Ning Guiqu didn’t expect Lu Yuan to be so dismissive of the Genius Xiao Qu’s pride, and the crucial point was that Ning Guiqu couldn’t refute him. He thought Lu Yuan didn’t care about these things and wouldn’t notice whether he was avoiding him or not. He never imagined Lu Yuan had it all figured out. As expected of someone who would start a company in the future. But now, the embarrassed one was him. With this matter exposed, even he, Genius Xiao Qu, didn’t know how to explain.

Moreover, hadn’t the issue of the protagonist gong been settled during their conversation a few days ago? Why was it being brought up again now?

Ning Guiqu’s face reddened with embarrassment, which in Lu Yuan’s eyes confirmed that he had hit the nail on the head regarding Ning Guiqu’s thoughts. Ning Guiqu indeed wanted to give it to Song Huai. Lu Yuan’s expression grew increasingly cold.

“If you want to give it to him, I can help you deliver it. But he won’t accept it,” Lu Yuan’s voice exuded an icy chill.

Ning Guiqu hurriedly waved his hands to stop him. “No, no! I’m not giving it to Song Huai. Why would I give it to him? I just wanted to thank you, that’s why I bought you the doll. Since I can’t keep a cat, I could only think of a doll. Do you… not like it?”

At this moment, Ning Guiqu stood in the corner, facing Lu Yuan, who was half a head taller and had a gloomy expression. Ning Guiqu appeared pitiful, small, and helpless, but very sincere.

“I also… haven’t been avoiding you. It’s just that I feel we’re not suitable to be friends. I’m too stupid, not worthy of someone as smart as you.” He stammered again and couldn’t help but scratch his face.

Lu Yuan could now completely see through Ning Guiqu’s little tells when he lied.

“You know very well whether you have or not. Did you just become stupid today? Ning Guiqu, isn’t it because you were unhappy when I told you not to be the xiao san that day, so you’ve been avoiding me?”

Ning Guiqu thought Lu Yuan was really, really overthinking it!

Moreover, he wasn’t stupid!

He was just making excuses. Lu Yuan. Lu Yuan actually said that about him!

Ning Guiqu felt both aggrieved and cowardly.

“I really don’t like Song Huai, let alone avoid you because of that. I’m just too stupid.”

Ning Guiqu depreciated himself with tears in his eyes.

Lu Yuan suddenly let out a snort of laughter. In the dark and quiet balcony, it sounded particularly sarcastic.

Lu Yuan leaned against the balcony, arms crossed, staring at Ning Guiqu, “I originally believed you, but thinking about it again, if you don’t like him, how could you notice his watch? Do you know what brand of body wash I use? It’s right there in the bathroom. You’d know if you paid just a little attention.”

Ning Guiqu really didn’t know.

Ignoring the piercing gaze above his head, Ning Guiqu lowered his head and mumbled, “I don’t know Xiao Shi’s either.”

Lu Yuan confirmed, “So you only like Song Huai.”

Ning Guiqu was really innocent. He had never even met Song Huai, and Song Huai wasn’t as handsome as Lu Yuan. If he were to like someone, shouldn’t it be Lu Yuan? But Ning Guiqu didn’t dare say this to Lu Yuan. Lu Yuan was very straight and couldn’t handle such words.

Before Ning Guiqu could speak, Lu Yuan continued, “And for this, you’ve been avoiding me. I don’t care if you avoid me. But if you choose to avoid me, why give me a doll? Am I your backup plan?”

“No! Absolutely not!” This time Ning Guiqu spoke quickly, raising his head with wide eyes, “I just thought you’d like it. You’ve helped me a lot before, so I bought it for you. There’s no other meaning! And I really don’t like Song Huai.”

Lu Yuan still persisted, “Prove it. So why are you so focused on him?”

Ning Guiqu blinked.

Under Lu Yuan’s interrogation, he barely managed to squeeze out a sentence, “Song Huai’s identity is not simple.”

Lu Yuan: “……”

Lu Yuan let out a cold laugh.

Ning Guiqu naturally saw Lu Yuan’s disbelief, but Song Huai was the protagonist gong, his identity really wasn’t simple! How could he explain? Should he say he had transmigrated into a book? That he knew his ultimate fate was to stab the protagonist gong and end up in prison? That he didn’t want to have any contact with anyone related to the protagonist gong now?

Ning Guiqu felt Lu Yuan might not believe him. At this moment, he didn’t dare to say such things.

