The Detective of the Noble Boys' Academy 17

16

Campus BBS

Hot Thread/HOT....

Subject: Oh my god... what kind of development is this?? Did anyone see it?

0L: The school beauty slapped that someone at the beach... and then was...

1L: ...The crew members from the sailing team were so shocked their jaws dropped when they witnessed this scene... They thought they had time-traveled from the boat to a parallel world (crying-laughing).

2L: Kissing the back of the hand and licking the hand? That is just too much, isn't it? (crying) (fist)

3L: The school beauty has a pretty strong grip; you could hear the sound from all the way across the beach (giggling).

4L: Don't even get me started, He Yuanxi was probably genuinely enjoying it. That expression of his... pray for the school beauty (waving white flag) (waving white flag)

5L: Why is the school beauty so angry? Does anyone know? Weren't they on good terms before?

6L: No one knows yet. By the way, the top student also saw He Yuanxi kissing his hand. That expression was also quite spectacular (giggling) (giggling)

7L: Is He Yuanxi actually a repressed masochist? I really couldn't tell... I suspect he was about to... (hot) (hot)

8L: Someone go ask him, when the slap landed, did he smell the fragrance first? (hot) (hot)

9L: Actually, it was very dangerous... I saw it on the spot, He Yuanxi wouldn't let go at all. The school beauty couldn't run away even if he wanted to. If there hadn't been a dozen other people on the beach, I fear he would have done 'that' right there... (waving white flag) (waving white flag)

10L: So... how is the school beauty supposed to stay in school now... I said before that there isn't a single sane person in the F4! (waving white flag) (waving white flag)

11L: The school beauty has provoked someone like that, what should he do? (crying)

12L: He won't be dragged into a 'dark room play' tomorrow and never seen again, right? Please, no...

13L: School beauty, school beauty, I will always pray for you... (waving white flag) (waving white flag)

--------

[In the original text, He Yuanxi is described as composed, sincere, and interesting. Who would have thought he would show such a shocked and wounded, pitiful expression? ...But while wearing that expression, he was kissing his hand? Hmm? Is this an apology or what is he doing???]

[Let's just assume you accepted his apology! I was afraid he was going to lick your feet!]

[Then again, He Yuanxi probably never expected to be slapped by a 'taken' detective!]

[He must be thinking, 'Even my father has never hit me!' He has never been treated like this in his life, and he got hit because he tried to be a homewrecker! You could say he finally got a lesson from society!]

The System started crying again: [Wuwuwu, we hit the investigation target. He Yuanxi seems mentally unstable. What are we going to do now!! Get ready to pack your bags and go back home—]

It wailed for three minutes, but no one responded.

[Why aren't you answering me!]

‘...’

Ji Yue had nothing to say.

His mood was different from the System's, hovering somewhere between annoyance and curiosity.

‘I still want to investigate the secrets between the employer, the F4, and the top student.’

[Baby, you are truly dedicated.] The System sighed. [But they aren't willing to explain anything to you at all.]

‘Not enough clues, time for some bold deduction.’

There were more and more deviations between the F4 members' settings and the original text, which meant the employer's judgment was also wrong.

How was the employer so certain that forced love was happening here?

Did the employer truly witness such a scene, or did he foresee the 'future' in advance?

The sea breeze turned cold, and the rain lashed against his body, bringing a chill.

Ji Yue wrapped his Black Coat tighter around himself. He had just broken free from He Yuanxi and walked in the opposite direction, yet that person had been following him the whole time.

Lunatic.

In the distance, the people on the sailboat were landing one by one, all looking toward this side with varied expressions.

No time to look for Si Jing now.

‘Ji Yue.’

He Yuanxi's voice came from behind, scattered by the sea breeze.

Ji Yue did not look back.

He arrived at his villa, took a shower, changed his clothes, and checked the time. Si Jing should be back soon.

Half an hour later, Ji Yue knocked on the dormitory door.

The camera focused on the top student Si Jing, who was cleaning the dormitory building. Due to recent training, his skin had tanned, and some sunburns appeared on his cheeks and the bridge of his nose.

Noticing his gaze, Si Jing explained earnestly: ‘It will get better after a while. It happens often at the beach.’

‘I know. Your family is in Yan City, and you are often out at sea.’

‘Yes, because it is a small seaside town... You know about my hometown?’

‘I heard about it.’

