My Roommate is a Gloomy, Sensitive Guy Who Cries Over Everything - Chapter 4

Chapter 4: I Know Baby Likes It

Lin Zhiyu lay in bed for ten minutes after opening his eyes before finally adjusting to his surroundings.

He unplugged his charger, checked his phone, and chatted with Yu Hechang for about ten minutes until he received a WeChat transfer of 1,000 yuan.

He woke up instantly. He didn’t accept it, typing away furiously.

[Xiao Yu]: You already gave me money, I have enough.

[The Village’s #1 Beauty (Mom)]: How is that enough? What I gave you was for September, and there’s still half a month left now.

[The Village’s #1 Beauty]: If you don’t take it, I’ll find someone to transfer it directly to your bank card.

Only then did Lin Zhiyu accept the transfer, moving the money into his “Change Plus” account. He wanted to accumulate enough free withdrawal quota before moving it to his card; this money was not to be touched.

No longer in the mood to lounge, he got out of bed, crouched by the door to peek through the crack, and once certain the living room was empty, headed to the bathroom to wash up.

He noticed that the position of his tooth mug had been moved; it was now placed right next to Brother Lin’s. Their toothbrushes were even facing the same direction. He didn’t notice, however, that Brother Lin’s toothpaste had been swapped for the same brand he used.

Lin Zhiyu squeezed toothpaste onto his brush and stared blankly at his reflection in the mirror.

Brother Lin seems like a very independent person. He probably doesn’t like being disturbed.

Lin Zhiyu wasn’t sure how he’d reached that conclusion—maybe a sixth sense. Though they’d only known each other for a day, his impression of Brother Lin was of a silent man who never made eye contact.

That was the most important thing. How could you talk to someone face-to-face without eye contact?

Lin Zhiyu was great with people. The kids his age in the village loved playing with him, the elders liked teasing him, and the younger ones clung to him.

So he understood quite clearly: Brother Lin likely disliked socializing, which explained why his eyes always avoided contact.

Lin Zhiyu didn’t look deeper into it. Regardless, aside from mealtimes, they probably wouldn’t have much interaction.

After washing up, Lin Zhiyu was lured out by a delicious aroma. He crept toward the kitchen door, his eyes scanning the room like a searchlight.

The man inside looked exhausted, his eyes showing he hadn’t slept well. He had an unlit cigarette dangling from his lips while he fried eggs. He wore a white tank top that revealed the solid muscles of his shoulders and back; the veins in his arms were taut from the effort. It was unexpectedly sexy and striking.

Lin Zhiyu’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He tried not to let his eyes wander and asked carefully, “Is there a portion for me too?”

Lin Rangchuan gave a low “Mhm.”

Lin Zhiyu flashed him a smile. “Thanks, Brother Lin.”

He knew he looked good when he smiled—his eyes curved, his “lying silkworm” (lower eyelid fullness) showed, and shallow dimples appeared on both cheeks.

Everyone in the village had praised him for being cute.

Instead, Lin Rangchuan merely glanced at him before turning his head away, even shifting his body so his back was almost entirely toward him.

Lin Zhiyu: “………..”

First thing in the morning, and the start was already rocky.

Breakfast was egg noodles—clear, non-greasy, and smelling heavenly. Lin Zhiyu ate a giant bowl with tears in his eyes, not even leaving a drop of broth.

Opposite him, Lin Rangchuan was still chewing his noodles slowly. Lin Zhiyu wanted to look for a part-time job but wasn’t familiar with the area. He hesitated, then said nothing, sitting obediently until Lin Rangchuan finished so he could clear the table.

So quiet. So awkward.

Resting his chin on one hand, Lin Zhiyu asked casually, “What time did Brother Lin get up today?”

“Earlier than you,” Lin Rangchuan said.

“Didn’t sleep well?”

“It was alright.”

“…” Lin Zhiyu had hit a social brick wall for the first time. He racked his brain for a topic, and just then, Lin Rangchuan finished.

Lin Zhiyu enthusiastically stacked the bowls and smiled. “I’ll handle this. You worked hard cooking.”

Lin Rangchuan looked up, only to notice that Lin Zhiyu’s pajama collar was quite low.

His gaze didn’t linger too long, shifting upward.

