Fishing-Type Beauties Will Never Love Crematorium - Chapter 9

Back home, Shen He spent a long time alone in the study after freshening up. He went online to look up information regarding rhinitis and people who are naturally sensitive to odors. It turned out that odors most people find merely unpleasant are several times more pungent to people like Chen Qingtang. To them, certain smells can function as a torturous chemical weapon. They might even find the residual scent of shower gel on a person’s skin suffocating and appetite suppressing.

Half an hour later, Shen He put down his phone, leaned back in his chair, and covered his eyes with his arm. Before the situation became clear, he should not have been so subjective in his assumptions about others, especially since he had been called out to his face. To make amends, Shen He made a list of his daily toiletries—laundry detergent, shower gel, shampoo—and sent it to Chen Qingtang.

Chen Qingtang had said that he smelled good, but Shen He never wore perfume; the scent must have come from these products. The message was sent at 12:30 AM. Shen He waited for a while, but received no reply. He got up and walked from the study back to the bedroom. As he passed the room Chen Qingtang shared with Luo Xin, he could not help but glance at it a few times. The gap under the door was dark, without a glimmer of light; both of them must have already fallen asleep. Although he knew Chen Qingtang could not possibly reply at this hour, Shen He still could not resist checking his WeChat again before falling asleep.

The subconscious reaction upon waking the next morning was also to check WeChat. Still no reply.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Luo Xin’s soft voice came from the other side: “Yan Zi, Shen Ge, are you awake? Time to eat.”

Shen He put away his phone, shook Wei Yan awake, and finally got out of bed to get dressed. Breakfast was simple: a bowl of noodles with a fried egg for each. The four sat around the dining table, chatting as they ate. Shen He glanced at Chen Qingtang, who was sitting across from him. Chen Qingtang was taking small bites of his fried egg while holding his phone, seemingly typing. Shen He calmly took out his own phone and checked WeChat. Still no reply.

At that moment, Wei Yan suddenly said, “Who cooked these noodles? They are too delicious!” He was slurping the noodles, visibly enjoying them.

Luo Xin smiled. “It was Xiao Chen. He got up the earliest; when I woke up, he was already busy in the kitchen.”

Wei Yan gave Chen Qingtang a thumbs up. “Thanks, chef.”

“You are welcome,” Chen Qingtang replied.

Shen He’s expression flickered with a subtle change.

After the meal, Wei Yan sprawled onto the sofa and started playing games. Luo Xin volunteered to do the dishes. He was a simple, honest child; he felt uneasy if he did not contribute while eating and staying at someone else’s place, as if he owed them. As for Shen He, he walked toward Chen Qingtang, who was sitting quietly by the window. He took two steps, turned back, and sheepishly picked up an orange from the table.

Chen Qingtang had heard the approaching footsteps long ago, but he did not turn around. It was not until an orange, bright as a sun, was offered to him that he took it and said politely, “Thank you.”

Shen He asked, “Would you like to come to the study? I have many calligraphy scrolls by famous masters.” They were gifts from friends of Shen He’s grandfather, and each one was priceless.

Chen Qingtang almost could not suppress a laugh. How is this any different from saying, “My cat can do backflips, do you want to see?”

He first discovered that Shen He could be a bit clumsy. Chen Qingtang showed just the right amount of hesitation, capturing the essence of being on the verge of speaking but stopping. Finally, under Shen He’s gaze, he said, “No, I have something to attend to; I have to head back to school.”

Shen He remained expressionless, just nodding. However, Chen Qingtang keenly caught an indistinct emotion flashing through Shen He’s eyes and added, “Maybe next time.”

Shen He, oh Shen He, who else but me understands you and spoils you like this?

Shen He watched him for two seconds. “Alright.”

Chen Qingtang turned to leave, counting silently in his heart as he walked.

One.

Two.

Three.

“Chen Qingtang,” Shen He called out.

Chen Qingtang turned around. “Yes?”

Shen He gestured toward his phone. “Did you see the message I sent you last night?”

Chen Qingtang pondered for two seconds. “Oh, I saw it. Did I not reply to you?”

“I am sorry. I saw it when I woke up this morning, but I was not fully awake, and I thought I had already replied.”

Shen He: “It is good that you saw it.”

Chen Qingtang smiled superficially. “Thank you for your concern.”

Nerve wracking, he sneered inwardly. Who wanted the brand of his laundry detergent or shower gel? What he wanted was for Shen He to proactively pay attention to him, to get close, or to offer his coat when he forgot his mask. He wanted Shen He to proactively let Chen Qingtang be marked by his scent from head to toe, like a wild wolf marking its territory. He wanted to be a presence with a special connection to Shen He.

