The Villainous Classmate is My Lucky Star Chapter 187
Translated by Pure
Chapter 187 Chi Jingxi’s Answer
The lamps were extinguished one by one, and the room gradually fell into darkness; everything in sight had become a hazy outline.
Chi Jingxi was the last one to lie down.
There was some distance between everyone’s beds. If they were all lying in the middle of their own bed, it would be near impossible to touch the neighboring person with outstretched hands. Nethertheless, Wen Yantong felt Chi Jingxi's breath on the back of her head. She turned around and saw Chi Jingxi lying by the edge of her quilt.
Noticing Wen Yantong's head turned, Chi Jingxi, who was laying on his back, flipped to his side and looked towards her.
Not far from Wen Yantong, there happened to be a floor lamp emitting a faint light. The light reflected in Chi Jingxi's eyes, illuminating his profound concentration on her.
Wen Yantong turned her whole body to face Chi Jingxi.
At this moment, Mu Yang suddenly spoke up, "It's been a long time since we slept together like this."
Cheng Xin agreed, "That's true."
Mu Yang continued to lament, "The last time we slept on the floor together was four years ago."
Wen Yantong was stunned by his words, and suddenly recalled an overlooked matter.
Mu Yang, Cheng Xin, and Chi Jingxi had been friends for several years, they’ve literally grown up together since they were young. Chi Jingxi never disliked Mu Yang's rough temper and stupid head, while Cheng Xin had always condoned Mu Yang's behavior and words.
When Mu Yang subsequently died in battle, Chi Jingxi tied a white cloth around his wrist for two whole years, never taking it off even when sleeping. The original book never described how painful it was for Chi Jingxi after the deaths of Mu Yang and Cheng Xin, but occasionally would mention the times when Chi Jingxi would suddenly get up from his bed and ask his servants to spread out a couple futons. He would make sure the two futons would merge together, side by side.
Now that she thought about it, those were the times when Chi Jingxi was reminiscing about Mu Yang and Cheng Xin who passed away. Two joined futons put together were just enough for three people to lay upon.
Just as she was thinking about this, Mu Yang said, "It's just that we used to only need two quilts, but now that we have grown up, two can no longer fit all three of us."
At this mention, Wen Yantong sighed softly.
Chi Jingxi had been listening quietly, but when he saw her sighing, he suddenly stretched out his hand and gently placed it on her eyebrows. His eyes looked somewhat confused, as if asking why Wen Yantong had suddenly sighed.
Without realizing it herself, while Wen Yantong was mulling over this matter, her expression had been filled with melancholy.
Chi Jingxi's fingertips were extremely warm, and they smoothed her slightly furrowed eyebrows in an instance. She smiled at him, indicating that she was fine.
Mu Yang chatted with Cheng Xin for a few words, and seeing that Chi Jingxi was being uncooperative, he couldn't help provoking him, "Brother Xi, why aren’t you talking? Are you already sleepy?"
Chi Jingxi slowly withdrew his hand and replied, "No."
Mu Yang voiced his complaint, "Since you’re not, then chat a bit with me."
Chi Jingxi laid on his back again and asked, "Then what do you want to talk about?"
Mu Yang thought for a while, and then replied, "Why don't we each tell an unforgettable memory?"
He continued, "I’ll go first. With your roundabout temperaments, it’ll give you some time to think about it."
The corner of Chi Jingxi’s lips curved up slightly, "You should have many unforgettable memories."
Mu Yang said, "Indeed, but I’ll just pick one to talk about."
"Wen Yantong had asked me the matter about marrying a wife and having children today. Truth be told, I have never considered this issue before, but when you asked me today, I just fluently answered based on my true thoughts. It was only after my own answer did I think about the reason why." Mu Yang's voice became calmer, a little softer than usual, most probably due to the silence of night.
