Third time’s the charm, and Lu Yuan finally caught the rabbit’s tail – Ning Guiqu’s true feelings. Lu Yuan’s attention now fixated on those words: “Lu Yuan, you can only be mine.”
He never expected Ning Guiqu to harbor such enduring affection. Yet, Lu Yuan found himself unable to reject Ning Guiqu outright. After all, Ning Guiqu only vented in his secret online space and didn’t show any signs on the surface. If Lu Yuan were to reject him impulsively, he would come across as presumptuous.
Given the circumstances, Lu Yuan knew he had to maintain his distance from Ning Guiqu. Friendship was certainly off the table now. He felt compelled to remind Ning Guiqu once more that he was a straight man. But how bizarre would it be to suddenly declare, “I’m straight,” out of the blue? He would seem unhinged.
Moreover, what if Ning Guiqu read too much into it?
Lu Yuan pondered deeply.
The following day, Lu Yuan’s demeanor towards Ning Guiqu grew noticeably colder.
In the morning, Ning Guiqu deliberately waited to walk with Lu Yuan. On the way, when Ning Guiqu mentioned the kitten, Lu Yuan merely responded with a curt “Mm.” At breakfast, Ning Guiqu queued up to buy pancakes and bought two.
Lu Yuan only had time to grab a bowl of millet porridge. When Ning Guiqu offered him the second pancake, Lu Yuan refused, “I don’t want it.”
Ning Guiqu poked his phone.
Lu Yuan knew full well he was likely complaining about him. The more Ning Guiqu complained, the better. It would be best for him to see Lu Yuan’s true colors and give up on him entirely.
Lu Yuan only checked his messages after reaching the classroom.
[What’s with Lu Yuan’s bird-like appetite? Good thing I eat a lot, two pancakes are no big deal]
Lu Yuan: “…..”
Lu Yuan turned his head, peering through the window. He realized Ning Guiqu didn’t return to class because he was outside, devouring the second pancake. Did Ning Guiqu not notice his coldness at all?
Was he not being cold enough?
Why was there no “send him to Antarctica”?
For the first time, Lu Yuan wished he could be with the penguins in Ning Guiqu’s rant space.
At lunchtime, Lu Yuan had planned to decline to eat with Ning Guiqu. To his surprise, Ning Guiqu didn’t even ask and just followed him.
Lu Yuan: “…..”
Lu Yuan couldn’t bring himself to say anything harsh. If he did, Ning Guiqu might run off crying again. Forget it, it was just one meal.
They headed to the second-floor cafeteria as usual.
Ning Guiqu discreetly raised an eyebrow. His aloof roommate was destined to belong to shameless losers like him.
Ning Guiqu naturally noticed Lu Yuan’s coldness, but so what? Genius Xiao Qu had already seen through his aloof roommate’s heart. Lu Yuan was actually soft inside. He had grown fond of a kitten, so how could he possibly drive Ning Guiqu away?
Sure enough! A thick skin was all it took.
Ning Guiqu felt quite smug. He even tried to place some braised pork on Lu Yuan’s plate.
Lu Yuan promptly returned it.
Ning Guiqu: “…”
Ah, Genius Xiao Qu loved braised pork.
As they were about to finish eating, Ning Guiqu suddenly heard someone call his name. That familiar yet irritating voice…
Ning Guiqu reluctantly looked up. A young man with dyed red hair approached.
It was… the same man who had pestered him yesterday.
Li Mu, a simple-minded, brawny sports student.
He was also the original owner’s pursuer, who occasionally liked to harass him. However, since they weren’t in the same department, Ning Guiqu rarely encountered Li Mu. However, whenever they did meet, Li Mu would persistently ask him out for a meal.
He was just like a pesky hooligan.
WeChat was fine; although they were contacts, Li Mu never bothered him there. So, as long as Ning Guiqu didn’t see Li Mu in person, he could pretend nothing was wrong.
“Xiao Qu, what a coincidence!” Li Mu approached, casually slapping Ning Guiqu’s shoulder and greeting him enthusiastically.
Ning Guiqu set down his chopsticks, his face stern as he looked up and said coldly, “Do you need something?”
Genius Xiao Qu couldn’t maintain politeness when faced with someone he disliked.
Li Mu grinned and said, “Nothing,” before eyeing Lu Yuan up and down. He then questioned Ning Guiqu condescendingly, “Who’s this?”
Although he was impatient, Ning Guiqu didn’t want to tarnish his image in such a public place as the cafeteria.
Ning Guiqu continued coldly, “My roommate. If you browse the forums, you should know him. He’s quite famous.”
Lu Yuan: “…”
Lu Yuan felt that Ning Guiqu just attracted hatred. Even if he were blind, he could see this person seemed to be pursuing Ning Guiqu. There really were many gay students in college.
But Lu Yuan could also tell that Ning Guiqu found this person very annoying.
The next moment, Li Mu furrowed his brow and sat down next to Ning Guiqu. Ning Guiqu could only scoot away, shoveling food into his mouth, eager to finish quickly!
“You used to eat alone. Why are you eating with him now?” Li Mu questioned.
Ning Guiqu’s mouth was too full of food to respond.
Li Mu scrutinized Lu Yuan again. “You’ve got quite the looks. Are you trying to seduce Xiao Qu?”
Lu Yuan: “…”
Lu Yuan couldn’t be bothered to respond.
