The next day in class, Ning Guiqu lay listlessly on his desk.
Behind him, Jiang Xu and Shi Wen were whispering.
Jiang Xu exclaimed in surprise, “You’re saying Xiao Qu and Lu Yuan went to a hotel room last night?” Could such a thing be true?
Shi Wen corrected him, “It was an e-sports hotel, for gaming. Xiao Qu even invited me to join them last night.”
Jiang Xu glanced at Ning Guiqu slumped over his desk in front and questioned, “So you think he’s this exhausted from playing games?”
Shi Wen replied, “What else could it be?”
Jiang Xu felt his roommate was being excessively naive. He was straight too, but he could see something was off between Ning Guiqu and Lu Yuan. He countered, “What about Lu Yuan? Why is he so energetic?”
Shi Wen explained matter-of-factly, “Even if Lu Yuan played, he would have controlled his time. Xiao Qu was probably still gaming at 3 a.m.”
Jiang Xu fell silent.
“That’s not it.”
Shi Wen looked confused.
Jiang Xu said cryptically, “Something must have happened between them.”
Shi Wen asked curiously, “What happened?”
Jiang Xu sighed.
He tried to reason with Shi Wen, “Why would Lu Yuan, who doesn’t even like gaming, go to an e-sports hotel?”
Shi Wen replied, “To keep Xiao Qu company. They’re such good friends, what’s wrong with accompanying him to play at a hotel?”
Jiang Xu pressed on, “So to keep him company gaming, they couldn’t go to an internet cafe? Did it have to be a hotel? Isn’t it strange for two grown men to go to a hotel together?”
Shi Wen’s stance wasn’t so much about maintaining his heterosexual ideals as it was about trusting his two roommates. He also found it odd and somewhat ambiguous for two men to go to a hotel together. But not Lu Yuan and Xiao Qu.
Shi Wen said firmly, “What’s ambiguous about it? They can rest if they get tired from gaming at an e-sports hotel. Besides, they don’t mind sleeping together anyway.”
Jiang Xu propped his head in his hands, ending the conversation.
At this point, even if the two kissed in front of Shi Wen, he probably wouldn’t suspect they were involved. But if they really got together, Jiang Xu would have two fewer rivals!
Ning Guiqu remained listless all morning. At lunchtime, Lu Yuan helped him queue for food while Ning Guiqu sat absentmindedly at a cafeteria table. Jiang Xu, who had been out of sight all day, suddenly appeared and tapped Ning Guiqu’s shoulder from behind.
As Ning Guiqu turned his head, Jiang Xu sat down beside him.
Ning Guiqu lifted his weary eyelids, forcing a faint smile. “Xiao Jiang? Why are you here? Aren’t you getting food?”
Jiang Xu asked with concern, “Seeing you sit here alone, you seem off. Did something happen?”
Ning Guiqu heaved a deep sigh.
“It’s complicated.”
Jiang Xu inquired shamelessly, “Was the technique not up to par?”
Ning Guiqu looked puzzled.
He asked innocently, “What technique?”
Jiang Xu fell silent.
He glanced again at Ning Guiqu’s butt sitting firmly on the stool. Ning Guiqu noticed Jiang Xu’s odd behavior and frowned, “What are you looking at?”
Jiang Xu laughed awkwardly and lowered his voice, “You two got a room at the hotel last night, didn’t you?”
Ning Guiqu’s cheeks slowly warmed. Only Xiao Shi knew they went to the e-sports hotel, but would Xiao Shi use the phrase “got a room”?
Ning Guiqu corrected him righteously, “We didn’t get a room. We went to an e-sports hotel to play games. If you’re free, hurry and buy your food. It’ll get more crowded soon.”
His food! Lu Yuan was queuing for him.
Jiang Xu didn’t leave. He observed Ning Guiqu’s slightly flushed face, but otherwise unabashed demeanor. So last night was really just innocent college students playing computer games at a hotel? And his current listless state was really the result of gaming all night?
Jiang Xu wasn’t quite convinced.
He asked what concerned him most, “You and Lu Yuan are together, right?”
Jiang Xu’s perceptive question didn’t surprise Ning Guiqu. Jiang Xu had always been quite clever, being the first to figure out Ning Guiqu’s gay identity. So it was natural for him to know about Ning Guiqu and Lu Yuan’s relationship now.
But Jiang Xu’s timing was off. If it had been yesterday, Ning Guiqu would have given an affirmative answer and asked Jiang Xu to keep it secret from Shi Wen. But now, he felt he and Lu Yuan were on the verge of breaking up.
Ning Guiqu propped his chin on his hand, turning the back of his head to Jiang Xu, and remained silent.
Jiang Xu said knowingly, “A secret relationship? Don’t worry, I’ll keep it a secret.”
Ning Guiqu remained silent.
As Ning Guiqu turned his head back, Jiang Xu had already run off. It seemed he just came just to gather intel. The information he obtained left Jiang Xu quite satisfied.
Ning Guiqu sighed.
He might as well consider it a secret relationship.
