Sick Beauty and His Bamboo Horse Bodyguard

Jiang Chi rolled over and pulled Sheng Jianan to his side. The two of them lay face to face on a pillow, and when Sheng Jianan raised his eyes, he could see Jiang Chi's smiling eyes shimmering with a sparkling light.

Jiang Chi lightly flicked Sheng Jianan's nose and said jokingly, "Didn't you say you wouldn't sleep with me? What's the meaning of crawling into my bed in the middle of the night?"

Sheng Jianan didn't speak. He felt cold from the wind and was also sleepy, so his mind was a little fuzzy. Jiang Chi noticed that he was not feeling well and wanted him to sleep quickly. He reached out and touched Sheng Jianan's bare arm, which felt a bit cold.

"Why are you so cold?" Jiang Chi asked, "Are you sick?"

Sheng Jianan sniffed and nodded, realizing that he had the beginning symptoms of a cold.

Jiang Chi grabbed the nearby blanket and wrapped it around Sheng Jianan, covering him completely so that he was unable to feel any air.

"It's not that serious," Sheng Jianan lifted his chin and exposed his mouth.

Taking into account their other dorm mates, they spoke in low voices, almost whispering into each other's ears.

In the dim light, Jiang Chi looked at Sheng Jianan's face, which had attracted countless admirers but only he was allowed to get close. The night added a soft moonlight to his three-dimensional contours, and his half-closed eyelids revealed a hint of fatigue, making him look a bit cute.

"... It's better to be careful," Jiang Chi said in a low voice, as if threatening, but he held Sheng Jianan tighter, treating him more preciously, "Otherwise, be prepared to sleep with me for the next few days."

The low and warm voice made Sheng Jianan's ears tingle. He moved back a bit and almost hit the edge of the bed.

Jiang Chi supported the back of his head and pressed him back, "Why are you hiding?"

Sheng Jianan said, "... I'm afraid I'll infect you if I have a cold."

"It's best if you can infect me," Jiang Chi said.

He actually wanted to get infected. In fact, every time Jiang Chi wanted to get sick with Sheng Jianan, but even if they slept in the same bed, he would still wake up the next day full of energy and unaffected.

It was the same this time.

____________________________

Although he had been covered up all night and had sweated a little, Sheng Jianan's weak physique could not avoid the symptoms of a cold. This is probably the fate of a cannon fodder character.

On the other hand, Jiang Chi, who had slept with him all night, their breathing almost blended together, was not affected at all. He just started to make a fuss as usual, scolding himself for being too fussy and insisting on changing beds. He also blamed the weather outside, saying it changes so easily.

This made the other roommates think that Sheng Jianan had a serious illness.

Sheng Jianan himself was quite open-minded about it, saying, "Just drink some cold medicine."

Although not many people would start drinking cold medicine in a season where short-sleeves can still be worn, he was unfortunately a cannon fodder character with a cheat code.

"No, medicine is harmful if overused. You can't just drink medicine for a cold," Jiang Chi said, "Wait for me in the dormitory, don't go out alone, understand?"

Sheng Jianan could guess what he was going to do, so he simply nodded.

Sure enough, not long after, Jiang Chi came back carrying a thermos, inside of which was freshly cooked ginger soup.

Jiang Chi served him a bowl and tasted it himself first: "It's okay, not too hot, drink it quickly."

Seeing this, San San and Lu Yu couldn't help but joke: "Jianan, I'm afraid you'll have a hard time finding a girlfriend in the future. Who else can meet someone like our brother Chi who won't let you suffer even a little grievance, and wants to look after you every day?"

Lu Yu laughed and continued, "Yeah, why don't you two just not look for girlfriends in the future and just make do with each other."

San San said, "Only ugly people have to make do, can you two be called making do?"

While drinking the ginger soup and listening to their banter, Sheng Jianan glanced at Jiang Chi.

He saw that Jiang Chi was looking at him with his chin supported, and when his eyes swept over, Jiang Chi smiled, "Did you hear that? Finding a girlfriend means taking care of everything for her. That won't do. I've taken such good care of you; I won't let you go to serve someone else. I won't agree to it."

The roommates behind them burst into laughter.

____________________________

At the end of the day's classes, as usual, Jiang Chi went to pick up Sheng Jianan after class. He watched as Sheng Jianan finished drinking his ginger soup, and then the two went to the cafeteria to eat together.

