After The Beautiful Woman Moves Into The Jock's Dorm Room - Chapter 77

Chapter 77: I don’t want to affect the feelings between you…

Song Yu’s voice trembled slightly, and his hands, hanging at his sides, unconsciously clenched into fists. “Is something the matter?”

A blockage built up in Shen Qingyu’s chest. He almost couldn’t control the urge to throw the pens at Song Yu. Song Yu’s demeanor left him both confused and enraged.

“You forgot your pens,” Shen Qingyu said stiffly.

Only then did Song Yu slowly turn around. He kept his head bowed, his scattered fringe obscuring his eyebrows, making it impossible to see the emotions in his eyes. He extended his hand, his movements so light, as if afraid to touch Shen Qingyu’s fingers, and cautiously took the pens.

“Thank you.” His voice was a whisper.

Seeing his timid appearance, an inexpressible bitterness swelled in Shen Qingyu’s heart. Seeing Song Yu about to turn and run again, he quickly stepped forward to block him: “Why do you hide every time you see me?”

“I promised you I would disappear from your sight,” Song Yu’s lips curved into a bitter arc. “I’m sorry I failed and appeared before you again.”

Shen Qingyu glared at him: “I never said I wanted you to disappear from my sight.”

“But you said I made you afraid.”

“Shouldn’t I be afraid of the things you did?” Shen Qingyu argued. “You don’t even apologize or atone, only thinking about running away. You… what kind of man are you?”

Song Yu froze. Shen Qingyu didn’t care what he was thinking now, just pouring out everything he wanted to say.

“I just don’t want you to hate me.”

Shen Qingyu let out a speechless laugh: “Why didn’t you think about that before you did those things? Or did you think you wouldn’t get caught?”

Song Yu was silent again. Shen Qingyu didn’t know if he had hit the nail on the head or if Song Yu simply refused to defend himself.

Though much taller than Shen Qingyu, Song Yu now stood awkwardly in place, lacking the courage to even look up and meet his eyes. He was like a puppy that had done wrong and was awaiting expulsion, even his invisible tail tucked down.

Shen Qingyu’s heart softened. If this was all an act, Song Yu’s acting was too good. He didn’t want to speculate about Song Yu like that, especially since he had never seen such carefulness and lowliness from him before.

He sighed lightly, “Are your injuries healed?”

Song Yu’s body stiffened. “They’re almost better.”

His fingers curled slightly, hiding inside his sleeve.

Shen Qingyu didn’t miss the small movement. His heart felt a fine, needle-like pain. He softened his voice: “Did it hurt?”

Song Yu thought for a moment, then slowly shook his head, saying it didn’t hurt. He didn’t ask how Shen Qingyu knew, just quietly exposed his wound, not caring if Shen Qingyu saw his bloody scar, nor fearing that he would rub salt in it.

The atmosphere froze for a moment. Shen Qingyu touched his neck and said, “It’s hard to grab a spot in the library during finals week. If you leave now, you might not find a place to study.”

Reading his meaning, Song Yu suddenly looked up, surprise flashing in his eyes. Shen Qingyu awkwardly looked away. “I’m going back to study.”

He turned and walked away. Song Yu watched his back and followed without hesitation.

He cautiously maintained a distance of two steps, trailing closely. He knew very well that Shen Qingyu hadn’t truly forgiven him; this was just a compromise. But for Song Yu, it was enough.

Xiao Yu baby is still so easily soft-hearted.

Song Yu thought to himself.

…

For the next few days, Shen Qingyu saw Song Yu in the same study room. They rarely spoke, but Song Yu would always quietly save spots for both him and Cheng Che, even thoughtfully preparing two sets of breakfast.

Previously, to secure seats, Cheng Che and Shen Qingyu would split up—Cheng Che would buy breakfast, and Shen Qingyu would go to the library to claim their spots.

Now, Song Yu handled both tasks.

Cheng Che looked at the breakfast on the desk in confusion. When Shen Qingyu explained that Song Yu bought it, he was even more shocked: “Why is he buying us breakfast?”

Shen Qingyu didn’t know how to answer. He completely couldn’t guess Song Yu’s intentions.

What was this? Buying breakfast for the person I like and his boyfriend?

Cheng Che declined multiple times, but Song Yu stubbornly continued every day. Cheng Che felt that something about Song Yu was seriously off, but Song Yu acted so openly that Cheng Che couldn’t say anything to Shen Qingyu without appearing paranoid.

One noon, Cheng Che finally couldn’t take it anymore. While Shen Qingyu was deeply focused on his exercises, Cheng Che sent Song Yu a message asking him to meet in the stairwell so they could talk.

Cheng Che and Song Yu’s successive departures caught Shen Qingyu’s attention. He watched their backs enter the stairwell, his heart skipping a beat.

He bit his lip and quietly followed them.

Cheng Che entered the stairwell first, followed closely by Song Yu, who closed the door but didn’t shut it completely, unintentionally leaving a narrow gap.

Shen Qingyu glanced around. No one noticed him. He then pressed against the door, feeling guilty, and secretly listened to their conversation.

He knew his behavior wasn’t right, but his gut told him that this conversation between Cheng Che and Song Yu definitely concerned him.

