Chapter 131
Unlike the usual one-sided suppression, tonight, under the influence of alcohol, Su Bin was persistently trying to “counterattack.” His face, rather than showing suppressed anger, was alight with excitement and eagerness, his bright eyes fixed on Allen’s face, openly expressing his feelings.
Allen was momentarily stunned by such a gaze.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Su Bin seized the chance to push back, causing their positions to reverse.
Su Bin didn’t escape but, after pinning Allen down, teased him with a smirk, “So, when you can’t win an argument, you resort to force? Do you enjoy bullying me?”
Allen: “……”
After saying that, Su Bin leaned in to nibble at Allen’s ear and passionately kissed him. He closed his eyes, savoring the pleasure of being the one in control…
Of course, Allen wouldn’t let Su Bin have his way so easily. When Su Bin tried to do something inappropriate, he heard Su Bin mumble, “Don’t move～” and then felt his hands being pinned to the sides of his body—something Allen had taught him.
“Hmm…” Allen let out a chuckle from his throat, his large hands wrapping around Su Bin’s, fingers interlaced, gripping tightly…
When their lips parted, Allen, lying down, still appeared calm and collected, though his gaze was slightly darker. In contrast, Su Bin, now the active one, was flushed and out of breath.
— Why is it that despite the change in position, their states remain the same? It doesn’t make sense!
Su Bin cupped Allen’s face, gazing at him adoringly. Such a handsome, tall, elegant, and intelligent person was now lying beneath him? This was also inconceivable!
Allen lay still, letting Su Bin examine him, with a subtle smile on his lips.
Su Bin slowly rested on Allen, his face pressed against Allen’s chest, listening to the steady heartbeat—thump, thump…
The same feeling of fluttering from last New Year’s Eve surged once again…
The uncontrollable emotions seemed to overflow from his chest with the closeness, flowing into Allen’s heart.
It was a feeling he had never experienced before, not even with Chen Xiaotian… Every time he thought of or saw Allen, his heart raced.
He loved Allen’s wisdom and gentleness, his maturity and dominance, as well as his willfulness and arrogance…
He loved the way Allen was so lost in passion when with him, the satisfaction and wicked smile when he playfully bullied him, and his angry look when Su Bin didn’t do well… because he believed that Allen would never hurt him.
He loved this person. But he dared not say it.
Because Allen was so powerful, he didn’t need anyone’s affection; and Su Bin felt so weak, so afraid of the thought of Allen not living long.
……
Su Bin closed his eyes, the image of Li Meihan’s attitude towards Allen suddenly making him feel bitter…
He wanted everyone to know that Allen was his only one, yet paradoxically didn’t want anyone to know about Allen’s existence.
A treasure that belonged solely to him, feared to be discovered by others, and reluctant to speak of for fear of attracting covetous eyes.
Having found happiness, he wanted to keep it secret…
Just like a squirrel secretly hiding a pine cone it found by the roadside in a hole behind a tree, telling every passerby, “I have nothing.”
Let this seemingly proud and perfect man continue to exist like a deity, untouched by the mundane, inaccessible.
……
“Lance…” Su Bin, in a moment of feverish impulse, called out Allen’s name.
“……Hmm?” Allen’s voice came through the vibrations of his chest directly to Su Bin’s ear.
Su Bin looked up, but his next words were less romantic—“Eating beef stomach won’t cause digestion issues.”
Allen: “……”
“Beef stomach can replenish qi and blood, strengthen deficiencies, and is very beneficial for people with weak spleens and stomachs.” Su Bin touched Allen’s lips and said, “I checked. The food you ate today won’t harm someone with hemophilia… Actually, seafood can be cooked in hot pot, but since you can’t eat seafood, I didn’t prepare any.”
Allen said awkwardly：“You don’t have to worry too much about me.”
Su Bin: “How can I not care? You are the most important.”
Hearing such words without preparation, Allen’s heartbeat instantly went awry…
He thought everything was under control, but this person always managed to disturb his peace of mind.
The sudden surprise feeling… ah, it was truly overwhelming.
Allen reached out to press Su Bin’s head gently, smiling, “Good boy, I’ll reward you tonight.”
