Chapter 26: Dr. Rong, I’m Starving T_T
!!! The studious types who came in to clock in were all dumbfounded. They thought to themselves, “Isn’t this dog-straight guy Rong Ziyin supposed to take blurry photos where you can’t even tell what he’s shooting?”
So these photos he’s posting now, which rival food bloggers’ late-night anti-virus shots, must be fake, right?
What’s most infuriating is that Rong Ziyin keeps commenting on the taste every other day. It’s not that his descriptions are exaggerated—it’s just the timing that’s downright cruel.
Right at mealtime, everyone’s rushing around starving. To save time, those who can’t hold out just wolf down a steamed bun or bowl of instant noodles. That’s when Rong Ziyin’s perfectly cooked, aromatic stir-fry looks extra mouthwatering.
Suddenly, it feels even sadder.
Different strokes for different folks. They were all top students, all grinding away on papers. They were greasy-haired and famished, while Rong Ziyin lived a “luxurious” life where meals were served to him and clothes handed to him. Damn, that was just too damn envy-inducing.
So what if someone delivered his meals? So what if he was the group’s darling?
Fuck it, was that really so great? Waaah.
Thus, in their extreme frustration, this group of once-diligent scholars followed Rong Ziyin down the path of self-sabotage.
Not only did they stop skipping meals, they started rushing to the cafeteria at mealtimes to snatch food. Even if truly tied up, they’d refuse meals brought by friends or classmates.
Inspired by Rong Ziyin, these studious types not only learned to capture food photos with perfect lighting and angles, but even taught themselves to master filters.
Come on! Let’s get revenge on society together! Hehehe.
After that, any innocent classmates who happened to log in during meal times were left utterly bewildered.
Suddenly they understood what it meant to be caught in the crossfire when gods fight.
Amid this productive atmosphere, a week later, Rong Ziyin was the first to declare his thesis complete.
Rong Ziyin: Keep it up, guys!
The top students in unison: Don’t touch me, get lost.
[Resentment Level: 1000]
Rong Ziyin couldn’t help but chuckle, knowing these guys were just bitter about not beating him.
But judging by the current situation, he was confident they’d all finish their papers on time. So he left them be, tidied up, and logged out of the forum to focus on his own work.
The system, however, was confused. Seeing he was free, it piped up, “Host, why did you even start this thread?!”
It genuinely couldn’t grasp why—with Rong Ziyin’s self-control, such an unnecessary step seemed pointless.
Rong Ziyin explained while packing his things, “Because this matter does involve me. That rich kid wouldn’t have gone out of his way to post a thesis just to rub it in if he weren’t competing with me.”
“I’ve seen parts of his paper. While it was watered down, the author clearly has genuine expertise. That later report? Probably a setup orchestrated by whoever sold it to him.”
“Is that guy insane? Didn’t he get paid to ghostwrite it?”
Rong Ziyin couldn’t help but laugh. “He got paid, sure—but the research itself is real! I suspect he didn’t want part of his research credited to someone else. That’s why, after getting paid, he still went through the trouble of reporting it.”
“But that rich kid got reported too—he didn’t gain anything from it!”
“Exactly. That’s why he didn’t specify who he reported. Two people submitted papers from the veterinary department. I was one of those whose admission was revoked, right?”
“What a fucking piece of shit!” The system was furious, thinking the ghostwriter was just as much of a bastard as the rich kid.
“Yeah! So in this whole mess, I was the spark that lit the fuse, and those whose papers got rejected were just collateral damage.”
“The academic world is incredibly tough to navigate. It’s not like you can just dedicate yourself to research and guarantee results. Talent, hard work, and luck—you need all three.”
“Getting into a core journal is a rare opportunity. Missing out on a chance you could have had is always a regret.”
“I’m going to grind it out either way. What difference does it make if I’m alone or leading a team?”
The system fell silent for a moment, unsure what to say.
Just then, the system alerted: [Admiration Points from Top Student Wen Xiaoyu: 5000], [Admiration Points from Top Student Yuan Shu: 6214]… Seven names appeared side by side. Though unfamiliar, the prefixes assigned by the system confirmed they were the seven top students who had teamed up with Rong Ziyin to grind through their thesis.
Clearly, after this incident, they all held deep respect for Rong Ziyin. Their admiration points had reached the threshold for a potential relationship.
System: Accept as followers?
Rong Ziyin: No. I’m not some old man needing seven rescue brothers.
No sooner had Rong Ziyin finished speaking than another admiration value notification arrived—this time from an eighth academic ace.
System: With eight members now, it can’t be called the Gourd Brothers anymore.
Rong Ziyin retorted confidently: Why not? There’s still Little Gourd King. This newcomer fits perfectly as the sixth brother.
So who exactly was the sixth brother… The system couldn’t resist checking and instantly understood. Oh, the sixth brother is the one with invisibility powers.
