Transmigrated as the Campus Heartthrob’s Cannon Fodder Ex-Boyfriend Chapter 55

Shoutout to Kari for the commission!

Le Cheng had always believed that he had a fairly good sense of time.

But that night, he had no idea when he had fallen asleep.

Zhou Shirui lay heavily over him, continuously kissing the back of his neck, or turning him over and biting at the patch of skin beneath his collarbone. It was already a particularly delicate area, and it had been kissed until it was very red. Le Cheng felt like even breathing had become difficult.

When Zhou Shirui carried him to take a shower, Le Cheng was so sleepy that his eyelids kept fighting to close. The skin at the corners of his eyes had become very red from the water. He wrapped his arms around Zhou Shirui’s neck and intermittently whispered, “I want to sleep…”

Zhou Shirui simply answered, “Mm. Go to sleep.”

Le Cheng closed his eyes and didn’t answer. His breathing really did become even, but after only a few steps, he suddenly shifted restlessly upward and, both groggy and anxious, whispered, “Uh…! It came out…”

Zhou Shirui stopped for a moment. “It’s okay.”

His voice was very low and soothing. He reached out and slowly patted Le Cheng’s smooth back. “…I’ll clean you up. Go to sleep.”

Only then did Le Cheng tilt his head and slowly fall asleep.

The next morning.

When Le Cheng woke up, although it wasn’t quite as exaggerated as feeling like he had been run over by a truck, he still couldn’t help frowning and drawing sharp breaths. His entire body felt uncomfortable everywhere. The pleasure was over, but after everything ended, there was a soreness that came from having overused his body.

Le Cheng propped himself up on his arms and discovered that even his elbows hurt, with a pulling sensation around his shoulder blades as well. Giving up, he lay back down and discovered that the room was ridiculously clean. Zhou Shirui and he had only gone to sleep in the latter half of the night, yet Zhou Shirui had somehow still found the energy to clean everything up.

Le Cheng lay in bed with tears in his eyes. Comparing yourself to other people really could make you mad.

In the end, he didn’t even dress himself. Zhou Shirui carefully helped him put on his shirt, pants, and socks, covering up the marks all over his body. He kissed his cheek, took his wrist into his palm, and frowned slightly. “You need to put some medicine on.”

Le Cheng himself hadn’t noticed. Only after lowering his gaze did he see that both of his wrists still had deep overlapping finger marks, which looked particularly obvious against his overly fair skin.

His cheeks instantly flushed. Somewhat embarrassed, he said softly, “It’s fine…”

But he really couldn’t bear it. “Then next time, don’t be so rough, okay?”

This time, Zhou Shirui genuinely reflected on himself. He had already noticed it while dressing Le Cheng just now. Although they had prepared long ago, once they actually started, it had been somewhat difficult for him to control himself. There were marks of varying intensity all over Le Cheng’s body. His chest, waist, and back were the worst affected, while there were also marks around his thighs and ankles.

“Okay.” Zhou Shirui said. “I’ll be more careful.”

After breakfast, Le Cheng leaned there looking at his phone. His butt hurt, and his lower back hurt badly from being pressed against something. Unable to resist, he returned to the full-length mirror in the bedroom and lifted his shirt to take a look, finally finding the culprit.

Two bluish-purple finger marks were imprinted on the round hollows of his lower back, almost perfectly overlapping the hollows themselves. Le Cheng felt sore just looking at them. While involuntarily recalling what had happened in his mind, he secretly cursed Zhou Shirui.

He was too embarrassed to face him directly. Although they had already done many intimate things, this level of intimacy was a first for them. He was afraid that if his face turned red, he would lose some of his confidence.

For various reasons, that day’s plans were completely canceled. That evening, Zhou Shirui held him down and applied medicine to him. Le Cheng lay on the bed with a flushed face, protesting, “Next time I’ll put it on myself.”

Zhou Shirui pulled out a tissue and screwed the cap back on. “No.”

“Why not?” Because what had happened just now was so embarrassing, Le Cheng began rambling. “Your fingers are too rough… I think I can do it!”

Zhou Shirui ignored him and turned to wash his hands. By the time he returned, Le Cheng was already playing a game and seemed to have completely forgotten his earlier protest.

Zhou Shirui held him and watched for a while. Before going to sleep, he heard Le Cheng suddenly say softly again, “I still want to put it on myself.”

