Cowardly Follower (04)

Duan Zeran was clearly taking advantage of the situation.

What's going on?

If you're going to date, date properly. Don't start touching each other without a formal commitment.

Moreover, Song Xueci doesn't seem to like him.

Lu Zhoucheng went back with a sour face.

As soon as he got back, the other team members surrounded him. "How did it go? Was Song Xueci angry? What did you say?"

"He's being bothered, how can I say anything?" Lu Zhoucheng coldly remarked, then sat back down.

With her face downcast and her bangs obscuring her expression, she seemed to exude an even colder aura than usual.

The group exchanged glances, but no one spoke.

Less than half a minute later, Lu Zhoucheng suddenly stood up, pointed at one of the boys, and said, "Come with me."

Boy: "Huh?" Do you need someone to accompany you when you're catching your partner cheating?

"What? If you hadn't said CPR, would he have run away?" Lu Zhoucheng felt annoyed at the thought of Song Xueci being held by others.

If I don't go over there soon, I'm afraid I'll get kissed on the lips.

"Or let's go apologize together."

"As I just said, let's avoid any misunderstandings later."

"Yeah, what if they don't come to watch us play?"

Several people wanted to go with him, but Lu Zhoucheng refused, leaving only with the person who performed CPR.

The two walked to the poolside where Xue Ci and Duan Zeran. Xue Ci was lying in a rubber duck and playing with a water gun, water splashing in the air. Duan Zeran holding the kayak next to her, with a doting smile on his face.

Lu Zhoucheng glanced at his companion and, noticing the other's wide-eyed stare, said with a stern face, "Hey."

The boy realized what was happening, coughed, and immediately went over. "Song Xueci?"

Upon hearing the voice, Xue Ci looked towards the other person and also saw Lu Zhoucheng standing beside her.

His arms were covered in water droplets, clear and white, and his wet hair clung to his face. His eyebrows and eyes were wet, and his eyes were round and bright.

The boy instantly forgot what he was going to say. After being nudged by Lu Zhoucheng's arm, he stammered, "Just now, when you came over, we were just joking about 'artificial respiration.' Don't misunderstand, we were just making it up. Brother Lu definitely didn't mean to bully anyone. I'm sorry, please don't be angry."

Xue Ci looked at the two of them with a puzzled expression.

He had only heard "fall into the water" when he went over, and thought they wanted to throw him into the water, so he decided to run back Duan Zeran first.

I didn't hear anything about "artificial respiration" at all.

But what were they discussing? Why were they talking about CPR? Xue Ci an "Oh," and said, "It's okay, I'm not angry."

The little yellow duck just floated to the shore, Xue Ci slightly pulled her legs together, causing the soft flesh on her calves to jiggle.

The boy, unsure where to look, said, "... Okay, as long as you're not angry."

He glanced at Lu Zhoucheng, whose expression wasn't quite right, then at the boy next to Song Xueci, and immediately understood. "But you must have come here for something, right?"

Xue Ci glanced at Lu Zhoucheng and said, "Hmm."

Before the boy could say anything more, Lu Zhoucheng suddenly spoke up, "If you keep sitting here, you'll never learn."

Xue Ci pursed her lips and looked at Lu Zhoucheng. His eyelashes were curled and still wet with water droplets.

She looks like a cute, soft doll.

"Can you teach me?"

*

The little yellow duck kayak is empty.

"Have a drink first, then you can start learning."

Duan Zeran couldn't stop Xue Ci from playing with whomever she wanted; he could only sit beside her and watch to see if the other person had any ill intentions.

Lu Zhoucheng speaks concisely, only using phrases like "lift your waist," "hold my hand," and "relax."

Duan Zeran's complexion grew increasingly worse.

Xue Ci seemed to be born with a bad relationship with water. The resistance in the water was too great, and he accidentally took a step back and bumped solidly into Lu Zhoucheng's arms.

Fortunately, the progress bar went up!

Xue Ci's eyes lit up, and for the next half hour, he took every opportunity to bump into Lu Zhoucheng's arms.

Lu Zhoucheng didn't say anything, but his face turned red with anger.

Xue Ci knew when to stop, and returned satisfied with the progress bar.

She didn't feel anything while learning, but that very night, Xue Ci's thighs started to ache.

His happiness and unhappiness were written all over his face; he was too easy to read. After Duan Zeran over to ask, he pulled a chair over and said, "I'll massage your legs for you. I often massage my family's legs."

Xue Ci and Duan Zeran were very familiar with each other, and she unconsciously developed a sense of dependence on him, so she lifted her leg onto Duan Zeran's leg.

Duan Zeran paused as his fingertips touched the warm, soft skin, his whole body tensing.

However, things quickly returned to normal.

