I Snatched the Overbearing President’s Canary [Transmigration] - Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Hubby

“Ning Chen!”

“I’m here.”

“Why did you answer so fast?” Shenyu was surprised; Ning Chen had spoken almost before he had even finished the sentence.

Ning Chen looked at him and smiled without answering. Behind that smile lay a bitterness that only he knew.

“Is everything packed?” Shenyu asked.

“Yes, all ready.” Ning Chen hoisted his backpack, the little white bear charm swinging in an arc like it was dancing.

Shenyu nodded, then pulled up Ning Chen’s pant leg to check his ankle. “Is the foot completely healed? No pain at all?”

Ning Chen let him check, answering, “It’s fine, Shenyu. It doesn’t hurt a bit.”

“Alright then, let’s go. First day of the new semester—don’t be late.”

Ning Chen nodded with a smile. “Okay.”

Truthfully, this was the first time anyone had ever sent him off to start a school term. The feeling was quite novel. When he was a child, school was right near his home, and he used to take the tuition money up to pay it himself. As he got older and more independent, he had no need for parents to hover. Even when he first started university, he had come here alone, reporting for duty with his life packed into several large bags.

Back then, he didn’t know any better and had lugged a heavy cotton quilt from home; in the September heat, the effort had literally given him heatstroke. Looking back at his old life now, why did it already feel like a lifetime ago?

Ning Chen glanced at He Shenyu and suddenly felt a prickle of alarm. If I get used to this luxury, I’m going to be so lost when the contract ends and He Shenyu doesn’t want me anymore.

He could find almost no traces of his former self on his body now, except for the callouses on his hands from manual labor that hadn’t quite softened yet. Wealthy living was truly corrosive. Ning Chen suddenly thought of the “little fools” in Manager Cheng’s case studies; perhaps, besides love, they also couldn’t bear to let go of this lifestyle. When you put the two together, it was a trap almost no normal person could escape.

Ning Chen sighed inwardly, reminding himself to hold his bottom line. As long as he stayed clear-headed, didn’t get addicted to the opulence, and didn’t fall for He Shenyu, he could still live a normal life even if he was suddenly abandoned.

“Ning Chen,” He Shenyu leaned in closer. “What are you dazing off for? I’m talking to you…”

Ning Chen looked down at him. The morning sun was streaming through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a golden glow over half of He Shenyu’s face. The red mole on his translucent earlobe looked vividly bright.

Ning Chen turned his head away and cleared his throat. “What did you say, Shenyu?”

Shenyu tossed his car keys into the air and caught them as he walked forward. “I asked if you need to buy any more stationery or supplies?”

Ning Chen caught up to him, shaking his head. “No need. I do most of my assignments on the computer. I don’t use much stationery.”

“Fine, let’s go then!”

…

It had been a long time since He Shenyu had been in a school environment. Seeing the bustling crowds at the campus gates made him feel a bit sentimental. If he hadn’t transmigrated, he probably would have graduated by now. Unfortunately, he had transmigrated because of sudden death from overworking; if he went back now, his body would be cold. Wait—actually, his physical body had traveled here with him. Was it healed by some mysterious power? Who brought him here?

Forget it, no point thinking about that.

Shenyu followed Ning Chen to pay his fees and even went to have a look at his classroom.

“Are there classes today?” Shenyu asked.

Ning Chen shook his head. “No classes. Just a roll call tonight.”

“Alright, let’s go eat then!”

Ning Chen handed his backpack to He Shenyu. “Wait for me a moment, Shenyu. I’m going to the restroom.”

“Okay.”

Shenyu stood by the stairs. There was a ginkgo tree by the faculty entrance with beautiful colors; having nothing to do, he pulled out his phone to snap a photo. Just then, he heard someone call his name: “He Shenyu? What are you doing here?”

Shenyu walked down a few steps. At the crossroads, Guan Heng was waving to him. He walked over, asking with a smile, “Guan Heng? Are you transferring to Q University?”

Guan Heng shook his head. “No, it’s not that easy. Cheng Zhao starts school today, so I came along to check it out.”

Cheng Zhao was the boy Guan Heng had a crush on—apparently his childhood friend. Shenyu only just learned that Cheng Zhao was also a student at Q University, but it made sense; Q University was the best in the city, after all.

