Flirt First, Run Later [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 20

Liang Chu stepped onto the same step, standing beside him, and thought while looking at others’ shoulders, If only I were this tall. For a man, it’s better to be a bit stronger.

Banya Xiong said bitterly, “Could you please stop talking? At least you’ve grown taller. Look at me—I’ve always been this short.”

Comparing himself to it, Liang Chu realized Banya Xiong indeed had it worse. “I don’t think drinking milk will help you. You’re a system, made of machinery. Why not buy a bottle of gasoline and give it a try?”

Banya Xiong replied, “And then I’ll have some fertilizer to go with it.”

Liang Chu chuckled, “If you eat it, I’ll buy it for you.”

Banya Xiong retorted, “Even if you buy it, I won’t eat it.”

Liang Chu flicked its eggshell and noticed Xie Shenxing still hadn’t moved. He lightly kicked his calf and said, “What are you standing here spacing out for?”

And with such a stern face, are you trying to ward off ghosts as my door god?

Xie Shenxing remained silent, raising his hand several times only to restrain himself and lower it again. His lowered eyelashes concealed the complex emotions in his eyes. He had seen who Liang Chu was contacting Sun Yun… that girl again.

He wouldn’t allow Liang Chu to grow freely out of his sight. What if he really ended up marrying a girl? Naturally, Xie Shenxing had kept tabs on his situation over the years. His relationship with Sun Yun was merely a platonic friendship. They attended the same high school but were in different classes, and in college, they went their separate ways. They were just ordinary friends. Otherwise, whether a humble family like the Suns could produce a distinguished daughter like Sun Yun was uncertain.

Even though he knew this, seeing it with his own eyes still made him uncomfortable.

Xie Shenxing suppressed the urge to question him outright. He was currently pursuing Liang Chu, trying to become a normal person. Besides, their interactions had been pleasant these past few days. Liang Chu seemed so happy and completely unguarded around him.

Struggling to contain his emotions, Xie Shenxing asked in a calm tone, “I came out to see what you were doing.”

Liang Chu lowered his head, fiddling with his phone as he pondered how to respond. He admired people like Xie Shenxing—hardworking, intelligent, and tall—but he didn’t want to be friends or partners with someone like that. Their types didn’t match. Beyond that, he couldn’t be with Xie Shenxing anyway.

Jing Ke wouldn’t like Xie Shenxing, and Liang Chu couldn’t like Xie Shenxing either. Since he was about to leave soon, why complicate someone else’s life? He didn’t want to hold back a girl, nor did he want to hold back Xie Shenxing.

After a moment’s thought, Liang Chu raised his phone toward Xie Shenxing and leaned in mysteriously, saying, “It’s Sun Yun contacting me. You remember her, right? She’s really beautiful now.”

Xie Shenxing narrowed his eyes, studying him. Is he hinting at something? Saying he likes Sun Yun again?

Xie Shenxing couldn’t underestimate him. Though Liang Chu appeared naive, he had his own ideas. Seven years ago, Xie Shenxing thought he was clueless, but that day on the stairs when they met Sun Yun, his words might not have been sincere. Otherwise, why hadn’t he pursued any further contact with Sun Yun after Xie Shenxing left?

Without hesitation, Xie Shenxing called out his test: “Of course, she’s even taller than you in heels now, and she has a boyfriend.”” He then smiled and added, “When should we get together—her with her boyfriend, and you with me? I’ll host.”

Liang Chu’s expression instantly turned deeply aggrieved. “We can talk, but let’s not resort to personal attacks, okay? What’s wrong with being 176 cm? Sure, it’s 176 cm with shoes on… But casually criticizing someone’s height and still wanting to be their boyfriend? Dream on.”

Feeling a pang of bitterness, Liang Chu decided to ignore him. Talking meant having to tilt his head up to look at Xie Shenxing, which made him feel completely lacking in presence.

Liang Chu turned to see why the two girls who were supposed to be shopping hadn’t arrived yet. Upon closer inspection, he realized they weren’t heading this way. They were just crossing the street. They probably found it odd that two men were standing together, one of them holding flowers, and couldn’t help but steal a few extra glances.

Liang Chu thought, What are you looking at? These are flowers I bought myself.

As the two girls walked toward a nearby café, Liang Chu pushed the glass door open with his hip, stepping backward. He thought to himself, It’s just perfect that we haven’t had any customers today. Hopefully, no one shows up at all. After all, this shop belongs to Xie Shenxing.

Xie Shenxing held the door open for him, but Liang Chu repaid kindness with hostility. Once inside, he forcefully pushed the door shut from the inside, leaving Xie Shenxing stranded outside.

Xie Shenxing watched him through the glass, caught between laughter and exasperation. He rubbed his temples in frustration.

