Chapter 54: Ji Huaizhi Hesitated for Two Seconds, Then Curled His Lips…

A thin layer of sweat clung to Ning Shuang’s body.

His dazed eyes fixed on Ji Huaizhi for a long moment before he couldn’t resist lifting a hand to touch Ji Huaizhi’s face. Ji Huaizhi was strikingly handsome—his long hair cascading loosely, beads of sweat clinging to the stray strands at his temples, and his eyes so captivating. Every feature hit exactly the points Ning Shuang loved most.

Noticing Ning Shuang staring at him, Ji Huaizhi paused his movements. He raised his hand to grasp the warm one at his cheek, gently nuzzling against it before pressing a kiss to Ning Shuang’s palm.

Ning Shuang felt an intense heat bloom in the center of his hand. He tilted his head and closed his eyes. “Hurry up and finish, then get some rest early. I have to get up tomorrow morning to finish my homework.”

Ji Huaizhi’s brows furrowed slightly, a flicker of unhappiness crossing his face, but he said nothing. Instead, he let his actions speak for him.

That night, he didn’t let Ning Shuang rest much at all.

Ning Shuang couldn’t quite figure out where Ji Huaizhi got all that stamina from. By the time he drifted off to sleep, he’d completely forgotten about waking up early to do his homework.

After giving Ning Shuang a bath, it was already the wee hours of the morning.

A gentle night breeze whispered outside, moonlight slipping through the gap in the curtains, stars scattered across the black velvet sky. Everything felt serene and beautiful.

Ji Huaizhi tucked the blanket snugly around him and sat on the edge of the bed, quietly gazing at Ning Shuang’s sleeping face. What a beautiful face—thick brows, well-defined features, hair still slightly damp, and long lashes.

Ning Shuang wasn’t what he seemed at first glance. He came across as decisive and straightforward, but in truth, he had the softest heart. He’d been kind and compassionate since childhood. Ji Huaizhi leaned down to kiss Ning Shuang’s forehead. As his long hair brushed across Ning Shuang’s face, Ning Shuang reached up and wrapped his arms around Ji Huaizhi’s neck.

He mumbled, “Alright, time for bed, darling. We can talk about everything else tomorrow.”

See? He really was adorable.

Because of that soft heart, Ji Huaizhi let himself show vulnerability in front of Ning Shuang. He knew Ning Shuang would agree to his requests, even the unreasonable ones. So how could Ji Huaizhi ever bear to let him leave?

He recalled Ning Shuang’s inexplicable words from earlier that day.

What did he mean by “you’ll miss me”?

“Senior.”

“Ning Shuang.”

“Don’t leave,” he said.

Ten minutes or so passed. Ji Huaizhi gently pried Ning Shuang’s hand away, got up from the bed, and walked over to the desk.

The computer screen still glowed, displaying Ning Shuang’s professional homework that he’d only just started. Ji Huaizhi dimmed the brightness and quietly tapped away at the keyboard.

