Chapter 2757: Transmigrated to the Noble Academy as a Special Admission Student 42

After accompanying Ling Yao to sleep for about two and a half hours, Jin Chen finally got up, tucked in the blanket corner for him, and lowered his head to place a light kiss on his hair.

Downstairs in the living room, Sis lounged listlessly on the big sofa, his fingers scrolling across the virtual screen to view sheet music, though his gaze would occasionally dart toward the stairwell.

Hearing footsteps, he sprang up instantly, quickly shrinking behind the sofa's backrest, revealing only his wary eyes.

"How do you feel? Have you fully recovered?"

Who knows how great a psychological shadow that day left on the weak, pitiful yet handsome him when, at the infirmary door, he saw Jin Chen barehandedly beat Colonel Fu Laiming and his aide into that sorry state.

Jin Chen walked over to the island counter, poured him a cup of black coffee, nodded, and said, "Still okay? Anything up?"

Sis observed his expression, confirmed his eyes were clear, then fully relaxed and plopped back onto the sofa.

He ruffled his blond short hair, hesitated a moment, his face showing a hint of turmoil; after several beats he made up his mind and pulled out a palm-sized notebook and pen.

"Ah Yao says he really likes you, and you like him too—we all know that." Sis opened the notebook, pressed the pen cap to his chin, furrowed his brows tightly as if pondering some cosmic-level problem, and asked the question that had been circling his mind for half a month.

"So I have a question I'd like to ask you: … what exactly is true liking?"

Jin Chen leaned against the counter with his coffee cup; hearing this, he lifted his eyes to glance at him, his expression surprised.

If I recall correctly, the most famous rumor about this art department genius at the academy is that the handsome followers constantly rotating around Young Master Sis change every few months, never repeating.

"Young Master Sis," Jin Chen said teasingly, "Do you really need to come ask me this question?"

Sis's expression grew even more solemn, even a tad anguished: "I know what you're saying, but it's different—those people are merely easy on the eyes; having them around is pleasant to look at and can spark my artistic inspiration, yet I don't actually like them!"

He tilted his pen and tapped the notebook, emphasizing, "I merely appreciate them—do you understand? It's like appreciating a painting or a piece of music; to me they're the same, but liking… what exactly does liking feel like?"

Jin Chen raised an eyebrow, inwardly understanding.

No wonder in the original plot, Sis's interest in Eric came and went quickly, their breakup occurring so easily.

These young nobles raised at the pinnacle of the ivory tower since childhood—like Sis before us and Lin Baiyu—may be exceptionally gifted, yet in the realm of emotions that require giving and mutual exchange, they actually understand little.

"Being able to ask this question," Jin Chen said, sipping his coffee leisurely, "usually means you already have a vague candidate in mind, you're just not sure or dare not admit it."

Hearing this, Sis's mind conjured Shi Heng's figure.

That steady one who brings him milk when he stays up arranging, patiently soothes him when inspiration runs dry and he grows irritable, and remembers all his minute likes and bad habits…

Shi Heng.

Before Sis could snap out of his realization, Jin Chen said, "It's him."

Sis jumped, looked up at Jin Chen, and seemed a bit flustered as if his thoughts had been laid bare.

"I haven't even said who it is yet!"

Jin Chen shrugged, his tone calm, "But you're thinking of him."

Sis was shocked, feeling as if he'd flung open the door to a new world.

So… are people in love really this capable!?

No wonder Ah Yao is completely wrapped around Jin Chen's finger, obedient to an absurd degree.

Jin Chen said this while opening his personal terminal, which he hadn't logged into for days; his fingertips swiped, filtering through the pile of unchecked messages from the past few days, and he saw the several messages Shi Heng had sent half an hour earlier, the corner of his lips twitching into a barely perceptible, knowing smile.

Turns out it's these two.

He doesn't mind letting Sis find a new partner before the plot influences him, thereby completely strangling Eric's protagonist halo.

Jin Chen lifted his head, looked at Sis still lost in thought, and said, "Young Master Sis?"

"Huh?" Sis came to, gave an embarrassed laugh, "You're a captain now—no need for such formality; just call me Sis."

Jin Chen nodded, tapped a few times on the terminal screen, long-pressed to delete Shi Heng's earlier messages, keeping only the last three, and turned the screen toward Sis.

He then added, half‑joking, "Perhaps before long you'll be able to ask Shi Heng this question yourself."

Sis leaned over curiously to look at the screen.

Shi Heng: Jin Chen, sorry to disturb you—Sis might be in secluded creation in the studio and missed the messages.

