Times of Our Lives - Chapter 18

For students, the most painful thing after the mid-term exams was analyzing their test papers. Starting from the second year of high school, everyone’s grades were no longer limited to just one school but were now compared across the entire city and province.

 

Xie Meng’s science test papers were almost all exemplary models as analyzed by the teachers, so he could only share a desk with Zhuo Xiaoyuan and look at one together.

 

“How did you approach this?” Zhuo Xiaoyuan calculated beside the mistakes. “My substitution of the formula was clearly correct.”

 

Xie Meng took the pen and said, “The order was wrong. You should solve what’s inside the brackets first.”

 

Zhuo Xiaoyuan lowered his head and waited for him to finish. Suddenly, he whispered, “Your earring… Did Ji Qinyang give it to you?”

 

Xie Meng instinctively covered his earlobe and looked up at Zhuo Xiaoyuan.

 

“Don’t worry, you can’t see it from far away at all,” Zhuo Xiaoyuan’s expression was indifferent. “Besides, you’re a good student. The teachers trust you a lot.”

 

Xie Meng slowly lowered his hand. “Thank you…”

 

Zhuo Xiaoyuan sneered disdainfully, “When did you two start?”

 

Xie Meng thought for a moment. “It’s been over a year.”

 

Zhuo Xiaoyuan clicked his tongue. “No wonder he was so enthusiastic about dealing with scumbags at that time. It turns out he’s not a good person himself.”

 

Xie Meng frowned. “I did it willingly; he didn’t force me.”

 

“Alright, I get it. Don’t show off your affection,” Zhuo Xiaoyuan’s expression was contemptuous. He fell silent for a while, then turned his face away and said harshly, “If he ever dares to force you, I’ll be the first one not to let him off.”

 

Xie Meng chuckled, thought for a while, and could only reply with a “thank you.”

 

Zhuo Xiaoyuan ignored him.

 

The two remained silent for a long time. Finally, Xie Meng heard Zhuo Xiaoyuan awkwardly say, “He used to have quite a few girlfriends… You have to be careful.”

 

Xie Meng: “…”

 

Zhuo Xiaoyuan continued nagging, “If he ever cheats again, you can’t just endure it. You have to…”

 

“And then…”

 

“Finally…”

 

Xie Meng: “…”

 

…

 

As they neared the school gate, Ji Qinyang confirmed again, “You listened to the whole lecture?”

 

Xie Meng sighed, “What else could I do? Cover his mouth and stop him from talking?”

 

Ji Qinyang’s expression was inscrutable. “…He seems to understand a lot about these things.”

 

Xie Meng felt complicated. “It feels like we’ve gained another in-law.”

 

Ji Qinyang hooked his shoulder. “You have plenty of in-laws.”

 

Xie Meng: “?”

 

Ji Qinyang touched his nose. “Qi Fei has also figured it out.”

 

Xie Meng: “Does Zhang Ganggang know?”

 

Ji Qinyang smirked, “With his intelligence, it’s a bit difficult.”

 

Xie Meng couldn’t help but laugh, and Ji Qinyang suddenly leaned over and kissed Xie Meng on the lips.

 

“…We’re still at school,” Xie Meng pushed him away by the forehead, his eyes showing helplessness but not much reproach.

 

Ji Qinyang didn’t care much, hanging his arm around Xie Meng’s shoulder. He took off the earphones around his neck and put them on Xie Meng’s head. The familiar melody gradually added new lyrics. After listening for a while, Xie Meng turned to Ji Qinyang and asked, “Haven’t finished writing yet?”

 

Ji Qinyang hummed along with the beat, his expression serious as he raised an eyebrow. “The best things should be taken slowly.”

 

After Grain in Ear, the weather gradually became hotter. Suzhou’s summer was less windy and more rainy. The midday sun was scorching, enveloping the campus with large patches of green shade.

 

Xie Meng checked his exam paper again, looked out the window, and saw the fan rotating in the stuffy air of the classroom. The cicadas’ chirping could be faintly heard behind the leaves.

 

After the last class exam, Zhuo Xiaoyuan collapsed on the desk like he was exhausted. Xie Meng had just packed his bag when he saw Ji Qinyang standing at the back door.

 

“Coming here to torture single dogs every day,” Zhuo Xiaoyuan groaned, holding his head. “You guys are really enough…”

 

As Ji Qinyang passed by him, he patted his head. Qi Fei followed behind and mocked, “You’re still not used to it? Big brother here is already calm.”

 

Xie Meng asked, “What about Zhang Ganggang?”

 

Ji Qinyang took his backpack. “Han Dong is here. Let’s go save seats first. He’ll be coming over in a while.”

