After the car accident, my boyfriend got straight

Shutting the car door, Jiang Shiyu waved to the driver’s seat and grabbed a few candies from his backpack, presenting them with a smile that dimpled his cheeks. “Shen Li, thank you for driving me here.”

The boy sitting in the driver’s seat didn’t share his cheerful demeanor. His sharp eyebrows were furrowed as he looked outside at the nostalgic neighborhood: a rundown residential area from the 90s, lacking gated communities, property management, or greenery. 

Pedestrians roamed freely, and vehicles had no restrictions. Many parents chose to buy apartments in such old and dilapidated areas for their children’s education, as it granted access to the best schools in Jiang Hua.

This was where Jiang Shiyu used to come for home tutoring sessions, but Shen Li had forgotten this place due to amnesia. To him, the neighborhood now equated to dirtiness and disorder.

Casting a glance at a group of youths with dyed yellow hair at the street corner, who seemed like troublemakers, he hesitated before speaking, “You… tutor here?”

Sensing time constraints, Jiang Shiyu nodded nonchalantly, “Yes, you’ll take the less congested route from the east side later. I’ll go up first. Bye.

With that, he shouldered his large backpack and headed up the stairs. Shen Li watched him until he disappeared into the corridor, then glanced at the candies in his hand, started the car, and left the neighborhood.

Breathless, Jiang Shiyu climbed to the fifth floor and took a moment to compose himself before knocking on the door. A middle-aged woman quickly opened the door and welcomed him warmly, “Teacher Jiang is here! Come in quickly, Xiao Yu, Teacher Jiang is here.”

He changed his shoes and entered. A girl with twin ponytails dashed out from the room, initially sulking, but her eyes lit up upon seeing him. “Mom, is this the tutor you found for me? He’s so handsome!”

Jiang Shiyu smiled and greeted the girl, bending down, “Hello there, I’m Jiang Shiyu. I’m here for a trial lesson today. You can call me Teacher Jiang. Nice to meet you.”

The girl’s face turned as red as an apple, suppressing her urge to scream. Shy yet reserved, she replied, “Hello, I’m Xiao Yu. Teacher, you’re very good-looking. I like you.”

The girl’s mother chuckled at her daughter’s antics, “This child, she refused to eat until I promised her a tutor. And look at her now, smitten.”

After some laughter, Jiang Shiyu began the lesson with the girl in the study. Unlike his usual gentle demeanor, he was now serious and patient, making the lesson engaging and enjoyable.

As the trial lesson neared its end, he looked up from the papers. The weather had worsened outside, with dark clouds looming, signaling an impending storm.

The girl’s mother knocked on the door, “Teacher Jiang, it looks like a storm is coming. Why don’t you stay for dinner before leaving?”

He declined politely as he packed his things, “Thank you, but there’s no need to trouble yourself. I’ll just pack up and leave. I’ll send you feedback after the lesson.”

He never stayed for meals during tutoring sessions, a fact known within his circle. The girl’s mother didn’t insist further, helping to pack up and escorting him to the door.

“Thank you for today, Teacher Jiang. We’ll arrange the next lesson through WeChat.”

Xiao Yu also bid farewell from the doorway, “Teacher Jiang, you’ll come to our house again next time, right?”

He smiled and promised, “Of course. Study well what I taught you today, I’ll check next time I come.”

After saying goodbye, he left. The old building, worn down by time, had faulty sensor lights. But with some light from outside, he hurried his steps, taking out his phone to hail a cab.

As he reached the shelter of the building’s eaves on the ground floor, he noticed a black car parked at the entrance. The driver, holding an umbrella, opened the rear door, and a boy followed, accompanied by an older man. 

The boy leaned on the man, chatting and laughing softly, his voice gentle and tender.

Jiang Shiyu instinctively moved aside, making space at the entrance. However, the entrance of the old neighborhood was narrow, and they all stood close enough to see each other clearly.

The first to notice him was the man. Initially engaged in conversation with the boy in his arms, his gaze inadvertently swept over the person standing in the corner. 

A momentary surprise flashed in his eyes. Despite his years of revelry, he had never seen someone as beautiful as him.

The boy, dressed simply in a shirt and shorts, his exposed skin seemingly as smooth as jade, appeared ethereal. His face, crafted by the heavens, exuded a vibrancy that transcended the mundane, with eyes resembling those of a cat, covered by thick, dark lashes. Despite standing in the damp and dirty corner, he resembled a precious gem untouched by impurity.

