Chapter 2792: The Online Game Master's 'Straight Male' Roommate 38

Jin Chen was still curled up on the sofa, his laptop on the coffee table, propping his head up as he looked at Cheng Lang; the light fell on his long eyelashes, and his eyes shone with a bright smile, "Brother, you're so fierce."

That tone, three parts teasing and seven parts coquettish, made Cheng Lang's heart flutter.

He knelt on one knee at the edge of the sofa, leaned over, and placed his hands on either side of Jin Chen's body, his breath audible.

"I won't be fierce with you," Cheng Lang said softly.

They exchanged a long, wet, hot kiss on the sofa, their breaths gradually mingling and their body temperatures rising.

But this, after all, was not their private apartment.

Cheng Lang, too, remembered to keep his distance.

He brought Jin Chen back to his bedroom, closed the door with a backhand, Cheng Lang's back against the door, then pulled Jin Chen into his arms and kissed him.

Jin Chen's kisses landed on Cheng Lang's neck and collarbone, with a slight sucking force.

The kiss was drenched, like a heavy bout of drinking.

This was the room Cheng Lang had lived in since childhood.

The bookshelf was filled with various books and figures, the walls adorned with student-era awards and posters, the desk a bit old but wiped clean.

By the window stood the bed he had slept on for over a decade.

The room had no lights on; winter dusk filtered through the light curtains, casting a soft, warm gray haze over the space.

Under the covers, their weights layered, their body temperatures pressed together.

"Brother," Jin Chen whispered in his ear, warm breath brushing over his ear.

"... Hmm?" Cheng Lang closed his eyes, feeling the weight and heat of the person on him, his arms encircling his slim waist.

"Would you mind not turning on the light?" Jin Chen's voice dropped even lower.

Cheng Lang's closed eyelids twitched a few times, he let out an almost inaudible "uh," but when he spoke it came out as indulgent and an indescribable flutter.

"... Okay."

Cheng Lang, dazed, narrowed his eyes, his gaze passing over Jin Chen's shoulder to see the limited-edition mecha figure on the upper shelf of the opposite bookcase, the one he had saved up for months to buy at sixteen, once his favorite.

There was also a faint mark on the wall, left from a childhood bump when he was playing rough.

This was his room, filled with the memories, dreams, and traces of his entire adolescence.

And now, in this place that had witnessed his growing years, he was intimately close with the person he loved deeply, skin against skin.

A strange, intense feeling surged in his chest, mixed with a sense of belonging, happiness, and fulfillment.

Cheng Lang tilted his head up and kissed Jin Chen's neck side in tiny, delicate motions, murmuring softly, his voice gentle, filled with endless affection: "Be good…"

——

The next day, after Cheng Lang's parents finished visiting relatives and returned, they saw Jin Chen, whom their son had been thinking about throughout the holiday.

At first sight, Cheng Lang's mother let out an involuntary "ayyo" in her heart.

This kid is just too handsome.

Clean, delicate, yet not effeminate, sitting quietly and properly, his bearing impeccable—clearly the product of good upbringing.

Cheng Lang's father was initially a bit reserved, but after a few words he found the young man's speech refined, and the subtle awkwardness he felt because of his son's orientation largely faded.

His son liked him, and the young man was indeed fine—what else could he say?

Cheng Lang's mother grew fonder of Jin Chen the more she looked at him, prepared a big table of dishes, and before leaving packed plenty of homemade cured sausage, braised meat, and pastries, insisting they take them back to their apartment.

"You young people, when you get busy you don't eat properly; bring these, and when you're hungry you can just throw something together and eat."

Jin Chen readily accepted, thanked him sweetly, and coaxed Cheng Lang's mother into smiling with crinkled eyes.

【Ah, you've never spoken such coaxing words to your father before.】 Ling Gun Gun mimicked Father Jin's tone, shaking head and swaying body, a flash of light, and the Host got to taste the braised meat first, 【Delicious too!】

After school reopened, Cheng Lang formally entered the graduation season stage.

His thesis underwent repeated revisions and polishing, he prepared for the defense, and also had to look for an internship; one thing followed another, keeping him so busy his feet barely touched the ground.

