Awkward Chapter 84

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The website paused briefly before displaying a payment prompt.

Chen Mo’s face showed a hint of impatience as he quickly scanned the payment code.

The player had a small spinning arrow, and soon a video of Western-style submissive men being pleasure-pounded appeared.

The headphones emitted intermittent noise, followed by the man’s lewd vocalizations.

Chen Mo’s eyelids drooped as he scrutinized the man’s physique and appearance with a critical, disdainful gaze, then he fast-forwarded the video.

The content intensified, focusing on the submissive man with closed eyes, clearly enjoying himself, his expression filled with intensity.

Chen Mo’s black eyes were full of disgust as he sipped his coffee, trying to suppress an indescribable feeling while continuing to watch.

Another man came into the frame, dominating the scene, forcibly engaging in a group activity.

The Western submissive man initially cried out in pain and begged for it to stop, but soon he was craving more, shouting for it to be deeper and rougher.

Chen Mo frowned deeply, trying to control the turmoil in his stomach, gritting his teeth as he stared at the screen.

The video continued, featuring various positions, a feast for the eyes and senses. In the last few minutes, the men all reached climax, white fluid splattering everywhere.

Chen Mo swallowed hard, unable to suppress his dry heaving, his stomach churning with an uncontrollable force. He raised his hand to cover his mouth.

But it was of little use; the forced swallowing only stimulated his stomach further, making the nausea even more intense.

Without time to close the video, Chen Mo suddenly stood up and rushed to the bathroom in the inner room.

“Ugh…”

He bent over, emptying the contents of his stomach completely.

His throat felt bitter and sour, making him feel quite unwell.

Grabbing a tissue, Chen Mo wiped the residue from his mouth and repeatedly splashed cold water on his face.

He knew his reaction was excessive, but it was an instinctive physical reflex he couldn’t control.

Years had passed, and apart from Ye Mu, he still fundamentally despised and rejected homosexuality, not to mention such toxic adult videos.

Just thinking about the reason he was wrongfully imprisoned for years—being harassed by effeminate gay men—brought forth an aversion that made him nauseous. This feeling hadn’t eased even with his current relationship with Ye Mu; his heart felt corroded and resistant, and forgetting or smoothing it over was a mere fantasy.

“Ring, ring”

“Ring, ring”

The office phone suddenly rang.

Chen Mo wiped his face, leaned against the white-tiled wall, and answered the phone at his desk, his forehead still slick with a thin sweat.

“Hello?”

He spoke as he sat down, feeling uncomfortable.

“Are you free?” A familiar male voice came from the other end of the line.

Chen Mo recognized the voice immediately and frowned, replying without hesitation, “Not free.”

Yan Chen raised an eyebrow on the other end, “Oh? I just found some information about the past and would like to show it to you.”

Chen Mo squinted, his lips thin with skepticism, “You’re being so kind?”

Yan Chen chuckled, “We’re still brothers. Since you’ve been struggling to find it, it’s only right to help you out.”

Chen Mo coldly scoffed, “Go away. I don’t need it.”

Yan Chen’s tone turned serious, “Don’t be stubborn. You’re just afraid I’ll provide fake information. This time, it’s just a photo from back then as a hint. The specifics are still up to you to investigate.”

After saying this, he pressed a button, and a slightly blurry, yellowed image was soon faxed over.

Chen Mo frowned and glanced at the image, his lips slightly parted, “What is this?”

Yan Chen’s voice carried a hidden meaning, “Remember the police chief who framed you? Here’s a photo of him with the Ye family’s old master.”

A fleeting thought crossed Chen Mo’s mind, and he suddenly felt a chill. He bit his lip and asked, “And what are you trying to say?”

Yan Chen smirked, “Nothing much. Although someone begged me not to tell you, I think you have the right to know.”

It all stemmed from the message last night. The fact that Ye Mu retaliated with such vulgar language showed he had invested considerable emotions in this person. Yan Chen no longer wanted to wait; he wanted to destroy their relationship by any means necessary.

Be it despicable or shameless, everything was aimed at preventing Ye Mu from continuing down the wrong path.

As an outsider, Yan Chen saw too clearly the deceptions and concealments in their relationship. It was fragile, easily torn apart by a little wind of gossip.

If he hesitated even slightly, he would seize the opportunity to pull Ye Mu back to his side.

On the other end of the line, Chen Mo’s expression was heavy and dark, like a stormy sky. After a long silence, he spoke in a low voice, “Are you saying that the accomplice from back then is Ye Mu?”

Yan Chen’s eyes were filled with malice, “Absolutely.”

Chen Mo’s face turned pale, his heart jolting. He struggled to maintain calm, “He helped you so much when he was with you. How can you say such slander? Aren’t you afraid of retribution?”

Yan Chen toyed with his alcohol glass, “You’re smart; you don’t need me to explain. Whether it’s slander or not can be verified. Or you can confront Ye Mu directly. But don’t blame him; at that time, he was madly in love with me and doing illegal and immoral things was to be expected.”

Chen Mo’s eyes flashed with cold anger, “If it’s excusable for him, then why are you making this call, acting like a villain?”

Yan Chen laughed mockingly, “Nothing special, just don’t want you to fall deeper. After all, he’s someone you hated for years. Hiding close and trying to be your lover, aren’t you disgusted?”

