Surprise! My online crush turned out to be... - Chapter 33

Chapter 33

“Then I want you to sleep on the left side.” Shu Yang tugged at the quilt. There was only one quilt on the bed. He had a spare in his closet, but he wouldn’t take it out just yet.

Francis brushed his hair. It hadn’t been groomed in a few days, and the stray hairs were actually a bit long. He glanced up at Shu Yang on the bed and walked around to the left side.

Shu Yang watched him sit down and said with a smile, “I just want you to be closer to my heart.”

Francis froze, then naturally pulled the quilt closer, leaned back against the headboard, and dimmed the light.

The entire room darkened, from the bright daylight to a dim bedside lamp. From Shu Yang’s perspective, he could only vaguely make out Francis’s silhouette.

“Why turn off the lights so early?” Shu Yang was puzzled. He had just noticed Francis’s hair was still wet, and they were both still wearing bathrobes.

“Change clothes.” Francis pointed to the wardrobe at the foot of the bed, motioning Shu Yang to go first. While the bathrobe was quite comfortable, it felt a bit restrictive to sleep in.

He’d always slept naked, but now that there was someone else in the bed, he couldn’t continue with that habit.

Shu Yang smiled awkwardly and crawled to the end of the bed. The wardrobe was quite close to the bed, so Shu Yang reached for the door without even getting out of bed. He easily found a piece of clothing, carried it to the bathroom, and put it on.

When he could see the clothes in the light, he was immediately in a dilemma.

It was none other than the shirt Francis had brought.

“Are you ready?”

Francis’s urgent voice echoed outside, sending goosebumps all over Shu Yang’s body. Without a second thought, he buttoned his shirt and rushed out. Only after exiting the bathroom did he feel a chill on his legs…

As this sensation traveled through his nerves to his brain, Shu Yang felt his speed so fast it was almost like an afterimage. He flung aside the covers and rolled inside.

“Go ahead,” Shu Yang said, blinking at Francis standing by the bed, trying to play it off.

Francis glanced at him. Even with his speed, he could still see what he was wearing.

…

The mattress sank, and Shu Yang knew Francis had returned after changing. He didn’t dare look at Francis. He could only breathe softly, bury himself in the covers, and pretend to be asleep.

Unexpectedly, a strong arm reached out and gently pulled him over to Francis’s side.

“Didn’t you say you wanted me to be closer to your heart?”

!!!

Shu Yang smelled that delicate scent again, emanating from Francis, making him feel a little dizzy. “Our shower gel doesn’t smell like that… You’re the big pigeon with your own body odor?”

“Does it smell good?” Francis looked at the boy standing right before him.

As if a little nervous, Shu Yang squeezed his eyes shut, his eyebrows slightly raised, as if he was puzzled by the scent.

After asking this question, Francis could only see his mouth move; he couldn’t hear what he said at all. The sudden mental imagery once again overwhelmed his attention.

The boy clutched his phone to his chest and fell back onto the bed, mumbling something to himself. He fell asleep in a matter of moments.

Francis suddenly came to his senses and saw the man before him, his eyes still closed, as if he was going to pretend to be dead forever.

The shirt he wore seemed like a symbol. On this blue planet, it was one of the few things that truly belonged to him. Now, wearing it on Shu Yang, Francis felt for the first time the urge to claim this young man as his own.

Take him away?

Francis’s gaze deepened. “Shu Yang.”

“Huh?” Shu Yang opened his eyes, bewildered, and saw deep blue eyes just five centimeters from his own. With that, he almost thought the eyelashes of that lashing stunner were about to hit him!

The instant distance closed, Shu Yang’s breath was immediately short. He stared into the blue pupils before him, as if he could see the ocean and the starry sky within them.

“Why do you do this?” Francis’ breath hitched against Shu Yang’s cheek. “Do this? Huh?”

Their positions were now extremely ambiguous. Francis dominated Shu Yang from every angle, leaving him no room for evasion.

