Part 3
Zhou Xie, as luck would have it, took a step sideways, blocking Wen Rong.
Standing alone outside the crowd, the two really looked like a couple—a couple having a quarrel.
Lin Jinghang crumpled the speech draft in his hand into a ball.
He couldn’t figure out his own psychology.
From the moment Wen Rong said “When you first came to this world, why did you dress exactly like me,” a big rock had smashed onto his head, leaving indelible severe pain.
Why did he dress like that back then? Because a cheerful voice in his heart said: The way he looked carrying that burlap sack was really fucking dowdy.
But when Lin Jinghang tried to recall any images, it was very difficult.
Right, why did he dress like that back then?
And recalling it now, he realized that Wen Rong’s outfit on the train was indeed exactly the same as his, even the burlap sack.
Could it be a coincidence?
Lin Jinghang took two steps forward, inexplicably wanting to take a look at Wen Rong, but Wen Rong was already gone. The project seminar was about to start, and he had to walk in front of the entire school to stammeringly recite the annoying draft.
…
12:00. The morning session temporarily ended. Lin Jinghang was so tired he didn’t want to move, waiting for others to bring him food.
Wen Rong went to the cafeteria to eat, and Zhou Xie went too, but Lin Jinghang remembered clearly that they weren’t together.
The huge hands on top of the clock tower ticked clack-clack-clack. 18:00. The sound of the bell resonated through Floriman Academy in waves.
The last group finished their project report, and Lin Jinghang arranged for everyone to go to the classroom for discussion.
Wen Rong was the first to get up and leave. Zhou Xie followed behind, but the two didn’t speak.
“Young Master Lin, I just saw a big thing in Wen Rong’s bag. I suspect…”
Lin Jinghang asked strangely, “Is Wen Rong very hard to coax?”
“What?”
Lin Jinghang didn’t remember how he got back to the classroom.
The evening meeting was just a formality. He had a list from the secretary in his hand. The secretary said that as long as the projects of the people on the list were approved, it would be fine.
The others in the Student Council understood tacitly and played along, praising the people on the list to the skies, making these “nepotism cases” appear to have some real substance.
Amidst the enthusiastic praise, a loud cough suddenly rang out.
It didn’t come from a throat.
Everyone’s eyes widened as they watched Wen Rong raise a small megaphone commonly used by street vendors to shout slogans.
“My throat has been uncomfortable recently. I think I can only communicate with everyone through a megaphone for you to be willing to listen to me.”
Everyone closed their eyes tightly, feeling a sense of loss mixed with relief: After holding back for so long, it’s finally here.
Wen Rong had indeed been too quiet recently.
Since Lin Jinghang took the seat of Student Council President until now, he hadn’t caused any trouble, which wasn’t his style at all.
Everyone, including Lin Jinghang, didn’t think Wen Rong had become “sensible” at all. Every day they worried secretly, racking their brains to figure out what big conspiracy he was plotting.
Wen Rong opened a small notebook in front of everyone. “There are some projects that weren’t approved. I want to discuss them with everyone.”
Everyone: “…”
“Of course, we don’t have to discuss them. My opinion isn’t important anyway, right?”
Everyone: Then why did you bring a megaphone to seek attention!
Everyone dared to be angry but not to speak, waiting for Wen Rong’s next sentence.
“Having said that, the Student Council must ensure the accuracy of decisions. If some projects aren’t approved, and in case the students find their own way and make a name for themselves, the School Board will ask why such good projects weren’t approved back then.” Wen Rong looked up, staring directly at Lin Jinghang. “President, can I offer some opinions on the list?”
Lin Jinghang: “…”
Someone leaned into Lin Jinghang’s ear. “Young Master Lin, let him speak. With this posture, he obviously intends to speak. If you don’t let him speak, he’ll create other trouble later.”
Lin Jinghang couldn’t tell if it was fear or compromise in his heart. His lips moved slightly. “Speak.”
Wen Rong withdrew his gaze, hooked his finger at Leo, successfully snatched the computer, connected it to the projector, and clicked open the promotional slides prepared for all projects.
“The first Soft Tentacle Project achieves flexible grasping of objects with complex structures by simulating the spiral structure of octopus tentacles. In the future, it can be widely used in biological exploration and high-difficulty dangerous operations to reduce the mortality rate of ordinary workers in high-risk jobs.”
“Does this project have any obvious flaws? Why isn’t it on the approved list?”
Leo froze abruptly.
—This was his project.
How could Lin Jinghang understand things like robotic tentacles and high-risk operations? Questioned by Wen Rong in front of so many people, he couldn’t speak. Embarrassed, he turned his head to look at the person next to him. “Mark this project down. Put it on the approved list.”
Of course, because of Wen Rong’s overly sharp gaze, he also felt a strange feeling in his heart. He just couldn’t say what it was, so he ignored it for the time being.
Wen Rong: “And this project…”
Lin Jinghang: “…”
By the end of the meeting, Lin Jinghang despaired to find that his series of actions deliberately targeting Wen Rong had all failed.
Failure was one thing, but looking around, he found that Wen Rong was not in the classroom, nor was Zhou Xie.
