I Snatched the Overbearing President’s Canary [Transmigration] - Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Missing

“Alright, alright, I’ll find a way for you.” Shenyu sat up a bit straighter and took a sip of water.

Seeing Ning Chen remain silent, he asked seriously, “Ning Chen, do you have any ideas?”

Ning Chen shook his head. “I haven’t researched things like this.”

“True,” He Shenyu thought for a moment; Ning Chen used to be so busy, he wouldn’t have had time for romance. “Then just wait for the food…”

Guan Heng and He Shenyu exchanged a glance and sighed simultaneously: “Can’t think of anything…”

“Let’s eat first, the food is here…”

As the waiter set the table, they began to eat.

Perhaps fueled by a full stomach, Guan Heng rubbed his belly after the meal and suddenly had an epiphany. “How about this: could you two help me test him?”

“Huh?” Shenyu took another sip of water, feeling a bit of a carb crash. “How?”

“I want to see if he’s straight first. I’ll organize a gathering, and the two of you can intentionally act intimate to see his reaction. If he looks disgusted, he’s probably straight, and I should just give up…” Guan Heng said.

Shenyu frowned slightly. Guan Heng’s words reminded him: straight men generally can’t handle intimacy with other men. But he hadn’t just kissed Ning Chen once, but several times. Did that mean he…?

No, wait, he shouldn’t get confused. He did that to protect Ning Chen; it was a sacrifice.

He had no selfish motives.

“So? What do you two think?” Guan Heng asked.

Ning Chen glanced at He Shenyu and said, “I’ll follow Shenyu’s lead.”

Shenyu thought it over and agreed. He had a bit of a “good Samaritan” complex, and since Guan Heng seemed so troubled, helping him clear things up felt right.

Guan Heng added, “It’s best if you kiss. Otherwise, I’m afraid the test won’t be accurate.”

Shenyu hesitated for a split second, then nodded. “Fine. When?”

“This weekend, when everyone is free.”

“Alright.”

…

The weekend has arrived. To fulfill Guan Heng’s mission, He Shenyu specifically wore matching couple outfits with Ning Chen.

Of course, to accommodate Ning Chen’s taste, it was a black-and-white spliced shirt set; Ning Chen naturally chose the one where black was the dominant color.

“We actually look quite good together…” Looking at the two of them in the mirror, He Shenyu couldn’t help but comment. They looked like models in a professional shoot.

He didn’t overthink it; he just spoke his mind.

Ning Chen looked at him and nodded with a smile.

They were indeed a good match. Ning Chen wanted to take a photo as a memento but couldn’t think of a proper reason, so he didn’t speak up.

“Let’s go!” Shenyu reached out and grabbed Ning Chen’s hand.

“Mm.”

Holding hands as they left the house had become a daily routine.

Perhaps because the physical sensation of holding hands wasn’t overly intense, He Shenyu had grown used to it and felt nothing was amiss. He was comfortable with Ning Chen now, no longer as formal or intentionally distant as before.

Under Ning Chen’s indulgence, He Shenyu had become almost “boneless.” When standing together, he habitually leaned on Ning Chen; when sitting on the sofa, he would tuck himself directly into Ning Chen’s embrace.

In his mother’s words, he had no spine and was lazy to the core.

Shenyu couldn’t help it. In this world, his mom wasn’t around to nag him, and his only close acquaintance wouldn’t dream of scolding him.

In fact, it was a miracle Ning Chen didn’t initiate the hugs himself…

What was most exaggerated was that Ning Chen had even considered carrying He Shenyu from the bed to the bathroom. If He Shenyu hadn’t possessed a shred of dignity left, he wouldn’t have been able to refuse…

“Don’t want to walk? Should I carry you?” Ning Chen asked, noticing him slowing down.

Shenyu looked at him, exasperated. “Ning Chen, don’t you think this is a bit off?”

“What’s off?” Ning Chen seemed genuinely confused, even frowning as if in deep thought.

Shenyu sighed. “If I can’t even walk such a short distance, I’m basically useless…”

Ning Chen raised an eyebrow. “Being unable to walk and not wanting to walk are two different things. It’s normal to be tired and not want to move after work.”

“I guess that makes sense…” Shenyu was talked in circles again.

