After Transmigrating, I Saved the Saintly Male Lead
o0o
Ji Anche opened his drowsy eyes, his head throbbing with pain.
Holding his forehead, he struggled to sit up. He realized he was in his own bedroom at home.
Didn’t he go drinking with the male lead last night?
Fragments of memory surfaced—he must have gotten drunk and blacked out.
The bedroom door creaked open. Gu Hanzhou walked in holding a bowl of hot soup, his gaze gentle.
"Ge, you're awake."
"Here’s some sober-up soup. Drink it."
Ji Anche looked down and realized all his clothes were gone, leaving only his underwear.
"Huh? Where are my clothes?"
He turned his gaze to the male lead standing by the door and asked in surprise.
"Did you take them off for me?"
Gu Hanzhou set the soup on the nightstand and nodded.
"Ge, your clothes were soaked in alcohol. They reeked of liquor, so I helped you out of them."
It was perfectly normal for brothers to help each other undress. Ji Anche didn’t think much of it.
A faint ache suddenly pulsed from the lower left side of his waist.
Ji Anche lowered his head and saw a red mark there, muttering, "Another mosquito bite."
The red mark stood out starkly against his fair skin.
His fingertip brushed against it, sending out threads of pain.
"Ouch… that hurts. That mosquito was vicious."
Gu Hanzhou’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, but his expression remained calm.
"Ge, do you want me to apply some ointment for you?"
"No need."
Ji Anche threw off the blanket and got out of bed bare-skinned to grab his clothes.
"What time is it?"
When no answer came, he turned his head and saw Gu Hanzhou’s flushed cheeks, his dark eyes fixed intently on him.
Ji Anche frowned. "Why are you staring? It’s not like I have abs."
"Do you have abs?"
Gu Hanzhou’s ears turned red as he whispered. "I do."
"You actually have abs?! Let me see!"
Ji Anche’s eyes lit up with excitement as he lunged at Gu Hanzhou.
Gu Hanzhou’s pupils constricted in panic. He tried to dodge, but the boy firmly gripped his wrist. His voice softened pleadingly.
"Ge, let me go."
"Why are you running?"
Ji Anche’s eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Go ahead, scream."
His slender fingers tipped Gu Hanzhou’s chin up as he smirked.
"The louder you scream, the less anyone will come to save you."
Gu Hanzhou’s body temperature rose at the sight of the boy’s smooth, snow-white skin, his cheeks burning hotter.
Ji Anche wasn’t wearing any clothes. Gu Hanzhou wanted to push him away but had no idea where to place his hands.
Nowhere seemed appropriate.
Ji Anche stepped forward, backing him into a corner. Leaning close to his ear, he teased, "The louder you scream, the more excited I get."
Gu Hanzhou’s face turned tomato-red as he retreated until his back hit the wall. Beads of sweat dotted his nose, his entire body stiff as a statue. His voice carried a pitiful plea.
"Ge, put your clothes on first."
Ji Anche braced his arm against the wall, trapping Gu Hanzhou between his arms.
He clicked his tongue.
"I’m the one not wearing clothes, yet you’re the shy one?"
"Besides, I just want to see your abs. Why are you hiding? It’s not like I’m trying to see your… ahem..."
Ji Anche abruptly cut himself off, his ears tinged with a suspicious pink.
Clearing his throat awkwardly, he said eagerly.
"Be good. Let ge see your abs."
Gu Hanzhou let out a resigned sigh, his expression tinged with helpless fondness.
His fingers hovered over his shirt buttons, moving at a snail’s pace—as if unbuttoning one could take a century.
Ji Anche grew impatient and reached out to undo them himself.
"What’s wrong with you, Gu Xiaozhou? Dragging your feet like I’m forcing you. You’re making me look like some villain harassing an innocent man."
Gu Hanzhou averted his gaze, not daring to look at that blindingly fair skin, afraid his filthy thoughts would be exposed.
His voice was hoarse as he reminded him.
"Ge, it’s almost eight. Shouldn’t we get to class?"
"Shit, homeroom’s about to start, we’re gonna be late!"
Ji Anche hastily let go and dashed toward the wardrobe.
As he hurriedly dressed, he suddenly remembered, "Hey, you still haven’t shown me your abs!"
Before he could finish, Gu Hanzhou had already fled out the door as if escaping a monster.
??? It’s just abs.
Was that necessary?!
Ji Anche slung his backpack over his shoulder and chased after him, laughing.
