Mr. Good Man's straightforward approach
The air in the car on the way back was much lighter than on the way in, yet there was a subtle undercurrent of tension. The city outside the window looked brand new after the rain, and the sunlight filtered through the car window, casting a warm glow on Gu Yansheng's tightly wrapped sleeves.
He leaned back in the passenger seat, gazing at the rapidly receding street scene. Wu Mingyi's teasing during breakfast, Jiang Lin's watertight "cat-gnawing theory," and the icy look in the parking lot earlier, as well as Jiang Lin's indifferent attitude towards Wu Mingyi and Lin Wei... Countless images intertwined and collided in his mind.
That huge question, like an ever-expanding balloon, finally reached its limit.
"Jiang Lin." Gu Yansheng's voice broke the silence in the car, with a hint of imperceptible tension, but extremely clear.
"Hmm?" Jiang Lin looked intently at the road ahead and only made a simple nasal sound.
Gu Yansheng took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind. He turned his head and looked directly at Jiang Lin's chiseled profile. "I have a question that I can't figure out."
"Speak." Jiang Lin's response was still concise.
"Why?" Gu Yansheng tried to organize his words. "Why did you react so strongly when that doctor and the others kissed... in the parking lot? It was like... you saw something extremely disgusting and repulsive."
He tried to keep his voice steady, but when he mentioned the parking lot, his fingertips unconsciously curled up. "But this morning, Senior Sister and Sister Lin Wei were so close. Although you have a sharp tongue, but... you don't seem to think there is anything wrong with them doing that? In fact..."
He paused, his voice lowered. "Even at the wedding, when someone tied us together as a joke, you didn't get angry right away?"
He paused, then finally got to the point. "Do you... actually hate homosexuals? Or rather, do you hate overly intimate behavior between people of the same sex? Especially... men?"
When the last question was asked, Gu Yansheng felt his heart beating faster. He stared at Jiang Lin, not missing any subtle changes on his face.
Jiang Lin's fingers gripping the steering wheel seemed to tighten imperceptibly, their knuckles turning slightly white. His expression was blurred in the light and shadow from the driver's seat, but Gu Yansheng could sense that the apathetic aura around him seemed to freeze for a moment.
The car fell into silence for a moment, with only the steady hum of the engine as the sound.
A few seconds later, Jiang Lin slowly spoke, his voice a little deeper than before, carrying an indescribable complex emotion, even... a hint of imperceptible irritation. He did not directly answer the question about the parking lot, but instead asked
"So, what does this have to do with you reacting so violently at the wedding when someone described our relationship as too 'close', even yelling 'Impossible'?"
Gu Yansheng was stunned by this precise counterattack. He hadn't expected Jiang Lin to bring up this matter at this critical moment, and to be so sharp.
But now that he had said this, he didn't want to hide it anymore. He sat up straight, looked at Jiang Lin with open eyes, and spoke with an unprecedented sincerity.
"Of course it matters! Because to me, you're different! Jiang Lin, you're family, someone more important than family, a very, very, very good friend! You're... you're the childhood sweetheart who grew up with me!"
His voice was anxious, emphasizing the importance of "friend" and "childhood sweetheart".
"Because I always thought... I thought you were very repulsive and disgusted by overly intimate feelings and behavior between people of the same sex! Just like that time in the parking lot, the look in your eyes..."
He took a deep breath and expressed his deepest concerns. "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable or even...dislike our relationship because of other people's ambiguous jokes! I don't want to lose you as a friend!"
His eyes were clear and direct, with a desperate honesty.
"That's why."
This explanation was too straightforward and too sincere, like an unobstructed beam of light, instantly illuminating the corner of Jiang Lin's heart that he habitually closed.
Gu Yansheng could clearly see the veins on Jiang Lin's hand, which was gripping the steering wheel, bulge slightly. His jawline was extremely tense, and his Adam's apple moved up and down a tiny amount. It was a familiar subtle movement, the kind Jiang Lin would make when he was irritated or experiencing some intense emotional upheaval.
The car fell silent again, but this time the atmosphere was thicker. Gu Yansheng's confession was like a stone thrown into a deep pond, sending ripples that spread silently.
After a long time, Jiang Lin spoke again. His voice returned to its usual calmness, even with a hint of deliberate indifference. He only answered the second half of Gu Yansheng's question.
“I don’t hate gays.”
His tone was firm and decisive, without any hesitation. "Who Wu Mingyi and Lin Wei, or anyone else, likes is their business and has nothing to do with me. I have no right to dislike or like them."
He paused and added, "So, don't think too much."
After saying this, he swerved the steering wheel, and the car smoothly drove into the familiar neighborhood. He didn't look at Yansheng again, as if the heartfelt conversation and the core issue of "disgust" had never happened.
"We're here." Jiang Lin parked the car, turned off the engine, and unbuckled his seat belt with quick movements.
Gu Yansheng looked at him blankly. Jiang Lin's admission that he didn't dislike homosexuals had made him feel relieved, but Jiang Lin avoided discussing the real reason for the intense reaction in the parking lot. This deliberate evasion only made the question, like a thorn, pierce deeper.
"You..." Gu Yansheng wanted to ask more.
