Half an hour later, Ning Guiqu found himself led by Lu Yuan to an unfamiliar neighborhood. Feeling aggrieved, Ning Guiqu climbed out of the car and poked the naturally cool Lu Yuan beside him, who didn’t need to pretend to be aloof. His cold face was enough.

“You’re not planning to do something to me here, are you?”

“What could I possibly do to you?” In the quiet underground parking lot, Lu Yuan’s flat voice somehow managed to sound sarcastic to Ning Guiqu.

Ning Guiqu: “…….”

There were many things Lu Yuan could do to him! But because of that statement, Ning Guiqu lowered his guard around Lu Yuan. He followed Lu Yuan into the elevator, all the while wondering how to convince Lu Yuan that he had only regained his memories yesterday, and that he had really been hurt to the point of despair before.

Lost in thought, Ning Guiqu arrived at Lu Yuan’s front door. Lu Yuan entered the passcode, and they stepped into darkness. Although he was unfamiliar with Lu Yuan’s home, Ning Guiqu instinctively felt along the wall for a light switch. Instead of finding the switch, he found himself pinned against the wall by Lu Yuan.

Ning Guiqu: ?

The next moment, he was being kissed! Ning Guiqu felt the air in his mouth being stolen away. Unable to see, his hearing became more acute, and he even noticed some rather improper sounds he had never paid attention to before.

Let… let go of him!

In the darkness, their breaths intertwined. Lu Yuan, as if hearing Ning Guiqu’s thoughts, released him. Ning Guiqu gasped for air, but before he could react, Lu Yuan said, “Stop pretending. You never lost your memory, did you?”

Ning Guiqu: “…….”

Despite being in such a predicament, Ning Guiqu remained stubborn and refused to admit it. “What are you talking about? Yesterday, I…”

Before he could finish, his mouth was covered again.

Ning Guiqu’s eyes widened, but he could see nothing and couldn’t push Lu Yuan away. He could only endure Lu Yuan’s advances.

After a while, Lu Yuan pressed his forehead against Ning Guiqu’s and asked again, “Did you lose your memory?”

Though his lips were numb, Ning Guiqu still wouldn’t admit it. “Yes, I did!”

Ning Guiqu’s mouth was covered once more.

“Ning Guiqu, did you lose your memory?”

Lu Yuan silenced him with another kiss.

When he was finally released, Ning Guiqu’s legs trembled. Lu Yuan’s magnetic voice questioned once more, “Did you lose your memory?”

Ning Guiqu: “…..”

He bravely continued, “So you just want to hear me say no. I won’t lie.”

Then—

His lips were captured again.

Ning Guiqu: “…..”

After several rounds, Ning Guiqu could barely close his mouth. His lips must be swollen!

“Ning Guiqu, did you lose your memory?”

Ning Guiqu finally caved in. He pleaded slightly, “Stop kissing me for a moment. Let me think.”

Lu Yuan chuckled and indeed stopped kissing him. However, he still held Ning Guiqu in a possessive embrace.

Ning Guiqu’s mind was fuzzy from all the kissing, and unable to pinpoint what felt off. He could only focus on one thing: Lu Yuan seemed absolutely certain he didn’t lose his memory, as if he had known all along.

If that was the case, then what about his blank WeChat account? Lu Yuan had a history of stealing his phone, so perhaps he had done it again. He logged into his alt account and saw some of his embarrassing messages, confirming he didn’t lose his memory. After reading them, to prevent Ning Guiqu from suspecting the messages had been seen, Lu Yuan might have deleted all the messages, creating the illusion of a bug.

Although Ning Guiqu still believed it was a bug, there were no other possibilities. Besides the WeChat account, he couldn’t have exposed himself anywhere else.

Ning Guiqu didn’t dare question Lu Yuan about the phone now because he was in a risky situation. He really couldn’t bear another kiss! He had to go to classes tomorrow!

After thinking it over, Ning Guiqu turned his head and grudgingly conceded, “I didn’t lose my memory. I only pretended to so I could take advantage of you. It’s true that you hurt me deeply before.”

It wasn’t entirely true. He had just been devastated after being rejected and wanted to take revenge on Lu Yuan. But Lu Yuan didn’t need to know about these inner workings of his mind. He only needed to know that Ning Guiqu was pitiful.

