After Becoming Arch-Enemies with My Best Bro - Chapter 30

He Chenshuang said he was taking Wen Huihan out to dinner. Wen Huihan assumed they’d just hit the cafeteria or grab something quick on the student street, but to his surprise, He Chenshuang brought him directly to a high-end French restaurant.

Sitting inside the establishment, Wen Huihan was still a bit dazed.

“This place is expensive, isn’t it?”

Wen Huihan looked around. While other restaurants played music through speakers, this place had a small live orchestra in the center playing classical pieces.

He had caught a glimpse of the menu. The cheapest set meal for one was four digits long, and he didn’t even dare look at the pricier options.

He was afraid that if he lingered on a page, He Chenshuang would assume he wanted it and call a waiter over immediately. That would turn tonight into his “Bankruptcy Night.”

As young men, they were in the prime of their junk food years. In the past, Wen Huihan and He Chenshuang had frequently hit roadside stalls, devouring grilled cold noodles and giant fried squid without hesitation. The more “periodic table of elements” a snack contained, the more they loved it.

They occasionally visited trendy “Instagrammable” restaurants too, but the average spend there topped out at a few hundred yuan, nothing compared to this.

Stepping into this other world, Wen Huihan finally remembered that He Chenshuang was a legitimate “rich second generation.” Calling him “He Aotian” really wasn’t a mistake.

But while He Chenshuang was rich, Wen Huihan wasn’t. He didn’t want to become the first university student to go bankrupt over a meal.

“Actually, I’m not that hungry. You eat, I’ll go walk around outside and come back later.”

“Sit down.”

He Chenshuang flipped through the menu without looking up. “You discovered my secret. To ensure you don’t go around talking, I naturally have to put in some effort to coax you.”

“Where’s the snack?” Wen Huihan’s butt had barely left the seat before he sat right back down.

“In my pocket. Want to see?”

“No thanks,” Wen Huihan laughed. “Tell me what the secret is first. Then I’ll consider whether to eat your little snacks.”

He Chenshuang’s lips curved. “You’ve already seen the ‘censored’ parts in my eyes. What do you think?”

Wen Huihan: “…”

He admitted he had been joking before, but if He Chenshuang had just denied it, it would have passed. For him to directly admit it, was he really that honest?

Out of that long string of terms, he only really knew “confinement.” Besides, the day He Chenshuang locked the dorm door, it was basically the same thing as confinement. He thought the description made sense, which was why he dared to say it out loud.

He assumed the other terms were similar, just perhaps a bit more suggestive. It was only on the way here, sensing He Chenshuang’s enigmatic glances, that he felt something was off. He had asked Qi Run on WeChat what those words meant, and only after the explanation did he truly understand.

At that moment, his face had turned a deep crimson, and he almost forgot how to walk.

A person shouldn’t… at least, they shouldn’t do that!

[whh: Holy crap, why didn’t you say so earlier!] [Little Q: What happened?] [whh: I went and interrogated He Chenshuang.] [Little Q: ?? Brother, you’re literally digging He Chenshuang’s grave.] [Little Q: I admire your courage. Remember to delete our chat history.]

Wen Huihan: “…”

Delete what history? He Chenshuang wouldn’t check his phone anyway.

Fortunately, it was dark out and He Chenshuang couldn’t see him blushing, otherwise, he really would have looked for a hole to crawl into.

Wen Huihan had a strong ability to self-soothe. He had just about composed himself when He Chenshuang’s direct admission caught him completely off guard.

He asked in shock, “Wait… you actually thought about those things?”

He leaned back, his astonishment plain to see. He Chenshuang had such a cold, emotionless face, yet this was what was going on inside?

Just running those words through his mind made him a bit intimidated. If He Chenshuang thought about this every day, could his health even stay intact?

Wen Huihan almost wanted to reach up and pull his collar tighter, but he figured it was unnecessary. What if he hurt his best friend’s self-esteem?

“No, I’m not a pervert.”

He Chenshuang closed the menu, his tone as steady and open as usual. He didn’t look guilty in the slightest.

Wen Huihan mumbled under his breath, “Who knows if that’s true.”

He hadn’t even known the real meanings of those words, yet He Chenshuang understood them instantly. It was clear who the “pervert” was here.

Qi Run knew them too. Was understanding this stuff a mandatory course for gay men?

Wen Huihan suddenly realized he knew them now too and quickly forced himself to forget. How could a straight man know these things?

While he was battling with himself, He Chenshuang had already ordered. The service was fast, and by the time he snapped out of it, He Chenshuang had already cut his steak into bite-sized pieces and pushed the plate in front of him.

“…”

Wen Huihan looked down at the neatly sliced steak, suddenly afraid to move.

“What are you doing?”

His heart was racing. He looked at the steak, then at He Chenshuang sitting across from him, then back at the steak. He looked exactly like someone worried that He Chenshuang had poisoned the meat.

