After seeing the youth nod, Gu Yulan’s hanging heart finally settled back into his chest. However, it served as a minor warning to him: he needed to re-evaluate the distance between himself and the youth.
Following their drive back to the Gu residence, Xie Yizhou thought this little interlude would quickly pass. To his surprise, Gu Yulan became increasingly strange over the next few days.
During his morning runs, there was no sign of the other man. Xie Yizhou did not think much of it at first, assuming Gu Yulan was simply tired. Even during meals, Gu Yulan was nowhere to be found. Xie Yizhou suppressed his confusion, planning to ask if he was sick or feeling unwell the next time they crossed paths.
However, he did not see Gu Yulan for the entire day.
Once the injury on his hand healed, Xie Yizhou began weeding the garden. He finally chanced upon Gu Yulan there. Just as he was about to call out a greeting, he watched Gu Yulan, who had been walking toward him, make a sharp turn as if he had seen nothing and head in the opposite direction.
Xie Yizhou watched until Gu Yulan’s figure disappeared from view. A sharp sting suddenly came from his fingertip. He looked down to see a drop of blood caused by a thorn, its color as vivid as a crimson rose. His eyes darkened slightly, and his lips pursed downward.
He understood now: Gu Yulan was avoiding him. Although he did not know why, he did not like this feeling.
0377 clearly sensed that its host’s mood was not particularly pleasant. This time, it was smart enough to keep its mouth shut and did not say a word.
Gu Yulan hid behind a wall and closed his eyes, hoping the youth had not seen him. He had not expected to run into him at this hour; the encounter had startled him into a cold sweat. He had originally planned to go out but now decided to wait until later.
Still, it is six in the evening. Why has the youth not returned to his room to rest? What is he doing in the garden?
I am not some evil capitalist. Besides, it is such a small task; even if he skips work for a few days, I would not deduct his pay. Has the injury on his hand fully healed yet?
Gu Yulan wiped the sweat from his forehead and let out a long breath, kneading his furrowed brows. Although they had talked things out a few days ago, he felt an indescribable awkwardness whenever he faced the youth. Especially now that he knew the youth liked him, he found it impossible to ignore, no matter how hard he tried to act indifferent.
So, he thought he would slowly let the relationship return to how it was at the very beginning.
As night fell in a luxury apartment in City A, Zhou Yichen stood before a floor-to-ceiling window wearing a black bathrobe. Holding a glass of red wine, he gazed at the shimmering lights of the city.
The scene from the club involuntarily surfaced in his mind: the thin youth standing there with reddened eyes. Those cold features gradually overlapped with the figure in his memory. Those pursed lips possessed a vivid redness as if they had been ravaged. Fair skin, red lips, and misty eyes; he looked exceptionally tempting.
A sudden surge of heat rose in his heart, and his Adam’s apple bobbed. He drained the wine in one gulp. Thinking of how the youth protected Gu Yulan, his eyes darkened instantly.
Why is it that Gu Yulan can easily have everything from the moment he is born? And I can only pick up the things he does not want.
It is truly frustrating.
He remembered a time when, after being beaten black and blue by his drunken mother, he had sneaked out of the house to call a number he knew by heart. He had called countless times, but no one ever answered. Eventually, he managed to find that man’s house. He wanted to ask why the man did not want him or his mother. Yet, when he saw the man from a distance, his body froze as he stared at that happy family.
Back then, he had looked at the little boy being kissed by his parents with such envy. The fatherly love that Gu Yulan treated like trash was once his greatest dream.
Why does a waste like Gu Yulan deserve so much favoritism? That old man even wants to leave the company to him. We are both his sons; why is the difference so vast?
Zhou Yichen’s expression turned grim as he slowly curled his lips. One day, he would make Gu Yulan taste what it feels like to have absolutely nothing.
The ringing of his phone interrupted his thoughts. He answered, and a voice on the other end said, “Su Jianyang just called for you.”
The image of Su Jianyang appeared in Zhou Yichen’s mind. He thought back to their passionate night; although it was an accident, he could not deny he had enjoyed it.
“What does he want?”
It was precisely because Su Jianyang’s features shared a slight resemblance to “him” that Zhou Yichen had not refused when the other threw himself into his arms that night. But now, he had found something more perfect. Thinking of Gu Yulan’s persistent and unrequited pursuit of Su Jianyang, he felt a sense of gratification.
“He asked if you have time tomorrow. He wants to meet you. From his tone, it sounds like he has run into some trouble. However, your schedule for the next few days is essentially full.”
Regarding Su Jianyang, with whom he had shared physical intimacy, Zhou Yichen was not entirely heartless. After a moment of thought, he said, “Go find out what happened to him.”
