Chapter 39: Who’s the Baby, Who’s the Son

How the hell does this guy haunt him like a ghost!

Ming Ying was howling internally.

He didn’t know what was going on either.

He was always face-blind, so how had he recognized Luck from so far away…

In the end, it was all Aston’s fault. While leaving him psychological scars in the study, he’d also made him memorize Luck’s face along the way.

Luck pushed his bike closer, saw Ming Ying’s face clearly, and asked: “Ming, what are you doing here?”

Ming Ying’s eyes widened: “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

Luck frowned: “But up ahead is the Law School—wait, you didn’t come looking for me, did you?”

Up ahead was the Law School.

Ming Ying was cursing internally.

That old bastard had actually dropped him off at the Law School!

He subtly turned his face. The man behind him hadn’t followed up; he was standing not too far away, talking to another professor, looking so suave and elegant. If you didn’t know better, who would guess this man had just forcefully kissed a male student in the car.

Luck asked again: “Ming, what happened to your mouth?”

“Huh?” Ming Ying snapped back to reality.

He instinctively touched his lips. They were still a little fiery-hot.

He hissed and said: “Nothing, just an inflammation.”

Luck didn’t seem to mind, just smiling ambiguously: “Ming, you’re really not here for me? Or else how could we run into each other like this?”

Ming Ying glanced at him and decided to clarify things. A little exasperated, he said: “Luck, I think you’ve got the wrong idea. I didn’t know that bar was a gay bar that day. I just saw you as a like-minded friend. Today, I just took a wrong turn and ended up here…”

The two stood by the roadside. Luck clearly didn’t believe him and took Ming Ying’s hand: “Ming, I don’t know what kind of spell you’ve cast on me. Anyway, everything I said is true. I hope you can believe me. I really can’t forget you.”

Ming Ying was a bit dumbfounded, feeling his worldview collapsing. What’s going on? His romantic luck is like a thunderstorm, coming in waves, and it’s all damn male suitors!

He hurriedly pulled his hand back: “Look, ugh, why can’t you understand plain words? I—”

He wanted to say I’m straight, but on second thought, was he even straight anymore?

He took another breath: “I—”

Before he could finish half a sentence, Luck suddenly said: “Isn’t that Mr. Aston and Professor Kandy…”

Ming Ying turned in the same direction. Aston and Kandy were walking past the long corridor beside them, talking and laughing, without stopping.

Luck paused, then suddenly asked: “Ming, may I ask boldly, what is your relationship with Mr. Aston?”

Ming Ying watched Silas’s receding figure, then withdrew his gaze.

He picked up the water bottle he’d snagged from Silas’s car and took a sip. “What do you think our relationship is?”

Luck thought for a moment and said: “Could you be his illegitimate son?”

Pfft—

Ming Ying suddenly sprayed a mouthful of water.

Luck jumped in fright.

Ming Ying wiped his mouth, no less shocked: “What are you thinking? How is that possible!”

“That’s what I thought too.” Luck frowned: “You don’t look alike either.”

“Bro, is this a matter of looking alike or not?”

“Then, you must be his relative!” Luck seemed utterly convinced. “Otherwise, why would he drag you away from the classroom and the bar!”

Ming Ying screwed the cap back on the bottle, speechless.

…So he absolutely had to be the one getting dragged away, huh. Although, to be fair, he was.

Luck said: “Alright, forget about that. I don’t care who you are. I just want to take you home.”

Ming Ying waved his hand: “I have to go to my faculty now. Can’t go back to your place.”

Luck raised an eyebrow: “It’s quite a walk from here to the School of Architecture. Why don’t you ride my bike?”

As he spoke, Luck very generously nudged his bicycle towards Ming Ying.

Ming Ying indeed hadn’t ridden his own bike to school today.

He hesitated slightly: “Thank you, but…”

Ming Ying glanced at the man’s back, already far away. His heart skipped a beat. Damn it, they don’t seem to care that much, so why should he be so eager to care about them!

Ming Ying: “Okay, thank you, Luck. Thank you very much. I’m almost late, but how do I return it to you after I ride off?”

Seeing Ming Ying agree, Luck’s face lit up with a smile: “No worries, you ride there first. I can come find you for lunch, and then I’ll just ride it back.”

Ming Ying frowned: “Lunch…”

He still wanted to eat with Silas.

