Any Closer and I'll Lose Control - Chapter 64

Meng Tang was personally escorted back to her dorm by her advisor, who also greeted the dormitory supervisor.

After bidding farewell to the counselor, Meng Tang’s posture immediately slumped, her back hurt so much it must have bruised.

As she stepped out of the elevator, she was startled by Xie Lingyin, Shi Lan, and Yang Ke, who were blocking the doorway.

“Are you guys heading out?” Meng Tang asked blankly.

“Did Wang Jue hit you?” Xie Lingyin exclaimed, both shocked and furious, as she hurried forward. “Is he even human?”

Meng Tang’s eyes widened in surprise. “How did you know?”

“Wei Chuan texted me,” Xie Lingyin said, taking Meng Tang’s bag for her. “He said you were hurt on your back, and since it wasn’t appropriate for him to check, he asked me to take a look.”

“What?” Meng Tang froze. “He asked you to take care of me?”

“Yeah,” Xie Lingyin teased. “He went into every little detail, said your neck was scratched too, reminded me to tell you to sleep on your side if your back hurts, and mentioned that people who’ve been frightened are prone to falling ill at night. He even asked me to keep an eye on you and call him if anything happens.”

Meng Tang: “…Is he an idiot?”

Asking the girl he likes to take care of another girl?

Xie Lingyin defended Wei Chuan. “I don’t think he’s an idiot. He seems pretty decent.”

Not even together yet, and she’s already speaking up for him every day.

Meng Tang fell silent for a few seconds before saying, “You two… are both paragons of virtue.”

“…What’s that supposed to mean?” Xie Lingyin almost laughed. “Take off your clothes, let me see.”

Meng Tang removed her jacket and draped it over the chair. Xie Lingyin lifted her sweater and peeked inside, sucking in a sharp breath.

“It’s definitely bruised. Does it hurt?”

Meng Tang mumbled, “Just a little. The clothes cushioned the blow, so it’s just a surface injury. It’ll heal in a few days.”

Unable to resist, Xie Lingyin pinched Meng Tang’s waist. “How are you so fair-skinned?”

Meng Tang, who was ticklish, curled up and shrank away.

Xie Lingyin laughed at her. “If you react like this just from me touching you, what are you going to do when you have a boyfriend?”

Meng Tang’s face flushed crimson. “I’ll figure it out when the time comes.”

Xie Lingyin chuckled. “Oh, so you understood that.”

Meng Tang muttered, “I’m not a three-year-old.”

Hearing this, Shi Lan turned around, suddenly curious. “What does kissing actually feel like?”

Yang Ke, acting like an expert, said, “Just touch your upper lip to your lower lip, you’ll know.”

Shi Lan: “…I might not have eaten pork, but I’ve seen pigs run. Kissing can’t just be upper lip to lower lip! Haven’t you seen those TV dramas? There’s tongue involved, French kissing, you know?”

Yang Ke, who was somewhat germaphobic, wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Isn’t that dirty?”

Shi Lan: “…And that’s why you’ve been single since birth.”

Xie Lingyin, the only one with actual experience, cleared her throat. “Just hurry up and date someone, then you’ll know.”

“Who am I supposed to date?” Shi Lan lamented dramatically. “I’ve got psychological trauma toward guys now. Just look at Zhang Yifan and Wang Jue, they’re downright insane.”

Xie Lingyin felt like a worried parent. “You can’t judge all men based on a few bad apples. Wei Chuan’s pretty decent, right, Meng Tang?”

“Huh? Yeah, he’s good,” Meng Tang said, relieved Xie Lingyin didn’t have any issues with Wei Chuan. “It’s getting late, I’m going to wash up. Have you guys already showered?”

Xie Lingyin nodded. “Yeah, we’re all done. Go ahead.”

After washing up, Meng Tang turned off the lights and climbed into bed. Her phone, which had been charging, had missed Wei Chuan’s message.

It wasn’t until the next morning that she saw it, Wei Chuan asking if her back was injured.

Meng Tang thought for a moment and replied, “No, and it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

After sending the message, she shouldered her bag and headed to class.