Lin Zhiyu had thick eyelashes, peach-blossom eyes, and a smooth face—expressive and soft. His gentle movements as he cleared the table made him look very tender.

Lin Rangchuan squeezed the cigarette pack in his pocket and stood up. The chair legs made a harsh scraping sound against the floor. Without a word, he went to the balcony.

As Lin Zhiyu put the dishes in the dishwasher, he thought: Brother Lin’s cigarette addiction seems quite strong…

He didn’t like the smell of smoke, but he had no right to complain as long as it wasn’t indoors or in his face.

It was still early. Lin Zhiyu returned to his room, and as soon as he picked up his phone, the Senior sent a message.

[Senior]: You haven’t chatted with me at all since waking up.

The tone carried a hint of grievance.

Lin Zhiyu was still in a “Grade 12 withdrawal” phase; he woke up early or late at random, his biological clock in shambles. He didn’t know how the Senior guessed if he was awake or not.

[Xiao Yu]: No, I was just about to find you.

[Senior]: Have you had breakfast?

[Xiao Yu]: I have.

[Xiao Yu]: Brother Lin made it. It was very delicious.

[Senior]: Baby needs to eat well, or you’ll get too thin.

[Xiao Yu]: Haha, I’m afraid of getting too fat.

[Senior]: Baby looks better when he’s chubby.

[Xiao Yu]: You don’t even know what I look like. Maybe I’m ugly.

[Senior]: In my heart, you’re the most beautiful.

Lin Zhiyu couldn’t help but blush. He liked being praised by anyone, but the Senior gave him the feeling that he was being monitored at every moment—as if there were many eyes in the air focused on him.

It felt like the Senior knew of his existence, while he knew nothing of the Senior’s.

Lin Zhiyu felt an involuntary shiver and shook his head to return to business.

[Xiao Yu]: Does Senior know if there are part-time jobs around here? Or a job group you can add me to?

[Senior]: Are you short on money?

[Xiao Yu]: A little.

He had paid a deposit and three months’ rent (though the first month was free), totaling 1,500 yuan. Food and utilities would be settled at the end of the month. He didn’t have to worry about tuition, but he had to consider daily expenses. The money his mother gave him wasn’t quite enough…

[Xiao Yu]: I want to earn as much as I can before school starts.

[Senior]: I have a friend who can help, but you’ll need to wait a few days.

[Xiao Yu]: You’re amazing! Nothing is too hard for you!

[Xiao Yu]: [Cat rubbing against leg meme]

…

A few days later, Lin Zhiyu reported to a bubble tea shop.

The manager was a middle-aged man in his forties with a thick H City accent. “You just turned eighteen, right? For part-time work, we don’t sign contracts here.”

Lin Zhiyu was led behind a curtain into a storage room. It was messy, filled with boxes, a single desk and chair, and an old printer.

The manager sat down and studied him thoughtfully. “Looking for something long-term?”

Lin Zhiyu nodded. “Manager, I’m a university student. Once school starts, I might not have as much time.”

“I know. A student just left. If you’re willing… 300 a day, paid daily.”

Lin Zhiyu’s eyes widened, but he stayed calm. “300 a day seems higher than the industry average.”

The manager tapped his flip-flops. “Not high, not low. I pay based on looks. So, do you want the job or not?”

“…I’ll do it.”

It wasn’t the manager Lin Zhiyu trusted—it was the Senior.

The manager smiled. “Remember to report for duty tomorrow.”

…

On the way back, Lin Zhiyu was still in a daze, his footsteps light. He couldn’t believe such a big “pie” had fallen from the sky. On second thought, there was only this one franchise bubble tea shop near H University, so all the business was concentrated there.

High wages made sense. Mountains had their perks.

The next day, Lin Zhiyu put on his uniform and apron. Since school hadn’t started, there were few walk-in customers and more delivery orders.

Besides him, there were two other staff: a man and a woman.

The woman looked to be in her twenties. After a few words, he learned she was there to experience life while traveling. “Is your hair permed?”

Lin Zhiyu smiled and tugged at his hair. “No, it’s naturally curly. It’s not that curly, is it…?”

“Haha, like a little lamb.”

