Life-Saving Days by the Husky’s Side

Zhou Li was truly stupefied.

Because Ji Shaoyan’s character was very questionable, he had thought this young master would be evasive about certain conditions. Unexpectedly, he was willing to give in so easily.

The meaning of “destroy” in their specific circle, in addition to physical destruction, it also refers to the destruction of everything one has built up, including their future plans.

The simplest method was to abandon all assets he held in his country, completely sever all relations with Grandpa Ji, and be thrown abroad to die alone, never being able to return, forced to forever be isolated in some unknown country.

As for the other methods, there were too many to count.

However, for a mentally sick yandere like him, even if he manages to rise to prosperity while living abroad, to not be able to see the person he loves is a fate more painful than being slaughtered. 

Zhou Li knew that Ji Shaoyan was genuinely devoting his heart to this idea and would undoubtedly force himself to stay far away if Zhou Li chose so, so he too became silent for a while.

He began to weigh his heart in his own mind, wondering if really had any feelings for Ji Shaoyan. After a short contemplation, he realised that the young master’s analysis was actually correct. His attention has indeed been on Ji Shaoyan this entire time.

Besides, he wasn’t some kind of philanthropist. It wasn’t like he’s never been chased before. 

In the past, the people who chased him were a dime a dozen and there were also a few extreme characters thrown in the lot, but to them, he always gave a clean rejection. When it came to Ji Shaoyan, why was he so prudent in his considerations; so indecisive about his feelings?

Because to some extent, he really did care for him.

This thought appeared in his head and his heart jumped slightly, secretly admitting to himself that if it weren’t for a certain personality trait, he would probably agree without a second thought. 

He looked at this person’s face and said, “You, give me another three days to think about it.”

Ji Shaoyan said, “Okay.”

The two were too engaged in conversation, neither paying attention to the clock on the wall.

As soon as this “okay” was said, the class bell rang. It was rare for Ji Shaoyan to make such a low-level mistake of forgetting the time, so he helplessly sighed, “Let’s go ba, we’re late.”

The two hurried to the main teaching building. Once they reached the ground floor, they looked up and happened to see Song Yingshi walking over from another path. Her eyes were lined with a slight red tinge, and it was likely she had gone off somewhere to hide and cry.

Song Yingshi also saw them, reluctantly forcing a smile and saying hello before entering the main entrance.

Zhou Li couldn’t help but pause in his steps, waiting until her figure disappeared before entering the building himself. Glancing at the back of the head in front of him, he asked lowly, “Don’t care?”

Ji Shaoyan asked back, “What’s there to care about?”

Only then did Zhou Li remember that he had forgotten to tell the other of the romance plot with Song Yingshi, so he briefly brought Ji Shaoyan up to date as they walked.

Ji Shaoyan was very considerate. “Do you want to hear the truth this time, or shall I make some modifications?”

Zhou Li understood his meaning but still requested, “The truth.”

Ji Shaoyan said, “I don’t care. Why should it matter to me?”

Zhou Li expected this to be the outcome and was somewhat distressed. “Eggy, in any case, she still fed you.”

Ji Shaoyan: “If you didn’t throw me away, she never would’ve had the chance to feed me.”

Zhou Li: “So you’re saying it’s my fault?”

Ji Shaoyan went silent for two seconds before gently conceding, “You are right. In any case, she still fed me. I will think of a solution.”

Zhou Li suddenly felt apologetic, feeling that he was causing too much trouble without any reason, so he said, “It’s fine, she’s not your relative nor your friend. If you don’t want to bother with her then leave it, I was just asking casually. She’s not stupid, it’s unlikely for her to throw herself in unfavourable situation.”

Ji Shaoyan briefly laughed. “En… Is this how you’re showing your love* to me?”

[T/N: 心疼: loving dearly/feeling distressed/feeling sorry]

“……” Zhou Li exited the elevator and left the wheelchair in the middle of the corridor. “We’re here. Go back to your classroom yourself. Bye.”

