Can We Still Be Best Friends After Sleeping with My Straight Childhood Friend?

Also known as What Should I Do After Getting an Erotic Novel from My Childhood Friend?, Who Says You Can't Be Straight After Sleeping Together?, When Your Childhood Friend Goes Quiet, He's Definitely Up to Something, and Go Ahead and Make a Scene, One Good Night's Sleep Will Fix It

A beautiful camellia, sweet and seemingly obedient straight bottom X a straight top who's a feudal moralist but addicted to cuddling

Click to watch two straight men fall in love.

Everyone in Shang Yunjing knows.

Yan Ao is spoiled, domineering, and full of schemes. He's practically a little demon sent into the world.

Chen Shuo is cold by nature, but he treats Yan Ao differently. He says, "My childhood friend is obedient, straightforward, and lovable. He's so easy to bully, I really have to keep a close eye on him."

The scions of noble families finally catch on. "They must be having an affair!"

Yan Ao beams and makes a heart with his hands. "That's right! We're deeply devoted to each other, passionately in love, inseparable, and together till death do us part~"

After enjoying everyone's astonished expressions, Yan Ao spreads his hands.

"Just kidding. A Shuo and I aren't into men."

Then his childhood friend gives him a book.

Chen Shuo rests his chin on Yan Ao's shoulder and hugs him from behind. His nimble fingers lift the hem of Yan Ao's robe and slip inside his trousers...

What the hell!

My eyes!

I thought you were my brother, and you actually...!

*

Yan Ao is so unnerved he starts avoiding him, even when walking.

Chen Shuo catches him with a stony expression. "You believe other people's attempts to drive us apart?"

"I have no interest in romance, and I despise men who love men."

Yan Ao is overjoyed. Then, while drunk and muddle-headed, he sleeps with this childhood friend who claims to be a cold, celibate man from Kongdong.

Yan Ao questions his life choices. "You really didn't do that on purpose?"

Chen Shuo: "I was drugged this time. It was unexpected. I'm still not interested in romance, so it doesn't count."

Yan Ao: "Right!"

After they sleep together a second time.

Chen Shuo: "The love spell left me no choice. This had nothing to do with romance. It doesn't count."

Yan Ao starts to feel guilty. "Right."

After they sleep together a third time.

Chen Shuo: "Our emotions ran high, our souls joined, and passion took over. It still doesn't count."

Yan Ao is silent for a long while. "Right..."

Yan Ao: Currently reflecting on whether I'm straight...

Chen Shuo picks up the quilt and pats the bed. "Coming?"

Yan Ao instinctively replies, "Coming!"

That's right. If you're brothers, you should sleep together.

*

Chen Shuo has a vague feeling that his childhood friend is keeping a little secret.

But he assumes it's nothing important.

Though Yan Ao is a little mischievous, a little playful, and a little rebellious, he's still obedient and adorable. There's not a single thing wrong with him.

Until Yan Ao starts looking at him strangely and keeping his distance, even telling him outright that his own behavior has been improper and that he's sorry. He vows to turn over a new leaf and work hard, asking Chen Shuo to keep an eye on him.

Chen Shuo agrees, pretending to be moved, then immediately sends someone to investigate behind his back.

He was perfectly normal, and then suddenly he started behaving himself.

Someone must be causing trouble.

Chen Shuo's younger cousin asks him, "Do you really not like Yan Ao?"

Chen Shuo: "Indeed."

Cousin: "There's a friend of mine who wants to pursue him. I'll introduce them."

Chen Shuo: "Absolutely not."

"Yan Ao and I swore brotherhood. We're as close as brothers. Don't bring such wicked ideas anywhere near him."

Cousin: "Then there's a man who wants to pursue me."

Chen Shuo: "Oh."

Cousin: "You'll interfere when someone you chose as a brother is involved, but you won't lift a finger for your own cousin. And you still think you don't like him?"

Chen Shuo: "Indeed."

His cousin tries another approach. "Do you want him to be happy and carefree, to rise to great heights, to achieve all his ambitions, and to shine like the bright moon, illuminating only you?"

Chen Shuo reluctantly nods. "We understand each other."

"What kind of nonsense is that? You have different ambitions, interests, personalities, and opinions. What kind of kindred spirits or close friends are you? Do you agree with what he says? Is your heart trembling because of his words, or because of him? If someone else were standing before you, you'd have torn him to pieces by now."

You're just in love with him.

1. The setting features a world where love between men is widespread, and the Imperial Academy has a dual-track system of the Imperial College and the Grand Academy. It's modeled on the Han dynasty, but with lots of original liberties, so it has little to do with the Han dynasty in practice.

2. The main point is to have two straight men fall in love in a world full of gay men. The plot exists to serve the romance.

3. Low martial arts, low fantasy, low technology.

Theme: A surging love roils beneath the glacier.