WAYCAV Chapter 53

The weather in early December was already frighteningly cold. Most students who were still wearing thick coats last month had basically all switched to down jackets and cotton coats.

Shen Nianjing walked out of the teaching building leisurely, his coat tails fluttering in the wind, drawing everyone’s attention.

The reason wasn’t just because he was handsome, but mostly because he looked freezing.

Seeing a handsome guy in the dead of winter would make people look twice, but seeing a handsome guy wearing only two thin layers makes everyone stare!

“You’re really stubborn,” Qin Qi said, wrapped up in his down jacket. White puffs came out of his mouth when he spoke. “Your internal heat is really something else. Are you really not cold?”

Shen Nianjing didn’t answer, just looked down at his phone.

Qin Qi glanced around and suddenly noticed something. “Hey, why haven’t I seen you walking with Su-ge lately?” He teased with a sidelong glance, “Weren’t you practically glued to him before?”

Shen Nianjing was silent for two seconds, then made a soft “mm” sound.

His tone sounded a bit muffled.

He scrolled through his chat history with Su Zhiyan. The last message was from yesterday, when he asked if Su Zhiyan was free to have dinner together today, but there was no reply.

Shen Nianjing remembered that Su Zhiyan had gone home on Sunday, so maybe he was busy at home.

He took a deep breath, put away his phone, feeling somewhat uneasy.

Ever since they came back from the hot springs last time, he felt like Su Zhiyan had been avoiding him, intentionally or not. Although they still met and interacted every day like before, a person’s attitude and emotions could be sensed through subtle details.

Shen Nianjing couldn’t figure it out.

He admitted he might have gone too far with Su Zhiyan last time, which could have upset him, but…he just couldn’t control himself.

When you like someone, you can’t help yourself.

The wind blew in gusts, stinging his face. Shen Nianjing put on a mask as his mood sank further.

If it was because he had gone too far, he would apologize, but he definitely had to say it face to face!

Shen Nianjing made up his mind and was about to walk forward when he suddenly heard a sharp sound of brakes.

“Shen Nianjing!”

Qin Qi’s panicked shout came from behind him.

Shen Nianjing turned in surprise to see an electric scooter carrying three people speeding toward him. He locked eyes with the startled student riding it.

The next second, screams erupted around them.

–

Su Zhiyan almost dropped his phone when he saw Qin Qi’s message. He put down his half-finished homework, grabbed his coat, and was about to rush outside.

“Su Zhiyan!” Wen Bei called after him, looking equally worried. “Are you going to see Shen Nianjing? Let’s go together.”

The accident that happened on the main campus road wasn’t really big. No one was seriously injured, at most someone bumped their hand or head. But it wasn’t really minor either. Riding against regulations on campus and hitting someone would definitely result in disciplinary action.

Maybe because the victim involved was considered a celebrity in the math department, posts about this small accident kept trending high on the forum.

Su Zhiyan didn’t bother reading them. He directly asked Qin Qi, who had been by Shen Nianjing’s side the whole time, about the situation.

Su Zhiyan frowned, trying to find useful information from this line of text.

At the end, Qin Qi also added the hospital room number.

Su Zhiyan and Wen Bei rushed over. When they got to the hospital room, they saw their advisor was there too.

Su Zhiyan went straight over to ask, “Professor, is Shen Nianjing awake?”

The advisor had just finished a phone call and was in a somewhat irritated mood. When he saw Su Zhiyan come over, his tone softened. “He’s still sleeping. Once he wakes up, he’ll be fine.”

Only then did Su Zhiyan’s anxious heart relax a little.

He walked into the hospital room. Qin Qi stood up with a troubled expression. When he saw Su Zhiyan, it was like seeing a savior. “You’re finally here. This guy won’t wake up.”

Su Zhiyan’s heart panicked. “Won’t wake up?”

Qin Qi nodded honestly. “Yeah, sleeping like a dead pig.”

Su Zhiyan looked down.

Shen Nianjing was sleeping very peacefully. His hair was a bit messy but he didn’t look disheveled at all. He wasn’t even wearing a hospital gown. If it weren’t for his slightly furrowed brows, he would have looked completely fine, as if he could wake up any second.

This was a three-person room, mostly for patients with minor illnesses or small surgeries, so the atmosphere in the room was relatively relaxed and harmonious. They could even hear laughter from next door from time to time.

But Su Zhiyan couldn’t relax at all.

He stared blankly at Shen Nianjing’s sleeping face, a thousand different emotions stuck in his throat.

He forcefully pushed them down and sat beside the hospital bed.

“You said he’ll be fine when he wakes up,” he said. “I’ll wait for him to wake up.”

“Shen Nianjing…”

In his dream, someone was calling his name.

Shen Nianjing saw Su Zhiyan sitting beside him wearing a very gorgeous and elegant suit, his eyes carrying a smile that he couldn’t understand.

For some reason, he felt nervous looking at Su Zhiyan.

This Su Zhiyan had his chin slightly raised, his expression very noble. He didn’t seem to think being stared at so directly was offensive at all, and just let him look.

