My Roommate is a Gloomy, Sensitive Guy Who Cries Over Everything - Chapter 19

Chapter 19: What Kind of Girls Do You Like?

Lou Chen had just downed some wine, and his entire face was flushed red. He looked left and right, realized someone was missing, and immediately felt something was wrong.

Opening the balcony door, he found his “good brother” standing in the breeze, already getting ready to leave.

Good grief—trying to leave him behind to play social butterfly again while he made a run for it!

As Lou Chen approached, Lin Rangchuan gave him a cool look, leaning against the doorframe.

“Is everyone gone?”

“They haven’t even shown up yet. Feels like they’re trying to establish dominance,” Lou Chen grumbled. They had an appointment to meet the head of EG Studio today, but at the last minute, the guy claimed to be busy and left them chilling in the private room. The other staff members were there, but they weren’t qualified to talk business with Lin Rangchuan.

Lou Chen didn’t care what the “emergency” was; being slighted was a fact.

Just as they were talking, the door to the room swung open. Ning Starzhou strode in, looking travel-worn as if he had rushed over immediately after finishing work.

Lou Chen still looked arrogant.

Ning Starzhou, however, smiled quite frankly: “I’m terribly sorry to have kept you waiting.”

Lin Rangchuan didn’t even shake his hand, staying in the shadows. Lou Chen handled the socializing. The two went into the innermost room and talked for a while. Ning Starzhou glanced at Lin Rangchuan: “I look forward to our future cooperation.”

Lin Rangchuan kept his eyes on his phone, his tone flat: “When do we sign the contract?”

“No need to rush. It’s quite a distance from H City. Stay the night; we have plenty of time to talk slowly.” Ning Starzhou suddenly shifted the topic: “Speaking of which, you look a bit familiar. Have we met before?”

“If we can’t sign today, then see you next time.” Lin Rangchuan stood up, ready to leave. Ning Starzhou was stunned.

Lou Chen gave a sheepish laugh: “He’s not good at dealing with people. Generally, if there’s anything, just contact me.”

Ning Starzhou took his business card. Recalling something, he said meaningfully: “I remember you now. You went to Ning County Primary School. Remember me? Come to think of it, you must know Xiao Yu too.”

Ning Starzhou saw the lines of Lin Rangchuan’s profile flicker like a weak flame. He frowned slightly: “Have you two met?”

Lou Chen was confused: “Xiao Yu? Yeah, they met. They even…” Live together.

Lin Rangchuan interrupted him, his voice low and raspy from smoking: “If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving.” His face was a mask of coldness that screamed don’t try to get close to me.

At this point, Ning Starzhou didn’t try to make him stay. He just smiled, thinking of Lin Zhiyu. Ever since their meeting during the National Day holiday, no matter how many messages he sent Lin Zhiyu, the boy had started with perfunctory replies and eventually stopped responding altogether.

It would be a lie to say he didn’t feel a bit frustrated, but Ning Starzhou had been too busy lately to go find him. There would be opportunities.

…

Lou Chen chased after him, planning to head back to the hotel together: “You know him? Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

Lin Rangchuan stopped and looked at him.

Lou Chen: “…”

That look seemed to be saying you’re an idiot.

As autumn approached, the summer night wind felt heavy and thin, the air congealing like tiny snowflakes. With his back looking lonely as snow and his expression full of lament, Lou Chen felt that if it were possible, Lin Rangchuan probably wanted to punch Ning Starzhou just now rather than leave.

Lou Chen shuddered at the thought.

“Knowing me is his business. I don’t know him,” Lin Rangchuan said coldly.

Lou Chen rarely saw him like this and shut up, only to suddenly hear a voice floating in the cold wind.

“Ning Starzhou.”

Lou Chen looked up, confused: “What about him?”

Lin Rangchuan looked down at a message on his phone, his lips tightening, the hostile aura around him dissipating instantly. “I just feel like that name is like phlegm stuck in your throat during a cold—you just can’t swallow it down.”

“…………”

Lou Chen covered his mouth and dry-heaved a few times.

…

Back at the hotel, Lou Chen felt sick from the alcohol and called it a night early.

Lin Rangchuan stared at the line of text on his screen, waiting and waiting. His gaze was focused to the extreme, uncontrollably obsessed with waiting for the other person’s “charity.”

