After the Online Romance with the Campus Beauty Roommate Went Wrong - Chapter 27

The vertical experimental board propped up beside them was covered in chemical formulas Sang Shi’an couldn’t understand. Jian Chenyu’s experimental results seemed unsatisfactory, as she remained silent for a long time, repeatedly calculating and reasoning on the whiteboard with a marker.

The chemical formulas were intricate and filled with unfamiliar symbols. As the marker’s ink faded, Jian Chenyu grabbed a new one from the side, only to find Sang Shi’an had fallen asleep, slumped over the empty table.

The laboratory’s heating was set lower than in other classrooms. Sang Shi’an had curled up into a ball in her sleep. Jian Chenyu retrieved a coat from the wardrobe and quietly approached her.

Sang Shi’an was a light sleeper and quickly woke up, murmuring groggily, “Is it morning already?”

Jian Chenyu couldn’t help but chuckle. “It’s noon. You’re in the lab.”

Sang Shi’an blinked slowly, her gaze landing on the white experimental equipment. After a moment of silence, she was wide awake.

Jian Chenyu gently brushed the hair off Sang Shi’an’s face and tucked it behind her ear. “If you’re tired, go back to the dorm and rest. I remember you have a full schedule this afternoon, right?”

“I am a bit tired,” Sang Shi’an yawned, wrapping her coat tighter around herself. “I’ll head out then.”

As she reached the laboratory door, Sang Shi’an turned back and saw Jian Chenyu had already picked up her pen and resumed her calculations.

Jian Chenyu’s skin was pale and cool, her slender fingers gripping the marker as she wrote in bold black strokes. The sterile, medicinal scent of the laboratory mingled with her focused, serious demeanor, radiating an overwhelming aura of asceticism.

Sang Shi’an paused for two seconds to admire the scene, grudgingly admitting that those who had crowned Jian Chenyu as the School Belle had indeed possessed remarkable taste.

She asked, “Jian Chenyu, do you have any plans for this week’s evenings?”

Her question was deliberately vague, mainly to gauge whether Jian Chenyu would still practice driving with her now that they were dating online.

After all, Sang Shi’an was also a girl, fitting Jian Chenyu’s sexual orientation. Following typical relationship dynamics, one might expect her to automatically distance herself from people of the same gender as her partner.

Jian Chenyu stopped writing and tilted her head. “What kind of plans are you referring to?”

Sang Shi’an fell silent. She couldn’t exactly ask Jian Chenyu directly whether she’d be spending her evenings practicing driving with her or video chatting with Cat Cat, could she?

As this thought crossed her mind, Sang Shi’an felt a peculiar emotion flicker through her heart—as if she had completely monopolized Jian Chenyu.

Jian Chenyu put down her pen and walked over. “If you’re asking about the lab schedule, my aunt won’t be back until this weekend. I’ll keep the lab hours during the day as usual.”

Sang Shi’an nodded, waiting for Jian Chenyu’s other plans.

“If you’re asking about anything else, I can’t decide on the next few days’ schedule yet. It depends on other people’s availability.”

Sang Shi’an looked puzzled. “Other people?”

Jian Chenyu nodded, mentioning without hesitation, “I recently met a junior sister. If she’s willing, I’ll introduce you two sometime.”

The air seemed to freeze.

Sang Shi’an abruptly asked, “Junior sister?”

Without waiting for Jian Chenyu’s reply, Sang Shi’an turned and opened the door. “I don’t want to meet her. Go spend time with your junior sister.”

As her voice faded, the laboratory door gradually closed automatically.

Jian Chenyu stood rooted to the spot until Sang Shi’an’s figure completely disappeared. After a long silence, she let out a soft chuckle.

Twenty minutes later, the complex formulas on the whiteboard finally connected. As the last letter was written, the pen left a bold, dark mark on the board.

After leaving the Laboratory Building, Sang Shi’an walked along the wooded path, finally exhaling in relief after a long while.

She had promised to teach her how to drive, but before she even learned parallel parking, she was already thinking about spending time with Cat Cat.

Prioritizing romance over friendship.

That’s too much.

That night during their driving practice, Sang Shi’an pretended the brake pedal was Jian Chenyu and deliberately slammed on the brakes repeatedly.

The next day, Su Ningyue finally arrived at school during the second period.

As a rational adult, Sang Shi’an had already calmed down from her anger the previous night. She had composed herself and was messaging Jian Chenyu using her Cat Cat Account.

I saw Older Sister passing by the teaching building. I couldn’t stop thinking about you during class.

If only Older Sister were my teacher! You’d look so beautiful in a black suit with a pointer.

I can’t think about it anymore! My legs are going weak just imagining it.

I really want to see Older Sister in formal attire!

Do you really want to see me in formal attire? Jian Chenyu replied.

Would I lie to you? Cat Cat responded.

Everyone who keeps a ‘Cat Cat’ wears such formal suits. I want to see Older Sister in one too!

I’m busy at night lately. Maybe in a few days? Jian Chenyu replied.

Is Older Sister busy with schoolwork? Cat Cat asked.