"Gu Xiaozhou, just you wait!"
They sprinted all the way to the classroom.
Out of breath, Ji Anche collapsed into his seat just as he stuffed his bag into the desk.
The homeroom teacher, Song Songxiao—a tall, strict woman in a professional suit—stepped onto the podium. Her sharp eyes scanned the students like blades.
"Before we begin, I have an announcement."
"In about a week, our grade will hold a monthly exam. It’s time to test your progress. As you all know, this exam will determine class reassignments. Those who perform poorly will be moved out, replaced by top students from other classes."
Her tone left no room for argument.
"So work hard now. When it comes to reassignments, I won’t go easy. Begging me won’t help."
The class erupted in groans.
"No way!"
Ji Anche’s heart sank.
He poked the male lead with his pen and drew a sad face on a scrap of paper, whispering.
"We might get separated."
Since arriving in this world, Gu Hanzhou had been the person Ji Anche was closest to. The thought of being separated left a bitter taste in his mouth. He slumped over his desk with a sigh.
Suddenly, an elbow nudged him. Ji Anche turned and saw Gu Hanzhou slide a note over.
His handwriting was bold and elegant, the deep-blue ink bleeding slightly into the paper.
[We won’t be.]
Two more notes followed.
[We won’t be separated.]
[We’ll always be together.]
Ji Anche’s lips curled up. On the last note, he scribbled a reply in flamboyant strokes.
[This emperor approves.]
Even so, Ji Anche wasn’t optimistic.
He knew his own academic limits. Chinese, English, biology, and chemistry weren’t a problem—but math and physics?
His combined scores in those two subjects couldn’t even match his English grade. That’s how bad they were.
The idea of improving drastically in a week? Only in his dreams.
Ji Anche sighed in resignation.
Whatever. Que sera sera.
Even if they were separated, he could still protect the male lead. It just wouldn’t be as thorough as being by his side all the time.
What if Gu Hanzhou got bullied after he left? The male lead never complained about his pain, enduring everything silently. He was too kind, too trusting—completely defenseless against the world.
The more Ji Anche thought about it, the more terrified he became. They couldn’t be reassigned.
Then it hit him—why was he treating a simple seating change like life or death?!
Ji Anche froze, his heart swelling with bittersweet emotion.
Had he, without even realizing it, already placed Gu Hanzhou above everyone else?
When he first transmigrated, his feelings for the male lead had mostly been pity. Now, he couldn’t even bear the thought of being apart.
Propping his chin on his hand, Ji Anche’s amber eyes softened with warmth.
…Was he really going to spend his whole life with the male lead?
Suddenly, the homeroom teacher’s urgent voice cut through his thoughts.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I need to address something extremely serious."
The homeroom teacher rapped her knuckles against the desk, her expression stern.
"Everyone, look up and listen carefully."
"Last night, my phone was stolen. I’m almost certain the thief is one of our classmates!"
The class erupted in shock.
"Who stole it?"
"How shameless!"
"If they're that desperate for money, we could’ve set up a fundraiser instead of resorting to theft."
"Quiet, everyone! Silence!"
The teacher slammed the chalkboard eraser onto the desk, her voice icy.
"I hope the culprit returns my phone immediately. It contains confidential school materials—losing them would cause a major incident. If the phone isn’t returned by 10 AM today, I’ll report this to the police."
Ji Anche’s gaze inadvertently landed on Liu Lifei.
Liu Lifei’s pen clattered to the floor.
As he bent to pick it up, his hands trembled violently, his face ghostly pale.
He looked visibly guilty.
Did Liu Lifei steal it?
Fragments of the original plot surfaced—yes, Liu Lifei was the thief.
After stealing the phone, Liu Lifei had planned to sell it online. But then he’d framed Gu Hanzhou by planting it in his locker.
Given the severity of the crime, Gu Hanzhou had been sent to juvenile detention, his record permanently tarnished. The subsequent suspension ruined his future.
Ji Anche clenched his fists.
First priority: find evidence against Liu Lifei.
Before he could strategize, Liu Lifei stood up.
"Teacher," Liu Lifei announced loudly, "I know who stole your phone!"
The class whipped around to stare.
"Who was it?"
"Are we really harboring a thief? How pathetic!"
Liu Lifei turned slowly, locking eyes with Gu Hanzhou in the back. "It was Gu Hanzhou. I saw him sneak into your office and take it!"
The room exploded.
