Fishing-Type Beauties Will Never Love Crematorium - Chapter 10

Five people stood at the entrance of the small booth. Besides Chen Qingtang and Shen He, the other three looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

Wei Yan noticed them standing in a stalemate and coughed. “Sit down. Sit down and order the food. Why are you all just standing there?”

The three bystanders sat down one after another. Chen Qingtang had originally been standing with Shen He, but he suddenly took two steps forward and sat down next to Chu Xi instead. However, just as he sat, the chair next to him was gently pulled back, and Shen He sat down beside him quite naturally.

A flash of surprise crossed Chen Qingtang’s eyes, followed by a faint, fleeting smile. Chu Xi nudged Chen Qingtang with his elbow, giving him a “you two have something going on” look with a devious grin. Chen Qingtang acted as if he had not seen it.

The food was soon served, and Chen Qingtang reached up to remove his mask before bowing his head to eat. By the time the meal was nearly finished, Shen He still had not spoken to him. However, Chen Qingtang noticed that Shen He’s eyes had clearly glanced at him several times.

He has something to say, but he will not speak? Fine.

Chen Qingtang stood up. “I am going to the restroom. Wait for me when you are finished.”

Chu Xi waved his hand. “Go and come back quickly.”

Chen Qingtang pulled back his chair and walked out around the dining table. The restroom was near the restaurant’s storage area, a quiet and secluded spot. Chen Qingtang had not been walking fast, but upon hearing the increasingly clear footsteps following him, a smile hooked onto his lips, and he quickened his pace.

Inside the restroom, Chen Qingtang stood before the vanity, slowly washing his hands, which were stained with a bit of oily residue. Soon, another handsome face appeared in the mirror behind him. Shen He stood silently behind him, waiting. Since he was taller than Chen Qingtang, his natural line of sight when looking down fell on the boy’s fair, clear neck. Shen He suddenly noticed a vibrant red mole on the protruding bone of Chen Qingtang’s neck. It looked like a cluster of red plum blossoms blooming in the snow, bewitchingly hooking the gaze.

Chen Qingtang washed his hands, looked up, and caught Shen He’s reflection in the mirror. He offered a perfectly timed look of slight surprise. “You are here to use the restroom too?”

Shen He shook his head, his deep eyes fixed on him. “I have something to tell you.”

Chen Qingtang pulled out a paper towel and wiped his hands in a leisurely manner. Finally, he speaks. Shen He at this age was like a piece of simple prose; though sometimes hard to interpret, it still had substance. Chen Qingtang could always tell what he was thinking from his subtle changes in expression, unlike the Shen He of his past life, who was nearly thirty and had seen it all, like an ancient text that was completely incomprehensible.

Shen He remained silent for several seconds. “I apologize for what happened earlier.”

Chen Qingtang leaned against the wall, naturally, waiting for him to continue.

Shen He continued, “I did misunderstand you for a moment.”

Chen Qingtang nodded. They waited, but Shen He said nothing more.

That is it? Just that?

“Alright, I accept your apology,” Chen Qingtang said, turning to leave immediately.

Shen He’s pupils trembled; he instinctively reached out to grab Chen Qingtang’s arm, not wanting him to leave. Chen Qingtang felt a smile bloom in his eyes and turned back with feigned confusion. “Is something the matter? Is there something else?”

Shen He’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “So you…”

Chen Qingtang raised his tone. “Hmm?”

Shen He’s breathing slowed, and he stared intently at Chen Qingtang. “So, can you please stop avoiding me? We clearly get along well and have similar interests.” It was a pity to be estranged like this.

Chen Qingtang tilted his head slightly. “Have I been?”

Shen He stated firmly, “You have.”

Chen Qingtang lowered his eyes. “Well, I thought you were disgusted by my behavior, disgusted by me getting too close to you, disgusted by me sniffing your scent, which is why you were avoiding me before.”

“I thought about it, and I figured it is better to keep our distance so as not to be a bother to you.”

Shen He pressed his lips together and, after thinking, answered honestly, “No. I am not disgusted. I was just a bit confused before, but I am fine now.”

Previously, whenever he got close to Chen Qingtang, Shen He would have a strange feeling, and his emotions would not be as stable as before. When people face unfamiliar sensations they have never experienced, their subconscious reaction is to avoid them. There always needs to be a transition period to accept them.

Interest sparked in Chen Qingtang’s eyes. “Not disgusted by what?”

“Not disgusted by any of it.”

Chen Qingtang raised an eyebrow. “Mhm, I see. Shen He, do you like men? The kind of liking that goes to bed together?”

Shen He’s eyes flashed with clear disgust. “I do not.”

Chen Qingtang asked, “Can you accept a gay man getting close to you, clinging to you, or performing intimate actions?”

Shen He’s disgust deepened. “I cannot.”

Chen Qingtang suddenly moved closer, squinting his eyes mischievously and throwing out a question that could be taken either way: “Then do you mean you cannot accept a gay man getting close to you, but you can accept me getting close to you?”

Seeing him slightly stunned, Chen Qingtang just smiled and turned to leave. As soon as he stepped out of the restroom, he bumped right into Chu Xi, who had been eavesdropping.

Chu Xi laughed. “I was not eavesdropping!”

Chen Qingtang continued walking. “Of course you were not. You are just a thief with no shame, listening openly.”

Chu Xi followed behind him. “Hey, since we are friends, do not mind the details. What on earth did those last two sentences mean? Are you coming out to him?” The risk was too high. It was rumored that because Shen He’s appearance was so superior, he had been harassed by gay men many times. Once, when Shen He went to the school bathhouse, a guy stared at him intently for a long time before walking over and attempting to touch him inappropriately; it was only because of Shen He’s fast reflexes that he was not molested. Ever since then, Shen He had avoided the school bathhouse entirely and had developed a psychological shadow regarding gay men.

Chen Qingtang did not give Chu Xi a direct answer. “I will tell you later.”

After the group finished eating, they planned to return to school. While leaving after paying, the mask Chen Qingtang was holding accidentally dropped to the ground. He bent down to pick it up, but it was already stained with dust and unidentifiable grease. Chen Qingtang frowned in disgust and tossed it into the trash can.

It was the peak dinner hour, and the cafeteria was packed with a sea of people. Chen Qingtang covered his nose and mouth with his sleeves all the way, trying to isolate himself from the mixed odors in the cafeteria that made his chest and nose ache. He squeezed as close to Shen He as possible. Only Shen He’s scent was pleasant and made him feel comfortable.

As Shen He walked out, he turned his head accidentally and found Chen Qingtang following closely by his side. For some reason, his heart skipped a beat. He quietly shifted to the side, trying to create distance between them. But soon, due to the crowd, they were pressed against each other once again. After several attempts, Shen He gave up.

Until they stepped onto the escalator, leaving the crowd, Shen He’s tense spine finally relaxed. Just as the breath he had been holding dissipated, a light breeze brushed across the back of his neck.

It was warm. It felt as if someone had leaned in close and taken a light sniff.

An unknown itch spread from that patch of skin, seeping into his marrow, and all the hair on his body stood on end. Shen He clenched his hands tightly but did not look back. He knew that behind him was Chen Qingtang.

Shen He quietly shifted a small step to the side. Chen Qingtang had seen every one of his subtle movements and curled his lips into a seductive smile. He deliberately leaned into Shen He’s ear, lowered his voice, and whispered words that stirred Shen He’s heart into even greater chaos:

“You smell so good, Shen He.”