Chapter 116: The Cannon Fodder in a Dogblood Novel (116)
“Yes.”
Shen Tangqing truly admired Lu Yanli; that required not only courage but also immense perseverance. He was far too ruthless toward himself.
“Lu-ge, what were you praying for? To have such determination.” Shen Tangqing was genuinely curious.
He felt that the way Lu Yanli was looking at him was a bit strange. But it was only for an instant, so fast he thought it was an illusion.
Lu Yanli withdrew his gaze and spoke calmly, “It was nothing in particular.”
He couldn’t exactly tell Shen Tangqing that he was praying for a destiny with him, could he? He had known from the start that Shen Tangqing didn’t like men. Voicing his feelings would only be a burden to the other man.
Previously, he had thought that after he finished dealing with the Bo family, he would confess to Shen Tangqing. If he agreed, it would be a happy ending. If he didn’t… then he would find a way to make him agree, perhaps even using some less-than-honorable means.
But later, after hearing of Shen Tangqingās “death,” he suddenly felt that as long as Shen Tangqing was alive and well, that was enough.
It was quite laughable; he had never thought of himself as a devoted lover, but ever since he confirmed his feelings for Shen Tangqing, he felt he could win an award for “Best Devoted Lover.”
To him now, as long as Shen Tangqing was happy, it was enough. Even if that happiness wasn’t given by him, what did it matter? Love was never about taking; it was about fulfillment. As long as he could see Shen Tangqing occasionally and guard him in silence, it was sufficient.
As for the rest of his life, he would continue his vegetarian diet and prayer, wishing that Shen Tangqing would remain free of illness and pain, leading a smooth and healthy life.
However, if there truly were a next life, he hoped the Buddha would take pity on him and grant him a lifetime of destiny with Shen Tangqingāand perhaps let Shen Tangqing be able to accept a male partner.
Seeing that Lu Yanli was unwilling to speak further, Shen Tangqing didn’t press him. He bid Lu Yanli farewell once more. “It’s late. You should head back, Lu-ge.”
Lu Yanli gave him a deep look. “Alright. You should head inside too.”
“Mhm…” Shen Tangqing waved with a smile. He didn’t turn back until Lu Yanli had driven away.
When Shen Tangqing finished his shower and came out, he saw an unfamiliar text message on his phone. It was simple, just four words:
[Happy New Year.]
He stared at the string of numbers for a few seconds before raising his hand and deleting the message. It was as if it had never been sent.
…
On the day of the Lantern Festival, the System suddenly spoke up.
[Host, the male lead has returned to the country.]
Shen Tangqing was so startled that the sparkler in his hand fell to the ground. Beside him, Jiang Qingyan stepped forward, bent down to pick it up, and looked at him in confusion. “What is it?”
“Oh, nothing. My hand just slipped.” Shen Tangqing offered Jiang Qingyan a smile.
Jiang Qingyan didn’t think much of it. He handed the sparkler back to Shen Tangqing and said with a smile, “Want to go see a movie later?”
“Sure! I saw online that the Lantern Festival release ‘One Family’ has very high ratings. How about we go see that?”
“Alright,” Jiang Qingyan said, pausing for a second. “Let’s not watch it in the home theater today. Let’s go to a real cinema. It’ll definitely be lively today. After the movie, how about we go to Lanxing for some late-night snacks?”
His gaze lingered on Shen Tangqing, carrying hidden anticipation. It was already nine o’clock; by the time the movie ended, it would be around midnight, making late-night snacks quite appropriate.
“Sounds good… Ge, go get the keys and bring the car around. I’ll wait for you at the door.”
A smile touched the corners of Jiang Qingyanās lips. “Alright.”
Once Jiang Qingyan had left, Shen Tangqing couldn’t wait to ask the System, “You said the male lead is back?”
[Yes, Host.]
Shen Tangqing was still surprised. “Weren’t you unable to locate him?”
[The Main God granted me temporary permission.]
Shen Tangqing gave an “Oh.” He thought to himself that his mission was finally nearing its end.
Jiang Qingyan brought the car around quickly. After Shen Tangqing got into the passenger seat, he smiled and said to Jiang Qingyan, “Ge, let’s pick up Sizhao-ge on the way.”
