(M?) Chapter 40 – Just right
Novel Title: 我们已经分手了 (We Have Broken Up)
Author：御小凡 (Yu Xiaofan)
Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)
Protagonists: 刘帆 (Liu Fan -MC), 陈谦 (Chen Qian -ML)
*Please read at Novels Space.space, the original site of translation. TQ*
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Liu Fan was in a groggy sleep, woken up by the sound of the car door closing. He turned his head to look at Chen Qian, who was getting into the car, and stretched lazily. “Going back?”
Chen Qian responded with a nod but didn’t make any other movements.
Liu Fan slowly tilted his head, his face full of question marks.
Chen Qian took several deep breaths, then turned around and hugged him tightly. His shoulders were shaking with evident emotion.
What’s this now? Bullied by his dad again?
Liu Fan’s brain started working slowly. Before he could figure things out, he reached out to hug Chen Qian back, patting his back as if comforting a child.
They stayed silent, embracing quietly for a while. Chen Qian was the first to let go, looking a bit calmer, staring expressionlessly at Liu Fan.
Just as Liu Fan was about to say something to comfort him further, Chen Qian wiped a finger along the corner of his mouth. “You’re drooling again.”
Liu Fan: “…”
Chen Qian took the wheel and casually reminded, “Put on your seatbelt.”
Feeling confused and wiping his mouth, Liu Fan thought to himself, I can’t believe this. It’s like being pulled in to watch a dirty movie, getting all ready, only to be told, ‘You’re so dirty.’
The car started moving, and Liu Fan propped his face, staring blankly ahead.
Chen Qian said, “When can we arrange a time with your parents? My mom and I want to visit.”
“This weekend we can…-” Liu Fan stopped mid-sentence, turning his head in surprise. He asked in a daze, “Your mom accepts us?”
“Yeah.” Chen Qian’s expression could barely be interpreted as, ‘Although it’s not a big deal, come on and praise me’. “I told you, I’d sort it out.”
Liu Fan oscillated between, “What about your dad?” and “Wow, you’re amazing!”. But he finally settled on, “Do I need to visit your mom first?”
“…Whatever you like.” Chen Qian added, “Don’t be nervous.”
Recalling Chen Qian’s behaviour during his first visit home, Liu Fan couldn’t help but laugh, “You better take good care of me then.”
Chen Qian, seemingly unable to hold back any longer, reached over and took Liu Fan’s left hand. He brought it to his lips for a kiss. Although he maintained his posture of watching the road, his side profile looked relaxed and happy. The kiss was tender and full of affection.
Liu Fan watched Chen Qian for a few seconds before pulling his hand back, “Focus on driving.”
Chen Qian’s expression stiffened, feeling slightly sulky. Liu Fan turned to look at him teasingly, “Hurry home. I want to kiss you too.”
“…Don’t tempt me. You’ll regret it, Xiao Fan.” Chen Qian seemed both amused and slightly angry. He glanced at him, and during a red light, pulled him over for a deep kiss. Liu Fan opened his mouth willingly, allowing Chen Qian’s tongue to explore. The intense, wet kiss made them both dizzy. Their tongues intertwined in a way that made it hard to breathe.
A slight sting on his lower lip made Liu Fan hiss lightly as he was released. The car behind them honked impatiently, and Liu Fan realised the light had turned green.
Chen Qian’s face still bore traces of intense passion. His handsome features contorted slightly. He shifted uncomfortably, a large bulge noticeable between his legs. Liu Fan wasn’t in much better shape. His mouth was dry and his erection strained painfully against his underwear. They hadn’t had sex in a while because Chen Qian had been too tired and in a bad mood. The most they had done was some light touching and finishing with their hands, a stark contrast to their previous, more satisfying encounters. Lately, it felt almost like celibacy.
Both of them fell silent. Chen Qian focused on driving, while Liu Fan leaned absentmindedly against the window. The car’s interior was filled with an indescribable, exhilarating tension.
Chen Qian drove faster than usual, reaching home in less time. In the underground parking lot, they couldn’t resist another round of kissing. Chen Qian practically climbed over Liu Fan, pinning him against the car door, kissing him with abandonment of reason. The intense, prolonged kisses were thrilling, and Chen Qian’s hands even reached Liu Fan’s belt.
The headlights of an incoming car snapped them back to reality. Chen Qian licked Liu Fan’s lips like a puppy, then dragged him out of the car, hurrying to the elevator.
As they entered, someone called out from behind, “Hey! Please hold the door!”