Su Bin: “……”
Allen had already stood up. Since there were still guests downstairs, they couldn’t linger in the room for too long.
The brief moment of affection was about to end, which made the intoxicated Su Bin feel somewhat displeased, but he had no choice.
As they came downstairs, Yang Chengzhe looked over and asked Su Bin, “Why so slow? Leaving your friend here? She’s going to be mad at you~”
Li Meihan quickly waved her hand and smiled, “It’s alright. Listening to your conversation was quite interesting.”
“Yeah, Cheng-ge, it’s because you’re here!” Su Bin gave a playful look.
Yang Chengzhe: “……” This kid!
Li Meihan glanced at Allen, who was coming downstairs with Su Bin, and awkwardly stood up, saying, “Actually, it’s about time for me to go. I should head back.”
Su Bin, out of politeness, instinctively wanted to offer to stay, but remembering Allen’s earlier instructions, he reluctantly gave up: “I’ll call a cab for you to the train station?”
“Sure, thank you.” Li Meihan’s eyes fell slightly, feeling a bit dejected. She had thought Su Bin might offer to escort her.
“Su Bin, is there something?” Yang Chengzhe, smiling, stood up and gave Su Bin an easy out, then said to Li Meihan, “I’ll give you a ride.”
Su Bin secretly cheered for Yang Chengzhe—looks like Cheng-ge might soon be single!
Yang Chengzhe borrowed the car keys from Jin Fei, and seeing this, Andy and Sun Yujie also stood up, ready to say goodbye.
“Where are you staying?” Yang Chengzhe asked Sun Yujie, “I’ll drop you off too.”
Andy cheerfully said, “Ah~ Joe, you’re really a nice person!”
Su Bin: “……” Cheng-ge, I just praised you and now you’re hitting me in the face! QAQ
After the group said their goodbyes and left, the house felt much emptier. Su Bin began clearing the table and the kitchen, while Jin Fei came over to help out as a formality.
“You were pretty harsh with that girl, weren’t you?” Jin Fei asked with a smile.
“Being harsh now is better than letting her continue getting hurt,” Su Bin said with a wry smile. He had been through similar situations himself and knew the pain all too well, so he wouldn’t give anyone false hope. Of course, this resolute attitude was also influenced by Allen.
“I think Cheng-ge and Li Meihan hit it off well today. Maybe something might come of it!”
“Pfft…” Jin Fei almost spat out his drink, “Yang Chengzhe?”
“Yeah, they’re both single. Cheng-ge mentioned recently that he wanted to date, and doesn’t Li Meihan seem pretty compatible with him?”
Su Bin wasn’t making random matches. The Chinese community in Country B was small, and most straight guys would first consider appearance when choosing a partner. Li Meihan might not be a goddess-level beauty, but she had a refined, delicate look and knew how to dress well. Her background in academia was also a plus. She seemed quite compatible with Yang Chengzhe, who was also in the “academic circle,” unlike Jin Fei, who was more social. Su Bin thought this was a key point in their compatibility.
If Su Bin weren’t with Allen, and if Li Meihan’s past didn’t intersect with Chen Xiaotian’s, he might have considered such a girl himself.
“Really? But I doubt it,” Jin Fei said, shaking his head. “Cheng-ge isn’t the type to fall for someone easily. He’s too rational and emotionally intelligent… I don’t think your friend will pique his interest.”
Su Bin was speechless: “If she doesn’t pique his interest, then what does he want?”
Jin Fei rubbed his chin thoughtfully: “According to the psychology of love, Yang Chengzhe would probably like someone with similar intelligence and emotional intelligence.”
“A female PhD with similar IQ and EQ?” Su Bin sighed. Such a person seemed nonexistent. If they did exist, they would probably be much older than Cheng-ge… The woes of being a genius.
“Or he might end up with someone completely opposite… Someone with low IQ and emotional intelligence, naïve and simple, who adores him.” Jin Fei glanced at Su Bin, feeling that this description somewhat matched him. If Su Bin were a woman, Cheng-ge might have made a move already.
Su Bin shrugged: “In Cheng-ge’s eyes, such people are everywhere!”
“Not really. ‘Fools’ are quite rare in this society nowadays.” Jin Fei shook his head and went back to his room.