Si Jing thought no one here would know where he came from. No one in the Noble Boys' Academy cared about hometowns, because they were all from the capital in the Upper City.

Did Ji Yue go out of his way to ask about him? At the thought of this, a warmth welled up in his heart.

‘Why did you suddenly come to find me? Is something the matter? I mean—I didn't prepare anything, I just finished cleaning.’ Si Jing invited him in and hurriedly tidied up. ‘I will get you a pair of slippers, wait for me.’

He rushed to the bedroom to get the slippers. Before he walked in, Ji Yue had already followed him silently like a cat, stopping at the bedroom door. His eyes fell on an alarm clock on the bed, as if he were wondering why the clock was placed there.

The bed...

Si Jing suddenly remembered some fragments he shouldn't be recalling.

He only realized later that Ji Yue had been under the bed that day.

‘Y-you, put these on first.’

He knelt down, and a pair of feet wearing Christmas-striped socks appeared in his line of sight. He felt too embarrassed to look, so he quickly stood up and walked out.

Ji Yue wandered around the bedroom. Si Jing followed him with his eyes from outside, watching him look here and touch there, picking up the alarm clock to tap it, then lifting the leaves of the potted plant on the table to inspect them, as if he were conducting a health inspection.

After finishing his rounds, Ji Yue walked out of the bedroom and sat on the sofa.

Si Jing stood where he was, looking at him, and remembered what he had seen on the beach a few hours ago.

Waves, rain, a slap, a hand kiss...

He really cared. What was going on, exactly?

Are you two a couple?

Or...

Just then, Ji Yue's voice drifted over.

‘I am planning to travel to Yan City for the upcoming long weekend.’

A bombshell was dropped, instantly clearing away that bit of bitterness.

Ji Yue looked thoughtful, muttering to himself: ‘I do not know what is there besides fishing boats.’

Si Jing hurriedly explained: ‘There are not many tourist attractions, indeed. There is only the sea and fish... We could go fishing. I do not know if you would like that.’

‘Good. You can take me to see it when the time comes.’

Good, truly good.

Si Jing looked at the ceiling and began to sink into fantasies about the long weekend the day after tomorrow.

We could take a boat together to watch the sunrise.

If Ji Yue gets seasick, he can lean on my shoulder, and we can rest after getting off the boat, feeling all dizzy.

When it gets light, we can go up the mountain and live like wild people, picking some wild fruits.

Would he like that?

‘Have you been in contact with Yan Min and the others recently?’

A name appeared abruptly, shattering all the happy images in Si Jing's mind.

‘No.’ He regained his focus. ‘Why ask about Yan Min?’

Si Jing did not even notice that his tone was full of dissatisfaction.

Ji Yue did not care about that. He opened his notebook and began today's interview.

‘I suspect it is hard for you to adapt to this school? The F4 are the most powerful people here. Regardless of what is said in private, everyone assumes so on the surface. Are you not on good terms?’

‘I wouldn't say good or bad, we just don't have much contact.’ Si Jing noticed he was writing something down. ‘Are you recording what I say?’

Ji Yue nodded: ‘A questionnaire for my sociology course. The topic is the cultural conflict between the Lower City and the Upper City.’

‘You are so diligent, still doing homework when the holiday is almost here.’

Si Jing had never taken this course and believed him completely.

[The host is getting better and better at lying!]

The System laughed out loud.

‘Did you know them before?’

‘Before coming to school, I knew of these people. They are quite famous.’

‘Where did you learn about them?’

Ji Yue spotted the problem.

According to the original text, a top student who grew up in a small village in the Lower City had never been to the Upper City. Even if the F4 of the island academy were famous, news of them wouldn't reach that far.

So, how did he know?

Si Jing's expression changed subtly. He quickly looked out the window and said: ‘Someone I know knew about them.’

‘Who?’

‘An Upper City person.’

‘Why did he know about the F4?’

‘I guess he went to school here, so he knew them well.’

Only two seconds after Si Jing finished speaking, a cold accusation came from across the room: ‘You are lying.’

‘How did you see that?’

Si Jing couldn't help but laugh. Ji Yue was expressionless, looking as if he were about to kill him.

Ji Yue turned the page heavily and continued writing: ‘Where did you start making things up?’

‘Regarding knowing the F4, I actually learned about them through other channels—that such people existed and their general situation.’ Si Jing deliberated for a moment. ‘As for the specifics, it is not convenient to say. I knew before that their personalities were not very good. You... it is best not to associate with them in the future, to avoid trouble.’