Ning Guiqu waited a while before Lu Yuan arrived with his food. Lu Yuan placed Ning Guiqu’s meal in front of him and went to get chopsticks.
Ning Guiqu remained downcast and completely for Jiang Xu’s earlier question. It wasn’t anything important anyway.
Lu Yuan sighed softly, “Ning Guiqu, can you tell me what you’re thinking? If you’re worried about your brain, we can go for another check-up tomorrow. If you’re wondering why you have these delusions, it’s not something you can control.”
Ning Guiqu chewed his tasteless rice before responding, “It’s neither. Worrying won’t help; we’ll have to wait for the blood clot to subside before reassessing. I’m just thinking, don’t we usually go through some twists and turns in situations like this?”
Admittedly, sometimes Lu Yuan struggled to follow Ning Guiqu’s train of thought.
“What twists and turns?”
Ning Guiqu put down his chopsticks and said seriously, “Like you discovering I have mental issues and heartlessly abandoning me. Or me not wanting to burden you and breaking up with you.”
The atmosphere around Lu Yuan suddenly chilled, his gentle demeanor vanishing as his voice turned cold, “You’re still thinking about breaking up with me?”
Feeling the chill, Ning Guiqu meekly replied, “Of course not! And pay attention to my words. I said I didn’t want to burden you, not that I don’t like you!”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Ning Guiqu realized what he’d said, and his face turned bright red. The cold air around Lu Yuan instantly dissipated.
Ning Guiqu quickly tried to salvage the situation by holding out his pinky finger, saying seriously, “I like you this much!”
Lu Yuan responded good-naturedly, “That’s fine. I accept it.”
Ning Guiqu felt embarrassed again. Damn mouth, speaking without consulting him first!
Ning Guiqu lowered his head and focused on eating.
“Ning Guiqu, the scenarios you’re considering won’t happen. The worst-case scenario is your mental health issues, which I’ve already taken into account, so I won’t abandon you. Besides, honestly, if I did abandon you, wouldn’t you seek revenge on me again?”
Ning Guiqu was unusually stumped by the question.
He pondered for a moment. If Lu Yuan abandoned him due to his mental issues, he might outwardly think, “It’s understandable, after all, who wants a boyfriend with mental problems?” But inwardly, he was never one to be understanding and considerate. He was a dark, petty person without class. He would probably seek revenge and do it ruthlessly!
He might even obsessively stalk Lu Yuan, sabotaging any potential relationships. He wouldn’t write any childish revenge plans anymore; he’d seek revenge constantly!
Huh.
This further confirmed that he was indeed the original owner of this body.
Ning Guiqu didn’t want to answer such a dark question at this moment, so he decided to counter-ask, “You really won’t abandon me?”
Lu Yuan didn’t expect Ning Guiqu to answer him. But seeing the evil glint in Ning Guiqu’s eyes earlier, he could guess his answer.
Lu Yuan patiently said, “Of course not. What I should worry about is you abandoning me, considering I was the despicable penguin in your revenge plan.”
Ning Guiqu muttered, “Don’t mention that.”
Ning Guiqu felt that the revenge plan was even more embarrassing than his alt account. Writing a plan was one thing, but to put it in his diary? He was just asking to be discovered!
Lu Yuan said, “So let’s not talk about breaking up anymore. Why don’t we try some psychological counseling first? Talking to a therapist might help you relax a bit.”
Since Ning Guiqu did not reject seeing a psychiatrist last night, Lu Yuan now suggested trying psychological counseling first.
Ning Guiqu poked at his braised pork with his chopsticks, refusing, “I don’t want to go anymore. I feel like they’ll treat my situation as a joke, and I’ll just end up more depressed. Why don’t you be my counselor instead?”
Lu Yuan had never encountered such a request before. As a science student, providing psychological counseling, especially to his boyfriend, was unfamiliar territory. He cautiously replied, “I’m not a professional.”
Ning Guiqu covered his ears.
“Anyway, you’re the only one who won’t laugh at me. I don’t trust anyone else.”
Lu Yuan considered for a moment, “Alright, I’ll read up on it.”
Ning Guiqu lowered his hands.
Lu Yuan smiled, “So you can hear after all?”
Ning Guiqu pretended not to hear!
However, he still warned, “Actually, when I recover, I’ll settle accounts with you.”
Lu Yuan shrugged it off, “Go ahead. The important thing is for you to get better.”
Ning Guiqu’s heart stirred, and he quietly continued eating.
It seemed that having a brain issue wasn’t so bad after all! He just needed to focus on getting better.
There were no classes in the afternoon. Lu Yuan said he was going to the library to borrow some psychology books, and Ning Guiqu gave him a thumbs up, only to find himself being taken along to the library.
Ning Guiqu dragged his feet, not wanting to go, “I don’t want to think about changing majors now, so there’s no need to look at books.”
Lu Yuan didn’t expect Ning Guiqu to read any books. He just wanted to prevent Ning Guiqu from being alone and letting his imagination run wild, given how vivid it could be.
“You can play games next to me if you want. I’m not asking you to read.”
