Let me know if there are any typos or mistakes. I scalded my left hand with boiling water so I have been typing with only one hand lol. I planned to be productive today and upload a few chapters but I got drowsy after taking painkillers, sorry. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Ning Guiqu’s imagination ran wild with terrifying dreams of Lu Yuan that night. He dreamed of Lu Yuan devouring rabbits. More precisely, it was a penguin eating rabbits!
The most horrifying part wasn’t the penguin Lu Yuan eating rabbits, but the incredibly long line of rabbits waiting behind Lu Yuan, each patiently awaiting their turn to be eaten. Even worse… even Ning Guiqu himself was among the rabbits in line! He was a handsome black rabbit, also queuing up!
In the dream, Ning Guiqu kept waiting in line. Just as his turn approached, he was jolted awake by his alarm clock.
Ning Guiqu opened his eyes in a daze and turned off the alarm. He felt his head, sighing in relief that he was human, not a rabbit. Then, he got up from bed and glanced at the neighboring bunk, sighing in relief again that its occupant was also human.
The other human opened his eyes.
Ning Guiqu whispered, “There’s a sports meet today.”
Then—
The other human closed his eyes and rolled over to continue sleeping.
Ning Guiqu: “…”
On Saturday, the school field was very lively for the sports meet. The stands gradually filled with spectators as the school’s loudspeakers announced updates from various classes. As a participant, Ning Guiqu was urged to the field early by the class monitor.
With drooping eyelids, Ning Guiqu joined his classmates, who were also competing.
The class monitor encouraged him, “Don’t worry about placing. Just finish the race, and you’ll earn credits.”
Ning Guiqu asked dejectedly, “How many?”
The monitor replied, “Three points for winning a place for our class, but even participating earns you one point.”
Ning Guiqu’s spirits sank further.
“What about those cheerleaders shouting encouragement? Don’t they also get a point in this sports meet?”
The monitor: “…”
The monitor’s silence revealed the truth to Ning Guiqu.
The monitor added, “But those are all girls! Guiqu, it’s just a 2000-meter run. Think of it as exercise. Who knows, you might even attract some girls. Look at your roommate, Lu Yuan. He’s tall and has a good figure. When he plays basketball and shows just a bit of his abs, see how excited those boys and girls get? It’s like they’ve never seen anything like it before. You’re not worse than him.”
The monitor’s tone clearly betrayed a hint of sourness.
Ning Guiqu looked towards the stands, but there were too many people to spot Lu Yuan.
Ning Guiqu said softly, “Don’t say bad things about him. Monitor, are you jealous of him?”
The monitor choked on his words, denying, “I’m not.”
Ning Guiqu’s eyes narrowed briefly before drooping again, listless. He didn’t even have the energy to criticize the monitor’s pettiness on his alt account.
While waiting, Ning Guiqu received a message from the group chat. Shi Wen said he and Jiang Xu had already arrived. They didn’t mention Lu Yuan, so he probably wouldn’t come.
Ning Guiqu sighed heavily.
He was really shameless. On the one hand, he wanted to maintain distance from Lu Yuan and be strangers, but on the other, he hoped Lu Yuan would come to watch his sports meet. Stupid protagonist gong, making him so shameless!
Ning Guiqu silently cursed up a storm on his “alt account.”
“Guiqu, put your phone away. I’ll keep it for you. You’re about to run,” the monitor came over to urge Ning Guiqu about his phone.
Ning Guiqu cursed the monitor as well, then handed over his phone with a gloomy expression.
The monitor: “…”
The monitor trembled as he took Ning Guiqu’s phone. Was Ning Guiqu upset by something?
Could it be true what the girls in their class were saying, that he was with Lu Yuan? But seeing his current state, the monitor probed, “Is Lu Yuan coming to watch your race?”
Ning Guiqu replied even more grimly, “Why would he come? It’s just a run.”
The monitor: “…”
It seemed more like they got together and then broke up.
The monitor comforted him, “The result doesn’t matter, just finish the race. Your health is most important. Men are even less important.”
Ning Guiqu eyed the monitor suspiciously. The monitor was so upright!
Ning Guiqu gave a cool “Mm” in response.
