Since things have come to this, let’s just let it rot.
Just kidding.
But seriously, sleeping really messes things up.
Yu Qing deeply condemned himself from two hours ago in frustration, then hurriedly got up.
Maybe his sleeping posture was off—his neck felt a bit stiff—but at this moment, he couldn’t care about such trivial matters.
After packing up his things, Yu Qing quickly left the pavilion, reopening the Rental Software as he walked.
His fingers trembled with anxiety, but that didn’t stop him from scrolling rapidly.
It was getting late, and after messaging many landlords, he still hadn’t received timely replies.
He called several promising Housing Listings from the afternoon, but either they were already rented out, or the landlords said it was too late to view the place and told him to contact them tomorrow.
“Is this Mr. Wang? Hello, I contacted you this afternoon about that Single Room…”
“Oh, young man, I’m sorry, that room was just reserved this afternoon.”
“Aunt Li, about your apartment…”
“Now? I’m about to eat, can’t do, can’t even take a look at the place, tomorrow, come tomorrow morning.”
Listening to the various excuses and rejections over the phone, Yu Qing’s heart sank bit by bit.
The Sunset Glow was gradually swallowed by night, streetlights flickered on one after another, and he felt an unprecedented sense of helplessness and confusion.
An unlucky start.
Looks like there’s no way to find a place today.
At least, he hadn’t moved his things out of the Dormitory yet.
After finishing the last call and receiving yet another inconvenient reply, Yu Qing dragged his heavy steps toward the School Dormitory.
Back under the familiar Dormitory Building, looking at the warm light shining from the windows, Yu Qing’s feelings grew even more complicated.
This was the place he had lived for three years, and now it felt filled with unseen threats.
He pushed open the Dormitory door.
Li Ming was wearing headphones, following a Video to review his major course.
A ballpoint pen danced in his hand, and the Manuscript Paper was covered with dense Circuit Diagrams.
Hearing the sound, he didn’t turn his head and just asked,
“Back? Where did you go all afternoon? Didn’t reply to messages either.”
Yu Qing mumbled in response, tossed his backpack onto his chair, and collapsed, rubbing his throbbing temples.
“Yo, Lao Yu’s back?”
Zhang Li was the second to notice him, his hands still moving in the Game, but he turned his head and shouted in his booming voice.
“Disappeared all afternoon—where’d you go? Why do you look like you just crawled out of a ditch?”
Zhang Haoxuan was immersed in Anime, and seeing Yu Qing return, just greeted him before turning his attention back.
With no response, Li Ming took off his headphones, turned around, and his gaze fell on Yu Qing’s exhausted face, thoughtful but silent.
Facing three pairs of eyes, Yu Qing felt uncomfortable.
He curled up slightly in his chair, avoiding their gazes.
“What’s wrong? Did someone boil you alive?”
Zhang Li saw something was off, put down his Game, and leaned over, slapping Yu Qing’s back with a hand as big as a fan.
The force wasn’t light.
Damn, Lao Zhang, are you trying to kill me?
Yu Qing coughed twice from the slap, forcing a smile.
“No… Just went out to see some apartments this afternoon, tired.”
“Looking for apartments?”
This time, even Zhang Haoxuan, absorbed in Anime, put down his phone in surprise.
Zhang Li’s eyes widened.
Li Ming narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp behind his glasses.
“Lao Yu, you’re moving out?”
Zhang Li’s tone was full of disbelief.
“Why? Isn’t living in the Dormitory just fine? Did someone bully you? Tell me!”
As he spoke, he flexed his biceps to show off, ready to stand up for his brother.
Zhang Haoxuan also quietly agreed.
“Yeah, Lao Yu, why move out suddenly? Did we bother you with late-night gaming?”
Yu Qing could tell these two weren’t happy about him moving out. After all, they’d lived together for three years, and separating in the final year felt regrettable.
As for Li Ming, he said nothing—just waited for Yu Qing to explain.
Yu Qing sighed inwardly, knowing he couldn’t avoid this.
He sat up straighter, deliberately avoiding Li Ming’s scrutinizing gaze, mainly explaining to Zhang Li and Zhang Haoxuan.