Ji Shaoyan didn’t mind his poor service at all and returned a goodbye in a good manner, heading back alone in his wheelchair.

Liang Jingxiu’s classroom was next to his. Class had only just begun so the classroom door was still open and he happened to see his friend slowly passing by. Glancing at his lateness, he couldn’t hold back his need to gossip. He sent a short message, asking whether Ji Shaoyan was successful or not.

It took a few minutes for Ji Shaoyan to return: Unsuccessful.

Liang Jingxiu was very shocked.

He felt that with A-Yan’s temper, he might’ve directly revealed all his secrets.

These two people have been close since playing the game together during the summer break. A-Yan had also spent the weekends with the other boy. With A-Yan’s skills, he should almost be close to fully wearing the other down. Once Zhou Li learns that A-Yan is Eggy, after the initial shock, his affection for A-Yan will definitely receive a huge boost, then A-Yan will take the opportunity to suggest giving things a try. As long as Zhou Li isn’t a pure straight man, there was an 80% chance he will agree.

He asked: Did you mention the husky?

Ji Shaoyan: I already told him sometime ago.

Liang Jingxiu was even more shocked: And you’re still not successful?

He can’t be blamed for being so surprised. This group of childhood friends have understood the ways of the world since they were young, like men who have experienced and gained knowledge on everything on earth. A-Yan did not get to live the peaceful life a child should have and matured earlier than them. The title of “first place” in this circle was not an easy title to hold. A-Yan has steadily sat on this throne for so many years; these little boys in their school can’t even match up to half of his worth. Even the old and cunning Grandpa Ji will occasionally be deceived. Now, could it be that his IQ has been lowered because he fell in love?

Ji Shaoyan understood the meaning of this text at a glance, particularly wanting to reply, “This is because Zhou Li has also gained knowledge of the world; he won’t be swayed even if you point things out right in front of him*.” However, he wasn’t willing to disclose Zhou Li’s matters with others and what’s more, the whole deal with the jade pendant and ‘novel plot’ was even harder to explain, so he directly changed the subject.

[T/N: 连你放到他面前都不够看: not sure how to translate this]

Ji Shaoyan: Soon. I need you to do something for me.

Liang Jingxiu: Can it be, you want to sabotage Xiao-Yan ba?

Ji Shaoyan: No.

Liang Jingxiu: ?

Ji Shaoyan: Something trivial has come up on Song Yingshi’s side, you go take care of it.

Liang Jingxiu: ? ? ? Why me?

Ji Shaoyan: I’m busy chasing someone.

Liang Jingxiu: ……

Ji Shaoyan: I’ll leave it to you.

To be perfectly honest, he didn’t want to bother with her. However, Zhou Li did.

Although Zhou Li said it was fine if he didn’t want to help her, he knew that if things were to develop downhill, sooner or later Zhou Li won’t be able to hold back his instincts to intervene, because Zhou Li kept a constantly updated book of accounts in his heart. It doesn’t matter what happens to other people; no one can harm Song Yingshi. Zhou Li felt that if it weren’t for him and his preemptive actions, the male protagonist would be Song Yingshi’s at this point in time——however, with all due respect, Ji Shaoyan really couldn’t see how Song Yingshi had any good points.

Fortunately, this issue was very easy to solve.

After half a year of pillow talks, Song Yingshi’s stepmother finally managed to persuade Father Song. This semester, she successfully stuffed her own twins* into Mingying’s junior high school. They were now in their second year.

[T/N: literally, dragon and phoenix siblings (twins of different sex)]

The Song family was only somewhat richer than ordinary households so it was unsurprising that they wouldn’t allocate personal drivers and cars for their children, so Song Yingshi was responsible for driving every day.