Lin Jinghang was inexplicably worried and anxiously grabbed someone to ask, “Where is Wen Rong?”
Pointed in the right direction, he chased after him, wanting to ask Wen Rong what right he had to question his decision as Student Council President… actually, he wanted to know if Wen Rong was with Zhou Xie.
Walking through the corridor with lights off and turning a corner, Lin Jinghang saw Wen Rong and Zhou Xie standing by the window.
Damn, they really are together.
“I didn’t come to apologize to you.”
It was Zhou Xie’s voice.
“Then no need to speak.”
Still quarreling.
Lin Jinghang scoffed coldly in the darkness.
“Shi Ye liked you a long time ago, and so did Leon. You delaying your stance isn’t because you’re wavering; it’s because you want everyone.”
“Is there any point in saying this?” Wen Rong responded to Zhou Xie impatiently.
“Since you want them, why can’t you add me? I don’t mind if you kiss Shi Ye or Leon, you can even sleep with them.”
Holy shit, explosive!
Lin Jinghang pricked up his ears.
Everyone loved gossip, including him, who had just been angered to the point of fainting.
Wen Rong was silent for a few seconds before answering, “You can’t.”
“Because I haven’t had parents since I was little, I have a special empathy for people who have lost their parents. This is my weakness.”
“During this time, my attitude toward you may have changed. I hope you don’t misunderstand it as me having any special feelings for you. It’s just because I pity you.”
Zhou Xie said, “Then keep pitying me!”
“But you offended me that day. I hate such disrespectful behavior.”
“Everything has already happened. What do you want me to do now?”
“What can I do so that you will forgive what I did in the past and what I did that day?”
Silence.
Lin Jinghang leaned against the wall, holding his breath, thinking about what “offended” meant.
Was it a hug, a kiss, or sex?
Did Zhou Xie force Wen Rong?
The light stretched the shadows of the two confronting people very long. Lin Jinghang looked at the shadows, his heart beating rapidly thump-thump-thump.
“I…”
Wen Rong hesitated to speak.
Lin Jinghang heard Zhou Xie kick the wall and couldn’t help gloating.
“Then tell me, what position do I hold in your heart right now?”
Wen Rong didn’t hesitate. “Ordinary schoolmate.”
“Can’t compare to Leon and Shi Ye?”
“Correct.”
“Can compare to the few from the News Club?”
“Can’t compare.”
“Can compare to Lin Jinghang?”
Lin Jinghang: ?
You guys are fighting, what does it have to do with me?
Wen Rong was silent for a long time this time before saying, “At least better than Lin Jinghang.”
Zhou Xie: “Good.”
Lin Jinghang: Good?!!!
Zhou Xie: “Then that’s above a schoolmate, below a friend.”
Lin Jinghang didn’t listen to the rest.
Lin Jinghang returned to the dormitory, his mind full of thoughts: Am I really that terrible in Wen Rong’s eyes? Why put me at the bottom?
Lin Jinghang was annoyed to death. He was so annoyed that the next day, when urged to submit project data, he directly passed all the projects Wen Rong mentioned.
By the time he realized it, he couldn’t change it anymore.
He should have been nervous because he didn’t follow the secretary’s arrangement, but he inexplicably wanted to follow Wen Rong’s will.
Lin Jinghang felt he must be possessed. Bored, he browsed the Black Pigeon Forum to divert his attention. Suddenly, a post comparing him and Wen Rong appeared before his eyes.
A damaged burlap sack, a person who looked really dowdy, wearing black-rimmed glasses.
“Him? He’s very dowdy, a four-eyed frog just like you. Doesn’t style his hair either, poor as dirt.”
A cheerful voice exploded in his mind like a cannonball. Lin Jinghang’s heart accelerated, and his body fell off the chair uncontrollably.
The person speaking these words stood under the scorching sun, backlit, face unclear, but Lin Jinghang felt he was smiling, as happy as if attending his own wedding.
“But his name sounds very nice. He is called…”
Who is it—
Who is speaking—
What is his name—
A heart-rending scream suddenly rang out in the quiet dormitory, startling almost all the students in the building to open their doors and check the situation.
But after that scream ended, there was no more movement. Unable to find the source, everyone closed their doors regretfully, assuming a schoolmate had suddenly gone crazy.
The results of the project seminar were announced on the third day. Lin Qizheng and Zhang Jincheng’s projects were both approved, and the News Club group chat became active again.
Lin Qizheng: [Gogogo, group dinner.]
Zhang Lin: [Youngest, Youngest, can you spare three days this weekend? We want to go somewhere a bit further.]
Wen Rong: [I have time!]
The location for the first team building event after the News Club disbanded was set on a cruise ship.
Three days and three nights. Boarding Thursday afternoon, returning Sunday afternoon.
Wen Rong had just packed his luggage, briefly forgetting the complicated emotional issues, secretly looking forward to a trip he had never experienced before.
However, just as he was going out, he received a text message from Zhou Xie.
[An accident happened at the orphanage where you grew up. The director and three staff members are all dead. Now the whole internet is waiting for your response.]
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