Qing Kuang Chapter 89

Published at 10th of May 2023 01:03:02 PM

Huo Ran swears that he was absolutely serious when he sent that message to Kou Chen about trading with a little secret. It didn’t matter if he typed it out of worry, disheartenment, or if he was just tired of keeping it to himself, he was prepared to say it as long as Kou Chen appeared.

But then there was still no news from Kou Chen, so he ended up forgetting about it in the midst of everything else. 

He knew that he was really worried, really angry, and really disheartened, but he couldn’t remember why he felt them so strongly.

He forgot why his heart rate went out of control when he saw Kou Chen’s message, forget why he rushed all the way over here, forgot that he almost cried in joy the moment he saw Kou Chen.

When Kou Chen said those two words, he suddenly remembered it all.

I’ll trade you with a little secret. 

Kou Chen, I like you.

Huo Ran opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

He couldn’t say anything, especially not when it all came so suddenly like this.

To the left of him was a busy road, and to the right were the hotel doors with people walking in and out. The doorman was only two metres away.

And in front of him was Kou Chen, five centimetres away from him at most.

He could hardly even get out a complete sentence.

“Ah, fuck,” Kou Chen glanced behind him and then he suddenly grabbed his arm and moved behind a nearby pillar. “Kou Xiao.”

“She saw you?” Huo Ran asked. 

“No,” Kou Chen peeked out carefully, “She’ll go through the employee entrance, she won’t look over here, it’s fine.”

“…What are you thinking?” Huo Ran was a little speechless.

“Come on,” Kou Chen watched Kou Xiao walk inside, and then he nodded to him. “Let’s go to my room first, it’s too dangerous here, not a place to talk.

“Oh,” Huo Ran nodded. 

It all felt like an undercover mission, making him nervous for some reason. He wanted to hunch over the whole way through the hotel doors.

Kou Chen on the other hand was as carefree as ever. He was even humming a song as he went. It looked like he was in a good mood.

“I have horns on my head! I have a tail behind me!” He put his hand behind his butt and waved it, “Nobody knows, how many secrets I have…” 

“Shut up,” Huo Ran felt embarrassed hearing him sing.

“I am a little Ranran, I have lots of little secrets,” Kou Chen ignored him, still singing as he went to press the elevator button. Then he turned to lean against the wall and look at him with his arms crossed, “I have lots of secrets, I won’t tell you, I won’t tell you, I won’t tell you…”

“I’m scared you won’t want to hear it.” Huo Ran frowned.

Kou Chen paused for two seconds to stare at him. 

Fuck!

I’ll say it!

What’s the big deal?

Worst case scenario he’ll get friendzoned, and then they’ll just be awkwardly friendly with each other! 

Better than keeping it in until he explodes!

Huo Ran stared at him: “I…”

The elevator doors opened with a ding, and a few people walked out.

Huo Ran quickly bit back the words he was about to say. He almost started sweating out of shock. 

“I won’t tell you, I won’t tell you…” Kou Chen sang as he walked in and held the door open, “Get in.”

Huo Ran stomped inside the elevator.

“I won’t tell you, I won’t tell you…” Kou Chen pressed a button, and right before the doors closed, a middle-aged man ran over, so he quickly held the door open again with a sigh.

Kou Chen finally stopped singing, but he was still humming to the tune. He leaned against the wall, looking at Huo Ran, eyes smiley. 

Kou Chen was in a good mood.

Huo Ran felt that he was in such a good mood it wouldn’t even matter if he told him the secret or not.

But Kou Chen didn’t look so good physically. It was obvious he hadn’t gotten enough sleep, and he looked skinnier. His chin was pointier, but he was genuinely happy.

Because of me? Stupid, look how happy you are. 

Huo Ran leaned against the opposite wall, and they stared at each other past the middle-aged man between them.

Kou Chen was still humming and smiling. The corners of his mouth turned up, while the corners of his eyes turned down, making him resemble those smiley faces you drew as a kid. Huo Ran looked at him, and he couldn’t stop himself from smiling too.

The middle-aged man felt pretty awkward. He rubbed his face, and then he glanced at the mirror behind them. When the elevator doors opened, he quickly stepped out. 

“Sir!” Kou Chen called him, “This is the eighth floor, didn’t you want to do to the tenth floor?”

“Oh, is it?” The man walked back into the elevator, looking even more awkward.

Huo Ran followed Kou Chen out of the elevator, and now without the man in between them, he couldn’t quite smile anymore.

Kou Chen swiped his keycard and motioned him into the room.

“…You’re in a good mood?” Huo Ran asked.

“What do you mean?” Kou Chen clicked his tongue and looked away. “I’ve only been in a good mood since you said you’ll be here in thirty.” 

Huo Ran looked at him.

Kou Chen turned to look out the window again: “I’ve only looked out the window twice in all the days I’ve been in here. You think I’d be in a good mood”

“That’s not what a meant,” Huo Ran felt a bit bad for him.

From the side, Kou Chen’s face looked noticeably thinner. 

But he was still handsome. The sunlight swept across his face and hung off of his eyelashes, sparkling each time he blinked.

