WBLNOFY Chapter 12

Chapter 12 – All This Time (Part 3)

Chapter 3: All This Time, Part 3

Novel Title: We Best Love: 永遠の１位 (We Best Love: No. 1 for You)

Original Script Writer：林珮瑜 (Lin Peiyu)

Author：羽宸寰 (Yu Chenhuan)

Japanese Translator 1：李佳歆 (Li Jiaxin)

Japanese Translator 2：夏海 (Natsumi)

English Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists: 周書逸 (Zhou Shuyi -MC) & 高仕德 (Gao Shide -ML)

*Please read at knoxt.space, the original site of translation. TQ*

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~Finance Department Classroom

When the bell rang, the students who had just finished their last lecture began filing out of the classroom one after another.

Zhou Shuyi kept his head down as he packed his things. After taking the medicine the suspicious-looking school doctor had given him and resting a while in the infirmary, the pain in his stomach had finally eased.

“Shuyi.”

He looked up reflexively. Standing in front of him was Fang Zhengwen.

“Zhengwen?”

The word slipped out, and a dazed expression crossed his face. They used to talk about everything—no secrets, no distance—but lately, Zhou had been avoiding him, and the air between them had grown awkward.

“You’ve seemed… busy lately,” Fang Zhengwen said hesitantly.

“Yeah. What’s up?”

If he stuffed his heavy textbooks into his backpack, zipped it up, and slung it over his shoulder, maybe he could escape this uneasy atmosphere. But Fang Zhengwen had clearly made up his mind. He sat down beside him and asked—

“You like Yuxin, don’t you?”

He’d wanted to ask for a long time—especially after seeing Zhou Shuyi at the scene of the confession. The three of them used to hang out for meals all the time, but after that day, Zhou Shuyi had vanished from the trio.

Zhou Shuyi’s hand loosened on his backpack strap. He looked his childhood friend straight in the eye and answered seriously.

“If I said, ‘Yeah, I like her,’ what would you do? Turn her down? Or give her up for me?”

“Impossible!”

The normally calm Fang Zhengwen surprised even himself by raising his voice. Guilt flickered across his face, and he softened his tone.

“Shuyi, you’re an important friend to me—I don’t ever want to lose you. But giving up Yuxin… sorry, I just can’t.”

“That’s fine. Don’t you dare give her up!” Zhou Shuyi clenched his fist and gave Fang Zhengwen’s chest a light punch, smiling. “Good. That’s the reaction I was hoping for. I’m counting on you to take care of that fiery girl from now on.”

“So you don’t have feelings for Yuxin?” Fang Zhengwen looked confused. Had he… misunderstood everything?

“The ones I love are both of you. Don’t forget—we’ll always be best friends.”

Zhou Shuyi lowered his gaze, careful to hide the sadness in his eyes. He placed his backpack on the desk, stepped closer, and rested a hand on Fang Zhengwen’s shoulder.

“Make her happy, alright? If you ever make Yuxin cry, I’ll hit you.”

Fang Zhengwen grinned and gave Zhou Shuyi’s chest a playful jab.

“Don’t worry. I’ll never let that happen.”

“But seriously, you’re pathetic—making a girl confess first? That’s not very manly.”

Zhou Shuyi teased with a smile, then his tone softened again.

“Still… I envy you. Being loved by the one you love. I wonder when my destined person will show up.”

“They’ll come, I promise.”

“I hope you’re right.”

Zhou Shuyi dropped his hand from Fang Zhengwen’s shoulder, slung his backpack on, and suddenly suggested— “Let’s go! Let’s get some mala hotpot!”

“You’re kidding, right? After ending up in the infirmary and sleeping through a class? You haven’t learned your lesson? No way.”

“You’re starting to sound just like Yuxin with all that nagging.”

Smiling, Fang Zhengwen put a hand on his shoulder, ignoring Zhou Shuyi’s protest as the two of them walked out of the classroom together.

“You’re only getting porridge and pickles, got it?”

“Damn it!”

Zhou Shuyi’s indignant cry echoed down the hallway.

Side by side, the two friends walked on, laughing and talking— just like they used to.

***

Two Weeks Later―

~In Front of the Lecture Hall 

Night had fallen over the campus, and an eerie stillness hung in the air. The familiar classrooms and hallways, now unlit, gave off a strange, spine-chilling feeling. It was easy to see why all the school ghost stories were said to happen after midnight — at corners, in empty bathrooms, anywhere something terrifying might appear.

At the main entrance, the host of the ‘test of courage’ event held a microphone and addressed the gathered students.

> “Everyone, thank you for joining this late-night farewell party, co-hosted by all the clubs! Participants will go in pairs. Please show your number tag to the staff at the entrance and hand over your phones. Complete the mission, and you’ll win an amazing prize! Let’s make one last memorable night before graduation!”

