ALL NOVEL Chapter 10: You Deserve to Be Single!
Chapter 10: You Deserve to Be Single!
Perhaps because Chu Hanting’s scent was so familiar to Su Mu, he unconsciously nuzzled the embrace.
Though Su Mu didn’t notice, Chu Hanting’s body instantly stiffened, an unexplored part of his heart stirred.
He carefully experienced this unfamiliar feeling, like someone stroking his heart with a gentle feather – slightly ticklish, trembling, indescribable.
Chu Hanting didn’t yet know this feeling was called falling in love; he just bewilderedly held the person in his arms.
“Holy—” Shang Guan Fan didn’t notice his glass overflowing until wine dripped onto his leg, soaking his pants. He hurriedly put down the bottle and grabbed napkins to wipe.
While cleaning, he couldn’t help commenting, “Liu Yu, did you see that? That kid wasn’t kicked away?”
Liu Yu’s eyes sparkled knowingly before he smiled, “Now this is interesting.”
He knew how much Chu Hanting despised being touched by others. Except for their few close friends who could occasionally pat his shoulder, anyone else who touched him – Chu Hanting would want to wash that spot eight hundred times.
If he hadn’t known about their marriage meeting that afternoon, he’d have suspected these two knew each other already.
Especially that young man’s actions – so bold. Knowing nothing, yet daring to pounce.
“You…” Chu Hanting only got one word out before Su Mu quickly retreated from his embrace as if shocked.
Looking up with his delicate face, he spoke first: “I’m sorry.”
His lashes swept over misty eyes, bright and spirited.
As the warm feeling left his chest, Chu Hanting felt oddly reluctant. Hearing the apology, he reassured: “No need to apologize.”
“Did something trouble you? You seemed unhappy.”
Chu Hanting hadn’t noticed how gentle his voice had become, like comforting a child.
When had he ever spoken so softly at work or to others? Usually he was like an air conditioner, his words freezing people solid.
Su Mu shook his head, “On the contrary, I was too happy – happy enough to cry.”
Though he’d stepped back, his fingers that had wrapped around earlier now caught Chu Hanting’s sleeve hem.
His fingers still clutched the sleeve like some priceless treasure he couldn’t bear to release.
Not wanting to waste this rare chance, Su Mu took initiative: “Mr. Chu, may I add you on WeChat?”
They’d only exchanged WeChat earlier because elders were present. Chu Hanting’s WeChat contacts included only his grandfather and work accounts – messages were just work reports or file transfers.
To him, chatting on WeChat was purely a waste of time.
“If you encounter difficulties, you can come find me.” This was his biggest concession.
“So, who’s gonna explain that display of affection down there?” Shang Guan Fan teased as Chu Hanting rejoined them upstairs.
Su Mu heard his meaning clearly – come if there’s trouble, otherwise stay away.
He consoled himself that it was just the beginning, no need to rush.
Oh, who was he kidding?!
“Will I bother you?” he asked.
“No. After all, in our elders’ eyes, we’re seeing each other.”
Su Mu felt conflicted – so it was just because they were arranged to marry. Without that, he’d have no reason to approach Chu Hanting.
He knew Chu Hanting’s response was perfectly normal, but being Su Mu from a past life, his heart yearned to express all his accumulated urgency and unspoken words.
Chu Hanting saw the sprite-like prince’s bright eyes dim. Though he felt sorry, he stood firm in his approach.
Whatever the other’s motives, Chu Hanting wanted to extinguish any spark early.
According to his information, Su Mu had previously threatened suicide rather than marry a man. So why, since meeting today, did he seem so focused on Chu Hanting?
Helping Su Mu with trouble was natural – he was willing to protect his potential partner during their courtship period. But nothing more.
Especially emotions – he wouldn’t give those easily.
“Su Mu, what are you doing?”
Gao Yang’s call made Su Mu release Chu Hanting’s sleeve.
He turned calmly, composed, as if his sadness had never existed.
“All done?”
“Mm,” Gao Yang beamed happily – this was his first high-paying job. With this income, life would be much easier than relying on scholarships and part-time work.
The manager had sent Su Mu to play while Gao Yang stayed to sign contracts.
“Manager Wang said I can start tomorrow.”
“By the way, Su Mu, who is he?”
Su Mu turned to see the man smoothing his sleeve wrinkles.
They weren’t anything to each other yet… but eventually, he would be his.
When Chu Hanting headed upstairs, Su Mu’s eyes followed his departing figure longingly.
The air still held his scent – recently smoked cigarettes, a pleasant tobacco smell unlike harsh regular smoke.
The evening continued, with both men lost in their own thoughts about their unexpected encounter.
“Looks like you two got lucky with hitting all greens, huh?” Shang Guan Fan joked, swirling his wine glass. “Meanwhile, Chu Hanting gets someone throwing himself at him and he doesn’t even realize what it means!”
“You think he’s interested in me?” Chu Hanting asked seriously.
Shang Guan Fan stared in disbelief. “Are you kidding? When a man throws himself at another man like that… if you’re saying he’s not interested, I’ll eat this table!”
But Chu Hanting still surprised them: “Could he just be after the Chu family’s money?”
“You deserve to be single,” Shang Guan Fan said in exasperation. Those longing glances were clear as day with his 20/20 vision. Money aside, the boy was definitely attracted.
Liu Yu took a sip of wine, not speculating wildly, but a slight smile tugged at his lips.
It was just beginning, but in his view, both men had issues. One falling too fast, the other oblivious to his own feelings.
This would be interesting to watch.