Yu Ting sobered up instantly.
A shiver ran down his spine, and his scalp tingled.
D*mn it — a gay man right next to him!
The taxi driver cast him a sidelong glance, turned up the heater, and said lazily, “Kid, you okay? You look weak.”
First Shen Shi calls him kidney-deficient, now the old driver’s saying he’s frail. Yu Ting forced a smile and muttered, “Heh, just didn’t dress warm enough.”
“Young folks these days don’t take care of themselves,” the driver began preaching. “When you’re older you’ll be full of problems. Back in my day—”
Yu Ting ignored him, sneaking another look through the rearview mirror.
Light from passing streetlamps sliced through the cramped car interior.
Ye Ran was fast asleep, lashes dark as crow feathers, his hair slightly damp and soft against his cheek. His lips were tinted an unnatural red, parted just a little as he breathed evenly.
It was, frankly, the kind of face that made people want to lean closer.
Yu Ting was still staring when a large hand suddenly blocked his view.
At some point, Shen Shi had leaned forward, resting one hand on the back of the passenger seat. His gaze was dark, black, deep, impenetrable. Pale veins traced across the back of his hand.
He lowered his eyes briefly, then looked to the driver. His voice was calm: “Sir, scan the QR code.”
“Oh,” the driver said, instantly shutting up and passing the QR code over. “Fifteen yuan.”
Only when the payment received tone chimed did Yu Ting finally blink and swallow hard.
…Scared him half to death.
He’d thought Shen Shi was about to hit him.
The taxi stopped at the main gate of Beijing University just after eleven. In the bitter cold, no students lingered outside; the gate guard was bundled in a military coat, sipping hot water.
Yu Ting got out first. When he saw Shen Shi about to carry Ye Ran again, his eyelid twitched. Remembering his theory, he quickly said, “I’ll do it! You’ve carried him for so long, you must be tired.”
Shen Shi gave him a flat look. “You can’t.”
Yu Ting: “?”
His smile froze. He forced himself to stay calm. “Don’t underestimate me. Ye Ran doesn’t even weigh that much, easy for me.”
But Shen Shi was already crouching down, letting Ye Ran slide onto his back. His build was lean yet strong, his posture tall. As he carried Ye Ran, his eyes lowered slightly, his expression distant and unhurried.
Ye Ran rested quietly against his shoulder, gray hood pulled up, only a few strands of hair showing.
Yu Ting opened his mouth to speak again, but Shen Shi said evenly, “You’re weak.”
After a pause, he added matter-of-factly, “Kidney deficiency.”
“Can’t carry him.”
Yu Ting: “???”
What the h*ll did you just say?!
A laugh burst from the taxi.
The old driver was cackling.
Yu Ting spun around in shock. You’re still here.
Yu Ting turned around in shock. Old man, you haven’t left yet?
The experienced driver seemed to catch the anger and surprise in his eyes and quickly started the car. “I’m leaving, I’m leaving. Hey, young man, give your classmate a bit of face, will you?”
He said that to Shen Shi, then stepped on the gas and sped away, disappearing in a cloud of dust.
Yu Ting was so mad he felt dizzy. That’s what you call being worldly and good with people???
The old gatekeeper waved at them, signaling for them to hurry into the school. The two didn’t dawdle and headed quickly toward the dorm building.
On the way, Yu Ting lagged half a step behind, studying Shen Shi’s back with a probing look.
It doesn’t make sense. Shen Shi’s been straight for so many years, how could he suddenly turn gay?
And whether Shen Shi was actually gay still needed verification. Based on instinct alone, Yu Ting believed he was still straight—but his instincts were never reliable. Better to speak with evidence.
To put his own mind at ease, Yu Ting hesitated for a few seconds, then quickened his pace to catch up beside Shen Shi and tentatively started, “Shen—d*mn!”
Before he could finish, he stumbled, nearly tripping over a small stone on the road.
He lurched forward awkwardly by two steps and stopped under a streetlamp, furious and flustered, eyes wide as copper bells. “Why’s there such a big rock on the road?!”
Shen Shi said nothing, simply walked past him unhurriedly and kept going forward.