Duan Zeran's pressure was just right, effectively relieving the soreness, and Xue Ci's eyelids quickly closed up. When he woke up, Duan Zeran massaging his legs, while his other two roommates had already returned.

"Okay... thank you."

Xue Ci's voice was nasal as she took two bags of snacks from the table and gave them to Duan Zeran.

Duan Zeran smiled silently.

It's like rewarding a puppy.

Wu Feng, who was standing nearby, said, "You two are really close. Are you going to sleep in the same bed every night from now on?"

Duan Zeran joked, "It's not impossible."

Yu Cheng, who had been silent, suddenly stood up, took a towel and a change of clothes from the wardrobe, and went into the bathroom.

Even after closing the door, the sounds from outside could still be heard clearly.

Yu Cheng opened the towel; inside was a pair of small-sized shorts.

It looks old, like clothes someone else didn't want.

The boy leaned down, his nose brushing against the fabric of the clothes, a faint fragrance entering his nostrils.

An eerie stretch spread from his limbs to his heart, and his back trembled uncontrollably. His pale skin quickly developed bulging veins, revealing a sickly appearance.

As if that wasn't enough, Yu Cheng pressed his prominent nose tightly against his clothes.

moment.

Using lip movements to create a silent channel --

"It smells amazing."

They were still chatting outside the bathroom.

"Oh, right, Yu Cheng brought us another cake. Xue Ci, that's yours." Wu Feng handed over the bag. "I heard Lu Zhoucheng taught you how to swim today?"

Xue Ci was still a little sleepy. "Hmm..."

Wu Feng found it unbelievable. Lu Zhoucheng usually found communicating with people annoying, let alone swimming, which required physical contact.

He couldn't help but glance at Xue Ci's face.

The handsome boy was wearing a short-sleeved shirt and shorts; his shoulders were slender, but both his exposed skin and his face were exceptionally eye-catching.

No wonder... I heard Lu Zhoucheng was quite proactive, and he didn't have a bad expression the whole time.

I hope my roommate won't be snatched away by someone from another dorm.

Wu Feng felt a pang of regret. "Are you still going to class tomorrow?"

Upon Duan Zeran immediately said, "Your legs are so sore, why don't you rest for a day? Learning to swim isn't something you can master in a day."

With the deadline for the mission fast approaching, Xue Ci was struggling with her decision when her phone on the table vibrated twice.

Click to open --

It was sent by Lu Zhoucheng.

Lu Zhoucheng: [Is there anything else tomorrow morning at nine o'clock?]

Hearing the progress bar rise, Xue Ci happily replied: [No.]

However, before the joy could last two seconds, the other end said that they would still be at the swimming pool tomorrow and would try to teach if they went.

The other two saw that Xue Ci's face was all scrunched up and quickly asked what was wrong.

Xue Ci: "Lu Zhoucheng said he's going to the swimming pool again tomorrow and can teach me."

"He's got a lot of free time on his hands," Wu Feng said with a light sneer.

Duan Zeran's fingers tightened involuntarily. "Are you going?"

Xue Ci was still troubled.

The phone vibrated several times in a row.

Lu Zhoucheng: [Giving up after just one day?]

Lu Zhoucheng: [I just think you're very suited for swimming, that's all.]

Lu Zhoucheng: [Really not going?]

Meanwhile, Lu Zhoucheng tapped his fingers back and forth on the table, glancing at his phone screen every now and then.

Open the message immediately after it lights up.

Song Xueci: [May I watch you swim from the shore?]

Lu Zhoucheng was stunned.

After a moment, he held his breath and said, "[Yes.]"

Looking at those two words after sending them, he felt he had been a bit too casual.

Song Xueci said she wanted to see his body, and he readily gave in.

Even if you get together in the future, the other person probably won't cherish you.

Lu Zhoucheng asked again: [Aren't you going to swim?]

Song Xueci: [My legs are a little sore.]

Lu Zhoucheng hadn't considered this point. People's physical constitutions are not comparable; he was used to exercising and hadn't considered that Xue Ci's slender arms and legs couldn't withstand much exercise.

The boy lowered his eyes, pondered for a moment, and then typed out a message to send.

[OK.]

[Practice your breathing, and then don't move around too much.]

Xue Ci successfully resolved the problem.

Just then, Yu Cheng came out of the bathroom, grabbed his change of clothes, and went inside.

The room was mostly dry and chilly.

The floor, however, was damp.

Did Yu Cheng take cold showers?

The bathroom smelled unpleasant, but it was hard to pinpoint exactly what it was. Xue Ci wrinkled her nose and opened the window.

*

The next day, Xue Ci late. Seeing that the appointed time was approaching, she hurriedly washed up, changed her clothes, grabbed her schoolbag, and went downstairs.