“Thanks for your concern.”
The monitor: “…”
As the long-distance race began, the cheers from the crowd grew louder. Ning Guiqu faintly heard his own name. But that wasn’t his concern; there were 12 people on the track.
One first place, two second places, and three third places. As long as he ran faster than six people, he could get third place.
Ning Guiqu ran slowly and instantly fell behind the others. He didn’t rush, conserving energy and gradually speeding up. As he ran, he got faster and faster. When he passed the sixth person, Ning Guiqu felt his long legs hadn’t grown in vain!
Genius Xiao Qu’s special long legs for running!
Ning Guiqu achieved his goal of being the sixth to cross the finish line, panting at the end.
Shi Wen and Jiang Xu were both at the finish line, one handing him a towel, the other twisting open a water bottle for him to drink. There was also an… unexpected guest, Li Mu.
This time, Li Mu didn’t immediately bring up treating them to meals. Instead, he sincerely praised, “Xiao Qu, you’re awesome!”
Catching his breath, Ning Guiqu managed a “Thank you.”
“Guiqu, three points secured! Don’t leave yet, they’ll probably want to take a photo soon,” the monitor ran over to tell Ning Guiqu.
Ning Guiqu nodded. After the monitor left, Li Mu asked to speak with Ning Guiqu privately.
Jiang Xu didn’t say anything and was about to leave when he saw Shi Wen stubbornly following Ning Guiqu. Jiang Xu dragged Shi Wen away.
“You want to eavesdrop? What’s so interesting about two guys talking?”
Shi Wen kept looking back at the pair, “You don’t understand. Li Mu, he…”
Shi Wen couldn’t finish his sentence.
Jiang Xu said casually, “Likes Xiao Qu?”
Shi Wen turned his head, shocked. “You… you just said it so calmly? And I was only guessing! Aren’t you surprised that Li Mu, a guy, likes Xiao Qu? Are you gay too?”
Jiang Xu and Shi Wen walked out of the field.
The sports meet continued, but they no longer cared about the subsequent events.
Jiang Xu was speechless at Shi Wen’s dramatic reaction, “I already have a girlfriend. What’s wrong with you? Are you homophobic?”
Shi Wen’s face turned bright red, “No. I just… I’m from a small town, I’ve only seen this stuff online. But Xiao Li might actually like Xiao Qu. Xiao Qu is such a good person, and he’s being liked by a man.”
Shi Wen looked back again at Ning Guiqu and Li Mu’s direction.
Jiang Xu: “…”
If this wasn’t homophobia, what was?
Xiao Qu was gay too. Lu Yuan might be as well.
Jiang Xu thought about it and started to imagine Shi Wen’s reaction upon discovering their other two roommates were gay.
“Stop thinking about it. Let’s go back and catch up on sleep. Xiao Qu doesn’t seem troubled by it.”
In fact, Ning Guiqu had always been troubled. Troubled by the annoying Li Mu’s affection.
But now, the annoying Li Mu wasn’t annoying anymore and solemnly told him, “I won’t bother you anymore, Xiao Qu. I’ve decided to give up on you.”
Ning Guiqu wiped the sweat from his forehead, his eyes widening slightly.
Hearing it from Lu Yuan was one thing, but hearing it directly from Li Mu was different. Li Mu really wasn’t going to pursue him anymore!
So, what exactly did Lu Yuan say to Li Mu that night? Ning Guiqu couldn’t get an answer from Lu Yuan, so he tentatively asked Li Mu, “Did you decide to give up because of what Lu Yuan said to you that night?”
Li Mu nodded.
“What did he say?” Ning Guiqu pressed on.
Li Mu, who was leaning against the railing, suddenly snorted coldly, his tone sarcastic. “I absolutely won’t tell! Why should I help you two get together?”
Ning Guiqu didn’t understand.
Help them get together?
“You really can’t say?”
“It’s not about can or can’t. I don’t want to say!” Li Mu looked around, “Where’s Lu Yuan? Why didn’t he come to watch you?”
Ning Guiqu couldn’t possibly let Li Mu know about his current situation with Lu Yuan, so he vaguely said, “He had something to do.”
