Lin Zhi turned away from Song Mian and vigorously wiped his eyes. Once the tears in his eye sockets were completely gone, he bumped his head against Song Mian’s head again. “Brother Song Mian, it’s great to have you around.”
Song Mian’s forehead spun a little, and he said disdainfully, “Your sadness never lasts more than three minutes.”
Lin Zhi’s eyes curved into a smile. He tried to headbutt Song Mian again, but Song Mian pressed his head down firmly. On the way to buy chestnuts, Lin Zhi’s phone rang. The caller ID was [Mom]. Lin Zhi turned his back to Song Mian and furtively pressed his head against the window to answer the call.
Song Mian was too lazy to even complain. In such a small space, how could he not hear anything?
Lin Zhi took the initiative to tell his mom about the unpleasant incident with Zhang Yao at the hospital.
Lin Mama felt guilty too. “It was Mom who didn’t think it through. I added him on WeChat back then and never deleted him. A couple of days ago, he suddenly reached out to me, saying he wanted to chat with you. I thought I’d mention it to you. He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
Lin Zhi whispered, “No, but I punched him in the eye.”
Lin Mama breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s fine then. Your dad has your back. Little Lotus was asking last night when you’d come home. She misses you.”
Lin Zhi missed his cute little sister a bit too. “I’ll go back next month. I’ve been super sleepy this month.”
Lin Mama asked, “Do you have enough money to spend?”
Lin Zhi looked down and said, “Yeah, enough.”
Lin Mama paused, then her voice grew even gentler. “Zhizhi, even though Mom adopted you, in Mom’s heart, you’re just like Little Lotus. No matter what happens, Dad, Mom, and Little Lotus are all on your side.”
Lin Zhi’s eyes reddened again.
“That’s not enough.”
Lin Mama laughed and teased, “That’s more like it. Our Zhizhi loves to eat so much—how could money ever be enough? I’ll transfer some to your bank card in a bit.”
Lin Zhi’s face turned red.
After hanging up, Lin Zhi wiped his eyes vigorously again. Only when he thought he looked completely normal did he sit up straight. Acting all innocent, he asked Song Mian, “You didn’t hear that, right?”
Song Mian said, “No.”
Lin Zhi was satisfied. No one knew about his vulnerability.
The Romance Survival System popped up again: [Host, the Male Lead isn’t deaf.]
Lin Zhi closed his ears to it.
–
Song Mian had been the one to suggest buying chestnuts, but in the end, Lin Zhi was the one who queued up to buy them. Afterward, Lin Zhi used his freshly received pocket money to treat Song Mian to a Western meal. Even after they got back, Lin Zhi was still in high spirits, but he still felt a bit uneasy. He asked multiple times, “Brother Song Mian, you mean what you say, right?” Each time, he got a “Mm” from Song Mian.
Lin Zhi finally relaxed completely.
During professional class that afternoon, the class monitor was tallying the list of participants for Saturday’s basketball game. It was less about tallying and more about figuring out if Song Mian was really joining.
Song Mian had been signed up by Lin Zhi.
“Is Song Mian really participating?” the class monitor asked Lin Zhi.
Lin Zhi lay sprawled on his desk, forcing his eyelids open. He gave an “OK” gesture and drawled lazily, “Yeah, he’s in.”
The class monitor glanced at Song Mian, who showed no signs of refusal, and left reassured.
Lin Zhi went to bed early on Friday night too.
The basketball game on Saturday was held in the morning. Song Mian and Tong Xu had to arrive at eight for pre-game training, while the other spectator classmates could just meet at the gym at nine.
The next morning, Zhu Muyun slacked off too and skipped studying. He slept until past eight, and the dorm was unusually quiet. After washing up, Zhu Muyun went to wake Lin Zhi. He called out several times, but there was no response.
Zhu Muyun climbed the ladder to Lin Zhi’s bed. Lin Zhi was sleeping on his side, his entire head buried in the blanket. Zhu Muyun pulled the blanket down a bit and saw that Lin Zhi’s brows were tightly furrowed, and his face was very flushed.
Zhu Muyun realized something was wrong.
“Zhizhi?” Zhu Muyun shook him.
After several shakes, Lin Zhi’s brows twitched. He struggled to open his eyes, gasping for breath, his expression still a bit dazed.
The endless rainy alley from his dream, where he was always being chased, suddenly vanished. Lifting his eyes, he saw his studious roommate, Zhu Muyun.
Lin Zhi wanted to cry!
“M— Mu—” As soon as he opened his mouth, his voice was hoarse beyond belief.
Zhu Muyun frowned and touched Lin Zhi’s forehead. “It’s burning up. I’ll get the thermometer.”
The thermometer showed Lin Zhi had a fever of 38.9 degrees—high fever territory.
