Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Awakening again, Ji Ruan's gaze met the familiar white ceiling. However, this wasn't the one at the school's infirmary. The lights were off, providing no discomfort to his eyes.

Ji Ruan was momentarily stunned, disregarding his dizziness, he tapped the bed frame, trying to make some noise.

It still seemed unclear.

A heavy dread welled up in Ji Ruan's heart. Struggling to sit up, he was gently but firmly pushed back down by a pair of hands.

The warmth of those hands was familiar. Even through the hospital gown, they brought Ji Ruan a sense of comfort.

Gu Xiuyi's face appeared before him—prominent nose, thin lips, his expression as serene as ever. However, his fingers tenderly massaged Ji Ruan's ears, placing an external device behind them.

As sound flooded his ears, Ji Ruan instinctively gasped, and then he heard the rain outside.

"Shh, it's okay," Gu Xiuyi's palm rested over Ji Ruan's ear, his voice clear and melodious. "Can you hear now?"

The joy of regaining his hearing felt as profound as a rebirth. Ji Ruan's nose tingled, and he tentatively hummed in acknowledgment.

He could hear his own voice again!

Ji Ruan's lips twitched, feeling overwhelmed with emotion. The urge to cry intensified.

But he didn’t want to lose face in front of Gu Xiuyi.

Gu Xiuyi, noticing Ji Ruan’s struggle to hold back tears, couldn’t help but chuckle. He sat down by the bed and said, “Relax, no crying.”

Ji Ruan rubbed his nose, took a deep breath, and managed to stabilize his emotions, yet there was a hint of grievance in his voice, "I couldn't hear before..."

Having been in this world for so long, he had become accustomed to perceiving muffled sounds even without his hearing aid, at least enough to sense his own voice.

But that day, when he opened his mouth, although his vocal cords vibrated as if he were speaking loudly, all he could hear was the deafening noise, akin to a building collapsing.

"Were you frightened then?" Gu Xiuyi softly inquired.

Ji Ruan looked at him quietly for a moment, choosing not to evade the question. "Of course."

The terror of that instant was indescribable, something one could never get used to.

"No need to be afraid now," Gu Xiuyi leaned over, gently touching a spot right behind Ji Ruan's right ear, "Did it hurt here at that time?"

His touch was precise. The warmth of his fingertip felt as though it reawakened yesterday's sharp pain. Ji Ruan shivered reflexively, eyes closing, "Yes... Why did it happen?"

"You had a cochlear implant surgery," Gu Xiuyi withdrew his hand, "The fever caused severe tinnitus and nerve pain. But you're alright now."

"Really?" Ji Ruan opened his eyes, which seemed slightly unfocused.

When he suddenly lost his hearing, he feared a serious ear issue, contemplating another surgery or potentially being deaf-mute for the rest of his life. Recollecting that sends shivers down his spine, yet Gu Xiuyi spoke of it so lightly.

"Don’t overthink it." Gu Xiuyi, seeming to discern his thoughts, smirked with a hint of resignation. "The doctor said it's not severe. Still, try to avoid getting sick or feverish in the future; such nerve pain is ultimately harmful."

He added with a touch of seriousness, "Understood?"

Ji Ruan buried his chin in the blanket, remaining silent but nodding slightly with wide eyes.

He didn’t want to fall ill either. The sudden thunderstorm wasn’t even forecasted; he couldn’t have anticipated it. After getting drenched, he took medicine at Gu Xiuyi's home and continued the next day, wearing long sleeves. Still, he couldn't fend off the fever.

Seeing Ji Ruan looking a bit disheartened, Gu Xiuyi paused for a moment before reassuring, "Stop overthinking. The doctor mentioned that as long as the fever doesn’t return, you can be discharged by the afternoon. You'll be home for the Mid-Autumn Festival."

"So soon?" Ji Ruan expressed his surprise. Given his body’s usual fragility, he wondered how he recovered so swiftly this time.

He pursed his lips, "To be honest, I still feel a bit weak..."

Gu Xiuyi said calmly, "When will you not be?"

Ji Ruan: "..."

Such a poignant observation.

"Alright, I'll stop teasing you," Gu Xiuyi smiled and helped Ji Ruan sit up against the headboard, "It's been a day since you've eaten, how could you not feel weak?"

