Chapter 1: Return

Chapter 1: Return

Yu Jianli had transmigrated into a novel.

The character he had become possessed a strikingly clear virtue - his beauty. It was a beauty that left people breathless, captivating their hearts and dreams.

His flaws were even more pronounced - a short life.

How short, you ask?

This character didn't survive past the third chapter in the book, either coughing up blood or fainting before the protagonist.

Yet, his presence in the story wasn't brief, primarily appearing in the protagonist's memories, beautiful, pure, like an exiled immortal.

He arrived gracefully, only to depart sorrowfully.

Some characters in novels were born to save the world, others to stir conflicts and advance the plot.

His character, however, was destined for a grand death, one that would wrench the hearts of others.

Yu Jianli had also gazed at his reflection in the bronze mirror, unable to resist uttering a few exclamations.

No wonder this character became the "white moonlight" in the protagonist's heart. After seeing this face, all the adjectives in his mind condensed into two words - "Holy shit."

To be this beautiful, life was worth living!

...

Treading on the stone path through the forest, Yu Jianli raised his hand to lift a drooping tree branch, his gaze following the person walking ahead of him.

This individual was tall and slender, dressed in the light blue uniform of a student from the Imperial Academy, simple and unadorned.

But on him, this uniform took on a different aura, accentuating his temperament as pure as a night-blooming cereus.

His raven-black hair was smooth and glossy, akin to the darkest ink, the heaviest stroke in a painting.

Contrasted with his fair skin, the black and white contrast was stark.

Even just his back view was like pristine snow, a proud crane, making others hesitant to approach too closely.

Yu Jianli was being exceptionally cautious, paying close attention to the weight of his steps, for the person ahead was none other than the protagonist of the book - Ming Zhiyan.

Yu Jianli's original self had grown up with Ming Zhiyan as brothers.

Of course, in the book, Yu Jianli saw Ming Zhiyan as a brother, but Ming Zhiyan wanted something "unmentionable" with him.

Fortunately, Ming Zhiyan's feelings for the original host remained in the realm of ambiguous infatuation, never formally confessed.

They had grown up together, so Ming Zhiyan was one of the people who knew the original host best.

Although Yu Jianli had been in the book for two years, it was spent in exile in the countryside. He had only been back in the capital for two months, and he was terrified of revealing any discrepancies in front of Ming Zhiyan.

Don't be fooled by Ming Zhiyan's gentle and scholarly appearance; he was someone who held grudges.

Insult him once, and he would remember you for three years, repaying you double-fold someday.

Harm him once, and he would kill your entire family.

Those who stood idly by when Yu Jianli was in danger, after Ming Zhiyan became the Chancellor, he found an excuse to charge them with the crime of "exterminating nine generations of a family."

Yes, Ming Zhiyan was the mad protagonist of ancient "kill your entire family" literature.

And Yu Jianli was the long-dead "white moonlight" of the male lead.

Ming Zhiyan stopped at this moment and turned to look at Yu Jianli.

Caught off guard, Yu Jianli nearly bumped into Ming Zhiyan, quickly stepping back when he regained his senses.

Ming Zhiyan's gaze followed him, not finding anything amiss in his behavior, instead offering a gentle smile. "Nervous about returning to the Imperial Academy?"

"Ah..." Yu Jianli hesitated, it was being alone with you that made him nervous!

He rephrased his thoughts. "I can't help but feel a bit disoriented to be back here."

Ming Zhiyan understood his thoughts, his tone turning solemn. "Yes, I know about your hardships before. This opportunity is hard-won, and I will protect you."

"Okay."

Lifting his eyes, he met Ming Zhiyan's affectionate gaze, causing his scalp to tingle.

He truly didn't understand how the original host maintained his "innocent naivety." Ming Zhiyan's deep affection when looking at him was unmasked, yet the original host hadn't realized his brother's love for him until his death!

