Hearing that name, Gu Huai’s waist instinctively stiffened.
As if sensing his reaction, Bo Jianyan leaned his head over and lightly patted Gu Huai’s waist with one hand, a gesture filled with reassurance. “Relax, my brother is a good person.”
“No need to be nervous.”
Only then did Gu Huai truly come face-to-face with Bo Jianyan’s brother. He looked quite refined and gentle—it was hard to reconcile this image with the person who had been bickering with Bo Jianyan on the screen earlier.
Bo Wenyu reached out his hand, intending to shake Gu Huai’s.
He was immediately met with a glare from Bo Jianyan. “If you have something to say, just say it. There is no need for handshakes.”
Bo Wenyu rolled his eyes and looked back at Gu Huai. “Apologies, my idiot younger brother has been a lot of trouble for you, hasn’t he?”
It was difficult to imagine such a refined-looking person making such a comment.
Gu Huai shook his head and took the initiative to step forward and shake his hand. “Not at all. It is Brother Bo who has been taking care of me.”
Bo Wenyu shot Bo Jianyan a look that said that is more like it. “Grandmother is inside waiting for you.”
“As for Xiao Huai, I will take him for a stroll to get him properly settled in.”
Bo Jianyan stepped forward to separate their hands. “Mm, understood.”
Bo Wenyu was somewhat speechless. “You have certainly made progress—getting jealous even over your own brother.”
Gu Huai watched the playful banter between the two; it was quite heartwarming. He thought for a moment before speaking. “Then I will trouble Big Brother.”
Bo Jianyan turned back reluctantly to look at Gu Huai. “I will come find you as soon as I am finished.”
He still hadn’t settled the score regarding the Ye Yunsui incident yet.
Bo Wenyu took in both of their reactions and gave a light laugh. “Let us go. I will show you around.”
The two had just walked into the courtyard when Bo Wenyu suddenly received a call. “Hello.”
His expression quickly turned grim. Gu Huai could see that he seemed to have an urgent matter to attend to, so he spoke up proactively. “Big Brother, if you have business, go ahead. I can just wander around here on my own.”
Bo Wenyu was still a bit uneasy, but the matter was indeed pressing. “Then stay close to this area. If anything happens, just message Jianyan.”
Gu Huai nodded obediently.
There weren’t many people around, so Gu Huai really did just wander about. He couldn’t help but marvel at how massive the Bo family estate was.
However, as he walked, Gu Huai fell into deep thought as he came across a stone monument for the third time. He had a strong feeling he had just passed this way. Unwilling to believe it, he circled around again, and as the stone monument appeared for the fourth time, he finally realized he was truly lost.
Just as Gu Huai was thinking of finding someone to ask for directions, a person walked toward him. The stranger let out a rogue-like whistle.
Gu Huai: “?” Is he provoking me?
Gu Huai couldn’t be bothered with this type of person. He knit his brows, planning to walk straight past. But a hand suddenly grabbed him, and a reckless voice said, “So cold? Why are you ignoring people?”
Gu Huai never had a good temper for people like this. He turned his head with a cold gaze. “Is there something you want?”
“Nothing. I saw you were lost and wondered if you needed my help.”
Gu Huai could clearly feel the person sizing him up. “I do not.”
The man gave a light laugh. “A Beta?”
Gu Huai looked at him expressionlessly. “Move aside.”
“Do you have a partner?”
Along with these words, Gu Huai smelled a faint scent of tea. He guessed the Alpha in front of him was releasing pheromones, much like a display for courtship. He frowned. “What? Can Alphas just go into heat anywhere they please?”
The man held onto his hand tightly. “I am quite interested in you.”
Gu Huai looked up at him. “Then I am sorry. Excuse me, but I have zero interest in you.”
Gu Huai was internally calculating the possibility of giving this person an over-the-shoulder throw. An Alpha’s strength was naturally much greater than a Beta’s; if he really got tangled up with this guy, he wouldn’t be able to get away easily. Gu Huai thought he needed to get back quickly; Brother Bo might be waiting for him.
“Let go.”
The man laughed low. “So fierce. Give me your contact information and I will let go.”
Before Gu Huai could take any further action against this scoundrel, he caught the scent of an incredibly familiar mint. Immediately following was a voice so cold it felt like ice.
“Try touching him one more time.”
Gu Huai heard this and thought: This is bad. Brother Bo is angry again.
Sensing the overwhelming pressure coming from the Alpha behind him, the man finally let go. He put on a playful, grinning face. “Brother Yan, you are here too.”
Bo Jianyan ignored him. He walked to Gu Huai and took his hand, looking at the red mark on his wrist left by the Alpha’s grip. His expression seemed no different than usual, but Gu Huai could feel the rage boiling beneath the surface.
Bo Jianyan gently stroked the red mark, completely ignoring the other person standing there. He asked softly, “Does it hurt? I am sorry I came late.”
The other man was about to slip away when Bo Jianyan’s scrutinizing gaze landed on him. “You seem to be doing quite well lately? Learned how to harass people?”
While rubbing Gu Huai’s wrist, Bo Jianyan released pheromones that were countless times stronger than the other’s. “It seems I really should send you away for some ‘experience’.”
The man instantly withered. “Yan-Yan-Brother Yan, I was wrong! Do not tell my parents. I just wanted to strike up a conversation. I swear to God, I really meant no harm!” He even winked at Gu Huai. “I really had no other intentions!”
Bo Jianyan looked at his frivolous attitude. “In two days, I will arrange for you to go to Africa.”
“No, no, no! Brother Yan, I was really wrong! I will never dare to harass a Beta again—no, I will never dare to harass anyone again!”
Gu Huai thought if the person realized his mistake, it was fine. He spoke softly to Bo Jianyan, who was still staring at his wrist. “Forget it, Brother Bo. I am fine.”
Bo Jianyan lifted Gu Huai’s wrist to his lips and dropped a kiss on it. “It is my fault.”
The other man’s eyes went wide. He felt like slapping himself. He finally took an interest in someone, and it turned out to be Bo Jianyan’s person. Considering Bo Jianyan was only sending him to Africa instead of having someone beat him into a hospital for half a year, he was being incredibly kind.
Cold sweat poured down the man’s back. “Brother Yan, I was wrong. Sister-in-law, please forgive me!” He even gave himself two slaps.
Bo Jianyan looked at him. “Get out.”
“Yes, Brother! I am leaving right now!”
Watching the previously arrogant Alpha flee in a panic, Gu Huai couldn’t help but let out a laugh. But then he saw Bo Jianyan’s unhappy face. Gu Huai followed his gaze and saw the man’s brow was still slightly furrowed. “Brother Bo, I am really fine.”
Bo Jianyan’s voice was unreadable as he lowered his eyes. “I have an issue, Gu Huai.”
He added with a lingering tone, “I am not happy.”
This was the first time Bo Jianyan had called him by his full name. Before Gu Huai could answer, Bo Jianyan continued.
“I am not happy that someone treated you like that and you had no reaction. I am not happy about why you never take care of yourself.”