Volume 1 Chapter 162: My Male Protagonist!

Protagonist...

As he followed Ning Chu to the girls' dorm, Wen Yang mulled over the meaning of that word.

This wasn't some TV drama or novel—there were no such things as "protagonists" in real life. Earth would keep spinning no matter who left.

Maybe it was Ning Chu's way of boosting his confidence?

After all, when he confessed his feelings earlier, he had revealed his insecurities stemming from his family's financial situation. Ning Chu especially hated seeing him lack self-confidence.

Taking a deep breath, Wen Yang resolved that, regardless of the outcome, he would do his best to fulfill Ning Chu's requests.

"This is Xinya's balcony," Ning Chu said, leading the way around the dorm's main entrance to the back. Standing before a two-person-high iron fence, she gestured toward the balcony in the distance. "It's on the first floor, so it's pretty convenient for a pervert."

Wen Yang nodded and scanned the surroundings.

The situation was similar to the boys' dorm: although the dorm building was surrounded by protective iron fences to prevent students from sneaking in or out after curfew, many sections of the fences had been damaged, leaving gaping holes big enough for an adult to slip through sideways.

Rumor had it that food delivery workers were responsible.

Setting down the quilt he was holding, Wen Yang slipped through a gap in the fence, navigated a few clusters of bushes, and approached Yan Xinya's balcony.

"Ah!"

Inside the balcony, Lily had just come out of the bathroom when she saw a tall man standing outside and screamed in fright.

"..."

"What's going on?!" Yan Xinya rushed out, wearing boxing gloves, ready to fight. "Did you see the underwear thief? I'll beat him to death!"

But when she saw Wen Yang, her ferocity instantly deflated. "Oh, it's just you, Wen Yang. Where's Ning Chu?"

"Behind me."

Standing on tiptoes, Yan Xinya peered into the distance and waved enthusiastically at Ning Chu.

"I'll come in through the main entrance!" Ning Chu called back, struggling to drag her suitcase around the fence gap and staggering away.

Meanwhile, Wen Yang was carefully inspecting the environment and details around the balcony.

The balcony wasn't very high, only a few dozen centimeters off the ground. Although it was fitted with security bars, a thief could easily climb up, reach through the bars, and grab the clothes hanging inside.

"We've already started drying our underwear inside," Yan Xinya said, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, a look of frustration on her face. "But it still keeps disappearing."

The underwear was now hung above the sink, deep inside the balcony, far out of reach of any outstretched hand.

"What about security cameras?"

"We found footage of the underwear being stolen, but it's pitch black. You can't see anyone—just whoosh, and it's gone." Yan Xinya spread her hands in exasperation. "Who wears night ops gear to steal underwear?"

"Hmm." Wen Yang lowered his gaze to the black poodle that had somehow appeared at his feet. "Could it be a cat, dog, or bird?"

"No way! What would they even want underwear for?"

"True."

Hearing the sound of the door opening, Yan Xinya turned to see Ning Chu entering the dorm with her luggage.

"Any luck? No results?" Setting down her suitcase, Ning Chu hurried over to the balcony. "How's it going?"

Wen Yang shook his head helplessly. He was about to suggest giving up, but when he saw her face filled with anticipation, he changed his response. "Who else has had their underwear stolen? I'll check their place too."

"Room 107 has been hit a few times, and then there's—"

"No way!"

Ning Chu interrupted vehemently.

"What's wrong?"

If Wen Yang actually caught the pervert, wouldn't he become even more famous on campus?!

After the sports meet, Monday morning alone had already brought a female supporting character and a group of fangirls clamoring for Wen Yang's attention. If he became well-known for catching a pervert, how would she survive in the future?

Living every day in an arousal frenzy? Her body couldn't take it!

"Absolutely not!"

After Wen Yang found a clue here, he could still pass the credit onto Yan Xinya and keep his involvement discreet. Investigating elsewhere would inevitably reveal the truth.

"Alright then... This dog is so annoying."

"What dog?" Ning Chu craned her neck to look outside the balcony and spotted the little black poodle circling Wen Yang. "A stray?"

Yan Xinya nodded. "Yeah, I usually give it some food when I see it. It's pretty friendly."

She joined Ning Chu in peeking out and called to the poodle with a playful smile, "Xiao Hei!"

The poodle looked up, its eyes lighting up the moment it saw Yan Xinya. With a sudden burst of energy, it leapt into the balcony, nearly as high as a person.

"What the heck! Dogs can jump that high?"

Startled, Ning Chu jumped back into the dorm, her fear evident. As a child, she'd been chased by dogs all over her village, leaving her with lingering trauma.

The others were equally shocked by the little poodle's leap. They watched, dumbfounded, as it affectionately rubbed against Yan Xinya's pant leg, then hopped onto the sink. Without hesitation, it yanked down the underwear hanging above and bolted away.

"Huh?"

Everyone froze, watching the poodle jump out of the balcony and disappear into the bushes.

"The underwear thief!" Yan Xinya slammed her face against the security bars, pointing angrily at the bushes. "I've been feeding it breakfast every day, and it still steals my underwear!"

"What? Where is it?" Ning Chu, still jittery, rushed back to the balcony holding a broom like a weapon.

"That dog!"

"Huh?"

Wen Yang, at a loss, asked, "What should we do? Catch it?"

"..." Yan Xinya was furious, but after taking a few deep breaths, she suddenly blushed and mumbled as she retreated into the dorm, "Forget it."

"What's wrong?" Ning Chu turned to Lily beside her, confused.

Lily looked puzzled at first but then seemed to realize something. She leaned closer and whispered to Ning Chu, "She's... it's her mating season."

"Huh?" Ning Chu still didn't get it, but Lily, too shy to explain further, stiffened her expression and went back inside.

Left without an answer, Ning Chu turned her gaze to Wen Yang, who was still outside on the balcony.

"As expected of you, solving it the moment you arrived."

"It's just that the dog committed the crime right in front of us..."

Ning Chu, previously worried that moving into the girls' dorm would feel like walking into a lion's den, finally felt relieved.

"This is what being a protagonist is all about~"

The aura of the protagonist was truly effective!

Wen Yang paused, hesitating before asking, "Protagonist?"

Feeling upbeat, Ning Chu rested her arms on the balcony railing, leaning forward with a teasing grin. "You know, like the child of destiny, favored by the heavens~"

"It's not that exaggerated." Wen Yang scratched his head awkwardly. "Just lucky."

"It's way more than just luck! You're my protagonist! Be confident—there's nothing you can't handle!"

"Your..."

Wen Yang's face instantly turned beet red. Noticing this, Ning Chu froze, suddenly realizing how her words could be misconstrued.

She'd always thought of Wen Yang as her male protagonist—it was the truth. But saying it out loud sounded dangerously close to a confession.

"Don't overthink it! I'm going to sort out my bed. You should head back!"

Watching Ning Chu retreat into the dorm, Wen Yang lowered his head in thought.

I'm... Ning Chu's protagonist...

In Ning Chu's world, was he truly the most important person?