Just then, a gentle breeze blew, lifting petals that danced lightly between the two of them, bringing a pleasant fragrance.

A petal spun like cotton wool, finally landing on Yu Jianli's shoulder.

Ming Zhiyan reached out toward him, seemingly about to touch him. Their fingertips were almost touching, and Yu Jianli could even smell the scent of Ming Zhiyan's fingertips. However, Ming Zhiyan merely removed the petal, softly saying, "Let's go."

"Mm-hmm."

As Yu Jianli continued walking, he looked around.

This wind was really "considerate," conveniently arriving after the protagonist said something affectionate, blowing away only petals without a single leaf falling.

This might be the atmosphere buff of the "white moonlight."

The area where Ming Zhiyan was heading was increasingly isolated, separated from the other students' dormitories by a distance, as if it was a solitary tree adrift from an island.

Perhaps sensing Yu Jianli's confusion, Ming Zhiyan explained in a low voice, "This was specially arranged for you, to avoid some of the previous awkwardness."

Yu Jianli thought of the original host's past, lowering his eyelids in silence.

Neither of them continued the conversation, naturally shifting the topic.

During his conversation with Ming Zhiyan, Yu Jianli inadvertently heard a soft laugh. The laughter seemed to have been suppressed and abruptly stopped.

Ming Zhiyan seemed to have noticed, his gaze flickering over there, his thin lips forming a straight line, revealing his displeasure.

Someone from the group by the side of the path peeked over, his words laced with mockery. "Zhao Zilong's seven entries and exits is a tale of valor. I wonder if this one will create the legend of three entries and exits at the Imperial Academy?"

"He's here? I'm genuinely curious, how does he have the nerve to return here again?"

"Who wouldn't want to see what kind of mediocrity... what kind of talent it takes to be expelled from the Imperial Academy twice and still come back!"

Their mocking tones were arrogant and unbridled, completely disregarding Ming Zhiyan and Yu Jianli, even hinting at provocation.

At this moment, Ming Zhiyan whispered to Yu Jianli, "I have some grievances with them, they're not targeting you."

"Mm-hmm, I'm fine."

Yu Jianli knew that he was indeed fine, but rather, these few people were finished.

To provoke and mock Ming Zhiyan's "white moonlight" like this, these few people likely wouldn't have peace in the future.

A tall and slender man stepped forward first, smiling as if he was coming over to greet them, unfortunately, the atmosphere was far from friendly at the moment.

He first swept his gaze over Ming Zhiyan, then looked at Yu Jianli.

Then... his footsteps paused slightly, his smile gradually fading, his expression visibly changing.

For this kind of transformation from mockery to shock, and finally, being captivated by the sight, Yu Jianli, who had been in the book for two years, was already accustomed to it.

Initially, he would be so embarrassed that goosebumps would erupt all over his body, celebrating like a festival, his scalp tightening, unable to meet anyone's gaze.

Having experienced it many times, he had become numb...

He didn't show any timidity, calmly passing by him, his demeanor as warm as jade, his features exquisite like finely carved jade.

The man had intended to ridicule him face-to-face, but upon seeing Yu Jianli in person, he was momentarily speechless, his mind blank, forgetting the words he wanted to say.

He could only watch as the two walked past them, their hair and clothes carrying an awkward air that couldn't be concealed.

The few people following behind the youth also came forward, looking no different from him. Only one managed to find his voice, but it was only a "This..." before he failed to utter another word.

Having missed the best opportunity for ridicule, they could only watch helplessly as the two walked away.

Chasing after them now might lack momentum, so they could only remain where they were, as if waking from a dream.

After the two walked away, several of them exchanged glances, no one speaking a word, as if they had lost their voices again.

But the emotions in their eyes seemed to marvel: How could there be such a beautiful person in the world?

Ming Zhiyan led Yu Jianli to his dormitory, taking out a sandalwood nameplate and hanging it on the door. "This is a newly opened room, it's more convenient for you to live here."

