I Snatched the Overbearing President’s Canary [Transmigration] - Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Birthday

Ning Chen had actually forgotten that he had intentionally stood in the rain last time. Or rather, he hadn’t expected He Shenyu to still remember it and worry.

A wave of warmth washed over him. He reached out and grasped He Shenyu’s wrist, about to say something, when a violent crack of thunder exploded outside. Lightning illuminated the entire sky, stark and terrifying.

The students waiting at the entrance surged backward in fright, and screams echoed through the crowd.

“Ah—!”

Shenyu had his back to the door, so he didn’t actually see the flash. However, he was startled by the sound—the bomb-like thunder combined with the collective screaming felt almost apocalyptic. He gripped Ning Chen’s arm tightly, his face pale, though he managed to keep from crying out.

Among the trapped crowd, there was no shortage of campus couples; in the chaos, many had already sought refuge in each other’s arms in the corners. Ning Chen, being tall and standing on the steps, saw it all clearly. He looked down at He Shenyu, who was still trembling while holding onto him, and instinctively pulled him into a protective embrace.

Shenyu didn’t resist; in fact, he leaned into him. He didn’t think much of the hug—he figured it was just “bros helping bros” through a scare. Plus, he knew Ning Chen was just trying to shield him from the noise.

He noticed that because Ning Chen was the eldest brother in his family, he had a natural protective streak. Once the initial awkwardness of their “contract” had faded, Ning Chen’s habits took over. He wasn’t just “serving a patron”; he was caring for someone, a role he’d played his whole life.

Shenyu, on the other hand, was an only child who had been pampered by his grandparents. Aside from his studies, he was admittedly a bit lazy in daily life. Thus, he didn’t mind Ning Chen helping him with small things, even though Ning Chen was younger.

After all this time, we’re basically friends, right? he thought. If the way we interact makes us both comfortable, there’s no need to change it. This was He Shenyu’s “lazy social principle.”

However, while the two of them didn’t think much of it, their posture caught the eyes of others. Two girls leaning near the railing walked over, recognized Ning Chen, and asked with a grin: “Ning Chen, is this your boyfriend?”

They clearly knew him—which made sense, as everyone in the same major took the same exams.

Ning Chen looked at them but didn’t answer directly. Instead, he introduced He Shenyu: “This is He Shenyu. Shenyu, this is Jiang Yu and Chen Zitao. They sit behind me and we often do group projects together.”

Shenyu stepped back from the embrace, straightened his clothes, and smiled. “Hello. I’m… Ning Chen’s brother.”

“Brother?” Jiang Yu’s eyes lit up. “A real brother, or a ‘good brother’?”

Shenyu choked. He didn’t want to disclose their relationship at school; he didn’t want to affect Ning Chen’s normal life. He looked at Ning Chen helplessly. “Ning Chen, you tell them.”

Ning Chen thought for a moment and finally said, “He is indeed my boyfriend. Now that you know, please don’t spread it around.”

“We know, we know!” The two girls nodded excitedly. “People said they saw a luxury car picking you up, and I told them it must be a boyfriend… but they didn’t believe me…”

Shenyu’s face paled for a second, but Ning Chen remained calm. It seemed he had known about the gossip for a long time. Shenyu realized his “brother” excuse was a bit like burying his head in the sand. In college, people were generally open-minded. As long as you weren’t causing trouble, most people wouldn’t care.

“I took a photo of you two just now. The angle is amazing! I’ll send it to you, Ning Chen,” Chen Zitao said, opening Airdrop. “Do you mind if I keep it?”

Ning Chen checked the photo. “Mhm. Just don’t post it everywhere.”

“I promise! Wishing you two a long and happy life together! Hehe!” The two girls giggled and ran off. It was clear they had come over specifically to secure that photo.

Ning Chen showed the screen to a curious He Shenyu.

“Wow, she really did a great job. It still looks like a movie,” He Shenyu commented sincerely. He liked movies, and the composition—using the railing as a leading line, with the white wall on one side and the rainy window on the other—was genuinely artistic.

“Should I send it to you?” Ning Chen asked.

Shenyu nodded. “Sure. Let’s go. I brought a huge umbrella today! Look.”

Ning Chen looked at the long black umbrella leaning against the wall and smiled. “Impressive.”

“You’re talking to me like I’m a kid again…” Shenyu grumbled. “Ning Chen, I’ve noticed you love acting mature.”

“Am I not mature? I’m an adult. I’m almost twenty.”

“Nineteen is nineteen. Don’t rush it…”

“Fine, then I’m ‘childish’…”

…

Speaking of age, He Shenyu realized Ning Chen’s birthday was coming up.

However, since summer break started, Ning Chen’s mother had taken the opportunity to go back to their hometown for a bit, leaving the care of little Ning You entirely to Ning Chen. Consequently, Ning Chen spent almost all his time at the hospital. Shenyu couldn’t even see him unless he went there himself.

The first night Ning Chen was gone, He Shenyu felt incredibly restless. He was a creature of habit, and the empty spot in his bed made it hard to sleep.

He checked his desk calendar. Ning Chen’s birthday was in five days. He didn’t know if the mother would be back in time. He wanted to give Ning Chen a proper celebration. He knew that since the younger brother was born, the mother’s energy was entirely consumed by the child, often leaving Ning Chen’s milestones forgotten.

Shenyu decided to prepare. He booked a place, figuring that if Ning Chen was too busy, he’d just cancel. He didn’t care about the cancellation fee.

On the morning of the birthday, He Shenyu messaged Ning Chen, but when Ning Chen said he couldn’t come home that night, He Shenyu felt a pang of disappointment.

After work, he drove to the hospital. Ning You, who had become quite fond of him, chirped, “Brother He!”

As the sky grew dark, Ning Chen whispered, “Shenyu, you should head back. It’s getting late and it’s a long drive.”

Shenyu wasn’t leaving yet. At the very least, he had to give Ning Chen his gift.

“I took tomorrow off. I’ll stay a bit longer,” He Shenyu said.

Suddenly, Ning You spoke up from the bed. “Brother He, do you want to take my brother out to play?”

Shenyu looked at him in surprise. Ning You puffed out his chest. “In this world, the person who loves my brother most is me—I’m number one! Brother He, you can only be number two!”

“What?” The two adults exchanged a look.

Ning You beckoned them closer. “I secretly called Mommy. She’s almost here. Brother He, you can take my brother out to play a little bit.” He winked.

Shenyu finally understood. Ning You remembered it was his brother’s birthday. In the original novel, the little brother would always make paper-folded gifts for Ning Chen.

The door opened, and Ning Chen’s mother arrived, looking tired from her journey. She smiled at He Shenyu and then looked at Ning Chen. “Go on, Chen-chen. Go out with your friend. I’ve got things here.”

She pressed a protective amulet into Ning Chen’s hand. “Go have fun. You’ve worked so hard these days. I didn’t have much to get you, but I got this for you.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Ning Chen said, finally processing the situation.

“Thanks, Auntie. I’ll take him now?” He Shenyu checked his watch. There was still time.

“Brother! Happy Birthday! My gift is in the usual spot!” Ning You shouted.

Ning Chen smiled, reached into his pocket, felt a paper rose, and tucked it back in.

“Come with me, Ning Chen,” He Shenyu said, leading him away.

“You were planning a birthday for me too? Did Ning You tell you?”

“I didn’t need him to tell me. I’ve known about your birthday for a long time!” He Shenyu felt a bit competitive about being “number two.” He had traveled across worlds for this guy; surely he deserved the top spot!

Ning Chen smiled. “Where are we going?”

“It’s a secret for now,” He Shenyu grinned.