Chapter 26: What Do You Want
Jealous?
The word had never even appeared in Liang Yuhang’s life.
He had never been moved by anyone, and dating was a waste of time—he’d rather raise a cat.
Liang Yuhang took the pen from him, crossed out that sentence, and wrote in a bold, sweeping hand:
[Not a chance.]
Mu Feng glanced at him and continued writing underneath.
[Then why are you being so mean to Xie Xingchen?]
Because of the writing, he leaned in a bit closer, standing very near him.
Liang Yuhang looked down and caught the scent of shampoo from his hair.
He felt that this behavior of passing notes in front of everyone was very much like a primary school student, and he intended to take the pen away.
Mu Feng’s finger tapped the message: “Why?”
Liang Yuhang’s writing was as concise as his speech.
[You’re overthinking it.]
“What are you two doing?” Lu Zhuo looked over. “Is there something we can’t hear?”
Xie Xingchen joined in the teasing. “Yeah, is it some top-secret intel from the Eighth Galaxy? So mysterious.”
He really couldn’t stand these people.
Liang Yuhang looked up. “Student Mu Feng is asking a stupid question.”
Mu Feng wrinkled his nose and bared his teeth at him like Mu Mu. Just last time he was praised for being smart, and now he was stupid.
Fickle man.
He took back his notebook, hugged it to his chest, and feigned arrogance as well. “Since it’s a stupid question, I won’t ask anymore.”
Fine, he was just being sentimental.
He should have known that with this mechanical heart, jealousy was impossible—even if he were drowned in a vat of vinegar, he wouldn’t be jealous.
0717 was beside them, winking and grimacing. “Oh dear, you’ve made someone angry again! There’s nothing to be done; the great 0717 will not step in to save you.”
Liang Yuhang suppressed the urge to kick it for the third time today.
After the tour, the group walked to the elevator doors. Xie Xingchen turned around and suddenly said, “Mu Feng, come here for a second. I have something to say to you.”
Liang Yuhang gave them another faint glance.
Watching the two of them walk to the side, Mu Feng said suspiciously, “What are you up to now?”
“Teaching you a few tips for chasing someone,” Xie Xingchen said. “Being too clingy is useless. You need slow penetration—be hot and cold, gradually increasing his focus on you. Once it reaches a certain point, you’re set.”
It sounded quite professional.
Mu Feng mulled over the eight-word mantra. “What did you rely on to chase your person before?”
“Being clingy,” Xie Xingchen said, completely without shame.
Mu Feng suppressed the urge to punch him. “Then what you’re telling me is useless.”
“No, everyone’s method is different. We are not the same,” Xie Xingchen said. “Trust me, think it over carefully.”
Mu Feng was half-doubting. He couldn’t bear to be “hot and cold” with Professor Liang. They had finally managed to improve their relationship; he didn’t want it to reset in a second.
Xie Xingchen raised a hand and patted his shoulder. “I hope to hear good news from you the next time we meet.”
“Next time?”
“Yeah, I’m heading back today.” Xie Xingchen glanced at Liang Yuhang, who wasn’t far away, and said pointedly, “I don’t want to be a nuisance.”
Mu Feng wasn’t stupid; he knew who he was talking about. He defended Professor Liang’s reputation to the death. “He’s not annoyed with you. Don’t be so sensitive.”
“Oh, is that so? But I don’t feel like I’ve been treated as a guest. You people from the Eighth Galaxy are so cold,” Xie Xingchen accused.
He was even making it a moral issue now; all citizens were going to have to take the blame.
Mu Feng’s lips twitched. “Just text me tomorrow. You can harass me for hours if you want; I definitely won’t snap at you.”
Xie Xingchen smiled brilliantly. “Then I’ll leave in peace. The Eighth Galaxy truly is friendly to its neighbors after all. See you next time.”
Mu Feng nodded. “See you next time.”
Xie Xingchen turned his head toward Liang Yuhang. “I’m leaving. Won’t Colonel Liang see me off?”
Liang Yuhang finished greeting the professors first before walking over and pressing the elevator button for him. “I will. I’ll take the flyer and escort you to the border.”
