When Lu Zhengfei returned with popcorn, Chen Qianqing had already cooled down completely. He sat on a bench, lazily chatting with Yuan Zhitao. Lu Zhengfei handed the popcorn to Chen Qianqing, but it was clear from his expression that he was still not appeased. Chen Qianqing ignored him and started eating the popcorn.
Yuan Zhitao had finished her ice cream cone and joined Chen Qianqing in eating the popcorn. Her eyes occasionally shifted between Chen Qianqing and Lu Zhengfei, clearly not fully believing Chen Qianqing's explanation that he and Lu Zhengfei were just friends.
The line for the Ferris wheel moved quickly, and before they had eaten much popcorn, the three of them were already on board. As soon as Chen Qianqing sat down, Lu Zhengfei shamelessly sat next to him, his expression completely unfazed. Yuan Zhitao's suspicions were confirmed.
When Chen Qianqing had told Yuan Zhitao that he might be interested in men, she had imagined him with a flamboyant and effeminate man wearing lipstick and having stubble on his face, so her reaction was quite extreme. However, when she saw Chen Qianqing and Lu Zhengfei sitting together, she realized that if Chen Qianqing's partner was Lu Zhengfei... well, it wasn't bad? This just proved that it's a world where appearances matter.
The Ferris wheel slowly ascended to its highest point while Chen Qianqing continued to eat the popcorn. Yuan Zhitao felt the atmosphere becoming more and more strange and whispered, "Qianqing, are you not feeling well?"
Chen Qianqing, who had fair skin, appeared pale at this moment, and his expression carried a lazy and transparent demeanor. He knew that Lu Zhengfei was still angry, and although his ears were still buzzing, he couldn't be bothered to explain.
Lu Zhengfei was indeed still angry. When he saw Chen Qianqing and Yuan Zhitao embracing each other, he almost went insane. He wished he could rush over, pull Chen Qianqing out of Yuan Zhitao's arms, and passionately kiss him. But Lu Zhengfei managed to restrain himself, which did not mean he wasn't affected by what had just happened.
Chen Qianqing replied, "I'm fine." His ears were still buzzing, but he had calmed down. Yuan Zhitao's words felt like heavy hammers repeatedly striking him, shattering his soul bit by bit.
Lu Zhengfei said, "He wants to play, let him play."
Yuan Zhitao responded with an "oh."
In the eerie atmosphere, the three of them went around the amusement park, participating in various activities. When they realized it was getting late, they left the park.
Yuan Zhitao had originally planned to have dinner with Chen Qianqing, but seeing the situation, she knew that if she stayed, none of them would be able to eat. She said, "Qianqing, I'll leave first... Let's make plans for another time. What's your phone number?"
After exchanging phone numbers with Chen Qianqing, Yuan Zhitao bid them farewell and got into her car.
Lu Zhengfei had been silent the whole time. It was only after Yuan Zhitao left that he coldly asked, "Chen Qianqing, do you like her?"
Chen Qianqing glanced at the unfriendly expression on Lu Zhengfei's face and said, "Let's talk about it when we get home."
Then, surprisingly, Lu Zhengfei obediently went home with Chen Qianqing.
As Chen Qianqing had already informed them that they would have dinner at home, Liu Huamei had prepared a sumptuous meal. Seeing Chen Qianqing and Lu Zhengfei return, she was surprised and asked, "Qianqing, where did you go? Why do you both look so gloomy?"
Chen Qianqing smiled and replied, "We went to the amusement park."
Liu Huamei responded with an "oh" and said, "I'm scared of those things. It's only you kids who like them. Come, hurry up and wash your hands so we can eat. I have to go out later."
Chen Qianqing nodded.
The dinner was abundant. Liu Huamei hadn't seen her son in a long time, so she cooked dishes that catered to his tastes. It was clear that she liked Lu Zhengfei very much and asked if he had a girlfriend. Upon hearing Lu Zhengfei's negative response, she enthusiastically said, "Auntie will keep an eye out for you. If I find someone suitable, I'll introduce her to you."
"Liu Huamei said, 'How can this not be urgent? Starting a family and establishing a career is what a person does in a lifetime... You two are still young, but when you're older, you'll understand. Without someone to support you, it's impossible to get through life.'
Liu Zhengfei nodded with a smile and continued eating his food attentively.
After dinner, Liu Huamei stood up and said, 'Qianqing, wash the dishes and put the leftovers in the fridge. Wang Auntie and I have plans to go dancing.'
Chen Qianqing responded, and Liu Huamei changed into different clothes and left.
Once Liu Huamei was gone, the room was left with only Liu Zhengfei and Chen Qianqing.
Liu Zhengfei had been suppressing his anger all day, and now seeing Chen Qianqing eating his dinner with an expressionless face, he felt his anger rise even more.