“So, do you want a hug?” Ning Chen followed up.

Shenyu looked at his clothes and shook his head. “Forget it, it’ll wrinkle the clothes. Won’t look good…”

“Alright…” Ning Chen chuckled softly.

…

Guan Heng had chosen a classic KTV. He said it was mainly because Cheng Zhao wouldn’t go to a bar.

When He Shenyu and Ning Chen arrived, there was only one person there; they were early.

Guan Heng was very satisfied with their outfits and specifically arranged for them to sit right where someone walking through the door would see them first.

“Alright, you two can start being lovey-dovey now.” Guan Heng poured them both some lemon water.

Shenyu smiled. “Guan Heng, when I first met you, I thought you were the ‘melancholy’ type. Now I realize you’re actually quite humorous.”

Guan Heng smiled back. “It’s because things are finally coming to a head. The pressure is lifting, so I’m not as gloomy.”

Listening to them, Ning Chen suddenly asked, “Is certainty more important than the outcome?”

Guan Heng froze for a moment, thinking for a long time before answering, “I suppose it’s because it’s dragged on for too long. Thinking back, I’ve spent the majority of my life preoccupied with Cheng Zhao. It’s been quite a long time…”

Ning Chen looked thoughtful and took a sip of water.

Shenyu instinctively leaned against Ning Chen and said to Guan Heng, “Alright, go pick up the others. Is this pose okay?”

Guan Heng gave them a thumbs up and left the room.

“As soon as Cheng Zhao walks in, start kissing me,” He Shenyu whispered into Ning Chen’s ear.

Ning Chen smiled. “Why doesn’t Shenyu take the initiative to kiss me?”

“Huh? Why fight over this? I’m just… shy…” Shenyu felt his face flush again.

Seeing him like this, Ning Chen found it amusing and decided to keep teasing. He touched He Shenyu’s earlobe and said, “Anyway, Guan Heng is your friend, not mine. Naturally, you should be the one putting in the effort.”

“Fine,” He Shenyu felt a spark of competitiveness. “But you have to cooperate properly. Don’t do what you did last time…”

“What did I do last time?” Ning Chen asked knowingly.

“Ning Chen,” He Shenyu felt weary, “you’re getting more and more arrogant…”

Ning Chen lowered his gaze to look at him and spoke softly, “But, didn’t Shenyu tell me first that you don’t treat me as a ‘sugar baby’ anymore? I’m still…”

“Shh!” Shenyu pressed his index finger against Ning Chen’s lips. “I didn’t mean that…”

His eyes caught a group of people approaching the door. With Cheng Zhao standing to Guan Heng’s right, He Shenyu knew it was time to perform.

Except… Guan Heng was a bit of a jerk for bringing so many people at once.

Shenyu felt a wave of embarrassment. He couldn’t bring himself to “act,” so he just tugged at Ning Chen’s clothes and whispered, “Ning Chen, kiss me.”

Ning Chen did not disappoint. He hooked an arm around He Shenyu’s waist, closed his eyes, and leaned in.

In truth, they hadn’t kissed since the last time things got… physical.

Ning Chen had been afraid; he was scared He Shenyu would notice his physiological reaction. It was hard enough at night; with a kiss, Ning Chen feared his young body wouldn’t be able to maintain control.

As it turned out, long-term suppression had backfired.

From the moment he heard He Shenyu’s request, Ning Chen felt a reaction. The moment his lips touched He Shenyu’s, his hand tightened uncontrollably.

He had forgotten the context. His body was articulating its own longing.

He almost couldn’t restrain himself, pressing against He Shenyu and kissing him deeply and heavily.

Shenyu was momentarily shocked by the intensity, even sneaking a peak with his eyes. He couldn’t see Ning Chen’s expression clearly, but he was startled by the crowd at the door and quickly shut his eyes again.

“Ow…”

Sensing He Shenyu’s distraction, Ning Chen bit his lip lightly as a “punishment.”

A single word escaped He Shenyu between breaths, only to be swallowed by the continued kiss.

It wasn’t until He Shenyu lost all strength and went limp in his arms that Ning Chen let him go, allowing him to lean against his shoulder to catch his breath.