He poured Ji Ruan a cup of warm water. Sipping it slowly, the initial contact with the warm water made his parched throat momentarily uncomfortable. He paused and frowned for a second before the soothing warmth fully hydrated his throat.

Both of Ji Ruan's hands had needle marks; one hand was still connected to an IV drip, while the other had bled slightly when the needle was removed yesterday. Now, it was covered with adhesive tape, and the back of the hand appeared slightly swollen.

Gu Xiuyi's gaze fell on Ji Ruan's slender fingers, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.

The door to the ward was gently pushed open, and Aunt Zhao peeked in. Seeing Ji Ruan awake and sitting up, her face broke into a joyful smile.

"How are you feeling, Ruan Ruan? Better?" She walked in, placing the insulated bag she was carrying on the bedside table.

"I'm okay now," Ji Ruan lifted his face, his eyes forming crescent shapes as he smiled at Aunt Zhao, "I just feel really hungry."

"Oh, such a good boy," Aunt Zhao chuckled, unzipping the insulated bag, "I've brought food for you."

Ji Ruan's eyes immediately focused on the thermal container inside the bag, feeling as though he could already smell its delicious aroma without even opening it.

"Are you that hungry?" Aunt Zhao couldn't help but laugh at Ji Ruan's eager gaze as she took out a small bowl and ladled some content into it.

It appeared to be simple porridge, but its aroma was incredibly rich. Just the scent alone made the famished Ji Ruan's mouth water.

"The doctor said you need to eat lightly for now," Aunt Zhao handed the bowl and spoon to Ji Ruan and sat down next to him, "But I thought, plain porridge has no nutrients. Look at you, you've lost so much weight."

She covered her mouth, giggling, "So, I added some bone broth and minced meat to it. It smells wonderful, doesn't it? That's what a meal should be like!"

Eagerly, Ji Ruan took a small spoonful, blew on it to cool it down, and carefully tasted it. The rich flavors of the bone broth and minced meat permeated the rice grains. Every soft grain exploded with taste on his tongue, making Ji Ruan close his eyes in pure enjoyment.

Aunt Zhao truly is some kind of culinary goddess...

The pot of porridge was quite large; Ji Ruan couldn't possibly finish it alone. Gu Xiuyi watched Ji Ruan's delicate and satisfied eating manner and exchanged glances with Aunt Zhao.

Aunt Zhao got the hint. She took two more bowls from the bag and ladled the porridge into them, turning Ji Ruan's patient meal into lunch for all three.

In the past, when Ji Ruan was severely ill, he had to strictly control his diet, eating only tasteless meals every day.

Back then, eating was never a joy for Ji Ruan. The food tasted like wax in his mouth, and often he'd throw it up due to stomach pain.

On his slightly better days, friends would visit with barbecued skewers and spicy hot pot; they would feast while Ji Ruan sipped his plain porridge in bed.

Those times were truly agonizing. Seeing Gu Xiuyi now, sharing the porridge with him, and the cheerful Aunt Zhao, Ji Ruan felt as if he was in another lifetime, sentimentally thinking it was some kind of belated comfort.

After lunch, Ji Ruan took a nap. This slumber was particularly blissful, with warmth in his stomach and heart, even gracing him with a pleasant dream.

In a half-dreaming state, it felt like someone touched his ear, a palm covering it, much warmer than Ji Ruan's own temperature, and a familiar touch.

That person was very close, so close that Ji Ruan could feel their breath tickling his earlobe. They whispered something, but he couldn't make it out.

"Little Ruan... Ruan... wake up."

After what felt like a long time, a gentle pat on his shoulder stirred him. Ji Ruan groggily opened his eyes to see Aunt Zhao's smiling eyes.

"Oh, you were sleeping so soundly," Aunt Zhao teased, rubbing his face with the back of her hand, "Your cheeks are all flushed. Did you have a sweet dream, Little Ruan?"

Ji Ruan shyly burrowed into the blanket, "I don't really remember..."

"Haha, don't be shy. Come on, get up," Aunt Zhao brushed Ji Ruan's hair back, "Time to go home and celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival."

After that nap, Ji Ruan's fever had completely subsided, and the IV needle on his hand had been removed at some point.

He got up, washed up as Aunt Zhao suggested, and upon returning from the bathroom felt something was amiss and looked around.