Comparing such a rugged, burly man to the delicate, petite sixth brother? Rong Ziyin’s mouth was downright wicked.
This time, however, the system didn’t press Rong Ziyin on why he wouldn’t take them as underlings. His words and actions throughout the journey had already explained everything.
Rong Ziyin wasn’t without ambition, but he fiercely guarded his principles. What wasn’t his, he didn’t covet. Having clawed his way up from childhood, he sought only to live with a clear conscience and integrity.
After settling matters with the academic elite, Rong Ziyin gave his three completed papers one final review. He then emailed all three to his advisor and followed up with a phone call.
With that done, Rong Ziyin headed to the incubator to check on the hatching goose eggs. After turning them over, he gathered his things and prepared to head home.
It was already nine o’clock at night, and darkness had completely fallen. Yet, being summer, he could still see neighbors sitting outside their courtyard gates enjoying the cool evening air.
“Dr. Rong’s done for the day!” someone greeted him warmly.
“Yes, I’m finished,” Rong Ziyin replied with a smile, acknowledging each person in turn.
Chatting along the way, Rong Ziyin didn’t feel lonely at all and soon reached his home.
Unexpectedly, he found the gate to his small courtyard wide open.
Had someone entered? Instinctively growing cautious, Rong Ziyin peered inside silently. What he saw was a figure crouched by his doorstep, cradling a large white goose.
Could it be… Ji Shu? Though his face was obscured, that goose left a lasting impression on Rong Ziyin. Wasn’t this the same goose that had tried to scam him into calling it “Dad” the other day?
Just then, Ji Shu, sitting by the gate, heard the movement and lifted his head to look at Rong Ziyin.
“Doctor Rong, you’re back!” Ji Shu’s previously listless eyes lit up the instant he saw Rong Ziyin, though his tone sounded pitifully plaintive.
Rong Ziyin stepped closer. Bathed in moonlight, the corners of Ji Shu’s beautiful almond-shaped eyes glowed pink, as if he’d suffered the world’s greatest injustice—making one want to comfort him.
But just then, a bright red little heart appeared precisely atop the goose in Ji Shu’s arms, accompanied by a stream of tearful comments: “Daddy, why did you take so long to come back? T_T”
Rong Ziyin fell silent for a moment, glancing around. This was indeed his home. So what exactly was going on with this man and goose?
Ji Shu, however, had already casually sidled up to Rong Ziyin, wrapping an arm around his shoulder and cooing like an old friend, “Little Doctor Rong, I’m hungry T_T.”
The goose nodded frantically in agreement, “I’m hungry too, Daddy! Give me some rice and you’ll be my forever Daddy!”
How did he end up looking so pitiful? Wasn’t he supposed to be some wealthy young master? Rong Ziyin chuckled at the pair’s antics and asked a few quick questions.
It turned out Ji Shu had come to the village to buy land and needed to survey the area for a few days. After discussion, the village chief decided to temporarily house Ji Shu in Rong Ziyin’s courtyard.
The main reason was that Rong Ziyin’s courtyard had the best environment, and half the buildings were vacant. When Rong Ziyin was originally assigned this place, it was to help him adjust after returning from the city. Now, with Ji Shu staying as well, the village chief figured it wouldn’t be a problem.
However, Rong Ziyin had been busy writing his thesis for the past two days, so the village chief hadn’t found a chance to explain the situation to him in detail. But Ji Shu arrived unexpectedly quickly, showing up today with his luggage in tow. The village chief had no choice but to ask Ji Shu to wait at the gate for Rong Ziyin’s return.
“So you haven’t eaten yet?”
“No. I thought…”
“So you didn’t eat?”
“No. I thought I could wait for you to come back and we could eat together, but… the snack bar closed at eight.” Probably starving, Ji Shu grew increasingly listless as he spoke, slumping limply against Rong Ziyin’s shoulder. “There’s no delivery around here. I’m starving myself thin.”
“One missed meal won’t kill you. Man up, big guy.” Rong Ziyin gently pried Ji Shu off his shoulder, stood aside, then headed toward the stove.
He was feeling a bit peckish himself anyway. Might as well whip up something for Ji Shu too. After all, he was the village chief’s guest and here to buy land. Couldn’t very well let the guy starve.
System: How peculiar. This person hasn’t shown any romantic interest in you today.
Rong Ziyin couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. Only now did he recall Ji Shu had previously tried to flirt with him. But judging by the current situation, Rong Ziyin suspected Ji Shu had likely forgotten all about that earlier episode. After all, when someone was nearly starving, eating came first.
Lighting the fire and setting up the pot, Rong Ziyin boiled water before heading out to the yard to pick a few tomatoes and some greens.
For a late-night snack, something warm and easy to digest was best. So Rong Ziyin decided to make dumpling soup.
