Dragging it out longer isn’t good.
Qiao Huaiyao had earlier entrusted Lu Lu to handle this matter, but clearly, time was tight. Plus, the venue was too large, making it difficult to confirm who had recorded what, adding to the complexity of finding them.
They couldn’t just delete the videos clean.
Just as Qiao Huaiyao was thinking about urging Principal Zhao, Weibo refreshed with news.
Ming University’s official Weibo released an image of the stamped disciplinary action.
It explicitly stated that Du Weihuan was expelled.
There were no diplomatic niceties; from personal conduct to various angles, after explaining with obscure terms, he was directly expelled from Ming University.
Netizens who were involved immediately commented: [Great, this is the fastest and least procrastinated response I’ve seen.]
[Du Weihuan, are you going to give your dad another bull?]
[Ming University still has foresight. Offending Qiao Huaiyao is like offending Bai Jinyan. Besides, there’s no need to tarnish the school’s reputation for such a person.]
…
Qiao Huaiyao directly retweeted this with his main Weibo account.
There were already many fans waiting under this Weibo. Now that Qiao Huaiyao retweeted it, the comments refreshed and the server even lagged.
You could see the comments, but not exactly how many there were.
[Wife is so cool!]
[Can skiing just be about skiing in the future? Why did it touch my heart so deeply?]
[While Bai Jinyan isn’t around, just hug your wife with a snowplow.]
[What’s going on? Everyone’s so restrained today. Surprisingly, I wasn’t tripped up by Bitter Tea Child; it’s this pants that slapped me in the face.]
[Everyone calm down, this is the comment section, not no man’s land.]
Ming University getting involved was truly an innocent victim.
Fortunately, there was no cover-up, the handling was straightforward, and once the outcome was known, no one continued to comment under Ming University’s Weibo.
This matter ended with Du Weihuan being expelled.
Qiao Huaiyao was absent-mindedly thinking about something when he heard the sound of a video in his ear. Thinking it was because he accidentally touched something earlier, he instinctively wanted to turn it off, only to realize that he had already exited Weibo.
After Qiao Huaiyao turned off his phone, he suddenly froze.
The sound from the video…?
Qiao Huaiyao blinked lightly, slowly turned his head to look at Bai Jinyan, and saw on his phone screen that it was playing the video of himself competing with Du Weihuan.
Bai Jinyan also noticed Qiao Huaiyao’s gaze and calmly tilted the phone screen down, allowing Qiao Huaiyao to clearly see the video playing on the phone.
The progress bar was frozen where it had been last played, indicating that Bai Jinyan had watched it more than once.
After Bai Jinyan noticed, he didn’t continue watching but calmly observed Qiao Huaiyao, not saying a word while his eyes remained fixed on him.
Qiao Huaiyao: “…”
This expression on Bai Jinyan’s face, Qiao Huaiyao was all too familiar with it.
Clearly, Bai Jinyan was waiting for him to explain.
Qiao Huaiyao cleared his throat, the video already reaching its end. He began to speak, intending to explain, but when he met Bai Jinyan’s eyes, his mind went blank.
His lips parted slightly, and he stuttered unconsciously, “Impressive, right?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Qiao Huaiyao froze on his own: “!!!”
What did I just say…?
Clearly thrown off by this question, Bai Jinyan slowly raised an eyebrow, catching sight of Qiao Huaiyao’s embarrassed and awkward face. He couldn’t help but chuckle softly, “Impressive.”
Pausing for a moment, he emphasized, “Very impressive.”
After a long time without skiing, not warming up after putting on protective gear, he went straight to compete with Du Weihuan on an advanced trail that wasn’t meant for professional racing.
As Bai Jinyan thought about it, his expression gradually darkened. “Do you know…”
Before Bai Jinyan could finish, Qiao Huaiyao turned and buried himself in Bai Jinyan’s arms, admitting honestly, “I know.”
“Although it’s been a while since I skied, I’ve had professional training. So, competing with Du Weihuan… I was fine.”
Qiao Huaiyao spoke the last few words particularly softly.
He was confident he could outperform Du Weihuan on the ski slopes.
But he couldn’t assure Bai Jinyan that there wouldn’t be any danger.
All he could say was that there was no danger after this competition.
With this matter causing such a stir, it couldn’t be kept secret forever, and Bai Jinyan discovering it was only a matter of time.
Qiao Huaiyao buried his head in Bai Jinyan’s chest and mumbled, “I’m sorry, brother.”
Bai Jinyan wanted to say something more, but as soon as he started, Qiao Huaiyao curled up in his arms, looking so aggrieved.
What else could Bai Jinyan say?
Bai Jinyan was never one to speak harshly to Qiao Huaiyao.
“Next time…”
“There won’t be a next time.” Qiao Huaiyao didn’t hesitate at all, stating firmly, “Even if there were, I would tell you first and only do it with your consent.”
His attitude was exceptionally sincere.
Leaving no room for criticism.
Bai Jinyan fell silent again.
Logically, handling this matter required seriousness, a stern face, and a thorough explanation of everything.