But the pair of dragon and phoenix twins were each more vicious than the other in everything they did, and both will pretend to be innocent. Sitting in Song Yingshi’s car, they will make trouble for her from time to time, such as ‘accidentally’ knocking over their soy milk when getting off the car and spilling it all over her body, or when they waited for her after school, they would ‘inadvertently’ say some things that will splash dirty water* on her or something along the lines of that… A bunch of worthless and trivial things.

[T/N: ruin her reputation]

Song Yingshi attended a public junior high school and entered this high school through her own efforts in the entrance exam.

She was already rather dissatisfied with Father Song’s partiality in sending her younger half-siblings to Mingying. Recently, she was constantly being harassed by her younger siblings, but every time she went to complain, Father Song believed that the twins weren’t doing things intentionally. One can imagine what her mood is like lately.

Zhou Li didn’t elaborate, but Ji Shaoyan reluctantly guessed that in the original plot, these little troubles should be an opportunity for him to step in.

But now, there was no need. Both he and Zhou Li knew that the best way to solve this problem is to kick the pair of twins out of Mingying, which will completely cut off the source of the trouble. As for what will happen to Song Yingshi in the future, Zhou Li probably won’t worry about it anymore.

Ji Shaoyan briefly updated Liang Jingxiu on the situation and told him to kick the two out of Mingying.

Liang Jingxiu thought the task wasn’t too difficult and guessed that A-Yan’s involvement was simply because he had been taken care of by Song Yingshi for a few days, so he responded happily and without complaint.

The whole afternoon passed by quickly with Zhou Li and Ji Shaoyan each staying in their own classes, not contacting the other for the rest of the school day.

Following the ‘lending warm shoulders’ event, the gossipy crowd had another rumour make its way into their circles. It is said that the two had played a game during the summer holiday and were even teammates at that time.

Everyone was hit with the sudden realisation that they had been met with a revolutionary brotherhood. Just like that, all crooked thoughts were wiped out. 

The second generations also silently observed for an entire afternoon.

Zheng San bubbled in the small group chat: Is the bet still on or not?

Although the bet was opened in the morning, they did not reach a consensus on the collateral.

They weren’t short on money and it was boring to just eat phones*. In the end, Liu Xiaowei suggested that since the gamble was based around two people’s feelings, they should take big risks, and the loser will need to confess to the person they hated the most. Zheng San felt that the punishment was too unscrupulous at the time and didn’t agree, but now he felt that his victory was in the bag.

[T/N: like what Zheng San did during the ‘is Li actually Qian Liye’ bet]

Zheng San: Let’s bet with big risks. You guys still dare to gamble?

Liu Xiao Wei: Dare ah, let’s just gamble!

Tian Tian: Call*.

[T/N: like in poker; too match a bet]

Quan Ji: You guys have a deadline ba?

Liu Xiao Wei: By the end of this semester.

Zheng San: Piss off, what if they don’t have those thoughts now but develop them later on? Make it a week.

Tian Tian: A week, you’re asking for too much ah!

Zheng San: The bet is whether or not they’re together, one week is enough to tell. If we can’t tell then I’ll go up and personally ask them. 

Liu Xiao Wei: What if Ji-shao is actually chasing him?

Zheng San: With his skills, one week is enough.

Liu Xiao Wei: Not necessarily ba, it’s not like he’s been in a relationship before.

The two sides bargained relentlessly. Liu Xiaowei and the others were finally able to negotiate an extra three days from Zheng San, setting a ten-day deadline.

Tang Zixin wasn’t pressured to confess to anyone so it didn’t matter if she lost, but she really wanted to see Zheng San call Zhou Luwen out for a confession, and in the end she couldn’t help but feel out any underlying meanings in Zhou Li’s tone before their last class ended.

“What are Zhou-shao and Ji-shao up to recently?”

“Studying,” Zhou Li said earnestly, “also thinking about how to take up the role of leadership, push my little brothers onto the right path, have them also fall in love with learning and get them to take the university entrance exams.”

Tang Zixin: “…are you willing to tell me the truth?”

Zhou Li: “That’s the truth, I’m not lying.”

