Chapter 54: Roommate 14
Ji Ning had indeed, as Gu Xiu guessed, seen the gossip post about the campus prince’s kink.
He scrolled through the thousand-story-high thread from top to bottom, masochistically reading each comment one by one, his expression growing uglier and uglier.
Because he knew Gu Xiu was straight, he had been cautious and prudent all these years, never daring to make any moves that crossed the line.
Little did he know that it was normal for straight guys to fool around and put their arms around each other’s shoulders. He was so afraid of his sexual orientation being exposed that his overly cautious treatment of Gu Xiu made him seem like an oddball. He didn’t know if Gu Xiu had sensed something, but recently, he had stopped asking him for gifts, as if he were afraid of owing him.
Because he wanted to keep his distance, he was unwilling to be indebted to him.
On the other hand, Chen Beichuan, who already had the advantage of time and place, was also so cunning and had no sense of boundaries. He had used their fooling around as an excuse to have Gu Xiu sit on his lap!
Ji Ning was so frustrated that he kept gnawing on his innocent lower lip.
He had discovered his sexual orientation when he was very young. Although he had never had a boyfriend, he had a keen intuition for his own kind. He knew very well that Gu Xiu was as straight as they come, and Chen Beichuan also looked like a straight guy, but there were always exceptions.
He zoomed in on the photo and observed Chen Beichuan carefully. Chen Beichuan was the number one celebrity on the school forum, official accounts, and various self-media accounts. He could easily find dozens of photos of Chen Beichuan, walking on the road, studying hard, exercising…
Don’t be fooled by the fact that Chen Beichuan was a super top student with unparalleled professional abilities. He had never slacked off on managing his figure. His day seemed to have 48 hours, and his energy was extremely vigorous. He was often photographed dunking on the basketball court alone, or lifting weights in the gym, his T-shirt sleeves rolled up, revealing his firm and powerful arms. And when he put on a white shirt and read quietly, he became a scholarly and handsome senior.
Commonly known as looking thin in clothes and muscular without, with both brainpower and physical charm at max level.
He was not only the object of countless admirers, but also an undisputed top choice in the gay circle.
Ji Ning looked at himself in the mirror, with his silly, large black-framed glasses. He rolled up his sleeves, revealing his willow-like thin arms that could be broken with a single snap.
He was completely incomparable to Chen Beichuan.
He let out a heavy sigh, his back slumped, and his head hung low, like a deflated ball.
【’Key Plot Point 6′, a chance encounter at the gym! Here it comes～】 007 appeared with its own drum and gong special effects. 【Jiujiu! For the sake of the protagonist shou, you and the protagonist gong are becoming more and more incompatible and at odds with each other. Although the window paper has not yet been pierced, you and the protagonist gong have already vaguely started a male competition…】
【The protagonist gong has given you a strong sense of crisis. To show yourself off to the protagonist shou, you ask him to go to the gym and lift weights in front of him like a peacock spreading its tail. Of course, your form is wrong! And your physical fitness is also poor! At your most pathetic moment, the protagonist gong makes a grand entrance and crushes you!!】
Gu Xiu’s head was aching from the noise. He kind of missed the cold and icy mechanical 007 from the beginning. He was silent for a moment and summarized, 【So I just have to go to the gym with him, the protagonist shou? Easy. I also work out often in the main god space.】
It was difficult to pretend to know what you didn’t know, but it was easy to pretend not to know what you did know. What was more annoying was that he had to pretend to be a weakling in front of the protagonist gong and let the other crush and slap his face.
【Chen Beichuan, a skinny dog who’s a tech nerd and writes code in front of a computer all day, what’s he worth…】
Gu Xiu was full of resentment. He selectively forgot the good figure Chen Beichuan had shown during the arm wrestling match last time. He mumbled and took out his phone, preparing to make a date with Ji Ning to go to the gym.
AngryWiddleBird: 【What have you been busy with lately?】
Ji Ning was overjoyed and replied in a second, 【I’ve been at the gym every night lately! Do you want to come along?】
Gu Xiu was stunned for a moment, then he sighed, 【Hey, this time the plot actually came to me. That’s good, it saves me the trouble. But your Jinjiang’s delicate and soft protagonist shou also works out? Is he that hardworking?】
007 sent out a thread of mental energy to scratch its bald head and said hesitantly, 【Huh? This plot of turning a love-struck pampered wife into a career-minded hardworking king, why do I feel like I’ve seen it before…】
Gu Xiu didn’t bother with the stammering 007 and efficiently set a time with Ji Ning for the next evening. The sooner this plot was over, the better.
Gu Xiu went to the school gym in a low-key, loose hoodie and pants, as casual as usual. Ji Ning had already arrived, wearing a gray quick-dry training suit and black shorts, his hair tied up with a headband. If it weren’t for someone as slow-witted as Gu Xiu, one would definitely be able to tell that he had dressed up carefully.
