WAYCAV Chapter 23

After sending the message, Shen Nianjing leaned against the tree trunk behind him to catch his breath.

He had been walking fast while making phone calls, never stopping his steps along the way. Beads of sweat glistened on his forehead, so much so that a concerned passersby asked him if something was wrong and if he needed help.

All he could do was wave them off with a bitter smile and say thanks.

After catching his breath, he started heading home, glancing down at his phone a few times.

Su Zhiyan still hadn’t replied.

Shen Nianjing gripped his phone tightly, resisting the urge to send another message asking if he felt insulted or humiliated by the accusations.

He didn’t dare imagine Su Zhiyan’s current mood, so he could only assume the worst-case scenario.

God, help me… Shen Nianjing stopped in his tracks, clutching his head in agony.

That idiot got one sarcastic remark from Su Zhiyan – was it really worth pulling such a petty, self-destructive move?

He had been on the receiving end of Su Zhiyan’s sharp tongue for over half a month, did he say anything about it?

A little patience went a long way. Why couldn’t people these days just hold their temper? Besides, he was clearly the one being shameless first.

Then again, idiots didn’t operate on logic.

But fine, if he wanted to be an idiot, whatever – why drag him into it?

He was already barely keeping it together around Su Zhiyan as it was. Now? He was completely wrecked.

Shen Nianjing squatted by the entrance of the apartment complex, clutching his head so pitifully that even the security guard couldn’t bear it and came out to ask what was wrong.

“It’s nothing, Uncle Wang. I’m just going home to get something.” He suddenly stood up with a perfect smile on his face, then walked toward the apartment building with big steps.

He felt nervous and worried inside, which made him even more dedicated when tutoring Su Zhiyao. He piled up lots of practice problems for the poor girl and successfully earned a perfectly miserable pout in return.

The next day, Su Zhiyan moved their work location from the library to an empty classroom. This was also the only message Shen Nianjing received from him before leaving for school in the morning.

Empty classrooms were easy to find during the break, and there weren’t many people in the teaching building either. It was really perfect for “settling accounts.”

Shen Nianjing walked to the classroom door, took a deep breath, and felt like he wasn’t far from having a heart attack.

“You came so early today?” He stepped inside, slowly making his way to the fifth row by the window where Su Zhiyan sat.

Su Zhiyan’s expression was still very calm, showing no sign of emotion.

Shen Nianjing forced a smile.

He had to face it eventually.

“What are you doing, practicing baby steps?” Su Zhiyan watched him dawdle and couldn’t help speaking up. “When did you join a drama performance? How come I don’t know about it?”

Shen Nianjing: “…”

Huh? He stared at Su Zhiyan hesitantly.

This guy… didn’t seem angry at all.

He walked over and sat down next to him after putting his things down, feeling a bit uncomfortable as he studied Su Zhiyan’s expression.

His eyes… hmm… calm as still water?

His spirits seemed pretty good too, not bad, not bad.

His skin… hmm… very fair, and even a bit rosy. Looked like he’d been sleeping well lately.

Huh???

What was he thinking!

Shen Nianjing mentally cursed himself.

But… Su Zhiyan didn’t look like he was affected by the rumors at all. He even looked like he didn’t know about this whole thing.

Were they living in different worlds or something?

Shen Nianjing was a bit doubtful and carefully spoke up, “Um… are you okay?”

Su Zhiyan turned to look at him and smiled, “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“!” Shen Nianjing was shocked. “Aren’t we being slandered?”

“Yeah.” Su Zhiyan nodded and widened his eyes slightly as he stared at him, as if saying Yes, and?

Shen Nianjing was about to lose it.

What kind of reaction was this?! Why couldn’t he understand?!

“Haha.” Su Zhiyan chuckled softly at his expression like he’d swallowed a fly. “What’s wrong? Didn’t we already report it to the school?”

Shen Nianjing: “…” Was that the point?

Seeing his lifeless expression, Su Zhiyan was also confused and said hesitantly, “What’s the matter? Did we miss something?”

“Did the thesis data get messed up?! You didn’t tell me?” His eyes widened in alarm.

“N-no, that’s not it.” Shen Nianjing slowly turned his head and covered his face with his hand in confusion.

“Oh, you’re worried about the rumors?” Su Zhiyan suddenly realized what was bothering him and found it hard to believe. “It’s not like they affect us much. Everyone in the department, and even outsiders, could tell right away it was just a troll post.”

