Ch 30

“…Huh?” Lou Cheng’s heart jumped in panic and his face flushed instantly. However, his first reaction was unexpected: “Damn, you also thought it like that?” 

How can he be so frank? Ding Xuerun keenly sensed that something was wrong, and looked at him silently.

In less than two seconds, Lou Cheng felt guilty and touched his head and said: “Well, you can see through it again… I’m not a gay, don’t think too much about Runrun.” He thought he must like this deskmate, but it’s definitely a different kind of like from Ding Xuerun’s words.

Ding Xuerun’s reaction was quite normal. He smiled and said, “You are so good to me, so I would have misunderstood it.” He glanced at Lou Cheng, “It just happens that I am not.”

Lou Cheng’s not-so-smart brain immediately understands his words. Ding Xuerun is not that, which means he is not gay.

He suddenly felt a little flustered, but he still smiled heartlessly: “You are straight and I am straight, so we can be good friends.”

Ding Xuerun smiled with his eyes and changed the subject: “Lou Cheng, thank you for the birthday present, but I can’t take so much candy. I appreciate it, thank you.”

“Then…” Does the husband call still count?

Lou Cheng paused for a while without asking, for fear of causing misunderstandings. Such a straight man like him would be misunderstood as a gay man. It was because he had acted so many times that he almost couldn’t get out of the play.

He packed some freshly made candies from the factory and had a meal at a nearby western restaurant. He ordered a birthday cake in the restaurant, but Lou Cheng was eating most of it—Ding Xuerun ate very little.

Then Lou Cheng sent Ding Xuerun back. The car stopped in front of the school. Lou Cheng asked him if he would come to live in his house at night. Ding Xuerun shook his head: “I’ll be up early tomorrow, which will disturb you.”

Lou Cheng thought for a while, but he didn’t force him to come. He returned home, thinking that Ding Xuerun would definitely go to the home of the disabled person tomorrow. He would also go to the racing track, but his biological clock was definitely different from Ding Xuerun’s.

If he is forced to get up so early… it’s not impossible. However, Lou Cheng felt a little bit ashamed when he thought of the phrase “Do you like me” that Ding Xuerun asked as he looked into his eyes in the afternoon. Obviously, this gay joke has been played so many times, this is the most confusing time for Lou Meng.

He doesn’t even know how to face Ding Xuerun.

He struggled until midnight and called Li Dong who lived nearby in the middle of the night.

“You will come to the school gate tomorrow at seven o’clock.”

Li Dong’s nightlife is very active and he quickly replied: “Brother Cheng, what’s the matter?”

“You wait for Ding Xuerun to come out at the school gate, and then take him to my nearby racing track.”

Li Dong: “????”

“Brother Cheng, why don’t you take him there by yourself…?”

“I promised him, but I have something to do tomorrow. When you saw him at the school gate, ask him where he was going. Then said that it’s a coincidence that you should go there too, to be more realistic, you understand?”

Li Dong was confused: “…oh.” He didn’t understand what Lou Cheng was doing, so he was passing by and asked someone where he was going?

“Just do me a favor, thank you, brother.”

Li Dong said: “On this little thing, I promise to get it done.”

Lou Cheng took care of Ding Xuerun’s problem, and then slowly fell asleep.

Ding Xuerun informed Lou Cheng that he usually leaves school at 7 a.m. on weekends. On weekdays, there are fewer people on the subway in the morning. He arrives at Sunflower Home at 8 a.m. and works until 5 p.m. before returning to school to study in the evening.

He’d just gotten out of school and had to walk 900 meters to the subway station. After only a few steps, an Audi pulled over to the side of the road, and the driver waved to him: “Top student Ding? Where are you going so early?”

Ding Xuerun turned his head and saw Li Dong who was driving.

Li Dong and Lou Cheng both have driver’s licenses.

Ding Xuerun didn’t believe he would meet Li Dong at the school gate at seven o’clock in the morning by coincidence.

He replied: “I have something to do, how about you?”

“I…I have something to do too…” He was a little confused. This isn’t the same as the plot?

Ding Xuerun’s eyes narrowed slightly: “Li Dong, are you going to Lou Cheng’s racing track?”

