HRMCF Chapter 16

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🍋‍🟩 Completed Chapter

Shen Yan, while looking at his phone, got out of the car and slammed the door shut. Turning back, he said, "I'll go take a look."

Zhao Linsu also got out from the other side. "Let's go together."

The parking lot wasn't far from the dormitory building. Shen Yan and Zhao Linsu arrived at the dormitory in a few minutes. They saw a dense crowd of people in the third-floor corridor from downstairs.

"Holy crap!"

Shen Yan yelled and rushed upstairs.

The stairwell was already packed with onlookers. Shen Yan pulled people apart and squeezed his way through. "Excuse me, sorry, excuse me..."

In college, fighting was a novelty. While watching, the crowd couldn't help but click their tongues in amazement. Shen Yan squeezed into the crowd and immediately saw Zhu Ningbo grabbing someone's collar with one hand and pressing their head into the sink.

This was crazy.

Shen Yan strode forward to pull him away. "Zhu Ningbo!"

"Apologize."

Only when Shen Yan got closer did he hear Zhu Ningbo's choked voice.

"Please apologize."

"Zhu Ningbo, are you out of your mind? Why should I apologize..."

Shen Yan recognized the voice; it was one of his roommates from freshman year.

"Zhu Ningbo," Shen Yan pulled Zhu Ningbo's arm again, "Talk it out, don't be impulsive."

Zhu Ningbo had always been an honest person. Because of his mild temper, even his large build didn't make him intimidating. He seemed like someone who was tough on the outside but soft on the inside. Shen Yan couldn't pull him away at all for a moment.

Zhao Linsu also came over.

The two of them grabbed Zhu Ningbo's arms from either side and finally pulled him away.

Once they let go, Zhu Ningbo lost all his strength and slumped down, still repeating, "You apologize..."

"Apologize my ass—"

Shen Yan raised his eyes and gave a sharp glare. "Zhang Qin, shut your mouth."

Zhang Qin was instantly transported back to his freshman year two years ago.

Remembering that he not only didn't get any advantage back then but also encountered a lot of resistance from this person, Zhang Qin snorted coldly. "Birds of a feather flock together." He tugged at his T-shirt and turned to leave.

"Alright, everyone disperse," Shen Yan supported Zhu Ningbo and said to the surrounding people, "Nothing to see here."

Shen Yan let go of him and gave Zhao Linsu a look.

As friends of over a decade, Zhao Linsu immediately understood. He first helped Zhu Ningbo back to the dormitory, while Shen Yan herded the onlookers away like ducks, picked up his suitcase and the bag that had been thrown on the ground, and followed.

No one was in Zhu Ningbo's dorm room.

"What happened?" Shen Yan asked as he entered the room and locked the door from the inside.

Zhu Ningbo was helped to a chair, but he seemed to still be in shock. His chest heaved violently, and his breathing was rapid with a hint of suppressed sobs.

After a while, there was a knock on the dorm door, three sharp raps, a very stern sound.

"Open the door!"

Shen Yan immediately recognized their counselor's voice and quickly opened the door.

"Teacher Ji," Shen Yan said with a warm smile, "What brings you here?"

The counselor was quite familiar with Shen Yan. During their freshman year, Shen Yan had wholeheartedly worked for the class without seeking recognition, saving him a lot of trouble. In the end, Shen Yan only asked to change dorms. What was rare was that even after achieving his goal, Shen Yan was still happy to help. The counselor had always had a good impression of him.

"Zhu Ningbo? So you've got guts now, fighting with classmates in your senior year!"

"Who said anything about fighting? It must be a misunderstanding, just a small argument that's already been resolved," Shen Yan said with a sincere face. "Our department has always been a model for upholding regulations. How could something as serious as a fight break out? Teacher Ji, this must be a rumor. Could someone be deliberately spreading lies to tarnish our department's reputation?"

The counselor stared at Shen Yan's innocent face and patted his shoulder. "You kid," he glanced inside and warned, "Don't make a big deal out of it. It won't do anyone any good."

Shen Yan lowered his voice, indicating that he was on the counselor's side. "Don't worry, everything's fine."

The counselor left. Shen Yan breathed a sigh of relief and closed the door. He wasn't afraid of Zhang Qin stirring up trouble. They were seniors, about to start internships, and no one wanted to get into any more trouble.

Shen Yan pulled up a chair and sat down opposite Zhu Ningbo. "What exactly happened?"

Zhu Ningbo kept his head down and didn't say anything.

"Did Zhang Qin mouth off again?"

Shen Yan had a habit, which wasn't exactly a flaw, of being protective of his friends.

He knew Zhu Ningbo's character well. He rarely reacted even when others bullied him, let alone actively provoke anyone.

Shen Yan looked up at Zhao Linsu.

Zhao Linsu: "Was it because of Teacher Liang?"

Shen Yan: "..."

Wow, buddy, how did you know about this side quest?

Shen Yan looked at Zhu Ningbo.