“Are you okay? That rider was too careless,” he said. His voice was very warm, but somehow it didn’t sound quite sincere.

Shen Nianjing frowned slightly and instinctively argued back, “I’m not hurt, and he didn’t do it on purpose.”

Although his tone wasn’t strong at all and sounded more like an explanation than an argument, Su Zhiyan still raised his beautiful eyebrows lightly, seeming both displeased and surprised by his words.

The room suddenly became quiet.

Only then did Shen Nianjing notice that he was staying in a private VIP room.

Glancing around at the facilities, he said guiltily, “Sorry for making you spend so much money.”

Su Zhiyan’s lips curved as he leaned closer. “For you, it’s no trouble at all.”

A wave of expensive cologne hit Shen Nianjing’s nose, making him frown.

Then Shen Nianjing saw that he and Su Zhiyan were together, in a very intimate relationship. He was willing to do everything for Su Zhiyan.

He saw Xia Shi and Su Zhiyan standing together, both looking upset, as if they’d had a conflict.

He wanted to call out to Su Zhiyan, but somehow couldn’t open his mouth.

The next second, Su Zhiyan looked at Xia Shi, curved his eyes, and smiled brilliantly.

Shen Nianjing’s heart jumped in fear. His feet moved uncontrollably as he rushed over and blocked Xia Shi – only to be shot dead by Su Zhiyan.

In that instant, his heart hurt terribly, so much that it felt like it would come out of his mouth. His internal organs felt like they were being crushed.

Shen Nianjing felt all his strength drain away. He wanted to lift his head to look into Su Zhiyan’s eyes, but he couldn’t lift it no matter what…

“Yeah, you can be discharged tomorrow. Let’s get some good food then.”

The cheerful conversation from the next bed drifted into his ears. Shen Nianjing’s throat moved as his eyes flew open.

His heart… didn’t hurt at all.

Neither did his body.

But he still gasped uncomfortably, and this small movement caught the attention of the person beside him.

Su Zhiyan had just seen off the advisor and was discussing with Wen Bei whether to go back to the dorm tonight. When he noticed some movement beside him, he turned his head and met Shen Nianjing’s gaze.

“Holy crap!” Qin Qi almost wanted to pounce on him directly. “You’re finally awake!”

Shen Nianjing froze, staring blankly at Su Zhiyan for several seconds.

Before he could fully come back to his senses, he saw Su Zhiyan look away first and get up to walk out.

“…” He wanted to call out to stop Su Zhiyan, but his throat felt very blocked. Just like in the dream, he couldn’t call out no matter what.

He lowered his head and took a deep breath, finally feeling his chest relax a little.

“Let me tell you, those three people all got disciplinary action. Serves them right for speeding on an electric scooter. Don’t take it to heart,” Qin Qi patted him.

“The advisor gave you three days off. Rest well at home.”

“And guess what? You’re famous again! The whole school knows you only wear two thin layers in winter now! You’re trending!” Wen Bei sat in Su Zhiyan’s vacated spot, grinning as he started reading forum replies.

“I hope my male god didn’t hurt his face. Oh right, and his head. He absolutely can’t become a himbo.”

Qin Qi and Wen Bei chattered excitedly, making Shen Nianjing’s head buzz. He couldn’t make sense of anything at all, so he simply stopped listening.

His head was a bit dizzy, but he was more awake. Right now he only had one thought – where was Su Zhiyan?

The question left his lips as soon as it formed in his mind.

But when he spoke, his voice was terribly hoarse.

Wen Bei’s eyes widened. “You only slept for six hours, how do you sound like you slept for six hundred years?”

The answer was completely off topic, and Shen Nianjing almost rolled his eyes.

Fortunately, Qin Qi was more reliable. “He should be calling the advisor to report the situation. He’ll be back in a bit.”

Shen Nianjing nodded, his feelings very complicated.

He had that dream again.

This time it was clearer. Not only was the plot complete and self-contained, but he could also see the characters’ expressions and looks very clearly.

Shen Nianjing lowered his eyelashes, his eyes dim and lifeless.

In the dream, it was also this car accident that brought him and Su Zhiyan closer together.

Xia Shi… that senior who was two years ahead of them, Xia Shi, he also met him because of this car accident.

Why?

Shen Nianjing’s lips paled, his fingers trembling slightly.

Why did some parts of the dream match reality while others didn’t at all?

Qin Qi and Wen Bei saw Shen Nianjing frown lightly, his eyes frighteningly cold, and couldn’t help but exchange glances.

Wen Bei raised his eyebrows: What’s going on?

Qin Qi shrugged: I have no idea!

Footsteps came from behind, and Su Zhiyan walked in.

Wen Bei quickly scooted back to make room.

But Su Zhiyan didn’t sit down. He stood directly in front of Shen Nianjing and reached out to touch his forehead.

No fever.

He felt relieved.

It seemed like there really was nothing wrong.

Meeting Shen Nianjing’s calm gaze, he said, “Are you okay? That rider was so careless.”

Shen Nianjing’s face paled. When he heard Su Zhiyan’s words, his pupils contracted slightly, as if he couldn’t accept the current situation.