“Ahahaha… yes, what a coincidence, I’m going the same way with you! I’ll take you there.”

Ding Xuerun hasn’t said where he was going at all. He exposed himself, but Ding Xuerun didn’t say anything. After thanking him, he opened the door and got into the car.

“What are you doing there so early?”

Li Dong said: “I…play golf.”

Lou Cheng took a few of them there. The racetrack is very luxuriously built, and there is even a golf course with a lawn better than any of his previous private clubs.

Ding Xuerun nodded and said nothing.

The first thing Lou Cheng do when he wakes up was to ask Li Dong: “Have you taken him?”

“Yes, I’ve taken him there.”

“What did you say?”

“Don’t worry, Brother Cheng, I just pretended to be passing by. I will definitely not be suspected.”

Lou Cheng relaxed: “That’s all right. He leaves that community at five o’clock in the afternoon, and you go meet him again, then send him back to school.”

Li Dong: “… “

“Brother Cheng… today is the weekend.”

“I know the weekend, don’t you go to study in the evening?”

“Yes… but I have a girlfriend.”

“As if who didn’t… forget it, you go on a date.” Lou Cheng is bewildered, and he has no idea why he was hiding from Ding Xuerun. He scratched his hair anxiously, but couldn’t let go of it. He rode to the racing track at noon and waited for Ding Xuerun to come out from the community’s gate.

“Lou Cheng?” Ding Xuerun was a little surprised to see him.

“I’m just passing by, let’s go. I’ll take you back.” He handed Ding Xuerun a specially prepared helmet and explained that he had brought two helmets with him when he passed by. At first glance, there seems something strange.

Ding Xuerun did not question it, but just asked him: “You are going back to school tonight for self-study?”

“No… I’m just passing by. I’ll just go home after dropping you off at school.” After all, all of the teachers in Class 4 are aware that he is had to attend TOEFL classes in the evening.

Ding Xuerun put on his helmet and got on the motorcycle. This time, instead of holding Lou Cheng, he held his clothes with both hands.

Lou Cheng glanced down: “Why don’t you hold me?”

“Do you want me to hold you?” Ding Xuerun’s voice was calm as water.

“I’m not…What are you saying!” Lou Cheng was confused and explained indiscriminately, “It is safe to hold on to me…or you will be thrown off my motorcycle..”

“Okay.” Ding Xuerun Consonantly, he wrapped his arm around and tied a knot in front of him.

Lou Cheng felt this kind of bondage hug, and there was regret in his heart. This type of glue-like sensation is similar to agitating the heart. It’s no surprise that Ding Xuerun misunderstood that day.

Even he himself would have misunderstood.

Ding Xuerun was selected to join the provincial team and represent the province in the national mathematics competition finals.

Lou Cheng was in class when he heard Old Dou announce that Ding Xuerun was leaving for Hunan to take an exam. It’s called CMO, which is also known as Winter Camp.

He didn’t understand these competitions, but Old Dou stood on the podium and said with: “If you get the first prize, you can go directly to Tsinghua and Peking University.  There are three finalists in our school this year, and there is only one student in our class, Ding Xuerun.”

The students of Class 4 were not calm when they heard about Tsinghua and Peking University: “Oh, my goodness. Then he won’t return after a week of competition, so he can study at Tsinghua or Peking University?”

“That’s so amazing…”

“It isn’t clear yet. Do you believe that winning the national first prize is so easy? However, he is now at least the national third prize, and the recommendation to Fudan has remained consistent.”

Every year, students from Liu Zhong High School are recommended to prestigious schools, but when such students appear alongside them, it feels unrealistic.

Lou Cheng was at a loss for words. He turned his head to see Ding Xuerun listening to Old Dou’s speech while doing the question seriously, his face calm. He frequently focuses on two tasks at once, but he always gets the questions right.

As if feeling Lou Cheng’s gaze, Ding Xuerun turned his head and said, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Lou Cheng was afraid that Old Dou would see that he would influence Ding Xuerun’s study. He held a book to cover his face and lowered his voice: “Runrun, are you going to study at Tsinghua University or Peking University?”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

“You are so smart, I’m sure you can get in.” Despite the fact that Lou Cheng does not pay attention to studies, he recognizes Ding Xuerun’s intelligence. After all, with a total score of 750 in science, this is a person who can take an exam with a score of more than 740 and claim that he has made a mistake.

