My Roommate is a Gloomy, Sensitive Guy Who Cries Over Everything - Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Would You Be Afraid?

From the moment Lin Rangchuan set off, the phone call had never disconnected. On the other end, the sounds of Qin Rui’s attempts to dissuade him and Lin Zhiyu’s insistence on returning could still be heard.

He didn’t make a single sound throughout the journey. On Lin Zhiyu’s end, there was only the sound of breathing and the rustling of background noise.

Patter, patter. Suddenly, raindrops smashed against the car window, making weak, light snapping sounds. Wearing his Bluetooth headset, Lin Rangchuan watched expressionlessly as the rain gradually intensified, densely blanketing the windshield until the road ahead was blurred.

“It seems to be raining!”

A crisp voice rang out in the earpiece, carrying a slight tone of anticipation. Lin Rangchuan, like a man returning from the dead, felt his eyelids twitch slightly.

“Drive carefully on the road. I’ve never seen you drive before. I’ll wait for you, okay? Don’t tell me the hairy crabs have already gone cold… Are you angry?”

Lin Rangchuan: “Why would I be angry?”

“Because I didn’t keep my promise.”

At this moment, Lin Rangchuan couldn’t distinguish whether it was a tremor or a premonition. It was like an ancient tree having its bark peeled away layer by layer, revealing fresh, tender skin, only to grow anew.

What he thought was immoral, an act that wouldn’t be understood, received a pleasure, nearly reaching climax from Lin Zhiyu’s single sentence.

The mist that had been drifting constantly in his mind condensed: He can accept all of my behaviors.

Just like before, never changing.

After a long and strange silence—the voice on the other side spoke softly again.

“Then you drive, I’ll hang up the phone first. Oh, right, I’ve sent the location to you.”

Until the Bluetooth went completely silent, Lin Rangchuan took it off, threw it onto the passenger seat, and turned on the wipers. The road conditions ahead, weak yet clear, were reflected in the depths of Lin Rangchuan’s eyes.

…

After hanging up the phone, Lin Zhiyu sat on the sofa in the first-floor living room, drinking tea. Qin Rui moved all the takeout upstairs, planning to give what they couldn’t finish to sanitation workers or the homeless nearby; the area around the villa district was full of such people.

Qin Rui couldn’t stop his livestream, but he could pause for ten minutes or so. He waved a pizza in front of him: “Your stomach is starting to growl.”

Lin Zhiyu realized for the first time that Qin Rui could be this “evil”: “If you stop tempting me, I’ll be fine. I have to save room in my stomach to eat with Brother Lin.”

Qin Rui was so speechless he rolled his eyes directly, wondering what kind of extraordinary people were around him: “He’s just your roommate, I really don’t know if you’re just brainless…” A thought puzzled him for a second. “There’s a sentence about your roommate, do you want to hear it?”

Lin Zhiyu tugged at the shoulder straps of his backpack or lowered his head to play with his fingers: “You’d better not say it.”

“…”

Qin Rui was incredulous. “I’m so good to you, yet you trust him and not me.”

Lin Zhiyu smiled at him again, the flattering kind. The corners of his “peach blossom eyes” curved up slightly, very eye-catching. He used the same trick, and yet the other person fell for it every time.

Qin Rui looked at him suspiciously. Having nothing else to do, he filled Lin Zhiyu’s water bottle with warm water and placed it by his bag, then stuffed some snacks inside, worried he would get hungry on the road, not knowing why he was holding out.

Regardless, there were plenty of snacks. Qin Rui had a younger brother at home and often took care of him like this; it had become second nature.

Especially since Lin Zhiyu was currently suffering the same situation as him, a sense of pity welled up—turning a “bent” person “straight” was something that invited heavenly wrath.

Lin Zhiyu watched closely: “You’re really good to me. Thinking back to the first time we met, you were meant to me.”

Qin Rui’s face stiffened: “Where was I mean to you?”

“When Sister Xinran offered to treat us. But thinking about it, you were right.” Lin Zhiyu tilted his upper body like he was presenting a treasure. “Later, everyone took turns treating each other, it was really fun.”

Qin Rui pinched his nose: “Talking about food now, aren’t you afraid of starving to death?”

Lin Zhiyu wilted, so hungry he was about to turn into liquid and slide off the sofa. Qin Rui quickly “scooped up” his liquid fragments and reshaped them bit by bit.

