Shocking! The Protagonist of the Mpreg Story Is a Straight Man - Chapter 33

He thought for a moment and dialed Shen Yu’s number.

“How do you still have time to look for me? Didn’t Ding Jie’s family drag you off to the hospital?” Shen Yu’s exaggerated voice came through the receiver, carrying a hint of schadenfreude mixed with sarcasm toward the Ding family.

Xue Xingqi was in no mood to bicker with her. “Ask the friends around you what kind of provocation Ding Jie faced while he was abroad. He left as a perfectly normal person; he couldn’t have studied his way into a gutter. The things he’s doing are absolutely disgraceful!”

Using one’s life to threaten someone who doesn’t love you is no different from a high-stakes gamble; other than losing your own life, it achieves nothing. Looking back at Ding Jie’s blood-stained wrists and the crimson bathtub, Xue Xingqi felt no ripple of sympathy in his heart only the looming irritation of dealing with the Ding family’s unreasonable harassment.

Shen Yu misunderstood, thinking Xue Xingqi still hadn’t given up on Ding Jie.

“Are you still playing the ‘disappointed mentor’? He calculated against you like that! If you ask me, you shouldn’t care at all. The more you care, the more energized he gets. You did great when he first went abroad; just keep that up. I guarantee that once his heart turns to ash after a while, he’ll never bother you again.”

Xue Xingqi understood this logic perfectly. Back then, he was alone. If Ding Jie did anything extreme, he could just target him directly. Ding Jie wouldn’t dare lay a hand on Xue Xingqi’s family; at most, he would exploit the relationship between the two families to organize more gatherings. Whether Xue Xingqi attended or not, no one could force him. But now, he had Pei Nan. He would not let anyone hurt Pei Nan.

Only by taking complete control of the initiative could he protect Pei Nan flawlessly.

Previously, he had been too absolute, thinking that he and Pei Nan had no future, so he let Ding Jie run wild abroad. As a result, he now had to go through Shen Yu just to gather information. Fortunately, when Ding Jie returned to the country, the first person he tormented was himself, giving Xue Xingqi time to have his own people look into it.

“I know what I’m doing. You should still find someone to ask about Ding Jie’s situation. He hasn’t been brave since he was a kid; without someone leading him, he wouldn’t even dare skip class. It’s unlikely he’d do something like this on his own. See if anyone induced him through words or actions, and let me know immediately if there’s news.” Xue Xingqi changed the subject. “Are you free this week? I’m planning to invite a few friends out to gather and introduce someone to you all.”

“So formal? Could it be your crush?!” Shen Yu asked excitedly, her thrill audible even through the phone.

At the mention of Pei Nan, a smile finally appeared on Xue Xingqi’s face. “It’s him.”

“Oh my, how sweet! ‘It’s him’ heavens, I’ve known you for so long and this is the first time I’ve heard you speak in that tone. I’m getting goosebumps! Do you have to love him that much?” Shen Yu used a tone that suggested she truly couldn’t stand these “stinking couples.” “What does he like? We can’t lose our manners for the first meeting.”

“He likes swimming, he likes to eat, and he likes some strange little ornaments.” The first two were obvious; the latter was something Xue Xingqi had discovered at Pei Nan’s house. He initially thought Mrs. Zhu Yun liked them, but after asking, he learned Pei Nan had bought them one by one.

“Alright, look at that progress you even know what he likes. And you were arguing with me at the start, saying you wouldn’t touch straight guys. Tsk tsk, you devious gay man, not a word of truth in your mouth.” Shen Yu made a face, wishing she could slap the transcript of their old conversations onto Xue Xingqi’s face. Suddenly, a lightbulb went off in her head. “I think I know why you’re in a hurry. Don’t worry, I’ll take Ding Jie’s matter to heart. I’ll definitely protect your ‘straight’ little friend.”

Xue Xingqi smiled at the word “straight,” wondering if Pei Nan still counted as one.

