It really couldn’t be blamed on Qi Jing for overthinking things. The Bo Chengyan in the book seemed to suffer from some kind of condition, but it was never explicitly stated.
What if something actually happened to him? What would he do then?
More specifically, what about his tuition fees?
Qi Jing tilted his head up to look at the man. Dressed in pajamas, his neck and chest were a uniform, glistening white—like a porcelain doll.
His pupils were a light brown, his gaze utterly focused, reflecting the man’s furrowed brow.
“Alright, I know,” came a voice, slightly husky.
Bo Chengyan suspected he needed Lin Se to give him a full check-up. It had been years since he’d experienced any auditory hallucinations.
Qi Jing played the part of the dutiful little bird earnestly, gazing up at the man without so much as a blink.
Bo Chengyan rubbed his brow and lifted his hand to remove his wristwatch. But in the brief moment it took him to turn around, the boy had circled right back.
Still staring at him.
Was that really necessary…?
He couldn’t suppress the faint upward curve of his lips. He’d picked up Qi Jing at a flood relief award ceremony.
The boy had looked like a white cat caked in mud and muck.
Utterly pitiful.
His reputation wasn’t the best these days, and colleagues kept thrusting people at him one after another—men and women alike. There were simply too many.
When word got out that President Bo had brought home a fifteen-year-old kid, no one batted an eye.
A reputation that rotten had its perks: it warded off a lot of unnecessary trouble.
Bo Chengyan did hold Qi Jing’s legal guardianship, technically speaking. But it wasn’t registered under his own name. When all was said and done, he’d even set aside an inheritance for the boy.
A well-behaved kid like that deserved it.
“There’s a banquet this afternoon. I won’t be coming back. Head upstairs.”
The man beckoned toward the door and rubbed his brow again. Clearly, he thought something was wrong with him.
He didn’t dwell on it.
“What kind of banquet?” Qi Jing’s eyes were crystalline clear, utterly guileless.
He took a step closer.
Bo Chengyan stood in the entryway and glanced down at him. It was exactly as he’d expected.
An immature mind often harbored unrealistic fantasies about adults.
“Just your standard banquet.”
Qi Jing’s expression froze, a flash of genuine unhappiness crossing his face. Standard banquet? How standard?
Anxiety churned in his chest. A goldfinch like him was nothing but cannon fodder—didn’t even rate a name. What if the man brought home someone new from this banquet?
It was like some self-preservation protocol kicking in.
The youth threw his arms around the man again in an instant, latching onto his waist. In a low murmur, he said, “Mr. Bo… don’t take a liking to anyone else…”
But at the same time—
[Job market’s rough these days, big shot. Don’t make me compete for the spot, alright? I’m counting on you for tuition two years from now…]
His tone was utterly dejected.
The man seized his chin almost on reflex. Qi Jing was still young, his skin fair and exquisitely soft. Two years of care had turned him into an obedient, sensible pet.
What was that voice just now?
But it didn’t end there.
Qi Jing tilted his head back obediently. He was far too accustomed to the gesture—like one inspecting a beloved pet.
He had a habit of zoning out.
[So sleepy… Up before eight… Hurry up and finish playing with me so I can go back to bed. Sleepy, sleepy, sleepy…]
It was unmistakably the youth’s inner thoughts, the tone now lighter, almost cheerful.
Bo Chengyan’s furrowed brow lingered too long, drawing a puzzled look from the boy. Physiological tears welled in the youth’s eyes.
He peered up cautiously.
“What’s wrong, Mr. Bo?”
[You done pinching? That’s gonna leave a fingerprint for sure.]
The man released him as if burned, frowning in a daze as he checked the boy’s chin. Sure enough, a red mark had bloomed there.
The youth stood rooted in place, gazing at him obediently.
Just like a cat.
Bo Chengyan lingered in the entryway for a rare few minutes.
Tears still clung to the corners of Qi Jing’s eyes, making it seem like his feelings were truly hurt. But in reality—
[Why hasn’t he left yet?]
Bo Chengyan had never put stock in ghosts or gods. His mind was a placid pool, utterly undisturbed for years—until now, inexplicably roiled.
He ought to be heading to Lin Se for a check-up right this moment, not…
“…Come out with me, Little Jing.”