Clearly, “bros” didn’t do this for each other. Even when they were so close they could share a pair of pants, He Chenshuang had never done this for him.

The only variable was that someone had poked through the paper window, and someone else was no longer bothering to hide.

The lighting in the restaurant was dim, with only a warm spotlight over each table. The hue felt like it was covered by a soft-focus filter. Accompanied by the melodious classical music, the atmosphere gradually sank into a soft ambiguity, like being inside a beautiful dream you’d never wake up from.

Through this lens, Wen Huihan felt He Chenshuang’s expression held an indescribable tenderness.

He didn’t know when it happened, but He Chenshuang’s once slightly youthful face had matured significantly. His features were sharp and cold. While Wen Huihan still retained some boyish innocence, He Chenshuang had already become a man.

He was taller, his gaze was steadier, and every movement was certain and composed. Aside from his sharp tongue, he looked exactly like the mature adult Wen Huihan had fantasized about becoming when he was a kid.

Well, not entirely mature. Occasionally, a raw, unpolished side would show. Wen Huihan remembered the subtle panic in the other’s expression during the “confinement.” If one didn’t look closely, it was easily hidden within that gloomy temperament.

During this time, Wen Huihan had pretended not to care, but in truth, his heart was somewhat touched, and he had many questions.

When did it start? What exactly did he like about him? What on earth was He Chenshuang thinking?

Wen Huihan and He Chenshuang stared at each other in silence. Indefinable particles seemed to drift in the air, making even the act of blinking feel slow.

He wasn’t used to this kind of setting. He felt he should say something to ruin the mood and break this weird vibe. “Say something. I’m definitely not cutting yours back for you.”

He Chenshuang withdrew his overflowing gaze and let out a low laugh. “Mm. Just eat in peace. The little pig can be slaughtered after the New Year.”

Wen Huihan: “…”

Calling him a pig again. So why didn’t you like his social media post back then?!

Since someone else was ruining the mood even more than him, the tension in his heart dissipated, replaced only by a desire to eat He Chenshuang out of house and home.

He angrily stabbed a piece of steak and stuffed it into his mouth, treating the meat like it was He Chenshuang, vowing to chew him into pieces.

He Chenshuang raised an eyebrow. “Is it that good? I’ll make sure there’s plenty of pig feed tonight.”

Wen Huihan: “Haha, you’re eating at the same table as me, so you’re a pig too.”

“Oh? Then what breed am I?” He Chenshuang asked with a smile.

“You want a breed? You’re a wild boar!”

“Fine. In a bit, I’ll ‘boar-rush’ you. Don’t run.”

“I definitely won’t run. Why would GG Bond run?”

In an instant, the elegant Western restaurant sounded more like a noisy pig farm. He Chenshuang pursed his lips and laughed, while Wen Huihan felt great after his counterattack, flashing him a triumphant, provocative grin.

This was much better. This was their daily routine, though even he wasn’t sure why he enjoyed being teased by He Chenshuang only to fire back mercilessly.

Wen Huihan thought about it seriously and decided it was probably the feeling of pulling the “Academic God” off his pedestal. After all, when they first became friends, He Chenshuang was a bit stuck-up.

Whether it was because he’d been pampered since childhood, He Chenshuang was full of pride and elegance, standing apart from other mortals. Sometimes Wen Huihan would tell a joke and laugh until he almost fainted, while He Chenshuang would only give a faint curve of his lips, making him look like an idiot.

Later, he realized it wasn’t that He Chenshuang didn’t find the jokes funny, it was because he saw Wen Huihan laughing so hysterically that he was afraid if he laughed too, it would ruin his image.

At the time, Wen Huihan didn’t understand what image he was trying to maintain. Was a secret crush goddess observing him nearby?

Regardless, from then on, Wen Huihan took great pleasure in bickering with him over tiny things. Sometimes in the heat of a verbal battle, He Chenshuang would show a more genuine expression than usual, looking more like a living person.

Thinking of the past, Wen Huihan felt a bit sentimental.

Even when his brain was “malfunctioning,” he never truly considered ending his friendship with He Chenshuang. He was just angry that their bond seemed so fragile, as if a single setback could easily dissolve their alliance.

He deliberately tried to provoke He Chenshuang because, at the end of the day, he just wasn’t satisfied.

How unsatisfied he was then was exactly how much he sighed now.

He Chenshuang currently had a crush on him, yet he hadn’t even thought about breaking off the friendship. How much did he cherish this relationship, and how much did he value He Chenshuang as a brother!

Thanks to He Chenshuang, Wen Huihan was stuffed.

Perhaps no one had ever left a high-end restaurant feeling that full before. As he walked out clutching his stomach, the waiter at the door gave him and He Chenshuang a few extra looks.

Having eaten too much, Wen Huihan didn’t want to go straight back to school. He suggested taking a walk to digest, and He Chenshuang readily agreed.

They walked side-by-side along the riverside corridor near the restaurant. It was just after dinner time, and the path was filled with people out for a stroll, some with families, some clearly couples, and some friends like them.