Lin Zhiyu was tickled by his actions and laughed as he dodged.

Before long, the doorbell suddenly rang. Qin Rui swept a cold gaze toward it and was about to go open the door, but Lin Zhiyu jogged over, opening the door a step ahead and blocking Qin Rui behind him a perfect block.

Outside, the rain was continuous, dripping from the tilted corners of the eaves like broken strings of pearls. Lin Rangchuan retracted his umbrella and leaned it against his feet, carrying a coat of dampness, looking down at him.

Cold, calm, and with a lukewarm, very punchable expression.

Lin Zhiyu seemed to snap back to his senses with a swaying trance, like the warm yellow light in an old house flickering into double images.

In his mind, Qin Rui complained about hating posers the most, tilting his face and saying coldly: “With the rain this heavy, you insist on taking him back? Can’t he eat here?”

Lin Rangchuan’s gaze fell on the man behind him. Even though he had no expression, the atmosphere of a confrontation could still be felt.

“That’s not for you to decide,” Lin Rangchuan said steadily. “I am his roommate.”

Stating his position and identity first—Qin Rui felt that this man was even harder to deal with than Lin Zhiyu’s so-called “Senior.”

Lin Zhiyu, caught in the middle, felt awkward. With a sheepish smile, he took a step forward. “Brother Qin, thanks for the hospitality. I’m going back now. Let’s hang out again next time!”

One is willing to hit and the other is willing to suffer the blow; it was hard to watch.

However, fortunately, this man looked a bit gloomy but overall seemed to know his boundaries.

Besides, these two had been sharing a rental for a while; there shouldn’t be any major problems.

Qin Rui placed an umbrella in Lin Zhiyu’s palm and said nothing as he saw them to the door.

Lin Zhiyu turned to wave goodbye. “No need to walk me further. The rain is heavy, don’t get wet.”

Qin Rui remained silent, standing under the eaves like a dark-faced door god, staring at their silhouettes as they walked into the curtain of rain.

Lin Zhiyu didn’t use that umbrella in the end, because Lin Rangchuan snatched it away. He opened his own long-handled umbrella, which obviously couldn’t completely cover both of their frames. Lin Zhiyu’s shoulder could only press tightly against him. Lin Rangchuan tilted his wrist slightly toward him, causing a large part of his own clothes on the other side to be soaked.

The two figures huddling together in the rain held a hint of warmth; though cliché, it was heart-warming to see.

Qin Rui had been pursued by gay men for so many years and had seen many great storms; he would have lived in vain if he couldn’t see through this.

[Qin Rui: Report to me when you get home.]

[Qin Rui: Don’t sell yourself while making money, stay away from your Senior.]

[Qin Rui: If you can’t make up your mind, you can come find me.]

…

The car stopped under a covered rain shelter. Lin Rangchuan closed the umbrella. Lin Zhiyu stamped his feet in place, trying to shake the dampness off his body.

He noticed the person next to him wasn’t moving. Turning his head, he saw Lin Rangchuan holding the umbrella, not speaking, just lowering his eyelids and quietly looking at him. He didn’t know how long he’d been looking.

Never in a million years did he expect that Lin Rangchuan would take him away for a single dinner, in the pouring rain, on such a secluded mountain road where the path was muddy and difficult to travel.

Lin Zhiyu took a deep breath: “You’re wet.”

He was a bit shorter than Lin Rangchuan and needed to look up slightly to meet his eyes fully. This expression made him look somewhat sincere and bewildered.

Lin Rangchuan took off his coat and placed it in his arms. “Get in the car first.”

After saying that, he opened the car door, half his body leaning over gently. The scent was complex—a peaceful sandalwood mixed with a faint tobacco aroma. The red agate on his wrist had been replaced with a sandalwood prayer bead string.

It looked familiar. Lin Zhiyu remembered that when Xue Rong set up her stall, he would often help string them. When taken to town to sell, the price would double. When the stall closed, he would get a stick of candied haws, both sour and sweet.

“Get in the car.”

Even though his movements were gentle and steady, Lin Zhiyu had the illusion of being forced into the car.

Lin Zhiyu’s first impression of Lin Rangchuan was actually quite average. Later, as they spent time together and he had the Senior for comparison, his presence felt even a bit weak.

