“You know, you’d be better off just breaking ties and being with me,” Cheng Meng said, wrapping his arm around Han Tian’s neck with a seductive smile. “Being with someone like Cheng Shuoning is so dull, and you hate him so much. Just kick him to the curb.”
“You’re right about everything, but now’s not the time,” Han Tian replied, not falling for his words. He pinched Cheng Meng’s cheek. “It’s lively downstairs. Why aren’t you joining the fun?”
“Just like you, seeing your dear Ning Ning’s face makes me lose my appetite.” Cheng Meng stretched lazily as he sat on the table, his posture relaxed. “You should go back. It’s taking you forever to change clothes. What if he gives you the cold shoulder again? Go on, make it up to him. I’ll be fine.”
Knowing Cheng Meng was saying these things on purpose, Han Tian squinted his eyes, walked over, lifted Cheng Meng’s chin, and planted a hard kiss on his lips. “Wait for me, darling. I’ll come find you after this is over.”
He turned and walked to the door, but for some reason, his heart suddenly felt uneasy. He glanced back at Cheng Meng, who was watching him with a raised eyebrow and a teasing smile. “Can’t bear to leave me, darling?”
“I’m just wondering what kind of relationship we have now,” Cheng Meng said, swinging his legs. “Lovers? Just friends? Or something else?”
“Of course, you’re the one I like,” Han Tian said with a smile, opening the door to leave.
However, his smile froze the moment he saw who was standing there, and he even took two steps back.
A delicate-looking young man stood at the door, holding a cage. He didn’t acknowledge the sound of the door opening, still gently stroking the parrot inside, a gentle smile on his lips.
To Han Tian, that smile was terrifying, almost driving him mad.
When did he get here? Did he hear their conversation? How much did he hear? More importantly, why was he here?
Cheng Meng, unaware of the person at the door, noticed Han Tian’s odd behavior and jumped off the table to approach. “What’s wrong? Seen a ghost?”
It was no different from seeing a ghost, perhaps even more frightening.
Han Tian’s heart, which had nearly stopped, started beating again when the young man looked at him. He exhaled sharply, realizing he had been holding his breath without knowing it.
His mind went blank, unable to think of anything to say. He could only stare straight at the young man, unable to muster a smile.
‘The room’s soundproofing is pretty good. If he heard, he wouldn’t be smiling, so he probably didn’t hear.’
With that thought, Han Tian finally regained his composure and forced a smile. “Ning Ning, how long have you been here? Were you worried about me and couldn’t wait?”
Cheng Shuoning stood there silently, not answering.
He had beautiful eyes, bright and full of life, like they held the stars. But now, they were filled with coldness.
Under such a gaze, Han Tian felt ashamed, yet he couldn’t help but straighten his back, convincing himself it was nothing.
He might not have noticed, right.
Cheng Shuoning spoke softly, “Thank you, Han Tian. Even though you hate me and find me annoying, you still pretend to be kind and gentle. But there’s no need for that anymore. It’s useless.”
“If you like Cheng Meng, just like Cheng Meng. There’s no need to play these games with me and waste time.”
With that, he turned with the cage, ready to leave.
Han Tian had considered many possibilities of being found out, but this was the one he least expected.
He had prepared himself for Cheng Shuoning’s mockery or even anger, but he didn’t expect Cheng Shuoning to just say a few calm words and leave, as if he didn’t matter at all.
Not important enough to waste any extra time on.
People are strange. Being confronted is annoying, but being ignored is even more so.
Annoyed, Han Tian chased after him without thinking, trying to defend himself. “Ning Ning, it’s not like that. Don’t go.”
Cheng Shuoning paused, and Han Tian thought he had a chance, grinning. “Ning Ning, I knew you’d believe me.”
But Cheng Shuoning only turned to look past him at Cheng Meng, smiling warmly. “Thank you for the gift. I really like it.”
Facing Han Tian’s questioning gaze, Cheng Meng, who was ready to watch the show, was unfazed. “…?”
He instinctively said, “I didn’t call him over. I didn’t even know he was outside the door. It has nothing to do with me.”
