The Villainous Classmate is My Lucky Star Chapter 272 (Part 1)
T/N: Since this extra is all in Chi Jingxi’s POV, Wen Yantong’s pronouns in this chapter will be he/him.
Translated by Pure
Extra 8.1: Chi Jingxi's Perspective
Chi Jingxi entered the world in the seventh year of the Ruixing Decade, a time marked by heavy snowfall that blocked the roads of the capital for days. Underneath their roofs, every household watched as snowflakes drifted from the sky, their words forming white mist in the chilled air as they murmured, "A timely snow heralds a good harvest."
Amidst these auspicious conditions, Chi Jingxi was born into the Marquis' family as their legitimate son. He was destined to shine above the masses, nurtured with privilege from birth.
Initially, the Marquis of Anhuai had selected a name for him, but an imperial edict from the emperor annulled the original choice. Consequently, "Chi Jingxi" was inscribed in the Chi Residence’s genealogical record.
While the Chi Residence's origins trace back to Chang'an, Chi Jingxi himself was born and bred in the capital. During his youth, he departed from home to reside in the palace, where he pursued studies alongside the imperial princes and mingled with children from diverse aristocratic lineages.
The emperor showered Chi Jingxi with affection, granting his every wish. This indulgence fostered arrogance and stubbornness in him. Yet, as time passed, Chi Jingxi matured into a strikingly handsome young man with exceptional talent and charm. His prowess in archery garnered widespread acclaim, rendering him a sought-after suitor in the capital.
Despite his remarkable qualities, his volatile temper deterred others from approaching him. Moreover, he was constantly accompanied by the boisterous General’s son, Mu Yang, further deterring any potential suitors from drawing near.
Story has it that a maiden from a deputy minister's family harbored a long-standing admiration for Chi Jingxi. She painstakingly embroidered a sachet herself and waited along his usual route home to present it to him, indirectly confessing her feelings.
Chi Jingxi remained impassive, offering no response. However, Mu Yang seized the sachet first, disdain evident on his face as he remarked, "What kind of pattern is this? Brother Xi would lose all face if he were to walk around carrying such a thing!"
Laughter erupted from the onlookers, leaving the girl utterly humiliated. Tears streaming down her face, she hastily covered it and fled.
Misconceptions circulated, with many believing Chi Jingxi had instructed Mu Yang to publicly shame the girl. Little did they know, the incident served as a lesson for Mu Yang, who had been lectured by Chi Jingxi later to refrain from humiliating anyone publicly again. However, the aftermath of the event instilled fear in other girls, dissuading them from openly expressing their feelings to Chi Jingxi.
Returning to the main narrative...
At the age of sixteen, Chi Jingxi, along with Mu Yang and Cheng Xin, responded to the emperor's new policy by enrolling at Songhai Academy. The initial year passed without any noteworthy incidents.
However, during their second year, the academy was abuzz with the discovery of an eccentric individual.
The first mention of this eccentric was in connection with the Seventh Imperial Prince, Cheng Xiao.
While seated in the lecture hall, Chi Jingxi overheard numerous students discussing the Seventh Imperial Prince's act of rescuing a youth who had collapsed in the snow earlier that morning. They recounted how the prince had generously given the youth his own large cloak and personally escorted him to receive medical attention. However, upon reaching the doctor's office, the youth adamantly insisted that he was unharmed and departed on his own accord, despite their attempts to persuade him otherwise.
Initially, Chi Jingxi didn't pay much attention to the matter. However, when he encountered Mu Yang after class, his friend recounted the entire story once more.
Chi Jingxi's lack of interest in trivial matters stood in stark contrast to Mu Yang's evident excitement. He lowered his gaze and inquired dispassionately, "Could the youth have feigned fainting with ulterior motives?"
Mu Yang pondered for a moment before responding, "It doesn't look like it. The boy didn’t seem to have fainted from the cold but because he usually ate very little, which led to his health being very poor. It’s said that the youth, surnamed Wen, came from a wealthy merchant family."
Chi Jingxi paid no heed to whether the youth was feigning or not, opting not to pursue the matter further and allowing it to fade into the background.
Little did he anticipate that he would eventually become heavily entangled with the same youth.
As the following year's spring dawned and classes resumed at Songhai Academy, an individual made a spectacle of themselves, causing a stir.
The individual in question was said to have descended into madness due to starvation. In the dead of night, driven by hunger, they attempted to slay the academy's rooster, which served as the herald of dawn. Fortunately, the martial arts teacher intervened just in time, injuring the culprit's leg in the process.
By the following day, word of the incident had spread throughout the academy.
