The Sickly Beauty Gives Up Struggling [Rebirth] Chapter 158

Lin Zhen quickly grabbed Jian Fu’s arm, giving him a playful yet exasperated glare. “I’m just teasing you.”

When Lin Zhen shot him that almond-eyed glare, the inexplicable anger rising in Jian Fu’s chest dissipated, replaced by a subtle tingling sensation.

Based on his usual dynamic with Lin Zhen, whenever Lin Zhen teased him like this, he’d usually turn the tables and tease him back to vent his frustration.

But right now, all Jian Fu could think about was how glad he was that there wasn’t some random old man eyeing Lin Zhen.

“So what exactly did he say to you?” Jian Fu couldn’t help but rub his chest, as if trying to soothe that tingling feeling.

Seeing that Jian Fu had finally calmed down, Lin Zhen pulled his hand back and resumed stirring the nutrient drink in his cup. “Nothing important. I’ve got it under control. You don’t need to worry about it for now.”

Jian Fu frowned, finding this response rather unsatisfying. “I don’t need to worry? So did you speak to panda?”

Lin Zhen pressed his lips together. “And don’t tell the class monitor either. It’s fine.”

Jian Fu was baffled. “So you’re just going to let them cut down your screen time?”

Lin Zhen countered, “Even though I don’t have the most screen time, do you think the audience would dislike me after watching the show?”

Jian Fu blinked in confusion. “Of course not.”

Even with fewer appearances, Lin Zhen hadn’t made any mistakes. While he might not gain many more fans, there was no way he’d cause any negative reactions.

Lin Zhen shrugged indifferently. “Then there you go. That’s just how reality shows work. Editing and cutting screen time is completely normal. You feel like it’s unfair because we’re close, but to the average viewer, the production team balancing screen time and arranging the storyline is perfectly acceptable.”

Jian Fu, only half-familiar with how the entertainment industry worked, was momentarily stumped by Lin Zhen’s explanation. He started to wonder if he was being overly biased toward Lin Zhen, which was why he had gotten so upset.

“Are you really sure it’s fine? Panda said you should sign with a company soon.”

Lin Zhen turned to Jian Fu, suddenly serious. “All this time, class monitor has been looking out for us. He’s so busy, carrying such a heavy burden of injustice, and he still has to worry about my career. Sometimes I really feel like I’m not doing enough to help him.”

Jian Fu hadn’t expected Lin Zhen to get so earnest. He stammered, “Why think so much about it? Aren’t we all part of the same team?”

Lin Zhen was far more thoughtful than Jian Fu. “Have you ever thought about what it would take for the class monitor to truly get his revenge?”

Jian Fu replied without hesitation, “Obviously clearing Professor Li and Professor Gu’s names, sending Zheng Zhupan to jail, and making Suhe Biotech pay compensation and apologize!”

Lin Zhen lowered his gaze. “Zheng Zhupan is the fire, but there are also winds that fuel it, heat that catalyzes it, and fuses that accelerate the burn.”

Jian Fu was more confused than ever. “What are you even trying to say?”

“Nothing much. I just think the class monitor is waiting for a gust of wind. With the wind to fuel the fire, it’ll only burn brighter…” Lin Zhen trailed off, sighing and shaking his head. “Forget it. Let’s not talk about this now. I’ll carefully consider which company to sign with. Don’t worry, I know this industry better than you all.”

A gust of wind?

What wind was Li Rong waiting for?

Jian Fu pondered for a moment but still had doubts. Yet, Lin Zhen was notoriously tight-lipped; if he wasn’t certain about something, he’d only speak ambiguously. Pressing him for details wouldn’t yield answers.

As for the competition, Lin Zhen was already the most popular contestant, and everyone tacitly agreed that he’d take the championship. Jian Fu wasn’t afraid of Wajing Entertainment—if they dared target Lin Zhen, District One wouldn’t take it lying down.

After appeasing Jian Fu, Lin Zhen returned his focus to preparing for the finals.

Online, fans continued their skirmishes, with minor arguments breaking out every three days and major debates every five. As the show released additional behind-the-scenes clips, they gradually quieted down.

Everything seemed to be proceeding smoothly, as if life had returned to normal.

On Friday, their class advisor, Zhang Zhaohe, unexpectedly announced a weekend mountain hiking and barbecue activity to strengthen class cohesion, making attendance mandatory.

A University had a tradition of holding numerous class activities in the freshman year since it was the best time for students to build connections. Once sophomore year started, elective courses would make it harder for classmates to meet.

Even so, Li Rong had skipped many activities last semester. He hadn’t come to school to make friends, after all.

