99. A Satisfying Birthday
Ning Chu tiptoed, peeking over Wen Yang’s shoulder to the bathroom door, where Yan Xinya was half-hidden, beaming with pure satisfaction and happiness.
Upon noticing their gaze, Wolf Girl let out a tiny gasp and hurriedly ducked behind the wall, but those two pricked wolf ears gave her away.
She froze in place, feeling as though she’d been caught in a compromising position, embarrassment rushing in like a tide as she quickly lowered her head and buried her face in Wen Yang’s chest.
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed in the corridor as Lily dashed in, immediately spotting Wen Yang and Ning Chu in an embrace. Her mouth dropped open in a dramatic gasp, but she quickly regained her composure, her cheeks slightly flushed, and retreated awkwardly.
“…”
Any trace of prior tension was thus evaporated.
Wen Yang was not going to keep indulging Ning Chu in their sweet cocoon with the two of them watching. Yet, unable to help himself, he looked down at her blushing face, now even more enticing due to her embarrassment, and softly kissed her forehead.
“Let’s head back. We can discuss what just happened later.”
“I just need to use the bathroom…”
Once released, Ning Chu dashed into a stall like a startled rabbit.
Wen Yang watched her frantic retreating figure, his gaze brimming with possessiveness.
If Ning Chu wanted to drink in the future, it would have to be just the two of them, alone. He couldn’t stand the idea of anyone else seeing her unguarded, adorably clueless, in that state; she could only belong to him then.
“Eh~ What a pity.”
Yan Xinya sighed, her hopes dashed; she thought maybe she’d catch a glimpse of something scandalous.
If she had known, she wouldn’t have invited Lily to come along and dig into their sweet moments.
She walked into the women’s restroom, where she noticed the displeased look on Wen Yang’s face and shifted her gaze away, hiding in a stall.
Wen Yang shook his head helplessly.
Emerging from the restroom, he stood at the sink, pondering over Ning Chu’s situation.
So, she was actually a girl who became one during university…
No wonder he could never find a reasonable explanation for why she lived in the boys’ dorm.
After all, with Ning Chu’s personality, she wouldn’t do something like that.
This also explained why her outfits in the dorm had grown so conservative—she had started with just underwear and a top showing off her long legs, and now she was bundled up in shorts, short sleeves, and a coat, practically wrapped like a burrito.
So… her family didn’t even know about this?
Did that mean he was the first to know this secret about Ning Chu? No wonder she always referred to him as her “Male Protagonist.”
Wen Yang felt a bit worried about Ning Chu going home for the weekend.
“Together now?”
Uncharacteristically, Lily took the initiative to ask.
“Yeah.”
“How nice…” She lowered her head, hiding her jealousy and envy of Ning Chu.
She thought she might cultivate a charming Succubus with similar interests!
“I remember you hated men, though?”
“Not really.”
Lily’s looks were certainly on par with Ning Chu’s. With more intense features and a body that could easily overshadow Ning Chu’s, yet Wen Yang merely glanced up before losing all interest and continuing to scroll on his phone.
Might as well cultivate…
Ning Chu stepped out of the restroom, Yan Xinya hugging her arm, her expression still a bit shy as she looked down and moved to Wen Yang’s side: “Let’s go.”
“Not so fast! Quickly give him a kiss!”
Just moments ago, Yan Xinya had been stumbling drunk, but now she was energetically egging them on with bright eyes: “Do it! Faster!”
“Stop it!” Ning Chu shot her an annoyed glare, her face growing even redder.
“Then let’s continue the birthday celebration! Ning Chu, I’ll join you for a drink later!”
“No, I think I’ve had enough to drink already…”
As her tipsiness began to wear off, she slowly realized how ridiculous she had been just moments ago.
She had even almost taken her pants off in front of Wen Yang…
“It’s okay! If you’re drunk, I’ll pay for a hotel room!”
“Are you trying to encourage Wen Yang to sleep with me?!”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt her face heat up, wishing she could slap herself.
Why did her brain always let such thoughts slip out?!
No more drinking!
Yan Xinya giggled, and Wen Yang pretended he hadn’t heard a thing.
The group returned to their previous private room, where Zhang Shaoqing looked up and sniffed: “Did Ning Chu fall into the toilet? She’s been in there for almost twenty minutes.”
Being drunk would naturally make her face flush, so Ning Chu’s embarrassment didn’t attract his attention; he merely teased as usual: “You’ve halfway through your birthday and one person’s missing, is all okay?”
“Just… having a stomach issue…” Ning Chu, trying to sit next to Yan Xinya, avoided getting too close to Wen Yang. She was worried that if she acted too flirty when drunk, Zhang Shaoqing would catch on.
“By the way, happy birthday.” Zhang Shaoqing raised his glass, clinking it lightly through the air.
“Um, thanks.”
Ning Chu poured herself some cola.
“Cola? Who are you looking down on? Come on! One bottle!”
“???”
With her alcohol tolerance, finishing a whole bottle might leave her face down on the floor, completely out cold.
“Come on, everyone! Ning Chu will just drink cola.” Wen Yang stood up with his glass.
One by one, Yan Xinya, Lily, Wang Jie, and Zhang Shaoqing joined in, surrounding the table and looking at the slightly flustered Ning Chu.
Why did it suddenly get so formal all of a sudden?!
“Happy birthday!”
Ning Chu hurriedly stood up, grasping her glass and, flustered, gulped it down with everyone.
“Thank you…”
It had been years since she’d celebrated her birthday, and even longer since she’d had heartfelt friends.
Never had she expected to celebrate a long-awaited birthday in the world of Little Emperor Wen, making a few close friends over a few months… even if they were all a bit unreliable,
and on her birthday, she had also gained a boyfriend…
“I added two more dishes, it’s Ning Chu’s birthday today, so eat up!”
Ning Chu’s liquor tolerance was terrible, and she had switched to cola, terrified that if she got too drunk, Yan Xinya would rush her off to a hotel.
Though she believed Wen Yang wouldn’t take advantage of her.
Even if something really happened, like Wen Yang walking in on her while she was bathing, she trusted that he wouldn’t act like they do in those plots.
A smile remained on her face as she reached into her top pocket to feel the jewelry box, gazing at Wen Yang with affection, yet fearful of being caught by Zhang Shaoqing or Wang Jie, so she feigned interest in the food on the table instead.
“Ning Chu~ You guys must have kissed already, right?” Yan Xinya leaned over with eager anticipation, “What was it like?”
“Uh, it felt…”
Her mind instinctively went blank, heart racing in joy, feeling warmth all over like merging into one as if they owned each other.
She felt teary too…
Ning Chu opened her mouth, almost spilling the beans.
“Come on, drink a little more before you talk~”
She quickly caught onto Yan Xinya’s intentions, firmly pushing Wolf Girl back by her head: “Get back! You’re trying to get me drunk again!”
After finally stabilizing her drunkenness, this girl was trying to get her tipsy again!
“Don’t~”
Lily placed a bottle of alcohol on Ning Chu’s table, sitting upright like a studious student ready for class.
“Go find your own boyfriend to experience that!”
