The White Moonlight of Three Male Leads - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Feng Chengling

 

The ideal was beautiful, but reality was harsh. Just because you want to meet the junior doesn’t mean you actually will.

 

By the end of the semester, Li He and the others still hadn’t seen the legendary junior.

 

It was time to start scrambling for train tickets.

 

Song Yuyan’s roommates were also glued to the ticket-snatching apps, and Song Yuyan had become one of their helpers.

 

“Third Bro, please help me out!” Yang Yinghan sent Song Yuyan a link.

 

“When you need something, I’m ‘Third Bro.’ When you don’t, I’m just ‘Old Three.’ You’ve grown bold, haven’t you, Fourth?” Song Yuyan chuckled.

 

Yang Yinghan solemnly vowed, “From now on, you’re my bl00d-related Third Bro!”

 

Holding back laughter, Song Yuyan began helping to snatch tickets.

 

The more you clicked, the faster it supposedly worked. Song Yuyan had no idea how that made sense.

 

But it didn’t matter—he didn’t need to understand. After he was done clicking, he forwarded the link to Feng Chengling.

 

Feng Chengling replied instantly.

 

Feng Chengling: “Are you snatching tickets to go home?”

 

As he messaged, he clicked and shared without slowing down.

 

Feng Chengling wasn’t going home himself. If Song Yuyan left, they wouldn’t see each other for two whole months.

 

Even though they were technically on the same campus, they didn’t meet often—but that wasn’t the same. When Song Yuyan was around, there was always the possibility of seeing him.

 

But if he went home, the physical distance would widen, and Feng Chengling felt like the emotional distance would, too.

 

It made him feel very insecure.

 

Just then, his phone buzzed a few times.

 

Song Yuyan: “I’m not going back. Helping my roommates grab tickets.”

 

Song Yuyan: “What about you?”

 

Almost as soon as he sent the WeChat messages, Feng Chengling replied.

 

Feng Chengling: “I’m staying on campus.”

 

Right after that, he sent a voice message.

 

Feng Chengling: “Exams are coming up—want to review together? I saved you a seat in the library.”

 

His voice was low and rich. It was like he was speaking right next to Song Yuyan’s ear, making the tips of his ears go warm.

 

There was something inherently attractive about his voice—a kind of manly charm that conjured up all sorts of thoughts.

 

System: “Host! Feng Chengling sent you a voice message—ahhhh!”

 

Feng Chengling had always been someone who kept his distance and respected boundaries. But Song Yuyan could increasingly feel that Feng Chengling treated him differently.

 

It wasn’t a sudden change. It happened gradually—in the little things, in their interactions. Feng Chengling was slowly learning how to be close to someone, how to build intimacy.

 

It was natural, and not uncomfortable at all.

 

Song Yuyan… liked it a lot.

 

Song Yuyan: “Okk, I’m coming over.”

 

He sent a voice message, too.

 

After a while, Feng Chengling responded with another voice message.

 

His voice was even lower and huskier now—like dried leaves crushed underfoot in late autumn, every note filled with meaning.

 

Feng Chenglin: “I’ll be waiting.”

 

Song Yuyan casually ran his fingers through his hair, threw on a gray tracksuit, topped it with a white puffer jacket, and wrapped a gray knitted scarf around his neck. Bundled up into a warm ball, he headed out.

 

Library.

 

When he arrived, he spotted Feng Chengling right away.

 

He was sitting upright, wearing a beige sweater. From afar, his lower half wasn’t visible, but as Song Yuyan got closer, he saw he was wearing wide-legged white pants.

 

The fabric was smooth and slightly shiny. Both the color and the material were very hard to pull off.

 

On his feet were light-colored sneakers. His hair was carefully styled.

 

A smile tugged at Song Yuyan’s lips.

 

He walked over and patted Feng Chengling on the shoulder. When Feng turned around, he said, “Whoa, cool!”

 

For a moment, Feng Chengling looked embarrassed, like his little scheme had been exposed.

 

But seeing the joy in Song Yuyan’s eyes, and nothing else, he finally smiled.