Aunt Zhao was packing his clothes and said, "Looking for Gu? He went back to work."

"Working again?" Ji Ruan was surprised, "But the Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner!"

Handing the packed clothes to Ji Ruan, Aunt Zhao sighed, "Indeed. But he's never been much for celebrating holidays. I thought he might stay since you're home this year, but he's still busy."

"I see..." Ji Ruan slowly sat down on the edge of the bed.

"No worries," Aunt Zhao chuckled, "We'll celebrate even if he's not here. What a pity, though—tomorrow is his birthday. I wonder if he'll be back..."

"Birthday?" Ji Ruan paused, holding the clothes, "Is he not coming back for his birthday tomorrow?"

Aunt Zhao sighed, "It's hard to say. His birthday coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival this year. Such a special day! I initially planned to make longevity noodles for him."

Ji Ruan hung his head, fingers absentmindedly pinching his lower lip, his eyelashes fluttering, reminiscent of a contemplative porcelain doll.

Aunt Zhao found his demeanor amusing and tilted her head to observe him, "What's on your mind, Ruan?"

"Huh?" Ji Ruan snapped back to reality, releasing his lip and licked it, "I was just thinking about what gift to prepare."

Aunt Zhao's eyes sparkled with mirth, "When it comes to gifts, it's the thought that counts. He'll appreciate whatever you give."

She picked up her bag, "Alright, I'll step out. Once you're dressed, we'll head home, okay?"

"Okay," Ji Ruan nodded.

After the door closed, Ji Ruan didn't immediately change his clothes. Instead, he remained seated on the bed, looking quite troubled.

It's Gu Xiuyi's birthday and also the Mid-Autumn Festival. Given how well Gu has treated him recently, Ji Ruan felt the need to reciprocate, regardless of whether Gu would be home tomorrow.

But what should he give?

A man like Mr. Gu has seen all sorts of treasures. Buying something feels insincere, and Ji Ruan wasn't exactly flush with cash.

What could he offer that was both heartfelt and cost-effective?

Ji Ruan's eyes suddenly lit up, a smile forming on his face. He reached for his phone and sent a message to Han Xiaolin.

·

Picking him up was the always jovial Uncle Zhang. Upon seeing Ji Ruan, he showered him with warm greetings.

Ji Ruan responded with a few pleasantries, fastened his seatbelt, and said, "Uncle Zhang, could we make a quick stop at my school's gate later?"

When Gu Xiuyi had taken Ji Ruan from the school infirmary, he'd brought him directly to the nearest top-tier hospital. Their route back to the villa would pass by the main entrance of the university.

Starting the car, Uncle Zhang replied cheerfully, "Of course, no problem."

Aunt Zhao draped a thin blanket over Ji Ruan's legs and inquired, "Do you have some unfinished business at school?"

"Not really," Ji Ruan adjusted the blanket, "I've asked a classmate to bring something out for me."

Aunt Zhao nodded knowingly without further questions.

When Ji Ruan reached the school, Han Xiaolin was already waiting at the entrance, handing out a bag upon Ji Ruan's arrival.

"Taking someone's shirt home during the break?" Han Xiaolin teased.

"Cut it out."

Ji Ruan opened the bag to see Gu Xiuyi's shirt neatly placed inside. He felt the shirt, which was already dry. It seemed like the right decision to wash it immediately that night; otherwise, it would still carry his wear.

"Are you feeling better now?" Han Xiaolin inquired.

"All good," Ji Ruan smiled, "Hence, I've been discharged, haven't I?"

Han Xiaolin clicked his tongue and shook his head, "You still look rather pale. You really have a fragile constitution, don’t you?"

Ji Ruan sighed, "It's inherent, not like I had a say in it."

Han Xiaolin gently tugged at Ji Ruan's ear, noting its usual delicate appearance, "I heard you couldn’t hear at that time. Gave me quite a scare."

Ji Ruan noticed the genuine concern on Han Xiaolin's face and felt a warmth inside, "I'm fine—"

"I was thinking, if you truly lost your hearing, wouldn't that mean you wouldn't be able to speak either? How would we communicate? We can't just type all the time, right? Should I learn sign language for your sake?" Han Xiaolin said with mock frustration, hands in his pockets, "Thank goodness you can hear again. Otherwise, I might've had to reconsider our friendship."