Tang Zixin: “Then what about Ji-shao? He still needs you to lead him around?”

Zhou Li: “Of course he doesn’t need me. He’s helping me make up for my classes.”

Tang Zixin startled. “Ah?”

Zhou Li: “You know about my previous situation. Being the school tyrant and school grass is very taxing, you know? I had so many things to deal with everyday, never having enough time to study. Now, everything’s been sorted out. Out of sight, out of mind*. I can finally concentrate on my education.”

[T/N: 无官一身轻: out of office, out of danger; used in feudal times, once you leave your post as an official, the responsibilities are lifted from your shoulders]

‘Out of sight, out of mind’, what the fuck?

Every person around them suffered a bout of face twitching. 

Tang Zixin’s entire body was feeling a little ill. “He’s really helping you make up lessons?”

“That’s right ah.” Zhou Li said, “Ask him if you don’t believe me, you can also ask Xiao-Wen and Jing-shao. He tutored me for two days last weekend, they both know already.”

Tang Zixin was feeling a little broken hearted with the premonition that she was about to lose the bet and mentally scolded herself to stop making blind and disorderly conjectures in the future. These guys just hugged. Even if Ji-shao had never hugged anyone before, their reaction was far too dramatic.

We shouldn’t have acted like that. I need to change.

She silently reflected on her actions as she floated back to her seat.

Zhou Li was unaware of things, as per usual. After the end of their last class, he packed up his belongings and went to find Zhou Luwen.

Zhou Luwen happened to meet him halfway and asked whether he wanted to go home together or if he was following Ji-shao.

Zhou Li said, “Of course I’m coming with you.”

As he said this, he remembered the last time he bumped into Ji Tianyang at the main entrance and how the he and Ji Shaoyan left the school separately.

Ji Tianyang used to be in junior high and occasionally left earlier so it didn’t matter if the two brothers went home separately. But now that he is in his first year of high school, it was reasonable enough to send just one car. After all, their superficial relationship was rather good.

Could it be that something happened in the middle?

Zhou Li thought about asking Ji Shaoyan himself sometime later when he got the chance, but when he walked out the main entrance, he found that he was just thinking too much.

Last week, Ji Shaoyan was still staying in the hospital and only attended two days of classes. The Ji family probably didn’t have the time to accommodate his injuries back then but this week they had made adjustments. At this moment, Ji Tianyang was in the middle of helping his older brother into the car. Seeing Zhou Li and his brother, he politely greeted them.

Zhou Li nodded to him then glanced at Ji Shaoyan in the car before turning around and following Zhou Luwen to leave.

Seeing the driver stow the wheelchair into the car, Ji Tianyang stood outside and said to Ji Shaoyan, “Ge, I have something to do today so I won’t be returning with you. I’ll eat dinner outside.”

Ji Shaoyan kindly replied, “En, pay attention to your safety, don’t stay out too late.”

Ji Tianyang said a quick “I know” and watched him leave, then went to meet up with his little cousin. They met with his girlfriend and her two classmates halfway, then all of them went straight to Liuxi District.

Right now, he wanted to have a good relationship with Zhou Li, but because he wasn’t familiar with the other boy, he is afraid of stepping on unknown mines*. With the information scattered across the internet being far too inaccurate from Zhou Li’s actual situation, he wanted to dig out some truths about Zhou Li from his former classmates.

[T/N: step on thunder: accidentally say something that offends the other]

They didn’t have any connections to anyone from Liuxi District in this year at the moment. Fortunately, someone from his little girlfriend’s school did. He was fortunate that he hadn’t broken up with her yet, so he arranged a meal with the little girlfriend and got her to call over a few of Zhou Li’s past classmates. Getting everyone together to have a big meal and chat happily, the knowledge you want to obtain will naturally be available.

As it turned out, it didn’t even matter if he had asked. Everything about the teenager on the internet ended up being true.

