Contractual Marriage: We’re Meant to Be Together

178. Distance

Translator: Ahve

In the third photo, Yan Chuyang was playing games on his phone, and Wei Qing lowered his head to kiss him on the cheek.

The last one showed that Yan Chuyang was whispering in Wei Qing’s ear with his hand on the man’s shoulder.

There were four in total.

Though the photos were not taken so clearly, one could still see what the two people were doing in the car.

As the camera seemed to focus right on Yan Chuyang’s face, it was easy to recognize him. Yet it was hard to recognize the other man, who wore sunglasses all the way.

However, their intimate behavior indicated that they were more than friends.

Everyone in the auditorium was silent. The teachers and principal sitting in the front row looked serious, all frowning.

“Yan Chuyang.” Lu Haolin turned around triumphantly and raised his eyebrows. “What else do you have to say?”

Yan Chuyang snapped back to his senses and shrugged, “Aren’t we talking about why I deserve the award? Why are you showing these photos of me and my friend? And they were all taken without our consent.”

Lu Haolin’s expression changed as he sneered, “Friend? Do you kiss and cuddle all your friends like this?”

“Alright,” the boy thought for a moment and decided to make it clear, “He’s my boyfriend. That day, he came and picked me up from school. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.”

Instantly, his words caused uproar in the crowd, and his classmates were stunned. No one ever expected that Yan Chuyang would admit it so frankly.

Wei Qing stared at the boy’s face without saying a word, his lips pursed.

“I’ve got nothing to hide now,” Yan Chuyang turned around. “The one I love is indeed a man, and I feel no shame for that. I’ve never told anyone about it before because I didn’t want to attract too much attention on campus. I just want to finish university and enjoy romantic time alone with him. Falling in love with him is the best thing I’ve ever done.”

After a short silence, he got a round of applause.

Even though no one here ever expected this, they were all being nice and open-minded enough to appreciate the boy’s sincerity and courage.

They surely understood that it was a personal choice to pursue true love, and they would rather show respect than judge. After all, they were different from Lu Haolin.

Life was long and happiness was rare. Why should one get caught up in striving for the approval of others and bother himself?

Most of the people present quickly accepted what just happened.

The principal stood up, stepped onto the stage and looked at the students down there in earnest.

“I’m fifty-three years old now. In the eyes of young people, I might already be an old fogy. Yet I still want you all to know that in any place, in any country, in any era, no love should be judged with discrimination. And no one should be judged with discrimination just because he was in love with someone of his gender. This boy, Yan Chuyang, should be proud of himself for being so brave to follow his heart, and we should be proud of him as well. He deserves the award.”

The crowd burst into spontaneous applause even more enthusiastic than before.

“Mr. Principal… thank you so much for your understanding.” Yan Chuyang held the old man’s hand, deeply touched.

“Don’t be afraid,” the principal patted him on the arm and said in a soft voice, “As you said, there’s nothing wrong with that. No one will blame you.”

Yan Chuyang nodded heavily, “I know.”

The principal then let go of the boy’s hand and turned to Lu Haolin.

“Lu Haolin, are you done? You really shouldn’t take photos of others without their permission and make a fuss here. You should be ashamed as you maliciously accused Yan Chuyang of not being qualified to take the top prize.”

A hint of grimness crossed Lu Haolin’s face. He said in disgust, “Yan Chuyang likes men. Isn’t that disgusting enough?”

Immediately there came disdainful boos from the auditorium.

The principal shook his head in disappointment and looked at Lu Haolin.

“Lu Haolin, you’re a highly-educated college student. How can you be so obstinate and narrow-minded? True love deserves respect. If that makes you feel disgusted, then I’ll truly feel sorry for the girl you’ll be in love with, or maybe you shouldn’t find a girlfriend.”

The crowd burst out laughing. Their principal was really good at dealing with such a guy.

Lu Haolin looked sullen as well as embarrassed, grinning his teeth. He pointed at the photos and roared in a rage, “Who can be sure that the man must be Yan Chuyang’s boyfriend? I saw him once from afar. He was wearing a polished Armani suit and driving a Bugatti Veyron. How could such a decent and paramount man be in love with that poor boy?”

Yan Chuyang looked pale and a bit sad, “I am poor, but I will have a great life one day. You can never put a price on love.”

“Huh,” Lu Haolin snorted, “Stop daydreaming. Who are you kidding? How could you, a homeless lowlife, have the chance to know those gentlefolk? Look at yourself! No one would believe that. How dare you boast in front of us all that he’s your boyfriend? You’re just craving for his money!”

Yan Chuyang’s heart trembled.

Although Lu Haolin was being rude, he still got the point.

If Yan Chuyang didn’t know Wei Yuan back then, he could never get into Wei Qing’s world. Then, the man, a person who was always above the boy, would never even take a glance at Yan Chuyang, a boy who always kept his head down.

In everyone’s eyes, the gap between the two of them was impassable.

The light in Yan Chuyang’s eyes dimmed. He clenched his hands slowly, the knuckles pale.

The principal stood beside him; his eyes fixed on the boy falling silent. He couldn’t help but say, “Lu Haolin, stop talking nonsense! If you continue to slander him like this, I’ll have no choice but to let the security men take you out.”