Upon hearing the news, Chi Jingxi found it utterly perplexing. The stringent admission criteria for Songhai Academy were well-known; it was virtually impossible for ordinary individuals to gain entry. Every student hailed from noble lineage or wealthy backgrounds. Hence, the notion of someone of such stature starving themselves to the point of attempting to kill a chicken in the dead of night seemed utterly nonsensical.
Who could possibly stoop to such levels of absurdity and humiliation?
Although this notion only momentarily flashed in Chi Jingxi’s mind, fate intervened unexpectedly. Not long after he heard about it, he found himself face to face with the very individual in question.
One morning, after attending classes, Chi Jingxi was making his way to the lecture hall when a group of individuals approached him, showering him with unwarranted flattery.
Despite all being students of the same academy, these sons of officials harbored little interest in academics but were keen on ingratiating themselves with others. Whenever they spotted Chi Jingxi, they swarmed around him like persistent flies, eager to engage in conversation and curry favor.
An individual such as Chi Jingxi, who had little patience for such nuisances, would become impatient as soon as a fly started buzzing around him.
As he walked, his gaze fell upon a figure slumped against the wall, dozing off.
Half-shadowed by the eaves, sunlight filtered through to illuminate his waist. Clad in bulky layers of cotton clothing, the man appeared almost swollen in stature. His small, pale face was framed by thinness, his head tilted to the side as he slept with his mouth slightly ajar, seemingly in sweet slumber.
Chi Jingxi found himself astonished by the sight of someone sleeping upright against a wall—a spectacle he had never witnessed before in his life.
Perhaps sensing Chi Jingxi's gaze, those around him directed their attention to the thin young man. Their remarks dripped with disdain and cruelty.
Unexpectedly, upon hearing their words, the thin young man snapped awake, his eyes widening as he shot them a fierce glare.
Chi Jingxi locked eyes with the thin young man, noticing the intensity and fierceness in his dark gaze.
In an instant, the young man's demeanor shifted, and he averted his gaze, refusing to meet their eyes any longer. Hastily, he called out to a passerby and hurried away, his limp betraying a sense of fear.
Observing the young man's emaciated frame and gaunt appearance, Chi Jingxi couldn't help but understand why he had resorted to attempting to kill a chicken in the dead of night—he appeared to be on the brink of starvation, reduced to mere skin and bones.
Chi Jingxi didn't dwell on their encounter, but he hadn't anticipated their paths crossing again so soon.
Mu Yang found himself in the midst of a disciplinary measure due to some trouble he had stirred up. Upon hearing of a new cook at Songhai Academy, he beseeched Chi Jingxi to fetch him a taste. Aware that Mu Yang's punishment was linked to him, Chi Jingxi reluctantly agreed to grant him this favor.
However, as he approached the dining hall, a voice erupted from within, preceding his entry, "Your mother chased me down ten streets yelling that I look like your father! How dare you be rude to your father in the dining hall…"
A collision jolted Chi Jingxi, but his years of martial arts training endowed him with a sturdy physique, and he stood firm against the impact. Sensing the weight of his cloak shifting, he realized that the individual who had collided with him had steadied themselves by grabbing hold of it, leveraging his stability.
Frowning deeply, Chi Jingxi's previously serene expression twisted into one of displeasure, overshadowing his handsome features. His eyes darkened with irritation at the unexpected situation.
As the individual in front of him swiftly retreated, Chi Jingxi recognized him as the thin youth who had been sleeping against the wall earlier that morning. Before he could react with anger, the youth quickly lowered his head and moved aside, almost blending into the background, diverting Chi Jingxi's attention to the flatterer who emerged shortly after.
After delivering a lesson to the flatterer, Chi Jingxi turned around, only to find that the culprit who had collided with him had already vanished without a trace.
Although he was lame, it didn't affect his speed at all.
Upon returning, Chi Jingxi discarded the cloak, putting the incident behind him.
The matter swiftly faded from memory, and the jests circulating within the academy about Little Cripple attempting to kill a chicken due to starvation dissipated. No further mention of the incident or the young man ensued.
…
A few days later, Mu Yang's punishment was lifted, and he eagerly invited Chi Jingxi to celebrate his newfound freedom with a lavish meal at a restaurant.
He, Mu Yang, and Cheng Xin hadn't gone out to drink together for a while, but they didn't expect to encounter some reckless people at the door of the restaurant. Chi Jingxi was poised to intervene, but his actions were restrained, leaving him feeling disheartened. By the time they settled into the carriage after dinner, his mood had noticeably soured.
Wrapping himself in a blanket, Chi Jingxi closed his eyes, seeking solace in rest. The others did disturb him and allowed him to recover.
