Obsessed with a High-Ranking Esper (BL)-Chapter 179: Don’t be so dramatic

Vigil wasn’t about to tell Yu Xi that Jian Ci was acting jealous over him. Why make wedding clothes for others? He wasn’t stupid. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"We were talking about Alarna," he said smoothly. "He just snapped. He went berserk and almost killed me."

Yu Xi’s expression didn’t change, but something in the air shifted, like a string pulled taut.

"Describe exactly what happened," Yu Xi said.

Vigil recounted the scene, carefully editing out the parts that mattered most. He left out the words conquer, never let go, and the type that takes everything. He painted himself as a bystander, a victim of Jian Ci’s unpredictable temper. Yu Xi listened in silence.

When Vigil finished, Yu Xi said, "Alright. Just don’t spread it around."

Vigil gave a nervous laugh. "Why would I spread that around when he kicked my ass?"

Yu Xi gave a quiet hum of acknowledgment and turned to leave.

But Vigil, against his better judgment, reached out and grabbed his arm.

Yu Xi turned slowly, his glare sharp enough to cut. Vigil let go immediately. "Sorry."

He knew better than to try blackmail Yu Xi. After what he had seen, what Yu Xi was capable of, that would be suicide. But still... he wanted something... anything.

"I just wish you wouldn’t treat me like an enemy so much," he said, voice softer now. "That’s all."

Yu Xi pressed his tongue to the inside of his cheek, reading him like a book.

"Are you going to spread it around?"

Vigil raised both hands. "No. No, I would never."

Yu Xi nodded. "Then I won’t treat you like an enemy as much. Just don’t start shit with Jian Ci. Stay clear of him."

"Okay," Vigil said quickly. "okay, I will stay away from him from now on."

Yu Xi turned and walked away, his steps unhurried, his presence still heavy in the air.

Vigil stood there, watching him disappear into the night. Then he swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

He thought after seeing what Yu Xi could do he would back off. Yu Xi wasn’t the type of esper to be messed with let alone conquered but he just couldn’t help himself. His heart was already stirred and he couldn’t put back those feeling.

***

The semester results dropped with the usual fanfare. Notifications lit up communicators, forums buzzed, and students either cheered or groaned across campus.

Jian Ci was at his usual spot, the café near the east quad, halfway through a forkful of strawberry shortcake when his communicator pinged. He glanced at the screen, eyes scanning the rankings.

His name was there, gleaming in gold. He was second overall, but he barely registered it. Because right above him, in bold, was Yu Xi.

Jian Ci’s grin stretched wide. "I knew it," he whispered, nearly knocking over cake in his rush to grab his order. He didn’t even finish his cake.

He bolted out of the café, weaving through the crowd with a single-minded purpose. His heart was light, his steps quick. He couldn’t wait to see Yu Xi’s face.

Halfway back to class, he nearly collided with a group of girls.

"Ci-ge!" Alarna called, her voice sweet and expectant.

Her friends giggled behind her, already imagining a romantic scene. They imagined Jian Ci smiling, maybe ruffling her hair, maybe offering to walk her to class. But Jian Ci barely slowed down.

"Sorry, I have to go!" he called over his shoulder, already sprinting past them.

Alarna stood frozen, her smile faltering. The girls blinked, then quickly rallied. "Maybe he had something urgent to do," one offered.

"Yeah, he is probably just busy with the results coming out," another added.

Alarna forced a smile. "Right. Let’s go get some coffee. It’s on me." But her eyes were sharp. He was slipping further away from her grasp and that was unacceptable.

***

Jian Ci burst into the classroom, breathless, only to find Yu Xi’s seat empty.

"He went to see his instructor," someone offered. Jian Ci didn’t hesitate. He turned and ran again, this time toward the instructors’ shared office.

When he arrived, Yu Xi was still inside, speaking with instructor Jenn. Jian Ci stopped just short of the door, not wanting to interrupt.

"...you had the chance to get full marks for your team," the instructor was saying, "but points were deducted. What happened?"

"Is it a problem?" Yu Xi asked, voice calm.

"No," she said, though her tone was curious. "It’s just unlike you to leave your team."

"I had a personal issue that day," Yu Xi replied. "I lost track of time." There was a pause.

Then Jenn sighed. "I understand. I am proud of you, though."

"Thanks," Yu Xi said, and Jian Ci could hear the faint smile in his voice.

Jian Ci leaned against the wall, his mind racing. Personal issue? His gaze dropped, unbidden, to the memory of the bruises and the bite mark. The way Yu Xi had covered up whenever he had tried to take a look.

He wanted to ask but he didn’t know how. He didn’t know if he should. The door opened and Yu Xi stepped out, surprised to see him.

Jian Ci straightened, pushing the worry from his face and replacing it with a bright grin. "Your results, did you see them?"

Yu Xi raised an eyebrow. "You came all the way here to tell me about that?"

Jian Ci shook his head. "Nope. I came all the way here to congratulate you. You are the best student in the academy, no, in all of Virelia!"

Yu Xi rolled his eyes, a smile tugging at his lips. "Don’t be so dramatic." He turned to walk away.

Jian Ci draped himself over Yu Xi’s back like a lazy cat, arms slung around his shoulders, more than half his weight pressing down.

Yu Xi stumbled forward with a grunt. "You are so heavy."

"Look," Jian Ci said, grinning, "I even brought you something to eat in celebration."

Yu Xi glanced at the box in his hand. "No, you bought that so you could eat."

"Who cares what the reason was?" Jian Ci said, already tugging him along. "Let’s go eat it together. The sweet honey cake is mine, and the plain one is yours."

Yu Xi sighed, but there was no real resistance in him. He could never say no to Jian Ci... ever.

They made their way up to the Chancellor’s private greenhouse on the top floor. It was a tranquil sun-drenched haven of rare flora and filtered light. How Jian Ci had managed to finesse access was still a mystery.