After the car accident, my boyfriend got straight

The school sports meet ended for the day, with the closing ceremony set for tomorrow. The students from the Physical Education department, after finishing tidying up the field, walked out in groups. They ran into Jiang Shiyu and Li Muzi, who were late because they were cleaning up the class area.

Chen Xu greeted them warmly.

“What are you two still doing here at this hour?”

Li Muzi responded, “Shiyu and I were cleaning the stands, just finished up.”

“Then you haven’t had dinner yet, right? We’re going to the back gate for some barbecue. Come with us.”

As soon as he said this, everyone’s gaze fell on Shen Li and Jiang Shiyu. They had all heard about his amnesia and were cautious about their relationship. Only Chen Xu, being straightforward, didn’t read the room.

Shen Li, with one hand in his pocket, glanced at Jiang Shiyu’s profile. There was a red mark on it, a result of their earlier encounter. In the afternoon, he had rested his head on Jiang Shiyu’s shoulder. Somehow, Jiang Shiyu ended up asleep in his arms, his face pressing against his chest, leaving a mark that hadn’t faded yet.

“Why are you all looking at me? Are we going to eat or not?”

With his words, the group noisily headed towards the back gate. Chen Xu walked beside Shen Li, with Li Muzi next to Chen Xu, and Jiang Shiyu on the other side. Gradually, Chen Xu and Li Muzi fell behind, and no one else stepped in, leaving Shen Li and Jiang Shiyu walking side by side, separated by just two steps.

Jiang Shiyu was still carrying his large, ugly, yet somehow fitting music department bag. He walked quietly, looking down at the path ahead, suddenly feeling the strap of his bag being pulled. He looked up to see Shen Li standing very close, almost touching him.

“Why did you run off this afternoon?”

Shen Li was referring to the moment when he woke up from his nap in his arms, groggily and affectionately snuggling before realizing the situation and running off, face red like a rabbit.

“I didn’t… I had something to do, I had to deliver water to the athletes.”

Jiang Shiyu nodded earnestly as if affirming his own words, unaware that his red ears had already given him away.

Shen Li laughed, saying nothing more.

Following behind, Li Muzi and Chen Xu whispered conspiratorially while watching the two walk side by side.

“I don’t believe they aren’t dating,” Li Muzi said.

Chen Xu nodded in agreement, “Yeah, did they ever break up? I thought they were always together?”

Li Muzi looked at him admiringly, “You really know how to follow the gossip.”

When the group arrived at the barbecue stand, the owner was busy sprinkling seasoning on a bunch of lamb skewers. They frequented this place because the meat was fresh, sourced properly, the owner was skilled and friendly. Over time, they had become familiar with each other.

“Business is good, boss,” Chen Xu greeted the owner, who wiped his sweat and told them to find a seat. They found places and began ordering, while a few went to the fridge to grab drinks.

“Li, what do you want to drink?”

Shen Li, who was unpacking the cutlery, replied, “Ice water is fine.” After a moment, he added, “And a bottle of room temperature Wangzai milk.”

“Li, you still drink Wangzai? Haven’t you weaned yet?” someone joked.

He shot him a glare, “Want a beating?”

The person shrank back and scampered off.

Jiang Shiyu, sitting next to him, started unpacking the cutlery on the table. Before he could start, a set of washed cutlery was placed in front of him. The set he was about to open was taken by Shen Li.

“Thanks,” Jiang Shiyu said softly.

As they passed the menu around, everyone picked their favorites. When it was Shen Li’s turn, he marked a few items and passed it on.

“I haven’t ordered yet,” Jiang Shiyu called out quickly.

Shen Li spun the rotating glass hard, sending the menu away from him.

Jiang Shiyu watched the menu go, said nothing, and looked down at his fingers.

Shen Li smirked slightly, enjoying how easy it was to tease him.

The barbecue stand, though busy, served food quickly. Soon, plates of barbecue were brought to the table. One plate, looking much lighter in color without layers of seasoning, caught Chen Xu’s eye.

“Who ordered this? Less oil, less salt, fewer spices. The boss must have made a mistake.”

“I ordered it. Pass it over,” Shen Li interrupted. Everyone’s eyes turned to him.

He raised an eyebrow, “What? Want to eat lighter for a change, got a problem?”

Everyone shook their heads, no objections.

The plate of light barbecue was passed to him, who placed it between himself and Jiang Shiyu.

Jiang Shiyu, debating what he could eat, looked at the plate. He had a sensitive stomach and was allergic to some foods. The heavily seasoned dishes were not an option for him.

“This plate is for you,” Shen Li said.

Jiang Shiyu’s eyes lit up at the sight of the plate filled with his favorite foods: potatoes, cabbage, eggplant, small ribs, and chicken legs.

“Did you order this especially for me?” he asked, eyes sparkling with expectation.