“You said you’ll be here in thirty,” Kou Chen said. “And I ran down immediately. I was standing in the lobby, and you got here in twenty. Good thing I went down early.”

Huo Ran felt like the floorboards beneath his feet were slightly squishy, like how an asphalt road looked on a hot summer day. He also felt slightly floaty himself.

“But it wasn’t just because of the little secret, I just wanted to see you.” Kou Chen tsked. “You don’t even have to say it, not like it’s worth any money. At most it’s just something about a girl who wrote you a letter or whatever, or a secret you’ve been keeping for someone else…” 

Huo Ran stared at Kou Chen, not hearing anything that he was saying.

He stared at the Kou Chen in a good mood who rambled on nonstop under the sunlight and breeze.

“I like you.” Huo Ran said.

After those words came out of his mouth, Huo Ran felt a lot more relaxed. 

There was no more nervousness, no more embarrassment, overthinking, panic, or fear. He wasn’t worried about the consequences.

At that second, he realized that maybe he was just afraid to open his mouth. As for what happens next, he didn’t care at all.

Maybe he just wanted Kou Chen to know. He just wanted to say it out loud, to tell him.

I like you. 

That’s it.

Nothing more.

No expectations.

And he didn’t even need an answer. 

“See, I have lots of secrets like that, when I was little…” Kou Chen stopped halfway through his sentence. He was still looking out the window, and he turned around a few seconds later to look at him. “What did you say?”

“My little secret,” Huo Ran leaned against the glass. Although it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of his shoulders, he could still hear the slight tremor in his voice.

That’s right, in all of his eighteen years, this was the first time he’d felt this way. The first time he’d done something so brave. 

The first time he faced the fact that there was something different about himself.

The first time he faced someone who knew about that difference.

“You like me?” Kou Chen looked a little dazed.

That’s why they say it’s hard to confess to someone who says that stuff so easily all the time. 

“Kou Chen, I like you.” Huo Ran said. “It’s not the same as when you say you like me, it’s…”

Kou Chen suddenly leaned over, placing his hands on the glass.

Of all the hundreds of thousands of scenarios that had played through Huo Ran’s head, this was not one of them.

Kou Chen’s lips landed on his. 

He stopped breathing.

He felt weightless.

Dizzy.

Huo Ran didn’t know what happened. He didn’t expect this. He even imagined Kou Chen making fun of him, he being who he is, but never that Kou Chen would kiss him. 

Not the MUAMUA type of kiss.

What’s going on?!

Is he crazy?

Huo Ran didn’t know why he suddenly felt really embarrassed, panicked, and even a little angry. 

I said I like you.

And you fucking kiss me?

What’s wrong with you?!

You fucking thing! This is not the time! 

This is the bravest moment in my fucking life!

And you fucking kiss me?

Kou Chen’s lips left his, and a second later, he whispered: “Ranran…” 

“Bullshit!” Huo Ran threw a punch at Kou Chen’s face. “What’s wrong with you?!”

The punch made Kou Chen stumble back two steps, and he stared at him in shock with a hand on his face: “Fuck?”

“Come on!” Huo Ran glared.

In his shock, couldn’t didn’t even retort back. He only took his hand away and looked at it, before yelling so hard his voice cracked: “Come on your grandma! You knocked my fucking tooth out!” 

“Yeah, keep up your flying fucking bullshit!” Huo Ran cursed as he glanced at his palm in surprise.

Where’s the tooth?!

With how Kou Chen reacted when he dislocated a finger, he would’ve passed away on the spot if he knocked out a tooth!

…But he could see the blood smeared on the corner of his mouth when Kou Chen jumped at him. 

He clearly swung at his face.

So why did it land by his mouth…

He’s the basketball team captain for crying out loud, were his punches really that off?

“Fucking explain yourself!” Kou Chen’s fist landed hard on his shoulder.

At that moment, Huo Ran realized that Kou Chen really was good at fighting.

Not only was he strong, he was also experienced and had technique.

The punch came from above, so not only did it nearly paralyze his arm as he was about to block it, it also made him stumble back and fall to the ground. 

But Huo Ran didn’t give Kou Chen any more opportunities.

As Kou Chen was about to drag him back up, he stuck his foot out by Kou Chen’s ankle.

Kou Chen tripped over and landed on his knees on the carpet beside him.

“There, we’re even,” Huo Ran felt that Kou Chen was probably gonna beat him to death. 

“What kind of poison did you eat?” Kou Chen yelled. He grabbed his shirt collar and lifted him up an inch before throwing him back onto the ground, “What’s wrong with you?!”

Huo Ran was a little dizzy from his head hitting the ground.

He was still young, he didn’t want to get beaten to death right after confession.

He raised his leg, shoving his knee into the right side of Kou Chen’s back. 

“AH—” Kou Chen cried out and lept to his feet, rubbing his back harshly. “Fuck! I was already fucking hurt there!”

Huo Ran froze.

“You’re dead!” Kou Chen kicked his ass twice, “Huo Ran, did you fucking eat rat poison today?”

