Shen Yuqing changed into Song Lejin’s clothes. When he stepped out of the restroom, he saw Song Lejin standing by the railing, looking down at something with an extremely grave expression.
Carrying his soiled clothes, Shen Yuqing walked over and said, “Let’s go. I’ve changed.”
Only then did Song Lejin turn to look at him, his gaze lingering on Shen Yuqing’s face, showing no intention of leaving.
Shen Yuqing asked, “What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?”
A faint smile appeared on Song Lejin’s face. “It’s just that today, I realized you’re nothing like the person I remember.”
Shen Yuqing raised an eyebrow. “If I recall correctly, we’ve never met before.”
Song Lejin continued studying his face, as if searching for any hint of unusual emotion. But Shen Yuqing was far more composed than he had anticipated there wasn’t the slightest ripple of reaction.
Originally, Song Lejin had intended to have a proper conversation with Shen Yuqing, but seeing him like this made him suddenly change his mind.
After witnessing Shen Yuqing part amicably with Song Wangzhuo yesterday and observing his completely different attitude toward things just now, he was now a hundred percent certain of his suspicions.
However, he had been too hasty. He still hadn’t figured out what Shen Yuqing was truly after. If he rushed to lay his cards on the table now, it might backfire, leaving him in a passive position.
Seeing Song Lejin staring at him in silence, Shen Yuqing tilted his head slightly. “What? Did I remember wrong?”
Song Lejin snapped out of his thoughts and smiled. “No, you didn’t. Brother Asui told me you had a bad temper, but seeing you today, I think he was mistaken.”
Shen Yuqing lowered his eyes. Tsk. From Song Lejin’s tone, it seemed he wasn’t going to say anything more.
He pondered how to prompt the other man to “reconsider” and voice what he had initially wanted to say, but Song Lejin simply stated, “Let’s go find Brother Asui.”
Turning around, Shen Yuqing watched Song Lejin’s retreating figure heading toward the staircase. Pressing his lips together, he eventually followed.
Walking ahead, Song Lejin kept his back to him, his thin lips tightly pursed.
Now, the question was—
Why was Shen Yuqing trying to befriend Song Wangzhuo?
Was it to change his own fate?
But if that were the case, all he had to do was avoid provoking Song Wangzhuo and Pei Yiyan.
Or was it for something else something he didn’t yet know about?
For now, he remained in the shadows while Shen Yuqing stood in the light.
The course of the future was still in his hands.
Xiao Zhao arrived with fresh clothes an hour and a half later. Shen Yuqing changed out of Song Lejin’s outfit and handed it to Xiao Zhao to be laundered. Only after putting on his own clothes did he finally feel comfortable again.
By the time the morning events were nearly over, he still hadn’t seen Song Wangzhuo.
Standing at a higher vantage point, Shen Yuqing scanned the field for a while but couldn’t spot Song Wangzhuo anywhere. Strange. Where is he?
The figure he usually found so quickly was nowhere to be seen now.
Shen Yuqing opened his communicator and sent Song Wangzhuo a message.
The reply came swiftly: On patrol.
Patrol?
Shen Yuqing hesitated over whether to ask for his location. After all, he had nothing else to do at the moment Song Lejin and Lin Sui were both occupied with their own tasks, leaving him idle.
Just as he wavered, his communicator buzzed again. Song Wangzhuo had already sent him a location pin.
So proactive?
Might as well go then.
Shen Yuqing clicked open the message and saw it was about the spot where he’d been splashed with water earlier. He quickly replied with an “OK” and headed toward the destination.
To ensure students could fully enjoy themselves, the academy had designated several areas for setting up game booths. When Shen Yuqing found Song Wangzhuo, he was helping move supplies.
Just as Shen Yuqing stepped forward to assist, Song Wangzhuo said, “No need.”
Then Shen watched as Song effortlessly loaded the items onto a cart.
Shen stood by, observing as Song made several trips until the cart was finally full. Seeing Song about to leave, Shen asked, “Where are you taking all this?”
“Storage room,” Song replied. “We’ve got enough already these are extras.”
Shen made an understanding sound, then noticed the patrol badge on Song’s arm. “I didn’t know you were on patrol duty today.”
Song glanced at the badge pinned to his clothes. “Got pulled in last minute this morning.”
Each department provided three students for patrol duty to maintain order and prevent conflicts among students.
Originally, with the competitions ongoing, the teachers hadn’t assigned him. But when one scheduled student fell ill and couldn’t make it, the teacher had drafted him as a replacement.
“Ah, so you got voluntold,” Shen said with a drawn-out nod.
Song didn’t respond.
“What about your competition events?” Shen asked.
“The running events are on the last day,” Song said. “Doesn’t interfere.” After a pause, he added, “Just helping out today.”
As he spoke, his gaze lingered on Shen for several moments.
Unaware of the scrutiny, Shen simply nodded. “Good that it doesn’t conflict.”
