Fate

[Ahhhhh! I don't believe it, I don't believe it!]

[The campus heartthrob really has someone? Who is it? I'm just curious!]

[Look at those legs, those ankles—he's definitely a sweet little Omega!]

[Was he carried out of that little pavilion? So what happened for him to be carried out?/doge]

[Ah! I've already imagined a hundred-thousand-word pavilion play!]

Duan Xu slapped his phone facedown on the table. What was all this nonsense?

What sweet little Omega? What pavilion play? These people had way too vivid imaginations, didn't they?

No, no, the most important thing was that Shen Yanlang had carried him back in a princess carry last night?

OMG! Shen Yanlang was courting death! Courting a spectacular death!

At the moment, Duan Xu was the only one in the dorm. The other three all had classes.

Duan Xu picked up his phone again and looked. At first, those people had been regretful and disappointed, but later, they had actually started shipping them!

"This is going to be hard to handle!" Duan Xu frowned in distress.

Although his relationship with the male lead was pretty good now, and he hadn't fallen for the male lead's love interest, surely the official pairing couldn't be broken up?

He worried over it for two classes. Even after his roommates returned, he still hadn't figured anything out.

"Oh yeah! Going home, going home!" Zhou Zhou excitedly packed his clothes.

Xiao Xu was packing too. "Zhouzhou, are you going out during the National Day holiday?"

"Not sure. Depends on the situation," Zhou Zhou replied.

Xiao Xu gave an oh and fell into thought.

Shen Yanlang was packing as well. He glanced at Duan Xu, who was sitting there spacing out. "You're not going home for National Day?"

"No." Duan Xu snapped back to himself and shook his head.

Zhou Zhou looked surprised. "Huh? It's seven days, and you're not going back at all?"

Zhou Zhou and Xiao Xu both knew that Duan Xu was from the neighboring city. Going home wasn't troublesome; the high-speed rail only took an hour.

"My parents are abroad. I'd be alone even if I went back." Duan Xu shrugged. "Besides, I found a part-time job."

At that, Zhou Zhou gave an understanding sound. "You're really hardworking, but I'm not learning from you."

Duan Xu: "..."

[A part-time job?]

Shen Yanlang asked, "What kind of part-time job? How long are you doing it for?"

"Five days." Duan Xu looked up at Shen Yanlang. Was he thinking of getting one too?

Hmm... Was living in a luxurious villa uncomfortable, or were the butler and servants not taking good enough care of him?

Shen Yanlang hummed and didn't ask further, only saying, "If you get bored, you can come find me."

"Me too, me too!" Zhou Zhou enthusiastically waved his hand.

Other than Duan Xu, all three of them were locals from City A, so it was convenient for them to go home.

Seeing this, Xiao Xu said somewhat awkwardly, "It wouldn't be a problem if you came to find me either."

Duan Xu couldn't help smiling. "All right, got it. If I have time, I'll come hang out with you guys."

Shen Yanlang frowned slightly upon hearing that. I don't want to be with Xiao Xu and the others.

Duan Xu: "???"

Bro, they're all roommates. You can't play favorites like that.

Half an hour later, his roommates had all left. Duan Xu was alone in the dorm, and he was perfectly happy with the peace and quiet.

Starting the next day, he went to his part-time job. He played a bear mascot at Fantasy Amusement Park. It was hot, but the pay was good.

Today was his fifth day on the job.

Duan Xu wandered around the amusement park in the mascot costume, balloons in hand. Whenever he saw a child, he went over and gave them one, then got dragged into taking photos with them.

He finally made it past six o'clock. Just as Duan Xu was about to find somewhere to rest, he suddenly spotted someone he knew.

Shen Yanlang!

Shen Yanlang wore a black T-shirt and white sneakers. His tall figure stood out in the crowd.

There were two people beside him, a man and a woman. The man looked fairly tall, probably an Alpha. The woman was petite and cute, with a baby face.

But when Duan Xu saw that baby face, he was startled. Wasn't this... the girl who had been close to Shen Yanlang in his dream?

So they had already been this close at this point?

No, that wasn't right. If that was the case, then he must have misunderstood in the dream. This girl must have had some other relationship with Shen Yanlang.

Thinking of this, Duan Xu couldn't help giving a self-mocking smile. So the dream version of him really had been sick. He had gone looking for trouble before getting the facts straight, so he had only himself to blame for ending up that way.

The three of them chatted and laughed as they headed toward the carousel. Shen Yanlang and the other man didn't ride it, while the girl did and even asked them to take pictures of her.

Duan Xu was at least ten meters away from them. At that distance, he couldn't hear Shen Yanlang's thoughts.

But after they got off the carousel, they walked in his direction. Duan Xu didn't want to be recognized, so he diligently stayed in character as a mascot.

But the girl ran over when she saw him. "The little bear is so cute! Can we take a picture together?"

Duan Xu nodded to show that it was fine.

The girl stood beside Duan Xu and said to Shen Yanlang, "Cousin, quick, take a picture of me and the little bear. Make it look nice."

Duan Xu mentally let out an ah. So she was his cousin! No wonder!

The other man looked a little fierce, but his gaze toward the girl was very gentle. "My photography skills aren't bad either."

"Then you do it." Shen Yanlang had been finding it troublesome already. It's so hot. I wonder if Duan Xu has finished his part-time job yet.

Duan Xu was touched when he heard that. The male lead was worrying about him even while out having fun. That meant he really did see him as a good brother.

After they finished taking pictures and left, Duan Xu looked at the sky. It was almost time to get off work, so he simply headed to the amusement park staff lounge.

As he walked, he took off the mascot head and casually pushed open the door.

Half an hour later, he emerged wearing a white T-shirt and black pants. The hair at his forehead was damp with sweat, and his cheeks were tinged with faint pink, making him look a little like he had just gotten out of the shower.

The moment he stepped out, the person in front of him startled him. "Shen Yanlang?! Why are you..."

"I saw you."

Shen Yanlang and the others had been walking this way too. With a casual glance, he had happened to see Duan Xu remove the mascot head and enter the lounge.

We're quite fated, aren't we?

Hmm... There was nothing wrong with how that sounded, but why did it feel a little strange?

"I..." Duan Xu had just opened his mouth when Shen Yanlang raised a brow at him. "Why didn't you say anything earlier? I was right in front of you, and you didn't even greet me."

"I was working. It wasn't convenient," Duan Xu said.

Shen Yanlang thought about it and agreed. He didn't hold it against him. "Haven't had dinner?"

Duan Xu shook his head. "Not yet."

"Together." Shen Yanlang turned and headed outside as he spoke.

Duan Xu followed him and glanced around. "Where are your friends? Aren't you eating with them?"

Shen Yanlang's tone was indifferent. "They went back first."

I sent them away with a lavish meal.

Duan Xu turned to look at him, not quite understanding why Shen Yanlang had done that, but he didn't think too deeply about it.

The two left the amusement park together. Shen Yanlang had driven there, so he took Duan Xu straight to a Chinese restaurant.

Shen Yanlang thought, After working all day, he must be starving. He needs some rice to fill his stomach.

Hearing his thoughts, Duan Xu couldn't help smiling. He felt touched. Becoming friends with Shen Yanlang had indeed been the right choice.