Ten minutes
The weight on his shoulders continued to be felt, and his even, warm breath brushed against the side of his neck, bringing a subtle tingle. Lin Xiyan sat rigidly, like a tree entangled by vines, unable to move. The tip of his pen hovered above his exercise book, reluctant to drop it.
The surrounding noise seemed blurred through a layer of frosted glass. All his senses were focused on the small patch of skin on his left shoulder, feeling compressed and warm. Jiang Yibai seemed to be truly asleep, his breathing slow and deep, and the arm that was wrapped around him had relaxed, only hanging loosely.
Time seemed stretched out, and every second was distinct.
Lin Xiyan took a very light breath and tried to move his numb shoulders slightly.
The person on his shoulder immediately let out a vague, dissatisfied nasal sound, rubbed his head against his neck, and subconsciously tightened the hand holding his arm, as if subconsciously not wanting this source of warmth to leave.
Lin Xiyan immediately didn't dare to move.
He lowered his eyes, observing Jiang Yibai's profile so close. The sunlight illuminated the fine hairs on his face, and his eyelashes, thick as two small fans, cast a light shadow under his eyes. He looked so docile in his sleep, devoid of his usual aggressive aura and occasional sass, leaving only a sense of complete, unguarded dependence.
My heart felt like it was gently bumped by something soft.
He hesitated for a moment, then raised the hand that was not being held, and moved it stiffly and slowly over Jiang Yibai's back, trying to reach the English book on the table where a corner was pressed down.
As soon as his fingertips touched the pages of the book, the screen of Jiang Yibai's mobile phone on the table suddenly lit up and made a buzzing sound.
Lin Xiyan's hand suddenly retracted and her heart skipped a beat.
The person on his shoulder was also startled, frowning, eyelashes trembling, and he opened his eyes drowsily. His purple pupils still carried the confusion and mist of just waking up, and the focus slowly adjusted, just in time to meet Lin Xiyan's close, somewhat panicked eyes.
Jiang Yibai blinked, as if he was not fully awake yet. He subconsciously buried his head in the crook of Lin Xiyan's neck again, rubbing his nose against his slightly cool skin, and sighed with satisfaction: "...It smells so good."
Lin Xiyan's whole body stiffened suddenly, and the blood rushed to his head, even his fingertips became numb.
Jiang Yibai seemed to realize what he had said, and he paused, completely sober. He raised his head and looked at Lin Xiyan's ears, which had instantly turned red, and her cheeks, which were almost smoking. His ears also turned a little red, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise.
Instead of backing away, he reached out and gently touched Lin Xiyan's red earlobe with his fingertips. His voice was still hoarse from just waking up, and his smile was obvious: "Why do you blush so easily?"
The touch seemed to carry a weak electric current. Lin Xiyan suddenly turned his head away, his breathing disordered, and his voice trembled: "...Get up."
"No." Jiang Yibai played dirty, but instead pressed his entire body weight even harder on him, and tightened his arms again, like a large rogue pendant. "It's not even ten minutes yet." He glanced at his phone and said confidently, "Only seven minutes."
"..." Lin Xiyan had no way to deal with him and could only be forced to bear this sweet and heavy burden, feeling the vague gazes from people around her, and her toes curled up in shame.
Fortunately, the class bell rang soon and saved him.
Jiang Yibai then reluctantly stood up and stretched his numb neck, but his eyes were still glued to Lin Xiyan. He found it very amusing to see him obviously relieved but pretending to be calm.
This class is Chinese. The teacher speaks in a gentle voice, explaining the artistic conception of ancient poetry.
Jiang Yibai hadn't been quiet for ten minutes before he started acting up again. He rested his elbows on the table, his chin resting on his palm, facing Lin Xiyan. He wasn't even reading, just staring straight at him. His gaze was intense, undisguised.
Lin Xiyan felt so uneasy under his gaze that he could barely hold the pen steady. He tried to focus on his textbook, but he felt that gaze, like a physical entity, burned into the side of his face.
He couldn't help it and moved very slightly towards the window.
The person next to him noticed immediately, and with a slight creak of his chair, he also moved closer, pressing closer once again. The distance was even closer than before.
Lin Xiyan: “…”
He couldn't stand it any longer, so he gently nudged Jiang Yibai's leg with his knee under the table, signaling him to behave himself.
Jiang Yibai was prodded, but instead of retreating, his eyes lit up, as if receiving some signal. He quickly reached out and accurately grasped Lin Xiyan's knee, which had failed to commit the crime, under the table, and gently pinched his kneecap with his fingers.
