I Snatched the Overbearing President’s Canary [Transmigration] - Chapter 18

Chapter 18: The Male Consort

“What did she whisper to you?” Shenyu leaned in, asking curiously.

Ning Chen shook his head. “Nothing much.”

He instinctively felt that this wasn’t something he should share with He Shenyu. Fortunately, He Shenyu didn’t dwell on such small matters. He took the Polaroids, looked them over several times, and even critiqued them one by one.

…

After returning from Pagoda Temple, the mission of the trip was essentially complete, and it was time to head back. Early the next morning, Ning Chen packed their things and prepared one last meal.

When he went to wake He Shenyu, the latter could barely keep his eyes open. He asked dizzily, “Ning Chen, where are we going today?”

Ning Chen smiled as he helped him sit up. “We’re going home today.”

Shenyu leaned against him, subconsciously nuzzling his shoulder. It took a long moment for him to snap awake. “Okay.”

After finishing their final meal made with fresh vegetables from the garden, they gave their remaining supplies to the neighbors and set off with their luggage. Seeing Ning Chen walk over with his backpack, the little white bear keychain swaying on the zipper, He Shenyu couldn’t help but feel a sense of melancholy.

Back to being a corporate slave…

Actually, Fu Hengzhan had looked for him during the trip, but upon hearing he had taken leave, the CEO hadn’t said much. Shenyu didn’t know the specifics, but since Fu Hengzhan hadn’t pushed, it likely wasn’t urgent.

The timing of the leave was perfect; today was Friday, meaning he’d have the weekend to recover after getting back. It was flawless.

Because of the mountain climb yesterday, He Shenyu woke up feeling quite sore. Unfortunately, Ning Chen didn’t know how to drive, so he just had to bear it. Luckily, it was highway all the way back. Shenyu pushed the car to the speed limit to minimize travel time; having learned the route, he didn’t need to rely as heavily on GPS as he did on the way there.

The return trip was an hour faster than the arrival. They reached He Shenyu’s home by noon.

As soon as they exited the elevator, He Shenyu shamelessly slumped against Ning Chen, leaning on him all the way to the front door. Ning Chen didn’t think much of it at first, as He Shenyu leaned on him often. But when they reached the door and he still hadn’t stood straight, Ning Chen looked at him and asked, “Are you tired, Shenyu?”

Shenyu looked up, his expression exhausted. “Driving was fine, but yesterday’s climb wrecked my legs. They’re so sore… I wish I had a robot to carry me around.”

Ning Chen unlocked the door and naturally bent down to scoop He Shenyu up in a princess carry. He said, “I’ll be your robot.”

Shenyu was set down to change his shoes and then promptly deposited onto the sofa. Finally able to collapse, he felt a bit embarrassed. “Ning Chen, you don’t have to do all this.”

Even for a bizarre sugar daddy, a canary probably shouldn’t be carrying him around, right? He only hadn’t refused because his legs were truly jelly. He didn’t want to move a muscle.

Ning Chen went back to close the door and strolled back. He bent down to set aside his backpack and said with a smile, “Shenyu, this is very easy for me. You know I’m very strong.”

“True…” Shenyu remembered the image of Ning Chen carrying that massive log and chopping wood. It wasn’t an exaggeration; he really was strong.

Ning Chen smiled. “It’s fine. If you don’t want to move, just sit there. Call me if you need to go anywhere. I’ll go cook first. Do you want to watch TV, or should I bring you your tablet?”

Shenyu hugged a throw pillow. “I’ll watch some TV.”

Ning Chen nodded and handed him the remote. A moment later, Ning Chen returned with He Shenyu’s cup and poured him some warm water.

Shenyu looked at him blankly. “You’re waiting on me like I’m a retired Emperor…”

Ning Chen was amused by the odd metaphor. He rested his chin on his hand, his eyes crinkling as he laughed. “Then what about me? What do you call a retired Emperor’s male consort?”

Shenyu froze. It was the first time he had seen Ning Chen laugh so openly. The air seemed to blur; his mind was filled with nothing but the sight of Ning Chen’s smile. After a long pause, he answered sheepishly, “I don’t know.”

Ning Chen gave a light chuckle. “I’m going to cook. Call me if you want anything else.”

“Okay,” He Shenyu nodded softly, taking a sip of water.

After Ning Chen left, He Shenyu opened his phone. There was a message from Fu Hengzhan, telling him to come to the villa tomorrow as usual for his check-up. Shenyu had forgotten about this, but since check-ups were part of his job, he had no reason to refuse. He replied with a simple “Okay.”

However, now that he knew the story behind the Jade Buddha, he couldn’t help but feel a deeper sense of disgust toward Fu Hengzhan. He stared at the screen in silence for a long time.

He got up, went to his room, and grabbed his laptop. He opened his document and updated it with the plot details he had just discovered.

…

The next day, He Shenyu went to the villa for work. Fu Hengzhan was the same as ever, showing no abnormalities. The work ended quickly and systematically. As He Shenyu was packing his medical bag to leave, Fu Hengzhan called out to him.

“Doctor He, do you have time to chat?”

Shenyu looked at him strangely. You’re my employer; if you say we’re chatting, do I even have the right to be busy? He answered quietly, “I have time.”

Fu Hengzhan nodded and gestured vaguely to the chair across from his desk. “Sit down.”

Shenyu had no idea what the man was up to, but he sat down obediently.