Lu Yuan still did not let Ning Guiqu go and said ambiguously, “So you let me worry about you?”

Ning Guiqu didn’t dare answer “yes” and instead whispered, “But I’m alive and well. There’s nothing wrong with my body. I didn’t know you would worry about me.”

Although he didn’t say “no,” this response seemed even more heartless.

Lu Yuan let out a cold laugh.

Ning Guiqu: “…….”

Oh no!

When the living room light was turned on, Ning Guiqu looked like a disheveled rabbit. His mouth was swollen, his eyes were red, and he wore a pitiful expression as he crouched by the door.

He was angry!

But just as his anger flared, he noticed a large bouquet of roses on a table not far away in Lu Yuan’s home. Next to the flowers was an exquisite little box.

Ning Guiqu, who had planned to continue sulking, stood up. He tilted his chin slightly and asked warily, “What’s that? And I’m not impressed by flowers. You can’t romance me.”

Ning Guiqu didn’t know what Lu Yuan looked like in the darkness, but it certainly wasn’t the gentle expression he wore now! It’s hard to stay angry at a smiling face, and Ning Guiqu found his temper dissipating as he faced the gentle Lu Yuan. Not to mention, Lu Yuan’s voice sounded quite pleasant.

“The flowers are just a formality. What I really want to give you is something else. You can open it and see. It’s not a ring.”

Since it wasn’t a ring, Ning Guiqu didn’t hold back.

He walked over and opened the box. Inside was a jade pendant in the shape of a small rabbit hugging its legs. The rabbit was translucent and exquisitely crafted! Even Ning Guiqu, who wasn’t particularly fond of rabbits, thought it was beautiful.

Ning Guiqu rather liked it.

But he didn’t want to accept it.

Lu Yuan must have ulterior motives for giving him a gift now. Just as Ning Guiqu was about to put the pendant back, Lu Yuan suddenly hugged him from behind, resting his chin on Ning Guiqu’s shoulder. Lu Yuan’s embrace was light; Ning Guiqu could easily push him away with a slight shove.

Ning Guiqu didn’t push him away. He was nervous because Lu Yuan’s breath was tickling his ear.

“Ning Guiqu, I rejected you before because I didn’t understand you. What’s past is past. We need to look forward now. Why don’t you look at who I am now?” Lu Yuan’s voice was low and slow, each word seeping into Ning Guiqu’s ear.

Ning Guiqu’s ears were itchy, red, and extremely sensitive. He tilted his head slightly, his face gradually turning red.

Lu Yuan was trying to win him over! Ning Guiqu wasn’t completely swayed by Lu Yuan’s words. He still vividly remembered that before this attempt at reconciliation, Lu Yuan kissed him so many times!

But were those kisses really crossing a line? Ning Guiqu found himself unusually hesitating. Weren’t kisses normal between couples? But so many kisses in succession wasn’t normal.

Ning Guiqu still didn’t dare to be arrogant. He probed, “Will you do that again? What you did earlier?”

Lu Yuan immediately understood what Ning Guiqu meant and replied seriously, “Is kissing you not allowed? Isn’t kissing the gentlest form of interrogation? Or maybe it doesn’t even count as interrogation at all. Don’t you want to kiss me at all?”

Of course, that wasn’t true.

Ning Guiqu continued to tilt his head. Sometimes, he, too, had thoughts like “Lu Yuan’s lips look very kissable.” He just wasn’t as extreme as Lu Yuan. What Lu Yuan said actually made sense. It was just kissing, and his lips weren’t numb anymore. It really wasn’t a big deal.

So even if he was kissed again, it wouldn’t matter.

Ning Guiqu suddenly stopped being timid and, taking advantage of Lu Yuan’s attempt to please him, started acting up again, “No, I can’t forget what happened in the past.”

Lu Yuan released Ning Guiqu and chuckled lightly, “Then there’s no choice but to ****¹Raw originally has it censored as *.  you thoroughly.”

Ning Guiqu’s brain short-circuited.

He… he must have misheard, right?

Ning Guiqu stiffly turned his head, flashing his trademark “Genius Xiao Qu” smile, “I really like this rabbit. I’ll keep it. Where am I sleeping tonight?”

