Afternoon, at the library.
Although the library only appeared briefly in one of the storylines, Ning Chu still had a bad impression of it.
Mainly because it often showed up in other similar stories.
He leaned on the desk, resting his cheek on one hand, looking weary.
Despite his listless appearance, his eyes were keenly scanning the reading area, paying special attention to Lily, who was sitting not far away.
That succubus!
The next triggered plot might involve that succubus, and Ning Chu wouldn't allow anything to bring Wen Yang into contact with Lily.
Even if Wen Yang remained true to himself and didn't engage with Lily, who knows what might happen?
No matter how well his situation resolved, Ning Chu couldn't accept the risk.
"Why are you always staring at her?" Wen Yang asked.
Ning Chu shot a dissatisfied look at Wen Yang. "Don't forget, you promised not to talk to any girls and to keep your distance when you see one."
"Uh..."
"I'm just keeping watch. If she tries to talk to you, just look at me and run."
Wen Yang felt that Ning Chu was behaving like a skittish bird—more like a jealous girlfriend afraid of losing her boyfriend.
Ever since Wen Yang decided Ning Chu was actually a girl hiding in the boys' dorm, he increasingly felt that Ning Chu liked him.
Not that he was being conceited, but Ning Chu's behavior towards him just couldn't be explained otherwise.
"Shall we get you a hand warmer on the way back?" Wen Yang tried to shift the topic, seeing how bored Ning Chu seemed. "It might help with your stomach."
"Sure."
"This book's pretty good..." Wen Yang continued, pushing a book toward Ning Chu.
Ning Chu gave it a glance, took a sip from his thermos of warm water, but soon his gaze returned to Lily.
Why did he keep running into her at the library?
Was she already targeting Wen Yang?
Or could it be that this cold, introverted character, who was fiery on the inside, was simply a diligent student who loved studying?
Wen Yang was still a virgin and quite shy around girls.
He often ended up flustered by their enthusiasm.
Since Lily was portrayed as an introverted ice queen, there wasn't much of a chance that the two would accidentally fall into the book's storyline—unless Wen Yang decided to chase after her.
But she was still a succubus!
Ning Chu remained on high alert, wary of even a moment where Wen Yang and Lily might be alone together.
"Relax, I'm really not interested in her," Wen Yang sighed, resigned. "Stop staring at her; you're making her uncomfortable."
Lily had already noticed Ning Chu's gaze and was visibly uneasy, struggling to concentrate on her reading.
"I know," Ning Chu mumbled, but he didn't believe Wen Yang's words.
What did it matter if he said he wasn't interested?
Would his lower half and the plot think the same?
He stole a quick glance at Wen Yang's lower half, noting that he was sitting with his legs spread wide, a book casually placed on his lap as if to cover something.
"..."
Why was this guy always reading with a loaded gun? It was unnerving!
Caught staring for a moment too long, Wen Yang shifted uncomfortably under Ning Chu's gaze and clumsily tried to adjust his posture to hide his embarrassment.
"This... uh..."
Ning Chu looked over at the book in Wen Yang's hands.
It wasn't a racy novel.
"Huh?"
Seeing the suspicious look in Ning Chu's half-squinted eyes, Wen Yang became even more flustered, his face turning bright red.
"Didn't you say you weren't interested in that succubus?" Ning Chu questioned.
"???"
Wen Yang's demeanor suddenly relaxed a little.
Ning Chu, irritated, stood up. "Let's go! Take the books with you."
"Oh, okay!"
One after the other, they brought their books to the counter.
Ning Chu, holding his thermos, idly stood by the door, occasionally glancing back at Wen Yang, who was busy checking out the books.
He couldn't afford to relax for even a second.
He sighed in exhaustion, but his attention was suddenly drawn by the sound of footsteps echoing in the hallway.
He looked up to see Han Jingye rounding the corner.
"What a coincidence!" Han Jingye greeted with a smile upon spotting Ning Chu. "Here to study? You don't look so great. Make sure you rest up."
"Yeah, I'm just about to leave."
Ning Chu looked curiously at Han Jingye.
Noticing Ning Chu's inquisitive gaze, Han Jingye casually explained, "I'm working on my thesis. Came to do some research."
"Thesis?"
"Yeah, I'm finishing my Ph.D. Hopefully, once I graduate, I'll switch to teaching."
"That's impressive..." Ning Chu exclaimed.
As a self-proclaimed slacker, he couldn't even dream of passing exams, let alone becoming a college lecturer.
After a few more exchanges, Wen Yang finished checking out the books.
Stepping outside, Wen Yang immediately noticed Ning Chu chatting animatedly with Han Jingye, looking all starry-eyed with admiration.
Back when school started, Wen Yang had a pretty decent impression of Han Jingye.
But now, watching this scene, his view of the counselor was rapidly plummeting.
Wen Yang moved behind Ning Chu without saying a word, his tone tinged with dissatisfaction. "Let's go."
Maybe he should just reveal Ning Chu's real gender and demand, just like Ning Chu had done with him, that Ning Chu stay away from all men. That would be fair, right?
"Okay!" Ning Chu responded cheerily. "I'll be going now."
"Take care and rest well." Han Jingye nodded with a warm smile.
On their way down from the library's top floor, Ning Chu seemed lost in thought.
Meeting someone who was striving so hard made him consider his own future.
But with so many tangled problems in front of him, how could he even begin to plan for the future?
He sighed in frustration, while Wen Yang, unable to contain himself, blurted out, "You've been getting close to the counselor lately, huh?"
"Kind of."
"I don't trust him; he doesn't seem like a good person."
"???"
Ning Chu looked at him, stunned. "When I used to say that about him, you didn't agree with me."
"He just seems like a wolf in sheep's clothing."
"..."
Seeing Wen Yang's disdainful attitude toward Han Jingye, Ning Chu paused, then quietly asked, "Are you jealous?"
"No. You told me not to hang around girls. Why shouldn't I ask you to avoid guys?"
That was a decent reason. At least it wasn't jealousy!
"But I'm dealing with men!"
"Yeah, but you look like a girl..."
Suddenly, Ning Chu realized the situation felt very familiar.
It was exactly like when he would dissuade Wen Yang from dating, using the same dismissive tone to criticize every girl who came near him.
<+>
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