CH 16

Qin He had a secret that only Yu Cheng knew—he loved photography. Qin He wasn’t close to people, and there weren’t many people who cared about him. His mother carried a heavy burden, and Qin He didn’t want to burden her further, feeling indebted.

On his birthday, Yu Cheng gave Qin He a camera as a gift, and he bought one for himself in the same style. However, Qin He mostly took photos of the sunset on the horizon, busy pedestrians, sparkling rivers, flowers, trees, and interesting things everywhere.

On Yu Cheng’s camera, it was all about Qin He. Sometimes, Yu Cheng would take Qin He out, and they would each hold a camera, one capturing the scenery, the other capturing people. Yu Cheng enjoyed seeing all the different sides of Qin He, as if Qin He were a book that he could never finish reading. He enjoyed exploring and felt that every moment had a special meaning worth recording.

In Yu Cheng’s camera, Qin He is always vivid and happy.

“Qin He, let’s go to the amusement park.” Yu Cheng wants to make up for his broken childhood. “We just finished exams; let’s take a break this week.”

“Want to go?” Yu Cheng asks.

“Of course, I almost forgot what it’s like to have fun,” Qin He replies.

Qin He doesn’t care where to go, as long as he’s with Yu Cheng, it’s all good. “Sure, consider it a reward for you. You did well on this exam. If you keep working hard, you might even get into a top university,” Qin He encourages.

“Which city do you want to go to? I want to follow you, even if I can’t get into the same school. But I will still make efforts to bridge the distance between us.” For Yu Cheng, it might feel challenging even if he is not in the same class as Qin He.

“I want to go to Jianghuai City to take a look, but the schools in Yao’an City are better. I’m still deciding, but Xiao Yu, you have to work hard!” Qin He said with a smile, as the evening sun cast a golden glow.

“Okay.” Yu Cheng looked a bit infatuated, reaching out t hold Qin He’s hand. Feeling the touch, he breathed a sigh of relief. The moment just now made Yu Cheng feel anxious, fearing that Qin He would leave him.

Laughter and chatter filled their ears as they walked among the crowd. Most of the people around were children and couples, busy queuing and planning. Yu Cheng and Qin He seemed like an inconspicuous couple, blending in with the crowd.

Yucheng grabbed Qin He’s wrist, and Qin He was slightly startled, wanting to pull his hand away. However, he was held by Yucheng, who lightly wrote the words “No one is watching” on his wrist with a gentle movement that caused a tingling sensation, as if being lightly electrified and flowing into his heart. It had no real impact, but it was impossible to ignore. Qin He didn’t move, and both of them looked around, their lips curving with a smile.

Even though they had kissed and embraced before, holding hands still made their hearts race, with their heartbeats thumping.

Looking at Qin He’s slightly shining eyes, Yucheng felt that it was necessary to bring him here every year. The gentle breeze blew the boy’s bangs and gently swayed his clothes, also stirring up the boy’s heart.

Shen Shu originally just wanted to come here to relax, but unexpectedly ran into Yucheng and Qin He. Just like Yucheng, he was also from a wealthy family. They didn’t have much interaction during normal times, only occasionally greeting each other at banquets or in school.

He saw it. He saw the interaction and glances between Yu Cheng and the guy next to him, just like how his father would look at those disgusting men. In families like theirs, among the prestigious and wealthy, there is inevitably some hidden filth that not everyone knows about.

Most marriages are nothing but business alliances, a means to climb higher positions. His parents were no exception. They got married and had him in the second year of their marriage. His father was a talented man with good acting skills, and over time, his mother developed feelings for him. But in the eyes of a businessman, only interests matter, not emotions. To achieve his father’s current position, there must have been countless temptations.

At first, he pretended to be a good man, saying sweet words to reassure his mother to stay at home and take care of their young son, Shen Shu. The woman didn’t suspect anything. As Shen Shu grew up and went to school, there were times when the woman wanted intimacy, but she was always rejected with various excuses: he was too busy with work, the child was too young, and only when she became extremely annoying would there be one or two occasions.