Ming Ying coughed, patted his shoulder, and said: “We’ll talk about that later. If you need anything, let me know. I’m heading off now.”

Luck followed alongside him: “Let me walk you a bit further. Ming, are you sure you don’t want to come to my place tonight? My place has a panoramic movie screen, it’s super awesome for gaming or watching games.”

“…”

Hearing this, Ming Ying remembered the private screening room on the third floor of Silas’s house.

He had been hoping to watch a movie or something there today…

At the same time, Silas, having walked midway, seemed to think of something and looked back. What he saw was this scene:

Luck’s bicycle was somehow in Ming Ying’s hands. The first light of dawn was just spilling over the horizon. The two young men walked shoulder-to-shoulder, and at some joke, Ming Ying laughed and patted Luck’s shoulder.

Kandy noticed the person beside him turning back and also followed his gaze, smiling as he said: “Look at them, so young, so full of life. It’s like seeing ourselves ten years ago.”

Silas chuckled but didn’t say anything, then withdrew his gaze.

…

This group meeting, Thomas came with a vengeance. Abandoning his usual kindly old man demeanor, he tore into the doctoral students, leaving them bloody and battered.

Luckily, Ming Ying and Alan were newcomers, just there as bystanders this time. They weren’t actually involved in Thomas’s project, so their share of the scolding was lighter.

As Ming Ying listened, he suddenly felt hungry.

He clutched his stomach, remembering his words this morning about “starving to death.” He kind of wanted to slap himself.

His stomach was uncomfortable.

Finally, when they broke for halftime, Ming Ying casually felt the inner pocket of his backpack, intending to grab his wallet and buy something to eat. But his hand suddenly paused.

Why was there something warm in here?

He looked down and pulled out a sandwich, neatly wrapped in tin foil.

In less than a second, Ming Ying knew who had put it there. Only that old man had touched his backpack!

Damn.

Ming Ying opened the tin foil, happily munched away, and even felt a pang of conscience to show some filial piety to the old man.

Mingo: I saw the sandwich!!! It’s delicious!!!

Ming Ying thought for a moment, felt it was a bit too dry, so he added another line.

Mingo: Thanks, baby [kiss kiss]

Five minutes later, the message showed as Read.

XI: Who are you calling?

Pfft hahaha…

Ming Ying ate and laughed at the same time.

Mingo: Oh oh, wrong person sent, sorry.

This message was Read, with no reply.

Ming Ying sent another.

Mingo: Oh, right, uh, Boss, I forgot to tell you this morning. Actually, I bit a mark on the side of your neck last night too.

Bzz.

XI: Ming Ying?

Two words plus a question mark made Comrade Ming Ying laugh so hard tears almost came out. Serves you right for making a mess of my mouth like that!

The next second, Thomas clapped his hands, signaling the resumption of this annoying group meeting.

Ming Ying hurriedly sent a message.

Mingo: I’m going to seriously participate in the group meeting now!

Mingo: You don’t disturb me. You cannot call me!

After sending it, he put away his phone with a grin.

…

After the group meeting ended, Thomas asked Ming Ying and Alan to stay behind.

Ming Ying’s heart lurched.

His first reaction was: Damn it, did that old man get Thomas to give him a hard time!

Thomas, sitting in his swivel chair, laughed: “Relax, children. Do I look that scary?”

Alan pursed his lips, shaking his head with a serious expression.

Ming Ying, hearing this and realizing it wasn’t the old man messing with him, exhaled in relief. “Prof, you really were very scary just now.”

Thomas waved his hand: “The scary part hasn’t even arrived yet. This year’s design competition, you must participate. I’ve already signed you up. When the results come out, that’s when I’ll be truly scary.”

Alan was clearly getting nervous, clenching his hands.

Ming Ying glanced at him, a little surprised. This rich young master actually had moments like this.

Ming Ying coughed. Perhaps due to his “in-depth exchange” with the Board Member, Comrade Ming Ying’s confidence in facing his professors had grown considerably.

He asked: “Professor, will we be punished by running a marathon around Manhattan?”

Thomas burst out laughing upon hearing this: “I knew you’d ask that. Where exactly did that rumor come from!”

“It’s a rumor?”

“Of course it’s a rumor.” Thomas blew at his beard. “I’m not like your Mr. Aston.”

“Huh?” Ming Ying frowned. What did this have to do with Aston?