With the breeze brushing his face, Wen Huihan’s mind went blissfully blank.

He Chenshuang didn’t speak either, walking quietly by his side, but even without words, his presence remained powerful.

With a living person beside him, it was impossible not to feel it, but the feeling He Chenshuang gave him was entirely different from those of the strangers passing by.

They walked shoulder-to-shoulder. Although there was a small gap, people can’t walk in a perfectly straight line forever. When they drifted slightly, their elbows would accidentally brush against each other before quickly pulling apart.

It was early autumn, and they had already switched to long-sleeved hoodies. Even through a layer of fabric, and even if it was only for a fleeting second, Wen Huihan could clearly feel the searing body heat radiating from the other man.

He Chenshuang’s temperature always seemed this high. Wen Huihan had felt it back when he used to crawl into his bed.

It must be impossible to feel cold in the winter with him.

Wen Huihan’s thoughts were wandering aimlessly when he suddenly heard He Chenshuang’s deep voice: “You don’t actually find me that repulsive, do you?”

Wen Huihan jumped, unsure why the topic had suddenly jumped here. Weren’t they just digesting their food?

“What?”

He Chenshuang turned his head, his eyes shining brightly in the night. “You don’t mind that I have a crush on you, right?”

Wen Huihan: “Uh, I just don’t mind that you became gay…”

After all, he couldn’t stop He Chenshuang’s sexual orientation from changing, so he could only accept it calmly.

He Chenshuang: “Mm. Even if this gay guy likes you?”

“Didn’t we agree not to mention that? You’re crossing the line again,” Wen Huihan said, feigning nonchalance. “I’ll let it slide this time since I’ve crossed the line before too, but don’t bring it up again next time.”

He Chenshuang: “I only promised I wouldn’t mention the ‘secret crush’ part anymore.”

Wen Huihan: “Yeah.”

He Chenshuang: “Now, I’m applying to shift to an open crush.”

Wen Huihan: “…”

The man was so honest it was impossible to even scold him for going back on his word. He just wasn’t going to pretend anymore?

Wen Huihan said harshly, “It wouldn’t matter even if you applied to be a manual worker. If people find out you’re gay, I’ll make you pay.”

Hearing his tone, He Chenshuang’s lips curved upward as he looked at him with a beaming smile.

Wen Huihan didn’t know what he was laughing at. He was rejecting him, wasn’t he? Why did he look so pleased?

Perhaps because the confusion on his face was too genuine, He Chenshuang’s smile slowly faded, returning to his usual calm expression, but his eyes held a sense of seriousness and gravity.

“I didn’t say that to pressure you. I just wanted to tell you that my feelings for you aren’t just a passing whim. But if I had the choice, I’d rather you never found out in your entire life.”

He Chenshuang paused. “So you don’t need to look for a partner for me on the forums, and you don’t need to keep testing my feelings for you.”

Wen Huihan: “…”

So awkward. He definitely found out.

He Chenshuang added an explanation: “I happened to see it while scrolling. I didn’t read all of it.”

Wen Huihan was overcome with regret, wishing he hadn’t said so much in the post. What “macho,” what “big,” he didn’t know squat!

He had never had any dignity left in front of He Chenshuang anyway. After so many awkward moments, he was used to it. It was no big deal.

“I already deleted the post.”

“I know,” He Chenshuang said calmly. “You’re afraid I like you too much and want to divert my attention. But it’s unnecessary. How do you know I haven’t already tried?”

It was because he had tried many times and knew it was useless that he still couldn’t change even now.

Every time he looked at him, he felt himself falling deeper, so he simply let it be, allowing the love to grow wild.

Wen Huihan: “…”

He realized that he absolutely could not stand hearing the word “like” from He Chenshuang right now. Every time he heard it, his heart raced. Could it be pathological?

Damned gay man, making it impossible for him to be a comfortable straight guy.

“You…”

After a long silence, Wen Huihan slowly squeezed out a word.

He Chenshuang tilted his head. “Mm?”

Wen Huihan closed his eyes and said quickly, “If you want to shift to an open crush, then go ahead. I can’t control you anyway. But I’m stating this for the record: I am a straight man, and I will not be responding to you.”

He Chenshuang froze for a moment, clearly not expecting him to say that, but an uncontrollable smile spread from the depths of his eyes to the corners of his face. He even looked away so Wen Huihan wouldn’t see his wide grin.

But even though the streetlights were dim, Wen Huihan saw it clearly.

In all the time he’d known him, this was the first time Wen Huihan had seen him smile so happily, with such a complete disregard for his image. It was as if he’d won the lottery.

He hadn’t seen it when he told him jokes, he hadn’t seen it when he gave him birthday gifts, and even on the day they checked their college entrance exam results and he excitedly told He Chenshuang they were going to A University together, he hadn’t seen it then.

Upon hearing he was a straight man, He Chenshuang was actually this happy?

It was very food for thought.

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