Moreover, it was Zhou Li’s current style that made their eyes widen in surprise.

“I never expected our school bully to be in such good condition.”

“I knew he changed schools. To be honest, I thought he was going to challenge that school’s boss to a brawl.”

“Right ya, fighting for territory or something…”

Ji Tianyang listened with great interest. In his carefree expression, a hint of clarity and deep meaning leaked out for a short instance.

He was wondering why he’s been met with so much trouble all the time. So that’s how it is. 

There seemed to be another one who had came into this world through the jade lotus.

The petals from the jade lotus were attracted to each other. If there are more than two people who were sent by the petals in the same world, they must stand in the same camp, otherwise one of them will be met with misfortune.

During that ‘dog-search’ incident, he and Zhou Li happened to be on opposite sides, and it was him who was unlucky at the end of the scuffle. Now, Ji Shaoyan most likely hated him to the bones*.

[T/N: 恨出了水: not sure what this means]

It looks like maintaining a good relationship with Zhou Li won’t just be a ‘countermeasure’, but a ‘life-saving talisman’.

Ji Tianyang examined his current situation and went to find Zhou Li the next day during their noon break, asking him to join their basketball game.

Zhou Li hasn’t played basketball much since he fell ill. Unable to enjoy the thrills of basketball the last time around, he happily agreed to the offer. He casually invited some other people and ran onto the basketball court to play.

The more he played, the more he became adjusted. He smoothly sidestepped past the opponent and jumped——three pointer, right in the hoop.

He immediately grinned, pleased.

He’s always had a sunny quality to him. With a basketball, his charm was even more magnified.

There were a few girls who were just passing by, but when they happened to glance at him, they couldn’t help but stop.

Ji Shaoyan spent his afternoon in the cafe as usual.

He was also watching Zhou Li and saw that the girls were pretending to be locked in conversation without moving, which blocked his line of sight. Slightly dissatisfied, he pushed his wheelchair out to spectate.

When he arrived, more people had gathered around the court.

The boys on the court were under the watchful eyes of girls, and they immediately got down to business. The more they fought, the more fierce they were. In the end, the quick round became a full-on game. At this moment, one of the boys didn’t manage to have a firm grip and the basketball flew out his hands, heading straight towards Ji Shaoyan.

The speed was too fast and the people around only had time to shout out. They all watched with wide eyes, unable to react at all.

Ji Shaoyan, the innocent bystander, remained very calm. He pushed the wheelchair to the side and easily caught the ball. He even spun it on his fingertip briefly. He looked up and saw Zhou Li running over, then handed the ball over to the other teen. 

Zhou Li looked at him up-and-down. “You okay?”

Ji Shaoyan hummed “en” and said with a smile, “You have very nice skills.”

Zhou Li boasted, “Well that’s a given, I am a basketball genius.”

Ji Shaoyan didn’t get to praise him more, since he saw his little brother also run over.

Ji Tianyang didn’t let go of the opportunity to make a good impression, asking nervously, “Ge, are you okay ba?”

Ji Shaoyan said, “I’m fine.”

Ji Tianyang patted his chest. “That scared me just then.”

Ji Shaoyan wore the appearance of a perfect big brother, smiling in a pampering manner then bending over to pick up the plastic bag on the ground that contained the water bottles he asked a classmate to buy. He handed them out one by one.

Zhou Li threw the basketball to his teammate and took a sip of water, gripping the bottle and slowly recalling that split second when his entire body tensed in panic just then. He looked down at Ji Shaoyan, who was also looking at him. “Ai.”

Ji Shaoyan said, “En?”

Zhou Li: “I don’t need to wait the whole three days ba?”

Hearing his teammate call him for another round, he handed the water bottle back, and began to head back. Then he turned around and said, “Let’s do it.”

Ji Shaoyan: “……”

The author has something to say:

Ji Shaoyan: Can’t you find a more romantic setting? People lurking all around, it’s so noisy, there’s even your sweat on the bottle!