“What could he possibly have to do?” Li Mu’s eyes were full of resentment and displeasure. He kicked the air hard, “What right does he have? I’ve loved you for so many years!” His voice was full of grievance.
Ning Guiqu felt quite awkward hearing this.
Although they were at a less crowded corner of the sports field, people still passed by occasionally. Even if Li Mu’s voice was low, his actions alone looked like a tantrum to others.
Genius Xiao Qu cared most about his reputation.
So Ning Guiqu turned his head away, pretending not to know Li Mu, and said coolly, “Middle school, kindergarten, even elementary school, that’s before we knew any better. It doesn’t count.”
“What do you mean middle school and kindergarten don’t count?” Li Mu, who had just finished his tantrum, asked in confusion.
??
Ning Guiqu faced Li Mu again. Li Mu’s eyes were confused. Genius Xiao Qu keenly sensed something was wrong, so he casually asked, “Have you calculated how many years you’ve liked me?”
Li Mu replied matter-of-factly, “Do I need to calculate that? It’s been over a year since I saw you at the flag-raising ceremony in senior year. If you want the exact number of days, wait.”
Li Mu took out his phone, probably to check the calendar.
But!
Ning Guiqu caught the key information in Li Mu’s words.
[Since I saw you at the flag-raising ceremony in senior year]
So does this mean he and Li Mu only met in senior year? If so, they weren’t childhood friends at all!
While Li Mu was calculating the time, Ning Guiqu purposefully asked, “Do you know what I ate for breakfast in my first year of high school?”
Li Mu replied without thinking, “I didn’t know you in your first year, how would I know that?”
Ning Guiqu held back his shock.
So, this “childhood friend” relationship Li Mu talked about actually only started in senior year?? How could this be considered childhood friends at all!
It was only because he didn’t have the original owner’s memories that he believed the original owner and Li Mu had known each other since childhood! And… and he had been tolerating Li Mu’s excessive behavior because of this supposed childhood friendship!
Ning Guiqu wanted to ask Li Mu what was wrong with him for claiming they were childhood friends, but he was worried it might involve some of the original owner’s affairs that Genius Xiao Qu wouldn’t know about.
Ning Guiqu had no intention of revealing his book-transmigration to a second person, even though the first one didn’t believe him.
“Damn, I miscalculated again. Forget it. We don’t have a chance anyway,” Li Mu stuffed his phone back into his pocket and looked up. “It’s probably been around 500 days or so.”
Ning Guiqu’s face was blank.
How hateful!
Genius Xiao Qu was fooled!
Li Mu didn’t notice Ning Guiqu’s expressionless face. He leaned against the railing and sighed, “But it should be a bit shorter than how long you’ve liked Lu Yuan.”
???
With one sentence, he successfully attracted Ning Guiqu’s curiosity.
Li Mu clicked his tongue, as if reminiscing, “When I confessed to you in senior year, you said you already liked someone. Thinking about it now, that person must have been Lu Yuan, right? That’s why you’re willing to be such a licking dog now. At least you’ve succeeded in your pursuit.”
Ning Guiqu remained silent about matters involving the original owner. But he guessed that at that time, the original owner probably made up an excuse to reject Li Mu.
Wait—
Ning Guiqu’s pupils slowly focused.
Li Mu sighed even more, “You’re better at pursuing than me, and luckier too. As for me, god! Why is my fate so miserable!”
Li Mu suddenly let out a long howl to the sky.
The surrounding college students all turned their attention to Li Mu.
Ning Guiqu couldn’t bear this embarrassment and quickly ran from the field. But as he ran, he was shocked.
The original owner’s claim of liking someone was definitely just to brush off Li Mu. But Li Mu’s certainty that this person was Lu Yuan meant that he knew Lu Yuan in high school, and Li Mu also knew that he knew Lu Yuan!
Ning Guiqu started brainstorming!
If he and Lu Yuan were in the same high school, and Lu Yuan was friends with the protagonist gong, it’s likely that the protagonist gong was also in the same high school. The memory that flashed in Ning Guiqu’s mind earlier – “The moonlight is beautiful tonight, would you like to admire it with me?” – proved that he had some interaction with the protagonist gong in high school, possibly even harassing him. Ning Guiqu wasn’t sure if the original owner had actually sent that message.