 

Xie Meng didn’t understand why Han Dong was coming. Qi Fei glanced at him. “He’s here to deliver a letter for Goddess Rou Rou… In this day and age, I’ve never seen anyone so foolish in love, writing letters is one thing, but finding a middleman as a courier, China Post is really unreliable.”

 

This was the first time in many days that Qi Fei had taken the initiative to talk to Xie Meng. Since learning about his relationship with Ji Qinyang, his attitude had clearly become much more awkward. Even if they met in the corridor a few days ago, Qi Fei would deliberately avoid him and take a detour.

 

Ji Qinyang casually draped his arm over Xie Meng’s shoulder and said lightly, “Ignore him. The idiot will figure it out on his own in a while.”

 

Xie Meng: “…”

Several people were waiting for Zhang Ganggang at a dessert shop near the school. Ji Qinyang and Zhuo Xiaoyuan went to the counter to place orders, while Qi Fei sat awkwardly opposite Xie Meng, clearing his throat.

 

“Um… I didn’t mean to discriminate or anything,” Qi Fei scratched his head irritably. “After all, Boss Ji used to always date girls.” He glanced at Xie Meng’s face and muttered, “Although you look good, you’re too handsome… Clearly a guy.”

 

Xie Meng was speechless for a while and could only laugh wryly and say thank you in response.

 

“Why thank me? I wasn’t complimenting you,” Qi Fei said casually. “As long as Boss Ji likes you, we’re still brothers.”

 

Xie Meng nodded with a smile. “We’ve always been brothers.”

 

Qi Fei squirmed in his seat and couldn’t help but boast, “But I really didn’t expect Boss Ji to end up with you. The guy who even failed to win over Yin Luoxue in middle school… Back then, he was like a player, chasing after one girl after another. Boss Ji is simply unprecedented and unparalleled.”

 

Xie Meng’s smile was ambiguous. “Is that so?”

 

Qi Fei proudly continued, “Absolutely…”

 

“What’s going on?” Ji Qinyang interrupted from behind Qi Fei. He had finished paying and smiled as he raised an eyebrow at Xie Meng. “What are you saying about me?”

 

Qi Fei stiffened and turned his head. “…”

 

“Talking about your past,” Xie Meng said gently.

 

Ji Qinyang raised an eyebrow. “?”

 

Xie Meng remained calm. “A player chasing after one girl after another, unprecedented and unparalleled?”

 

Ji Qinyang: “…”

 

Xie Meng looked at Qi Fei. “Is there anything else you’d like to add? Want Ji Qinyang to hear too?” He patted the seat beside him. “Join us, Ji Qinyang?”

 

Qi Fei: “…………”

 

Meanwhile, Han Dong watched as Zhang Ganggang practically bounced over to him near the school, his head sweaty under the hot sun, his baby face flushed red, almost stumbling as he ran up to him.

 

Han Dong stared expressionlessly at him. “Hello.”

 

Zhang Ganggang gasped for breath and greeted him nervously. “H-hello…” He wiped his sweat and looked nervous yet excited. “The letter?”

 

Han Dong slowly took out a pink envelope from his bag. “Yours?”

 

Zhang Ganggang eagerly handed over the letter he wrote, cautioning, “No peeking.”

 

Han Dong hesitated when taking the letter, glanced at Zhang Ganggang, and responded coldly with a simple “Hmm.”

 

Zhang Ganggang, still worried, hurriedly opened Rou Rou’s letter. He glanced cautiously at Han Dong, carefully holding the paper close as he read.

 

Han Dong: “…”

 

Zhang Ganggang still wasn’t reassured. “Could you turn your head away?”

 

Han Dong took a deep breath and after enduring for a while, finally turned around. After about five minutes, Zhang Ganggang, satisfied, told him to turn back.

 

“Finished reading?” Han Dong mocked disdainfully. “You…”

 

“Do you know what Rou Rou said to me?” Zhang Ganggang interrupted excitedly, his demeanor now completely pink with joy from head to toe.

 

Han Dong was momentarily stunned, feeling a bit awkward under the onslaught of such a girlish atmosphere from Zhang Ganggang. After a while of stiffness, he stiffly asked, “Wh-what did she say?”

 

Zhang Ganggang giggled for a long time, and when Han Dong’s expression clearly showed impatience, he finally straightened his face and solemnly asked, “Do you want to know?”

 

Han Dong narrowed his eyes coldly. “Are you going to tell me or not?”

 

Zhang Ganggang grinned broadly. “Hehe, I won’t tell you~”

 

Han Dong: “…”

 

Because they hadn’t been to the martial arts gym during the exams, Xie Meng and Ji Qinyang went together and greeted several martial arts masters.

