Chapter 27 – Comforting You
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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“Holy crap!” Liu Mengjiao stood up, “How can someone be so shameless! Only complete annihilation of such people can ensure peace in this world!”
Liu Fan also saw the message but just shrugged.
Wu Shuang’s message followed: What are you all doing?! When will this end?!
Liu Fan: I’m sorry. Boss Wu, may I explain in the group? I am indeed homosexual. But I don’t engage in promiscuity and have a steady boyfriend.
Wu Shuang: … Come to my office.
“Where are you going?” Liu Mengjiao asked, seeing Liu Fan stand up. “Is it to Wu Shuang’s office? Damn it, I want to explain Zheng Nian’s situation in the group. How can we let him make up lies like that!”
“It’s okay, I’ll talk to the Boss first. The company group is for work matters. Zheng Nian is Zheng Nian. We are not like him.” Liu Fan waved his hand nonchalantly, “I’ll go over first.”
In the general manager’s office, Wu Shuang sat in her chair with her arms crossed, “Xiao Liu, you and Mengjiao usually work well. Why are there so many issues now?”
“Madam Wu, I don’t know what Zheng Nian told you,” Liu Fan thought for a moment. “Actually, it’s like this.”
Liu Fan explained the situation with Zheng Nian. Initially, he and Liu Mengjiao hadn’t intended to create a scene. But since Zheng Nian took advantage of his resignation to slander him, they had no choice but to reveal everything.
“Oh my…” Wu Shuang pressed her temples, “Your circle is so messy…”
Liu Fan defended himself with a helpless expression, “Madam Wu, you shouldn’t judge everyone the same way. I’m just the type who wants to find a boyfriend and live a simple life.”
“You…” Wu Shuang seemed at a loss for words, “You’re really gay?”
“Yes,” Liu Fan scratched his cheek, “I wasn’t intentionally hiding it. But it’s not something that needs to be advertised everywhere. The job application didn’t require us to specify our sexual orientation.”
Wu Shuang was silent for a long time, seemingly considering whether this would have any impact. Her expression gradually became somewhat subtle, “So, what Zheng Nian said was all nonsense? You already have a boyfriend?”
“Yes. We actually grew up together, were apart for a while, and recently met again and got back together,” Liu Fan smiled. “I hope we won’t separate again in the future.”
Wu Shuang: “…”
For some reason, she felt a hint of displeasure.
“You’re not new to the company,” Wu Shuang sighed, but finally said, “As long as it doesn’t affect work, the company won’t interfere in personal relationships. I’ll issue an announcement to explain for you later. Do you want me to… downplay your sexual orientation?”
Liu Fan pursed his lips, “That’s not necessary. To be frank, Madam Wu, there’s nothing wrong with me liking men. If others want to gossip, that’s their problem, not mine.”
His straightforward response left Wu Shuang at a loss for words.
“Besides, I think lying now would make things worse if it comes out later. To be honest, even my parents know,” Liu Fan smiled. “But if the company thinks I’ll have a negative influence on everyone, I’m willing to resign voluntarily.”
“Let’s leave it at that for now,” Wu Shuang said after a while. “We’ll see how it goes. If people’s reactions are indeed severe, we might have to trouble you. Haa… in this day and age, you all…”
At this point, she smiled again, “Never mind, I wish you happiness. I believe our company’s employees are quite open-minded.”
Liu Fan quickly expressed his gratitude and left the office.
In the company’s QQ group:
Wu Shuang: Please do not post personal information in the company’s internal QQ group. Zheng Nian has been dismissed by the company for personal reasons, and his earlier statements were slander against Liu Fan. Liu Fan is not involved in any improper relationships. I hope everyone won’t take such things seriously.
Liu Mengjiao angrily shifted her gaze from the computer screen to Liu Fan, “We should really have General Manager Chen come and intimidate them. Such a high-quality boyfriend, who else could find one like that, hmph!”
Liu Fan, the victim, instead comforted her, “It’s okay, it’s nothing. Let others say what they want. It won’t hurt us.”
Liu Mengjiao remained unhappily silent.
The atmosphere in the office remained very heavy. Guo Yan, lost in thought, buried herself in work, not daring to look towards Liu Fan and Liu Mengjiao.
This situation was unavoidable. Liu Fan wanted to comfort the child, saying ‘Don’t be afraid. This Gege isn’t sick’. Liu Mengjiao’s reaction was more obvious, showing no kindness even towards Guo Yan. As soon as work ended, she angrily pulled Liu Fan out of the company.
Liu Fan was dragged along by Liu Mengjiao, following the crowd out of the building’s entrance. His heart skipped a beat, and he unconsciously looked up to see Chen Qian just throwing a cigarette butt into the trash.
“General Manager Chen,” Liu Mengjiao, with her keen eye, greeted first. “General Manager Chen, you’re here to pick up Liu Fan, right?”
As she spoke, she pushed Liu Fan towards Chen Qian.
“Hello,” Chen Qian expressed his approval of this gesture and said kindly to Liu Mengjiao, “Be careful on your way home, girl. Let’s have dinner together next time.”
“Alright,” Liu Mengjiao nodded understandingly. Before leaving, she suddenly remembered, “Oh right. General Manager Chen, please comfort Liu Fan well.”
Chen Qian raised his eyebrows in surprise and looked at Liu Fan, “What happened?”
“Uh…” Liu Fan didn’t have time to signal Liu Mengjiao. He hadn’t intended to let Chen Qian know about this. “It’s nothing… just that a colleague accidentally revealed my sexual orientation.”
“Explain clearly,” Chen Qian frowned. “What did this person mean?”
