Chapter 64

Chapter 64

For several days following, Gu Huai Zhang didn't speak to Chi Ya again.

Chi Ya was completely unaware that his uncle was avoiding him, his thoughts entirely consumed by Gu Huai An.

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Ever since that morning, Gu Huai An had been looking at him with a strange gaze, frequently calling him “little weirdo” when speaking.

“…………”

It was just a mention of a garter belt!

And it was Gu Lao Er who wore it himself!

Chi Ya noticed the disdain and disgust unintentionally showing in Gu Huai An's eyes and found some comfort in it.

Good, good, it seemed his plan was still effective.

He was on the right track.

After secretly wallowing in shame for a few days, he again mustered the courage to plan his second “move.”

·

Just a few days into June, City A experienced a heavy downpour, sudden and intense, starting after breakfast and continuing until dusk, soaking everything. The last remaining roses on the wall by the iron gate of Nan Lake Manor were battered and strewn, their dark red petals trembling under the relentless raindrops, scattering on the muddy ground.

Chi Ya, without an umbrella, bent over and rode his bicycle swiftly through the gate in the rain, quickly returning to pick up a bunch of still fresh buds and petals, wrapping them in his coat and carrying them, biking back in.

Racing through the tree-lined path, he stopped in front of the main building’s entrance hall. After parking his bike under the shelter of the parking area, he emerged, only for raindrops from the plane tree leaves to fall directly down his back, the cold making him shiver. Holding his coat in one hand and shielding his face from the rain with the other, he hurried into the entrance hall.

Taking just a few steps up the porch, Chi Ya dashed through the door, calling out “Zhang Ma—” and immediately found himself in the embrace of a man.

“Ah—” Chi Ya startled, his grip loosening, and the haphazardly rolled-up coat unfolded, scattering bright red petals all over the floor.

“My flowers!”

He instinctively crouched to pick them up, holding a petal before he realized and looked up dazedly, his eyes climbing from the neatly pressed suit trousers to meet Gu Huai Zhang’s slightly surprised gaze.

“Ah!” Chi Ya stammered, embarrassed, “It’s... it’s big brother…”

Gu Huai Zhang had just arrived home and was about to unbutton his suit when he was clumsily bumped into by Chi Ya. He looked down at him with a slight frown. Chi Ya, crouching at his feet, looked up bewildered, his face strikingly fair amidst the scattered crimson petals.

After several days, they were once again in such close proximity. Something stirred within Gu Huai Zhang, who first averted his eyes, frowning down at the petals on his shoe tip.

The petals, wet with rain, clung to the glossy black tips of his shoes, creating a striking contrast with their bright red against the deep black.

“What is this?”

Chi Ya awkwardly answered, “It’s... it’s a rose…”

Gu Huai Zhang's expression darkened, “Didn’t I say I don’t want to see flowers in the house again?”

Chi Ya paused, slowly realizing the irritation in his uncle’s tone.

Oh no, his uncle was angry again!

He panicked reflexively, quickly saying, “Sorry, sorry, I’ll... I’ll pick them up right now!”

He hastily bowed his head, scrambling to gather the petals, his short, black hair disheveled, raindrops perched on the tips, trembling and then rolling down, disappearing into the tangled hair.

Gu Huai Zhang looked down at him, not moving away for some reason, just standing there, watching.

The petals had scattered widely; afraid to step on them, Chi Ya lay on the floor, reaching for the farther buds. His rain-soaked shirt clung to his shoulder blades, faintly revealing a hazy flesh tone underneath. His backside raised in the air, the narrow jeans outlining his ankles, the skin there fragile and pale.

Chi Ya's shoulder inadvertently brushed against Gu Huai Zhang's immaculately clean trouser leg, prompting him to look up reflexively.

Gu Huai Zhang pursed his lips, his face expressionless as he watched him.

Chi Ya paused, then belatedly realized and hurriedly, carefully removed the petals that had clung to the man's trouser leg and shoe tip, looking up at him with a smile, “It’s... it’s clean now!”

—Like a mischievous cat that had caused trouble, rubbing against its master’s leg and meowing appeasingly.

Gu Huai Zhang's Adam's apple moved, glancing at the flowers gathered protectively in his arms, and commented coldly, “Don’t let it happen again.”

After a pause, he added, “Remember to watch where you’re going next time.”