The person who usually cooked at home naturally became Jin Chen, who had relatively more free time.

Cheng Lang sometimes came home late after working late, but no matter how late he returned, the living room light was always on, and either warm food was left on the dining table, or Jin Chen was curled up on the sofa reading while waiting for him.

Such a simple, warm routine became Cheng Lang's solace during his busy graduation season.

His thesis defense went smoothly; Cheng Lang had an excellent résumé and solid skills, and he sent his application to the tech company he admired.

Application, initial screening, written test, first interview, second interview… progress was very smooth.

On the day of the final interview, Cheng Lang arrived early at the company, and in the waiting meeting room he saw another candidate who had also reached the final stage.

That young man seemed to have gotten advance news; his gaze toward Cheng Lang always carried a condescending superiority, and he occasionally adjusted his expensive suit cufflinks.

Cheng Lang couldn't be bothered with him, lowered his head to send a message to Jin Chen, reporting his schedule and adding a complaint: "I've run into a competitor with an overly inflated self-image."

The young man noticed Cheng Lang's disregard, and his face looked unpleasant.

After a moment, he suddenly let out a cold snort; though his voice was low, with only two people in the meeting room it was obvious who he was addressing.

"What's the use of preparing even more thoroughly? Some positions are destined to be mine."

The young man picked up his phone and pretended to send a voice message: "What does graduating from a prestigious school matter? This is a top-tier company in the industry, the waters run deep—when will those without connections ever get a turn?"

Cheng Lang's finger, which had been tapping the phone screen, paused; he lifted his eyes and glanced at the young man.

The other averted his gaze, but the hint of smug contempt on his face couldn't be hidden.

Cheng Lang sensed something off; after the two took turns entering the interview office, he came out first, sat outside awaiting the result, silently shook his head, finding such behavior that undermined fair competition somewhat contemptible, though not entirely surprising.

During the second interview, he had never seen that young man before, yet he went straight into the final interview, and in his heart he basically already had the answer.

Sure enough, shortly afterward the two interviewers came out.

The male interviewer's face showed some embarrassment, wanting to speak but stopping; the efficient female interviewer said, "We understand both of your performances; we need to hold an internal meeting to discuss further, so please go back and wait for notice…"

"What?" the young man sprang to his feet, brows furrowed, "Manager Xu, did you make a mistake? What else is there to discuss? Didn't you receive notice from above?"

The male interviewer tugged at Manager Xu's sleeve and whispered, "Director Song said…"

Manager Xu, however, straightened his expression and cut him off: "I am the department manager of the IT Technology Department; I hire interns for my department, looking at ability, potential, and position fit—not anything else."

His face darkened, "Manager Xu, you..."

"I'm going out to make a call!" The youth glared fiercely at Cheng Lang, grabbed his phone and walked out quickly.

Cheng Lang already understood.

He stood up, neither humble nor arrogant, "Manager Xu, if this position has already been arranged elsewhere, I completely understand."

"Your company is a great platform, but it's a two-way choice; I also don't want to become the one sacrificed, sorry for the disturbance today."

Cheng Lang indeed felt somewhat disappointed; this company, whether in terms of development prospects or technical direction, matched his expectations very well.

Only regrettable... tonight I can't go celebrate finding an internship with Xiao Chen, but there are other alternatives.

Manager Xu, however, felt somewhat regretful.

She had interviewed so many people; Cheng Lang's professional ability, project experience, and problem-solving thinking were all quite good, not to mention interns, many full-time employees couldn't compare.

Such talent, if squeezed out because of connections, would be a loss for the department.

Just as Manager Xu was about to try again, the meeting room door was knocked.

A young female secretary with a calm demeanor walked in, followed by a middle-aged man with sweat on his forehead.

"Uncle..." The youth saw him and immediately went up to him.

"What uncle! Shut up!" General Manager Song shouted angrily, his face extremely ugly.

"Secretary Chen." Manager Xu and the male interviewer were both somewhat surprised.

How could the secretary from the Chief Executive Officer's office come down personally? This is directly serving that little President Jin.