Zhou Shirui was silent for a moment. “All right.”

Le Cheng’s eyes lit up, his fluffy head resting against him. “You agree?”

Zhou Shirui turned his head to look at him, his expression exceptionally calm. “Mm. But I have to watch.”

Le Cheng: “…………”

He turned his eyes away, his cheeks unconsciously turning red. “I’m not letting you watch. Why do you have to watch?”

Zhou Shirui had a perfectly reasonable explanation. In an extremely calm tone, he said, “What if you don’t apply it properly? Are you going to fool yourself or fool me?”

Le Cheng was defeated. He turned around and said somewhat indignantly, “Fine, fine, you can put it on!”

Only then did Zhou Shirui pull him back and seriously kiss his cheek.

“Go to sleep.”

***

Le Cheng didn’t stay in C City for very long.

Because he had to go home for his birthday.

His birthday had already passed before the school break, but it hadn’t been accidental. It had been intentional.

He had already received birthday wishes on June 1, but according to his family tradition, the celebration had to be made up once he returned home, and the birthday presents as well.

They could have done it as soon as the break began, but because Zhou Shirui had initially gone abroad, Le Cheng thought they could wait until he came back. Since it was already late, another day or two wouldn’t make much difference.

And so, one delay after another had pushed it all the way to now.

During the first few days after returning home, Le Cheng and Zhou Shirui didn’t have much contact.

Zhou Shirui was probably busy with work, while Le Cheng was preparing for something else.

On the day they decided to make up his birthday celebration, Le Cheng received many birthday wishes.

Tan Xiaobai shouted over the phone, “Le Little Cheng, happy birthday! But since I already wished you a happy birthday last time, I have to do something this time too. You should have received your birthday present, right?”

Le Cheng had indeed received it: an exquisite model ship.

He loved it and couldn’t stop smiling. “Thank you, Xiaobai.”

As soon as Tan Xiaobai hung up, someone else called.

Le Cheng answered one call after another, somewhat curious. He hadn’t even posted anything on his social media, so how did everyone he knew find out?

It wasn’t until Xu Yuan messaged him that he understood. Apparently, there was a big mouth among the crowd.

“How was that? My publicity was pretty good, right?” Xu Yuan was very pleased with himself. “Birthdays are supposed to be lively!”

Le Cheng’s phone was practically being blown up from all the calls.

“You did a great job.” Le Cheng said sincerely. “But don’t do it again next time.”

Zhou Shirui didn’t arrive until three in the afternoon.

Le Shuhai and Cao Fanqin were cooking and couldn’t spare the time to come greet him, so Le Cheng opened the door for him instead and asked, “Was there a traffic jam on the way?”

“A little.” Zhou Shirui said.

“Then why didn’t you take the high-speed rail?” Le Cheng thought driving was too tiring.

Zhou Shirui handed him the gift and cake. “The high-speed rail wasn’t convenient.”

Le Cheng lowered his head and glanced at the gift. It was a box, and he had no idea what was inside, but it felt fairly heavy.

“Have some water.” Le Cheng wasn’t in a hurry to look at it. “My dad just bought some new tea. It smells really good.”

After drinking some water, Zhou Shirui was about to go to the kitchen to help.

Le Cheng quickly grabbed him. “You don’t need to go. How big can my family’s kitchen be? Three people would just be crowding each other.”

He touched the gift box beside him and looked into Zhou Shirui’s eyes. “Can I open it now?”

Zhou Shirui: “It’s yours. Open it whenever you want.”

Le Cheng promptly opened it. Inside was a pair of handmade ceramic dolls that looked remarkably similar to the ones he had previously given Zhou Shirui, along with a small black block whose purpose he couldn’t figure out.

Le Cheng took out the ceramic dolls and looked at them in amazement from side to side, his mouth rounding slightly. “They look so similar!”

They were practically a recreation of his style. If you didn’t look carefully, you might think they had been sculpted by the same person, just in different poses.

Back then, when he made his, the two little figures had their faces pressed against each other, while Zhou Shirui’s had them holding hands. “He” was smiling, while “Zhou Shirui” had his head tilted as he looked at him.

Le Cheng couldn’t help curving his eyes into a smile. “So cute! I love it.”

Zhou Shirui watched his expression. “As long as you like it.”

