No One Else Will Do But You - Chapter 81

After Jiang Mu stepped out of the room, Chen Cheng asked curiously, “Shu Luo, don’t you think Christon looks a bit like Jiang Mu?”

Shu Luo hadn’t really thought about it before, but now that it was mentioned, he realized why the man had seemed so familiar. “The world is a big place; it’s normal for people to look alike,” he replied casually.

Chen Cheng pursed his lips. “I guess so.”

Shu Luo teased him, “So, seeing Jiang Mu makes you think of Christon now? Tsk, tsk…”

As if his secret thoughts had been exposed, Chen Cheng’s face turned bright red. “W-well, what about you and Jiang Mu?”

“We are lovers.”

“!” Chen Cheng’s eyes widened in shock. He had seen Shu Luo spending hours on video calls and assumed it was a girlfriend; he never expected it to be a boyfriend.

“Is it that shocking?” Shu Luo asked calmly.

Chen Cheng looked at him, bewildered. “But… do your parents accept it?”

Shu Luo smiled slightly, though a hint of sadness touched his eyes. “It will take time. They definitely can’t accept it right away.”

“How long have you been together?”

“Officially, for two years.”

“Officially?” Chen Cheng caught the nuance.

Shu Luo thought back to the misunderstandings of their senior year. “Yeah. He confessed to me back in high school, but I didn’t accept him then.”

“Being confessed to by a man… what does that feel like?” A complicated emotion flashed in Chen Cheng’s eyes.

“Shocking. Scary. I thought the world had gone crazy, haha,” Shu Luo laughed. Despite his words, his tone was cheerful—it was clear that even if he was shocked then, he hadn’t truly been repulsed.

What about me then? Chen Cheng thought. I just ran away. How embarrassing. Shu Luo sensed something behind Chen Cheng’s questions. Could something have happened between him and Christon? He stroked his chin mischievously. “Don’t tell me sparks flew between you and Christon?”

Outside the door, Jiang Mu’s foot paused mid-step. Christon?

Chen Cheng hesitated. “I… I don’t know why, but he suddenly said he liked me. But I’m not gay…”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s enough that I like you.”

Christon’s cool, indifferent voice came through the speakers. He spoke in Chinese—his accent wasn’t perfect, but the low, melodic timbre of his voice gave Shu Luo goosebumps even through the screen.

The video call ended abruptly. Shu Luo propped his chin on his hand. Wow, a student-teacher romance…

“Luo Luo.”

“Hmm?” Shu Luo turned to see Jiang Mu entering.

“What were you talking about?” Jiang Mu asked.

“Oh, just Chen Cheng’s love life. He’s doing a part-time job at school. A Psychology PhD named Christon has a Tibetan Mastiff that needs walking every day, so Chen Cheng took the job.”

“Christon?” Jiang Mu asked, his voice casual.

Shu Luo nodded. “Yeah, he’s really handsome and young—only thirty. He’s from your neck of the woods, too.”

A dark glint passed through Jiang Mu’s eyes. Christon? Was it the same Christon he knew? What a coincidence—his uncle was also in Canada, also thirty, and also a Psychology PhD.

“Since he’s a fellow countryman, you should look out for him,” Jiang Mu said cryptically.

Shu Luo looked at him strangely. “Shouldn’t he be the one looking out for me?”

Jiang Mu leaned down and stole a quick kiss. “You’ll understand later.”

“Hey! Another sneak attack!” Shu Luo put his laptop aside and tried to pounce on Jiang Mu, but he accidentally jolted his broken leg. His face went pale instantly. Talk about bringing it on myself!

Jiang Mu chuckled and helped him sit back up. “Are you that impatient?”

Shu Luo leaned back against the headboard, grumbling, and ignored him. Jiang Mu gently smoothed Shu Luo’s hair. “Did Auntie make the food outside?”

Thinking of the morning, Shu Luo nodded. His mother had come over, but her attitude remained cool. She hadn’t given up on trying to “persuade” him, even though she felt helpless. Shu Luo didn’t want his parents to be sad, but he couldn’t let his happiness slip away either.

He leaned his forehead against Jiang Mu’s chest, his mood suddenly dipping. Jiang Mu felt the shift and stroked the back of his head. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m afraid my parents will never agree.”

“They already don’t agree,” Jiang Mu said firmly, his eyes full of determination. “But I’m here. I will make them agree. It just takes time.”

“I feel like I’ve disappointed them.”

Jiang Mu cupped Shu Luo’s face, forcing him to meet his gaze. “Believe in me, okay?”

Shu Luo was momentarily dazed—that look was incredibly handsome. Misinterpreting the silence as doubt, Jiang Mu pulled him into a crushing embrace, as if trying to merge their bodies into one.

“I won’t allow you to back out, Shu Luo. You no longer have the right to leave!”

Hearing the panic in Jiang Mu’s voice, Shu Luo patted his back. “What are you doing? I didn’t say anything. Don’t be so insecure; we’re already together.”

Jiang Mu’s insecurity only existed where Shu Luo was concerned. This person was his everything. Having waited so many years for this love to bloom, he would never let go.

Later, they sat down to eat the meal Mrs. Shu had prepared. Tasting the familiar flavors of his favorite dishes, Shu Luo felt a lump in his throat. “Brother, I suddenly feel so guilty…”

Jiang Mu looked at him, his deep eyes swirling with unreadable emotions. He knew gaining the family’s approval would take time, especially with the Old Earl now in the picture. “I know. I won’t force you to ignore those feelings.”

Shu Luo felt even more guilty hearing that. “Ugh… Brother, what if I go get a sex change?”

Jiang Mu’s hand paused. He looked at Shu Luo flatly. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I was just joking! Just trying to lighten the mood.” Shu Luo cleared his throat. “Anyway, I should focus on my studies. By the way, are you going to take the MBA exam?”

“I already took it,” Jiang Mu said, his gaze turning slightly reproachful.

Shu Luo rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. He realized he’d been so wrapped up in his own drama that he hadn’t asked much about Jiang Mu’s life lately. “So… how is the company?”

“It’s fine.”

“Are you happy lately?”

“What do you think?” Jiang Mu said the words through gritted teeth.

Shu Luo thought for a second, then grinned. “You have me, so you should be very happy.”

Jiang Mu found he couldn’t argue with that logic. He chose silence.

Awkward silence… Shu Luo thought. He quickly picked up a piece of chicken and held it to Jiang Mu’s lips. “I’ll feed you.”

The ice in Jiang Mu’s eyes melted. He leaned forward and ate the offering. Shu Luo exhaled in relief.

“Are you afraid I’m unhappy?” Jiang Mu asked.

“Not afraid, I just don’t like it. You always brood by yourself when you’re upset.”

“Does your leg still hurt?”

“It’s fine as long as I don’t move too much. By the way, Brother, I plan to head back after the Spring Festival.”

Jiang Mu frowned. “That’s too soon. Your leg won’t be ready for walking.” He clearly didn’t want to let him go so early.

“I need to finish my thesis. I can take care of myself. I don’t want to leave you either, but I’ll definitely be back for the summer break, okay?”

Jiang Mu hated the long-distance separation. Video calls were a poor substitute for having the person beside him. “Are you trying to force me to buy a private jet?”

“Excuse me?” Shu Luo laughed. “Our school actually has a helipad.”

Jiang Mu went silent again. This person was a constant source of frustration and joy.

Shu Luo saw him pouting and laughed until his eyes turned into crescents. Whatever, Jiang Mu thought, I’m doomed.