~~~
Qi Jing froze outright. Bo Chengyan had kept him for two years and almost never let him set foot outside. School rides were in a dedicated car, and even his watch came equipped with GPS and an emergency line.
The control was ironclad.
Like he was raising a son.
The youth stood there in a daze but quickly schooled his expression, his cheeks flushing pink. “Really? I’ll be right there.”
Qi Jing scampered up the stairs like a startled fawn, his mind a chaotic whirl. What was going on?
He zoned out for a split second and nearly tumbled down the steps, barely catching the handrail. He glanced back in a fluster.
Bo Chengyan was still watching him.
“I didn’t fall.”
His face burned red. How embarrassing.
“Mm.”
Upstairs, he threw on some clothes. Qi Jing had no shortage of outfits—every color and style imaginable, formal wear included.
He just hadn’t figured he’d ever need them.
His fingers hovered over a plain dark suit, but then he reconsidered. What if it wasn’t a proper banquet? What if it was crawling with pretty little things?
What if he ended up getting pinned down?
Qi Jing grabbed a flashier white suit instead, pinned on a brooch, and smoothed his bangs.
His skin looked decent after waking up that morning, and the natural slight curls at his hair ends held their shape.
Roughly fifteen minutes later.
He rode the elevator down and approached the man with a warm smile. “I’m ready, sir.”
The moment Qi Jing settled into the car, sleepiness hit him hard. Truth be told, he and Bo Chengyan didn’t spend much time together. The original book had marked them as “mutually clean”—male virtue demanded fidelity to the protagonist, and it planted the seeds for a misunderstanding down the line.
His head nodded forward bit by bit until it lolled against the car window.
“He hasn’t gotten enough sleep before either?”
The driver murmured up front, “Little Jing gets drowsy on the school ride too. Maybe it’s the car, sir. Should I crack a window?”
Spring chill still lingered; the trees outside hadn’t sprouted green buds yet, leaving everything misty and subdued.
The boy was out cold.
No sounds from the back.
The driver waited a moment before a calm voice drifted forward.
“No need. Just drive steady.”
Qi Jing only stirred when they arrived, blinking awake in confusion as the man leaned over him. His breath hitched. “S-Sir…”
Click.
He never bothered with his seatbelt. The youth blinked, watching as the other unbuckled it for him.
“Out you go.”
Qi Jing stepped from the car and craned his neck to eye the place. Yuan Sheng Clubhouse?
He’d heard the name somewhere before.
The day was overcast; even mid-morning lacked any sunlight.
Qi Jing rarely ventured out, so everything felt unfamiliar. He recalled his role as the little bird and reached for Bo Chengyan’s hand.
[One, two, three…]
Bo Chengyan looked puzzled. “And then?”
Qi Jing blanked, tilting his head up in bewilderment. “Ah…”
[Three seconds up. Why hasn’t he shaken me off?]
Bo Chengyan arched a brow faintly, staring down at that small face before tugging him inside.
The banquet itself was nothing special—just business schmoozing.
The venue choice, however, was rather telling.
Suits filled the room: young hotshots, old money scions, each with a companion in tow, to varying degrees.
Qi Jing realized every eye in the place locked onto him the moment they entered.
The stares were loaded.
Bo Chengyan seemed to still be watching him, so Qi Jing remembered his place and let go.
“Sir, you go handle your business. I can wait by myself.”
Bo Chengyan paused for a second or two. No stray voices this time. “Go on, then.”
Qi Jing drifted comfortably to a corner and took in the other “companions” around the room with perfect ease. Plenty of lookers among them.
Men and women alike.
All little birds, huh?
Nice.
His body relaxed without him realizing it.
The youth hadn’t seen much of the world, but this beat the heck out of the mountains by miles. His mood lifted for no reason at all.
He caught his reflection in a mirrored wall: fair skin, sharp brows and eyes, jet-black hair stark against it all.
Like a BJD doll.
Good-looking.
Qi Jing figured his spot was secure. Bo Chengyan met the protagonist in college—his freshman year. The big shot would surely cut him a check by then.
He’d pick a solid major, ace the civil service exam, and settle into a nine-to-five life.
Perfect.
His lips quirked up just a touch.
He popped a piece of chocolate in his mouth—and winced at the bitterness.
His brows knit; he wanted some water.
But right then, a man with a pinched voice thrust out a hand glittering with diamonds and flashy manicured nails.
