Fishing-Type Beauties Will Never Love Crematorium - Chapter 3

Looking at the avatar of the WeChat ID that had been pushed to him, Shen He’s fingertips paused.

Wei Yan: Is it exactly the same as your avatar? I was confused when I first saw it.

Shen He: The color is different, and the orientation is different.

His avatar and Chen Qingtang’s were both cartoon animations depicting a small snake curled under a lotus leaf, sleeping contentedly. However, in his avatar, the snake’s head was facing left, and the snake was entirely black. In Chen Qingtang’s, the snake’s head faced right, and the snake was snow-white.

Wei Yan: You two look like you have couple avatars, hahaha.

Shen He’s finger, which was about to press the friend request button, lifted back up because of this comment. He pressed his thin lips together, his fingertips lingering on the avatar for a moment.

Wei Yan: Are you there?

Shen He: It is not a couple avatar. It is a coincidence.

Wei Yan: Hey, I was just saying. It must be a coincidence.

Wei Yan: But are you going to use that WeChat avatar to add him? Won’t it be awkward?

Shen He: Hmm.

There was no need to change his avatar specifically for this. This time, Shen He decisively pressed “Add Contact.”

When Chen Qingtang received the friend notification, he was being grilled by Chu Xi.

Chu Xi: Show me the screenshot. What if you are lying to me?

Chen Qingtang switched to the notification tab, took a screenshot of Shen He’s friend request, and sent it directly to him.

Chu Xi: … Holy shit, you are really something.

Chu Xi: Why have you not clicked accept yet?

Chen Qingtang: No rush.

With the school wide lights out time approaching, Chen Qingtang carried his little blue basin, which contained his toiletries, and headed to the communal washroom on his floor. While brushing his teeth, he looked at himself in the mirror and his phoenix eyes curved.

Shen He had not changed his avatar. This meant that Shen He was currently not repelled by him; one could even say he had a good impression of him.

What kind of person was Shen He? He had very strong boundaries. Without familiarity, Shen He would reject anyone who approached his private life, like a wolf with a strong sense of territoriality. Shen He had used this cartoon snake avatar for over ten years in his previous life; he never knew it was considered a couple avatar. Once, someone trying to woo Shen He discovered the other half of the cartoon snake avatar, changed their own to match it the next day, and intentionally used it to chat with Shen He to test his attitude. When it was pointed out to Shen He that they looked like couple avatars, he changed his avatar that very day and blocked the colleague. Of course, there was another reason that person was blocked; his intentions were too blatant, so blatant that they made Shen He feel uncomfortable.

Growing up, there were too many people attracted by Shen He’s outstanding appearance and proud family background, and Shen He had grown tired of it. Therefore, he would instinctively reject anyone whose intentions were too obvious. This was the fundamental reason why Shen He was so difficult to pursue. Chen Qingtang had intentionally changed to that cartoon snake avatar to test Shen He’s initial impression of him. Since Shen He not only had not changed his avatar but also proactively added him on WeChat, it showed that Shen He’s impression of him was good.

It seemed that tomorrow, the success rate would be very high.

Chen Qingtang picked up a towel to wipe the water droplets from his face and leaned closer to the mirror to admire his still youthful and fresh face. He tapped his cheeks twice; so soft. It was intoxicating. In his previous life, every time they were in the heat of the moment, Shen He would grip his chin, forcing him to show his face. Then, he would stare at him for a few seconds, his gaze darkening, until he finally could not help but lower his head and kiss him amidst the sound of a heart beating so violently it was deafening. This youthful face, flushed with red, eyes blurred and unfocused, must be even more breathtakingly beautiful.

Chen Qingtang looked left and right, nodding in satisfaction. He had not thought about using sex appeal to lure Shen He, but that method was not suitable as a core strategy. What kind of good thing could be hooked just by sex appeal? Chen Qingtang despised shallow fools who only obsessed over skin. Sex appeal was only suitable as a mid game condiment, a weapon to disturb the other party’s peace of mind.

Chen Qingtang wanted more than just Shen He’s obsession with his skin; he wanted Shen He to be fascinated by his soul. Shen He would have to love him when he was shining, and love him when he was broken; love his nobility, and love his baseness. He would make Shen He become insanely addicted to every inch of his flaws.

