Chapter 28 Dared Not Be Happy

Chapter 28: No Laughing Matter

Fu Huan ultimately didn’t comment on Gu Shiying dirtying his shoes; he just let it go.

Back in the dorm, Gu Shiying watched him go to the balcony to wipe his shoes clean, and that was the end of it—no follow-up, not even a demand for an explanation.

Lying in bed, Gu Shiying couldn’t help but wonder: Was Fu Huan’s tolerance for him just too high?

Hold on, did Fu Huan really like him that much?

The purchase of Grandma Lin’s chili sauce recipe couldn’t have been just a good deed. If his brother didn’t need the recipe, he wouldn’t have sent someone from the company to buy it. The buyout price turned out higher than expected, which did help ease Grandma Lin’s financial burden, allowing her to focus more on caring for Guo Guo instead of selling chili sauce in the heat.

Clearly, Fu Huan thought things through thoroughly.

Gu Shiying opened his chat with Fu Huan on WeChat, wanting to ask about the recipe, but after typing and deleting for a while, he couldn’t put together a single decent sentence.

If Fu Huan asked how he knew, how would he answer?

President Hu must have gone over the accounts with Fu Huan, and the contract was signed under Hu Yiyan’s name, not Fu Huan’s brother’s. So how did he find out the recipe was bought by Fu Huan’s brother?

Ah, forget it, Gu Shiying chose to give up.

In the next bed, Fu Huan watched as Gu Shiying’s WeChat status showed "typing..."

He thought Gu Shiying was about to send him a message and kept waiting, waiting.

Even after lights-out, Gu Shiying’s message never came.

What did he want to say?

It tormented Fu Huan all night, leaving him unable to sleep well, dreaming about what Gu Shiying might send him.

Thursday came again, and Gu Shiying had to face his PE class. Before it even started, he was already slumped at his desk, not wanting to move.

Zhang Zhi tugged at his arm: "Ying Er, exams are in two weeks. Aren’t you going to the swimming pool to practice more?"

Gu Shiying sighed and threw out an idea: "Do you think it’ll affect my graduation if I just give up on these credits?"

Zhang Zhi: "Are you serious? You just need to swim a few laps to get the credit. Why give it up? That’s not like you."

Gu Shiying: "But I really can’t swim well."

Zhang Zhi made up his mind: "This period, I’ll watch you. You’ll definitely learn!"

Gu Shiying believed Zhang Zhi: "Okay."

However, once at the pool, Zhang Zhi was begged by a junior from his club to teach her how to swim. Not long after getting in the water, he left Gu Shiying to fend for himself.

Zhang Zhi even had the courtesy to say: "Ying Er, I might have a shot with her. What do you think?"

Gu Shiying kicked him in the water: "Get out of here."

Zhang Zhi laughed: "Don’t worry. When I swam over earlier, I saw someone familiar. I asked him to teach you."

Gu Shiying wondered which friend he’d dragged into this.

"Who is it?"

"You’ll find out soon." Zhang Zhi teased mysteriously, giving a sly wink with his left eye.

Gu Shiying: "You're crazy, can’t you just say it?"

Zhang Zhi chuckled and went off to find the junior.

Gu Shiying couldn’t help but mutter to himself: Zhang Zhi really was a sunny guy, just a bit too straightforward.

As he leaned against the edge of the pool, wondering if he should leave, a lanky figure swam over to him with a freestyle stroke.

The person lifted their head.

Gu Shiying splashed water at his face: "What are you doing here?"

Fu Huan caught his hand: "Why can’t it be me?"

"Gu Shiying, you’re cute."

Gu Shiying rolled his eyes—what's wrong with you!

He was now more familiar with Fu Huan than before and didn’t bother hiding his annoyance at what he was thinking.

Gu Shiying: "Seeing you makes me not want to learn."

Fu Huan leaned against the pool edge beside him: "Afraid I’ll discourage you?"

Gu Shiying: "Yeah, Fu, you handsome devil."

Fu Huan: "Do you still want the credit or not?"

Gu Shiying cursed Zhang Zhi for being a big mouth: "What if I do? I can learn on my own."

Fu Huan: "I seriously suspect you’re jealous of my physique and that’s why you won’t let me teach you."

"Bullshit, why would I be jealous of your body?" A little envy was true, but he really didn’t want to hear his mental commentary.

"Then tell me why you won’t let me teach you." Fu Huan stared straight at him, the distance between them about half an arm’s length.

