The Unattainable Flower Pulled Down from the Pedestal by Universal Dislike – CH24

Chapter 24

“Shall we start dating again?”

Like a bolt from the blue, Tan Ning’s thoughts were completely disrupted by Lin Song’an’s sudden question.

He sat at the edge of the bed, and only after a long while did he regain his composure to answer, “No.”

Lin Song’an had expected this and didn’t press further.

Taking his clothes, Tan Ning went into the bathroom. He splashed cold water onto his face, trying to calm himself down. After dressing and washing up, he came out to find Lin Song’an in the kitchen making breakfast.

Not wanting to get entangled with Lin Song’an any further, Tan Ning said, “I’m going back to school.”

Ignoring Lin Song’an’s attempts to make him stay, he changed his shoes and left.

He took the subway back to school.

In the dormitory, he was alone. Lying on his bed, Tan Ning placed the ceramic cat on his chest, pressing it against his rapidly beating heart.

Lin Song’an was crazy—truly crazy.

Around noon, Zheng Yu and Xu Qingyang dragged their suitcases into the room.

They had been chatting about something, and Xu Qingyang was laughing heartily, but upon seeing Tan Ning in the dormitory, he abruptly stopped. Zheng Yu’s expression immediately turned impatient, and he turned to Xu Qingyang, saying, “There goes my good mood for the day.”

Xu Qingyang nudged him, signaling him to lower his voice.

Tan Ning tidied up his bed and found that a few hangers were missing, so he went out to the campus supermarket to buy some.

Lin Song’an sent him a message:

[Just saw you at the supermarket entrance.]

Holding the hangers, Tan Ning looked around.

[I’m to your southwest.]

Tan Ning immediately faced northeast.

[No need to be like that, little cat. So heartless.]

After the veil between them had been completely lifted, Tan Ning became even more afraid to face Lin Song’an. Clutching the bundle of hangers, he slowly moved forward. Lin Song’an’s message popped up:

[I’ve decided to ask you every day from now on.]

[Ask what?]

[Shall we start dating again?]

Tan Ning’s heart skipped a beat.

He thought this chapter was already closed, but Lin Song’an stubbornly pulled the story back to the beginning. He wasn’t forcing Tan Ning to admit anything; he just said, let’s start dating again.

In other words, he wanted to resume being his official boyfriend and continue treating Tan Ning well.

Tan Ning had lived on his lonely planet for too long. Faced with Lin Song’an’s intense affection, he felt a bit at a loss. He understood that it was due to the increasingly frequent rut periods and the ticking time bomb called “compatibility.” Lin Song’an suddenly had a strong, urgent need for stability in their relationship.

He needed reassurance; he wanted Tan Ning to say he loved him so that he could have the confidence to stand up to his mother.

Tan Ning thought: But can a beta really be your confidence and not a burden?

He still didn’t respond.

[It’s too hot, little cat. Remember to wear a hat when you go out and drink plenty of water when you get back to the dorm. Be good. I have some things to take care of, so I’ll go now.]

After half a minute, Tan Ning turned around. Lin Song’an was no longer in the southwest direction. He rubbed his thumb over the phone screen, repeatedly reading Lin Song’an’s messages.

Strangely, because of Lin Song’an’s presence, because of his message “Just saw you at the supermarket entrance,” Tan Ning suddenly found himself interested in the campus.

He shaded his forehead with his hand and spun around in place.

His mood inexplicably became a bit more cheerful.

On the way back to the dorm, he bumped into He Qingrui, who was slowly dragging his luggage.

It took Tan Ning a few seconds to remember that this was the new roommate who had transferred majors at the end of last semester.

He Qingrui was from another province and arrived late due to the distance. One hand pulled a suitcase, and the other carried a bulging bag. Sweat dripped from his forehead.

He noticed Tan Ning as well. Instinctively, he greeted him but then, remembering it was Tan Ning, reined in his smile. While he was hesitating, Tan Ning walked over and asked, “Want me to carry one?”

“Huh?” He Qingrui was flattered.

“It’s fine.” Tan Ning extended his hand.

After the bag was taken, He was startled and quickly took it back, chuckling awkwardly. “No need, really. Thanks a lot. I can manage. It’s just snacks inside. I’m just hot, not tired.”

Tan Ning’s expression remained neutral, showing no embarrassment or annoyance at his offer being rejected. He simply nodded.

They walked back to the dorm together.

Tan Ning walked ahead, and He Qingrui followed behind, feeling that Tan Ning had changed a bit.

He couldn’t pinpoint it. Although it was still the “coffin face” that Zheng Yu often mentioned, it seemed a bit softer, not so distant.

Back at the dorm, He sat down and gulped a bottle of mineral water, then shared local specialties from his bag with his roommates. He placed a piece of water chestnut cake and a small bag of dried plums on Tan Ning’s desk, saying proactively, “Tan Ning, try this.”

After washing his hands, Tan Ning came over and took a bite of the cake.

He asked with a smile, “Is it good? This is from an old brand. I lined up to buy it.”

Tan Ning said, “It’s good, thank you.”