“Where is he? Why aren’t you with him?” Shenyu looked around curiously.

Guan Heng gave a bitter smile. “He kicked me out after I walked a lap with him. I was just about to leave… What about you? Did you and Ning Chen have a fight? It can’t be that bad, can it?”

“No,” He Shenyu laughed. “Ning Chen went to the restroom. His bag is right here…”

Guan Heng looked at the backpack in his hand and patted He Shenyu’s shoulder with a hint of envy. “Sigh, you two have such a good relationship. Not like me—I’m about to lose him even as a friend…”

Just as He Shenyu was about to offer some comfort, he felt himself being pulled back a few steps, crashing into someone else’s embrace. He looked up to see that Ning Chen was back, looking a bit strange. “What is it, Ning Chen?”

Ning Chen gripped his wrist. “Don’t just talk to strangers.”

“Huh? This is Guan Heng,” He Shenyu looked at Ning Chen in surprise. “Did you not recognize him because he dyed his blonde hair black?”

Guan Heng looked a bit awkward, stuffing his hands back into his pockets. He Shenyu hadn’t realized it, but Guan Heng knew exactly what was going on—Ning Chen was unhappy because he’d put his hand on He Shenyu’s shoulder.

“Sorry, I truly didn’t recognize him,” Ning Chen said to Guan Heng with mock sincerity. Having said that, he ignored Guan Heng’s reaction and took the backpack back from He Shenyu.

Guan Heng laughed helplessly. “Where are you two heading?”

Shenyu answered, “We’re going to eat. Do you want to join us? Ning Chen told me you were the one who brought me home when I was drunk last time. I haven’t thanked you properly yet!”

“Sure!” Shenyu’s reason was perfectly valid, and Guan Heng didn’t want to refuse, so he agreed despite Ning Chen’s expressionless stare.

Since He Shenyu had extended the invitation, Ning Chen naturally didn’t object, but he tightened his grip on He Shenyu’s hand. He was followed silently by He Shenyu’s side, listening to him chat with Guan Heng. He had no intention of joining the conversation.

In fact, he wasn’t really listening; he was lost in his own thoughts. Guan Heng had just waved a hand at him secretly with a look of utter helplessness. Ning Chen understood—Guan Heng was telling him he had no interest in He Shenyu and for him not to get worked up.

Was I really that obvious?

It seemed that when he came out and saw a man standing next to He Shenyu, his chest felt tight. When that person put a hand on He Shenyu, it was even worse; he had almost bolted over at top speed to pull He Shenyu away. Ning Chen wondered if playing a couple for so long had caused him to develop a habit that had reached his very marrow.

But Ning Chen couldn’t convince himself of that. He hadn’t recognized Guan Heng just now—there was no need to “act.” That split-second reaction was purely his internal instinct.

Have I really… fallen for He Shenyu without realizing it?

No, definitely not… I just… I just think it’s not good to be so casual with physical contact. Yes, that’s it…

Ning Chen sighed in his heart, refusing to delve deeper into the question. He didn’t dare think about it too much, choosing to temporarily numb his heart instead.

…

The three of them found a restaurant near the school and got a private room.

As soon as they sat down, Guan Heng said to He Shenyu, “He Shenyu, I did what you said. I’ve been going out less, and I dyed my hair back. Cheng Zhao’s attitude toward me is definitely a bit better than before.”

Shenyu nodded. “That’s good. Keep it up.”

Actually, He Shenyu felt a bit helpless. At the wine tasting, he’d been a bit tipsy, and Guan Heng, seeing him alone, had dragged him aside to vent his woes. Perhaps because He Shenyu seemed to have a boyfriend he got along with very well, Guan Heng had come to him for advice. Shenyu had just thrown out a suggestion because he’d sensed that Cheng Zhao really disliked those flashy social scenes. Since they grew up together, He Shenyu guessed that Cheng Zhao probably missed the way Guan Heng used to be. He hadn’t expected it to actually work.

However, he wasn’t drunk now, and listening to a man discuss how to chase another man made He Shenyu feel awkward. He was a straight man, after all; he was only acting with Ning Chen out of necessity. What did he know about love between men? He really wanted Guan Heng to consult someone else, but he couldn’t find a way to shift the topic without being rude.

