After The Beautiful Woman Moves Into The Jock's Dorm Room - Chapter 72

Chapter 72: “It doesn’t hurt at all. You can be rougher…”

Cheng Che and Shen Qingyu’s relationship returned to normal, which was obvious to outsiders. The invisible wall between them had disappeared, replaced by a tacit understanding and intimacy that others found hard to penetrate. This sight was grating on Lu Xiao’s nerves.

The last thing he wanted was for them to reconcile, yet he was powerless, forced to watch their sweet interactions day after day, a form of self-torture.

On the day of Mom Cheng’s birthday, Cheng Che invited Shen Qingyu to come home for dinner that evening.

Shen Qingyu was momentarily stunned. “But I haven’t prepared a gift! Is it too late to buy one now?” He hurriedly stood up, pulling his coat from the closet, ready to go out and see what he could give Mom Cheng as a gift.

Cheng Che watched him spin around like a headless chicken, smiling as he stopped him. “My mom was afraid you’d prepare a gift in advance, so she specifically asked me to tell you on the day. Just show up; you don’t need to bring anything.”

“How can I do that!” Shen Qingyu’s expression was serious. “Going empty-handed… that’s too impolite.” If he were just Cheng Che’s friend, maybe he could get away with it, but now he was Cheng Che’s boyfriend. Even if Mom Cheng didn’t know they were dating yet, he should be even more mindful.

“Then what should we do?” Cheng Che hadn’t considered this as much as Shen Qingyu. He rubbed his neck and said, “I’ll go with you to buy something.”

Shen Qingyu quickly changed clothes, and the two left school.

“How about cake, flowers, or skincare products?” Shen Qingyu asked for his opinion.

Cheng Che considered it seriously: “I think flowers are enough if you’re going to give a gift. I prepared the cake, and Dad prepared the skincare products.”

“Just flowers seems too cheap, doesn’t it?”

“Not at all. The thought counts the most. My mom happens to love roses. There was a period when she bought flowers often, and my dad didn’t understand why she bought real flowers that would wilt quickly,” Cheng Che’s expression was gentle as he talked about his parents’ anecdotes. “So my dad bought those very expensive preserved flowers. My mom thought his taste was terrible, complaining to me for a long time that the preserved flowers were expensive and ugly.”

Shen Qingyu listened quietly, feeling immersed, and could sense the warm family atmosphere.

“Then let’s go to a flower shop.” Shen Qingyu linked his arm with Cheng Che’s. “But I think only buying roses is a bit too common.”

Cheng Che slipped his hand into his own pocket, interlocking their fingers. “Then let’s see if there are any other flowers.”

At the flower shop, Shen Qingyu, following the florist’s suggestion, chose a large bouquet of exquisitely blooming roses, pink and blue interwoven like velvet and satin, with a few stems of cream-white and misty purple filler flowers interspersed, the color combination striking.

“Let’s go with this bouquet. It’s beautiful.” Shen Qingyu was quite satisfied, taking several photos of the bouquet. “Later, Auntie Cheng can take a few photos holding the flowers; it will look great.”

Cheng Che said with a hint of exaggeration, “You know her so well. She loves taking photos whenever she can.”

“Auntie is very beautiful; she looks good no matter how she poses.” Shen Qingyu gently touched the water droplets on the petals. Although it was evening, the bouquet looked as fresh as if it had just bloomed.

“If you say that to her face, she’ll be overjoyed.”

After buying the flowers, they still had time, so they wandered around a nearby mall. Seeing a store selling silk scarves with good quality, Shen Qingyu was tempted. Despite Cheng Che’s attempts to stop him, he paid for a silk scarf and asked the clerk to wrap it nicely for him.

“Xiao Yu…” Cheng Che called out helplessly. “I told you not to.”

Shen Qingyu waved his hand. “I think this scarf is very pretty. Don’t you?”

Cheng Che nodded, looking at Shen Qingyu’s skin, which was almost transparently white under the lights, his heart sinking in like marshmallow. He could feel Shen Qingyu’s respect for his mother, which not only showed what a good person he was but also indicated how much he valued Cheng Che.

“I hope Auntie Cheng has a happy birthday,” Shen Qingyu said with a beaming smile.

Cheng Che held the flowers in one hand and Shen Qingyu’s hand in the other, his voice deep: “She definitely will.”

…

As expected, Mom Cheng showed immense delight in Shen Qingyu’s gift, her eyes even reddening. Her voice was choked with emotion when she hugged Shen Qingyu.

“Thank you, Xiao Yu… I told you just to come; why did you bring a gift… I love your gift very much.”

Shen Qingyu helplessly looked at Cheng Che for help, but Cheng Che merely shrugged and spread his hands, his eyes saying, “See, you made her cry from happiness. You’re responsible for comforting her.”

He could only clumsily pat Mom Cheng’s back to comfort her.

Finally, Dad Cheng pulled out a chair for Shen Qingyu to sit down, and Mom Cheng withdrew from his embrace, wiping her tears. “Hurry and eat. Your dad made this whole table of food. Come on, taste and see if my cooking is better or his.”

Shen Qingyu seriously tasted a dish, then nodded and said, “They’re both delicious.”

Mom Cheng especially loved the bouquet he gave her, saying Xiao Yu understood her and that she finally received a bouquet of flowers for her birthday.

Cheng Che put down his chopsticks and looked at his dad: “Dad, did you hear that? She’s taking a jab at both of us.”

The atmosphere at the dinner table was lively, and Shen Qingyu particularly enjoyed the warmth. Although he knew he had gained some weight recently, he couldn’t help but eat a few extra bites. Cheng Che’s attention was mostly on him, and he actively helped him dish up whatever he seemed to enjoy.