Delighted, Le Cheng held the ceramic dolls up and opened the kitchen door, showing them off to the two people who were busy cooking. “Look, Zhou Shirui made these.”

Cao Fanqin was sorting vegetables. She first praised Zhou Shirui for being so skillful, then told Le Cheng to hurry back outside.

Even after being shooed out, Le Cheng didn’t mind. He happily placed the ceramic dolls somewhere conspicuous.

Only after putting them down did he pick up the small black block beside them and examine it carefully, discovering that it was a USB drive.

“Hm?” Le Cheng was puzzled. “What’s this?”

Zhou Shirui said, “A game.”

Le Cheng repeated, “A game… Is this the game you promised to show me before?”

“Yes.” Zhou Shirui said.

“You fixed it up now?” Le Cheng held the USB drive up by its edge with his fingertips. “Then, when we have time, can we play it together? Can two people play this?”

“Yes.” Zhou Shirui pressed his lips together. “It’s a two-player game.”

Le Cheng was very satisfied. Just after putting the USB drive away, Cao Fanqin called them to eat.

There were eight dishes, but Le Cheng didn’t eat too much because he still had to eat cake.

The cake shop had also sent a birthday hat. Zhou Shirui opened it, unfolded it, and was about to put it on him.

Le Cheng thought the hat was terribly childish, but then he remembered that he only wore it once a year, so he didn’t mind. He put it on without a care and blinked at Zhou Shirui. “I feel like I suddenly got ten years younger.”

Cao Fanqin came over and smacked him lightly on the shoulder. “What are you talking about? You’re already very young.”

“All right, all right. Old Le, go turn off the lights.” Cao Fanqin instructed. “Little Zhou, help Cheng Cheng put the candles in.”

With a click, everything around them went dark, leaving only the faint candlelight atop the cake.

“Cheng Cheng, make a wish.”

Le Cheng answered that he would, closed his eyes, and made his wish for nearly a full minute before slowly opening them.

Le Shuhai teased him. “Cheng Cheng is reciting a whole list. It’s taking so long. Aren’t you worried the gods will get tired of listening?”

Le Cheng felt a little embarrassed. “But I have to make sure I say everything clearly.”

Le Shuhai laughed. “All right, all right. Say it clearly.”

Le Cheng blew out the candles with a puff. “Okay, okay, I’m done!”

Only then did everyone begin cutting the cake.

After eating the cake, they watched television together for a while. By then, it was already very late.

No one in the family mentioned it, so Zhou Shirui naturally, and completely openly, stayed at Le Cheng’s house.

Before going to bed, Le Cheng carried a glass of water toward his room when Cao Fanqin suddenly coughed. “Cheng Cheng, our apartment building is really old. The soundproofing is pretty mediocre.”

At first, Le Cheng didn’t understand what she meant. Once he realized, he coughed twice as though trying to fool himself. “Ahem… Of course, of course. I know.”

Only then did Cao Fanqin leave with peace of mind.

Le Cheng quickly closed the door and took a large gulp of water. Zhou Shirui was leaning against the side of the bed. Hearing the noise, he looked at him. “What’s wrong?”

Only then did Le Cheng solemnly declare, “We’re not doing anything tonight.”

Zhou Shirui nodded. “I wasn’t planning to do anything anyway.”

After not seeing each other for several days, now that they were sleeping together again, Zhou Shirui naturally reached his hand inside Le Cheng’s pajamas and lowered his eyes to examine his skin. In a low voice, he said, “Finally healed.”

After their last intimate encounter, Le Cheng had gone home. He had been living a very chaste life these past few days. Hearing this, he blinked. “Of course it’s healed. The marks on my wrists disappeared ages ago.”

During those couple of days when they hadn’t healed, Le Cheng hadn’t even dared to wear short sleeves. Zhou Shirui kissed him and promised, “It won’t be like this next time.”

Le Cheng found it ticklish and laughed as he dodged slightly, forgiving him very easily. “Okay. Then next time, can you not make it last so long?”

Zhou Shirui was unusually decisive at this moment. He didn’t even make a sound.

Le Cheng found it amusing. It was the first time he had ever seen him like this. After turning off the light, he deliberately poked him. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Did you not hear me?”

“Did you? Did you?”

Zhou Shirui didn’t move. When Le Cheng deliberately nudged him a second time, he reached out and held him down.

