Chapter 5: Aristocratic Movement

Xu Ci rested in his dorm for two days, his body feeling like delicate flower petals that had been crushed, too tender to recover quickly. A lingering ache and languor permeated his very bones.

Yu Hanli: "Are you free today? You're quite weak. I'll ask my manager to take you to a Chinese medicine clinic."

Yu Hanli is this... enthusiastic in private?

Xu Ci disliked bitter medicine, and his illness was beyond modern medicine's capabilities.

Before being adopted by the Xu family, he had been a perfectly healthy child. Perhaps over the years, as the plot's influence grew stronger, he had transformed into this frail, easily shattered invalid.

Xu Ci had no desire to struggle pointlessly and painfully anymore.

He wasn't sure if Yu Hanli, having recently tasted forbidden fruit and developed a taste for it, was using the "visit to the clinic" as an elegant excuse for a quick tryst.

Xu Ci: "No need."

Xu Ci: "My illness is a stubborn, peculiar condition that even advanced medical equipment struggles to diagnose. It's complicated and strange. Besides, I have studies to catch up on today and no time."

Yu Hanli: "You have classes?"

Xu Ci: "No classes."

Xu Ci sent Yu Hanli his class schedule, adding a small lie: "My advisor is taking me to a drama seminar today, I'm really looking forward to it."

Yu Hanli, holding Xu Ci's class schedule, watched as Xu Ci obediently sent an identical schedule. He felt inexplicably pleased and said, "Then study hard."

Xu Ci's lips curved slightly.

Indeed, education runs deep in the hearts of every Huaguo person. Learning can always serve as the perfect excuse to avoid trouble.

Xu Ci was a sophomore in the Acting Department at the Kyoto Film Academy, majoring in acting, vocal training, speech, physical conditioning, and dance. With a packed curriculum, he was the favorite student of every teacher.

The drama seminar was a fabrication; the real event was that his classical dance instructor, He Yibai, was taking him to a dancer's performance exhibition.

This exhibition served as a networking opportunity for industry insiders.

As a national-level dancer, He Yibai's favored student would undoubtedly draw attention. The exhibition wasn't scheduled for today, however.

Yet, before long, He Yibai messaged him on WeChat.

He Yibai: "Xiao Ci."

Xu Ci: "I'm here."

He Yibai: "Have you recently offended someone?"

Xu Ci: "What's wrong?"

He Yibai: "The organizers of the dance performance exhibition have refused to let you participate. Did you upset someone? Someone I know?"

He Yibai: "Don't be afraid. Where there's darkness, there's light. Every few years, talented young artists run into trouble and disappear. If this is what happened, it's absolutely not your fault. Tell me, and I'll find a way to help and protect you."

Xu Ci's long, curled eyelashes trembled, a hint of moisture welling up in his dark eyes, a warm current flowing through his heart.

He Yibai was a kind and upright teacher, and Xu Ci didn't want to lie and drag her into this baseless conflict. It was probably just like in the novels—he had been blacklisted by Xu Xiuzhu.

Xu Ci: "I haven't offended anyone. I had a minor disagreement with my family. They probably want me to suffer a bit and get my head straight. Teacher, please don't worry about it."

After a long pause, He Yibai said:

He Yibai: "Xiao Ci, you need to have your own edge. Even when dealing with family, you must have your own boundaries."

He Yibai: "If the organizers knew you were the true dancer behind the complete version of A Sword's Astonishing Grace, they'd invite you without hesitation, even if the most powerful people tried to blacklist you."

A Sword's Astonishing Grace was a dance drama from the Wei-Jin period.

Legend had it that the dance was as ethereal and enchanting as a soul-stirring demon, driving audiences into days of intoxication and madness. Over time, it gradually became demonized by the public.

The few historical records that remain are fragmented, with no complete version surviving.

Yet, these incomplete fragments alone were enough to drive countless top dancers to obsession and madness.

The National Dance Association once organized a team of elite dancers to rechoreograph and supplement the piece. Each version they created had its flaws, but only He Yibai's version received unanimous approval.

He Yibai didn't claim the credit for herself, knowing it was Xu Ci's adaptation. Xu Ci simply didn't want to be credited.

He Yibai's sudden mention of this likely stemmed from her assumption that Xu Ci's reluctance to take credit was due to Qiao Mingchu's recent return to the Xu family. Over the past few months, the friction between Xu Ci and Qiao Mingchu had escalated, leading He Yibai to believe Xu Ci was deliberately hiding his talent.

That wasn't quite it.

Xu Ci simply felt too young to suddenly be bestowed with such a prestigious title. He worried that this honor would drain his vitality.

He spent the entire morning lying in bed, his eyelids fluttering open and shut, feeling both lazy and sleepy, as if he couldn't wake up or get enough rest.

