45. No Wonder She’s Afraid to Like Him
17/58
“Champion! I’m just too strong!”
Yan Xinya’s ears perked up as her tail twirled like a fan, looking as triumphant as an Olympic gold medalist.
“Today, I’m treating everyone! Let’s feast!”
Ning Chu propped her chin on her hand at the cafeteria’s long table, glancing over the spread of food.
Four plates piled high with various meats and veggies, and since it was all fast food, it cost less than sixty combined.
“So stingy,” Lily muttered, cradling a small bowl.
“Stingy? Look at my prize money!” Yan Xinya’s face twisted as if she’d betrayed her ancestors. “How about this: let’s each add a crispy chicken leg?”
Wen Yang didn’t care whether it was fancy dining; he just wanted to dig in.
In no time, Yan Xinya returned with four crispy chicken legs, one for each. She had no qualms about ladylike behavior, diving in without gloves and gnawing on the leg with unabashed glee.
Grease splattered across her face as she spoke, “Ning Chu, are you free this weekend?”
“Uh, I should be?”
Wen Yang was tutoring that weekend, and Ning Chu had no plans to tag along.
Sure, she worried about him being lured by a bad woman, but since the tutoring plotline was already derailed, the chances seemed slim.
And anyway, Wen Yang now clearly had a low interest in other girls—his attention was all on her…
Pretty tragic when you think about it.
“Then come hang out at our dorm!” Yan Xinya invited.
If Wen Yang wasn’t around, seeking refuge with Yan Xinya would be a good idea; the wolf girl could handle any pervert easily.
“Sure!” Ning Chu agreed enthusiastically, then curiously asked, “Who’s your roommate? I don’t think I’ve met her.”
“Lin Li! She usually only comes back at night; I don’t know what she does during the day. And then there’s Ling Ling—she moved in with her boyfriend after the National Day holiday and rarely comes back.”
Ah, Catgirl Ling Ling…
They’re already living together.
Ning Chu felt a twinge of sympathy for Zhang Shaoqing for half a second.
Well, he’d already started joking about it, so any lingering feelings for Ling Ling must have faded.
“Oh! No wonder I never saw your roommates when I visited!”
Ning Chu mumbled, but her expression suddenly turned tense as she spotted a mature girl strutting over.
This girl was nearly 1.8 meters tall, dressed in a professional OL suit, her thin black stockings hugging her long legs, revealing glimpses of milky skin beneath. Sunglasses shielded half her face, revealing only her high nose and red lips.
The aggressive aura that surrounded her was suffocating.
Hiss~ One glance and you’d know her rank was off the charts!
Ning Chu’s pupils dilated as her alertness peaked.
Though she couldn’t pinpoint the identity of this newcomer, she knew she was definitely a side character from a story!
After Wen Yang’s faceplant on the track gained him notoriety, it was about time for a side character to show up!
Yan Xinya and Lily sensed the presence as well and turned to look.
Lily quickly ducked her head and pulled up her hood, ducking out like a true scaredy-cat.
Even the wolf girl felt intimidated under the mature girl’s strong presence, continuously giving Ning Chu frantic looks.
The mature girl reached the table, scanning the four and then locking eyes with Wen Yang. She took off her sunglasses, her red lips curving into a sweet smile: “May I sit here?”
Though she looked commanding, her voice was soft and charming.
Wen Yang, engrossed in his meal, only noticed her existence when he lifted his head, appearing slightly dazed.
Ning Chu took a deep breath; the psychological pressure from this mature girl was immense. Even after countless experiences dealing with bad women, she was feeling flustered.
She clenched her little fist, ready to make a scene at any moment.
When Wen Yang finally snapped out of his daze, he didn’t hesitate to look down and continue eating: “You can’t.”
“Hmm?”
“I like someone, and I don’t want to give her the wrong idea.”
Ning Chu froze, while Yan Xinya and Lily both looked up at her with wide eyes.
Her face instantly flushed red, and she awkwardly looked down to avoid their stares.
His outright rejection didn’t deter the mature girl; she simply sat next to Wen Yang, maintaining her sweet smile: “I…”
“Don’t push it.”
Wen Yang’s expression was stone-cold as he delivered the icy response.
“……”
Whoa! Is Wen Yang finally standing up for himself?!
He never talked to girls like that before! With that ice-cold demeanor, he looked like a cool male god!
Ning Chu’s mind was blown; she was utterly speechless.
Just yesterday, if a clingy girl approached him, he would have been all like “Don’t come near me,” or “I’m not interested,” or “Excuse me, can you move aside?” A weakling vibe that seemed more like “I’m kinda playing hard to get.”
Is this really my male protagonist?!
“Tch!” The mature girl, angered by his rejection, turned on her heels and walked away.
Wen Yang exhaled, glancing at her retreating figure. When he looked up, he saw three girls staring at him in shock, turning his face beet red.
That aloof godly vibe shattered, and he turned back into the familiar pure, innocent boy.
He discreetly checked Ning Chu’s reaction, mumbling, “You made me just yell at her. Cursing seems impolite.”
“Do it like this from now on!” Ning Chu nodded excitedly. “Did you learn that from Lily?!”
“Yeah.”
“So Lily is the real hero here~” She turned to Lily, “Teach him more!”
Lily was utterly perplexed: “Huh?”
“Earlier…” Ning Chu’s words caught in her throat, her excited expression gradually fizzled out, and her cheeks turned a deep pink.
Her whole body felt ablaze as if something was surging from deep within.
Oh no! She got so carried away she forgot about the punishment!
Panicking, she scanned the room: it was mealtime, and dozens of people were milling about the cafeteria!
Oh no! If this gets found out…
Yan Xinya’s ears perked up, and her nose twitched as she drew out the word: “Eh~”
Even though Lily lacked a keen nose, she was familiar with Ning Chu’s state and expressionlessly buried her face in her chest.
“What’s wrong?” Wen Yang asked curiously, then noticed Ning Chu’s weirdness, “What’s up with you?”
Yan Xinya teased: “Ning Chu must be hungry~”
Under the table, Ning Chu kicked the wolf girl’s leg.
“Hey! Why’d you kick me?” The wolf girl grimaced as she rubbed her leg, then shot a glare at Wen Yang. “Hurry and find her an empty bathroom. She probably needs to go!”
Wen Yang paused, the scent of Ning Chu’s youthful fragrance distinctly intensified.
“There’s a public bathroom nearby.”
Seeing that Ning Chu didn’t react, he stood up awkwardly and asked her, “Should I take you?”
Lily’s eyes lit up, but worry for Ning Chu made her lower her head.
Yan Xinya leaned in closer and whispered in Lily’s ear: “No wonder Ning Chu is afraid to like him.”
