Chapter Nineteen: Natsuki, If You Don’t Update Soon, Your Readers Will Start to Worry

Top Patron Is Actually My Roommate?

Xia Shu never imagined, not even in his wildest dreams, that such a coincidence could occur in this world—or perhaps, it was fate at work! As a conscientious and well-mannered web novelist, when he began writing "My Wife Is Not Proper," he casually created a reader fan group.

At first, he didn’t expect many people to join. But after he mentioned at the end of a chapter, in the author's note, that he had "good things to share," readers flocked in on their own. The allure of unknown plotlines had unexpectedly become a source of wealth.

Still, Xia Shu’s rewards weren’t extravagant. He would occasionally write a sweet extra side-story for the group whenever someone tipped a total of a thousand yuan. The very night he announced this reward, someone actually ascended to the top spot.

And that someone was none other than his roommate, Wang Yang—a classmate who had never even dated!

Upon learning this, both Xia Shu and Wang Yang were utterly astonished. From Xia Shu’s perspective, he had always pictured such an enthusiastic patron—so eager for mysterious side stories—as a greasy, slovenly shut-in in real life. Who could have guessed that the group’s ever-joking, endlessly witty benefactor was actually his own roommate, Wang Yang!

In an instant, the pure image of this boy was overturned in Xia Shu’s mind.

Military training continued, and after a few days, Xia Shu finally trimmed down his side story and posted it in the fan group. He even tagged "Vast Ocean" directly in the group.

"Hehe, I won’t tell you that the author is already living with me!"

Wang Yang immediately popped up in the chat, sending a special code-word red envelope.

"Xia Shu, you wouldn’t want the group to miss out on sweet extras, would you?!"
"Xia Shu, you wouldn’t want the group to miss out on sweet extras, would you?!"
"Xia Shu, you wouldn’t want the group to miss out on sweet extras, would you?!"

In an instant, the red envelope ignited the group’s atmosphere.

The fan group now had three hundred members, and dozens of them had already plunged into lively conversation.

"???!"

"Is that true?"
"So is the author a cute girl or what?"
"When are you releasing the latest side story?"
"@Vast Ocean, this is getting exciting *snicker*"
"Give me your address, I’ll really mail you a knife if you keep slacking! With your slow updates, I might as well wait for months to binge!"

Vast Ocean: "You can message me privately! *snicker*"

Over the past few days, Xia Shu had come to understand that Wang Yang was the kind of person who was a social butterfly online, but became shy and reserved in real life.

Liu Zhuang, by contrast, was outgoing both online and offline—a true extrovert.

And as for Lin Xiang, he seemed rather steady and level-headed.

Aside from the occasional late-night symphony of snores like the first night, Xia Shu found his new roommates quite agreeable.

Perhaps because Lin Xiang had also joined the college basketball team, the two of them communicated more often. After military training, they’d sometimes head to the school basketball court to practice together, each impressed with the other's skills.

Lin Xiang was tall and solidly built, giving off an impression of calm strength on the court. Xia Shu, on the other hand, was agile and nimble, drawing the attention of several passing female students with his impressive three-point shots. More than a few onlookers found themselves blushing.

Their military training lasted a full month, with one day off for every six days of drills.

After the first week, Xia Shu happily returned to the dorm, took a shower, and changed into smart clothes.

"You’re quick! Looks like you can’t wait to see your girlfriend, huh?" Lin Xiang remarked as he returned to the dorm, catching Xia Shu tidying up his appearance.

"Aren’t you going to see your girlfriend too?" Xia Shu replied with a smile.

"Yeah, but it’s a hassle—there’s a chance the dorm supervisor might do a room check tonight. It’s not easy to get permission to leave!"

Lin Xiang sighed.

"Who cares, let’s do it first and apologize later. They already checked last night, so the supervisor probably won’t come again today."

"My gut tells me she’ll come tonight. We’re only freshmen, after all—room checks are bound to be more frequent."

"It’s fine," Xia Shu said calmly, his mind already preoccupied with thoughts of Su Rouxue. He could hardly wait.

"Your mindset is enviable," Lin Xiang said, watching Xia Shu’s nonchalance and wondering if he himself was being overly timid.

"There’s always a solution. Things like this are bound to happen often. The seniors have shared some tricks—just follow their lead," Xia Shu replied, his smile full of implication.

"Oh? So you’re well-prepared!" Lin Xiang’s gaze met Xia Shu’s, and the two exchanged mischievous grins before setting about their scheme to dodge the room check.

The night breeze was cool and refreshing.

Wearing a white baseball cap, Xia Shu slipped out through the school gates and hailed a ride, keeping a low profile.

Before long, he arrived beneath Su Rouxue’s apartment.

Knock, knock, knock!

The door swung open.

"Hmm? Why are you here all of a sudden?" Su Rouxue’s eyes sparkled with surprise. She’d just been chatting with Xia Shu on her phone, though about other topics, and had assumed her boyfriend was already resting in the dorm. She never expected him to show up at her doorstep.

"Hehe, because I missed you!"

They hadn’t seen each other for several days, and seeing Su Rouxue again felt different from their last reunion.

Today, Su Rouxue was wearing a denim pinafore dress and had her hair tied into twin ponytails, radiating the fresh energy of youth.

As he spoke, Xia Shu slipped naturally into her home. As soon as the door closed behind him, he turned, his face alight with joy as he gazed into Su Rouxue’s bright eyes. He drew her into his arms, lowered his head, their foreheads touching, and then—

"Mmm..."

Su Rouxue’s eyes widened in surprise, but as she felt Xia Shu’s warm breath, she soon melted into his embrace.