“The moderator deleted the post immediately. Even though people took screenshots and spread it around later, we didn’t do anything wrong.”

“We didn’t do it, so we didn’t do it. Facts are facts.”

“We have nothing to feel guilty about.”

“Or do you have a guilty conscience?” Su Zhiyan raised an eyebrow.

Shen Nianjing’s heart skipped a beat, but when he saw Su Zhiyan’s calm expression and casual tone, he realized the other man was just messing with him.

“Actually, Fang Yu should be the one worrying. I bet he’s probably in a panic right now. He might even come find me in the next couple days.” Su Zhiyan smirked.

“……” Shen Nianjing lowered his hand, about to say something, but when he turned and saw Su Zhiyan’s unbothered expression, he shut his mouth.

He had nothing to say.

“Come on, look at this part. If there’s no problem, I won’t change it.” Su Zhiyan pushed the laptop in front of Shen Nianjing.

The project they signed up for together had a day and a half left until the deadline. At their current pace, they had plenty of time.

Su Zhiyan pressed his lips together and secretly glanced at Shen Nianjing, who was focused on the screen.

There were two days left of vacation, but he didn’t have a good reason to call him out every day.

What should he do, ask him out for dinner?

Su Zhiyan frowned and shook his head.

That was such a lame excuse, no skill at all.

“What are your plans for the rest of the break?” he asked.

Shen Nianjing’s hand on the mouse paused. “No plans.”

“Don’t you have to tutor every afternoon?” Su Zhiyan tilted his head. Did he remember wrong?

“Huh?” Shen Nianjing nodded. “…Yeah.”

Su Zhiyan raised an eyebrow. He felt like Shen Nianjing’s answer just now seemed a bit forced, like he was reluctant to admit it.

“Then come to school in the mornings to play basketball with us. Wen Bei is getting bored to death staying in the dorm playing games all day.”

Shen Nianjing screamed internally: How could Wen Bei possibly get bored to death playing games?! That guy would happily play 24/7 if he could!

“I’ve been doing problems, reading papers, and writing thesis every morning these past few days, then teaching the little girl in the afternoons. It’s pretty tiring.” He made excuses. “I want to rest for the next two days.”

“Then where’s your house? I’ll come find you.” Su Zhiyan said.

Shen Nianjing: “!”

“Huh?” He stared blankly, feeling like he couldn’t understand Chinese anymore.

“I’m bored staying in the dorm too, and I’m too lazy to go out and squeeze through crowds on National Day holiday. But staying at school all day is pretty boring too.” Su Zhiyan had originally just wanted to find an excuse, but as he talked, he started to genuinely feel like his vacation was really dull.

He sighed lightly and said, “So I want to change environments to study.”

He turned to look at Shen Nianjing. “Is your place okay?”

Shen Nianjing had already turned to stone.

“Hey!” He called out again.

“Not really!” Shen Nianjing blurted out as if snapping out of a dream.

Su Zhiyan: “?”

“If it’s not free, it’s not free. No need to shout,” he muttered.

“Then let’s go for morning runs every day, or evening runs work too.” He changed his plan again. “Running on the track is boring. How about we go to the park?”

“Your house is pretty close to campus, right? How about Four Seasons Park?”

Shen Nianjing forced himself to ask, “Are you really not angry?”

Su Zhiyan thought he was being ridiculous. “What exactly am I supposed to be angry about?”

Shen Nianjing: “…” Fine then.

“Then morning runs it is.” He went for morning runs downstairs from his building every day anyway. Changing locations was no big deal, it was the same anywhere.

“Good. Six thirty, meet at the north entrance of the park.”

–

Shen Nianjing put on his sports jacket and opened the door. The sky outside was still dark.

To make sure Su Zhiyan wouldn’t wait alone at the park, he left 30 minutes early on purpose.

“Huff… huff…”

After running a kilometer and a half from his house to Four Seasons Park, Shen Nianjing adjusted his breathing and waited at the agreed north entrance for him to show up.

There were still five minutes until six thirty. He glanced toward the direction of the campus before plopping down on a stone bench by the park entrance.

Why wasn’t he here yet?

Was this some kind of prank?

But would Su Zhiyan really resort to tricking him into waking up early as revenge…?

[Dreamcatcher: I’m here, are you almost here?]
[S: Almost there.]

Shen Nianjing spread his legs apart and looked up toward the direction Su Zhiyan might appear from.