Of course, Gu Shiying couldn’t answer. No matter what excuse he came up with, it would sound like one—and it was indeed an excuse.

In the end, for the sake of the credit, he had to compromise. Fu Huan’s swimming form earlier was seriously smooth. In comparison, as a beginner at breaststroke, he was nowhere near as cool.

Gu Shiying slapped the water: "I've got my pride, okay?"

Fu Huan smiled: "I won’t mock you, and I won’t look down on you. You’ll keep your pride and dignity."

Gu Shiying snorted inwardly: "..." But you’re lusting after my body, you creepy gay guy.

Fu Huan: "Class ends in half an hour. Still want to learn?"

Gu Shiying looked around. None of his skilled friends were nearby—Zhang Zhi, that guy who abandons friends for girls, was out of the question.

Gu Shiying gritted his teeth and said reluctantly: "Yeah."

"Okay." Fu Huan got down to business.

"Let’s start with the basics. You actually know how, but the teacher didn’t guide you well. Your movements are still a bit uncoordinated."

"Gu Shiying, watch how I do it."

Fu Huan kicked off from the pool wall, his body cutting through the water with graceful, fish-like movements.

Gu Shiying: "..." Not bad-looking.

Fu Huan kicked off from the wall and then walked back along the pool bottom.

"And when you bring your hands together, they should be placed in front of your chest, then push them out like this. When your hands come back, pull down a bit..."

Fu Huan was unexpectedly serious while instructing Gu Shiying. At first, Gu Shiying was resistant, but since the other was being earnest, he had no reason not to take it seriously. After all, it was his own credit on the line, not Fu Huan's. No point dwelling on those awkward feelings.

During the instruction, Fu Huan didn’t try anything with Gu Shiying. Other than that first touch, he maintained a certain distance throughout.

"Your breathing isn't quite right yet. You can practice holding your breath by the pool edge..."

"Mm."

One taught seriously, the other learned earnestly. By the end of the class, Gu Shiying actually had the basics down.

Gu Shiying attempted to swim a full lap, and Fu Huan stayed right beside him, spotting him the whole lap.

Whenever Gu Shiying was about to stop, seeing Fu Huan nearby made him feel secure, so he didn’t halt midway like before.

Just before class ended, Gu Shiying finally completed a full lap. He had really learned how to swim.

However, Fu Huan didn't look relieved at Gu Shiying’s success.

Gu Shiying thought he might be a little upset about their time together ending.

He flicked water at Fu Huan: "Just because I’ve learned doesn’t mean Coach Fu is amazing. Why the long face?"

Fu Huan wiped the water off his face and shook his head: "I’m not upset. Are you afraid of water?"

Gu Shiying paused, then nodded: "Yeah, I almost drowned when I was little. I’ve always been scared. Now I'm starting to get over it a little."

Fu Huan thought for a moment: "Call me for your practice sessions."

Gu Shiying laughed it off: "We’ll see."

You get cold if you stay in the water too long, and class was just over. Gu Shiying and Fu Huan got out of the pool.

This time, Gu Shiying didn’t avoid Fu Huan as much as last time, but he still didn't pick a shower stall too far away. He made it quick, though he still felt like he smelled like pool disinfectant and planned to shower again back in the dorm.

Fu Huan walked back with him.

Fu Huan: "Want to go to the cafeteria together later?"

Gu Shiying jumped at the chance to pay him back for the meal: "Sure, but I need to shower first. I’ll treat you!"

Fu Huan hesitated: "Mm, I’ll wait for you then." He wanted to eat with Gu Shiying but didn’t want to use up the owed meal.

Just as they reached the dorm door, they saw a boy in a white shirt standing there as if looking for someone.

*Haven’t seen this guy before. Who’s he looking for?*

The boy looked their way, his target clear—his eyes fixed directly on Fu Huan. He seemed quite pleased.

"Fu Huan, hello. I’m Lin Zijing."

Hearing the name, Fu Huan immediately understood what was going on—his parents clearly didn’t believe his excuse about having someone he liked.

Fu Huan’s eyes showed no emotion, but the other’s surname told him everything.

"What’s up?"

Lin Zijing: "Let’s chat? I’ll treat you to a meal."

Just as Fu Huan was about to refuse, Gu Shiying smiled: "Your friend? You two talk."

Gu Shiying glanced at Fu Huan, then at the classically handsome guy in front of him, turned, opened the dorm door, and went in, not wanting to disturb them.

