After returning from the cemetery, Ji An parked the car below the company building and got out. “You have classes this afternoon, right? I’m not taking you. Go on your own when it’s time.”
You Fu hadn’t expected Ji An to drive him to school, so he followed Ji An into the company.
Ji An bought two cups of instant noodles from the vending machine, tossing one to You Fu. That was their simple lunch.
You Fu had been to Ji An’s company a few times, and most of the design department knew him, calling out “Little Fu” when they saw him.
In front of others, Ji An treated You Fu quite well. After making coffee, he poured an extra cup for You Fu.
In the break room, Xun Yi couldn’t stop talking even while eating. He asked You Fu, “What was your score on last semester’s final exams?”
“Six hundred ninety-six.”
“My goodness, I’ve only ever scored that high in my dreams.”
Ji An placed his coffee on the table, sitting across from You Fu, and casually teased Xun Yi, “Weren’t you the one who claimed to have an IQ of 180, the hope of the entire village?”
Xun Yi’s lips were red from the spicy noodles. “Even with an IQ of 250, I couldn’t score over 600. Hey, Little Fu, when will you give me a photo?”
Ji An interjected, “Why do you want his photo? Are you a pervert?”
Xun Yi retorted, “You’re the pervert. Isn’t my wife pregnant? They say prenatal education is important. Looking at photos of top students might help us have a smart baby.”
Ji An nodded slowly, “Makes sense. I remember your wife likes good-looking people, right? Looking at his photos might improve her mood. Maybe if she’s in a good mood, she’ll skip over your genes and have a good-looking kid.”
You Fu chimed in, “I can send a photo to Xun right now.”
“I don’t want it anymore.” Xun Yi suddenly backed off. He had pursued his wife for five years, enduring as she went through one boyfriend after another. In the most devoted year, when his wife and her boyfriend got drunk, he even took her home and then her boyfriend. After all that effort, now that his wife was finally looking at handsome guys less, what if she saw You Fu’s photo and reignited her interest?
Xun Yi didn’t want to continue the topic. He loved gossiping and asked You Fu, “What school do you want to attend in the future? Are you dating anyone at school?”
Ji An thought Xun Yi would fit right in with the gossiping elders at the village entrance.
You Fu sipped his coffee, the sweet richness making him put down the cup. “I’ll go wherever I can get in. I’m not dating anyone.”
“With your scores, you can pick any school after the Gaokao.”
“More or less.”
Ji An mixed his noodles, “Are you sure you’re not dating? Last time, I saw a cartoon clover binder on your desk. You wouldn’t buy something like that, right?”
Ji An had free access to You Fu’s room, and You Fu didn’t mind. But the mention of the binder made him pause, and after thinking for a while, he remembered, “It’s Xiao Jiaruan’s. She lent it to me when I couldn’t find mine. I’ve returned it.”
Ji An said meaningfully, “Is that all? I saw you talking to her downstairs the other night. Are you interested in her?”
You Fu barely frowned. He didn’t understand these romantic feelings, the desire for physical intimacy. It was so disgusting.
“She’s interested in me.”
Upon hearing this, Xun Yi launched into a nagging mode, like a chattering old woman, “This is a critical time for your Gaokao preparation. Don’t let these things affect you. The exam is just a few months away. Even if you want to date, wait until after graduation. Sacrificing your future for love isn’t worth it.”
You Fu interrupted him, “I’m not planning to date.”
“An! I finally finished the drawings you asked for!” A man with thick eyebrows and big eyes burst into the break room, slamming a stack of drawings on the table. Seeing Ji An eating instant noodles, he said, “Why are you eating instant noodles? It’s so unhealthy. Let me order you some takeout.”
Ji An flipped through the drawings, “No need.”
Xun Yi’s expression turned subtle, glancing between Ji An and the newcomer, “Gu Ziyu, why don’t you offer to order takeout for your brother Xun?”
Gu Ziyu grinned, “I’m not trying to woo you.”
You Fu paused slightly, glancing at Gu Ziyu.
Xun Yi joked, “Why not? I’m as beautiful as a flower. If you pursue me, I might just make you a promise.”
Ji An couldn’t help but laugh, “You’re ridiculous.”
Gu Ziyu, feeling You Fu’s gaze, turned to meet his eyes, “And you are…?”
You Fu replied, “Ji An is my brother.”
“Oh, so you’re An’s younger brother.” Gu Ziyu scratched his head, complimenting, “You look just as good as An.”
Gu Ziyu, oblivious to the chill in the air after his comment, pulled out two tickets, handing one to Ji An, “An, here’s a ticket to that art exhibition you wanted to see. I managed to get them. Let’s go together.”
The exhibition was a popular event linked to a recent hit movie, drawing many fans. Ji An had wanted to go for a while but couldn’t get tickets.