He even forgot to take the bread that Duan Zeran had prepared for him.

When they arrived at the swimming pool, Lu Zhoucheng was already waiting at the entrance.

Fortunately, he arrived just in time, so Lu Zhoucheng didn't say anything, swiped his card, and led him inside.

The two went to the locker room first, but it was empty.

Lu Zhoucheng waited ten minutes after changing before turning around and seeing that Xue Ci was wearing a long-sleeved and long-legged swimsuit. "Newly bought?"

Xue Ci honestly replied, "Yes, Duan Zeran said it was too small, so he gave it to me."

Lu Zhoucheng's expression changed slightly.

Xue Ci didn't notice that he had agreed to practice breathing today. He stood on the shore, following Lu Zhoucheng's instructions to hold and exhale, but soon became listless.

Her eyelashes drooped, she looked listless, and her small face was deathly pale.

Lu Zhoucheng frowned. "Not feeling well?"

Xue Ci a little pitiful. "I didn't eat breakfast."

"Back to the locker room."

Um?

Xue Ci looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Lu Zhoucheng: "Let's go to the cafeteria."

Her lips are all white, and she doesn't know how to take care of herself.

Xue Ci thought Lu Zhoucheng was probably too lazy to get angry. Changing back into his swimsuit after just changing would be a hassle for anyone.

He readily agreed, saying, "I'll just go grab a bite to eat and be right back. You'll have to wait for me here, okay?"

Why are you suddenly acting all cute...?

Lu Zhoucheng looked away. "I haven't eaten either."

Xue Ci, and she asked him if he wanted to come to the cafeteria; he would treat him.

Lu Zhoucheng scratched his head. "Anything's fine."

It was already 9:30, and the cafeteria had started preparing lunch. Only the wonton noodle window was still open.

Xue Ci two bowls and was about to swipe her student card when Lu Zhoucheng swiped it for her.

Xue Ci looked at him with a puzzled expression, and Lu Zhoucheng said calmly, "Go sit over there first."

She looks so delicate, I hope she doesn't faint when she turns around.

Xue Ci gave a slow, inattentive "Oh," and obediently sat in her seat waiting for Lu Zhoucheng to bring the noodles over.

Lu Zhoucheng placed both bowls of noodles on a tray and carried them to his seat without noticing anything amiss, until Song Xueci stared at him and said in a soft voice, "I'd like to add some chili."

Is she already treating him like a boyfriend?

Lu Zhoucheng opened his mouth, but when he looked up, he saw Song Xueci smiling at him, so he shut up and silently went to the window to scoop out chili peppers with a small plate.

Xue Ci only added a little bit, but in order to increase the progress, she proactively asked, "Do you want to add some?"

Lu Zhoucheng paused for two seconds. "Whatever."

Xue Ci put the rest into Lu Zhoucheng's bowl and then buried her head in eating noodles.

Halfway through the meal, he noticed that the other person had barely touched their chopsticks. When he looked up again, Lu Zhoucheng's face was flushed, and the veins on his forehead and neck were bulging.

Xue Ci: "?"

11: [Host, Lu Zhoucheng's data shows he can't handle any spicy food; he's trash.]

"..."

Xue Ci surprised and looked into his bowl.

"Do you think it's spicy? Would you like to switch with me?"

Lu Zhoucheng said in a nonchalant tone, "Not spicy."

Then, he unscrewed the mineral water bottle next to him.

Xue Ci: "..."

He didn't call the other person out on it, and silently pushed his own bottle of water over as well.

After they finished eating, they rested for a while before going to the swimming pool. Xue Ci realized that she hadn't worn her swimming goggles.

However, Lu Zhoucheng quickly handed him one.

"Thank you." Xue Ci stared at the swimming goggles; the edges were slightly faded, but there were no scratches, so the owner must have taken good care of them. "Did you use these?"

"It was a gift from my family." Lu Zhoucheng was about to say that the quality was okay when he saw Xue Ci lean down, bring her nose close to the swimming goggles, and sniff them lightly like a small animal recognizing a scent.

Lu Zhoucheng's eyelids twitched violently.

I awkwardly looked away.

All the muscles in my body tensed up uncontrollably.

Xue Ci didn't need to go into the water. Lu Zhoucheng went to the front desk to buy a drink and swam back and forth several times, splashing water everywhere with agile movements.

Xue Ci gave him a few compliments, and sure enough, the progress bar increased again.

Lu Zhoucheng looked arrogant and cold, and couldn't help but praise him. Even after leaving the swimming pool, the redness on the tips of his ears hadn't faded.

*

"Has Brother Lu started dating recently?"

"I think so. I accidentally bumped into his things a few days ago, and he didn't give me a cold shoulder. I guess he was in a good mood."

