Another Encounter with the “College Student”

Nan Pei carried Duan Heng down the stairs. As Duan Heng’s consciousness cleared a bit, he regretted letting Nan Pei carry him.

Duan Heng clenched his fists tightly, feeling embarrassed and said with the little strength he had left, “Put me down.”

His tone carried a hint of stubbornness.

As the devoted supporting character in the book, Nan Pei naturally prioritized the protagonist’s health.

So he refused, “You need to go to the hospital right now.”

Duan Heng, young and proud, felt more embarrassed than pained, being seen in such a state by someone he disliked. He struggled to jump off Nan Pei’s back.

“Why are you like this?!” Nan Pei was shocked, “Don’t throw a tantrum now! Look at how weak you are; can you even walk?”

Hearing this, Duan Heng was both angry and ashamed. He wanted to say, “I don’t need your help,” but a sharp pain in his stomach left him pale and speechless.

Instinctively, he rested his head on Nan Pei’s shoulder, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.

Feeling Duan Heng’s movement, Nan Pei quickly reassured him, “Hang in there, I’ll get you to the car soon.”

When they reached the first floor, a curious crowd gathered, asking what was happening.

Just then, someone blocked Nan Pei’s path.

“Move,” Nan Pei commanded urgently, “Don’t block the way!”

The person hesitated, standing still.

Nan Pei frowned, “Don’t you understand?”

Startled, the person quickly stepped aside.

In the e-sports novel, Nan Pei was usually gentle and refined, rarely this fierce, surprising everyone.

After getting Duan Heng into the car, Manager Ruan finally arrived with stomach medicine and painkillers.

“Why so slow?” Nan Pei frowned, “Duan Heng is the captain; he has stomach issues. Shouldn’t these meds be in his room?”

Manager Ruan, intimidated by Nan Pei’s assertiveness, quickly explained, “President Pei, Xiao Duan hasn’t had a relapse in a long time. I didn’t expect it to happen suddenly…”

Nan Pei let Duan Heng lie on his lap and fed him the medicine.

A few minutes later, perhaps due to the medicine or psychological effect, Duan Heng felt some relief from the pain.

He opened his eyes, looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar face above him. In the short time from Nan Pei entering the room to carrying him downstairs, Duan Heng’s irritation gradually calmed.

When Nan Pei told the person to move, he felt a long-lost sense of…

Security?

Duan Heng’s parents had always been neglectful. As a child, when his stomach acted up, he couldn’t move until his parents returned and took him to the hospital.

The feeling Nan Pei gave him was reminiscent of that strange sense of security from being taken to the hospital as a child.

Duan Heng was startled by this thought.

How could he feel secure with someone he disliked?

“Feeling better?” Nan Pei asked sincerely, his tone full of concern.

Duan Heng struggled to sit up, awkwardly turning his head away, his lips pale, muttering a vague “Mm.”

Nan Pei handed him a thermos, “Drink some warm water. I’ll take you to the hospital now.”

Then, Nan Pei moved to the driver’s seat and started the car.

As Nan Pei left his side, the sense of security Duan Heng felt dissipated.

He sighed, thinking it was just an illusion.

After getting Duan Heng to the hospital, Nan Pei swiftly registered him and accompanied him for an IV.

Lying in the hospital bed, Duan Heng watched Nan Pei handle various procedures, feeling a strange emotion arise.

Nan Pei returned with some medicine, sat by the bed, and handed it to Duan Heng, saying seriously, “Manager Ruan’s meds are about to expire. Take these home. You need to take two pills at a time, three times a day…”

Watching Nan Pei speak earnestly, Duan Heng unintentionally spaced out.

“By the way, are you hungry?” Nan Pei asked, getting up anxiously, “I’ll get you something to eat…”

Duan Heng watched Nan Pei’s retreating figure, feeling conflicted.

He rejected Nan Pei’s advances, disliked how he used the club to get close to him, and hated feeling like a pawn.

But he had to admit, Nan Pei loved him.

Loved him deeply.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so anxious and do so much for him.

A few minutes later, Nan Pei returned with a cup of hot milk and a warm bag of bread, sitting beside Duan Heng, wanting to feed him, but was refused.

“I can do it myself,” Duan Heng frowned, his tone somewhat stiff.

After drinking the milk, Duan Heng’s lips regained some color. He ate a few bites of bread and then looked at Nan Pei.

The latter was looking at his phone, seemingly handling company matters.

Duan Heng licked his lips, his Adam’s apple moving, hesitating for a while before saying hoarsely, “Thank you.”

Nan Pei was taken aback.

He didn’t expect Duan Heng to thank him.

“Ah, it’s what I should do,” Nan Pei said affectionately, “Xiao Duan, you don’t need to thank me.”

Duan Heng pursed his lips slightly, saying nothing.

After a moment, Nan Pei cautiously asked, “Xiao Duan, are you still mad about the teammate change?”

Duan Heng frowned, remaining silent.

At this moment, he had calmed down from Nan Pei’s insistence on changing teammates. Even if he disagreed with Nan Pei’s actions, he couldn’t muster any anger now.

Nan Pei thought he was still upset and softly said, “Xiao Duan, I didn’t mean to make you angry…”

“Why?” Duan Heng interrupted, looking at Nan Pei seriously, “Why change teammates at the last minute?”

Nan Pei was momentarily stunned.

Why?

Because it was his task, of course.

Only new teammates could advance the career line in the e-sports novel.

Nan Pei looked at Duan Heng and explained earnestly, “I personally evaluated these people. Each of them can be a great help to you, developing new and better strategies centered around you. This qualifier, TKT will shine because of you…”

Duan Heng listened intently, slowing his eating.