Chen Mo clenched his fists, his gaze deep and intense, “Stop with the nonsense. He’s not that kind of person.”

Yan Chen sneered, “Don’t be naive. The fact is, it’s undeniable. The culprit from back then was Ye Mu. He stabbed you in the back when you were most helpless, cruelly and viciously framing you, making your life miserable.”

Chen Mo gritted his teeth, struggling to suppress the cold shivers in his body. With a stiff face, he said, “Enough. Until everything is verified, keep your filthy mouth shut.”

Yan Chen’s voice was cold, “Fine. It’s pointless to say more. Investigate it yourself.”

Over the phone, he could already imagine the twisted and ugly expression on the other person’s face.

Chen Mo’s emotions surged. With a cold expression, he hung up the phone.

After forcing himself to calm down, he took out his phone and called a private detective he had been in contact with for a long time, sending the old photo to him.

—Investigate the Ye family, give me an answer before dawn!

After sending the message, he sat still in his seat, silently staring at the phone screen.

An hour, two hours, he maintained that posture without moving.

The man’s face seemed normal at first glance, but upon closer inspection, his muscles were tense. Besides the closed pores and shallow breathing, there were purple bruises appearing on his tendons and ligaments.

When Ye Mu arrived, it was already near dawn. Seeing Chen Mo in that state, he frowned. “Aren’t you leaving?”

Chen Mo suppressed the discomfort inside him and said hoarsely, “I still have some things to take care of. You go back first. Don’t wait for me.”

Ye Mu was also a bit tired from working and didn’t have the energy to ask more. He sighed lightly and said, “Alright, just keep an eye on the time.”

Chen Mo nodded and picked up a file folder, burying his head in it.

Ye Mu briefly glanced at his face and then turned away.

For some reason, even though Chen Mo hadn’t done anything, just wandering around a bit gave Ye Mu the feeling that their relationship was nearing its end.

If the past eight years were like burning oneself like a moth to the flame, then interacting with this person was like the warmth of spring to withered wood. Yet, no matter how beautiful it was, withered wood would eventually be unable to endure too many ups and downs. At his age, he was a bit weary.

As winter approached, the icy northern wind made people shiver. After leaving the company, he didn’t take a cab but wandered aimlessly.

The road at night was pitch black with countless intersections. Walking alone brought an inescapable sense of loneliness.

Passing street lamps and crossing several crosswalks, he unexpectedly found himself in front of a newly opened bar.

Ye Mu squinted his eyes and, without much thought, walked inside.

The noisy and chaotic atmosphere, the ambiguous lighting, and the strong smell of alcohol oddly attracted him on this quiet night.

He found an inconspicuous dark corner, ordered a few high-proof cocktails, and sat down.

The waiter kindly told him to wait and brought him some snacks before leaving.

Ye Mu closed his eyes and reclined on the sofa, feeling exhausted.

His mind was filled with too many complex and chaotic thoughts he didn’t want to touch. At this moment, he just wanted to use alcohol to vent.

The patrons at the nearby table seemed to be old friends, chatting and playing in groups, making a ruckus.

Ye Mu rubbed his brow, trying to sit up and change seats.

It might have been a coincidence, but just as he lifted his foot, he heard a familiar voice.

“Hey, did you guys know? There’s this gay in our company who’s really manipulative and has actually hooked up with my buddy.” Liu Xiangyang, red-faced from drinking, slurred his words.

Someone at the side leaned in. “I’ve heard about this too. Isn’t it Chen Mo? There’s even a rumor that he’s going to come out publicly. Looks like he’s been bent.”

Sun Xiangyang scoffed. “Stop talking nonsense. I personally went and asked him. He said he was just looking for a good time, wanted to enjoy himself with someone, and then move on. No real love!”

Someone nearby raised an eyebrow. “Tsk tsk, they say men get really into it from behind. Chen Mo must be just trying something new.”

Sun Xiangyang downed another drink, drunkenly saying, “But my buddy is also despicable. Why deceive someone like that? Making someone believe they could spend their life together, it’s just pitiful.”

“Heh, why don’t you say that gay is a fool, taking himself too seriously?”

Sun Xiangyang waved his hand. “That person comes from a good family, considered a prominent family. But when it comes to love, he’s foolish. What can you do?”

Perhaps the topic was particularly stimulating, and more people gathered around. “Oh, speaking so enthusiastically, who is it?”

Sun Xiangyang, with his face flushed, said, “I think his name is Ye Mu.”

A man’s eyes lit up. “Oh, him? I’ve seen him before. He’s quite handsome. When did your buddy dump him? I’d like to pursue him.”

Sun Xiangyang, feeling bored, said, “Soon, I guess. He’s probably getting tired of him.”

“Oh, in that case, remember to give a heads-up when it happens.”

“Sure, but tonight… you’re picking up the tab?”

“D*mn, have you no shame?”

The conversation continued, with several people joking and commenting. Ye Mu found it hard to concentrate on what was being said. His mind was buzzing, feeling as though something was repeatedly shaking it, leaving him unable to think clearly. He directly walked up to the group.

Some of them recognized him and fell silent, their faces stiff.

Sun Xiangyang, quite drunk, squinted at the dark shadow before him and grumbled, “D*mn it, who’s blocking my view?”

Ye Mu, with a pale face and a rare look of loneliness in his eyes, asked in a heavy voice, “Did he really say that to you?”