"I can have a single room?" Yu Jianli was pleasantly surprised.

Ming Zhiyan recalled something about this dormitory, afraid of scaring Yu Jianli, he didn't directly explain, instead, he said casually, "Mm-hmm."

Yu Jianli entered the dwelling, the room was empty, not even a desk, let alone a cabinet.

There were bedding on the bed, not yet spread out, fluffy and brand new, clearly prepared by Ming Zhiyan for him.

Though the environment was somewhat spartan, he was very satisfied.

Ming Zhiyan went over to help him tidy the bedding, but he hurriedly stopped him. "No need, I'm good at doing these things."

This polite remark, however, made Ming Zhiyan's expression turn melancholy. "You were once a pampered young master, but you've suffered so much in these two years."

"The ups and downs of officialdom are common occurrences, I've been lucky for many years, it's appropriate to be tempered for two years. Besides, I'm back now, this is a good start." Yu Jianli quickly comforted Ming Zhiyan and deftly tidied up the bedding.

Ming Zhiyan kept watching him. "Mm-hmm, it will get better."

Yu Jianli was afraid of Ming Zhiyan's gloomy expression, after all, when this guy fell silent, he was certainly harboring resentment in his heart, plotting revenge and the like.

He quickly changed the subject. "By the way, why did you open such a separate dormitory?"

Thinking of the person next to Yu Jianli's room, Ming Zhiyan didn't have a good expression either. "Afraid that the playboy next to your room would cause conflicts with other students and hurt people again, I arranged a separate dormitory for him. It's thanks to him that you can have a single room."

Hearing this, Yu Jianli paled slightly.

Ming Zhiyan hurriedly reassured him. "Although his manners and temper are poor, he won't deliberately pick fights. You should keep a distance from him in your daily life, preferably avoiding him, and you'll be fine."

Yu Jianli still listened with trepidation, afraid that the person next door would hear.

Again hurting people?

Didn't that mean he had already hurt someone?

Such a domineering student must be a privileged student, the offspring of officials above the third rank, ordinary people wouldn't dare to provoke them.

Especially for him and Ming Zhiyan, whose families had fallen from grace and had previous political feuds, they had to be extra careful to avoid these people.

Seeing his panicked expression, Ming Zhiyan reassured him again. "Don't worry, he's not here right now. His situation is special, he's allowed to bring people into the Imperial Academy, if he's here, there will definitely be guards and servants standing around to protect him. There was no one when we came."

"Oh..." Yu Jianli let out a long sigh of relief.

Ming Zhiyan seemed to have other matters at hand. After ensuring that everything was settled for Yu Jianli, he said, "I have something to deal with, I'll come to see you tomorrow."

Yu Jianli softly replied, "Mm-hmm, I also plan to clean up a bit. When you're not here, I can work more freely, otherwise, the dust will choke you."

Taking advantage of Ming Zhiyan's absence of further dejection, Yu Jianli pushed him away: "Rest assured, I'm fine."

Ming Zhiyan replied in the gentlest tone: "Alright."

*

That night, the moon was bright and the stars sparse.

A tall figure briskly walked back to the dormitory courtyard.

The person following behind had to jog just to keep up, panting as he said: "Oh my, young master, give the spear to me. How can you bring weapons into the Imperial Academy? If word gets out, even Her Majesty the Empress won't be able to protect you!"

Ji Yanbai tossed the long spear to Tan Hui, who caught it, his body swaying before he hugged it to his chest. He then hurriedly entered the dormitory first, planning to wrap up the spear and hide it.

Ji Yanbai slowed his pace as he watched Tan Hui enter, his gaze sweeping over the sign at the entrance of the neighboring dormitory.

Qian Zhanli, what an odd name?

It does have a touch of the martial spirit of the jianghu.

After a quick glance, he followed into the dormitory.

At that moment, Yu Jianli, already asleep, was completely unaware that two out of his three characters of his name had been misread by someone.