Class was over, and Ning Chu no longer had the time to worry about how she would survive the four days Wen Yang would be away.
The trouble in front of her seemed far more pressing.
She turned her head to look at the few girls peeking in from the hallway outside the classroom, especially the cat-eared loli. Her lips twitched.
Although that catgirl was a flat-chested, petite girl who looked to be in her early teens, any girl wandering around campus was generally an adult.
A loli, combined with a catgirl persona, and an appearance that was clearly above average? It was obvious she was a female supporting character!
And now, showing up in such a public setting...
"In the past few days, over a dozen girls have added me as friends," Wen Yang said, following her gaze to the hallway outside. He sounded exasperated. "I reject them, and they keep adding me back. It's so annoying."
"There was even one who stalked me like a creep during my part-time shift over the weekend."
"Taking a leave of absence and running off for a bit might actually give me some peace."
Zhang Shaoqing snorted. "Stop showing off, will you? We get it, you're handsome, okay?"
The next moment, he noticed the cat-eared loli standing on tiptoe, clinging to the windowsill and peeking into the classroom. "What the heck! Look at that catgirl! Anyone who ends up with her would be jailed wouldn't they!?"
Wang Jie mumbled enviously, "We're all human, so why are your luck so much greater..."
Ning Chu should have envied Wen Yang's popularity, but at this moment, her mind was blank. The only thing she could think about was that catgirl.
Most of the students in the class had already left, and the group from their dormitory was also preparing to head out.
However, Ning Chu silently fell to the back of the group, nervously keeping her eyes on the loli catgirl.
Among the girls outside, seemingly prepared to "ambush," only the catgirl appeared to be a female supporting character. Even so, Ning Chu's nerves were on high alert.
It wasn't that she was genuinely worried Wen Yang would be easily seduced, but rather that she dreaded any punishments being handed down in such a public space.
Back when she had urged Wen Yang to fight back hard against harassment from girls, she never expected she'd one day wish he would show more restraint to avoid embarrassing her every time.
She sidled up to Yan Xinya and whispered a warning: "If things get out of hand later, drag me to the restroom."
"Huh?"
Lily also looked at her with a confused expression.
Without much explanation, Ning Chu watched helplessly as Wen Yang walked out of the classroom. Instantly, the girls outside swarmed toward him.
Fortunately, the loli catgirl seemed timid and didn't dare to approach.
Although Ning Chu didn't know her name, she quickly took out her phone and searched through her notes for any plots related to the catgirl.
Found it!
A loli-style, flat-chested catgirl, treated like a little sister by the protagonist. During a winter break, they co-rent a house while working part-time jobs to save money.
After moving in together, the protagonist discovers that the catgirl has an obsession with drinking milk and uses a special method that involves swallowing a man thing inside her mouth to wake him up every morning. After a few times, no man could resist her charm.
Hmm, it doesn't seem like a big threat—for now. After all, this plot takes place during the winter break co-renting period. Currently, Wen Yang stays in the dormitory every day, and Ning Chu would never allow a milk-loving catgirl to suddenly appear there.
Since there isn't any immediate threat...
"Sorry, I have a girlfriend." Wen Yang's face was cold as he rejected a group of enthusiastic girls. His tone was icy. "Excuse me, I need to go eat."
"Who? Is it that Ning Chu?"
"But Ning Chu is a guy!"
He paused briefly, and the more perceptive girls stepped aside silently. Only two self-assured women continued making a fuss.
Wen Yang's face darkened as he employed the method that Ning Chu had told him. Glaring fiercely, he growled, "Mind your own business! Don't block the way!"
When faced with low-quality interactions, there's no approach he couldn't solve.
The two women were stunned, clearly not expecting their dream guy to be so rude.
Wen Yang walked between them, sighing in relief with a tinge of nervousness.
Thankfully, it worked well.
However, he hadn't walked far when he saw a catgirl ahead. She tripped and fell flat on the ground right in front of him.
"..."
Wen Yang's mouth twitched. He didn't know whether to lean down and help or just step over her.
Behind him, Ning Chu's heart was in her throat. She nervously prayed that this catgirl had a never-give-up attitude.
Don't let it end with just one rejection...
Clutching Yan Xinya's sleeve tightly, Ning Chu turned her head to look at the public restroom at the end of the hallway.
It was right after class, and the hallway was packed. If she had to endure a sudden punishment, the 100-meter distance would almost certainly expose her.
Fortunately, Wen Yang's fierceness was mostly an act. Looking a little guilty, he glanced at Ning Chu before reluctantly extending his hand. "Are you okay?"
"It hurts so much~"
Even though he knew the catgirl's intentions, her delicate appearance and pitiful expression softened his heart.
"Shaoqing?"
"Here, here!" Zhang Shaoqing came over with a cheeky grin. "I'll take you to the infirmary!"
"Huh?"
"Little girl, what's your name?"
He looked like a creepy uncle trying to coax a little girl into his house. His face was plastered with a smile, and his tone was as gentle as possible.
The catgirl mumbled with a confused look, "Qiaoqiao."
"Oh, what a cute name~ Let me help you to the infirmary. Let's go."
Qiaoqiao limped along as Zhang Shaoqing dragged her away. She kept looking back, casting teary, reluctant glances at Wen Yang.
But Wen Yang didn't pay her any attention. He was busy discussing lunch with Ning Chu. "Let's have noodles for lunch? It's been a while."
"Okay."
Feeling no unusual sensations in her stomach, Ning Chu gradually relaxed her tense nerves.
Thankfully, nothing happened...
But in the coming days, similar incidents would likely occur frequently. Wen Yang couldn't always find a middle ground.
"Shaoqing really is a catgirl enthusiast," Wang Jie commented as he watched Zhang Shaoqing walk away with Qiaoqiao. "I've never seen him so eager to help anyone."
Wen Yang nodded in agreement. "True, that catgirl has no chest and no figure. I don't see what he likes about her."
"Maybe it's the moe appeal of cat ears?"
Ning Chu lowered her head, glanced at her own flat chest, and pursed her lips. Then she looked toward Zhang Shaoqing again.
Honestly, seeing how enthusiastic he was, Ning Chu began to feel a little worried for Qiaoqiao.
Fortunately, Zhang Shaoqing hadn't turned into a villain. Otherwise, that catgirl would probably be in trouble.
While Wen Yang and Wang Jie discussed Zhang Shaoqing's preferences, Ning Chu walked behind them, her shoulders drooping as she worried.
She considered advising Wen Yang to be more gentle with girls but was afraid he might actually get seduced by one of the supporting female characters.
On one hand, there was the risk of social death. On the other, the possibility of Wen Yang falling into the male protagonist trope...
Yan Xinya suddenly leaned close to Ning Chu's ear and teased, "Ning Chu~ When Wen Yang said he was taking a leave of absence to go home, were you really reluctant to let him go?"
"No."
"Then you must've felt insecure, right~ Otherwise, you wouldn't have wanted to stay in my dorm."
"..." Ning Chu glared at the wolf girl in embarrassed anger.