My straight roommate is so good

Qiao Song’s fingers gently slid across the screen, scrolling down to see everyone’s replies.

[#1: Really? Waiting…]

[#2: Also waiting]

[#3: Huh? LJS is always practicing boxing with a group of guys, and you’re saying he’s homophobic?]

[#4: Reply to #3: Is there a possibility that he’s boxing with men *because* he’s homophobic?]

[#5: Reply to #4: You know what, you might actually be onto something…]

[#6: Eating popcorn.jpg]

[#7: Posting a butt pic.jpg]

[#8: Why is everyone just waiting for food? Can no one cook?]

[#9: Can someone who actually knows the truth speak up already? It’s urgent, I’m the urgent king!]

[#10: This is really important to me! If LJS is actually homophobic, then as a CP (couple pairing) fan, my elegant looks and good character will be ruined…]

At first, everything was normal. Most people were just curious and observing, not knowing the truth. 

But as the post’s popularity grew, people started steering the conversation, and the tone became increasingly chaotic.

[#56: Whispering here, LJS and I went to the same high school, and he’s definitely homophobic. It wasn’t a secret; everyone knew about it back then…]

[#57: Reply to #56: Don’t go, sis! Tell us what happened?]

[#58: Reply to #57: I don’t know all the details, but everyone knows that during his sophomore year, LJS was stalked and harassed by a gay guy for nearly half a semester. He eventually beat the guy up and sent him to the hospital just before finals, and the other guy’s parents caused a big scene. LJS even got punished by the school for it.]

[#59: Oh, one more detail… I heard that it was that incident that made him homophobic. He used to play basketball with the classmates, but after that, he stopped and switched to boxing.]

[#60: Whoa! The amount of information in that comment is intense!]

[#61: I mean, really, does this need a separate post? I always thought LJS being homophobic was an open secret at Lan University…]

[#62: Reply to #61: ??? Do you have any proof?]

[#63: Reply to #62: I’m gay, and when I confessed to LJS, he told me straight up. He didn’t even try to hide his homophobia. I thought you guys knew before shipping CPs.]

[#64: Well, mystery solved… What do I do now? The CP I was shipping suddenly doesn’t feel right anymore, 55555…]

[#65: Wait, hold on. If LJS is homophobic, why does he keep hanging around QS and fanservice?]

[#66: Reply to #65: What’s wrong with you?! Talk with proof. What made you think LJS is clinging to QS?]

[#67: Reply to #66: If not that, then what? Are you saying QS is clinging to LJS? Look at QS with that ethereal vibe. He doesn’t seem like the type to do that.]

[#68: Reply to #67: Are you a QS fan?]

[#69: Reply to #68: Are you an LJS stan?]

[#70: Tsk, why does this forum feel like a dumpster fire now…]

[#71: Reply to #70: Exactly, that’s why we’ve brought you here. :)]

[#72: Reply to #71: …Speechless. :)]

As Qiao Song scrolled down, his frown deepened.

Ling Jianshu noticed his troubled expression and glanced at his phone screen out of instinct.

Seeing it was a forum, he frowned slightly and asked, “What’s going on? Is someone spreading rumors again?”

Qiao Song turned off his phone and shook his head, saying, “Nothing. You shouldn’t look at the forum for now, it’s a mess.”

Ling Jianshu didn’t agree, pulling out his phone from his pocket. “It’s fine. Let me see what’s going on.”

After all, he was the one at the center of the discussion.

Qiao Song hesitated for a moment, then figured that he had the right to know. He didn’t try to stop him.

Ling Jianshu opened the forum and saw the post titled “For CP Fans of LJS and QS” had already shot up to the top 2 trending threads.

He looked at Qiao Song and asked, “Is this the one?”

Qiao Song nodded, “Yeah.”

He opened the post. After reading the first part of the thread, he chuckled, “This is so obvious. Why is it even being discussed?”

“They probably care about it a lot. After all, it affects their…” Qiao Song trailed off, avoiding the phrase “shipping CPs,” and after a pause, he continued, “affects their experience.”

Ling Jianshu understood what he was hinting at.

But he didn’t care and raised an eyebrow, asking, “And how does their experience matter to us?”

Qiao Song remained silent for a moment, then said quietly, “You’re right,” before going quiet again.

Ling Jianshu’s long fingers swiped across the screen as he skimmed through the discussion about who was clinging to whom. He quickly grew bored.

He scrolled through everything and put his phone back in his pocket, then turned to Qiao Song.

Qiao Song also turned to meet his gaze, hesitating before asking, “Did you see the part where they were discussing us…?”

Ling Jianshu replied, “I did. I think they just have too little homework.”

Qiao Song pressed his lips together and stayed quiet.

Ling Jianshu realized that Qiao Song was feeling down because of this, so he softened his tone and looked into his eyes seriously.

“Those comments, just take them with a grain of salt. Don’t let them get to you,” he said in a calm voice. “It’s normal for roommates to be close. There’s no clinging involved.”

Qiao Song could feel the warmth in his words.

But the sad thing was, Ling Jianshu didn’t understand what he was truly concerned about.

It didn’t matter who clung to whom.

What mattered was that this post reminded him once again—Ling Jianshu was homophobic, and he shouldn’t get too close to him.

No matter how close they got, they were just roommates.

But roommates should maintain a sense of boundaries and proper distance.

They shouldn’t rely on each other, even when feeling vulnerable from sickness…

He lowered his eyes and made up his mind.

They say “A wise person stays away from danger,” so he decided it was better to distance himself from Ling Jianshu from now on.

But in the next moment, Ling Jiashu leaned closer to him and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, “Don’t be upset. I’ll buy you something delicious later, okay?”

“…” Qiao Song’s heart softened a little.

Ling Jianshu seized the opportunity and continued, “What do you want to eat? Shrimp and crab congee, small wontons, or something else?”

As he spoke, he leaned even closer, gazing directly into Qiao Song’s eyes, coaxing him, “Just tell me, and I’ll get you whatever you want.”

They were so close that not only were their gazes intertwined, but their breaths also mingled.

Qiao Song quietly stared at him, and for a moment, he seemed to see his fragile sense of boundaries reflected in those deep, dark eyes.

He felt as if he was caught in a dilemma.

Rationally, he knew he should keep his distance, but emotionally, he couldn’t help but crave that indescribable warmth.

As he faced Ling Jianshu, it felt like he was also confronting his own heart.

After a long while, he gave in.

He realized he wouldn’t be able to figure it all out tonight, so he decided to go along with him and simply said, “I want plain noodles this time.”

Ling Jianshu indulgently replied, “Okay,” pulling back a little while gently ruffling his soft hair.

Qiao Song had never had any guy ruffle his hair before, and for a moment, he was stunned.

It might have been an odd thought, but at that moment, he suddenly remembered something Xia Zhe had said—

“Are you sure he’s straight?”