Surprise! My online crush turned out to be... - Chapter 25

Chapter 25

“Francis, sit here and play with your phone for a while. I’ll go get you some groceries.” Shu Yang was still concerned that Francis was new and still feeling unwell, so he hadn’t invited him along.

After he finished speaking, Francis stood up. “I’ll go with you.”

“Huh?” Shu Yang glanced at the man, seeing his insistence, and agreed. “You should have told me if you weren’t feeling well. You’ll inevitably have some issues with the climate.”

“No,” Francis shook his head. He’d trained in worse conditions than Blue Star before, so this wouldn’t bother him.

—

As the two walked down the street, one or two passersby would occasionally glance at them.

But Shu Yang felt much more at ease. Wherever there were people, it was his paradise for trouble.

“Big Pigeon, look, they’re all looking at us. Do you know why?” Shu Yang smiled, taking two quick steps to Francis’s side, then walked backwards, facing the man.

“Why?” Francis’s brows relaxed. As long as he wasn’t deliberately stern, his intimidating aura wasn’t particularly noticeable, and Shu Yang felt a little flattered at the moment.

“Because we’re a perfect match.” Shu Yang had completely forgotten his last name, and the awkward flirting he’d experienced during their previous video call returned.

“How do you mean they’re a perfect match?” Francis lowered his eyes as he looked at the boy walking in front of him, rarely agreeing.

He was genuinely happy to see the boy, and he understood that he was just like that. Seeing him finally let go of some of his reservations, he felt relieved.

“You know what’s trending these days? Whenever they see two boys, they treat them like a couple.” Shu Yang patted his chest. “I’m so handsome, and you’re so handsome too, so we must be gay.”

Francis glanced at him. “Are you?”

“…” Shu Yang fell silent. “We’re almost there.”

This is terrible.

…

Shu Yang had initially worried about making a fool of himself by going out with Francis, so he’d prepared himself.

But this time, not only did nothing unexpected happen, but he actually witnessed Francis’s strong mental endurance and learning ability.

It was clearly their first time out together, but within five minutes, Francis looked even more human than even Shu Yang himself.

“Come on, can we take a picture together?” Shu Yang, clutching several bags, swore he was feeling so shy for the first time.

He mentally encouraged himself, “Shu Yang, be a man! He’s just a handsome marshal, that’s all!”

Francis tapped the light computer on his wrist. Before Shu Yang could say anything, the blue dot flashed and vanished, and a flood of photos appeared on Shu Yang’s broken phone.

A 360-degree panorama captured the two people from every angle, along with their surroundings.

After reviewing the photos, Shu Yang paused, “You haven’t posed yet, Da Ge.”

…

“But don’t act so unconventionally in the future,” Shu Yang whispered, leaning in close to Francis. “Today you broke the doorknob, and this light computer doesn’t even exist on Earth. We’ll be discovered.”

“Got it,” Francis nodded. He had noticed, too. On the streets, he didn’t see anyone with physical fitness exceeding S. Most of them lingered around B and C, and even A was extremely rare.

If an Earth like this were to be invaded by an advanced civilization, it would likely be defenseless.

Somehow, a cloud of gloom descended upon Francis.

“Do you still want to see the cars?” Shu Yang smiled. “We’re already out, and it’s still early, so why don’t we go to the club for a walk?”

Since the race, Shu Yang hadn’t been to the Wild Dog Club yet. However, his ultra-luxury racing simulator model was still there, and Shu Yang was thinking of finding a time to bring it home.

This time was a good time to go and see, though I wondered if Taozi was still there.

It didn’t take long for the two of them to get to the Wild Dog Club. When Francis saw the row of cars that Shu Yang had sent him before, a picture suddenly popped up in his mind.

A young man in crisp clothes stood at the door, grinning as he pulled out his phone and clicked the shutter, muttering, “You guys go ahead, I have to show my Da Ge the cars.”

This was the second time in a short period of time that such a picture had appeared in his mind.

Francis shook his head. The so-called 3S powerhouses, even their mental powers were so high that ordinary people couldn’t reach them. Such direct influences were rare, even in historical records.

He continued to follow Shu Yang, pondering this matter in his mind. Both scenes were related to Shu Yang, and they seemed to be scenes Shu Yang had experienced before, so why did they appear directly in his mind?

The young man before him definitely didn’t have this ability. Francis once again looked at the computer on his wrist.

The only thing affected by external factors was this. A power from a higher civilization.

Francis rubbed his wrist and took two quick steps to catch up with Shu Yang. It seemed that he was the only one experiencing this situation at the moment. It would be better to observe further.

Shu Yang had already walked directly into the club and, as expected, saw Tao Zi.

“Tao Zi, you’re still here.” Shu Yang waved to the person in the distance. “Come.”

Tao Zi wiped the grease from his hands and walked towards Shu Yang. The smile on his face disappeared when he saw the man behind Shu Yang.

“Hello,” Taozi nodded in greeting. “My hands are dirty, so I won’t shake hands.”

