The Villainous Classmate is My Lucky Star Chapter 265
This extra is Chi Jingxi’s original story, please prepare some tissues….
Translated by Pure
Extra 1: Chi Jingxi from the Original Text: Storm-Tossed and Broken, All Is Lost
Chi Jingxi still reminisced about the day he stood beneath those blossoming pear trees, even to this day.
In that particular year, Chaoge City endured an uncommonly harsh cold spell and snowstorm, resulting in frostbite for many residents. As a consequence, classes at Songhai Academy were also temporarily suspended.
Subsequently, the arrival of the spring breeze revived the vitality of all living things, while the sunshine regained its warmth. The entire city rejoiced in the return of spring.
Mu Yang had been cooped up at home for quite some time. With the arrival of spring, he took it upon himself to visit the Marquis Mansion and blaringly invite Chi Jingxi out for some enjoyment.
Mu Yang mentioned hearing about a pear forest located outside Chaoge City, where the trees were currently in full bloom, promising a breathtaking sight.
Eager for a change of scenery after his own period of boredom, Chi Jingxi readily agreed.
The pair even made an effort to enlist Cheng Xin's company.
In their youth, they were inseparable, venturing everywhere together as if joined by an unbreakable bond.
The once impassable road, blocked by heavy snow, had now transformed into a clear path leading from Chaoge. At a glance, it appeared broader than usual.
Before venturing out, Chi Jingxi made a point of having someone fetch his cloak and wrap it around Mu Yang. Despite his robust constitution, Mu Yang harbored a deep fear of the cold. A childhood bout with frostbite had left a lasting psychological imprint, causing him to dread even the slightest chill.
However, with the passage of time, this psychological fear gradually waned as he matured.
Mu Yang eagerly wrapped himself in Chi Jingxi's cloak and enthusiastically described the beauty of the pear blossoms outside the city. He recounted how many people visited the area to admire the blossoms, with some even creating paintings and composing poems inspired by the pear blossom forest.
Upon hearing this, Cheng Xin became intrigued and proposed, "Why don't we each write a poem praising the pear forest after we've seen it?"
Mu Yang, who had been chattering away, abruptly fell silent, retracting into himself like a turtle. He would never dare to agree to such a task, knowing full well that his literary talent was lacking, and he would likely be ridiculed each time.
No matter how thick-skinned he was, the thought was unbearable.
The trio arrived at the pear forest, and upon stepping out of the carriage, they were greeted by a sea of silky white. The pear blossoms resembled snow, their color pure and untainted. As the spring breeze whispered through the branches, they began to sway gently, with occasional petals breaking free and pirouetting in the air. While most girls delighted in this delicate beauty, Mu Yang was equally thrilled. He strolled amidst the pear forest, lavishing it with every word of praise he could summon, yet still managing to elicit chuckles from the others.
Chi Jingxi found himself growing weary of the constant display of floral beauty, feeling that such scenes could become monotonous over time, lacking the grandeur of towering mountains and flowing rivers.
Before long, Mu Yang grew tired and sought out a spot to sit and rest. Chi Jingxi and Cheng Xin joined him, settling down on the ground beside him. The noble Imperial Prince and the Little Marquis of Chaoge City sat there casually, unperturbed. Thankfully, there was nobody else in the pear forest at the moment, or it would have surely sparked gossip.
Mu Yang spun the fallen petals between his fingers and posed a sudden question, "Have you guys ever thought about what you will do in the future?"
Intrigued by his inquiry, Cheng Xin smiled and replied, "Why this thought?"
"The top students of Songhai Academy typically sit for the imperial examination and eventually serve as officials in the court," Mu Yang explained. "But neither of you need to do so. Have you ever considered what you'll do after completing your studies at the Academy?" he inquired.
Cheng Xin remarked, "I never imagined that Yang’er would also contemplate such matters."
Mu Yang grimaced and scoffed, "Yesterday, my father told me to study well at Songhai Academy. He wants me to become a civil servant and make contributions to the country."
He added, "But I have no desire to pursue such a path. I think that would be too boring."
"Then what is your aspiration?" Chi Jingxi inquired.
"I want to wander the world," Mu Yang declared, "to journey far and wide like a gallant swordsman, upholding chivalry and justice; vanquishing evil, championing righteousness, and bringing peace to the Shao Jing Nation."
Chi Jingxi and Cheng Xin burst into laughter simultaneously.
Mu Yang frowned, "Why are you two laughing at me? I'm serious here."