He blinked: “Then when are you leaving…?”

“Next Monday, The team will be led by a teacher assigned by the school.”

Lou Cheng said “Oh”, as if he understands.

Ding Xuerun saw that his entire head was hiding behind the book, and stretched out his hand and gently touched the top of his head: “Lou Cheng, I’m leaving this week. You should start studying as well.”

Lou Cheng was embarrassed and immediately blushed: “What am I studying? It’s not like you don’t know how bad my study is…”

Ding Xuerun looked into his eyes: “Are you going to study abroad?”

“That’s what my parents said, and there’s nothing they can do about it. I don’t want to go abroad. My English is so bad that if I go there, I’ll be trafficked.”

“If you don’t study abroad, will you go to college here?”

“There is always a university where I can study.” Lou Cheng was never concerned about this because his parents’ social circle was broad. Because of the difficulty of studying in college, he has known many college leaders through friends. He can get into university in other ways—and at times, he feels completely useless.

“Do you want to study in Beijing?”

“Beijing…” Lou Cheng’s heartbeat missed a beat, and his long eyelashes trembled suddenly, “… with you?”

Ding Xuerun said “Umm” without changing his face.

“However, my connection for Tsinghua University and Peking University is difficult to find.” Lou Cheng touched his head. In fact, it is possible admitted to either university. It’s just that he has low grades and is embarrassed to be enrolled in such a school.

Ding Xuerun smiled helplessly: “Then you wait for me to come back.”

Lou Cheng’s ears turned a little red when he heard his gentle tone. It seems that he was coaxing a child.

“You leave on Monday, then do you still go to the sunflower home on the weekend?”

“No, I told the dean I was going for a week.”

“Then…” Lou Cheng touched his nose and said, “After school on Saturday, I’ll invite you to dinner and practice with you.”

Ding Xuerun said yes.

Lou Cheng also made a few phone calls. Although he has many younger brothers, only a few have had dinner with Ding Xuerun and have a good relationship with him.

Ding Xuerun cleaned up after class. Lou Cheng sat in the car, waiting for him and boasting to a few people: “He is going to take the CNM exam and take the Hunan exam. He was admitted to Tsinghua and Peking University. Tsinghua and Peking University have to grab him. Do you understand? If he can’t pass the test, there is still Fudan at the bottom!” 

A few people were amazed: “Fudan at the bottom, awesome.”

Piggy was shocked: “How does top student Ding’s brain grow? How can he have such a large brain capacity with such a small head??”

Lou Cheng sneered: “What’s in his mind? You have pig feed in your mind.”

Piggy was a little aggrieved by what he said: “Brother Cheng, I got 250 in the whole grade in the last exam” And you have zero points.

Lou Cheng: “This ranking is quite suitable for you.”

Piggy: “…”

To avoid the situation that occurred the previous time, Lou Cheng allowed Du Qi, the largest of them, to sit in the passenger seat while Li Dong drove the car.

Piggy was relatively thin. Lou Cheng wanted Ding Xuerun to sit in the middle, but then he saw the strawberry print on Piggy’s neck. He was afraid of infecting Ding Xuerun with bad thoughts, so he asked Ding Xuerun to sit by the window while he sat in the middle next to him.

Dinner is reserved at one of the city’s most expensive Chinese restaurants. There were a large private room, a duplex private room, a KtV on the second floor, and two machine hemp tables on the first floor.

As soon as they arrived, the waiter immediately began to arrange dishes.

As usual, several people ordered red wine, whiskey, and beer.

The big bald head admired Ding Xuerun’s learning well, and immediately stood up: “Top student Ding, do you drink red beer or whiskey?”

Lou Cheng’s face instantly became black like charcoal.

Piggy watched him and immediately dragged him down then said, “Top student Ding is going to take a flight to Hunan for the exam. What are you doing, you want to get him drunk?”

Lou Cheng’s expression softened.