Ning Guiqu stroked his chin thoughtfully, “You’re not worried I’ll throw myself in the river if I’m alone, are you?”
Lu Yuan fell silent.
If he told Ning Guiqu now that he was worried about him overthinking things alone, Ning Guiqu would surely object and might feel bad, thinking Lu Yuan saw him as too fragile. So the best approach now was—
“No, it’s that I can’t bear to be apart from you,” Lu Yuan chose to deliver this sweet talk with a straight face.
Ning Guiqu: !!!!
Can’t bear to be apart? Was Lu Yuan always this clingy?
In a daze, Ning Guiqu followed Lu Yuan to the library. While Lu Yuan searched for books, Ning Guiqu found a seat. Since absolute silence was required inside, Ning Guiqu rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought.
Lu Yuan must be lying, right? He was clearly just worried about leaving him alone. But even so, hearing those words was quite moving!
Even Genius Xiao Qu couldn’t resist such sweet talk!
Ning Guiqu played on his phone as Lu Yuan approached with several books, all related to “psychology.” Ning Guiqu wasn’t particularly interested. He wasn’t expected to read them anyway.
He continued playing on his phone with earphones on, maintaining absolute silence.
After several game rounds, Ning Guiqu grew bored. He quit the game, while Lu Yuan beside him was still flipping through books, occasionally noting something on his phone.
Ning Guiqu sent a message: [Are you hungry?]
Lu Yuan quickly replied: [Are you hungry?]
Ning Guiqu rested his chin on one hand and tapped his phone screen with the other: [Not hungry. Xiao Shi’s looking for me. I’ll be back later, can bring you food!]
[No need, we’ll eat out together tonight.]
[Okay, do you want something to drink then?]
Lu Yuan had already typed “No” but glanced at Ning Guiqu. Ning Guiqu was staring at his phone with a hint of expectation in his eyes. He appeared eager to provide for Lu Yuan. Indeed, from the beginning, Ning Guiqu had liked asking about his meals and drinks on WeChat, but Lu Yuan had always coldly refused.
Hiss.
Too heartless.
Lu Yuan replied: [Bring a bottle of water, I’m thirsty.]
Ning Guiqu quickly responded with “OK” and quietly left.
Around 5 p.m., Ning Guiqu finally brought the water to Lu Yuan. Of course, this wasn’t on his own initiative; Lu Yuan had messaged asking where he was.
Ning Guiqu, who was lying in the dormitory with Shi Wen, remembered that he had left Lu Yuan alone in the library. He hurriedly got up, guiltily replying to Lu Yuan with “Coming right away.”
Ning Guiqu saw Lu Yuan surrounded by a dark aura outside the library.
Ning Guiqu: “……”
He approached nervously, attempting to joke by pressing the cold mineral water bottle against Lu Yuan’s face. Lu Yuan didn’t dodge, sneering, “You disappeared after buying water? Did you enjoy some alone time with Shi Wen?”
“Hey, don’t say that,” Ning Guiqu bumped Lu Yuan’s shoulder, affectionately saying, “Weren’t you worried I’d jump in the river? How could I do that while in the dorm? It’s a good thing.”
Lu Yuan opened the water bottle, walking towards the campus exit, coolly replying, “Is that so? I clearly said I couldn’t bear to be apart from you.”
Ning Guiqu: “……”
Although Ning Guiqu suspected Lu Yuan’s words were a lie, his boyfriend was indeed angry now. Lu Yuan was really prone to anger, and here Ning Guiqu was, possibly dealing with mental issues, yet still needing to appease his boyfriend.
Ning Guiqu opted for a simple, direct approach to coax his boyfriend. “What can I do to make you not angry?”
“Will you do anything?” Lu Yuan’s voice came softly.
Ning Guiqu, agreeable as ever, replied, “Anything except breaking the law, I guess.”
Lu Yuan glanced at Ning Guiqu, and in that glance, Ning Guiqu caught a hint of mischief.
Ning Guiqu: !!!
Lu Yuan didn’t seem angry at all! The corner of his mouth was even curling upwards.
“What are you planning to do?” Ning Guiqu asked warily.
Lu Yuan adjusted his sleeve cuff and said nonchalantly, “Go to the fountain and kiss me.”
Their university’s fountain plaza was a famous spot for couples! The fountain was shaped like a pair of mandarin ducks.
However, Lu Yuan actually said such a shameless thing in such a calm tone! The world no longer needed innocent people.
Ning Guiqu objected, his face reddening, “There are too many people there. We’re two guys. We’ll draw attention no matter what we do.”
Lu Yuan replied coolly, “That’s for you to figure out.”
Ning Guiqu: “……”
Damn mouth, should have let Lu Yuan stay angry!
But Ning Guiqu did consider it. So, around 11 p.m., he got up from the dorm and took the energetic Lu Yuan to the fountain plaza. There were still a few scattered people around. Ning Guiqu could only wait for a moment when those people weren’t paying attention to sneakily give Lu Yuan a quick kiss.
Lu Yuan was unsatisfied.
His dissatisfaction was ineffective.
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