Seeing his shoulders tremble, Su Zhiyan’s heart clenched. Softening his tone, he said, “Don’t worry, the advisor has already arranged everything.”

“You can just go home and rest.” He turned to Qin Qi. “I have something to do this afternoon. Can you take Shen Nianjing home?”

Qin Qi was cued and nodded frantically. “Y-yes, I can!”

“Good.” Su Zhiyan was still concerned, but he had to meet with his senior this afternoon.

Qin Yuxue was Professor Yang’s third-year graduate student who planned to continue with Professor Yang for PhD. Su Zhiyan had been designated by Professor Yang as Qin Yuxue’s “direct” junior, and they had agreed yesterday that he would go to the lab on Monday afternoon. Su Zhiyan couldn’t cancel the appointment at the last minute.

He looked at Shen Nianjing. “The temperature has dropped suddenly these past few days. You can’t keep wearing so little.”

Su Zhiyan had never been this nagging before, but he just couldn’t stop.

When it was time to leave, he worriedly added, “If anything happens, remember to—”

He cut himself off.

His lips moved soundlessly before he gave Shen Nianjing, who was still staring blankly at the wall, a long look and left without another word.

The hospital was just a block from campus. Su Zhiyan had figured out this route clearly back in September and could walk it with his eyes closed.

He walked along the familiar path, the cold wind constantly drilling into his collar.

Su Zhiyan kept pulling his collar together, but after several attempts it was useless, he just gave up. If he was cold, so be it.

At least it would help him calm down.

Just now in the hospital room, the way Shen Nianjing looked at him after waking up… was very complicated.

At first he didn’t pay attention, thinking it was just shock from the accident.

But he watched for a long time afterward, and Shen Nianjing’s expression never changed. Later he simply stopped looking at him at all.

“…” Su Zhiyan stopped walking.

The school gates were right ahead. He turned back toward the hospital, brow furrowed.

His expression hadn’t relaxed since leaving the hospital room, his heart a complete mess.

He didn’t understand why, just when he had figured out that he liked Shen Nianjing and hadn’t even had time to think about whether Shen Nianjing really liked men or had any feelings for him, reality had dealt him a heavy blow.

In Shen Nianjing’s eyes just now, there was sadness, confusion, and pain, but he didn’t see any dependence or happiness at seeing him.

And… he thought he’d detected a hint of rejection.

Su Zhiyan smiled bitterly and looked away from the hospital building.

Actually, liking someone wasn’t that big a deal. “Liking” wasn’t that big a deal either. It was just an emotion.

He was completely unfamiliar with this territory, and before he could even explore it, it already seemed unnecessary.

There was no need to step into an unfamiliar territory.

He had already taken so much from Shen Nianjing, even deceived him from the very beginning. He shouldn’t ask for his “love” too.

How shameful, Su Zhiyan.

His gaze slowly turned toward the school gate, his heart finally settling.

The most important thing now was that Shen Nianjing was safe.

“Liking” was just one insignificant emotion among many. What big difference could it have from the liking in friendship? Weren’t they both affection and appreciation?

Being friends was good enough.

—

“What urgent business did Su Zhiyan have this afternoon?”

After getting home, Shen Nianjing asked Wen Bei, his tone somewhat urgent.

Wen Bei thought for a moment. “I think he went to meet his senior. They had some group meeting or lecture this afternoon, I’m not sure exactly, but it was something important anyway.”

Shen Nianjing suddenly felt his heart clogged with panic.

Meet his senior or meet Xia Shi?

Why was reality suddenly matching up with his dream?

Was his falling for Su Zhiyan something the plot had arranged from the beginning…

Shen Nianjing’s heart felt sour, and he took a sharp breath.

He lowered his head, trembling uncontrollably, his eyes feeling hot and wet.

Qin Qi and Wen Bei were still in the living room dividing up his snacks, not noticing his strange behavior at all.

After a while, Wen Bei suddenly noticed something. “Shen Nianjing, you have a lot of strawberry-flavored stuff at home.”

Then he boredly picked out all the strawberry-flavored pudding, sandwich bread, and other items, lining them up on the coffee table and enthusiastically taking a photo with his phone.

Having composed himself, Shen Nianjing watched coldly.

Every time Wen Bei opened a package of snacks, he muttered to himself.

This one was Su Zhiyan’s favorite, he ate two packs last time.

This one Su Zhiyan usually liked, but only ate two bites before putting it down, so Shen Nianjing never bought it again after that.

Su Zhiyan really loved this strawberry milk, so Shen Nianjing often carried it in his bag.

…

Counting them one by one, all of Su Zhiyan’s expressions flashed before his eyes one by one.

Happy, annoyed, shy, expectant…

All kinds of looks.

Shen Nianjing’s lips turned slightly pale, and he closed his eyes and sighed softly.

He really couldn’t figure it out.

Both Wen Bei and Qin Qi were startled by this sigh.

Wen Bei’s hand shook as he held a snack, hesitantly pointing at the strawberry cookies. “C-can I eat this?”

Shen Nianjing looked at him calmly for a while, then said, “Go ahead and eat. You can eat all of them.”