Ji Shu clung to Rong Ziyin’s side, examining everything with curiosity, while Ezi excitedly ran around the room. Finally, he dashed over to Rong Ziyin, a piece of vegetable leaf clamped in his beak.
“Daddy~ Can I eat?” Ezi tilted his head, blinking his big black eyes, his tuft of fluff quivering adorably. He looked utterly silly.
Rong Ziyin couldn’t help but chuckle, pinching that tuft of fluff. “Go ahead and eat!”
Goose flapped its wings happily.
Rong Ziyin bent back down to chop vegetables, unexpectedly feeling Ji Shu’s burning gaze on him from the side.
[Lust Value 9999]
System: Holy shit! Holy shit! He still hasn’t given up! But host, this guy might be shameless, he’s a real feather factory. Let him stare a bit longer, and we’ll have enough money to buy anything.
Rong Ziyin was even more speechless.
He turned to meet Ji Shu’s gaze, only to be met with a flawless smile.
So Rong Ziyin scooped a bowl of feed from the sack behind him and placed it in Ji Shu’s hands.
Ji Shu: What’s this?
Rong Ziyin: Stop staring at me for no reason. Go feed the ducks in the backyard!
Ji Shu: …
【Annoyance Level 100】
Feeding a duck didn’t take much time. Within minutes, Ji Shu returned, circling around Rong Ziyin as usual to watch him cook.
Rong Ziyin wasn’t skilled in the kitchen, but he could manage a simple late-night snack like dumpling soup.
He brought a pot of water to a boil and crushed tomatoes inside. After simmering for just a short while, the fruity aroma gradually filled the air.
Ji Shu curiously scooped a spoonful to taste.
Sour! That was Ji Shu’s first impression. But soon, the distinct, refreshing aroma of tomatoes blossomed in his mouth. The sharp acidity that had initially jolted his taste buds now became a hook, tempting his stomach.
“Delicious!” Ji Shu offered his honest appraisal.
Seeing he liked it, Rong Ziyin added the dumplings to the pot.
The vibrant red of tomatoes, the vivid green of greens, and the golden hue of scrambled eggs created a feast for the eyes, constantly tempting his rumbling stomach. A mere pinch of salt transformed the bland dumplings into a rich, flavorful dish, satisfying the greedy cravings of the human palate.
Ji Shu rarely ate such simple fare. Seated beside Rong Ziyin, he ate without lifting his head.
Seeing that the young master was genuinely hungry, Rong Ziyin studied Ji Shu a bit longer. He felt Ji Shu seemed different from their last meeting. He didn’t appear as reckless anymore, instead carrying a soft, almost endearing quality.
After dinner, the two leaned back in their chairs, letting the night breeze aid their digestion.
Ji Shu possessed a compelling charm when serious, with relatively broad knowledge and substantive discourse. Conversing with him was always pleasant.
Their chat flowed effortlessly. Before they knew it, it was nearly midnight. Rong Ziyin had work tomorrow; it was time to part ways.
Noticing this, Ji Shu quickly found an opening to say, “We’re friends now, right? Calling each other ‘Mr. Ji’ and ‘Doctor Rong’ feels too formal.”
“What do you mean?” Rong Ziyin didn’t understand.
“Hmm…” Ji Shu pulled his chair closer to Rong Ziyin, propping one elbow on the table as he leaned in to suggest, “Let’s give each other nicknames!”
“The kind that makes it obvious we’re really close!” Ji Shu’s face was inches from Rong Ziyin’s, his gaze growing unabashedly bold.
“Don’t get so close.” Rong Ziyin extended a finger to gently push Ji Shu’s leaning head away.
Ji Shu persisted, “So, will you agree or not?”
“I suppose so. Just can’t think of anything particularly fitting right now.”
“There are tons!” Ji Shu listed examples for Rong Ziyin. “Like, sweetie, darling…”
Ji Shu’s tone was full of innuendo, growing increasingly suggestive, only to be abruptly cut off by Rong Ziyin’s single word.
“Bro?”
Ji Shu: “???”
Rong Ziyin: “Not right? How about ‘brother’?”
Ji Shu: “…”
Seeing he disliked all suggestions, Rong Ziyin pondered again. “No rush. It’s late—let’s sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow!”
He then escorted Ji Shu to his own room before returning to his own to prepare for bed.
[Ji Shu’s Confusion Level +1000].
The System laughed until its head fell off: Hahahahahaha! Placing trust in a straight guy like you, Ji Shu, was ultimately misplaced!
Rong Ziyin, however, was utterly unfazed as he prepared to shower and sleep. Ji Shu was a decent guy—not the type to force himself on others—and he knew his limits. As long as he didn’t try to drag him into bed, Rong Ziyin didn’t mind getting along with him.
System: What if he tries to force himself on you?
Rong Ziyin pondered for a moment: Then he probably couldn’t beat me. After all, he’s sick!