If I Can’t Get the Male Lead, I’ll Just Be a Salted Fish Chapter 57

The sofa was big enough—at least for someone with Qin Shu’s build to lie on without a problem—and Xie Lianzhi didn’t need any other space anyway.

His breathing grew more and more out of control. Qin Shu no longer even had the strength to hold his glasses; the 3D glasses slipped from his hand with a clack and fell to the floor.

The longer you endure, the more intense the release.

Qin Shu could feel that he wasn’t the only one losing control—Xie Lianzhi seemed even more excited than him, almost breaking character. Who would have thought the usually cold, aloof campus idol had this side to him, like a vampire who hadn’t tasted flesh in centuries—stripping away his handsome, elegant mask to ravage his prey with rough, domineering hunger. The kiss was even a little painful, yet Qin Shu had no intention of pushing him away.

This was Xie Lianzhi—just seeing his face was enough to set Qin Shu’s blood on fire, and now he was kissing him.

This time his back wasn’t against a refrigerator but against a soft, springy sofa. He lay there, body burning all over. If things were already like this on a sofa, then if he and Xie Lianzhi were on a bed, wouldn’t it be even more… face-flushing, heart-pounding?

Unable to help himself, Qin Shu shifted slightly. In his ears, he heard the rustle of clothes brushing together, the wet sounds of their kissing, and even the air seemed to change its taste.

Unlike the almost beautiful, romantic first kiss, this kiss seemed to say: Welcome to the world of adult love.

Just as Qin Shu was getting lost in it, a sharp sting came from his lips—Xie Lianzhi had bitten him.

Though the bite wasn’t hard, it was enough to jolt him out of his daze. His eyes flew open.

Xie Lianzhi stopped and asked hoarsely, “Does it hurt?”

The bangs falling over his forehead were damp, probably from sweat. His eyes were half-hidden beneath them, making him look understated yet irresistibly sexy.

Qin Shu didn’t even need to look to know how red his own face must be. He was grateful the room was dark—at least his stupid expression wouldn’t be visible. Licking the corner of his lips, he asked, “Why’d you bite me…”

“Sorry,” Xie Lianzhi said. “I couldn’t hold back for a moment.”

Qin Shu muttered softly, “Why do I feel like you did it on purpose.”

Xie Lianzhi smiled and admitted, “Yes. I did it on purpose.”

Qin Shu: “???”

Lowering his body, Xie Lianzhi pressed half his weight onto Qin Shu, whispering, “Do you know, you almost played me to death.”

Qin Shu froze. “Brother?”

Xie Lianzhi said in a low voice, “I hold grudges. I’ll get back at you.”

Qin Shu shivered. “How are you going to get back at me? Will it hurt?”

The heat that had barely receded from Xie Lianzhi surged back again. What he couldn’t stand most was Qin Shu’s natural teasing, and the little junior always wore such an innocent expression, completely unaware, driving him half mad. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he said, “I’ll try… not to hurt you.”

“Oh,” Qin Shu frowned. “Brother, did you hear something?”

Xie Lianzhi sat up, found the remote, and switched off the movie that was in the way. Tilting his head, he vaguely caught the sound of someone shouting “What the f*ck.” The room they were in had excellent soundproofing; they couldn’t hear a peep from the guys gaming next door. For that kind of “what the f*ck” to come through… it was already beyond the normal human limit.

“It should be from the second floor,” Xie Lianzhi said.

No sooner had he spoken than another roar echoed faintly.

Qin Shu, uncertain, said, “That sound…?”

The two of them exchanged a glance, clearly thinking the same thing.

Qin Shu’s expression grew complicated. “No way, right? It can’t be what I think…”

“Let’s go take a look.” Xie Lianzhi turned on the light. The sudden brightness made Qin Shu squint, but before he could raise a hand to block his eyes, Xie Lianzhi pulled him into his arms. “I haven’t hugged you standing up today.”

Rubbing his face against Xie Lianzhi’s shoulder, Qin Shu muttered, “Not just today—you haven’t hugged me in forever. We barely even get any time alone…”

Xie Lianzhi chuckled lowly. “That’s indeed a problem. Once you finish your exams, I’ll think of something.”

They stepped out of the room just as the two juniors from next door came out of their gaming session. One of them asked, “Senior Xie, did you guys hear that too?”

Xie Lianzhi nodded. “Mm.”

“Who the h*ll was it, screaming so miserably…”

Qin Shu walked up to the escape room door and pressed his ear against it. “Sounds like it’s coming from here.”

“Someone inside?” the junior asked.

“Yes,” Xie Lianzhi replied.

