063. The Gentle Nook
“39.5 degrees, that should count as a fever, right?”
“First, let’s check the clinic. If that doesn’t work, we need to go to the hospital.”
Ning Chu had already gotten out of bed, weakly plopping down in front of the computer. His sensitive nose sniffed the air, suspiciously looking at Wen Yang beside him. He leaned in and put his nose right against Wen Yang’s waist, sniffing a couple of times.
Wen Yang silently took a couple of steps back.
That spot was just too close to his lower abdomen, and when those plump, rosy lips got any nearer, it became awkward and highly suggestive.
“It smells like fox!”
“……”
Ning Chu squinted, suddenly reaching out and pinching a strand of Wen Yang’s long hair from his clothes.
“You just stepped out for five minutes!”
Given how energetic he looked, it was hard to believe he had a fever.
Wen Yang shook his head helplessly. “I just ran into Lin Li.”
“Lin Li?! What does that sly fox want now?!”
Wasn’t the plot surrounding Lin Li already over? That girl had turned into a background character with no relevance to the story!
Yet, she was still obsessing over Wen Yang!
This was bad! If a plot trigger occurred, Ning Chu could at least act preemptively, but if it was just a background character, he’d have to passively rely on Wen Yang’s self-discipline to steer clear of any potential trouble.
He lifted his head, eyes blazing as he glared at Wen Yang. “Did you promise her something?”
“No, I rushed back.” Wen Yang shook his head, still looking a bit shaken. “That woman drugged me before—do you really think I’d agree to anything with her?”
“If it weren’t for the lack of evidence, I’d report it!”
“Really?”
You actually believe Lin Li would have ulterior motives against you? Just like those twins at the bar, did you really think they were just there to buy drinks?
Talk about naive…
No wonder you’re still a virgin.
Ning Chu sighed with relief, then collapsed onto the table, instantly reverting to his weak and helpless appearance.
“I wonder how Shao Qing is doing.” His biggest concern was Zhang Shao Qing, who had gone missing; perhaps he was off getting into some dubious situations.
“Don’t worry about him. What trouble could a big guy like him get into?”
“You get into trouble all the time!”
“I—I don’t!” Wen Yang turned to rummage through a corner for an umbrella, preparing to go outside. “Where are all the umbrellas in our dorm? They seem to have vanished!”
Umbrellas in the dorm always mysteriously disappear. After searching for a while, he finally found a folding umbrella in Wang Jie’s drawer.
He returned to Ning Chu with the umbrella. “Let’s go to the medical room.”
“Yeah.” Ning Chu knew he needed to get his act together; otherwise, letting Wen Yang go alone while Zhang Shao Qing lurked around could mean he’d end up playing both sides.
With a fever, he might struggle just to run away.
Propping himself up on the table, Ning Chu frowned intensely. With each breath, he felt the fiery air rushing through him, his head spinning, and his body felt utterly weak.
He lowered his head, shook it a bit, and forced himself to pull it together, trailing behind Wen Yang.
Before they even made it out of the dorm, though, Wen Yang turned around, looking at Ning Chu, whose lips were pale and brow furrowed, resembling a flimsy willow that might fall over with a gust of wind.
The sight was so pitiful that any man would feel sympathy.
“Here’s the umbrella.” He handed the folding one to Ning Chu without hesitation and turned his back to him, squatting down.
Ning Chu thought he was tying his shoelaces and walked around him in confusion.
“Why are you walking around me?” Wen Yang laughed with exasperation. “Get on.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll carry you.”
Ning Chu’s eyes widened in shock, stepping back two paces and shaking his head. “No need! I can walk!”
Even if his fever made his brain fuzzy, he wasn’t that foolish.
Their friendship was already showing signs of capsizing, and he certainly didn’t want any physical contact with Wen Yang!
“Stop whining and hurry up.”
“I can walk by myself.”
Ning Chu opened the door, glancing at the drizzling rain outside. “Is that really the only umbrella? Just this one?”
“Yeah, I couldn’t find any others. If I carry you, you can hold the umbrella for both of us.”
“Then you can just get rained on, can’t you? I’m the patient here.”
He shook his head again, leaning to one side, but managed to steady himself against the wall. The discomfort from the fever intensified.
Wen Yang frowned, noticing Ning Chu’s discomfort. He had no choice but to threaten, “Get over here. I’ll carry you, or I’ll princess-carry you.”
“You don’t want to be carried by another guy like that in front of your classmates, do you? What if someone sees?”
“……”
Ning Chu was at a loss for words. Last time he had heatstroke, Wen Yang had swooped in and princess-carried him like it was casual; clearly, he would do the same this time.
Reluctantly, he leaned in, wrapping his arms around Wen Yang’s neck, hesitating before resting his body against Wen Yang’s back.
The warmth of his body pressed against Wen Yang’s back made him freeze for half a second.
It felt no different than carrying a girl, right?
Wen Yang meticulously cradled Ning Chu’s thighs, lifting him effortlessly.
Ning Chu was so soft and light, emanating a refreshing girl-like fragrance, especially the two soft mounds pressing against his back that were impossible to ignore.
It didn’t look obvious usually, but feeling it was entirely different.
Definitely not just some so-called pectoral muscles—there’s no way those could be this soft!
Could it really be that he’s carrying a girl?
Ning Chu’s warm breath brushed against Wen Yang’s neck, causing his skin to turn a shade red, gradually spreading awkwardness throughout his face.
Fearful of being recognized by classmates, Ning Chu buried his head in the crook of Wen Yang’s neck, staring down.
He had been carried before, but this time felt especially humiliating.
His ears were burning, and he couldn’t tell whether it was because of the fever or exposure to mild embarrassment.
Thankfully, it was a holiday, and there weren’t many students in the dorm. It wasn’t until they left the dorm that they hadn’t encountered any of their classmates.
“Hold the umbrella right.”
“Yeah, take it slow…”
“Don’t worry.”
Ning Chu opened the umbrella with one hand, while Wen Yang walked steadily, trying to minimize any jolts.
The rain brought a rare coolness to the summer heat. Realizing it was unlikely they’d encounter any classmates, Ning Chu lifted his head, resting his chin on Wen Yang’s shoulder, gazing at the faint rain curtain outside the umbrella, overwhelmed by the rain-soaked scenery.
From Wen Yang, a reassuring aura wafted, making Ning Chu instinctively breathe deeply.
For a moment, his feverish body felt a little better.
But he swiftly caught himself, closing his lips and reprimanding himself—Wen Yang was the one he needed to be wary of, not some source of warmth and comfort. Feeling relaxed could lead him straight into trouble!
That was close—almost got trapped in the male protagonist’s gentle embrace!
“You didn’t eat breakfast or lunch, did you? After we go to the medical room, let’s grab a bite at the cafeteria together?”
“Yeah.”
——————
Push for an update! The book’s fate will be determined by tomorrow’s recommendations!
