Observation Chapter 11
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Observation Chapter 11: Do You Mind If I Sit Here?
“You’re already here, Lin Qian? Looking up web novels, I see. Got any recommendations?”
Lin Qian turned around for a glance before shifting over to make some room. “There’s nothing special about the one I’m reading. And it’s not one of those fantasy cultivation novels you like, either.”
The question came from a man named Wu Dongqiang, who had a small patch of a mustache and a clean-shaven head.
If Lin Qian had to describe Wu Dongqiang’s appearance in detail…
…he would say he looked like a hairy braised egg dipped in dark soy sauce.
Next to Wu Dongqiang was Wan Cheng, who sported a buzz cut. Clad in a pair of flat shoes and a jacket, he exuded a strong aura of competence and maturity.
Lin Qian looked at his own trousers and slippers.
‘Mhm, seems like my outfit… is a bit too laid-back…’
These two were his dorm mates.
But only on paper.
To accommodate his writing and personal schedule, Lin Qian had decided to live on his own right after enrolling.
That decision was rooted from his desire to keep his writings shrouded in secrecy and prevent his work from causing unnecessary trouble or drama as a result.
After all, how unsettling would it be to share a room with someone who pens dark and depraved stories everyday, and with such authenticity it feels like they’re detailing their personal experiences?
Besides, Lin Qian found it easier to find inspiration at night, especially during the silent hours following midnight. But writing in the dorm at these hours could potentially mess up his roommates’ rest.
“So that’s not a fantasy-cultivation novel? Then what else are you reading, Lin Qian?”
Wu Dongqiang took his seat next to Lin Qian and asked that question.
“A supernatural novel.”
Lin Qian responded in a laid-back manner.
“Supernatural, supernatural… That’s… not a bad choice.”
Wu Dongqiang stroked his glossy head as his voice suddenly took on a softer tone.
At 1.85 meters, he was five centimeters taller than Lin Qian and resembled a watered-down version of the brash warrior monk, Lu Zhishen, from Water Margin.
But for all his resemblance to the character, when the topic changed to supernatural or ghost stories…
…his demeanor seemed to turn into pure mush.
“Wan Cheng, why isn’t Zhao Rui with you? You look upset; did you two have an argument?”
“No, Zhao Rui is out shopping with his girlfriend. That jerk rarely returns to our dorm at night, instead choosing to check into a hotel somewhere, doing lower body exercises with his partner. I don’t know which urological clinic that asshole got that medical report from, but he had already gotten his sick leave all set up.” Wan Cheng sat down beside Wu Dongqiang and let out a yawn.
“Ah, so you guys are cool? Guessing the game you played did not go your way then?”
Lin Qian spoke, casting a glance at Wan Cheng and Wu Dongqiang.
As an author of dark and depraved novels, his insight into human nature far surpassed that of the average person. He had seen through their personalities long ago.
“Ugh, forget it.” Wan Cheng said, giving Wu Dongqiang a look full of disdain. “This rascal, Dongqiang, dragged me out of bed at 8 this morning, promising a big win to make up for the lost sleep and start the day right. Yet, despite playing right until it was almost time for afternoon classes, I haven’t won a single game.”
“Come on, buddy. Can you really blame me for that?”
Wu Dongqiang was extremely aggrieved.
“Yes, yes. It’s all my fault for not being good enough to carry you through the game. Were I as strong as Lin Qian, I would be able to send you soaring through the leaderboard.” Wan Cheng shook his head continuously while covering it with his hands. “You pick ‘powerful’ heroes like Juggernaut every time, get yourself ganked and butt-blasted by the enemy team so many times your butt probably has their footprints on it.”
“You don’t do your best in laning, treat the jungle like your home, panic-run when being ganked and hide by the base tower during team fights.”
“…On top of that, both of our carries were forced into the jungle before the laning phase ended, and there were two strong opponents in the lane. What else could I do with that matchup?”
The series of sharp responses from Wan Cheng made it clear just how terribly Wu Dongqiang’s incompetence had cost him their game.
Lin Qian offered a smile and chose to remain silent.
As the seconds and minutes passed, more people trickled into the classroom.
“Look, Lin Qian.”
Wan Cheng nudged his arm.
“What are you staring at?”
