Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Absolute tranquility is elusive in a large amusement park restaurant; laughter and rhythmic music fill the air at every moment.

Ji Ruan's demeanor while answering the phone was serene. Just by his expression, it was impossible to guess what was being said on the other end.

Roommates fixated intently on Ji Ruan, holding their breaths involuntarily. Their table became an oddity in the bustling restaurant, standing out in its silence.

"Mm… okay… I understand, senior sister… It's fine..."

As Ji Ruan hung up with a smile, Han Xiaolin immediately asked, "What did senior sister say?"

"Not much, she just apologized to me." Ji Ruan massaged his ear. The park's surround sound system was playing high-tempo music nonstop, which was a tad loud for his liking.

Qin Shan scratched the back of his head, "That's it?"

In his view, the senior sister wasn't one to just verbalize her feelings. Although she wasn't at fault in this matter, considering her character, she'd probably insist Lin Qing apologize to Ji Ruan in person.

Ji Ruan chuckled, "She also mentioned wanting to meet. She seriously promised a satisfactory resolution. Probably wants Lin Qing to handle it personally."

Qin Shan revealed a 'just as I thought' expression, "That sounds right."

Han Xiaolin crossed his arms, "An apology isn't enough. We can't just let him brush off the issue with some words. I can't stand his fake sanctimony."

Ji Ruan intermittently pinched his earlobe, responding leisurely, "If senior sister says there'll be a resolution, there will be one. Let's wait and see—huh?"

Suddenly, he turned his gaze out the window, though his eyes seemed unfocused, as if he were looking at something intangible.

Han Xiaolin quickly caught on, "Why did the music stop? Is there a malfunction?"

Li Yu peered outside, "No... it didn't stop. The volume's just been lowered."

Han Xiaolin listened carefully, "Right, it's much softer now."

Gu Xiuyi had been engrossed in his phone, likely texting someone. Hearing this, he looked up, "Is it still too loud?"

Qin Shan chuckled, "It's much better now, just right. Earlier it was a bit too boisterous; I bet even the control center folks couldn't handle it, hahaha!"

Li Yu smiled and took a sip of water, "I was wondering why my throat felt so dry. Turns out I was practically shouting and didn't even realize it."

The music finally settled to a reasonable volume. Ji Ruan let out a discreet sigh of relief. For a brief two-second span, everyone remained silent, and the atmosphere was eerily quiet.

Ji Ruan instinctively turned his head only to find that Gu Xiuyi had been watching him intently, as if whatever Qin Shan and the others said didn't matter. He seemed to need an answer directly from Ji Ruan.

Gu Xiuyi had a distinctly sharp and clean-cut appearance, from his eyebrows down to his facial contours. If described in a more emotional manner, he'd be labeled as aloof.

Ji Ruan had been aware of this trait since the moment they met and never found it surprising.

However, now he perceived a hint of tenderness on that face, subtle and fleeting, but there nonetheless.

In fact, recently Ji Ruan had been sensing this, especially when the two interacted in the most ordinary manner. It seemed as if Gu Xiuyi was just casually speaking, yet his words seemed to convey deeper emotions than they explicitly expressed.

That kind of gaze made Ji Ruan slightly uncomfortable. He licked his lips, "...It's fine now."

Gu Xiuyi, seemingly oblivious to Ji Ruan's momentary daze, nodded and looked back at his phone. He sent one last message, then switched off the screen.

[It's fine now.]

He glanced at Ji Ruan, who sat obediently beside him, no longer rubbing his ears.

Gu Xiuyi took the now-cold milk tea from Ji Ruan's hand, asking, "When did Miss Cheng say she wants to meet?"

Ji Ruan's eyes followed his milk tea, watching it wistfully as Gu Xiuyi's hand moved it away.

Gu Xiuyi had to gently hold Ji Ruan's chin, making their eyes meet, "It's cold, and you shouldn't drink it. It'll upset your stomach."

Ji Ruan wasn't particularly greedy, but more than missing the milk tea, he felt discomforted by the fact that he had almost finished it, only to have it taken away abruptly.

However, Gu Xiuyi was right. Physical well-being was certainly more crucial than a minor emotional discomfort.

He lowered his gaze, nodding lethargically, "Understood..."

Gu Xiuyi gently patted Ji Ruan's cheek in a comforting manner, "Good boy. I'll ask Aunt Zhao to make you another one when we get back."

"...No need." Ji Ruan yawned, covering his mouth.

"Ji Ruan."

"Hmm?"

Gu Xiuyi remained silent, gently lifting Ji Ruan's chin to observe his reddened eyes after a yawn. Not only were they deep red, but they were also incredibly moist.

Ji Ruan's eyes have always been captivating. But most people are unaware that their true allure is revealed when they contain that subtle hint of moisture.

"Why aren't you speaking?" Ji Ruan tilted his head, his eyes glistening.

Gu Xiuyi pulled his hand back, stepping to a safe distance and taking a sip of water to soothe his slightly parched throat.

"When are you meeting them?"

Ji Ruan blinked, "Tomorrow."

Gu Xiuyi set down his glass, nodding imperceptibly. Cheng Zizhang is quite efficient. Considering the late hour, scheduling an impromptu meeting might be inappropriate, and moreover—

He glanced at Ji Ruan. The young man was clearly a bit weary.

Ji Ruan's physical state often shows on his face. At times, he might not even notice, but those who care about him can easily discern his well-being.

For instance, now, the hue of his lips was much lighter than when he left in the morning.

"Let's go home," Gu Xiuyi suggested, offering a gentle support as he stood up.

