Lin Bao'er's quick explanation made Bai Yan and Gui Fang back off from asking Ye Qiu more personal questions.
Ye Qiu gave Lin Bao'er a grateful look, thinking that this girl, who usually seemed like she was missing a few brain cells, was actually quite sharp in this moment. However, Tang Guo, lying on the bed, had the urge to get up and strangle Lin Bao'er. She struggled a bit but couldn't move, so she could only mentally note this incident for future retribution.
Bai Yan went next door to borrow a rice cooker and somehow managed to find some rice and green beans. She started cooking green bean porridge right in the dorm room. After Tang Guo had slept for a while and drank half a bowl of porridge, she gradually started to feel better, and her face regained some color.
"Shall we head back?" Ye Qiu asked Tang Guo. The sky outside was already dark, and the dorm room lights were on. Some of the girls who had classes were returning, and the hallway was filled with the sound of laughter and chatter. It wasn't suitable for Ye Qiu to stay any longer, especially since Bai Yan and Gui Fang would eventually want to change clothes for the night. However, Ye Qiu didn't feel comfortable leaving Tang Guo alone either, given her still weak condition. If anything else were to happen, he wouldn't be able to face Tang Buyi or the old man.
"Okay," Tang Guo nodded. "Bao'er, come help me with my shoes."
Lin Bao'er didn't realize that Tang Guo was subtly getting back at her for calling Ye Qiu her boyfriend earlier. Understanding that Tang Guo probably didn't even have the strength to tie her shoelaces, Lin Bao'er knelt down to help, her chest bouncing in a rather eye-catching way as she leaned forward. The sight was something Ye Qiu couldn't help but glance at—not once, but several times before he reluctantly looked away.
The key to being a successful wolf is not letting others know you're a wolf; otherwise, everyone will be on guard, and you'll never get a chance to act like one. Ye Qiu had always been careful about this.
After Bai Yan helped Tang Guo put on her coat, she said to Ye Qiu, "Come visit our dorm again sometime. If it weren't for Guo Guo getting sick today, we wouldn't even know you existed."
"Exactly. You've taken away our dorm's beauty queen, and you haven't even treated us to a meal yet. With your medical skills, we might need your help again in the future," Gui Fang added jokingly, thinking that Ye Qiu and Tang Guo made a good couple.
Tang Guo, although a bit spoiled, was kind-hearted and straightforward. She had no airs despite her wealth, and she got along well with her roommates. She was beautiful, had a good family background, and was genuinely a good person. Gui Fang started to worry about Ye Qiu's background—was it good enough for Tang Guo? They had believed Lin Bao'er's words, assuming Ye Qiu was indeed Tang Guo's boyfriend.
"Eldest Sister, Second Sister, what are you saying? He's not my boyfriend," Tang Guo quickly explained.
"Sure, sure, we understand," Bai Yan teased. "If you don't want him, Gui Fang won't hesitate to take him."
"You're the one who wants to steal him, you cheeky bird!" Tang Guo retorted, her face flushing with embarrassment.
Ye Qiu couldn't help but think that it was no wonder the dorm lady was so against him coming in. Women were indeed more dangerous than men. A man's lust might just be a bit of ogling and flirting, but a woman's interest could be much more serious.
Tang Guo was still weak, so initially, Ye Qiu and Lin Bao'er supported her on either side. However, when they reached the stairs, it became awkward to continue. Without asking for permission, Ye Qiu simply scooped Tang Guo up in his arms.
"Ah—!" Tang Guo exclaimed as she suddenly found herself lifted off the ground. "Ye Qiu, what are you doing?"
"Don't you think this is faster?" Ye Qiu replied, carrying Tang Guo down the stairs with quick strides. His pace was indeed much faster, but it also attracted a lot of attention from the passing girls.
"Wow, that girl is so lucky! Her boyfriend is carrying her around campus—"
"She's just being spoiled! If my girlfriend did that, I'd kick her to the curb—"
"Look how romantic they are. You should carry me like that—"
"I'd love to, but you need to lose some weight first—"
Everyone who saw this unusual scene couldn't help but take a second look. There were plenty of couples on campus holding hands, even a few kissing publicly, but a guy carrying a girl like this through the campus was a rare sight indeed.
Ye Qiu could ignore the stares and comments, but Tang Guo was mortified. While she could be sharp-tongued, she had never experienced the feeling of being carried by a man through campus. In no time, the comments had her burying her face in Ye Qiu's shoulder, too embarrassed to lift her head. Lin Bao'er, following behind, kept making faces at her.
As night fell and the campus buzzed with activity, students were everywhere—some carrying thick books, others with thermoses heading to the water room, groups chatting and laughing together, all full of life and energy.
The dim lights stretched their shadows long across the ground, and Tang Guo, resting her head on Ye Qiu's shoulder, watched as their shadows merged into one. As she continued to watch, she felt a small sense of happiness welling up inside her, a feeling she hadn't experienced since her father used to carry her as a child. Drowsy and comfortable in Ye Qiu's arms, she drifted off to sleep, a sweet smile playing on her lips. In that moment, Tang Guo looked as vulnerable as a child.
After hailing a taxi, they made their way back to Blue Apartment. When Shen Monong saw Tang Guo's weak state, she was shocked, her usual calm and graceful demeanor replaced by genuine concern. She fussed over Tang Guo like a worried mother, asking about her condition. After Ye Qiu carried Tang Guo to her room, he slowly explained everything to Shen Monong.
"From now on, you're not allowed to eat those things anymore," Shen Monong said sternly, giving Lin Bao'er a sharp look.
"Okay. It was my idea to eat it, but who knew Sister Tang would be so greedy and eat it all—" Lin Bao'er pouted, feeling wronged.
"And you think you wouldn't have gotten sick too? Guo Guo took the hit for you. Ye Qiu, you'll have to keep an eye on them from now on. If they sneak off to eat junk food again, they'll be in big trouble," Shen Monong said, her expression stern.
Ye Qiu smiled wryly. How could he possibly supervise these two? Besides, it wasn't like they'd actually listen to him.
After thinking it over, Ye Qiu decided to call Tang Buyi and report what had happened. Within minutes, Tang Buyi arrived with Zheng Ru in tow, both of them clearly worried and having rushed over. It seemed they had been together all along.
To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8