Chapter 28: Too Scared to Laugh Anymore

In the end, Fu Huan made no comment about Gu Shiying stepping on his shoe. He simply swallowed the incident silently.

Back in the dorm, Gu Shiying watched him go out to the balcony to clean the shoe himself, and that was the end of it. He didn’t even demand an explanation or apology.

Lying in bed, Gu Shiying couldn’t help but think: Was Fu Huan’s tolerance for him this high?

Hold on—did Fu Huan really like him this much?

The matter of buying Grandma Lin’s chili sauce recipe couldn’t have been Fu Huan simply doing a good deed. If his older brother hadn’t needed the recipe, he wouldn’t have sent someone from his company to purchase it. It was just that the buyout price was much higher than expected, which did solve Grandma Lin’s immediate financial pressure. Now, she wouldn’t have to sell chili sauce out in the sweltering heat and could dedicate more time to taking care of Guoguo.

Looking at it this way, Fu Huan was actually very thorough in his thinking.

Gu Shiying tapped open his WeChat chat with Fu Huan, wanting to ask about the recipe. But after typing for ages, he couldn’t string together a usable sentence.

If Fu Huan asked him how he knew, how would he answer?

That President Hu definitely would have checked in with Fu Huan. Besides, the contract was signed under Hu Yiyan’s name, not Fu Huan’s older brother’s. So how could he have known that Fu Huan’s brother was the buyer?

Forget it. Gu Shiying chose to give up.

On the adjacent bed, Fu Huan was watching Gu Shiying’s WeChat status, which kept showing: “Typing…”

He thought Gu Shiying was about to send him something and waited, and waited.

Until the lights went out, the message from Gu Shiying never arrived.

What on earth did he want to say?

The suspense tormented Fu Huan all night. Even in his dreams, he was wondering what message Gu Shiying would have sent him.

Thursday rolled around again, and Gu Shiying had to face his dreaded P.E. class. Before it even started, he was already slumped over his desk in the classroom, utterly unwilling to move.

Zhang Zhi tugged at his arm. “Ying’er, there’s only half a month left before the exam. Don’t you want to go to the pool and practice more?”

Gu Shiying sighed and posed a theoretical question: “Do you think it’d affect my graduation if I just forfeited these credits?”

Zhang Zhi stared at him. “Are you serious? You just need to swim a few laps to get the credits. Why give up? That’s not like you.”

Gu Shiying grumbled, “But I really can’t swim well.”

Zhang Zhi steeled his resolve. “This class, I’m watching you swim. You’ll learn for sure!”

Gu Shiying took him at his word. “Fine.”

But as it turned out, once they reached the pool, Zhang Zhi was immediately pulled away by a junior girl from his club, who begged him to teach her to swim. Barely a few minutes into the water, he was already leaving Gu Shiying to fend for himself.

Zhang Zhi even had the nerve to be polite about it. “Ying’er, I think I’m about to have my second spring. What do you think?”

Gu Shiying kicked him in the water. “Get lost.”

Zhang Zhi just laughed. “Don’t worry. I spotted someone familiar on my swim over. I asked him to teach you.”

Gu Shiying wondered what random friend of his he’d found this time.

“Who?”

“You’ll see in a moment,” Zhang Zhi said, winking conspiratorially with his left eye.

Gu Shiying: “You’re sick. Can’t even tell me?”

With a couple of “hehe”s, Zhang Zhi was off to find the junior girl.

Gu Shiying muttered to himself—Zhang Zhi was the epitome of a sunny, straightforward guy. Just a little too straight.

He was leaning against the edge of the pool, debating whether to just leave, when a long figure swam up beside him with a smooth freestyle stroke.

The person lifted their head.

Gu Shiying scooped a handful of water and flicked it at his face. “Why’s it you?”

Fu Huan reached out and caught his fingers effortlessly. “Why couldn’t it be me?”

[Gu Shiying, so cute.]

Gu Shiying rolled his eyes at him. What a lunatic!

He was so much more familiar with Fu Huan now than before that he didn’t even bother to hide his exasperation at the other’s inner thoughts.

Gu Shiying: “Seeing you makes me not want to learn.”

Fu Huan propped himself against the pool edge next to him. “Afraid I’ll discourage you?”

Gu Shiying shot back, “Yeah, Big Handsome Fu.”

Fu Huan: “Do you want the credits or not?”

Grumbling internally at Zhang Zhi’s big mouth, Gu Shiying snapped, “So what if I do? I can learn by myself.”