Gu Xiu still looked the same as in his memory, but his temperament was different from before. He had a carefree, playful air. Whatever he wore, it had the feel of a street-style blockbuster. No matter how you looked at it, he was charming. Ji Ning was stunned for a moment.
“Gu Xiu…” he was a little awkward, rubbing the hem of his shirt, and stammered for a long time. “Then, then let’s, let’s go to the treadmill for a while and warm up.”
The two of them just happened to find two adjacent treadmills. The treadmill area was in the center of the gym. Gu Xiu walked slowly, his gaze sweeping around. As expected, it was no coincidence. A tall young man in all black had just arrived in the strength training area. His dress was the most low-key, but he also easily stood out.
Gu Xiu kept looking over there and murmured, “Huh? Chen Beichuan?”
Ji Ning also looked over, his face changing slightly. “Why is he here too…”
Of course he’s here for you, you little fool. Gu Xiu narrated in his mind, both affected and pretentious.
Uh… Jiujiu, 007 kindly reminded, you’d better not set any more flags…
As the saying goes, you learn from your mistakes. You only learn a lesson after you fall. Unfortunately, the current Gu Xiu had amnesia and was blindly optimistic and confident.
At eight in the evening, it was the busiest time at the school gym. The strength training area was completely taken over by a group of flashy boys, all grunting and groaning. Regardless of whether their form was correct, their voices were loud enough, and they were trying their best to show off to the girls on the treadmills.
The sudden appearance of Chen Beichuan was like a catfish. He used his superior looks and figure to stir up the pond of male competition, bringing a strong stimulus to all the little fish, arousing their fighting spirit and competitiveness. They kept adding weight, their faces red and their necks thick, making even louder noises.
Chen Beichuan, on the other hand, was unhurried. He strolled around, from one side to the other, and found an empty space to do some simple warm-up exercises.
A boy next to him was lifting weights, his face red. He was showing off his sweaty feathers in all directions. During his break, two girls walked over together and excitedly struck up a conversation.
“Wow, classmate, your muscles are so well-trained… My friend’s biggest dream in life is to touch a fitness man’s muscles. Can you satisfy her?”
Gu Xiu was about to put on his headphones. Seeing this, he decisively put them away and pricked up his ears to listen to the gossip.
The boy confidently puffed out his chest, pushed back his wet bangs, and said generously, “No problem, go ahead.”
“Ji Ning, look over there,” Gu Xiu was not satisfied with just watching the fun himself and turned to call Ji Ning beside him. “Let me tell you, men work out to show off to others. That boy has been waiting for this day for who knows how long, haha. If a man refuses to let others touch his muscles, there’s no second reason besides not having trained well.”
Ji Ning smiled cooperatively, but upon closer inspection, his expression was a little awkward. Although he hadn’t trained much, his carefully matched gym clothes were indeed for a certain (unseeing) person to see…
Unfortunately, Gu Xiu beside him was completely unromantic and was only interested in watching the fun. After a while, he simply paused the treadmill and shouted excitedly, “Hey, Ji Ning, look!”
Chen Beichuan, who had finished warming up, was doing dumbbell shoulder presses.
“Senior! Your chest is so well-trained! The shape is so good!” The girl who was hitting on him was very cunning. She first praised him until he was overjoyed, and then she took the opportunity to make a request.
Chen Beichuan glanced at her and silently zipped up his sports jacket to his chin.
“I’m training my shoulders,” that mouth was bound to be merciless. “Can you not disturb me? Thank you.”
The girl: “…”
After all, it was a university gym. Everyone was a classmate who would see each other often. Since she had been rejected, it wasn’t good to keep bothering him.
The cold-faced Chen Beichuan successfully gained a quiet fitness environment. He then went to the next machine. After waiting for a while, the boy who was training decisively put down the weights and said respectfully, “Senior, please!”
After Chen Beichuan sat down, the boy hadn’t left yet. He was like a fanboy, his eyes sparkling as he observed his movements. When he was resting, he politely asked, “Senior, I’ve been training for a month, but I can’t seem to find the feeling of exertion in my chest press… Can I touch your muscles to feel the exertion?”
Chen Beichuan’s attitude was as cold as ever. “Then you’ve been training for a month? You should go and get a check-up to see if you’re injured.”
The boy: “…”
Gu Xiu rolled his eyes in his heart.
He really couldn’t bear it anymore. This time, he didn’t hide his snark and his voice was a little louder. “Ji Ning, let me tell you. Don’t be fooled by Chen Beichuan’s appearance. He comes to the gym and doesn’t let people touch him, and he wears so much… he’s definitely a skinny dog.”
Chen Beichuan just happened to walk behind them and repeated faintly, “Skinny dog?”
