The Straight Guy's Guide to Rolling Over - Chapter 4

Seeing that Pei Mingye didn’t respond, Xia Shuyan simply grabbed his arm and propped it on his shoulder. “Can you still walk?”

The two of them got even closer, and Pei Mingye was once again enveloped in that sweet fragrance that seemed to penetrate his heart. He felt stiff, like he had newly installed prosthetic limbs, not knowing where to put his hands and feet. He stuttered, “I, I, I can walk by myself.”

Sensing that Pei Mingye seemed very uncomfortable, Xia Shuyan let go of his hand and stepped aside. “Then try it yourself.”

Taking a deep breath, Pei Mingye supported his injured foot and hopped forward on one leg.

Xia Shuyan found it a bit amusing. “Are you sure you want to hop back to the dorm like that?”

“I, I just wanted to try,” Pei Mingye replied, his face blushing, embarrassed by his own clumsiness.

“I’ll be honest, you seem a bit scary, hopping around like that in the middle of the night,” Wei Xi apologized, “It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have scared you. Let us take you to the clinic.”

Upon hearing this, Pei Mingye hesitated. With his physical strength, hopping back to the dormitory on one foot was not a problem at all, but it didn’t seem right to scare others.

Xia Shuyan pondered for a moment and took out his phone. “If you don’t want us to take you to the clinic, can you call your roommate to come and help?”

After all, the other person was an athlete, and if there was a real bone injury, it could be troublesome.

“No, don’t call them,” Pei Mingye quickly made a decision. “Then… I’ll trouble you.”

Wei Xi eagerly gestured, “Xia Xia, how about this? We’ll each take one side and support him!”

Pei Mingye immediately shook his head and refused, “No, no need. Just give me a hand to lean on.”

After he said that, his eyes subconsciously glanced at Xia Shuyan. Wei Xi instantly understood his intention and quite self-consciously moved aside, saying, “Xia Xia, you go ahead.”

“Alright,” Xia Shuyan agreed, grabbing Pei Mingye’s arm again.

Pei Mingye held his breath, afraid to put too much weight on Xia Shuyan. He let him support himself just a little bit so his injured foot could touch the ground with a cushioned force.

Strong and sturdy arms were placed on the thin and slender shoulders. The high body temperature passed through the thin layer of the white shirt, making the skin tingle from the heat.

Xia Shuyan couldn’t help but raise his gaze, only to notice that the person’s ears were all flushed red.

Throughout the journey, Pei Mingye kept his eyes straight ahead with a serious expression, as if he was prepared to make a heroic sacrifice at any moment.

Finally arriving at the school clinic, as soon as he sat down, he couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief, feeling more exhausted than if he had run a half marathon.

“What’s wrong?” The beautiful school nurse put down her phone and asked kindly, “Who is feeling unwell?”

“It’s me, Teacher Li.” Pei Mingye pointed at his left foot, “I twisted it a bit.”

“Oh, it’s Xiao Pei.” Teacher Li got up and walked over, “Take off your shoe, let me have a look.”

Following her instructions, Pei Mingye took off his sports shoe. Teacher Li bent down, holding his slightly swollen ankle, and rotated it a few times.

Pei Mingye clenched his teeth, not making a sound.

“It’s not a bone injury, no big problem.” Quickly, Teacher Li stood up, “I’ll use bandages to secure it, and you should apply ice packs when you go back. After 48 hours, switch to a hot compress. Rest more and avoid running or jumping exercises for a week.”

“Woah!” Wei Xi blurted out, “Is it that serious?”

“Don’t worry, for these minor sprains, it’s just a common occurrence for athletes like them,” Teacher Li replied with a smile, then asked, “But it’s already so late today; are you still training, Xiao Pei?”

Pei Mingye cleared his throat and his tone was somewhat awkward, “No training, I just sprained it while running at night.”

“Ah?” Teacher Li blinked and casually teased, “You managed to sprain your foot while running at night? Were you too busy admiring a beautiful girl while running?”

Wei Xi burst out laughing, “Sorry, hahaha…”

Pei Mingye: “…

He raised his eyes and sent a warning glare, only to find Xia Shuyan on the other side also trying to suppress a smile.

