Xie Yizhou finished his last lap and noticed Gu Yulan waiting by the side. He looked over with an inquiring gaze.
“Do you want to go out with me later?”
Go out and play?
【Hurry up and say yes! He is proactively inviting you out. This is a good thing! It means your status in his heart is becoming more and more important!】
0377 spun around happily.
Xie Yizhou glanced at the excited system. Seeing that Gu Yulan did not offer any more details, he simply nodded in agreement.
Seeing the youth agree without asking a single question, Gu Yulan’s mood became somewhat subtle. He raised an eyebrow and could not resist teasing, “Do you trust me that much? Are you not afraid I will take you out and sell you?”
Xie Yizhou lifted his eyelids and gave him a faint, indifferent glance as if he had seen through him long ago. Without answering, he turned and walked directly toward his room.
This question was boring and lacked substance.
Left standing there, Gu Yulan watched the youth’s receding figure and could not help but click his tongue. “The little mute has gotten smarter.”
He let out a light chuckle and followed after him.
Soon, it was time for their appointment.
Gu Yulan did not drive the red Ferrari; instead, he switched to a black Rolls-Royce Cullinan. In the bustling city, it possessed a unique aura of its own.
Xie Yizhou’s gaze was fixed on the car, drawn in by the wild energy it radiated.
Noticing how seriously the youth was looking, a hint of pride appeared in Gu Yulan’s expression, as if he were showing off a prized possession. “It is handsome, isn’t it?”
He had put a lot of effort into the modifications.
Xie Yizhou nodded. There was no denying it. The car’s lines were rugged and gorgeous, and its overall look was incredibly cool.
“Get in quickly. You are in luck; aside from me, you are the first person to step into this car.”
Hearing this, Xie Yizhou immediately boarded.
Soon, with the roar of the engine, the black SUV sped out of the villa.
“If we finish early today, I will take you for a drive somewhere further away.” As Gu Yulan thought about the business at hand, his eyes involuntarily turned cold.
Xie Yizhou did not know where Gu Yulan was taking him. Upon hearing this, he simply nodded slightly in response.
Soon, they reached their destination.
It was the largest entertainment club in City A. From its magnificent exterior, one could tell just how extravagant and luxurious it was inside.
This club operated on a membership basis. Those street thugs naturally did not have the qualifications to enter, but ever since Gu Yulan visited once, he had intended to return.
Because Gu Yulan’s recent scandal had made such a stir, those thugs had flocked toward him like they were picking up a scent.
While “Great Kings of Hell” are easy to meet, “little ghosts” are hard to deal with. Gu Yulan originally did not want to bother with these people.
But they were too greedy. The money they took before was not enough; now they were using Su Jianyang to threaten him.
As soon as he stepped out of the car, someone proactively came over to help with valet parking. He led Xie Yizhou, who was visiting for the first time, into the club.
Just as they entered, a waiter approached and said respectfully, “Master Gu, your friends are already in Room Xingchao No. 06.”
Xie Yizhou followed behind Gu Yulan. The surrounding environment, the dazzling lights, and the gilded decor; was this the entertainment venue of this world?
While he was curiously taking in his surroundings, his ear suddenly went numb.
Warm breath brushed against his ear. He instinctively tried to lean back, only to have his shoulder gripped firmly.
A faint scent of cool mint drew close.
Xie Yizhou watched as a handsome face suddenly closed in, his breath hitching slightly. He did not know what Gu Yulan was trying to do.
“Listen clearly. From now on, you are not allowed to leave my sight without my permission. Do not drink any alcohol handed to you by others, and do not eat anything that has left your sight.”
The youth’s eyes widened, his dark pupils trembling slightly. In those clear eyes, Gu Yulan saw his own reflection; the boy seemed to be listening very intently.
“Did you get that?”
Only then did Gu Yulan release him, satisfied.
Xie Yizhou nodded. He raised a hand to rub his slightly numb ear and lowered his eyes, his brow furrowing slightly.