“You heard wrong. Not a skinny dog,” Gu Xiu smiled, his eyes curving. “A white-cut chicken.”
Chen Beichuan: “…?”
Chen Beichuan had had enough of the limelight.
Gu Xiu made a successful retreat, casually found an excuse to say goodbye to Ji Ning, and slipped out of the glass door, running to the locker room next door to get his coat.
Ji Ning could only sigh and watch him leave.
Today’s plan was very unsuccessful. He had never seen Gu Xiu come to the gym to work out before. He thought he could teach him a little, and physical contact would be natural. If Gu Xiu had been secretly working out without his knowledge, could he also find an excuse like those who were hitting on him… to touch him?
But Gu Xiu’s mind was not on fitness at all. He had spent an hour walking and stopping on the treadmill.
On the other side, Chen Beichuan’s training was also over. He let go of the pull-up bar, turned his head, and glanced lightly at the main door.
In the locker room, Gu Xiu quickly put on his thick hoodie to prevent his body from losing heat too quickly and catching a cold.
“What do you mean I’m a white-cut chicken?”
A teasing voice came from behind him.
Gu Xiu rolled his eyes, turned around with a frown, and did not hide his annoyance. “What? Are you looking for trouble again?”
Chen Beichuan seized on Gu Xiu’s earlier mockery and pressed, “Didn’t you see it last time? Did you forget?”
“I forgot. The lighting in the dorm wasn’t good either,” Gu Xiu crossed his arms over his chest, his chin held high arrogantly, and he said shamelessly, “You must have been tired from sucking in your stomach to show off your abs that day, right?”
Chen Beichuan: “…”
Gu Xiu knew best how to provoke him.
“Hey, Gu Xiu.”
Chen Beichuan blocked the narrow frosted glass door of the locker room, preventing both outsiders from coming in and Gu Xiu from leaving.
Gu Xiu impatiently told him to move away, but Chen Beichuan turned a deaf ear. Suddenly, with a screech, he unzipped his gym jacket, pulled it to the sides, and pulled out two fair arms.
Under the tight black jacket was actually a loose black tank top, with large armholes, faintly revealing his neat and beautiful mermaid muscles. His underarm management was also very in place.
It could be described as outwardly dull but inwardly seductive.
The straight man Gu Xiu naturally had no time to appreciate it and said in an unfriendly tone, “Are you sick? You smell of sweat.”
But Chen Beichuan suddenly asked, “What, does it stink?”
“Uh…” Gu Xiu was directly stumped. To be fair, if that cold woody scent was unpleasant, he probably wouldn’t have wronged himself by stealing this person’s clothes to wear.
Chen Beichuan, who was covered in sweat, also had a fresh forest scent on him. It was really strange!
Gu Xiu suddenly thought that the hoodie he was wearing today seemed to be Chen Beichuan’s clothes as well…
Chen Beichuan and he had tacitly thought of the same thing.
Gu Xiu’s mouth was indeed very hard. His actions and subconscious reactions were the true reflection of his heart.
Regardless of whether he was treating him as a substitute, Gu Xiu did indeed steal his clothes to wear, would be stressed by him, and would blush because of him. He was like a little pervert and a little stalker, but he was also exceptionally cute.
An involuntary smile appeared on Chen Beichuan’s lips. Not only did he not make way for Gu Xiu, but he also crossed his hands at the hem of his tank top and pulled it up and off.
The beautiful upper body muscle lines were fully displayed in front of Gu Xiu.
“Is the lighting here good enough?” Chen Beichuan said, then took another step forward. The top light cast a deep shadow in his eye sockets, his eyelashes distinct. “Gu Xiu, can you see clearly?”
Gu Xiu swallowed. He would never admit defeat in terms of momentum. He hardened his scalp and met his gaze. “In this day and age, anything can be fake. Faces can be made up and beautified, and of course, bodies can too. Who knows how many pounds of paint you’ve put on yourself!?”
Chen Beichuan pressed on step by step, his eyes fierce and oppressive.
Gu Xiu was finally forced to take half a step back. His throat slid, and he was very suspicious that his angry and embarrassed roommate would beat him up on the spot. Although the protagonist gong from Jinjiang shouldn’t be so impulsive and irritable, they already had a history of fighting, and Chen Beichuan also had the protagonist’s halo…
Gu Xiu really didn’t want to go head-to-head with him. This person was bullying him with his protagonist’s halo.
“Can you confirm it now?”
Chen Beichuan said, lowering his eyes, and the oppressive feeling instantly disappeared.
Gu Xiu had just relaxed for no more than two seconds when his hand was grabbed again. Chen Beichuan pulled his hand and, without a word, pressed it on his own abs.
Like rubbing clothes on a washboard, Chen Beichuan dragged his hand, sliding it up, down, left, and right on his six-pack abs.
“If you’re not sure, touch it again.”