Ji Ruan, with words caught in his throat and the warmth now replaced by feigned indifference, threw the bag at the ever-chattering Han Xiaolin, "Let's end our friendship! You jerk!"

Indeed, Ji Ruan was the most delicate friend Han Xiaolin had ever had. Even when cursing, he merely said "jerk." His voice, restricted in pitch, couldn't reach high tones, making him sound like a well-bred young lady or, perhaps, a little princess.

The image amused Han Xiaolin to no end. Laughing, he pleaded, "I apologize, Princess! No ending friendships, brothers for life!"

Ji Ruan, catching his breath and coughing slightly, adjusted the external device behind his ear, "Too late. The princess is moody."

Every gesture was indeed tinged with a subtle elegance.

With that, Ji Ruan, clutching the bag, turned to leave, leaving Han Xiaolin laughing so hard he almost retched at the school entrance, causing other students to give him a wide berth.

·

That evening, after dinner, Ji Ruan asked Aunt Zhao for a sewing kit and then secluded himself in his room.

Gu Xiuyi's shirt was a plain white one with a simple design. Only the sleeves were unique, with dark red buttons that resembled both blood droplets and precious gems.

Ji Ruan examined the shirt carefully, then selected a deep green thread from the sewing box, threaded the needle, and began to embroider a delicate pattern on the sleeve.

For generations, his family had been masters of Han embroidery. As part of a lineage preserving this cultural tradition, Ji Ruan had learned the craft from a young age. Before falling ill, he could even embroider an entire wedding attire on his own. The wedding dress his sister wore when she got married was painstakingly embroidered by him and his mother, stitch by stitch.

Although he hadn't touched a needle in this current body and his hands had grown rusty, such a simple embroidery was a breeze for Ji Ruan. He didn't even need a pattern, starting the embroidery directly from memory.

That evening, even after Ji Ruan had finished and hung up the shirt, Gu Xiuyi had not returned.

Ji Ruan woke up a bit late the next day. Only Aunt Zhao was in the living room, and it was clear that Gu Xiuyi had stayed out all night.

Ji Ruan had long grown accustomed to days without Gu Xiuyi. He had breakfast, fed Xiao An, accompanied Aunt Zhao to the market, and even learned how to make mooncakes with her. In the evening, the two of them, along with a cat, watched the Mid-Autumn Festival gala. It was quite fulfilling.

But when Aunt Zhao went to bed and the entire house grew silent with dimming lights, Ji Ruan felt a stark emptiness as he walked up the stairs to his room.

This sense of desolation came abruptly, without any warning, leaving him at a loss.

Ji Ruan paused halfway up the staircase, gripping the handrail, lost in thought for a long moment before turning to look outside.

The floor-to-ceiling glass window offered an unobstructed view of the yard. The moon, veiled between branches and hidden in the clouds, shone bright and round, surrounded by an ethereal mist.

As if on a whim, Ji Ruan descended the stairs and walked into the yard.

The lawn was neatly trimmed, with a round table and stone benches placed in a spot unobstructed by tree branches, offering a clear view of the moon.

Looking up, Ji Ruan felt as if the moon might drop onto his face.

"Buzz—"

Han Xiaolin sent a video. He was still wandering around the shopping district, where throngs of people were all gazing up at the moon.

Ji Ruan exited the chat and snapped a photo to send in return.

Compared to Han Xiaolin's bustling city lights, his surroundings were much more serene. The dark sky, the silvery moon, and the treetops composed the entirety of his frame.

Han Xiaolin teased him, asking if he was "pouring wine to the moon" (a poetic way to say contemplating the moon).

Ji Ruan chuckled, letting his fingertip linger on the screen for a few seconds before sending the photo to Gu Xiuyi as well.

The other party seemed to have seen the message; the chat displayed the "typing..." status briefly but no reply came.

Ji Ruan assumed he was still occupied and, after pocketing his phone, leaned over the table to continue admiring the moon.

In less than two minutes, the sound of a car approaching could be heard from outside the yard. Ji Ruan listened intently and recognized a familiar black sedan parking outside. As the car door opened and closed, glimpses of Gu Xiuyi's suit hem became visible.

Ji Ruan straightened up against the stone table and turned to look. The wrought iron gate swung open, revealing Gu Xiuyi in the distance, dressed impeccably in his suit, standing tall and dignified.

