"You wouldn't believe it—Ning Chu is as gorgeous as a ghost now!"
"???"
In the cafeteria that morning, Zhang Shaoqing leaned in with a mischievous grin, sharing his intel with Wang Jie. "Remember when I went to visit Wen Yang? It’s only been a little over two weeks since I last saw Ning Chu, and that guy has completely swept her off her feet."
"Whoa! That intense, huh? I waited outside for five hours! Nearly froze solid out there. But hey, look at my loyalty. For the sake of my brother’s happiness, I’d freeze to death before interrupting!"
"Five hours?" Wang Jie looked up in shock. "You’ve got to be exaggerating!"
"As long as you know I’m exaggerating... Last year, she was like a little kid—looked like a middle schooler! But look at her now—those curves, that waist, that... everything. She's grown into a total knockout."
Wang Jie scratched his head. "If Ning Chu heard you talking about her like that, she'd definitely be angry, right?"
"She’s not here," Zhang Shaoqing chuckled, wrapping an arm around Wang Jie’s shoulder. "Anyway, what about you? Why do you still look like death warmed over? Didn't you work out over winter break? Your girlfriend is practically a succubus—if this keeps up, she'll drain you dry!"
"Couldn’t be bothered..."
"Then you deserve to be drained! So, how long can you last with her?"
"This..."
Zhang Shaoqing suddenly noticed the cafeteria's noise drop for a second. He instinctively looked up and saw a strikingly beautiful couple walk in.
The girl was about 160 cm, and despite the heavy down jacket, her alluring figure was evident. Her cheeks were flushed with a hint of youthful innocence, but her face held a captivating allure that made you want to tease her.
The man beside her was nearly 190 cm. The height difference of almost 30 cm meant she barely reached his shoulder, making her appear adorably small in comparison.
Zhang Shaoqing had no interest in Wen Yang, of course. He glanced at Ning Chu, then whispered to Wang Jie, "See? Huge difference, right? The reigning class beauty might need to hand over her title."
"Y-Yeah... she really has gotten more beautiful," Wang Jie stammered, his gaze flickering as he tried to avoid looking at Ning Chu directly.
They'd only been apart for a month, but his roommate had become so stunning that he couldn’t bear to look at her, fearing inappropriate thoughts might arise.
It wouldn't be a big deal if it were a random pretty girl, but considering they’d once shared a dorm, he couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed.
"What are you getting shy for? Don’t tell me you’ve got a crush on Ning Chu?"
He scratched the back of his head awkwardly, chuckling and looking guilty. "She’s... just really pretty..."
"Come on," Zhang Shaoqing scoffed. "You’ve lived with her for months. You know exactly what she’s like."
"What am I like?"
Having just walked up, Ning Chu overheard Zhang Shaoqing’s unwarranted commentary. She slapped her hand on the table. “I’ve done so much for this dorm, you know!”
“Yeah, yeah~” Zhang Shaoqing rolled his eyes. "Still calling yourself the ‘dad’ of the dorm?”
"Then you call yourself the mom?"
He didn't hesitate, calling out, "Mom!"
Ugh! Why didn’t this feel satisfying at all?
Ning Chu felt like she was the one being taken advantage of. She shot a fierce kick at the chair under Zhang Shaoqing before plopping down in the empty seat across from him. She looked up at Wen Yang. “Just get something simple; I already sent you the money.”
“Got it.”
Since it was a hassle to transfer money daily, Ning Chu had set up an automatic payment of sixty a day for their food expenses, which would go straight to Wen Yang.
Taking a lip balm from her small bag, she applied a thin layer, pressing her lips together before glancing at the two across from her.
Zhang Shaoqing still had that cheeky grin; she’d seen him over the holidays, and ten days later, he hadn’t changed much.
Wang Jie, though...
He’d clearly lost the last of his innocence, yet he sat there shyly, head lowered over his porridge, avoiding her gaze. He looked thinner too, his cheeks slightly hollowed, hinting at what he’d likely endured over winter break.
Seeing Wang Jie’s awkwardness, Ning Chu couldn’t help but sigh internally.
Turning to Zhang Shaoqing, she asked, "So, what’s going on with you and Qian Qian now?"
Wang Jie perked up, listening with interest.
Zhang Shaoqing’s face fell. “What do you think... Turns out what you can’t have is always best~”
“Details.”
A gloomy look crossed his face, and just as he was about to answer, he suddenly looked straight past Ning Chu, then buried his head and quickly got up, rushing toward the cafeteria exit. "I’ve got something to do."
Ning Chu looked confused but soon heard a cheerful voice behind her.
“Shaoqing!”
She turned to see Qian Qian entering the cafeteria, chasing after Zhang Shaoqing as he tried to slip out.
His body froze, and when he turned, his expression held a forced excitement. "Qian Qian? What are you doing here?"
"I have a class first thing!"
Qian Qian wrapped her arms around his, smiling as she dragged him toward the cafeteria counter. “Breakfast together?”
“I’ve already eaten... You’re a teacher; you shouldn’t act like this in school...”
“Oh, right~ I could just say you’re my little brother?”
“...”
Wen Yang returned with two trays, his gaze following Zhang Shaoqing. He took a seat beside Ning Chu, asking, "What’s up with that?"
"Pretty obvious, isn’t it?" Ning Chu’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Shaoqing is getting a taste of his own medicine! Finally, someone’s giving him a hard time!”
“Hm?”
“He worked so hard to ruin Qian Qian’s last relationship, made her fall for him, and now he’s found out that what he can’t have is best. It’s going to be a hassle for him now.”
In her little romance world, the villains would use threats and bribes to try and get Qian Qian. But in real life, Zhang Shaoqing was practically fleeing from Qian Qian.
Now, no matter if he goes to the bar to watch girls perform pole dances or to karaoke with hostesses, there’ll be someone to keep him in check.
Couldn’t have happened to a better person~
Wang Jie, who had no part in the situation, looked puzzled and asked, “Huh? I didn’t understand a word of that.”
“Doesn’t matter if you get it or not,” Ning Chu said, smirking. “Better focus on working out to keep up with your little girlfriend.”
“???”
His face flushed beet red at her comment, and he looked down, muttering, “Weren’t you the one who used to blush watching romance movies? When did you get so good at teasing?”
“It’s almost time for class,” Wen Yang reminded her.
“Oh!” Ning Chu hurriedly stuffed a steamed bun into her mouth, her cheeks puffing out like a hamster’s.
“Slow down so you don’t choke.”
But no sooner had he spoken than her eyes widened. “Mmph!”
Wen Yang sighed, offering her a cup of soy milk. “I told you to take it slow.”
She took a large gulp, finally managing to swallow the bun, and let out a long sigh of relief as she slumped back in her chair. “I almost died there~”
“Napkin.”
“Wait, let me check the class schedule... Seems like I have fewer classes this semester~”
Wen Yang pulled out a napkin, ready to hand it over, only to see Ning Chu looking at her phone and tilting her face toward him slightly.
Understanding her intention immediately, he took the napkin and wiped the oil from the corner of her mouth.
“With everyone watching, you’re not embarrassed?”
“Nope. Let those women see just how great your girlfriend looks and feel ashamed of themselves!”