"He's been hanging out with the younger students since the weekend."

"When he got back to the dorm that night, he just stared at his phone. He didn't even know what the other person had sent. He almost threw his phone away. After that, he stayed in the bathroom for a long time."

"They couldn't have actually started talking, could they...?"

"I'm so envious..."

A voice suddenly came from behind. "What are you saying?"

The team members all turned around and found Lu Zhoucheng standing behind them, but even though they were being gossiped about, he didn't seem angry.

One team member, emboldened, gossiped, "Brother Lu, are you dating that junior student?"

Lu Zhoucheng slightly lifted his eyelids. "What are we talking about?"

"You two are dating, aren't you? You're so inseparable."

"And I heard that some players from other basketball teams are pursuing him. What if he manages to seduce them?"

"Yeah, I've been clinging to you for so long, I guess she already thinks we're dating."

Lu Zhoucheng frowned.

He won her over in just a few days, making him seem like he's very easy.

But Song Xueci had been sticking to him these past few days, her eyes sparkling every time she looked at him, clearly showing how much she liked him.

He's not a scumbag.

It's not good to be nameless and unrecognized like this.

The other person might even cry secretly in private.

Lu Zhoucheng was absent-minded all night.

On the other side.

Xue Ci looked at the task deadline, which had only one hour left, and felt a little troubled.

The progress bar has indeed been increasing these past few days, but he and Lu Zhoucheng have only been on WeChat for a week, so the success rate of his confession isn't very high.

To avoid embarrassment, he decided to confess his feelings on WeChat and even searched for confession templates online.

I opened the dialog box and it was copying when a message suddenly popped up.

Lu Zhoucheng: [Is your dorm room 302?]

Xue Ci deleted the copied template and replied to the other party's question first.

Lu Zhoucheng quickly replied: [I'm outside your door.]

The male dormitories at East University consist of two buildings with one dormitory manager. There is a corridor between the two buildings, so it's not a problem for students to visit each other.

Xue Ci opened the door quickly.

Lu Zhoucheng was indeed standing outside.

The boy quickly scanned the dormitory room. "Are all my roommates not here?"

Xue Ci: "Is there something important?"

Lu Zhoucheng scratched his head.

The heat gradually rose to my face, and my heart began to pound in my throat.

Even the base of my ears started to hurt.

Only Lu Zhoucheng knew how nervous he was at that moment.

He cleared his throat dramatically, then awkwardly looked away. "As for dating... I'm aiming for marriage."

Xue Ci was stunned.

What?

Before he could even speak, he heard the sound of the task completed and the points credited to his account.

11: [Congratulations, host! You've successfully started dating Lu Zhoucheng. He's pretending to be indifferent, but he's actually completely smitten with you.]

Xue Ci was genuinely bewildered until the other person asked again, "Are you?"

He finally managed a belated "... Hmm."

Lu Zhoucheng seemed quite satisfied with the answer; his usually arrogant face relaxed, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly.

"OK."

He was about to say something more when one of Song Xueci's roommates returned.

The other person had pale skin, glanced at him, and looked rather gloomy.

What kind of people does Xue Ci live with?

Seeing that there were other people around, Lu Zhoucheng didn't say anything more, "I'll send you a message when I get back to the dorm."

Xue Ci.

Only after everyone left did he relax his brows and eyes.

[Our mission went so smoothly, Xiao Qiu!]

11: [Host, you're awesome! Just one more month and you'll be able to get rid of him!]

With the key plot point completed, Xue Ci instantly felt relieved, grabbed her clothes, and went to the bathroom.

After coming out, he returned to his seat and dried his hair, water droplets running down his fair neck and wetting his clothes.

"There's news."

A voice suddenly sounded behind me.

Even their breath brushed against his ear.

Xue Ci's shoulders trembled. He turned around, and Yu Cheng was staring straight at him. "Your phone."

"... Oh." Xue Ci nervously took a step back. "Thank you."

He didn't check the message immediately; he dried his hair and climbed to the top bunk before looking at it.

The boy was wearing a loose T-shirt and shorts, with a section of his calf exposed to the air along the edge of the bed. His toes were rounded, and even his toenails were pink.

Her ankles were thin and weak, with protruding bones and very fine veins visible.

His shorts were loose, and he moved casually, seemingly unaware that his aimless leg-swinging would be seen there.

Xue Ci was completely unaware of Yu Cheng's gaze.

He opened Lu Zhoucheng's text message.

Should I change your contact name?

What are your requirements for a romantic relationship?

[I only have one thing to say: I don't like random physical contact. I plan to save that for after we get married.]

[By the way, I've never been in a relationship before; I'm still a virgin.]

Author's Note:

He'll be dumped in the next chapter.