Gu Xiuyi noticed Ji Ruan too, but without any hint of surprise. He walked briskly towards him, his pace steady and his suit flaring slightly in the night breeze.

It was only when he stood in front of Ji Ruan that, aided by the moonlight, Ji Ruan could clearly see his face. In the dimness, even his gaze seemed gentler.

"Why are you out here alone?" Gu Xiuyi asked.

The night was silent, making his voice sound particularly clear in Ji Ruan's ears.

Ji Ruan pointed to the sky, "Couldn't sleep, so I came out to watch the moon."

Gu Xiuyi held a cake box in his hands, its white body adorned simply with a blue ribbon, the design minimalist.

Ji Ruan was somewhat taken aback. In his impression, Gu Xiuyi wasn't the type to buy a cake for his own birthday.

Could a businessman, who worked tirelessly 365 days a year, become unexpectedly sentimental on his birthday night, wishing to celebrate for himself?

Gu Xiuyi gently placed the cake on the stone table and pulled out his phone, aiming it at the moon as if comparing something.

Ji Ruan recognized the photo on the screen as the one he'd sent earlier.

"The moon looks even more beautiful to the naked eye," Gu Xiuyi commented.

At this moment, he seemed very relaxed, speaking with a casual lilt, "But when you sent that photo, I really thought it was the best representation."

He glanced down at Ji Ruan, the corners of his eyes crinkling contentedly, "Turns out, it's because I hadn't seen it with my own eyes."

No matter how beautiful a picture, it's but a mere reflection and can never compete with the tangible beauty of reality.

Seeing Gu Xiuyi in such a rare sentimental mood, Ji Ruan found it endearing. He laughed softly, resting his hand on the cake box, and looked up at Gu Xiuyi, murmuring, "Happy birthday."

His words were gentle, floating to Gu Xiuyi's ears like a soft feather.

Gu Xiuyi paused for a moment.

Ji Ruan smiled as he stood up, "I've prepared a gift for you. I'll go get it now."

Without waiting for Gu Xiuyi's response, he headed directly for the grey staircase leading to the second floor. It was a shortcut to his room.

Gu Xiuyi stood still, watching Ji Ruan's retreating figure, lost in thought for a moment.

The grey staircase had a beautifully perfect curve, with guiding lamps hanging above every few steps.

Walking on it, Ji Ruan resembled the Little Prince from fairy tales, innocently journeying towards his own utopia.

After a moment, Gu Xiuyi slowly sat down on the stone bench, gently fidgeting with the blue ribbon on the cake box. As it coiled around his fingers, he felt a tingling sensation.

When Ji Ruan returned, he carried a plain paper bag and sat down in front of Gu Xiuyi, his eyes shining with mischief.

"Open it and see." He pushed the bag towards Gu Xiuyi.

Gu Xiuyi did as suggested, pulling out the item and examining it, "My shirt?"

“……”

"Not quite..." Ji Ruan cleared his throat, "Look closer."

The corners of Gu Xiuyi's eyes crinkled with amusement. He pinpointed the pattern on one of the sleeves, "A tree?"

"Yes."

Ji Ruan leaned on the table, arms crossed and chin resting on his hands. His eyes sparkled beautifully in the moonlight, radiating confidence in his own craft. This assured demeanor was particularly endearing.

Gu Xiuyi lightly traced the design with his fingertip, noting the smooth, intricate stitching, "What kind of tree is it?"

Ji Ruan's eyes curved in amusement, "Why don't you guess?"

Gu Xiuyi observed the tree closely. It was small yet lush, with slender elliptical leaves that pointed downward. One of the branches tilted downwards, as though weighed down by something.

And right there was a radiant red button, luminous and clear, resembling a plump cherry pulling down the branch.

However, in relation to the size of the tree, the cherry seemed disproportionately large, as if the tree had channeled all its nutrients to produce this one, particularly juicy cherry.

Gu Xiuyi chuckled at the creative imagery, "Ah, a beautiful cherry tree indeed."

Ji Ruan tilted his head, resting his cheek on his arm, appearing to be in good spirits after the compliment.

"But you know how to embroider?" Gu Xiuyi asked, closely examining the embroidered cherry tree.

Ji Ruan replied nonchalantly, "I know many things; you're just not aware of them."