Fu Huan countered, “I seriously suspect you’re jealous of my physique and that’s why you won’t let me teach you.”

“Bullshit. Why would I be jealous of your physique?” Okay, he was a little envious, but really, he just couldn’t stand hearing Fu Huan’s inner thoughts.

“Then tell me why you won’t let me teach you.” Fu Huan stared at him intently. The distance between them was barely half an arm’s length.

Gu Shiying, of course, couldn’t produce an answer. Any reason he gave would sound like an excuse. And they were excuses.

In the end, for the credits’ sake, he had to capitulate. It didn’t hurt that Fu Huan’s swimming form earlier had been undeniably slick and handsome. Compared to him—a breaststroke beginner—there was just no competition in the coolness department.

Gu Shiying slapped the water. “I have my pride, you know.”

Fu Huan allowed a small smile. “One, I won’t laugh at you. Two, I won’t look down on you. Your pride and your dignity are both perfectly intact.”

Gu Shiying snorted inwardly. Except you’re lusting after my body, you terrifying gay man.

Fu Huan: “There’s half an hour left before class ends. Still want to learn?”

Gu Shiying scanned the pool. None of his skilled friends were around. And as for Zhang Zhi—that’s what he gets for ditching friends for a crush.

Steeling himself, Gu Shiying went against every instinct. “Learn.”

“Mm.” Fu Huan shifted into a serious, focused mode.

“Let’s start with the basics. You actually can do it, but the teacher didn’t guide you well. Your movements are still a bit disjointed.”

“Gu Shiying, watch my form.”

Pushing off the pool wall with his leg, Fu Huan glided forward in a clean, fluid line, an elegant profile in the water.

Gu Shiying couldn’t help but think: …Okay, that’s pretty impressive.

After his demonstration, Fu Huan walked back, feet pushing against the pool floor.

“And when you bring your hands together, they should be in front of your chest, then stretch them out like this. When pulling your hands back, they should be lower, skimming the water…”

When teaching Gu Shiying, Fu Huan was unexpectedly dedicated. Initially resistant, Gu Shiying found the other’s seriousness disarming; there was no reason to be perfunctory. After all, he was the one who needed the credits, not Fu Huan. There was absolutely no need to get hung up on those awkward inner thoughts.

Throughout the lesson, Fu Huan kept his hands to himself. Aside from that initial touch, he maintained a careful distance the entire time.

“Your breathing technique still isn’t smooth. You could practice holding your breath more by the pool wall…”

“Yeah…”

One taught diligently, one learned earnestly. By the end of the class, Gu Shiying’s swimming was starting to look the part.

When Gu Shiying attempted to swim a full lap, Fu Huan stayed right alongside him, providing silent, watchful protection. Whenever he felt like stopping, just seeing Fu Huan nearby gave him a sense of security. He didn’t need to pause mid-way like before.

He finally completed a full lap just before the class ended. He had truly learned how to swim.

However, Fu Huan’s face didn’t show the relief of a teacher whose student had finally succeeded.

Gu Shiying thought he might be a little downcast that he wouldn’t have an excuse for further close contact.

He flicked water at Fu Huan playfully. “I learned. Doesn’t that mean Coach Fu is awesome? Don’t be unhappy.”

Fu Huan wiped the water droplets from his face, shaking his head. “I’m not unhappy. Are you afraid of water?”

Gu Shiying paused, then nodded. “Yeah. I fell into water when I was a kid. Have been afraid ever since. Now I’ve managed to overcome it, kind of, barely.”

Fu Huan thought for a moment. “Call me when you’re practicing next time.”

Gu Shiying gave a noncommittal laugh. “We’ll see.”

Staying in the pool too long always left the body cold, and it was just the right time for class to end. Gu Shiying and Fu Huan both climbed out.

This time, Gu Shiying didn’t avoid Fu Huan as blatantly as before. Though he still rushed through his shower in the cubicle, not straying too far. He felt like the disinfectant smell of the pool still clung to him, so he’d need another shower back at the dorm.

Fu Huan walked back with him.

Fu Huan asked, “Want to hit the canteen together later?”

Gu Shiying seized the chance to chip away at the meals he owed. “Sure, but I need to shower first. My treat!”

Fu Huan hesitated briefly. “Okay. I’ll wait for you.” He wanted to eat with Gu Shiying, but he didn’t want to use up one of the owed meal opportunities.

Just as they reached the door of their dorm room, they saw a young man in a white dress shirt standing there, looking as if he was searching for someone.

This guy was unfamiliar. Who was he looking for?