 

He studied Song Yuyan’s appearance and compared it to his own outfit. Relieved to see that Song Yuyan had dressed casually, he thought they now looked more like peers.

 

Feng Chengling moved aside to make room next to him, then sat on the other side and said in a lowered voice, “Let’s get started.”

 

A man who worked hard was attractive, but a man who studied seriously? Just as much so.

 

Song Yuyan took out his books, and when he hit something he didn’t understand, he leaned in for explanations.

 

Feng Chengling’s voice was steady and calm. That feeling of “I’ve got this, I know what I’m doing” was mesmerizing—enough to make someone want to scream.

 

“That’s it,” Feng Chengling turned to look at him. “Got it?”

 

“Got it.” Song Yuyan answered in a bit of a daze, staring at Feng Chengling until the latter began to feel a little awkward.

 

It was already dark outside. After agreeing to meet again the next day to study, the two packed up and left the library.

 

As they descended from the second floor to the first, just as Song Yuyan was about to walk out, Feng Chengling grabbed his arm.

 

He quickly let go, and Song Yuyan raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything—though his hand started to feel warm.

 

It was like his palm was running a fever. Luckily, his face wasn’t betraying him.

 

His skin was pale and flawless—like something out of a dream. To Feng Chengling, he was the embodiment of his ideal type.

 

A hint of confusion showed on Song Yuyan’s face.

 

“What’s up?”

 

Feng Chengling’s dark eyes met his. “Your scarf’s not tied properly.”

 

“If you go out like this, the wind’s going to rush right into your mouth.”

 

As he spoke, he reached out and adjusted the scarf.

 

Now, Song Yuyan’s neck and mouth were entirely wrapped up, leaving only a pair of expressive eyes blinking nonstop.

 

Feng Chengling’s hands paused for a second.

 

His chest felt warm, fingers trembling slightly—but his face remained cold and composed.

 

“All set.” He took a step back.

 

The sudden distance brought clarity. He wouldn’t let his mind wander. He wouldn’t do anything that might be unwelcome.

 

They walked into the chilly night.

 

Song Yuyan looked cozy and warm, but Feng Chengling—without a scarf—looked even paler.

 

Glancing at him, Song Yuyan tucked his face into his scarf, radiating warmth, and making people want to hug him.

 

“You want a hug?” he asked suddenly.

 

[System: Host, are you trying to date the male lead now?!]

 

[Song Yuyan: What are you talking about!]

 

[Song Yuyan: I just want a hug.]

 

It was a simple desire—but not something he’d offer to just anyone. At this moment, Feng Chengling was the person he was willing to choose.

 

He didn’t want to settle.

 

If he couldn’t find someone good enough, he’d rather be alone.

 

Feng Chengling froze.

 

The wind blew against his face, but he no longer felt cold. His young body radiated heat.

 

Turning to face Song Yuyan directly, he reached out and pulled him into a tight embrace.

 

He nuzzled against the scarf—it was warm and smelled like Song Yuyan.

 

Loose strands of hair tickled his cheek. The hug was warm, and a little itchy.

 

Song Yuyan held back a laugh.

 

Then he heard Feng Chengling’s voice, laced with suppressed amusement:

 

“Is this a reward?” Feng Chengling whispered. “I’m really happy.”

 

So happy he felt like he might explode.

 

His eyes darkened, hiding away all his aggressive instincts.

 

Song Yuyan cleared his throat and shifted slightly.

 

Even though he hadn’t gotten enough, Feng Chengling let go. He shoved both hands into his coat pockets to stop himself from reaching out again.

 

“Let’s go,” he said. “It’s getting colder.”

 

They walked side by side.

 

Feng Chengling’s hand twitched. He glanced ahead, doing his best not to look at the person beside him.

 

If only this walk could last a little longer…

 

But even the longest roads end eventually—and this one wasn’t even that long.

 

Back in the dorm, Feng Chengling turned on his desk lamp. He flipped through his books and scribbled notes in a notebook.

 

His roommates were dying of curiosity.

 

Was Feng Chengling… writing a diary?

