Expecting the Child of an Older Man

The café was filled with the gentle strains of romantic songs, the whispers of couples murmuring behind him, and the swaying light of vintage chandeliers casting shadows on the man's face. Chen Nuo's anxiety grew; he could barely recall the man's features anymore. "Why?" Chen Nuo's hand trembled as he grasped his coffee cup. The man gave him an indifferent glance and a slight smile. "Chen Nuo, let's not force each other anymore." Chen Nuo straightened his back, staring at the man’s shameless expression. Why, indeed? How could someone who had wronged him so deeply smile without remorse? "If you want to break up, at least give me a reason. Why did you cheat? Why did you lie to me?" The accusations tumbled out, and he barely restrained himself from throwing his coffee in the man’s face. "Li Haozhe, which question will you answer first?" Li Haozhe exhaled smoke slowly, flicking the ash from his cigarette onto the table. In that smoky haze, he remembered their beginning. Chen Nuo was beautiful, not in an effeminate way, but with strikingly bright eyes that had captured his attention from the first moment. Chen Nuo's skin, smooth and enviable, attracted the jealousy of many girls. His gentle nature made him seem like an easy target, until one day, he came out to his family. In those brief seconds, Li Haozhe listed many of Chen Nuo's virtues. "The problem is, you're a man," he finally said, stubbing out his cigarette. "My family wants grandchildren. Can you give me children? In bed, you're more hesitant than a woman. We've been together for nearly six years, and you still need to be asked if you're willing to kiss. If you want to live like a monk, don't drag me along." Chen Nuo listened, his lips pressing tighter as the injustice churned within him. He looked up, ready to speak, but Li Haozhe cut him off. "And now you're crying. If anyone saw this, they'd think I did something terrible to you." "You brought her into our home," Chen Nuo said. Li Haozhe raised his hand dismissively. "What do you mean, 'our home'? The title is in my name." Chen Nuo was stunned. "You…" Li Haozhe wasn't surprised by his reaction. He downed his coffee, ready to leave. "The house cost 1.98 million. Can you afford that?" Chen Nuo couldn't hold back his tears. "Li Haozhe, how could you? The house was only 1 million. Why did you lie to me about the price?" Li Haozhe's expression darkened. "What nonsense are you spouting?" "Am I lying?" Chen Nuo's face flushed with anger. "You always brag, even to me. I gave you 200,000 for the down payment, and now you're cheating on me in our home, trying to kick me out. You're inhuman!" "Even your arguments sound effeminate." Li Haozhe cleaned his ear, confident that Chen Nuo wouldn't retaliate. After all, they had lived together for three years, and Chen Nuo had never once raised a hand in anger. Indeed, Chen Nuo wasn't skilled in arguments. Overwhelmed with anger and dizziness, he finally did what he had wanted to do for so long: he threw the coffee in Li Haozhe's face. Immediately, he was pulled back by a strong force and slapped hard across the face. "Slap!" Chen Nuo looked in disbelief at the woman in front of him, who stood there smugly. "I'll give you one day to move out of the apartment. All you bring to Haozhe is trouble and disgrace. I bring him a career. What can you offer?" "Chen Nuo, let's part amicably. I transferred 20,000 yuan to you as compensation. Don't cling to this any longer; it's undignified." "I gave you 200,000, not 20,000." The woman sneered. "What 200,000? I didn't see it. Take the 20,000 and leave, or I'll ensure you can't stay at Qingjiang Academy. Getting in wasn't easy, was it? If your teachers and classmates knew you were a gay man clinging to a married man, what would they think?" Chen Nuo stepped back in shock. In terms of shamelessness, he couldn't compete. "You actually gave him 20,000?" "Consider it a lesson learned. Just don't let him pester me again." "By the way, sell that apartment soon. It's not worth keeping." "Alright, whatever you say." Their conversation faded away as Chen Nuo sat numbly, staring at his phone screen that showed a transfer of 20,000 yuan. He gripped his phone until his knuckles turned white, trying to accept