### 020. Outing
Currently, the family situations of the three in the dormitory are quite ordinary, especially for Wen Yang.
The attribute of “poor” has been mentioned in the book. Just think—how else would the male protagonist, as a university student, be running around doing various jobs, encountering girls, and getting into all sorts of muddled relationships?
Wen Yang hasn’t become the male protagonist yet nor has he started his job-hunting adventure, but he’s already running low on cash.
With the end of the month fast approaching, Ning Chu and Wang Jie aren’t loaded either.
Standing on the balcony, Ning Chu watches the two inside, and after a moment of blank stares among the three, he finally lowers his head and gripes, “The big spender decided to come home at this time, huh?”
If Zhang Shaoqing were here, he would definitely be the one to treat.
But considering it’s the villain’s money being spent, Ning Chu feels it’s completely justified. He’s not even a smidge embarrassed and has even wondered if he could bankrupt Zhang Shaoqing, eliminating any chance of him becoming a villain.
After exchanging glances for a moment, Ning Chu takes the initiative, “How about we just go check it out? The amusement park doesn’t require spending money to have fun.”
Wang Jie nods in agreement, and Wen Yang glances at the two, reluctantly giving a nod.
The university is perched on the hillside of the suburb, nestled in a beautiful and tranquil environment, surrounded by a commercial area that has sprung up thanks to the university. It’s a bit of a hassle to get to the city center, but reaching the amusement park, also in the suburbs, is just a short bus ride of less than half an hour.
Before this, the farthest place Ning Chu had been was the Sichuan restaurant behind the school’s back gate.
He fantasized about what the world outside the university, the stage for Little Emperor Wen, would be like. But once he got on the bus, he realized this world was pretty normal.
There were no perverted guys secretly filming him on the bus, no girls clutching their legs with flushed faces on the street, and no supernatural phenomena to be found. Apart from the locals looking good and dressed boldly, it didn’t seem much different from his past life.
Curiously, he gazes out the window, observing everything around him.
Does this mean that if he escapes the school and gets away from the male protagonist, he can live the rest of his life in peace?
He glances at Wen Yang sitting next to him, who’s taking up space with his long legs unceremoniously spread out, forcing Ning Chu to squeeze his legs together and lean against the window.
Realizing Ning Chu is looking at him, Wen Yang glances down, “Just so you know, I only have two hundred left for this month’s living expenses.”
“I’ll treat you,” Ning Chu rolls his eyes.
This fool! Who knew the male protagonist spent his days worrying about money?
Not fully understanding the situations outside, escaping doesn’t seem too wise. What if he runs into something worse? Besides, the plot has just begun, and Wen Yang is still an innocent virgin—not a threat… for now.
One day when Wen Yang becomes a j*rk and Zhang Shaoqing turns into a villain, he’ll definitely have to take the night train and run for the hills.
If he rents a place, it would just swap out the dorm scenes for a different time and setting. The previous Ling Ling, now a bar scene—those plots were just postponed and came knocking again at a different time.
“Do you think I should work outside?” Wen Yang sighs, leaning back against the chair.
Work? No way!
Ning Chu’s mind quickly pivots, and wise words tumble out of his mouth: “As students, our job is to study, right? You’re getting a stipend from school; why would you run off and work instead of studying?”
“True…”
“If you’re short on cash, just let me know.” He confidently pats his flat chest, thumping, “While I’m not as rich as Shaoqing, I can still afford to feed you more!”
“Isn’t that a bit unnecessary?”
“We’re roommates, after all~ Don’t sweat the small stuff~” Ning Chu waves dismissively with a smile, reassuring him.
In Wen Yang’s eyes, basked in the sunlight, his skin reflecting a slight glow, Ning Chu’s smile is warm and heart-melting, almost angelic.
“Stop thinking so much, just focus on having fun.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Ning Chu suppresses Wen Yang’s part-time job ambitions, breathes a sigh of relief, and starts calculating whether his living expenses are enough for two meals.
Buying steamed buns for Wen Yang for every meal isn’t an issue…
He’s just a Little Emperor Uncle author, just a side character—why should he be worried like a parent?
The three crack jokes all the way, and after about half an hour, they hop off the bus at the amusement park stop.
It’s the weekend, and there are plenty of visitors, groups laughing and playing in the streets. This amusement park doesn’t have an entrance fee; you only have to buy tickets for the rides, which puts Ning Chu at ease.
He half-expected to come all the way here only to be turned away at the gate.
“I’ll go buy some drinks for you guys first.”
Being the advocate of this outing, Ning Chu feels the need to take care of the two, especially to prevent Wen Yang from choosing to spend weekends with girls if he doesn’t have fun now—he had just snapped at Wang Jie, so it’s time to butter him up.
After buying three bottles of water, he exits the small convenience store. Glancing towards the bus stop, he suddenly realizes his roommates are nowhere to be found!
He blinks in confusion, straining to scan the crowded plaza in front of the amusement park. But at only about five feet tall, it’s no easy feat—regardless of how hard he tries, he’s only getting glimpses of the folks blocking his view.
“They didn’t sneak off and catch a ride home, did they?”
Ning Chu mutters to himself, estimating that Wen Yang and Wang Jie are likely wandering around aimlessly nearby while waiting for him.
He hasn’t encountered any amusement park-related plot points in his story, so he’s not too worried.
He just hopes Wen Yang doesn’t run into any girls from the book and trigger some plot developments.
He lifts his feet and walks into the plaza, his eyes darting around, searching for his roommates.
As a man, he should be fearless in situations like this; instead, within minutes, anxiety spirals out, leaving him flustered and panicked.
He realizes there’s a sinister shadow following him!
Having been in this world for two weeks, he’s always been with his roommates for meals, sleep, military training, and lectures. This time, he’s all alone!
A wave of unease washes over him.
Ning Chu feels a chill creeping up his back. Glancing back, the shadow quickly hides in the crowd, leaving only malicious eyes fixed on him like a wolf waiting to pounce in the dead of night.
Who is it?!
A would-be robber? Or some shadowy monster straight out of Little Emperor Wen’s playbook?
Maybe his reaction is a little off, as some nearby tourists have turned their attention to him, whispering and giggling, seemingly reveling in his plight.
The sky darkens, the oxygen in the air seems scarce, making his heart race uncontrollably as he gasps for breath.
All the chaotic sounds amplify in his head, swirling around him, omnipresent.
Everything feels so foreign; he senses the world is against him, and he’s drifting outside it, unaccepted by anyone.
“Ning Chu!”
“Been looking for you everywhere—why are you just standing here alone?”
The call from a distance bursts into his ears like thunder. Ning Chu jolts, instinctively turning around to see Wen Yang and Wang Jie jogging towards him.
“Wen Yang, Wang Jie…”
If there’s anything familiar in this strange world, it’s probably the characters he’s penned down, his roommates whom he’s shared two weeks with.
His heart, which felt like it was stuck in his throat, finally settles down upon seeing them, and the shadowy gaze behind him disappears in that moment.
“What’s wrong? You look exhausted.”
“I… I was looking for you guys…”
“We were looking for you too.”
——————
Should be a post more, insomnia hit me hard!
