My Roommate is a Gloomy, Sensitive Guy Who Cries Over Everything - Chapter 39

Chapter 39: I Can See the Fireworks

Jiang Xinran lifted her head from her wonton soup and glanced at the ceiling. “Did you hear something?”

Qin Rui looked up as well. “Why is Xiao Yu taking so long?”

Jiang Xinran shrugged and didn’t answer. Qin Rui took off his apron, preparing to go up and check, but Jiang Xinran grabbed his arm. Her reasoning was sound: “We still have to clean up this mess. What if you go up there and don’t come back down?”

“…”

Jiang Xinran nudged him slyly. “You don’t have a thing for Xiao Yu, do you? You pay way too much attention to him.”

Qin Rui immediately shook off her hand. “I think of him as a brother.”

Jiang Xinran didn’t believe a word of it. Why don’t you think of me as a sister then? Total closet case!

Back upstairs, Lin Zhiyu was still sitting on Lin Rangchuan’s lap in a daze. It took him a long while to process what the man was saying.

Buying a house? In City A? For him?

The way it came out of Lin Rangchuan’s mouth made it sound like he was buying a bag of beans. It seemed Lin Rangchuan’s assets were even more substantial than he had imagined.

Lin Zhiyu let out a soft “tsk” in his mind, but he didn’t want him to be so wasteful. He leaned his cheek against the man, feeling Lin Rangchuan’s frantic heartbeat. “No need. I’ll just tell my mom I’m visiting you. I won’t stay long anyway. Will your parents welcome me?”

Lin Rangchuan looked down to see Lin Zhiyu’s face. Having just finished a passionate kiss, his face was flushed. There wasn’t a single flaw in his features; his nose was delicate, his lips were slightly swollen and pouting, and most beautiful of all were his eyes, reflecting a clear landscape.

He looked like someone you wouldn’t have the heart to say a single harsh word to.

The “No” that was about to leave Lin Rangchuan’s mouth stopped short. He changed his tune: “I don’t usually live with them.”

Lin Zhiyu gave a soft “oh” and moved to stand up, but Lin Rangchuan caught his wrist. “Wait until I finish eating.”

“Alright.”

Lin Rangchuan moved a small wooden table over. It was cracked and looked quite old, covered in layers of unidentifiable paint. Lin Zhiyu sat beside him. Afraid he’d be bored, Lin Rangchuan opened a bottle of soda for him. The winter sunlight streamed through the gap in the window, blanketing the floor in golden light.

It was a rare moment of peace in the studio. Subtle, romantic feelings were quietly blossoming between them. Inspiration was abundant once more.

…

A few days later, Lin Zhiyu began his journey home with Yu Hechang. Unfortunately, Lin Rangchuan couldn’t see him off; something urgent had come up, and his phone wouldn’t stop ringing. It was likely about money—with the New Year approaching, debt collectors were everywhere.

Lin Rangchuan didn’t say it, but Lin Zhiyu could guess. He didn’t ask.

Before he left, Lin Rangchuan put a woven bracelet on his wrist. He’d made it himself; it felt like being tied to him.

Waiting for his ticket to be checked, Lin Zhiyu sat on a bench, touching the bracelet and watching his shoes scuff the pebbles on the ground. If Lin Rangchuan were given a chance to leave his original family, his future would surely be brighter.

But for now—

[Xiao Yu: Do you get into fights with your family?] [Lin-ge: They can’t win against me.] [Xiao Yu: Will they kick you out?] [Lin-ge: Wife, don’t worry about me.] [Xiao Yu: How could I not worry about you?]

After his ticket was checked and he got on the bus, Lin Zhiyu still looked preoccupied. Yu Hechang noticed his childhood friend’s low spirits and assumed he was troubled by love. “Don’t worry, my lips are sealed. You haven’t told anyone else, right?”

That was another source of distress. Lin Zhiyu shook his head. “In the village, just you. If Ning Xingzhou…”

Yu Hechang tsked. “That guy is like a ghost that won’t go away.”

With one stop left, Lin Zhiyu took out his phone to message the man: Why aren’t you asking where I am?

Lin Rangchuan replied instantly with a screenshot. It was a GPS location. In other words, even if he didn’t ask, he knew Lin Zhiyu’s location at all times.

