While leading Huo Xiu around, Gu Tianze driven by the desire to live a slightly more comfortable life for the latter half of the month decided to employ his usual social maneuvers. This was despite the fact that he felt an internal sense of aversion toward Huo Xiu. Most of this resentment stemmed from… jealousy.
It was a jealousy that emanated from the heart. Although this was their first meeting, he had already heard much about the man from An Yan’s mouth; in An Yan’s descriptions, he was nothing short of breathtaking.
Before they met, Gu Tianze could still snort in disdain, dismissing it as An Yan’s “fan-girl filter” talking. But after seeing the man in person, everything from his appearance and temperament to the cultivation shown in his speech and behavior proved that An Yan really hadn’t been exaggerating.
This made Gu Tianze even more frustrated, though he didn’t let a single trace of it show on his face.
“This is the library. There are many ancient texts among the collection, specifically bid for at high prices from abroad. If there’s anything you’re interested in, feel free to browse.”
What met the eye were books filling all four walls, with several rows of bookshelves nearly three meters high standing in the center. There were at least ten thousand volumes here. They were categorized and displayed excellently, with clear labels for the sub-sections.
Gu Tianze sometimes came here to look up information he rarely even went to the university library but most of the time, it was Xu Qingfeng who stayed here.
Xu Qingfeng would read things regarding business and psychology. Gu Tianze despised this practice of letting even books be tainted by the “stench of money,” yet he also felt a faint, hidden admiration for the other man’s arbitrary power to turn clouds into rain in the business world.
However, he wouldn’t admit this on the surface; he continued to maintain an expression of disdain.
Next, they visited the screening room, the gym, the outdoor swimming pool…
He noticed that Huo Xiu appeared noble and indifferent. Though he responded, his interest was clearly not very high.
Until they passed the music room…
“This is a room Xu Qingfeng specially set up for practicing the piano. It’s not far from my bedroom; I wake up every day to his ‘beautiful’ piano playing.” Finding the title “Dad” too awkward, Gu Tianze usually referred to him by his full name unless it was absolutely necessary.
As he spoke these insincere words, even the kind smile on his face became a bit stiff. In his mind, he began to simulate the act of smashing that piano into eight pieces.
But this was also the first time Gu Tianze saw Huo Xiu show an outward sign of interest, as the man had already walked over, his slender fingertips brushing across the keys.
Right, he is a pianist after all…
“I’m really showing off my slight skill before an expert, since you’re a pro in this field. If you have time, you could give him some pointers, although… uh… he isn’t particularly talented in music.” Gu Tianze had originally wanted to use a curse word, but he forcefully suppressed the urge.
Anyway, he woke up every day to that “demonic music” ringing in his ears and hadn’t heard a lick of progress from Xu Qingfeng. Using the term “not talented” was already being quite diplomatic.
“I know,” Huo Xiu said, his thin lips curving into a faint arc, like frost and snow beginning to melt.
Gu Tianze’s normally not-so-bright head suddenly cleared; the other man’s interest had been piqued. It was likely because of the music.
Just then, a blast of heavy metal music rang out, sounding completely out of place in this quiet and elegant music room.
It was Gu Tianze’s ringtone. He pulled it out and saw the caller’s name displayed brightly: Chen Feng.
Huo Xiu also turned his gaze toward him because of the ringtone.
Gu Tianze made an apologetic gesture, then turned his back to Huo Xiu to answer the call. Already in a bad mood, he had even less patience than usual.
“What is it?” Because Huo Xiu was still present, he tried his best to restrain his volatile temper, keeping his tone relatively mild.
He didn’t know how long he could keep it up, though. This classmate from his major had been bothering him since they first met. He was like a glob of spit at the school gate no matter how disgusting it was, you had to step over it every day.
Unless he stopped going to class and waited to fail, but that was impossible.
Worse yet, Chen Feng was oblivious. Relying on his decent looks, he possessed a mysterious self-confidence; even though he knew Gu Tianze already had An Yan, he still acted like a cheap, clingy pest.
Just like now…
“Baby, what’s wrong? You sound like you’re in a bad mood. Who upset you again?”
Gu Tianze: …Fuck your mother, ‘baby’ my ass.
He hurriedly looked back at Huo Xiu. The man was expressionless, his gaze meeting Gu Tianze’s calmly and openly.
He probably didn’t see Chen Feng’s name, and he didn’t hear anything, right?
Wait, even if he did hear, it shouldn’t matter. It had absolutely nothing to do with him.
Thinking of this, Gu Tianze’s trace of nervousness vanished into thin air. He hadn’t done anything wrong, and even if he had, it was none of the great pianist’s business.
However, one still wants to maintain a better image in front of someone they are jealous of; perhaps this could be attributed to a man’s self-esteem.
“I asked what you want. Don’t waste my time.” His tone had been normal a moment ago, but now it was laced with impatience. Anyone familiar with Gu Tianze knew this was the sound of suppressed rage.
At best, it meant a scolding; at worst, he’d get physical.
Although Chen Feng wasn’t that familiar with Gu Tianze yet, his intuition told him not to keep beating around the bush. Instead, he directly stated his purpose: “You didn’t reply to my messages, so I had to call. I want to invite you to my birthday party tonight at the Cornflower Bar.”
“No time. I’m not going.”
“I don’t believe you. I asked Zhao Zhe; you have nothing going on tonight. Ze-ge is my best friend. If you don’t come, there’s no point in my birthday. I might as well tell everyone else not to come.”
“No money. I’m not going.”
“I don’t believe that. Besides, you don’t need to spend money. I like you so much, how could I bear to spend your money? I only want to spend mine on you, okay?”
“I have to be home by 9:00 PM every night. My dad’s rule.” This was the first time Gu Tianze felt grateful for Xu Qingfeng’s decision.
“I don’t believe you. It’s probably not your dad’s rule, but An Yan’s, right? Is Ze-ge really going to become the kind of coward who’s afraid of his partner? You can’t do that; you’re so manly.”
“…What time?”
Gu Tianze had a specific trait: he couldn’t stand being provoked.
Even though he knew it was a blatant provocation, he jumped right in. But it was just a birthday party at a bar, not a dragon’s den or a tiger’s lair so be it.
After hanging up the phone, Gu Tianze pinched the bridge of his nose and turned around, only to collide with Huo Xiu’s scrutinizing gaze.
Although Huo Xiu was only two or three years older than him, he possessed a wealth of experience and a maturity that transcended his physical age. Naturally, his aura carried a staggering sense of pressure.
Gu Tianze’s heart gave a sudden thud, but he forced his expression to remain calm. “It’s about time. Let’s go downstairs to eat.”
Fortunately, Huo Xiu didn’t ask anything, acting as if he truly hadn’t heard a thing.
But Gu Tianze knew. The music room was so quiet that there was an echo; their conversation had definitely been heard.
He suddenly thought of Xu Qingfeng’s previous warning: “If you make Huo Xiu think you’re pathetic, you can forget about having any money for the rest of the month.”
Could it be… that he, Gu Tianze, really had to end up being “kept” by Chen Feng?
What was meant to come finally arrived. After Huo Xiu left, Xu Qingfeng came directly to find him to ask about the situation.
“What happened between you two? Why didn’t you become close like friends? Instead, Huo Xiu didn’t say a single word to you?”
Based on Xu Qingfeng’s understanding of Huo Xiu, although his expression was no different than when he entered, something must have triggered his distaste. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so sparing with his words.