After finishing their meal, they walked back to their dormitory and took a stroll. Suddenly, both of their phones rang in their pockets at the same time. Sheng Jianan took out his phone and saw that it was a group chat between the three of them, including Ling Mo. Ling Mo used to always chat and gossip with Sheng Jianan, so Jiang Chi asked what Ling Mo would talk about all day, and he wanted to listen too, so he created the group chat. But after creating the group, Ling Mo didn't really say much and stopped talking to Sheng Jianan about gossip.

【Ling Mo: @Jiang Chi, want to play basketball?】

【Jiang Chi: No.】

【Ling Mo: @Sheng Jianan, do you want to see my handsome figure on the court?】

Sheng Jianan was about to type a response when he heard a cold laugh from beside him, and Jiang Chi's phone made a clicking sound as he typed.

【Jiang Chi: I think you're looking for trouble.】

【Ling Mo: No, we're all old friends. Can't you show me some basic friendliness?】

【Jiang Chi: Take back what you just said.】

【Ling Mo: @Sheng Jianan, do you want to see your brother Jiang Chi's handsome figure and feel his sturdy abs?】

【Ling Mo: Oh, I forgot, you've touched them so many times, it's not surprising.】

Sheng Jianan: "..."

【Ling Mo: @Jiang Chi, bro, is this okay?】

【Jiang Chi: Behave.】

【Jiang Chi: Go play by yourself.】

【Jiang Chi: We're not coming.】

【Sheng Jianan: Okay.】

The last two messages popped up at the same time, and Jiang Chi turned to Sheng Jianan and asked, "Do you want to go watch them play basketball?"

Due to his poor health, Sheng Jianan has never engaged in too much vigorous exercise. So when they play basketball, he usually just watches from the sidelines. However, this situation is rare. Unless Sheng Jianan requests it, Jiang Chi will not leave him alone to watch the game.

Most of the time, Jiang Chi will find a place with no one around to accompany him to shoot baskets, teach him how to play, and control the amount of exercise within a certain range.

"Okay." Sheng Jianan nodded. "It's been a long time since I've seen you play basketball. Also, I'll bring some cookies for Ling Mo."

The word "also" deeply touched Jiang Chi's heart. "Sure, if you want to see your brother's abs, I'll indulge you."

He stopped for a moment and deliberately lowered his voice, "Touching is fine too."

Sheng Jianan: "..."

After holding back so many times, Sheng Jianan was starting to admire his own self-control.

____________________________

As soon as Jiang Chi arrived at the basketball court, Ling Mo stopped him and asked him to help in a crisis situation. Before leaving, Jiang Chi was still worried about Sheng Jianan and cautioned him, "Don't chat too much with girls who approach you. Nowadays, girls are very smart, and you are so innocent that you are easily deceived."

Sheng Jianan said, "... Are you scolding me?"

Jiang Chi laughed and said, "No, they definitely come here to look at handsome guys. As soon as they see you here, they probably all come to find you."

Ling Mo, who was standing next to them, also laughed and said, "That's right, you come here every time and get hit on. You're driving Jiang Chi to have PTSD."

Ling Mo pulled Jiang Chi and said, "Okay, let's go. If you can share some of the things you say to Nan Nan with others, people won't always say you're difficult to get along with."

Jiang Chi frowned and thought of something else, "Guys are no good either."

Ling Mo was speechless and said, "... He can't speak to this person and he can't speak to that person. Can he only talk to you?"

If it weren't for the fact that they had grown up together and knew that Sheng Jianan had grown up well under Jiang Chi's protection, Ling Mo would probably have thought Jiang Chi was a pervert. "I know he's your precious baby, but those who don't know might think you're a pervert. Even if you're so handsome, staring at you all day would be aesthetically tiring. You have to let your precious baby breathe and play with other people."

After watching the two people leave, Sheng Jianan took out a notebook and prepared to draw a picture for Jiang Chi as his upcoming birthday gift. This was the most sincere and least wasteful gift he could think of at the moment.

Sitting in the front row of the audience, Sheng Jianan watched Jiang Chi's figure as he jumped and shot on the basketball court. He was always particularly dazzling on the court, dominating the whole game with every hair exuding confidence. His jersey was lifted up by his easy jump, revealing his tight abdominal muscles, which excited the girls around him who were watching the game.