It had to be said that even after just a short time together, Francis had already thoroughly understood Shu Yang. Despite the boy’s boldness, even his actions tonight, the slightest movement would have him retreating into his shell.

Francis felt he should teach him a lesson; sometimes, hiding was pointless.

Shu Yang’s mind froze, but at least he had given him some time to quickly process the situation. What was Francis asking? About his chaotic behavior over the past two days?

A man goes for it, a man doesn’t back down! Why?

“Xi, I like you.” Shu Yang licked his lips, a hint of anticipation tinged with unease.

Francis’s hand, which was supporting him, tightened slightly, and he fell silent. He didn’t know what else to say to Shu Yang like this. Did he like Shu Yang? It seemed like he was always making exceptions for him, and he wanted to take him away again.

“Why are you whining so much?” Shu Yang felt a pang of pain in his heart as he watched Francis remain silent. His feelings were a bit inexplicable, but Francis was also responsible.

She had the right looks and personality, and she was always flirting with him unconsciously. He’d fallen for her, so who could blame him? It was clearly a matter between the two of them.

Unbeknownst to where he’d gotten the courage, Shu Yang moved one hand and grasped Francis’s collar, pulling it down quickly while tilting his chin up.

Francis had seen his movements perfectly, and he could have easily avoided or remained motionless.

But somehow, Francis obeyed his force and leaned forward. The moment their lips met, he tilted his head slightly, allowing Shu Yang’s lips to rest on his cheek.

As a general, Francis had been exposed to the elements for years, leaving his face rough and his skin unsightly.

Francis had always known he was popular on the Capital Planet, with numerous young men and women declaring their affections on his personal blog. But the person before him was the first to soften his heart for no apparent reason.

For the first time, a look of confusion crossed his usually decisive and clear-headed eyes.

But Shu Yang couldn’t see it. He simply noticed Francis’s movements, and his heart was already chilling.

After all this time, she hadn’t shown any interest in him at all.

He was still trying to flirt with her, but Francis might have had enough. That’s why he was so anxious to find a job, even if it meant moving bricks, to earn the money quickly and find a new place to live.

“Francis.” Shu Yang lowered his hand, shifted his position, gently pushed the man above him, and rolled out of his confinement.

Shu Yang had a complete blank slate when it came to relationships. In his mind, he didn’t care about any potential problems.

As long as there were two of them, especially since they were both men, there was no need for all the flirting. As long as they were attracted to each other, they could be together naturally. There was no need to worry about anything else.

Francis’s actions now amounted to a rejection of him.

“Don’t have to think too much. I do like you, but I’m also considerate of your feelings. If you don’t want to, I won’t do this again. I’m sorry.”

Shu Yang felt quite distressed when he said this. For the first time in eighteen years, he’d been moved and wanted to be in a relationship, but it was over before it even began. He was heartbroken.

Rejection was rejection. He didn’t have to be with Francis. After all, he was still an alien. If they really were together…

Shu Yang felt a little uncomfortable and couldn’t think anymore.

He deliberately avoided meeting Francis’s eyes and turned slightly. His mind told him to leave, hugging the pillow, but his body lingered on the bed and the person behind him.

Ah! Shu Yang, can you be more capable?

After this little incident, neither of them spoke again.

—

Ding Dong

Francis quickly opened his eyes, their clarity clear even after waking. He’d always been a light sleeper, and last night’s events had consumed his thoughts, keeping him awake all night.

Francis covered the laptop on his wrist, silencing the ringing notifications. He turned to look at Shu Yang, only to see that the boy, who had been huddled pitifully at the edge of the bed the previous night, had rolled to the center, occupying two-thirds of the bed diagonally.

The entire quilt had been tangled up in his mess, one leg draped across the gray blanket, his face obscured by his tangled hair and the edges of the blanket.

Francis sighed softly; not acting impulsively last night had been the right decision.

He raised his wrist and glanced at the message from Joyce.