Ji Ruan, having skipped his nap and having been active all day, was quite sleepy. Without arguing, he rubbed his eyes and stood obediently by Gu Xiuyi's side, asking Han Xiaolin and the others, "Are you heading back?"

His roommates, engrossed in their phones and seemingly oblivious to the world, unanimously exclaimed, "Not leaving!!"

Ji Ruan was puzzled by their intense reaction. After a moment's hesitation, he touched his nose, "...Alright then, have fun. I'm off to bed."

Holding the bouquet, which left him no hand free to wave, he just pursed his lips and gave a little smile, "Bye~"

The trio's gaze trailed after them. Gu Xiuyi had bought Ji Ruan an enormous bouquet. Being petite, Ji Ruan, clutching the flowers, seemed almost enveloped by them.

Then Han Xiaolin noticed how naturally Gu Xiuyi draped his arm around his good friend's shoulders, cautioning him to watch his step— every gesture was the epitome of propriety.

Clearly, Ji Ruan was also taken aback, but he still flashed Gu Xiuyi a sweet smile, expressing his gratitude.

Han XiaoLin: "..."

Freshman Han XiaoLin deeply felt the cunning emanating from a thirty-year-old man.

This amusement park is the city's largest indoor playground. Walking from the restaurant to the entrance takes quite a while. Ji Ruan hadn't gone far when he began to pant and paused.

Gu XiuYi looked down at him, "What's the matter?"

Ji Ruan's lips parted slightly, sweat forming on his forehead. With his thick hair, even a slight mess could appear quite untidy. Strands of his hair were entangled with a small purple puff on top of his head.

Gu XiuYi was reminded of his cat when he had just brought it home. The long-haired kitten, going through its awkward phase, always looked so scruffy, always darting around the house and getting itself dirty.

The tiny creature looked chubby due to its thick fur but would shrink to the size of a palm when bathed.

Ji Ruan currently resembled that unkempt cat.

He detached the hair that was tangled in Ji Ruan's puff and, holding back a laugh, asked again, "What's the matter, kiddo?"

Ji Ruan's lips moved slightly, with a pleading look, "I can't carry it anymore..."

The bouquet that he had held to his chest earlier now drooped to his thighs, clearly looking burdensome.

Gu XiuYi was taken aback, having not anticipated this.

When he held the bouquet, he felt no weight at all. But for Ji Ruan, it seemed almost overwhelming.

Without a word, he took the flowers from Ji Ruan. Yet the hand he placed on Ji Ruan's shoulder showed no intention of letting go. He wrapped his arm around Ji Ruan and continued walking, "Such a delicate soul."

Once in the car, the massive bouquet occupied the front passenger seat, while Ji Ruan and Gu XiuYi sat in the back.

Despite his evident exhaustion, Ji Ruan resisted sleep, instead diligently picking off the lint from Gu XiuYi's clothes.

— All of it, somehow acquired at some point, came from Ji Ruan's purple sweater.

Ji Ruan would pick off a few strands and then blow them into the air, watching them float in the car's stagnant atmosphere before they landed back on Gu XiuYi.

Time and again, it was the same. No matter how far he blew them away, these strands of lint would always drift back and cling steadfastly to Gu XiuYi's black coat.

"...Did you line your clothes with magnets?" Ji Ruan quizzed, his brows furrowing.

His eyebrows were delicate, thin and light. Especially when knitted in concern, they looked exceptionally elegant and captivating, even if, like now, they hinted at impatience, he still appeared utterly charming.

Gu XiuYi's gaze lingered on Ji Ruan's face for just a moment before averting, murmuring, "Let's not fuss over it. We can ask Aunt Zhao to help once we get home."

Ji Ruan found it bothersome, but wasn't Gu XiuYi equally discomforted?

Just as the lint always returned to him, every breath Ji Ruan exhaled seemed to settle on Gu XiuYi's neck.

The moist, warm breath directly on his skin could send shivers down Gu XiuYi's spine—a rather inhumane test for him.

He captured Ji Ruan's hand within his own, gently massaging his wrist.

Ji Ruan's skin was delicate and smooth, which oddly made massaging his wrist not a chore but rather a pleasure.

The warmth enveloping him alleviated the soreness in Ji Ruan's wrist. He gave a contented half-lid look, "Boss Gu's massage skills have improved."

Gu XiuYi chuckled, "Well, you said your hands were tired, didn't you?"

"It's from holding those flowers," Ji Ruan pouted, "Why'd you buy so many? They were so heavy."

Gu XiuYi was accustomed to Ji Ruan's complaint-laden coquetry and played along, "Yes, my mistake. Now I know how precious your hands are."

Ji Ruan was already somewhat weary. With his hand enveloped in Gu XiuYi's warmth, sleepiness swiftly overtook him, and his head drooped lower.

"By the way," Gu XiuYi inquired before Ji Ruan could fully drift off, "Shall I accompany you tomorrow?"

After that incident at the hospital, he was reluctant to let Ji Ruan handle Lin Qing alone, feeling it was inefficient to wear him out.

Lifting his head, Ji Ruan, groggy, snuffled, "Don't you have work?"

Gu XiuYi hesitated; he did have an important meeting the next day.

"It's alright," Ji Ruan closed his eyes, "We're meeting at the hospital. My senior can't be discharged yet, and the professor will be there too. We'll exchange a few words and then leave."

After pondering for a moment, Gu XiuYi proposed, "Alright then, I'll drop you off, and pick you up once it's over."

Either way, he would be chauffeured. Whose car he rode in hardly mattered, so Ji Ruan had no reason to refuse.

He was truly exhausted, too lethargic even to nod. He nuzzled against Gu XiuYi's shoulder, murmuring, "Alright then..."