Song Zhi was talking to the man, but noticing his distraction, followed his gaze and saw Jiang Shiyu. His innocent face seemed to contort for a moment, but quickly reverted to its usual docile demeanor.

“I’m talking to you, did you hear me? Why are you so absent-minded?” He scolded, his voice stern.

Regaining his senses, the man patted Song Zhi’s back reassuringly, “I heard you, baby. Be good. I won’t send you up today. We’ll meet another day. Let’s go.” With that, he released Song Zhi’s hand and gently pushed him towards the staircase.

After Song Zhi left, the man didn’t leave immediately. Instead, he stood there, openly scrutinizing Jiang Shiyu. Sensing his gaze, Jiang Shiyu turned to look, and the man’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Looks like it’s going to rain heavily soon, and it’s usually congested around here. Having trouble getting a cab? How about I give you a ride?” he offered.

Jiang Shiyu, always cautious due to his fragile health since childhood, reacted with reservation to the man’s approach. He didn’t like his gaze or his proximity.

Without changing his expression, he distanced himself and replied coldly, “No need.”

The man marveled at his voice, a perfect match for his appearance. It was hard to imagine how enchanting he would be in bed, with such a melodious voice and delicate features.

Shen Li’s Palmeira had finally squeezed into the narrow road of the old neighborhood. From a distance, he saw the man outside the building, showering Jiang Shiyu with attention. He had been pushed to the corner, his face usually adorned with a smile now harboring hidden anger. 

With furrowed brows, he seemed to be saying something to the man, who persisted in approaching him.

Boom!

A loud crash stopped the altercation between the two men. Both turned to see Shen Li’s black Palmeira, which had boldly collided with the man’s car. Despite clear lanes, Shen Li’s car had managed to crash into the other’s. It was evident to everyone that it was no accident.

He stepped out of the driver’s seat, slammed the door shut, and advanced menacingly. His towering figure, combined with years of brutal combat experience, made him appear fierce and menacing. Initially bold and brash, the man’s demeanor wilted in the face of Shen Li’s approach.

“What’s your problem? You clearly had two lanes to choose from, and you crashed into my car. Was it intentional?” the man blustered.

“Yes, it was intentional. If you don’t leave now, it won’t just be your car getting hit,” he retorted, hands in his pockets, exuding a lazy yet dangerous aura. He warned the man that things could get worse if he didn’t leave.

As the storm clouds gathered, the tension between the two men crackled like lightning, with Jiang Shiyu caught in the middle, a fragile yet resilient figure in the midst of the impending storm.

Shen Li looked down at the man with a sharp eagle-eyed gaze, his arrogant demeanor inviting a beating. With his hands in his pockets, he appeared lazy and casual, but there was a hint of madness lurking beneath the surface. 

Just as he had said, if the man didn’t leave soon, he might not know what he’d crash next.

Boom!

The thunder rumbled in the sky, and dark clouds loomed overhead. The booming thunder made the man’s back tremble for a moment. He glanced at Shen Li, who, despite his young age, drove a four-million-Palmeira and casually crashed into other people’s cars. 

He didn’t display any brand logos, but exuded an aura of luxury. In Jiang Hua, one blow could topple a group of elites.

After a few seconds of silence, the man gritted his teeth resentfully and muttered, “You wait, you haven’t heard the last of this after crashing into my car.”

With a dejected look, the man slunk away, leaving Shen Li and Jiang Shiyu alone at the entrance, separated by a person’s width. Rain began to drizzle from the sky, and pedestrians hurried along the street. 

The dark clouds loomed overhead, casting a sense of impending doom over the city, reminiscent of scenes from apocalyptic movies.

Neither of them spoke. Shen Li felt a stifling sensation in his chest, needing an outlet for his pent-up frustration. Subconsciously reaching for his cigarettes in his pocket, he found only a few colorful candies instead. 

They were the ones Jiang Shiyu had handed him when he arrived in the afternoon, inexplicably stuffed into his pocket.

“Wow, there’s a passion fruit honey flavor in the candy I gave you.”

Initially standing a person’s width apart, Jiang Shiyu had silently approached him without notice. Like a curious cat, he peered at the candies in his hand, his face filled with surprise and joy, his cat-like eyes sparkling.

Reaching out with his palm, he fiddled with the candies in Shen Li’s hand and picked out the yellow one. Holding it up to him with a surprised expression, he said, “You’re so lucky. There are only a few of these in the whole jar, and I haven’t even tried them yet.”

