I Snatched the Overbearing President’s Canary [Transmigration] - Chapter 49

Chapter 49: The Questioning

This time, the other side fell silent for a long while.

Just as Ning Chen was about to nudge him, Manager Cheng replied:

[Manager Cheng]: Ning Chen, knowing too much about these things won’t do you any good. Who told you? Dr. He?

[Ning Chen]: I found out myself. Even if you don’t tell me, I have ways to confirm it. I just thought you were a decent person who looked out for me before, so I wanted to confirm it directly with you. If you won’t say, forget it. I won’t make things difficult for you…

Without realizing it, Ning Chen’s “feigned weakness as a means of advancement” technique had reached a state of perfection. Ironically, it was Manager Cheng who had taught him this.

In the past, he disdained using such tactics. Most of the time, his IQ alone was enough to accomplish anything he set his mind to.

It was almost funny; in his life, aside from his family circumstances, the only person he kept hitting a wall with was He Shenyu.

Despite seducing He Shenyu for so long, the man remained completely oblivious, as if he lacked all worldly desires. He seemed satisfied just by kissing every day, like a pair of high school sweethearts.

Sometimes Ning Chen wondered if he was just too impatient, too lustful.

Was his affection for Shenyu not pure enough?

He looked down at his trousers, a bitter smile playing on his lips.

Being near Shenyu turned him into this; it seemed beyond his control.

Buzz—

The phone vibrated, and Manager Cheng’s message popped up:

[Manager Cheng]: It was him. However, it was President Song who arranged it at the time. President Fu didn’t even know about it.

[Manager Cheng]: I don’t know why you’re digging into this, but Ning Chen, I have to warn you: we are just ordinary people. Those big shots can crush you just by flicking their fingers during their power plays. Don’t overestimate yourself and get involved…

[Manager Cheng]: Just be a quiet accessory and be done with it. When the contract ends, you go your separate ways. You’ve solved your difficulties, and it won’t affect your future. Don’t let that glitz and glamour blind you…

[Manager Cheng]: Do you hear me? If things go south, I’ll be dragged down with you…

Ning Chen was silent for a moment before replying:

[Ning Chen]: Don’t worry, Manager Cheng. I don’t plan on doing anything.

[Manager Cheng]: Oh, thank goodness. Just don’t do anything stupid…

Ning Chen put his phone away and stared quietly at his reflection in the mirror. He suddenly remembered the first time he and Shenyu met; it was also in a bathroom, a similar scene.

Back then, he had glimpsed the young man who cared about him through the mirror—a fleeting glance that had since been etched indelibly into his heart.

He calmed himself and carefully recalled the details and timeline of that day, piecing together the truth.

Shenyu had gone there specifically to intercept him. He must have.

Shenyu must have felt that Fu Hengzhan was unreliable, and being such a kind person, he stepped in early to become the benefactor himself.

Ning Chen froze as this thought took hold.

Did Shenyu do it because he knew of him beforehand?

Or was it purely out of kindness—something he would have done for anyone?

Ning Chen thought back. No, he was certain that Shenyu didn’t know him before. In the bathroom mirror, the way Shenyu looked at him was clearly the look of someone seeing a stranger.

Ning Chen’s heart grew cold, and he trembled almost uncontrollably.

Is that why he hasn’t touched me? Because of the reason behind this sponsorship?

“Heh…” A cold laugh escaped his lips involuntarily, and all his physical impulses vanished.

That’s why he acts so much like an amateur, showing no signs of lust.

So that’s it…

He finally understood why a kind idealist like Shenyu would involve himself in something like a “sponsorship”—it simply didn’t fit He Shenyu’s character.

So the truth was just to keep him away from Fu Hengzhan?

Ning Chen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

He suddenly remembered Shenyu saying once while drunk that their first meeting wasn’t at the KTV. At the time, he let Shenyu brush it off.

Thinking about it now, why did it feel like the truth?

What exactly was going on?

