Decayed Vulgarian chapter 63
Goodnight
At noon, during the mealtime conversation, Shen Taian and Uncle Chen talked about their past acquaintance to today’s societal developments, economic conditions, global trends, and the future international situation, their extensive discussion left Shen’s mother, who wanted to interject a few words about setting up Shen Xun and Chen Si Ran, unable to intervene.
In the afternoon, Shen Xun found himself pushed towards Chen Si Ran, as if forced like a duck to the chopping block by his mother.
Thankfully, Chen Si Ran didn’t want to have a conversation just for the sake of it and occasionally exchanged a few words with Shen Xun, both cooperating to get through the situation.
After dinner, Uncle Chen, together with his daughter Chen Si Ran with him, said their goodbyes and left.
As soon as they left, Shen’s mother hurried over to Shen Xun, asking, “So, do you like that girl?”
This was a question Shen Xun had heard countless times over the years. Unconsciously, he furrowed his brow, “It’s been just an afternoon, and you’re asking if I like her, and I don’t feel she’s interested in me either.”
Shen’s mother immediately retorted, “How do you know she’s not interested in you? You lack confidence.”
Shen Xun pursed his lips – he truly wanted to say that the girl already had someone, but his mother couldn’t keep secrets. If she told Shen Taian, it might eventually reach Uncle Chen’s ears and cause unnecessary trouble for Chen Si Ran.
In the end, he lowered his head and silently swallowed the words at his lips.
His mother patted his arm, “I heard that girl is a funeral director, which matches your profession, doesn’t it?”
Shen Xun vaguely responded, “I suddenly remembered I have some unfinished work at the office; the boss is waiting for my documents. I should go handle that.”
Finishing his excuse, he left without turning back.
His mother watched his departing figure, lost in thought.
The night drew in outside.
Shen Xun huddled in his room, pretending to work.
His father was never much of a talker and his mother was left with no one to chat with since Shen He, who talked the most, wasn’t at home. The entire house fell silent, the air stagnant and encapsulated by the night, freezing into a chilling stillness.
Without reason, he suddenly thought of their shared apartment, where Meng Yuan Cen had an endless stream of words; He used to believe that he was someone who enjoyed peace and quiet, that he had a pure love for it. But one day, he suddenly realized that this was just a means of self-deception.
He didn’t like it, so he could only endure and wait for his parents to sleep before daring to take out his phone and call Meng Yuan Cen, listening to the familiar voice recounting the day’s trip.
Hearing that Meng Yuan Cen had already returned home from the trip, Shen Xun was slightly surprised, “I thought you’d stay in Qichuan for a few more days.”
Meng Yuan Cen explained, “Yuan Ning wasn’t feeling well, and I had visited all the places I wanted to see. Liang Yan also didn’t intend to stay longer, so we came back early.”
Hearing both Meng Yuan Ning and Liang Yan’s names, Shen Xun suddenly remembered that Liang Yan had come to him that morning to open up, but after being interrupted by his mother, nothing had been said afterwards. Shen Xun fell silent for a moment.
Meng Yuan Cen’s voice came through, “What’s wrong?”
Shen Xun: “Nothing.”
The next day after lunch, Meng Yuan Cen drove over to pick up Shen Xun.
Unexpectedly, Shen’s mother recognized Meng Yuan Cen’s face, “It’s you again, thanks for taking my sons home last time. When will you join us for a meal?”
Shen Xun’s figure stiffened at the mention. He lowered his head to rearrange the items in the trunk, pretending not to have heard.
On the other hand, Meng Yuan Cen appeared composed and at ease, smiling as he replied, “Thank you, Auntie. I’ll come for a meal when I have time.”
Soon, the car’s window with a shade of deep gray pulled back, and Shen Xun waved a farewell, with the shadows of trees moving alongside his silhouette.
Back in the Dreamscape Orchid Garden, their home, Meng Yuan Cen took out his phone to show Shen Xun pictures and spoke about the quirks of their journey. However, while talking, he noticed that Shen Xun seemed not to be paying attention. “What are you thinking? You’ve been absent-minded while I’ve been talking to you. Are you too tired?”
Shen Xun suddenly snapped out of his daydream and replied along the lines given, “I’m a bit tired.”
“Then rest a bit.”
Meng Yuan Cen was about to put his phone away when two hands suddenly grabbed his wrist. Shen Xun looked up at him and said, “Though I’m tired, I still want to hear you talk.”
Meng Yuan Cen chuckled, “Okay, let’s call it a bedtime story.”
Feigning fatigue served as an excellent excuse to cover up his lack of focus. Whenever the atmosphere got too good, Shen Xun was always reluctant to bring up those disappointing matters – such as being deceived into a blind date by his mother– so he kept procrastinating.
It was this slight sense of guilt that made Shen Xun, in the following days, try to make amends to Meng Yuan Cen through practical actions, almost reaching a completely submissive state.
Especially when it came to certain excessive demands in bed – even when Meng Yuan Cen proposed them himself, Shen Xun hesitated for no more than three seconds, his ears turning as red as ever.
Meng Yuan Cen faintly felt that something was wrong.
Until five days later, on Saturday night, when Shen Xun took out the two couple outfits he had bought, Meng Yuan Cen’s intuition, previously vague, finally crystallized into a clear and visible speculation – Shen Xun was trying to please him.
Looking closer, the clothes were one of the three choices Meng Yuan Cen had provided, the color being the bright sapphire Shen Xun had found too flashy. There were also many letters imprinted that seemed dizzying to Shen Xun.