There was silence in the stairwell for a moment. Cheng Che sat on the steps, rubbing his hair, looking annoyed, as if he didn’t know how to start. In contrast, Song Yu, standing by the window looking out, seemed exceptionally composed and calm.

What will they talk about? Shen Qingyu thought anxiously.

In the end, Cheng Che couldn’t hold back and initiated the conversation, breaking the strange and awkward atmosphere that filled the small stairwell:

“What is the meaning of this?”

He didn’t specify, but Song Yu easily understood his meaning.

Song Yu replied flatly, “I like Shen Qingyu.”

Not only Cheng Che, but Shen Qingyu also opened his eyes wide in astonishment.

Oh my god! What is he doing? Why is he saying this in front of Cheng Che?

Shen Qingyu’s heart pounded rapidly. Even through a wall, Shen Qingyu could feel the solidified tension in the stairwell.

Cheng Che abruptly stood up, his shocked expression mixed with anger. He hadn’t expected Song Yu to harbor such feelings for Shen Qingyu, and he even dared to say it in front of the actual boyfriend! He lowered his voice and roared, “Song Yu! Shen Qingyu is my boyfriend!”

But Song Yu remained calm. His hand resting on the window ledge tightened, veins bulging on the back of his hand. He slowly lowered his head and gave a soft laugh. When he looked up again, his face held unconcealed bitterness: “You don’t need to look at me like that. I’m perfectly aware… he will not belong to me.”

Cheng Che: “?”

Cheng Che: “…”

“You also don’t need to be wary of me. I never intended to steal him from you.” His gaze lingered vaguely on a point outside the window. He said bluntly, “I just want to do whatever I can for him, even if it’s insignificant.”

Cheng Che was momentarily speechless. He found it absurd. Now, not only did he have to guard against Lu Xiao’s constant petty actions, but now there was Song Yu? Although Song Yu’s words sounded noble, how could Cheng Che not be wary of him? Everyone has desires; he didn’t believe Song Yu was so selflessly giving without expecting anything in return.

He opened his mouth, about to say something, but Song Yu interrupted: “Don’t doubt him just because I like him. I can tell, he cherishes you very much… I don’t want to affect the feelings between you two.”

After speaking, Song Yu lowered his eyes, his hands clenched even tighter. It was as if uttering those words had drained all his strength.

Through the narrow door gap, Shen Qingyu could only see Song Yu’s lonely profile. His thin body trembled slightly, making him look very pitiful.

Shen Qingyu covered his chest, feeling the throbbing impact of his heartbeat. He realized he was completely unable to control his pity for Song Yu. Even though he still resented Song Yu’s year-long harassment, a voice in his heart was already making excuses for Song Yu’s wrong actions: He’s just too obsessive and repressed, no one loves him, and no one taught him how to love…

Cheng Che felt a frustrating sense of hitting cotton—no impact. Song Yu and Lu Xiao were complete opposites.

If it were Lu Xiao’s direct, confrontational method, he might have a way to deal with it, even teaching him a lesson with his fists. But Song Yu only displayed gentleness and self-sacrificing acceptance, making Cheng Che’s anger seem petty in comparison.

Cheng Che’s chest rose and fell heavily. He stared intensely at Song Yu, trying to find a trace of pretense or calculation on that calm face. Yet, Song Yu’s eyes were clear and melancholic, as if he had long accepted his fate of not being worthy of any response.

“You speak so well,” Cheng Che finally regained his voice, tinged with sarcasm. “But your presence in front of him is precisely to gain his attention and make him remember you, isn’t it?”

Song Yu’s eyelashes fluttered slightly; he didn’t deny it.

“Yes, I’m despicable,” he said softly. “I know I shouldn’t be in front of him, but I can’t control myself. Although seeing you two happy causes me pain, I still can’t control myself. Even if it’s just watching him from afar, doing a small thing for him, I feel… satisfied.”

He looked up, bravely meeting Cheng Che’s scrutinizing gaze: “But I swear, I won’t cross the line. I won’t actively talk to him, won’t interrupt you, and certainly won’t try to break up your relationship. If one day Shen Qingyu clearly expresses he doesn’t want to see me, I will disappear immediately.”

Cheng Che was stunned. Such honesty left him nowhere to attack. If Song Yu had fiercely argued or subtly provoked, he could have righteously defended his relationship.

But facing such a “love rival” who had practically humbled himself into the dust, all his anger dissipated into thin air.

Outside the stairwell, Shen Qingyu tightly covered his mouth, terrified of making any sound.

Every word from Song Yu was like a small hammer striking his heart, making it difficult for him to breathe.

He had never seen this side of Song Yu—so humble, so broken, yet so determined.

The cold, detached Song Yu that Shen Qingyu was initially drawn to had, because of him, turned into this person. And he seemed so… content in his misery.

Long ago, he had tried to befriend Song Yu but was repeatedly rebuffed. That feeling of disappointment and sadness still felt fresh. Yet, so little time had passed, and everything had changed.

Shen Qingyu couldn’t help but wonder if his proactive attempts to get closer had been painful for Song Yu before.