42. Male Protagonist
16/57
Even though the confession failed, it felt like a dream. When the next day arrived, everything was the same as before.
A little jealous vinegar jar still swirled around him, keeping a watchful eye on any woman daring to approach, ordering extra meat dishes during meals, and reminding him first thing in the morning to apply medicine on his wound…
Wen Yang sat on the edge of a flowerbed by the playground, watching the intense sports meeting unfolding in the distance, his gaze repeatedly landing on Ning Chu.
Ning Chu stood not far away, hands on her hips, scanning the pretty girls around her with a vigilant gaze, looking alert like a mongoose on high alert for danger.
“How boring, I want to go back to the dorm~”
She turned to Wen Yang, jogging over as usual. “Want to head back to the dorm for some double queue?”
“……”
“Hey, you’re acting really cold today~”
Finally, Wen Yang responded, “I want to go to the library to read.”
“Going to the library again… I hate reading… It gives me a headache.”
“Why don’t you head back first?” He was trying to be considerate. “I don’t talk to women, don’t worry.”
Ning Chu hesitated. “I… Is your foot feeling better? Are you sure you can handle being alone?”
“No problem.”
“Alright then…”
Anyway, she had been to the library several times and never encountered any bad women there.
And with Zhang Shaoqing and Wang Jie around in the dorm, it was highly unlikely she’d encounter any danger away from the spotlight.
Given Wen Yang’s current state, it was better to let him be alone in peace.
Though Ning Chu tried to convince herself, on her way back to the dormitory, she couldn’t help but glance over her shoulder at Wen Yang’s retreating figure, looking back three times on her way.
It wasn’t until Wen Yang completely vanished from sight that she hurriedly darted towards the dorm.
Upon entering, she pushed the door open and peered inside.
“Sha Qing!”
“Aren’t you two supposed to be at the match? Back already?”
Zhang Shaoqing turned around but only saw Ning Chu. “Long time no see~ You two can actually separate?”
“He went to the library.”
“Oh, that makes sense.”
Ning Chu pulled a chair over and sat beside Zhang Shaoqing. “So, what did Wen Yang talk about with you guys last night?”
“You seemed so indifferent last night, and now you’re asking me?”
“Spill it!”
Zhang Shaoqing gave her a side glance and shrugged. “He said he’s not good enough for that girl he likes. It’s normal to get rejected.”
“Ah?”
Ning Chu had never considered this question.
A little Emperor Wen male protagonist, having such strange thoughts? About her?
She truly couldn’t understand what made Wen Yang feel unworthy of her… She just couldn’t accept the notion of dating a guy, and her feelings for him felt more like a protective affection from an author for a character than any romantic feelings.
“Wen Yang’s family is poor; it’s pretty normal for him to feel a bit insecure.” Zhang Shaoqing clicked the mouse as he answered. “You know his parents are gone. He only gets four to five hundred a month for living expenses. I mean, who wouldn’t feel insecure in that situation?”
“But…”
Ning Chu had never thought of it that way. She just thought Wen Yang was a little introverted.
“Looking so handsome but still insecure?”
“Yeah, but what good is being handsome?” Zhang Shaoqing finally got to criticize Wen Yang’s looks properly. “Sure, he’s good-looking, and a bunch of little fangirls would line up from the dorm to the school gate to gush over him, but the girl he likes doesn’t like him back. What’s the use? It’s like, even though I’m a rich second-generation, I…”
He suddenly realized something and cursed under his breath. “Why am I bringing myself into this? d*mn!”
Ning Chu rested her chin on her hands, leaning on her thighs. It wasn’t that she was overly dull; it was just that Wen Yang rarely showed signs of insecurity around her.
Instead, he was sunny, gentle, and warm. True, he got a bit shy around girls, but he seemed like a male protagonist who hadn’t yet turned into a j*rk.
So, yesterday’s Wen Yang was actually his most genuine self?
She bit her lip, lost in thought as she got up to leave.
It should be like this, right? This was a little Emperor Wen world, her crafted world, but real people couldn’t possibly be as one-dimensional as characters in a book…
She had long viewed this place as a real world, and all her friends as living, breathing people.
But she also couldn’t help but inadvertently slap bookish stereotypes on everyone.
Ning Chu turned to look at the wardrobe. The more unsolvable problems presented themselves, the more she wanted to escape.
Grab her luggage, leave this place, end it all.
But Wen Yang…
She just couldn’t shake the worry for her male protagonist, especially after learning about his deep-seated insecurities.
As a friend, a roommate, an author—each identity made it hard for her to let go.
“Stop pacing back and forth.” Zhang Shaoqing glanced at Ning Chu, who was strolling around the dorm, rolling his eyes. “Aren’t you being a nuisance?”
“Oh.”
Ning Chu obediently sat down, cupping her chin and staring at the computer screen.
“Ning Chu! Which girl did Wen Yang try to confess to and fail? Shouldn’t we, as roommates, orchestrate a rescue mission? Let’s all support Wen Yang!”
“Yeah! Is she pretty? What’s she like? Which class is she in? It wouldn’t be the vice-class leader, would it?” Wang Jie turned around with curiosity written all over his face.
Ning Chu looked at the two of them, full of curiosity. “No, no, don’t get involved.”
“Come on! Isn’t it reasonable for us to help Wen Yang out a bit?”
“Are you just bored and looking for excitement?”
She waved her hands in annoyance. “Quit bugging me.”
Leaning over the table, her mind was filled with worries about Wen Yang.
What if some girl took advantage of the situation? He must be feeling pretty miserable after his confession, right? But right now, she truly couldn’t accept…
“Don’t fret too much. It’s normal for guys to go through a few heartbreaks.” Zhang Shaoqing leaned against the wardrobe, looking at the distressed Ning Chu. “You were so indifferent yesterday, and now you’re overthinking.”
Wen Yang had said something similar to her.
Ning Chu pursed her lips and nodded. “True, he’s not like you.”
If a guy crumbled after one setback, then that male protagonist would be finished!
“What do you mean I’m not like him?”
After all, Zhang Shaoqing was sensitive enough that one setback would send him spiraling into darkness… No, this was reality, not a novel.
Ning Chu suddenly came to a realization and vigorously shook her head, banishing those stereotypical thoughts about Zhang Shaoqing: “Sorry.”
That only made Zhang Shaoqing even angrier, feeling insulted.
“Are you apologizing to me?”
“……”
Fuming, he turned to leave, grumbling, “I swear, I think Ning Chu doesn’t consider me a friend!”
Geez, was this guy always so hard to deal with?
Ning Chu looked conflicted as she stared at Zhang Shaoqing, clicked her tongue, and hurriedly got up to leave.
“Where are you going?”
“To the library to read!”
And give Wen Yang a little encouragement and confidence!
That insecure look was too gripping…
That was Wen Yang! Her male protagonist! Even if he occasionally slumped, he could always get back up again!
Ning Chu suddenly realized her thinking might as well be encouraging Wen Yang to confess to her again…
