He is Too Stingy, This Sand Sculpture Cannon Fodder

Lin Mingxu took a while before regaining his composure.

His emotions were complicated as he raised his hand and knocked on the door.

“Knock, knock, knock.”

There were not many people left in the entire building, and Shu You immediately heard it. He said to Chu Qing on the other end of the phone, “I have to go. I have a boyfriend. I’ll hang up. I haven’t told my boyfriend that I miss him today.”

Chu Qing: “…”

Shu You hung up the phone and flew over like a bird returning to its nest. “Boyfriend, are you done with work? Are you tired? I came back early today. Are you surprised?”

Lin Mingxu: … Surprised, not necessarily happy.

He had a complicated expression. “When did you come in?”

“In the afternoon? I can’t remember,” Shu You recalled for a while. “I didn’t sleep well last night, and when I didn’t see you here, I came in and slept.”

He didn’t mind at all and just ate and drank as he pleased.

He had a big heart.

Lin Mingxu didn’t know if this was a good or bad thing.

After a moment of silence, Shu You touched his stomach and said cheerfully, “What do you want to eat? I earned money, so we can order takeout today.”

It was too late to go home and cook.

But Lin Mingxu said, “Are you very hungry?”

“Um…”

Shu You wasn’t very hungry either and shook his head. “It’s already evening, I was just asking.”

Lin Mingxu didn’t feel like eating now.

He calmly asked, “Were you on the phone with Chu Qing just now?”

“Yes.”

Shu You chuckled, “I was half asleep and answered without opening my eyes… She asked me to go out and play and asked if you wanted to come too.”

“It’s to go to the countryside and soak in hot springs. We’ll go on Friday and come back Sunday night.”

Hot springs! Hot springs!

His eyes sparkled, and he looked at Lin Mingxu with anticipation. “Are you going?” If Lin Mingxu didn’t want to go, he felt like he could go alone.

“I can.”

Lin Mingxu glanced at him deeply. “When did she say? This week?”

“Um…”

Shu You didn’t expect Lin Mingxu to agree so readily and curiously asked, “Aren’t you busy with work?”

Lin Mingxu casually replied, “Work-life balance, right?”

Shu You: … Yes, indeed.

He immediately lowered his head and sent a message to Chu Qing: [Lin Mingxu said he’ll go, oh!]

Chu Qing replied with an okay expression, and the matter was settled.

After sending the message, Shu You smiled and asked, “Shall we have dinner then?”

“No rush.”

Lin Mingxu remained unhurried. His gaze was always on Shu You’s face, as if he was observing his subtle changes in expression.

Shu You didn’t understand what he meant, but he quickly blinked his eyes, obediently and well-behaved, saying, “Sure.”

“If you say no rush, then no rush.”

He pledged his loyalty swiftly, looking up at Lin Mingxu and then lowering his gaze. “Although it’s already nine o’clock, I’m not in a hurry either.”

“I want to have supper directly.”

“Boyfriend, I love you so much. You will definitely accompany me for supper, right?”

Lin Mingxu: … He actually wavered for a moment.

No, he couldn’t continue like this.

“Shu You.”

Lin Mingxu thought coldly that if he let Shu You continue to lead him around, he might as well change his last name to Shu.

…And he didn’t want to die of sudden cardiac arrest before turning thirty.

The man’s fingers tightened slightly, unconsciously overlapping and rubbing each other. He calmly said, “Do you really love me that much?”

“Of course.”

Shu You didn’t hesitate and said, “In this world, I love you the most.”

He skillfully pinched his fingers and held his heart, making it seem like a reflex action. “Love you, love you, love you~”

Lin Mingxu’s mouth twitched. “…Is there no reason?”

“It’s not that there’s no reason.”

Shu You thought for a moment and said seriously, “After all, even parents love their children based on the fact that they are their own children.”

His tone was cheerful. “Since I love you so much, it means I’m exceptionally good.”

Lin Mingxu remained silent.

After a while, he asked coldly, “So, are you saying that you love me because I’m very good?”

“…No, how could that be!”

Shu You quickly denied it and squeezed out a fawning smile. “I love you so much because you are also exceptionally good.”