Moreover—

Ning Guiqu lifted his eyelids, carefully mumbling, “Are you perhaps too concerned about this? I want to clarify again that I really don’t like him. But even if I did like Song Huai, wouldn’t it be okay to like him secretly? Surely I’m not the only one who secretly likes Song Huai? I wouldn’t interfere with their relationship. Lu Yuan, are you…”

“I’m not!” Lu Yuan instantly rebutted.

Slightly intimidated, Ning Guiqu meekly said, “I just wanted to say, are you perhaps too invested in your friends? If it’s not that, what else could it be?”

Lu Yuan stared at Ning Guiqu expressionlessly.

Ning Guiqu lowered his head, avoiding Lu Yuan’s gaze.

He really felt that Lu Yuan might be too fixated on this matter. So fixated that he was even breaking his cold and aloof persona. Interrogating him like this, no matter how he denied it, Lu Yuan wouldn’t believe him. The crucial point was that he had been behaving well these past few days and hadn’t even mentioned Song Huai. He just gave a doll, and it was to Lu Yuan.

Ning Guiqu even wished he hadn’t given the doll. Once he did, it seemed to have struck a nerve with Lu Yuan.

If it wasn’t about valuing friendship, what else could it be?

That he liked him!

Ning Guiqu found the thought absurd even to himself.

The unhinged Lu Yuan spoke coldly and indifferently again, “It’s nothing. Since you’ve chosen to avoid me, feeling you’re too stupid to be my friend, then continue avoiding me. Don’t do these things. I don’t like any of the dolls.”

After saying this, Lu Yuan left ruthlessly.

Ning Guiqu was stunned, his eyes reddening on the spot. He lowered his head, listening to the sound of Lu Yuan’s footsteps leaving, and secretly wiped away a tear.

Lu Yuan didn’t scold him, but his words deeply hurt Genius Xiao Qu’s heart. Perhaps he deserved it. The current situation should be what he wanted, right? This way, he and Lu Yuan would never have any relationship in the future.

Ning Guiqu sniffled again and left the balcony. He discovered that Lu Yuan had piled all those dolls at the foot of the bed, forming a small mountain. The rabbit and penguin he first gave were buried at the very bottom.

Lu Yuan really hated rabbits and penguins, and genuinely disliked the gifts he gave. Tears were about to fall from Ning Guiqu’s eyes again, but he held them back.

Ning Guiqu returned to his bed, listening to the only sound in the dormitory – Shi Wen’s open mic. Shi Wen was so happy and carefree, only knowing how to play games.

As for him, he had inexplicably transmigrated into a book. After arriving, he wanted to avoid entangling with the protagonist gong to prevent the terrible ending four years later. To avoid arousing others’ suspicions, he even feigned an understanding persona and didn’t make many friends. He had finally managed to latch onto his cold and aloof roommate, only to find out that this roommate was actually friends with the protagonist gong.

Ning Guiqu looked at the mountain of dolls, then glanced at Lu Yuan, who had already closed his eyes to sleep. Ning Guiqu felt that he must explain some things! He couldn’t let Lu Yuan misunderstand and think he liked the protagonist gong.

He also couldn’t let Lu Yuan think he was avoiding him because of the protagonist gong!

Most importantly, he couldn’t let Lu Yuan be upset and angry! Although Ning Guiqu felt Lu Yuan was being a bit neurotic and too fixated on the idea of him liking Song Huai, but! It must be his fault.

Because Lu Yuan getting angry at him meant he considered him a friend. Who would get angry at a stranger?

Even if he and Lu Yuan were destined to become strangers, they should part on good terms.

With this thought, Ning Guiqu directly climbed from his bed onto Lu Yuan’s. Lu Yuan only felt the bed suddenly shake, and when he opened his eyes, Ning Guiqu suddenly appeared in front of him.

Lu Yuan was still dazed.

When Ning Guiqu was thick-skinned, he was really thick-skinned. Although his eyes were red now, he still directly lifted Lu Yuan’s blanket and crawled in.

Lu Yuan had no choice but to move in a bit, turning his head in disbelief. “What are you doing?”

Ning Guiqu’s shoulder touched Lu Yuan’s, and he said in a low voice, “I have a big secret to tell you!”

Lu Yuan: “…….”

For a moment, Lu Yuan didn’t know what to say. Wasn’t Ning Guiqu’s bed-climbing skill too natural??

Ning Guiqu adjusted his position, lying on his side facing Lu Yuan, his mouth close to Lu Yuan’s ear.

Ning Guiqu continued on his own, “This secret is related to my identity. I really don’t like Song Huai. The reason I noticed him is because of some very secret reasons. I am indeed avoiding you, or rather, keeping my distance from you. Because you’re Song Huai’s friend, and for me, Song Huai is the source of my possible future tragedy.”