Ning Chen thought and thought, but the logic didn’t quite connect.

“Ning Chen, what are you doing in there? It’s been so long. Time for bed,” He Shenyu called out.

Ning Chen opened the door blankly. He looked at He Shenyu, saying nothing.

Shenyu put down his tablet and looked up in confusion. “Why are you standing there? Come to bed.”

Ning Chen watched him quietly, a sudden idea forming. He said: “Shenyu, I had a dream last night. I dreamt you told me that you knew about me even before you took me in. So that day, you came looking for me on purpose, didn’t you?”

“Uh…” Shenyu sat up abruptly. What was happening?

Could the Plot God be secretly giving Ning Chen spoilers in his dreams?

Wait, what would be the point? Was it to let Ning Chen know he was originally supposed to be sponsored by Fu Hengzhan?

“Why aren’t you answering me?” Ning Chen walked slowly to the bedside. He looked down at He Shenyu, his tall frame blocking the light and casting a heavy, oppressive shadow over him.

Shenyu glanced at him, his mind in a whirl. He was afraid that if he lied, the Plot God would expose him, so he could only nod: “Yes… that’s right. Didn’t I tell you? I heard about you from my professor.”

Ning Chen paused, then continued, “But you said before you didn’t know what I looked like. So why did you intercept me? Is it because you would save any stranger you found in that situation?”

“Huh?” Shenyu felt a bit dizzy. He said, “Ning Chen, do you remember? When you left the bathroom, someone called your name. Because it was you, I went.”

This was the truth. Back then, He Shenyu was still in the disoriented phase of just having transmigrated. If he hadn’t heard Ning Chen’s name, he probably would have just gone straight home.

As for others… he didn’t know their stories. There were so many people at Manager Cheng’s place making deals every day. If he truly had the heart, he could have tried to help everyone.

But helping Ning Chen had already exhausted his efforts. He wasn’t a god; he was just an ordinary person. Because Ning Chen was the protagonist of the story he knew, he felt compassion.

Otherwise, with so many tragedies happening in the world every day, if he tried to fix everything, he wouldn’t have a life of his own.

“Really?” Ning Chen stared at him, pressing further. “Just because you heard my name? But we weren’t even acquainted then. Why go that far?”

How could we not be acquainted? I’ve basically watched your whole life…

Sigh. Shenyu felt troubled. He couldn’t figure out where the Plot God’s limits were. Previously, whenever he tried to tell Ning Chen about the original book, he was silenced. Should he try again?

“Because you are the protagonist and I know your story.”

After He Shenyu said it, he saw Ning Chen still waiting for an answer, meaning he hadn’t heard a thing.

It seemed the Plot God still forbade the protagonist from knowing the original plot. It made sense; if the two leads knew the script and deliberately avoided the plot, the God would be finished. From the Plot God’s perspective, it was a very logical defense.

Since he couldn’t talk about the book, how should he answer? Since he couldn’t tell the literal truth, he had to improvise a plausible explanation.

Concealing Fu Hengzhan earlier had been exposed by the Plot God. He needed a more “real” reason.

Wait, why was Ning Chen suddenly suspicious? Did he really believe in a “dream”? Or was it because Fu Hengzhan’s behavior was too strange last time, and Ning Chen had investigated on his own?

Shenyu looked at Ning Chen, observing his expression. He realized Ning Chen seemed unhappy.

Why? Shenyu replayed what Ning Chen had just said. Was it because he felt Shenyu would have saved anyone, thus making him feel less special?

That made sense. Anyone would feel a bit uncomfortable. People want to feel unique, especially in a relationship involving intimacy.

The contract wasn’t over yet. Even if Ning Chen knew he had “snatched” the contract, he wouldn’t voluntarily turn to Fu Hengzhan, right? After all, the two of them had just been in a brawl.

So, Ning Chen wasn’t upset about the sponsorship itself, but the motive.

