âWell.. Iâm just a bit worriedâ¦â
âWen Yangâs probably getting hit on at the cafeteria.â
Ning Chu flinched, instinctively looking back toward the cafeteria.
âYou want to be everywhere at once? Can you clone yourself?â
âWhy did you come to the field?â Ning Chu asked, looking around for Ling Ling. âDid you arrange to meet her here?â
Zhang Shaoqing shook his head. âWhatâs there to talk about with her? Forget it.â
He fell silent for a moment, his expression darkening as he lowered his head.
ââ¦â
If he put himself in Zhang Shaoqingâs shoes, Ning Chu knew he wouldnât feel great either.
Not knowing how to comfort him, Ning Chu could only awkwardly say, âItâs all in the pastâ¦â
Zhang Shaoqing didnât respond.
Instead, he began walking along the track. Gradually, his walk turned into a jog, then into a full sprint.
âThatâs not how you vent your feelingsâ¦â Ning Chu muttered, glancing at the cloudless sky, the corners of his mouth twitching. âHeâs definitely going to get heatstroke.â
He could have just gone to the school gym to run, but no, he had to do it under the blazing sun.
Ning Chu sat down on the grass, but the scorching ground beneath him made it impossible to sit still.
âOne after another, they all have issues~â
Ning Chu felt like even parents didnât worry as much as he didâone Zhang Shaoqing, one Wen Yang, one heartbroken, the other rebelliousâ¦
Since crossing over into this world, it seemed like nothing had gone smoothly.
Couldnât someone worry about him too? He was exhausted~
âWhatâs wrong with him?â
Suddenly, Wen Yangâs voice came from behind him. Ning Chu turned around and saw Wen Yang sitting beside him, handing him a bottle of cola. âWerenât you going to eat at the cafeteria?â
âI got takeout,â Wen Yang replied, showing the takeout boxes he was holding. âI saw you and Zhang Shaoqing heading to the field just as I left the cafeteria.â
âOh~â Ning Chu subtly scooted over to create some distance, explaining, âI guess he needs to blow off some steam? He probably felt bad after seeing Ling Ling in class today.â
He looked down at the cola in his hand. âIâll send you the money later.â
Three yuan for a cola wasnât a big deal to him, but for Wen Yang, it was a whole breakfast.
âNo need, itâs on me.â Wen Yang observed Ning Chuâs expression, noticing that most of his attention was focused on the sprinting Zhang Shaoqing.
Wen Yang then turned to look at him too. âHow long has he been running? He might get heatstroke.â
âHe probably wants to get heatstroke,â Ning Chu sighed. âSo childish⦠as if punishing himself will bring Ling Ling back to him.â
ââ¦â
It was rare to hear Ning Chu speak so maturely, and Wen Yang was a bit surprised, not knowing how to respond.
âHey! Take him to the infirmary!â
Suddenly, Zhang Shaoqing collapsed heavily onto the ground, causing Ning Chu to jump up in alarm.
Instinctively, he grabbed Wen Yangâs wrist and rushed over. âDonât hurt yourself!â@@novelbin@@
He hurried over to Zhang Shaoqing and saw him lying on the ground, arms and legs spread out, staring blankly at the clear blue sky like a fool.
Ning Chu froze, then let out a complicated sigh.
Great, this is what happens when you insist on writing a silly story and making Zhang Shaoqing the antagonistâ¦
He released Wen Yangâs hand, crouched down, and gently patted Zhang Shaoqingâs head with a helpless yet tender smile. âAlright, alright, letâs go back and take a nap. Stop fooling around, okay?â
âYou like cat girls, right? When Black Bean turns into a cat girl, Iâll marry her to you~â
Zhang Shaoqingâs gaze shifted from the sky to Ning Chuâs sunlit golden smile, then to Wen Yangâs worried face.
His lips quivered. âCats canât turn into cat girlsâ¦â
He wanted to respond with a usual joking insult, but his throat tightened, and he couldnât hold back anymore.
Laughing and crying at the same time, he wiped his tears, choking out, âYou⦠Youâre crazy, you know that?â
Wen Yang stood behind them, shaking his head with a sigh. âWith a roommate like Ning Chu, you should count yourself lucky.â
âCan you get up? Or should I carry you to the infirmary?â
He half-squatted, reaching out a hand to Zhang Shaoqing. âStop messing around. Youâre making Ning Chu worry.â
âYeahâ¦â