Volume 1 Chapter 14: The Villain's Unusual Behavior

After resolving another crisis and thwarting the bar event planned for tonight, Ning Chu is in a reasonably good mood, having kept Wen Yang’s virginity intact. However, the punishment he expected didn’t come, suggesting those seductive individuals haven’t completely given up on Wen Yang.

This incident also made him realize that the short stories in his novel don’t have much connection in terms of plot. After completely disrupting the opening scenario, he thought there wouldn’t be any more plots related to Wen Yang, but that wasn’t the case.

“The twin scenario is actually the fourth short story– What about the second and third? Is the order of the stories mixed up because the timeline isn’t clear?”

Having just returned to the dormitory, Ning Chu opens his novel on his phone and quickly reviews the twin story again. “This is troublesome; it’s hard to predict the plot now.”

He initially thought the incidents would follow the order of the stories in the novel, but they are scrambled.

“What are you mumbling about?” Wen Yang comes up behind him, reminding, “Send me your home address, your parents’ job phone numbers, and your ID number. I’m starting to fill out the forms.”

“Okay.”

Ever since he was caught reading the novel at midnight by Wen Yang, Ning Chu transferred it to his phone. With the small screen, it’s hard for anyone to notice, even if he reads it openly.

“Shaoqing, you need to send me that information too.”

Wen Yang turns to Zhang Shaoqing. After waiting a moment without a response, he gently nudges Zhang Shaoqing’s shoulder and looks down at the computer screen.

“Why aren’t you responding? You’re not even playing games.”

“I know, stop bothering me.”

Zhang Shaoqing suddenly looks up, replying irritably.

Wen Yang, confused, scratches his head: “Just remember to send me the information.”

He doesn’t pay much attention, but Ning Chu turns around and stares at Zhang Shaoqing, suspecting something is wrong. Since receiving a phone call earlier in the evening, Zhang Shaoqing has been in a bad mood, cold-faced and unfairly snapping at his roommates. Ning Chu suspects either a problem with the girl Zhang Shaoqing likes or some family issue.

Wen Yang and Wang Jie are preoccupied with their own things, and everyone has their off days. However, Ning Chu is particularly concerned, frequently glancing at Zhang Shaoqing while playing games on his computer, his face full of worry.

He hopes Wen Yang won’t suddenly turn into the ruthless villain from the book, involved in all sorts of immoral activities like drugging, hypnosis, coercion, confinement, and S&M. In a lawful society, such actions could lead to a life sentence.

If Wen Yang truly turns evil, Ning Chu’s only option would be to flee.

Hearing the noise of a chair moving, Ning Chu looks back to see Zhang Shaoqing stepping out to the balcony and lighting a cigarette. Seizing the opportunity, Ning Chu quickly adjusts his mood and expression, then follows Zhang Shaoqing to the balcony with a warm, concerned smile.

“Shaoqing~”

Zhang Shaoqing, with his head down, merely glances up and coldly replies, “Go away.”

“…”

Caught off guard, Ning Chu’s smile freezes.

As he steps into the bathroom without hearing Zhang Shaoqing call him back, Ning Chu turns around and approaches again with a look of concern: “What’s wrong? Tell me about it?”

“Heh, so you can have some fun?”

Zhang Shaoqing’s response is aggressively defensive.

“Not really…” Ning Chu struggles to maintain composure. He’s not good at offering advice and feels like he’s met with a cold shoulder.

Zhang Shaoqing sighs deeply, turns around, and leans on the balcony railing, looking out at the small garden outside the dormitory. He remains silent, expressionless, smoking his cigarette. But soon, he notices the subtle fragrance of a young man standing beside him, looking out in the same direction.

“…”

“I’ll keep you company since I’ve got nothing else to do.”

“No need.”

Ning Chu looks down, playing with his nails, and sighs: “They think I’m too unskilled to play games with them, and playing alone isn’t fun.”

“Anyway, I’ve got nothing better to do, so I might as well come out for some air before the lights-out and then take a shower and sleep.”

Zhang Shaoqing glances at Ning Chu beside him and offers him a cigarette, which Ning Chu hesitantly reaches for.

“Forget it.” Seeing him about to take it, Zhang Shaoqing puts the cigarette back in his pocket. “What’s a kid like you doing smoking?”

“Ugh~”

The evening breeze on the summer night is refreshingly cool, unlike the scorching heat of the day. They stand side by side on the balcony, enjoying the gentle wind and the brief moment of peace.

Ning Chu initially wanted to keep Zhang Shaoqing company, hoping that if Zhang Shaoqing ever became a villain, he would remember Ning Chu’s kindness and spare him. However, the peaceful summer night leads him to reminisce about his past life…

Fortunately, in his previous life, he had no parents, no girlfriend, and owed five hundred yuan on his Alipay credit. In retrospect, he feels like he came out ahead.

Not many people can claim to have gotten one over on Jack Ma!

After some time, Zhang Shaoqing finally speaks up: “Does your stomach still hurt?”

“Yeah, a bit, but it’s not a big deal.”

“We won’t go to that Sichuan restaurant again.”

“…”

“You act like a fussy woman.”

“Your mom’s fussy!”

Angered, Ning Chu retorts with a curse, frustrated that he has to be so delicate with Zhang Shaoqing, given his special circumstances.

But from inside, Wang Jie calls out: “Ning Chu! Shaoqing! I bought some barbecue and drinks. Come have some?”

“See, that’s a normal guy.”

Zhang Shaoqing chuckles softly and heads back inside.

“I can’t really drink, though…”

Moreover, now that he knows the plot doesn’t follow the order of the novel, he worries that if a plot involving him suddenly happens and he’s drunk, he might end up in a bad situation.

“Don’t just stand there like an idiot.”

“Not a single nice word…”

Ning Chu glares at Zhang Shaoqing’s back, clearly annoyed.

Although he didn’t find out why Zhang Shaoqing suddenly became so moody, it seems like it was just a minor issue affecting his mood, as he seems to have recovered quickly.

Entering the dorm, Ning Chu sees two boxes of barbecue and crayfish on the table. Wang Jie and Wen Yang, not waiting for him, are already enjoying the food with gloves on. Zhang Shaoqing quickly rushes forward and grabs the last chicken leg.

“Leave some for me!”

“Don’t worry, you don’t drink alcohol, so just eat a little.”

“I’ll have cola!” Ning Chu hurries to the table, looking for his favorite skewers and asks, “Where are the gloves? Are there no more gloves?”

“Make some room! Make some room!”