Lu Yuan’s ear was filled with Ning Guiqu’s breath. Lu Yuan tried his best to ignore this to hear clearly what Ning Guiqu was saying. As a result, it was another bunch of strange words.

Lu Yuan stared at the ceiling, his voice low and hoarse. “Do you know what you’re saying?”

Ning Guiqu lowered his voice, serious. “I do. Song Huai’s identity really isn’t simple, and my identity is also very complicated. So I have to stay away from anyone around Song Huai.”

Lu Yuan turned his head, expressionless, “What exactly are you trying to say?”

Here it comes again… that cold tone.

Ning Guiqu shrank his head a bit, whispering, “I want to ask if you could not be upset? I’m not saying bad things about your friend. I just want to tell you that I really don’t like Song Huai.”

Lu Yuan: “…I’m not upset.”

Ning Guiqu didn’t believe him at all.

Lu Yuan might not be in Antarctica, but his whole body was radiating coldness!

Lu Yuan turned his head again to look at Ning Guiqu, who was being obedient, with slightly red eyes as if he had been crying secretly. Because of what he said earlier?

But wasn’t what Ning Guiqu just said even more absurd?

What nonsense about Song Huai’s identity not being simple.

“What’s his identity? How are you complicated?” Lu Yuan played along with the question.

Ning Guiqu hesitated. “You wouldn’t believe me even if I told you.”

Lu Yuan countered, “How do you know I won’t believe if you don’t say it?”

Ning Guiqu pondered for a moment.

Lu Yuan was actually trustworthy, and he had been holding in the fact that he had transmigrated into a book for a long time. He hadn’t even vented about it on his alt account. So, taking this opportunity, he decided to tell Lu Yuan the truth tonight.

But before speaking, Ning Guiqu made Lu Yuan promise to keep it secret. “You can’t tell anyone. Apart from you and me, no one else can know, including Song Huai.”

Lu Yuan looked suspicious.

“I won’t tell. Speak.”

Ning Guiqu took a deep breath, looked into Lu Yuan’s calm eyes, and listened to Shi Wen’s oblivious chatter about the game. Only then did he say seriously, “The world we’re in right now is a book, and I’ve transmigrated into it. Song Huai is the protagonist gong of this world. And I, the Ning Guiqu who transmigrated, am a villain. I won’t mention the villainous things I did. It’s too embarrassing. But I’m not concerned about Song Huai. As a villain, I want to stay away from the protagonist gong. Naturally, since you’re his friend, I have to stay away from you too, keep my distance. Lu Yuan, I’m actually a bad guy.”

Lu Yuan: “…….”

Lu Yuan: “…………”

Ning Guiqu’s expression was very serious.

Lu Yuan looked back at the ceiling. After staring at it for a good while, Lu Yuan suddenly let out a light chuckle.

Ning Guiqu was terribly nervous.

What was Lu Yuan laughing at?

Lu Yuan turned his head again, examining Ning Guiqu’s scrunched-up face. This, a villain?

And a bad guy?

“Ning Guiqu, if you can’t find a reason, you don’t have to make one up.”

He wasn’t making it up!

Ning Guiqu anxiously said, “This is true! I really transmigrated into a book, and you’re all in the book I read. I’m just unlucky, transmigrating into a villain with the same name who’s just cannon fodder.”

Lu Yuan casually “oh”-ed, “What’s my identity in the book you read?”

Ning Guiqu answered honestly, “You’re a background character, but four years later, through the protagonist gong’s words, I know you’ll start a company. That’s why I want to stick with you now. Because you’re a background character, I thought you had no connection to the protagonist gong. I didn’t expect you to be friends.”

Lu Yuan: “……..”

Lu Yuan fell silent again.

Ning Guiqu nervously asked, “Do you believe me?”

Lu Yuan didn’t say whether he believed it or not, but instead said softly, “Actually, my identity isn’t simple either.”

Ning Guiqu was surprised and whispered, “Are you also someone who transmigrated into the book?”

Lu Yuan said expressionlessly: “No. I’m a penguin from Antarctica who accidentally transmigrated into this person called Lu Yuan.”

Ning Guiqu frowned.

A penguin?

Ning Guiqu didn’t quite believe it. “Don’t lie to me. How could you possibly be a penguin? Could a penguin be as smart as you?”

This penguin was even smarter than him. He could understand if he, Genius Xiao Qu, wasn’t as smart as Lu Yuan, but to be less intelligent than a penguin?