Mu Feng said very proudly, “See? We people from the Eighth Galaxy are just that hospitable.”
Xie Xingchen shook his head and muttered to himself, My god, I’ve met a ‘love-brain’ even scarier than myself.
The flyer was parked at the entrance. Liang Yuhang followed him on, truly intending to escort the man the whole way.
Jiang Yu’an was wandering around the hall, sighing. “Leaving already? What a pity. I was planning to ask if he’d give up on that person he’s pining for and look at our Mu Bao instead.”
“Can you put something other than romance in your head?” Zhou Tiantian said with a face full of disdain.
“Last-place student should be quiet.” Jiang Yu’an seized the other’s weakness and acted very triumphantly.
Mu Feng looked up. It was evening now, and several flyers were taking off in the high-speed wind, quickly disappearing into the horizon.
It looked very free.
Jiang Yu’an leaned in and whispered, “Mu Bao, Liang Yuhang isn’t here. Do you want to go out and play for a day with me?”
“You want to escape again? Aren’t you afraid of being beaten?” Mu Feng glanced at Lu Zhuo standing on the second floor. “I think you haven’t been beaten enough.”
“No, today is a semi-open day. The exam just finished, and several students have already submitted applications.”
Jiang Yu’an said self-righteously, “Of course, given my situation, an application is definitely unnecessary because it would certainly be rejected.”
When Zhou Tiantian heard this, she said, “Then I’m going too. Anyway, my mentor doesn’t care about me. I want to forget this wretched exam and play like crazy for a day.”
Mu Feng didn’t want to spoil the fun, so he nodded. “Fine, let’s go.”
As they walked out, he didn’t forget to send a message to Liang Yuhang to report in.
[M]: Xiao Jiang wants to go out and play, so I went too.
The other was on the flyer, signal blocked; he didn’t reply.
However, when Jiang Yu’an led him from the back gate of the base to the perimeter wall, the other two fell silent.
Zhou Tiantian looked up. “We could clearly go through the front gate. Can we have a more dignified way?”
“You don’t understand. It’s only exciting this way,” Jiang Yu’an said.
Mu Feng exposed him. “You’re clearly afraid that if you go through the front gate, you’ll be caught and brought back before you’ve even walked two steps.”
Jiang Yu’an: “…”
There’s no need to be so truthful and hurtful.
He scrambled out awkwardly. A flashy sports car was already parked outside. The driver respectfully handed over the keys. “Young Master, the car has been brought over.”
Zhou Tiantian stared at the two-seater and asked seriously, “Not to sound like a country bumpkin, but where do I sit?”
“Oh, I forgot about you.” Jiang Yu’an realized belatedly. “You take the driver’s car.”
“Why do you get to sit in a sports car while I don’t get that treatment!” While Zhou Tiantian was fuming, another flashy sports car drove up.
She immediately changed her tune. “Does your family need any more drivers? I just got my license.”
I’m really going to give it my all against you rich people.
Jiang Yu’an took them straight to the seaside, rubbing his hands in excitement. “It’s been so long since I’ve been to a cruise ship. It was killing me, reading books every day.”
“Wow, is this the world of the wealthy?” Zhou Tiantian looked up. “Can I be reborn into this kind of life next time?”
“Tonight’s spending… you’re not going to swipe my card, are you?” Mu Feng narrowed his eyes. “I seem to remember your card is still suspended.”
“Mu Bao! There’s no ‘yours’ or ‘mine’ between us!”
Jiang Yu’an hooked an arm around his neck, shaking him back and forth. “I’ll pay you back. I’ll pay you back with interest next month.”
Mu Feng felt his phone vibrate and looked down at the message.
[Professor Liang]: I’m only gone for an hour, and you can’t even stay put?
Even though the man wasn’t there, he felt as if he had been caught red-handed. His back shivered.
[M]: It’s Xiao Jiang!!! He insisted on dragging me out! He’s too playful!!!
That’s right, selling out his brother happened that quickly.
[Professor Liang]: Aren’t you afraid your brother will give you trouble?
Mu Feng then understood; it turned out he was worried about this.