Regarding the disciplinary action against Wang Jue, the school had sought Meng Tang’s opinion, and she chose to report the matter to the police.

However, since Meng Tang hadn’t suffered any substantial harm and the spread of Wang Jue’s rumors wasn’t severe enough to constitute a serious offense, the punishment ultimately amounted to detention and a fine.

The harshest penalty was his expulsion from the university.

But Wang Jue’s parents were far from easy to deal with. They brought their entire family to blockade the school gates, demanding justice.

With a loudspeaker in hand, they claimed Meng Tang had powerful connections and was trying to drive ordinary people like them to ruin, lamenting how difficult it was for rural families to raise a college student.

Admittedly, their tactics were effective, many who didn’t know the full story quickly rallied to their side.

The school attempted multiple times to communicate with them, but the family refused to cooperate, choosing instead to make a scene at the gates.

Z University publicly disclosed the details of the incident through official channels and remained firm in its decision regarding Wang Jue’s punishment. For a time, tensions between the two sides escalated.

As the situation grew increasingly volatile, Wei Chuan quietly scrolled through his phone contacts and found the number for Wei Sijia’s assistant.

By the weekend, the Wang family had disappeared from the school gates. Meng Tang assumed the university had resolved the matter.

A few peaceful days passed, and Wei Chuan’s birthday was now less than a week away.

When his family asked about his plans for the occasion, Wei Chuan simply replied, “I’ve got it covered.”

He called Qin Yuan: “Can you help me book a venue for Christmas night?”

“I thought you were all about keeping things low-key, as usual,” Qin Yuan teased. “It’s such short notice, where am I supposed to find a place?”

Wei Chuan: “Money talks. Shouldn’t be a problem. But one thing, no random influencers. My classmates will be there.”

Qin Yuan scoffed. “Oh, you mean Meng Tang? ‘Classmates,’ sure.”

“Shut up. Are you helping or not?”

“Fine, fine. What are friends for?”

After hanging up, Wei Chuan returned to his dorm and told Xu Heqing and the others about the plan.

Of course, they wouldn’t miss their friend’s birthday.

Wei Chuan hesitated, and Xu Heqing tactfully asked, “Anyone else coming? Or is it just us guys?”

“Remember when we watched the game with the campus belle’s dorm? We all got along well. Since Chuan’s close with Meng Tang, why not invite them?” Liang Heng chimed in eagerly. “She’s my savior, after all.”

“Alright,” Wei Chuan said, tilting his chin slightly. “I’ll ask Meng Tang.”

Xu Heqing muttered under his breath: Getting all tsundere now. Bet he’s over the moon inside.

After roughing out the sculpture of Da Huang, Meng Tang began refining the finer details.

When Wei Chuan called, she put him on speakerphone, after all, she was alone in the studio.

After exchanging pleasantries, Wei Chuan said, “It’s my birthday on Thursday night. Xu Heqing and the others will be there. Want to come hang out?”

He specifically mentioned Xu Heqing, and Meng Tang chuckled. “You want me to help you invite Lingyin, don’t you?”

Wei Chuan mumbled vaguely, “So, are you coming or not?”

“How else am I supposed to give you your gift?” Meng Tang agreed. “I’ll bring Lingyin along for you.”

“You got me a gift?” Wei Chuan completely missed the rest.

Meng Tang carefully carved the details around Da Huang’s neck with a triangular chisel. “Yeah, but it’s just something small. Don’t look down on it.”

“Of course I wouldn’t,” Wei Chuan said, his voice brightening. “You can bring your whole dorm if you want.”

“I’ll ask them.”

That said, Shi Lan and Yang Ke would definitely be on board without hesitation.

Wei Chuan was completely preoccupied with the gift Meng Tang had promised him, so much so that he even borrowed Xu Heqing’s calendar to count the days.

Xu Heqing teased, “Why are you so possessive about other people’s calendars?”

Wei Chuan replied, “Just borrowing it for a bit.”

As he spoke, he took a pen and vigorously crossed out the 24th.