Lu Yuan let out a short, sarcastic laugh and gave Ning Guiqu’s butt a light slap. “With me, of course. Two single men alone in a room, we have all night for you to forget.”

Ning Guiqu’s butt trembled. He quickly ran to the kitchen, poking his head out from behind the door, eyes wide with shock, “Are you really Lu Yuan?!”

Lu Yuan smiled and said, “I’m a penguin. Penguins have simple minds. Right now, there’s only one thing on my mind.”

Ning Guiqu: “…….”

He’s given up all pretense!

Ning Guiqu hurriedly tried to salvage the situation. “I’ve already forgotten everything. I’m only looking at who you are now!”

Lu Yuan smiled. “I can’t hear you.”

Ning Guiqu: “…….”

Now that his wicked nature had surfaced, he wasn’t pretending anymore!

But, but!

Ning Guiqu’s face contorted in distress, his eyelids trembling. “I’m not ready!”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Lu Yuan’s previously indifferent eyes curved slightly, brimming with amusement.

Ning Guiqu realized that something was wrong. “…You weren’t planning to do anything, were you?”

Lu Yuan replied with mock disappointment, “Although this kind of thing is simple, you’re quite delicate. The slightest touch leaves you red. So, I need to make preparations. More importantly, I need your consent.”

As he spoke, Lu Yuan walked towards Ning Guiqu.

Ning Guiqu felt his face burning hot enough to fry an egg!

When Lu Yuan reached him, Ning Guiqu blurted out in frustration, “Lu Yuan, you’re too, too, too, too cruel!”

Lu Yuan stopped in front of Ning Guiqu. “So, can you look at me now?”

Ning Guiqu retorted sarcastically, “You’ve gone this far. How dare I not look?”

Lu Yuan’s eyes flickered, teasing, “But you’re not looking right now.”

Ning Guiqu glared fiercely at Lu Yuan, snapping, “Stop bullying me like this! If you keep bullying me, I’ll… I’ll…”

He dared not say “break up,” fearing Lu Yuan might actually lock him away.

“I’ll ignore you!”

Lu Yuan ruffled Ning Guiqu’s hair. “Alright, no more bullying.”

Ning Guiqu seized on this, demanding, “So you admit you were bullying me tonight?”

Lu Yuan pinched Ning Guiqu’s cheek. “I don’t admit it, because I consider it foreplay.”

Ning Guiqu: “…”

Stupid foreplay.

Ning Guiqu eventually hung the rabbit pendant around his neck because it was truly beautiful. He thought about getting Lu Yuan a penguin in return.

After Lu Yuan finished his shower, Ning Guiqu shared his thoughts. “Although this kind of corny thing shouldn’t happen between us, conventionally, I should give you a rabbit, and you should give me a penguin.”

Lu Yuan shattered Ning Guiqu’s idea with one sentence.

“Are you sure that if I gave you a penguin, you’d take good care of it? Wouldn’t you take out your frustrations on the penguin when you can’t vent them on me?”

Ning Guiqu fell silent.

After several seconds of silence, Ning Guiqu spoke softly, “It was you, wasn’t it?”

Lu Yuan made a confused “Hm?” sound.

Ning Guiqu said, “You abused the rabbit plush. The rabbit I gave you lost its ears. That’s why you think I’d do the same, right?”

Lu Yuan changed the subject, “You look cute in my pajamas.”

The pajamas Ning Guiqu wore were Lu Yuan’s from high school and were still new. They’d been bought in a size that was too small then, but now they fit Ning Guiqu, even a bit loose.

“You’re feeling guilty, aren’t you, Lu Yuan?”

Lu Yuan sighed, “So what do you want to do? Classmate Rabbit?”

Ning Guiqu narrowed his eyes, “Teacher Penguin, I’m very unhappy today. So, I need Teacher Penguin’s comfort.”

“How should I comfort you?”

Ning Guiqu held out his hand, “Five years. Teacher Penguin needs to be my slave for five years!”

Lu Yuan: “…”

“Fine,” Lu Yuan agreed easily.

Ning Guiqu was suspicious, “You agreed just like that? You’re not planning to be a rebellious slave, are you?”

