Chapter 116: Bonus – This Is Love
Ever since he hit puberty, Chang Wenyan had believed that he was in love with Qin Ai.
They were childhood sweethearts. She was beautiful, talented, and excelled in everything. Chang Wenyan thought that if he had to marry someone, it would definitely be Qin Ai.
Unfortunately, Qin Ai was always impatient with his advances. Liu Liu often told him that “you can’t force love” and advised him to give up.
But Qin Ai had been single for so many years, and Chang Wenyan never gave up on pursuing her.
When she rejected him before, he thought it was because she didn’t want to be in a relationship. Later, when she rejected his confession, he thought it was because of the strained relationship between the Chang family and the Qin family, that she held a grudge against him.
When Qin Ai’s father and grandfather passed away, and the Qin family was in crisis, he had wanted to help, but he had no power in the Chang family.
He was still a university student then, not yet involved in the family business. His grandfather made all the decisions. He had begged his grandfather to help, but his grandfather was stubborn and only cared about profits. So, not only did he refuse to help, but he also forbade Chang Wenyan from seeing Qin Ai.
In recent years, Chang Wenyan had started working at Chang Corporation and gradually gained power. He resumed his pursuit of Qin Ai, hoping to marry her.
If they joined forces, they could achieve great things.
But Qin Ai still rejected him. Chang Wenyan couldn’t understand what was wrong with him.
He wasn’t ugly, he was in good shape, and his status was comparable to Qin Ai’s.
If she disliked his family, they could just limit their interactions with them after marriage. But Qin Ai had firmly rejected him, leaving no room for negotiation.
After much deliberation, Chang Wenyan could only come up with one reason:
She didn’t have feelings for him. But he didn’t think this was a problem. Love could be cultivated. They had grown up together, they had an advantage over strangers.
However, Qin Ai’s destined partner appeared. At first, Chang Wenyan still tried to compete, but then he came to his senses.
Love couldn’t be forced. Liu Liu had already advised him ten years ago, but he hadn’t listened. Now he finally understood.
Love was love, no matter what he did, it wouldn’t change anything. It wasn’t that he wasn’t good enough, it was just that he and Qin Ai lacked that crucial spark.
But understanding was one thing, accepting it was another.
He attended their engagement ceremony, watching as the person he had loved for ten years committed to someone else.
It was time to let go, he told himself.
He wasn’t even sure if he truly loved Qin Ai or if loving her had simply become a habit.
Qin Ai had told him that he didn’t really love her. Then what was true love like? He was twenty-seven years old, but he didn’t even know what it felt like to truly love someone.
Perhaps he didn’t need to know. Just like his grandfather had said, he should just marry someone of equal social standing. It would be convenient and hassle-free, he wouldn’t have to overthink things.
But deep down, Chang Wenyan didn’t want that. But further contemplation only led to confusion. The best solution was to forget about it for now.
That night, he went to a bar alone, drowning his sorrows in alcohol. When he was drunk, he wouldn’t have to think anymore.
He was determined to get drunk, so he drank one glass after another, non-stop. Many people approached him, both men and women, but he rejected them all.
It was pointless, everything was pointless.
He downed another glass, his mind becoming hazy, his vision blurring.
Someone seemed to be talking to him, but he couldn’t hear their words.
It was so noisy. Chang Wenyan waved his hand, trying to shoo away the person talking in his ear.
Liu Liu caught his hand, his expression exasperated. “This is why I hate drunk people, they’re so troublesome.”
Chang Wenyan’s neck was red from drinking, his eyes unfocused, unable to even tell where he was, let alone recognize Liu Liu.
“Go away, you’re annoying…” He stumbled, his head about to hit the floor.
“Hey—” Liu Liu caught him and slapped his face lightly. “Wake up, you don’t even recognize me? It’s Liu Liu. Forget it, I’m an idiot for trying to talk to a drunk person. Come on, I’m taking you home.”
Liu Liu’s appearance wasn’t a coincidence. Someone who knew Chang Wenyan had seen him drinking alone and, knowing that he was close to Liu Liu, had called him to come and get him.
Liu Liu had just finished exercising and was about to go home to shower and rest when he received the call. He had rushed over, his body still sweaty.
Chang Wenyan, of course, wasn’t cooperative. He even mumbled, “You stink, stay away from me.”
Liu Liu almost laughed in anger. He was only sweaty because he had come to get him!
It wasn’t safe for a beautiful woman to get drunk alone in a bar, and it was the same for a handsome man. He was worried about this virgin’s safety.
“Say another word, and I’ll print a million copies of your drunk photos and plaster them all over the city as flyers,” Liu Liu threatened.