His phone was wide open; it was hard for Yu Hechang not to see. Lin Zhiyu locked the screen and met his friend’s complicated gaze.

When they arrived at the station, since the man could track his position in real-time, Lin Zhiyu didn’t bother reporting. He got in a car and traveled down a muddy, winding mountain road until he finally saw the small rooftops of his hometown.

He parted ways with Yu Hechang at the intersection and dragged his suitcase home. Opening the door, he found the main hall transformed. Actually, it hadn’t changed much—there were just many bags of old clothes everywhere. Lin Zhiyu gasped. “Business is booming, Boss Lady!”

Xue Rong was working in the kitchen, her back to him as she stirred a pan. “These are recyclables, things people didn’t want. What ‘Boss Lady’? Stop talking nonsense.”

“I heard the shop is doing well.” Lin Zhiyu had been right to insist she rent it, though it was hard work. The carp in the kitchen was still being kept by Xue Rong; it was much fatter than before.

Xue Rong came out with a dish, looking triumphant. “So we’re having crawfish tonight.”

“Wait, wait! Let me take a photo.” Craving the food, Lin Zhiyu knelt on a chair and aimed his camera.

A mother knows her son. Xue Rong asked sharply, “Who are you sending that to? A female classmate?”

Lin Zhiyu didn’t blink. “A guy.”

Losing interest, Xue Rong went back to the kitchen. During dinner, she brought it up again: “I read online that the chances of dating are highest in college. Once you’re in the workforce, everyone you meet is a colleague, and who wants to date a colleague?”

Lin Zhiyu told her to spend less time online.

Xue Rong continued her monologue: “I don’t have the connections to set you up on blind dates; you’ll have to do it yourself.”

Now it was Lin Zhiyu’s turn to lose interest. “Would it be so bad if I didn’t get married?”

Xue Rong said, “That won’t do. If you don’t marry, you’ll be all alone in this house. I won’t be at peace.”

“Don’t I have you?” Lin Zhiyu tried to change her mind.

“How long can I stay with you?” Her tone softened.

“You can stay with me for a long time.” Lin Zhiyu blinked. “When I’m old and gray, sitting on the front steps, I’ll just wait for you and Dad to come and take me away.”

…

The days before the New Year were the busiest. Lin Zhiyu had no time for his phone, spending all day in town for supplies. Xue Rong planned to finish up the shop work so they could finally rest.

Returning home one day after shopping, Lin Zhiyu saw an uninvited guest: Ning Xingzhou. He was holding a teacup and chatting with Xue Rong. Lin Zhiyu was immediately on guard, approaching cautiously.

Xue Rong happily called him over. “Your senior came to visit! It’s been years, and he still remembers us.”

Lin Zhiyu gave a couple of distracted “mhm”s.

Ning Xingzhou said, “He’s very well-behaved at school, and his grades are great. He might even get a scholarship next semester.”

Xue Rong: “That’s good, that’s good.”

Ning Xingzhou stayed for dinner, helping Xue Rong by picking vegetables in the field and pouring water. He moved around as comfortably as if he were in his own home. Xue Rong was incredibly pleased with him.

Since she couldn’t get anything out of her son, she tried to get info from Ning Xingzhou. “When he calls, he only says he’s safe. I haven’t heard anything else.”

Ning Xingzhou, unaware of the situation, said pointedly, “He and his roommate…”

He felt a kick under the table. Ning Xingzhou’s expression relaxed, and he didn’t continue. But Xue Rong pressed on: “Oh? How is he with his roommate? Are they getting along?”

Ning Xingzhou sensed something and became thoughtful. “Very well.”

When it was time to leave, Lin Zhiyu saw him at the door. Ning Xingzhou paused and whispered, “She doesn’t know you don’t live in the dorms?”

“She” obviously referred to Xue Rong. Lin Zhiyu rolled his eyes. “So? What are you planning now?”

Ning Xingzhou smiled. “Don’t think so poorly of me, Xiao Yu. Honestly, with Lin Rangchuan gone, your attitude toward me is actually decent.”

Lin Zhiyu snapped at him, “You’re dreaming!” He pushed him out and slammed the door.