Jiang Qingyan: “?”
“Why pick him up?”
“Sizhao-ge called me just now to invite me to Zunyan. I told him I was going to a movie with you, and he said he wanted to come too…”
Jiang Qingyan: “…”
Damned third wheel.
“Just ignore him.”
“But I already promised him…” Shen Tangqing looked at Jiang Qingyan. “It’ll be fun to watch a movie together. The more, the merrier.”
Jiang Qingyanās mouth twitched. He didn’t want “merry.” But in the end, he reluctantly drove to pick up Fu Sizhao.
Fu Sizhao offered Shen Tangqing a brilliant smile, his peach-blossom eyes so gentle they could drown a person. “Tangtang, Happy Lantern Festival. Come sit in the back; let’s chat…”
Jiang Qingyan: “…”
Does this idiot think I’m dead?
“Fu Sizhao, are you treating me like a driver?” He looked at Fu Sizhao through the rearview mirror with displeasure. Their gazes met in the mirror, neither backing down.
Shen Tangqing didn’t sense the undercurrents between them at all, but he felt Jiang Qingyan had a point. “Sizhao-ge, I’ll just sit up front. We can still chat like this…”
Jiang Qingyanās face instantly brightened. He shot a provocative look at Fu Sizhao in the back seat, looking as smug as a victorious rooster.
Fu Sizhao curled his lip, cursing Jiang Qingyan in his heart for being a stingy brat. He only wanted to sit closer to Shen Tangqing; he wasn’t doing anything, yet Jiang Qingyan was guarding against him like a thief. Truly hateful. And they were supposed to be brothers!
Shen Tangqing had already booked the movie tickets online while in the carāthe 10:05 PM showing. A movie would take about two hours, ending around midnight, followed by late-night snacks before heading homeāperfect.
They arrived at the cinema at 9:40 PM, twenty-five minutes before the show started. Just as Shen Tangqing collected the tickets and turned around, he bumped into a wall of warmth.
Jiang Qingyan was standing behind him, holding a bucket of popcorn. The sight was inexplicably comical.
“Are you okay?” He looked at Shen Tangqing with concern.
Shen Tangqing rubbed his nose, thinking to himself how hard Jiang Qingyanās abs were. “I’m fine, I’m fine. Let’s go find Sizhao-ge.” Fu Sizhao had gone to buy coffee for them.
…
To fully experience the atmosphere, Shen Tangqing had booked three consecutive seats in a standard hall. After all, if they wanted luxury, they might as well have stayed in the home theater.
Clearly, the two CEOs had never been to a standard screening. They looked somewhat bewildered as they followed the crowd inside. Shen Tangqing looked down to confirm the seat numbers.
Row 7, Seats 1, 2, and 3.
“These are the three.”
As soon as he spoke, Fu Sizhao poked Jiang Qingyan. “What are you standing there for? You sit inside first.”
Jiang Qingyan, holding a coffee in one hand and a bucket of popcorn in the other, shot Fu Sizhao a sidelong glance. He wasn’t stupid. Based on his knowledge of Fu Sizhao, if he sat inside first, Fu Sizhao would immediately take the middle seat. Not only did he insist on being a third wheel, but he also tried to scheme against him. Black-hearted bastards always loved playing mind games.
“You sit inside. I’m sitting in the middle.”
Fu Sizhao: “…”
“Are you even worthy of the middle? Let me sit there.”
“If I’m not worthy, then you are?” Jiang Qingyanās face turned completely cold. He felt Fu Sizhao really deserved a beating.
Neither would budge. Shen Tangqing stood there looking bewildered, not sensing the undercurrents but wondering why they were about to start a fight over a seat. Was the middle seat really that magical?
After hesitating for a second, he spoke up. “How about I sit in the middle?”
[Translator’s Note: The “rooster” (å¤§å ¬é) imagery for Jiang Qingyan is hilarious. Also, “Zunyan” (ęؽ宓) is a high-end private club. The “middle seat” conflict is a classic comedic trope in romance novels where two rivals fight for proximity to the protagonist.]
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