This explanation sounded more like an excuse. Cheng Meng laughed in frustration. He hadn’t even given his gift yet, so why was Cheng Shuoning dragging him into this?
“Let me explain, Ning Ning. What I said in the room was all fake.”
The sudden turn of events left Han Tian unable to focus on Cheng Meng. Grabbing Cheng Shuoning’s hand, he said hoarsely, “I’ve been good to you for so many years. How could it be an act? You should be able to feel it.”
“I was just upset with how you’ve been acting lately. It was just angry words, Ning Ning. You can’t believe angry words.”
“You want to keep him as a backup? That’s quite the plan.”
“Why do you keep bringing him up? It’s such a buzzkill. Just thinking about his cold face makes me lose my appetite. You’re the best, darling. Lose my appetite, lose my appetite.”
“You’re right about everything, but now’s not the time.”
The parrot in the cage suddenly made a sound, like a tape recorder, perfectly repeating the conversation it had overheard, mimicking Han Tian and Cheng Meng’s tones remarkably well.
Han Tian: “?”
He looked mechanically at the parrot in the cage, his eyes bloodshot, fists clenched. If Cheng Shuoning weren’t holding the cage, he would have kicked it away.
The parrot grew more excited, slowly but clearly repeating, “You didn’t see it. I gave him a gift, and he gave me that cold look. He thinks too highly of himself. Who does he think he is, always giving me the cold shoulder? He’s getting more and more annoying. Ha ha, ha ha, ha ha～”
“…”
The words were all too familiar. They were what Han Tian had said to Cheng Meng as soon as he entered the room, never expecting to hear them from a parrot, with a hint of mockery. His face turned completely dark.
Cheng Shuoning hadn’t heard the parrot mimic these words, but from Han Tian’s grim expression, he could tell they were things Han Tian had said before he arrived, overheard by the parrot.
He picked up some food from the cage and fed it to the parrot.
The parrot ate, nuzzling Cheng Shuoning’s fingers, calling out affectionately, “Ning Ning, Ning Ning.”
Cheng Meng, not wanting to get involved, turned and went back to his room, while Han Tian stood frozen, as if nailed to the spot.
As the hallway quieted down, Cheng Shuoning felt he had said everything he needed to and saw no reason to stay. He was about to go downstairs when Han Tian grabbed his wrist, pulling him back.
He struggled, finding Han Tian’s grip even stronger, and without hesitation, he stomped on Han Tian’s foot.
Han Tian’s face twisted in pain, forcing him to let go, blocking Cheng Shuoning’s path. “Did you hear everything I said? I can explain. I can explain everything.”
“I don’t think it’s necessary,” Cheng Shuoning said coldly, rubbing his reddened wrist.
“It is necessary,” Han Tian insisted. “I can’t let you misunderstand me.”
Cheng Shuoning smirked, “It’s a misunderstanding that you hate me? A misunderstanding that I make you lose your appetite? A misunderstanding that you like Cheng Meng? A misunderstanding that you’ve always found me annoying and troublesome?”
Those words were like slaps, leaving Han Tian speechless.
He recalled Cheng Shuoning’s strange behavior lately and, lowering his gaze, asked quietly, “Did you know all along?”
Cheng Shuoning said nothing.
The excessive silence provoked Han Tian. He grabbed Cheng Shuoning’s shoulders tightly, his blood boiling, eyes red.
“So you knew all along and said nothing, just watched me stick to you? Did you find it fun, Cheng Shuoning? Watching me constantly trying to please you, was it fun? Do you enjoy having everyone revolve around you, treating you like a deity?”
“I made it clear to you a long time ago,” Cheng Shuoning said, lips pressed together, his expression cold. “Let go.”
Seeing him like that, Han Tian chuckled lowly, realizing he had never truly understood Cheng Shuoning.
He had always thought Cheng Shuoning was obedient, like a rabbit in a cage, easily manipulated with a smile. But now he saw that wasn’t the case.
This guy was far more formidable in his indifference than he had imagined.
Han Tian released him, slowly asking, “Do you know why I hate you?”
Cheng Shuoning’s long lashes lowered, his expression growing even more detached. “I don’t know, and I don’t want to know.”