“Hey, young man! You’re up so early, but why just sit there doing nothing?”

An old man who came out for morning exercise had already walked around the north entrance plaza of the park twice. Seeing that he hadn’t moved at all, he swung his arms and came over to ask.

Shen Nianjing sat up straight awkwardly. “I’m waiting for someone.”

“Ah, you young people always like to form groups when you exercise or lose weight, then disappear after the first day.” The old man seemed used to this kind of on-and-off[mfn]三天打鱼，两天晒网 (sān tiān dǎ yú , liǎng tiān shài wǎng) – lit. to fish for three days and sun-dry the nets for two days (proverb) / fig. not to persevere in doing sth / to do sth by fits and starts[/mfn] behavior. “Actually, exercise isn’t that hard. Just get up, wash your face, go downstairs and start!”

“After working out, go to East Street for breakfast. It’s perfect!”

“Yes.” Shen Nianjing smiled and played along, getting up from the stone block. “Uncle, what kind of exercises are you doing?”

The old man was very proud when he heard this and swung his arms like “wind-and-fire wheel[mfn]风火轮 (fēng huǒ lún) – (martial arts) wind-and-fire wheel, weapon used in hand-to-hand fighting / (Daoism) a magical pair of wheels on which one can stand to ride at great speed, used by Nezha / (fig.) never-ending treadmill[/mfn],” his head staying perfectly still like a rooster being shaken left and right. “This is my own exercise routine, great for circulation!”

“So, what do you think? Since your friend hasn’t shown up, why not join me?” Seeing his interest, the old man warmly invited him.

“No thanks you! I’ll practice with you another day!” Shen Nianjing said with a grin. “My friend is probably up ahead. I should go look for him!”

“He’ll definitely come!”

ut I think it’s pretty doubtful. You might as well go home early.” The old man waved his hand regretfully and continued swinging his arms as he walked away.

After the old man left, Shen Nianjing looked down at his phone again.

[Dreamcatcher: Where are you now? Should I come find you?]

Two minutes passed with no reply.

[Dreamcatcher: Did you run to the south entrance? We agreed to meet at the north entrance.]

Five minutes… still no message.

“…”

As the eastern sky began to brighten, Shen Nianjing lowered his lashes, finally zipped up his jacket, and started walking toward campus.

He gripped his phone tightly. Setting it to ring mode was completely useless.

No messages came through except for morning news and social media updates.

Shen Nianjing took a deep breath and craned his neck to look at the roadside.

The further he walked, the heavier the dread in his chest grew.

Did something happen to Su Zhiyan…?
A car accident? An eight-car pileup? A fatal crash?

His steps grew frantic, his legs heavier with each stride.

No wait, the school is only 1.2 kilometers away. He should’ve been walking, biking, or running. How could he get in a car accident? Besides, there weren’t many cars on the road right now.

Shen Nianjing suddenly stopped.

What if he fell into a manhole?

He quickly turned around and craned his neck to count how many manhole covers there were along this road.

Hmm… one, two, three…

They were all perfectly intact.

Fine then. He turned back around, the panic in his heart growing deeper. He didn’t even dare look up at the road anymore.

[Dreamcatcher: Call Unanswered]

Shen Nianjing turned off his phone and continued walking with his head down.

One step, two steps, three steps…

The closer he got, the more afraid he was to look up.

Afraid of seeing car parts scattered everywhere, afraid of seeing twisted wreckage, afraid of seeing blood all over the ground.

The wailing of ambulance sirens seemed to be shrieking in his ears.

“Huff… huff…”

He seemed to hear someone’s breathing heavily nearby.

So heavy it was like someone who had fallen into water, breathing more and more rapidly, more and more difficult, until finally—

“Shen Nianjing?”

“…”

“Shen Nianjing!!”

A clear voice cut through the wind, snapping him out of his daze.

Su Zhiyan?

He quickly looked up toward the other side of the road where the voice came from.

Su Zhiyan was waving at him, holding a tearful child by the hand.

“It’s a red light! What are you doing!”

Seeing him dart across the empty road, Su Zhiyan got angry and shouted at him, “Even if there are no cars, you can’t just run a red light! Be a law-abiding citizen—”

Hot breath rushed past his ear as he was pulled into a full embrace.

Su Zhiyan felt Shen Nianjing bury his head against his neck, breathing heavily.

“W-what’s wrong with you?” His whole body tensed up as he instinctively asked.

---

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