‘Why?’

‘They are not as simple as the F4 you see. I am not talking about their family backgrounds. I don't know why you transferred here—was it to change your environment? Or some other reason? But wherever the F4 are, things only get more chaotic. It is hard to explain now; I will explain it to you later.’

‘Later’ again.

Ji Yue could not help but connect this to the words Yan Min had said.

He twirled his pen and wrote on the page: [Lying/Yan Min said the same thing].

Si Jing waited for his next sociology question, but there was no sound at all.

Snap.

The notebook closed.

Ji Yue hugged the notebook and walked over, wearing slippers that were several sizes too big.

He asked expressionlessly: ‘Explain it to me clearly.’

It was a bit funny. Si Jing's first reaction was that this question made him react so strongly—taking academics this seriously?

He couldn't laugh for long. Ji Yue leaned closer to him, his beautiful face suddenly magnified in front of him—porcelain-white skin, long eyelashes, like a doll. The tips of those lashes were almost touching the bridge of his nose.

It was just that this sharp demeanor left Si Jing dizzy and dazed.

‘Tell me right now.’

‘...’

[Look at the top student's expression, shifty and afraid to look you in the eye. He is clearly hiding something! Interrogate him ruthlessly!]

The System was getting more and more excited.

The System was right this time.

This person was feeling guilty, his eyes darting around, pursing his lips, stepping back, nervous, breathing heavily, face blushing.

The more Si Jing acted like this, the more Ji Yue pressed him.

Step by step, without any intention of stopping, he almost had the person cornered against the wall.

Si Jing took half a step back again until his back hit the wall. He took a deep breath.

This scene... it was like being pinned against the wall.

Si Jing had no romantic experience and didn't know what love was, but he instinctively felt a freshness and happiness from such an ambiguous relationship that he had never felt before.

The boy pinning him had a pair of sapphire-blue cat eyes, stubbornly observing the subtle changes in his expression.

It was a judgmental demeanor that made one suspect he might slap him the next second.

‘You must have lied to me about many things.’

Ji Yue looked at him coldly.

‘I didn't... the way you say that, it sounds like a breakup declaration.’

Si Jing made a joke, then lowered his head under his gaze.

‘What exactly is the secret?’

‘I cannot tell you right now.’

I really hate this feeling.

Ji Yue reined in his emotions, turned around, stuffed the book into his bag, and walked away.

Si Jing called out to him: ‘You are leaving just like that? Aren't you going to finish your sociology homework?’

‘Goodbye.’

Si Jing wanted to say something else, but a fist whistled past his cheek.

‘Come near me again and I will hit you.’

Ji Yue said coldly.

[Fist attack—]

[I have to say, violence is always effective. He Yuanxi has quieted down now; he is probably at home nursing his wounds while reflecting on not being a homewrecker! His parents are both high-profile figures; him doing this would be a laughingstock until retirement!!!]

The System cackled.

Ji Yue went downstairs to the open space in front of the dormitory.

Although he hadn't managed to find out what the secret between the F4 and the top student was, he could be certain that they were all in on it.

Not telling the detective—they were all accomplices.

Before leaving, he looked up from downstairs. The window of the sixth-floor dormitory was open, and the curtains were blown open by the wind. A blurry figure stood at the window, motionless, as if looking at something.

[The top student is like a dog disappointed in its master, only able to howl at the moon in despair.]

The System commented.

‘Why disappointed?’

[The top student doesn't want to talk about his own affairs, but you are rummaging through his things asking for his secrets. You have also offended He Yuanxi now. I can't imagine how you will be treated before you leave the island!]

‘We will talk about that later.’

A cold wind brushed across the boy's expressionless face, blowing away the pink afterglow of the afternoon, leaving only cold ruthlessness.

Planning to go to the Library to do some homework, Ji Yue took a shortcut, passing through the path on the side of the auditorium. The ground beneath his feet was illuminated. Looking up, a large amount of light spilled from the auditorium windows onto the path, and he could hear faint voices inside; someone was adjusting the sound system.

[Today is the school's 80th-anniversary gala from the original text. It is very lively and many events happen, but you were too busy playing detective and completely forgot about it.]

‘Even if I remembered, I wouldn't go.’

[That is why I didn't remind you before; you don't like attending these activities. But some of the F4 are in the auditorium tonight. He Yuanxi has a piano solo performance. The plot is that the top student sneaks into the backstage and falls even more in love, and Li Xihe is there too. It is actually a classic 'shuraba' (love triangle) scene from the original book.]