But Thomas didn’t elaborate, and Ming Ying didn’t feel right pressing further.

And so, after Thomas briefly introduced them to the competition, he let them go.

Walking out of the classroom, Alan suddenly said: “You know Aston?”

Ming Ying was originally thinking about lunch. At this question, he was stunned. Strange, why is everyone asking him this question today.

“Uh, is something the matter?”

Alan: “You were the one he dragged out of the Architecture Research class that day, right?”

Ming Ying didn’t answer, because he couldn’t be bothered to make up a lie.

Alan looked at him, his expression clearly showing a dismissive, defiant sneer: “Aston is one of the judges for the Design Competition.”

“…”

Ming Ying took a sip of water. “So?”

“So, even if you’re his illegitimate son, you still won’t beat me!”

Pfft—

Ming Ying sprayed another mouthful of water!

Alan just left a cold snort and walked away.

Ming Ying stood rooted, half his face furious, the other half wanting to laugh. So everyone who saw Aston pull him out of the classroom that day just defaulted to him being his illegitimate son? This is way too damn ridiculous!

Did Thomas also think…

Ming Ying held his forehead, shaking his head, and sent a message to Silas.

Mingo: Lunch together? I have a joke to tell you.

Ten minutes passed. The message was unread, no reply.

Ming Ying walked out of the academic building, found a bench on the lawn, and sat down. He raised his phone, snapped the blue sky and the scattering pigeons, and sent it to XI.

Just like old times.

About ten more minutes passed before there was a message on his phone.

XI: Got something at noon. Eat by yourself.

Ming Ying felt a flash of disappointment for a moment.

But only for a moment. Professors have lots of things to do, and bosses have even more. Of course, he had to be understanding.

He straightened his jacket, replied with an Okay, got it, and then contacted Bruce to head to the cafeteria.

However, heaven did not grant his wish. Bruce couldn’t make it either.

As if Bruce not coming wasn’t enough, Luck also found his way over. Ming Ying looked at the man. Well, since he’s here, might as well eat.

So the two found a seat by the window. To thank him for the bike, Ming Ying specifically said: “Lunch is on me today.”

Luck was very happy, giving him several thumbs-ups, and asked: “Shall we have some drinks?”

Ming Ying thought for a moment. “No classes this afternoon, let’s drink!”

Luck “Oh?”ed: “Would you not drink if you had classes?”

Ming Ying thought again. “If I had classes, I’d still drink. Hahahaha.”

The two grabbed four cans of dark beer from the vending machine.

Luck was a very talkative person, and they were the same age with the same interests. That was precisely why Ming Ying had chatted with him at the bar.

Such a pity, such a pity. A guy like this turned out to be gay.

After one small can of dark beer, Ming Ying patted the guy’s shoulder and said: “Bro, turn back from the brink. Your buddy here is already taken. Let’s just be bros.”

Luck seemed a bit dejected and asked: “How did you two meet?”

Good question!

Ming Ying thought about it and said: “I guess you could say we met online?”

Hearing this, Luck immediately smiled: “Ming, are you joking with me? Do you know how many people that other guy is hooking up with simultaneously? At least right now, I only want to take you home.”

…Bro, you are truly rigorous.

Ming Ying’s head hurt. He coughed: “Luck, I like you as a friend, but let’s not say things like that anymore.”

Luck was clearly very hurt, but still said: “Ming, you two aren’t even dating, you’re just hooking up. What’s one more, like me?”

Ming Ying was utterly shocked by this foreigner’s thinking, so shocked he sobered up. He quickly stood up: “Luck, I’m having a little trouble accepting that idea. I’m, uh, a bit traditional in my thinking…”

Damn it, he was clearly the normal one!

Luck sighed: “OK, fine. But I’m still very glad to have met you! How about joining our club? We can play football together. That’s something many people can do at the same time, right!”

Ming Ying heard this and said: “That works. That works.”

…

And so, Ming Ying followed Luck to his so-called football club for a tour. When it ended, Ming Ying checked his phone again.

No messages.

The time was two in the afternoon.

Still early.

So he bid Luck farewell and shuffled to the library, planning to wait there.

Ming Ying thought, Damn, he was way too understanding.

But he waited and waited. Waited and waited. Until past five, when Ming Ying had already finished organizing Thomas’s competition schedule, Silas still hadn’t sent any messages.

Ming Ying frowned. Why did he feel like this old man was stringing him along on purpose?