“Keep it quiet. I don’t want Ding Jie’s side to think I just found someone random to brush him off. I’m going to take Pei Nan home first.” Xue Xingqi had already made his plans; Ding Jie’s situation would serve as a prelude. “Alright, I have to go back. He’ll be looking for me in a moment.”

“Who’s looking for you?”

A lazy voice sounded from behind him. Before Xue Xingqi even turned around, a smile graced his face. Seeing Pei Nan, his smile brightened even more. “My boyfriend is looking for me. Classmate, have you seen my boyfriend?”

Pei Nan snorted coldly. “No.”

“Is that so? I think you look kind-hearted, classmate. Why don’t you be my boyfriend instead?” Xue Xingqi reached out to grab Pei Nan’s hand.

“In your dreams.” Pei Nan clenched his other hand into a fist and bumped Xue Xingqi’s chest.

Xue Xingqi feigned injury, leaning weakly against Pei Nan’s shoulder, only to be shoved away disdainfully. “Don’t use that trick on me; I’m not falling for the ‘bitter meat’ tactic anymore. Come back with me; my mom said she’s taking us out to eat.”

“Today?” Xue Xingqi looked a bit conflicted. “I also invited my parents.”

Xue Xingqi planned to formally introduce Pei Nan to his parents. If things went smoothly, they could get engaged next month and potentially marry within the year. The longer he spent with Pei Nan, the more he liked him, and the more he wanted to leave his mark on him, making this still-youthful man belong to him entirely.

Pei Nan tilted his head, looking as if he didn’t understand what Xue Xingqi was saying. “Your parents? Us? You told them about our relationship?”

“They guessed it themselves.”

“But I haven’t confessed to my mom yet…”

Xue Xingqi had actually forgotten about that. He leaned in and kissed Pei Nan’s lips. “Now Mom knows.”

“Knows what?”

“Turn around.”

Pei Nan’s neck went stiff as he slowly turned around, only to see Mrs. Zhu Yun wearing cool sunglasses, waving at the two of them.

“Mom—” Pei Nan looked left at his mother and right at Xue Xingqi. The calm demeanor of the two made him look like a complete rookie. “Mom, he and I, we—”

“Are dating, Mom.” Xue Xingqi couldn’t wait and finished the sentence. It was very impolite, but it felt great.

Pei Nan’s eyes widened. “Don’t just call her that!”

Mrs. Zhu Yun, however, was very satisfied. “Why can’t Xiao Xue call me that? Are we still going to eat or not?”

“Yes. But…”

At a high-end, elegant solid wood round table, the two ladies were chatting warmly. Mr. Xue looked at Pei Nan with a smile. “I heard Nannan won a trophy and a gold medal today. It’s a pity your aunt and I found out too late to go cheer for you. This gift is for you, to congratulate you on your great achievement. See if you like it?”

Pei Nan was a bit nervous. It felt too exaggerated for someone who signs multi-million dollar contracts by the minute to watch his competition.

A low-profile, steady black-and-gold square box was pushed in front of him. Xue Xingqi placed it into Pei Nan’s slightly sweaty palm and let him open it himself.

Mr. Xue’s gaze was kind and affectionate, watching him with anticipation, seemingly very concerned about his reaction to the gift.

Under the weight of several gazes, Pei Nan had no choice but to open the box, revealing a simple yet sophisticated sports watch. The prestigious brand logo shimmered on the dial. Just one look told Pei Nan it was too expensive. Before he could speak, Xue Xingqi had already lifted the watch strap and started putting it on Pei Nan’s wrist.

“I have one just like this at home. I’ll go get it later so we can wear them as a couple’s set.”

With the watch forced onto his wrist by Xue Xingqi, saying anything else seemed too late. Pei Nan could only accept it. “Thank you, Uncle. It’s just that this watch is too precious; I definitely won’t be able to bear wearing it normally.”