After all, he was the protagonist, and apart from that, he had many good qualities.

He reasoned confidently, “Since we are both so good, isn’t it normal for us to be together?”

Lin Mingxu: …

Shu You had nothing to do and casually tidied up the messy bed in the rest area. He hummed a song as he walked around, feeling content and at ease, like a real boyfriend. Occasionally, he would come to his partner’s company and casually enter his extremely private resting space to help tidy things up.

Like the most intimate family member.

Lin Mingxu watched this scene, his eyes deep and profound.

After Shu You finished tidying up, he suddenly reached out and touched the mattress, saying to himself, “It’s a bit thin.”

The Lunar New Year was approaching, and it would only get colder. Even if he just took a nap at noon, wouldn’t it be better to have a thicker mattress?

Ling Mingxu’s eyes flickered, “You didn’t like that mattress?”

“It can still be put to good use if I like it.”

Shu You thoughtfully said, “Now we have heating at home and an electric blanket, so it won’t be cold to sleep at night… In comparison, you actually need a mattress.”

He also considered a detail: the mattress costs over 30,000 yuan and it looks good too. It would be more suitable to put it in “President Lin’s” office than the others.

Before Ling Mingxu could reply, he decisively said, “That’s settled! In the future, you can buy another mattress for the house, and consider it my support for you. No need to thank me.”

Ling Mingxu:… I don’t really want to thank you.

After tidying up the lounge, Shu You carried his luggage and walked outside, only to see the untouched takeaway bag on Ling Mingxu’s desk.

He was surprised, “You ordered takeout? Wait, you didn’t eat it?”

Ling Mingxu replied, “I got too busy, and I’m not hungry now.”

So that’s why.

Shu You couldn’t help but sigh, being a president is not easy.

He naturally reached out his hand and said, “If you’re not going to eat it, I’ll take it home.”

Ling Mingxu:…?

Weren’t they supposed to eat supper together?

Just as he was about to protest, his stomach grumbled in protest.

He watched as Shu You picked up his takeaway and walked to the office door, saying, “You’re busy, I’ll leave now!”

Ling Mingxu urgently stopped him, “…Wait.”

“Ah?”

Shu You stopped in his tracks, looking confused, “Is there something else?”

Ling Mingxu hinted clearly, “Weren’t you going to eat supper?”

After eating alone for so many days, he suddenly didn’t want to eat takeout in his office anymore.

Shu You shyly said, “But you have your own takeout, right? After careful consideration, I think we should save money.”

Ling Mingxu’s expression instantly became blank, “…I’m hungry now, so put the takeout down.”

Shu You: “…Oh.”

He placed the takeout back on the desk, making a funny face, “Boyfriend, you’re so stingy.”

Ling Mingxu:…………

Who was the one saving money and still thinking about other people’s takeout?

“Well, I’ll go home and cook for myself then.”

After muttering, Shu You waved goodbye, “I’m leaving!”

“Oh, right.”

“There’s something important!”

As Shu You reached the door, he suddenly turned back and returned to Ling Mingxu’s side.

Unconsciously, a string seemed to be lifted in Ling Mingxu’s heart, swaying uncertainly at the tip of his tongue.

He could only hear Shu You giggling, “I almost forgot to say.”

The young man suddenly smiled brightly, his eyebrows and eyes shining.

“On the sixth day of my business trip, the first day back, I missed you.”

Ling Mingxu’s heart trembled.

…Some struggles that had been repeated and unable to stand firm had collapsed with a crash.

Time flew, and it was already the weekend.

On Friday night, Ling Mingxu left work on time and picked up Shu You. They went to the outskirts with Chu Qing, Peng Shang’en, and a few other friends.

The outskirts of their city were mountainous, and it used to be a hot spring resort. Chu Qing booked an entire large courtyard for them to have fun together.

The group first indulged in eating and drinking, and then changed into yukatas. Shu You entered the changing room and emerged wearing a casually draped white yukata because it was warm indoors and the yukata was relatively thin.

