Fishing-Type Beauties Will Never Love Crematorium - Chapter 6

After leaving the cafeteria, Chen Qingtang received a call from his landlord, who reminded him that tomorrow was the deadline for his rental and asked him to move his belongings out. Chen Qingtang had rented that place for two quarters the previous semester, but since he had moved into Shen He’s dorm on short notice this semester, he had not renewed the lease. There were still quite a few items left in the room, and if he waited until tomorrow to pack, he likely would not finish in time. He decided to return to his rental unit right then and there, planning to stay the night outside the dorm.

After Chen Qingtang left, Shen He went to a large school supermarket with Wei Yan and the others to pick up some snacks and daily necessities. Along the way, Wei Yan was lively and cheerful, chatting away with Luo Xin. Only Shen He remained silent.

As they approached their dormitory building, Wei Yan turned around and noticed Shen He still following behind. “Shen Ge, are you not going home? Do you want to stay in the dorm today?”

Shen He was momentarily startled. He looked up and realized they had arrived at the apartment building. “No,” he said.

Wei Yan squinted his eyes. “What is going on with you? You are acting very strange.”

Shen He said nothing. He stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly stepped forward and brought his face close to Wei Yan’s neck. He sniffed gently. Realizing what Shen He had done, Wei Yan’s expression twisted instantly, and he broke out in goosebumps. If it had not been Shen He, he would have instinctively countered with a shoulder throw.

Shen He stepped back and told him, “Wei Yan, you smell so good.”

“…” Wei Yan looked at him as if he had seen a ghost, pulling Luo Xin in front of him for protection. “Do not do that! We are like brothers!”

Luo Xin was also baffled. At that moment, Shen He looked at Luo Xin, stepped forward, and took a few sniffs of him as well. Luo Xin stood there stiffly, his face bright red. Shen He stepped back again and said to him, “Luo Xin, you smell so good.”

Luo Xin looked down, shyly. “Shen Ge, do not be like that. You are scaring me.”

Wei Yan crouched, poking half his head out from behind Luo Xin. “Shen Ge, are you messing with us? Just trying to have some fun?”

Shen He pressed his lips together and said earnestly, “I am simulating.”

He wanted to simulate Chen Qingtang’s behavior and words to try and understand what Chen Qingtang was thinking. He was attempting to fathom his motives, intentions, and mood. If the previous few encounters were just illusions, and if Chen Qingtang hugging his coat during class could be dismissed as him being half asleep, then this current incident confirmed it: Chen Qingtang was genuinely sniffing him.

But why?

“And what have you deduced?” Wei Yan asked.

Shen He was silent for a moment, then shook his head.

Wei Yan clicked his tongue. “Brother, if you have something on your mind, tell your brothers. Let us see if we can help you solve it.”

The streetlights had come on beneath the apartment building, casting a pale yellow light on Shen He’s handsome profile. Only after a long time did he speak: “If someone smells you and tells you that you smell very good, what are they trying to do, and why would they do it?”

Wei Yan raised his eyebrows. “Kiss you? Harass you?”

Shen He corrected him, “No. It is just smelling. Smelling the scent on your body.”

Wei Yan nodded in realization and began to ponder, stroking his chin. Luo Xin also put on a serious face, doing his best to help solve the problem.

Wei Yan mused, “I think they definitely have ulterior motives toward you.”

Shen He seemed confused. “Ulterior motives?”

Wei Yan nodded emphatically. “Yes. You smell so good, your hands are so small, you look so soft, can I touch you, just a hug, I will not go in, just a rub—do these phrases sound familiar?” These were the standard tactics of a player, coaxing a girl step by step to break her boundaries.

Shen He frowned slightly. “Not familiar.” But his intuition told him these were not good words.

Wei Yan said with great certainty, “Do you not think these words are very ambiguous? They have a clear sexual implication. Take my advice; the other party definitely wants to sleep with you!”

Shen He refuted without hesitation, “Impossible.” It was definitely not that. Shen He knew perfectly well that those words were ambiguous. It was precisely because they were so ambiguous, yet contradicted his perception of Chen Qingtang, that he could not figure it out. Since they had met, although the time had not been long, Shen He had never felt that uncomfortable sense of purpose from Chen Qingtang that he felt with other suitors. Furthermore, in his interactions with Chen Qingtang, he had always been the active one. He had proactively added Chen Qingtang on WeChat, started conversations, saved seats in class, and sought him out. Chen Qingtang, from start to finish, had been completely pure.

Wei Yan’s face wrinkled. “Why would it be impossible? Do you have some kind of filter for that person?” He asked, “By the way, who is that person anyway? I want to see who has the guts to flirt with our Shen Ge?”

Shen He did not reveal anything more, only bowing his head and saying, “I am going home. See you tomorrow.”

Wei Yan watched his retreating figure, suddenly remembered something, and shouted, “Dinner party tomorrow night! Do not forget!” They had already agreed to have a meal together over the weekend. Shen He did not turn back; he just raised his arm and waved.

