Chapter 69

Chapter 69

The heavy secret weighing on his heart finally shared, Chi Ya felt so relieved he could almost fly, sleeping sweetly through the night.

Waking up the next day to the continuous rain outside, its monotonous yet endlessly pleasant rhythm, the air was cool, making the warmth of the bed even more tempting. Chi Ya hugged his blanket, rolling over, too lazy to get up.

But it was nearly seven o'clock.

Any later, and it would be time for breakfast.

Chi Ya buried his head in the pillow for a while before reluctantly getting up, sitting in bed with his blanket, lost in thought.

For the hundred and first time, he prayed that Gu Huai Zhang would quickly verify his "harmlessness" and let him go.

Then, he could rent a small place, spend evenings with his violin, beer, and crayfish, and enjoy a comfortable sleep-in on rainy mornings.

Without worrying about missing the bland breakfast due to sleeping in.

After a leisurely wash, Chi Ya slipped into an oversized T-shirt and yawned as he opened his bedroom door.

As soon as he opened the door, he saw Gu Huai Zhang standing by the water dispenser in the living room, drinking water.

The man was dressed in a smoke-grey fitted tracksuit, looking like he had just exercised, with a dark sweat-ringed collar. His usually pale face was slightly flushed, wet hair hanging over his eyebrows, making his features appear even more profound. Standing in the pale morning light, he looked like a character straight out of a comic book.

Chi Ya leaned on the door frame, momentarily dazed. Gu Huai Zhang glanced over at the sound, and Chi Ya smiled: "Good morning, big brother..."

Gu Huai Zhang hummed in response, lifting his cup to drink, his chin slightly raised, stretching the lines of his neck, his Adam's apple distinctly moving up and down under his damp skin, sharp and sensually abstinent.

Chi Ya lowered his eyelashes, then quickly raised them again, unable to resist sneaking peeks.

Gu Huai Zhang, however, suddenly looked over again, eyelids slightly lowered, drinking water while watching him.

Their eyes met, and Chi Ya, startled and feeling guilty, scratched his cheek in a poorly concealed attempt to divert attention: "Where's, where's my second brother?"

Gu Huai Zhang moved his water cup slightly away, eyes fixed on him, a smile that was not quite a smile appearing: "You mean, your second brother?"

Chi Ya froze, his face instantly flushing under Gu Huai Zhang's gaze, utterly embarrassed, he stuttered and rushed towards the kitchen: "I, I'm going to help, help Aunt Zhang with cooking!"

Gu Huai Zhang slightly turned his head, watching his hurried escape until he disappeared behind the kitchen door.

·

After a peaceful meal, those who needed to work prepared to leave. Gu Huai An, neatly dressed, came downstairs just as Chi Ya, carrying dishes with Aunt Zhang, was exiting the dining room, chatting on their way to the kitchen.

Gu Huai An, fastening his suit buttons, coughed deliberately.

Chi Ya, without turning his head, passed right by him, following Aunt Zhang.

Gu Huai An frowned.

What's going on? Why isn't Chi Ya looking at him properly this morning, and why isn't he running over to send him off to work like usual?

He coughed louder and called out, "Aunt Zhang! I won't be coming back for lunch today!"

Aunt Zhang was puzzled – didn't he always skip lunch?

But still, a response was required when the young master spoke. Aunt Zhang turned to reply, but then she paused, quickly catching on.

Gu Huai An was speaking to her, but his eyes had been fixed on Chi Ya all the while!

Clearly, his words weren’t really meant for her.

Aunt Zhang chuckled, nodding: "Alright, then should I ask Chi Ya to deliver your lunch?"

Saying this, she nudged Chi Ya with her elbow. Chi Ya, unable to dodge, had to look up, only to see Gu Huai Zhang in his suit and carrying a briefcase, descending the stairs. He must have heard Aunt Zhang and looked up, glancing over indifferently.

Catching the man's gaze, Chi Ya's heart skipped a beat, feeling both guilty and awkward, he mumbled, "I’m afraid I can’t, I'm busy..."

Gu Huai An's brows furrowed, dissatisfaction rising, just as he was about to speak, Chi Ya’s phone rang with a violin tune from the coffee table.

Chi Ya, as if pardoned, said, "See, I'm, I’m really busy..."

He hastily handed what he was carrying to Aunt Zhang and hurried to answer the call; it was from Mo Shi.

Chi Ya immediately remembered, with summer vacation here, Mo Shi's juniors who were helping out were available, planning to start shooting videos from today!

He had never looked forward to work as much as he did at this moment, gratefully answering the call, and “accidentally” turning on the speakerphone: "Brother Mo!"

Mo Shi's efficient and cool voice came through the phone: "Just to let you know, today is a day off."

Chi Ya was stunned for a moment: "Huh?"

He instinctively glanced at the few people in front of him. Gu Huai'an folded his arms, looking at him with a cold smirk, while Gu Huaizhang remained expressionless, and Amber eyes looked at him indifferently.