[Hmm?? Why are you turning toward the auditorium? Didn't you just say you weren't going?]

‘I intend to observe their interactions again to confirm my previous thoughts.’

Ji Yue trotted into the back door and quickly found a seat in the back row of the auditorium.

He noticed the F4's seats were in the front row, with name tags on them.

This position was a bit far.

The program hadn't officially started yet. There were only a dozen boys in the second, third, and fourth rows, and other staff members were tidying up the stage.

‘Hey, the school beauty is here.’

‘Can we get the school beauty to be the host? If he wore a dress...’

‘Quiet, quiet, he seems to have heard.’

‘May I swap seats with you?’

Ji Yue struck up a conversation with a passing male student.

This position was closer, but not so close as to be discovered.

The male student was dismissive at first: ‘Oh, you want to sit here? No way, find your own seat.’

When he looked up, his brain seemed to rust; he couldn't remember what he had just said.

School... beauty...

The male student stood up, stuttering, as if he had been called out by a teacher for punishment.

It is just... is it because of what happened at the beach today? Ji Yue doesn't look like he is in very good condition.

He is like a glass beauty—besides being beautiful, he also gives an impression of being cold and fragile.

...I really want to write an anonymous note telling him to get some rest.

Ji Yue thanked him and sat down.

The boys in the auditorium gradually flooded in like a tide, crowded and bustling. Soon, the seats around him were full.

The people sitting around him weren't focused on the stage; their eyes were wandering everywhere.

Ji Yue didn't like the boy sitting in front of him; he was too tall, and his head was huge, blocking his view completely.

He straightened up slightly and stretched his neck, only then barely able to see the situation in the first row. A flash of light gold hair passed by in the distance—it was the impatient Yuwen Qing. He sat down, and on the left side of the first row, it should be Yan Min.

The other members of the first row were blocked. From this angle, it was impossible to see who they were.

Ji Yue waited and waited in his seat. The bell finally rang at eight o'clock, and the anniversary gala officially began.

The first few programs were chorus, dance, and poetry recitation. Ji Yue was killing time absent-mindedly, gradually noticing that the head in front of him seemed to drop a little, and then a little more. He was finally able to see the first row—sure enough, Li Xihe was there too.

The third program ended, and applause thundered. Up to this point, it was a very routine schedule, until that person appeared.

A spotlight fell on the center of the stage.

A young man in a suit, a black lacquered piano.

The light reflected his profile, his eyes lowered, revealing no emotion.

‘Piano solo? It is rare for He Yuanxi to perform.’

‘It seems like he has never done it before.’

Ji Yue clapped along with the others without expression.

Now, whenever he saw He Yuanxi, his first reaction was what happened on the beach.

His mouth, his tongue... that hot, wet sensation.

[He Yuanxi is truly a perverted homewrecker!!! Host, you have suffered!]

The System was indignant.

‘I am going backstage to take a look.’

[Do you think the top student will be there?]

‘Not sure, but there are no seats for commoners in the seating area.’

There were many staff members backstage—logistics members of the school, not students, working for these young masters' performances, busy here and there. No one noticed a figure slip into the depths of the backstage, opening several lounges and dressing rooms along the way. They were either empty or occupied by people he didn't know.

‘School... Ji Yue, why are you here?!’

In the face of the shocked and shy gazes of the boys in the dressing room, Ji Yue said seriously that he had gone to the wrong room and left.

[Are they all blushing when they see you?] The System scratched its head. [Shouldn't they be shouting, 'Help, there's a pervert!'?]

A whole row of dressing rooms and changing rooms was opened and inspected one by one by this mysterious detective.

Someone quietly opened the door and looked into the depths of the corridor.

The empty corridor showed only that light figure wandering in the depths, long black hair draped behind, swaying gently with his steps, and fluttering lightly when he turned.

In front of the door of a changing room, the boy suddenly stopped, turned sideways, and pressed his ear against it, listening to the movement inside, motionless.

The boy who opened the door couldn't help but think that although he didn't know what Ji Yue was busy with every day, he seemed particularly serious...

Deep in the corridor, the light dimmed significantly.

Ji Yue stopped and looked ahead. He didn't remember where he had walked. He pushed open the nearest door. The door wasn't locked and creaked open. There were cabinets on all four walls, and two rows of clothes racks in the middle—like a changing room?