“The number 1 couple in our class, Zhao Min and Wang Hai. The way they flaunt their affection in public… Tsk…” Wan Cheng clicked their tongue and said, “Our class flower is truly quite the looker. He really struck the jackpot with her.”
His eyes were fixated on a couple sitting in the front row. They were caught up in their passionate romance, embracing and expressing their affection for each other in public.
“He’s free to be affectionate in public; All you need to do is not let it get to you. If it doesn’t sit well with you, you can try poaching her from him. Remember, ‘No tree is infallible with a good ax in hand’. If you’re bold and bad enough, it will only be a matter of time Zhao Min strays from the right path.”
Lin Qian spoke, his gaze fixed on the light-hearted novel displayed on his phone.
He was too lazy to move his eyelids, let alone move his head to look at Wang Hai and Zhao Min.
He was completely unaffected by their public displays of affection and had no interest in that whatsoever.
But that did not extend to Wu Dongqiang and Wan Cheng, who were noticeably less calm than he was.
“Dongqiang, us brothers have to come up with a plan to make Zhao Min cheat on him.” Wan Cheng spoke and gave Dongqiang a meaningful look.
Wu Dongqiang let out a sigh. “If it’s just the two of us, you can forget about it. We’re not exactly flush with cash to begin with, and looks aren’t our strong suit either. Now, if Lin Qian were involved – that’s a different story. His good looks alone could put Wang Hai to shame.”
“You two are free to talk whatever you want, just don’t drag me into it.” Lin Qian shrugged his shoulders casually. “If Wang Hai hears about it… this idle talk could easily spiral out of control. I’d rather not deal with the fallout.”
“I know, it’s just a joke.”
Saying that, Wan Cheng turned to Wu Dongqiang and shifted the conversation to other matters.
At long last, it was time for their lesson.
The English teacher entered the classroom with a graceful, pigeon-toed gait. He wasted no time showcasing his passion for roll-calls by pulling out his name list and beginning his pre-class preparations.
Judging from his stance, it was apparent he planned to start calling names the instant the bell rang.
Anyone arriving even a second after that would be marked as late.
Even though the light-hearted novel on his phone gave him a nausea-inducing boredom, Lin Qian forced himself to continue.
He had no other choice; SFACG was dominated by lighthearted novels, especially those rich in public displays of affection, which attracted 99 percent of the platform’s readers.
He recognized that unless he switched platforms, he would need to adapt to sustain his livelihood.
He had no chance of changing his readers unless he ventured to Qidian, a rival site which enjoyed a vastly bigger readership.
However, Lin Qian had been with [SFACG] for quite some time. Furthermore, he had been treated so well by his editor, Fang Nian that he could not imagine leaving.
He decided to write for now; After all, he could just reassess his approach if it proved unsuccessful.
Just as Lin Qian had finished going through a chapter and was planning to continue onto the next, an unfamiliar voice suddenly resounded from beside him, “Hello, is this seat available? Can… I sit here?”
The voice sounded like a girl’s.
It was crisp and clear, like the sound of a silver bell.
“It’s empty. Go ahead.”
While keeping his eyes on his phone, Lin Qian scooted closer towards Wu Dongqiang.
The row of seats had room for four, but there were only three of them, including Wan Cheng and Wu Dongqiang.
“Pretty cold there, Lin Qian.” Wu Dongqiang cast an involuntary glance at the girl.
However, that one look immediately caused his eyes to open wide, and he found himself swallowing dryly before quietly muttering, “Well I’ll be damned…”
“…”
Wu Dongqiang’s words made Lin Qian furrow his brow in silence.
It was not his intention to be distant to her; His attention was simply captured by the novel he was reading, which had reached a turning point. The main characters’ public displays of affection had become so cloying, the readers in the comment section were complaining of ‘getting diabetes’ from the sweetness.
As Lin Qian was focused on unraveling the intricacies behind the story, he was naturally unwilling to break away from his train of thoughts.
With class about to commence, he had surmised the reason behind her arrival: the only seat left at the back was the one next to him.
The preference to avoid front seats in favor of crowding in the back was remarkably common among students, a mindset pretty much every one of them shared.
As for the method of making the most of one’s seat to not only charm but also build a connection with a beautiful woman, and the prospects that might arise from that…
…they were notions that had never passed Lin Qian’s mind before.
As an author he had always dismissed that tactic as too cheesy to be effective.