Noble Academy's Mob Character: Reborn as the Campus Heartthrob - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Shura Field Alert

Qi Yuan’s mind raced, quickly realizing he was, without a doubt, You Yuanxiu’s online boyfriend.

How can I possibly play this out?

What am I supposed to do now?

He mechanically silenced his phone and set You Yuanxiu to “Do Not Disturb.”

I can’t let him find out!

Not yet, at least!

This situation, which could easily lead to his social death, was something even Qi Yuan’s usually resilient composure couldn’t handle.

What the hell?

How could I have such an absurd dream?

Qi Yuan felt on the verge of breaking down.

He took a deep breath, desperately trying to regain his composure and avoid giving himself away.

He quickly skimmed through their entire chat history. Thankfully, his dream self hadn’t sent any photos, and even the name he’d given You Yuanxiu was fake.

All those promises of meeting up in person were just tactics used by his dream self to keep You Yuanxiu hooked without revealing his true appearance. Meanwhile, You Yuanxiu had eagerly shared his photos and real name early on. As the heir to a wealthy family, he was easily searchable online.

Reading the chat logs, Qi Yuan noticed that after learning You Yuanxiu’s identity, his dream self had sent messages vaguely hinting at a breakup.

But a single sentence from You Yuanxiu had made his dream self abandon the idea of breaking up outright, forcing him to find another way out.

Xu Yuan (Qi Yuan): Can I ask you a hypothetical question?

You Yuanxiu: Of course.

Xu Yuan (Qi Yuan): You can’t get angry.

You Yuanxiu: I promise I won’t.

Xu Yuan (Qi Yuan): Then that’s fine.

Xu Yuan (Qi Yuan): If we broke up right now, what would you do?

You Yuanxiu: I’m sorry, sweetheart, but I can never accept that hypothetical.

You Yuanxiu: Is there something troubling you? Is it because of my status? Or is there something else?

Xu Yuan (Qi Yuan): It’s just a hypothetical, but the gap between us is too vast. You’re the aloof CEO of the You Family, while I’m just an ordinary office worker. Under such unequal circumstances, we’re destined not to last. It would be a lie to say I have no concerns or worries.

You Yuanxiu: If that’s all it is, then sweetheart, it’s a minor issue. I can resolve it completely. Love isn’t something you can casually sever.

You Yuanxiu: Sweetheart, don’t mention breaking up so lightly. Otherwise, I might do something I can’t control.

It was a warning, undoubtedly. How could someone who had wielded wealth and power since childhood ever be as meek as a lamb? He might suppress his possessiveness out of affection, fearing he’d scare his beloved, but when that beloved threatened to leave, the rationality restraining his possessiveness would shatter. In the Dreamscape, Qi Yuan’s fate was either being forcibly bound to the You Family or subjected to coercion.

Never gamble on finding genuine kindness or selfless love within the gates of the wealthy.

The Qi Yuan in reality understood this principle, and so did his Dreamscape counterpart. Thus, he ceased testing the waters and maintained a façade of calm.

Secretly, Qi Yuan suspected that You Qinghe had orchestrated his invitation to the Family Banquet. It was likely a scheme orchestrated by his Dreamscape self to escape You Yuanxiu.

Even if You Yuanxiu eventually discovered the identity of his online lover, what could he do?

Would you dare lay hands on your younger brother’s boyfriend? Would you sever ties with your own flesh and blood over a mere online affair?

This was a calculated, albeit somewhat dishonorable, gambit—the only viable option.

Had Qi Yuan been in the Dreamscape’s place, he would have done the same. You Qinghe was simple-minded and easily manipulated, but You Yuanxiu was a cunning old fox. Qi Yuan stood little chance against him and risked being the one controlled, a fate he abhorred.

Being controlled is nowhere near as satisfying as controlling others.

“Baby.”

You Qinghe had already finalized arrangements with You Yuanxiu; they just needed to wait until dinner to leave together.

