“Ning Bai, thank you for taking care of me these past two days.” Shen Yuqing finished his medicine and sincerely expressed his gratitude to Chu Ningbai.
For the past two days, the system had been in hibernation, taking even the most basic numerical reminders offline.
Today it returned, and the status panel came back with it.
What he never expected was that the third male lead who had turned dark was none other than his gentle, considerate roommate Chu Ningbai the very person who had been caring for him these past two days.
The system hadn’t yet sent him Chu Ningbai’s relevant information, likely still compiling it.
Chu Ningbai set the bowl aside and picked up the ointment: “Time to apply your medicine.”
Shen Yuqing made an acknowledging sound and removed the gauze from his forehead while looking in the mirror. After two days of treatment and rest, the wound had improved significantly and would probably heal completely in another couple of days.
He made a mental note to ask the system later if it would leave a scar. Having finally regained his original appearance, he didn’t want to end up disfigured.
Shen Yuqing studied his reflection. Compared to the other Shen Yuqing’s looks, his own features were much more ordinary, yet the more he looked, the more he preferred his own face.
Noticing his prolonged gaze at the mirror, Chu Ningbai asked, “What’s wrong?”
Snapping out of his thoughts, Shen Yuqing complimented, “Ning Bai, you’re really good-looking.”
Chu Ningbai had heard countless compliments about his appearance before, each carrying some underlying implication all because he was an Omega.
But Shen Yuqing was different. His praise seemed genuinely just about his looks.
Chu Ningbai glanced at him. Shen Yuqing had already closed his eyes after speaking, though his mouth kept moving: “I’ve really troubled you these past two days. Once I’m better, I’ll treat you to a meal. What would you like?”
Chu Ningbai squeezed some ointment onto a cotton swab and applied it to his forehead: “No need. It was nothing.”
“But how could—ow ow ow! Chu Ningbai, be gentler!” Shen Yuqing hissed in pain.
Chu Ningbai’s fingers paused briefly before lightening his touch. Only then did Shen Yuqing relax slightly and continue, “But how could I not? You’ve been taking care of my meals and medicine all this time. Besides, we’ll be going to Silino soon we should enjoy more local specialties here while we can. It’ll be a long time before we get to taste them again.”
Shen Yuqing felt the cotton swab leave his forehead. Opening his eyes, he met Chu Ningbai’s gaze again, momentarily stunned before sighing, “Ning Bai, how did you end up so good-looking?”
Chu Ningbai tossed the cotton swab aside: “You’re good-looking too.”
Shen Yuqing turned back to the mirror: “Bro, no need to force the compliments.”
A smile appeared on Chu Ningbai’s face: “Hungry? There’s food for you on the table.”
Originally, Shen Yuqing hadn’t been hungry, but now that Chu Ningbai mentioned it, his stomach growled twice in response. “Let’s eat then,” he said.
Then remembering something, he grabbed his phone: “I’ll order strawberry milk tea first.”
Chu Ningbai said, “Drink less of that. It’s unhealthy.”
Shen Yuqing wagged his finger disapprovingly. “Don’t slander strawberry milk tea like that. It’s made with fresh strawberry jam, milk, and just a hint of tea absolutely delicious strawberry milk tea. I won’t allow you to speak of it that way; it hasn’t done anything wrong.”
Chu Ningbai simply picked up the empty bowl and left.
“Hey, Ningbai, don’t go! I haven’t finished yet,” Shen Yuqing called after him.
Shen Yuqing got out of bed. Perhaps because he had been lying down for too long, his head spun as soon as he stood up. After taking a moment to steady himself, he felt fine again.
He had to admit, he no longer felt that constant urge to sleep like before.
Nothing beats having your own body back in working order!
He shuffled out of the bedroom in his slippers.
Both he and Chu Ningbai were students in the mecha department. Due to a shortage of dormitory beds, the system had arranged for him to move in with Chu Ningbai before his accident.
By now, Chu Ningbai had already gone to clean up in the kitchen. Limping slightly, Shen Yuqing made his way to the dining table, where a meat dish, a vegetable dish, and a soup all set aside for him by Chu Ningbai were waiting.
As Shen Yuqing sat down, Chu Ningbai brought over a bowl of rice and placed it beside him.
Over the past two days, Chu Ningbai had been taking care of him like a personal attendant, which deeply moved Shen Yuqing especially after learning about Chu Ningbai’s blackening value.
Even with such a high blackening level, he still knows how to take care of people so well. Truly the chosen male lead!
Chu Ningbai said, “There’s a problem I can’t solve.”
Shen Yuqing nodded. “Bring it here, and we’ll take a look together.”
He had to admit, the tutoring Song Wangzhuo had given him before was useful. Now, as long as he focused on the problem, although it was a bit challenging, he always arrived at the correct answer in the end.
While Chu Ningbai went to fetch the problem, Shen Yuqing started eating.
All the dishes were prepared by Chu Ningbai, and they were surprisingly delicious. By the time Chu Ningbai returned with the textbook and test paper, Shen Yuqing was already halfway through his meal.