[Urgent! Marshal, Mrs. Tulse must get your exact whereabouts. She seems to have discovered the laptop you left at home. I can’t take it anymore.] With two taps of his fingertips on the laptop, he initiated a video call. Concerned with Shu Yang, who was still asleep, Francis gently rose. Before he even reached the door, the video call was already connected.

To prevent his mother from seeing Shu Yang in bed, Francis turned and went into the bathroom. At that moment, his laptop screen fully reappeared on the laptop.

“Mom, you wanted to see me?” Francis, still in his pajamas, glanced at himself in the mirror while on the phone, gently smoothing his hair twice, recovering himself.

“You little brat, where have you been?!” Mrs. Tulse looked furious. Behind her stood General Tulse. The general tried to speak several times, but she interrupted him. “Our Marshal is truly remarkable. He dedicates himself to the Empire and its citizens, yet he doesn’t even think of his elderly mother and father back home.”

Francis felt a headache. He immediately called his mother back, just to relieve her worry, but ended up receiving a reprimand.

“I’m the Marshal, Mother, Father.” This time, he didn’t ignore General Tulse. His conviction to fight for the Empire’s honor came entirely from General Tulse’s teachings.

“Marshal? What’s wrong with the Marshal?” Mrs. Tulse held the computer in her hand. “Did I say anything when you were away on campaigns and training? Now, for a project whose authenticity you don’t know, are you really going to risk it?”

“I’m the only 3S-level rank in the Empire. I’m the most suitable.”

“That old man Broad, I’m going to raid his lab right now.” Mrs. Tulse had forgotten her proper manners. Who could have known the shock and anger she felt when she discovered the computer?

If she hadn’t insisted, her only son’s fate might have been hidden from her. What mother could bear such a blow?

“Mother! If Broad can’t continue his research, I can’t go back.”

Francis knew his mother’s temperament well. When she was in a good mood, she was a gentle, elegant, and charming lady, the wife of a general admired throughout the land. When she’s in a bad mood, all that politeness goes to hell.

That’s why Francis didn’t want them both to know his whereabouts.

“Francis, you’re being reckless this time,” General Tulse finally got a word in. “Where are you now?”

“Blue Star.”

“Who’s that!” General Tulse was surprised.

Upon hearing his words, Francis and Mrs. Tulse simultaneously glanced at his screen. They saw a boy, clad only in a shirt, with messy hair and sleepy eyes, staggering into the bathroom. He walked past Francis and headed straight for the toilet.

Francis quickly turned around, not wanting General Tulse and his wife to watch Shu Yang use the restroom. He quickly exited the bathroom.

Shu Yang heard a door slam and opened his eyes wide to glance at the bathroom door. Belatedly, he remembered that he had slept with Francis last night…

Accompanied by the sound of running water, Shu Yang’s voice echoed throughout the bathroom:

“Ah! My face! Fvck!”

The soundproofing wasn’t great, and the roar from within the bathroom carried through, successfully causing Francis’s face to stiffen for a moment.

Shu Yang spoke in Chinese, which General Tulse understood somewhat, but Mrs. Tulse was completely baffled. She had forgotten her son was far away, and a gossipy expression filled her face. “Whose child is this?”

“I don’t know him,” Francis said coldly.

Mrs. Tulse continued to question, occasionally giving General Tulse some advice. Francis accepted everything.

Just as they were about to hang up, Shu Yang suddenly jumped behind Francis and leaned halfway out.

He was still wearing that shirt, exposing his legs—a truly unmanly act, so he could only use Francis to hide it.

His previously tangled hair had been smoothed down, and it was clear he’d washed his face. A few strands of hair on his forehead were still damp with water, giving him a fresh, lively look in the early morning.

He’d thought it through. Francis hadn’t rejected him yesterday! A man’s pursuit of a wife is not without setbacks. Perhaps this was a test for him. He had to persevere, persevering! Until Francis rejected him personally!

How could he not salvage his image on such an important occasion to meet his parents?

Shu Yang smiled broadly, “Hello, uncle and aunt! Sorry for what happened earlier!”