When Bai Chen returned to the dorm, he saw that everyone else was already there. He was the last one back.
He walked straight over to Gu Yun's desk. Gu Yun seemed so absorbed in his book that he hadn't noticed Bai Chen's return.
He gently set the pork rib congee on Gu Yun's desk and said softly, "Gu Yun, I picked up some congee for you while I was out. Have some. You still need to take your medicine later."
At his voice, Gu Yun immediately looked up and saw that Bai Chen had returned-and had even brought him congee.
His gaze softened further as he looked at Bai Chen. Seeing the congee on his desk, he felt touched. He hadn't expected Bai Chen to bring him any.
"Thank you, Bai Chen. How much was it? I'll transfer you the money."
Bai Chen waved a hand dismissively. He didn't think it was any big deal.
"Just bring me some congee next time I'm sick. No need to send me any money."
Back in his old dorm, he had been the "dad" who picked up meals for his dorm buddies. A little favor like this was nothing.
"Eat it while it's hot," he reminded him. "It'll get cold soon."
"Okay. I'll eat it now," Gu Yun said.
After that, Bai Chen went back to his spot, grabbed his clothes, and headed into the shower room. After running around all day, he felt like his whole body stank.
As he passed Gu Cheng on the way in, he noticed Gu Cheng watching him out of the corner of his eye. That unfriendly look sent a slight chill through him.
Bai Chen didn't do anything. He just wondered whether something was wrong with this male lead. He hadn't done anything to offend him, so why was he staring at him like that?
Seriously? Just... seriously?
After Bai Chen went inside.
Gu Yun carefully opened the lid of the congee container on his desk as though he were opening a treasure chest. Without even realizing it, the corners of his lips curved upward.
There was nothing particularly special about the congee, but Gu Yun thought it was the best food he had ever eaten. The congee was warm, and that person... was warm, too.
By the time Bai Chen came out of the shower, Gu Yun had finished every last bit and was about to take the bag outside to throw it away.
"How did it taste? Had it gotten cold?" Bai Chen asked.
Fresh out of the shower, Bai Chen hadn't dried his hair properly. A drop of water slid down his neck and into his white T-shirt, and he radiated youthful energy.
At the sight, Gu Yun's heart involuntarily skipped a beat.
"It was delicious." Then Gu Yun stared straight into Bai Chen's eyes, his own reflecting Bai Chen's figure. "It wasn't cold, either. It was very warm."
Bai Chen didn't notice the emotion in his gaze. He nodded. "Good."
It wasn't that he had a savior complex. He had simply been class president throughout his school years, so he had always been the one to handle things, whether a classmate was sick or needed help with some miscellaneous problem.
That was why people always called him a mom friend. Looking after his classmates had become a habit.
With that, he didn't linger to chat with Gu Yun. He went straight back to his seat, sat down, picked up the original owner's laptop, and opened the software he used to write novels.
That was right. In his previous world, he had been a novelist, mainly writing science fiction or stories about rural life.
Ever since he was little, he had liked recording the things he observed in a notebook. He had also loved the essay portion of every Chinese exam because it let him put his thoughts into words.
He had amassed plenty of novel manuscripts of his own, too. In high school, he had begun submitting pieces to various newspapers. Many had been accepted, earning him a considerable amount in writing fees.
At an age when others were still spending their parents' money, he had already started using his writing skills to save money and contribute to household expenses. His parents had been deeply touched and were always telling the neighbors what a devoted son they had.
Only after starting college had he begun publishing full-length novels. By his sophomore year, his book had become hugely popular and had even been published in print.
It had earned him far more than his high school writing fees, and that novel had even paid for the first home of his life.
Even in this world, he wasn't going to give up his dream of becoming an outstanding writer. He would also help the original owner finish his studies.
He kept tapping away at the keyboard, and before he knew it, it was already ten.
Then he noticed that the bottom lead beside him was still studying intently. Despite having sat there for so long, Gu Yun wasn't slouching or leaning to one side. His back remained as straight as a pine tree, and every so often, he picked up his pen to make notes in his book.
So focused. Seriously, so focused! Was this what a hardworking bottom lead looked like? He really was diligent.
Before going to bed, he reminded Gu Yun to turn in early, or he wouldn't have any energy for the first day of classes tomorrow.
Gu Yun had still been absorbed in his book. Only after Bai Chen's reminder did he realize how late it was. He smiled and nodded, his eyes full of warmth.
"Okay. I'll go to bed in a bit. You go ahead."
When Bai Chen woke up the next day, Gu Yun was already awake and reading in bed.
Holy shit! Gu Yun was up so early! Talk about self-discipline!
It made him feel a little ashamed by comparison. No wonder he didn't have a protagonist's halo.
Still, apart from Gu Yun, the other two roommates were sleeping in.
That didn't make sense. Shouldn't Gu Cheng be just as disciplined as his romantic partner?
Maybe that was just how characters in a fluffy Mary Sue romance worked. He figured the top lead would probably come into his own later and activate his protagonist's halo.
Gu Yun also noticed that Bai Chen was awake and looking at him.
He turned his head and met Bai Chen's light brown eyes. The young man's eyes were bright, round, and beautiful. They had been the first thing Gu Yun noticed when he first saw him-so clear and lovely, without a trace of ulterior motives.
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