Due to Ning Guiqu’s leg injury, Jiang Xu made a special trip back from outside the school to visit him. As soon as he came back, he found Lu Yuan on Ning Guiqu’s bed. Ning Guiqu was half asleep, and in his drowsy state, he heard the sound of the dormitory door opening. As he opened his eyes and sat up, he found himself face to face with Jiang Xu, who was standing below, holding a bag of fruit.
Jiang Xu: !!
Ning Guiqu: !!!!
Ning Guiqu now felt a surge of anger whenever he saw Jiang Xu. If it hadn’t been for Jiang Xu talking so much that night, would he have misunderstood? Would he have been so narcissistic as to think Lu Yuan liked him? But his outward image was that of an understanding person. So Ning Guiqu forced a smile and asked, “Why did you come back?”
Jiang Xu composed himself and replied, “I brought you some fruit. How’s your leg?”
Ning Guiqu pretended to be touched, “It’s fine. It should be better after a couple of days of rest.”
While exchanging pleasantries with Ning Guiqu, Jiang Xu couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow and ask, “Lu Yuan, doesn’t your leg hurt?”
Although Jiang Xu’s question was directed at Lu Yuan, Ning Guiqu glanced at Lu Yuan’s leg and suddenly realized that while leaning forward to chat with Jiang Xu, he had been resting his hand directly on Lu Yuan’s leg.
Ning Guiqu apologetically withdrew his hand. Lu Yuan, who was engrossed in his phone, seemed not to have heard, seen, or felt anything.
“Sorry, Lu Yuan.”
Lu Yuan remained oblivious to the world around him.
But the observant Jiang Xu had already noticed that Lu Yuan’s ears had turned red.
Jiang Xu placed the fruit on Ning Guiqu’s desk and then sent him a message.
Ning Guiqu received it simultaneously.
[Are you and Lu Yuan together now?]
Ning Guiqu’s breathing quickened. Since his phone had a privacy screen, he wasn’t worried about Lu Yuan peeking at his messages.
Ning Guiqu first switched to his alt account and cursed Jiang Xu as an idiot. After venting, feeling somewhat relieved, he opened Jiang Xu’s chat window. Just as he did so, Lu Yuan suddenly cast a thoughtful look at him.
Ning Guiqu responded to Lu Yuan with genuine friendliness.
“What’s wrong?” His eyes were innocent and sincere.
Lu Yuan averted his gaze, “Nothing.”
Forget it, Ning Guiqu had always been so crude behind the scenes.
Ning Guiqu then replied to Jiang Xu: [There’s nothing between us. I think you may have thought too much. Lu Yuan and I are just good roommates. Although I’m gay, it doesn’t mean I want to be with every attractive man I see. It’s like you liking girls. Do you want to be with every pretty girl you see?]
Jiang Xu responded: [I do. I dream about it!]
Ning Guiqu rubbed his eyes: [What if the pretty girl had a bad temper?]
Jiang Xu: [If she’s that pretty, I can tolerate it. I only have one requirement. Don’t cheat on me while we’re still together.]
He and Jiang Xu had nothing to talk about!
Ning Guiqu jabbed at his phone: [But that’s not how I think. Everyone’s thoughts are different. Lu Yuan and I have a pure relationship.]
Jiang Xu: [I don’t believe it. You’re sleeping together again. It’s only a matter of time before things become impure.]
Ning Guiqu was furious! But he had no way to vent his anger. He opened his alt account again to release his emotions. Just as he had vented a few sentences, he heard Lu Yuan say softly, “If you’re not going to sleep, I’ll leave first.”
Ning Guiqu thought Lu Yuan could leave if he wanted; it wouldn’t make much difference. But that would make him seem a bit excessive. Ning Guiqu closed his phone.
“I’ll sleep!” He immediately shut his eyes.
Lu Yuan’s phone went quiet.
In the silent dormitory, Jiang Xu clicked his tongue.