Chang Wenyan seemed to understand. Whether he recognized Liu Liu or not, he was quiet now.
After half an hour of struggle, Liu Liu finally managed to get him home. Or rather, to Chang Wenyan’s apartment. Both Chang Wenyan and Chang Wensi disliked the atmosphere at their family home and had moved out after they became adults.
This meant that there was no one to take care of the drunk Chang Wenyan after Liu Liu left. Liu Liu sighed, rubbing his temples. “Well, I’m your best friend, so I’ll clean you up and throw you on the bed. Then I’m leaving.”
He rolled up his sleeves and dragged Chang Wenyan to the bathroom. Giving someone a bath wasn’t difficult. He often bathed his cat, he was experienced.
But—
Half an hour later, Liu Liu wiped the water from his face, thinking that Chang Wenyan must be a large feline. He was afraid of water and a handful to deal with, much more troublesome than his cat.
This wasn’t efficient. Liu Liu’s patience was wearing thin.
He decided to resort to force. He grabbed Chang Wenyan’s hands, pinned him down in the bathtub, and threatened, “If you don’t wash up, I’m taking nude photos of you. But don’t worry, I’m a good photographer, I’ll make sure you look good.”
This threat actually worked. Chang Wenyan finally cooperated. He had to be threatened to behave, he was stubborn.
Chang Wenyan sat slumped in the bathtub, covered in bubbles, his hair wet, reminding Liu Liu of his cat.
His cat always hated baths. It would struggle at first, then give up, sitting there pitifully, waiting to be washed.
Thinking about this, Liu Liu chuckled as he scrubbed Chang Wenyan clean.
Chang Wenyan, on the other hand, was enjoying the bath. He had exhausted Liu Liu and then fallen asleep in the bathtub.
Liu Liu wasn’t that gentle with his best friend. Carrying him to bed? No way. He slapped Chang Wenyan awake and told him to crawl into bed himself.
But when he actually raised his hand, he softened his slap. If he accidentally bruised Chang Wenyan’s face, he would definitely be strangled tomorrow.
Chang Wenyan was too concerned about his image, always putting on a facade.
“Hey, hey, wake up. Get dressed and get into bed, you hear me?” Liu Liu slapped him a couple more times, but there was no response.
Feeling sticky and uncomfortable, Liu Liu decided to ignore Chang Wenyan and took a shower himself.
After showering, Chang Wenyan was still asleep in the bathtub, as if it were more comfortable than his bed.
Liu Liu touched the water in the bathtub. It was ice cold. He didn’t want this idiot to get sick, so he relented and dragged him to bed.
“You’re a grown man, getting wasted over a heartbreak? No, you weren’t even with Boss in the first place. Aren’t you embarrassed?” Liu Liu chided Chang Wenyan, his hands on his hips.
If Chang Wenyan were awake, he would be fuming.
After venting his frustration, Liu Liu glanced at the time. It was already 11:40 p.m. If he went home now, it would be past midnight. Too lazy to move, he simply lay down on the bed.
Chang Wenyan, used to sleeping alone, instinctively kicked Liu Liu in his sleep, hitting him in the waist.
Liu Liu moved back, grabbed Chang Wenyan’s ear, and gritted his teeth. “I went through so much trouble to bring you home and take care of you, can’t I even sleep on your bed? Just bear with it!”
After all the commotion, Liu Liu was exhausted. He quickly fell asleep, not even reacting when Chang Wenyan hugged him.
==================
The morning sunlight streamed through the open curtains, falling on Chang Wenyan’s face. He groaned, his head pounding, something heavy in his arms.
He forced his eyes open and was startled to see a familiar face. He instinctively pushed the person away.
“Why are you in my house?” Chang Wenyan sat up, rubbing his temples. His head felt like it was filled with cotton.
Liu Liu, who had been sleeping soundly, was annoyed by being pushed. He grumbled, scratching his head, his eyes still half-closed. “You have the nerve to ask? Have you forgotten how you tormented me yesterday?”
Chang Wenyan noticed that his bathrobe was wide open, revealing several red marks on his chest. Liu Liu’s bathrobe was also messy.
Had they… last night?
“I… did something to you?” Chang Wenyan’s throat felt dry.
Liu Liu lifted the blanket and pointed at his waist. “You almost broke my back.”
He had carried Chang Wenyan home from the bar, bathed him for half an hour, and then Chang Wenyan had fallen asleep in the bathtub, forcing Liu Liu to carry him to bed. And then he had been kicked!
He hadn’t felt anything yesterday, but this morning, his waist was aching.
Chang Wenyan’s face paled. He couldn’t remember what had happened last night, but judging by Liu Liu’s words, he must have lost control and assaulted him.
