Volume 1 Chapter 169: A Brief Farewell

When the bell signaling the end of class rang, Ning Chu couldn't help feeling a sense of loss. She glanced at the suitcase placed to the side and sighed softly in her heart.

By nature, she wasn't someone who relied on others, but Wen Yang was different.

In a completely unfamiliar environment, Wen Yang had been her first friend. In situations where she could encounter danger, Wen Yang was the only one who could ensure her safety. During her most vulnerable moments after turning into a woman, it was Wen Yang who patiently comforted and cared for her.

He wasn't just a friend craving her body, or a close confidant—he was also the male protagonist she had written about.

These overlapping identities and various reasons deepened Ning Chu's melancholy and dejection. Her eyes lingered on the classroom door, watching as her classmates crowded to leave, inexplicably hoping they'd linger at the doorway for a couple more minutes.

"Wen Yang, want me to drive you to the station?"

"No need, there's a direct bus."

Nearby, she heard Zhang Shaoqing and Wen Yang talking.

"Coming back this weekend? I remember there's a good hand-pulled noodle place near the station. Bring back a few bowls?"

"Sure, I'll see about it."

Wen Yang stood up, leaving his seat with Zhang Shaoqing and Wang Jie. Grabbing his suitcase, he turned to the silent Ning Chu, who was still slumped over her desk.

"Ning Chu?"

"Coming."

Though she didn't want to show how downcast she felt, she couldn't fake a cheerful expression either. She stood up, expressionless, and followed her friends out of the classroom.

They left the teaching building and walked down the wide road toward the dormitories. After a few hundred meters, they reached the main school gate at the intersection.

Wen Yang stopped and pulled his suitcase to a halt. "I'm off."

"Get lost already! Don't forget to bring back those noodles!"

His gaze lingered briefly on Ning Chu's face before he responded with a nod and walked toward the main gate.

He hadn't gone far when the sound of hurried footsteps came up from behind.

Ning Chu caught up with him, flustered. Worried he might misunderstand, she quickly explained, "I just happen to need to pick up a package outside campus. That's all."

"What the—? You and Wen Yang don't actually have something going on, do you?" Zhang Shaoqing teased loudly. "Now you're personally seeing him off, huh?"

This guy always loved stirring up trouble, laughing and joking behind them.

"Of course not..." Wang Jie, ever the honest one, defended Ning Chu, "Stop teasing him."

Ning Chu ignored the remarks as much as she could, her face slightly flushed. Sneaking a glance at Wen Yang, she found herself locking eyes with his amused gaze and quickly looked away in a panic.

"What are you smiling about?"

"Nothing," Wen Yang said with a warm smile as he slowed his pace. "My uncle's surgery is tomorrow. I'll try to be back as soon as possible."

"Why are you telling me this? It's up to you."

Ning Chu avoided his gaze, keeping her eyes on the stone-brick patterns on the sidewalk as she walked in a straight line.

Once they left the school gate, a warm hand enveloped hers.

She didn't resist, but muttered a complaint, "What if a classmate sees us?"

"Then I'll just be a pervert who likes men."

"You already are a pervert..."

Ning Chu sighed softly. Rationality told her to shake off Wen Yang's hand, to cheerfully send him on his way.

Once Wen Yang left, she wouldn't have to worry about triggering her storyline, nor would she have to deal with his entanglement. It would even help her adapt to life without the male protagonist's aura.

But she seemed to prefer following her emotions instead.

Feeling the fine lines, calluses, and warmth of Wen Yang's hand, her earlier sense of loss and melancholy eased. Her always chaotic mind gradually quieted, leaving her with a rare sense of peace. Instinctively, she leaned closer to him.

She liked this kind of interaction.

Her mind no longer obsessed over bad women, no longer ached over plotlines, nor worried about the future.

Her heart, for once, was calm, with a faint sweetness bubbling up within—like sipping a cup of mildly sweet honey water.

Ning Chu suddenly wished the path to the bus stop were longer.

But after only a short walk, they reached the bus stop.

Wen Yang glanced at the bus schedule and identified his ride, then turned his gaze back to Ning Chu's slightly flushed face.

Not knowing what to say, he gently tightened his grip on her hand.

"Take care on the way."

"Mm."

"And don't flirt around and cause trouble while I'm gone."

"Don't worry, I'm not like that."

Ning Chu suddenly felt like a girl reluctantly saying goodbye to her boyfriend.

She stared blankly at her hand held tightly in Wen Yang's, pursed her lips, and still couldn't figure out her own feelings.

It's all Yan Xinya's fault. If it hadn't been for the wolf girl's grilling, she wouldn't be questioning whether her actions or thoughts meant she liked Wen Yang.

"What's this...?"

A somewhat unfamiliar voice interrupted. Ning Chu instinctively looked up to see a classmate she recognized.

Her expression changed, and she quickly pulled her hand away, averting her gaze guiltily.

It wasn't just any classmate—it was someone from the neighboring dorm!

Crap! If this got exaggerated and spread around in class, she'd never live it down in the dorm.

"Just fooling around," Wen Yang explained with a smile.

"Oh?"

The classmate, not being particularly close to them, nodded casually and walked away.

Watching them leave, Ning Chu finally exhaled and glared angrily. "I told you someone might see us!"

"And wasn't it resolved?"

"Hmph!"

"If there's nothing to hide, why feel guilty?"

"..." Ning Chu couldn't find a retort.

It was true. Between friends, holding hands, hugging, or even lying in each other's arms could be normal. At most, it would seem a bit overly friendly. But if both sides had no ulterior motives, it was just innocent interaction.

She froze for a moment before snapping back. "I'm a girl, okay? It's different."

Seeing he couldn't fool her, Wen Yang changed the topic, looking into the distance. "My bus is here."

"Oh..."

He picked up his suitcase and stepped onto the curb, waiting for the bus to stop.

Ning Chu stayed where she was, reminding him, "Message me when you get there."

"Got it. See you."

She watched as Wen Yang boarded the bus and as it drove farther and farther away, biting her lip and letting out a heavy sigh.

Great. Now she had to face everything alone.

As Wen Yang's figure disappeared from sight, a chill ran down Ning Chu's spine.

She knew it was just psychological, but she still clutched the pepper spray in her pocket and quickened her pace toward the package pickup point.

There's no need to feel fear! She had been a man, after all!

"Hey, uh, miss... Could I add you on social media?"

At the package station, a shy-looking guy with glasses suddenly approached her awkwardly, trying to strike up a conversation.

"..."

Ning Chu froze in disbelief. Without even picking up her package, she turned and bolted.

The guy stood there, scratching his head in confusion. "Am I really that scary-looking?"