My Roommate is a Gloomy, Sensitive Guy Who Cries Over Everything - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Thin Waist and Long Legs

It wasn’t exactly at the level of “liking” him.

Lin Zhiyu simply assumed their friendship was very close, so he didn’t want to ruin the mood. He even played along.

[Senior]: You don’t like him? [Senior]: You like him?

[Xiao Yu]: Haha, stop typing so many times. I like him, I like him a lot, okay?

On the other side of the screen, a certain man read this message repeatedly, long-pressing it to add it to his favorites.

Lin Zhiyu had worked all day and his back was aching; he wanted to lie down and sleep early. With a daily wage of 300 yuan, he didn’t want to miss a single day before school started. However, the Senior was incredibly excited tonight, dragging him into conversation about anything and everything. If he didn’t reply for a few seconds, a message would pop up:

Are you talking to someone else? Don’t ignore me.

Whenever he talked like that, Lin Zhiyu felt the Senior was like a large dog acting spoiled. He had shared this thought with Yu Hechang once.

Yu Hechang’s reaction: T_T

His mouth twitched as he suggested Lin Zhiyu find a boyfriend to play around with once he got to university.

Lin Zhiyu immediately protested: “What do you mean ‘play around’? I’m very serious about relationships!”

Yu Hechang replied: “I know you’re serious, but you and I know exactly what men are like these days. Maybe the other person is just playing—like that Senior of yours.”

At this stage, Yu Hechang was still deep in his prejudice against the Senior.

Lin Zhiyu emphasized that the Senior was straight. He wouldn’t mess with a straight man, nor did he ever think about “turning” one. That only happened in novels, and Lin Zhiyu was not that naive.

Recalling these conversations, Lin Zhiyu couldn’t help but smile at the air.

[Xiao Yu]: Aren’t you sleepy? I stood all day today, I’m exhausted.

[Senior]: I drank some bubble tea. I’m very energetic.

[Xiao Yu]: Which one? I need to know what to avoid.

[Senior]: Mint Oolong Milk Green.

Lin Zhiyu: “…?”

He rolled over to lie on his side. The air conditioner was humming, and it was a bit cold, so he tucked his feet into the blanket. He exited the chat and pulled up the WeChat he’d added for “Brother Lin” last week. Inside, there were only transfer records and the electronic contract—not a single word of small talk.

The avatars, nicknames, and personalities were polar opposites. Lin Zhiyu felt stupid for even thinking about it; how could the Senior and Brother Lin possibly be the same person?

[Xiao Yu]: Brother Lin drank that today, too. I took his order. [Xiao Yu]: You guys really have a fated connection.

[Senior]: I drank the tea you ordered. That means I’m the one with the fated connection to you.

Does that work too? Lin Zhiyu often made sacrifices to keep up with the Senior’s logic.

[Xiao Yu]: Why don’t you say the connection is because you’re drinking the tea I made? That’s the real fate.

[Senior]: True.

“…”

Lin Zhiyu felt defeated and didn’t argue further. The Senior had found him this job, after all; whatever the Senior said, went.

[Xiao Yu]: Your friend, the manager’s pay scale is based on a ‘beauty score.’ That’s ridiculous!

[Senior]: What’s ridiculous about it?

Lin Zhiyu was choked by his matter-of-fact tone.

[Xiao Yu]: Actually, I wanted to ask—is the manager giving me these benefits because he knows I know you?

[Senior]: No. He’s just a visual-snob. [Senior]: Being ugly affects the shop’s business. [Senior]: It just proves you look good.

Lin Zhiyu felt a bit smug, but his smile gradually faded as he asked:

[Xiao Yu]: If I’m working there, you won’t secretly pretend to be a customer to come see me, will you?

[Senior]: I already did.

Knowing he was joking, Lin Zhiyu didn’t take it seriously.

[Xiao Yu]: Is Senior back at school? [Senior]: I’m back. [Xiao Yu]: Want to meet up in person? [Senior]: No.

Lin Zhiyu didn’t expect to be rejected. After the shock came disappointment, then confusion, then bewilderment. His feelings were extremely complex.

He had only asked casually and hadn’t really expected a successful meeting since time and location usually need to be planned in advance, but the blunt rejection still made him… whatever. He’d try again next time.

Lin Zhiyu told himself he wouldn’t be discouraged. He was determined to make this Senior his friend.