“Hello,” Francis nodded back. The two had met before on video, and presumably were good friends of Shu Yang’s.

However, he sensed a hint of hostility from this man named “Taozi.”

Francis narrowed his eyes slightly, focusing his gaze on Shu Yang.

Shu Yang patted Taozi’s shoulder. “This is me, Da Ge Francis… Francis. You’ve met before. On video.”

Aside from a slight pause during the introductions, Shu Yang seemed completely normal.

Shu Yang was oblivious to the undercurrents swirling between the two men.

“You keep busy, Taozi. Da Ge and I will go check out the simulator.” Shu Yang carried the bag, his free hand naturally reaching for Francis’ arm.

Taozi stood there, watching the two men enter the club, then followed them.

As soon as Shu Yang entered, he got straight to the point. “Big Pigeon, do you want to try it?”

“Mee-mee, this is my birthday present for you.” Tao Zi leaned against the doorframe, her hands folded, her tone a bit helpless. “Why do you let everyone try it?”

Shu Yang paused for a moment. He vaguely remembered Tao Zi saying, when she gave him the gift, that only he could use such words. But he didn’t take it to heart. After all, he wasn’t particularly interested in racing, and the people he brought here were all close friends.

He made an apologetic gesture toward Tao Zi; after all, it was Tao Zi’s thoughtful gesture.

“It’s okay. Come over to my place and try out the new technology someday,” Francis whispered in Shu Yang’s ear, but he glanced up at Tao Zi.

Some things are often more confusing to those involved than to those on the sidelines.

Shu Yang felt a little embarrassed, then looked at Tao Zi. Taozi burst out laughing. “I was just kidding. Look how scared you are. Am I the type to get angry over such a trivial matter? Go ahead and have fun.”

Shu Yang didn’t catch Taozi’s hidden meaning at all. Francis, however, gave Taozi another look.

Francis had once again proven to Shu Yang his learning ability. On his first try, he’d broken his record in minutes, like he was back to the days before liberation.

“Francis, why didn’t you come a few days earlier? Then you could have raced with me and slapped them in the face.” Shu Yang was still furious, remembering the last race. If that jerk hadn’t bumped into him, he might have finished sixth from the bottom.

“Not bad.” Francis flexed his fingers. The truth was, because his physical fitness far exceeded the average for Earth, his five senses were also superhuman.

The triggers and reactors designed for ordinary people were simply too slow for him. Moreover, within the Empire, even his personal aircraft was two or three times faster than this racing car. This pace wasn’t a challenge for him.

“How about a run on the road?” Tao Zi put his hands behind his back and gently tapped the iron frame, making a crisp sound.

“No need. Shu Yang and I should go home.” Francis walked up behind Shu Yang and helped him carry the bags. “Thank you.”

“So you know how to say thank you,” Shu Yang muttered. No wonder he felt a bit uneasy. From the moment Francis arrived at his house until now, had he ever heard him say thank you? Even if he had, he could count them on one hand!

Tao Zi clenched his fists, winked at Francis, and then said to Shu Yang, “Shu Yang, don’t go yet. Wait here for a moment.”

“What’s wrong?” Shu Yang turned to ask Francis, only to see Francis stuff all the bags back into his hands and pat his head.

“Wait here for a moment.”

???

Shu Yang watched the two men retreat to the corner one after another, stunned for a moment. What was going on? Did the two of them hit it off right away?

He wasn’t the obedient type, so he immediately walked towards the two of them. However, he took a detour, approaching from the outside. From this angle, they were both slightly turned away from him, so he couldn’t make out their mouths, but he could clearly hear their voices.

“When did you two meet?”

It was Tao Zi’s voice.

“Hmm?” It was Da Ge.

“I heard from Chen Yi that you’re living with Shu Yang now?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, just a reminder not to bully him. Shu Yang still has us brothers.”

Tao Zi didn’t know much about the two of them, and Shu Yang didn’t usually tell him about it. He got most of his information from Chen Yi.

He couldn’t interfere with Shu Yang’s choices, but he also knew that this world wasn’t as easy to navigate as he’d imagined. He could only use his manly way to tell this unconventional man who had appeared out of nowhere that Shu Yang had many brothers and a very solid backing.

Shu Yang blinked. Tao Zi was usually so quiet, it was rare to see him so sharp. At this rate, the two were about to fight. Shu Yang took a step forward, making a noise.

The two of them turned and looked at him simultaneously.

Tao Zi asked, “What are you doing here?”

Francis walked over, gently patted his head, and leaned down to whisper in his ear. “When we left, you said we were a good match?”

“Ah, yes.” Hot breath tickled his ear. Shu Yang tried to duck, but an arm stopped him.

He looked up and saw those deep blue eyes slowly approaching him. The man’s faint aura lingered in the small space around them, easily entering his mouth and nose, confusing his mind.

The distance was getting closer.

Shu Yang couldn’t help but hold his breath. Before his mind completely cleared, he thought he heard a loud “bang” from Tao Zi’s side.