seat with a huff, folding his arms across his chest. The restless energy that had been gnawing at him all week surged again, coiling in his gut like a storm waiting to break. He didn’t know what was wrong with him lately. Everything irritated him, and his thoughts refused to settle.
His mind drifted, unbidden, to the faint bite mark on his shoulder. It had faded now, but the memory of it hadn’t. Xiaobao had confirmed it. The bite on the fruit matched the one on his skin. Not that it meant much in a legal sense. She had said it was a flimsy basis for any accusation.
But Jian Ci hadn’t been looking for evidence of a crime. He just wanted to confirm the obvious.
Why did it unsettle him? The idea that Yu Xi had bitten him, wasn’t just confusing, but deeply disorienting.
At first, he had assumed he had attacked Yu Xi during his mental collapse, and Yu Xi had defended himself. But that theory didn’t sit right. Yu Xi had lied about the flowers. He had been calm. Too calm. Like he was hiding something.
Jian Ci wanted answers he was afraid he might not like the answer.
He sighed and slumped forward, resting his forehead on his crossed forearms.
Then there were fingers in his hair. They were gentle and familiar. He didn’t need to look up.
There was only one person in the entire school who would dare touch his hair like that.
His head remained nestled in the crook of his arms, but he began to shift it slowly from side to side, a quiet, subconscious motion that invited more of Yu Xi’s touch. Yu Xi didn’t pull away. Instead, he indulged him, letting his fingers slip deeper into Jian Ci’s hair, gently massaging his scalp with slow, practiced pressure.
Jian Ci exhaled, the tension in his shoulders easing. He turned his head slightly, cheek still pressed to his arms, and looked up at Yu Xi with half-lidded eyes.
"After this," he murmured, "can you massage my scalp? My head hurts."
Yu Xi’s fingers paused. "Are you feeling unwell?"
Jian Ci nodded faintly. "Yeah... but it’s something medicine can’t cure."
Yu Xi smiled softly. He knew that tone. Jian Ci wasn’t sick, he was sulking and restless. "After the exam," Yu Xi said, "we can do whatever you like. That will cure you."
"Really?" Jian Ci asked, voice hopeful.
"Yeah."
"Then let’s go back to our dorm and watch a movie together," Jian Ci said, perking up. "I want lots of snacks too."
Yu Xi chuckled. "Okay."
Just then, the bell rang, signaling everyone to settle down. Jian Ci sat up, stretching his arms overhead before flashing Yu Xi a small grin.
"Ace the exam, Little Xi."
Yu Xi gave a lazy salute. "You too."
He walked off toward his workstation, and Jian Ci turned to his own with a renewed sense of energy. The fog that had been clouding his mind seemed to lift, and for the first time in days, he felt like he could breathe.
The exam came and went. Jian Ci’s good mood lingered for days afterward, light on his feet, quick to smile, even humming under his breath when he thought no one was listening.
But then... the looks started. At first, he thought he was imagining it. But it kept happening.
People glanced at him in the halls, then looked away too quickly. Some gave him sympathetic smiles. Others smirked, barely hiding their amusement. A few even laughed outright when they thought he wasn’t paying attention.