Gu Xiuyi smiled, slipping the shirt back into the paper bag. When he looked back at Ji Ruan, his gaze was focused and sincere, "Thank you, it's the best gift."

Ji Ruan's lips curved in a smirk, "You're welcome."

Gu Xiuyi untied the blue ribbon and opened the white box, "Now, let's have some cake."

The moment Ji Ruan caught sight of the cake, he straightened up, leaning on the table in disbelief, "Another cherry?"

Inside the box was a cake shaped like cherries, two vibrant red orbs connected by a stem, looking incredibly lifelike.

"Yes," Gu Xiuyi said with a wry smile, "It seems cherries are the theme today."

Truth be told, Gu Xiuyi never celebrated his own birthdays. He didn't view them as occasions warranting special commemoration.

The reason for buying this cake was purely spontaneous. He'd seen an employee with a peach-shaped cake that was an exact replica of the real fruit and thought Ji Ruan would love a cherry-themed one.

As it turned out, Ji Ruan's eyes were practically glued to the cake with delight.

Trying to suppress his laughter, Gu Xiuyi pulled Ji Ruan away by the collar of his shirt to prevent him from getting too close to the cake. He sliced one of the cherries with a plastic knife and placed it on a paper plate, sliding it in front of Ji Ruan, "Eat up."

Ji Ruan took a delicate bite with his fork. The cream was fragrant without being greasy, with a sweetness that lingered subtly in his mouth.

Blinking in surprise, he commented, "It's so sweet..."

To Gu Xiuyi, even the air seemed to taste sweet.

After swallowing his bite, Ji Ruan looked at Gu Xiuyi and suddenly asked, "Did you talk to me when I was asleep last night?"

"What?" Gu Xiuyi took a bite of the cake. Strangely, even though he didn't have a sweet tooth, he found the cake not sweet enough.

"Yesterday, in the hospital," Ji Ruan put down his fork, "Did you whisper something into my ear? I think it was four words, but I couldn't catch it."

Gu Xiuyi seemed to recall the moment, a playful grin on his lips as he slowly enjoyed his cake, "What's your guess?"

Ji Ruan huffed and averted his eyes, "Then I won't guess."

"Alright, let me tell you," Gu Xiuyi conceded quickly, "I want you to eat well."

He pinched Ji Ruan's chin, "You've lost weight."

Ji Ruan: "..."

"What's the matter..."

After a moment of confusion, the words turned out to be empty talk. Ji Ruan felt slightly vexed, eating his cake in silence. Suddenly, he paused, furrowing his brows.

"What is it?" Gu Xiuyi's expression tightened, leaning in to check the temperature of Ji Ruan's neck. "Are you cold? Or feeling unwell?"

"It's not that..." Ji Ruan moved his hand away, his expression a mix of emotions. "I forgot to let you blow out the candle and make a wish first."

He glanced at the table; their cakes were already a mess, no longer fit for a candle.

Gu Xiuyi paused, then relaxed, "It's okay."

He never celebrated birthdays, let alone bothered with small rituals like blowing out candles.

"Still, it's not right," Ji Ruan felt as if he ruined a perfect birthday, feeling uneasy.

He took out a candle from a box, "How about this? I'll hold it for you. You make a wish and blow it out. Make do?"

He was sincere when he said this, brushing away hair obstructing his eyes with his fingertips, revealing clear and bright eyes.

With his elbow on the stone table, Gu Xiuyi, amused by his innocent demeanor, teased, "What are you, a wish fairy, kiddo?"

"Not quite," the young one replied with honesty and humility, "My birthday wishes never come true, but I still persist in making them. It's just for the sentiment. Hurry up, you have a lighter, right?"

Gu Xiuyi watched him intently for a while, observing his hair swaying in the night breeze and his delicate fingers.

"Alright," after a moment, Gu Xiuyi produced a lighter.

"Click—"

The flame burst forth, igniting the candle.

In the dim light, Ji Ruan's eyes became sharp and clear, reflecting the flickering flame, delving into the wishes of someone deep in thought.

Author's Note:

Mr. Gu's Secret to Winning His Wife's Heart #4: If it involves him, my heart doesn't need reciprocation to flutter; his every expression is reason enough for my heart to skip a beat.

(In simpler terms: I so love my wife.)

Guess for Fun: What did Mr. Gu wish for? No prizes for guessing!