[Xiao Yu]: Okay, I’m really sleepy. Goodnight!

Lin Zhiyu shifted the topic at lightning speed to avoid being interrogated. A few minutes later:

[Senior]: Would you look for other seniors to meet in person? [Xiao Yu]: Where would I find other seniors? You’re the only one I know. [Senior]: Sleep then. Goodnight, Baby.

Lin Zhiyu placed his phone by his pillow and closed his eyes. Suddenly remembering something, he sent one last message in the dark, the screen light reflecting his mischievous grin.

[Xiao Yu]: Actually, that’s not true. Brother Lin counts as one.

[Senior]: ? [Senior]: Don’t tease me.

[Xiao Yu]: You’re fun to tease!

[Senior]: Not sleeping anymore?

Lin Zhiyu laughed it off, feeling a strange tingle on his scalp, and replied that he was really going to sleep this time.

…

The next morning, Lin Zhiyu sat up abruptly in bed.

“A-choo!”

He sneezed three times in a row, leaving him dazed. After a while, he rubbed his nose and shuffled out in his slippers, bumping right into a fully dressed Lin Rangchuan.

His outfit was the usual wall of black. Even his watch was black, but Lin Zhiyu’s eyes caught a flash of light—behind the watch, Lin Rangchuan was wearing a string of red agate beads. it was the only bright color on him.

Lin Zhiyu dazed: “Hi, morning.”

Lin Rangchuan looked down expressionlessly. Lin Zhiyu stood at the door with messy hair, round but glazed eyes, and a red nose. His pajama buttons were crooked from sleep, revealing a small patch of collarbone. His soft, loose pants pooled over his slippers, showing only the round toes of the shoes.

Lin Zhiyu suddenly turned his head and sneezed again, shaking so hard he looked like a falling leaf, though he quickly regained his balance.

Lin Rangchuan frowned. “Button your shirt properly.”

Lin Zhiyu’s brain was foggy. He obediently raised his hand to fix it, but Lin Rangchuan saw that he’d buttoned it wrong.

Lin Rangchuan’s fingers twitched at his side. He turned his head and walked toward the kitchen.

…

Breakfast was millet porridge with fried dough sticks—a simple, rustic meal. After finishing, Lin Rangchuan brought over a steaming bowl of cold medicine. “Drink this before you go out.”

Lin Zhiyu was stunned. He stayed frozen in place and rubbed his nose, his voice sounding nasal. “Thanks.”

This time, Lin Rangchuan was the one clearing the dishes. Just as Lin Zhiyu was about to speak, he heard him say: “He asked me to take care of you. It’s been chilly lately in the mornings and evenings. Don’t set the AC so low at night.”

It took Lin Zhiyu a long time to process this. He nodded slowly. “I see.”

As he put the bowls away, Lin Rangchuan walked out of the kitchen. “Do you kick the blankets in your sleep?”

Though it was a question, Lin Zhiyu heard a tone of certainty. His mouth twitched. “A little? Not often, just occasionally… fine, it’s a bad habit. My mom used to come up to fix them for me.”

He tried to act tough at first, but under Lin Rangchuan’s focused gaze, he crumbled.

Lin Rangchuan looked ready to leave, his backpack on one shoulder and his hand in his pocket. “Do you lock your door at night? I can help you fix the blankets.”

He didn’t lock it, but…

Lin Zhiyu felt awkward. “No need, really.”

Lin Rangchuan put on a baseball cap and walked out without looking back. “Suit yourself.”

Lin Zhiyu gulped down the medicine, changed his clothes, and prepared to head out. He received a message from his childhood friend.

[Pooping Smoothly]: Taking the 2 PM bus the day after tomorrow. Come pick me up! [Heart Heart]

[Xiao Yu]: School doesn’t start for a week. Why are you coming so early?

[Pooping Smoothly]: To avoid the rush! Plus, I want to see your place.

His intentions were crystal clear.

[Xiao Yu]: I don’t mind, but be mentally prepared.

[Pooping Smoothly]: Is your roommate really that scary? Since you’ve been away, I’ve been scouring the school forums. I might actually know something about him. [Pooping Smoothly]: Remember to pick me up!

[Xiao Yu]: OK, OK.