 

“You’re late.” Coach Li, who taught Sanda, exchanged a few moves with Ji Qinyang, while Xie Meng changed into his clothes on the side and smiled, “Just give me the spare key, and I’ll lock up.”

 

Coach Li naturally had no objections and reminded them not to stay out too late before leaving.

 

Ji Qinyang directly changed into his martial arts uniform in the field. Xie Meng split into a character, press-leg, hands around the soles of the feet, side face almost close to the knee.

 

Ji Qinyang raised an eyebrow, and he huddled back squatting, stretched his hand to go touch the waist of the male students, Xie Meng looked at him, suddenly two legs, and turned, the side sat up.

 

“What are you hiding?” Ji Qinyang chuckled. He took another step forward, but Xie Meng tripped his leg, and before he could regain his balance, Xie Meng grabbed his arm and pulled hard.

 

“…” Ji Qinyang lay back, and Xie Meng straddled his waist, looking down at him from a higher position.

 

Xie Meng was wearing a black satin robe, and due to its large open neck, his fair and firm chest was exposed when leaning forward.

 

Xie Meng frowned, and as he lowered his head, he noticed Ji Qinyang’s aroused lower body pressing against his buttocks.

 

“…” Xie Meng couldn’t help but chuckle. “You really can’t behave yourself.”

 

Ji Qinyang held onto Xie Meng’s waist, unabashedly smiling, “I can’t be honest when it comes to you.”

 

Xie Meng squinted, Ji Qinyang’s hand had slid down to his buttocks, roughly kneading them. Xie Meng licked his lips and Ji Qinyang stared at his expression, unable to resist sitting up to kiss him.

 

Xie Meng leaned back, placed a hand on Ji Qinyang’s shoulder, and forcefully pushed him back down.

 

Ji Qinyang’s breath quickened, “Come on… just a kiss.”

 

Xie Meng remained unmoved, “Besides Suntian and Yin Luoxue, who else?”

 

“…,” Ji Qinyang looked innocent, “How can you trust what Qifei says?”

 

Xie Meng chuckled lightly, then suddenly reached out and caressed Ji Qinyang’s lips, stood up, and walked towards the door.

 

Ji Qinyang, looking puzzled, watched Xie Meng lock the gymnasium doors behind him. Xie Meng returned and knelt beside Ji Qinyang.

 

Ji Qinyang: “?”

 

Xie Meng’s face was a bit red. He removed his belt and covered Ji Qinyang’s eyes with it. “Don’t take it off.”

 

Ji Qinyang didn’t move. He could feel Xie Meng pulling down his pants, his palms were cold and moist, and his gestures were not skilled enough. However, Ji Qinyang’s excitement was not at all dampened. His erect di—ck was hard and painful. He subconsciously reached out to touch, but encountered Xie Meng’s hair.

 

“…,” Ji Qinyang pulled down the waistband covering his eyes, the scene in front of him almost made him lose control.

 

Xie Meng buried his entire face between his legs and awkwardly began to perform oral sex on him.

 

Probably because it was the first time, Xie Meng’s technique was so clumsy that it could only be described as a disaster. He made a great effort to try to swallow Ji Qinyang’s large pe—nis. His tongue occasionally licked the tip and he could taste the salty and fishy taste. Ji Qinyang was able to control himself at first, but after a while, he couldn’t help put his hand on Xie Meng’s head.

 

After taking a deep breath, Xie Meng swallowed a little more and Ji Qinyang made a comfortable sound.

 

Deep throating made Xie Meng’s eyes slightly red, he looked up at Ji Qinyang, who was looking down at him, the moment they met, Ji Qinyang came.

 

“…”, Xie Meng, who was not prepared, withdrew in time, and a lot of cu—m sprayed on his face, he reached out to wipe it off to prevent se—men from touching the floor.

 

Ji Qinyang quickly took off his upper shirt and put it on Xie Meng’s head.

 

“…”, Xie Meng was embarrassed, “Don’t wipe it … it’s already clean.”

 

Ji Qinyang stopped moving, he hugged Xie Meng through the clothes and kept him from looking at his face.

 

Xie Meng smiled, Ji Qinyang looked at him, and leaned over to kiss the boy’s lips.

 

“Next, I’m going to test the music theory in a few days.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Ji Qinyang said: “The letter of recommendation from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music has arrived, and I will also have an interview for the Central Conservatory of Music in October.”

 

Xie Meng touched his hair: “Then go.”

 

“Do you want me to pass the exam?” Ji Qinyang held Xie Meng’s hand and repeated the question: “Do you want me to?”

 

Xie Meng didn’t answer, buried his face in Ji Qinyang’s palm, and nodded gently after a long time.