Shen Shu used to think that he had a happy family that was different from others, with a caring father and a gentle mother. But it was all a huge deception. He and his mother were just fig leaf1“一块遮羞布” (yí kuài zhē xiū bù) – This phrase translates to “a fig leaf for shame” and can be interpreted as a cover-up or disguise to hide something shameful or embarrassing. for his father’s shame.

Later, when Shen Shu went to boarding school and returned home, he found that his mother looked haggard. It turned out that his father’s secret had been discovered. From the beginning, his father didn’t like women. He was promiscuous, and everything was just a facade, like an experienced actor.

His mother’s family used to be influential, but a year ago, his father completely took over. He dropped his disguise, indulged in pleasure all day long, and spoke with cold words that were completely different from his past gentleness. He said words that made his mother collapse, revealing that he married her only to take over her family’s business and their child.

He doesn’t like women; he likes men. Every time he sees her, he feels nauseous and doesn’t want to touch her. Speaking of this, the man smiled, but there is one good thing: she became his fig leaf, covering up things that cannot be known by others.

Woman wants a divorce, crying and begging the man to spare her, but the man pushes her to the ground, looking at her miserable appearance. He says the most hurtful words: “Where can you go if you leave me? You’re used to the life of a rich wife; what else can you do? If you divorce now, you’ll have nothing. I won’t divorce you either.”

The man reveals his ugly face, refusing to divorce and even threatening her with Shen Shu. She has completely become a cover-up, a marionette. She endures her husband’s emotional abuse, constantly worrying about her health and her child.

She was tormented all day, exhausted, and gradually fell into severe depression, becoming increasingly haggard.

Upon learning about it two months ago, Shen Shu also followed them, disgusted by their every move—not just one or two, but different men. The admiration and respect of the past all collapsed, leaving only endless hatred.

Shen Shu, a pampered son, didn’t care about much except for his mother and family. But his family had long been tainted and in ruins. He hated those men and hated his father, and all of this disgusted him. He tried everything to seek revenge against them, but now he saw Yu Cheng among them.

So he focused on them, wanting to destroy them. Shen Shu followed them the whole afternoon.

The haunted house was dark, making Qin He somewhat uneasy, and Yu Cheng noticed that Qin He was trembling. “This isn’t fun; let’s go out,” he said.

“It’s okay; I’ll be with you. Didn’t you want to play for a long time?” Qin He held on to Yu Cheng, rarely showing such determination. He didn’t want Yu Cheng to give up anything because of him.

Yu Cheng felt some regret. Normally, there were no dark places for him, and he didn’t know that Qin He was afraid of the dark. Last time when the power went out, Qin He was trembling, and Yu Cheng thought it was just because he scared him, but he didn’t realise that Qin He was actually scared.

“Then hold on to me tightly; I’ll take you out quickly.” Yu Cheng held onto Qin He tightly.

Many NPCs were left outside the haunted house, and there were only one or two left inside with glass windows. Qin He’s palms were sweaty from fear, and then Yu Cheng pulled him into his embrace, comforting him with gentle pats. “I’m here; don’t be afraid; I’m by your side.”

After leaving the haunted house, Qin He was panting, his whole body stiff with fear. Yu Cheng felt that this was not a solution. He led Qin He to the bamboo forest behind the haunted house and cupped his face, kissing him gently.

Yu Cheng’s soft and gentle kisses landed on Qin He’s face and finally on his lips.

It felt ticklish, like the touch of dandelion seeds, making Qin He feel like they were everywhere.

But Yu Cheng never went further, only trying to comfort Qin He.

With his eyes closed, Qin He’s cheeks were flushed, and his chest rose and fell. Yu Cheng’s hand rested on his waist, while the other hand gently caressed his lower back to comfort him.

“Don’t be afraid; we’re out now; it’s all fake.” Yu Cheng whispered softly in Qin He’s ear, his warm breath causing Qin He’s body to soften as he obediently accepted Yu Cheng’s comfort and kisses.

Shen Shu watched the two of them coldly, his eyes filled with a dark chill, and he turned around and left.

Xian Nan Zhi

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