Fishing-Type Beauties Will Never Love Crematorium - Chapter 20

Shen He’s eyes trembled violently. His expression was a mix of annoyance, remorse, and the shame of being exposed. Upon hearing those coarse, almost lewd words, his face and neck instantly flushed a deep, uniform red. It was truly a spectacle.

This was the first time Chen Qingtang had seen Shen He display such complex and fascinating expressions, and he could not help but narrow his eyes to savor it repeatedly, triumphantly admiring his own handiwork. He sighed again: alcohol truly is a wonderful thing. The Shen He who had been drinking was too honest; everything was written on his face. He was so easy to read and truly adorable.

Chen Qingtang laughed mischievously and intentionally pointed it out: “You did not hide it well again.”

He reached out and tapped Shen He’s flushed cheek lightly with the back of his hand. “Look at this handsome face. Frowning, looking shocked—you have basically written ‘I confess’ all over your face.”

Shen He took a deep breath. His knuckles cracked as he balled his hands into fists, and he simply closed his eyes, attempting to stop his emotions from spilling over and to prevent Chen Qingtang from peering into his soul.

However, once his vision went dark, his other senses became hypersensitive. Being touched on the cheek, that vague, fleeting itchiness burrowed into his skin, seeped into his marrow, and finally reached his heart. Shen He felt as though he had become a small boat in the deep sea; his heart bobbed up and down with Chen Qingtang’s every movement. It was torture, yet strangely, he craved it. He wanted the storm to stop immediately so he could catch his breath, yet he also wanted the storm to intensify, to make him drift even more violently.

Chen Qingtang presented his second piece of evidence: “Xiao Lan, do you remember that software?”

Shen He’s brow twitched. Seeing him close his eyes in an attempt to bury his head in the sand, Chen Qingtang leaned in even closer. At this distance, their breathing intertwined, and Chen Qingtang could smell the alcohol on Shen He’s lips. Shen He exerted a powerful sexual attraction over him. Chen Qingtang stared at those thin, soft lips, his mind full of thoughts about kissing and biting them.

“That day in the dorm, when you were discussing gay films and the Xiao Lan app, I actually heard everything.”

His voice was soft, lazy, and filled with a raw, overt desire. His fingers rested on Shen He’s high-bridged nose before slowly sliding down to the corner of his lips, his thumb rubbing against the petal-soft flesh as a substitute for a kiss. Chen Qingtang watched him with eyes closed, looking so handsome, like a prince waiting to be kissed. He finally could not help but lean in; when the distance closed, he only restrained himself to rubbing his nose against Shen He’s tip.

A moment later, he said with satisfaction, “Later, when Wei Yan asked me if I knew about Xiao Lan, you were the first person to look at me.”

Shen He could not see what Chen Qingtang was doing; he only felt an intense itch at the tip of his nose, as if something was rubbing back and forth. Shen He assumed it was Chen Qingtang’s mischievous fingers. The warm breath spraying across his face made him dizzy, and a rush of blood to his head made it impossible to suppress his growing excitement. He felt like a beast that had scented blood.

Chen Qingtang felt satisfied and pulled back slightly. “Actually, I was not sure before if you really knew my sexual orientation. It was not until Wei Yan asked me about Xiao Lan and I saw that look you gave me that I finally confirmed it.”

Shen He took a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes. “Since you knew all along, why interrogate me?”

Chen Qingtang arched a brow. The hand he had placed on Shen He’s face slid back and landed on Shen He’s earlobe, playfully pinching it. “Do you not hate homosexuals, Shen He? Do you not dislike gay men getting close to you? Why do you not reject me?”

Shen He replied, “Because you are you.”

Chen Qingtang tilted his head in confusion. Shen He stared steadily into his eyes and said slowly, “Chen Qingtang is Chen Qingtang. Whether he likes men or women, he is still the charming Chen Qingtang. Sexual orientation is only one part of who you are. I admire you as a person, which has nothing to do with your orientation. Therefore, I will not deny you or view you through tinted glasses because of it.”

The boy’s voice was calm, yet filled with iron-clad conviction. Chen Qingtang was momentarily stunned, and then his dark brown eyes filled with a gradual warmth. He is the man I chose, after all.

Shen He frowned slightly. “Besides, there is nothing wrong with one’s orientation. Loving men or women is a personal freedom. I do not hate the gay community; I hate sexual harassers. That has nothing to do with their orientation.”

“If a gay man does not treat me as a target, I am perfectly happy to be friends with them.”

The smile in Chen Qingtang’s eyes deepened, though it took on a wicked edge as he stared at Shen He in an unreadable way. Oh, I really want to tell Shen He right now that I am exactly the person who is treating him as a target. Shen He’s expression would surely be fascinating.

Chen Qingtang asked, “Is that why you did not come to question me about whether I was gay? Or try to probe me?”

Shen He replied honestly, “Yeah. Because it did not matter.”

Aside from the initial confusion when he saw that document, Shen He had quickly calmed down. He had already decided that no matter what Chen Qingtang’s orientation was, it would not affect his desire to remain friends. So, Shen He had not probed or questioned; he had simply accepted it peacefully. He even felt a flicker of protective tenderness toward Chen Qingtang that he had not realized himself, a desire to ensure Chen Qingtang would not be hurt by other men.

Chen Qingtang smiled. “That is good. Then why did you not admit you knew I was gay when I interrogated you?”

Shen He was frank. “I was afraid you would think I looked at your document on purpose.” Furthermore, the internet said orientation is a sensitive topic. If he admitted it and Chen Qingtang felt repulsed, it would end their relationship. To play it safe, Shen He chose silence. He had not expected to be so completely transparent in front of Chen Qingtang, laid bare and seen through.

Shen He said, “Believe it or not, I clicked on the document by accident. I am sorry.”

Chen Qingtang leaned in, eyes narrowing as he studied Shen He for a full five seconds. “Really?”

Shen He was very serious. “I swear.”

Chen Qingtang laughed. “I am teasing you. I believe you. I trust your character.”

Shen He’s eyes flickered. Chen Qingtang suddenly placed his index finger against Shen He’s lips. “But could you please keep this a secret for me? I do not want anyone else to know I am gay.”

Shen He’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He wanted to speak, but the moment his lips brushed against Chen Qingtang’s finger, he closed them again as if electrocuted.

Chen Qingtang smiled tenderly. “Let us keep it as a little secret between us. Okay?”

Shen He felt his heart numb from that smile. “Okay.”

The two finally ended their long standoff and returned to the private room from the restroom. Just as they reached the door, it opened from the inside. A boy was about to walk out. When he saw Chen Qingtang, he paused, then smiled shyly. “Your speech earlier was amazing! Can I get your contact info?”

The pheromones of courtship were practically plastered across his face. Chen Qingtang glanced at Shen He. Just as he was about to use the “out of battery” excuse again, he heard Shen He say something astonishing:

“He is straight. He does not like men.”

Chen Qingtang: “?”