“It’s not what you think—no one’s bullying me. And playing games at night doesn’t bother me—I sleep late anyway.”
He paused.
He’d considered many excuses before coming back, but now decided on a relatively reasonable one.
“My Aunt’s kid got into our School this year and stayed in the Dormitory for a few days, but couldn’t get used to it and insisted on moving out. Aunt couldn’t persuade him, but was also worried about him living alone, and sharing with strangers isn’t safe. So after thinking it over, Aunt asked me to take care of him for a year to help him adjust.”
This was half-true, half-false.
His Aunt’s kid had indeed been admitted to the School this year, but as soon as she arrived, she’d shown incredible social skills and quickly made friends with new roommates—something Yu Qing envied.
So naturally, there was no talk of co-renting.
But saying this would prevent further persuasion, and he could even have his Aunt’s kid help cover if needed.
“I see.”
Zhang Li breathed a sigh of relief, then waved his hand.
“Hah! I thought it was something big. As the big brother, it’s only right to take care of the younger ones. Go ahead. I’ll keep your bed for you!”
Clearly, the reason had convinced him.
Zhang Haoxuan also relaxed, nodding in understanding.
“So that’s it—makes sense.”
As long as it wasn’t their fault Yu Qing was moving out, it didn’t matter.
Only then did Li Ming finally speak.
His tone was calm but held a hint of subtle probing.
“Just moving out to take care of your cousin? Why not just visit every day? There’s so much free time in college—it should be doable. Quitting the Dormitory altogether sounds troublesome.”
He pushed his gold-rimmed glasses, worry flashing in his eyes.
“Yu Qing, did something else happen recently?”
He couldn’t shake the feeling that Yu Qing’s reason was weak, and recalling his odd behavior lately, his doubts only grew.
Yu Qing’s heart tightened, but he forced himself to stay calm and looked at Li Ming.
“Nothing else, really. You’re not wrong—but my Aunt said if I could teach my cousin to live independently, she’d pay me five thousand yuan. If nothing else, I have to earn that five thousand, right?”
He let a hint of dejection show—though that part wasn’t fake.
“My Aunt left the apartment-hunting to me. Bad luck today—couldn’t find a suitable place, and it’s too late now. Looks like I’ll have to try again tomorrow.”
At this, Zhang Li’s spirits lifted, but seeing how solid Yu Qing’s reasoning was, he slumped again. In the end, he just patted Yu Qing’s shoulder in silent support.
“Take your time.”
Zhang Haoxuan stared at the Anime, but his mind wasn’t on it. Noticing the awkward mood, he forced himself to offer comfort.
Li Ming saw the exhaustion and frustration on Yu Qing’s face and, for the moment, held back his questions.
“Think it through. If you really want to move, don’t rush. Check out more places.”
“Yeah, thanks, guys.”
Yu Qing finally relaxed, knowing he’d bought himself some time.
But Li Ming’s gaze, sharp enough to see through lies, still made him uncomfortable.
Zhang Li was enthusiastic and straightforward, Haoxuan sensitive and shy—those two were easy to handle.
But Li Ming was too sharp.
Plus, he seemed to know about the Livestream.
In Yu Qing’s mind, Li Ming was now the second-highest risk.
So, he had to find a place quickly.
The longer he stayed in the Dormitory, the greater the risk of being found out.
“Are you still going to rehearsal tonight?”
Li Ming suddenly recalled what Yu Qing mentioned last night and asked curiously.
“Yeah.”
Yu Qing checked the time, then stood up to change.
“It’s about time—I have to go.”
Watching Yu Qing’s hurried departure, Zhang Li scratched his head.
“This Lao Yu… Why does he always come up with something out of the blue? Now he’s suddenly got a rehearsal?”
But no one answered his question.
Zhang Haoxuan picked up his phone again, but it was clear Anime was no longer on his mind.
Li Ming put his headphones back on, his gaze deep.
The more anxious Yu Qing was to leave, the more Li Ming felt his good roommate was hiding a big secret.
Thinking back to that day’s Livestream, Li Ming’s eyes narrowed.
If he remembered correctly, Fu Yi’s voice last night sounded exactly like the one from the Livestream.