Ning Xingzhou turned around, nearly hitting his nose. “So fierce…”

…

Ning Xingzhou came back the next day, but Xue Rong had gone to visit Yu Hechang’s house and go New Year shopping with his mother. Lin Zhiyu was home alone, meaning he could openly use voice chat.

He wore headphones just in case Xue Rong came home early. It was Ning Xingzhou again; he couldn’t be driven away, so Lin Zhiyu chose to ignore him. Ning Xingzhou didn’t know he was on a call; he assumed he was just listening to music and began looking around the hall.

The temperature in the countryside was much lower than in the city, the wind was stronger, and there was no heating. Lin Zhiyu was wearing a thick down jacket, his cheeks rosy. He looked like he’d gained a bit of weight as he scurried around cleaning.

The more Ning Xingzhou watched him, the cuter he thought he was. “How about I help you?”

Lin Zhiyu saw the footprints he’d left on the floor he’d just cleaned. He immediately threw the rag down. “Clean it!”

Ning Xingzhou squatted down, wetted the rag with cold water, and started scrubbing. After a while, his fingers were stiff with cold. “Xiao Yu, do you have gloves?”

Lin Zhiyu was ruthless. “No. What’s a man like you being so fussy for? You’re the one who dirtied the floor, so clean it!”

Ning Xingzhou cursed under his breath and kept scrubbing. Lin Zhiyu even made him wipe every surface he’d touched, giving orders with his legs crossed. “The most you’ll get is a bowl of rice tonight. Keep scrubbing—make it spotless!”

Ning Xingzhou looked at his face. To achieve great things, one must be thick-skinned. He hadn’t forgotten being beaten in that alleyway. Just you wait. He smiled warmly. “Fine.”

Lin Zhiyu felt triumphant. Suddenly, a deep, mellow voice came through his headphones. “Are you wearing the bracelet?”

Lin Zhiyu’s heart skipped a beat. He instinctively touched his wrist and whispered, “I’m wearing it.” He glanced at Ning Xingzhou doing chores and hurried to the backyard. He leaned against a stone pillar and squatted. “What are you doing? Are you home? Finished painting?”

“I thought you were having so much fun you’d forgotten me. Are you going to give your husband a live broadcast?”

Lin Zhiyu scraped the pillar with his nail, confused. “What are you talking about? Ning Xingzhou is just being a pest, and I can’t exactly kick him out.”

Lin Rangchuan let out a sneer filled with weary irritation. “He’s closer to you than I am. Your childhood friend is closer than I am. Everyone is closer than I am. I’m the only outsider.”

Lin Zhiyu knew the man was having an episode. What could he do to comfort him from this far away? He could only whisper softly, “Hubby~”

“There’s only one ‘hubby’.”

Outside, his gloves were off, and his hands were turning purple from the cold. Lin Zhiyu blew on his palms, but it wasn’t enough. He placed his phone on his lap and tucked his hands behind his knees.

“I want to see you,” the voice on the other end said low.

Lin Zhiyu’s face heated up. “Tonight.”

On the other end, the sound of a zipper being undone had already started. Lin Rangchuan lazily reached down, his mind filled with his wife. He loved the feeling of being coaxed by him. Throughout his life, he’d been treated in many ways: scolded, beaten, despised. As he grew older, people feared him, avoided him, or feigned respect. Only the feeling of being tenderly coaxed was something his wife gave him.

It was like that when they were children, though the memories were blurred—he could only recall a round face and bright eyes. Now, the grown-up version was by his side, reconnecting those fading memories. All these years of living in a daze, surviving only on photos… his chaotic thoughts finally became clear. He felt empty, but a pair of hands was leading him. Even if there were an abyss ahead, he would jump without hesitation.

“Xiao Yu, I’m done.”

Lin Zhiyu snapped back to reality. The sound of Lin Rangchuan coughing softly came through the headphones.

“You don’t make a sound when you walk!”

Lin Zhiyu saw Ning Xingzhou glancing at his phone and ears. He’d likely guessed what was happening. Sure enough, Ning Xingzhou smiled. “Can I stay over tonight?”

The coughing on the phone became louder. Lin Zhiyu was fuming. “No!” He looked around, found a feather duster, and landed several sharp thwacks on the man.

