After The Beautiful Woman Moves Into The Jock's Dorm Room - Chapter 99

Chapter 99: “As long as you like it, if you like it, it’s worth it…”

The two of them sat down beside Shen Qingyu one after the other, causing the surrounding air to instantly freeze.

Shen Qingyu occasionally took small sips from his drink. To be honest, he didn’t think the drinks at Happy Valley were good, and they were expensive. If Cheng Che and Lu Xiao hadn’t both been sitting next to him, he probably wouldn’t have touched the cup again.

He couldn’t help it. The atmosphere was simply too awkward, and he could only use this method to look busy.

Lu Xiao quickly became restless. He dragged his chair closer to Shen Qingyu, practically wanting to stick his whole body to him. With a look of extreme frustration from Cheng Che, Lu Xiao leaned his head closer and asked in a lazy voice: “Does it taste good?”

The distance was too close. Lu Xiao’s breath occasionally brushed Shen Qingyu’s cheek, causing a ticklish sensation. He couldn’t help but raise his hand to scratch his cheek, leaving a faint red mark. Lu Xiao stared at the red mark for a while, barely restraining himself from reaching out to touch it.

“It’s okay, average,” Shen Qingyu admitted frankly.

Lu Xiao reluctantly withdrew his gaze. He said, “Oh,” and then, “Let me try a sip.”

Shen Qingyu was stunned for a second, then, like a small animal guarding its food, he tightly gripped the cup and said alertly, “You’re not short on money. Go buy your own. I’m not sharing mine with you.”

“Tch.” Lu Xiao scoffed lightly. “But I specifically want your cup.” He knew Shen Qingyu wouldn’t agree, but he still wanted to tease him this way. Every time he saw that startled and vigilant little expression on Shen Qingyu’s face, he felt particularly satisfied.

“No,” Shen Qingyu slightly turned his head, facing Cheng Che’s burning gaze that felt like it could pierce right through him. He pressed his lips together, feeling his mouth dry, and then lightly licked his lips with his tongue.

Cheng Che only dared to look at him so brazenly when his back was turned. When Shen Qingyu actually faced him, Cheng Che could only choose to “evade.” His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. Not wanting Lu Xiao to monopolize Shen Qingyu’s attention, he braced himself and gathered his courage, his voice very, very soft, as if afraid of startling him:

“Do you want anything to eat?”

His eyes were looking elsewhere, but Shen Qingyu was absolutely sure he was talking to him.

“…I don’t,” he replied. He had eaten too much at his aunt’s house at noon and still felt bloated.

Cheng Che lowered his head, his naturally curly bangs covering his eyes. He managed a bitter smile.

The silence returned. Shen Qingyu could only refocus his attention on the humanoid mascot in the distance.

The mascot was the representative character of Happy Valley. Although it looked round and plump, it didn’t look bloated at all. Shen Qingyu guessed it was probably because the staff member inside the costume was a very tall boy.

Just as he thought that, the mascot suddenly turned around, facing Shen Qingyu’s direction and waving the flyer in its hand. Shen Qingyu hadn’t expected it to see him from so far away and pointed to himself in disbelief.

Lu Xiao and Cheng Che quickly noticed Shen Qingyu’s gaze. They both looked in the direction of the mascot.

The hand resting on the table clenched slightly. Shen Qingyu hesitated about whether to go over.

Lu Xiao saw some children actively going up to take photos with the mascot and teased, “What, do you want to take a picture with it too?”

“…No,” Shen Qingyu hesitated for two seconds. He couldn’t possibly say he thought the mascot was waving and asking him to go over, could he?

While he was contemplating, Yang Yu and Chen Qiming finished their new round on the Sea Dragon ride. Both had expressions of lingering excitement, making Shen Qingyu suspect that if they didn’t have to queue, they might ride it continuously.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Xiao Yu. Let’s go play something else,” Yang Yu hugged him from behind, rubbing his cheek against Shen Qingyu’s.

Shen Qingyu “whooshed” to his feet and linked arms with him, saying, “Then let’s go.”

Before Yang Yu could take a step, he felt two gazes fixed on him. He took a deep breath, flashing a bright smile at Shen Qingyu and saying, “Since it’s such a coincidence, why don’t we all play together? The more the merrier.”

Chen Qiming immediately agreed: “Yeah, yeah, it’s more fun with more people.”

Lu Xiao stood up, his tone casual: “I’m fine with it, but I don’t know if he’s willing.”

The “he” referred to Shen Qingyu.

Cheng Che said, “I respect… Xiao Yu’s wishes.”

Despite his words, Shen Qingyu caught a glimpse of expectation in Cheng Che’s eyes.

Helplessly, Shen Qingyu could only nod: “Then let’s all go together. There are some rides I don’t really want to go on anyway, and you guys can keep Yang Yu company.”

In fact, when Yang Yu suggested coming to Happy Valley for his birthday, Shen Qingyu had hesitated for a long time. Of course, he liked the idea of going out to play, but he wasn’t a fan of thrilling rides, and he worried Yang Yu wouldn’t have fun with him. Now that Chen Qiming was here, Shen Qingyu had no such worries. He could safely enjoy some childish games and spend time walking around, appreciating the scenery.

Yang Yu cheered “Yay!” and pulled Shen Qingyu to the nearest trending photo spot.

