No One Else Will Do But You - Chapter 74

A gentle moonlight spilled over the bustling, noisy city, painting the night with a touch of tenderness. The wind had begun to pick up—a biting chill that whipped against any exposed skin, making passersby itch to huddle into themselves. Inside the lounge, however, the heating was so effective that one felt no desire to step back out into the cold.

“Why didn’t you tell me when you were leaving?” He Zeming asked.

Shu Luo shot him a glance. We aren’t exactly close, are we? Though this man had confessed to him once before, they hadn’t reached the stage of exchanging phone numbers.

“I didn’t have your number,” Shu Luo replied—the perfect excuse.

He Zeming’s gaze was so intense that even Zhang Feiyang noticed it. Uh oh, Zhang thought, this doesn’t look good. Should I tip off Jiang Mu to earn some brownie points?

“Luo, I’m going to the restroom for a bit,” Zhang Feiyang announced, excusing himself.

Once he was gone, He Zeming leaned in. “Is he your lover?”

“Puh-lease!” Shu Luo snapped, keeping his voice low. “Do you think every man in the world is gay? Stop looking at everyone like that. He’s my childhood friend—my brother.”

He Zeming laughed, his voice hearty and bright. “That’s good, then.”

“Your tone is incredibly strange.”

“Do I still have a chance?”

Shu Luo paused with his glass halfway to his lips. That was a hell of a bombshell to drop; it caught him completely off guard. He Zeming watched Shu Luo’s smile under the soft lighting; he found the boy’s exquisite face so captivating he couldn’t look away. He didn’t know why he liked him—he just did. It was a subtle, fermenting feeling that made him feel he should at least try to fight for it. He wasn’t gay; it was simply that this specific person had captured his heart.

“He Zeming, I remember that you saved my life, and I’m truly grateful. I don’t even know how to properly thank you. But when it comes to feelings… it has to be mutual. A one-sided romance is a hard road to walk. Jiang Mu and I… we are still together.”

He Zeming grabbed the glass of whiskey Shu Luo had been sipping from and downed it in one go. He wasn’t ready to accept this!

“Uh… I drank from that,” Shu Luo pointed at the glass.

“So what? You’ve rejected me several times now, haven’t you? Are you not even going to let me have a drink? I saved your life, didn’t I? Have you thought about how to thank me?”

He’s playing the ‘savior’ card now? Is he trying to force my hand? Shu Luo wondered. A flash of playfulness, too quick to catch, sparkled in his eyes.

“What, do you want me to ‘pay with my body’ to repay your life-saving grace?”

He Zeming’s gaze darkened as he looked at the man who had grown even more radiant over the last two years. Shu Luo’s posture was lazy and casual, yet he carried an indescribable air of forbidden charm. He was joking, but He Zeming wanted to say “Yes.” He wanted that more than anything. But was it possible?

He let out a self-deprecating laugh. “That sounds like you’re mocking the impossibility of it. You’ve definitely learned some bad habits abroad.”

“My friend, I’m just telling you that there are plenty of fish in the sea. Jiang Mu and I have ten years of history. It’s a bond that’s hard to break—like blood that has merged until you can’t tell one from the other. It took a lot of courage for me to finally admit I love him.”

Just then, the phone rang. Shu Luo checked the caller ID. Well, it looked like the “check-in” call had arrived.

“Hey, Brother. Yeah, I’ll be back soon. No need to pick me up, I’ll walk back to the apartment. It’s not far, just a thirty-minute walk from the lounge.”

He Zeming’s eyes dimmed. Unrequited love was indeed painful. He hadn’t been in many relationships, but he was sincere every time. It was like his five-year relationship with Xu Xiaowei; when she finally broke up with him, she claimed he was simple-minded, unromantic, and lacked any sense of “atmosphere.” It was only after that that the name “Shu Luo” began to haunt his thoughts.

“Luo, my ‘commander’ is checking in on me,” Zhang Feiyang said, reappearing from the back. “I just called Jiang Mu; he’s coming to get you. I’m heading out first so I don’t get in your way.” He paused to pat He Zeming on the shoulder. “Brother, there are plenty of flowers in the world. Why obsess over a single blade of grass? You can’t beat Jiang Mu anyway.”

Shu Luo glared at him. “Since when am I a blade of grass?!”

“Right, right. Not bickering with you. I have to go take care of my ‘little ancestor’ and buy her some snacks. See ya!”

Traitor! Shu Luo thought. He wondered how Jiang Mu knew exactly where he was—turns out Zhang Feiyang had snitched. Wait! Did he tell him He Zeming was here too?

He Zeming sat in silence, drinking one glass after another. Shu Luo suddenly felt a bit sorry for him, but some knots simply couldn’t be untied.

“He Zeming, how about I introduce you to a girl? I promise she’ll be beautiful!”