Eleven at night.

The night had deepened. Shen He, who always had a regular sleep schedule, was uncharacteristically still awake. He could not sleep. He had been in the study for over an hour, practicing calligraphy. Usually, when his mind was unsettled or his mood fluctuating, he would choose to practice calligraphy. Controlling the brush with his wrist suspended required concentration, and every stroke required a hundred percent focus. Only then could the characters be elegant and beautiful.

As Shen He wrote, his expression turned strange because he realized he had written a whole sheet of paper with the character “Fragrance.” Shen He took a soft breath and simply put down the brush. He would not write anymore. Since he cared so much, he would go and ask. He would ask the person directly. Shen He was an upright person; there was nothing he could not ask. If it were someone else making such unclear, ambiguous moves, Shen He would have chosen to stay away. But Chen Qingtang was different. Shen He could not quite put his finger on why. Perhaps it was the feeling of resonance he had experienced at the debate competition that day; it was simply too wonderful and unprecedented.

Chen Qingtang slept until noon. He picked up his phone and checked the time; it was three in the afternoon. He took a deep breath and, fueled by that burst of energy, flipped off the bed. If he did not get up now, it would be too late.

He checked his phone while brushing his teeth. Chu Xi had sent him a message that morning: Do you really not want my help?

Chen Qingtang brushed his teeth with one hand and typed with the other: Mhm.

Chu Xi replied instantly: Fine then. If Shen He does not come to help you move, let me know. I want to see the joke, and I will graciously lend you a hand.

Chen Qingtang: Not happening. Do not get your hopes up. [Smile]

He exited the chat and opened his WeChat fitness tracker. Shen He’s steps were at 58, while Wei Yan and Luo Xin’s steps were in the single digits. This meant they had not left yet. After freshening up, Chen Qingtang received the landlord’s urgent call. After hanging up, he packed everything into several large boxes. By the time he was finished, it was past five in the afternoon.

Checking the WeChat steps again, Wei Yan and Luo Xin had already reached a few thousand steps. The two of them must have gone out. Meanwhile, Shen He’s steps were still under a hundred. To be safe, Chen Qingtang sent a message to Wei Yan.

Chen Qingtang: Did you guys go out? I forgot my dorm key.

Wei Yan: Ah, yes. The dinner we talked about yesterday. Luo Xin and I are almost there, but Shen Ge is still at home and has not left yet.

Seeing this reply, Chen Qingtang felt reassured.

Wei Yan: Are you done yet? Are you coming?

Chen Qingtang: Not yet. You guys have fun! [Sun]

He glanced at the overcast sky outside; he could hear the sound of drizzling rain through the window. It was raining this season, not snowing, which meant the temperature was rising rapidly. Moreover, this rain followed the weather forecast perfectly, falling exactly according to Chen Qingtang’s plan.

Chen Qingtang chose a long, white down jacket and paired it with a sky blue fluffy scarf. He moved his boxes downstairs like that. To ensure Shen He would recognize him, he did not even wear a mask. This was a huge sacrifice for him. After a few trips, he finally moved everything to the foot of the building and stood under the eaves to wait. Shen He lived in the same complex, just in the building opposite; Chen Qingtang had known this for a long time. He was waiting for Shen He to come downstairs.

The rain lightened slightly, and fine water droplets swirled in the wind, landing on Chen Qingtang’s soft, chestnut colored hair and his dense eyelashes. Chen Qingtang adjusted his scarf, hiding half of his face. Soon, he saw a tall figure emerge from the opposite building. Today, Shen He was also wearing a long down jacket, but his was black. While others wearing such long clothes that covered their legs would look short or dowdy, Shen He’s excellent posture and aura made it look sophisticated. He was slender and straight, standing there like a pine tree on a snowy mountain.

Chen Qingtang admired him for a few moments, turned around, and struggled to lift his boxes, moving with difficulty into the rain. There was only one exit to the compound. The distance between them grew shorter. When they were about ten meters apart, Chen Qingtang noticed Shen He’s steps clearly falter. He acted as if he had not seen Shen He and continued walking forward while hugging his boxes.

When they were about three meters apart, they were unavoidably face to face. Chen Qingtang revealed just the right amount of surprise.

Shen He greeted him first: “What a coincidence.”

Chen Qingtang smiled faintly, his clean, dark eyes looking at him through the mist: “Going to the dinner? Wei Yan told me yesterday.”

Shen He gave a cold “Hmm.”

But Chen Qingtang caught the discomfort in his eyes, as well as the way his arm twitched when he scanned Chen Qingtang hugging the boxes. Chen Qingtang raised an eyebrow: “I will be off then. The stuff is too heavy, so I will not chat with you.”

Shen He’s lips parted, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he just nodded. Chen Qingtang walked two steps, then suddenly gave a light “ah” sound and let his hand go, allowing the heavy box to fall to the ground with a loud thud.