After a moment of silence, he said, “I’m sorry, I’ll take responsibility.”
“Responsibility? You should. Now give me a back massage.” Liu Liu rolled over, lying on his stomach, and patted his waist. “Hurry up, my back is killing me.”
Chang Wenyan silently massaged his back, his mind already imagining their married life, wondering if Liu Liu would complain about him working too much.
He wasn’t joking about taking responsibility. Although he could afford to be a playboy like his father and grandfather, he had inherited his mother’s personality. He was responsible and principled, not the type to shirk his responsibilities.
“We’ll start dating today, and we’ll get married in six months. How many kids do you want?”
Nowadays, both same-sex and heterosexual couples could have children. In vitro fertilization and artificial wombs were mature technologies. Lesbian couples usually opted for natural pregnancy, while gay couples, due to their biological limitations, could only choose artificial wombs.
Liu Liu, enjoying the massage, was stunned by Chang Wenyan’s words. He didn’t understand what he was talking about.
“Are you sick? Or did you drink too much and damage your brain? Who wants to date you?” He swatted Chang Wenyan’s hand away and sat up abruptly.
Chang Wenyan grabbed his hand, his expression serious. “I said I’ll take responsibility, and I will.”
“Responsibility, my ass!” Liu Liu pulled his hand back in disgust. His clothes from yesterday were wrinkled beyond recognition.
He rummaged through Chang Wenyan’s closet and found a set of clothes to change into. “I’m borrowing your clothes. And don’t drink so much next time. You’re a grown man, it’s just a heartbreak. Besides, it was just a one-sided crush. I’m leaving.”
Chang Wenyan wanted to stop him, but his head was pounding, his throat was dry, and his muscles ached. He let Liu Liu leave.
He went to the bathroom and washed his hair, his eyes meeting his reflection in the mirror.
His eyes were bloodshot, dark circles under them. He looked like a mess.
He had drunk, he had vented his frustrations, it was time to let go of that childish and ridiculous crush.
He should cherish the people in front of him, not dwell on the past.
After freshening up, he regained his usual handsome and composed appearance.
===============
From that day forward, Liu Liu was constantly pestered by Chang Wenyan. This guy was actually pursuing him.
They had known each other for more than twenty years, and Chang Wenyan had never shown any romantic interest in him before. Liu Liu suspected that Chang Wenyan had lost his mind. To stop being harassed, he decided to have a serious talk with him.
They met at Liu Liu’s house.
Finally, the truth was revealed. Chang Wenyan had thought he had slept with Liu Liu when he was drunk and was trying to take responsibility.
Liu Liu facepalmed, speechless.
“Do you even understand what love is? What dating is? Who pursues someone like this? You’re acting like a debt collector. Haven’t you noticed that I’ve been avoiding you? Even if something happened between us, I wouldn’t be with you if I didn’t like you. Besides, I just carried you home from the bar and gave you a bath.” Liu Liu made it crystal clear.
Chang Wenyan pursed his lips. After a moment of silence, he asked, “Then can you teach me?”
Liu Liu looked at his clueless best friend, unsure whether to laugh or cry. Seeing how naive Chang Wenyan was, despite his age, he decided to take pity on him.
“Okay, let’s date for three months. We’ll break up after three months. Whether you understand what love is or not is up to you.” He patted Chang Wenyan’s shoulder.
Chang Wenyan nodded in agreement and then leaned forward to kiss Liu Liu.
Liu Liu was startled and instinctively punched Chang Wenyan in the eye.
A few minutes later, Liu Liu was applying an ice pack to Chang Wenyan’s eye.
“Why did you suddenly get so close? I couldn’t control my fist.” He accidentally pressed the ice pack a bit too hard.
Chang Wenyan winced, and Liu Liu apologized, easing his grip.
“Because couples kiss, don’t they?”
Liu Liu wanted to punch Chang Wenyan’s other eye, just for symmetry, but he patiently explained, “That’s true, but you can’t just kiss someone without warning. You need to give them some mental preparation.”
Chang Wenyan took note. “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”
“At this rate, I’m worried you’ll never find a partner, let alone get married.” Liu Liu shook his head.
Chang Wenyan was handsome, but he was also clueless. His EQ was so low that Liu Liu didn’t even know where to start.
Since they were now a couple, Chang Wenyan took Liu Liu out for a candlelit dinner that night. However, Liu Liu wasn’t enjoying himself. He preferred to eat meat with chopsticks, using a knife and fork was annoying.
But Chang Wenyan taking him to a fancy restaurant was already a step in the right direction. At least, he wasn’t completely clueless anymore.
