Noble Academy's Mob Character: Reborn as the Campus Heartthrob - Chapter 63

Chapter 63: Beast World 8

Qi Yuan stared at his already massaged ankle, the mixture of sweat and tears on his face making him extremely uncomfortable.

He gently kicked He Zhou with his good foot, forcing himself to speak despite his reluctance.

“That’s enough, He Zhou. Let go now.”

He Zhou’s hand froze on Qi Yuan’s foot, his silence heavy and unresponsive. Instead of releasing him, he slowly raised his gaze.

His slender fingers crept upward, inch by inch, until they reached Qi Yuan’s calf.

His calf was firm and evenly toned, significantly paler than He Zhou’s skin. When He Zhou tightened his grip slightly, the calf flesh bulged between his fingers.

“No reward?” He Zhou asked, his eyes gleaming with amusement and a hint of anticipation.

Qi Yuan tried to pull his leg away, but dared not use force. “What kind of reward do you want?” he asked, straightening his posture slightly and looking down at the kneeling man.

He Zhou did help me, Qi Yuan thought. As long as the reward isn’t too outrageous, I might consider granting it.

He Zhou: “Any reward is acceptable?”

Qi Yuan chuckled. “Of course not.”

He leaned forward and lifted He Zhou’s chin with a single finger.

“You tell me first, and then I’ll decide whether to grant your wish.”

He Zhou gazed at Qi Yuan, and without hesitation, he replied immediately with his answer.

“Alright.”

Instead of stating his request right away, He Zhou first washed his hands thoroughly, then used water to wash Qi Yuan’s feet.

By the time he finished his tasks, Qi Yuan was nearly asleep.

He yawned, having eaten too much Sweet Fruit, and Zuo Yu had even given him some snacks. He wasn’t hungry, just a bit stuffed.

Just as Qi Yuan closed his eyes, his senses fading, He Zhou silently finished his tasks and stood before the stone bed.

He whispered, “Qi Yuan… I want your kiss.”

Qi Yuan startled awake at the sound, opening his eyes.

Eager to be done with He Zhou so he could sleep, he reached out and waved his hand back and forth.

“Come here.”

His mind was still hazy as he watched He Zhou climb onto the stone bed, straddling him with his legs pressed against either side of Qi Yuan’s body.

Qi Yuan felt He Zhou looming over him, the oppressive weight making him frown slightly, though he said nothing.

Their faces were so close that in the silent cave, every sound was amplified, and they could hear each other’s breathing.

“You agree, don’t you?” He Zhou asked, seeking confirmation.

“Mm,” Qi Yuan murmured.

He reached out and cupped He Zhou’s face, slowly drawing closer. He could feel He Zhou’s body gradually tense up.

The distance between their lips narrowed until they finally touched.

He Zhou’s breathing grew ragged. As a Beastman with heightened senses, he vividly perceived the softness of Qi Yuan’s lips and the lingering fragrance at the tip of his nose.

Unfamiliar with kissing, he instinctively began to suckle.

Just as he was beginning to grasp the technique and tried to deepen the kiss, Qi Yuan abruptly pulled away.

“That’s enough.”

Qi Yuan placed his hands on He Zhou’s shoulders, intending to push him away.

“I want to sleep, He Zhou,” he said, his tone tinged with coquettishness.

He Zhou took a deep breath, unwilling to force Qi Yuan. He climbed off the bed, released him, and walked away, disappearing into the darkness.

Twilight had already fallen.

The figure on the stone bed had long since drifted into a deep sleep. After a long interval, He Zhou, still damp from who-knows-where, returned to the bed, drew Qi Yuan into his arms, and fell asleep as well.

A dense fog blanketed the land, the sky a leaden gray that threatened rain.

Qi Yuan, roused by He Zhou, completed his morning ablutions in bed. Though his ankle was no longer swollen, movement still brought pain, keeping him cautiously still.

He touched his lips, feeling a faint ache and a slight swelling.

Pulling out a mirror from his backpack, he confirmed his suspicion.

His lips were red and swollen.

What the…?

Wait, didn’t I reward He Zhou with a kiss last night? How did he manage to kiss me like this?

Qi Yuan slammed the mirror down, glaring daggers at He Zhou.

I’m furious, but how can I even scold him? Should I ask, “Why did you kiss me so hard? My lips are swollen!”

Or should I say, “Your mouth is like a cupping jar! No one kisses someone this forcefully!”

He couldn’t bring himself to say any of it, so he sulked in silence, his cheeks puffing out slightly.

He Zhou, who had already prepared breakfast, carried the dishes over just as Qi Yuan was fuming, arms crossed and one cheek puffed out.

Unaware of Qi Yuan’s mirror-gazing and lip-touching, He Zhou found his angry pout utterly adorable.

Despite his anger, Qi Yuan would never take it out on his body or his food.

He understood all too well the importance of both, so no matter how upset he was, he would never do anything to harm his health or waste sustenance, even in the Dreamscape.

For the next few days, Qi Yuan mostly stayed home, nursing his injuries.

One day, the tribe’s males were ordered to assemble urgently. Only then did Qi Yuan learn that war was imminent.

As one of the tribe’s most capable warriors, He Zhou was inevitably among the first to go to battle.

He changed into his war gear in front of Qi Yuan, his expression impassive.

“He Zhou…”

Standing behind him, Qi Yuan didn’t know what to say.

Worry was natural, but he knew he couldn’t stop He Zhou, nor should he.

“Qi Yuan.”

“Don’t worry.”