But right now…
Qiao Huaiyao quietly lifted his head and kissed him, then rested on his shoulder and softly said, “Brother… you won’t be mad at me, right?”
Bai Jinyan immediately felt a headache and avoided looking at him, but still replied, “… No.”
Qiao Huaiyao slightly curled his lips, then quickly suppressed it, and said affectionately, “Brother, you’re the best.”
Bai Jinyan, feeling helpless, took a deep breath and rubbed Qiao Huaiyao’s cheek.
“Mm…” Qiao Huaiyao squinted his eyes, and his voice changed tone, “Brother.”
Bai Jinyan pulled him into his arms, “No strawberry candy for you for a month.”
Qiao Huaiyao: “???”
“Why?” Qiao Huaiyao widened his eyes and rubbed against Bai Jinyan’s neck, “A month is too long.”
Bai Jinyan said, “Then twenty days.”
Qiao Huaiyao thought for a moment, “How about ten days?”
Bai Jinyan looked down, “No bargaining.”
Qiao Huaiyao’s eyes curved with a smile, “Then how about no penalty?”
As he spoke, he pressed down on Bai Jinyan, casually sliding his hand along the edge of the cushion and lowering the semi-upright backrest.
After adjusting it, he kissed Bai Jinyan, his lips never parting, and smiled with his eyes, “It’s settled then.”
Their lips stayed connected as they spoke, breaths mingling. Qiao Huaiyao noticed something brewing in Bai Jinyan’s eyes.
He blinked lightly, a reflexive ache spreading in his waist. He was about to pull back but was held firmly by Bai Jinyan.
“Mm!”
Bai Jinyan deepened the kiss as he held Qiao Huaiyao.
The phone was pushed aside, the messages on it ignored.
As Qiao Huaiyao turned, he silently pushed the phone even further away. His attention inevitably scattered, his lips being lightly bitten, making him squint his eyes suddenly. The words couldn’t come out, turning into a muffled nasal sound.
His hand, gripping the collar, tightened suddenly.
Qiao Huaiyao inappropriately thought that the mint tablets he carried for swelling relief might not be enough.
The movie played silently on the screen.
Set to autoplay, all the movies loaded would play in sequence after one finished.
The screening room’s stored movies had been switched out by Lu Lu, all replaced with ones starring Bai Jinyan, both old and new.
The new ones were played first.
Including the latest movie Bai Jinyan had released in theaters, which was also played in the screening room.
But rarely… Qiao Huaiyao didn’t really see what the movie was about and couldn’t recall much of the plot.
Most of the time, just a fleeting glance distracted his attention. The kisses left him no energy to think about anything else, naturally leaving him no time to focus on the movie.
They stayed in the screening room until dinnertime.
By the time they left, Qiao Huaiyao had used up all his mint tablets.
Although his strength had somewhat recovered, the heat on his face hadn’t faded.
Bai Jinyan adjusted his mask, “Do you want to go to the restaurant or head straight back to the dorm?”
Qiao Huaiyao pressed his lips together. Even the coolness of the mint couldn’t alleviate the slight pain. He said, “Let’s go back to the dorm.”
They had come to the hot springs after lunch, and although they hadn’t eaten a proper meal in the afternoon, they had been snacking on fruit.
Qiao Huaiyao wasn’t very hungry.
“Okay.”
The hot springs had a fixed closing time.
Few people stayed until that time, as it’s not advisable to soak in the hot springs for too long.
In the evening, the restaurant was usually crowded, but the hot springs and ski resort were quiet.
Only the staff were left to check the premises, as the nighttime ski slope was very cold and it would be dangerous if any tourists were left behind.
Cameras were installed in many places, but it was still safer for the staff to thoroughly check the area.
They got into the car.
Bai Jinyan immediately lowered the partition in the back seat.
Under Qiao Huaiyao’s curious gaze, Bai Jinyan took out a bag of ointments, each box from different brands.
Qiao Huaiyao was stunned, “Brother? When did you buy these?”
Bai Jinyan said, “I asked Lu Lu to buy them this morning.”
They had left them in the car and forgotten to take them out.
But now they would come in handy.
Bai Jinyan opened a small jar, “Take off your mask.”
“It’s not necessary, it will heal on its own.”
It was just a kiss.
Although he said that, when Bai Jinyan had the ointment ready, Qiao Huaiyao still took off his mask.
Bai Jinyan patted his head reassuringly, “The smell is very faint.”
Qiao Huaiyao softly replied, “Okay.”
Even after opening the ointment, there was no bitter smell, perhaps because the mint scent was overwhelming and masked other odors.
Bai Jinyan had specifically asked Lu Lu to choose this kind.
Using a small brush from the jar, he dabbed a bit of the ointment and gently applied it to Qiao Huaiyao’s lips.
It was a thin layer, barely noticeable.
Qiao Huaiyao instinctively pressed his lips together, tasting a bit of bitterness.
It felt like strong, astringent tea—mild and not overly medicinal.
“Done.” Bai Jinyan put down the ointment, “Open your mouth.”
“Huh?” As he spoke, Qiao Huaiyao was fed a strawberry candy, which immediately dispelled the faint bitterness.