Chi Jingxi paused for a moment, then chose to speak candidly, "A swordsman alone cannot ensure peace in Shao Jing. Our nation is vast, with countless inhabitants, and you are but one individual amidst the masses."
Cheng Xin nodded in accord with Chi Jingxi's assessment.
Mu Yang countered, "But in the tales, swordsmen always journey around to defend the peace of their country."
"The true guardians of our country's peace are not swordsmen, but rather generals," Chi Jingxi asserted, "For instance, your father."
Cheng Xin concurred, adding, "Indeed, the influence of a single individual is limited. If you genuinely wish to safeguard our nation's peace, you should emulate General Mu's example. Forget about traversing the land."
Upon hearing these words, Mu Yang wore an expression that suggested possible comprehension. He fell silent for a prolonged moment, and eventually drifted off to sleep against the sturdy trunk of a tree.
Observing Mu Yang's prolonged silence, Chi Jingxi turned around to find him wrapped in a large cloak, nestled against a tree trunk, succumbing to a gentle slumber.
Cheng Xin tenderly brushed away the petals that had settled on Mu Yang's head and shoulders, offering a soft smile to Chi Jingxi as he whispered, "Let him rest for a while."
Chi Jingxi nodded in agreement, returning the smile.
He was certain that Mu Yang comprehended their words.
Yet, in the passing of time, Chi Jingxi found himself consumed by endless regret and self-reproach whenever he reminisced about that conversation.
He realized that he should have conveyed to Mu Yang at that moment that civil servants too could play a crucial role in safeguarding Shao Jing's prosperity and aiding the emperor in governing the realm. With peace prevailing in the world, Shao Jing would naturally remain secure. It wasn't imperative to wield a weapon to fend off adversaries.
Regrettably, it was now too late.
The journey from Yibei to Chaoge was too arduous, and transporting Mu Yang's remains back proved impossible. Consequently, they were compelled to remain in Yibei.
Yibei's climate was notoriously extreme, with scorching summers and bitterly cold winters. Mu Yang would have detested such weather conditions and would never have chosen to stay there willingly.
Still in his youth, with no wife and his dreams unfulfilled, Mu Yang could only rest eternally in Yibei. It weighed heavily on Chi Jingxi's heart, recognizing that this outcome was a consequence of his own actions.
Had he not voiced the notion that defending Shao Jing required engaging in battle and defeating enemies, and had he possessed the resolve to firmly reject Mu Yang's visit to Yibei, none of this tragedy would have transpired.
If he hadn't been compelled to seek refuge in the mountains due to enemy forces, Mu Yang and Fu Zixian would not have perished in the valley while attempting to rescue him.
Chi Jingxi often pondered whether the outcome of pacifying the unrest in Yibei would have varied had Mu Yang and Fu Zixian not accompanied him.
Even if he were laid to rest in Yibei, it would have been preferable to witnessing his beloved companions depart one by one, ultimately leaving him alone.
The anguish of such a prospect was almost unbearable.
Following the emperor's demise, the struggle for the throne intensified, with various factions fiercely vying for ‘power’, each sustaining significant casualties in pursuit of their ambitions.
The news of the epidemic spreading throughout the city of Chang'an struck Chi Jingxi with devastation. Thousands succumbed to the illness within mere days, leaving him feeling utterly helpless.
The plague descended swiftly and ruthlessly, confounding doctors who struggled to find a cure. Contact with infected individuals invariably led to transmission of the disease, and soon, even medical practitioners dared not venture outside, opting instead to seclude themselves at home.
Panic gripped the populace, prompting daily exoduses as people fled in desperation.
Determined to halt the relentless spread of the virulent plague, Chi Jingxi made a resolute decision: he ordered a complete lockdown of Chang'an City, effectively confining all residents within its confines.
In a matter of days following the lockdown, the once bustling city transformed into a desolate ghost town, its streets devoid of any signs of life.
Despite the escalating death toll, Chi Jingxi resolved to embark on a perilous journey from Chaoge to Chang'an City.
The plague, an unforgiving harbinger of death, claimed the lives of tens of thousands in Chang'an, including Chi Jingxi's parents and kin.
Chi Jingxi knelt in the mourning hall for three days and three nights, his grief weighing heavily upon him. Eventually, his body succumbed to exhaustion, and he collapsed, requiring his subordinates to carry him out.
From that moment forward, Chi Jingxi seemed to undergo a transformation. He appeared tireless, devoid of warmth, and utterly despondent.