Zhu Ningbo indeed reacted. He shuddered, raised his face, and said with red eyes, "Teacher Liang isn't that kind of person."

Ironically, Liang Keqing had held sway in their department. Zhu Ningbo had been tormented by Liang Keqing. Except for Shen Yan and Zhao Linsu, who had tried their best to help Zhu Ningbo, everyone else had watched the drama unfold. Now that Liang Keqing had been suspended, those same people were coming up to congratulate Zhu Ningbo, as if they had been his allies all along.

Zhang Qin was one of them.

"Zhu Ningbo, Liang Keqing has been suspended. You've finally made it through."

Zhu Ningbo smiled awkwardly and didn't say anything. He had heard similar remarks all the way, feeling helpless and uncomfortable, and could only silently endure them.

"I told you, Liang Keqing was just biased. Look at him, he was so strict with us guys, but his attitude towards the girls was so good. He's just a pervert."

Zhang Qin's smile was lewd.

Zhu Ningbo exploded.

"You're talking nonsense!"

Shen Yan put a hand on Zhu Ningbo's shoulder. "Teacher Liang has always treated male and female students equally. Even Tang Yi failed his course!"

Zhu Ningbo looked up with teary eyes. "Who is Tang Yi?"

Shen Yan: "…A senior student, a very excellent senior student. Teacher Liang had just transferred here back then and was very strict. Many people failed his courses, regardless of gender."

Zhu Ningbo nodded, his voice choked with emotion but firm. "I know, Teacher Liang is definitely not that kind of person."

Shen Yan thought to himself, nonsense, the probability of him messing with male students was much higher than with female students.

"Alright, stop crying. You were too impulsive. Why did you hit him? What if you get a disciplinary action? It'll be so troublesome when you graduate. If you hear something you don't like, tell me, and I'll come up with a plan to screw him over."

Zhu Ningbo cried even harder and buried his head in Shen Yan's chest.

Caught off guard, Shen Yan was hugged tightly by the big guy. He leaned back slightly and awkwardly patted Zhu Ningbo's shoulder twice. "Okay, stop crying." He kept gesturing with his eyes for Zhao Linsu to pull him away.

Zhao Linsu crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow at him.

Shen Yan: ?

Signal not received. Shen Yan could only let Zhu Ningbo cry his heart out before finally persuading him to go to the bathroom to wash his face and calm down.

Closing the bathroom door, Shen Yan breathed a sigh of relief. He turned around and saw Zhao Linsu smiling at him. Shen Yan instantly understood the meaning behind that smile.

"I just used Tang Yi as an example."

Shen Yan raised his hand and touched his hair, his tone very righteous.

Zhao Linsu chuckled, lowered his hands, and said, "I didn't say anything."

Shen Yan glared at him and simply went all out. "Yeah, yeah, I still miss her. I'm going to Bali next month to snatch her away at her wedding, alright?"

"Not bad, commendable courage," Zhao Linsu said with a faint smile. "Worth another headline in the college news."

Shen Yan: "..."

Zhu Ningbo came out after washing his face, looking calmer. "Sorry, Shen Yan, I was impulsive today and caused you trouble again."

"I didn't do anything," Shen Yan said. "Teacher Liang is suspended, so there will definitely be rumors. It's best not to take them to heart."

Zhu Ningbo nodded. "Mm-hmm."

"If Zhang Qin gives you any more trouble, tell me."

"He won't. I'll ignore him."

"That's the right attitude, Bo'er," Shen Yan said, seeing that he had calmed down, his tone relaxed. "We can't live in a world without idiots. Just try to stay out of their realm."

Zhu Ningbo nodded again. "I've耽误了 your time. Go back quickly."

"Go back to what?" Shen Yan turned to Zhao Linsu. "Since we're already out, let's treat Bo'er to a meal to get rid of bad luck?"

On the way out of the school gate, Zhu Ningbo received a lot of attention. He belatedly felt embarrassed and tried to shrink back.

Shen Yan noticed him and reached out to pat his back. "Don't be so narcissistic, they're looking at me."

Zhu Ningbo glanced at him gratefully.

Shen Yan flicked his hair. "Handsome is something that can't be hidden."

Zhao Linsu chuckled beside him.

Shen Yan turned his face. "Do you have a problem with my handsomeness?"

Zhao Linsu said slowly, "Wouldn't dare."

Tch, what an attitude. Then why does he jerk off to me day and night?

Shen Yan thought to himself, isn't it all because of my handsomeness?

There was a decent barbecue restaurant near the school. The three of them went over. It was still early, and there was a private room available.

As soon as Shen Yan sat down, he said, "This meal is on me. No one argues."

Zhu Ningbo said, "Wouldn't that be inappropriate? You treated us last time too..."

"Last time? Don't remember, there must have been a reason," Shen Yan scanned the QR code for ordering on the table. "You two brought me so many delicious things this time. As the local, I don't have much to return, so let me treat you."

