Volume 1 Chapter 74: Stop Fooling Around
The idea of Zhang Shaoqing turning evil seemed impossible now.
A few days ago, his high fever and another instance of feminization were the punishments for following the dark plotline.
At least that's what Ning Chu thought.
But just because Zhang Shaoqing didn't turn evil doesn't mean he has completely forgotten about his childhood friend.
Ning Chu was still a bit worried about Zhang Shaoqing's mental state, concerned that he might do something drastic.
Just look at those news stories about people committing suicide after breakups...
Ning Chu only had two classes in the morning, but each class was almost two hours long.
By noon, when the dismissal bell rang, the teacher on the podium quickly grabbed his lesson plan and left the classroom even faster than the students.
The students rushed towards the doors, swarming together like zombies, crowding around the front and back exits.
Ning Chu picked up his textbooks and quickly glanced at his three roommates.
Wen Yang had listened attentively all morning and even took notes—definitely model student material.
Wang Jie spent both classes reading a novel, while Zhang Shaoqing played mobile games the entire time, occasionally glancing gloomily back at Ling Ling, all while spending a large amount of money on in-game purchases.
It's nice to have money~
Ning Chu waited until the crowd at the door thinned out before heading outside.
The moment he moved, Wen Yang immediately followed.
Ning Chu caught a glimpse of Wen Yang's gaze out of the corner of his eye.
The moment their eyes met, Wen Yang asked, "Want to go to the cafeteria together for lunch?"
"No, I've already ordered takeout."
Wen Yang glanced at Wang Jie, thinking, Who are you talking to?
"Forget it, I'm too lazy to deal with the cafeteria crowd."
Although Ning Chu was worried about Wen Yang being hit on by girls if left alone, he was even more worried about their friendship turning into something else.
No! It's probably already changing!
If he weren't still a guy, and Wen Yang didn't have any reservations...
"Alright then," Wen Yang said, looking a bit dejected, like a small dog that had been abandoned.
As the four of them passed by the cafeteria, Wen Yang, now alone, dejectedly walked toward its entrance.
Ning Chu looked back at Wen Yang's retreating figure, bit his lip, and was about to head to the dormitory when he saw Zhang Shaoqing turning and walking in another direction.
What's that guy up to?!
He frowned, feeling uneasy about Zhang Shaoqing.
Whether he was plotting something against Ling Ling or on the verge of an emotional breakdown after his failed relationship, Ning Chu couldn't let Zhang Shaoqing out of his sight for long.
"You go back first," Ning Chu instructed Wang Jie. "Remember to grab my takeout."
"Sure." Wang Jie mumbled as he continued walking forward, "Why is everyone acting so weird today..."
Maintaining a distance of two or three meters, Ning Chu followed Zhang Shaoqing into the sports field without any attempt to hide.
At noon, with the sun beating down and temperatures over 35 degrees Celsius, the field was almost completely deserted.
Zhang Shaoqing stopped on the rubber track and turned around, looking at Ning Chu's worried face.
"You... really like to meddle, don't you?"
"Well.. I'm just a bit worried..."
"Wen Yang's probably getting hit on at the cafeteria."
Ning Chu flinched, instinctively looking back toward the cafeteria.
"You want to be everywhere at once? Can you clone yourself?"
"Why did you come to the field?" Ning Chu asked, looking around for Ling Ling. "Did you arrange to meet her here?"
Zhang Shaoqing shook his head. "What's there to talk about with her? Forget it."
He fell silent for a moment, his expression darkening as he lowered his head.
"..."
If he put himself in Zhang Shaoqing's shoes, Ning Chu knew he wouldn't feel great either.
Not knowing how to comfort him, Ning Chu could only awkwardly say, "It's all in the past..."
Zhang Shaoqing didn't respond.
Instead, he began walking along the track. Gradually, his walk turned into a jog, then into a full sprint.
"That's not how you vent your feelings..." Ning Chu muttered, glancing at the cloudless sky, the corners of his mouth twitching. "He's definitely going to get heatstroke."
He could have just gone to the school gym to run, but no, he had to do it under the blazing sun.
Ning Chu sat down on the grass, but the scorching ground beneath him made it impossible to sit still.
"One after another, they all have issues~"
Ning Chu felt like even parents didn't worry as much as he did—one Zhang Shaoqing, one Wen Yang, one heartbroken, the other rebellious...
Since crossing over into this world, it seemed like nothing had gone smoothly.
Couldn't someone worry about him too? He was exhausted~
"What's wrong with him?"
Suddenly, Wen Yang's voice came from behind him. Ning Chu turned around and saw Wen Yang sitting beside him, handing him a bottle of cola. "Weren't you going to eat at the cafeteria?"
"I got takeout," Wen Yang replied, showing the takeout boxes he was holding. "I saw you and Zhang Shaoqing heading to the field just as I left the cafeteria."
"Oh~" Ning Chu subtly scooted over to create some distance, explaining, "I guess he needs to blow off some steam? He probably felt bad after seeing Ling Ling in class today."
He looked down at the cola in his hand. "I'll send you the money later."
Three yuan for a cola wasn't a big deal to him, but for Wen Yang, it was a whole breakfast.
"No need, it's on me." Wen Yang observed Ning Chu's expression, noticing that most of his attention was focused on the sprinting Zhang Shaoqing.
Wen Yang then turned to look at him too. "How long has he been running? He might get heatstroke."
"He probably wants to get heatstroke," Ning Chu sighed. "So childish... as if punishing himself will bring Ling Ling back to him."
"..."
It was rare to hear Ning Chu speak so maturely, and Wen Yang was a bit surprised, not knowing how to respond.
"Hey! Take him to the infirmary!"
Suddenly, Zhang Shaoqing collapsed heavily onto the ground, causing Ning Chu to jump up in alarm.
Instinctively, he grabbed Wen Yang's wrist and rushed over. "Don't hurt yourself!"
He hurried over to Zhang Shaoqing and saw him lying on the ground, arms and legs spread out, staring blankly at the clear blue sky like a fool.
Ning Chu froze, then let out a complicated sigh.
Great, this is what happens when you insist on writing a silly story and making Zhang Shaoqing the antagonist...
He released Wen Yang's hand, crouched down, and gently patted Zhang Shaoqing's head with a helpless yet tender smile. "Alright, alright, let's go back and take a nap. Stop fooling around, okay?"
"You like cat girls, right? When Black Bean turns into a cat girl, I'll marry her to you~"
Zhang Shaoqing's gaze shifted from the sky to Ning Chu's sunlit golden smile, then to Wen Yang's worried face.
His lips quivered. "Cats can't turn into cat girls..."
He wanted to respond with a usual joking insult, but his throat tightened, and he couldn't hold back anymore.
Laughing and crying at the same time, he wiped his tears, choking out, "You... You're crazy, you know that?"
Wen Yang stood behind them, shaking his head with a sigh. "With a roommate like Ning Chu, you should count yourself lucky."
"Can you get up? Or should I carry you to the infirmary?"
He half-squatted, reaching out a hand to Zhang Shaoqing. "Stop messing around. You're making Ning Chu worry."
"Yeah..."
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