After washing up, he returned to the dorm, lay comfortably on the bed, and drew the curtains. Only then did Chen Qingtang pick up his phone and accept the friend request. Shen He immediately sent a red envelope. Chen Qingtang accepted it, sent a “Received” sticker, threw the phone aside, and went to sleep to maintain his beauty. Building a presence early on was enough; there was no need to do more.

After class at noon, Wei Yan and Shen He planned to pick up Luo Xin. Luo Xin’s home was in a remote mountain village, and the train ride took several days and nights. The kid was frugal and had bought a hard seat ticket; after being tortured on the train for days, he was exhausted to the point of collapse. Shen He was worried that Luo Xin would not be able to carry his heavy luggage alone if he took the subway, and he did not want him to pay for a taxi, so he and Wei Yan drove to pick him up.

It was only March, and the snow outside in the north had not melted yet; the temperature was very low. By the time they arrived at the train station, Luo Xin had been waiting at the exit for a while, his honest little face reddened by the cold wind. Shen He stepped forward to take Luo Xin’s luggage, and the three got into the car. Luo Xin sat in the back, rubbing his hands together to warm up, and said happily: “Shen Ge, I brought some local specialties from home! You have definitely never eaten them! Once we get back, I will cook them for you two to try!”

Shen He said, “Hmm.”

Wei Yan laughed as he replied: “Shen Ge might not be used to the taste.”

Luo Xin: “Just try it first.”

He then asked: “How is the new roommate? Easy to get along with?”

Wei Yan played on his phone: “He is alright. We have not spent two days with him yet, so it is hard to tell what he is like.”

“What do you think, Shen Ge?”

Shen He had no expression, focusing on the road ahead: “Hygiene conscious, meticulous, and has good social boundaries.”

A very fair and objective evaluation.

Wei Yan gave a thumbs up: “Man, Shen Ge has not even met him twice yet.”

Luo Xin remembered something: “Ah, I added Chen Qingtang on WeChat last night. Let me check his Moments.”

The car was quiet for a while as they reached a red light, and the car slowed to a stop. Shen He glanced at Luo Xin from the corner of his eye and saw him smiling with his lips curled up. Luo Xin was sitting in the passenger seat and stretched his arm to put his phone in front of Shen He: “Shen Ge, look, I think he is so cute.”

Chen Qingtang’s Moments were set to be visible for only the last three days, and his posts were simple:

Feb 27, 8:00 AM: Must wear a mask. Feb 27, 11:30 AM: No radishes. Avoid. (Canteen Floor 1, Window 2). Feb 28, 8:00 AM: Must wear a mask. Feb 28, 1:00 PM: No eggplant. Avoid. (Canteen Floor 1, Window 5) PS: There was a bug in the dish, unsanitary. Negative review. March 1, 8:00 AM: Must wear a mask. March 1, 12:30 PM: Too spicy. Avoid. (Canteen Floor 2, Window 7).

Shen He’s chest vibrated slightly, a faint smile appearing in his eyes. However, this shallow smile dissipated as quickly as mist under the scorching sun. Was this person keeping a mask diary and a picky eater’s blacklist? Only now did Shen He notice that, except for the first time he saw him in the dorm on the first day of school, Chen Qingtang had been wearing a mask every other time they met. Why wear a mask? He did not even take it off in the classroom.

Wei Yan also leaned over to take a look and laughed: “He is actually quite interesting.”

After laughing, Wei Yan said: “Shen Ge, how about we have a dinner party tonight? We have not seen each other all winter break.”

At the intersection, Shen He skillfully turned the steering wheel: “Not tonight, the club is holding a small debate competition.”

Wei Yan: “So sudden? School just started; club activities already?”

Shen He: “The president arranged it.”

He wanted to see if everyone’s debating skills had declined over the winter break. It was also a way to bring people together and build connections. Luo Xin thought for a moment: “Then, let us have dinner on the weekend. Should we invite Chen Qingtang?”

Wei Yan and Luo Xin looked at Shen He, waiting for his decision. The car stopped right at the school gate, and Shen He hit the brakes, his voice calm: “We will see then.”

7:00 PM, Lecture Hall.

Almost everyone in the club had arrived early. The tables in the classroom were pushed against the walls into two rows and piled high with all kinds of snacks. Everyone was eating and chatting with people they were familiar with; the atmosphere was relaxed. The debate club president was a girl who wore glasses and looked scholarly, but when she spoke, her rough voice shocked everyone into silence.