Chi Ya swallowed, tightly gripping his phone, and asked dryly, "Wh-why?"

"It's slippery on the mountain roads when it rains," Mo Shi explained. "We can't go to the bamboo forest on Nanshan."

Table of Contents Previous Page Next Page Last Page

Chi Ya, full of hope, asked: "What about the bamboo forest in the People's Park?"

"No," Mo Shi said. "It's crowded, too small, and the scenery is too cluttered."

Chi Ya had no other options.

He wasn't very familiar with the city yet, but if Mo Shi said it was not feasible, then there must be no other suitable locations.

Does he really have to bring food to Gu Huai An...

"You can come to my house."

Gu Huaizhang suddenly spoke in a calm voice.

Chi Ya was taken aback and looked up at him. Gu Huaizhang, casually rolling up his sleeves, said as if in passing: "There's a bamboo forest in the back, idle. Just don't film the house."

Neither Gu Huai'an nor Aunt Zhang expected him to speak up, both looking at him in surprise. Gu Huaizhang, however, ignored their gazes and just glanced emotionlessly at Chi Ya.

On the phone, Mo Shi paused and then asked, "You have a bamboo forest at your house?"

Chi Ya, still dazed, replied: "It's... a friend's house."

Mo Shi asked, "Is that possible?"

Chi Ya looked towards Gu Huaizhang, who gave him a slight nod and then walked past him without another word.

Chi Ya snapped back to reality, hurriedly gave the address, and hung up the phone without waiting for Mo Shi's reaction to the mention of "Nanhu Manor," then ran to catch up.

Gu Huai'an watched him run by and then turned to look at Gu Huaizhang's departing figure in the hallway, his expression shifting uncertainly, his thoughts unknown.

Aunt Zhang sneaked a glance at him, unsure of what to say, and eventually kept silent, tiptoeing into the kitchen with her tray.

"Big brother!" Chi Ya ran out of the living room's main door, calling out to the figure already descending the steps while leaning on a pillar for support.

Driver Lao Liu, already hurrying over with an umbrella, was about to take the bag from Gu Huaizhang when he heard the call, causing both men to turn back in response.

Chi Ya met Gu Huaizhang's gaze, feeling unexpectedly nervous. After a pause, he stuttered, "Th-thank you, big brother..."

He was thankful for Gu Huaizhang's generosity and his discreet thoughtfulness.

Even though Gu Huaizhang might have acted just to keep him away from Gu Huai'an, the fact remained that he had helped him out of a tight spot and even allowed him and his friends to shoot a video in his home.

He remembered how difficult it had been for an international director to shoot a movie in Nanhu.

Gu Huaizhang's gaze fell upon his face. Chi Ya blushed slightly from shyness, his long bangs fluttering in the wind from his run, revealing the slightly upturned corners of his eyes, enhancing his charm. Yet, the pure innocence in his dark eyes softened that allure, making him look like an innocent young fox.

"...Hmm."

Gu Huaizhang responded indifferently, pausing before succinctly saying, "I'm leaving."

Chi Ya, still holding his phone, replied dryly, "Oh..."

Watching Gu Huaizhang cross the lawn, Chi Ya suddenly remembered something and called out again, "Big brother!"

Gu Huaizhang turned around, slightly lifting his dark umbrella. In the misty rain, his amber eyes appeared colder and more detached, calmly gazing back through the curtain of rain.

Chi Ya, nervously blushing, asked him, "Are you, are you coming back for lunch?"

Gu Huaizhang typically disliked eating out and usually returned home for lunch, but Chi Ya was unsure if he had business lunch plans today.

But Gu Huaizhang said, "I'll be back."

"Then, what would you like to eat, big brother?" Chi Ya's eyes brightened and curved beautifully, looking at him earnestly, "I'll cook for you!"

Gu Huaizhang paused, his impatience from being called back repeatedly quietly dissipated.

He was not particularly concerned about his meals; Aunt Zhang hadn't asked him what he wanted to eat for many years.

An inexplicable emotion suddenly crept into his heart; he couldn't identify it, but the incessant rain no longer seemed as noisy and bothersome.

Gazing into the young man's clear, clean eyes filled with anticipation, he paused momentarily. The dismissive "anything" turned into, "...Let's have fish."

The driver looked at him in surprise.

But Chi Ya, oblivious to any oddity, eagerly asked, “What kind of fish?”

Finally, Gu Huaizhang said, “Anything.”

“Great!” Chi Ya waved his hand excitedly, “Take care, big brother! Come back soon!”

Gu Huaizhang didn’t respond, giving him one last look before finally walking away.

Author's Note:

I'm late again, sorry! bows deeply

Thank you to the angels who supported me with their votes and nutrients between 2023-09-01 02:27:45 and 2023-09-03 01:53:11~

Special thanks to the angels who provided nutrients: Wang Changhe 16 bottles; Messenger 5 bottles;

I'm truly grateful for your support and will continue to work hard!