Chapter 109: The Cannon Fodder in a Dogblood Novel (109)
The day before the Preliminary New Year, Zhou Geng asked Shen Tangqing out for a meal at Huanyueju.
Huanyueju wasn’t too far from Jing University, and Shen Tangqing had eaten there twice with Zhou Geng before. The environment was excellent, and the food was delicious.
…
Zhou Geng had been waiting for a while. A hint of chill had settled on his hair and coat.
He stood in front of the restaurant, his posture upright. The warm lights behind him blurred into varying sizes of glowing halos, creating a multicolored backdrop.
Shen Tangqing climbed out of the car. His orange sweater provided a soft yet vibrant splash of color, as if adding a brilliant spark to the dull winter day.
After getting out, he put on his coat and ran toward Zhou Geng, breathing slightly hard. “Geng-ge, didn’t I tell you to wait for me in the private room? Why are you standing at the door? How long have you been waiting?”
His gaze fell on Zhou Geng. He felt like Zhou Geng had grown a bit taller and become somewhat thinner.
He was wearing a black overcoat over a black suit, with his tie meticulously pressed against his shirt. Even his hairstyle had changed from the previous micro-fringe to a retro slicked-back look, revealing his full forehead—though a few stray strands had fallen loose after being outside for so long.
He was completely different from before. Zhou Shuli’s passing had forced him to grow from a carefree rich second-generation son into the person in charge of the company.
Zhou Geng was internally excited to see Shen Tangqing. Although they had video-called once on WeChat a couple of days ago, seeing him in person felt entirely different from seeing him through a screen.
However, he didn’t lose his composure.
His Adam’s apple rolled as his gaze greedily lingered on Shen Tangqing. “Only a few minutes. Let’s go. I’ve already booked the table and ordered the dishes you liked before.”
He didn’t dare tell Shen Tangqing that he wanted to see him the very first second he could. Nor did he dare voice his feelings. Of course, he couldn’t voice them.
In his heart, Shen Tangqing would only ever be his “sister-in-law.” Even if it was one-sided.
…
The heating in the private room was very effective. The light from the crystal chandelier spilled onto the table, making the cups and plates shimmer.
The two sat opposite each other. Having not seen each other for over a year, Shen Tangqing felt mostly the joy of a reunion.
The food was served quickly. Zhou Geng habitually put on disposable gloves, peeled a shrimp, and placed it on Shen Tangqing’s plate. He froze for a second before slowly withdrawing his hand.
During the meal, they chatted casually, but neither mentioned Zhou Shuli. Shen Tangqing stuck to the same story about being saved by someone. Zhou Geng didn’t press for details.
He gave Shen Tangqing a slight smile, his expression gentle. “Whatever Tangtang says, I will believe.”
Shen Tangqing’s hand holding the chopsticks paused mid-air. After a moment, a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He put down his chopsticks and raised his wine glass. “Geng-ge, say no more. Let’s have a drink…”
Zhou Geng picked up the glass beside him, lightly clinked it against Shen Tangqing’s, and downed the wine in one go.
“Tangtang…” Zhou Geng put down his glass, his gaze fixed on Shen Tangqing.
“What is it?”
Zhou Geng fell silent, seemingly weighing how to speak. Shen Tangqing didn’t rush him.
After a moment of silence in the room, Zhou Geng slowly began, “I heard from Butler Wang… that he gave you that diary.”
The smile on Shen Tangqing’s lips vanished. “Yeah.”
“Actually, my brother’s original intention wasn’t to let you know…” Zhou Geng’s gaze fell on Shen Tangqing’s slightly lowered eyes. “He suffered from Skin Hunger Syndrome. With that kind of condition, if it isn’t soothed, it can easily cause disorders in the body’s immune system…”
Zhou Geng paused after speaking. “So, Tangtang, you don’t need to carry a psychological burden. Life and death are fated.”
Shen Tangqing’s eyelashes trembled. After a long while, he gave a soft nod.