He didn't dwell on the ban either.

Once he recovered, he could properly cling to Yu Hanli's coattails.

At noon, Song Qi returned to the dorm: "Ci Ci, are you sick again? You've been lying down so much these past two days."

Xu Ci's voice was tired: "No, just feeling spring fatigue."

Song Qi assumed Xu Ci was depressed after breaking up with Xu Chongchen. Since they were both in the Opera Club, the club president invited members to the Suburban Beijing Horse Farm that day. Song Qi dragged Xu Ci along.

Xu Ci had taken two days off to stay in the dorm and nurse his bruised buttocks. His allergies were severe, and he had many dietary restrictions, making it impossible to order takeout. He didn't want to bother his roommates with bringing him meals. With his small appetite, he survived on low-sugar biscuits for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

He hadn't left the dorm in two days. Stepping outside into the warm sun, his mood instantly improved.

Equestrianism was an aristocratic pursuit.

Nobles were expected to learn archery, horsemanship, fencing, and basic military-style self-defense. These disciplines served two purposes: cultivating personal refinement and fostering strength and resilience. Xu Ci had shown an interest in these activities as a child, but the Xu family, citing his frail constitution, strictly forbade him from pursuing them, instead teaching him only tea ceremony and flower arrangement etiquette.

Xu Ci lacked the physical strength necessary for such practices, his core and stamina insufficient for even the most basic training.

While other club members selected horses, Xu Ci stood outside the railing, watching the others in their riding attire gallop across the arena.

The weather was slightly warm, and Xu Ci wore a white short-sleeved shirt. His fair arms were slender and well-proportioned, and his black knee-length shorts revealed clean, supple calves. Black ankle socks hugged his thin ankles, perfectly accentuating his pure, student-like aura.

His dark, silky hair hung slightly, and a gentle breeze lifted it to reveal his bright, clear eyes. His snow-white face bloomed like a camellia in the wind—exquisite, innocent yet alluring, and breathtakingly beautiful.

Anyone who passed by him was momentarily dazed by his beauty, which captivated both men and women alike.

Song Qi handed him a fruit tea and teased, "If you keep standing here, the guardrail across from the horse farm will probably be smashed to pieces by the end of the day."

As he spoke, another person, distracted by turning to look at Xu Ci, accidentally rode their horse into the guardrail.

Xu Ci: "..."

Little Xu was just standing quietly, and it was unclear what had drawn so much attention.

It was simply that Xu Ci was too beautiful.

Xu Ci took the fruit tea, tore open the straw wrapper, and poked it into the cup. He pursed his lips around the straw and took a gentle sip.

Just then, he overheard Qiao Mingchu, Father Xu (Xu Huimin), and Xu Chongchen talking nearby.

How could he forget that today was Qiao Mingchu's day to practice equestrianism at the horse farm? What rotten luck.

Xu Ci turned to leave.

Xu Huimin had also heard the rumors about Xu Chongchen and Xu Ci dating. The gossip made him lose face, but he managed to keep his composure.

There's still a year left until this sacrifice is completely concluded. He doesn't want any disruptions that could affect the Xu family's fortune.

As long as his wealth wasn't threatened, he could tolerate even the sight of this "male fox spirit" who had "bent" his own son, no matter how displeasing he found Xu Ci.

Xu Huimin called out to him, "Ci Ci."

Xu Ci stopped.

Xu Huimin spoke in a gentle, warm tone, "Your Second Brother and younger brother were out of line. I've already scolded them. You'll always be the apple of your father's eye. Why get angry with them and even ignore your own father?"

Xu Ci knew his father preferred to use a "soft knife"—a gentle, manipulative approach. For years, he hadn't felt his father's protection, only a suffocating warmth that gradually grew tiresome.

Xu Ci didn't believe a word of it, but he didn't walk away. Turning around, he respectfully addressed Xu Huimin, "Father."

Xu Huimin didn't expose Xu Ci's relationship with Xu Chongchen, and Xu Chongchen tacitly agreed to maintain the pretense of ignorance, continuing to treat Xu Ci as his younger brother.

He was involved in a multi-billion dollar resort project with the Liu family. He couldn't abandon this collaboration just because Xu Ci was uncomfortable with his relationship with Liu Yiqing.

Yet he couldn't bring himself to give up on Xu Ci either. No one could. Xu Ci was simply too beautiful, too stunning—a blazing star, dazzling and radiant. In all of Kyoto, there was no one who could compare to Xu Ci.

Xu Chongchen walked over, put his arm around Xu Ci's shoulders, and said softly, "I didn't consider your feelings that day. I'm sorry, okay?"

Xu Ci frowned slightly.