Until deep into the night.

~~~

That night, Ning Shuang had another dream, though it was different from the previous ones. He dreamed that he hadn’t completed the teacher’s assignment properly and got publicly scolded in front of everyone. He woke up startled.

After staring at the ceiling in a daze for a couple of seconds, he heard a scream from the next room over. Ji Huaizhi, who was washing up in the bathroom, rushed back to find Ning Shuang huddled on the floor by the desk with the blanket draped over him, his hair a wild mess. “My homework!! How did I sleep all the way till now?!”

Ning Shuang hurriedly opened the file from last night, only to discover that all the assignments inside had been filled with perfect answers—even the essay questions matched his writing style flawlessly.

?

Did he sleepwalk?

He checked his email and saw that at around four in the morning, his homework had already been sent to the professor.

Four in the morning… That was right after he and Ji Huaizhi had finished. So it wasn’t sleepwalking—Ji Huaizhi must have done it for him?

“What’s wrong?” Ji Huaizhi hurried over upon seeing Ning Shuang staring blankly at the screen. “Is there a problem with the answers?”

“Did you do my homework for me?” Ning Shuang turned around, looking at Ji Huaizhi in surprise.

Ji Huaizhi replied, “I’ve read some books on your major before. I know I went too far last night, so I wrote it up for you. Can Senior forgive me?”

He crouched at Ning Shuang’s feet, gazing up at him earnestly.

Ning Shuang leaned down, cupping Ji Huaizhi’s face and planting a quick kiss on it. “I wasn’t mad. I know you didn’t mean to.”

“Alright, do you want to sleep a bit more? I’ll make you some breakfast.” Ji Huaizhi stood up and asked.

“No more sleep.” Ning Shuang shook his head, then glanced at the time and exclaimed in shock, “Wait, you didn’t go to bed until after four? And now… you’ve only slept five hours?”

“That’s plenty,” Ji Huaizhi said.

Ning Shuang grabbed his hand and pulled him to the bed, making him sit down. “Lie down and sleep right now. I’ll make breakfast today!”

Ji Huaizhi found himself pushed onto the bed and tucked under the covers by Ning Shuang. “Sleep a little longer.”

“I’m fine…” Before Ji Huaizhi could finish, Ning Shuang flopped onto him. “Just sleep. I’ll stay with you until you fall asleep.”

The words caught in Ji Huaizhi’s throat. He hugged Ning Shuang through the blanket, rolling over so Ning Shuang ended up inside it with him. “Then Senior can sleep with me.”

He buried his face in the crook of Ning Shuang’s neck as he spoke.

Ning Shuang protested, “Hey… I’m not sleeping.”

“Senior, I’m so tired. Stay with me a little longer.” Ji Huaizhi didn’t lift his head, just nuzzled Ning Shuang’s neck with the top of his own before closing his eyes and pretending to sleep.

Ning Shuang’s throat bobbed as he swallowed. He managed to free one hand, pulling some of the blanket over Ji Huaizhi and wrapping his arms around him. “Sleep, darling.”

A smile tugged at Ji Huaizhi’s lips as he tightened his hold around Ning Shuang’s waist.

They both drifted off to sleep.

In the afternoon, the sunlight was pleasantly warm.

Golden rays filtered through the window, bathing the entire bed in a soft glow. One of the occupants shifted and habitually reached out for the other—only to grasp empty air. Blinking awake, Ning Shuang saw the empty spot beside him. His eyes were puffy from sleep. He rolled out of bed and followed the aroma of stir-frying out of the room.

Down in the living room, Ning Dundun seemed to sense Ning Shuang was awake. It dropped its toy and let out a series of excited calls toward him.

Ning Shuang tilted his head with a smile, his gaze drifting to the kitchen.

Ji Huaizhi looked especially good today, exuding a strong student vibe. The white shirt hugged his figure perfectly, the black trousers making his legs appear long and straight. The apron was loosely tied at his lower back, accentuating his waistline just right.

His long hair was pinned up with a simple wooden clasp, a few loose, wavy black strands framing his face and lending him an extra touch of gentleness.

The sight stirred something deep in Ning Shuang’s chest. He slipped on his slippers and hurried downstairs.

“Awake?” Ji Huaizhi turned at the sound of Ning Shuang approaching and gave him a soft smile.

Ning Shuang nodded and slipped his arms around Ji Huaizhi’s waist from behind. “I was supposed to make breakfast, but I fell back asleep.”

“No worries—after all, Senior was pretty worn out last night.” Ji Huaizhi’s tone was perfectly sincere.

Ning Shuang shot him a glare. “I told you to hold back a little.”

“Sorry. It’s because it’s you—I just can’t help myself.” Ji Huaizhi apologized, but his tone suggested he’d do it again in a heartbeat.

“And stop calling me ‘Senior’ all the time,” Ning Shuang said. Every time Ji Huaizhi said it, a strange electric tingle shot through his whole body.

Ji Huaizhi tilted his head. “What should I call you then? Baby?”