This morning he’d said all those seductive things, and now there was silence.

Hmph.

Ming Ying thought, Wait for you another hour. One hour max. After that, this Young Master is done serving you.

As expected, an hour later, still no message.

Ming Ying sat there, legs crossed and dangling, for a while. Then he got up, packed his computer, and took the subway back to his apartment.

As he went upstairs, he thought, He must be busy.

But then he thought again: Damn it, is he so busy he can’t even spare the time to send a single message?

And the moment he stepped through the door, Luck’s words flashed in his ear.

—Do you know how many people that other guy is hooking up with simultaneously?

Shit. Ming Ying inserted his key. Could it be… the old pervert is hooking up with someone else right now!

Click. The lock opened.

Ming Ying looked at the two men in the house, wearing nothing but bath towels, for the third time. He sighed helplessly.

Mark: “HI~ Ming~ Welcome back~”

Ming Ying walked in, forced a smile and greeted them with a curled lip, then headed for his room.

Mark followed up and asked: “Ming, you haven’t been back these past few days. Is everything okay?”

Ming Ying shook his head. “What could be wrong with me? You guys go on and have fun. Don’t mind me.”

Mark excitedly hugged him: “I love Chinese people!!!”

“…”

Ming Ying soon regretted this decision.

Why was the soundproofing in this crappy apartment so bad… and who the hell could fall asleep to the background sounds of a live porno (GAY version)…

He irritably got up to take a shower in the bathroom. But when he came back, he found a message on his phone screen.

Ming Ying pursed his lips and swiped it open. The campus avatar popped up.

XI: Home?

Damn, what kind of question is that…

Ming Ying climbed onto his bed, still unable to resist his own paws, and replied.

Mingo: Mm.

The next second, a call invitation from XI popped up.

Ming Ying’s heart jumped with excitement. Again, unable to resist his own paws, he answered.

“Ming.”

“Something up?”

“Why did you leave?”

“…”

What did he mean? Was he waiting for me?

Ming Ying sat up, composed himself, and said with a smile: “I just didn’t want to get in the way of you and other people, you know…”

The other end of the line paused, then said: “Why would there be other people here?”

“Who knows.”

“Ming Ying, people usually can’t imagine things they haven’t done themselves.”

In other words, You’re measuring a gentleman’s heart with your own petty mind.

Damn it, sneakily using my full name to scold me again.

Ming Ying chuckled “Heh heh”: “I’m hanging up. See you tomorrow.”

“Wait.”

“What?”

“What’s that sound on your end?”

Ming Ying froze. He held the phone away. From the adjacent living room, the grand battle of the gay porn film was still raging on unabated.

“Uh,” Ming Ying was a bit embarrassed. “That, I’m watching a movie.”

“What movie?”

“…”

“None of your business!!!”

Silas chuckled lightly.

Ming Ying said: “I’m hanging up. See you tomorrow.”

“Mm.”

However, five minutes passed, and the call hadn’t ended.

Faint breathing sounds came through, making Ming Ying’s ears tingle a little.

Ming Ying coughed: “Uh, aren’t you going to hang up?”

“You can hang up.”

“I mean, how dare I hang up on a Board Member?”

He heard Aston chuckle.

Ming Ying’s ears tingled again. “I’m really hanging up—”

“Ming,”

“What…”

Ming Ying held his breath. He felt his heart race at every word Aston said.

Then, he heard the person on the phone say: “Your underwear is still at my place.”

“…”

Damn. Ming Ying felt completely owned by that sentence.

The old pervert did it on purpose. On purpose to torment him.

“Tomorrow, we’ll talk tomorrow.”

Not daring to linger a moment longer, he immediately pressed the hang-up button.

Who knew that after hanging up, he couldn’t fall asleep again.

Ming Ying closed his eyes and scratched at the wall. He didn’t know how long he did it before he suddenly sat up.

He called XI again.

The other side answered quite quickly.

This actually caught Ming Ying off guard.

Thankfully, Silas also didn’t speak.

Their breaths intertwined through the phone line like this.

Ming Ying suddenly said: “Professor, what was that book you were reading last night called? I, I can’t sleep right now…”

There was a moment of silence on the other end.

Ming Ying covered his face, almost laughing at his own stupidity.

Who knew, the next second, he heard the person on the phone say: “Come down. The book and your underwear are both downstairs at your place.”