“The table is full of heavy, spicy food. Can you eat that?”

He shook his head. Shen Li pulled out a bottle of Wangzai milk from the drinks bag, opened it, and placed it in front of him with a straw.

“Just eat this plate and drink the Wangzai. Don’t touch anything else on the table.”

Jiang Shiyu nodded obediently, happily taking a bite of the barbecue, savoring the smoky flavor.

Seeing him contentedly eating, Shen Li turned to chat with the other guys at the table. At the other end, Li Muzi watched the scene unfold, taking a swig of beer, feeling like a mere background character in their drama.

Midway through the meal, another group of athletes arrived. Familiar with Shen Li’s group, they set up a table nearby. Shen Li and some others were dragged over for drinks, leaving only a few scattered at their original table. Jiang Shiyu, not used to such rich food, drank a lot of water and felt a bit bloated. He planned to ask Li Muzi to join him to the restroom but saw he was engrossed in conversation. He asked a waiter for the restroom’s location and went alone.

The barbecue stand’s restroom, unlike a proper restaurant’s, was just two makeshift stalls at the back, shared by everyone. A small line had formed outside.

As he stood in line, a waiter carrying a hot iron plate of potatoes slipped, and the scorching plate brushed against Jiang Shiyu’s arm, causing a sharp pain.

“Ah, sorry, sorry! I slipped. Are you okay?” The waiter, looking like a college student, apologized profusely, holding the plate with a terrified expression.

Jiang Shiyu, wearing a short-sleeve shirt, now had a greasy, blackened patch on his arm from the encounter.

Given the slippery floor and the waiter’s apologetic demeanor, he let it slide, saying he was fine. The waiter apologized repeatedly before moving on. 

Finally, it was Jiang Shiyu’s turn. He opened the door but quickly shut it again, feeling nauseous from the smell.

Returning to their table, he found his seat taken by a guy with pink hair and a group of strangers.

“Excuse me, this is my seat. Did you guys sit in the wrong place?”

The guy turned around, makeup flawless, looking him up and down, making him uncomfortable.

“Isn’t this Shen Li’s seat?” the guy asked.

“Yes, it is.”

“Then no mistake. He asked me over.”

Jiang Shiyu frowned. Most people had left the table, but these new guys claimed Shen Li had invited them, with a haughty attitude.

The guy and his friends whispered, then looked back at him, eyes filled with disdain.

“So, you’re the ex Shen Li forgot about.”

Jiang Shiyu’s face turned cold. He was already uncomfortable from the bathroom and the injury. The guy’s words and tone only made it worse.

“Please get up. This is my seat.”

The guy sneered, “Is your name on it? What’s the big deal if someone else sits here? Shen Li said he forgot about you, and you still think you have a place by his side?”

Jiang Shiyu chuckled, “If not me, then who? You?”

The guy’s anger flared. He had admired Shen Li since university started, always trying to get close but facing cold rejection. Yet Shen Li would often be seen pampering Jiang Shiyu, the boy now standing before him.

“Shen Li forgot about you and said you’re nothing to him. You’re just a pretty face with a sob story, living off the Shen family’s sympathy. Once he sees your true colors, he’ll hate you.”

Splash!

Half a bottle of ice water was poured over the guy’s head, his pink hair plastered against his face like a defeated rooster. He stared in disbelief at the quiet Jiang Shiyu.

“Feeling clear-headed now?” Jiang Shiyu asked calmly.

“I’ll kill you!”

The guy lunged at him, only to be pushed back, crashing into a bench. The noise attracted everyone’s attention.

Shen Li returned to see the commotion. He saw Jiang Shiyu standing in front of a guy with pink hair, looking ready to fight.

“Jiang Shiyu, what are you doing?”

Jiang Shiyu looked at him, chest rising and falling, then turned away, leaving the barbecue stand without a word.

On the way back, he received a call from Li Muzi, who sounded particularly anxious, asking if he was okay. Li Muzi had just gone to the neighboring store and returned to hear about what happened from everyone else. He was so angry that he almost went over to slap the guy with pink hair.

“Muzi, I’m fine. I just ate too much oily food and felt a bit nauseous, so I left.”

On the other end of the line, Li Muzi was half-believing, half-doubting. “Shiyu, are you really okay? Chen Xu said your eyes were red when you left.”

Jiang Shiyu held the phone, his voice steady, reassuring him not to worry, that he was really okay, just tired from a busy day.

After exchanging a few more words on the phone, Li Muzi saw that he seemed genuinely fine, so he hung up.

As he looked up, there was a loud bang. A plastic stool was kicked by Shen Li, flying and crashing near the guy with pink hair. The group of people shrank back in fear, like quails. Shen Li said something to them, and their faces were all filled with fear.

As Li Muzi approached, he heard Shen Li spit out a word, and the group of people trembled and ran away from the barbecue stand.