He raised his hand and pushed Xu Chongchen's arm away, his expression cold and aloof. "Don't touch me."

Xu Chongchen's hand froze in mid-air, stiffening.

Xu Ci was temperamental and prone to sulking, but he had never before seen such disgust on Xu Chongchen's face.

Avoiding him like a plague, loathing him like a venomous snake.

Xu Chongchen's heart gave a sharp, painful twist.

Just then, two tall, handsome men approached. One of them, leading a black steed, was Yu Hanli.

The black horse was a prized Frisian, its mane thick and luxuriant, its legs muscular and strong, its head held high in an elegant posture—a rare and precious specimen.

Yu Hanli's face was refined and handsome, radiating an aura of unapproachability. He wore a luxurious equestrian outfit, his full-coverage riding pants accentuating his long, muscular thighs. The tight fit also revealed the proud contours of his male anatomy.

Just one glance at him made one feel ashamed, their face flushing and heart racing.

Many young masters from noble families found their legs going weak.

When Xu Ci saw Yu Hanli, his heart skipped a beat, and his first instinct was to hide.

But Xu Huimin, ever the schemer skilled at currying favor with the powerful, gave him no chance to escape and approached Yu Hanli himself. "What a fortunate day to encounter Actor Yu here."

Yu Hanli's narrow, phoenix-like eyes swept over Xu Huimin with a slight nod. "Quite a coincidence."

Yet his gaze wasn't on Xu Huimin at all.

Instead, it fixed on Xu Ci standing behind him. His look was a complex mix of emotions, but the dominant one was a fierce, predatory intensity.

Xu Chongchen, a fellow male, inexplicably felt as if his treasured possession was being coveted. He placed a hand on Xu Ci's shoulder, his long-fingered palm gripping Xu Ci's shoulder firmly.

"CiCi," Xu Chongchen asked, "do you know Actor Yu?"

Know him? More than I can say!

Xu Ci didn't dare lift his head.

Not just because of his casual affair with Yu Hanli, but also because of the lies they had told him.

Would Yu Hanli get angry and make him pay for the damage?

Don't recognize me, don't recognize me, don't recognize me. Please, oh please, don't recognize me.

In the past, Xu Huimin would never have had the chance to strike up a conversation with Yu Hanli. Noticing the actor's unusual gaze towards Xu Ci, he quickly introduced them: "Actor Yu, do you happen to know my son?"

Yu Hanli smiled enigmatically. "I seem to have seen him before, yet not at all. He kept his head down, so I couldn't make out his face clearly."

"..."

That's such a blatant lie!

He absolutely! does! recognize! him!!!

Xu Ci had no choice but to lift his head and murmur, "Hello, Actor Yu."

Xu Huimin continued, "This is our youngest son, Xu Ci. He's shy and easily embarrassed, but actually very clever and bright. He was always top of his class in school. Even now, he's never dated. He used to blush just holding someone's hand in kindergarten."

"I'm open-minded. It doesn't matter to me whether he likes men or women. I just hope he figures things out soon. If he waits too long, it'll be hard to find a spouse."

Xu Huimin was a shrewd operator.

Yu Hanli was no ordinary man.

Why would he stare at Xu Ci without reason? Most likely, he was captivated by his beauty.

Despite the heavy implication in his words, Yu Hanli didn't take the bait.

His cold, pale face radiated a menacing aura, and his icy glare nearly severed the hand Xu Chongchen had placed on Xu Ci's shoulder.

After a few seconds, he chuckled coldly. "You don't look like the type to behave. Can you ride a horse?"

Xu Ci gently removed Xu Chongchen's hand again. "Horseback riding requires strong core strength and stamina. I can't do it."

"Come here. How will you know if you can do it unless you try? I'll teach you."

Xu Ci: "Oh."

Xu Ci didn't change into riding attire. Riding a horse without proper gear would chafe his thighs, and his bruised backside was still recovering from the fall. Most importantly, he didn't know Yu Hanli well enough.

What if this small lie provoked the powerful man's desire for punishment? If he actually got on the horse, and Yu Hanli deliberately agitated it, sending it into a wild gallop, where would he even cry?

So, the moment Yu Hanli mounted his horse and looked down at him from his lofty position, Xu Ci employed a subtle tactic.

His snow-white fingertips lightly squeezed the wall of the fruit tea cup, forcing the drink to splash onto his white T-shirt, making the fabric cling transparently.

Coincidentally, it landed right over his right chest.

His thin shirt, soaked through with water, became semi-transparent, revealing a hint of alluring pink.

"..."

Not a big deal.

Xu Ci said, "I really wanted to go horseback riding with Actor Yu, but my clothes are dirty. I need to change."

Yu Hanli's gaze deepened. "Okay."