He only knew the man had a good physique, full chest muscles, and a natural, deep-seated indifference and arrogance.

He frequently stared at people in silence; you had no idea what he was thinking, as if he were immersed in his own world.

Perhaps characters who are top students but socially marginalized have a somewhat unique psychological color.

He was so mysterious that there was no way to start getting along with him. Plus, since his relationship with the Senior seemed to have soured, Lin Zhiyu simply stayed away from him.

But he could also be very gentle and attentive occasionally. For example, now, he opened the car door for him. This was also the first time Lin Rangchuan had revealed his car.

Lin Zhiyu got into the car, and it also felt like he was entering for the first time, touching the edge of Lin Rangchuan’s world.

Before the engine started, Lin Zhiyu’s stomach started first. The car interior was a cramped space, and the few “gurgle” sounds were particularly embarrassing. Lin Rangchuan acted as if he didn’t hear it, reaching into the back seat to grab a box of something and placing it in Lin Zhiyu’s palm.

It was strawberries and cream.

Lin Zhiyu looked at him sideways.

Lin Rangchuan checked the temperature in the car. “The road back is a bit far. I will drive very slowly. Eat something to line your stomach first.”

The strawberries weren’t the box Lin Zhiyu had given him; Lin Rangchuan had bought new ones. Fearing they wouldn’t be fresh, he wouldn’t buy too many at once, but as long as Lin Zhiyu wanted to eat them, they would be there.

“Tell me if you’re cold.”

Lin Zhiyu gave a light “mm,” then said out of nowhere: “Did you and the Senior have a fight?”

The wipers moved rhythmically, pattering against the window. When Lin Rangchuan spoke in this environment, it carried a cold wind: “He and I are not the same person.”

Lin Zhiyu’s lips were moistened by the strawberry juice. He looked at him in confusion.

“If it’s not the same person, conflicts will arise. This is normal.”

So he doesn’t want to talk about it. Lin Zhiyu understood. He lowered his head to pick and choose, eating the prettiest ones first and leaving the ugly ones for last.

Suddenly, while taking a turn, Lin Rangchuan spoke plainly and as a matter of course: “I want to eat.”

Coincidentally, there was one last pretty strawberry left. He fed it to Lin Rangchuan with cream and even wiped his mouth for him.

Lin Rangchuan: “I want water.”

Lin Zhiyu realized there was no water in the car. He took down the insulated water bottle from his backpack. “Is mine okay? We’re both men, it shouldn’t matter, right?”

Lin Rangchuan was still plain: “I want to drink. Feed me.”

So Lin Zhiyu placed the mouth of the bottle against his lips, feeding him bit by bit, and then wiped his mouth again.

The rain was too heavy. There were traffic police patrolling nearby. Lin Rangchuan slowed down to let an ambulance pass. An accident had happened ahead. Lin Zhiyu took a look and secretly took a deep breath: “It’s so serious, the front of the car is deformed.”

“It hit a truck. If not dead, then crippled.” Lin Rangchuan showed not a hint of fear toward life. “If we have an accident, will we die together?”

“Ah? It’s better not to say such things while driving, right?” Lin Zhiyu was also afraid.

“Will you regret dying with me?” Lin Rangchuan raised his eyebrows slightly, the smile at the corner of his mouth blurred.

“Unexpected things can’t be controlled. It’s my own choice. Since it’s a choice without an alternative, then I won’t regret it.” Lin Zhiyu felt that internal friction was the biggest trouble.

Lin Rangchuan’s eyelids twitched slightly, and the curvature of his smile grew larger and larger.

But Lin Zhiyu had finished eating and was resting, so he didn’t notice.

…

It took half an hour to get there, but an hour to return home. With the strawberries lining his stomach, Lin Zhiyu wasn’t too hungry. He entered the door and only then saw Qin Rui’s message. He sent a check-in message to him and also to the Senior.

Qin Rui replied, but the Senior didn’t.

After washing his hands, Lin Zhiyu went to the kitchen to take a look. The food had gone cold, and the rice cooker hadn’t been touched. Lin Rangchuan changed out of his wet clothes and prepared to reheat everything.

“You didn’t eat?”

The steam from the boiling water softened Lin Zhiyu’s features, making him look exceptionally gentle.

