NOVEL FROG Chapter 62
Chapter 62: Sick
Zhang Shaoqing woke up, feeling as though his head was about to split open.
He blinked his eyes, the ceiling fan above him buzzing ominously, as if ready to fall.
There were rustling sounds nearby; he turned his head to see the chair legs, and then his gaze trailed up to Ning Chu’s bare white feet perched on the chair.
“Still awake?”
Ning Chu, squatting on the chair playing on her computer, jumped and turned to him with a worried and cautious expression, quickly putting on her slippers.
“What time is it?”
“Late, three o’clock.”
Zhang Shaoqing held his head as he got up, noticing the suitcase next to Ning Chu: “Are you getting ready to go home?”
Nope, just preparing to bail if things go south.
But now it seemed like Zhang Shaoqing was holding up fine?
“I’m just tidying up some useless stuff while I have the time.”
“Want some water?” Ning Chu turned around, handing him a cup of cold water.
“Mm.”
The dormitory fell silent again in the late night. Zhang Shaoqing quietly drank the cold water and then sat down on the bamboo mat, fiddling with his phone.
Ning Chu lost interest in the TV drama and occasionally glanced down.
Is his mood still so-so?
Usually, Zhang Shaoqing would be joking around and teasing him by now.
At midnight, Wen Yang had gone to bed early; his routine was pretty normal, usually not lasting past midnight, while Ning Chu often stayed up late gaming, especially on weekends.
“I’m thinking about where I went wrong,” Zhang Shaoqing suddenly said, sounding a bit like he was talking to himself.
Ning Chu shrugged instinctively: “You’re not wrong anywhere!”
He focused on finding Zhang Shaoqing’s redeeming qualities: “You’re handsome, wealthy, generous, extroverted…”
In a world where everyone was a handsome model, looks became the least prominent advantage, and personality… well, he was definitely extroverted, but let’s just say people would prefer not to be friends with him.
So the only solid plus was probably his generosity.
Ning Chu paused, gathering his thoughts: “Maybe you’re just not her type. I checked, and both Wen Yang and Ling Ling’s boyfriends seem to be tall and steady characters. You’re a bit on the scholarly side, while your personality is lively…”
Zhang Shaoqing nodded thoughtfully: “Looks like you’re going for the big sister route.”
“……”
“I need to use the bathroom.”
He flipped over and headed straight to the balcony.
Ning Chu’s anxious heart relaxed a bit; at least this guy could still joke with him, unlike last night when he seemed ready to fall apart at any moment. He seemed to be doing okay now.
“What a bunch of nonsense~” he sighed as he stuffed the suitcase back into the wardrobe, “Good thing I dodged that bullet.”
No need to worry about any ‘near-death experiences’ recently~
His previously oppressive mood lifted significantly, but that was soon replaced by a strong wave of sleepiness.
After the dual strain on his body and mind these days, he felt he couldn’t keep up anymore. Yawning, he shut his laptop and got ready for bed.
As for Zhang Shaoqing’s mental health, it seemed to be in good shape for now. He would just observe a bit more when he woke up.
……
When he woke up, he heard the sound of rain pattering outside.
Ning Chu felt extremely heavy; after a struggle, he managed to open his eyes just to realize his breath was steaming.
With great effort, he glanced down at Wen Yang, “What time is it?”
“12 o’clock. Did you stay up late again?”
“Yeah, till three,” he replied while surveying the dorm. “Where’s Shaoqing?”
“He went out.”
Out?! In this condition, would Zhang Shaoqing go out?!
No way, this guy probably darkened overnight and is out there causing chaos for the ladies!
Ning Chu got a cold shiver and sprang out of bed, only to collapse back down weakly.
Oh no!
Lately, trailing behind Wen Yang for part-time work in the sun had exhausted him, plus last night’s binge-watching and drinking had lowered his immune system…
Is he getting sick?!
“Wen Yang, Wen Yang!” He peeked over the bed, his voice anxious, “Do you know where Shaoqing went?”
“Probably home? I hadn’t seen him when I woke up. His car keys were gone from his desk.”
As Wen Yang looked up, he noticed Ning Chu’s flushed face from the fever and teased, “Look at you, all red. Got a fever, huh?”
“Seems like it…”
“???”
Wen Yang was stunned, thinking for a moment that Ning Chu might be flirting with him.
But then he got up and walked over to Ning Chu’s bed, gently placing the back of his hand on his forehead.
“You’re really hot,” he frowned. “I’ll get a thermometer and check your temperature. We’ll go to the medical room later.”
“Mm… about Shaoqing…”
“You’re sick, so just forget about him. Focus on getting better, okay?”
Wen Yang, usually laid-back, suddenly showed a bit more firmness in his tone.
“Can’t understand you; you’re sick but still worrying about Shaoqing. At least take care of yourself first before fussing over your roommate.”
Wen Yang rummaged around, standing up with a deeper frown: “I remember they brought me a thermometer at the start of the semester; I just don’t know where it is now.”
“Wait, I’ll go buy one from the supermarket downstairs.”
“Hey!”
Ning Chu tried to stop him, but Wen Yang had already bolted out the door.
He could only glare at the door, grumbling, “Another one gone out; he better not hit any plot points…”
“At least take an umbrella…”
He was genuinely worried about Wen Yang going out alone, but he felt too sick to move.
Because of the holiday and the rain, there were barely any students in the dorm area. Wen Yang dashed through the steady rain, sprinting toward the supermarket.
He rushed to the checkout, asking, “Do you have thermometers? Where?”
“Over there.”
Wen Yang hurried to the rack, glancing quickly before catching a whiff of a sweet scent. He instinctively turned to find a charming vixen leaping towards him with a smile.
Lin Li’s eyes sparkled as she saw Wen Yang, immediately plotting something. Before she could speak, Wen Yang cut in, “Have you seen any thermometers around?”
“Thermometer?”
She trailed behind Wen Yang, those beautiful fox eyes scanning the surroundings while she tried to flirt, “Wen Yang~ are you free later? I’m so bored all alone in the dorm over the break~”
She stepped closer, her arm wrapping around Wen Yang’s, softening up.
Wen Yang, impassive, glanced down and then suddenly smiled.
Got it!
It turns out men can’t resist temptation!
Lin Li’s eyes lit up, legs crossed, but Wen Yang just squatted down, grabbing a thermometer from the bottom shelf: “Here it is, no wonder I couldn’t find it…”
“……”
“Bored? Didn’t I hear you were planning to head back that day after dinner?”
As he stood up, Wen Yang’s expression turned cold again, delivering his words with a hint of snark, “What? You were only leaving because I wasn’t getting in the car?”
What a shameless woman! If Ning Chu hadn’t saved him back then, he would have probably been left with just one kidney!
“Ah?”