Volume 1 Chapter 15: Weekend Plans

Except for fainting on the first day of military training due to skipping breakfast and lack of energy, Ning Chu’s next few days go quite smoothly. His stomach pain, which started on the fifth day of training, also ends.

He suspects that the stomach pain was a punishment mechanism triggered by preventing Wen Yang’s involvement in the bar event.

“Just one more hour, and then it’s the weekend,” Wen Yang lies on the grass of the playground, staring at the sky lifelessly, “Why is it always sunny during military training? Not even a cloud in sight.”

Ning Chu, more reserved, sits cross-legged, drinks half a bottle of water, and then stares blankly with the bottle in hand. He’s slowly getting used to the intensity of the training, but his skin has darkened from being in the sun all day.

A little darker is good, it makes him look more manly.

He looks around at his classmates, noticing that almost everyone’s skin has darkened to some degree, with some even peeling from the sunburn.

“What’s the plan for the weekend?” Ning Chu looks down at Wen Yang, “Staying in the dorm playing games?”

“You and Wang Jie should also get out, always staying in. Even on the weekend, you want to stay in?”

“How about we go out together? Find a place to visit?”

As long as he can occupy Wen Yang’s weekend, those seductresses won’t have a chance to tempt the main character.

Wen Yang hesitantly turns to Zhang Shaoqing and shouts across a few meters, “Shaoqing! Want to hang out this weekend?”

“Not going, I have things to do.”

“Wang Jie! How about you?”

“I’m too tired from military training…”

After asking his roommates, Wen Yang shakes his head at Ning Chu: “Forget it, they don’t want to go.”

Ning Chu rubs his nose bridge, feeling a headache. He’s not Wen Yang’s parent and can’t tie him to the dorm, but letting Wen Yang go out worries him, fearing unavoidable plots might find Wen Yang.

Should he follow Wen Yang wherever he goes?

With him as a third wheel, those women interested in Wen Yang might not go too far, right?

After about ten minutes of rest, they all get up at the instructor’s urging to continue training.

The college’s military training lasts half a month, enough time for them to look decent in formation drills. On the last day, there’s apparently a performance.

In the evening, the sun is no longer scorching, and the wind across the playground is cooler. The last hour of training is much easier.

Finally reaching the end, Ning Chu breathes a sigh of relief, stretches, and looks towards Zhang Shaoqing and Wang Jie.

He plans to convince them to join a group outing for the weekend.

Though he’s just been through a week of training and wants to lie in bed for two days, it’s vital for his future gender and position.

He really doesn’t want to be dominated by a man…

Too scary!

Ning Chu jogs over to his roommates, hopeful in his eyes: “Let’s go out this weekend? I haven’t been out since school started.”

Zhang Shaoqing glances at him and coldly refuses: “I told you, I’m busy this weekend.”

“I just want to lie in the dorm like a salted fish.”

“I asked earlier, didn’t I?” Wen Yang also shrugs, “They don’t want to go.”

Ning Chu frowns, troubled. Wang Jie is easier to persuade; despite being a homebody, he’s mild-mannered and can be dragged out.

But Zhang Shaoqing, usually carefree and jovial, has a cold and heavy expression today, clearly having important plans for the weekend.

Ning Chu can’t help but overthink.

Could Zhang Shaoqing be harboring some sinister intent, planning to harm some girl over the weekend?

In the book, Zhang Shaoqing’s first short story involved his unrequited love for a childhood friend. She ignored his hints of affection but quickly started dating Wen Yang and soon became physically intimate with him. This triggered Zhang Shaoqing’s possessiveness and anger, leading him to drug and take advantage of his childhood friend.

Ning Chu’s lips twitch as he thinks about this. If possible, he wishes he could go back in time and slap his past self who wrote such stories.

Why not write about pure love instead!

“Shaoqing…”

There’s no time to regret the past; Ning Chu must deal with the current problem.

He must prevent Zhang Shaoqing’s twisted actions!

“What are you doing this weekend?” he asks carefully, noting Zhang Shaoqing’s expressionless face, “You seem to be in a bad mood?”

“It’s none of your…” Zhang Shaoqing starts to retort, but seeing Ning Chu’s cautious yet concerned eyes, he holds back his words. After a pause, he mutters softly, “Family stuff, I need to go home.”

“Shaoqing’s family seems pretty strict?” Wen Yang joins the conversation, curiously asking, “I often see you calling home at night.”

Now that Wen Yang mentions it, it does seem true.

Every night, Zhang Shaoqing steps out to the balcony with a cigarette. Ning Chu, not liking the smell of smoke, hasn’t paid attention to what Zhang Shaoqing does there.

With the topic opened by Wen Yang, Zhang Shaoqing complains, “They are strict. I didn’t want to go back this week, and we’ve been arguing about it for the past few days.”

No wonder Zhang Shaoqing has seemed so preoccupied lately.

Learning that Zhang Shaoqing’s mood isn’t due to any sinister plans, Ning Chu’s anxiety eases: “Then just don’t go back.”

“I didn’t go back last week.”

“You’re an adult, what can they do if you don’t go home?” Wen Yang advises, “When I lived at home, my parents were strict too. Before university, I never even held a girl’s hand. Look at me now, free and unbothered, going on dates with girls…”

He stops, realizing something.

He’s been avoiding Ning Chu when going on dates.

Wen Yang frowns, suddenly realizing that Ning Chu is just his roommate; why should he sneak around for dates as if he’s having an affair?

“Let’s see,” Zhang Shaoqing sighs, feeling a bit better with their comfort. Lightening up, he suggests, “Let’s go out together when I have a chance. How about bungee jumping?”

“Bungee jumping?!”

Seeing Ning Chu’s surprised and wide-eyed expression, Zhang Shaoqing feels a sense of joy in teasing him, his mood lifting further.

But he can’t deny Ning Chu’s attractive appearance, with lips that could be described as cherry-like.

“What, you scared? A big man afraid of bungee jumping?”

“It’s a bit too thrilling, isn’t it?” Ning Chu shrinks back, “Let’s do something else.”

“How about rafting in the summer?”

“I can’t swim, no!”

Zhang Shaoqing suggests another activity: “What about paragliding? It’s safe with an instructor.”

“…”

Wen Yang, seeing Ning Chu’s reluctance, joins in teasing: “How about a massage at a spa?”

Wang Jie’s eyes light up: “That, I’m not tired for!”

“That’s even worse!” Ning Chu vehemently shakes his head, “Absolutely not!”