At such a young age, Lucky had already grown accustomed to Shen Yuqing’s affectionate nuzzling. After letting out a couple of soft meows, it lay flat on its back, round eyes wide open.
Shen Yuqing felt instantly rejuvenated. He placed the cat back on the sofa, where Lucky flicked its tail against him before proudly returning to Pei Yiyan’s embrace.
Not only that, but it also affectionately rubbed its head against Pei Yiyan, as if announcing its return from mischief.
Pei Yiyan resumed stroking its smooth fur, pretending not to have noticed anything.
After dinner, Shen Yuqing sprawled comfortably on the sofa, planning to rest for a while before heading to the bedroom for a nap. Nothing in the world could beat a good sleep.
To his surprise, Pei Yiyan, who usually retreated to his study after meals, sat down beside him today.
Shen Yuqing glanced at him, only to hear Pei Yiyan say, “The Pei family banquet is this Saturday. Are you going?”
Shen Yuqing hadn’t forgotten after all, it was a key plot point. He asked, “Are you going back?”
Pei Yiyan nodded slowly.
Shen Yuqing replied without hesitation, “Then I’ll go too.”
Pei Yiyan was slightly taken aback by his straightforward answer. Earlier, the Pei family had called, subtly pressuring him to bring Shen Yuqing along. He had expected resistance, but Shen Yuqing agreed without a second thought.
Since when had Shen Yuqing become so decisive?
Well, it saved him the trouble.
Pei Yiyan gave a quiet hum. “Seven in the evening. We leave at five.”
Shen Yuqing acknowledged with an “Oh,” signaling he understood.
“But after this time, are you coming back or not?” Shen Yuqing countered, since the plot didn’t specify whether Pei Yiyan would return to the Shen or Pei household.
Pei Yiyan avoided a direct answer, tossing the question back instead. “That depends on you.”
What did that mean?
Shen Yuqing pouted but still said, “Come back and stay. There’s no need to go back there unless something comes up.”
He remembered that life in the Pei family was far worse for Pei Yiyan than in the Shen household. The Shen family only had one madman, but the Pei family was full of people waiting to skin him alive.
More importantly for the sake of the plot.
Even if this hadn’t come up now, he would’ve brought it up later when Pei Yiyan planned to return to the Pei family.
Pei Yiyan didn’t respond. Instead, he stood and walked toward his study, leaving it unclear whether he agreed or not.
Watching his retreating figure, Shen Yuqing thought he probably did.
After all, in the Shen household, no one interfered with what he wanted to do.
After his nap, Shen Yuqing returned to the academy.
The afternoon lecture was a large class held in the auditorium, with students from multiple departments attending. Before he even entered, one of Lin Sui’s lackeys approached him.
“Brother Qing, Brother Sui saved you a seat. He asked me to bring you over.”
Shen Yuqing glanced at the classroom entrance and nodded. “Alright, lead the way.”
He followed the lackey to the auditorium, where Lin Sui had secured a spot in the farthest corner. Sitting down, Shen Yuqing couldn’t help but remark, “With a seat like this, what’s the point of attending? You could sleep all afternoon and no one would notice.”
Lin Sui looked at him as if he’d said something absurd. “Huh? You actually plan to listen to the lecture?”
Shen Yuqing replied, “I’ve decided to turn over a new leaf. I’m aiming for the top 800 in the mecha department finals.”
Lin Sui nearly burst out laughing, but when he met Shen Yuqing’s serious gaze, he coughed lightly and tried to compose himself. “Shen Er, are you for real?”
Shen Yuqing gave him a sidelong glance. “When have I ever not been serious?”
Lin Sui gave him two thumbs up. “But speaking of which, I feel like you’ve changed a lot recently.”
Shen Yuqing pursed his lips. “Changed how?”
Lin Sui shrugged without elaborating.
He felt that Shen Yuqing had become much easier to get along with lately.
Although the two of them had grown up together as childhood friends, ever since Shen Yuqing differentiated as a beta, his temper had become extremely unstable—volatile and hostile toward all alphas except for Lin Sui and his own family.
But recently, that dark, brooding intensity seemed to have disappeared. Shen Yuqing now appeared sunny and cheerful.
And then there was Song Wangzhuo. Several times recently, things had remained peaceful only because of Shen Yuqing’s intervention.
Shen Yuqing understood what Lin Sui meant. With a completely different person inside, how could there not be a significant change?
Shen Yuqing decided not to press further and settled into his seat, waiting for the lecture to begin.
Just then, a side mission suddenly flashed in his mind.
[Side mission issued. Rescue the trapped Song Wangzhuo and ensure he completes his work successfully.] Hmm?
Song Wangzhuo was trapped? What was going on?
Shen Yuqing instinctively straightened in his seat, his gaze sweeping the room for Song Wangzhuo. Sure enough, he wasn’t there.
Since this was a large lecture, everyone had arrived early to secure good seats. Logically, a diligent student like Song Wangzhuo should have been here long ago.
He asked, [Where is he now?]
The system replied, [In a dressing room backstage at the auditorium. His clothes are soaked. If you accept the mission, please bring a clean set of outerwear. Otherwise, he won’t be able to go on stage as the assistant later.]
This large lecture covered many topics and required plenty of assistance. As the professor’s assistant, such thankless tasks naturally fell to Song Wangzhuo first.
Shen Yuqing frowned. [Who did this?]
The system answered, [An unimportant cannon-fodder character acting under orders.]
In other words, it wasn’t Lin Sui’s doing someone else was behind it.
He really felt Song Wangzhuo was unlucky. No sooner had he escaped one wolf than a tiger appeared.
Shen Yuqing couldn’t help but wonder: Would Song Wangzhuo continue to face bullying until he was recognized by the Song family?
Anyone would develop issues under that kind of pressure!
Lin Sui noticed him looking around and asked, “What are you searching for?”
Shen Yuqing replied, “Nothing. I just need to use the restroom.”
As he stood up, Lin Sui asked, “Should I have someone show you the way? Can you find it?”
Shen Yuqing simply waved him off, declining the offer.
Right now, he needed to find a change of clothes first.
But where in the school could he get a clean set on such short notice?
The system instructed, [There’s a back door near the auditorium. About a hundred meters from it is a men’s clothing store. If you go now, buy a set, and return, you’ll still make it in time.]
That seemed to be the only option. Following the system’s directions, Shen Yuqing navigated the twists and turns to purchase a clean outfit. Then, as the system suggested, he headed to the dressing room.
The auditorium was crowded today, the noise overwhelming. Combined with the dressing room being tucked away in the back, if the system hadn’t mentioned it, he would never have guessed Song Wangzhuo was locked inside.
For this side mission, he still couldn’t show his face. When Shen Yuqing returned, he deliberately grabbed a mask to wear. As he pushed open the dressing room door, he heard loud banging noises coming from one of the small cubicles.
Carrying a bag, Shen Yuqing walked over. Without speaking, he knocked on the door panel. Inside, Song Wangzhuo asked warily, “Who is it?”
Shen Yuqing lowered his voice, “Just passing by. Why are you locked in there?”
Song Wangzhuo didn’t respond, seemingly unconvinced by Shen Yuqing’s words. Shen Yuqing glanced down at the extra lock installed on the outside of the changing room.
It was just a common padlock, not even fastened the key still dangling from it. It didn’t seem like anyone truly intended to lock Song Wangzhuo in forever.
But functionally, it might as well have been a permanent lock. If the system hadn’t alerted him, who knew how long it would have taken for Song Wangzhuo to get out?
Suddenly, the system blared in his mind: [Host! The male lead has fainted!!!!]