Suddenly, Cheng Xin suggested a change in route, mentioning that the classmate who had excelled in the previous martial arts test by hitting the bullseye with an arrow was nearby. Mu Yang had been eager to meet this individual ever since hearing about their feat, so they seized the opportunity to pick him up en route.
Aware that they were referring to the Little Cripple, Chi Jingxi recalled witnessing the trembling in the young man's arm as he held the bow that day. Yet, despite the odds, he had managed to hit the target.
Chi Jingxi maintained his silence, silently assenting to the plan. The carriage hurried to the next street, where Cheng Xin extended a personal invitation to the Little Cripple, ushering him into their carriage.
Initially silent during the carriage ride, Chi Jingxi found himself increasingly irritated by the incessant coughing of the Little Cripple, which grew louder and more disruptive with each passing moment. Finally unable to tolerate the disturbance any longer, he opened his eyes, his impatience evident in his gaze.
At the sight of Chi Jingxi's glare, the Little Cripple immediately fell silent, shrinking into himself as if fearing Chi Jingxi's wrath at any further noise.
Observing the timid figure before him, Chi Jingxi's curiosity was piqued by the rumors he had heard about the youth. Unable to resist, he ventured to inquire about his relationship with the Seventh Imperial Prince.
The question seemed to terrify the Little Cripple, despite his attempts to conceal his fear. His timid demeanor and cautious responses betrayed his unease.
Realizing the impact of his question, Chi Jingxi refrained from pressing further, sensing that any additional inquiries might overwhelm the already frightened youth.
As Chi Jingxi closed his eyes once more to rest, he couldn't help but ponder, 'Am I really that intimidating?'
Wasn't he the talented and handsome Little Marquis admired by all in the capital?
The next time he saw Little Cripple again was when the latter transformed into a genuine cripple—he even was relying on crutches to move about.
The tale circulated that Little Cripple, driven by hunger and desperation, had attempted to flee from the Academy. In his haste, he inadvertently collided with the out-of-control carriage of the daughter of the Fu Residence, resulting in a crippling injury to one of his legs. While he had previously only exhibited occasional signs of a limp, he now relied on a crutch for mobility.
Upon learning this account, Chi Jingxi realized that Little Cripple's intent had not been merely to sate his hunger but to escape from the confines of the Academy.
Songhai Academy, known for its lax entry requirements but stringent regulations on departure, permitted entrance with relative ease for those with sufficient wealth. However, once enrolled, students' every move was meticulously documented by minor government officials. Details such as their performance in the imperial examinations, future plans, official residence, and rank were meticulously recorded in individual booklets.
The procedure for leaving Songhai Academy was a crucial aspect of the emperor's new policy. To formally withdraw and drop out of school, students were required to compose a detailed withdrawal letter and submit it to the higher authorities for approval. Only after receiving official sanction could their status as students be revoked from Songhai Academy.
Those who attempted to escape without adhering to the proper protocols risked severe consequences. If apprehended, they faced imprisonment for their transgression.
It appeared that Little Cripple was unaware of these regulations.
At the meal table, the Little Cripple remained withdrawn, keeping his head bowed as he quietly consumed his food, unable to engage in the conversations around him. Despite his silence, some individuals sought to use him as a source of amusement, poking fun at his actions in an attempt to lighten the mood.
Nevertheless, Little Cripple endured the humiliation silently, suppressing his anger time and again.
Observing this, Chi Jingxi couldn't help but wonder what motivated someone like Little Cripple to enroll in Songhai Academy in the first place.
In the bustling capital, numerous academies beckoned, yet the Little Cripple had opted for Songhai Academy. Here, amidst the offspring of aristocratic families, where standards often outweighed actual ability, bullying of subordinates and flattery of superiors were common occurrences. Despite his family's wealth, the Little Cripple remained a commoner, vulnerable to even the most minor functionary's son at the dinner table.
Boring.
The monotony of it all wearied Chi Jingxi. Fatigued by the ceaseless flattery and superficial interactions, he abruptly rose from the table and departed without a second thought.
So noisy, why did I even bother to come here to eat?
…
As the temperature in Shao Jing gradually warmed, signaling the impending end of winter, the first martial arts class at Songhai Academy commenced, requiring all students to don the academy uniform.
Chi Jingxi's lotus-colored robe, tailored to fit his frame precisely, provided some protection from the lingering chill of winter, though it lacked the warmth of a proper coat. Despite its thickness, a gust of wind could still send a shiver down his spine.
With most of the students assembled in the training ground, Teacher Wu cast a sidelong glance at the entrance, signaling that not everyone had arrived yet, delaying the start of the class.