Xia Shuyan’s peach blossom eyes curved into two crescents, and the skin around his eyes and cheeks turned slightly pink, making him look attractive and bewitching.

Pei Mingye’s heart skipped a beat, and he blushed even more, shifting his gaze away, forgetting what he had planned to say.

Teacher Li didn’t continue teasing and prepared some anti-inflammatory and pain-relief medicine, bandaging Pei Mingye’s ankle tightly with elastic bandages. Finally, she handed him a pair of crutches, “Your foot will be fine. Remember to return the crutches when you’re done.”

*

With the crutches, Pei Mingye found walking much easier. However, Xia Shuyan didn’t feel at ease leaving him alone, so he insisted on escorting him back to his dorm with Wei Xi.

Fortunately, the male dorms for the Sports Department were not far. As they climbed the stairs, Wei Xi took the crutches from Pei Mingye, and he leaned on the handrail, hopping up the steps.

As the shapely leg exerted force, the taut and smooth muscles tightened and bulged, exuding a sense of strength.

Xia Shuyan’s gaze fell upon them, and he narrowed his eyes slightly.

The male dorms for the Sports Department and the Dance Department had entirely different atmospheres. The corridors of the Sports Department were filled with strong and muscular boys, joking and shoving each other, creating quite a lively scene.

Upon entering, Wei Xi’s eyes were kept busy, looking around and muttering, “Wow, this one looks so handsome… That one has well-developed muscles… Oh my! Xia Xia, quick, look! That one’s is so… huge!”

Xia Shuyan followed his finger and asked, “Hmm?”

The person hopping in front of them suddenly stopped, blocking Xia Shuyan’s view. “We’ve arrived; my dorm is just ahead.”

“Since we’re here, let’s visit your dorm!” Wei Xi became less reserved, “We’ve come this far; we might as well see it. Besides, it’s only a few steps away. Let us accompany you inside.”

Pei Mingye hesitated for a few seconds and struggled to say, “It’s not that I don’t want you to come in; it’s just that our dorm is a mess, and—”

“Ye Ge, you’re back! Hey?” Just then, Du Ziteng came out of the dormitory and got excited when he saw them, “Beauty Xia, how come you’re here?”

At this shout, all the boys in the corridor turned their attention to them.

They never expected to see such a fair and beautiful boy in the dormitory building. Amazed murmurs filled the air, and someone even daringly whistled, “Ye Ge, where did you find this little beauty?”

Pei Mingye furrowed his brows, “Get lost, don’t talk nonsense.”

The boys closed their mouths reluctantly, but curiosity still lingered in their eyes, focused on Xia Shuyan.

“Well… Pei Mingye sprained his foot,” Wei Xi explained, “So Xia Xia and I accompanied him back.”

“What?” Du Ziteng hurried over in a few big strides, “Ye Ge, are you okay? How did you sprain your perfectly fine foot?”

Pei Mingye replied in a low voice, “I’m fine, it’s not a big deal.”

Du Ziteng scrutinized him carefully for a moment, feeling relieved, then warmly extended his hand, inviting, “Beauty Xia, since you’re here, come to our dorm and have a seat!”

However, before his hand could touch Xia Shuyan’s clothes, it was slapped away by another hand with a sharp “smack”.

“Ahh!” Du Ziteng pulled back his hand, looking puzzled, “Why did you hit me, Ye Ge?”

Pei Mingye gave him a look, “What do you think?”

Du Ziteng quickly understood, “Got it, got it, I’ll come to support you!”

He skillfully supported Pei Mingye and walked towards their dormitory. Turning back, he said, “Our dorm is just ahead, and the guys are all there!”

In truth, Xia Shuyan didn’t really want to visit someone else’s dormitory, but Du Ziteng was too enthusiastic, and with Wei Xi winking and gesturing beside him, he had no choice but to follow along.

Du Ziteng pushed open the dormitory door and loudly shouted, “Brothers, we have guests in our dorm!”

Pei Mingye glanced at the two people inside the dormitory and said, “Put on your clothes.”

“Got it! We’ll do it right away!”

“Who’s here? Did you bring a girl back to the dorm?”

“What are you thinking, Third Brother?” Du Ziteng walked into the dorm, picked up the towel on his shoulder and threw it, “You’re always talking about girls!”