Receiving Tan Ning’s approval, He felt delighted to share his treats. He then offered some to Xu Qingyang. Xu Qingyang had been surprised by Tan Ning’s good mood today, but with food in front of him, he didn’t bother thinking about Tan Ning, saying happily, “Thanks, thanks. Let me have a taste.”

Zheng Yu returned from visiting another room and, upon opening the door, saw this harmonious scene. Seeing He Qingrui and Tan Ning together and Xu Qingyang not distancing himself but happily eating pastries, a strong sense of betrayal and crisis surged in Zheng Yu’s heart. He clenched his fists secretly.

He Qingrui noticed Zheng Yu and waved, “Zheng Yu, come try some. I brought local specialties.”

Zheng Yu quickly put on a smiling face, walked over, and accepted the cake.

After finishing, Tan Ning wiped his hands and took his thermos to the water room.

He hadn’t intentionally avoided Zheng Yu, but the timing of their movements coincided in such a way that Zheng Yu interpreted it that way, making his expression even darker.

*

The new semester began amidst chaos.

This year, Tan Ning had chosen a Criminal Procedure course taught by a notoriously tough professor, added an extra elective, registered for the Level 2 Computer Exam in late September, and continued tutoring the two elementary students from before. So he was very busy from the start.

Thankfully, he was busy enough not to have time to think about Lin Song’an’s question.

As Lin Song’an said, he sent the same message every day.

Tan Ning never replied.

Seeing that Lin Song’an, now in his senior year, didn’t have many important courses, his father started having him take on more work, even involving him in board meetings. So Lin Song’an was also busy. From late August to mid-September, their schedules kept missing each other.

They did see each other three times in the Law and Business Training Program, but each time, Lei Xin sat beside Lin Song’an.

Lei Xin no longer avoided Tan Ning like the plague as he did last semester, but he was still hostile because he noticed Lin Song’an’s gaze often fell on Tan Ning.

At first, he thought Lin Song’an was curious about Tan Ning and shared their mindset of mocking him. Later, he was shocked to realize that Lin Song’an looked at Tan Ning more gently than at any other time.

He tentatively asked Lin Song’an, “Bro, why do you keep looking at that weirdo from the law school?”

Leaning back against his chair with one hand on the desk, Lin Song’an asked, “Why do you dislike him?”

“He just looks weird…” Lei Xin mumbled, unable to articulate further.

“You dislike him without any reason?”

Lei Xin was stumped, scratching his head irritably.

“Why do you become less tolerant as you grow older?”

Lei Xin’s mind went blank. People said Lin Song’an didn’t seem like Lin Yexun’s son—while Lin Yexun was decisive and imposing, his son appeared gentle and courteous. But Lei Xin knew that Lin Song’an wasn’t as mild as he seemed. He had clear boundaries and never showed favoritism. Lei Xin was nearly stunned by Lin Song’an’s criticism and sat in place for a long time.

Taking advantage of the noisy moment, Tan Ning glanced back.

Only Lei Xin was there; Lin Song’an was gone.

Tan Ning resumed organizing his notes, renaming a folder four times without getting it right.

Just before class, Lin Song’an sent him a message:

[My dad wants me to go to the company. Probably something urgent. I’ll come pick you up at school tomorrow noon.]

Tan Ning replied:

[I have tutoring tomorrow.]

Their schedules were misaligned again.

Tan Ning felt he was truly annoying. When Lin Song’an clung to him, he wasn’t happy. When Lin Song’an didn’t have time for him, he was also unhappy. Would someone really be happy being with someone like him?

He lowered his head and even forgot to raise his hand when the teacher asked questions.

As the weather gradually cooled and there were no classes in the afternoon, Tan Ning returned to the dorm with his backpack. He Qingrui had turned on the air conditioning early, making the dorm

comfortable. Tan Ning climbed into bed for a nap. Lying there, he looked at the ugly ceramic cat and whispered, “You haven’t sent me that message today.”

He muttered, “You said you’d say it every day, but after just a few days, you’ve forgotten.”

Lin Song’an was so busy he was almost no longer a student. His messages had become brief.

Neither of them mentioned meeting twice a month anymore.

Tan Ning increasingly saw the gap between his life trajectory and Lin Song’an’s.

The next day after class, as Tan Ning passed by the parking lot near the Mathematics and Science Building on his way to the cafeteria, he heard a car honk. Looking over, he saw Lin Song’an’s car.

Lin Song’an rolled down the window and smiled at him. “Did you miss me?”

Tan Ning stopped, staring at him in a daze.

“Auntie at home made chicken soup. I thought it was good, so I brought some over. Want to try it?”

Tan Ning acted reluctant, and Lin Song’an sighed, pushing open the car door with a smile in his eyes. “Quite the ego, making me get out to invite you personally.”

Tan Ning started walking away, but Lin Song’an grabbed him.

A habitual, tacit action.

“Try some. I didn’t poison it. It’s not like I’d resort to murder after being repeatedly rejected and having my confession unanswered.”

Tan Ning pursed his lips and sat in the passenger seat, noticing two off-white, three-tiered insulated containers on the center console.

“Our housekeeper cooks really well. Besides the chicken soup, today’s meat and vegetable dishes are also delicious.”