Chi Jingxi's long hair, tied back, danced in the wind, lazily draping over his shoulders. The warm hue of his robe complemented his complexion, accentuating his red lips and white teeth, though his patience wore thin as he waited.
Eventually, his gaze fell upon a figure cloaked in a gray coat, hobbling over with the aid of a crutch—an image reminiscent of a giant gray mouse.
As the gray mouse drew nearer, he exchanged words with Teacher Wu before shedding his thick coat, revealing the lotus-colored uniform donned by every other student.
This marked the first time Chi Jingxi beheld the true figure of the Little Cripple, who had always been shrouded in layers of clothing during previous encounters.
As the uniforms had been tailored to fit each student's measurements precisely, there was little room for additional layers underneath.
Despite his diminutive stature and frail appearance, the Little Cripple exuded a certain delicacy, as if a strong gust of wind might whisk him away. His complexion was fair and tender, with unusually thick eyebrows that framed his large eyes, giving him a distinctive appearance.
Everyone had referred to him as Little Cripple, and he himself only new of his surname, Wen. It was then that Teacher Wu called out his full name.
Chi Jingxi narrowed his eyes at the revelation that the Little Cripple's full name was Wen Yantong.
Wen Yantong was short in stature, his demeanor frail, and his temperament meek. He struggled in both literary and martial pursuits, his calligraphy skills leaving much to be desired. Possessing an array of eccentric ideas, he was hindered by his timidity and plagued by seemingly perpetual misfortune.
Chi Jingxi had arrived at the conclusion of Wen Yantong's extraordinary streak of bad luck through careful observation, a conclusion not devoid of merit.
One day, while Chi Jingxi was engaged in his usual task of transcribing articles in Teacher Li's bedroom, he witnessed Wen Yantong being escorted in by Teacher Li.
Wen Yantong was still overdressed and his crutches making a distinct clatter as they met the ground.
Despite the quality of Wen Yantong's attire, which boasted fine materials and exquisite embroidery, his lack of sartorial finesse was evident. His garments appeared haphazardly thrown together, as if he simply donned whatever provided warmth.
Wen Yantong remained hunched over, trembling, seemingly too fearful to even raise his gaze.
Initially accustomed to such individuals, Chi Jingxi had grown indifferent to their presence, choosing to ignore Wen Yantong as he sat in the corner, focusing instead on his transcription work.
Unexpectedly, Little Cripple suddenly struck the back of his own hand, producing a sharp sound that startled Chi Jingxi, causing his hand to tremble and leaving a blot of ink on the paper.
Chi Jingxi prided himself on his meticulous and elegant handwriting, a skill that Teacher Li had lauded since his youth. His script was impeccably neat and beautiful, and any smudges or imperfections would send him into a foul mood.
Perhaps sensing Chi Jingxi's annoyance, Wen Yantong appeared frightened, his gaze still fixed downward as his fingers gripping the pen paled slightly.
Chi Jingxi found himself perplexed.
Have I ever eaten anyone in front of him?
Why does he react with such fear every time?
If rumors of this behavior were to spread, others might find it difficult to interact with him.
Observing Little Cripple's pitiable demeanor, Chi Jingxi felt at a loss for words. Instead, he discarded the ink-stained paper and began copying anew.
But then, after a period of silence, Little Cripple began to glance around the room. His gaze eventually settled on Chi Jingxi, and he softly called out, "Little- Little Marquis."
Chi Jingxi paused in his writing, momentarily taken aback.
It was a peculiar sensation.
To have someone who was undeniably afraid of you—so much so that they would go to great lengths to avoid you at all costs—suddenly approach you with cautious timidity and call out to you with a nervous quiver, as if they were no longer afraid of facing death.
As Chi Jingxi's attention wavered, another ink stain marred the paper.
An unexplained sense of irritation seized Chi Jingxi's heart, prompting him to ignore Little Cripple.
Undeterred, Wen Yantong seemed unfazed by the lack of response, quietly resuming his own writing with the brush.
For a time, the room lapsed into silence, broken only by the scratching of Chi Jingxi's calligraphy brush. Eventually, Chi Jingxi grew weary of the task. When he glanced over at Little Cripple, he noticed that he wasn't practicing calligraphy but rather doodling on a piece of paper.
Such a lack of ambition, Chi Jingxi thought to himself as he took the paper from Little Cripple and inquired about his drawing.
Little Cripple's response was unexpected—he described it as a creature beyond his understanding, something he couldn't comprehend despite his seventeen years of life.
Psyduck.