At that moment, Yang Chengzhe had successfully dropped off Andy and Sun Yujie at their homes, leaving only Li Meihan in the car.
“Did you buy your ticket?” Yang Chengzhe asked gently.
“Not yet. I’ll buy it at the station. There are many trains to City L,” Li Meihan replied.
“In that case, how about I drive you around M City? Since you’re here, it would be a shame to leave after just a meal,” Yang Chengzhe suggested.
“Sure, thank you!” Li Meihan agreed.
Yang Chengzhe drove, introducing Li Meihan to the architecture and attractions of M City, while sharing various amusing anecdotes from his years in Country B.
Li Meihan laughed several times, and she began to consider the possibility of her and Yang Chengzhe.
Su Bin’s disinterest had been quite clear. She wouldn’t seek out more trouble. Compared to him, Yang Chengzhe seemed more attentive and enthusiastic. Not only was he gentle and mature, but he also had a scholarly charm. Spending more time with him made her drawn to his confidence and presence.
Li Meihan wasn’t naïve. As a normal girl, encountering an excellent man who showed her affection, she would naturally consider it.
If Yang Chengzhe really liked her, she should seize the opportunity.
“Joe, have you ever been in a relationship?” Li Meihan took the initiative to ask.
Yang Chengzhe’s eyes flashed with a hint of something unidentifiable as he said, “Unfortunately, I haven’t been in one.”
— He sighed inwardly, feeling regret about the current development. When Li Meihan asked that question, he had already lost interest in her.
“Oh?” The girl’s tone clearly showed excitement. “With someone as excellent as you, why haven’t you had a girlfriend?”
Yang Chengzhe repeated the reasons he had explained to Su Bin to Li Meihan.
Li Meihan smiled and said, “I haven’t been in a relationship either.”
Yang Chengzhe put on his familiar smile and gently asked, “But you must already have someone you like, right?”
— Breaking the dialogue was easy for him.
Li Meihan: “……”
Yang Chengzhe: “Is it Su Bin?”
— Since he had already guessed the direction of the conversation, continuing to flirt seemed a bit dull.
Li Meihan blushed and hesitated, “But Su Bin doesn’t like me. I’ve given up and decided… to pursue someone better.”
Yang Chengzhe: “Hehe, very wise.”
— Without the desire to conquer, how should the game continue?
Li Meihan: “……” Did Yang Chengzhe not understand the deeper meaning of her words?
As she desperately searched for a topic, Yang Chengzhe continued, “Su Bin is a very lovely kid. I like him a lot too.”
Li Meihan: “……” What does this mean?
Yang Chengzhe: “But, someone else has already made the first move.”
Li Meihan’s heart skipped a beat: “……The first move?” Was he referring to Allen? If so, did Yang Chengzhe’s “liking” also mean that kind of liking? Could it be… Yang Chengzhe was also gay? Li Meihan felt her worldview slowly collapsing.
Yang Chengzhe looked at Li Meihan with a smile: “Didn’t you notice that I saw you staring at them the whole time?”
Li Meihan: “……”
Yang Chengzhe: “Is that unacceptable?”
Li Meihan, flustered, said, “No, it’s not that I can’t accept it! I just… wondered… how Su Bin was with Chen Xiaotian before… How could he be with Allen now…”
Yang Chengzhe chuckled and said, “Heh, after being hurt by a previous relationship, he probably can’t bring himself to like women anymore. But, regardless, as long as he’s happy with Allen and enjoying his life, that’s enough.”
Li Meihan hesitated for a moment before asking, “Joe, are you… the same as them?”
Yang Chengzhe slowly parked the car at the entrance of the train station, smiled at Li Meihan, and replied indirectly, “If you can accept it, that would be wonderful.”
Li Meihan: “……”
Yang Chengzhe, maintaining his polite demeanor, asked, “Would you like me to escort you inside?”
Li Meihan quickly responded, “No, that’s fine! Thank you for bringing me here! Goodbye…”
As he watched Li Meihan leave hurriedly, Yang Chengzhe sighed.
— It’s pitiful to be stirred up like this.
Feeling a bit lonely, he gazed out the window. Was he destined to remain single?