The young man turned to look at them. His attention was clearly focused, his gaze landing squarely on Fu Huan. And he seemed very pleased with what he saw.

“Fu Huan, hello. I’m Lin Zijing.”

Hearing the name “Lin Zijing,” Fu Huan immediately understood the situation. His parents clearly didn’t believe his claim about having someone he liked.

Fu Huan’s expression remained completely indifferent, but the surname was a dead giveaway.

“Can I help you?”

Lin Zijing replied, “Let’s chat? My treat for dinner.”

Fu Huan was about to decline when Gu Shiying offered a quick smile. “A friend of yours? You two talk.”

Gu Shiying glanced at Fu Huan, then at the young man before him—the classic, ideal school heartthrob archetype. He turned, opened the dorm door, and went inside, not wanting to intrude.

Grabbing his clothes, he headed into the bathroom. As he lathered the shampoo in his hair, he closed his eyes, his mind stuck on the young man he’d just seen. The way the guy looked at Fu Huan held a flicker of scrutiny, appreciation, and… satisfaction.

Satisfaction?

Why would Lin Zijing look at Fu Huan with satisfaction?

Standing together, the two of them actually looked quite compatible—in terms of looks, very well-matched. The kind of top-and-bottom pairing you often saw in those BL novels.

After his shower, Gu Shiying checked his phone and saw a new message from Fu Huan.

[Fu Huan: Sorry, can’t make it to the canteen with you tonight.]

Gu Shiying let out a soft “tsk.” Not going? Fine by him. He was off the hook and happy about it.

Yang Shuheng, already done with his classes, was asking in the dorm group chat who wanted to eat at the canteen. Gu Shiying chimed in with a “1.”

The two of them met up at the canteen and ordered their food.

Honestly, Yang Shuheng was quite easy to feed. The young master wasn’t a picky eater. His one wealthy habit was only ordering the most expensive dishes on the menu, and he loved buying drinks for everyone else.

Gu Shiying found himself forcibly treated to a bottle of soy milk—his own choice this time, otherwise Yang Shuheng would’ve grabbed something pricier. He wasn’t one to take advantage of others’ generosity.

Being a chatterbox, Yang Shuheng ensured there was never a dull moment. Not even the fragrant, perfectly roasted duck could shut him up completely.

Yang Shuheng asked, “Did you see Brother Huan when you got back?”

Gu Shiying: “What about him? He came back to the dorm with me.”

Yang Shuheng: “I just saw him walking with some super handsome guy.”

Gu Shiying: “I know. That guy was here looking for him.”

Yang Shuheng suddenly smacked the table. “Whoa, this is interesting! Our Brother Huan’s got luck! Do you know what department that guy’s from?”

Gu Shiying: “Why would I need to know? Is there a problem?”

Yang Shuheng: “You don’t even check the forums? He’s the heartthrob of the Fine Arts department! Well, I only know this ’cause my classmates are always spouting off about CPs.”

Gu Shiying: “So?”

Yang Shuheng cracked a wide grin. Gu Shiying thought that expression really wasted his delicate idol-worthy face.

“See, you wouldn’t know this—he’s gay.”

Gu Shiying didn’t register it right away. “Gay? How do you mean?”

Yang Shuheng: “Oh, come on. Homosexual. He likes guys. My classmate said that when school started, a ton of girls confessed to him, and he openly stated he’s into men. Think he’s set his sights on our Brother Huan?”

Gu Shiying thought to himself: Isn’t that perfect? Fu Huan is also gay!

They’d be a match made in heaven.

And the guy was the heartthrob type. Fu Huan was bound to be interested. Why else would he suddenly go off to have dinner with him?

Fantastic. Once Fu Huan got a boyfriend, he’d definitely stop having ideas about him.

Gu Shiying ventured, “So… congrats to them?”

Yang Shuheng: “Then again, I’ve heard that gays can be pretty… messy. Should we maybe vet the guy for Brother Huan?”

Gu Shiying: “I don’t think that’s necessary.”

Yang Shuheng: “My classmate says that Fine Arts heartthrob has cycled through quite a few boyfriends.”

Gu Shiying: “Could just be rumors. You’re just hearing things without proof. That’s not cool.”

Yang Shuheng: “You have a point. And our Brother Huan doesn’t even seem like the gay type.”

Gu Shiying nearly choked on his soy milk. He totally is!

He dropped a heavy hint. “What if he’s deeply closeted?”

[Honestly, Gu Shiying’s legs are constantly trying to seduce me.]

Gu Shiying: “…” Too scared to laugh now.