Though his handwriting was less than presentable, it was clear that Little Cripple held a fascination for the unconventional. After jotting down a few words, he began to yawn. Before long, he retrieved a package of food and placed it on the inkstone, indulging in a snack.
Despite his usual reluctance to engage in conversation and his disinterest in trivial matters, Chi Jingxi found himself unable to resist probing into the peculiar behavior of the person before him—specifically, why they were using the inkstone as a makeshift dining surface.
The surprises were neverending. And the shock Chi Jingxi experienced after reading the article that Wen Yantong had spent a long time copying out was palpable.
His writing level was no worse than when Mu Yang first entered the palace, back when the heavy scent of garlic on his breath knocked Teacher Li unconscious.
Upon seeing Wen Yantong's calligraphy for the first time, Chi Jingxi felt as though his eyes had been pricked. While he had only heard Li Boyuan mention that Wen Yantong's calligraphy was ugly, he hadn't anticipated just how unsightly it would be. The characters were so crooked and distorted that deciphering them proved nearly impossible; only a handful of words were legible amidst the chaos.
‘There’s no hope for him.’ Chi Jingxi thought.
But the culprit seemed completely oblivious to the poor quality of his work, even offering excuses when asked to rewrite it.
Chi Jingxi gazed at the frail figure before him, contemplating whether he could restrain his anger enough to refrain from punching the person to death on the spot.
Suppressing his fury, Chi Jingxi picked up his brush and resumed writing, refusing to engage further with Wen Yantong.
However, Little Cripple grew restless once more, eager to use the articles he had copied to practice calligraphy.
Chi Jingxi couldn't help but scoff inwardly. How absurd for someone who couldn't even write properly to attempt to replicate his handwriting. It was nothing but wishful thinking. While his calligraphy might not be of great value, it would still be embarrassing for someone to produce a shoddy imitation.
Without even bothering to raise his eyelids, Chi Jingxi curtly commanded, "Scram."
Yet, despite Chi Jingxi's dismissive attitude, Little Cripple persisted. He earnestly expressed his admiration for Chi Jingxi's handwriting, insisting that he only wished to imitate it.
Frustrated by the delay Little Cripple was causing, Chi Jingxi decided he had had enough. He motioned for Little Cripple to take away the discarded paper and be done with it.
In the following moments, Wen Yantong indeed settled down and meticulously replicated each stroke of his own writing, paper after paper.
Then, with the brush still in hand, he drifted off to sleep right there at the table.
Chi Jingxi lifted his gaze slightly and observed Wen Yantong's profile as he slept.
Wen Yantong's visage was remarkably fair and soft, with delicate features that set him apart from most teenagers. Only his thick eyebrows lent a touch of naivety to his otherwise serene countenance.
Chi Jingxi had never paid much attention to Wen Yantong's face before. However, with Little Cripple now peacefully asleep, Chi Jingxi took the opportunity to study his features more closely. It was then that he noticed something peculiar—Wen Yantong had intentionally thickened his eyebrows, which explained why they appeared slightly out of place.
Unexpectedly, this slender Little Cripple had resorted to such a tactic to enhance his appearance with a touch of masculinity.
Chi Jingxi couldn't help but find it somewhat ridiculous, almost wanting to laugh.
Yet, amidst his amusement, he also felt a twinge of sympathy.
When Li Boyuan returned and discovered Wen Yantong sleeping at the table, his expression darkened immediately, and he scolded him sternly. Shrinking back and wiping tears from his eyes, Wen Yantong pitifully admitted his mistake, apologizing profusely.
In a bid to redeem himself, Wen Yantong then presented the calligraphy he had been diligently copying. It appeared that he had indeed made some progress, which eventually mollified Li Boyuan. Offering words of encouragement, Li Boyuan advised Wen Yantong to persist in his efforts, though he cautioned that imitating Chi Jingxi's calligraphy would be quite challenging.
Initially, Wen Yantong expressed admiration for Chi Jingxi's handwriting. However, after Li Boyuan reiterated his advice, Little Cripple altered his stance, pledging to focus on improving his regular script instead.
There was a cynical gleam in Chi Jingxi's eyes. This runt was indeed adept at adjusting to the situation. Just moments ago, he claimed he only wished to practice his calligraphy, yet now he had swiftly changed his tune to focusing on regular script.
He was nothing more than a piece of grass swaying with the wind.
As Chi Jingxi concluded his thoughts, he noticed ink smudges on his paper once again. Realizing that Wen Yantong's presence had disrupted his concentration, he set down his brush and rose to bid farewell to his teacher.
Patience was key. He would bide his time until Little Cripple gained some weight, then teach him a lesson once he could withstand a punch.