“Tangtang, my brother left a will before he died.”
Shen Tangqing’s heart skipped a beat for no reason. For some reason, he didn’t really want to know what this will contained. His lips moved, but in the end, he didn’t stop Zhou Geng from continuing.
“In his will, my brother split his assets and company shares into two parts. One part was left to my parents. The other part… he wanted me to give it to you as a wedding gift when you get married.”
Zhou Geng stared directly into Shen Tangqing’s face. He hadn’t intended to say this so early, but since Shen Tangqing already knew his brother’s feelings, he would find out about this will sooner or later. It was just a matter of how he found out. After all, Zhou Shuli had instructed that the “wedding gift” be given to Shen Tangqing in Zhou Geng’s name as a friend.
Shen Tangqing’s hands on the table suddenly clenched. His nails dug into his palms, the stinging pain helping him regain a bit of clarity. He wanted to say something, but his throat felt as if it were stuffed with wet cotton. Not a single word came out.
He kept his eyes downcast, his long lashes casting small shadows. Even his breathing felt heavy and stagnant.
Seeing him like this, a bitter taste rose in Zhou Geng’s throat.
“Tangtang, you don’t need to feel conflicted.” Zhou Geng reached out, his fingertips bunching up the tablecloth into several folds before forcing himself to let go. His voice was very soft. “My brother said that if you don’t want to get married in the future, or… if you have other thoughts, I should find another excuse to give these things to you.”
Shen Tangqing abruptly looked up, his eyes rimmed with red. His originally clear eyes were covered in a layer of mist, like glass dampened by fog. He stared at Zhou Geng, his lips quivering several times before he squeezed out a raspy sentence. “Why did he… have to go that far?”
Why go that far? Why was he still thinking of him even at the very end? He had always viewed Zhou Shuli as an older brother; he had never had any other thoughts about him…
This affection was too heavy. It weighed on Shen Tangqing so much he could hardly breathe.
Zhou Geng looked away, not daring to look at those reddened eyes. He was afraid that if he looked one more time, the emotions he had suppressed in his heart would burst through the dam. He felt pained for the love his brother never voiced, and pained for Shen Tangqing’s helplessness and conflict.
He knew Shen Tangqing didn’t like men. His brother’s feelings were nothing but a burden to Shen Tangqing. But there was no helping it; this was his brother’s final wish.
…
He pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and looked at Shen Tangqing. “Do you smoke?”
After a moment of silence, Shen Tangqing nodded.
After lighting a cigarette and taking a puff, Zhou Geng continued, “My brother was always like that. Restrained, polite. Even when leaving things for you, he had to find a reason that would cause you the least burden.”
After saying this, Zhou Geng took another puff, his expression somewhat melancholic. “Tangtang, this isn’t a shackle. It’s my brother… he just wanted your life to be a bit easier in the future.”
Shen Tangqing didn’t look at Zhou Geng, nor did he reply. He just sat there silently smoking his cigarette with his eyes lowered.
It wasn’t until the cigarette was finished that he raised his head. “I understand. But I can’t accept these things… Geng-ge, I’ve always viewed Brother Zhou as an older brother. I can’t accept this sentiment of his.”
Zhou Geng crushed the cigarette butt. A flash of sorrow crossed his eyes as he looked at Shen Tangqing. “Tangtang, this is my brother’s blessing for you, and his only final wish…”
Shen Tangqing paused for a moment. He didn’t speak; he just picked up his wine glass and slowly drank the contents. The liquid slid down his throat, burning all the way to the depths of his heart.
[Translator’s Note: “Skin Hunger Syndrome” (皮肤饥渴症) is a psychological condition where a person has a strong desire for physical contact. Zhou Shuli’s love is so bittersweet and tragic… calling him a “Pure Love Warrior” is an understatement! And Zhou Geng is such a good brother for carrying out these wishes even though it hurts.]
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Thank you for your translation. It’s always a delight to read a well translated piece