I Snatched the Overbearing President’s Canary [Transmigration] - Chapter 24

Chapter 24: Rainy Day

“Shenyu, what do you mean? You mean that time at the KTV wasn’t the first time you saw me?” Ning Chen pressed urgently, his voice tinged with a desperate need to know.

Did this mean He Shenyu had gone to the KTV specifically looking for him?

Ning Chen’s mind raced back to that night. Shenyu had indeed arrived early to meet Manager Cheng. Was it because he knew Ning Chen would be there? Why would he secure a “sponsorship” contract so quickly? Was it because he loved him and couldn’t bear to see him with anyone else? Or was it because he knew the “sugar daddy” world was unpredictable, and he wanted to be the one to protect him personally?

If so… did He Shenyu truly love him?

Ning Chen’s heart hammered against his ribs. He cupped He Shenyu’s face, leaning in to ask more, but He Shenyu had stopped responding coherently, merely mumbling small sounds into the air.

Sigh…

Ning Chen let out a long breath. As much as he craved the answer, seeing He Shenyu nuzzling against his lap like a weary kitten made it impossible to disturb him further. He straightened his back, feeling a wave of protectiveness.

He couldn’t give He Shenyu a proper bath—the man was far too shy and would be mortified if he woke up to find Ning Chen scrubbing him. Instead, he carried him to the bed, removed his shoes and socks, and used wet wipes to clean his hands and face.

Ning Chen eventually showered himself, leaving the bathroom door slightly ajar just in case He Shenyu needed him. But He Shenyu was a “quiet drunk”; he didn’t make a scene, he just slept.

…

The next morning, He Shenyu was jolted awake by a full bladder. He stumbled out of bed and frowned when he realized he was still wearing yesterday’s clothes. After a quick shower to wash away the scent of alcohol, he stood by the bed, head throbbing slightly.

He wanted to strip the sheets and wash everything immediately—his germaphobia was screaming—but Ning Chen was still fast asleep.

How did I get home? He had vague memories of Ning Chen’s voice, but the details were a blur. He had only tried a few different wines because they looked expensive and interesting; he hadn’t expected to black out.

He tiptoed out of the room and found the housekeeper organizing the fridge.

“Doctor He? You’re up early,” she said, surprised. “Wait a moment, I’ll make some noodles.”

“No rush, Auntie. I just woke up early today. I’ll just watch some news.” He settled onto the sofa and opened a game on his tablet.

A short while later, Ning Chen emerged. His internal clock was too disciplined to let him sleep in late.

“Shenyu, morning.” Ning Chen looked at him with a complex expression, clearly holding something back.

“Morning! I didn’t… did anything embarrassing last night, did I?” He Shenyu asked in a hushed tone, leaning in.

“No. You were very well-behaved while drunk,” Ning Chen replied, his mind echoing the strange, unfinished sentences He Shenyu had uttered.

“That’s a relief.” Shenyu stood up to change the bedsheets, but Ning Chen caught his wrist.

“What is it?” Shenyu felt a bit nervous. He leaned his ear toward Ning Chen’s mouth. “Did I do something you’re embarrassed to say? Tell me quietly.”

Ning Chen couldn’t help but laugh. Shenyu was genuinely adorable—not just because of a lover’s filter, but objectively, undeniably cute.

“Can I ask you a question then?” Ning Chen whispered back.

“Sure, ask away.”

“Promise to tell the truth.”

“I promise,” He Shenyu said without hesitation.

Ning Chen looked him in the eye. “Was the KTV really the first time you saw me?”

Shenyu’s heart skipped. Did I spill the beans last night? “Yes… it was the first time I saw you.” (Technically, in this body, it was the truth).

“Oh.” Ning Chen’s smile faded, and he stepped back. “I see.”

“What’s wrong?” Shenyu felt a prickle of fear. “Did I say something weird?”

“No,” Ning Chen shook his head. He could tell He Shenyu wasn’t lying. Maybe last night was just the nonsense of a drunkard.