As they spoke, the party-house owner walked over, speaking urgently into his walkie-talkie: “Tell him to hang on, I’m on my way! If he faints, give him CPR, pinch his philtrum!”

The words CPR made Qin Shu jolt. He asked the owner, “What’s going on?”

Holding back laughter, the boss said, “Your buddy who was planning to confess—he’s done for. Looks all tall and tough, but he got so scared in the escape room that he completely collapsed. The guy who went in with him said they quit halfway, asked me to open the door and bring them out.”

The juniors burst into laughter, one even leaning on the other’s shoulder, unable to straighten up.

Xie Lianzhi: “Heh.”

Qin Shu’s features blurred, then disappeared altogether—his face was gone; his son had embarrassed him to death. Turning to Xie Lianzhi, he said flatly, “Brother, let’s go. I don’t know that person.”

Xie Lianzhi teased, “Weren’t you treating him like your son?”

Clutching his chest, Qin Shu felt like he was on the brink of cardiac arrest. “I don’t have such a cowardly son!” He knew Chu Cheng was unreliable, but he never imagined his confession would turn out like this. Once again, Chu Cheng had proven just how stupid a person could get. Qin Shu’s heart turned to ash: Don’t see the idiot, don’t get upset.

The boss opened the door, and under everyone’s gaze, Xu Ning half-dragged Chu Cheng out. Seeing Xie Lianzhi and Qin Shu, he gave a helpless smile. “I know it’s funny, but could you at least restrain yourselves a little?”

Expressionless, Qin Shu said, “We’re professionally trained. We usually don’t laugh.”

Xie Lianzhi added, “Unless we can’t help it.”

Chu Cheng clung to Xu Ning, all six feet of him pale-faced, eyes rimmed red, lips trembling, gripping Xu Ning’s arm tightly. Shuddering, he cried, “She grabbed my leg… Xu Ning, she grabbed my leg! Ahhh—”

Qin Shu’s temples throbbed; he covered his eyes. If I don’t look, maybe the heart attack won’t catch me.

Xu Ning patted his back and soothed him softly, “It was just the staff.”

Chu Cheng gradually calmed, burying his face in Xu Ning’s neck, still stubborn: “I wasn’t scared, it’s just that she jumped out suddenly…” Catching the two juniors laughing loudly, he snapped, “What’re you laughing at? You’ve never experienced it—you don’t know how terrifying it is!”

Barely choking back laughter, one junior gasped, “Okay, okay, we’re not laughing. Let’s go back to our game.”

Once they shut the door of the gaming room, a roar of laughter exploded from inside. Chu Cheng’s face immediately darkened.

Xu Ning held his hand gently. “It’s okay, it’s over.”

Seeing that Chu Cheng, cowardly as he was, still managed to cling to Ning Ning, Qin Shu’s urge to murder his son eased slightly.

The boss said, “How about taking him to the theater room to rest? There are sofas and drinks inside.”

Xu Ning helped Chu Cheng up. “Let’s go.”

Remembering what had just happened with Xie Lianzhi on the sofa, Qin Shu suddenly felt guilty. He stole a glance at Xie Lianzhi, who gave him a faint smile.

Chu Cheng, still shaken, collapsed onto a sofa. Xu Ning opened a bottle of Coke and handed it to him.

Xie Lianzhi naturally bent down, picked up the two 3D glasses from the floor, and asked, “How far did you get?”

Xu Ning replied, “We cleared two puzzles. Then the ‘female ghost’ appeared. Honestly, the puzzles weren’t hard, but the atmosphere was a bit terrifying.”

Since they hadn’t reached the end, they hadn’t seen the confession gift either.

Chu Cheng exhaled in relief. “If only I had an oxygen tank, I swear I need a couple breaths. F*ck, that just about scared the soul out of me.”

Qin Shu said, “Oh, an oxygen tank? I’ve got one in my backpack.”

The three of them turned to stare at him.

“You actually carry one with you?” Xie Lianzhi asked.

Qin Shu’s smile was bitter. “I thought I’d need it today.”

He’d thought he was going to witness “Cheng-Ning” become official, and had prepared himself to suffocate in a sea of sugar.

But in the end—

After finishing a game of mahjong and winning enough for a few bubble teas, Lu Rulu cheerfully came upstairs to find his friends—only to see Qin Shu and Chu Cheng sitting side by side, each hugging an oxygen tank, looking utterly lifeless.

Author’s note:

Love Letter: Why is shipping a CP this hard… I’m already at 2/10 and my baby still hasn’t confessed successfully (Sa Beining inhaling oxygen.jpg)