Volume 1 Chapter 17: Chicken out

Thinking optimistically, maybe Wen Yang just went out to buy something. But recalling the bar incident triggered in the cafeteria, Ning Chu’s expression darkens.

Though he temporarily interrupted that plot, the girls involved haven’t lost interest in Wen Yang. Like lions lurking in the grass, they could strike at any moment.

Putting himself in Wen Yang’s shoes, if Ning Chu were tipsy in a bar with two twins seducing him…

Even the most disciplined person would struggle!

But he could resist, his “weapon” having long since decayed.

“What should I do…” Ning Chu frets, constantly shaking his leg while sitting at the computer, “If the plot continues, I’m sure to be in trouble.”

Once Wen Yang gets a taste of romance, he’ll never be as obedient as before.

Ning Chu’s face is filled with anxiety. After sitting in indecision for a moment, he gets up, intending to go look for Wen Yang, but then hesitates and starts pacing the room anxiously.

Having finished his game, Wang Jie turns back and curiously watches Ning Chu’s agitated state: “Do you need Wen Yang for something? Why not call him?”

“Yes, it’s somewhat urgent.”

Call him…

Ning Chu looks at his phone on the desk, considering. But he realizes that constantly restricting Wen Yang, even with good intentions, could lead to resentment. Even parents who overly control their children often face rebellion.

Yet, if he doesn’t act and Wen Yang falls for the twins…

While Wen Yang might enjoy the moment, Ning Chu would suffer in the future.

Ning Chu sits back down, frowning deeply at the computer screen.

Damn it! If authors are supposed to treat their main characters like children, then why can’t he be strict with Wen Yang? Being disliked is better than being violated!

He quickly opens WeChat and sends a tactful message to Wen Yang: “I put the clothes in the washing machine. Where did you go? Bring the clothes back when you come upstairs.”

The message is meaningless except for the part about Wen Yang’s whereabouts.

“Ning Chu, I’m off to shower,” Wang Jie yawns and stretches, “Looks like it’s just the two of us tonight~”

I don’t want to be stuck with you!

“Pity Shaoqing isn’t here. We could’ve asked him to treat us to a late-night snack…” He says, walking towards the bathroom like an old man.

“Yeah, yeah.”

Ning Chu absentmindedly responds to Wang Jie, his gaze fixed on the WeChat screen, waiting for Wen Yang’s reply. But no response comes.

Something’s wrong! Something’s definitely wrong!

He surely couldn’t have succumbed to temptation in less than half an hour after leaving, could he?

Ning Chu anxiously dials Wen Yang’s number, but after several minutes, there’s no answer.

Holding his phone, Ning Chu slumps onto the desk, his normally taut nerves relaxing in defeat.

That’s it, I give up~

Why can’t this guy control himself!

Staring blankly at the desk, he feels utterly exhausted, his efforts over the past week seeming to have been in vain.

“After all, he’s the male protagonist of a racy novel; it’s impossible to keep him in check,” Ning Chu sighs despondently, “I should have used more drastic measures.”

Like kidnapping Wen Yang! Tying him up in a basement!

If I restrict his freedom, there won’t be any plot to worry about, no need to live in fear every day!

Or, under cover of darkness, take a knife to Wen Yang’s… you know!

Castration on the spot! Eliminate all future problems!

Or, add some hormones to Wen Yang’s water to chemically incapacitate him!

Wang Jie finishes his shower and enters the room shirtless, feeling refreshed, but his smile freezes upon seeing Ning Chu.

He instinctively looks at Ning Chu, feeling a chill down his spine, as if witnessing a demon’s birth.

Ning Chu’s malevolence seems almost palpable.

“Hey, hey, hey! What evil thoughts are you having?” Wang Jie steps forward, leaning over to look at Ning Chu’s smiling face, waving his hand in front of Ning Chu’s eyes, “What are you daydreaming about?”

Ning Chu snaps back to reality, shaking his head to clear the wicked thoughts: “Nothing.”

“Nothing? You were smiling like a lunatic.”

“Was I?!”

He glares at Wang Jie and flops down again: “Forget it, I don’t want to argue with you.”

“Eh!”

Just as Wang Jie steps away, Ning Chu suddenly exclaims in surprise. Wang Jie turns back to see Ning Chu grabbing his phone and rushing to the balcony, his face filled with joy and relief.

“What’s with him, acting so erratic.”

On the balcony, Ning Chu holds his phone, sees the incoming call notification, and hesitates before answering.

If he sounds too eager, Wen Yang might get the wrong idea.

Clearing his throat, Ning Chu tries to calm himself before answering cautiously: “Hello?”

“What do you need?”

From the other end, he can faintly hear the loud DJ music and the noisy crowd in the background.

Ning Chu’s heart sinks, fearing the worst.

Wen Yang must have succumbed to the twins’ temptations and gone to the bar.

He imagines Wen Yang getting tipsy, being seduced in a private booth by the twins, his brain eventually overpowered by alcohol and desire, embarking on a wild night.

“Your– your place is really noisy.”

Despite guessing Wen Yang couldn’t resist the girls’ allure, knowing his efforts have been wasted leaves him feeling down.

“I’m at a bar. It’s so loud it’s hurting my ears. I didn’t notice my phone ringing, just stepped out. The drinks here are ridiculously expensive. I didn’t dare to drink a sip, feels like I’m imprisoned in a bar.”

“Eh?”

You didn’t drink? So, you haven’t been…?

“Why did you call me?”

“I, I was just wondering where you went. Also, to remind you to bring the laundry up when you return,” Ning Chu quickly finds an excuse, but after a pause, he asks carefully, “When are you coming back?”

“Right now, waiting for a ride outside the bar.”

“Really?!” His voice rises in surprise, “What about the girls you went with? You just left them?”

Wen Yang hesitates, sounding a bit embarrassed, “The girls… well, they tried to get me drunk. I suspect they’re bar promoters. I don’t have much money… You know, there have been news about such scams recently. I only have a bit over a hundred bucks on me.”

He couldn’t admit he chickened out, or else Ning Chu would surely mock him.

“Pfft!”

Ning Chu bursts out laughing, his eyes curling into crescent moons with joy.