Chu Ningbai sat down across from him. “Eat slowly. No one’s going to take it from you.”
“Hungry,” Shen Yuqing mumbled.
Still, heeding Chu Ningbai’s words, he slowed down. He reached out with one hand to take the test paper from Chu Ningbai, but Chu Ningbai stopped him. “No rush. Finish your meal first.”
Shen Yuqing made an acknowledging sound and didn’t insist. Lowering his head, he focused on devouring the food, making sure to finish every last bite.
“I’ll wash the dishes and then come back,” he said, starting to stand up.
But Chu Ningbai was quicker. “You look at the problem. I’ll wash them.”
Shen Yuqing protested, “I should do it. We agreed you’d cook and I’d wash the dishes. But because of my injury, you’ve been handling everything inside and out these past two days.”
Chu Ningbai gathered the empty bowls and plates. “I don’t mind doing these things.”
With that, he carried the dirty dishes into the kitchen. Soon, the sound of running water could be heard.
Shen Yuqing turned to look at Chu Ningbai and couldn’t help but say to the system, He’s so good. How can someone this good have such a high blackening value?
Shen Yuqing realized he couldn’t quite understand any of the male leads.
Coincidentally, the system had just finished organizing Chu Ningbai’s profile. Shen Yuqing said, Go ahead, I’m listening.
The system hesitated before speaking. Host, Chu Ningbai is the story’s main shou.
Shen Yuqing choked on his own saliva and burst into a fit of violent coughing.
Chu Ningbai in the kitchen heard him and came out with a cup of warm water, placing it in front of him. “Why are you coughing all of a sudden?”
Shen Yuqing drank the water and finally felt better. He waved his hand dismissively. “It’s nothing, really. I just choked accidentally.”
Chu Ningbai studied his face with concern, only returning to the kitchen to finish washing the dishes after confirming Shen Yuqing was fine.
Shen Yuqing took another sip of warm water. [So, he’s the protagonist shou who gives warmth to Song Wangzhuo and accompanies Pei Yiyan.]
The system replied: [Correct.]
Shen Yuqing looked up at the sky. What kind of mess is this?
The protagonist shows resentment that was even stronger than when Song Wangzhuo and Pei Yiyan had appeared. More importantly, his current state indicated he had already awakened.
Meaning he was no longer bound by the plot’s control.
The system continued: [According to the original storyline, after entering Silino, he would cross paths with both Song Wangzhuo and Pei Yiyan, healing them while also being healed in return. Eventually, everyone would find their own resolutions.]
Shen Yuqing felt a headache coming on. [I have a feeling things won’t be that simple now.]
Great. The system thought the same.
[Yes, and since he’s awakened, he knows how the story is supposed to unfold.] The system sighed. [There’s also another awkward issue.]
Shen Yuqing’s eyelid twitched. [What?]
The system explained: [In the original novel, your character doesn’t exist. Only three students were supposed to go to Silino, but now there are four with you included. Moreover, in the book, he was always a loner until meeting Song Wangzhuo and Pei Yiyan. If he’s fully aware of the plot’s progression, your presence… might make him suspicious.]
Shen Yuqing felt as if lightning had struck him. [Didn’t you say you crafted an identity for me? Why would that raise suspicions?]
[Normally, it wouldn’t. But we don’t know how much Chu Ningbai has awakened or which version of memories he has.] The system sighed again. [This world’s energy pool is too unstable. If those three had been more stable, I would’ve detected Chu Ningbai’s identity from the start and never arranged for you to be his roommate.]
It seemed fate had its own plans.
Shen Yuqing’s gaze lingered on Chu Ningbai, who was diligently cleaning in the kitchen, and he couldn’t help but sigh. [We’ll just have to take it step by step. Besides, Chu Ningbai seems like a good person. What’s his background?]
[Like you, he’s an orphan.] The system said. [He originally had a younger brother, but he passed away from illness. His parents couldn’t bear the grief and followed soon after.]
Shen Yuqing fell silent as the system continued: [This happened when he was ten. Afterward, he lived with his uncle and aunt, but an ordinary family already struggled to support themselves, let alone an extra child. On top of that, he presented as an Omega and was exceptionally good-looking, so life hasn’t been easy for him. Once he came of age, he moved out and started working to support himself.]
[Why does everyone have such a tragic past.] Shen Yuqing sighed again.
Just then, Chu Ningbai emerged from the kitchen. “A-Yu, why are you sighing for no reason?”
Shen Yuqing snapped back to reality and said with a straight face, “Oh, I was just thinking if we’re going to Silino, we’d probably need to rent a place.”
Chu Ningbai gave an acknowledging hum. “But we don’t have to look for one ourselves. It’ll be arranged for us, and we won’t have to pay either.”
“That’s great!” Shen Yuqing’s eyes curved into crescents. “I was just wondering if we’d need to go early to find a place if we had to rent.”
Silino’s enrollment period was at the end of the month, and it was only early August now still plenty of time.
Wait, early August?
Shen Yuqing glanced down at his phone. He hadn’t paid attention to the date before, assuming he’d only been unconscious for a day or two. How was it already early August?