He grabbed his clothes and headed to the bathroom. As he lathered shampoo into his hair, eyes closed, his mind wandered back to the boy they’d just met. The way the guy looked at Fu Huan seemed playful, appreciative, and... satisfied?

*Satisfied?*

*Why would Lin Zijing look at Fu Huan with satisfaction?*

Fu Huan and that guy actually looked quite good together appearance-wise—very well-matched, like the typical "top and bottom" couple you often see.

After his shower, Gu Shiying checked his phone and saw a new message from Fu Huan.

"Fu Huan: Sorry, I can’t go to the cafeteria with you tonight."

Gu Shiying scoffed. Fine by him, less hassle.

Yang Shuheng, already out of class, asked in the dorm group chat who wanted to eat at the cafeteria. Gu Shiying simply typed "1."

The two met at the cafeteria and ordered.

Yang Shuheng was actually pretty easy to please—despite being from a wealthy family, he wasn’t picky about food. He just had a rich kid habit of ordering only the most expensive dishes and loved treating others to drinks.

Gu Shiying found himself forced to accept a soy milk—his own choice, otherwise Yang Shuheng would’ve picked something pricier. He didn’t like taking advantage of others.

Yang Shuheng was a chatterbox; with him around, silence was never an issue. Even the savory, flavorful roast duck couldn’t shut him up.

Yang Shuheng: "Did you see Huan when you got back?"

Gu Shiying: "Why? He came back to the dorm with me."

Yang Shuheng: "He was just walking with this super handsome guy."

Gu Shiying: "I know. That guy came looking for him."

Yang Shuheng suddenly slapped the table: "Wow, this is interesting! Our Huan is in luck! Do you know which department that guy is from?"

Gu Shiying: "Do I need to know? What’s the issue?"

Yang Shuheng: "Don’t you check the forums? He’s the heartthrob of the art department. But I only know because my classmates keep updating me on CP gossip."

Gu Shiying: "So?"

Yang Shuheng grinned. Gu Shiying thought his gossipy side wasted his refined idol-like looks.

"You wouldn’t know this, but he’s gay."

Gu Shiying didn’t get it at first: "Gay? Gay what?"

Yang Shuheng: "Hey, homosexual! He likes guys. My classmates said that right after school started, lots of girls confessed to him, but he publicly stated he prefers boys. Do you think he’s got his eyes on our Huan?"

Gu Shiying thought to himself, *Wait a minute... isn’t that perfect? Fu Huan is gay too!*

*They’re a match made in heaven.*

The other guy is also the department heartthrob, Fu Huan is sure to like him. Otherwise, why would he suddenly go out for a meal with him?

Great, as long as Fu Huan gets a boyfriend, he probably won’t be interested in me anymore.

Gu Shiying: "So, should we wish them well?"

Yang Shuhang: "But then again, the gay dating scene can be pretty messy, right? Should we help vet potential partners for Brother Huan?"

Gu Shiying: "That’s probably not necessary."

Yang Shuhang: "My classmate told me that the department heartthrob has been through several boyfriends before."

Gu Shiying: "But what if it’s just a rumor? It’s all rumors without evidence—that wouldn't be fair, would it?"

Yang Shuhang: "Good point. Besides, our Brother Huan doesn’t really seem gay."

Gu Shiying nearly choked on his soy milk—he so is!

Gu Shiying hinted wildly: "What if he’s just deep in the closet?"

Yang Shuhang: "Wow, I didn't even think of that."

Gu Shiying: "But I’m just talking nonsense—don’t take it seriously."

He knew Yang Shuhang would definitely take it seriously.

No matter what, he had to play matchmaker for Fu Huan and the art department heartthrob!

That evening, Yang Shuhang secretly created a small group chat without Fu Huan knowing, with the three of them.

#StraightDudesSecretHQ#

Gu Shiying kicked his feet against the mattress in excitement, ecstatic.

Yes! Fu Huan is about to get a boyfriend!

Gu Shiying hadn’t drawn his bed curtain, and his overly excited movements were noticed by Fu Huan passing by.

"What are you so happy about?"

Gu Shiying coughed guiltily: "Nothing, nothing."

Fu Huan gave him a suspicious look and put his foot, which was hanging off the bed, back on the mattress.

"Gu Shiying’s legs are always tempting me."

Gu Shiying: "..." Didn't dare to be happy anymore.

-----------------------

Author’s note: Fu Huan: [helpless] Babe, I only love you.