Liang Chu walked back to the counter, sat down, and pulled out a comic book, placing it on the table. He flipped through a couple of pages but couldn’t focus. Pressing his hand against the book, he muttered, “I praised this shop and its previous owner for nothing during the day. When I saw all those difficult books, I actually thought this person was impressive. Seriously.”

Banya Xiong chimed in, “It might not necessarily be Xie Shenxing’s shop. There’s no proof.”

Liang Chu tapped the account book and said, “What more proof do we need? This handwriting is his. No wonder it looked familiar yesterday. I just didn’t connect it to him. What’s wrong with my brain?”

Banya Xiong replied, “So what do we do now? Are you quitting as the boss? Don’t worry, I’ll stick with you. Let’s go back to living off others. We’re rich second-generation heirs anyway—it fits our image. But the cat food here is pretty good. Can you grab a bag for me before we leave?”

Liang Chu said sadly, “No, I won’t. Actually, I think selling things is quite interesting. I’ve only been at it for a day. What do you think about me becoming a shopping guide at a supermarket?”

Banya Xiong retorted, “What do you think?”

Liang Chu sighed, “Absolutely not.”

Just then, Xie Shenxing walked into the shop. Liang Chu thought for a moment, calculating how much money he had. Then, he beckoned as if calling a little dog and said, “Hey, you there, come here.”

The tall, beast-like man raised an eyebrow and approached the counter. “What did you just call me?”

Liang Chu thought to himself, I was calling a little dog.

He lowered his head and pulled out his wallet, mentally tallying how much was in each card. One card didn’t have enough, but two cards combined would leave some extra. He took out two cards, stacked them together to make it look like one—it seemed cooler that way—and slid them across the counter. “This shop is yours, right? I may not be a particularly good person, but I won’t take what isn’t mine. Here’s the money.”

After a pause, Liang Chu added seriously, “I know exactly how much money I have. If you take even a cent extra, I’ll notice immediately. Once you’ve withdrawn enough, remember to return my cards.”

The creditor didn’t seem pleased about being repaid. Xie Shenxing glanced at the cards on the table, a shadow flickering in his eyes.

He didn’t deny it and said softly, “I belong to you entirely. Why would I need your money? Keke, there’s no need to draw such clear lines between us.”

“You belong to yourself,” Liang Chu shook his head and said. “What’s meant to be yours will be yours. I can’t take even a needle or a thread from ordinary people, and you shouldn’t be foolish either. Even brothers keep clear accounts. No one turns their back on money.”

“You’re the one turning your back on me,” Xie Shenxing didn’t smile, straightening his posture as he sensed there was more to be said.

Sure enough, his eyes were clear and sincere. Despite his youthful and delicate face, he deliberately adopted the expression of an elderly man, lowering his voice like a kindly old man: “I’m saying this for your own good. You should listen to me. Find a girl to marry and have children with. If you don’t like girls, find a man to live a good life with. After all, we only have this one lifetime, and happiness is what matters most. But from now on, don’t come looking for me anymore. Try to like someone else.”

Xie Shenxing froze, as if he hadn’t understood what was said. The tall man’s body swayed unsteadily as he reached out to grip the corner of the table.

Just then, a customer arrived. Liang Chu quickly added, “If you’re willing to give me the shop, take the money and leave. If not, I’ll return the shop to you.”

The customer had picked out some natural pet food and canned dog food. Liang Chu said no more and, as usual, gave her a flower. Yesterday, giving flowers had been partly for appearances and partly because he wanted to, but today it was entirely for show purely for Xie Shenxing’s benefit.

Liang Chu cheerfully made change and, at the end, handed over a beautiful flower.

The customer was a woman nearing forty. Unlike girls in their twenties, she carried an elegant charm—willow-leaf eyebrows, cherry-like lips, and a gentle demeanor. Yet, upon receiving the flower, she exclaimed like a young girl, “Is this for me?”

Liang Chu chuckled, “Yes, it is.”

The woman smiled, her eyes crinkling as she thanked him, “It’s been years since I last received flowers.”

Shopkeeper Liang Chu said, “If you come here to shop every day, I’ll give you flowers every day.”

The woman laughed softly and said, “You really know how to run a business, boss.”

Sniffing the fragrance of the flower, the woman walked away with light steps. So, happiness really is something easily found—like seeing others happy and feeling your own mood lift. Liang Chu had been feeling somewhat uneasy and down after clarifying things with Xie Shenxing, but now his negative emotions had dissipated a little, about 0.5%, perhaps.

Liang Chu organized the money he had just earned, placing it together with yesterday’s earnings.

Xie Shenxing still hadn’t left. The man’s expression grew increasingly gloomy as he said in a low voice, “When I kissed you, you didn’t resist.”

