014. The Villain’s Oddity
Another crisis averted, the bar’s trio of trouble completely dismantled, leaving Wen Yang’s virginity intact. Ning Chu was in quite a good mood about it.
But the punishment he was eagerly awaiting didn’t arrive; it was clear those flirtatious ladies hadn’t completely given up on Wen Yang yet.
This left him with the realization that the episodic Little Emperor Wen had absolutely no continuity in its plot. Logically, after having thoroughly wrecked the opening storyline of the first episode, there shouldn’t have been any subsequent plot involving Wen Yang.
“The twin storyline is clearly the fourth short episode… What about the second and third? Is the plot order just mixed up because the timeline wasn’t specified?”
As soon as he returned to the dormitory, Ning Chu whipped out his mobile phone and opened his own novel, scanning through the twin plot line again.
“This is puzzling; I can’t predict where the plot is headed.”
He had thought the events would unfold in the order laid out in the novel, but now it seemed all jumbled.
“What are you mumbling about?” Wen Yang approached from behind and reminded him, “Send me your family address, parents’ job phone numbers, and ID card numbers; I need to fill out a form.”
“Sure.”
After being caught reading a novel late at night by Wen Yang last time, Ning Chu had secretly transferred the story to his phone, making it hard to be caught even if he was reading blatantly.
“Shao Qing, you need to send me those details too.”
Wen Yang turned and walked toward Zhang Shaoqing, waiting patiently for a response. When he didn’t hear one, he lightly nudged his shoulder and looked down at the computer screen.
“Why are you ignoring me when you’re not even gaming?”
“Got it, stop annoying me.”
Zhang Shaoqing suddenly snapped his head up, returning fire with irritation.
Wen Yang, confused, scratched the back of his head. “Just remember to send me the info.”
He didn’t think much of it, but Ning Chu turned back, narrowing his eyes at Zhang Shaoqing.
That guy had returned from a phone call outside all moody and cold, suddenly snapping at his roommate for no reason. Something had definitely gone down.
Wen Yang and Wang Jie were too wrapped up in their own antics, and everyone has their off days. But Ning Chu was genuinely concerned, glancing back at Zhang Shaoqing every so often while playing on the computer, his face a portrait of worry.
What if the girl Zhang Shaoqing liked found another man? Or maybe something bad happened at home?
Ning Chu’s thoughts spiraled. He was especially afraid that Wen Yang might turn into the ruthless villain he was in the story over something trivial.
Drugging, hypnotizing, coercing, capturing, S.M… he crossed every conceivable legal and moral line in the book, completely disregarding his humanity.
Throw him into a legal society, and with multiple charges stacked up, he’d definitely be sentenced to life.
If he truly went dark, his only option would be to run for it!
Suddenly, the sound of a chair moving caught his attention. He turned around just in time to see Zhang Shaoqing heading to the balcony, lighting a cigarette.
Aha! Opportunity knocks!
Quick to adjust his mood and expression, Ning Chu replaced it with a warm, concerned smile and bounced over to the dormitory balcony.
“Shaoqing~”
With his head bowed, Zhang Shaoqing only flicked his gaze up and coldly replied, “Get lost.”
“……”
Ning Chu was left awkwardly frozen, his smile frozen in place.
“You used to be such an outgoing person; how come you’re more reclusive than me now?” He huffed indignantly, heading to the bathroom while muttering, “And you say I’m hot and cold!”
The moment he stepped into the bathroom without hearing Zhang Shaoqing’s hold-back, he turned back again with that concerned expression. “What’s up? Let me hear it?”
“Ha, to cheer you up?”
Zhang Shaoqing was now packing some serious attitude.
“Not really…” Ning Chu was losing his composure. He was never good at comforting people and was banging his head against a wall trying to get through to Zhang Shaoqing.
Zhang Shaoqing let out a substantial sigh, turning back and leaning on the balcony railing, looking out at the little garden outside the dorm.
He stayed silent, expression as stoic as his smoking habit, but before long, a delicate fragrance wafted over. The little boy stood beside him, mimicking his position and staring outside.
“……”
“I’m here to keep you company; I have nothing else to do.”
“No need.”
Ning Chu looked down, fiddling with his nails as he sighed wistfully. “Even wanting to play games with you guys, you all just think I’m terrible. It’s not fun to play alone.”
“Since there’s nothing else to do, we might as well come out and enjoy the breeze, then shower and sleep when the lights go out.”
Zhang Shaoqing cast a glance at Ning Chu, pulled a cigarette from his pocket, and offered it to him.
Ning Chu awkwardly reached out.
“Forget it.” When he saw that Ning Chu was truly going to take it, Zhang Shaoqing stuffed the cigarette back into his pocket. “Little brat shouldn’t be smoking.”
“Gee~”
On that summer night, the balcony’s breeze felt exceptionally refreshing, quite unlike the scorching heat of the day, reminiscent of the steam rising from a hot pot. The two leaned on the railing, enjoying the gentle wind and the fleeting moment of tranquility.
Originally, Ning Chu thought about just keeping Zhang Shaoqing company, hoping this roommate would remember his kindness and not turn deadly once he became the villain.
But the serene summer night brought back memories from his past life…
Thankfully, he didn’t have parents or a girlfriend back then, and he only owed five hundred in debt, so by comparison, he’d consider it a win.
Few people got to milk the cow, Ma Yun!
Time passed—he didn’t know how long—before Zhang Shaoqing finally spoke up. “Does your belly still hurt?”
“Hmm, a bit, but it’s nothing major.”
“Don’t go to that Sichuan restaurant again.”
“……”
“You’re acting all fussy, like a girl.”
“Who do you think you are!”
Anger surged, and Ning Chu couldn’t help but curse. If it weren’t for Zhang Shaoqing’s special status, he wouldn’t bother trying to delicately help him!
But just then, a call came from inside the room. “Ning Chu! Shao Qing! I bought some skewers and wine, come in for a drink?”
“See, now that’s a normal guy.”
Zhang Shaoqing chuckled lightly and turned to head back inside.
“I’m not someone who drinks…”
Besides, with the plot not unfolding in the sequential order of the novel, if something related to Ning Chu happened suddenly, and he got drunk, wouldn’t that leave him in a tight spot?
“Stop dawdling, you look like a fool.”
“Not a single nice thing said…”
Ning Chu shot Zhang Shaoqing’s back a glare, not knowing why he was suddenly in a bad mood, but it seemed to be something minor, as he hadn’t stayed down for long.
When he walked into the dorm, he was greeted by the sight of two boxes of skewers and some crayfish set up in the center. Wang Jie and Wen Yang had already gotten to it, donning gloves and digging in, while Zhang Shaoqing quickly rushed in to snatch the last skewer of chicken leg.
“Leave me some!”
“Chill, you don’t drink. Just munch a bit.”
“I drink cola!” Ning Chu hurriedly leaned over the table, peeking for his favorite skewers while asking, “Where are the gloves? Out of gloves?”
“Make some room! Move aside!”