Zhang Qingqing: “Alright! Everyone quiet! I have something to say…”

Chen Qingtang sat in a corner with Chu Xi. There were almost no people there, and the window was open, so the ventilation was good; Chen Qingtang was not wearing a mask. He was looking down at his phone. Chu Xi cracked a sunflower seed and poked his head around to look: “Tsk, what is up, why has Shen He not come yet? He is not going to skip it, is he?”

Seeing Chen Qingtang calm and unperturbed, as if it had nothing to do with him, Chu Xi poked him with his knee: “Are you not anxious?”

Chen Qingtang put his phone down: “He is here.”

Before Chu Xi could ask what he meant, the classroom door was suddenly pushed open, and Shen He entered, wrapped in a cold aura. His sharp, deep eyes swept across the classroom, finally landing on the seat next to Chen Qingtang. It was the only seat left. Shen He walked over quickly and only nodded when he saw Chen Qingtang. When he squeezed into the seat and accidentally brushed against Chen Qingtang’s leg, he said in a low voice: “Sorry.”

Chen Qingtang just smiled faintly, responding with basic politeness. After this small interlude, the two did not speak again. Chu Xi watched from the side for a long time, then whispered to Chen Qingtang: “No way, you are roommates now. Why is he so cold to you? Why will he not even talk to you?”

So cold. He would usually exchange pleasantries even when passing familiar classmates from other classes in the hallway.

Chu Xi: “How are you two any different from strangers?”

Chen Qingtang replied with the same whisper: “The difference is that after today, he will take the initiative to greet me and talk to me.”

Chu Xi squinted at him, looking skeptical.

On the podium, Zhang Qingqing had finished her summary and began to explain the debate topic: “Our topic this time is: Is love at first sight just superficial desire?”

“Congratulations, students sitting on the left wall, you are the opposing team. You will debate around ‘Love at first sight is not superficial desire.’ And for those sitting on the right wall, you are the affirmative team. You will debate around ‘Love at first sight is superficial desire.'”

“Everyone has ten minutes to prepare; the debate will officially begin in ten minutes.”

As she spoke, the sound of chairs dragging across the floor filled the classroom. Everyone formed groups and began to discuss in a flurry of voices. On Chen Qingtang’s side, the central figure was Chu Xi because he was the vice president. Chu Xi looked at the pure eyes staring at him, threw his hands up: “We are the opposing side, but I think love at first sight is superficial desire. Does anyone know how to refute this?”

Someone echoed: “I think so too. Love at first sight is just developing a liking for someone’s skin, is it not?”

Although Chu Xi was the vice president, his debating skills were actually garbage. He became vice president purely because of his good social skills; everyone had supported him. Chu Xi looked at Chen Qingtang for help: “My dear”

Chen Qingtang casually glanced at Shen He out of the corner of his eye. Shen He was sitting upright, his spine straight as a pine tree, holding a notebook in one hand and a pen in the other, writing and drawing. His cold brows were slightly furrowed, and his thin lips were pursed; this was Shen He’s usual demeanor when thinking.

Chen Qingtang spoke: “Love at first sight is certainly not superficial desire.”

Everyone looked at him, and Chu Xi signaled for everyone to be quiet and listen to him.

Chen Qingtang stood up: “The core of love at first sight lies in the words ‘devoting heart.’ Only when one devotes themselves and loves them can it be considered love at first sight.”

The boy’s voice was clear as autumn rain, falling neither too heavily nor too lightly, and many people widened their eyes in surprise.

From the moment Chen Qingtang spoke his first sentence, the pen in Shen He’s hand stopped. After hearing Chen Qingtang’s following words, Shen He suddenly raised his head, staring straight at him.

Chen Qingtang was unfazed: “‘First sight’ is an instantaneous word, but ‘devoting heart’ is not. It is a word that requires a long time to verify.”

Something seemed to be about to burst out of Shen He’s chest. He stood up and took over Chen Qingtang’s words:

“Qian Zhongshu once had a sentence describing love at first sight: ‘When I saw you for the first time, my heart had already exploded into fireworks, which would take a lifetime to clean up the ashes.'”

Shen He: “If there were not that following line, ‘which would take a lifetime to clean up the ashes,’ then that sentence would only be describing the feeling of seeing that person for the first time, not describing deep affection and devotion.”

