After the car accident, my boyfriend got straight

The night in Jiang Hua felt like a city that never sleeps, with neon lights turning the darkness into daylight. Jiang Shiyu leaned against the car window, tilting his head to feel the breeze and watch the passing vehicles.

“Stick your head back in, don’t lean out and catch a cold,” Shen Li glanced over from the passenger seat and reminded him.

He pulled his head back in and stopped obsessing over the wind. The window was slowly rolled up halfway, reducing the incoming breeze and quieting the car’s interior.

The drive home had been smooth, with all green lights and no traffic. After parking the car in the underground garage, Jiang Shiyu went to open the car door, only to find it locked.

He turned to Shen Li, signaling him to unlock it.

“It’s a nice night. How about a walk by the river?” He suggested.

They had moved to this area a while ago but had been busy with their studies. By the time they got home from class, it was already seven or eight in the evening. After a brief rest and some washing up, it was time for bed, so they hadn’t had the chance to explore their surroundings.

Today was Friday, and there were no classes for the next two days. Jiang Shiyu had a slightly bloated stomach from eating fried chicken and thought a walk might be nice.

Their apartment complex was a riverside property, and their building faced the river. By exiting through the side gate and crossing the street, they would reach the riverbank. The neon lights illuminated the wide riverbank, the water plants swaying, and the gentle breeze creating ripples on the water.

There was singing by the riverbank, with distant and hazy sounds coming from the shadows of the trees. They strolled slowly along the riverside path. Jiang Shiyu, curious about the unfamiliar place, looked around like a curious kitten, while Shen Li kept him to the inside, away from passing pedestrians.

They reached a pavilion that was packed with people. A couple of steps down, someone was playing the guitar and singing. Jiang Shiyu wanted to take a closer look, so Shen Li accompanied him.

The pavilion was full, so they could only stand on the steps to the sides and watch. The central area was slightly sunken, with two people singing into microphones while holding guitars. In front of them was a stand holding a QR code for song requests.

They were singing popular slow songs, which resonated well in this setting. Most of the young people gathered around were drawn to folk and slow songs.

Jiang Shiyu noticed a couple standing nearby. The guy, leaning slightly, discreetly scanned the QR code with his phone, appearing somewhat nervous. The girl was lost in the music and didn’t notice his actions.

Shen Li stood one step higher behind him. With so many people around, he couldn’t turn around easily, so he leaned his head back to talk to Shen Li.

“I feel like more and more people are gathering behind us,” he said.

When they first arrived, there were only a few people. Now, the space behind them was packed with people, and several layers deep. The sounds from the back were continuous.

“Are you uncomfortable? Should we go out?” 

He was about to agree when the music suddenly stopped. A few seconds later, the speakers began playing the intro to Karen Mok’s “Slowly Loving You,” and the two performers on stage put down their microphones.

“Hello everyone, welcome to our performance. Tonight is destined to be special. Just now, we received a song request from a gentleman on WeChat. He said today is the 521st day he and his girlfriend have been together. He wanted to give her a surprise, so he requested ten of her favorite songs. Now, let’s invite him to the stage.”

As soon as the announcement ended, the guy standing next to Jiang Shiyu led his girlfriend onto the stage. Jiang Shiyu’s eyes widened, and his mouth slightly opened in surprise.

They had stumbled upon a marriage proposal scene. He was about to turn away, but the crowd behind them surged forward, almost causing him to lose his balance and fall off the steps.

A strong hand wrapped around his chest, stabilizing him and pulling him back. His back pressed against Shen Li’s lower abdomen, and although Shen Li’s defined abs were close, Jiang Shiyu’s thick clothing made the touch less noticeable.

On the sunken stage, the guy was now holding the microphone, his fingers trembling and voice quivering as he nervously expressed his love to his girlfriend. The surrounding noise and excitement were deafening, with the audience as tense as the performers.

Jiang Shiyu looked down at the arm wrapped around his chest. Shen Li’s muscular arm seemed thicker than his own thigh, with visible veins. He held him protectively with one arm, while his other hand was casually in his pocket, his demeanor relaxed.

The close proximity and ambiguous position made his heart race. The surrounding cheers and excitement seemed to amplify in his ears, pressing heavily on his heart.

He saw someone hand a large bouquet of flowers to the guy, who then knelt on one knee. He spoke into the microphone, and the crowd echoed his words, encouraging the girl to accept his proposal.

The girl, blushing and lowering her head, accepted the flowers and the ring. They embraced and kissed under the spotlight, enjoying the crowd’s blessings.

Jiang Shiyu felt immersed in the moment, as if experiencing the excitement and rapid heartbeat of the main characters. It felt like fireworks exploding in his chest.

He felt Shen Li’s warm breath in his ear. Shen Li’s deep, husky voice, like gravelly whispers, reached his ear, “Your heartbeat is fast. Are you this excited about seeing a proposal?”

His voice, described online as a “bad boy tone,” was low and deep, like sandpaper rubbing against his ear, as if a devil was whispering and controlling his heartbeat.