Pushing the cart forward, Song noticed after a few steps that Shen was following him. He turned his head. “The storage room’s messy. You should go enjoy the festival.”
“I’ve already visited most booths this morning,” Shen said. “Nothing else to do right now.”
His meaning was clear. He intended to accompany Song.
Song didn’t protest further, and the two walked toward the storage room together.
After about ten minutes of winding paths that took them far from the crowded field, they arrived at a dimly lit area.
Shen looked around curiously. “Never noticed this building before.”
“This area rarely used,” Song explained. “Just stores infrequently needed items.”
Leaving the cart by the door, Song went ahead to unlock it. When Shen moved to help carry things inside, Song stopped him.
“Too dusty better stay out.” As he spoke, Song pulled an unopened mask from his pocket and put it on, clearly prepared.
Shen peered inside. Despite regular cleaning, layers of dust were visible.
“Alright,” Shen agreed. “I’ll look around nearby never been to this part before.”
With a hum of acknowledgment, Song carried the items inside.
Shen wandered around the building’s perimeter. It was surprisingly spacious.
By the time he circled back, Song had long finished unloading and was sitting casually on a crate. Seeing Shen return, he stood up. “Let’s go. It’s almost noon.”
There wasn’t much difference at noon compared to usual days. Due to the sports meet these past two days, Shen Yuqing’s tutoring sessions were suspended for three days. Since he didn’t need to go to Song Wangzhuo’s house these days, he asked, “Are you going home to rest at noon?”
Song Wangzhuo shook his head: “Patrol members can’t leave.”
Shen Yuqing responded with an “Oh” and said, “Alright, I was just asking casually. So, you guys have to eat in shifts at the cafeteria then?”
“The academy will deliver working meals to the temporary duty stations,” Song Wangzhuo explained. “This way we avoid the hassle of queuing at the cafeteria.”
Truly… the life of a working stiff.
Shen Yuqing gave a noncommittal hum, and the two fell into silence.
Song Wangzhuo glanced at him several times before finally racking his brains to ask, “Where did you go just now?”
Shen Yuqing replied, “Just took a walk around that path. This place is so remote, there’s not even surveillance. We should come here less often in the future.” After circling the area, he’d begun to feel vaguely that it wasn’t very safe.
Song Wangzhuo said, “Actually, there was surveillance, but it broke down a couple of days ago. With everything going on recently, the academy hasn’t gotten around to fixing it.” So that was why.
Shen Yuqing laughed, “Seems like we should still mention it to them. They need to install surveillance here, otherwise if something happens, it might take days to find out.”
Song Wangzhuo nodded, “You’re right, but if they do install it, it probably won’t be until after the sports meet.” After all, it wasn’t an urgent matter.
When they returned to the crowd, someone called out Song Wangzhuo’s name, saying it was time for patrol.
He nodded, then turned to look at Shen Yuqing.
Shen Yuqing said, “Go ahead, I’m heading home.” With three days off finally here, he planned to get a good nap at noon today.
He’d always needed plenty of sleep, but recently Pei Yiyan would cling to him like an octopus after falling asleep, sometimes making it hard for him to rest properly. Half-asleep, he’d still have to comfort him.
Pei Yiyan’s medical report showed no issues, and he’d asked the system about it, but the answer remained the same Pei Yiyan was resisting something in his sleep, though what exactly, it didn’t know.
Shen Yuqing had tried subtly questioning Pei Yiyan too, but hadn’t gotten anywhere. Fortunately, Pei Yiyan’s reactions had lessened considerably compared to before.
“What are you thinking about?”
Hearing the question, Shen Yuqing snapped out of his thoughts and blinked at Song Wangzhuo. “Nothing, just wondering what performances there’ll be on stage tonight.”
Silino’s sports meet was truly lively not just with events, but also a stage show tonight. Initially organized spontaneously by students, it had gone so well that the academy decided to make it a regular feature. And it would run for all three days, with participants free to sign up and perform however they liked.
Song Wangzhuo said, “There are more bands tonight.”
Shen Yuqing nodded. “Alright, I’ll head off then.”
Song Wangzhuo nodded as well, watching until Shen Yuqing was some distance away. A fellow patrol member sidled up and said, “Alright, stop staring, he’s long gone.”
Song Wangzhuo tugged at his hem. “Let’s go.”
But the other persisted, “I didn’t know you and the Little Tyrant were this close. Why didn’t you mention it?”
Song Wangzhuo merely gave him a sidelong glance. “Mention what?”
“That you and Shen Yuqing are friends.”
He had teamed up with Song Wangzhuo several times before. Seeing him always keeping to himself, he never expected him to have such an extraordinary friend.
A faint smile flickered across Song Wangzhuo’s lips, but it vanished almost instantly.
He said, “Oh, what’s there to say about that?”
Some things lose their meaning when spoken aloud.