Nan Pei continued, “Xiao Duan, I want you to win.”

After Nan Pei finished, Duan Heng surprisingly didn’t mock him.

Previously, Nan Pei only used the club as a tool to get close to Duan Heng.

But now, Duan Heng saw a strong desire for victory in Nan Pei’s eyes.

Duan Heng looked at Nan Pei, slightly confused, “Why do I feel… you care more about winning than I do?”

“Ah, that’s because…” Nan Pei hesitated, then found a reason, “I want to help you achieve your dreams.”

Nan Pei had said “I want to help you achieve your dreams” many times, mostly to please Duan Heng.

This time, Duan Heng couldn’t discern his true intentions.

At least, the sincerity just now didn’t seem fake.

Nan Pei genuinely hoped TKT would win.

The strange feeling in Duan Heng’s heart grew stronger.

“…No need.” Duan Heng pursed his lips, frowning as he looked out the window, gripping the bread bag tightly, saying no more.

Nan Pei knew Duan Heng hated the phrase “I want to help you achieve your dreams” because it made him seem insincere.

Seeing Duan Heng’s awkward reaction, he knew it was because of that phrase.

Duan Heng, being young, recovered quickly, and soon his stomach felt much better.

When Nan Pei went to find a nurse, Duan Heng watched him, feeling that…

This annoying investor had changed.

Since playing games with Nan Pei a few days ago, he felt Nan Pei had become a different person.

Exactly how, Duan Heng couldn’t say.

But regardless…

Duan Heng now felt that Nan Pei wasn’t as repulsive as before.

After handling the paperwork, Nan Pei discharged Duan Heng and asked Manager Ruan to bring the car from the parking lot.

“Remember to eat on time next time,” Nan Pei said, glancing at Duan Heng with concern, “Don’t let it happen again.”

After a moment of silence, Duan Heng softly replied, “Mm.”

Nan Pei didn’t notice that Duan Heng’s attitude wasn’t as resistant as usual.

“Next time, don’t lock yourself in your room when you’re upset. Everyone at the club worries about you…”

As Nan Pei spoke to Duan Heng, his attention was suddenly drawn to a tall figure entering the hospital—

It was the “college student” from before.

The “college student” was dressed casually today, his hair neatly styled, exuding a mature charm.

Undeniably, this “college student’s” appearance stood out in the crowd, even more so than Duan Heng.

With Nan Pei, Duan Heng, and the “college student” all in the lobby, the surrounding eyes couldn’t help but dart between the three handsome men.

Huo Yao soon noticed Nan Pei.

His secretary, Cheng Man, had acute enteritis today, and since it was lunchtime, he brought her to the hospital and was now preparing to handle the paperwork. Cheng Man hadn’t had a chance to give Huo Yao the investor information for “Love Meteor Shower.”

Huo Yao didn’t expect to encounter the “nouveau riche” here.

However, the “nouveau riche” was dressed completely differently today.

In a low-key, understated suit, with gold-rimmed glasses, hair slicked back, fair skin, and a handsome face…

He looked every bit the elite.

If not for the surprise in the “nouveau riche’s” eyes, Huo Yao would have thought he was looking at the “nouveau riche’s” twin brother.

Nan Pei was surprised and asked the system, “Isn’t he from the Northern Center of the data redundancy area? How can he wander around like this? I saw him in the West before, and now he’s in the East… Is this even possible?”

The system was silent for a moment before saying, “I don’t have information on the redundancy area, so I can’t answer that. Please understand.”

Listening to Nan Pei’s concerned words, Duan Heng felt better.

At this moment, he noticed Nan Pei had stopped walking and speaking, seemingly captivated by someone.

Curious, Duan Heng followed Nan Pei’s gaze and saw a tall, handsome man approaching.

More accurately, he was walking towards Nan Pei.

Duan Heng thought this might be someone Nan Pei knew, given that Nan Pei was a president of an investment company, it wasn’t surprising for him to know successful people.

But when Duan Heng looked at Nan Pei, he noticed a hint of nervousness.

Duan Heng frowned.

The next second, the “college student” was in front of Nan Pei.

Instinctively, Nan Pei took a step back, swallowing hard.

The “college student” stopped, looked Nan Pei up and down, and smirked, “What a coincidence, meeting again.”

Nan Pei grew more tense, his back straightening.

Duan Heng had never seen him this nervous.

Nan Pei thought, if the “college student” mentioned seeing him in the West, it could slip out that he was playing the role of a sycophant for someone else, and the e-sports novel task would be ruined…

Nan Pei’s mind raced, and to avoid his efforts going to waste, he feigned confusion and asked the “college student,” “Have we… met?”

The “college student” was momentarily stunned.

He hadn’t expected Nan Pei to pretend not to know him.

Huo Yao stared at Nan Pei for a while, certain that this seemingly refined and low-key successful person was the “nouveau riche” he met at the club.

Feeling uneasy under the scrutiny, Nan Pei quickly grabbed Duan Heng’s arm and started to leave, feigning calmness, “Xiao Duan, we have training this afternoon, let’s hurry back…”

“What, change your clothes and you don’t remember me?”

The voice behind him made Nan Pei freeze.

Duan Heng also stopped, frowning slightly as he looked at Nan Pei, puzzled, “He knows you?”

Helpless, Nan Pei turned to the “college student,” cleared his throat, and said slowly, “Well, you might really have mistaken me for someone else…”

“Oh, right.” The “college student” raised an eyebrow, glancing at Duan Heng with a mischievous look, “Seems like it’s not just the clothes that changed.” And the person beside him.

Nan Pei: “…”

At that moment, he felt his heart leap into his throat.

The system’s untimely voice chimed in, “Oh dear.”

Author’s Note:

Please water the plants~~