Chapter 99
Note: Early chapter release. Thank you for the Ko-Fi, Sakuradahl! ◝(ᵔᵕᵔ)◜
Rong Yucheng?
As soon as Mu Cai heard the name, he knew that the gong was about to make his appearance. In the original plot, this person was the protagonist's roommate, known as an academic genius. He was not only outstanding academically, but was also knowledgeable about astronomy and geography.
Rong Yucheng played a crucial role in the protagonist's career. Not only did he solve the protagonist's queries routinely, but he also teamed up with him to participate in the ACM International Collegiate Programming Competition. They passed through five levels and defeated six generals to win gold abroad. The gold medal held high prestige, bringing back a considerable amount of prize money and opportunities for internships or direct employment at leading companies.
In other words, Rong Yucheng was a benefactor in Li Yu's life and the first to be "captured" by the main character among all gongs.
However, as Mu Cai looked at the extended hand, he could only say that Rong Yucheng, being the academic genius he was, was very formal. Even during introductions, he insisted on a handshake, making it feel like a business meeting.
He instinctively reached out to shake his hand, but then remembered that he had just washed the cloth and was unsure if his hand was still dirty. Just as Mu Cai wanted to retract his hand and explain, he saw the tall man opposite swiftly reach out and grab his.
Rong Yucheng was of similar age as Li Yu, both just adults, but he was very tall, almost a head taller than Mu Cai.
The slender hand in his grasp was slightly cool and a bit damp. Their soft skin on the back of the hand looked exceptionally white. Rong Yucheng's glasses reflected a flash of light, and he gently pinched the tender hand underneath before introducing himself: "My name is Rong Yucheng. The 'Rong' means 'tolerant,' and the 'Yucheng' means 'jade refinement.' May I know your name?"
Receiving no reply, he repeated the question, making Mu Cai feel a bit impolite. Mu Cai quickly shook his hand back, saying, "Hello, my name is Mu Cai. The 'Mu' means 'solemn,' and the 'Cai' means 'gathering.'"
Feeling the cool fingertips on his hand, Rong Yucheng gracefully released his grip and smiled, "Mu Cai, such a lovely name. In the dictionary, the 'Mu' also has the meanings of gentle and delightful. 'Mu Cai' should mean gathering something beautiful, right?"
By the end of his sentence, although he was posing a question, Rong Yucheng's face was full of certainty and confidence.
Hearing this, Mu Cai was also pleasantly surprised, as that was the meaning behind his name. In the previous world, he had explained this to others. Now that someone had voluntarily deciphered it, Mu Cai was naturally delighted: "Yes, that's how my parents named me. But how did you guess it?"
The person standing opposite had their rosy lips raised, and their eyes seemed to hide two bright little stars. Rong Yucheng sighed in his heart at the person's beauty, but his expression remained unchanged: "I usually like flipping through the dictionary, so when I heard your name, I automatically explained it. Now it seems that browsing through the dictionary often isn't a bad thing."
As they chatted and laughed together, the dormitory door suddenly opened.
Li Yu walked in, carrying a suitcase, and immediately noticed the scene where the two people were looking at each other.
A slender young man with soft hair drooping over his delicate and full cheekbones. He was wearing a pair of black trousers, enveloping his slim and straight legs. The curve from the waist gradually transitioning to his... hips was quite mesmerizing, enough to stir one’s thoughts.
And now, this sight that had hooked and consumed Li Yu was chatting and laughing with his own roommate. Their shiny black eyes curved into crescents, so deeply engaged that they hadn't even noticed his arrival. A shadow fell over Li Yu's eyes, and the usually pleasant roommate suddenly seemed rather annoying. He lowered his voice and called out, "Cai Cai."
Mu Cai turned his head and saw Li Yu returning. His long eyelashes flared once, fluttering like butterfly wings into Rong Yucheng's view. Instant delight shone in his eyes: "You're back? Were you tired from carrying stuff all the way? Quickly sit down, I've nearly finished wiping your bed and chair."
It hadn't been long since he and Li Yu moved to this dormitory. Li Yu had received a notice from the class monitor, asking those who already arrived at school to send someone from each dormitory to collect books. Without even finishing cleaning, Li Yu took the emptied suitcase and left. He had been running around all day and must be tired by now.
Mu Cai hurried over, subconsciously wanting to help Li Yu with his suitcase. However, before his hand touched it, he felt a gentle tug on his arm. Looking up, he saw Li Yu nonchalantly holding onto his wrist, carefully examining his fingertips: "Didn't I say you shouldn't do these things? Look how red your fingertips are."
Each of the five slender fingers was long and fair. Unfortunately, they all had unusually reddened knuckles, showing clear signs of chill. Li Yu released the suitcase he was dragging, tenderly smoothing over the soft pads of his fingers that were cold as ice - he wondered how long they had been gripping the rag.
Thinking of this, he felt the presence of Rong Yucheng even more irritating.
Was just flirting with Mu Cai not enough, couldn't they find somewhere else to chat? Didn't they see Cai Cai had been holding and using the rag all this time?
Mu Cai was a bit embarrassed. The heating in the school was quite sufficient, and the water flowing from the bathroom wasn't that cold, in fact, he even felt slightly warm when washing the rag. However, he had been so engrossed in talking to Rong Yucheng that he had been clutching the rag the whole time, its absorbed water gradually cooling and consequently leaching away the warmth from his hand.