reality while suppressing his grief and frustration. He should be crying, but no tears came. Their five-year relationship couldn't compare to a woman with a good family background. Oh right, women can have children. But he… Chen Nuo slumped in his chair, holding his stomach until a waiter politely asked if he wanted a refill. He stiffly shook his head and left, returning to his dorm. His roommate said his brother had brought his luggage. The speed at which he was kicked out was shocking. Chen Nuo quickly packed his belongings, noting that he had nothing valuable left. Everything of value had gone into that apartment. Li Haozhe had boasted the apartment cost 1.98 million, and Chen Nuo, busy with school competitions, had trusted him with the purchase. 1.98 million was a fortune for them. Chen Nuo sold everything of value to cover the down payment, only to later learn the apartment cost just over 1 million. Now, he had nothing left—no money, no family. He couldn't afford to lose his education too. "Chen Nuo, are you moving into the dorm?" the class monitor asked from the top bunk. Chen Nuo shook his head. He didn't think he was in the right state to share a room. "My landlord took back the apartment suddenly. I'll stay in the dorm temporarily until I find a new place." Chen Nuo was well-liked in the class, known for being gentle and quiet. The class monitor quickly reassured him, "I didn't mean to rush you. It's good if you stay. Your bed has always been here." His classmates' warmth eased Chen Nuo's depression slightly, though the smile didn't reach his eyes. That night, he couldn't sleep, staring at the moon until dawn. He got up at six, heading to the cafeteria. It was too early, and few people were there. He felt lost and alone, thinking of his family. Did he still have one? Chen Nuo rested his head on the cold table, forcing himself to calm down. In the face of true desperation, he found it easier to let go. He had few classes in the morning. According to his schedule, he had to work at the club that evening. The club was busy on Friday nights, with high-profile VIPs. The manager was dressed up, waiting for an important guest. Chen Nuo caught a glimpse of a familiar face, a well-dressed man being treated with deference by Hu Dashao, a regular. The man was handsome, with a slight smile and a mixed-race appearance. Work kept Chen Nuo busy, which served as a welcome distraction. A colleague, Xiao Zhou, asked, "Can you cover A36 for me?" Chen Nuo hesitated. "What's wrong?" "Don't you remember? Hu Dashao is here. He has a terrible temper and once slapped Xiao Wen for refusing to drink with him. He brought someone today, so it might be better, but I'm still scared." Xiao Zhou was a girl, so Chen Nuo agreed. "Alright, I'll go." He took the trolley to the private room, took a deep breath, and knocked. "Excuse me." Before he could enter, he heard a reprimand from inside. "Are you all useless? Can't you see that Mr. Su needs proper attention?" Chen Nuo swallowed nervously, feeling someone watching him. He looked through the c***k in the door and met the eyes of the man in the corner, half-hidden in shadow, his expression stern and unrecognizable from earlier. Steeling himself, Chen Nuo entered with a smile. "Here's the wine you ordered." As soon as he stepped in, he felt a gaze on him, making him even more nervous. "Wow, even the waiters here are better looking than the young masters." The room was filled with men and women, and Chen Nuo quietly moved back, holding the wine, unsure of what to do. "Mr. Su, take your pick. You deserve the best. The previous one was out of line. Take a proper look now." The room fell silent. Chen Nuo stood behind the rows of people, feeling strangely calm since he was just a waiter. "Him," said the man in the corner, pointing at Chen Nuo. Chen Nuo looked around, realizing too late that he was the one being chosen. Someone pushed him forward, and he dropped the expensive bottle of wine, which shattered. Everyone jumped, and Hu Dashao looked ready to explode. But the man in the corner spoke, his voice steady and amused. "No problem, I'll cover the cost." Hu Dashao immediately softened. "Mr. Su, you're too kind. Go on, serve him." Chen Nuo was practically shoved into the man's arms.