After Jiang Chi made a three-point shot, he turned to Sheng Jianan at the sideline and proudly lifted his chin towards him, as his teammates cheered for him. With this kind of attitude, he seemed particularly energetic, and it made Sheng Jianan feel like he was back in high school.

Back then, the boys in their class had conflicts with the senior students, and they finally decided to use basketball to determine the winner, after exchanging many harsh words. Although Jiang Chi was already good at basketball at that time, unfortunately, there was only him as the main player in their class, plus Ling Mo as a half player, barely keeping up with the score of the senior class. Seeing that they were about to lose, Jiang Chi threw in a two-point shot from an extremely tricky angle, barely winning the game.

At that time, the onlookers were all cheering and cheering, and Jiang Chi ran to Sheng Jianan first, hugged him and relaxedly said, "I didn't embarrass you, did I?"

After saying that, he even laughed at himself, "Fortunately, we won, otherwise it would have been really embarrassing."

At that time, some female classmates said that Jiang Chi clearly had a face that could be popular throughout the school, but he couldn't resist being a "Sheng Jianan supremacist". As long as Sheng Jianan was present, there was no chance for anyone to see his face directly.

Based on his memories, Sheng Jianan swiftly outlined the character's lines on the paper with his pencil. He was very familiar with Jiang Chi and could draw a complete picture with just his memory.

Perhaps this could become his solace in the future. When he missed Jiang Chi very much after leaving him, he could find a coffee shop in the afternoon or a comfortable outdoor area, and use his memories to sketch every inch of his face.

Suddenly, Sheng Jianan felt fortunate that the missing pages in the book were about the relationship between Jiang Chi and his destined partner. At least he did not have a specific picture in his memory.

The pencil made a scratching sound on the white paper, and the character in the picture gradually took shape as Sheng Jianan drew one line after another. He was very immersed in his drawing, and the people around him were also very conscious, not disturbing this peaceful scene. It was not until a tall figure sat down beside him that he noticed someone's presence.

"Senior." Cen Jin called out, his tone revealing his surprise and joy. "I thought after what happened a few days ago, Jiang Chi wouldn't dare bring you here."

Sheng Jianan paused his pen on the paper, drawing an extra line. He lowered his eyes, sniffled, and said in a soft voice, "No, we didn't mention you later."

Sheng Jianan always had this indifferent look, as if nothing could move him. Cen Jin stared straight at him.

Today, he wore a white denim jacket with the collar raised, covering his jawline but not his delicate eyebrows and eyes.

It's no wonder so many people have been staring at him since he was young. A hint of malice rose in Cen Jin's heart. What's the benefit of being protected by Jiang Chi every day? Even a normal man couldn't resist looking at this face, let alone Jiang Chi's self-righteous appearance.

Maybe the two of them had done everything privately, while pretending to be homophobic on the surface.

Sensing his gaze, Sheng Jianan stopped his pen and looked over.

Cen Jin smiled, "Senior, did you go to Second High School for high school?"

Sheng Jianan nodded.

"I heard that Jiang Chi was the little bully in Second High School and almost crippled someone in a fight." Cen Jin looked at Sheng Jianan with a probing tone.

"No, he only hit those who deserved it." Sheng Jianan continued to sketch on the paper, unmoved.

Cen Jin didn't know what he was thinking, laughed twice, and said, "But he drove away everyone who really liked you."

"What counts as really liking me?" Sheng Jianan's hand didn't stop as he asked nonchalantly.

"Like me, for example." Cen Jin said, "Senior, I know you like guys like me. But Jiang Chi can't give you what you want. He only wants to control you, while I--want to date you."

Sheng Jianan chuckled, wondering if he was really as easy to fool as Jiang Chi had said.

Perhaps the cannon fodder in the novel was, under Jiang Chi's protection, ignorant of the ways of the world and ultimately had a tragic ending. But Sheng Jianan wasn't like that. He had lived two lifetimes, counting his past life.

Cen Jin reached out a hand and rested it on the back of his chair. Sheng Jianan frowned and instinctively wanted to move away.

"Hey, Senior." Cen Jin smiled and hugged his shoulder. "Don't go..."

At this moment, a basketball flew straight towards them and slammed into Cen Jin's left leg at lightning speed. 