Don’t recklessly bump into someone’s arms again.

You might end up being taken home by a farmer for a stew.

Knowing he was at fault, Chi Ya responded obediently, “Okay.”

Gu Huai Zhang frowned at the reply but held back from saying more and turned to leave with long strides. Chi Ya, gazing at the crushed buds under his feet, felt pained but dared not express his anger, only tossing the petals he had picked off the man's shoes resentfully.

These couldn’t be used anymore.

Zhang Ma, wiping her hands on her apron, hurried out of the kitchen, “I was just washing vegetables... what happened, what happened?”

Chi Ya, kneeling on the ground collecting petals with his clothes bunched up, was too busy to look up, calling, “Zhang Ma, can you get me... get me a bowl, please?”

“Of course, but... oh my, where did all these flowers come from?” Zhang Ma exclaimed in surprise, then lowered her voice, “The young master will scold you if he sees this!”

This child, always dancing on the high tension wire of the family head! Does he have a death wish!

Chi Ya, holding a bunch of petals, let out a miserable chuckle, his disheveled hair drooping sadly, “I’ve already been scolded…”

Zhang Ma, feeling sorry for him yet unable to suppress her laughter, went to the kitchen and returned with a small basin, squatting beside him to help pick up the flowers, muttering, “Boys these days, why do they like flowers so much.”

“Girls can love swords, and boys can love flowers!” Chi Ya argued proudly, “Flowers nurture laughter for those without wealth. I don’t have money, can't I at least have a laugh?”

Zhang Ma laughed out loud, poking his head with her finger, “Always with your twisted logic!”

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Chi Ya, brimming with pride, dabbed a flower on his lips, looking up at Zhang Ma with a sly smile, “I’m clever, you know…”

Zhang Ma’s eyes crinkled with joy, wrinkles gathering at the corners as she nodded, “Yes, yes, our little Chi is the cleverest…”

Gu Huai Zhang, his palm resting on the cold railing, looked down with a sneer.

Clever? Not really.

He’s more like a foolish rabbit, bumbling through many mistakes, oblivious to them all, his innocence and naiveté maddening.

Watching the laughing young man below, who just a moment ago was downcast from a scolding, now smiling so brightly and beautifully.

How can he be so happy every day, what's there to be so happy about.

Just for a few flowers?

Gu Huai Zhang watched Chi Ya, his face half-hidden by the roses, his gaze darkening slightly.

His easy happiness was somewhat... unsettling.

He clenched the railing and coughed lightly, not too harshly.

The laughter and chatter below abruptly ceased. Chi Ya, still holding a flower, looked up in bewilderment, the lingering smile not yet faded from his glossy, cat-like eyes.

Gu Huai Zhang locked eyes with those smile-filled eyes for a second, two seconds, silently observing as Chi Ya's laughter gradually subsided, his reflexive amusement fading away.

Gu Huai Zhang pursed his lips.

It seemed he wasn’t quite satisfied.

Chi Ya stared at the cold-faced figure above for two seconds before realizing, perhaps he was annoyed by the noise.

Chi Ya abruptly fell silent, his eyelashes drooping. He quickly gathered his clothes into his arms and, with his other hand, swiftly picked up the basin of flowers, whispering to Zhang Ma, “Hurry, hurry, I’m afraid he’ll make me throw the flowers away!”

Zhang Ma, initially tense, couldn’t help but want to laugh, but under the cold gaze of the family head, she had to contain it, cooperatively getting up and tiptoeing into the kitchen with Chi Ya.

The author's note:

Hey! Hu Han San is back again!

Sorry for the long break without notice. I kept thinking I could write each day, but the truth was I didn’t have time T^T… Here’s an apology for those who've been waiting.

I just got back home yesterday after finishing some business, and I’ll start writing more from tomorrow to get back into the groove. I might have to travel again in late September and October, so I’ll try to wrap up this story before then.

I’m truly touched by everyone's reminders and patience; I feel like I've let you down... Ah, this lazy author just lies down and takes the beating.

I hope you continue to enjoy it! Love you all~~

Thanks to the angels who supported me with their King tickets or nutrient solution from 2023-08-21 17:56:22 to 2023-08-28 02:48:23~

Thanks to the nutrient solution angels: Ku Xia 5 bottles; You You 1 bottle;

I am very grateful for everyone's support and will continue to work hard!