Xu Ci went to the changing room, tossed the remaining half-cup of fruit tea into the trash, and retrieved a clean, tidy short-sleeved shirt provided by the horse farm from outside.

He was about to enter the changing room when he heard the soft clatter of equestrian leather boots against the marble floor.

Looking up, he saw Yu Hanli approaching the changing room.

Xu Ci took a step back, studying him intently. He licked his lips and asked quietly, "Is Actor Yu here to reprimand me?"

Yu Hanli replied, "Why do you suddenly say that?"

Xu Ci was momentarily speechless.

The men's changing room was spacious and sparsely furnished.

At that moment, it was empty and lacked individual stalls.

Clutching the new shirt, Xu Ci stood frozen for a few seconds, hoping Yu Hanli would have the good sense to leave.

He couldn't possibly expect me to change in front of him, could he?

Yu Hanli leaned against the wall, his alluring phoenix eyes narrowed slightly. "So you couldn't wait to rekindle things with your old lover? And you lied to me about studying? You're quite the actor."

The words didn't reveal much, but Xu Ci knew Yu Hanli must have investigated him—and thoroughly.

The novel had mentioned Yu Hanli's possessiveness and territoriality. Even the slightest touch on something he considered his could provoke his intense displeasure.

He'd also heard rumors: a man, confident in his looks, tried to climb into Yu Hanli's bed for a shortcut and vanished completely from the social scene. That was his punishment for crossing the line. Clearly, anyone who had slept with Yu Hanli had automatically been claimed as his territory.

Xu Ci replied truthfully, "I didn't mean to lie. It's just that you were so insatiable that night. It's only been two days, and I was afraid my poor ass would get ravaged again, so I made up an excuse to avoid you. Running into Xu Chongchen was pure accident."

He added ingratiatingly, "He's not as handsome as you are."

Yu Hanli's stoic expression softened, and he chuckled. "I like hearing you say that."

"But how was I insatiable? Elaborate."

Xu Ci: "......"

Pervert!

You pervert!

The bright lights of the locker room ceiling shone like a galaxy.

Bathed in warm, golden light, Xu Ci's delicate, snow-white face was framed by soft, dark hair. His almond-shaped eyes were moist, his nose was straight and elegant, and his thin lips glistened with a healthy, rosy sheen, making one want to kiss them. The illness had added a casual, languid charm, making him look like a little fox seducing someone.

Yu Hanli's gaze deepened as he stared at Xu Ci.

Xu Ci was stunning, his face hitting every one of Yu Hanli's aesthetic points perfectly.

He admitted it.

He was seduced by this beautiful facade.

It was him, Yu Hanli, who had been swayed by looks.

He longed to truly understand his feelings and give his barren emotional soil a chance to take root and bloom.

He had never truly loved anyone—neither family nor friends. Emotions had always been a desert he had never ventured into.

Yet he knew that Xu Ci had brought him an unprecedented sense of agitation.

Yu Hanli, taller and more imposing than Xu Ci, suddenly leaned in, his presence overwhelming. He stared directly at Xu Ci, his gaze both wicked and wild:

"You don't seem to want to acknowledge me in public. While the thrill of pretending not to know each other is exciting, it's just a novelty. Hiding this forever doesn't suit my status. I'll be announcing our relationship in the next two days."

Xu Ci looked puzzled. "You want to be my boyfriend?"

This comes at a different price.

Yu Hanli: "Fake relationship. I'll be free to do as I please with you later."

Xu Ci: "..."

No need to hide it, just convenient for casual sex, right?

Since he's the sugar daddy, I'll play along. "Alright."

"Since you've chosen to be with me, you should keep your distance from others during our time together. I won't tolerate repeated boundary-crossing."

Xu Ci would have done this anyway.

His professional ethics might not be extensive, but they were sufficient.

Yu Hanli's tone, half notification and half threat, irked Xu Ci. He pouted, his cheeks puffing out into a soft, rounded curve. "Such a strong fatherly vibe."

Fatherly vibe?

Yu Hanli raised an eyebrow. He wasn't a caveman; of course, he knew it was an insult.

He'd let Xu Ci off the hook for his mistake, yet still get cursed at?

Yu Hanli leaned closer, his sharp nose almost brushing against Xu Ci's youthful one. His calloused thumb pressed down on the tea-stained spot on Xu Ci's right chest without the slightest gentleness, rubbing it hard.

He savored Xu Ci's discomfort for a few seconds, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

He asked with a meaningful tone, "Father? How am I fatherly? Would your father do this to you after getting you wet? Would he... eat you here?"

Xu Ci froze, his mind racing to catch up.

Lewd images flooded his mind, and his pale face instantly flushed crimson!