Cen Jin gasped, his arm went limp, and he bent over to grab his shin. He looked up towards the basketball court and saw Jiang Chi walking over with an icy expression.

Seeing his imposing demeanor, if Sheng Jianan wasn't sitting here, Cen Jin had no doubt that this basketball might not have just hit his left leg.

Cen Jin was both afraid and angry. He couldn't help but curse to himself that Jiang Chi wasn't even dating Sheng Jianan, so why was he so concerned about their relationship? 

With countless pairs of eyes watching, Cen Jin, who cared about his face, intentionally cleared his throat and was about to stand up to reason with Jiang Chi, "Senior, what do you mean..."

However, before he could finish his sentence, Jiang Chi kicked him directly, and Cen Jin stumbled backwards, falling back onto his chair.

Jiang Chi leaned down, pressing his shoulder and asked with a stern expression, "Can't you see that he doesn't want you to touch him?"

For a moment, Cen Jin was at a loss. He knew that Jiang Chi was not easy to provoke and that he was very protective of Sheng Jianan, but he didn't expect that Jiang Chi would not leave room for them to interact with each other.

Being pressed by him with countless pairs of eyes watching, Cen Jin felt that he had no face. He gritted his teeth and asked, "I'm talking to Sheng Jianan, what the hell does it have to do with you? I don't understand, who the hell are you to him, that you have to interfere in everything? Did you two really hook up and reach a deal?"

Jiang Chi's pitch-black eyes stared at him, the strength in his hand gradually relaxing as he let go of Cen Jin and stood up. 

Cen Jin thought he had hit the nail on the head, and since Jiang Chi didn't refute him, he breathed a sigh of relief and sat up, adjusting his collar, then glanced sideways at the crowd.

Suddenly, a cry of alarm came from the crowd. Before he could react, a basketball flew straight at him and hit him in the stomach. The pain made Cen Jin feel nauseous, and his head was buzzing.

"You..." Cen Jin clenched his teeth, clutching his stomach, and suddenly let out a loud roar.

Seeing that a conflict was about to break out, Ling Mo quickly stepped in between the two of them and separated them, dragging Cen Jin to a chair on the side and holding him down.

"Let go!" Cen Jin tugged at his collar, struggling to break free.

Ling Mo released him and said coldly, "I warn you, don't mess with Sheng Jianan."

Hearing this, Cen Jin looked at him and showed a mocking smile. "What? Are you also interested in him?"

Ignoring his sarcasm, Ling Mo said directly, "I'm just warning you. If you don't believe me, you can try. You can't even beat me, let alone Jiang Chi. I grew up with them since I was a child, and Jiang Chi has fought countless times for Sheng Jianan."

Seeing Cen Jin staring at him, Ling Mo glanced to the side and saw Sheng Jianan standing with Jiang Chi, seeming to appease him.

At this moment, a female voice came from the nearby audience seats, not too loud or too soft, as if deliberately speaking for them to hear. "Serves him right. If you often walk by the river, you can't avoid wetting your shoes. When he had a girlfriend, he hooked up with a man to book a room. This time, he provoked someone he shouldn't have. This kind of person will eventually be taught a lesson."

Ling Mo glanced up and saw the girl being persuaded by her classmates to speak less.

Seeing Cen Jin's ugly face, Ling Mo said, "I don't care if you want to find a man or a woman, but if you dare to harass Sheng Jianan, you better weigh yourself first."

Cen Jin didn't know what he was thinking, and his face suddenly changed. The hostility in his eyes dissipated a little. "Jiang Chi can do anything for Sheng Jianan."

At this point, there weren't many people on the road. Jiang Chi walked out of the basketball court holding Sheng Jianan's hand, heading towards their dormitory.

After walking for a while, Jiang Chi didn't speak. Sheng Jianan shook his hand and said, "Don't be angry."

Jiang Chi glanced at him from the side. "Then comfort me."

Sheng Jianan was silent for a moment, stopped his footsteps, and Jiang Chi stopped as well, expecting him to do something.

Then Sheng Jianan walked up to him, hugged him, and stroked his back. "Don't be angry."

It was still the tacky way that he had used since childhood, but it always worked on him.

Jiang Chi's lips curled up and he hugged him, smelling the pleasant scent on his body.

Although they used the same shampoo and shower gel, the scent on Sheng Jianan's body was so alluring, captivating him.