He considered his memory to be quite good, for example, he clearly remembered that Shen Xun hadn’t found any of the couple outfits that he selected to his liking. He had planned to select again, but later, due to being busy, he temporarily forgot about it. Shen Xun’s enthusiasm wasn’t high, so he wasn’t in a rush.
The living room was cool from the air conditioning, and after changing into the sapphire T-shirt, Shen Xun walked over to the sofa and blocked Meng Yuan Cen’s gaze towards the TV. “…How’s it?”
Meng Yuan Cen looked at him quietly for a few seconds, not giving a definitive answer, then asked casually, “Didn’t you say that sapphire blue was too bright?”
Shen Xun seldom wore oversized clothing and felt oddly uncomfortable. He looked down, “But… didn’t you say you liked this one the most?”
“Indeed.”
After Meng Yuan Cen sent the link, he casually mentioned that his favorite was the second set. However, he also emphasized that he would respect Shen Xun’s preferences, so Shen Xun need not cater to his likes.
Shen Xun already had fair skin, and the sapphire blue made him appear even paler, to the point where a gentle pinch could leave a bright red mark. The T-shirt covered half of his ass, making it seem like he was wearing his boyfriend’s clothes.
Too compliant, making Meng Yuan Cen delighted.
As if recalling something, Shen Xun added, “Your piece is in the bedroom. Do you want to try it on now?”
Meng Yuan Cen agreed with a smile. He put his arm around Shen Xun’s shoulder, walked to the bedroom, removed his glasses and casually placed them on the bedside table. However, instead of taking the clothes Shen Xun handed to him, he laid him down on the bed and repeatedly kissed him.
His fingers undid the button of Shen Xun’s pants, the smooth fabric gliding over his knees and pooling around his ankles. His toes trembled for an inexplicable reason, then stiffened, and the trousers finally fell to the floor.
The T-shirt that initially covered the upper part of the thighs was now clutched by Meng Yuan Cen and lifted to the waist.
Outside the window, the moon shone brightly among the stars.
During a momentary pause as they kissed, Shen Xun’s hand found the firm chest of Meng Yuan Cen, his breathing slightly accelerated. “I need to tell you something.”
Meng Yuan Cen wasn’t interested and attempted to kiss Shen Xun again, “We can talk about it later.”
Shen Xun turned his head to avoid it, “It’s crucial. I must say it today.”
Meng Yuan Cen froze in place. He hesitated for a few seconds and eventually sat up slowly, squinting as he looked at Shen Xun – he wanted to hear what was so important that it had to be said now.
Shen Xun clenched his teeth, transforming his thoughts from days of hesitation into a single, coherent speech, “Meng Yuan Cen, I’m sorry. My mother set me up on a blind date.”
Shen Xun observed his raised eyebrows, silently staring at his eyes.
Shen Xun, continuing, said, “My mom lied to me, saying that a friend of my father’s was coming for dinner, but in fact, my father’s friend’s daughter also came, and we were forced to chat for a while.”
He looked up to steal a glance at Meng Yuan Cen’s expression but found him unresponsive. Shen Xun’s heart raced, “The girl I was set up with is already in a relationship. She didn’t tell her family, so they arranged the blind date for her. I didn’t even add her on WeChat. If you don’t believe me, I can show you my WeChat list…”
Meng Yuan Cen remained silent for a moment, then hit the nail on the head, “Is this why you’ve been trying so hard to please me these past few days?”
Shen Xun hesitated, “Is it… is it that obvious?”
Meng Yuan Cen snorted, “What do you think?”
“If my mom had told me from the start that it was a blind date, I would have found an excuse to refuse. But she intentionally concealed that fact, so I… I’m sorry. I thought about it for a long time and decided to be honest with you because… I can’t guarantee that this won’t happen again. I’m truly sorry.”
Meng Yuan Cen was quiet for a moment, then said, “As long as your mother thinks you’re still single, this might very well happen again.”
Shen Xun’s body trembled, and he wrapped his arms around Meng Yuan Cen’s waist, burying his head in his chest. “I’m sorry…”
Normally, Meng Yuan Cen would have embraced him back, but he didn’t. Shen Xun felt inexplicably anxious, he stammered for a while and then spoke softly, “I’ll make it public. I promise you. Can you give me a little more time…”
Maybe his words lacked conviction because Meng Yuan Cen also remained unresponsive. Shen Xun bit his lip and seemed to make a decision. He promised, “I will make it public within a month.”
Meng Yuan Cen suddenly sighed, reached out to ruffle Shen Xun’s hair, “I’m not pressuring you… Take your time, there’s no rush.”
After some thought, he added, “Give me some time too, because, It’s a bit too much for me as well. If I told you that I went on a blind date a few days ago, even if pressured by my parents, how would you feel?”
Shen Xun’s eyelashes quivered. He could sense that Meng Yuan Cen was still motionless, so he stiffened too.
After a long silence, he suddenly cupped Meng Yuan Cen’s cheeks with his hands, raised his head, and kissed him, matching the force and passion that Meng Yuan Cen liked the most. However, no matter how much he tried, Meng Yuan Cen didn’t respond. He then sat on his lap, “If I say that you can do whatever you want tonight, will it make you feel better?”
Meng Yuan Cen was silent for a few seconds. For the first time, he declined, “Sorry, I’m a bit tired. I want to sleep.”
Shen Xun was momentarily stunned, then lowered his head, looking somewhat dejected, “…Goodnight.”
Then he heard Meng Yuan Cen’s ever-calm voice, “Goodnight.”