Lin Xiyan shuddered and nearly jumped out of his chair. He looked towards the podium in horror, but luckily the teacher was writing with her back to the blackboard.
He tried to pull his legs back, but Jiang Yibai's hand held him firmly. The palm of his hand was burning hot, and the temperature was clearly transmitted through the thin material of his school pants, making him feel flustered.
Jiang Yibai wore the look of a good student listening attentively; only the sly smile at the corner of his mouth betrayed his true nature. His fingers even rubbed light circles on his knees, bringing waves of tingling that were hard to ignore.
This is simply... too much!
Lin Xiyan's cheeks flushed, but she didn't dare to move too much, so she could only use her hands to pry Jiang Yibai's fingers apart. The two of them were engaged in a silent, unequal tug-of-war under the table.
In the end, Lin Xiyan was defeated, panting, his palms sweating. He glared at Jiang Yibai in shame and anger, his eyes red.
Jiang Yibai looked at his helpless expression, almost mad with anger, and contentedly let go of his hand, but then he took advantage of the situation and grasped his slightly trembling wrist. His fingertips gently rubbed the sensitive skin on the inside of his wrist bone.
Lin Xiyan's breathing stagnated, and his whole body seemed to be frozen.
Jiang Yibai finally let him go, retracted his hand, propped up his chin, and continued to look at him. However, the smile and pride in his eyes almost overflowed.
Lin Xiyan was restless throughout the entire class. The area on her wrist that had been rubbed felt like it was on fire, radiating an alarming heat that left half her body numb.
The bell for the end of class was like a pardon. He stood up almost immediately, wanting to escape from this suffocating space.
"Where are you going?" Jiang Yibai also stood up and followed closely.
"...Get some water." Lin Xiyan's voice was dry. She didn't dare to look at him and walked quickly to the water dispenser in the corner of the classroom.
Jiang Yibai followed him slowly.
There were quite a few people waiting to get water. Lin Xiyan quietly lined up at the back. Jiang Yibai stood beside him, his arm barely touching his.
After finally getting the water, Lin Xiyan turned around and tried to go back to his seat. A boy next to him happened to be running towards him while playing with a basketball, and was about to bump into him.
Jiang Yibai was quick to act. He put his arm around Lin Xiyan's waist and pulled him into his arms.
Lin Xiyan was caught off guard and bumped into a solid, warm chest. The cup in her hand shook, and a few drops of warm water splashed out and landed on the back of her hand.
"Be careful." Jiang Yibai's voice came from above, with a subtle hint of nervousness. The arm around his waist was tightened, and even through the thick sweater and coat, the strong protective posture could still be felt.
The boys who were fighting apologized and ran away.
There was a brief silence around, and countless eyes focused on him.
Lin Xiyan's face was pressed against Jiang Yibai's sweater. She could hear the strong, rapid heartbeat in his chest, and her nose was filled with the clean, pleasant scent of him. The force coming from his waist was surprisingly hot.
He reacted suddenly and tried to push him away in a panic.
Jiang Yibai seemed unaware of his struggle. He lowered his head, his lips almost touching his ear, and spoke in a voice that only the two of them could hear, with a hint of lingering fear and a strong sense of grievance: "I was scared to death... I almost bumped into you."
The hot breath he exhaled when he spoke sprayed into Lin Xiyan's earlobes, making him feel so itchy that his legs went limp.
"You...you let go first." Lin Xiyan's voice trembled, and her hands were against his chest, but she had no strength.
Jiang Yibai finally let go of his hand, seemingly reluctantly, but his eyes remained locked on him, checking him up and down to make sure he was alright. "Are you okay? Did the water burn you?" He grabbed Lin Xiyan's hand, checking the few reddish water stains, his brows knitted together, as if it were some serious injury.
"It's okay..." Lin Xiyan quickly pulled his hand away, his heartbeat so rapid it felt like he was starving for air. Unable to stay any longer, he lowered his head and dashed back to his seat, practically fleeing. He grabbed the water glass on the table and gulped down several gulps, trying to quench the dryness in his throat and the heat on his face.
Jiang Yibai followed back slowly, sat down beside him, propped up his chin, looked at his flushed face and slightly heaving chest, with a satisfied and cunning curve at the corner of his mouth.
Like a cat that has successfully marked its belongings and is in a very good mood.
The sunlight shifted, shining right onto Lin Xiyan's desk. Next to his open exercise book lay a piece of chocolate that Jiang Yibai had insisted on giving him that morning.
The golden candy wrapper reflects the dazzling light in the sunlight.
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