But explaining it directly would take the fun out of it. If Shen He did not offer it voluntarily, it meant nothing. And if Shen He did not offer it, Chen Qingtang would make sure he did; he always knew how to hook Shen He.

Watching Chen Qingtang’s departing back, Shen He pressed his lips together. Chen Qingtang seemed cold toward him. He clearly wanted to see the scrolls in the study, yet he claimed to be busy. What could he possibly have to do on the weekend? Moreover, while they were talking, Chen Qingtang was deliberately keeping his distance, seemingly unwilling to be too close. Is it my imagination? Shen He could not find a reason and could only attribute it to his own sensitivity and imagination.

Monday, the second period was a large general class where several departments attended together. Chen Qingtang arrived deliberately late. By the time he reached the classroom, it was a sea of heads, and every seat was taken. A glance toward the back showed Wei Yan and Luo Xin sitting side by side. Shen He was sitting alone in the last row. Because the classroom heating made it hot, Shen He had taken off his coat and draped it over his shoulders, looking lazily roguish and handsome enough to make it impossible to look away. Furthermore, there was an empty seat next to him.

Chen Qingtang walked slowly toward the back. Chu Xi had been watching him from the moment he walked through the door. This time, Chu Xi had learned his lesson and asked on his phone in advance: Do you need me to save you a seat? Master Chen, I believe in your methods.

Chen Qingtang glanced at the screen and gave Chu Xi a look.

Chen Qingtang: Easy.

He had expected to have to walk the aisle a few times, but before he had walked halfway, Wei Yan waved his arm enthusiastically: “Here! Over here, Xiao Chen!”

Chen Qingtang walked toward Shen He with his books in his arms, under Chu Xi’s silent, admiring gaze.

Wei Yan chattered at him: “I specifically saved it for you. Am I a good brother?”

Chen Qingtang smiled: “Thanks.”

Wei Yan chuckled: “Actually, it was Shen Ge. He saw you had not arrived, so he said to save an extra seat just in case.”

Chen Qingtang was surprised for two seconds, then curled his lips into a smile without changing his expression.

Who was it that was so reluctant to give me a seat yesterday when one was empty? Today, he had taken the initiative to have someone save a seat for him.

Chen Qingtang deliberately slowed his tone: “Thank you,” he said to Shen He.

Shen He did not even lift his head, focusing on his notes: “It was just convenient.”

Wei Yan stood up to tidy his things: “Xiao Chen, you sit with Xinzi; I will sit with Shen He.”

Shen He’s pen paused: “No need. Stay as you are.”

Wei Yan was slightly surprised and scratched his head. Does Shen Ge not usually hate sitting next to strangers? He did not understand.

Chen Qingtang placed his books on the table and pulled over a chair to sit down. As he sat, a very faint breeze followed, carrying the light, clear fragrance on his body and softly permeating the air. It smelled wonderful.

Shen He’s writing grew lighter without him realizing it. Chen Qingtang did not speak to Shen He either. Having stayed up late playing games with Chu Xi, he was sleep deprived and leaned against the table to drift off.

In his grogginess, Chen Qingtang shifted his position, and his mask slid down to his nose. A familiar, pleasant scent lingered at the tip of his nose. Chen Qingtang greedily followed the trail, taking a deep breath.

This is the scent. Wonderful.

Shen He, who had been listening intently to the lecture, felt the warm breath on the back of his hand and looked down. He saw Chen Qingtang sleeping soundly with his head tilted, resting on his arm. The boy’s delicate nose tip was only half a finger’s width from his hand, and his dense, steady breathing hit his skin like waves of heat.

Shen He’s breathing grew slow and light. Is this person sniffing me again?

Shen He was not entirely sure, so he slowly moved his hand away. But the boy seemed dissatisfied, knitting his brows and leaning forward again. Shen He simply put his hand down, resting it on his leg. The space on the table was empty now, and that addictive fragrance was gone. Chen Qingtang’s brows deepened in a frown.

Shen He watched him quietly.

Just then, the teacher on the podium called Shen He’s name. The computer equipment for the lecture was acting up; Shen He was brilliant with computer programming and had won awards in programming competitions, so everyone knew to ask him for help. Shen He responded and casually placed the coat draped over his shoulders onto the desk.

Returning to his seat five minutes later, Shen He froze in place at the sight before him: Chen Qingtang, now fully asleep, was hugging his coat, his fair, flushed cheeks rubbing affectionately against it as his nose twitched.