Ji Yue scanned the room. A clothes rack in the corner was swaying gently, as if someone had just been there.

Then, he heard footsteps.

Not just one person's footsteps, but two or three, walking step by step, getting clearer and clearer. They seemed to be heading toward the changing room, and Ji Yue could hear their faint conversation.

One of them asked another: ‘You are so irritable tonight, who owes you money?’

The other sneered coldly: ‘What nonsense are you spouting.’

...Yuwen Qing's voice.

‘Ji Yue is here today too. I just saw him enter the backstage and open many doors. I wonder what he is looking for? Is he looking for someone?’ the boy asked curiously.

The footsteps stopped instantly.

‘He is here?’

Yuwen Qing's tone lost its previous irritability and gained a hint of casual interest.

The footsteps started again, getting closer.

They stopped right at this changing room.

As he spoke, he pushed open the door at his hand—

Ji Yue held his breath.

Through the gaps in the clothes racks, he could vaguely see a tall figure at the door, unhurried, walking toward the depths along the arrangement of the lockers. Light shone in from the corridor, revealing a head of brilliant blonde hair.

Before the door opened, Ji Yue had quietly crouched behind the clothes rack, shrinking into the depths of the rack, hiding behind a row of hanging men's coats, motionless, even lowering his breathing.

The dim light from the corridor shone in. Yuwen Qing was not far away, walking in another direction.

Must not be discovered.

...Yuwen Qing's behavior was even more bizarre than in the original text.

Misunderstanding that the detective was in love with him, and then pursuing him relentlessly.

Ji Yue had to imagine the worst-case scenario.

If Yuwen Qing caught him in the changing room, what would happen?

Get beaten?

Thrown onto the stage?

[Uh... my program just got a very bad result!]

‘What?’

[Yuwen Qing is going to f*ck you here!]

The System wiped its sweat: [This is the answer calculated precisely by my program. It is terrifying. Could it be contaminated by some data...]

‘...’

[Back to the point, a detective being counter-investigated by a suspect is actually not uncommon!]

He didn't know how much time had passed, but Yuwen Qing was still pacing around the room.

Ji Yue thought he was like a mothball now, forced to squeeze in with old clothes, the lace cuffs scratching his face, a bit itchy.

Just then, Si Jing's voice came from afar.

Si Jing: ‘About what time will this gala end?’

[The top student actually came to the gala too!! He probably just watched He Yuanxi's piano solo!]

Ji Yue was suddenly very curious. Was Si Jing here to see the F4?

If what Si Jing told him was true—that the F4 were not as simple as he thought—then Si Jing shouldn't be here.

At the same time, someone outside was calling Yuwen Qing's name: ‘Yuwen, did you find him? He was probably scared away by you already—’

The blonde man lowered his head, reached out unhurriedly, and tugged at a gaudy piece of clothing on the rack. Seeming bored, he immediately raised his hand and walked out.

...Finally leaving.

Seeing this, Ji Yue poked his head out from another rack.

But just as he took a step, he was suddenly pulled back by a force.

Before he could make a sound, his mouth was covered by a hand.

The breathing at his ear was steady and hot. Another hand clamped around his waist. The difference in size and strength almost squeezed Ji Yue into his arms. His back hit the man's chest. This person had probably just been changing clothes; his upper body was bare, and he felt very hot behind him.

That hand on his waist tightened slowly.

—At the same time, Yuwen Qing's figure turned in another direction and walked to where he had just been hiding, pulling back the curtain.

Empty. There was no one there.

A few seconds later, Yuwen Qing put his hand down and walked slowly back to the door.

[If you hadn't been pulled back by the person behind you, you would have been discovered.]

[Who is this person?]

...It was He Yuanxi.

Ji Yue recognized the scent on him—a hint of tobacco, he didn't know if it was perfume or a cigar he had smoked.

He had escaped one disaster, only to be controlled by another.

He couldn't move, couldn't struggle, and couldn't speak with his mouth covered.

‘The last program ends at nine-thirty...’

Si Jing and the staff member's conversation grew closer. They walked to the changing room door.

He Yuanxi never spoke a word from beginning to end, only lowering his head to look at the prey he had captured.

The force of his hand was not heavy, squeezing the cream-like soft flesh between his fingers. Trembling eyelashes, messy black hair, entangled between their fingers and bodies, breaths interlaced, heart beating like a drum.