 

They were curious—curious enough to go mad. But barging in uninvited felt rude.

 

They could joke and be informal with each other, but with Feng Chengling, they didn’t share that level of dorm-bro intimacy.

 

Chen Lin pretended to fetch something and casually walked past him. His eyes nearly popped out of his head—Feng Chengling was reviewing freshman courses?

 

Was he planning to take the graduate school entrance exam?

 

Suddenly, life felt full of pressure.

 

They were only juniors. They should be enjoying youth. But with a hyper-disciplined roommate always acting older and more responsible, the weight was impossible to ignore.

 

After a few days of observation, they couldn’t take it anymore.

 

When they finally asked, Feng Chengling looked surprised. “Didn’t expect you guys to misunderstand. I’m not planning to take the grad school exam.”

 

He wanted to start making money as soon as possible—and the money he was making already would shock most people.

 

Not that he was going to say that.

 

His expression relaxed, his tone casual: “It’s for a junior.”

 

“He studies hard, is smart, and really outstanding.” Feng Chengling said this with a smile on his lips.

 

The pride and joy in his voice—what was that all about?

 

His roommates exchanged glances, suddenly skeptical about the authenticity of human relationships.

 

“Really just a junior?” One of them asked. A junior who made Feng Chengling stay up late and prep study materials?

 

Feng Chengling mumbled something vaguely affirmative.

 

Then he left—he had a meeting with said junior.

 

He was just a junior for now. But he wouldn’t stay just a junior forever.

 

A sharp glint flashed in Feng Chengling’s eyes.

 

Like a wolf’s—predatory, intense.

 

Excitement bubbled up inside him. But he quickly pressed his lips together, suppressing his thundering heartbeat.

 

When he met Song Yuyan again, he looked just as harmless as always.

 

“Good evening.”

 

“Good evening,” Song Yuyan replied.

 

Yes, they were meeting again at night.

 

Another study session. And once again, Song Yuyan was struck by how amazing Feng Chengling was.

 

The classes he took? If Song didn’t need the knowledge anymore, he’d have returned it to the teacher. But Feng Chengling? He still remembered stuff from years ago.

 

“You must be someone who loves deeply,” Song Yuyan said, seated and gazing at him.

 

[System: Host, you’re right! All three male leads are deeply loyal, and all will rise to the top of their fields someday.]

 

[Song Yuyan: Honestly, would it really matter if I weren’t here?]

 

**[System: How can you say that, Host! Without you, the plot would completely collapse. How would the male leads achieve such success?

 

Take Yi Xiang Sui—his terrible acting? Without his white moonlight, he’d need to have saved the galaxy in a past life to become a movie king!

 

And the music god? No chance. Most of his inspiration comes from love—you are his muse!]**

 

[Song Yuyan: What about Feng Chengling? He has clear goals. With or without me, he’d still go for what he wants.]

 

[System: Let me explain! It’s… different with you. Without the host—]

 

[Song Yuyan: You just admitted it’s an excuse.]

 

The system was about to cry.

 

**[System: Fine! You’re very important. I earn points because of you! That’s the whole reason I brought you into this world!

 

Points can be exchanged for energy—helping me survive, and helping you survive too. Waaaah.]**

 

[Song Yuyan: The more successful the White Moonlight missions, the more energy you get, right?]

 

The system dumbly nodded. After being coaxed into confessing, it regretted everything. Senior systems had warned it never to spill the truth—humans would take control if you did.

 

Now it stared at its host’s fair, delicate hands. Was it really about to get controlled by those beautiful hands?

 

The system trembled. Its core started heating up.

 

[Song Yuyan: I understand. 😊]

 

[System: Aren’t you going to take advantage of me?]

 

[Song Yuyan: We’re partners, aren’t we? Why would I exploit you? Working together for maximum benefit—that’s what we should be doing, right?]

 

The system burst into tears. Its CPU ran even hotter.

 

It loved its host. It would work even harder to create more benefits for him.

 

It was going to apply to the main system now—to raise the host’s advance limit!

 

Give him everything! Everything it had! And anything it didn’t, it would ask the main system to create and give to him!