"Let him treat."

Zhao Linsu poured water and rinsed the cups.

"Big star has a lot of money."

Shen Yan: "..."

He swore he would find a chance to mock him back someday.

His gaze swept across a certain area below Zhao Linsu. Shen Yan thought that if he brought that up, Zhao Linsu would probably be so embarrassed that he'd explode on the spot.

...And then turn him next to him into ashes too.

The effects of force are mutual, so never mind.

After a round of barbecue, Zhu Ningbo slowly relaxed completely. Once he relaxed, he couldn't help but reflect on himself.

"Was I too impulsive just now?"

"I really shouldn't have hit him."

"But what he said about Teacher Liang was really too much."

Shen Yan took a sip of apple soda and suddenly realized this was a good opportunity to test Zhu Ningbo's true feelings about Liang Keqing.

He raised his eyelids, his gaze quietly sweeping towards Zhao Linsu opposite him.

Zhao Linsu didn't eat much, and his eating manners were slow and deliberate, a far cry from his wild image in childhood.

Shen Yan thought to himself, wasn't this another kind of mutation?

"Don't talk about them," Shen Yan probed, "Even I thought you and Teacher Liang didn't get along, but I didn't expect you to care so much about others speaking ill of him."

Zhu Ningbo put down his chopsticks and said softly, "Teacher Liang is very good and excellent."

"Indeed," Shen Yan picked up a piece of beef, "His academic level is certainly high."

Zhu Ningbo kept his head down and didn't respond.

Shen Yan's gaze roamed over him, scrutinizing him, and then he was unexpectedly caught by Zhao Linsu again.

Zhao Linsu looked at him thoughtfully, seemingly pondering something as well.

Shen Yan: "..."

Don't.

Shen Yan immediately placed a piece of meat in each of their bowls. "We ordered so much, eat more."

He added a bright, harmless smile.

When it was time to pay the bill, Zhu Ningbo still wanted to fight for it, but before Shen Yan could stop him, Zhao Linsu had already intervened. "He ate enough for three people. Let's go with the majority rule."

Shen Yan: "..."

After paying, Shen Yan wanted to send Zhu Ningbo back, but Zhu Ningbo firmly refused. "I'm fine now, Shen Yan, Zhao Linsu, thank you for today."

"What are you thanking us for? We're friends, don't be so formal."

Shen Yan patted Zhu Ningbo's arm. "Don't argue with Zhang Qin if you run into him on the way back."

"Okay."

Zhu Ningbo left, and Shen Yan and Zhao Linsu went to the roadside to get their car.

In October, the night came a little earlier than in summer. The evening breeze blew coolly. Shen Yan was very full from the meal and leaned back slightly, feeling content.

So comfortable.

Going home after a satisfying meal with good friends, taking a shower, and then playing a couple of games, perfect.

"What you asked Zhu Ningbo just now, it sounded like there was something more to it?"

Suddenly, Zhao Linsu asked.

Shen Yan was squinting, enjoying the post-meal daze. He was caught off guard and almost short-circuited. It took him a while to reply, "No, I was just asking casually."

"Is that so?"

Shen Yan said, "Just curious, aren't you curious? Teacher Liang was so harsh on him, but he's quite protective of Teacher Liang." Shen Yan slowly came to a realization and said, "Oh, I forgot to ask him just now, did he really mention to Teacher Liang in private that he wanted to do his postgraduate studies?"

"Maybe."

Zhao Linsu seemed to have lost interest in the topic and didn't pursue it further.

Shen Yan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhao Linsu must not find out anything.

If Zhao Linsu discovered his superpower.

The consequences would be unimaginable.

Most likely, this friendship would end with both of them socially dead.

This was not what Shen Yan wanted to see.

The trunk of the car was full of boxes of fruits, vegetables, dried fruits, and smoked meat. Shen Yan made two trips to pile the boxes in front of the elevator, and the third trip finally completed the task.

"So much, thank the two great professors for me," Shen Yan picked up the last two boxes. "Remember to come over for a meal when you have time."

Zhao Linsu lowered the trunk. "Is Brother Shen not busy lately?"

"He's busy, but I can cook."

"Then never mind."

Shen Yan: "..."

Damn it, although my cooking isn't as good as my brother's, it's still decent, okay? A hillbilly can't appreciate fine food. If you don't want to eat it, fine.

Shen Yan carried the boxes inside and was stopped by Zhao Linsu again.

Zhao Linsu leaned against the car window and said, "The box below is for the dog."

Shen Yan: "...Really?"

Zhao Linsu withdrew his hand, smiled at him, and started the car. "Just kidding."

The SUV sped away, leaving Shen Yan to put down the boxes and open the bottom one.

The box below contained jerky, labeled "No oil, no salt, no sugar."

Shen Yan smiled softly, gave a middle finger in the direction the car had left, picked up the box, and headed into the building. "Puppy, come here quickly, your brother brought you something delicious."