Yu Ting didn’t dare complain further. He hurried to catch up, but just as he got close, Shen Shi spoke: “Stay away.”
Yu Ting: “?”
Shen Shi: “Your stupidity is disturbing me.”
Yu Ting: “…”
His mouth was so sharp—it really didn’t seem like he was gay.
A guy as good-looking as him, no way a gay man would treat him this cruelly.
Yu Ting blinked back tears as he confirmed it in his heart.
Diagnosis: straight.
Shen Shi, good for you.
….
They didn’t live in the same dorm building, so they split paths at the fork in the road.
A light drizzle blurred the night, and the cold wind brushed against his face.
Shen Shi walked steadily, step by step, his dark eyes calm and unreadable as always. His handsome features were pale; his eyelids drooped slightly. The faint redness on the side of his neck spread slowly behind his ear, yet his expression stayed cool and detached.
Ye Ran slept deeply on his shoulder, his breath warm and damp.
All of a sudden, Shen Shi stopped in the dark. He stood still for a few seconds before walking again.
When he stepped back into the light, his eyelids trembled slightly—as if suppressing something—as he silently endured Ye Ran’s drunken closeness.
Ye Ran’s arm circled his neck, rubbing against him like someone seeking warmth. His lips seemed to brush against Shen Shi’s neck—or maybe it was just an illusion.
…A bit hot, Shen Shi thought calmly.
Guess I wore too much today.
The dorms would lock in five minutes.
He made it inside in the final minute, still carrying Ye Ran on his back.
There were a few guys in the lobby who hadn’t gone to bed yet. They were laughing and joking around, but when they saw Shen Shi walk in through the wind and rain, they all froze, staring blankly at him and the person on his back.
Shen Shi didn’t react, heading straight upstairs as if unaware.
The lobby was silent for a few seconds—then instantly erupted into chaos.
“Holy cr*p, holy cr*p! Was that Shen Shi?!”
“Did anyone record that? What happened? Did he get into a fight or something?”
“Stop assuming it’s a fight! I think… this might’ve been some kind of group activity.”
“You mean, like… a brawl?”
***
The next morning, the finance department had class during third and fourth period.
Yu Ting, with dark circles under his eyes, arrived early to grab a strategic seat.
He’d spent the whole night scrolling through forums. Even the most “experienced” users online had never seen anyone quite like Shen Shi. The general consensus was: ambiguous orientation—half-straight, half-not—like Schrödinger’s straight guy.
They’d told him to gather more “data” for observation.
After a long night of tossing and turning, Yu Ting decided to be brave— For the sake of determining whether Shen Shi was actually gay or not, he’d risk it all!
If his good buddy was heading down the crooked road, as a friend he had the duty to step in—to warn him if he could!
Shen Shi, punctual as always, arrived exactly ten minutes before class. Yu Ting waved frantically. “Here! Here, here!”
“You’re late, how’s Ye Ran?”
“Still asleep.”
The temperature had dropped. After the rain, winter had fully set in. The frost outside even crept onto the windows.
Shen Shi wore a black padded jacket, the collar raised to cover his jaw. His pale skin stood out sharply against the dark fabric. Sitting down, he lazily lifted his eyes; everyone nearby who’d been sneaking glances immediately looked away.
Yu Ting frowned. “What’s with them? It’s not like they’ve never seen you before.”
And those excited-but-nervous looks—what was that?
Did Shen Shi… kill someone?
Shen Shi didn’t respond.
Yu Ting shrugged it off. Class was about to start anyway. He glanced at Shen Shi’s arm hanging loosely by his side. Thinking of his mission, he forced a strained smile and quickly brushed Shen Shi’s arm—barely a tap, then just as fast pulled back his hand.
As expected, Shen Shi turned to look at him.
Yu Ting’s heart jumped.
D*mn, d*mn, d*mn! He really looked at me! The forum was right—gay guys totally get stirred up by little touches like that!
Yu Ting instantly sat up straight, terrified that Shen Shi would lose control of his “instincts,” forget brotherhood and decency, and do something unforgivable.
I’m in danger, he thought gravely.
Out of the corner of his eye, Shen Shi leaned to the other side, tucking the arm Yu Ting had touched into his pocket, while his other hand rested loosely on the chair arm. He shut his eyes, looking utterly disinterested.
