Chapter 7: Mom, I Won’t Be Coming Back Often Anymore

Chapter 7: Mom, I Won't Be Coming Home Often Anymore

Chi Xingcun was rendered speechless for a moment, then simply grabbed the tablet.

Qin Liyi rested his chin on Chi Xingcun's shoulder, sounding both surprised and a little disappointed: "You're really choosing to study?"

"But you're gonna have to take over the company eventually. What's the point of studying biology? Ever think about switching majors?"

Last semester, Qin Liyi had heard Chi Xingcun was thinking about switching majors—to be in the same class as Fu Chenzhan. But now, seeing Chi Xingcun's attitude, he wasn't sure if he still wanted to.

"I'm not switching," Chi Xingcun said firmly, then started flipping to the first chapter of the textbook.

With nothing else to do, Qin Liyi just stayed by his side, but since he had no intention of studying, he picked up a novel to read instead.

Chi Xingcun had never really studied seriously in his life. His mind had a hard time focusing, and now, staring at line after line of technical jargon, he just felt dizzy and lightheaded. Then drowsiness crept in, and his eyelids got heavy.

He ended up lying down to look at the tablet.

After the minute hand went all the way around, his eyes couldn't help but close.

Qin Liyi had been watching him the whole time. Seeing him doze off, he couldn't help but pinch his cheek and chuckle: "Giving up on studying? So cute. You've always been like this since we were kids."

Hearing his voice, Chi Xingcun woke up groggily, pushed himself up, and looked down at the book. But he felt dizzy and sleepy again, his vision blurring until he couldn't even read the words.

A wave of frustration hit him, and he felt like crying. Why was he so useless? If he stayed like this, he'd still end up with the same fate as his past life—if he couldn't escape his family.

Qin Liyi vaguely sensed something was wrong and quickly turned him toward himself.

"What's wrong?"

His voice was soft as he lowered his head to study Chi Xingcun's face.

His big, round, sparkling eyes were cast downward, looking a little hurt, his eyelids slightly red.

"Why are you crying? Feeling upset? If you don't wanna study, then don't. Not everyone's cut out for studying—that's totally normal. Who bullied you? Did someone force you to study? Tell me, and I'll go kick their ass."

Except when it came to Fu Chenzhan, Qin Liyi had basically never seen Chi Xingcun make this face, because Chi Xingcun never pushed himself and was always incredibly optimistic.

Honestly, seeing Chi Xingcun like this made Qin Liyi a little uneasy.

Chi Xingcun kept his head down and only pushed him away after a long moment.

"No one bullied me... and I wasn't crying. I'm just sleepy."

"Come on, let's go take a nap."

Qin Liyi grabbed Chi Xingcun's hand and led him upstairs.

Chi Xingcun had his own room at Qin Liyi's place, since he occasionally came over to sleep.

Chi Xingcun went into the room and quickly buried himself under the covers, closing his eyes.

He didn't close the door, and after a while, Qin Liyi showed up at his doorway. Looking at the quiet figure on the bed, Qin Liyi pulled out his phone and gave someone a call.

Earlier, when Chi Xingcun had been in a fight with Fu Chenzhan and refusing to see anyone, Qin Liyi had someone follow Chi Xingcun and report everything he did each day.

What the guy told him was that Chi Xingcun stayed in his dorm every day, not even leaving campus to eat.

That in itself was the biggest red flag.

But what had triggered it? What made Chi Xingcun shut himself away from everyone for a month, even Fu Chenzhan? What made him suddenly want to study? What made him so down, not smiling, not happy?

This was seriously the worst.

Qin Liyi hated seeing Chi Xingcun unhappy.

He figured his top priority right now was to make Chi Xingcun happy again.

"Dig further back." With that, he hung up.

Before long, Qin Liyi skillfully climbed onto Chi Xingcun's bed, wrapped his arms around him from behind, then took out his phone and snapped a photo of Chi Xingcun sleeping, sending it to Fu Chenzhan.

"He's asleep at my place. He was crying just now. Don't know what happened. Probably not just because you didn't get him a birthday gift."

Fu Chenzhan saw the message, a shadow of gloom settling over his heart: "You're sleeping in the same bed as him?"

Qin Liyi chuckled and smirked: "What, can't I? We're good friends."

Fu Chenzhan: "Get off him."

Qin Liyi laughed with a "heh" and replied: [Fine, I'm not actually sleeping with him, just took a photo to mess with you.]

After sending it, he tossed his phone aside, not bothering to check whatever Fu Chenzhan sent next.

Then he burrowed down and hugged Chi Xingcun, his long arm wrapping around Chi Xingcun's waist.

Chi Xingcun had a really nice scent—warm, sweet, and fragrant, irresistible to hold onto.

Qin Liyi really didn't get what was wrong with Fu Chenzhan, not liking someone as amazing as Chi Xingcun.

Qin Liyi thought, too bad he was straight, or else he'd definitely take Chi Xingcun home.

......

When Chi Xingcun woke up, he realized someone was lying behind him.

He turned his head—it was Qin Liyi.

Qin Liyi's hand was resting on his waist, smiling at him.

Chi Xingcun felt a little helpless.

"What are you doing?"

Qin Liyi: "Nothing. Sleeping alone was boring, so I came over to have you keep me company."

Chi Xingcun didn't stay overnight at Qin Liyi's place and instead went back to his dorm.

When he was about to leave, Qin Liyi didn't want to let him go. The two went back and forth for a while before Qin Liyi reluctantly let him go.

He told Qin Liyi he was going back to his place.

Chi Xingcun naturally wanted to stay in Qin Liyi's luxurious apartment, but he was afraid that if he stayed too long, he'd get used to it and wouldn't be able to live in ordinary, even shabby, rooms.

So he had no choice but to reluctantly turn Qin Liyi down.

He didn't go back to the Chi family home either, but returned to his dorm.

He slept in the dorm, and the next day was Sunday with no classes. Chi Xingcun didn't leave the dorm, didn't even eat three meals, lying on his bed listening to the lectures Qin Liyi had sent him.

His mom called him.

"Sweetie, why didn't you come home to sleep?"

Chi Xingcun said, "It's just more convenient for me to stay in the dorm. Mom, I won't be coming back often from now on."

There was a long silence on the phone, then Chi's mother chuckled softly: "Why has my boy suddenly become so mature? Or are you trying to switch to Fu Chenzhan's major behind my back?"

Chi Xingcun: "No... Mom, I don't want to transfer to Fu Chenzhan's major anymore. I think my current major is great, and I've really grown to love it..."

Chi's mother sounded genuinely curious: "You've grown to love this major? Alright, if you love it, then study it. Whatever you want to do, Mom supports you, okay?"

Chi Xingcun: "Okay, thank you, Mom."

Chi's mother added, "Why haven't I seen you use the money on your card lately? Sweetie, aren't you spending any money?"

Chi Xingcun paused: "It's because I haven't finished the balance yet. Mom, don't worry, I won't deprive myself."

"Oh..." Chi's mother could only say, "Alright, call me if anything comes up, you know? Your dad's coming back from his business trip next week. Can you come home then to spend some time with us?"

Chi Xingcun felt a pang of heartache: "Okay, of course I'll come back to be with you. Mom, I love you both very much."

"Mm-hmm, good son, study hard, but don't overwork yourself, you hear?"

"Mm, bye, Mom."