The next day, the weekend passed just like that. When Shen Yuqing woke up, he was still a bit dazed.
What surprised him even more was when he turned his head and saw Pei Yiyan still sleeping beside him. It was rare usually by the time Shen Yuqing woke up, Pei Yiyan would have already gotten up to rest or do his rehabilitation exercises.
But today, he was actually sleeping in.
Shen Yuqing yawned. Still, when had Pei Yiyan come back last night?
Last night, Xiao Zhao had mentioned that Pei Yiyan had Wu Yi send him a message, saying he had other important matters to attend to and would be back late. But Shen Yuqing hadn’t expected Pei Yiyan to still be absent by the time he fell asleep.
Shen Yuqing glanced at him a couple of times, yawned again, then quietly slipped out of bed and headed to the bathroom to freshen up. By the time he changed clothes and came out, Pei Yiyan had already sat up in bed.
His gaze was fixed straight ahead. Shen Yuqing, now much more awake after washing up, greeted him, “Not sleeping a little longer?”
Pei Yiyan slowly shifted his gaze to Shen Yuqing. His mental state today was surprisingly good, completely unlike his usual weary demeanor.
He gave a noncommittal hum in response but couldn’t help wondering inwardly why had he woken up later than Shen Yuqing today?
Moreover, he hadn’t woken up when Shen Yuqing got out of bed. Instead, it was the sound of Shen Yuqing moving around in the bathroom that had roused him.
He couldn’t help but think since when had he been able to sleep so soundly beside Shen Yuqing?
It must be because he’d been too exhausted lately.
Pei Yiyan told himself this internally. Ever since his eyes had recovered, there had been a mountain of matters waiting for him to handle and make decisions on the Pei Corporation, the new company, and the investigation.
Last night, he’d finished work at 1 a.m. and hadn’t gotten home until nearly 2 a.m.
Lately, he’d been spinning like a top, forced to keep up the act in front of others that his eyes hadn’t fully healed yet. Naturally, he was exhausted.
Seeing Pei Yiyan still looking somewhat out of it, Shen Yuqing said, “If you’re tired, sleep a little longer. I’ll head out first.”
If he didn’t leave soon, he’d be late again.
Shen Yuqing stretched his limbs as he walked out, carefully closing the door behind him.
Pei Yiyan stared at the closed door for about a minute before finally lying back down.
Shen Yuqing didn’t eat breakfast at home. He grabbed a milk-scented bun made by Xiao Zhao and a bottle of milk before heading out, finishing the milk just as he arrived at school.
Tossing the empty carton into the trash, he had just stepped through the school gates when he spotted Song Wangzhuo limping toward the mecha department.
Passersby couldn’t help but glance at him, seemingly curious about what had happened to the school’s top student and heartthrob.
Shen Yuqing walked over. “Morning, Song Wangzhuo. Your foot still not better today?”
Song Wangzhuo glanced at him. “It’s better.”
But he still couldn’t engage in any strenuous activity. Standing too long or walking too fast sent sharp pain shooting through his ankle, and the discomfort would likely linger for several more days.
Song Wangzhuo had a headache not just because of his injured leg, but also because of another matter. He’d signed up as a substitute for the long-distance race in the sports festival, but with his current condition, there was no way he could participate.
He’d only remembered it this morning. Later, he’d have to talk to the teacher and see if anyone else from the mecha department could take his place.
Shen Yuqing lowered his head to glance at him twice, recalling Song Wangzhuo’s participation in the sports meet. With that foot injury, he probably couldn’t run, could he?
He opened his mouth but ultimately didn’t speak. Song Wangzhuo must have his own plans.
Just as he expected, Song Wangzhuo went to the teacher’s office immediately after the first class ended likely to discuss the sports meet.
Watching his retreating figure hunched slightly, Shen Yuqing sprawled across his desk and summoned the system back: [I told you to keep an eye on Song Lejin. Any updates?]
The system replied: [Nothing. Song Lejin either stays home reading or attends art exhibitions. He’s living quite a fulfilling life.]
Shen Yuqing gave a noncommittal hum: [Keep watching.]
Unable to hold back, the system asked: [Host, what exactly are you investigating?]
[Just keep watching.] Shen Yuqing closed his eyes. [It’s just a hunch for now. I’ll tell you when I’m more certain.]
The system reluctantly complied, but before leaving, it added: [Oh, host, Song Lejin went to the hospital again last night.]
[What was he doing there?] Shen Yuqing frowned. [Song Wangzhuo has already been discharged. Did someone else from the Song family or a relative get hospitalized?]
[I don’t know. The hospital was too far from you, and I ran out of energy after tracking him inside. By the time I recharged and located him again, he’d already left.]
Shen Yuqing sighed: [Fine, got it.]
Aware of its own inadequacy, the system didn’t dare say more and quickly logged off.
Burying his face in his arms, Shen Yuqing pondered so why did Song Lejin visit the hospital again? He’d ask the system for the hospital name in the afternoon and take a taxi there to look for clues.
Just as he was deep in thought, Song Wangzhuo returned.
Lifting his head, Shen Yuqing asked, “Talked to the teacher?”
Song Wangzhuo nodded, but his expression remained grim.
Raising an eyebrow, Shen Yuqing probed, “What? Is the teacher forcing you to compete?”
“No.” Song Wangzhuo said, “The rosters already submitted and can’t be changed. I’ll just have to find a substitute runner when the time comes.”
Substitute runners weren’t uncommon at sports meets many participants backed out last minute or had unexpected conflicts.
Shen Yuqing shrugged, “Then find one. Why the long face?”
Song Wangzhuo merely glanced at him, “It’s nothing.”
The truth was, he couldn’t think of anyone to ask. To put it bluntly, he wasn’t close with anyone in their department at most, he was merely acquainted with his classmates.
Moreover, Song Wangzhuo often worked with professors, which had earned him no small amount of resentment.
If he had to name someone familiar, his gaze swept the classroom before settling on Shen Yuqing.
It was almost laughable the only person in class he knew well was Shen Yuqing. The only one who could be called a friend was Shen Yuqing.
Meanwhile, Shen Yuqing, now honored as Song Wangzhuo’s sole familiar classmate and friend, remained oblivious to his turmoil.
His wrist terminal vibrated twice a message from Lin Sui asking if he wanted to have lunch together, mentioning Song Lejin would be there.
Initially reluctant, Shen Yuqing reconsidered at the sight of Song Lejin’s name and eventually agreed.
He wanted to meet Song Lejin to see if he could extract some useful information from him.
“Are you interested in joining?”
Shen Yuqing replied to Lin Sui’s message when he heard someone beside him mutter something indistinct. Turning his head, he asked, “Hmm? What was that? I didn’t catch it.”
Song Wangzhuo’s gaze fell on Shen’s wrist computer, where his conversation with Lin Sui was clearly visible.
“Nothing,” he said.
The familiar friend Shen Yuqing was chatting with wasn’t him.