His disheveled hair was slightly messy, and as he took a few steps forward, a hand suddenly reached out and grabbed him. Shu You lifted his foot but didn’t move, turning his head in confusion, “… Ling Mingxu?”

Ling Mingxu, wearing a dark gray yukata, furrowed his brows and asked, “Don’t you know how to wear a yukata?”

“I do!”

Shu You thought to himself, “I could dress myself since I was three years old—although I often wore my pants and shoes the wrong way, I still succeeded in putting them on! Even the teacher at kindergarten praised me for being the best.”

Ling Mingxu curled his lips, about to raise his hand, but suddenly paused and pushed Shu You back into the changing room.

“Um… Ling Mingxu?”

Shu You didn’t understand what he was doing. From his perspective, he thought there was nothing wrong with his yukata.

The man stood face to face with him, and then he reached out his hand toward the belt of Shu You’s yukata.

Shu You: !!!

He was startled and held himself as if he were a little chick leaving its mother hen’s protection, his voice trembling, “Boyfriend, w-what are you doing?”

Ling Mingxu expressionlessly said, “Your belt isn’t fastened.”

“…Oh.”

Shu You awkwardly let go, “I thought I had it on properly.”

Ling Mingxu didn’t say anything. His nimble fingers untied the haphazard knot Shu You had made, and just as he was about to fasten it again, he stopped and instead tightened the collar.

The pure white fabric was securely covered.

…And then he fastened the belt.

Perhaps because Shu You had a slim waist, the belt wound around an extra circle on his side, leaving a small piece that was neither too long nor too short, weaving through the man’s evenly jointed fingers, and tied at the back.

While tying the knot, Ling Mingxu couldn’t help but get very close to Shu You—almost as if he could hear the pounding, pounding, pounding of his heartbeat. And from Shu You’s perspective, when he lowered his head slightly, he could catch a glimpse of the man’s solid chest.

Shu You blushed.

“T-Thank you, boyfriend.”

With the belt fastened, he quickly rushed out of the changing room and ran away.

Ling Mingxu followed at a leisurely pace and happened to hear Chu Qing ask Shu You in confusion, “Shu You, what’s wrong with you? You’re already feeling feverish even before soaking in the hot spring?”

“Well…”

Shu You babbled, “Just the thought of being able to enjoy the great entertainment of hot spring bathing with my good friend, sister, and bestie, Chu Qing, couldn’t help but make me feel excited…”

“That’s not true.”

Chu Qing couldn’t stop laughing, “I actually wanted to soak with you, but everything was already arranged, and you and Ling Mingxu are in the same pool.”

Shu You: ???

Sisters are more important than anything, sister, you’re my disaster.

But it doesn’t matter, they’ve been sleeping on the same bed with Ling Mingxu for so long, and nothing has happened, right?

He firmly believed that Ling Mingxu

wouldn’t be interested in him. Even if their relationship had improved a bit now, they were at most ordinary friends.

Then the hot spring was ready.

As Shu You entered, he bypassed the folding screen and raised his eyes. Amidst the steam, Ling Mingxu’s handsome face swept over him with a pair of sharp eyes, capturing a little white rabbit.

Shu You: “…”

For some reason, he instinctively took a step back.

“Where else do you want to go?”

Ling Mingxu’s voice was faint, but it sounded like a taut string.

“I-I-I…”

Shu You stuttered, “I forgot to bring slippers.”

Ling Mingxu: “…They’re by the cabinet at the door.”

Shu You blushed and grabbed the slippers, circling back behind the folding screen. After a few steps, he suddenly remembered something, “I forgot to bring drinks.”

“They can deliver them here.”

Ling Mingxu seemed to have caught his thoughts and said calmly, “There’s a service menu over there.”

“Oh…”

Shu You didn’t understand what was happening to him today—he had already slept in the same bed with Ling Mingxu, but for some reason, he couldn’t face Ling Mingxu’s naked body.

…They’re both men, what’s the big deal!

He made up his mind and walked boldly in front of Ling Mingxu. He was about to remove his yukata when—

“Crash.”

He ended up doing the splits.

Shu You: …D*mn it!

He winced in pain, looked at his feet, and realized that he had kicked off his slippers.