Huo Ran’s ass hurt from the kicks, and he was about to get up to keep fighting when Kou Chen lifted his leg and straddled his stomach with one hand on his neck: “Keep moving and I’ll fucking choke you!” 

Huo Ran looked at him and stayed still.

“What are you doing?!” Kou Chen yelled.

“What are you doing?!” Huo Ran yelled back.

Kou Chen didn’t say anything. He panted heavily, hand still on his neck. 

It’s not like he thought it was loud or anything earlier, but now it felt like everything had gone silent.

Only the sound of their heavy breathing could be heard, like they just moved eight bags of cement.

Slowly, Huo Ran calmed down. 

The boiling blood that rushed to his head also calmed down, and his fingertips felt cold.

The feeling slowly crawled up his arms and spread.

What are you doing?

Huo Ran, are you crazy? 

What did you do?

“Huo Ran,” Kou Chen said his name.

“Yeah?” Huo Ran looked down, afraid to make eye contact. 

The courage from earlier had long since disappeared. The courage he mustered up to confess, and to fight Kou Chen, it had all disappeared as he panted heavily.

“I heard it,” Kou Chen said.

“Heard what?” Huo Ran mumbled.

“Were you serious?” Kou Chen asked. 

Huo Ran didn’t respond. His heartbeat became an unignorable presence again, like there was a fucking drummer living inside of him.

“I also have a little secret,” Kou Chen said. “Wanna hear it?”

Huo Ran still didn’t say anything. He was about to be choked to death by Kou Chen. His hand had been tightening steadily, especially when he said those last words, like he was gonna squeeze down completely if he said he didn’t want to hear.

“I’m going to die,” Huo Ran breathed out. 

“Huh?” Kou Chen paused, before quickly letting go of his throat when he realized. He shook his hand awkwardly, but then he pointed at him, “No more fighting.”

“No more fightning,” Huo Ran coughed.

“Yes or no?” Kou Chen asked.

“Yeah,” Huo Ran nodded. 

Kou Chen’s voice was very quiet, like he was testing the waters. Huo Ran hesitated, before he turned to look at him.

“I’ve always liked you a lot,” Kou Chen said. “I have a little secret just like yours, Ranran.”

Huo Ran froze.

He didn’t feel anything. 

“You say that eight hundred times a day,” Huo Ran said. “Is that really a secret?”

“Have I said it to anyone else?” Kou Chen asked.

Huo Ran went silent.

“And I kiss you all the time too?” Kou Chen said. “Do I kiss anyone else?” 

Huo Ran still didn’t say anything.

But his hands began to tremble.

“But it wasn’t like that at the beginning…” Kou Chen paused, and then hastily explained, “At first I… I didn’t, I just thought you were cool, I… I didn’t feel anything towards you then.”

Huo Ran could feel his arms start trembling. 

“I don’t know when it started either,” The words came out a little strained, and Kou Chen frowned. If you didn’t know, you’d think he was being forced to confess something. “Just, it just slowly turned into…”

Kou Chen paused, sucking in a breath: “I really like you. Different from what I usually say, it’s the type that I’ve always kept hidden, the type that I’ve never even dared to think about.”

Huo Ran could feel his legs also start to tremble.

He closed his eyes. 

Tears slipped out from the corner of them.

They wouldn’t stop, even if he shut his eyes tightly.

They poured out.

Kou Chen’s finger gently touched the corner of his eye: “Huo Ran, don’t cry…” 

“Ah…” Huo Ran sobbed.

He didn’t know if he was upset or excited, maybe both.

“Stop fucking crying,” Kou Chen also started shaking, “You’re gonna make me cry too…”

“Then cry, who’s stopping you?” Huo Ran wiped his eyes. 

A tear fell into the palm of his hand.

He opened his eyes.

Kou Chen was looking down at him. His eyes were read, and a tear was hanging off the tip of his nose.

Was it a tear? 

Could it be…

“If you drip snot onto me, I’ll kill you,” Huo Ran cursed, voice nasally.

“They’re fucking tears!” Kou Chen rubbed his eyes.

Huo Ran couldn’t help but laugh. 

“You’re insane,” Kou Chen shook, and then he laughed as well.

“Fuck off,” Huo Ran sniffed.

Kou Chen stared at him, not saying anything. 

As he suddenly lowered his head and moved closer, Huo Ran felt like his heart could flick Kou Chen away with how hard it was beating.

“Mr. Kou!” A male voice sounded from outside the door.

It was followed by a knock.

Kou Chen startled and turned towards it. 

“It’s the staff!” Huo Ran pushed him, “Get up!”

“What?!” Kou Chen didn’t move. He hand one hand still on the ground, and he yelled at the door.

“Please open the door!” The person said. “A guest has reported that they heard fighting coming from your room. For the safety of you and the other guests, please open the door.”

“Fuck,” Dumbfounded, Kou Chen cursed softly. He placed a quick kiss on Huo Ran’s lips and then he stood up. “Coming!” 

Huo Ran quickly sat up as well. He was about to go sit in the chair, but then he felt that sitting on the floor was better.

Seeing as they got reported for fighting, then he might as well make it look that way. It was better than having people think they were doing something else violent in here.

Chapter end