“Exactly, it’s that attitude that’s so infuriating,” Han Tian said with a mocking smile. “Even if you just got angry at me, I wouldn’t hate you this much. Every time something happens, you just decide it for me, then act all high and mighty, untouchable. Cheng Shuoning, people aren’t perfect. Isn’t it normal for me to have a little dislike for you? Haven’t you ever liked someone but occasionally found them annoying or irritating?”
Getting angry at Han Tian? Cheng Shuoning felt it was completely unnecessary.
He listened expressionlessly, unmoved. “No. Even if I did, I wouldn’t be two-faced like you, pretending to be nice while secretly complaining.”
Han Tian suddenly grabbed his hand, speaking softly, “I’m sorry, I was wrong, Ning Ning.”
His quick change in attitude left Cheng Shuoning momentarily stunned. When he realized, he shook off Han Tian’s hand, frowning. “Don’t touch me casually.”
Han Tian took two steps forward, his eyes gentle. “Don’t you like me, Ning Ning? Didn’t you always want to be with me? I actually like you too. We can be together now. I was just playing around with Cheng Meng, really. He came to me, being all nice, and I didn’t refuse.”
“I don’t really like him. I only like you, Ning Ning.”
Those words filled Cheng Shuoning with an indescribable disgust, even a sense of bleakness. “Are you out of your mind?”
“What?” Han Tian was dumbfounded, unable to process that this was coming from Cheng Shuoning.
“I’m curious. You clearly hate me, so why are you saying these things now? What benefit do you get from maintaining a relationship with me?”
Cheng Shuoning distanced himself from Han Tian, asking calmly.
Han Tian fell silent.
Why? Because he only occasionally found Cheng Shuoning annoying, not truly loathing him.
He wouldn’t be with Cheng Meng forever. If he had to choose someone to be with, it would be Cheng Shuoning.
Obedient and well-behaved, though not someone he would love, was the most suitable for him.
Of course, he couldn’t tell Cheng Shuoning that. Han Tian spoke gently, “Ning Ning, why do you care so much? You like me, I like you, isn’t that enough?”
“I didn’t give you an answer before because I thought you were too young to date. Now that you’re an adult, I can give you an answer.”
He looked at the person in front of him, full of anticipation, enticing, “We can be together now, okay?”
The gentle voice didn’t stir any emotion. The young man merely smiled at him, distant and resistant.
“No. Han Tian, my feelings for you end here. I don’t want to see you now. Leave, and let’s pretend we don’t know each other from now on.” He turned and walked downstairs, his back resolute.
Han Tian’s smile gradually froze. “Don’t like me anymore? What a joke. Cheng Shuoning, who do you think you are? All these years of being good to you were for nothing.”
“Are you really going to do this? Don’t regret it!”
Cheng Shuoning left without looking back, making Han Tian even more frustrated.
He kicked the wall, his face twisted in rage, like a piece of fabric wrinkled beyond recognition.
“Fine, leave. I never wanted to stay here anyway. Saying we don’t know each other, I’d love that!”
Within a minute, someone came to escort him out, their attitude firm.
Han Tian didn’t let them touch him, straightened his clothes, and went downstairs.
Cheng Shuoning sat on the sofa, playing with the parrot. As Han Tian passed by, Cheng Shuoning didn’t spare him a glance, despite Han Tian’s fierce glare.
“What’s going on?” Li Shengfei noticed something was off, surprised by Han Tian’s agitated state. “What’s gotten into him now?”
“Nothing,” Cheng Shuoning replied, his tone flat.
Li Shengfei didn’t believe it was nothing. He pulled out his phone, frantically messaging Han Tian to find out what happened, but it seemed Han Tian was too busy venting his anger to check his phone.
He then messaged Cheng Meng.
Cheng Shuoning closed the top of the cage, hearing someone call his name, “Cheng Shuoning.”
He couldn’t help but look up.
Xu Wangzhi stood before him in a white shirt, his face expressionless, but as he handed over a gift, his eyes softened.
“Happy eighteenth birthday.”
‘You look adorable today.’
Hearing the sincere compliment, Cheng Shuoning felt his ears grow slightly warm.