Shen He strode forward: “Are you okay?”

Chen Qingtang spread his hand open and blew on his reddened palm: “A bit painful.”

Shen He bent down voluntarily and picked up the box: “The rain is getting heavy now. My place is in Building B. If it is not inconvenient, you can leave the stuff at my place first. I can help you move them back to the dorm with Wei Yan and the others later.”

Chen Qingtang suppressed a laugh in his eyes: “Is that okay? I have a few more boxes over there.” He pointed.

Shen He: “Hmm.”

“Thank you,” Chen Qingtang said gratefully. He jogged back and chose a smaller box to hold. The two walked into the building one after another in silence. They were quiet together in the elevator. The atmosphere was stifling.

Chen Qingtang could be quite proud sometimes. If Shen He did not talk to him, he would not talk to Shen He either. It felt as if whoever spoke more between him and Shen He would be the one to lose. It was just like in their past life; if Shen He did not say he loved him first, he would never say it either. Even if he were madly in love, he would hide his feelings, as if being seen by Shen He would mean losing, that he would be lesser than Shen He.

Soon, the elevator arrived. After the doors opened, they stepped inside. Shen He carried the box into the study: “Leave it in this room for now; it is more spacious.”

The study had two full bookshelves, a desk, and a chair, with half the room left empty. Chen Qingtang looked around and realized this person’s interior layout preferences had been the same since college. The decor and layout were exactly the same as the study in their home after they were married in his previous life. It was minimalist.

They had to go downstairs one more time to move all the boxes up. As soon as he put them down, Shen He received a call from his roommate.

Wei Yan: “Where are you? Luo Xin and I are already at the restaurant, but we have to wait for a table.”

Shen He: “I ran into Chen Qingtang. He is moving, so I helped him out. Just finished.”

Wei Yan: “Ah, that is a coincidence. Bring him along; then our dorm will be complete.”

Shen He turned his head and saw Chen Qingtang standing by the desk, leaning slightly, his lips pursed as he earnestly examined the calligraphy Shen He had written. Sunlight streamed in from the window, outlining the boy’s refined profile and his long, fair neck. With delicate strands of hair hanging elegantly over his forehead, he looked like a noble, beautiful Maine Coon cat.

Shen He said “Okay” and hung up. As if afraid of disturbing something, Shen He walked over with light steps: “What are you looking at?”

Chen Qingtang extended his fingertips and gently brushed the calligraphy on the paper: “It is written very well.”

Shen He: “It is average.”

Chen Qingtang smiled faintly: “You are being humble. I understand a little, although not much.”

Shen He was surprised: “You understand it too?”

Chen Qingtang raised an eyebrow, his slightly elevated tone masking his uncontrollable pride: “Mhm.”

Shen He’s grandfather was a master of traditional Chinese medicine, but he was also a master of calligraphy. Shen He had learned from his grandfather since childhood. It was no exaggeration to say that Shen He’s calligraphy was national level; being praised by him would make anyone fly to the heavens.

Shen He: “Can you write a few characters? You write very well.”

His writing was no worse than Chen Qingtang’s, but their styles were poles apart. Shen He’s writing was calm, with restrained sharpness yet bold spirit. Seeing his writing was like seeing the endless mountains and surging rivers of their motherland, grand and magnificent. In contrast, Chen Qingtang’s writing was gentle and soft, making one feel as if a clear, babbling stream from the mountains was passing through their heart.

Chen Qingtang thought for two seconds, picked up the brush, and wrote two characters: Shen He. After finishing the stroke, his gaze suddenly shifted to the calligraphy paper Shen He had written on earlier. He pretended to be curious: “Fragrance? Did you write this? Why did you write it so many times?”

This was the calligraphy Shen He had written last night. That feeling of chaotic thoughts, like being unable to solve a math problem, flooded back. Shen He’s lips parted.

Chen Qingtang: “Hmm?”

What does he want to tell me?

Facing Chen Qingtang’s smiling eyes, Shen He suddenly swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue. Finally, Shen He looked away. He bowed his head slightly, and the soft light could not break the stiffness in his profile.

A tiny smile rose in Chen Qingtang’s eyes, the smugness of a predator who had victory in hand. Last night, he had deliberately leaned into Shen He’s ear and whispered that ambiguous sentence, like releasing a butterfly in Shen He’s heart. After entering the room just now and seeing so many “Fragrance” characters on the paper, Chen Qingtang knew he had succeeded. That butterfly had gently flapped its wings, and Shen He was now in turmoil because of it.

Shen He’s heart was in chaos.

Let it be chaotic. The more chaotic, the deeper the traces I leave in his heart.

Let it be even more chaotic. Chaotic to the point of being unable to bear it, chaotic to the point of having to open his mouth to seek an answer from him, like a drowning person desperately trying to cling to a piece of driftwood. He would add more fuel to the fire and shatter all of Shen He’s feigned calmness.

Chen Qingtang whispered, luring him: “What did you want to say? Say it…”