He wondered when Gu Yulan would break the bad habit of leaning in without warning. Next time, he would have to give him a proper warning.
The moment they entered the private booth, the groups of men and women who were laughing and playing went silent.
These thugs were led by a man with yellow hair. Upon seeing Gu Yulan arrive, he immediately walked over.
When “Yellow Hair” saw that the person Gu Yulan brought was not Chen Yufei but a beautiful youth, he was momentarily surprised. However, he quickly gave an “I understand” look.
“Got tired of her, huh?”
“Master Gu, sit down and have a few drinks.”
Gu Yulan pushed away the hand extended toward him and said coldly, “I am here to talk business today. Once we are done, I am leaving.”
The lackeys following Yellow Hair did not dare speak loudly. On the contrary, the eyes of several female companions lit up when they saw Gu Yulan, hoping to strike up a connection.
However, Gu Yulan was famously difficult to approach. Consequently, they turned their attention to the youth by his side, sizing him up.
Naturally, they assumed the youth was Gu Yulan’s lover.
“Little brother, what is your name? You are so cute.”
Soon, people crowded around Xie Yizhou. Feeling the heat of their gazes, he immediately looked toward Gu Yulan.
Gu Yulan gave him a look that said, “Stay calm.” He knew what these people were capable of; they would not dare do anything reckless.
Seeing this, Yellow Hair said, “Do not worry, Master Gu, they will not eat your little darling. Let us go to the side to chat.”
“Do you want to go play?” Gu Yulan asked, looking sideways at the youth.
Xie Yizhou knew Gu Yulan had matters to handle and that it would not be appropriate to follow, so he nodded.
“Do you remember what I just told you?”
Xie Yizhou nodded again.
Only then did Gu Yulan let him go. “Go on then.”
Gu Yulan followed Yellow Hair to the other side of the booth. He did not go far; with just a turn of his head, he could see him. The youth remained within his line of sight.
On the other side of the booth, the crowd surrounded the youth. After their enthusiastic greetings met with no response, their excitement began to fade.
This youth was even colder than Gu Yulan.
Suddenly, someone noticed something and whispered, “He must be a mute. My deaf grandfather wears a hearing aid just like that.”
With this reminder, several people looked closer and saw the hearing aid on his ear.
The youth sat there quietly, his figure slender and upright, looking like a piece of fragile porcelain. His cold, pale skin was without a single blemish. His eyes were clear and pure, seemingly untouched by the world.
He looked so well-behaved and obedient that it gave rise to a perverse desire to ruin him.
To think a little mute like this could be pampered like a treasure by Gu Yulan. It was truly enviable.
Suddenly, someone said, “How about we play a game?”
Xie Yizhou’s eyes drifted over indifferently. What game?
On the other side, Gu Yulan withdrew his gaze and spoke coldly, “Speak.”
“The bosses above said that the stall fees for Su Jianyang’s area have gone up again. Coincidentally, the fees you paid last time have expired. Since we just saw the trending news on TV these past few days, we wanted to ask if you still care about Su Jianyang’s family.”
Gu Yulan’s gaze was icy. “How much is the increase?”
Hearing this, Yellow Hair’s eyes lit up. “Five hundred thousand.”
“Five hundred thousand?”
Gu Yulan could not help but sneer. They were certainly opening their mouths wide.
“Five hundred thousand is nothing to Master Gu. A little leak from between your fingers is enough for us to eat and drink,” Yellow Hair said flatteringly.
Gu Yulan’s gaze darkened. He was rich, but he was not a sucker to be played for a fool.
However, just as he was suppressing his anger and about to explode, a burst of boisterous laughter erupted from the other side of the booth.
Someone even called out to Gu Yulan, “Master Gu, come look quickly! He is even prettier than a girl!”
What was going on?
Gu Yulan immediately walked over.