Shen Li could see his fluffy head from his chest. His soft, bouncy hair swayed with his movements, making him look like he was cradling a treasure. His inexplicable anger dissipated at once.

Ignoring Jiang Shiyu’s offering of the candy, he turned and strode away, opening the driver’s seat door and sitting down. With a stern expression, he said, “Get in or walk home by yourself.”

Jiang Shiyu realized the situation and hurriedly got into the passenger seat, saying, “I’m coming, wait for me.”

In the passenger seat, Shen Li’s phone screen was still lit up. Jiang Shiyu picked it up and accidentally activated it, and a familiar female voice sounded.

“Li, where are you? Did you wait for Shiyu to finish class? It’s about to pour, and it’s difficult to get a taxi where he is. Can you go pick him up?”

It was Bai Yun’s voice. He froze, blinking as he handed the phone to Shen Li.

“It was accidental, sorry,” he said.

Shen Li took the phone and casually threw it into the compartment, saying nothing. He started the car and left the neighborhood.

There was silence between them on the road. The heavy rain blurred their vision, and the vehicles on the street were stuck in a long queue, making it difficult to move forward. 

Jiang Shiyu leaned against the window, watching the rain trickle down the glass, and stretched out a finger to trace the water flow. Shen Li glanced at him, and he resembled a cat reaching out its paw to play with an automatic water dispenser.

Sensing the gaze on him, Jiang Shiyu turned his body, his expression still bewildered. Caught off guard, he met Shen Li’s gaze.

Outside, the rain poured down like a waterfall, but inside the car, it was quiet. The faint scent of orange blossoms filled the air, refreshing and pleasant.

“Are you angry because Aunt Bai asked you to pick me up?” He stared at Shen Li for a few seconds before speaking in a low voice.

Shen Li, behind the steering wheel, remained calm, his throat rolling as he maintained his composure.

Jiang Shiyu lowered his head, twiddling his fingers together, visibly upset. “I’m sorry. I’ll explain to Aunt Bai when we get back. I won’t trouble you anymore in the future.”

Before they got into the car, the sky had already started drizzling. Jiang Shiyu’s hair and clothes were slightly damp, and with the air conditioning on in the car, he felt a chill.

Just as he finished speaking, he sneezed. Feeling helpless, he feared he had only annoyed Shen Li further.

Thinking this, Jiang Shiyu felt a warmth in his eyes, and tears welled up, making him lower his head, trying to minimize his presence.

After the car merged onto the main road, it wasn’t as congested. They drove smoothly back to Jingtai Garden, and when the car stopped at the entrance, Shen Li noticed that the person in the passenger seat hadn’t moved. 

He turned to look, finding Jiang Shiyu curled up, hugging his arms, his head tilted to the side, eyes closed, asleep.

He called out to him a few times, but there was no response. Sensing something was wrong, he reached out and pulled him towards him. Hid body was limp, lacking support, and he fell into his arms. His face was flushed, and her brows were furrowed.

“Jiang Shiyu, Jiang Shiyu, wake up. What’s wrong with you?”

He patted Jiang Shiyu’s face, but he was unresponsive, whimpering as he nestled closer to him, his voice plaintive and pitiful.

“Shen Li, I feel uncomfortable. I’m hot, I’m cold, don’t leave me.”

Shen Li used the back of his hand to feel his forehead, noticing that he had a fever. Without hesitation, he unbuckled his seatbelt, picked him up from the passenger seat, and carried him inside. 

Seeing their condition, Auntie, who had followed them inside, was frightened and asked about the situation.

“Auntie, call a family doctor to come over. He has a fever.”

She didn’t dare to delay and immediately called the family doctor. Shen Li carried Jiang Shiyu upstairs and laid him on the bed. He was in a daze, refusing to let go of him, his limbs entwined around him, his mouth murmuring incoherently.

Shen Li looked down at the little patient on the bed, his cheeks flushed from the fever, his fair skin resembling a layer of rouge. His delicate eyebrows were furrowed, his lips moving incessantly. He couldn’t help but think that people tended to act coquettishly when they were sick.

The family doctor arrived soon after. Familiar with Jiang Shiyu’s condition from frequent check-ups, he prescribed two types of medication, being careful to avoid those he was allergic to. Before leaving, he reminded them to monitor his temperature closely.

After Auntie went out to see off the family doctor, only Jiang Shiyu and Shen Li were left in the room. He looked at the bedridden patient and thought about how, despite his denial, Jiang Shiyu still had a significant influence on him.