He Zhou sensed the unspoken worry in Qi Yuan’s voice. Turning around, he smiled gently.

He stepped closer, reaching out to tap Qi Yuan between the brows.

“And don’t frown like that.”

“Rest assured, I’ll come back alive. Wait for me at home, okay?”

Qi Yuan nodded, too choked up to speak.

He Zhou leaned in, took Qi Yuan’s hand, and pressed it against his cheek. “Once the tribe repels all invaders, crushing them so thoroughly they never dare invade again, and I return alive, Qi Yuan, will you form a Mate Bond with me?”

He asked, his voice brimming with anticipation.

Qi Yuan remained silent. At this moment, he couldn’t bring himself to deceive He Zhou.

Yet he also couldn’t bear to let He Zhou go to war in despair.

“When you return alive, I’ll give you the answer to that question.”

As he spoke, Qi Yuan raised his gaze and met He Zhou’s eyes.

He Zhou didn’t get the answer he wanted, but he wasn’t disappointed. At least he knew Qi Yuan wasn’t completely indifferent to him.

He believed that if he tried harder, just a little bit more, one day Qi Yuan would willingly agree to form a Mate Bond with him.

“Alright, I’ll do as you say, Qi Yuan.”

Before leaving, he kissed Qi Yuan’s forehead and turned to walk away without looking back, fearing he might waver.

Qi Yuan watched He Zhou’s retreating figure until he disappeared from sight.

By now, Qi Yuan felt deeply immersed in the Dreamscape.

He placed his hand over his chest. If he were like Jiang Wang in the previous Dreamscape, able to sense that everything around him was an illusion, would he be spared the pain of these dream-induced emotions?

Qi Yuan didn’t know the answer, and likely never would.

For he could never discover it himself, and no one would ever tell him.

Zuo Yu’s big brother was among the first tribal warriors to march into battle. He worried, yet outwardly remained composed, perhaps hardened by experience. To die for the tribe was an honor; excessive worry would only burden the warriors.

In stark contrast to the raging storm outside, the tribe’s interior remained tranquil and secure.

Qi Yuan followed Zuo Yu to the tribe’s edge, gathering Fragrant Leaves, Fragrant Berries, and wild vegetables.

After eating too much meat, Qi Yuan felt overheated and needed to replenish his vitamins with some greens.

“Zuo Yu, when do you think Big Brother and the others will return?” he asked, his basket already half-full.

Zuo Yu shook his head. “I don’t know.”

“This is the first time I’ve experienced such a large-scale war. Before, it was always just small skirmishes.”

“Mate Father told me this war is a fight to the death. Either our tribe will be wiped out, or the opposing tribe will be annihilated. I believe our warriors will definitely bring us victory.”

Qi Yuan stopped picking. “So many people will die.”

Zuo Yu continued working without pausing. “If we don’t fight, even more will die. It’s cruel, but there’s no other way. Losing some is better than losing everyone.”

Qi Yuan wiped the sweat from his brow. He understood. His already heavy heart grew heavier. He hated war, and he knew the tribe members hated it too, but there was no alternative.

In the days that followed, news of victories on the front lines arrived intermittently. Wave after wave of food and essential supplies were transported from the Tribe to support the warriors.

During this time, Qi Yuan always ate meals with Zuo Yu. The day after He Zhou left, Zuo Yu had the misfortune of tasting Qi Yuan’s cooking.

The moment he took a bite, his face turned green. After spitting it out, convinced Qi Yuan would poison himself to death, he firmly declared that Qi Yuan should never cook again, offering to take over himself. Though his own cooking wasn’t particularly delicious, it was still an improvement over Qi Yuan’s attempts.

With practice, Zuo Yu’s culinary skills had improved significantly. His technique had progressed steadily, surpassing his initial efforts by leaps and bounds.

“My Mate Father says it’ll be over soon,” he mumbled through a mouthful of food.

“That’s good,” Qi Yuan replied.

“They expect it to end in about two days. The first batch of wounded males will be sent back first. Then us young females will have to help out—it’s compulsory.”

“I’ll come get you when the time comes,” Zuo Yu said.

“Alright,” Qi Yuan agreed.

There was no reason to object to this. They were safe behind the lines, living peaceful lives thanks to the Tribe’s males. Refusing to help care for wounded warriors who had risked their lives to protect the Tribe would inevitably undermine tribal unity and chill the warriors’ hearts.

As expected, the first group of warriors returned a few days later, seriously wounded.

Qi Yuan took charge of making medicinal plasters. He first pounded the necessary herbs together, then spread the paste thickly onto broad, palm-sized leaves.

He prepared a large batch of plasters in the cave, intending to deliver them all to You Yuanxiu, the Shaman, later. In Qi Yuan’s eyes, You Yuanxiu was the tribe’s village doctor—the only one with medicinal knowledge.

“Qi Yuan!”

Even from a distance, he could hear Zuo Yu’s voice.

He got up and walked outside.

Zuo Yu, panting heavily, ran up to Qi Yuan and bent over, hands braced on his knees, catching his breath.

Once his breathing steadied, he straightened up and looked at Qi Yuan, his expression torn between urgency and hesitation, as if unsure whether to speak or remain silent.

Qi Yuan’s curiosity piqued. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “What happened?”

Zuo Yu’s gaze darted away, but after a moment’s deliberation, he decided to tell the truth. Qi Yuan would find out sooner or later anyway. With a grimace, he blurted out, “He Zhou is missing.”

The smile on Qi Yuan’s face froze, his upturned lips flattening into a straight line.

“What?” he demanded. “How could He Zhou just disappear?”