He was very obedient; once in the kitchen, he wouldn’t move things around randomly.

It was raining outside, the temperature had dropped slightly, and it was night. A cool breeze blew, yet Lin Zhiyu’s skin was soft and fair, his whole body emitting a warm heat—who was he trying to seduce?

Lin Rangchuan really wanted to hug him, bury his face in the crook of his neck, and take a few breaths; he felt it would extend his lifespan.

He lowered his head. “I didn’t eat.”

“Why didn’t you eat?” Lin Zhiyu felt a bit bad for him. “What a waste.”

Lin Rangchuan reheated the rice as well: “I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to pick you up.”

Lin Zhiyu blinked: “No, I value promises very much. Since I said I’d eat with you tonight, I will. I’m looking forward to the hairy crabs.”

This meal was warmer than usual. Perhaps because it was raining outside, the inside felt cozy and peaceful. Lin Zhiyu felt his relationship with Brother Lin had become a bit closer.

But Lin Rangchuan was the same as usual, silently taking over most of the housework.

Lin Zhiyu felt he was being taken care of. He fought with the Senior, yet he still takes care of me as usual. It proves his character is good.

After showering, Lin Zhiyu took out his practice papers. He hadn’t finished today’s work, and a few problems had him completely stuck.

Although the “battle” with Qin Rui was fierce, it was clear that when pushed, a person could do anything—except math.

The Senior was busy with other things, so the voice chat was later, chatting sporadically.

He could now talk to the Senior about anything and shared today’s events.

[Xiao Yu: Don’t fight with him anymore. Maybe there’s some misunderstanding.]

The Senior seemed completely indifferent to Lin Rangchuan. The point he focused on was even “wrong.”

[Senior: Then are you living comfortably? Does he take good care of you?]

[Xiao Yu: It’s practically my second home.]

[Xiao Yu: But it’s not good to continue like this in the long run. I’m thinking if I should grab some housework to do.]

[Senior: Don’t.]

[Senior: Let him do it.]

[Senior: I’m begging you, let him do it.]

Lin Zhiyu didn’t know how to reply. Is there some kind of housework KPI? He even used the word “begging.”

He accepted in a daze.

Having finished that topic, the Senior belatedly came to settle the score.

[Senior: Baby was particularly bad today. You promised to show me your photos, but you ran off to someone else’s house. Was it a man?]

[Senior: Were you planning to stay overnight there?]

Lin Zhiyu’s day had been truly crazy, and he felt a bit aggrieved.

[Xiao Yu: Because you scared me.]

[Xiao Yu: If you do that again, I won’t meet you, and I won’t renew our contract.]

[Senior: You’re asking for my life.]

The method Qin Rui taught him was indeed useful.

They made an appointment to meet, with Lin Zhiyu wearing a blindfold. He couldn’t even imagine how much anxiety someone would have about their appearance to make such a request.

He didn’t understand, but he respected it. Lin Zhiyu was still quite looking forward to it.

[Senior: You won’t. The baby is looking forward to meeting me.]

He hit the nail on the head. Lin Zhiyu was almost used to it; he often felt like he was streaking in front of the man.

[Senior: If I suddenly appeared in front of Baby, would you be scared?]

This sentence appeared suddenly like a ghost. The speed at which Lin Zhiyu spun his pen slowed down, and the pen fell—clack! It was crisp, loud, and even a bit piercing.

[Xiao Yu: Of course I would!]

[Senior: Then I really want to try.]

Liar. He wasn’t looking forward to it, nor did he think what the man said would come true.

This person would only peek at him from dark corners; no matter how much he was coaxed, he wouldn’t appear. He was a coward.

Lin Zhiyu didn’t think much of it. The next second, there were suddenly a few knocks on his room door knock, knock.

The tip of his heart trembled for a few seconds. He stood up and carefully opened the door. Lin Rangchuan was standing outside, holding his clothes.

“It rained, so I brought them into my room early. Here.”

Lin Zhiyu took them, lowering his head. The frequency of his dark eyelashes trembling was very high, and from Lin Rangchuan’s perspective, it was crystal clear—as if he were suspecting something, but had no evidence.

“Thanks.”

Lin Rangchuan gave a thoughtful reminder: “Remember to lock your door when you sleep. Goodnight.”