"Get out of the car." Jiang Lin had already pushed open the door. "Your rash hasn't completely gone away yet. Stay with me for a few days. Wait until you're fully recovered before leaving." His tone was unquestionable, a command that immediately cut off Gu Yansheng's next words. He walked around to the passenger seat, opened the door, and looked down at Gu Yansheng, who was still sitting inside, his eyes carrying silent pressure.
Gu Yansheng opened his mouth, looked at Jiang Lin's expressionless face that was full of "no negotiation", then looked down at the red rash faintly visible under his sleeve, and finally swallowed his questions.
Forget it, at least I know that he doesn't reject homosexuality... That's great, he doesn't have to change anything. Thinking of this, he suddenly felt a lot more relaxed.
The two of them first went to the pet store at the entrance of the community to pick up Xiaofei. Xiaofei excitedly wagged his tail upon seeing his owner, circling Gu Yansheng's legs, his wet nose nuzzling against his tightly wrapped trouser legs. Seeing the lively Walnut, Gu Yansheng finally felt a little more relaxed, squatting down to rub its head.
Back at Jiang Lin's clean, tidy, yet vibrant apartment, Gu Yansheng had just put Xiaofei's food and water bowls away when his phone rang. It was Lin Yang, and the voice on the other end was clearly crying and flustered.
"Gu, Brother Gu! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I... I seem to have gotten into big trouble! The core data set for the drug trial of "Diuretic"... I... I entered a wrong number! Now the entire model result is wrong! What should I do, Brother Gu? Brother Xiao Hu will not let me go! I... I..." Lin Yang was so anxious that he was incoherent.
Gu Yansheng's heart skipped a beat. That data set was crucial; a single error in a single number could skew the entire research conclusion!
He was not the main person in charge of this project, but Lin Yang helped him a lot in writing the follow-up report on "An Minqing". Besides, he was a newcomer and could trust himself, so he could not refuse.
"Don't worry, Lin Yang, calm down." Gu Yansheng immediately got to work, his voice calming and reassuring. "Are you at the research institute now? Which data set is this? Tell me the incorrect numbers and the correct values, as well as the version you have saved..."
He quickly inquired about key information while walking towards the entrance to change his shoes. Jiang Lin was leaning against the island in the open kitchen, drinking water, and when he saw his movements, his brows immediately furrowed.
"Where are you going?" Jiang Lin's voice was filled with displeasure.
Gu Yansheng covered the phone's microphone and spoke quickly, "Research Institute, Lin Yang entered the data incorrectly. It's urgent. I have to go help him deal with it, otherwise I won't be able to report tomorrow."
As he said this, he went to get the car keys from the shoe cabinet - those were Jiang Lin's car keys.
"No." Jiang Lin put down the water cup, walked over a few steps, and directly pressed Gu Yansheng's hand holding the key.
His palms were warm and strong, carrying an irresistible force. "Your fever just broke, and the rash hasn't gone away yet. You need to rest. There's someone on duty at the institute. Have him find someone else."
"Jiang Lin, this is a serious matter. Lin Yang just joined the company and he doesn't have any seniors he is very familiar with. Besides, he is very panicked now. I have to go." Gu Yansheng tried to pull his hand away, his tone insistent.
"I said, no." Jiang Lin's eyes darkened, with a familiar sense of control, "The data can be corrected if it's wrong, and the report can be submitted later. Your current physical condition can't withstand the tossing, you need to rest." His eyes fell on the red rash exposed on Gu Yansheng's collar, and the meaning was very clear.
Gu Yansheng looked at Jiang Lin's resolute attitude, and thought of Lin Yang's crying voice asking for help on the other end of the phone, and felt extremely anxious.
He took a deep breath, looked into Jiang Lin's eyes, and softened his tone, pleading a little, "Jiang Lin, I know you're worried about me. But I really feel much better, it's just a little itchy rash. I promise, I'll be back as soon as I'm done with it, two hours at most! Lin Yang is almost crying with anxiety, I can't just ignore him."
He shook his wrist which was still held by Jiang Lin and said, "Can you lend me your car? I promise to drive slowly and take care of myself." He tried to make his eyes look extremely sincere and pitiful.
Jiang Lin stared at him for a few seconds, his deep eyes shrouded in emotion, as if he were weighing something. Finally, he let go of his hand, but his tone remained cold and hard, carrying a strong warning.
"I'll only give you two hours. Come back immediately after you're done, no delay. If I find out that you're not in good condition and are still forcing yourself to do something, or if you dare to eat something outside..." He didn't finish his words, but the unspoken meaning was more frightening than what he said.
"I promise to complete the task!" Gu Yansheng was as if he had been pardoned. He grabbed the key and rushed out the door, not forgetting to turn around and shout, "Xiao Fei is in your hands!"
The door slammed shut, and the apartment fell silent, save for Walnut's confused "woof."
Jiang Lin stood there, staring at the closed door, his brow furrowed. He tugged at his collar impatiently, the deep purple teeth marks on his neck faintly visible as he moved.
He walked to the window and looked at Gu Yansheng's back as he hurriedly ran towards the parking space downstairs, his eyes complicated and indecipherable.
Gu Yansheng's words, "You are family, a very, very, very good friend" and "I don't want to lose you as a friend", were still echoing in his ears. The images of the two men approaching each other in the parking lot were intertwined, making him think at that time that if Gu Yansheng fell in love in the future, would that man kiss him like this?
This thought stirred up a turbulent undercurrent in his heart that he himself had not yet fully sorted out.
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