Ji An, hiding his cold gaze from the earlier comment, pulled out a drawing and tossed it in front of Gu Ziyu, “The bathroom dimensions are wrong. Redo it.”
“Ah—I almost broke my computer doing this…” Gu Ziyu lamented.
Ji An urged, “Hurry up. Finish it, and we’ll go to the exhibition this afternoon.”
Gu Ziyu brightened, “Does this mean An agreed to go on a date with me?”
“Get lost,” Ji An laughed and cursed.
After all, it’s not his money. Why not go? It’d be a waste not to take advantage.
You Fu stared at the steam rising from his noodles, lost in thought, his expression darkening.
Xun Yi kicked Gu Ziyu, “Alright, stop daydreaming and get back to work.”
“Got it.” Gu Ziyu cheerfully returned to his drawings.
After finishing his meal and cleaning up, You Fu also tidied up Ji An’s empty noodle cup, then approached him expressionlessly, “Brother, I should head to school. Give me a ride.”
Ji An’s face cooled, but with others around, he kept his tone friendly, “Didn’t you say you’d go on your own?”
You Fu said, “I changed my mind.”
Xun Yi, oblivious, chimed in, “Go on, it’s not work time yet. While you’re at it, bring me a pancake from the First High School gate. I’ve been craving it.”
“Alright.” Ji An headed downstairs with a cold expression.
Neither of them spoke on the way.
In the car, the atmosphere was icy. Ji An crossed his arms, delaying starting the engine, “What do you mean?”
You Fu stared straight ahead, taking a long time before speaking, “Remember to use protection.”
The unexpected comment left Ji An momentarily stunned, “What are you talking about?”
You Fu’s gaze shifted slightly to Ji An’s face, “I’ve seen him before when I came to find you. He was kissing men outside your company, twice, with two different people.”
Ji An frowned deeply, “What are you talking about?”
“The risk of disease is higher among gay men. Remember to take precautions.” You Fu got out of the car, slinging his backpack over his shoulder, and slammed the door. Leaning through the half-open window, he said to Ji An, “I’ll go to school myself. Don’t forget to come home tonight.”
It wasn’t until You Fu’s tall, slender figure turned a corner and disappeared that Ji An fully realized what he had said.
“What the hell?” Ji An was engulfed in disgust, angrily hitting the steering wheel. Was this brat lecturing him? He hadn’t even grown up yet, and he was giving him advice on sexual matters?
He fought the urge to drive up and run You Fu over, “Where does he get the nerve? So disgusting.”
Ji An spent the entire afternoon under the shadow of You Fu’s words, the nausea rising in his throat. Even the art exhibition he’d been looking forward to for so long failed to capture his interest.
“What’s wrong?” In the crowded exhibition, Gu Ziyu positioned himself to shield Ji An in a corner, reaching up to feel his forehead, “Are you feeling unwell?”
Ji An turned his head away, unable to shake off You Fu’s words.
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t look well, An. How about I take you home?”
Ji An nodded.
Gu Ziyu extended his hand in front of him, “It’s crowded. Don’t get lost.”
Ji An grumbled, “I’m not a child.”
“Better hold on, just in case.” Gu Ziyu, sensing his reluctance, adjusted his grip to hold Ji An’s wrist gently, smiling, “It’s okay if you’re not used to it. Take your time.”
Ji An looked at his hand, which was lightly resting on his wrist, not too forceful, showing a great sense of boundaries, so he didn’t pull away.
With warmth encircling his wrist, they moved to a less crowded area, and Ji An finally shifted his wrist.
Gu Ziyu released his hold at the right moment, helping Ji An zip up his jacket as the weather was a bit chilly.
Ji An averted his gaze, “Take me home.”
Gu Ziyu smiled, “Sure.”
In the end, Ji An stayed with Gu Ziyu for a meal before heading home. He felt it would be rude to leave halfway through the exhibition, especially since Gu Ziyu had taken time off to accompany him.
As a gesture of gratitude, Ji An treated Gu Ziyu to dinner.
He didn’t have much of an appetite, only drinking some wine, while Gu Ziyu seemed quite happy, chatting enthusiastically.
Ji An occasionally responded.
After the meal, Gu Ziyu drove him home.
Ji An hadn’t eaten much that afternoon, and having only had a cup of instant noodles for lunch, he was a bit hungry.
But more than hunger, it was the rising anger that consumed him. He couldn’t understand why You Fu, knowing how much he disliked him, would say something so disgusting.
He had no intention of doing anything with Gu Ziyu, and even if something were to happen between them, You Fu was the last person who had any right to comment.
Controlling everything, just because he called him “brother” a few times? Did he really think he was that important?