The group outside finally seemed to move, finding their seats as if nothing had happened. The karaoke machine started playing, and the atmosphere livened up.

Guan Heng brought in some fruit. He sat down quietly and looked at Ning Chen. “I wasn’t wrong, was I?”

Ning Chen smiled. “What do you think?”

“You really… you even call him ‘hubby.’ Impressive…” Guan Heng laughed and took a piece of watermelon.

Seeing that Guan Heng seemed relatively relaxed, Ning Chen asked, “Did you get a result?”

Guan Heng hesitated. “Actually, I don’t know. Just now, Cheng Zhao didn’t have any expression at all. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking…”

“So, what do you plan to do next?” Ning Chen stroked the head of the person in his arms. He felt that Shenyu had recovered, but for some reason, he was still hiding in Ning Chen’s chest.

Guan Heng sighed. “My best friend Shen Di told me to just go for it myself—test it personally. So, she’s arranged a game segment. We’ll see what she does…”

“What game?” Shenyu finally looked up, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Guan Heng laughed at his expression. “Done playing dead?”

Shenyu glared at him. “Hey, who did I do all that for?”

“I won’t tease you anymore,” Guan Heng turned serious. “I don’t know the game either; she didn’t tell me in advance.”

Ning Chen looked down at He Shenyu, touching his still-red ear and habitually tracing the small red mole.

Shenyu felt it, but since they were supposed to be an “affectionate couple,” he didn’t stop Ning Chen’s wandering hand.

The crowd was full of young people. After a few rounds of simple icebreakers, the atmosphere grew warm.

At that moment, the girl named Shen Di slipped over and handed He Shenyu a small slip of paper. “This is the next game: the ‘Don’t Move Challenge.’ You two go up first to set the example. I’m totally rigging the draw for you…”

“You can do that?” Shenyu nodded. “Alright.”

He peeked at the paper; it was a popular meme line.

Ning Chen tried to look, but He Shenyu balled it up in his palm.

“Not for you. Don’t you dare laugh later,” He Shenyu warned.

Ning Chen didn’t press him. “A ‘Don’t Move Challenge’ is easy. I can win without even trying.”

Shenyu sighed. “True, for you it probably is easy…”

While they were talking, Shen Di began introducing the rules over the microphone:

“It’s very simple. During the 30 seconds before and after the person reads the line, the challenger cannot move or make any facial expressions—not even a twitch of the eyebrow or mouth. If the challenger wins, they can make the other person do something, and vice versa.”

“Alright! I’m going to pick the first pair now.” Shen Di made a show of rummaging through a box. “He Shenyu, Ning Chen! It’s you!”

The two walked up to the stand mic. Shen Di once again pretended to have He Shenyu “randomly” draw the line.

Shenyu almost laughed during the draw; rigging it was remarkably simple.

“OK, are you two ready? The timer is starting!”

“Ready!” Shenyu gave her a signal.

Ning Chen followed with a nod.

“OK, please begin your performance!”

Shenyu picked up the mic, pretending to read the slip he’d already seen. He put the paper away, gazed at Ning Chen, and using what he thought was his most “cheesy” and “deep” voice, spoke with utter sincerity and slowness:

“Have I… started to mean something to you?”

He stared at Ning Chen’s face, even tilting his head slightly.

Ning Chen seemed frozen, showing no reaction at all.

Shenyu felt a bit discouraged. He knew Ning Chen was good at playing a “wooden block”…

Just as he was about to give up, Ning Chen suddenly turned his head away and spun around.

While He Shenyu was still confused, Shen Di announced, “Haha! The winner is… He Shenyu!”

“Haha! I won!” Shenyu laughed and reached out to pull Ning Chen.

Ning Chen, however, looked at him with an unreadable expression, remaining silent for a long time.

What does that mean? Shenyu was baffled.

Ning Chen pressed a hand over his heart. He used enough force that the jade Buddha pendant pressed painfully against his skin, but it was useless; his heart was beating as if it wanted to leap out of his chest.

The scene flashed through his mind again. He never imagined the line would be that.

Under the lights, He Shenyu had asked so seriously, so earnestly.

“Have I… started to mean something to you?”

Ning Chen covered his heart, not daring to answer.