I Snatched the Overbearing President’s Canary [Transmigration] - Chapter 41

Chapter 41: A Secret Kiss

Ning Chen’s heart swelled with a dull ache. He lunged forward, pulling He Shenyu into an embrace and answering in a flurry of voices, “Okay, I’ll go with you. Shenyu, I’ll go wherever you go. Just stop crying, okay? We’ll leave as soon as you get better.”

Held and coaxed, He Shenyu’s emotions only grew more turbulent. He looked at Ning Chen through tear-blurred eyes, but it felt like looking at a phantom. Sobbing, he said, “Ning Chen, but I can’t go back. I’m already dead. I remember now…”

“What?” Ning Chen rubbed his ears, doubting his own hearing. “Shenyu, what did you just say?”

“I said, I can’t go back…” Shenyu repeated. He looked at Ning Chen, suddenly sensing something was wrong. “I said I’m already dead…”

“Shenyu, where is your home? Why can’t you go back?” Ning Chen asked, clutching his hand.

Shenyu’s mind suddenly cleared slightly. He wiped away his tears and looked at Ning Chen. “Did you only hear that part?”

Normally, saying “I am already dead” would be the more shocking statement. If Ning Chen had heard it, his focus definitely wouldn’t have been on the first half of the sentence.

So… was the “God of the Plot” at work?

“Yes,” Ning Chen nodded. “Did you say something else? Is there something wrong with my ears? I didn’t hear what you just said.”

Shenyu squeezed Ning Chen’s hand tightly, feeling a surge of fear.

Was it because that sentence revealed the truth too clearly that Ning Chen wasn’t allowed to hear it?

This was the first time he had experienced the plot’s power acting directly on himself. If this was a subtle, subconscious influence, even he—a “transmigrator” who knew the story—had barely noticed it. Fu Hengzhan likely wouldn’t notice a thing…

But what about Ning Chen? Why did he seem relatively unaffected?

Shenyu pondered. After a while, he felt his previous analysis held up: it likely had to do with their character roles.

Ning Chen’s persona had always been passive. In the original novel, if the “forced love” plotline wasn’t being executed, the problem must lie with the “aggressor.” Was that why the influence on Fu Hengzhan was so much more obvious?

The logic seemed sound…

But by that logic, Fu Hengzhan might become increasingly erratic.

The “God of the Plot” wouldn’t allow the story to stay off-track forever. What should he do? What could he do?

“Shenyu, don’t be afraid. It’s okay. You’ll be better soon,” Ning Chen whispered, lying down beside him and pulling him into a protective embrace.

“Do you want to sleep for a bit? I’ll stay with you,” Ning Chen said, his heart aching. He could feel the person in his arms trembling. Was he homesick? But where was Shenyu’s home?

The last time Shenyu’s parents returned, they didn’t seem to go “home,” and his relationship with them wasn’t great. Ning Chen hadn’t realized Shenyu would miss home so much…

“Ning Chen,” He Shenyu hugged him back, asking softly, “Lately, have you noticed anything… strange?”

“Strange?” Ning Chen shook his head. “Not really…”

Shenyu thought for a moment and asked again, “Or perhaps your own thoughts? Is there anything that feels vastly different from before? Something you feel you wouldn’t normally think about in a regular situation?”

“Maybe…” Ning Chen hesitated.

Normally, he shouldn’t have fallen for He Shenyu.

According to his original plan, his relationship with He Shenyu was supposed to be a clean-cut financial transaction. On the surface, he looked innocent, but internally he was cold and detached. To be honest, Ning Chen felt he had been completely conquered by He Shenyu.

He hadn’t intended to love him, but He Shenyu was too good to him—so good that he couldn’t refuse, only accept…

“What is it?” Shenyu felt a spark of excitement and looked up, tears falling again.

Ning Chen leaned down, tenderly kissing the tears from his face, before whispering into He Shenyu’s ear, “Shenyu, it’s a secret. I can’t tell you yet.”

“Why?” Shenyu asked anxiously. He paused. “Do you think it’s a bad influence?”

Ning Chen shook his head. “It’s a good one.”

Shenyu froze. A good influence? What was it? Surely not the plot god?

He remembered when he examined Fu Hengzhan, the man said he would occasionally think of things that made his head throb if he delved deeper. For instance, he couldn’t remember why there was a scar on his wrist; it wasn’t in his medical records.

Dr. He, of course, didn’t know either.

However, He Shenyu knew. That was Fu Hengzhan’s character setting. In the original, he had attempted suicide as a child. It was a failed attempt, but the scar served to make the original Ning Chen feel pity for him. It was a forced plot device. It made sense that Fu Hengzhan couldn’t remember it—perhaps even the author had forgotten, since it was only mentioned once.

Ning Chen’s situation seemed different. He never mentioned headaches, so it should be fine…

He breathed a sigh of relief, his mind beginning to drift again.

Unaware of his thoughts, Ning Chen saw him blinking and simply reached out to cover his eyes. “Alright, don’t think so much. You’re sick and need rest. Sleep now. Be good.”

Shenyu opened his eyes, his lashes brushing against Ning Chen’s palm. Seeing nothing, he closed them again. “Okay…”

Only then did Ning Chen release him, tucking the blanket around him.

“Where are you going, Ning Chen?” Shenyu reached out to grab his wrist.

Ning Chen smiled. “I’m just going to change into pajamas to sleep with you.”

“Okay…” Shenyu nodded. He needed Ning Chen; Ning Chen was the only thing in this world that made him feel safe.

Without Ning Chen, he would start overthinking again… He hadn’t expected himself to actually cry just now.