Ning Xingzhou jumped. “Stop! That hurts!”

Lin Zhiyu chased him, hitting him all the way to the door. Once Ning Xingzhou had run far enough, he slammed the door shut.

With the pest gone and one less person for dinner, Lin Zhiyu finally caught his breath. He spoke into the headphones: “Lin Rangchuan, are you still there?”

“Not dead yet,” came the cold voice.

Lin Zhiyu shivered, thinking that the man must be unhappy again.

“When can we video call?” The voice was cold and raspy, with a frightening rattling sound.

Lin Zhiyu’s scalp tingled. “After dinner, after dinner! I’ll be quick…”

…

By dinner time, Xue Rong returned. She knew Ning Xingzhou had visited but didn’t see him. “Where’s Xingzhou? I even bought extra food.”

Lin Zhiyu obviously couldn’t say he’d beaten the man away. He said innocently, “I don’t know. He said he had to use the restroom and then never came back.”

Xue Rong was puzzled but didn’t dwell on it. She went into the hall and checked the cleaning. “It’s quite clean. You didn’t slack off.”

Lin Zhiyu was unapologetic: “Of course!”

After washing the dishes, Lin Zhiyu didn’t get to go to his room as planned. Yu Hechang came over to play, saying he’d bought fireworks they could set off in the yard. Several older kids from the village had gathered. Lin Zhiyu couldn’t refuse.

The village didn’t have as many firework restrictions as the city. Lin Zhiyu turned on his camera. Boom! Fireworks shot into the sky, scattering sparks that flickered in the dark like swarming fireflies.

Surrounded by the noise and excitement, Lin Zhiyu looked at the dark screen of the video call. He suddenly remembered the time he video called the Senior.

“Lin Rangchuan?”

“Can’t you see the fireworks from your room?” a heavy voice came through.

“I don’t know if I can.” Lin Zhiyu wanted to share the moment. “Can you see them?”

” I will see them, but I only want to be with you,” Lin Rangchuan said softly, his voice seductive in his ear. “No one else. Just you and me.”

Before Lin Zhiyu could respond, Yu Hechang popped up beside him and whispered, “Are you on a video call with…?”

“Yeah.” Lin Zhiyu went silent for a moment. “You guys play first. I’m going back inside!”

Yu Hechang watched his friend run off, baffled. Whatever. He went back to the fireworks.

Before they were even finished, Lin Zhiyu was back in his room. Just as he set up his phone, the video became clear. It was like walking from darkness into the light.

The scene that met his eyes instantly stunned him. He almost dropped his phone. The air was filled with the sound of fireworks. Lin Rangchuan was leaning back in his gaming chair, his eyes half-closed, his dark gaze piercing. He was nonchalantly staring at the screen, at the stunned boy. He continued his movements without a care, his head tilted back, exposing his bobbing Adam’s apple, his brow slightly furrowed.

Lin Zhiyu’s eyes were wide. He never expected this when he opened the video call. It was so open, natural, and raw. His hands trembled, and his shoulders hunched—he looked like a little lamb that had wandered into a wolf pack.

Lin Rangchuan had done this on purpose. Lin Zhiyu’s eyes subconsciously drifted downward. Looking closely, it seemed… much larger than anything he’d ever seen before.

Lin Zhiyu remained frozen. Lin Rangchuan spoke softly, his voice raspy and sexy: “Just going to watch without moving?”

“You… you’re scaring me.”

“I can’t get in there, so how am I scaring you?” After saying that, Lin Rangchuan pressed his lips into a tight line, his expression tense.

“…”

His breathing changed. Trembling, Lin Zhiyu pulled off his pants. Though he felt fear, a surge of excitement deep within stimulated him. Perhaps because he’d been touched by Lin Rangchuan so much, just being watched made his skin burn.

Even though they were separated by a phone and miles of distance, Lin Rangchuan still had the power to make Lin Zhiyu a complete mess. Outside the window, the fireworks continued to explode, huge and endless, blooming with sparks. It was incredibly hot and lively.

Lin Zhiyu lay on the bed in a daze, his hair fluttering slightly, his skin flushed. He looked incredibly seductive.

Lin Rangchuan smiled. “I can see the fireworks.”