Shenyu, however, was now the worried one. He stood on his tiptoes to whisper into Ning Chen’s ear: “Then I have a question for you. You have to tell the truth, okay?”

“Go ahead.”

“What exactly did I say last night? Tell me everything.”

Ning Chen hesitated, then said, “You told me that you knew who I was long before I knew you… even before the contract.”

Shenyu’s stomach dropped. “Anything… else?”

“No.”

“Well, I did know about you,” He Shenyu improvised quickly. “Professor Zhang mentioned you. You’re his star student. But I didn’t know what you looked like until I saw the files that day.”

“Oh. I see.” Ning Chen felt a wave of emptiness.

“Ning Chen, are you unhappy?” Shenyu peered into his face.

“Yes,” Ning Chen nodded bluntly. “I’m unhappy. Are you going to coax me?” The bitterness he usually kept suppressed was bubbling to the surface. He was disappointed.

“Uh…” Shenyu hadn’t expected such a direct demand. He reached out and ruffled Ning Chen’s hair. “Should I take you out to play?”

Ning Chen couldn’t keep up with the doctor’s erratic logic. He simply shook his head.

“Right, you have exams this afternoon. How about this: what do you want to eat? I’ll buy it for you after you finish.”

Ning Chen continued to shake his head. Then, seeing He Shenyu’s genuinely distressed look, his heart softened. He took He Shenyu’s hand, used the doctor’s index finger to tap his own lips, and stared at him with a playful glint.

Even He Shenyu wasn’t that dense. He leaned in for a quick, soft kiss. “I… I have to get to work. Let’s eat breakfast.”

Ning Chen smiled. He was completely coaxed. Regardless of “love,” He Shenyu was already very, very good to him.

…

Friday afternoon brought another summer downpour.

Shenyu was looking at reports in his office when the sky turned black and rain began thundering against the glass. He checked his phone—nearly 5:00 PM. Ning Chen’s final exam should be finished now.

He remembered Ning Chen coming home soaked last time. He knew that even if he told Ning Chen to take a taxi, the boy would probably walk to the subway to save money.

Fine. I’ll leave early and pick him up.

He grabbed his keys and told his assistant he was heading out. By the time he reached the parking lot, the world felt like twilight.

He drove to the university and walked toward the teaching building under a large umbrella. The hallways were quiet, save for a few students lingering by the water dispensers. He checked his phone—ten minutes left. He sat in an empty classroom on the first floor and waited.

When the bell finally rang, the building erupted with noise.

“Holy crap, it’s pouring! I don’t have an umbrella!” “It wasn’t raining when the exam started…”

Shenyu stood by the stairs, watching the crowd thin out until he realized Ning Chen wasn’t among them. He dialed Ning Chen’s number.

“Shenyu?” Ning Chen’s voice sounded slightly distorted over the rain.

“Where are you?”

“Still at school. Just finished. It’s raining really hard.”

Shenyu chuckled. “I mean, where exactly in the school? Are you still outside the classroom?”

“Mhm, in the hallway.” Ning Chen finally realized something. “Wait… Shenyu? Are you here?”

“I’m on the first floor. Come down.”

“Okay!” The sound of rushing wind and footsteps filled the line.

Shenyu watched the stairs. Soon, he saw Ning Chen sprinting down. His long bangs were swept back by the wind, revealing sharp, handsome brows. His shirt billowed, and the Jade Buddha pendant bounced against his chest like a leaping fish.

Ning Chen leaped down the last few steps. “Shenyu! Why are you here?”

Shenyu reached out to steady him. “No need to run so fast. I was waiting for you, worried I’d missed you in the crowd.”

Ning Chen fixed his hair, stepping closer. “I was going to wait for the rain to stop. Why did you come? You’re still supposed to be at work.”

Shenyu smiled. “Because I was afraid a certain dummy would try to walk home in the rain again.”

Ning Chen stood there, stunned into silence.