Le Cheng didn’t dare actually provoke him at a time like this. After all, they were at his parents’ home. After remaining quiet for a while, he reached over to the cabinet beside him and took something out, then asked, “Zhou Shirui, are you happy today?”

It was clearly his birthday, yet he was asking Zhou Shirui this.

Zhou Shirui’s heart stirred. Without much hesitation, he answered, “Happy.”

“Then there’s something that’ll make you even happier.” Le Cheng said mysteriously. “Do you want it?”

Zhou Shirui looked at him. “Hm?”

Le Cheng said, “Close your eyes.”

Zhou Shirui stared at him for two seconds before closing his eyes, his long, thick lashes resting quietly against his eyelids.

Unable to see, his sense of touch and hearing became even sharper. His fingertip suddenly felt something cool, as though something had been pushed toward him. Zhou Shirui paused, his heart giving a slight jump, as if he sensed what it was. He abruptly opened his eyes.

Under the moonlight, Le Cheng’s eyes curved into a smile. “Ta-da, look!”

Zhou Shirui lowered his gaze in surprise. In the faint light, a silver-white band was nestled around his ring finger, gleaming brilliantly beneath the moonlight.

Le Cheng looked at him expectantly.

And so Zhou Shirui had that strange feeling again, as though what was brighter, more captivating, was actually Le Cheng’s eyes at that very moment.

It was difficult to describe what kind of emotion it was. His lips moved silently.

“I made it by hand. It took me several days to finish.” Le Cheng took out the other ring and ordered him without hesitation, “Put it on me.”

Zhou Shirui’s movements were unusually slow. He helped him put it on, and Le Cheng picked up his hand to look at it before muttering, “The plain ring I made. It looks pretty nice, right?”

“Zhou Shirui.” Le Cheng said seriously, “Do you like it?”

“Like it…” Only then did Zhou Shirui seem to start moving like a machine that had been out of use for years. His voice emerged from his throat, “…I really like it.”

Le Cheng was just about to say something else when he saw Zhou Shirui suddenly turn around and take something out.

A small blue velvet box. Le Cheng froze for a moment. “You…”

His slender fingers opened it, revealing two similarly round, silvery-white rings.

Unlike the understated, completely plain rings Le Cheng had made, although these two were also men’s rings, they were both decorated with tiny blue and green gemstones, like vines winding around spring, fresh and captivating.

“I made them too,” Zhou Shirui said.

Something stirred in the depths of Le Cheng’s heart. He stood frozen for a full ten seconds before saying, “Then you, you put it on me. Put it on my other hand.”

The ring was pushed down to the base of his finger. Le Cheng raised his hand to look at it and could not help saying, “So the two of us were both acting all mysterious recently because we were making rings?”

“Yes.”

Le Cheng laughed. “Does that count as being on the same wavelength?”

Zhou Shirui said, “Of course it does.”

“Great.” Le Cheng spread out all five fingers and raised his hand, placing it beside Zhou Shirui’s. The gesture was actually a little ridiculous. “Then now both my hands are circled by you, and I can never escape again.”

As he said this, his eyes remained fixed on the rings. The lines of his profile were hazy and beautiful, and his tone was completely ordinary, as though he were saying something very mundane. But Zhou Shirui understood. Le Cheng was a free-spirited and spontaneous person. If he had made the rings because he wanted a promise, then Le Cheng had made his ring to give him a promise.

He was openly telling him, I am willing to be bound by you.

Even without the restraints of the law, even if we crossed through time and space, I will still love you as I did in the beginning, just as I always have.

Something in Zhou Shirui’s chest seemed about to overflow. His Adam’s apple moved unconsciously. So many words surged to the tip of his tongue, yet suddenly, he was no longer in a hurry to say them.

Because at this moment, he understood that he and Le Cheng still had a very, very long life ahead of them, enough time to say them and do them.

“Mm.” Zhou Shirui slowly intertwined his fingers with his. “I know.”

And so Le Cheng smiled. “That’s good, as long as you know.”

The night was already deep, quietness stretching endlessly.

……

“So how should we wear the two sets of rings?”

“However you want.”

“How about this? I’ll wear mine on odd-numbered days, and yours on even-numbered days. We’ll take turns.”

“Okay.”

“…Did you secretly laugh? I heard you!”

“Because it’s too cute…”