He couldn’t match his intensity. His face flushed red, and Shen Li noticed someone taking photos of them. He turned and saw a girl with a phone pointed at them. His dark eyes turned cold, and he glared at her. The girl, frightened, accidentally pressed the camera button. At the moment the flash went off, Shen Li’s hand extended to cover Jiang Shiyu’s face.

Jiang Shiyu suddenly found himself in darkness, with Shen Li’s warm palm against his face. Before he could react, Shen Li whispered in his ear, “Don’t move. Someone’s taking pictures.”

He blinked, his long, curled eyelashes brushing against Shen Li’s palm. His small face was almost entirely covered by his hand, the lines of his palm touching his moist lips and small, pointed chin.

The girl, scared by Shen Li’s fierce gaze, quickly retreated and disappeared into the crowd.

Jiang Shiyu’s face was entirely covered, and the space for breathing grew smaller. He soon felt the air becoming thin and hot, and he mumbled through the hand covering his face, “Mmm, Shen, Shen Li, let me go…”

His trembling voice made Shen Li’s dark eyes snap back to calmness, and he quickly pulled his hand away.

He gasped for fresh air, his mouth wide open, his eyes red at the corners, and his jaw marked with the imprints of Shen Li’s fingers. His nose and lips were reddened, and the mist from his breath on Shen Li’s palm was still visible.

Shen Li seemed to have suddenly woken from a trance, his face showing panic and regret. He tried to explain, afraid that Jiang Shiyu might have negative feelings because of what just happened.

“Shen Li, you’re crazy! You hurt me.”

Jiang Shiyu’s voice, still trembling, carried a hint of a pout, making it sound less like anger and more like a spoiled reaction, seeking comfort.

The square was still lively due to the proposal. Shen Li led him away to a quieter area with fewer people, into a small grove. He gently held his face, observing him closely under the dim moonlight.

In the short time, the marks on Jiang Shiyu’s jaw deepened, looking like they had been branded on his skin. His nose was red from the pressure. His hand moved to his jaw, the calluses on his fingers from years of training brushing against his soft skin, creating a slight sting.

Jiang Shiyu didn’t pull away. He tilted his head back, allowing Shen Li to touch him. He felt that he was different tonight, yet somehow familiar.

“Jiang Shiyu, what am I supposed to do with you?” 

Shen Li’s voice was filled with helplessness, spilling out as a murmur from his lips. As time passed and they spent more time together, he found himself falling uncontrollably into the trap of Jiang Shiyu. His moods and emotions pulled at him in ways he hadn’t anticipated.

He found himself feeling possessive and controlling, experiencing jealousy, fear, and uncertainty about how to handle him.

He had lost his memory and forgotten the past version of himself who was once with him. Now, he was falling for him again, but he was afraid and hesitant to confront these feelings.

He feared that he would see through him to the old Shen Li.

And he was afraid that he would be completely disappointed if he discovered the darker thoughts he harbored within.

The moon playfully hid behind the clouds, shrouded in layers of mist. The cool, faint light illuminated the small grove, adding a layer of haze.

Sensing Shen Li’s inner turmoil, Jiang Shiyu grasped his hand as it was about to leave his face, pressing it back against his cheek.

Shen Li was a decisive person who rarely showed hesitation. 

“Shen Li, what are you afraid of?” 

Shen Li’s eyes widened, filled with surprise as he looked at the slightly shorter man in front of him. 

Jiang Shiyu seemed to see through his fears.

No matter how he behaved towards Jiang Shiyu after losing his memory, Jiang Shiyu always looked at him with affection.

His hand, which had been resting on Jiang Shiyu’s chin, slowly moved upward, reaching his eyes. His fingers lightly touched the delicate skin beneath Jiang Shiyu’s eyes and his long, thick lashes, like spread wings.

“Jiang Shiyu, when you look at me, are you seeing someone else through me?”

The moonlight cast a silver glow on Jiang Shiyu’s cheek, making him appear more like a pure angel, and Shen Li felt unworthy even to be near him.

Jiang Shiyu bit his lip, not answering, as if deep in thought.

Every second felt like torture to Shen Li. He desperately wanted to know the answer but was also afraid of the truth not matching his expectations.

His eyes grew darker and more intense, with a hint of obsessive emotion churning inside.

Jiang Shiyu seemed not to notice. He tilted his head, appearing innocent and naïve, “No, you’re just Shen Li. How could I see anyone else through you? You don’t have a twin… Mmm…”

Before he could finish, his lips were covered by Shen Li’s. With his back to the moon, Shen Li was shrouded in shadows as he leaned down, closing the distance to Jiang Shiyu, bathed in the moonlight.

Jiang Shiyu’s eyes widened as he was forced to tilt his head back. The familiar scent filled his nose, and Shen Li, like a werewolf on a full moon night, exposed his fangs and clung to his tender, red lips.

Breath and air were cut off. Within a minute, Jiang Shiyu’s head was spinning, his escape prevented by Shen Li’s hand gripping the back of his head. In reality, he had no intention of pulling away.

This was their first kiss, with both fully aware. At the moment Jiang Shiyu said, “You’re just Shen Li,” Shen Li was overwhelmed by a surge of emotions. His chest felt so full it might burst, and he was driven by an uncontrollable urge to keep Jiang Shiyu close, bound to him.