Laughter erupted in the dorm, and then two tall boys squeezed their way out.

Their eyes fell on Pei Mingye, and they exclaimed in unison, “Damn!”

“Be civilized.” Pei Mingye turned to the side and introduced, “This is our dorm leader, Deng Chuan, and Third Brother, Wen Hanyu.”

Du Ziteng interrupted, “I’m fourth, Ye Ge is fifth, and Second Brother is studying abroad this semester, while Sixth Brother rented a place outside. So, currently, there are only four of us living in the dorm.”

“My name is Wei Xi,” Wei Xi introduced himself openly, then pointed at Du Ziteng and asked, “So, Pei Mingye is the youngest in your dorm, but how can you call him ‘Ye Ge’ every day?”

Du Ziteng chuckled, about to explain, but Wen Hanyu beat him to it: “Well if we talk about age, Old Five is indeed the youngest in our dorm. However, if we compare him in other things, it might not be the case, hehehe!”

He laughed rather lasciviously, and the implied meaning was not hard to decipher. Pei Mingye blushed and hopped into the dorm with one foot, pushing him inside forcefully. “Third, shut your mouth!”

“Alright, alright! I’ll shut up!” Wen Hanyu glanced down, only then realizing that Pei Mingye’s foot was bandaged. He immediately showed concern, “Old Five, what happened to your foot?”

“Sprained it a bit,” Pei Mingye replied, adding, “It’s nothing serious, just need to rest for a few days.”

“That’s good then!” Wen Hanyu’s attention shifted back to the two at the door, warmly inviting, “Don’t stand at the door, come on in and sit!”

“Yeah, come in, we can talk inside,” Deng Chuan echoed, “The dorm is a bit messy, so please don’t mind.”

Xia Shuyan politely declined, “It’s quite late today, and we have some other things to do. Maybe next time.”

“Oh, alright then, you’re welcome to come again next time!” Wen Hanyu didn’t think too much about it, then suddenly remembered, “By the way, I don’t even know your name!”

Xia Shuyan smiled gently, “My name is Xia Shuyan.”

“Xia Shuyan? What a great name! It sounds very cultured!” Wen Hanyu complimented, but then he seemed to feel something was off, “Wait a minute! Why do I feel like this name is a bit familiar, ummm…”

Pei Mingye quickly glared and covered Wen Hanyu’s mouth, then smiled apologetically at Xia Shuyan, “Sorry about that. You really helped me today. Take care on your way back.”

Wei Xi placed his crutch against the wall, “Alright, then we’ll head back now.”

Xia Shuyan reminded softly, “Remember to apply ice at night, and try not to use the injured foot too much in the next few days.”

“Thank you, I’ll remember,” Pei Ming Ye expressed his gratitude and jumped toward the corridor, then he leaned on the door frame and watched the two figures disappear around the corner.

“Ye Ge, stop staring, they’re gone!” Du Ziteng waved his hand, “Let me help you inside first.”

“Old Five, what’s going on? As soon as the door closed, Wen Hanyu couldn’t wait and asked, “Why didn’t you let me speak just now?”

“Old Third, it seems like your age is catching up with you, and your memory is failing!” Du Ziteng couldn’t resist teasing him, “Xia Shuyan is that dance department heartthrob, the one Old Second is hopelessly crushing on!”

“Damn, no wonder!” Wen Hanyu smacked his forehead, “But wait, Old Five, when did you two become so close?”

Pei Mingye sat down on the chair and replied casually, avoiding the main issue, “They took me to the infirmary just now.”

Du Ziteng’s mind quickly connected the dots, and he instantly understood, “Ye Ge, you didn’t—”

He stopped halfway through his sentence, as Pei Mingye shot him a threatening look, prompting him to immediately halt his words and shut his mouth.

“I see,” Wen Hanyu said, not paying attention to their exchange. He pondered for a moment and then said thoughtfully, “So, it seems like Old Second’s male god is a pretty good guy.”

Pei Mingye didn’t respond and awkwardly changed the subject, “Who has some free time to go to the supermarket and get a few ice packs for me?”