Ignored again, Li Mu shifted his gaze back to Ning Guiqu’s face. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Feeling guilty?”
Ning Guiqu finally finished chewing his food and forced a smile. “Who I eat with is my business, not yours.”
Li Mu pressed, “I can’t even ask? Xiao Qu, stop eating vegetables. Let’s go out to eat!”
Ning Guiqu set down his chopsticks, his appetite gone. He couldn’t take it anymore! Where did this annoying idiot come from?
If he stayed any longer, Genius Xiao Qu would cause a scene in the cafeteria and kick Li Mu flying!
Ning Guiqu held back, picked up his tray, and said softly to Lu Yuan, “Lu Yuan, I’m heading back first.”
Then he left without looking back, afraid that if he moved too slowly, Li Mu would invite him out to eat.
Li Mu stood up. Seeing Ning Guiqu’s figure quickly disappear, he glared at Lu Yuan and growled, “You’d better stay away from him! Got it?”
Lu Yuan now really sympathized with Ning Guiqu. Ning Guiqu ran away in fear, but Lu Yuan wouldn’t run. He slowly looked up, his voice calm but his words slightly provocative, “Why should I?”
That single question set Li Mu off. “Why? Can’t you see I’m pursuing Xiao Qu?”
Lu Yuan put down his chopsticks and said coolly, “So? Didn’t you see him running away like a rabbit? How scared is he of you?”
Li Mu laughed angrily, “What do you know? We’re childhood friends with a deep bond. You can’t compare! I’m warning you, don’t even think about him!”
Lu Yuan hadn’t been thinking about Ning Guiqu. Seeing this person treat Ning Guiqu like his personal property irritated him.
Ning Guiqu was his roommate, after all, and hadn’t done anything wrong. He didn’t deserve such treatment.
Moreover, this person was now threatening him to his face. Lu Yuan had never been known for his good temper; he just usually couldn’t be bothered to care.
Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow. “You’re warning me not to think about him? Who are you to say that?”
Li Mu’s eyes widened.
“You! You really are targeting him!”
Lu Yuan said nothing, stood up with his tray, and left.
On his way back, Lu Yuan’s phone lit up with messages from Ning Guiqu.
[That idiot Li Mu, I’ll blast you into outer space! Don’t come back to Earth!]
[I’m still hungry. How annoying!]
[Will Lu Yuan think I’m rude? Stupid Lu Yuan]
Lu Yuan: “…..”
He had already intended to buy Ning Guiqu a bun from the supermarket, but Lu Yuan changed his mind after that last message. A little hunger wouldn’t kill him; he’d already eaten two pancakes this morning.
That person should be Li Mu.
Li Mu was an idiot, and apparently, he was an idiot too.
Hah, no difference. To think Li Mu had mistaken him for having feelings for Ning Guiqu.
After returning to the dorm, Ning Guiqu was already lying on his bed, lifeless as a corpse. Lu Yuan could see Ning Guiqu’s despondent profile with a single glance upward.
Lu Yuan lingered below for a moment. He shouldn’t care about Ning Guiqu now; he should be cold towards him.
But seeing Ning Guiqu’s dejected, half-dead expression, Lu Yuan couldn’t help but softly advise, “If you’re not interested in him, you can just reject him directly.”
Ning Guiqu immediately rolled over, peering down at Lu Yuan with a lost look and pitiful eyes. “I’ve rejected him many times, but he won’t listen. He always talks about persistence and how constant effort can wear down an iron bar into a needle. He says he learned it from me. But I’ve never been like that.”
Lu Yuan suddenly felt that perhaps the guy really had learned it from Ning Guiqu.
Ning Guiqu was very persistent in liking him. From high school until now, how many years had it been? Yet he still hadn’t given up.
Ning Guiqu forced a smile, “But it’s fine. Our class schedules are similar. His teaching building is far from mine, so he rarely gets to bother me. Sorry, you had to witness that embarrassing scene.”
Lu Yuan felt that Ning Guiqu was quite pitiful like this and added, “It’s not your fault; you’re the victim here. Ning Guiqu, you should show a bit more anger. Being too mild-tempered will only invite bullying.”
Ning Guiqu blinked.
Even Lu Yuan thought he was a mild-mannered person now!
Ning Guiqu’s mood improved slightly, and he said sincerely, “It’s not good to lose your temper and curse at people. I’ll think of other ways to handle it.”
Lu Yuan wanted to say more but held back.
Cursing isn’t good…
Who was it that kept calling people “idiot” all the time?
Lu Yuan decided not to meddle further. Getting too involved might give Ning Guiqu the wrong idea. After all, Ning Guiqu still had feelings for him.
Lu Yuan suddenly felt grateful that he encountered Ning Guiqu. Compared to Li Mu, Ning Guiqu was really a sensible pursuer. He’d liked Lu Yuan in high school without letting anyone else know. In college, he still harbored feelings, and if it weren’t for that rant account, even Lu Yuan would have been fooled. Now, who knew what Ning Guiqu wanted to do, but he still had Lu Yuan on his mind.
But Lu Yuan was straight and was destined to never reciprocate Ning Guiqu’s feelings.
Lu Yuan also hoped Ning Guiqu wouldn’t keep hanging onto him. Being friends was fine, but being lovers was out of the question.
Raine: Keep believing that, LY.
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