“Whooo!” Applause and excited cheers erupted. The students’ faces glowed with anticipation.

> “So far, ten pairs have successfully completed the challenge! Who’s next? Please raise your hand when your number is called.”

“…” Gao Shide and Zhou Shuyi exchanged glances — and reluctantly raised their hands. They hadn’t planned to participate at all, but one of the event organizers, Liu Bingwei, had caught them before they could escape, and now they were stuck with numbered tags.

> “Alright, please proceed to the right! Collect all seven mystery stamps hidden around campus and enjoy a night full of thrills and terror!”

The host’s exaggerated tone and creepy smile didn’t help.

“Tch. Since when did this school get so damn scary…?” Muttering as he walked, Zhou Shuyi glanced around. Ghost props and costumed ‘spirits’ were scattered all along the dark corridor.

In truth, Zhou Shuyi was terrified of ghosts — but he refused to show any weakness in front of Gao Shide. That pride alone was why he’d forced himself to join. He even kept a small distance from Gao Shide, worried that if they were too close, his fear might show.

Then suddenly, something brushed against his finger. Startled, he looked down. Gao Shide’s index finger had hooked gently around his little finger.

“H-hey, what are you doing?”

“I’m scared.” 

He couldn’t see Gao Shide’s face in the dark, but the familiar voice came softly through the shadows.

“You? Scared of ghosts? That’s rich, coming from a guy as tall as you.”

Zhou Shuyi laughed and squeezed his hand — trying to sound bold.

“In that case, this round doesn’t count as a competition. It wouldn’t feel right to win like this. Don’t worry, if we stick together, we’ll get all the stamps.”

“Yeah.”

Gao Shide nodded. Seeing Zhou Shuyi try so hard to act brave despite clearly trembling made him smile without meaning to.

From the warmth of their joined hands, Gao Shide could feel Zhou Shuyi’s pulse — fast and nervous.

“You go first,” Zhou Shuyi said.

Only seconds earlier, he’d said, “Don’t worry,” but now he was clutching Gao Shide’s wrist and pushing him forward, mumbling, “I’ll take the rear, just in case.”

***

On the other side of the corridor, Shi Zheyu, who was also participating in the farewell event, caught sight of the two walking together. He stopped mid-step, hesitating.

“Shuyi!” A shadow loomed from behind and tapped his shoulder, thinking it was Zhou Shuyi.

Shi Zheyu turned—

“What the—!” Shi Zheyu shouted instinctively, ready to swing his fist — but froze when he saw the face in front of him.

“What are you doing here?” 

It was Liu Bingwei, equally startled to find Shi Zheyu there. Neither had expected to run into the other in a place like this.

“Sorry. I thought you were Shuyi,” Liu Bingwei muttered quickly, pulling his hand back.

But those words hit a sore spot — something deep and long-suppressed suddenly snapped.

Shi Zheyu glared straight at him, and the words burst out like a dam breaking.

“Zhou Shuyi, Zhou Shuyi — why is it always Zhou Shuyi everyone cares about!?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Just leave me alone.”

Liu Bingwei reached out to rest a hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him — but Shi Zheyu shook it off.

Then, without warning, a white shadow glided past behind Liu Bingwei. He didn’t notice, but Shi Zheyu saw it clearly — and screamed.

“Wahhh!”

“Careful!”

Liu Bingwei reacted instantly, catching him as he stumbled backward. His brows furrowed.

“If you’re that scared, why’d you even sign up for this?”

“I-I…none of you-…”

Shi Zheyu’s lips trembled. The words “it’s none of your business” wouldn’t come out. Pressed close against Liu Bingwei’s chest, he could only hear the pounding of both their hearts.

Liu Bingwei looked down at the head resting against him. A faint scent of shampoo lingered near his nose, stirring a sudden, protective warmth in his chest.

“I’ve got an idea. How about we team up? Let’s go through it together. There are lots of prizes this time — it’d be a shame to leave empty-handed.”

Shi Zheyu didn’t reply, but he didn’t pull away either. Sensing his hesitation, Liu Bingwei smiled and pressed on.

“You were about to say ‘leave me alone,’ weren’t you? Then give me twenty minutes instead — I promise we’ll make it through.”

Shi Zheyu crossed his arms and muttered, pretending to be tough.

“Fine. But if I say yes, your prize is mine too.”

“Deal! Now give me your hand — let’s go collect those stamps.”

He held out his hand, waiting.

“…Alright.”

After a brief pause, Shi Zheyu took it. The fear that had clung to him only moments ago faded a little as the two of them, unlikely teammates for the night, stepped forward together into the dark hallway.

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Next update: 2026.09.13

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