The Undercurrents of the Library

Inside the library, the air seemed to have frozen.

Xiao Wu still hadn't let go of Lin Kun's arm. Her big, bright eyes widened as she looked at Lin Kun, then warily glanced at Ning Rongrong, who sat elegantly not far away. Her little mouth was puckered enough to hang an oil bottle from. Even she couldn't explain why she had suddenly rushed over and dragged Lin Kun away. Seeing him talking to that pretty, poised girl had simply made her feel inexplicably uncomfortable, as if someone were coveting something that belonged to her.

Tang San's gaze was almost tangible as it fell on Xiao Wu's hand gripping Lin Kun's arm, then slowly shifted to Lin Kun's face. His expression was calm, yet his eyes carried a deep scrutiny. He walked over at an unhurried pace and stood at Xiao Wu's side without saying a word, but an invisible pressure had already spread through the room.

Ning Rongrong closed the Continental Customs Records in her hands and watched the suddenly interesting scene with great interest. She was far too clever not to see at once the subtle atmosphere among the three of them. The lively girl with the scorpion braid clearly treated this work-study student named Lin Kun differently, while the steady-eyed boy beside her also seemed to care deeply about the girl. How... interesting. A faintly amused curve touched Ning Rongrong's lips.

Lin Kun's scalp tingled. He felt as though he were standing on the rim of a volcano. Xiao Wu's thoughtless action was practically shoving him into Tang San's vinegar jar... no, straight into the sights of Tang San's hidden weapons!

He took a deep breath, his mind racing. Force Xiao Wu's hand away? No, that would be too deliberate and only make him look guilty, not to mention angering Xiao Wu with that temper of hers. Go along with Xiao Wu? That was even less viable—it would be equivalent to confirming that they had a "special relationship," and Tang San's stare would probably freeze him solid.

He had to defuse this! Immediately! Right now!

He forced a helpless, slightly apologetic smile onto his face. Moving just a little, he naturally and deftly patted the back of the hand Xiao Wu had wrapped around his arm. The gesture was gentle, as though soothing a younger sister throwing a tantrum, while he said warmly, "Sister Xiao Wu, don't make a fuss. The library needs to be quiet. Let's not disturb other people while they're reading."

He deliberately emphasized "let's" and "other people," subtly drawing Xiao Wu into his own camp while temporarily placing Ning Rongrong among the outsiders, blurring the focus.

Then he turned to Ning Rongrong and gave a slight nod, his tone polite yet distant. "Classmate Ning, sorry for disturbing your reading."

Only then did he look at Tang San, his expression open and carrying a touch of helplessness at being interrupted. "Tang San, are you here to borrow books too?"

The combination flowed smoothly. He had responded to Xiao Wu and soothed her emotions, hinting that they were on the same side; he had remained polite but distant toward Ning Rongrong; and with Tang San, he presented the normal relationship of classmates and the innocent attitude of someone caught up in the situation.

Xiao Wu was stunned for a moment when he patted her hand, and her grip on his arm loosened instinctively. Hearing Lin Kun's words, she realized that the library really did need to be quiet. Besides, Lin Kun's attitude was perfectly natural, as though he had truly only been having an ordinary conversation just now. She huffed and finally let go, though she remained standing beside Lin Kun with no intention of leaving.

The sharpness in Tang San's eyes eased slightly. Lin Kun's reaction did indeed seem normal—natural and forthright. Perhaps Xiao Wu had simply been too sensitive? He glanced at Xiao Wu, and the slight displeasure in his heart gradually gave way to helplessness at her childish behavior.

"I came with Xiao Wu to find a book." Tang San nodded at Lin Kun, his tone even.

Ning Rongrong took everything in, and the amusement in her eyes deepened. This work-study student called Lin Kun reacted quickly. With just a few words, he had defused the awkwardness. He was even a little... interesting. She smiled faintly, reopened her book, and softly said, "It's alright." It was both an acceptance of Lin Kun's apology and an indication that she would no longer pay attention to the matter.

The tense atmosphere seemed to ease for the moment.

But Lin Kun knew that was only on the surface. Tang San's suspicious nature would never disappear because of this, Xiao Wu's inexplicable possessiveness had been stirred up, and Ning Rongrong... this young lady had clearly enjoyed a good show and formed the slightest impression that he was "interesting." That might not be a good thing.

Ding! The system has detected that the host successfully defused a minor Shura-field crisis. The plot deviation value has increased slightly. Reward: 15 Breakdown Points.

The system notification let Lin Kun breathe a little easier. At least he had received some consolation prize.

Xiao Wu seemed to find it a little boring. She grabbed Tang San's arm. "Little San, let's go. Let's stop looking. We can go play somewhere else." She no longer wanted to stay here.

Tang San nodded and gave another polite nod in Lin Kun and Ning Rongrong's direction before allowing Xiao Wu to pull him out of the library.

Before leaving, Xiao Wu turned back and glared at Lin Kun again. Her gaze was a little fierce, as though saying, "You'd better watch yourself." Only then did she skip away.

Lin Kun smiled bitterly to himself. Great. It looked as though he had resolved the crisis, but in reality, he had planted deeper mines on both sides. Tang San's suspicions and Xiao Wu's indescribable emotions might explode at any moment in the future.

He sighed. He no longer had the mood to read, so he returned the Spirit Beast Illustrated Guide to the shelf and prepared to leave as well.

As he passed Ning Rongrong, she suddenly raised her head, looked at him, and softly said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "You seem quite popular?"

There was a trace of teasing in her tone. Her eyes were clear, yet they seemed capable of seeing straight through people.

Lin Kun paused and looked at her. Ning Rongrong wore a faint, harmless smile, but the glimmer in her eyes showed that she was far from as innocent and delicate as she appeared.

"You're joking, Classmate Ning. I'm only an ordinary work-study student," Lin Kun answered calmly, unwilling to say more.

Ning Rongrong smiled and said nothing further. She lowered her head and continued reading, as though her earlier remark had merely been an offhand joke.

Lin Kun quickly left the library. Sunlight shone over him, yet he felt a chill down his back. Not one of these major characters from the original story was easy to deal with. Interacting with them was no different from walking a tightrope.

He had to grow stronger faster! Only with enough power to protect himself could he survive in this increasingly derailed plot!

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