“As long as you like it,” Mr. Xue said, seeing right through Pei Nan. As he got older, he particularly liked children like Pei Nan filial, sensible, and possessing an open, cheerful personality. Not to mention, this was the person his son loved; he liked him even more by association. He smiled at Pei Nan and added, “In the future, whatever Xingqi has, Uncle will give you a share as well.”

The family dinner ended with everyone in high spirits. As it concluded, Mrs. Xue really wanted to take Pei Nan home. Holding Pei Nan’s hand, she said, “If his little sister knew she gained a brother today, she probably wouldn’t be able to sleep from excitement. Nannan, come over to the house whenever you have time. You don’t need to worry about Xingqi’s schedule; him, once he gets busy, he ignores everything else.”

Mrs. Xue’s tone was affectionate but carried a hint of disdain, sounding as though she had long-standing grievances about Xue Xingqi not coming home when he was busy. Pei Nan glanced at the person standing nearby talking to his own mother, wondering: Is Xue Xingqi really like that?

He knew Xue Xingqi was busy not only balancing academics and campus affairs but also handling work at the company. When they lived together, Xue Xingqi would often keep working long after Pei Nan had fallen asleep. But Xue Xingqi never complained and always insisted on going back, even when staying in the dormitory would have been more convenient.

Pei Nan’s gaze softened. Xue Xingqi happened to turn around and see it, feeling a strong urge to kiss him. He leaned in close to Pei Nan and smiled at Mrs. Xue. “You’re chatting so happily; it seems I’ve lost my favor.”

“What are you talking about?” Pei Nan poked Xue Xingqi inconspicuously, but maintained that “good boy” expression that Xue Xingqi found incredibly precious. “I understand, Auntie. He and I will go back often.”

“It’s okay if you don’t,” Mrs. Xue said with a beaming smile. “You young people care about lifestyle and a sense of ceremony. Coming home all the time interferes with your dating. Just come when he’s not free. When you do have time, it’s better for the two of you to be together even just lying down, sleeping, or chatting is happy enough.”

Pei Nan nodded repeatedly.

The more Mrs. Xue looked at Pei Nan, the more satisfied she became. He was tall, had a great personality, and was striking. Xue Xingqi’s taste really did take after hers it was excellent.

“It’s getting late. You two should head back and rest early.”

Without needing to be told, once Pei Nan saw them off to the car, he slumped against Xue Xingqi. His brain, which had been functioning at high capacity for a formal evening, was now on overload. His handsome, expressionless face vividly illustrated the definition of exhaustion.

“Finally over. My day has been way too packed!”

“You’ll be able to rest soon.” Xue Xingqi leaned over slightly, gesturing for Pei Nan to get on. “I’ll carry you in.”

“Who are you looking down on? I can’t even handle this short distance?” Pei Nan didn’t want to be carried conspicuously into the lobby and then up to the room.

Xue Xingqi coaxed him, “What does it matter? Only the staff on duty are left at night. No one will look at you. We’ll go straight to the elevator without even passing the front desk.”

“Really?” Pei Nan was a bit tempted. It was so late; surely it wouldn’t hurt to be lazy and let Xue Xingqi carry him for a bit.

Xue Xingqi affirmed, “Really.”

“Then stand firm. Let’s not both fall and eat dirt.”

Fortunately, Xue Xingqi was very strong; carrying Pei Nan for two laps would be no problem. Just as they were about to head inside, the Xue family car that had just driven away suddenly returned.

Two pairs of eyes, wide with “pupil-shaking” shock, appeared briefly in the window before the glass was quickly rolled back up. Before Pei Nan could even explain, the car had left again. His hands, frozen in a failed attempt to wave them back, remained stiff for a moment. A minute later, he hooked his arms back and fiercely strangled Xue Xingqi’s neck.

“You villain! You ruined me!”

Xue Xingqi craned his neck upward. “Baby, calm down… if you keep squeezing, I’m going to die.”

Support