His roommate examined Mu Cai’s hand meticulously, his brows knitted in a cold expression. Both his posture and attitude exuded an unusual hint of ambiguity. Upon witnessing this scene, Rong Yucheng, standing at the side, couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. He timely stepped in to intervene for the younger man. “Li Yu, don't blame him, it's my fault. I should have been more attentive. Then he wouldn't have been chilled like this."
Li Yu turned his face towards him, his expression cold: "There is no need for you to apologize; this has nothing to do with you. It's me who didn't take good care of him."
In a single phrase, he drew a clear personal line while simultaneously expressing his possessiveness towards Mu Cai.
Surely, their relationship wasn’t as simple as just "friends."
Rong Yucheng's head moved slightly, the dormitory light reflected off his glasses, making it impossible to see the emotions in his eyes.
Li Yu cast him a side glance with his dark eyes, then carried his suitcase in one hand and held Mu Cai’s wrist in the other as he made his way back to his seat.
The cold damp rag had been taken from his hand, and after a moment of hesitation, Mu Cai, unable to hold back his sobriety, asked, “Li Yu, have you measured your height recently?”
Li Yu, who had been somewhat irritated, was taken aback by the question. He then turned his head to see a slightly worried expression on Mu Cai's face.
The person standing in front of him had his brows falling downwards, his cheeks slightly inflated, and his red-lipped mouth was slightly turned up. He appears to be sulking, looking both wronged and a bit defiant, even stealing glances at him... at the top of his head?
Li Yu suddenly realized, and his previously heavy mood instantly vanished.
His cold eyes softened, and he looked down at the other person and laughed, "I have not measured it, but I think I have grown taller recently because you seem to have gotten a little shorter.”
As Li Yu spoke, he lightly placed his hands on the other's thinly-cut shoulders, making a special emphasis standing straight, comparing his height with the other. Now, Li Yu was nearly half a head taller than Mu Cai, which gave him great satisfaction.
Mu Cai, pushed by the other person, was deeply shocked, "Why are you still growing?"
Li Yu laughed and said, "Because I just turned eighteen this year. I had good food and drink at your house before, was well nourished, and even when I left, I carried large bags and small bags. Good food contributes to natural growth."
Speaking till here, he bent down slightly closer to Mu Cai's face, supporting his shoulders, and sincerely said, "So, in order for me to continue to grow, I have to thank you."
Mu Cai felt that the two were a bit too close and couldn't help but move back a bit. His ears were tinged with a blush, just like a blood-dripping ruby, "It's good that you know."
After saying this, Mu Cai was still a bit worried.
He knew he wasn't originally a strong man, and now, even the height advantage has been lost, and the difference in physique between him and the main character has become increasingly obvious. Mu Cai could not help but start worrying— could he still play the role of the 'gong'?
But according to Mu Cai's original plan, he didn't intend to have any substantive relations with Li Yu.
So, the height doesn't really matter, does it?
Mu Cai quickly found an excuse for himself.
Li Yu saw the person standing in front of him was distracted, and was about to say something to bring back his attention. Then, an inopportune voice from the side rang out, "Li Yu, where's the book you brought back?"
He turned his head, and Rong Yucheng was standing beside them, looking at them naturally.
Pretending as if it wasn’t intentional.
Li Yu didn't answer Rong Yucheng. Instead, he gently patted Mu Cai's shoulder and laughed, "You clean up really well, can you help me organize the stuff on the table?"
In fact, he was reluctant to have Mu Cai do these things for him, but he knew his roommate all too well. That look in his eyes was clearly interested in Mu Cai. If he didn't have Mu Cai do something for him now, Rong Yucheng could coax Mu Cai into working for him in a second. And Mu Cai is so agreeable, always trying to accommodate others' requests as long as they are not excessive.
Since Mu Cai is always so busy, he might as well keep busy in his own nest!
As Li Yu had predicted, Mu Cai agreed without hesitation, "Alright."
After he finished speaking, he looked at the structure of the bed and the table below, somewhat hesitant, "Do you have any preferences? Like, where you usually keep your books or toiletries?"
There were four empty shelves next to the table, and he was not aware of how Li Yu usually arranged things.
Li Yu had already started unpacking his suitcase. Hearing this, he looked up and smiled, "However you arrange it, I will adapt. With these sorts of things, it's all about habit."
As he said this, he subtly hinted, "When I get used to your organising methods, in the future, when I clean up for you, you definitely will not be unable to find things."
Upon hearing this, Mu Cai didn't think too much. He merely felt that Li Yu's words were reasonable and quickly agreed, "Alright!"
The corners of Li Yu's mouth lifted slightly.
He individually took out the books for this semester from his suitcase, created a large stack, and handed it to the neglected Rong Yucheng standing beside them. His eyes held a triumphant cold light, but his voice was gentle when he spoke to the Mu Cai, who was busily cleaning up the chaotic desktop, "After we finish cleaning up, let's go to the cafeteria for a meal. You've taken care of me for so long, now it's my turn to treat you."
Mu Cai was busy among the messy desktop and responded upon hearing his comment, "Sure."
With his affirmation, Li Yu saw Rong Yucheng's hand slightly tremble as he accepted the stack of books.
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Author's note:
Concubine Li: They say, 'to know your enemy and know yourself is to be undefeated'. Since you're my "sister", I will naturally block all your tactics.
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