Ling Mingxu…

Shu You pouted and complained, “These slippers are not slip-resistant!”

Ling Mingxu’s lips twitched repeatedly, which could be abbreviated as an “old twitch.”

He was already in the hot spring, and Shu You didn’t intend to ask for his help. He struggled to climb up on his own, but then he heard the sound of water splashing, followed by the man’s wet arm hanging down. “Hurry up.”

Ling Mingxu emerged from the water.

Isn’t that…

Shu You’s ears turned slightly red. He held onto Ling Mingxu’s wrist, looking around but avoiding eye contact with him. “Should I go change into a different pair of slippers…”

Ling Mingxu glanced at him and fell silent. “…You took the wrong ones.”

Once Shu You steadied himself, the man opened the small cabinet behind the folding screen and took out a visibly different pair of slippers. “These are the slip-resistant ones.”

“Oh…”

Shu You awkwardly changed into the correct slippers, but it didn’t make much difference now. His yukata had come undone when he fell, and his clothes were disheveled. Moreover, the hot spring was just ten centimeters away.

Shu You:…How can I act natural during my first time soaking in a hot spring with my boyfriend?

Urgent, waiting online!

“Splash…”

Ling Mingxu had already submerged himself in the water again.

The misty water gave everything a blurred filter. Shu You looked at the hot spring and realized it was quite spacious, enough to accommodate three or four adult men comfortably.

He gathered his courage, carefully crossed the ten-centimeter distance, and moved to the edge of the pool. He stretched out one leg, then the other…

Ling Mingxu’s voice remained calm. “If you don’t get in soon, it’ll be morning.”

Shu You coyly replied, “I feel cold. I need to adapt to this temperature.”

Ling Mingxu: “…Because of kidney deficiency?”

Shu You was surprised. “Boyfriend, you’re even answering medical questions now!”

Ling Mingxu:…He shouldn’t have given him that bit of sunshine.

A few seconds later, Shu You finally let go of his yukata and entered the water, wearing only his swimming trunks.

As he immersed himself in the warm water, his whole being felt relaxed and free, as if he could soar.

“So comfortable…”

Shu You couldn’t help but sigh with contentment, enjoying the moment of tranquility. After a while, he became restless. “Ling Mingxu, should we order some food?”

“I also saw a local specialty here.”

“…If you’re referring to the fruit wine,” Ling Mingxu looked at him meaningfully, “I don’t drink.”

“Oh.”

Shu You felt disappointed and casually ordered a few snacks. The food arrived quickly, and Shu You ate them one by one, leaning against the pool after finishing.

His fair skin gradually turned rosy, and sweat beads formed on his forehead. His damp hair brushed against his forehead, and he absentmindedly wiped it away, along with the stray hairs, making them even messier.

Ling Mingxu glanced at him and suddenly felt the world was in chaos. Unable to bear it any longer, he approached slightly. Shu You heard the sound of water and opened his eyes. “…Ling Mingxu?”

“Don’t move.”

Ling Mingxu raised his hand, plucked a few petals from above Shu You’s head, and put them in the water. One petal drifted away with the ripples.

Shu You inexplicably spoke up, “Ling Mingxu, what’s your favorite flower?”

“Flower?”

After a slight thought, the man replied, “I don’t particularly have one, but if I had to choose, it would be tulips.”

Shu You nodded earnestly and said sincerely, “I’m different from you.”

Ling Mingxu raised an eyebrow.

“I like flowers that bring wealth.”

Ling Mingxu slipped for a moment and almost pulled Shu You’s hair.

“Boyfriend!”

Shu You exclaimed in anger, “What if I go bald?”

“It’s okay.”

Ling Mingxu remained expressionless and said, “Baldness doesn’t affect your ability to do stand-up comedy.”

“But it affects my appearance!”

Shu You angrily retorted, “Look at that middle-aged programmer in your company. He can’t find a girlfriend because of his male pattern baldness… What if I go bald in the future? My female fans will be heartbroken!”

“You have a lot of female fans?”