…

At the bubble tea shop, Jiang Xinran was off today. Only Qin Rui and Lin Zhiyu were there. Qin Rui was always silent, and because Lin Zhiyu’s head was spinning and he felt exhausted, he didn’t initiate conversation. The atmosphere was cold as frost.

“Lin Zhiyu, come help me lift this.”

Lin Zhiyu’s voice was muffled behind his mask. “Coming, coming.”

Qin Rui glanced at him.

Orders were slow in the morning, usually picking up in the afternoon, but the prep work was grueling—cleaning, brewing ingredients, cutting fruit, juicing…

Lin Zhiyu was cleaning while wrapping wontons. Qin Rui didn’t make him lift anything else, nor did he let him prepare the fresh ingredients.

Just then, a customer arrived. Lin Zhiyu blinked. Brother Lin was back again. Was he a regular here?

“What would you like to drink?” Lin Zhiyu tried to keep his voice normal, but his cold was worsening and his eyes were red.

“Latte, hot.” Lin Rangchuan’s gaze lingered for a few seconds on the redness at the corners of his eyes.

Lin Zhiyu took the order and turned to make the classic latte. His movements were already very practiced. Lin Rangchuan stared intently, his gaze never wavering.

It was only today that he noticed how the uniform apron cinched Lin Zhiyu’s narrow waist. The bow strings hung quietly along the curve of his lower back. The dark jeans made his legs look long and straight.

When Lin Zhiyu turned back around, Lin Rangchuan took another look. Because the apron was tied tight, his lower abdomen was slightly defined, creating folds in the fabric at the sides.

It was a beautiful curve, perfect for a model to be etched permanently onto a canvas.

Qin Rui caught a glimpse and realized it was the same guy again. He didn’t know what the man was looking at, but the gaze was focused and “sticky”—unusual, even suggestive.

Following his line of sight to Lin Zhiyu, Qin Rui’s expression stiffened. This idiot doesn’t even know he’s being leered at!

Once the drink was ready, Lin Zhiyu handed it over. It felt warm. His voice was raspy: “It’s ready.”

“Sleepy?”

Lin Zhiyu paused, realizing he was talking to him. He gave a soft “Mhm.”

“This cup is for you. Give me another one, iced,” Lin Rangchuan said.

Lin Zhiyu was stunned, then assumed it was the Senior’s instruction. He smiled bashfully—though it was hidden by the mask, his eyes curved.

Lin Rangchuan stared at his eyes for a long time before looking away. “You can take a leave of absence.”

“It’s just a small cold, I’m fine.” Lin Zhiyu didn’t want to; that was 300 yuan. “Here’s your iced latte.”

Lin Rangchuan looked at Lin Zhiyu’s damp fingertips. Because Lin Zhiyu’s body temperature was high, a very faint scent wafted over. He sat by the window and neurotically sniffed near the cup; the latte seemed to be mixed with that fragrance.

After a while, he opened his laptop, doing whatever “big business” he was occupied with.

Orders were sparse today. Qin Rui leaned in: “You guys know each other?”

Lin Zhiyu gave a dizzy “Mhm,” feeling his breath was a bit hot.

Qin Rui looked like he wanted to say something, but the machine started spitting out receipts, and they got busy again. His hands were aching from shaking the tea. Qin Rui glanced over again: “Actually, I think he looks a bit familiar.”

Lin Rangchuan was mysterious, typing away all day. Lin Zhiyu was curious, but he wasn’t one to gossip about private matters.

“Brother Lin is a sophomore at H University. You might have seen him.” After all, he was a super handsome guy.

“Is that so? He looks like a pervert.”

“…?” Lin Zhiyu’s eyes widened. “Did he do something to you?”

Qin Rui rolled his eyes to the ceiling, speechless.

Near closing time, Lin Rangchuan packed up early. He didn’t leave, though; he stood at the door with an unlit cigarette in his mouth.

The two shop employees had to finish cleaning before they could leave. Today was relatively easy, and Qin Rui was in a decent mood, so he added: “He’s waiting for you to get off work.”

Lin Zhiyu adjusted his mask, looking at the tall profile through the glass. Brother Lin looked cold and didn’t seem like the type to accommodate others, yet he was waiting patiently.

He figured it must be the Senior’s wish. “I know.”

Seeing that he didn’t resist, Qin Rui’s gaze turned strange. “So… is he your boyfriend?”