Lin Zhiyu had worried about his hair before, but eventually, he just let it be. His curls weren’t that obvious anyway.

The other man, Qin Rui, was silent and didn’t even look at him.

On his first day, Lin Zhiyu handled the register, cleaning, and memorizing the ingredients list. He was a quick learner, barely needing the girl’s help before he could assist others.

“Qin Rui, let’s go for a BBQ after work to welcome the new colleague,” Jiang Xinran said to Lin Zhiyu. “No overtime during summer break.”

Qin Rui carried ingredients in. “I have no money. Are you paying, or is the new guy? Why should we treat him anyway?”

Qin Rui was about to say more when Lin Zhiyu glanced over. “I can pay.”

Jiang Xinran immediately said, “How could we let you pay?”

The atmosphere turned stiff. Lin Zhiyu pulled at his apron strings. “It’s okay. I’ll treat everyone in a few days.”

Just then, two customers walked in one after another, ending the conversation. Lin Zhiyu hurried to the register and froze. It was Lin Rangchuan.

“Do you have a recommendation?” He was very tall, looking down at Lin Zhiyu’s face.

Lin Rangchuan was still in his black T-shirt and black pants. His features were indifferent, his face slightly pale—like a vampire emerging from a castle after days without sunlight. He had a heavy, gloomy aura.

While Lin Zhiyu thought about a recommendation, an older woman beside Lin Rangchuan spoke first: “Give me two ice creams.”

Lin Zhiyu zipped over to the machine. “Sure, coming right up.”

Qin Rui noticed the man in black staring at Lin Zhiyu. Frowning, he stepped forward. “I recommend the new signature: Mint Oolong Milk Green. It’s refreshing.”

Lin Rangchuan didn’t even look at him. His gaze followed Lin Zhiyu’s busy figure. Only after the ice cream was handed over did he repeat to Lin Zhiyu: “What do you recommend?”

The ignored Qin Rui’s face turned sour. “…”

Lin Zhiyu was also a bit flustered. “The one he just recommended is actually quite good.”

Lin Rangchuan: “One cup.”

Lin Zhiyu placed the order and handed him the receipt, murmuring, “Take a seat and wait.” He heard Qin Rui turn away and mutter, “Sicko.”

“…”

No other customers came in. Lin Rangchuan sat in the shop, opened his laptop, and started typing. He sat there all afternoon.

Delivery orders picked up in the afternoon. Lin Zhiyu was flying around with work. When he finally looked toward the window, Lin Rangchuan was gone.

Once his daily pay arrived, Lin Zhiyu took a detour to the market to buy seafood for dinner. Under Brother Lin’s superb skills, a grand meal was served.

He respected Lin Rangchuan’s habit of silence while eating and tried not to talk too much.

Lin Rangchuan: “Not good?”

Surprisingly, Lin Rangchuan was the one to start the conversation.

Lin Zhiyu looked up, being precise: “It’s good.”

Feeling it wasn’t enough, he added, “It’s especially good. I want to learn. Can I be your apprentice?”

Lin Rangchuan was silent for two seconds. “You don’t need to learn. If you want to eat something, tell me.”

Lin Zhiyu blinked and said nothing.

…

After showering, Lin Zhiyu sat at his computer to report to the Senior; he didn’t like playing with his phone while eating.

Sipping water from a large pink bottle, he typed casually:

[Xiao Yu]: Brother Lin came to buy bubble tea today.

Lin Zhiyu had just finished complaining to Yu Hechang about the drama between Lin Rangchuan and Qin Rui. Yu Hechang agreed they were both weirdos.

After this incident, Lin Zhiyu realized that Brother Lin’s “the world owes me eight million dollars” face wasn’t just directed at him.

[Senior]: You rarely bring him up to me proactively.

[Xiao Yu]: …Not really?

Lin Zhiyu almost wanted to scroll back through the chat logs, but before he could, the Senior sent a new message.

[Senior]: Does Baby hate him?

[Xiao Yu]: No, I wouldn’t go that far!

Half a minute later.

[Senior]: Baby hates him.

It had turned into an affirmative statement. Lin Zhiyu explained hurriedly.

[Xiao Yu]: I don’t hate him!

The other side was silent for a few more seconds.

[Senior]: Mhm. I know Baby likes it.