At that moment, Guan Heng suddenly looked at Ning Chen. “Ning Chen, you heard that, right? I like Cheng Zhao. So stop looking at me like that… Why don’t you give me some ideas too? Help me think of how to chase him… He’s your schoolmate, do you know him?”

Ning Chen took a sip of water and shook his head. “I don’t. I’ve never chased anyone either. I don’t know…”

Guan Heng was shocked. “Wow, so He Shenyu was the one who chased you?”

Shenyu nearly choked on his water. He nodded stiffly. “I guess… you could say that…”

Ning Chen turned to him. “Did you choke?”

“I’m… I’m fine. It’s nothing, Ning Chen.” Shenyu wiped his mouth with a napkin and waved him off.

Guan Heng looked at them and asked hesitantly, “Pardon me for asking, but which one of you is on top?”

Cough, cough, cough! This time, He Shenyu’s face turned beet red from choking.

Ning Chen quickly patted his back. “How are you, Shenyu? Are you okay?”

“No… nothing…” Shenyu took a breath and finally calmed down.

Ning Chen glanced at Guan Heng and said, “Don’t ask questions like that.”

Guan Heng looked embarrassed. “Sorry, I’m not trying to pry into your privacy. I just wanted to ask someone who shares my… ‘attribute,’ you know? The mindset might be more relevant… Never mind, it’s fine if you don’t want to answer…”

Shenyu took another sip of water to steady himself, then looked at Guan Heng. “Of… of course I’m the one on top.”

He couldn’t be vague about this; otherwise, where would his dignity as the patron go? Even if it was meaningless between him and Ning Chen…

Ning Chen looked at He Shenyu, appearing as if he wanted to say something but stopped.

Guan Heng seemed hesitant. “Okay, I guessed wrong then… Well, Ning Chen, what do you think I should do to make Cheng Zhao like me?”

Ning Chen lowered his eyes and then looked up, saying calmly, “I don’t know. Shenyu only likes me for this face.”

“Cough…” Shenyu’s face flushed. He tugged at Ning Chen’s sleeve. “Ning Chen, what are you saying…”

Guan Heng pinched his own cheek. “Well, I’m not ugly either, am I? Cheng Zhao even called me cute once—though that was when we were kids… Why did he grow distant when we grew up?”

Shenyu sighed. “Have you ever considered that Cheng Zhao might just be straight? It might not be anything you’re doing.”

“Straight? Of course I’ve thought of that,” Guan Heng said dejectedly. “But he’s never dated anyone, and there isn’t even a photo of a human being on his phone. I asked him directly once, and he just said I was being boring and didn’t reply… What do you two think? Use your ‘gay-dar’—does he seem straight?”

I don’t have a gay-dar… Shenyu grumbled in his head. He was straight too, he couldn’t tell. Besides: “We’ve only seen Cheng Zhao a couple of times. How could we tell?”

Fearing Guan Heng would continue down the wrong path, He Shenyu added, “Besides, feelings aren’t accurate. You need actual evidence.”

“How do I find that?” Guan Heng looked at the ceiling. “I’m worried if I keep pestering him, he’ll just ignore me forever. Sigh… Hey Shenyu, if you were Cheng Zhao, would you find it annoying?”

“Well, everyone has a different personality, it’s hard to say…” Shenyu nudged Ning Chen. “Ning Chen, do you have any ideas?”

Ning Chen looked at him and shook his head. He spoke up: “Aren’t I the one on the bottom, hubby? Cheng Zhao’s thoughts should probably be compared to yours, shouldn’t they?”

Shenyu squeezed Ning Chen’s hand hard and whispered into his ear, “Ning Chen, don’t you know our situation? Why are you undermining me? Don’t I get to have any face?”

Ning Chen only felt that He Shenyu’s tone was soft and a bit cute; teasing him was quite fun. He smiled and said, “I understand. I’ll be good, hubby.”

“Don’t call me that,” He Shenyu glared at him. “You’re doing it on purpose, don’t think I don’t know…”

“Okay, I’ll stop teasing you.” Ning Chen smiled and patted his hand.

“Hey! You two are being way too wrapped up in each other! I asked you to lunch so you could help me think, not so you could start whispering sweet nothings, alright?” Guan Heng was reaching his breaking point.