The next day, Zhou Yichen learned of Su Jianyang’s predicament.
“Su Jianyang’s family did not pay enough management fees, and a group of thugs overturned their stall. Because of this, Su Jianyang has taken several days of leave. Previously, Gu Yulan helped settle these matters, but for some reason, the thugs have returned to cause trouble again. He hopes you can help.”
Hearing this, Zhou Yichen raised an eyebrow and let out a light laugh. So that was it.
“I cannot find the time lately, so I may not be able to help him. However, to show my apologies, go buy a gift for me to send over. Make sure it is something expensive.”
Unable to find help elsewhere, Su Jianyang naturally went to look for Gu Yulan. The person who tied the knot must be the one to untie it. He hoped Gu Yulan would be satisfied with this surprise.
In the evening, after finishing his meal and cleaning up, Xie Yizhou headed toward his room. After showering, he reopened his door and walked toward the dining room. Sure enough, he saw a familiar figure. The lights in the hallway were off, and his silhouette was hidden in the gloom, moving without a sound.
Gu Yulan looked at the empty dining room and let out a sigh of relief. Feeling the hunger in his stomach, he hurried toward the kitchen. To avoid running into the youth, he had been asking the staff to leave food aside for him.
To be honest, he had been living quite cautiously lately. Encountering the youth felt like a mouse running into a cat. Even though he was in his own home, he truly felt that way. To avoid making too much noise and waking the other, Gu Yulan planned to eat quickly and go upstairs.
After finishing his meal, just as he was about to head up, his wrist was suddenly grabbed. His heart skipped a beat, and before he could react, he was pulled down from the stairs by a strong force.
This kid is surprisingly strong, he thought.
Xie Yizhou gripped the man’s wrist, his eyes darkening as he pinned him against the wall, trapping him between his arms. He allowed no chance for escape.
Gu Yulan’s back was pressed against the cold wall. In an instant, a moist, fresh scent brushed against him, and his heart began to race. Due to their height difference, Gu Yulan was half a head taller than the youth. Yet, at this moment, his limbs were frozen straight as he was caged in the other’s personal space.
The youth seems to have grown a bit taller again.
Xie Yizhou’s eyes were downcast, his long lashes concealing his gaze, while a faint chill seemed to emanate from him. Gu Yulan felt a sense of dread.
The youth really will not give up so easily.
Gu Yulan felt a headache coming on. It was his first time being pinned against a wall in this position, and he felt a stir of annoyance. He coughed and said, “Let go. Let us talk things through properly.”
Xie Yizhou turned a deaf ear to these words, merely lifting his eyelids slightly. It was precisely because the other had not given him a chance to talk properly that he chose to do this.
Xie Yizhou pursed his lips and met Gu Yulan’s flickering gaze, closing in without a word. Gu Yulan watched as the youth’s face, cold as white jade, gradually enlarged before him. He could see the clean brow, the sharp nose, and the pursed lips; he could even see the fine down on the skin.
The youth had clearly just showered. The warm breath, carrying the fruity scent of body wash, hit Gu Yulan’s face, causing him to daze for a moment. They were now so close that their noses almost touched. Their breaths were intertwined; it seemed as if the youth only needed to look up slightly to kiss his lips.
Gu Yulan’s ears felt hot, and he subconsciously held his breath.
No, I cannot let this happen. I have to stop this.
Moreover, this was his first kiss. “You cannot” do this, he tried to say.
The moment he spoke, the raspy quality of his own voice startled him. However, before he could finish, his mouth was covered. Xie Yizhou raised his hand to cover Gu Yulan’s mouth. He did not want to hear any more nonsense; he simply wanted an honest explanation.
A faint, cool tingling sensation brushed against his lips, causing Gu Yulan’s pupils to contract. His heart beat like a drum. For a moment, he almost thought…
As Gu Yulan’s high-strung heart fell back down, he felt a strange sense of emptiness. Before he could sort out his thoughts, his attention was pulled back. Xie Yizhou placed a finger to his own lips and shook his head at Gu Yulan.
Shh. Be quiet, and I will let go.
Gu Yulan immediately nodded in understanding. The next second, the hand over his lips was removed. While feeling flustered, Gu Yulan also felt a sense of self-loathing for being forced into such a corner by a youth who was not even as tall as him.
Xie Yizhou took out his phone and sent a message. Soon, Gu Yulan’s phone vibrated. He opened it, and his vision nearly went dark.
“Why are you avoiding me?”
He met the youth’s direct and clear gaze. His body stiffened and his mind went blank. He had been caught. What was meant to come had finally arrived.