No, I need to take care of a younger sister, Jian Chenyu replied.

Sang Shi’an stared at the message, suddenly feeling a strange sense of satisfaction, as if she had scored a victory.

So Jian Chenyu isn’t prioritizing romance over friendship after all.

Cat Cat: Alright, Older Sister, take good care of yourself too! Don’t overwork yourself! heart

Jian Chenyu: heart

Su Ningyue had originally intended to ask about yesterday’s homework assignment, but as she leaned closer, she noticed Sang Shi’an’s rapidly shifting expression.

Sang Shi’an angled her phone toward Su Ningyue, revealing the heart emoji Jian Chenyu had sent.

Though it was just a standard system emoji, this was Jian Chenyu! Shocked, Su Ningyue scrolled up several more lines.

No way.

She’d only been absent for one day. How had things already developed into something she didn’t recognize?

Fortunately, Sang Shi’an was generous and immediately scrolled back to Sunday night’s chat history.

“I blacked out later and woke up to this. Since you weren’t at school yesterday, I didn’t know how to message her. Can you check if this attitude seems okay?”

Sang Shi’an genuinely didn’t treat Su Ningyue like an outsider. As Su Ningyue read through the messages line by line, a growing sense of bitterness welled up inside her.

“Yesterday, I asked her to practice driving with me, but she kept making excuses about not being able to set a time. I even thought she was prioritizing romance over friendship.” Sang Shi’an leaned against Su Ningyue’s shoulder, pointing at Jian Chenyu’s earlier offer to spend time with her sister. “But then she told Cat Cat she’d hang out with me. Do you think she doesn’t take Cat Cat seriously?”

Su Ningyue: ???

Sang Shi’an: “Why are you staring at me like that?”

“When she spends time with Cat Cat, you accuse her of prioritizing romance. When she spends time with you, you think she doesn’t take Cat Cat seriously.” Su Ningyue was speechless. “Sang Baobao, what exactly do you want from her?”

Sang Shi’an realized her logic was contradictory, but she was stubborn. If someone had to feel awkward, it definitely wouldn’t be her.

“So, according to you, Jian Chenyu is serious about Cat Cat?”

Su Ningyue noticed the smug curve of Sang Shi’an’s lips. She resisted the urge to poke her forehead, but finally couldn’t help herself. “You’ve confirmed it yourself so many times. How could it not be real?”

Satisfied, Sang Shi’an flipped her phone face down on the desk as the professor entered the classroom and began the lecture.

Su Ningyue: ……

Had Sang Shi’an forgotten that the first thing she needed to do after confirming her relationship with Jian Chenyu was to package their chat logs and expose Jian Chenyu’s sexual orientation?

The words caught in Su Ningyue’s throat. She had planned to remind Sang Shi’an during lunch, but another unexpected event occurred first.

As Sang Shi’an exited the classroom after class, someone bumped into her.

The girl who bumped into her hurriedly apologized and pulled her companion away, running in a specific direction.

“What’s going on? The cafeteria isn’t that way, is it?” Su Ningyue shielded Sang Shi’an from the crowd and glanced in the direction the girls had fled.

She grabbed another girl running in the same direction. “Excuse me, what’s happening?”

Without turning her head, the girl quickly replied, “There was an explosion in a lab in the Department of Chemistry! They say the lab is covered in bl00d, and ambulances and firefighters are already there!”

Su Ningyue didn’t know much about the Department of Chemistry. She was about to ask Sang Shi’an if she wanted to go check it out together, but when she turned, she saw Sang Shi’an’s frozen expression.

“J-Jian Chenyu hasn’t replied to my message asking if she wants to have lunch together.”

Su Ningyue hadn’t connected the two events. “Senior Jian might be busy. Let’s just go eat ourselves…”

Before she could finish, Sang Shi’an had already pushed through the crowd.

Su Ningyue paused, belatedly realizing that Jian Chenyu seemed to have deep ties with the Department of Chemistry. She immediately followed after Sang Shi’an.

Outside the Laboratory Building, firefighters had erected barricades, keeping all students at bay. The fire in the laboratory had been extinguished, leaving only a glimpse of the chaotic scene inside.

Just yesterday, when Sang Shi’an had visited the Laboratory Building, the interior had been newly renovated and pristine.

Jian Chenyu’s phone was switched off. After inquiring for some time, Su Ningyue ran back to Sang Shi’an with news. “There was indeed an explosion inside, but the exact cause is unknown. The school has sealed off information, so we don’t know the casualties or which hospitals the injured were taken to.”

“Let’s get lunch first and then wait for updates. Senior Jian might not be hurt at all. Maybe her phone was just inside and got caught in the blast.”

Sang Shi’an remained with her head bowed until a new message appeared on her phone—

“Yan University Affiliated High School No. 2. They’ve been taken there,” Sang Shi’an said to Su Ningyue as she hailed a taxi.

Su Ningyue was surprised. “I just asked several teachers, but none of them would tell me. Who did you get this information from?”

Sang Shi’an paused. “My brother.”

Su Ningyue gasped. “So Senior Jian really was taken to the hospital?”