Liu Lifei knew if he didn’t pin this on Gu Hanzhou, he’d be the one ruined. He had a bright future—he couldn’t let this derail him.
Gritting his teeth, veins bulging at his temples, Liu Lifei spat, "Gu Hanzhou, your mom’s psychiatric bills must be expensive. Did you steal the phone to sell it?"
Ji Anche scoffed.
"Got any proof?"
"I’m the witness"
Liu Lifei lied, forcing confidence. "I saw him sneak into the office and take it. He didn’t notice me hiding in the corner, but I saw everything."
Pointing accusingly, he shouted, "Gu Hanzhou, stop denying it!"
The class buzzed uncertainly.
After the recent earphone incident, they hesitated to jump to conclusions.
The teacher frowned, approaching Gu Hanzhou.
"Did you do this?"
Gu Hanzhou was a model student—she struggled to believe it.
Gu Hanzhou replied softly, "No."
Liu Lifei’s face twisted hysterically. "He’s lying!"
"Enough," the teacher snapped. "Lower your voice."
Liu Lifei shut his mouth, seething.
Math teacher Tian Junxiong entered, curious. "What’s going on?"
"My phone was stolen," the homeroom teacher sighed. "Let’s talk outside."
Tian Junxiong blinked. "But I saw it on your desk this morning."
"I left for a meeting, and it vanished afterward."
She massaged her temples. "The phone itself isn’t the issue—it’s the confidential files, including the upcoming exam materials. I can’t explain this to the school."
Tian Junxiong’s throat tightened.
"That’s... problematic."
"Any leads?"
"None. No cameras in the office or hallway, and all teachers were at the meeting. No witnesses."
Tian Junxiong exhaled smoke, feigning reluctance. "Song-laoshi, I should tell you something. Last night, I called Gu Hanzhou to the office. We were the only ones there."
The teacher’s eyes narrowed.
"I discussed the Q University recommendation with him. You know how competitive it is."
"Gu Hanzhou said he wanted the spot."
The teacher frowned. "Isn’t he the obvious choice? He’s ranked first in the grade."
Tian Junxiong’s face darkened. "But with his family situation, can he afford the fees? Plus, he’s only book-smart—no extracurriculars. Modern education values well-rounded students. Liu Lifei fits better."
The teacher gaped. "How is that fair? Gu Hanzhou can’t afford hobbies!"
Tian Junxiong shrugged. "Not my concern."
"You’re being unreasonable."
"I’m unreasonable?" Tian Junxiong’s temper flared. "Given his poverty, Gu Hanzhou had motive to steal. Maybe he planned to sell it!"
Dismissively, he added, "Anyway, Gu Hanzhou insulted me yesterday. The disrespect from a mere student—"
The office door suddenly yanked open.
Tian Junxiong, leaning against it, crashed onto the tiles, howling, "Who the hell—?!"
"Me."
Ji Anche stood in the doorway, hands in pockets, tall and lean.
Tian Junxiong writhed on the floor, clutching his spine. "What do you want?!"
"To teach you some manners." Ji Anche smirked down at him.
Tian Junxiong turned purple. "What?!"
Stepping over him, Ji Anche entered. "Tch. Even trash can be teachers these days."
Tian Junxiong scrambled up, trembling with rage.
Ji Anche’s voice turned icy. "That night, you belittled, mocked, and humiliated Gu Hanzhou—while he stayed silent."
"Lies!" Tian Junxiong spluttered.
The homeroom teacher looked between them, confused.
Tian Junxiong stiffened. "Song-laoshi, don’t believe him! This is slander!"
With no cameras or witnesses, he felt safe. "If I really abused students, I’d deserve to be fired!"
"Gladly."
Ji Anche pressed play on a recorder.
Tian Junxiong’s voice boomed:
[H County is a backward hellhole—how could it produce a Tsinghua student? Trash breeds trash. Even if you get in, you’ll always be gutter scum.]
[Are you deaf, Gu Hanzhou?!]
The teacher’s face turned livid. "This is your ‘disrespectful’ student?"
"You don’t deserve to teach!"
Tian Junxiong paled. He’d thought no evidence existed.
"Song-laoshi, I was wrong. But Gu Hanzhou did steal your phone!"
"Proof?"
"Who else could’ve taken it?!"
"Your word means nothing legally." She glared. "I’m reporting this recording to the school."
Tian Junxiong begged, "Please, our years of friendship—"
Ji Anche cut in cheerfully, "Too late. I already sent it to the principal."