Mom Cheng suddenly brought up Cheng Che’s “girlfriend,” her expression a little chiding. “Cheng Che is really something. I asked him to bring his girlfriend home to meet us today, and he refused.”

Shen Qingyu slowed his chewing and took a sip of the beer in his glass. The Cheng family typically drank a bit of alcohol on festive days to celebrate. Knowing Shen Qingyu wasn’t good with alcohol, they only poured him a small amount.

The slightly bitter taste of beer spread in his mouth. Shen Qingyu distractedly poked at a grain of rice.

Dad Cheng said, “The girl is probably shy. It’s not time to meet the parents yet. Let them date for a while longer. Don’t worry about it.”

Noticing Shen Qingyu’s mood, a sudden impulse surged through Cheng Che. Now might be the most suitable time to come out. He glanced out of the corner of his eye at Shen Qingyu, who was looking down. Seeing that he wasn’t in a good mood, Cheng Che regretted not telling his mother earlier that the person in his Moments wasn’t a girlfriend but a boyfriend.

“Mom, Dad, there’s something I haven’t told you.” Cheng Che’s tone was serious. He put down his chopsticks and looked at his parents.

Shen Qingyu guessed what he was about to say almost instantly. A hint of panic flashed in his eyes. He quickly reached his hand under the table, grabbed Cheng Che’s arm, and squeezed hard.

“What is it? Why the serious expression?” Mom Cheng asked curiously.

“Actually…”

“Auntie, Uncle, this dish is delicious. Could you teach me how to make it?” Shen Qingyu suddenly interrupted Cheng Che, and when everyone looked at him, he gave a shy smile. “I’d like to learn too.”

Cheng Che’s heart ached as if struck. He truly didn’t need to be so understanding… he didn’t need to worry so much.

Mom Cheng looked a little surprised, exchanged a glance with Dad Cheng, and said, “Of course. Your dad and I will teach you later. I was the one who taught him this dish in the first place.”

“That’s great!” Shen Qingyu said joyfully.

He proactively stood up and added a chicken drumstick to Cheng Che’s bowl, seizing the opportunity to lean in close to his ear, quietly pleading, “Don’t say anything.”

Cheng Che clenched his hand tightly. A sense of helpless sorrow swept over him. Respecting Shen Qingyu’s wishes, he changed his mind and said, “Mom, this is my gift to you. Happy Birthday.” He took a small box from behind him and handed it to Mom Cheng, who was sitting across from him.

The box contained a necklace Mom Cheng had mentioned several times. She opened the box, covered her mouth in surprise, and leaned on Dad Cheng’s shoulder: “Thank you, son.”

Shen Qingyu sighed in relief, leaning back on the chair in exhaustion, quietly watching the family enjoy themselves.

Because both Cheng Che and Shen Qingyu had a little wine, Mom Cheng strongly insisted they stay the night. She even brought out an extra set of pillows and a quilt, spreading them on Cheng Che’s bed, saying, “Good thing we bought a double bed back then. It won’t be crowded for you two.”

Cheng Che checked with his eyes for Shen Qingyu’s opinion. Shen Qingyu nodded, agreeing to stay.

They took showers one after the other. When Shen Qingyu came out, Cheng Che was sitting on the bed playing with his phone. Seeing Shen Qingyu emerge, he proactively helped him dry and blow-dry his hair. Cheng Che’s movements were gentle, and the warm air on his scalp felt comfortable. Shen Qingyu couldn’t help but close his eyes to enjoy it.

“Does it hurt?” Cheng Che asked carefully.

“It doesn’t hurt at all. You can be rougher.”

Cheng Che’s movements paused for a second, then his body tensed, but his movements became even gentler.

After his hair was dry, Shen Qingyu burrowed under the covers. The bedsheets and duvet cover were very comfortable, carrying a faint scent of detergent. He felt enveloped by Cheng Che’s scent. Cheng Che pursed his lips, feeling that his mother bringing an extra quilt was redundant. Just as he was figuring out how to get Shen Qingyu to share his quilt, Shen Qingyu opened his eyes and gazed at him intently.

“What’s wrong, Xiao Yu?”

Shen Qingyu licked his lips, pulled the quilt over half his face, rolled his eyes, and whispered, “What are you thinking about?”

Cheng Che was surprised, then confessed: “I was thinking… how to get you to share one quilt with me.”

Shen Qingyu’s eyes curved into crescent moons. “Then come in.” With that, he generously lifted the quilt.

Cheng Che slid into the bed. His warm body immediately pressed close. He reached out and turned off the room light. In the darkness, he gently took Shen Qingyu’s hand.

“Xiao Yu, why didn’t you want me to tell them?” His voice was low. “I want everyone to know you’re mine.”

Shen Qingyu nestled closer into his arms, his voice very soft: “The atmosphere today was too good… I didn’t want to ruin it. Auntie Cheng was so happy. If our relationship made her sad, I…”

“But that’s not fair to you.” Cheng Che held him tighter. “I feel like I’m letting you down.”

“Not at all.” Shen Qingyu looked up, searching for his eyes in the dark. “Being with you, being treated so kindly by your family, I’m already very happy. The public announcement… let’s talk about it later, okay? Not everyone can accept homosexuality. Let’s take it slow.”

Cheng Che sighed, kissing the top of his head tenderly: “You always think too much about others.”

Shen Qingyu didn’t answer, just snuggled closer to him. Their breaths intertwined in the silence, and the air gradually grew thick and warm.

Cheng Che’s hand gently stroked his back, feeling the thin body tremble slightly beneath his palm. He lowered his head, his kiss carefully landing on Shen Qingyu’s forehead, then his nose, finally resting on his lips.