Chen Qiming offered to take two photos for them, but his skills were so poor that Yang Yu mocked him for a long time. Shen Qingyu saw Cheng Che standing silently alone on the side, as if the surrounding excitement had nothing to do with him, and felt a pang of discomfort.

“Cheng Che,” Shen Qingyu called out, biting his lip.

“Hmm?” Cheng Che looked at him with a hint of surprise, asking cautiously, “Is something wrong?” He almost thought he was hallucinating.

“Could you take a few pictures for us?”

“Of course,” Cheng Che took his phone and directed the two of them into photogenic poses.

When Yang Yu saw the results, he couldn’t help but give Shen Qingyu a thumbs-up, his eyes full of admiration.

“Why are you looking at me like that…?”

Yang Yu leaned close and whispered to him, “Is this the man you ‘trained’? His photography skills are really good!”

Shen Qingyu pushed Yang Yu away, laughing helplessly. He noticed the mascot was still looking at him, and his steps paused for a moment.

As he walked past the mascot, Shen Qingyu took the flyer the mascot handed him and glanced down. Yang Yu pulled him along: “Hey, Xiao Yu, let’s take a picture with this ‘Sunny Doll.’ It’s Happy Valley’s mascot!”

They stood on either side of the mascot. Shen Qingyu felt inexplicably nervous, and his posture and expression were stiff as he posed.

After one photo was taken, Yang Yu immediately went forward to check the picture, while Shen Qingyu felt his jacket corner being tugged by something. He turned back in surprise, only to find that the ‘Sunny Doll’ had somehow produced a few roses and clumsily presented them to Shen Qingyu.

Shen Qingyu froze in place, his heart seeming to skip a beat. An unbelievable thought flashed through his mind.

He didn’t reach out to take them, and the ‘Sunny Doll’ didn’t withdraw the flowers. After a brief stalemate, Shen Qingyu finally accepted the bouquet.

Immediately, the ‘Sunny Doll’ took off its bulky mascot head, revealing a handsome, coolly elegant face. Seeing Song Yu in that moment, Shen Qingyu involuntarily took two steps back, his lips moving to let out a quiet gasp.

“Song Yu…?”

“Mhm,” Song Yu responded softly. “I’ve been watching you here for a long time. I finally waited for you to come over.”

“Why are you here?”

“I got a part-time job,” he lowered his eyes, holding the massive mascot head in his arms, his fingers occasionally stroking it. “It’s quite a coincidence to run into… you guys here.”

Fearing he might misunderstand, Shen Qingyu quickly explained: “I came with Yang Yu. I didn’t expect to run into them.”

Hearing his explanation, Song Yu’s lips curved: “I see.”

“How is he here—” Lu Xiao suddenly raised his voice, his wary eyes sweeping between the two of them. Seeing the roses in Shen Qingyu’s arms, he was both angry and annoyed. “Did he give you those?”

Shen Qingyu hugged the roses tighter, responding uncertainly, “He’s working part-time here.”

Lu Xiao found the coincidence too suspicious and asked doubtfully, “What a coincidence that he happens to be working part-time at Happy Valley on your birthday?”

“Is there a problem?” Song Yu met his gaze, neither humble nor arrogant, without the slightest hint of guilt.

“If it’s a part-time job, why did you take off the head?” Lu Xiao retorted.

Song Yu’s gaze lingered gently on Shen Qingyu for a moment, then he said, “So I could only do it secretly.”

Shen Qingyu’s heart felt like it was brushed by a feather, carrying a faint, almost undetectable tingle. He said urgently, “Then quickly put it back on. Don’t get caught. We definitely won’t say anything.”

“I never said I wouldn’t say anything,” Lu Xiao said, crossing his arms, looking displeased.

“Don’t be like that,” Shen Qingyu glared at him, bumping his waist with his elbow. “Lu Xiao is just kidding. He definitely won’t say anything.”

Song Yu nodded: “I trust you.”

“Thank you for the roses,” Shen Qingyu lowered his head to inhale the fragrance of the roses. “They’re very beautiful.”

“As long as you like them,” Song Yu gazed at him deeply, making Shen Qingyu feel he could almost guess what he would say next.

—As long as you like it, if you like it, it’s worth it.

But he didn’t say anything. He just quietly put the mascot head back on, turning back into the beloved mascot doll for children. Shen Qingyu gently patted the mascot’s head and left at Lu Xiao’s urging.

Yang Yu hadn’t expected to encounter three of Shen Qingyu’s admirers simultaneously in such a short time. His heart was in his throat, fearing the currently stable atmosphere would shatter. He watched Song Yu put the mascot head back on, separating himself from them, and immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

“It’s a good thing you handled that well,” Yang Yu patted Shen Qingyu’s hand. “Otherwise, I can’t imagine what a terrible shuraba (battle royale) that would have been.”

His tone was overly dramatic, making Shen Qingyu laugh. “It’s alright. The three of them aren’t difficult to get along with.”

“They are fine to get along with individually, but not when they appear together,” Yang Yu stated.

Thinking back to previous scenes, Shen Qingyu realized Yang Yu was actually quite right.

“These roses are quite beautiful. I wonder if they’ll last until we get back to school,” Shen Qingyu lightly touched the vibrant petals with his finger.

Although there was no grand or lively ceremony, the people Shen Qingyu most wanted to see were all by his side.