Ning Guiqu naturally heard it and found it sarcastic. But so what?
Jiang Xu was just his roommate and didn’t know his current intentions. He was now cultivating a love brain. Once he fell for Lu Yuan, he could surely avoid the plot four years later, no matter what!
He was at risk of going to prison, while Jiang Xu wasn’t even mentioned in the book. And Lu Yuan was so good.
So, after Jiang Xu left the dorm, Ning Guiqu opened his not-at-all-sleepy eyes and turned his head, pushing his luck again, “If my leg isn’t better by Monday, can you carry me to class on your back?”
Lu Yuan: “……”
Just a moment ago, he thought Ning Guiqu was being so well-behaved, and the next second, Ning Guiqu was already pushing boundaries.
Lu Yuan realized that ever since Ning Guiqu’s failed reverse confession that night, Ning Guiqu had become increasingly brazen towards him. And he, too, was acting abnormally. Lu Yuan looked at the very sincere Ning Guiqu and said coldly, “I can help you ask for leave.”
Ning Guiqu continued, “But there’s nothing wrong with my brain, I can still follow the lessons. No need for leave.”
Lu Yuan continued to refuse, “There are two clothes-drying poles in the dorm. You can use them as crutches to go yourself.”
Ning Guiqu also sensed Lu Yuan’s implicit refusal and mockery.
But! He was cultivating a love brain! And Lu Yuan didn’t explicitly refuse!
Ning Guiqu persisted, “The clothes poles are too light. If they break, I might fall and hurt myself even worse.”
Shi Wen, who had been quiet since Jiang Xu’s return, couldn’t bear to listen anymore.
“Xiao Qu, I’ll carry you on Monday.”
Ning Guiqu didn’t want that!
Of course, Ning Guiqu couldn’t appear as if he specifically wanted Lu Yuan to carry him. He sincerely found an excuse to refuse, “Xiao Shi, I’m quite heavy. We’re about the same height. You might not be able to carry me.”
Shi Wen: “……”
Lu Yuan: “……”
Ning Guiqu marveled at his own cleverness.
“Lu Yuan, just carry me like you did to the infirmary. Is that okay?”
Lu Yuan: “……”
Lu Yuan wanted to refuse outright, but catching sight of Ning Guiqu’s pitiful eyes, he felt a twinge of sympathy and didn’t directly reject the idea. “We’ll see on Monday.”
As soon as he said this, Lu Yuan noticed Ning Guiqu’s slightly surprised and delighted expression and suddenly came to his senses.
Lu Yuan’s face grew stern.
Since when did he become so kind-hearted? Lu Yuan stopped using his phone and went straight under the covers, turning his back to Ning Guiqu. But the quilt was heavy with Ning Guiqu’s scent, and Lu Yuan couldn’t fall asleep.
He couldn’t even close his eyes without imagining Ning Guiqu behind him, and he dared not really fall asleep.
He was afraid he might dream again.
Ning Guiqu privately rejoiced. His love brain was blossoming! Lu Yuan was so good to him!
Ning Guiqu had also taken leave from their club activities. When he woke up again, he needed to use the bathroom. Lu Yuan was still in the dorm, but not on his bed. Intent on nurturing his love brain, Ning Guiqu shamelessly asked Lu Yuan for help again.
Once more, Lu Yuan helped Ning Guiqu down the ladder. Even Shi Wen questioned it, “Xiao Qu, how badly did you fall? You’re not trying to deliberately trouble Lu Yuan, are you?”
After getting down, Ning Guiqu sat on a chair and lifted the legs of his trousers, showing Shi Wen the bruising on his legs. There was even some swelling, and due to Ning Guiqu’s fair skin, the bruising and swelling were particularly noticeable.
Shi Wen quickly apologized. “I’m sorry! Xiao Qu. What do you want to eat tonight? I’ll buy it for you.”
Lu Yuan also glanced over, surprised. It hadn’t been this bad at noon.