"I used to have a pretty good relationship with my brothers and sisters… but that was before my mother died. At that time, my father had many concubines, but he never allowed them to oppose my mother. If anyone dared commit this taboo, he would immediately impose harsh punishments. The most serious incident was when a concubine pushed my mother during a dispute and was punished by my father with thirty canes. She was almost beaten to death. In the end, my mother couldn't bear it and persuaded my father to just sell her off." While Mu Yang recollected about the past, his usual happy-go-lucky character had been shelved, most probably thinking of something rather uncomfortable, he spoke in a heavy and solemn tone.
"All the concubines revered my mother and conducted themselves carefully under her eyes. My brothers and sisters also treated me very well. Those who are older than me always bought me delicious and fun trinkets from afar, and those who were younger than me often played with me. At that time, I never realized the concept of siblings with the same father but different mothers."
Hearing this, Wen Yantong probably guessed that Mu Yang must have been psychologically scarred by his half-siblings when he was young, so he was opposed to his father's frivolous behavior.
"After my mother passed away, they completely changed their faces; no one wanted to play with me anymore. Those concubines fought fiercely for the position of main wife, and my siblings also competed against one another. During that time, my father was at war all year round. During that time, I felt like an outsider in the Mu Residence." Mu Yang said.
Wen Yantong faintly sighed again. No matter how close siblings were, there will inevitably be times they may fight to the death, let alone half-siblings. She thought of her younger brother. Back then, the education institution was always far away, so she would also have to board. In contrast, wherever her younger brother went to study, her mother would rent a house to accompany him, so Wen Yantong seldomly saw her younger brother. She didn't seem to have much experience when it came to siblings' affection.
Mu Yang finally revealed the purpose of his story. "So my good friends, don't take so many concubines in the future. Just marry one wife."
When Fu Zixian and Cheng Xin heard this, they couldn't help but chuckle. "After all that said, this is what you wanted to tell us?"
Mu Yang scratched his head. "I don't know how to properly advise you, but this matter has haunted my mind for several years. Whenever I recall the past, I always feel uncomfortable. Whenever I see them at home, I just feel fed up."
Wen Yantong said, "I understand."
Everyone else fell silent for a moment. Chi Jingxi turned to look at her.
She continued, "In my hometown, a man can only marry one wife. If he has other concubines, it is against the law."
Mu Yang was surprised. "Where is your hometown? Isn't it in Shao Jing?"
Wen Yantong shook her head. "It's a place far, far away."
Cheng Xin stated, "I haven't heard of such a legal system?"
Wen Yantong looked at Chi Jingxi and said slowly, "In that place, the girls will carefully consider and only after making sure she can spend her whole life with him would she agree to get married. The men will also after careful deliberations, and make a vow on the day of their marriage. He will swear to be loyal to her, his love, and would not take concubines or change his heart."
The people present had never been exposed to this kind of legal system. After Wen Yantong’s explanation, the three all fell into a thoughtful silence.
Chi Jingxi turned his body and asked softly, "What do you want to say?"
"I will do the same in the future." Wen Yantong replied in a low voice.
She had fallen for Chi Jingxi, her heart was now in fretters. However, if Chi Jingxi, a young Marquis, was to also follow the rest and live a life of polygamy, Wen Yantong would rather break these shackles and end up in a bloody state, than to choose to stay.
Chi Jingxi, as intelligent as he was, could naturally understand the meaning of her words.
She was asking Chi Jingxi if he could do that.
Chi Jingxi’s eyes stared fixedly into hers. Under the dim light, all his thoughts and emotions seemed to be covered with a haze, masking all his thoughts. Wen Yantong was unable to see through them.
While still looking at each other’s gaze, Chi Jingxi suddenly reached out and gently covered Wen Yantong's eyes.
Momentarily stunned, Wen Yantong was just about to raise her hand when she suddenly felt him scooting closer. A faint sensation flushed against her lips; he had leaned in to kiss her.
Different from the gentle probing from their previous affection. This time, there was an obvious addition of Chi Jingxi's emotions, so intense that Wen Yantong found it almost too difficult to reciprocate.
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The author has something to say:
[Chi Jingxi’s Little Diary]:
The third day of the fifth lunar month:
I’m vexed to see doubt in her eyes—
I'll bite her lip until it's swollen.