Sang Shi’an explained, “I had him ask Jian Chenyu’s aunt for the information. Since… it must be true.”

However, Jian Zhiyan was currently away on a business trip and didn’t know the specifics. Sang Shiyue had only told her which hospital the students had been taken to.

As they got into the taxi, Sang Shi’an was still in a daze.

It wasn’t just shock and panic; there was also a deep-seated fear and unease about the unknown outcome, leaving her mind blank.

Jian Chenyu.

He had been in the lab just now.

The explosion…

The hospital…

Sang Shi’an’s hand trembled, and her phone slipped from her grasp, falling near her shoe. Su Ningyue, who had been watching her closely, picked it up. “Sangsang?”

The warmth of Su Ningyue’s palm enveloped her hand. Sang Shi’an steadied herself and asked, “Is there any news from the school?”

Su Ningyue opened her photo album and showed it to Sang Shi’an. “This post was just uploaded to the forum and then deleted. It’s about the student who was initially brought up—she looks seriously injured…”

Sang Shi’an remained silent.

Su Ningyue continued cautiously, “She’s already unconscious, but I haven’t found any photos of Senior Jian yet.”

As she spoke, she studied Sang Shi’an’s expression. Sang Shi’an didn’t seem to be listening; she was merely zooming in on the photos, as if searching for some hidden clue.

The car stopped outside the Second Affiliated Hospital of Yanjing University. Sang Shi’an entered and followed the directions Sang Shiyue had sent her to the emergency room. From a distance, she saw school faculty standing in the corridor, the atmosphere heavy with tension.

When Sang Shi’an saw the illuminated “Operating Room” sign, her legs began to tremble.

She suddenly found the emotions between people truly strange.

Just a month ago, she had considered Jian Chenyu her number one enemy, finding fault with everything about her. When she learned of the potential marriage alliance between the Sang and Jian families, she had desperately tried to sabotage it, determined to push Jian Chenyu out of her world.

Even now, after the sudden accident, Sang Shi’an felt trapped in a nightmare, unable to wake up. The mere thought of Jian Chenyu disappearing, even with a one-percent chance, triggered such intense resistance that it threatened to overwhelm her reason.

Sang Shi’an suddenly realized she had known Jian Chenyu for over a decade, more than half her life.

She slid down the wall until she was crouching on the ground, unable to stand. Her mind swirled with fragmented memories: moments from years ago, their reunion, and Jian Chenyu’s promise to Cat Cat, her gentle “okay.”

If only Jian Chenyu could be okay, she thought, then I would…

“Senior Jian, you nearly scared us to death! Sangsang’s been crying so hard she can’t even call out. Come see her!” Su Ningyue’s voice rang out from behind.

Sang Shi’an’s thoughts shattered at the sound of “Senior Jian.” She turned blankly to see Jian Chenyu hurrying toward her with Su Ningyue, her slightly disheveled hair blowing in the wind, the light and shadows dancing vividly across her face.

“An’an?” Jian Chenyu stopped half a step away from Sang Shi’an, about to bend down when Sang Shi’an suddenly threw herself into Jian Chenyu’s arms.

Jian Chenyu’s back slammed against the cold tile wall, and she gasped softly, the sound quickly swallowed by Sang Shi’an’s sobs.

“Why was your phone off?” Sang Shi’an sobbed, gasping for breath. “I was so scared!”

Jian Chenyu’s body stiffened.

Sang Shi’an couldn’t stop crying, her sobs coming in ragged bursts. “There was bl00d everywhere in the photos… everywhere.”

“Why didn’t you answer my calls?”

“I didn’t even eat.”

“That tram driver drove so badly I almost threw up.”

Jian Chenyu felt every bone in her body freeze with each word of Sang Shi’an’s frantic complaints. On the way to the hospital, she had imagined Sang Shi’an’s reaction to the news—perhaps anxiety or worry.

But she never expected such an extreme response.

Jian Chenyu had once believed that her four years in England had turned her into a stranger to Sang Shi’an. After their reunion, no matter how cold Sang Shi’an’s attitude was, Jian Chenyu felt she deserved it.

She was willing to make amends for her past departure and tolerate all of Sang Shi’an’s petty moods.

Even when Sang Shi’an proactively added her as a friend on a secondary account as a gesture of goodwill, Jian Chenyu understood that it was no different from the friendly facade Sang Shi’an maintained in front of their families.

It was all a hollow pretense.

Sang Shi’an cared most about her family, so when Sang Shi’an approached her for an online relationship, Jian Chenyu immediately thought of Sang Shiyue.

She was willing to patiently play along with this charade, clinging to the one-in-ten-thousand chance that Sang Shi’an might actually develop feelings for a woman.

But Jian Chenyu never imagined Sang Shi’an would care so deeply for her—for someone who had broken her promise and repeatedly disappointed Sang Shi’an since their reunion.

Jian Chenyu’s hands trembled as she closed her eyes in near surrender. Her arms around Sang Shi’an gradually tightened until she held her completely in her embrace.

She whispered, “Don’t be afraid.”