Ning Guiqu lowered his trouser legs and said gratefully, “I’ll just have some noodles for dinner.” After speaking, he obediently looked at Lu Yuan.
At this moment, Lu Yuan thought if Ning Guiqu had a pair of rabbit ears, he’d truly become a rabbit.
Lu Yuan resignedly helped Ning Guiqu up.
Lu Yuan supported Ning Guiqu to the bathroom. Once inside, Ning Guiqu barely put any weight on his legs, still leaning entirely on Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan suddenly realized something. Surely, he wasn’t expected to watch Ning Guiqu use the toilet?
Of course, Ning Guiqu wasn’t that unrestrained. He looked up at Lu Yuan and said softly, “Could you turn your back to me?”
Lu Yuan bluntly asked, “Can I leave?”
Ning Guiqu also felt embarrassed. “If you leave, I won’t be able to stand steady. Lu Yuan, I’ll make it up to you!”
Lu Yuan had heard this promise too many times before.
Now, as soon as he left, Ning Guiqu would immediately fall. So all Lu Yuan could do was turn around and act as a support for Ning Guiqu.
After using the toilet, Ning Guiqu mumbled something with his head lowered. Lu Yuan vaguely guessed it was about washing hands. He supported Ning Guiqu to the sink, and only after washing hands did they return to the bed.
Lu Yuan’s WeChat flashed.
[So embarrassing! Can the Penguin Squad come and take Lu Yuan away? The Arctic is fine too, Bear Squad come and get Lu Yuan!!]
Lu Yuan’s brow twitched slightly. So he did know it was embarrassing.
A moment later—
[Did Lu Yuan peek at me?! Although I, Genius Xiao Qu, am gay, I’m still very conservative!!!]
Lu Yuan: “……”
He didn’t look!
Lu Yuan angrily turned off his phone.
“Ning Guiqu!” Lu Yuan looked up, seemingly gritting his teeth as he called Ning Guiqu’s name.
Ning Guiqu hid entirely under the covers, his voice muffled.
“What’s wrong?”
Lu Yuan barely restrained himself from blurting out that he wasn’t that perverted! Instead, he said pointedly, “Rest well, don’t let your imagination run wild about unnecessary things.”
Ning Guiqu responded with an “Oh.”
Shortly after, Lu Yuan’s phone flashed again.
[Lu Yuan really cares about me!]
Lu Yuan: “……”
Lu Yuan still went to the basketball club in the afternoon, though he didn’t play. He needed some peace and quiet.
The other WeChat account also remained silent all afternoon. When it was time for dinner at the cafeteria, Lu Yuan still asked if Ning Guiqu wanted to eat, considering his leg injury. To show he had no ulterior motives, he directly tagged Shi Wen and Ning Guiqu in the group chat, asking if they wanted him to bring food back.
Ning Guiqu didn’t reply, but Shi Wen did.
[Never mind dinner for now. Come back quickly! Xiao Qu has been holding it in all afternoon!]
Lu Yuan was stunned for a second.
Jiang Xu quickly came online in the group: [? You’re not helping him go?]
Shi Wen: [I tried! But Xiao Qu said he gets nervous with me watching. I even turned my back to him. I really didn’t look at him. @Lu Yuan don’t bother buying us food, Xiao Qu’s face is turning purple from holding it in!]
[Photo.jpg]
It was a photo Shi Wen took of Ning Guiqu sitting on a chair, bent over with his hands supporting his legs, taken from behind. Even from the back view, one could see Ning Guiqu’s determination, but it was likely a sneaky shot. A few seconds after sending, Shi Wen recalled the photo.
Shi Wen: [Xiao Qu is really at his limit! @Lu Yuan]
Jiang Xu: [Hurry back, if Xiao Qu dies from holding it in, our dorm will become infamous @Lu Yuan]
Lu Yuan heaved a deep sigh and could only head back to the dorm. Ning Guiqu, what a pitiful troublemaker.
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