He Zeming turned his face, his voice raspy. “Is she as beautiful as you?”

You can’t compare people like that! Shu Luo thought. “Uh… she’ll definitely be prettier than me.” (He felt like he was praising himself by saying that.)

He Zeming didn’t speak again. After a while, he let out a cryptic sentence: “Be more careful.”

What does that mean?

“Luo Luo.”

A deep, steady voice sounded from behind. Shu Luo didn’t even need to turn around to know who it was. The sudden appearance of such a high-quality man in the lounge drew quite a bit of attention—his bespoke suit perfectly complemented his elite aura. His handsome, indifferent face radiated a chill that warned others not to approach.

Shu Luo stood up, but having had a few glasses, he stumbled slightly. Jiang Mu reached out to steady him, pulling him into his side, and then looked at He Zeming.

“Mr. He, thank you for looking after Luo Luo.”

He Zeming suddenly laughed—a sound tinged with desolation. “President Jiang, I’ve truly lost to you. Whether it’s in love or in business.”

Business? Shu Luo looked at Jiang Mu, confused. Do these two have professional dealings? He Zeming must have graduated by now, but what is he doing?

Jiang Mu’s voice remained cool and detached. “I never engage in business that weighs on my conscience.”

He Zeming’s expression shifted, but he said nothing. He stood up to leave, but after a few steps, he turned back to Jiang Mu. “I’m not the type of person who will do anything for profit, either.” With that, he walked out.

Shu Luo was completely baffled. What was all that about? He felt a coat being draped over his shoulders and looked up at Jiang Mu.

“Let’s go. It’s cold outside.” Jiang Mu’s voice was tender now, a complete 180-degree turn from a moment ago.

“Brother, do you have dealings with He Zeming?”

“No. Why would I?” Jiang Mu replied. Some things were better left unsaid.

The dim yellow streetlights flickered to life one by one, stretching their shadows long against the pavement. Shu Luo pulled his coat tight and tugged on his hood to block the wind. Suddenly, he felt a warmth envelop his hand.

Jiang Mu tucked Shu Luo’s hand into his own coat pocket, just as they used to do when they were still in school.

“Brother, it feels like we’re having a secret affair,” Shu Luo joked.

Since Shu Luo had suggested walking, they took a quieter, less-traveled route. Currently, there wasn’t a soul in sight. Only now could they hold hands without reservation.

Suddenly, Jiang Mu pulled him into a hug. Shu Luo crashed into his chest, caught off guard.

“Luo Luo, I love you.”

Shu Luo froze. After a moment, he looked up, feeling a bit self-conscious. “What’s wrong? You’re acting strange.”

Jiang Mu pressed his cheek against Shu Luo’s ear. His deep voice rumbled, “I will make sure our love receives everyone’s blessing. I won’t let you live in the shadows.”

Jiang Mu was twelve centimeters taller than him. From a distance, they looked like a pair of passionate lovers locked in an embrace.

Shu Luo smiled. “Why the sudden speech? I—”

“I know you feel insecure. But give me a little more time. I will make it so we can stand in the sunlight without a single worry, enjoying the warmth together.”

Shu Luo’s nose felt suddenly prickled with tears. He wrapped his arms tightly around Jiang Mu’s waist. He felt thinner than before. Working this hard must be exhausting, he thought.

“Brother, let’s tell our parents.”

Shu Luo’s words surprised Jiang Mu. He hadn’t expected Shu Luo to be the one to suggest coming clean. Looking into Jiang Mu’s deep, dark eyes, Shu Luo grew even more determined. “Let’s tell them. I’m not afraid.”

Jiang Mu tightened the hug. The person he cherished was finally, slowly, growing up. “Alright.”

Hearing that single word, Shu Luo felt an immense sense of peace. The street was empty as they walked back hand-in-hand. Their reflections danced on the ground, radiating happiness.

“Hehe, Brother, it feels like we’ve never done this before.”

“Do you like it?”

“It feels a bit… cheesy.”

“If it’s cheesy, I’ll carry you on my back.”

“Isn’t that even cheesier?”

“Forget it then.”

Shu Luo immediately leaped onto Jiang Mu’s back. The momentum forced Jiang Mu to take a small step forward to balance himself. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Luo Luo, you’ve gotten heavier.”

“What? Can’t carry me?” Shu Luo challenged.

“Want to test my strength tonight?” Jiang Mu’s tone rose playfully, giving Shu Luo a distinct sense of impending “danger.”

Shu Luo patted his back. “Forget that! Keep walking. If you can’t carry me, I’ll carry you.”

Jiang Mu adjusted his grip on Shu Luo’s thighs and walked slowly forward. He truly wished time would slow down—that they could keep walking like this forever, with the person on his back never losing that smile.

Time slows down.