Tian Junxiong staggered like he’d been struck.
"Congratulations," Ji Anche said sweetly. "You’re getting fired."
The teacher pointed at the door. "Get out."
Defeated, Tian Junxiong shuffled away.
Outside, he spotted Gu Hanzhou leaning against the hallway wall.
Rage consumed him.
"You dared record me?!"
he snarled, jabbing a finger at Gu Hanzhou’s face.
"You’re dead."
Gu Hanzhou smiled gently, holding out a photo. "A gift for you, Teacher."
"What—?"
Tian Junxiong snatched it—then turned ashen.
The photo showed him in bed with his mistress.
Gu Hanzhou’s tone remained pleasant. "What would your father-in-law do if he saw this?"
Tian Junxiong’s hands shook.
As a penniless son-in-law, his marriage was his only leverage. If this got out, he’d lose everything.
Gu Hanzhou wasn’t a sheep—he was a viper.
Tian Junxiong bowed frantically.
"Please! I’ll do anything! The recommendation spot is yours—"
Gu Hanzhou’s eyes gleamed. "Then die for me. Okay?"
His tone was casual, as if discussing the weather.
Tian Junxiong choked.
"Y-You’re joking..."
Gu Hanzhou let his malice show.
"Am I?"
Tian Junxiong collapsed to his knees, trembling.
Gu Hanzhou glanced past him at Ji Anche in the office.
"Leave," he said boredly. "Or this photo reaches your in-laws."
Tian Junxiong scrambled away like a whipped dog.
Back in the office, the teacher sighed at Ji Anche. "Was there something else?"
Ji Anche nodded. "I know who stole your phone."
Her eyes lit up. "Who?"
"Liu Lifei. He framed Gu Hanzhou."
"Do you have evidence?"
Ji Anche smiled.
"Yes."
Ji Anche took out a phone. It was Gu Hanzhou's.
Given the school's special circumstances, students were allowed to carry phones. Routine communications were often conducted via text messages.
He opened the message inbox and handed the phone to the homeroom teacher.
The text was displayed clearly before her eyes:
[8 PM. Come to the storage room to move books. I might be late. Hope you understand.]
Ji Anche said earnestly, "This is a message Gu Hanzhou received on October 24. The sender's number is 183xxx—which happens to be yours."
The teacher's expression darkened. "I never sent this."
Ji Anche nodded. "I know you didn't."
"This proves that someone has been stealing your phone for a while, impersonating you to text students."
"That night, Gu Hanzhou was locked in the storage room. I went to get him out. There are no cameras in the storage room, but the hallway footage should confirm what I'm saying."
"So there's no way Gu Hanzhou stole your phone. He was just another victim."
o0o
Outside in the dimly lit hallway, separated only by a wall, Gu Hanzhou could clearly hear the boy's bright, warm voice.
He lurked in the shadows like some kind of pervert, watching the boy bathed in fluorescent light.
Dressed in his blue-and-white uniform, the boy seemed to glow softly under the warm orange hues.
Pure. Radiant.
Gu Hanzhou's gaze traced every inch of him—
Long, damp eyelashes.
Slightly flushed cheeks.
Plump, pale earlobes.
Rosy lips. Delicate collarbones. A slender waist.
A faint, unnatural flush crept up Gu Hanzhou's face. His eyes darkened with obsession, his fingers trembling imperceptibly beneath his sleeves. His breathing hitched, uneven.
Every word Ji Anche spoke was to shield him.
Without him ever knowing, Ji Anche had been standing in the storm for him, sheltering him under his wings.
Normally, he hated nosy people. Loathed pity disguised as charity. Never wanted anyone meddling in his affairs.
But if that person was Ji Anche...
Everything was different.
Gu Hanzhou's gaze clung to the boy, tender and possessive.
No matter what Ji Anche did, he adored it.
This affection made no sense—yet it was so overwhelming he couldn't resist.
Even knowing Ji Anche would betray him someday, he still let himself sink deeper, inch by inch, into the abyss.
Even if this sweetness was laced with poison, he'd swallow it gladly.
Leaning against the cold tiled wall, moonlight casting sharp shadows across his profile, Gu Hanzhou tilted his chin up. His Adam's apple bobbed faintly.
The darkness in his eyes receded, those twisted thoughts melting away like spring snow.
Ge.
How can you be this adorable?
o0o
Gu Hanzhou: So cute. Want to (......).