If it’s now confirmed that he and the protagonist gong were in the same high school, then he most likely harassed Song Huai in high school! Being in the same school made it too easy to harass him!
Ning Guiqu ran out of the field, panting as he crouched under a big tree. He scrolled through his WeChat, which had groups for his university class, dormitory, and so on. But there were no high school groups.
Could it be on QQ?
Ning Guiqu downloaded QQ again, but faced with the login screen for his QQ account, he fell silent.
Genius Xiao Qu had no idea what the original owner’s QQ account was!
For the first time, Ning Guiqu actively messaged Li Mu on WeChat: [To be honest, I did have a crush on Lu Yuan in high school. How did you figure it out?]
For now, this was the only way Ning Guiqu could fish for information.
Even if Li Mu told Lu Yuan, he could just explain it to Lu Yuan later. After all, Lu Yuan currently believed he liked Song Huai.
Li Mu quickly replied: [How the fuck could I not guess? How could you possibly be so devoted to Lu Yuan in just two short months? You must have had your eye on him since high school!]
Ning Guiqu: [I like him for his looks, it’s normal to fall for someone in two months]
Li Mu: [That makes it even more obvious. You and Lu Yuan were in the same class, and that guy has great looks. Seeing him every day, how could you not fall for him?]
Ning Guiqu’s eyes widened.
The same class!! He and Lu Yuan were actually in the same class!!
What about Song Huai?
Was Song Huai in the same class as him? Or at least the same school?
Ning Guiqu directly asked Li Mu if he knew Song Huai.
Li Mu: [Of course I know him, he was in the class next to mine. I think he’s Lu Yuan’s friend. Damn it, Xiao Qu, are you going after his friend now??]
Ning Guiqu clutched his phone tightly, not replying.
Everything became clear.
He, Lu Yuan, and Song Huai were in the same high school.
He and Lu Yuan were in the same class, but not in the same class as Song Huai.
He had that ambiguous message in his memory, and whether it was sent or not, he could now be certain that he must have harassed the protagonist gong.
The reason Ning Guiqu could be so sure now was that he remembered how cold Lu Yuan was towards him when he first transmigrated. Lu Yuan was generally cold, but he was especially, particularly cold towards him at that time!
Now that he was paying attention to Song Huai again, Lu Yuan kept warning him, even though his claims of not liking Song Huai were useless. It now seemed that Lu Yuan wasn’t being overly paranoid; he had a record of past offenses!
But that was the original owner, not him!
He didn’t like Song Huai! Damn it, he had never even seen Song Huai in person!
What a mess!
Genius Xiao Qu only wanted to grow old alone, but he still ended up entangled with the protagonist gong! Ning Guiqu’s breathing quickened. After uncovering the truth, he desperately wanted to explain to Lu Yuan that he was a transmigrator, really a transmigrator!
He absolutely did not like Song Huai, and all those things before university weren’t done by him!
He had to explain!
However, Ning Guiqu also felt that explaining might not matter anymore.
As Ning Guiqu was pondering this, he heard a meow.
A chubby orange cat ran over, tail straight up, meowing at Ning Guiqu. When Ning Guiqu looked at it, the cat immediately flopped onto the ground.
He had to admit, this cat looked a lot like the one he had given the protagonist shou to raise!
The protagonist shou’s cat looked very similar to the one Lu Yuan used to feed long ago. So, this cat might well be the one Lu Yuan used to feed. Thinking of Lu Yuan, Ning Guiqu sighed heavily.
Ning Guiqu patted the cat’s head, “Wait a moment, I’ll go buy some cat food for you. Just wait here.”
The cat seemed to understand what Ning Guiqu said and meowed once in response.
Just as Ning Guiqu stood up to leave, he bumped into Lu Yuan, who was holding a small bag of cat food.
Ning Guiqu’s eyes darted around nervously, feeling extremely guilty. He took a sharp breath and, as if his soul had left his body, managed a weak, “Hey~”
Lu Yuan: “……”
Ning Guiqu: “…….”
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