He resisted?!
Yu Ting was stunned.
Impressive. Truly impressive.
Temporary conclusion: possibly gay.
The teacher entered, ending the “test” for now.
Yu Ting focused on class. It was a double period; midway, the professor let everyone take a bathroom break. Yu Ting immediately went on high alert. Seeing Shen Shi head to the restroom, he hesitated for a moment, then followed, expression blank but resolve firm.
The restroom was empty, other classes hadn’t dismissed yet. Shen Shi stood at the urinal in the corner, undoing his belt.
Yu Ting took a deep breath, heroically ignored the many empty spots, and went straight to stand beside him.
Sure enough, Shen Shi paused and slowly turned his head.
Yu Ting forced a stiff smile. “……”
Can’t tell if he’s angry or not!
This guy really is Schrödinger’s straight man—neither straight nor not, both at once!
In his peripheral vision, the dim lighting cast shadows across Shen Shi’s face. His eyes lowered slightly, unreadable. Long fingers tapped lightly against the belt buckle. After a few seconds, he said quietly—
“Get lost.”
Yu Ting: “……”
“…Okay.”
He didn’t… make a move?
Yu Ting fell into deep thought.
Temporary conclusion: straight.
Now the score stood at 1–1. The investigation would continue.
After the break, the professor started the final topic. The dry economic theory was livened up by vivid examples, making the class burst out in laughter again and again.
Shen Shi twirled his pen, jotting down a couple of key points.
Yu Ting straightened up, eyes gleaming with new determination. He leaned over exaggeratedly, lowering his head until his big head almost covered Shen Shi’s notebook—then, after deliberately pausing for five full seconds, slowly sat back upright with a bright smile.
He turned his head — Shen Shi was quietly watching him.
D*mn it!
He really thinks I’m cute!
Yu Ting’s hair stood on end.
So gross, holy sh*t!
He clenched his teeth and made another internal diagnosis.
Diagnosis: bent.
Shen Shi is f*cking bent for sure!
He doesn’t even spare his own brother!
Yu Ting was completely panicked now — what should he do? How was he supposed to act around Shen Shi in the future? If he got too close, Shen Shi might start catching feelings; if he kept his distance, wouldn’t that hurt Shen Shi’s heart? D*mn it, being a straight guy was so hard!
Just as his anxiety peaked, the bell rang for the end of class.
The large lecture hall was crowded, and people began leaving one after another through the back door.
Shen Shi stood up and looked down at him. “Come out.”
Yu Ting instinctively gathered his things, scalp tingling. Cr*p, what does Shen Shi mean? Is he going to confess? I’m not ready for this, help! My bro suddenly turning gay— who can handle that?!
He sighed and followed Shen Shi out, only to realize that Shen Shi was walking toward an increasingly secluded area. Before long, they had reached a small corner near the restroom.
Yu Ting glanced around. Strange… why was no one here?
Shen Shi had already stopped.
He stood in the shadow against the wall, eyes dark and unreadable. Slowly, he took off his cotton jacket and rolled up his sleeves. His exposed forearms were sleek, lightly muscled — dangerous, intimidating.
Yu Ting’s eyelid twitched. He instinctively took a step back, wary. “Uh… do you have something to say to me?”
Shen Shi lifted his eyes, his tone utterly flat. “You think it’s funny messing with me?”
Yu Ting: “?”
Shen Shi’s expression didn’t change. “You just can’t stop, huh?”
Yu Ting: “???”
Wait— what? What “messing”? What “can’t stop”? Who’s even—
Holy sh*t!
It suddenly hit him, and every hair on his body stood up.
Shen Shi… oh no, don’t tell me he’s about to beat me up?!
Author’s note:
Shen Shi: Hand over your life :)
Yu Ting: Somebody save me!!
Ye Ran: Zzzz
We’re about to enter the main storyline next — the next chapter is still a bit goofy. It was supposed to be posted together with this one, but I had to cut it for word count. My heart aches QAQ
Can’t wait until next week to see more? Want to show your support? Come to my Patreon where you can get 5 or more chapters of Are All You Straight Guys Like This right away ! Or go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! :)