Chen Qian, with a deadpan expression, fiercely jabbed the close-door button. Liu Fan watched in amusement as the doors shut right in front of the person. Despite his own arousal, he couldn’t help but laugh.
“Laugh, laugh, laugh. What’s so funny!?” Chen Qian said, half annoyed, half helpless, glancing at Liu Fan’s crotch. “Do you want people to see you like this?”
Although the autumn heat had passed and they were both in light pants, the bulge was obvious to anyone who looked. But Liu Fan still found it hilarious—the person’s surprised expression and Chen Qian’s sneaky actions were enough to make him laugh for a week.
Chen Qian, utterly exasperated, helped the laughing Liu Fan out of the elevator, into their home, and into the bedroom, where he tossed him onto the bed.
Liu Fan curled up on the bed, still laughing uncontrollably. Chen Qian, frustrated, pounced on him. “Hey! Are we doing this or not?!”
“Yes, yes, we are.” Liu Fan, grinning, wrapped his arms around the sullen Chen Qian’s neck, kissing his chin affectionately. Chen Qian stared at him for a moment, then flopped onto his back with a sigh.
Liu Fan rolled over to his side, propping his head up with one hand. “But really, convincing your mom—that was a surprise.”
Chen Qian wrapped an arm around him, ruffling his hair, and turned slightly to look at Liu Fan’s smiling face. He exhaled deeply. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
He seemed lost in thought for a moment, then added, “Everything will be alright.”
“Mm.” Liu Fan leaned down, giving Chen Qian a quick peck on the lips, and smiled. “Everything will be alright.”
***
Liu Fan’s office recently welcomed a new designer named Tang Guangfeng, a lively young man whose personality seemed more suited to sales. He was very outgoing, and with his somewhat handsome appearance, he quickly got along well with all his colleagues. He was especially warm and attentive to the three other people in their office, creating a friendly and lively atmosphere that lasted for several days. However, within two weeks, Tang Guangfeng’s attitude towards Liu Fan became noticeably less enthusiastic.
Of course, to be fair, he wasn’t exactly cold. It was just more noticeable compared to how he treated everyone else. Liu Fan didn’t really mind. He had always been like that—if he got along well with colleagues, great, and if not, he didn’t force it.
One day, the men’s restroom on their floor was out of order, so Liu Fan had to go down a floor to take care of his business. Since it was just one floor, he used the stairs. After finishing up, he walked into the stairwell and overheard someone on the phone.
“I’ve heard there are a lot of gays in City C. But it’s the first time I’ve seen one around me. It’s so disgusting.”
Judging by the voice, it was Tang Guangfeng. People in their office liked to make personal calls in the corner of the stairwell. Liu Fan, drying his hands, heard him continue, “Gays are all so messy. Do you think he has any diseases? I just can’t understand it. He doesn’t even seem effeminate. How can he like men?”
Tang Guangfeng laughed, “He sits right across from me and sometimes stares at me. It makes me so nervous. Hey, what if he has a crush on me?”
Liu Fan thought; wow, your self-awareness is off the charts, buddy. He slowly walked up the stairs. Tang Guangfeng, facing away from the entrance, heard footsteps and turned around. His eyes went wide when he saw Liu Fan.
Liu Fan glanced at him and walked past. Not sure what Tang Guangfeng’s phone companion said. But he quickly wrapped up with a few “uh-huhs” and a “never mind, I have to get back to work” before ending the call.
Seeing him hang up, Liu Fan stopped and said, “You’ve misunderstood. My eyes hurt from staring at the computer for too long, so I like to look at the green plant behind you.”
Tang Guangfeng turned beet red with embarrassment.
Liu Fan, finding it all quite dull, rubbed his now-cold hands and headed back to the office. He heard Tang Guangfeng mutter ‘disgusting’ under his breath.
As soon as he sat down, his QQ messenger started buzzing. Liu Mengjiao had sent a message: Guo Yan just told me that Tang Guangfeng asked her if you’re gay. He even had a fight with another colleague over it.
Liu Fan replied: I figured as much.
It seemed people had been gossiping quite a bit behind his back. This didn’t particularly surprise him. It was more that he hadn’t paid attention to it. The people close to him didn’t care about his sexual orientation, like his parents, Liu Mengjiao, and Chen Qian.
It might also be that the initial revelation about his sexuality had been so malicious that acceptance had been problematic for some people.
Liu Fan’s fingers tapped lightly on the keyboard.
Well, the timing is just right.
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*Translator’s Note: Hell yeah. Just leave if the environment is toxic. Why torture yourself when you can be free? -K
Next update: 2024.10.15
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