Noble Academy's Mob Character: Reborn as the Campus Heartthrob - Chapter 21

Chapter 21: A New Dreamscape

You Yuanxiu escorted Qi Yuan to his room, ruffled his hair, and said, “Get some rest.” He didn’t seem inclined to enter.

“Mm,” Qi Yuan replied. He had been wondering on the way back if You Yuanxiu would want to share his room. Now that it seemed unlikely, he felt a wave of relief. He wouldn’t even need to offer the hastily concocted excuse he’d prepared.

“You too,” Qi Yuan added.

“Good night,” You Yuanxiu said.

“Mm, good night.”

The night was still and quiet. Qi Yuan waved goodbye and went inside.

After the door closed, You Yuanxiu stared at the tightly shut door for a moment. Seeing no movement or hearing any sound, he sighed regretfully and turned away. He couldn’t bring himself to force the issue; he longed for his lover’s willing heart, not coerced compliance.

The room was pitch-black. Qi Yuan groped his way toward the bed, intending to switch on the bedside lamp, puzzled as to why it was off when he’d left the room earlier.

Suddenly, something clicked in his mind. He froze mid-stride and whirled around, ready to dash to the door and call for You Yuanxiu.

Before he could take more than a few steps, he was scooped up and tossed onto the bed. Having mentally prepared himself for this, Qi Yuan was startled but managed to stifle a scream, already guessing who his assailant was.

The figure pinned him down, pressing a hand over his mouth.

Silence hung heavy between them.

Qi Yuan felt something damp touch his face—tears.

The bed was soft, cushioning his fall without pain.

The man pressing down on him was weightless, his grip loose; Qi Yuan could easily break free.

But he didn’t. He waited for You Qinghe to calm down, knowing impulsive actions could lead to irreparable consequences.

“Don’t you call me ‘Brother’ anymore?”

You Qinghe’s voice trembled with tears and grievance. Seeing that Qi Yuan remained motionless, he lowered his hand from his mouth.

“I won’t.”

“Stop crying. How did I never realize You Qinghe was such a crybaby? You’re practically drowning me!” Qi Yuan teased, his voice laced with amusement.

He suspected You Qinghe was angry because he’d seen him return with You Yuanxiu. They had agreed to rest, but after turning to leave, Qi Yuan had gone out again and returned with You Yuanxiu. You Qinghe probably felt deceived, believing Qi Yuan had only gone out to fetch You Yuanxiu, implying that You Yuanxiu was more important to him.

You Qinghe’s thoughts were remarkably easy to read. Qi Yuan had to admit that among all the people he’d encountered since his rebirth, You Qinghe was the most transparent. His expressions alone revealed his every thought.

Having grown accustomed to the darkness, Qi Yuan noticed that the curtains weren’t fully drawn. Moonlight filtered through the gaps, illuminating You Qinghe’s face.

Perhaps embarrassed by being called a crybaby, You Qinghe stopped crying, his eyes fixed intently on Qi Yuan.

“Baby, you have me in your heart, don’t you?”

The question caught Qi Yuan completely off guard.

He couldn’t bring himself to lie and say You Qinghe was in his heart. They had indeed grown close, but in Qi Yuan’s heart and dreams, You Qinghe was only a friend. Romantic feelings were simply nonexistent; he couldn’t possibly develop feelings for someone from the Dreamscape.

“Of course, that applies to the people in the real world too.”

Qi Yuan skirted the issue, saying, “Some questions don’t need to be asked so thoroughly, You Qinghe.”

“You haven’t been kicked out, and I haven’t told your brother on you. You should understand by now.”

Qi Yuan reached out and wiped the corner of You Qinghe’s eye, the lingering tear clinging to his fingertip before quickly evaporating.

“Feeling calmer now?” he asked.

“Mmm~,” You Qinghe murmured.

“I wasn’t lying. I was planning to sleep, but when I went out to the balcony, the garden below looked so beautiful that I decided to take a short walk. Just as I was heading back inside, I ran into your brother, so we came back together.”

“So don’t be angry anymore.”

He pinched You Qinghe’s cheek, tugging gently.

Having just cried, You Qinghe’s eyes still glistened with tears. Hearing Qi Yuan’s explanation, his already bright eyes seemed to shine even brighter.

“I’m not mad.”

“Baby, it hurts so much.”

The deep, husky voice sounded almost comical as it tried to sound sweet.

Qi Yuan chuckled as expected. “Liar. I didn’t even pull hard.”

“Not lying to ghosts, just lying to Baby.”

He pressed his forehead against Qi Yuan’s, whispering, “I wish we could be this happy forever.”

The moment those words left his lips, the dreamscape began to crumble.

From the very beginning, this dreamscape had given Qi Yuan a choice: You Qinghe or You Yuanxiu.

He chose You Qinghe, and the dream ended.

Qi Yuan wondered if choosing You Yuanxiu would have brought the same result.

But comparing the two brothers, You Yuanxiu was undoubtedly far more troublesome. He’d rather deal with You Qinghe any day.

He didn’t dwell on it for long. To him, it was just a minor thing, and the past was the past. There was no need to dwell on it.

When Qi Yuan woke up, dawn had already broken.

He sat up and immediately realized something was wrong. Where am I?

This wasn’t the room from the collapsing Dreamscape, nor his dormitory. Was this yet another entirely new Dreamscape?

Why? he wondered, puzzled.

Usually, there was only one Dreamscape. Now, two back-to-back?

Do they think I’m some worthless ox or horse, just here to be endlessly exploited?

Qi Yuan’s lips twitched, rendered speechless by his own analogy.

Knock, knock.

A knock sounded at the door.

“Baby, are you awake?”

“If you haven’t gotten up yet, you should. We need to get going early.”

It was You Qinghe’s voice.

Qi Yuan quickly responded, anxious to prevent him from entering unannounced.

“I’m up. Just getting ready. Give me a moment, I’ll be right out.”

“Okay,” You Qinghe responded.

The room had an attached bathroom. He quickly washed up, changed into the clothes laid out on the table, and stepped out.

The house’s decor perfectly suited Qi Yuan’s taste, as if he had designed it himself—the dream home from his dreams.

Breakfast was waiting on the dining table.

You Qinghe was wearing an apron, which strongly suggested he had prepared breakfast.

A bowl of preserved egg and lean pork congee sat on the table, along with two unpeeled eggs.

“Eat breakfast first,” he said, wiping his hands with a paper towel.

His usually rebellious eyebrows and eyes now held an unexpectedly gentle expression. If Qi Yuan hadn’t known You Qinghe’s true nature, he might have mistaken him for a mild-mannered stay-at-home husband.

Qi Yuan sat down and took small sips. He hadn’t expected much from the congee, but the first bite was surprisingly good. He nodded in satisfaction.

You Qinghe sat beside him and began peeling the eggs.

“Today’s the You Family banquet, Baby. Don’t be nervous. With me here, no one will dare to bully you.”

“Cough, cough.”

Qi Yuan nearly choked to death, mainly because of You Qinghe’s words.

Meeting the parents?

And apparently, it was with You Qinghe’s parents and all his relatives.

This Dreamscape is playing wild, isn’t it?

He gave You Qinghe a look that spoke volumes. To be honest, he felt there was a very high chance they’d be kicked out of the banquet.

That would be an utter disgrace, even in a dream.