The big bald head sat down with an expression of hesitation and touched his forehead and said: “Yes, yes, I didn’t think of it for a moment.”

“It’s okay,” Ding Xuerun called out to relieve him, and handed him the cup, “I’ll have some beer.”

Lou Cheng’s face darkened again and warned him: “Why are you drinking on such an important exam!”

“I flew to Hunan on Monday, reported to the winter camp on Tuesday, and visited the exam room at the opening ceremony on Wednesday. The exam began on Thursday. It makes no difference if I drink a little now. Don’t be upset.” Ding Xuerun’s eyes shone brightly, and one hand gently patted Lou Cheng behind the back, as if to comfort him. Following that, his fingertips seem to unintentionally run down Lou Cheng’s back.

Lou Cheng was clearly stiff. He was electrified all the way down his spine. His body trembled uncomfortably. His fingers were clinging to the napkin beneath the table. After a while, he secretly covered his legs with a napkin, and his face was a little worried.

Ding Xuerun does not appear to be a particularly drinkable type, but there is always an endless glass of wine to toast him: “I wish top student Ding was successfully admitted to Tsinghua University Beijing!”

“I wish you a bright future!”

“I wish you success flag!”

Without repetition, one message follows another.

Ding Xuerun wasn’t drunk, but he didn’t want to drink anymore, so he waved his hand and frowned at the table.

The disadvantage of having pale skin is that blushing is more visible. Since he drank the first glass of wine, he had been flushed.

Lou Cheng didn’t drink any alcohol. He stretched out his hand as soon as he got down and put his palm on his back: “Are you okay?”

Ding Xuerun raised his head slightly, his cheeks were flushed, and he looked at Lou Cheng with a vague expression, shaking then nodding his head.

Lou Cheng’s heart was squeezed.

The younger brothers looked at each other: “It’s over, we made top student Ding drink until he collapsed on the ground.”

“He can’t drink much…”

“Isn’t it okay last time?”

Li Dong: “if you drink wine and beer together, it will be easy to get drunk.”

“Stop it.” Lou Cheng interrupted, “That’s it, I will take him back.”

Lou Cheng was driving a car full of drunks.

Ding Xuerun sat in the passenger seat, leaning against the window, his eyes closed, and he looked really drunk.

His drunkenness, however, is clearly distinct from that of Li Dong and the others. They appeared to be a drunkard and a young man in society. Ding Xuerun was very quiet as if he were sleeping, his face stained with gorgeous blush, and his ruddy lips were slightly open.

Lou Cheng glanced, then glanced again.

He sends a group of drunkards one by one, and it was ten o’clock at night when he arrived home.

He opened the door of the passenger seat and leaned over to release Ding Xuerun’s seat belt.

——Ding Xuerun hugged him at this moment, with two arms hooked around his neck. Lou Cheng didn’t think much about it. After all, he was drunk, so he just whispered: “You are drunker than last time. You are a good student, why do you like to drink so much…”

Ding Xuerun remained silent, hanging his head. On his shoulders, the sound of breathing was very even, and Lou Cheng’s whole body was stained by the alcohol.

Lou Cheng sighed helplessly and carried him, exactly as he had done the last time Ding Xuerun was drunk. But there was something different about this time. Ding Xuerun wasn’t sure if it was because he had consumed more alcohol this time. He rubbed Lou Cheng’s neck slowly with his head. Lou Cheng’s throat tightened as if something in his body was awakening.

He had a dry mouth and said, “Runrun, Why are you so agitated now after being so well-behaved…”

Ding Xuerun seemed to hear him and responded gently with “um,” hot air blowing on Lou Cheng’s Adam apple.

Lou Cheng felt like he was suffering. He rushed to the sofa and put him down, as he had done before—and it was at this point that something unexpected happened. Ding Xuerun’s arm hooked his neck with a sudden force and hooked his head down as soon as he put Ding Xuerun down.

A softer touch as light as a feather is imprinted on Lou Cheng’s lips. His eyes suddenly opened wide and his blood rushed up.

The author has something to say: 

Lou Cheng (living in a dream): That’s it, I don’t know if my gay identity is true or not!