Liu Zhengfei asked, 'Chen Qianqing, do you like Yuan Zhitao?'
Chen Qianqing put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and said, 'Liu Zhengfei, I don't want to argue with you.' His gaze didn't even fall on Liu Zhengfei but seemed distant.
Liu Zhengfei sneered, 'Do you think I want to argue with you? I went to buy an ice cream cone, and I saw you two hugging each other? Chen Qianqing, do you really think I have no temper?'
Chen Qianqing understood Liu Zhengfei's anger. In this world, no one could understand Liu Zhengfei's current feelings better than him. It was a mixture of panic, anger, disappointment, and even a hint of inferiority. He lifted his head, looked into Liu Zhengfei's eyes, and said, 'If you were to like me when you're thirty, the outcome might be different.'
The Liu Zhengfei three years later was completely different from the current Liu Zhengfei. The wrong time and the wrong person led to a twisted ending.
Liu Zhengfei was losing his mind. From Chen Qianqing's gaze, he saw obvious pity, as if Chen Qianqing was telling him that no matter how much he did, it could never compare to a hug from a childhood sweetheart.
His explosive temper ignited, and Liu Zhengfei grabbed Chen Qianqing's hand, forcefully pulling him up from his seat.
Chen Qianqing stumbled as he was pulled, but surprisingly, he didn't get angry and only furrowed his brow.
Liu Zhengfei didn't bother speaking to Chen Qianqing anymore. He pulled him directly towards the bedroom. Even a fool could see what he wanted to do.
Chen Qianqing stiffened. He thought that instead of being forcibly taken by Liu Zhengfei, he would rather be beaten up by him. He said, 'Liu Zhengfei, what do you want to do? This is my home!'
Liu Zhengfei grinned, 'I want you.'
Chen Qianqing couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity. With his legs just healed, he couldn't even run, let alone fight back. Even if he struggled with all his might, he was still pinned down by Liu Zhengfei.
Both of them were breathing heavily, and Chen Qianqing was on the verge of going crazy. Since hearing those words from Yuan Zhitao earlier today, he hadn't calmed down yet, but now he had to face a crazed Liu Zhengfei. 'Liu Zhengfei, let me go, you fucker! Fuck!'
Liu Zhengfei paid no attention to Chen Qianqing's struggles. Their intimate moments had always been acts of coercion. Chen Qianqing never consented, and Liu Zhengfei would never stop just because of Chen Qianqing's refusal.
Liu Zhengfei forcefully removed Chen Qianqing's sweatpants, and neatly tied his hands with a belt. This was already an unfair contest. When Chen Qianqing regained his breath, Liu Zhengfei had already lifted his leg, ready to enter him.
Chen Qianqing knew that he couldn't escape today, so he could only use his bound hands to cover his eyes and, amidst his gasps for air, let out a long sigh.
Liu Zhengfei's eyes turned red with rage, and he said, 'Chen Qianqing, you are mine. Don't you dare try to be with anyone else. Not Yuan Zhitao! Not anyone!' Then, he entered Chen Qianqing.
Chen Qianqing's face twisted in pain, and he faintly saw the anguished expression on Liu Zhengfei's face. However, he felt powerless. If he were Liu Zhengfei, he would probably hate him too."
Chen Qianqing's eyes revealed sadness and despair as he whispered, "Liu Zhengfei...You don't even know what you've missed." His voice was so low, almost drowned out by his gasps, that Liu Zhengfei couldn't hear what he said.
Feeling the pain of being penetrated, Chen Qianqing heard Yuan Zhitao's words in his ears. That girl said, "Chen Qianqing, I didn't know you also liked men."
Did Chen Qianqing like men? How could Chen Qianqing possibly like men? If Chen Qianqing liked men, then what foolish things had Liu Zhengfei done? They were supposed to...have a better ending...but...but...
Chen Qianqing's thoughts were unfinished, lost in the midst of his pain and confusion.
Liu Zhengfei suddenly realized that something was wrong with the person beneath him. He looked closely and noticed that Chen Qianqing was sweating profusely, his face almost as pale as paper, his pupils dilated. Yet, he was uttering three words, "I'm sorry."
Liu Zhengfei didn't know who Chen Qianqing was apologizing to, but he was certain it wasn't him.
At this point, Liu Zhengfei couldn't continue anymore. He withdrew from Chen Qianqing's body and embraced him tightly in his arms.
Chen Qianqing curled up unconsciously and remained motionless.
Liu Zhengfei stared at the unfamiliar ceiling in silence, his expression unreadable, unsure of what he was thinking.
After a long while, Liu Zhengfei spoke to Chen Qianqing, "Qianqing, are you cold?"
Chen Qianqing naturally didn't respond to Liu Zhengfei's words.
Liu Zhengfei murmured, "I'm so cold."