Like a starving wolfdog squatting at the door, waiting for the master to open up and toss in some pitiful scraps of food.

The voice call came through.

The school dorms had a curfew. After seeing off the speechless Yu Hechang, Lin Zhiyu closed the door and quickly dialed. He was afraid of being docked pay for every missing second, even though the Senior had never actually docked him.

“I’m going to shower now.”

“Don’t take what my friend said to heart. I’m short on money, but I can earn it myself. Don’t just transfer money to me randomly; I can’t explain it.”

“My friend doesn’t really know your situation, so he was just talking nonsense. I was afraid you guys would start arguing, so I cut the call. Don’t be mad.”

Lin Zhiyu hung up his clean clothes, tested the water temperature, put his phone in a waterproof bag, and hung it on the wall.

The bathroom was humid, the incandescent light bright and dazzling. The warm mist rose like a fairyland. Lin Zhiyu talked while tapping his toes on the wet tiles.

The Senior listened for a long time before saying: “You’re showering. Are you naked?”

Lin Zhiyu was caught off guard, but the Senior’s tone didn’t sound unhappy. He hummed: “Yeah. Brother, do you like music? I can sing for you.”

Actually, he just liked singing in the shower.

“No need.”

“Oh… okay.”

“Did Baby lock the door?”

Lin Zhiyu instinctively looked toward the door: “No. No one’s home, so it doesn’t matter.”

“How do you know no one is there?” The Senior chuckled low.

Just as Lin Zhiyu was about to speak, there were two knocks on the bathroom door. His movements slowed down as he stared unblinkingly at the door.

The mist swirled, gradually turning cold.

There was silence; he thought he had misheard. Just as he was about to continue, he heard knock-knock again.

It was very clear this time.

Lin Zhiyu immediately turned off the shower and walked toward the door on tip-toe, his ears pressed against it as he whispered: “Who is it?”

Rationally, he knew it was Brother Lin, but out of anxiety and fear, his legs felt weak. He placed his nervous hands over his chest.

“It’s me.”

Lin Zhiyu breathed a sigh of relief. “Brother Lin, I’m showering. Do you need to use the bathroom?”

“Yeah, it’s a bit urgent.”

Lin Zhiyu’s heart jumped again. He looked at his dirty clothes—they were soaked through in patches and unwearable. “Um, I… can you wait a moment?”

There was no response from outside. Lin Zhiyu opened the bathroom door slightly, peeking his head out, revealing half of a pale, damp shoulder as the mist drifted out.

“I’ll be quick.”

Lin Rangchuan’s pupils were dark. He was tall, and because of his posture, Lin Zhiyu looked much shorter than him.

“Okay. I’ll wait for you.”

Lin Zhiyu shut the door, quickly rinsed off the soap, and realized as he was drying off that he had forgotten to bring underwear. He had no choice but to awkwardly “commando” his way out.

When he opened the door, he was startled by the person standing right there.

He didn’t know how long Lin Rangchuan had been standing there. Those dark pupils reflected the startled young boy—flushed face, moist and bright eyes. So obedient, so pretty.

Lin Zhiyu forced himself to stay calm as he left, giving the bathroom to Lin Rangchuan. When he got to his room, he found the Senior’s call was still active.

At least he was sensible enough to stay quiet.

“Scared me to death, Brother.”

The Senior’s voice was gentle: “What happened, Baby?”

“Brother Lin came back suddenly, and then I didn’t bring underwear, so I just put on pants and went out.” Lin Zhiyu covered his face.

The Senior paused, then repeated meaningfully: “No underwear.”

“I’m putting them on now.”

After some rustling, Lin Zhiyu was dressed. The Senior didn’t say much else: “Remember to lock the door next time.”

“Got it.” Lin Zhiyu heard the sound of walking on the Senior’s end. “What are you doing?”

The Senior replied mechanically: “Going to the bathroom.”

“…”

Are you guys empathetic twins or something?

Lin Zhiyu got off the bed to wash his face. He opened his door only to find the bathroom door was still closed.

This was taking way too long.

The bathroom smelled wonderful—a scent that seeped through the skin and nasal passages, combined with the damp steam, making one feel like they were in a dream.

Lin Rangchuan finished using the bathroom and took a shower while he was at it. It took about thirty minutes before he finished.