“Ahem, ahem!” Ning Shuang spat out the water he’d just sipped, choking until his face turned beet red. Ji Huaizhi quickly pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the droplets from his lips.

“Where did you learn that from?!” If “Senior” sent electricity through him, “Baby” made goosebumps erupt all over his skin.

Ji Huaizhi answered honestly, “I heard couples at school calling each other that.”

“No, no, no—I don’t want that.” Ning Shuang shook his head vigorously.

Ji Huaizhi pursed his lips. “Sweetie?”

“…” Ning Shuang slapped his forehead. “From school too?”

“Mm.” Ji Huaizhi nodded.

Ning Shuang rejected it outright. “No…”

Ji Huaizhi: “Wifey.”

“Ahem, ahem…”

Ning Shuang had just recovered enough to take a sip of water when the word made him spit it out again. He wiped his mouth and looked up. “If you’re going to call me something like that, shouldn’t it be ‘hubby’?”

“Hubby.”

Without the slightest hesitation, the word slipped from Ji Huaizhi’s lips the instant Ning Shuang finished speaking, as if his mouth had outpaced his brain.

The shock hit Ning Shuang like a jolt of electricity. He quickly backpedaled. “No, no—that won’t work either. Just call me Little Shuang like my family does. That’s nice too.”

Ji Huaizhi hesitated for two seconds, then curled his lips. “Hubby.”

Ning Shuang’s face flushed crimson in an instant. He lunged forward to clap a hand over Ji Huaizhi’s mouth. “Don’t say it! I told you not to call me that!”

Ji Huaizhi laughed. He rarely laughed so openly like this. Normally, he only offered a polite curve of the lips, but this time even his eyes crinkled at the corners. His soft laughter was pleasant, a little husky yet soothing all the same. Hearing him laugh like that, Ning Shuang knew right away it was deliberate.

Ning Shuang planted his hands on his hips, his expression full of knowing insight. “Doing it on purpose, huh?”

“Yeah, on purpose,” Ji Huaizhi admitted with a nod.

“You’ve gone and gotten naughty.”

“Mm.”

“Whatever. I’m in a good mood right now, so I won’t call you out on it. What are we having for brunch… no, lunch? Need a hand now?”

Ning Shuang tiptoed forward for a peek and caught sight of the winter melon ribs still simmering away in the pot.

Ji Huaizhi took hold of his hand. “No need. It’ll be ready soon. Go wash up. By the time you’re done, it’ll be all set.”

“Alright.” Ning Shuang figured he wouldn’t be much help anyway. He nodded, then brushed a gentle kiss against Ji Huaizhi’s cheek. “Thanks for all your hard work, dear.”

Ji Huaizhi nuzzled Ning Shuang’s hand before turning back to the stove once Ning Shuang had headed upstairs.

By the time Ning Shuang came back down, freshly washed, Ji Huaizhi had just finished preparing lunch. Ning Shuang hurried into the kitchen to grab the bowls and chopsticks. Then the two of them sat shoulder to shoulder at the dining table and dug in.

“Library this afternoon?” Ning Shuang asked, tilting his head during a lull in the meal.

Just then, Ji Huaizhi scooped up a chunk of potato and held it to Ning Shuang’s lips. Ning Shuang had no choice but to open his mouth and take it. As expected, Ji Huaizhi hadn’t really processed his question. On second thought, Ning Shuang decided it wasn’t such a bad thing. After all, this was just Ji Huaizhi’s take on relationships. Trying to correct him outright wouldn’t be easy—in fact, it might only upset him and plant seeds of doubt, especially since this was his first time dating.

“I’ll go if you come with me,” Ji Huaizhi replied.

The potato chunk was on the larger side, leaving one of Ning Shuang’s cheeks puffed out. “Then let’s head over. Ever since we started dating, you haven’t been going to the library much… Don’t bomb the midterms, or your family will give you hell.”

In Ning Shuang’s eyes, Ji Huaizhi’s parents were the textbook example of strict disciplinarians—the kind who demanded perfection and unleashed criticism at the slightest slip-up.

“They won’t give me hell. They stopped caring about me ages ago,” Ji Huaizhi said.

Ning Shuang blinked. “Huh?”

“Did you two have a fight?”

“We fell out a long time ago.”

Pity and sympathy suddenly flooded Ning Shuang’s gaze as he looked at Ji Huaizhi. He suspected this constant unease of Ji Huaizhi’s stemmed from his family situation.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be right by your side from now on.”

“Okay.” Ji Huaizhi clearly didn’t care much about his family; his face showed no change when he mentioned them, and his tone stayed as cool as ever. Ning Shuang’s promise, on the other hand, noticeably brightened his mood. He picked up a slice of winter melon and offered it to Ning Shuang’s mouth.

“Eat some more, Senior,” he said with a smile.

Ning Shuang started to say there was no need to feed him, but Ji Huaizhi’s eyes were brimming with such eager expectation that he swallowed hard and opened his mouth to accept the winter melon.

“Alright, you eat too.” Ning Shuang shoveled a big bite of rice.

“Okay.”