He offered a glass of wine.
Blue, with a gradient fade.
“You’re Qi Jing, right?” Jiang Xiuyuan’s outfit wasn’t exactly proper—his upper body draped in black mesh, a lip piercing glinting, blue contacts lending him an otherworldly gleam.
He looked like a sprite straight out of a fairy tale.
The youth nodded earnestly. “That’s me.”
“But I can’t drink alcohol. Sorry.”
Qi Jing said it with perfect sincerity, then turned the question back. “What’s your name?”
His tone was utterly innocent.
Maybe it was his developing voice, but even speaking evenly, Qi Jing came off… coquettish, especially next to taller men.
Jiang Xiuyuan felt thoroughly upstaged. With a snide edge, he said, “Is this how you flirt in front of President Bo?”
“Flirt with what?” Qi Jing asked, genuinely curious.
Folks from the mountains never ran short on curiosity.
…
Jiang Xiuyuan fell silent for a beat, then rolled his eyes. “Your looks, obviously.”
Qi Jing thought for a moment and nodded. “Right. In our line of work, you have to flaunt it.”
A second or two passed.
“I get it.”
Jiang Xiuyuan’s entire face flushed red, his voice nearly slipping out of control. “What do you mean ‘our line of work’? What exactly do you get?”
A few gazes shifted their way.
Shadows overlapped in the dim light.
Bo Chengyan simply sat on the nearby sofa, his expression blank as he watched the scene unfolding not far away.
Someone beside him fawned, “President Bo, what made you decide to bring your little darling out tonight?”
“You’re just going to leave him there by himself?”
“I’ve never seen you let him out before. Mind if I touch him?”
In the flickering lamplight, a chilling gaze swept over.
“Chen Zhuo.”
The man across from him immediately reined himself in, his expression turning sly and teasing. He said softly, “That… that Jiang Xiuyuan over there. Didn’t he try to seduce you once?”
“You’re not worried he’ll spill some nonsense?”
Chen Zhuo grinned and swirled his wine glass. He could tell at a glance that the kid had walked in without a shred of fear, utterly straightforward and pure.
He’d probably never even kissed anyone.
This guy really—
He’d turned keeping pets into a hobby.
It was Qi Jing’s first time chatting with people in a place like this clubhouse, and he listened intently, though he was prone to getting distracted. That lip piercing kept catching his eye, glinting as it moved.
“Are you even listening to me?”
Jiang Xiuyuan rolled his eyes and flicked his wrist in a limp-wristed gesture, clearly furious.
“Your lip piercing looks great.”
“…Really?”
Qi Jing hadn’t seen much of the world, so he nodded earnestly. The compliment instantly boosted Jiang Xiuyuan’s confidence.
“You look like you’ve got no clue… This one’s from the GLAD Series…”
He trailed off midway, his eyes landing on the teenager’s spring custom suit and the brooch that looked like it cost six figures. He nearly choked.
But the kid was still tilting his head up at him.
Jiang Xiuyuan scrambled for another angle of attack. After a moment’s thought, he sneered, “You’re nothing but a kept man at best. Do you have any idea who President Bo is? Don’t get delusions of grandeur.”
Qi Jing was already something of a celebrity in these circles, though no one had seen much of him, and he wasn’t easy to strike up a conversation with.
Word was, he had trackers on him everywhere, and at least two or three bodyguards shadowing him at all times.
He was that spoiled.
Must have some serious skills in bed.
Strutting like a proud peacock, Jiang Xiuyuan let the boy’s sincere praise go to his head. His tone rose without him realizing it.
Sure enough, people were looking over now.
Qi Jing blinked in surprise, then it clicked. So Bo Chengyan had brought him to this banquet to test his loyalty?
Perfect.
He’d been practicing for this.
The teenager pursed his lips and glanced around at the crowd. Not too many people—just the right number.
Meanwhile—
Chen Zhuo asked curiously, “You’re just going to let him get bullied like that?”
“Having a lovers’ spat? Testing him? Ha.”
The man beside him said nothing, simply rising to his feet.
Chen Zhuo’s smile faded. He checked his watch. Only fifteen minutes had passed.
Kept on such a tight leash.
That old man back home even wanted to marry his sister off to Bo Chengyan… What the hell was he thinking?
The young man strode over as well, purely to watch the drama unfold.