“Yeah,” Shu You cared a lot about those fangirls. They were much better than male fans. Male fans would criticize him, while female fans would shower him with praise. Who wouldn’t love that?

Speaking of this, Shu You’s spirits lifted, and he praised himself, “I have many fans on Weibo. After this variety show airs, I’ll gain even more followers.”

“Maybe the next time your company has a promotional event, they’ll have to pay me for advertising.”

“Oh?” Ling Mingxu casually remarked, “So, you’re worried about your career?”

“Of course.”

Shu You reasoned, “You’re still in the early stages of your startup, and I naturally have to consider our little family.”

“But I don’t want you to overwork yourself. Just focus on your own work. Don’t worry about the household matters; I’ve got it covered!”

He spoke as if he were the man supporting him from behind out of love, without complaints or regrets, wholeheartedly devoted.

However, the youth kept spouting nonsense, one after another.

Ling Mingxu felt a slight pain in his temple.

…He decided to enjoy the hot spring.

The man closed his eyes and rested, no longer engaging in conversation with Shu You. On the other side, Shu You indulged in his own enjoyment, eating and drinking. After a few more minutes of soaking, he suddenly had an idea. He took a deep breath, then abruptly sank underwater. The room fell silent.

Three seconds.

Five seconds.

Seven…

Ling Mingxu suddenly opened his eyes, and in an instant, water splashed everywhere. Shu You emerged from the water in front of him, laughing and splashing water onto his face. “Ling Mingxu, why isn’t your hair wet!”

“Splash!”

The next moment, Shu You’s world spun as he was forcefully pressed against the edge of the pool by the man.

He saw the man’s thick hair dripping with water, his eyebrows furrowing towards the center, and deep eyes staring at him without blinking.

Instinctively, Shu You wanted to run, but the man’s sturdy chest was pressed against him, and his back was against the pool’s edge, leaving no room to escape.

“Ling, Ling Mingxu?”

Shu You blinked his eyes, his voice growing weaker, “Cough, cough, it was just a joke…”

“Mmm, just a joke.”

Ling Mingxu showed no intention of letting him go, calmly saying, “I want to play a joke on you too.”

“W-What?”

Shu You stared blankly at him, completely confused. What kind of joke did Ling Mingxu want to play on him?

The young man was soaked from head to toe, looking as fresh and tender as a little mermaid. His wet hair was now slicked back, and Ling Mingxu freed up one hand to tuck a wet strand of hair behind Shu You’s forehead.

His brows and eyes were handsome, delicate, and beautiful.

But they were completely different from before.

He had doubted and considered all sorts of possibilities, possible and impossible.

But none of that mattered anymore.

There’s no love without reason, and coincidentally, he didn’t believe in

love without reason.

If Ling Mingxu had something he wanted from him, then that was even better.

It’s best to always have something to seek.

Ling Mingxu’s eyes grew even deeper, reflecting Shu You’s dumbfounded expression. Shu You’s back was a little uncomfortable against the pool’s edge, and when he spoke, his voice had a slight touch of coquetry.

“Boyfriend, can you get up first… My back is getting sore.”

However, the man still didn’t release him.

His expression was indifferent, but between his brows, it seemed as if the clouds had finally cleared, revealing a faint sense of clarity and ease. Since he couldn’t control it, then he would establish it, encircle it, guard it, and then think about the future.

Like a great dragon determined to protect its treasure, Ling Mingxu’s expression gradually softened, surprising Shu You when he caught a glimpse of it.

“Ling Mingxu…”

Shu You blinked his eyes and suddenly blurted out, “Why are you in such a good mood? Is there something fun happening?”

Ling Mingxu: “…”

A subtle change in his emotions disappeared once again. Shu You burst into laughter, his eyes shining brightly like stars. “Quick, share it with me! We’ll still be good friends!”

Ling Mingxu paused for a moment, then asked in a soft voice, “Are we good friends?”

“How could we not be?”

Shu You looked shocked, “Are you trying to end our relationship?”

Ling Mingxu: “…Then what exactly is our relationship?”

“Um…”

Shu You hesitated for a moment, then blurted out inexplicably, “An improper relationship between men?”

Ling Mingxu: “???”