090. The Familiar Odd Eyes
Afternoon, Library.
Even though the library only makes a cameo in a short story, Ning Chu still doesn’t have a good impression of it.
Mainly because, in other novels, the library pops up way too often.
He’s slumped over, chin in one hand on the desk.
But despite looking droopy on the outside, his eyes are like hawks, scanning every female in the reading area, with extra focus on Lily, who is sitting not too far away.
That succubus!
The next plot point is probably going to involve that succubus! He can’t let anything push Wen Yang and Lily together.
If the plot gets triggered, even if Wen Yang keeps his head on straight and doesn’t hook up with Lily, there’s no guarantee he won’t end up as a girl!
He simply cannot handle the idea of his beloved Dou Ding disappearing without a trace!
“Why do you keep staring at her?”
Ning Chu shot Wen Yang a glance of disapproval. “Don’t forget, you said you wouldn’t talk to any girls. If you see one, run far away.”
“Um…”
“I’m just keeping watch for you. If she tries talking to you, just take my cue and bolt.”
Wen Yang thinks Ning Chu looks like a startled bird, more like a jealous vinegar jar afraid his boyfriend will be taken away by another pretty girl.
Ever since he figured out that Ning Chu is a girl hiding in the boys’ dorm, he’s become increasingly convinced that Ning Chu has feelings for him.
It’s not narcissism; it’s just hard to explain Ning Chu’s daily attitude towards him otherwise.
“Why don’t you get a hand warmer on the way back?” He saw Ning Chu looking bored and decided to start a new topic. “Putting a hand warmer on your belly might make you feel better.”
“Yeah.”
“This book is pretty interesting…”
Ning Chu muttered a response but stole another glance at Lily. Why is she here again? Has she already set her sights on Wen Yang?
Or is this introverted, cold but internally hot succubus just a studious good girl at heart?
Wen Yang is still a virgin, so he’s shy around girls. He always gets flustered by their enthusiasm, while Lily is set up as an icy, introverted girl… Unless something unexpected happens, these two aren’t likely to trigger the plot.
Unless Wen Yang takes a liking to her and decides to pursue Lily.
But she’s a succubus!
Ning Chu’s on high alert, scared that one little slip and Wen Yang will have a chance to be alone with the succubus.
“Don’t worry, I’m really not interested in her.” Wen Yang sighed dramatically. “Stop staring at her, just look at her.”
Lily had already noticed Ning Chu’s gaze. She looked uneasy and had totally lost her focus on the book.
“I know.” Ning Chu lowered his head but couldn’t help sneering at Wen Yang’s words.
What does ‘not interested’ even mean? Just because you say it doesn’t make it true!
It’s not your brain that decides; it’s your lower half!
He secretly glanced at Wen Yang’s lower body and saw him sitting with his legs spread wide and a book lying across his thighs, elevated at an angle.
“…”
Why is this guy sitting here waving a book like it’s a g*n? That’s terrifying!
He’s even hiding it with a freaking book!
Looks like his words are all talk!
Wen Yang, sensing that Ning Chu’s gaze lingered too long, suddenly felt awkward, stammering as he tried to explain, awkwardly resting his elbow on the book to cover up.
“Um… uh…”
Ning Chu peeked at the book in his hand, and it wasn’t “Little Emperor Wen” or a regular novel.
“Hmm?”
Seeing Ning Chu’s half-narrowed eyes filled with skepticism, Wen Yang panicked. His cheeks were turning crimson.
“And you still say you’re not interested in that succubus?”
“???“
Just glancing at her from over ten meters away gets you all flustered! This protagonist is definitely a perv!
Wen Yang’s expression relaxed a bit.
Ning Chu, annoyed, stood up. “I’m out of here! Let’s take the books with us.”
“Oh, okay!”
They walked to the counter, Ning Chu holding his thermos, idly watching the entrance and occasionally glancing back at Wen Yang, who was busy checking out his books.
Gotta stay alert, can’t let my guard down for a second.
He sighed wearily when he suddenly heard the sound of clicking dress shoes in the corridor; he looked up just in time to see Han Jingye coming around the corner.
“What a coincidence?” Han Jingye noticed him too and greeted him with a smile. “Studying in the library? You look a bit under the weather; make sure you take care of yourself.”
“About to head back.”
Curiosity got the better of him as he observed Han Jingye, who was giving him that inquiring look. Han Jingye casually explained, “I’m working on my thesis, here to do some research.”
“Thesis?”
“I’m still a PhD student. If all goes well, I should be able to become a full-time lecturer after graduation.”
“Wow…”
Ning Chu was astounded. For a slacker like him, just not flunking out at the end of the semester is a miracle.
In just a few moments, Wen Yang finished checking out his books.
He stepped out of the library and immediately spotted the two chatting away at the door.
Look at Ning Chu’s face all starry-eyed with admiration…
At the start of the semester, he thought Han Jingye was alright, but from now on, the image of the instructor was plummeting in his eyes.
Wen Yang ambled over to Ning Chu, not bothering to say hi, slightly annoyed as he urged, “Let’s go.”
Shouldn’t I just expose Ning Chu’s gender right here and now? Then, just like Ning Chu requested, I can demand he not interact with any guys either?
Otherwise, this really isn’t fair, is it?
“Okay!” Ning Chu replied. “I’m leaving first.”
“Take care, get some rest.” Han Jingye smiled warmly and nodded.
After leaving the top floor of the library, Ning Chu felt a little distracted.
Seeing someone working hard to climb higher made him think about his own future… But with all the messy problems piling up, who has time to think about the future?
He sighed tiredly, and beside him, Wen Yang couldn’t help but ask, “You’ve been getting along well with the instructor lately?”
“It’s alright, I guess.”
“I don’t think he looks like a good person!”
“???”
Ning Chu froze, looking up in surprise. “You didn’t say that last time I mentioned him.”
“He just has that look. Like a refined scumbag.”
“…”
Watching the way Wen Yang disparaged Han Jingye, Ning Chu fell silent for a moment before weakly asking, “Are you… jealous?”
“No, you won’t even let me talk to girls! I shouldn’t let you get close to boys either!”
Fine, I can somewhat accept that ridiculous reason! As long as he’s not actually jealous, I’m good!
“But I’m talking to a guy!”
“Yeah, but you look like a girl…”
Suddenly, the situation felt all too familiar.
It’s like every time Ning Chu tells Wen Yang not to date girls or get into relationships, he also pits girls against him like this.