In the following days, Chang Wenyan, who had apparently been reading dating guides, kept inviting Liu Liu out on dates, showering him with flowers and small surprises.
However, Liu Liu didn’t feel the joy of being in love. He just felt tired.
He could sense Chang Wenyan’s sincerity, but his actions were too superficial, as if he was just going through the motions.
Liu Liu realized that expecting Chang Wenyan to figure things out on his own was too much to ask. Unless a lightning bolt struck him, this clueless guy wouldn’t get it.
One day, Chang Wenyan invited Liu Liu out again, saying he wanted to take him to the mountains to stargaze.
It was a romantic idea for normal couples, but for Chang Wenyan and Liu Liu, it felt off.
“Do we really need to bring so much stuff? We’re just spending one night on the mountain.” Liu Liu felt like Chang Wenyan was moving house.
Chang Wenyan seriously explained the purpose of each item and concluded, “We might need them.”
“Fine.” Liu Liu had known Chang Wenyan for many years and understood his personality.
He was always like this, considering every possibility, unable to adapt to the situation. If he wasn’t like this, he wouldn’t be reduced to asking his best friend to teach him how to date.
They set off for the mountains, carrying their heavy backpacks. Thankfully, Liu Liu wasn’t a girl, or he wouldn’t be able to help Chang Wenyan carry the weight.
Even for two strong men, carrying dozens of kilograms of stuff up the mountain was exhausting.
By the time they reached the summit, the sun was setting, casting a golden glow on the landscape.
Liu Liu threw his backpack on the ground, spreading his arms and enjoying the mountain breeze.
Far away from the city, the air was fresh and clean, the environment serene. The only downside was the mosquitoes. Before Liu Liu could fully enjoy the moment, he urged Chang Wenyan to set up the tent.
They managed to set up the tent before dark. They were tired but also felt a sense of accomplishment.
For dinner, they ate instant food. Forget about building a campfire, roasting meat, and cuddling by the fire.
One spark on the mountain, and the police would be at their doorstep.
Besides, they had to avoid wild game and protect wildlife.
After eating, Liu Liu didn’t feel any romance at all. He decided to have a serious talk with Chang Wenyan about this.
But before he could speak, Chang Wenyan pointed at the sky. “Look, the stars.”
Liu Liu followed his gaze, his eyes filled with the twinkling lights.
Countless stars were scattered across the dark night sky, forming a dazzling Milky Way.
This was a sight they could never see in the city, where their lives were filled with artificial lights. It seemed like enough beauty for them.
But the brilliance of nature was always breathtaking. At that moment, Liu Liu finally felt a hint of romance.
“It’s beautiful.”
Chang Wenyan leaned closer to Liu Liu. “Can I kiss you now?”
His question instantly shattered the romantic atmosphere. Everything was perfect, why did he have to ask?
“You don’t need to ask at a time like this.” Liu Liu took the initiative and kissed Chang Wenyan’s lips.
If it were the old Chang Wenyan, he would never have imagined himself doing such a seemingly pointless thing. But now, he didn’t think coming to the mountains to stargaze with someone was a waste of time.
===============
From that day forward, their relationship changed subtly. Or rather, it changed after that kiss.
Liu Liu, who used to be able to find a list of flaws in Chang Wenyan, now found him more and more appealing, even cute.
Chang Wenyan’s dating skills also improved. No, it wasn’t that he was following a guide anymore, he was genuinely dating Liu Liu now.
They went from being a fake couple to a real one. No one mentioned their agreement to break up after three months.
Chang Wenyan still had his clueless moments, but love didn’t require skills. As long as he loved Liu Liu, everything else was insignificant.
As for when he had started to like Liu Liu, it might have been a long time ago, he just hadn’t realized it.
He didn’t like people touching his things, but Liu Liu could steal his notes and homework. He didn’t like people getting too close to him, but Liu Liu could wrap his arm around his neck and drag him around. He didn’t like spicy food, but he always went to eat hotpot and barbecue with Liu Liu.
Qin Ai loved racing and video games. He had never been interested in those things, but he was willing to try them for Liu Liu, to love what he loved.
There were so many signs, starting from a long time ago. Otherwise, Chang Wenyan wouldn’t have been so eager to take responsibility, and he wouldn’t have tried to kiss Liu Liu immediately after he agreed to fake date him. Deep down, he had already wanted to do it.
Looking back, Chang Wenyan realized that everyone else was right. He hadn’t truly loved Qin Ai. He just thought he should be with her. His heart didn’t race when he was with her, and he never had the urge to kiss her.
He had thought that love was about compatibility and following the rules. But true love was about being drawn to someone, making even the seemingly wasted time meaningful.
Leave a Reply