“You’ve eaten already?”

“Nope, I brought it over while it’s hot to eat with you,” Lin Song’an said, placing one of the containers in front of Tan Ning. “One for each of us.”

He handed chopsticks to Tan Ning, who suddenly said, “So silly.”

“What is?”

“Bringing food.”

Lin Song’an tilted his head. “Why is bringing food silly?”

“In senior year, before evening self-study, many classmates’ parents would bring dinner to the classroom, watching them eat before leaving. They crowded the classroom, making it noisy, and the food they brought didn’t even look that good. It would have been more convenient and time-saving to go to the cafeteria.” Tan Ning held the container with both hands, looking it over.

It was the first time Tan Ning had said such a long sentence to Lin Song’an. At first, Lin Song’an was a bit puzzled, not understanding the connection. But then, seeing Tan Ning carefully examining the container, he suddenly understood.

When Tan Ning said he didn’t like it, he actually did.

When he said it was silly, he actually wanted it.

In his impression, Tan Ning had never talked about his family. Lin Song’an had asked before, and Tan Ning only replied, “They’re all ordinary betas.”

Lin Song’an had tried to find out more through friends in Xuan City and learned that Tan Ning lived with his grandfather, who was amiable and spent his days playing mahjong.

His friends hadn’t mentioned Tan Ning’s parents, so Lin Song’an assumed they worked out of town.

Now, it seemed not so simple.

If he were just a left-behind child, he wouldn’t be so guarded, unwilling to reveal any thoughts.

“The soup is in the bottom layer,” Lin Song’an reminded.

Tan Ning then dared not move the container recklessly. He placed it on the console and opened the clasps.

The first layer was braised pork and eggplant in oil.

The second layer was black rice.

The third layer was fragrant fresh chicken soup.

Lin Song’an asked with a smile, “Do you like it? There was also a seafood dish, but since you don’t seem to like seafood, I didn’t include it.”

Tan Ning said nothing.

Lin Song’an wasn’t annoyed and handed him a spoon.

Holding the spoon, Tan Ning didn’t move. “Did your mom ask when you brought out the food?”

“She did. I said it was for her future daughter-in-law.”

Tan Ning suddenly looked up, full of disbelief and panic. Lin quickly said, “Just kidding. Don’t worry. I said it was for my dad, and she didn’t ask anything else.”

“Your dad?”

Lin nodded. “My dad and I have our stories straight. Don’t worry.”

Tan Ning still felt uneasy.

“I told my dad about us. He supports me and won’t oppose it, as long as I can get past my mom.”

Tan Ning fell silent, then seemed too lazy to worry about it. He lowered his head and took a sip of the chicken soup. It was rich and savory. Even the old hens his grandfather cooked from the town market weren’t this good, and the chicken wasn’t tough at all.

Seeing Tan Ning drink several mouthfuls in a row, Lin Song’an knew he liked it and finally felt relieved.

After eating, Tan Ning wiped his mouth and helped Lin Song’an pack up the containers. Lin Song’an couldn’t help but smile. “Ning Ning, this feels like we’re married.”

Tan Ning’s face turned cold. He snapped the clasps shut and immediately let go.

Lin Song’an shrugged.

Tan Ning said “Thank you” and was about to leave when Lin Song’an called him, “Ning Ning.”

Tan Ning turned back and saw the watch on Lin Song’an’s wrist.

That blue-dialed watch with a leather strap—the one Lin Song’an had said he didn’t like, without the barely visible diamonds on the face—the one Tan Ning had bought.

“I’ve found I really like leather straps now; they’re so lightweight.”

Tan Ning glanced at him. Lin Song’an leaned in with a smile, gave him a quick kiss, and asked the question he had started with, “Did you miss me?”

Tan Ning evaded, “That watch doesn’t really match your outfit today.”

Lin Song’an raised an eyebrow. “Really? Then I’ll buy more clothes that match it.”

Tan Ning said nothing, pushed open the car door, and left.

He had felt a bit hot before, but after getting out of Lin Song’an’s car, the air didn’t seem so stifling. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, like golden leaves scattered on the ground—quite lovely.

Lin Song’an’s gaze followed him. He wasn’t sure if it was an illusion, but amid the wind-tousled hair, he seemed to see a slight smile on Tan Ning’s face.

Today, Tan Ning wore a loose white sweatshirt, khaki casual pants, and black sneakers—a very simple, even overly plain outfit.

A strange thought occurred to Lin Song’an: Tan Ning suddenly seemed like a college student.

Though he clearly was one.

He sent a message to a friend stationed in Xuan City, asking him to look into Tan Ning’s parents’ situation.

His friend replied:

[Sure thing, Young Master Lin. I’ll get on it as soon as possible.]

Tan Ning hadn’t gone far when Lin Song’an sent him another message:

[Ning Ning, shall we start dating again?]

Tan Ning replied:

[No.]

His tone was rejecting, but Lin Song’an clearly saw his steps become lighter.

Lin Song’an couldn’t help but laugh.

Tan Ning seemed smart, but he was actually quite naïve. When it came to love, he needed someone to teach him step by step.