This time, he tried to excuse himself again, intercepting Zhang Zhaohe at the lecture hall door.

“Professor, I need to go to the library to look up some materials this weekend. Can I skip the activity?”

Zhang Zhaohe, leaning on his cane, lowered his gaze. His sharp cheekbones stood out against his thin face, and though he seemed frail, a closer look at his legs showed he stood straight and firm, exuding remarkable stability.

“Even an old man like me is going. Don’t you feel embarrassed to skip?”

“Not at all,” Li Rong replied with a faint smile.

It seemed Zhang Zhaohe had anticipated this answer, for he simply lifted his eyelids slightly and chuckled twice. “No excuses. I’ve already been lenient enough with you. Don’t tell me there isn’t a single classmate here you find agreeable? In life, the more friends you have, the more opportunities you’ll get.”

Li Rong realized then that Zhang Zhaohe was determined to make him participate this time.

Although he indeed had no intention of socializing with his classmates, behaving too differently from a typical university student was ultimately inconvenient.

“Alright then.”

The organization of the GT201 experiment details went relatively smoothly, so he could spare some attention to deal with Zhang Zhaohe.

Although Zhang Zhaohe wasn’t his primary focus at the moment, the matter involving Aunt Hui was still connected. If he could use this opportunity to gather more information, it wouldn’t be a bad idea.

That evening, back at the apartment, Li Rong continued studying GT201 while Cen Xiao caught up on the professional coursework he had fallen behind on.

After finishing his study session, Cen Xiao closed his laptop and turned to see that Li Rong was still deeply engrossed in his research.

Li Rong was exceptionally focused when he worked, his attention entirely on the documents before him.

When he wasn’t acknowledging others, his brows were lightly furrowed, his lips pressed into a line, and his face betrayed no emotion. A palpable “disturb me and perish” aura surrounded him.

In this life, although Li Rong had made a conscious effort to appear approachable, the innate temperament he carried would occasionally surface.

Cen Xiao was the only one who dared to tease him at such moments.

Li Rong was dressed in a white shirt. Thanks to the apartment’s constant temperature system, he didn’t feel cold. For convenience while writing, he had rolled up his sleeves to the middle of his forearms, and the top two buttons of his shirt were undone.

Cen Xiao observed him for a moment, then lowered his gaze and reached beneath Li Rong’s arm to the lowest button on his shirt.

With deft fingers, he effortlessly undid the button.

Of course, Li Rong noticed, but part of his attention was still preoccupied with the complex chemical equations in front of him, so he didn’t bother addressing Cen Xiao’s small antics.

Seeing no reaction, Cen Xiao grew bolder. His fingers slid upward along the shirt’s placket, unbuttoning each one until the shirt was completely open.

This time, Li Rong couldn’t ignore it. He took a deep breath, released his pen, and shot a glance at Cen Xiao. The coldness he exuded instantly dissipated.

Cen Xiao peered into the open shirt collar, catching sight of Li Rong’s smooth skin, which tensed slightly upon contact with the cool air.

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he murmured, “You’ve studied long enough—take a break.”

As he spoke, his fingers slipped inside the shirt.

Li Rong’s tongue briefly swept over his lips, and for a moment, a spark of fire flickered in his eyes. But he quickly grabbed Cen Xiao’s hand and pressed it against his own leg.

The study, while not small, had a desk that left them sitting quite close while working.

Li Rong squinted and held Cen Xiao’s hand firmly against his thigh. “Not today.”

Rejected, Cen Xiao wasn’t upset. Instead, he teasingly stroked Li Rong’s knee. “Am I interrupting our class monitor’s diligent studying?”

Li Rong’s knee tingled under Cen Xiao’s touch, and his toes curled involuntarily. Any thoughts of studying were entirely dispelled.

He swallowed hard and clamped his knees around Cen Xiao’s hand to stop him from moving further. “You’re definitely interrupting, but I have to hike tomorrow. If we start now, there’s no way I’ll be able to climb the mountain tomorrow.”

Li Rong’s words carried an unmistakable undertone, which only spurred Cen Xiao on.

However, even though Cen Xiao was tempted, he hadn’t forgotten the main point. “You’re going hiking?”

Li Rong nonchalantly raised his leg and slid his chilly toes into Cen Xiao’s lap, shaking his ankle as he replied, “Zhang Zhaohe organized a class activity. Everyone’s required to attend.”

Cen Xiao wrapped his left hand around Li Rong’s toes and frowned. “What’s Zhang Zhaohe trying to do?”

Li Rong answered lightly, “Who knows? Things have reached this stage. It’s time to see what cards he plays.”