Chapter 44: I’m Not Worthy…

Chapter 44: I'm Not Worthy...

Chi Xingcun was taken aback, surprised to hear Qin Liyi say that.

He really had been watching his spending lately.

Because he'd learned he wasn't their biological son, he didn't dare spend too much of their money on himself anymore.

But when it came to spending on Xie Yean, he never hesitated.

Noticing Qin Liyi was getting down again because of him, Chi Xingcun patted his back and soothed, "It's okay."

The longer he was around Qin Liyi, the more he saw a side of him he never knew existed.

He used to think Qin Liyi was aloof and didn't give a damn about anything, but now it seemed that wasn't the case at all—he was actually a softie who sympathized with anyone easily.

"If I ever... ever leave this world behind, we'll still be friends... I don't want you to leave me either."

For the first time, he said what was really on his mind, his voice barely a whisper.

Everyone thought he was the Chi family's young master, but in his own heart, he already wasn't—he was just biding his time until he could leave.

He'd never imagined he'd still be friends with Qin Liyi; he'd planned to cut ties with this whole world completely.

But somehow, they'd only gotten closer.

He couldn't stand the thought of leaving Qin Liyi on his own.

And if he got abandoned, Qin Liyi would probably cry, right?

Hearing that, Qin Liyi's heart slammed hard in his chest—a louder alarm bell than ever before, dread crashing over him like a tidal wave—

The young master wanted to leave the Chi family?!

If this got out, the whole rich circle would be rocked to its core.

But the Chi family wasn't somewhere the young master could just up and leave—how could his parents ever let him go?

So by that logic, the ones who'd hurt the young master included his parents—hell, the whole rich class.

No wonder the young master never showed up to gatherings anymore, refused to stay at the Chi house, and even... spent less money because he didn't want to use his parents' money?

So the real question was: when had the damage been done?

......

That night, lying in bed, Chi Xingcun brought up moving back to the dorms again.

He tried to explain, "Moving back to school doesn't mean I don't wanna be friends anymore."

Qin Liyi was adamant: "Then tell me—you're willing to be close to me, so I don't disgust you. So why won't you stay at my place?"

"..."

Chi Xingcun was at a loss, grabbing a pillow and burying his face in it, flustered and with no idea how to convince Qin Liyi.

After a long pause, a few muffled, hoarse words came from under the blanket:

"I'm not worthy..."

The bright overhead light had been switched off, plunging the room into darkness.

Qin Liyi hadn't even lain down yet, and for a second, he wondered if he'd heard right.

The whole world went quiet for a few seconds.

Then Qin Liyi's head started buzzing, and he lost all reason and composure.

A dim orange light spilled across the bed. Qin Liyi stared at the lumpy blanket, and only after who knows how long did he pull it back to reveal Chi Xingcun's big, bright eyes.

He leaned over, looking down at the guy beneath him: "What kinda nonsense is the young master talking? If you weren't worthy, why would I call you that?"

Chi Xingcun pouted slightly: "Then stop calling me that from now on."

Qin Liyi squinted with a faint smile: "Nope. You're the young master, so why shouldn't I call you that? Aren't you being a little tyrannical?"

Qin Liyi reached out and deliberately tickled Chi Xingcun, making him squirm and laugh uncontrollably while begging for mercy.

"Stop, stop..." Chi Xingcun was tearing up.

Qin Liyi lifted the blanket and slid in next to Chi Xingcun, wrapping an arm around him while his other hand pinned Chi Xingcun's hand down on the other side.

He leaned in close to Chi Xingcun's ear, warm breath ghosting over his cheek, voice low and husky: "Young master, has it been a while..."

Chi Xingcun looked up with teary, dazed eyes, confused: "What?"

(Redacted content on VB)

......

He had class Monday morning, but Chi Xingcun slept in until ten.

When he woke up, he had no clue where he was.

He tossed and turned in bed for ages before finally sitting up and heading to the bathroom.

But the first step—it hurt so bad he winced.

He held the wall with one hand and looked down—medicine had been applied, but it was still clearly swollen, so much that his thighs chafed together when he walked.

When he got to the bathroom and looked in the mirror, he was shocked—his cheeks, the front and sides of his neck, the back of his neck, and his chest were all covered in marks he couldn't even describe.

Anyone would've thought he had an allergic reaction.

Remembering last night, his whole face went red.

He had no idea why he hadn't said no last night...

Maybe it was the stress that made him wanna let loose...

But he hadn't expected Qin Liyi to go that crazy...

Though it made sense—being a jock, Qin Liyi had always had insane stamina and endless energy.

Looking at himself in the mirror, he instantly regretted everything—how was he supposed to go out like this?

Just then, he heard the door open and looked up to see Qin Liyi walk in.

He immediately glared at him, cheeks puffed up in anger.

Qin Liyi knew he'd gone overboard last night, so he deliberately put on a pitiful face, hoping to beg for Chi Xingcun's forgiveness.

"I'm sorry, young master. I swear, it won't happen again..."

He scooped Chi Xingcun up in a bridal carry, walked over to the room, and set him down on the bed.

He raised the ointment in his hand and said humbly, "It's been two hours, time to apply it again."

Only then did Chi Xingcun realize that Qin Liyi had been the one applying the medicine for him!

At the thought of Qin Liyi helping him with the medicine there, his blood rushed to his head, his face turning as red as an apple, and tears welled up in his eyes.

"I'll do it myself!"

Knowing the process wouldn't be pretty, Chi Xingcun shooed Qin Liyi out of the room before lowering his head to apply the ointment himself.

Once done, he didn't call Qin Liyi back. Instead, he lay on the bed and pulled out his phone, planning to text the class monitor.

As soon as he opened the app, he saw several classmates asking why he hadn't come to class, including the monitor.

Some of them asked if he was sick.

Chi Xingcun felt a pang of emotion, touched by the concern. In his past life, he'd been treated like garbage—who would have cared about him like this?

He thought, even if he died without completing this mission, at least he'd die happier and with more dignity than in his previous life.

He replied to each classmate individually, then sent to the monitor: "Hey, monitor, can you tell the teacher for me? I'm feeling a little under the weather, so I didn't make it to class."

Xue Tianye, who was in class at the time, received Chi Xingcun's message and let out a sigh of relief, also feeling gratified. When had Chi Xingcun ever thought to ask for leave when skipping class before?

"Alright, I'll let him know. Did you catch a cold? I was worried when you didn't show up, and the others in class were too—they kept asking me where you were."

Chi Xingcun curved his lips into a small smile.

"I just took a fall, it's nothing. Thanks, everyone."

Outside the door, Qin Liyi glanced down at the bedroom surveillance feed on his phone screen, waited a good while, then pushed the door open and went in.