A white cloth was consistently fastened around Chi Jingxi's wrist, serving as a tribute to Mu Yang and Fu Zixian, who found their final resting place in Yibei. Beneath his armor, he always donned white attire, a solemn homage to his relatives who perished from illness. A simple white hairband adorned his head, a poignant reminder of the countless innocent lives lost in the relentless struggle for the throne.
The incessant battle had dragged on for far too long, leaving Chi Jingxi devoid of respite. He found no solace in rest, his body numbed to the point where pain seemed imperceptible.
But during the countless sleepless nights, memories of Mu Yang's radiant smile, Cheng Xin's tender kindness, Fu Zixian's solemn demeanor, his parents' heartfelt guidance, and the warm camaraderie of his comrades flooded Chi Jingxi's mind. These precious moments, once cherished and swiftly lost, inflicted a piercing anguish upon him, cutting deep into his very bones.
Chi Jingxi bore countless scars, yet he understood that he could not falter.
Even amidst the tumultuous upheaval of mountains and rivers, even as the ground beneath him was littered with bones, he remained resolute in his stance.
Beneath his skin, weathered by the cuts of knives and axes, lay iron bones—steadfast pillars supporting the imperiled Shao Jing Nation.
Due to his unwavering determination to safeguard Shao Jing Nation, Chi Jingxi turned from the beloved Little Marquis to a perceived traitorous rebel plotting to seize the throne.
Standing before his once dear friend, a longsword gripped tightly in hand, he appeared as an emotionless specter of evil. Observing Cheng Xiao's reluctance to engage in direct combat, Chi Jingxi issued a chilling order to set Chaoge City ablaze.
Having scripted his own fate from the outset, Chi Jingxi couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile as Cheng Xiao's blade pierced his heart.
As he lifted his gaze, he beheld Cheng Xiao's red and tearful eyes.
Cheng Xiao clenched his jaw tightly and posed the question, "Why does it have to end this way?"
Ignoring the inquiry, Chi Jingxi countered with his own question, "Can you ensure the peace and prosperity of Shao Jing Nation?"
Cheng Xiao responded with unwavering resolve, "As long as I draw breath, I will defend Shao Jing with my life."
Chi Jingxi pressed further, "Do you swear to this?"
"I, Cheng Xiao, do solemnly swear."
Upon hearing these words, Chi Jingxi felt as though his body had reached its breaking point. He sank to one knee, half-kneeling, and uttered, "That's... wonderful."
Tears fell from Cheng Xiao's eyes at last. "You didn't have to go down this path," he lamented.
Chi Jingxi implored, "End my life, and you shall be hailed as Shao Jing's hero. Set aside your unwarranted compassion, govern the nation with diligence, and restore Shao Jing to its former glory."
Cheng Xiao questioned, "Is this the sole reason you sought death with such fervor?"
Chi Jingxi's once beautiful eyes, deep as ink, now clouded over slightly. Casting his gaze around, he eventually fixed his eyes upon the sky and spoke slowly, "There is no solace left in this world. I can no longer endure this existence."
Vaguely recalling that on every rest day granted by Songhai Academy, the sky would be this blue and clear in the afternoons. Mu Yang would stand at the entrance of the Marquis Mansion and call out loudly, "Brother Xi, Brother Xi!"
Cheng Xin would always stand beside the carriage, watching with a gentle smile.
Chi Jingxi recalled his upbringing, having been indulged and coddled since childhood. He never imagined he could shoulder such a heavy burden.
Overwhelmed by the weight of his debts to countless individuals, Chi Jingxi could conceive of no better way to express his remorse than through his own demise.
‘A general's triumph is forged through sacrifice, amidst ten thousand decaying bones.’ Chi Jingxi was prepared to be one of these myriad bones, allowing Cheng Xiao to ascend the throne by treading upon them. All he desired was to safeguard the nation, painstakingly established, and preserve the hard-won peace.
As he closed his eyes, Chi Jingxi pondered the existence of gods in this world. In times of adversity, people often turn to the heavens, placing their hopes upon the gods, seeking solace from their suffering. Throughout his life, Chi Jingxi had never been one to pray to the gods. Yet, as he drew his final breath in this world, a sense of piety overcame him.
If there were really gods above, could a fairy be sent down to salvage his shattered and fractured existence?
For the torment he endured in this life was truly unbearable.
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The author has something to say:
[Chi Jingxi’s little diary]:
Twenty-fourth year of the Ruixing Decade, the thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month:
My wife is indeed a fairy.
T/N: Decided to not cut most of the extras since I’m already done with all the chapters anyways~