“I heard from Song Zhi that he originally planned to introduce a college student to me last time, but then that student suddenly resigned. Do you know anything about that?” Fu Hengzhan leaned back slightly, crossing his arms and staring directly at He Shenyu.

His tone was casual, like a passing question he didn’t care about. But the words made He Shenyu’s palms break into a sweat.

“Oh? When was this? I had no idea,” Shenyu replied with a smile.

The “Doctor He” persona wasn’t close to Song Zhi, so he shouldn’t know. Shenyu only knew because of his “God’s eye” perspective. Playing dumb was the best move. Anything else would sound like a confession.

He had expected this back at the KTV. Song Zhi and Manager Cheng weren’t his people; he couldn’t guarantee the information wouldn’t leak unless he killed them both—which he obviously couldn’t do. If Fu Hengzhan became interested in Ning Chen, it was only natural he would find out.

The question was: how much did he know? And how interested was he? Could he really have fallen for him at first sight to the point of disregarding everything?

Perhaps he really shouldn’t have brought Ning Chen to see Fu Hengzhan that day. But looking at the current situation, He Shenyu felt the “Plot God” was at work. Otherwise, why would Fu Hengzhan suddenly investigate? Even if he hadn’t brought Ning Chen, it likely would have only delayed the inevitable.

He Shenyu currently lacked the power to defy Fu Hengzhan. It would be easy for him to leave—he could just resign. With Doctor He’s credentials, he’d find work elsewhere. But what about Ning Chen? Ning Chen was still in university. He had two years left after this summer. Would he have to quit?

In this world, He Shenyu knew how much education meant to someone like Ning Chen; it was the one thing that could change his fate. Moreover, in the original novel, Ning Chen fell into depression because he couldn’t finish his studies. Since He Shenyu was here, he couldn’t bear to let that happen again.

He had to stay here and bet on Fu Hengzhan being willing to act like a sane human being. Logically, the Plot God should maintain character archetypes, right? Otherwise, there would be no reason for the plot to “return to its track.”

While He Shenyu was lost in thought, Fu Hengzhan leaned his elbows on the desk. “You don’t know? Figures. You’ve never been one for those kinds of things.” He waved a hand. “Fine. You can go.”

Shenyu breathed a sigh of relief and stood up. “Understood, President Fu.”

He shouldered his medical bag and headed for the door without looking back. But then, Fu Hengzhan’s voice rang out again.

“Doctor He, where did you and your boyfriend meet?”

Shenyu’s footsteps faltered. After a pause, he turned back. “At school. I was his senior. I ran into him when I went back to visit a professor, and we exchanged contact info.”

Truthfully, it was impressive he could pull that reason out of thin air. He just remembered Ning Chen saying he saw his name in the archives and improvised. He actually did know Ning Chen’s professors, and the Dean of Students hadn’t changed—the Dean had even contacted him about a scholarship recently. If Fu Hengzhan checked, the story would hold up.

“Oh.” Fu Hengzhan didn’t seem to care about the answer. He waved him off and turned his gaze back to his computer.

Shenyu walked out and closed the door, feeling that things couldn’t continue like this. He had to find a way. A way…

…

On Tuesday, He Shenyu was at the hospital when his assistant gave him some news.

Fu Hengzhan had come in for a gastroscopy last week while he was away, and the report was out. He wanted He Shenyu to wait for him at the hospital today to go over the results.

Shenyu’s first reaction: This is my chance.

Knowing Fu Hengzhan was an absolute workaholic, he would definitely only come after office hours. Shenyu had spent days agonizing over a plan, and the simplest, most direct method was to let Fu Hengzhan witness an intimate act between him and Ning Chen with his own eyes.

In the original novel, it was written that a man like Fu Hengzhan never played with “second-hand goods.” While the phrase made He Shenyu feel sick, it was a viable way to stop Fu Hengzhan from pursuing Ning Chen. Their “boyfriend” status was perhaps too secretive; maybe Fu Hengzhan had investigated and suspected they were faking it?

Shenyu didn’t know, but he was at his wit’s end. In a modern setting, he couldn’t realistically surpass the overpowered protagonist in terms of wealth and power through hard work alone. He had to use these risky moves.

As for whether to warn Ning Chen in advance… Shenyu really didn’t know how to bring it up.

Anyway, they had already accidentally kissed once. Kissing again for Fu Hengzhan to see shouldn’t be a big deal, right? It was all to save Ning Chen. Shenyu felt that if Ning Chen knew the truth, he wouldn’t blame him.

He sighed and dialed Ning Chen’s number for a voice call. He had Ning Chen’s schedule and knew he was on his lunch break.

The phone rang with the system default tone. Before He Shenyu could think further, Ning Chen picked up, his voice sounding cheerful and surprised. “Shenyu?”

“Mhm,” He Shenyu heard noise in the background. “Are you eating at the canteen?”

“Yes,” Ning Chen replied. “What’s up? Is something wrong?”

“Nothing,” He Shenyu struggled to find the words. “Can’t I call you if nothing’s wrong?”

He didn’t know why that familiar line popped out of his mouth. Ning Chen seemed to chuckle, his crisp voice coming through the speaker with a hint of something magnetic. “Of course. You can do whatever you want.”

“Really?” Shenyu went with the flow. “Then, can you come pick me up from work this afternoon?”

“Huh?” Ning Chen seemed startled for a second before answering, “Okay. Of course, Shenyu.”