Lu Yuan smiled, “I won’t rebel. I can take care of you like I have been, but I won’t encourage your bad habits.”

Ning Guiqu thought that was acceptable.

After an eventful night, Ning Guiqu felt drowsy as soon as he touched Lu Yuan’s bed. Just as he dozed off, Lu Yuan pulled him into an embrace.

They often slept together in the dorm, but that was purely innocent. Now, in Lu Yuan’s home, Ning Guiqu felt a bit embarrassed.

Lu Yuan looked like the epitome of aloofness²高岭之花 (gāo lǐng zhī huā, literally “flower on a high ridge”) refers to someone who is admirable but unattainable—like a beautiful flower blooming on a distant mountaintop that can be seen but never reached. , how could he be thinking of such things!

It was normal, though. Lu Yuan wanted to kiss him all day long. As for Ning Guiqu? He… he really liked Lu Yuan’s chest. Although Lu Yuan didn’t have large pecs, just being Lu Yuan was enough to satisfy his oral fixation.

He wanted to touch, to bury his face in it, and even…

“You’re hard.”

Ning Guiqu: “…”

Lu Yuan’s low voice whispered in his ear.

Ning Guiqu covered his ears. He didn’t hear anything, nothing at all. He didn’t want to think about anything now!

Ning Guiqu’s eyes widened.

“What… what are you doing?”

“Helping you.”

Ning Guiqu’s breathing quickened, feeling rather impatient.

When Lu Yuan returned, Ning Guiqu thought he could reciprocate.

“Don’t think about it. You don’t need to help. Let me review the guide first.”

Ning Guiqu: “…”

His mind continued to race.

Ning Guiqu buried his face in Lu Yuan’s chest again. Now he couldn’t sleep at all, feeling excited. So Ning Guiqu tentatively looked up. Lu Yuan wasn’t asleep either, gazing at him tenderly. Ning Guiqu inevitably thought of Lu Yuan before he’d hit his head.

Aloof, quiet, ignoring him.

Was it really the same person?

Ning Guiqu’s heart pounded. If they were two different people, he’d be two-timing. Because both made his heart flutter.

“Lu Yuan, I have something else to tell you.”

Lu Yuan listened attentively.

Ning Guiqu whispered, “Actually, we’re characters in a novel called ‘My Childhood Friend is an Idiot.’ I didn’t transmigrate. I became self-aware and learned about the future plot. At the end of the story, I go to prison. I’m not lying about this.”

Ning Guiqu wanted to tell Lu Yuan this. Besides Lu Yuan, he didn’t know who else to tell.

Lu Yuan showed no change in emotion and asked, “Do you want to tell me about it?”

Ning Guiqu wanted to, but still hesitated, “Do you believe me? If you don’t, I’d be wasting my breath. I don’t want to tell you a bedtime story.”

“I believe you.” Seeing Ning Guiqu’s doubtful look, Lu Yuan slowly said, “Although it’s far-fetched and challenges my understanding, you have no reason to lie to me. So I’ll believe you. Besides, the idiot childhood friend refers to Song Huai, right? His intelligence is actually similar to yours.”

The last sentence seemed to mock his intelligence. But Ning Guiqu decided to take it as a compliment.

After all, Song Huai was the protagonist, so by extension, he was, too.

It’s a compliment!

Encouraged by Lu Yuan’s words, Ning Guiqu felt more at ease. He raised his head slightly, “What if it’s a mental issue?”

Lu Yuan gently stroked Ning Guiqu’s head.

“Then I’d firmly tell you that no matter what Ning Guiqu becomes, Ning Guiqu will always be Ning Guiqu.”

Ning Guiqu’s heart stirred, and he nuzzled Lu Yuan’s chest again.

It felt so good. The first person he liked now liked him back. Although he was sometimes mean and wolf-like, he still liked him very much!

So he might as well tell Lu Yuan the story of his role as a minor villain.

Raine: Well, that’s the end. There are still 7 extra chapters, which I will also translate just for the sake of finishing what I started.

TL Notes

• 1
  Raw originally has it censored as *.
• 2
  高岭之花 (gāo lǐng zhī huā, literally “flower on a high ridge”) refers to someone who is admirable but unattainable—like a beautiful flower blooming on a distant mountaintop that can be seen but never reached.