…

On Monday night, the school website opened the portal for mandatory PE elective registration. Lin Zhiyu had to work, so he asked the Senior to help him grab a spot.

Anything was fine; he wasn’t exceptional at sports, but he wasn’t lagging either. When he got back from work and checked, he saw he had been enrolled in tennis, and the classes started this week.

Lin Zhiyu asked with a smile: “Why tennis?”

“I can sneak a look at you.” The Senior sounded hopeful.

Lin Zhiyu’s eyes widened, then he hesitated: “Would you even recognize me?”

“The prettiest one.”

Lin Zhiyu pressed his lips together, but couldn’t help them curving up. “Nonsense. I’m not talking to you anymore, I’m going to sleep.”

…

When noon arrived for PE class, he discovered the tennis teacher had brought a teaching assistant. He froze for a moment, thinking he had seen wrong, but then Lin Rangchuan walked right in front of him.

He was a genuine handsome guy.

He wore a baseball cap and a tracksuit. His watch and beads were removed, replaced by wristbands. Under the sun, he lost some of his usual gloominess, his face showing a sort of cold, sharp youthful handsomeness.

It was the first time Lin Zhiyu had seen this side of Lin Rangchuan; he couldn’t look away.

The first period was just swinging the racket and bouncing balls, which was fairly easy. During the break, Lin Rangchuan leaned against a tree in the shade alone; not many people approached him.

Lin Zhiyu looked around, thinking of the Senior. He observed for a long time but couldn’t find anyone who fit the description. He looked away helplessly, only to look up and lock eyes with Lin Rangchuan.

“Do you have a tissue?”

Lin Zhiyu took a pack from his pocket and offered the whole thing: “Here.”

“I only want one. Open it for me.” Lin Rangchuan leaned in very close, the brim of his cap almost touching Lin Zhiyu’s forehead.

Lin Zhiyu felt so hot from his presence that he couldn’t even notice the curious, gossiping stares of the people around them. He hurriedly pulled one out and handed it over. Lin Rangchuan’s fingers brushed his—a collision of ice and fire.

The teaching assistant didn’t say thank you, making it seem as if they were incredibly close.

The TA was absent for the second period due to other business. College students have an unavoidable love-hate relationship with PE—they hate it but have to do it, and there’s the task of running a certain number of kilometers every semester.

Without a handsome guy to look at, everyone felt a bit deflated.

PE class lasted for three consecutive periods. After the second one ended, Lin Zhiyu was called away by a girl and didn’t return until class was about to start.

Lin Zhiyu acted as usual, but the girl kept her head down, looking distracted during the final period.

After eating at the cafeteria with Yu Hechang, Lin Zhiyu only had two classes in the afternoon and could go rest for a bit.

Back at the rental house, just as he sat down, Lin Zhiyu received several photos on his phone. He opened them and froze.

They were all photos of the girl confessing to him, taken from various angles.

[Senior: Caught you.]

Lin Zhiyu felt his heart stop for two seconds.

[Senior: Baby is so popular.]

[Xiao Yu: …I don’t have any plans for that right now.]

Lin Zhiyu had never lacked romantic attention since middle school. He was cheerful, the class monitor, and often hosted various events, making him very popular with girls.

But due to his sexual orientation, he rejected them straightforwardly without hesitation. Over time, he became numb to the process. If it were an acquaintance, his attitude might be softer, but he wouldn’t give them a single chance for anything more.

By now, he was in a state of complete indifference. He’d rather be in a lifelong relationship with money.

The Senior expanded on the topic.

[Senior: What type of girls does a baby like?]

Lin Zhiyu’s outlook was a bit different from most. Whoever he liked became the standard. If there had to be a standard, how was that any different from a “custom-made girlfriend”?

[Xiao Yu: None.]

[Senior: Not even a preference?]

[Xiao Yu: Then… someone from a happy, complete family. Because my dad passed away very early.]

Moreover, in a society where same-sex relationships aren’t supported, such a family would be easier to negotiate with regarding opposition. Of course, this was just Lin Zhiyu’s ideal future.

…

A happy, complete family…

Lin Rangchuan sat in his chair, gloom swirling in his eyes. After a long time, he suddenly smiled at the air and began to piece together, bit by bit, the family photo he had torn up years ago.