He felt a bit happy. At least Liang Yuhang had started to care about his safety.
Xie Xingchen was right; being hot and cold was very useful.
[M]: It doesn’t matter, right? He won’t be watching me all the time.
the other seemed to think for a few seconds.
[Professor Liang]: Then go play.
Mu Feng’s face was full of unhappiness. To hell with Liang Yuhang! What ‘hot and cold’? It’s completely useless!
“Stop playing with that broken phone.”
Jiang Yu’an had finally arrived at his home turf and was incredibly hyped. In his excitement, he directly paid the bill for the entire bar.
Zhou Tiantian was still studying the price of a bottle of wine in the dim light. “My god, I’d have to wash dishes for a year for this.”
Mu Feng also drank a bit, looking at the time with boredom, wondering why Liang Yuhang hadn’t come yet.
Hardening his heart, he placed a video call to the other.
He originally thought the other wouldn’t answer, but surprisingly, it went through after a few seconds.
Mu Feng quickly hid the phone in his hand, avoiding Jiang Yu’an as he walked out. “I’m going to the restroom.”
“Why are you acting so secretive? It’s like you’re sneaking off to have an affair behind my back.” Jiang Yu’an propped his chin up.
Mu Feng smiled and hurried out. Once he was outside the cabin, he dared to pick up the phone. “Where are you?”
“Checking up on me?” Liang Yuhang asked.
“No, just asking.” Mu Feng muttered, How would I dare check up on you?
Liang Yuhang glanced at him. His cheeks were tinged with a faint pink, and his gaze was a bit hazy. “You’re going this wild just because the exam is over?”
Mu Feng smiled, his hair blown into a mess by the sea breeze. “I’ve had a bit to drink. Where are you?”
This was the second time he had asked.
Liang Yuhang picked up the camera and shook it. Mu Mu entered the frame and then quickly scurried away. “In my room.”
Mu Feng had originally been very calculating, showing the name of the cruise ship behind him, but he instantly felt a bit disappointed. “Alright then. You really aren’t worried about my safety at all.”
“You chose to run out yourself,” Liang Yuhang said. “You’re an adult. What should I be worried about?”
It sounded like an accusation.
Mu Feng angrily hung up the video call. I’ll drink! I’ll drink! I’m not even going back tonight!
He turned around, strode back inside, and very heroically grabbed the bottle of wine from Jiang Yu’an’s hand, pouring himself a large glass.
Jiang Yu’an and Zhou Tiantian looked at each other. “How come he went out once and came back looking like he just finished an affair and got dumped?”
“I don’t know. You’re asking me? My head only has studying in it,” Zhou Tiantian said with a dazed face.
Mu Feng sat inside for half an hour, then went back out and dialed Liang Yuhang’s number again.
The other answered instantly this time.
“What is it now?” Liang Yuhang asked.
“Where are you?” Mu Feng asked persistently, as if throwing a tantrum.
“I just said, in my room.” Liang Yuhang spoke slowly. “What do you actually want?”
He paused. “Don’t beat around the bush, Mu Feng.”
Mu Feng looked down at the waves rolling under the ship’s railing, feeling like a drifting small boat.
He was rarely able to state his requests directly because he had no one to rely on.
Leveraging his intoxication, Mu Feng carefully revealed his true feelings: “I want you to come and pick me up.”
He seemed to hear a chuckle from the other side.
“You should have said that from the beginning,” Liang Yuhang taught him. “If you want something, say it directly.”
His voice came through the phone, yet it also seemed to be behind him like a hallucination.
Mu Feng turned around and saw Liang Yuhang standing on the other side of the railing, lowering his head as he hung up the phone.
“Let’s go, you crazy drunk. I’m taking you back.”
Translator’s Note:
“Hot and Cold” (yù qín gù zòng) is actually a famous strategy from the 36 Stratagems. Xie Xingchen is trying to be a love guru, but Mu Feng is just too whipped for Professor Liang! Also, the “巨人觀” (Giant View) Jiang Yu’an mentions refers to the bloated state of a body after drowning—he’s such a drama queen. See you in Ch 27!
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