“I’ll go buy them.” Deng Chuan was the first to respond, “I was just about to get a bottle of water to drink. Old Third, are you coming with me?”

“I’m going too!” Du Ziteng responded enthusiastically, “Ye Ge, wait a moment, we’ll be right back!”

With most of his roommates gone, the dormitory became quiet. Pei Mingye had just heaved a sigh of relief when a notification sound “ding” came from his phone, which was placed on the table.

He picked it up, opened WeChat, and found a message from Rong Jing, who was far away on the other side of the world.

A bad premonition rose in his heart, and sure enough, when he clicked into the conversation, he saw that Rong Jing sent the post from the campus forum.

Rong Jing:【Old Five, what’s going on with this post?】

Pei Mingye rubbed his forehead and typed with one hand:【I don’t know what’s going on either. Old Fourth dragged me there that day, and I didn’t even see the performance before it ended.】

Rong Jing:【That’s what I thought. You’re definitely not the kind of person interested in a freshman welcome party.】

Rong Jing:【Although the post is ridiculous, it’s actually beneficial for blocking the rotten peach blossoms that want to pursue my male god!】

Pei Mingye:【?】

Rong Jing:【Think about it. In the future, if someone wants to pursue my male god, they’ll have to consider the rumored CP with you first, right?】

Pei Mingye pondered for a moment:【So you mean, I shouldn’t clarify anything?】

Rong Jing:【Exactly. After all, you’re a straight-as-steel guy. You definitely wouldn’t have any improper thoughts about my male god.】

Pei Mingye pursed his lips, about to reply, when he caught a glimpse of his own arm from the corner of his eye. Somehow, his mind suddenly flashed with an image of a slender, snow-white hand resting on it. Uncontrollably, he recalled the soft, slightly cool touch of his fingertips.

Lost in thought, he was startled by a new message from the other party. Pei Mingye trembled and almost threw his phone away.

Rong Jing:【I got the autographed basketball shoes. The limited edition was really hard to get, but I’ll mail them to you tomorrow.】

Rong Jing:【The glorious and arduous task of guarding my male god is entrusted to you!】

Pei Mingye shook his head abruptly, trying to clear the bizarre images from his mind.

Pei Mingye:【Don’t worry, with me around, I won’t let anyone take advantage of the situation.】

After ending the chat, Pei Mingye absentmindedly swiped twice on the conversation interface and inexplicably clicked on the post above.

The link directed him to the forum, and he directly arrived on the latest page, where a new image caught his eye.

The photo seemed to be taken secretly during lunch in the cafeteria. He and Xia Shuyan were sitting opposite each other across the table, and his gaze was fixed unwaveringly on the other’s face.

His finger paused, and he clicked on the picture, zooming in on Xia Shuyan’s face using two of his fingers, staring at that beautiful profile for quite a while before exiting and swiping down to read a few comments.

【I swear! The way Pei Mingye looks at Beauty Xia is just too… you know what I mean!】

Pei Ming Ye didn’t understand, “Too what?”

【Help! The real copper mine has been discovered—their body sizes differ too much!！】

【No way, I don’t agree with this marriage. Our Beauty Xia definitely can’t handle Pei Mingye’s robust build!】

【Upstairs, please note that this is the comment section, not an unoccupied area…】

Pei Mingye belatedly realized what they were discussing. His ears turned red in embarrassment, and his fingers swiftly scrolled down.

Another new comment caught his eye: 【In my opinion, not all athletes have the right hardware; some athletes may look tall and strong on the outside, but they may not be as capable as they seem when it comes to…】

Pei Mingye froze for two seconds, a wave of nameless anger surging in his heart. Without thinking, he rapidly typed a response.

Pei Mingye:【Who isn’t capable?】

Author’s Note:

Ye Ge: Unbelievable, my dear wife, I am clearly capable!

Xia Xia: The terrifying competitiveness of a straight guy…

Protecting the Brother’s Dream Guy Plan ×

Straight Guy Self-Improvement Plan √

Z’s corner:

Last of the newly released chapters! I posted 4 to celebrate the beginning of our shipping journey ｏ(≧▼≦○〃

Get advance chapters here or go to ToC! I’m gonna post a free chapter every 2 days and daily for advance chapters. Look forward to it (๑ゝω・)