Shenyu finally understood. He had to reassure Ning Chen. Although the medical bills for his brother were settled, the Plot God was still looming overhead. The crisis wasn’t over, and he couldn’t let Ning Chen go easily.

In a way, the most important “prop” in this novel was the sponsorship contract. If it ended prematurely, the Plot God would definitely react.

Shenyu didn’t want to provoke the Plot God, nor did he want to help it. For now, maintaining the status quo was best—at least until he found a better way to defeat it.

Shenyu took Ning Chen’s hand and said sincerely, “Do you remember, Ning Chen? The first time I saw you in the bathroom, I stared at you for a long, long time. Because you were so handsome, and then I heard your name, I decided to intercept the deal. Otherwise, Fu Hengzhan is my friend—why would I go out of my way to cross him?”

Ning Chen froze. He sat down on the edge of the bed, looking at He Shenyu blankly.

Shenyu leaned forward and hugged him. “I’m not as kind as you think, saving every stranger from fire and water. I like your face. Do you still doubt that?”

He really did like it. That part wasn’t a lie at all…

Ning Chen hesitated. It was true that Shenyu liked his face. Whenever he seduced him, Shenyu would proactively kiss him. But…

“Then…” Ning Chen decided to ask directly. “Then why haven’t you… used me? I feel like you have no desire for me…”

Brother, do you have to be this blunt? Shenyu’s brain stalled. This was just digging a deeper hole.

Oh well. Their relationship had been ambiguous for a long time. He had to soothe Ning Chen first. When the time was right, he would explain everything from start to finish. He just hoped Ning Chen would understand then.

“Ning Chen,” He Shenyu touched his face and said, “I feel you’re still young, and it’s not the right time for that. And… and… I’m shy, don’t you know that? In my previous relationships, I didn’t even kiss. I’ve already kissed you; that’s progress. We don’t need to rush…”

Shenyu’s face grew redder as he spoke—half from the lie, half from actual embarrassment.

Compared to the “original” Dr. He, he truly hadn’t been in a single relationship. Despite all his theoretical knowledge, none of it had been put into practice. He hadn’t even pursued a girl, yet his first kiss went to a man like Ning Chen. Thinking about it made him feel a tiny bit sentimental.

But things had come to this. He had interfered in Ning Chen’s life, so he had to see it through to the end and take full responsibility. One should always finish what they start; he’d remembered that lesson since elementary school.

Ning Chen looked at him, suddenly wanting to ask: Does Shenyu only like my face? Or does he like me as a person?

The urge lingered in his heart, but he maintained a shred of rationality and didn’t ask.

With He Shenyu’s explanation, the reason for the “intercept” seemed plausible. Ning Chen thought about it and even tasted a hint of sweetness.

Betraying a friend just after seeing my face once… how can that not be considered liking me?

No matter how shallow Shenyu’s affection might be, it was still affection. That was enough for now.

He leaned down toward He Shenyu, rubbing his nose against the other’s. Shenyu was quickly captivated and tilted his head up to kiss him.

Ning Chen felt a bit smug. At least every time he seduced Shenyu, it was successful. In fact, after so many times, Shenyu seemed to have developed a Pavlovian response. Sometimes, simply leaning close would make Shenyu hold him and kiss him, without any specific seduction needed.

It seemed Shenyu really did like his face. That part was definitely the truth.

As they kissed, they fell back onto the bed together. Ning Chen began to feel troubled again. He opened his eyes to look at He Shenyu, who was still trying his best to kiss him, and an urge sprouted in his chest:

He really wanted to confess to Shenyu.

If Shenyu knew he loved him, would he be happy? Would he be more open than he was now?

A real boyfriend would surely be different, right?

Ning Chen’s hand lingered at He Shenyu’s waist. He sighed inwardly and simply pressed his whole body against him.

He still didn’t dare. He didn’t dare to gamble.

However, this matter could finally be put on the agenda for planning. He wanted to make Shenyu so moved that he would agree immediately, refusing to let him say no.