I Lied to You

Could the surveillance camera be hidden somewhere extremely well concealed?

Jimo frowned. He had miscalculated.

If Huang Zhenghao really found out he had done it, he probably wouldn't have a peaceful four years at the academy. Forget protecting Jiang Wangshu—he might even drag him into it.

Ke Yueyi watched Jimo stand there, his face shifting between pale and ashen. Only after he had enjoyed the sight did he speak unhurriedly. "What's wrong? You look awful."

Jimo didn't answer immediately.

Ke Yueyi's mood suddenly improved. He patted Jimo on the shoulder. "Don't worry. Since it wasn't you, the surveillance footage will clear your name."

Jimo felt as though a fish bone were stuck in his throat, unable to go up or down.

"Yeah. Thanks, bro. I'll head back first," he said weakly.

He had to hurry back and figure out how to deal with the people from the student council...

The moment he pushed open the door, Ke Yueyi's voice sounded behind him. "I was thinking of helping you, but it looks like you don't need it."

Jimo stopped dead and turned around. "Bro, how were you going to help..."

Jimo nearly bit his tongue halfway through the sentence. He hadn't forgotten that Ke Yueyi had just said he hated liars most. Admitting it now would be an immediate slap in his own face.

He didn't think Ke Yueyi would help him if he told him the truth now.

But if he didn't say anything now and Ke Yueyi later heard from somewhere else that he had lied to him, wouldn't he die even more miserably? He might as well...

A thousand thoughts ran through Jimo's mind. By the time he spoke again, he had calmed down. "Bro, I'm sorry. I have something to confess."

Ke Yueyi said, "Hm?"

"I did lock the door, because..."

But Ke Yueyi didn't let him finish. He interrupted coldly, "You lied."

"Yes." Jimo lowered his eyes. "I was too scared just now. I was afraid you wouldn't help me."

"You're saying you were scared, yet you still dared to lock Huang Zhenghao in?"

Ke Yueyi said, "I told you, I hate it most when people lie."

Ke Yueyi's voice was flat, as if he were stating something he disliked, but for some reason, Jimo felt he was truly angry.

The room fell silent. Jimo pressed his lips together. Suddenly, he felt that rather than face Ke Yueyi, he would have been better off getting caught by Huang Zhenghao outside just now.

He searched for a reason to talk his way out of it, but couldn't find one. He said honestly, "Bro, how about you pour wine all over me again?"

Ke Yueyi was silent for a while. Jimo didn't know what he was thinking.

He said, "I couldn't tell, but you're pretty bold."

"Why did you lock Huang Zhenghao in?"

Of course, it was because he thought Huang Zhenghao was going to set Jiang Wangshu up. But Jimo couldn't say that. He didn't want any member of F4 to take an interest in Jiang Wangshu.

Jimo paused, his gaze sincere. "Because he bullies other students all the time, and I felt sorry for them. I was passing by just now and heard him yelling inside, so I couldn't help myself..."

That wasn't really a lie. He had only left out part of the truth.

Ke Yueyi raised an eyebrow. "You still have time to worry about other people?"

Jimo said quietly, "Bro, I was wrong. I'm usually really timid. I don't know what got into me tonight, either."

Ke Yueyi's expression didn't change. "Is that so?"

After that casual remark, Ke Yueyi sat back down and resumed reading, making it clear Jimo should leave. It was as though his earlier curiosity had been a passing whim, gone in an instant, or an illusion on Jimo's part.

I was thinking of helping you.

Jimo stood still, those words Ke Yueyi had just said echoing in his mind. Ke Yueyi had known the truth from beginning to end.

A heavy silence enveloped the lounge, broken occasionally by the sound of pages turning. One stood while the other sat, and they maintained this strange understanding for a long time.

Jimo's legs were about to go numb from standing. After a whole day studying in the library, his head was already full. Then he had rushed over that evening and hidden here and there. He was truly exhausted in body and mind.

Now that things had quieted down, he glanced at Ke Yueyi, who was engrossed in his book...

Jimo rubbed his eyes. He couldn't help feeling drowsy, and his head gradually drooped.

He didn't know how much time had passed before Ke Yueyi abruptly closed the book.

Smack. Jimo startled awake in a daze and heard Ke Yueyi say calmly, "Why are you still here?"

"Huh?" Jimo came back to his senses. "Bro, are you leaving?"

Ke Yueyi ignored him and took his book, ready to leave.

Jimo didn't know where he found the nerve, but he reached out and caught the hem of Ke Yueyi's clothes. "Bro, you said you'd help me."

Even if Huang Zhenghao got the surveillance footage and found out he had done it, as long as Ke Yueyi was willing to help, Huang Zhenghao couldn't do anything to him.

Those words were the only reason Jimo had forced himself to stay there so long.

Ke Yueyi stopped and turned to stare at him for a long moment. Then he suddenly said, "Take off your glasses."

Jimo paused, then slowly removed them.

His prescription was strong, and everything in front of him became blurry without his glasses. Before Jimo could adjust, he felt a dark shape looming over him.

Then someone brushed his bangs aside.

When Jimo managed to focus, he saw a face close up, its dark green eyes fixed on him.

Jimo stepped back. "Bro, I..." he said in a panic.

Ke Yueyi held him in place and said softly, "That's right."

"What?" Jimo hadn't heard him clearly.

Ke Yueyi didn't explain. After meeting Jimo's gaze for a moment, he helped him put his glasses back on and brushed his bangs into place again.

"Don't cut your bangs, and you're not allowed to take off your glasses."

Jimo was utterly confused. Even if Ke Yueyi hadn't said anything, he wouldn't have done either of those things, but being ordered around like that made him deeply uncomfortable.

Still, he endured it and didn't talk back.

Ke Yueyi checked his watch, then turned and headed out.

Jimo couldn't help calling after him. "Bro, about the surveillance footage..."

Ke Yueyi paused and smiled at him.

It was the first time Jimo had seen him smile. Usually, he wore a cold expression, as though everyone owed him eight million, so Jimo couldn't help being a little distracted.

Unfortunately, no decent words came out of that angelic face.

"I lied to you," he said softly.

By the time Jimo realized what he meant, he was long gone.

"..."

He had been tricked.

Jimo stood there, grinding his teeth.