Liang Chu didn’t know where to put his hands, so he grabbed Banya Xiong (the plush bear) and blinked, saying, “That’s because I didn’t react in time. I’m slow to respond and didn’t get a chance to express my dislike.”

Xie Shenxing furrowed his brows and stared at him. Time seemed to stand still, the atmosphere stiff and heavy. Liang Chu avoided the man’s gaze, looking elsewhere, when Banya Xiong’s weak voice came through: “Could you please stop squeezing me… You’ve deformed my shell! It won’t close now! If it starts leaking, you’ll have to pay for it!”

Liang Chu quickly let go, “Huh? Was I squeezing you? Sorry about that.”

Banya Xiong hugged its shell pitifully, inspecting it all over, “It’s okay, it’s not deformed.”

Liang Chu sighed, “Ah.”

Banya Xiong said, “Don’t be sad.”

Liang Chu nodded, “I know. Life is still beautiful. Time will heal everything.”

Bucktooth Bear said, “You’re doing the right thing. Even strangers can develop feelings if they stick together often, let alone you two who’ve known each other for so long. But then, what about our mission points?”

Liang Chu replied, “Even before Xie Shenxing came back, the mission points were still increasing. Now we only need 16 more points. If something big happens like it did the other day, it might just fill up.”

Bucktooth Bear said, “Mm.”

Liang Chu cautiously observed Xie Shenxing, whose expression was grim. “Coco, you can’t treat me like this.”

In his heart, Liang Chu apologized, but out loud, he said, “I can.”

Xie Shenxing took a deep breath, struggling to suppress his violent emotions and forcing himself to stay calm. The selfish, possessive thoughts he had been holding back surged forth uncontrollably, almost overwhelming him. He stared deeply at Liang Chu. Originally, he had planned to take things slow and steady, to savor the process of making Liang Chu his, to hold him close. He could have reached out and taken him anytime he wanted, yet he had never laid a finger on him.

Now he wasn’t so sure. What was the point? He was willing to do anything for Liang Chu, but Liang Chu needed nothing from him. Why was he so difficult? He kept provoking and angering him, rejecting his affection, indifferent to his feelings.

And he never gave him a chance to start.

Liang Chu didn’t lack for others’ affection. It wasn’t just him, many people liked him. Even strangers passing by would smile at him.

If only no one else could see him.

That same unreasonable, indifferent expression from childhood. Willing to let others into his heart, willing to give him away. Jing Ke, how could you say such a thing?

After a long while, Xie Shenxing finally reacted. His expression was disheartened and desperate as he looked at the card on the table and snapped it in half.

Seeing this, Liang Chu knew the conversation couldn’t continue, and he couldn’t stay as the boss any longer. He felt a pang of sadness and sighed in frustration, though not for his aborted career as a boss.

Liang Chu bent down, picked up his bouquet from under the counter, and unsure of what to say, plucked two flowers from the bunch and placed them in front of Xie Shenxing. “I’m leaving now. Don’t be sad. I’ll reapply for my bank card myself.”

Liang Chu slowly walked toward the exit. As he left, Bucktooth Bear clung to his sleeve with a pleading look. Liang Chu said, “The atmosphere is too serious. It’s not appropriate.” Bucktooth Bear insisted, “I really want to eat.”

Reluctantly, Liang Chu stole a large bag of cat food, cradling it as he walked away. Carrying it on his back would make it too obvious if Xie Shenxing happened to look back. Leaving was one thing, but stealing on the way out?

Liang Chu placed Bucktooth Bear in the bag of cat food and sighed softly. “I feel so awful. Xie Shenxing must be crying secretly right now.”

Bucktooth Bear blissfully buried itself in the cat food, paddling its paws as if swimming, with only its head visible. “This feels amazing!”

Liang Chu said, “I kind of want to see.”

Bucktooth Bear crawled out of the cat food, clasping its paws. “If you’re too embarrassed to say it, I’ll say it for you. Let’s go back and sneak a peek!”

Liang Chu turned around and started walking back. “How could we do that? Why are you this kind of bear?”

Bucktooth Bear added the last three words: “Cat baby. Panda baby.”

Liang Chu returned to the outside of the shop, first hid the cat food, then crouched by the door and peered inside through the glass window. To his surprise, Xie Shenxing’s expression was remarkably calm, showing no signs of distress. The man stood leaning against the counter, facing the entrance. The moment Liang Chu peeked in, Xie Shenxing spotted him and broke into a smile.

Seeing him smile, Liang Chu breathed a sigh of relief. He lowered his head, pretending to pick something up as if to say, “I’m not here to see you,” and then walked away reassured.

Xie Shenxing toyed with the rose in his hand, plucked its petals, and crushed them in his palm, squeezing out a vivid crimson juice.

His calmness stemmed from a decision already made. This was the person he deeply loved—he would not let go, would not negotiate kindly, and would no longer be polite with him.