Shi Heng: Please let him know when you're free—I have a sudden appointment this afternoon, so the plan I promised to accompany him to scout the music venue might have to shift to tomorrow.

Shi Heng: Thank you.

A date?

Shi Heng is going on a date?

With whom is he going on a date!!!

Sis's brain buzzed as he recalled that a few days ago, Shi Heng had half‑jokingly, half‑seriously mentioned that his family might arrange a marriage alliance and asked him to help strategize…

Wait… could it be that Shi Heng isn't joking, he really is going on a blind date? And he's moving so fast!

If today's a date, does that mean the next step will be engagement, marriage, or a marriage alliance!?

Sis caught his breath, his chest feeling heavy and painful.

He didn't even have time to think it over—his body reacted before his mind could, rising from the sofa without bidding Jin Chen farewell, his soul adrift as he headed for the door.

Just as he reached the entryway, he nearly collided with Lin Baiyu, who was about to come in.

"Lost and bewildered, where are you headed?" Lin Baiyu reached out to steady the stumbling Sis, his cool voice tinged with doubt.

Sis grabbed Lin Baiyu's arm and urged, "Baiyu! Did you go out with Shi Heng? Do you know where he went, who he's on a date with? How could this be so sudden?"

A faint smile flickered across Lin Baiyu's handsome brows as he gave a light cough, "After we split from the base, Shi Heng received a family transmission; the other party seems also from our academy, so he likely went to Cloud Island."

Cloud Island!

Sis's heart sank—Cloud Island is a famous dating spot near their academy.

Sis felt a panic of being cast aside, as if he were soaking in a huge vat of lemon juice, sour and bitter enough to spoil.

He hadn't realized he could be this jealous!

He didn't bother with anything else, hastily told Lin Baiyu "I understand," then shoved open the villa's main gate and sprinted out.

Lin Baiyu watched Sis's disappearing silhouette beyond the courtyard, couldn't help but let out a low chuckle, and shook his head.

He turned and walked into the living room, seeing Jin Chen leisurely leaning by the island counter sipping coffee, and the smile on his face faded somewhat.

"Sorry." Lin Baiyu spoke, his tone returning to its usual coolness; upon closer listening, it seemed tinged with a few parts of relieved calm.

This apology carries deep meaning.

It is an apology for the untimely confession made on the starship earlier, and also for the plan jointly decided with Ling Yao.

"A-Yao?" Lin Baiyu asked again, "Is he alright?"

Jin Chen lifted his eyes to look at him, his expression unchanged, still that aloof, indifferent demeanor, "He's sleeping."

Lin Baiyu let out a breath, nodded, his tone all business, thoroughly drawing a line. "Fine, I'm coming back to get a document; I have to return to the military right away."

"The award ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow morning; I'll be waiting for you there."

Jin Chen gave a faint nod, "Hmm."

Lin Baiyu said no more, turned and went up to his own floor.

Jin Chen also returned to the fourth floor shortly after.

He had just pushed open the bedroom door when Ling Yao rushed into his arms with a cheerful aura.

Ling Yao had clearly been awake for a while, had taken a shower, his hair still damp, his eyes and brows full of relaxed smiles,

"Did you hear it all?" Jin Chen steadied Ling Yao, who clung to him like a koala, supporting his hips and lifting him higher.

Ling Yao nodded vigorously, his eyes sparkling, he leaned in and planted a loud kiss on Jin Chen's lips, his tone excited, "I heard it, this is best now!"

He wrapped his arms tight around Jin Chen's neck, burying his face in the crook of his neck and rubbing, "Baiyu is a very good friend."

Jin Chen smiled, soothingly patting his back.

Ling Yao, having his fur stroked, felt extremely comfortable, his whole body limp against Jin Chen, his cheek pressed to Jin Chen's warm skin, he drew several deep breaths, his face showing utter contentment as he swung his dangling calves.

"Tomorrow at the military, you'll officially be a Captain."

Ling Yao lifted his head, his eyes crescent moons, "So from now on do I have to call you Commander, Captain Jin Chen?"

Jin Chen gave a noncommittal raise of his eyebrows, carried him to the bedside, teasing, "Thanks to the young master's favor, I managed to snag this rank."

"Otherwise, how would I have the chance to go behind enemy lines, have close contact with so many space pirates, and accumulate combat experience?"

Ling Yao couldn't miss the teasing in his words, but being held in his arms, he felt so comfortable he was practically melting.

He hummed twice, muttering softly, "Commanding Officer, don't bring that up again."