“Medicine won’t cut it. I need to take you to the infirmary,” Zhu Muyun said seriously. “Can you get up?”
Lin Zhi had no strength in his body. He forced himself to sit up, his arms still exposed to the air. He pulled the blanket tighter around himself.
Zhu Muyun nagged earnestly, “You must’ve slept in short sleeves again. You really can’t do that!”
Lin Zhi nodded obediently.
Zhu Muyun fetched Lin Zhi’s winter pajamas and put them on him directly. He helped Lin Zhi down from the bed. Zhu Muyun wanted to carry him piggyback, but he was just as unathletic as Lin Zhi and couldn’t manage it. They even tripped in the dorm.
Lin Zhi sat on the floor and said sincerely, “Just support me. I still have a bit of strength.” His voice was still terribly hoarse.
The Romance Survival System chimed in again: [Host, try saying something in your mind.]
Lin Zhi thought: Super Alpha cheesy grape.
A9901 responded from the heart: [Just as awful. Host, you’re sick—don’t talk!]
Lin Zhi hung his head dejectedly.
Zhu Muyun awkwardly pushed up his glasses, hauled Lin Zhi up from the floor, and let Lin Zhi lean on his shoulder. The two of them struggled out of the dorm. On the way, they ran into kind-hearted classmates who helped support Lin Zhi all the way to the infirmary.
Lin Zhi lay on the infirmary bed with an IV drip. Zhu Muyun said he’d go buy breakfast for him. Before long, Song Mian showed up with breakfast instead. Song Mian wore a simple hoodie and long pants, looking much more vibrant.
Lin Zhi lay half-dead on the bed and saw the cup of millet porridge in Song Mian’s hand. He turned his head away in strong disgust. “Not drinking it.”
Song Mian wasn’t friendly to the patient. “Then starve.”
Lin Zhi shot him a resentful look. “I’m a patient right now.”
Song Mian stuck a thick straw into the millet porridge. “Don’t wear that crappy short-sleeve again.”
Lin Zhi still wanted to defend his short-sleeve.
“It’s not a cold. I had nightmares all night about being chased. I must’ve been scared.”
Song Mian paused, then held the porridge to Lin Zhi’s mouth, his tone flat. “He won’t get better.”
Lin Zhi’s eyes curved. “Mm!”
Lin Zhi reluctantly bit the straw and sucked a few mouthfuls. Then, with the hand not hooked to the IV, he took the porridge himself. Lin Zhi never disdained any food, but he was really sick of this porridge.
As he was about to finish, Song Mian pulled out a mini carrot.
Lin Zhi’s eyes widened.
“Brother Song Mian!”
Song Mian’s lips twitched. “Don’t act like I’m mistreating you.”
Lin Zhi bit into it. It was crisp, and it gave his mouth some flavor. He glanced at the time. “It’s almost nine. Go to the game. I won’t be able to watch. What a shame.”
Song Mian stared at him coldly. “You don’t look the least bit regretful.”
Lin Zhi said sincerely, “I really am.”
Song Mian stood up. “Your voice sounds awful. Stop talking.”
Lin Zhi watched Song Mian’s back and sighed inwardly: Moody Male Lead, gentle and caring white moonlight.
Song Mian suddenly turned back, and Lin Zhi dodged instantly.
The Romance Survival System returned, its electronic voice laced with deep skepticism: [Gentle and caring? Lin Zhizhi?]
“Yes, exactly!” Lin Zhi huffed proudly. He finished eating, leaned back on the bed, closed his eyes, and fell asleep, completely ignoring the system’s exasperation. But in his hazy sleep, his mind was bombarded until it nearly exploded.
When he opened his eyes, the familiar electronic voice rang out: [Host, you’re finally awake! Side Quest Three has refreshed!]
Lin Zhi’s eyes were lifeless.
The Romance Survival System passionately issued the task: [Side Quest Three: Watch the Male Lead’s game. After he finishes playing, give him water and sincerely tell the charismatic Male Lead, “Your abs look so defined. I really want to lick the sweat off them.” The task completes after the Male Lead expresses willingness to let you lick. If you fail, you’ll die from plot kill at noon—it’s 10:10 now, one hour and fifty minutes until death.]
As the system issued the task, Lin Zhi’s pupils gradually focused, then widened hugely.
“I’m like this, and you want me to deliver water, say that line, and only give me this much time?” Lin Zhi was so agitated he nearly bounced off the bed.
The Romance Survival System kindly reminded him: [Yes! Host, read the prompt carefully! It doesn’t end after you say it—you need the Male Lead to express willingness to let you lick first. Of course, you don’t have to actually lick, but if you want to, that’s fine too—just know your limits and don’t make the Male Lead dislike you!]
Damn it.
Lin Zhi flopped back on the bed and muttered, “Strike while I’m sick, take my life. A straight guy’s life matters too!”