“It’s not like that,” Liu Fan hesitated. If he told the truth, given Chen Qian’s personality, he might not let go of Zheng Nian easily. Although Liu Fan somewhat regretted stopping Liu Mengjiao earlier and not hitting that scumbag a few more times, he didn’t feel the need to bite back just because he was bitten by a dog. “You know, people outside don’t really understand our circle, so they’re very curious. Maybe they saw us outside when we weren’t being careful.”
Chen Qian scoffed disdainfully, “What’s there to be careful about? It’s not like we’re doing something shameful.”
“Exactly. So I don’t think there’s anything to worry about,” Liu Fan walked alongside him. “Mengjiao thought I’d be upset by this, that’s why she said you should comfort me. But really, it’s nothing.”
“She’s known you for how long and doesn’t even know this about you,” Chen Qian said, seemingly recalling something. “What could possibly upset you? Oh, so your company knows you have a boyfriend now?”
Liu Fan: “…”
It’s not only that. They think I went for a threesome.
“Yes,” Liu Fan struggled to tell a lie, “They all know now. They know I have a high-quality boyfriend who’s rich and handsome.”
Chen Qian hummed in satisfaction, ruffling Liu Fan’s hair, “Hmm, it’s not a big deal. If you’re not happy working there, come to my company. You can do whatever you want.”
“It’s not that serious,” Liu Fan had no plans to resign, at least not now. It would make it seem like he had done something wrong. He had nothing to be ashamed of.
“Alright. Don’t be upset anymore. I’ll take you shopping,” Chen Qian hadn’t driven today, so he hailed a taxi and gave the address of the shopping district.
Liu Fan: “?”
Liu Fan was a bit confused, “I’m not upset…”
Besides, if he was upset, why go shopping? It would be better to go eat something delicious.
Liu Fan looked curiously at the enthusiastic Chen Qian, wondering what this guy was up to now. The two got off at C City’s busiest shopping district. Chen Qian confidently held Liu Fan’s hand as they entered a jewellery store. Because this brand’s jewellery was far from affordable, even at this time and location, the store was nearly empty with few customers.
Liu Fan: “…”
Honestly, since he had reunited with this guy, why did he keep finding himself in cliché scenarios?
Amidst the various shiny reflections, Liu Fan asked, “General Manager Chen, are you going to buy me a gold chain?”
“You wish. I’d rather buy you a dog collar,” Chen Qian casually ran his hand across Liu Fan’s neck, chuckling to himself. He then straightened Liu Fan’s crooked collar. The store staff had clearly seen their interaction. But being professionals in this high-end store, they didn’t gossip.
When Chen Qian led Liu Fan to a counter, the responsible salesperson immediately displayed a sweet smile, “Hello, how may I assist you?”
“We’re choosing two rings,” Chen Qian looked at the counter. Liu Fan also glanced at the same direction before looking around elsewhere.
The salesperson asked, “Are these for both gentlemen?”
Chen Qian nodded.
“Then I recommend this set. It’s an engagement ring specially designed by our brand for same-sex couples,” The salesperson took out a pair of unadorned platinum rings with a smooth exterior that had a simplistic beauty.
Chen Qian pulled Liu Fan, who had wandered about ten metres away, back. “Come here and try it on.”
The salesperson explained, “This style is very minimalist but extremely well-designed. This gentleman’s hands are so beautiful, it should suit him perfectly.”
As she was about to help Liu Fan try it on, Chen Qian intercepted and put it on Liu Fan himself. “Is it a bit loose?”
Liu Fan compared: “It seems like it might fall off…”
Chen Qian took it off for him: “Then let’s try another. Do you like the style?”
Liu Fan: “All men’s rings look the same, what’s there to like or dislike?”
Chen Qian: “We’re picking out rings here, can you not be so bluntly honest? Should I buy you one with diamonds instead?”
Liu Fan: “Oh. And then scratch whichever car I don’t like with it?”
The salesperson, slightly flustered, brought a smaller size ring. She watched as Chen Qian carefully put it on Liu Fan’s finger. Both of them lowered their heads, their foreheads almost touching.
Liu Fan’s fingers were long and slender. His skin was fair. The silver-white ring on his finger looked very beautiful under the strong light of the counter.
Chen Qian said, “Hmm, this one works.”
Liu Fan was actually indifferent about how it looked. He instinctively took the other male ring and put it on Chen Qian, which fit perfectly.
Chen Qian looked at it for a long time, seeming somewhat unsatisfied.
After hesitating for a while, he still bought this pair of rings in the end based on the salesperson’s recommendation.
Walking out of the store, Chen Qian raised an eyebrow and asked, “Are you happy now?”
Liu Fan: “…”
It’s not like I wanted to buy rings, hehe.
Liu Fan said, “I’m not happy.”
Chen Qian: “…”
Liu Fan: “I want a gold chain.”
Chen Qian: “…”
Liu Fan: “A thick one.”
Chen Qian’s face looked like he wanted to punch someone. He poked Liu Fan’s forehead with two fingers, “Why are you so materialistic?”
Liu Fan looked at him innocently.
So Chen Qian grudgingly said, “Let’s go look at the gold shop ahead.”
Liu Fan loved seeing this guy get annoyed by him but still having to indulge him. He couldn’t stop smiling and leaned in, saying, “Give me a kiss.”
“Hmph.” Chen Qian raised his hand, wrapped his arm around Liu Fan’s shoulders, and lowered his head for a kiss. The rings on their ring fingers gleamed silver-white under the various lights of the shopping street’s signs.
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*Translator’s Note: Just leave the damn company, for fuck’s sake. Oh. Wait until CQ found out about what ZN did. He’s gonna get a beating in the end. Karma’s a bitch, bitch. -K
Next update: 2024.10.02
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