His eyes crinkled into a warm smile. The once arrogant man now softened his sharp edges before his beloved, his fiery demeanor mellowing into a gentle warmth. Though his passion burned fiercely, he exuded only comforting warmth, never scorching heat.

“Hmm? What is it, dear?” Qi Yuan replied with a smile. His slender frame and youthful plumpness in his cheeks contrasted sharply with his usually austere features. When he smiled, his expression transformed, radiating an indescribable allure.

You Qinghe cherished Qi Yuan’s smile. Whenever Qi Yuan smiled at him, he felt a dizzying illusion that Qi Yuan truly loved him, making him willingly offer everything.

“Nothing, just have to wait a bit longer.”

He sat beside Qi Yuan, about to say more when his phone rang.

His expression darkened as he saw the caller ID. He didn’t answer.

“Baby, I need to step out for a bit. Stay with Big Brother here. If you need anything, just call him.”

“Whatever you do, don’t leave this place. No matter who calls you out, don’t go unless it’s me. Wait for me to return.”

Qi Yuan nodded obediently. “Okay.”

You Qinghe didn’t need to say it—Qi Yuan already knew he couldn’t leave easily. The elders of the You Family likely knew what You Qinghe was planning and wanted to lure him away to deal with Qi Yuan.

If they called him out, it would either be a psychological attack or a physical assault.

Qi Yuan understood this perfectly.

He had no desire to be humiliated or beaten. Since You Qinghe had promised to handle things and return soon, all he needed to do was wait.

“My baby is so good,” You Qinghe murmured, getting up to kiss Qi Yuan’s forehead, looking utterly reluctant to leave.

Before departing, he made sure to instruct You Yuanxiu. “Brother, please take care of Qi Yuan for me.”

Without waiting for a response, he hurried out the door.

You Yuanxiu acted as if he hadn’t heard, not even glancing up from the documents he was processing.

No one dared to act recklessly on his territory. He thought You Qinghe was being overly cautious. As long as Qi Yuan remained in the study and wasn’t foolish enough to follow others outside, he would naturally protect him.

Besides, You Yuanxiu believed that someone who could coax You Qinghe into bringing him to the Family Banquet and introducing him must have considerable skills. He couldn’t possibly be stupid. And someone that clever was definitely beyond You Qinghe’s control.

He didn’t particularly want to interfere in You Qinghe’s affairs. You Qinghe was an adult and should be responsible for his own actions.

The only thing You Yuanxiu could do was send the person packing once You Qinghe grew tired of them.

You Yuanxiu knew You Qinghe was currently very fond of Qi Yuan, but he doubted it would last. He wasn’t optimistic about their future.

After taking a sip of water and setting down his glass, his hand brushed against his phone. He couldn’t resist checking again to see if his baobei had replied.

Still nothing.

Disappointment washed over him. He removed his glasses, closed his eyes, and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

Meanwhile, Qi Yuan was torn about whether to respond to You Yuanxiu’s message.

After a moment’s consideration, he decided it was best to respond. He would simply follow the train of thought his Dreamscape self would have had, and if it didn’t work out, he could always start over. After all, he had plenty of opportunities.

Xu Yuan (Qi Yuan): Just woke up.

The message popped up on his phone screen as soon as he put his glasses on.

You Yuanxiu’s gaze softened.

After reading it, he tapped the screen.

You Yuanxiu: Baobei, are you hungry?

Xu Yuan (Qi Yuan): Not really. I’m just going to heat up some toast and drink a bottle of milk.

You Yuanxiu: What are you planning for lunch?

Xu Yuan (Qi Yuan): Haven’t decided yet. What about you?

You Yuanxiu: It’s the You Family Banquet today.

You Yuanxiu: Oh, I forgot to tell you yesterday—my brother is bringing his boyfriend home. He’s planning to introduce him to everyone at the banquet today.

Xu Yuan (Qi Yuan): What do you think of your brother’s boyfriend?

You Yuanxiu: The boyfriend he brought home looks like a troublemaker.

Qi Yuan: “………”

Heh.