Lu Yuan calmly rebutted, “Why not? If you can transmigrate into a book, why can’t I be a penguin?”

Ning Guiqu was stunned for a moment. It seemed to make sense? If he could transmigrate into a book, why couldn’t Lu Yuan be a penguin? After all, Lu Yuan was as cold and aloof as a penguin.

But Lu Yuan’s words had a hint of sarcasm. Because Lu Yuan didn’t believe he had transmigrated, he deliberately said he was a penguin! In any case, it was false.

Lu Yuan also noticed the confusion in Ning Guiqu’s eyes and asked suspiciously, “Ning Guiqu, you don’t actually believe that, do you?”

With Lu Yuan’s question, the confusion in Ning Guiqu’s eyes disappeared. So, this meant Lu Yuan wasn’t a penguin.

He was really mocking him! Genius Xiao Qu almost believed it!

Lu Yuan was even more exasperated. “You’re quite self-aware, calling yourself stupid so early on.”

Ning Guiqu: “…….”

Ning Guiqu’s face slowly turned red. But that wasn’t the main point right now. The point was, Lu Yuan wasn’t a penguin, but he really was someone who had transmigrated! He really was the villain cannon fodder!

“But I really am! I transmigrated here after reading this novel. I used to be a corporate slave.”

Lu Yuan said indifferently, “I’m also really a penguin from Antarctica. Because I gained self-awareness and wanted to be human, I suddenly transmigrated here.”

Ning Guiqu: “…”

Ning Guiqu’s expression was a mix of emotions, and his heart was filled with conflicting feelings.

How frustrating!

He really had transmigrated! He had mustered up the courage to reveal his true identity, completely trusting Lu Yuan, yet Lu Yuan didn’t believe him. Not only did he not believe him, but he even deliberately said he was a penguin!

If Lu Yuan didn’t believe this, wouldn’t he think that he was madly in love with Song Huai?

Lu Yuan’s eyes swept over once more, catching sight of Ning Guiqu’s reddened eyes.

He was about to cry again.

He’d cry for being called stupid. It was one thing to be stupid himself, but to not take his intelligence seriously was another.

Lu Yuan summed it up for Ning Guiqu again, “So what are you trying to express? That you actually hate Song Huai, which is why you pay so much attention to him? And since I’m his friend, you now hate me too?”

Ning Guiqu frowned, thinking for a moment.

It seemed that was indeed the case!!!

He did hate Song Huai. Who wouldn’t hate someone who would make them go to prison in the future?

The reason he paid so much attention to Song Huai was fundamentally because he hated him! He should have said it like that. Talking about transmigrating into a book? He told Lu Yuan the truth, but Lu Yuan didn’t believe him.

Ning Guiqu had more to say. He quickly said, “But I don’t hate you! I just can’t stand the people around him. If you weren’t his friend, I wouldn’t avoid you. I’m not trying to drive a wedge between you two. I’m just stating a fact.”

Ning Guiqu looked a bit pitiful.

Lu Yuan felt he was truly easy to soften.

Lu Yuan looked away, maintaining his aloofness, “I don’t care about these things. I’m quite happy that you’re keeping your distance from me. At least you……”

You’re not clinging to me anymore.

Lu Yuan didn’t say it.

Ning Guiqu: “What?”

Lu Yuan closed his eyes, “Nothing, I want to rest now.”

Lu Yuan’s intention to send the guest away was very clear.

Ning Guiqu asked softly again, “Then how do you feel now?”

Lu Yuan turned over, clearly refusing to answer.

“Do you still hate me?”

“Do you like the dolls?”

“Do you believe I transmigrated into a book?”

In short, he didn’t answer a single question.

Ning Guiqu sighed.

A whole night with nothing gained.

Ning Guiqu still rearranged the dolls Lu Yuan had piled at the foot of the bed, placing them properly inside Lu Yuan’s bed. Only after arranging them did he return to his own bed.

Lu Yuan then opened his eyes. With a downward glance, he saw the ugly rabbit.

What exactly was Ning Guiqu up to? He even wanted to go along with Ning Guiqu’s thoughts now. He wondered if he were to cut ties with Song Huai, would Ning Guiqu associate with him then.

Lu Yuan: “…….”

Lu Yuan directly grabbed the rabbit’s ears, pulled the rabbit doll over, and gave it a knock on the head.

He was a straight man, but he was paying too much attention to Ning Guiqu! Tonight was clearly not right, too abnormal.

Back on his own bed, Ning Guiqu also noticed Lu Yuan’s violent behavior.

That rabbit, how pitiful.

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