Ning Chen moved quickly and was soon back, pulling him into his arms. “Sleep, Shenyu. I’ll be right here with you…”

“Mnh… don’t sneak away…” Shenyu murmured one last time.

Ning Chen smiled and kissed his forehead. “I promise. No matter when you open your eyes, you’ll see me.”

…

For some reason, He Shenyu’s illness was aggressive. He spent nearly an entire week bedridden. It wasn’t life-threatening, but it just wouldn’t let go. He had seen a doctor, but they confirmed it was just a common cold.

Shenyu found it strange. Why weren’t the symptoms fading? Was the plot god punishing him? Did he do something wrong this week? Has something changed?

He racked his brain but couldn’t find a clue.

“Shenyu, it’s time to eat.” Ning Chen entered with a tray, interrupting his thoughts.

Shenyu sat up and sighed. “Ning Chen, you should go back to class. I’ll be fine soon.”

Ning Chen had been taking time off to care for him all week, which made He Shenyu feel uneasy. Ning Chen was a top student, yet he was skipping school just for a cold. Originally, they planned to have a maid look after him, but Ning Chen insisted on doing it himself, claiming it was his fault Shenyu got sick.

He Shenyu: …

He didn’t really want to talk about it. The fact that he got a nosebleed from touching a handsome man’s chest was something he wanted to forget as soon as possible. So embarrassing.

“I’ll go back once you’re better. It’s fine. I’ve already self-studied those courses; I won’t fall behind.” Ning Chen sat on the edge of the bed and placed the tray on He Shenyu’s lap.

Shenyu sighed and stopped trying to persuade him.

After finishing his meal, Ning Chen brought him medicine and warm water. He took the pills and quickly felt drowsy again.

Ning Chen stroked his hair. “Sleep. You need the rest.”

Shenyu looked at him. “Okay.”

Internally, he felt odd. His energy levels were much lower than usual. Was it the illness, or the plot god’s punishment? Would this cold never end? No, that would be too much. He’d be in despair.

Where did it go wrong? He hadn’t done anything lately. He barely spoke to Fu Hengzhan. Was it something on Ning Chen’s end? But they had kissed before without punishment, so why now…?

His head throbbed. In his current state, he couldn’t think straight.

“Ning Chen,” He Shenyu asked tentatively, “do you think there’s been any change in how we interact lately?”

He decided to seek outside help.

Ning Chen seemed to freeze for a second before speaking cautiously, “What do you think, Shenyu?”

“I’m asking you,” He Shenyu replied, his brain too foggy to play games.

Ning Chen smiled and tested the waters: “Maybe… a little…”

“Like what?” Shenyu asked urgently.

Ning Chen leaned over him. They locked eyes for a few seconds. Shenyu tilted his head in confusion.

Finally, Ning Chen said, “We… I haven’t kissed in a long time.”

“Huh?” Shenyu was speechless for a moment. “I have a cold, why would we kiss?”

Wait. Could that be it? No, no. If Ning Chen hadn’t mentioned it, he wouldn’t have even thought about it. The previous kiss was only because he was trying to comfort a crying Ning Chen. So, it definitely wasn’t about kissing.

Ning Chen smiled. “Then, pass it to me…”

Because He Shenyu was sick, Ning Chen’s “seduction mission” had been put on hold. Now that He Shenyu brought up their interaction, he decided to resume it.

Unfortunately, He Shenyu was exhausted. He pulled on Ning Chen’s arm. “Don’t go looking for trouble. Doctors hate patients like you.”

“Fine…” Ning Chen pouted, looking aggrieved.

Shenyu patted his hand. “Just come up and sleep with me.”

“Okay!” Ning Chen brightened instantly.

He quickly tidied up, changed, and climbed into bed. Shenyu turned over, nesting into Ning Chen’s embrace. He had grown used to this over the past few days. His muddled brain didn’t find anything amiss.

As for Ning Chen, he remained wide awake. Having slept through the night, he wasn’t tired during the day.

It really has been a long time… Ning Chen bit his lip, his young body stirring.

He knew Shenyu was sick, and he felt like a bit of a jerk for thinking this way, but he couldn’t control his physical reactions.

Thinking back, ever since he realized Shenyu didn’t seem to like kissing, all subsequent kisses were obtained through coaxing and trickery. Usually, it was Shenyu who kissed him. He hadn’t initiated one in ages.

It wasn’t just because Shenyu seemed to dislike it; it was also because when he initiated, he tended to lose control. Although he later realized Shenyu didn’t actually hate it—and sometimes even got swept up in the moment—Shenyu was just too shy. Their frequency had dropped, especially with the illness…

Ning Chen traced the outline of He Shenyu’s face, his gaze inevitably landing on those lips.

I want to kiss him. So badly.

Ning Chen swallowed. Just one, he told himself.

He leaned in and pressed a light kiss to his lips. Shenyu remained asleep, with no reaction.

So, he kissed him again.

One kiss turned into another, and another, until he couldn’t hold back. He began to press harder, his tongue tracing the seam of Shenyu’s lips, slowly prying them open to slip inside.

At this point, things were spiraling. Having lacked the initiative for so long, Ning Chen was addicted. He propped himself up on his arms, cupping Shenyu’s face as he indulged in the theft.

It wasn’t until He Shenyu struggled for breath, letting out a soft “Mnh…” from his throat, that Ning Chen snapped out of it and pulled away.

He watched He Shenyu’s face nervously. Fortunately, Shenyu only tilted his head and drifted back into a deep sleep, likely too exhausted by the illness to wake up.

Ning Chen licked his lips. He wasn’t satisfied, but he didn’t dare continue.

He kissed He Shenyu’s forehead and whispered into his ear, “Sorry, wifey. I was wrong. I’m a beast. You can punish me later…”