As he spoke, Shen He looked at Chen Qingtang from time to time. It was as if he were seeking resonance, and as if it were a silent confrontation. After finishing, Shen He’s gaze remained fixed on Chen Qingtang.

Chen Qingtang caught the glimmer of anticipation in his eyes. He smiled at Shen He, acknowledging that anticipation: “Yes, but superficial desire is just an instantaneous word. It only happens at one moment and does not guarantee the future.”

“After seeing someone for the first time, to devote one’s heart to that one person, to love only that one person for a long phase, only by persisting in that devotion and love can it be considered love at first sight.”

Shen He spoke again, this time looking directly into Chen Qingtang’s eyes: “There are many ways for feelings to begin, and love at first sight is just one of them. Life is a vast wilderness; we should accept and allow the existence of this way.”

The discussion ended, and Shen He nodded to Chen Qingtang. Chen Qingtang responded with a smile. Afterward, both sat down. Everyone was still staring at them, silent as the grave. Chu Xi was the first to applaud: “Well said!”

Applause broke out, and everyone whispered about how awesome that was. Why had they not thought of that debate angle?

Chu Xi took a sip of his drink: “Then are you two going up to debate later?”

They complemented each other so well and were so in sync; they should spend more time together and work together more to build on the spark they had just created. Shen He glanced at Chen Qingtang out of the corner of his eye.

However, Chen Qingtang said: “This is my first time participating in debate club activities; I am not familiar with the debate process, so I will pass.”

Shen He’s gaze faltered.

Chu Xi looked at Shen He: “Then are you going?”

Shen He suddenly felt a sense of emptiness and lack of interest: “I will pass as well.”

A debate competition is essentially the collision and resonance of thoughts. If there was no one who could stand on par with him, this solo performance would be lonely; Shen He would rather keep his mouth shut.

Chu Xi was speechless. Since neither was going, he said: “Everyone, let us assign someone else.”

People began chattering again, mostly continuing to discuss the debate angle Chen Qingtang and Shen He had just raised. Ten minutes passed, and the debate began.

Chu Xi was distracted. He grabbed Chen Qingtang in private: “What is wrong with you! I am creating opportunities for you, and you are turning them down?”

“You two were so in sync just now. Shen He could not even take his eyes off you; the atmosphere was so great. Why are you not pressing your advantage?”

Chen Qingtang peeled an orange: “Precisely because the atmosphere was great, it was at its peak. That is why I had to call it to a halt.”

Only then can it leave someone wanting more. There is a theory in psychology called the Peak End Rule. For example, when you go out with someone you like, if you say goodbye at the moment of peak happiness and turn to leave, their memory and feeling toward you will stay at that most pleasant and highest moment. Do not press the advantage; exit gracefully. That feeling of lingering desire and the urge to grasp something will prompt the other party to unconsciously pursue you.

Chu Xi: “I do not get it, I really do not get it.”

It was mid debate break.

Chen Qingtang put down the half eaten orange: “The air in this classroom is so foul, I cannot stand it. I am leaving early.”

Chen Qingtang was born with a hyper sensitive nose and allergic rhinitis; his sensitivity to odors was several times that of a normal person, which was why he always wore a dedicated mask wherever he went. Although the windows were open for ventilation, the room was crowded, and everyone was eating snacks; the mixture of various odors was equivalent to a small scale chemical weapon for Chen Qingtang. Today, he had purposely not worn a mask to lure Shen He. This was already the greatest sacrifice Chen Qingtang could make.

Chu Xi widened his eyes: “Are you not going to wait for Shen He? It is such a rare opportunity, man.”

Chen Qingtang just shrugged: “I am going.”

He left through the back door with very light and small movements, so almost no one noticed. Chu Xi was thinking about what a fool he was, when suddenly he saw Shen He stand up and follow him out through the back door.

Chu Xi: “…??”

He decided to make Chen Qingtang his master.

On his end, after coming out of the classroom, Chen Qingtang heard footsteps behind him, neither hurried nor slow. Chen Qingtang stopped by a vending machine, calculating the time it would take for those footsteps to reach him.

Ten seconds. Chen Qingtang pressed the button on the machine.

Seven seconds. Chen Qingtang took out his phone and opened the QR code scanner.

Three seconds. Chen Qingtang turned off the Wi Fi.

The footsteps stopped.

The scan result indicated no network connection.

Chen Qingtang sighed at his phone screen.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, the boy’s magnetic and cold voice echoed in his ear: “Let me.”