He saw that the youth’s face had been made up at some point. His skin was white as snow, his lips a vivid red, and his originally cold features were now tinged with an incongruous glamour. The exquisite makeup indeed gave him a sort of androgynous beauty.
However, there was not a hint of a smile on Gu Yulan’s face. He asked coldly, “Who did this?”
The people who were laughing a moment ago fell silent instantly. The entire room plunged into a dead hush.
The next second, Xie Yizhou’s wrist was grabbed. He was pulled into the restroom by a furious Gu Yulan, looking at him with surprise.
He did not know why Gu Yulan was angry.
Gu Yulan shut the restroom door, turned on the faucet, quickly tore off several paper towels, and yanked the boy over.
Seeing the youth’s expression of utter cluelessness, he grew even more frustrated. He pinched the boy’s chin and began wiping the heavy makeup off his face with the damp paper towels.
“You just let them bully you like this?”
The corners of Xie Yizhou’s mouth stung slightly from the wiping. He instinctively frowned and wanted to retort, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he remembered he could not speak.
He only knew that being hit counted as being bullied; he did not understand the full scope of “bullying” in this world. Those people said it was a game, and this was the penalty for losing.
Closing his mouth, he prepared to take out his phone to reply. Before he could, he was barked at.
“Do not move!”
Sensing the other’s slight movement, Gu Yulan lifted his eyelids and let out a cold snort. “Were you not quite capable before? You act all high and mighty with me, but you turn into a mute with everyone else.”
Xie Yizhou felt the pressure on his face increase; the other man domineeringly refused to let him move an inch.
He tilted his head back, staring at the man without blinking. He looked at that slightly fierce face, moving his gaze from the sharp brows to the straight bridge of the nose, finally landing on the tightly pressed thin lips.
He looked quite scary when he was being mean.
But Xie Yizhou was not afraid at all. He just lowered his eyes and wondered why Gu Yulan was so angry.
Was it because he thought I was bullied that he is this upset?
He was curious. Despite all the trouble he had caused, he had never seen the man this angry.
So, was Gu Yulan caring about him?
Xie Yizhou lowered his eyelashes, hiding the thoughts in his eyes. A certain place in his heart felt as if it had been gently nudged, leaving a sour, tingling sensation.
This feeling was too strange. He had never felt it before, yet a hint of a smile unknowingly touched the corners of his mouth.
Seeing the smile on the youth’s lips, Gu Yulan’s brow furrowed even deeper.
“Bullied to this extent, and you can still laugh?”
Following the sudden reprimand, Xie Yizhou immediately pulled back his smile. He tilted his head up and lowered his eyes, letting the other continue his actions.
However, as Gu Yulan wiped, his hand suddenly stopped.
Paper and water alone could not clean it completely; some color still remained on the face. At this moment, the youth looked exceptionally obedient. It was almost unbelievable. He tilted his head back submissively, revealing his slender neck.
His crow-feather eyelashes trembled slightly, and the water droplets clinging to them trembled as well. The mottled red stains remaining on his upturned lips looked more like he had been kissed. His features were cold, yet a sudden, bewitching aura emerged.
This extreme contrast of purity and temptation would make anyone’s heart race.
Perhaps because the distance between them was too close, their breaths were almost entirely entwined. In the narrow space, the surrounding temperature gradually climbed.
This made Gu Yulan feel a sudden heat, and his breathing grew heavy. He keenly sensed that something was wrong.
He had been staring for too long.
Gu Yulan knit his brows tightly and abruptly moved his gaze away from the youth’s face.
Perhaps because the wait was too long, Xie Yizhou lifted his eyes and looked over in surprise. He soon saw that Gu Yulan’s breathing was somewhat hurried.
Is it hot?
Not only did he not feel hot, but his water-dampened face felt quite cool.
Suddenly, he heard the other say fiercely, “Turn your eyes away! Do not look!”
Xie Yizhou obeyed and silently shifted his gaze.
But in his heart, he thought: “Paper tiger.”