Chapter 19: If Gu Jiabei Doesn’t Want To Do It 2

Chapter 19: If Gu Jiabei Doesn't Want To Do It 2

The next morning, Yun He received a message from Gu Jiabei with just two words: "Downstairs."

Yun He quickly grabbed his phone and dashed out.

As soon as he reached the ground floor, Lu Angyu greeted him warmly. Yun He couldn't help but admire the attractiveness of the group; handsome men and beautiful women gathered early in the morning was a delightful sight.

"Hey, Yun He, where are we going today?" Wen Ying asked with a smile. Her long, wavy hair cascaded down her back, and she wore a tight-fitting dress that accentuated her youthful charm.

"It's a coastal city. Would you like to go see the sea and take a boat ride?" Yun He proposed.

"Sure, sure, I've never been on a boat before!" Wen Ying clapped her hands excitedly.

"You've seen the sea before, then?" Qian Duoduo commented.

"If you don't have anything to say, no one will mistake you for being mute," Wen Ying retorted, giving Qian Duoduo a playful kick on his shin. "Do I look like a country bumpkin to you? Haven't I traveled before?"

"Being not mute doesn't mean I can't speak, does it? What's the difference then?" Qian Duoduo showed no sign of chivalry in giving way to a girl.

"You're so annoying," Wen Ying grumbled, slapping Qian Duoduo, who promptly dodged and ran away. Still unsatisfied, Wen Ying chased after him to deliver two more slaps.

Yun He watched the playful scuffle between the two, then glanced at Gu Jiabei walking beside him.

"Those two clowns are always bickering. I feel like my head's about to explode from keeping an eye on them," Lu Angyu said, walking alongside Gu Jiabei on his other side, his face clouded with annoyance. "If it weren't for Wen Ying still having feelings for you, I'd swear they were actually a bickering couple."

Yun He could hear their conversation clearly, extracting crucial information from their simple words – that Wen Ying had not given up on Gu Jiabei. Did this imply that they had broken up, with Wen Ying still harboring one-sided affection? And would this visit from Wen Ying, specifically to see Gu Jiabei, lead to a reconciliation?... Yun He's mind raced with possibilities.

"Stop with the nonsense," Gu Jiabei warned Lu Angyu with a glance.

Unperturbed, Lu Angyu rested his hands behind his head, adopting a casual demeanor. "I'm not wrong, though. You can't tell me you don't know why Wen Ying is here, right?"

"Why did you bring her along if she came?" Gu Jiabei frowned.

"Hell, have you never seen her tantrums? Once that princess attitude of hers flares up, nobody can reason with her. Gu Jiabei, if you ask me, you're single anyway, so just humor her. Agree to it. Besides, you're in a long-distance relationship, so when she gets tired of it, she'll naturally back off. Plus..." Lu Angyu dragged out his words dramatically, "With the distance between you, even if you start something new, she wouldn't find out."

"Treading two boats at once? That's so typical of you, Lu Angyu," Gu Jiabei mocked.

"You can't put it that way. It's called utilizing the advantages of time and space effectively, helping a young girl navigate her emotional turmoil. A noble and grand act, wouldn't you say?" Lu Angyu shrugged.

"Well, such noble deeds are better left to you, Lu Angyu. I'll pass," Gu Jiabei said.

"Huh, little neighbor – oh, no, that's right, classmate Yun He, do you agree with what I'm saying?" Lu Angyu wore an air of righteousness, not at all concerned that Yun He might overhear their conversation.

Yun He thought to himself, Damn you, you seem decent on the surface but turns out you're a scumbag! And you even want Gu Jiabei to accept Wen Ying – your brain must be filled with crap!

"I didn't hear what you were saying," Yun He replied coldly, his gaze fixed on Lu Angyu.

Lu Angyu shivered. "Damn, coastal cities sure are cool."

"Ah, yes, after October, the temperature difference between day and night starts to widen. You should take care not to catch a cold," Yun He gritted his teeth, hoping inwardly that this scumbag would freeze to death.

Gu Jiabei, who had been looking straight ahead, suddenly turned to glance at Yun He. There seemed to be a hint of a smile in his eyes, as if he had caught on to Yun He's veiled meaning.

"How much longer until we reach the beach?" Wen Ying ran back to them, looping his arm through Gu Jiabei's and asking Yun He.

"We're about twenty minutes away," Yun He answered, his eyes lingering on the entwined arms.

Although Gu Jiabei didn't initiate any physical closeness, he didn't push Wen Ying away from his intimate gesture, allowing himself to be pulled along by Wen Ying.

Lu Angyu seemed to sense Yun He's gaze and approached him, whispering, "They used to date, but Gu Jiabei is just like that - always distant with girls. Before coming here, he broke up with Wen Ying. She cried and pleaded, but it was all in vain. If Gu Jiabei doesn't want something, no one can force him."

"So?" Yun He tried to keep his tone steady, not wanting to reveal too much emotion.

"So Wen Ying still has feelings, hence she followed. But relationships can't be forced, especially not with Gu Jiabei. It's better for everyone if she lets go sooner rather than later." Lu Angyu nudged Yun He's arm and winked at him. "Am I right?"

Looking at Lu Angyu, Yun He felt that the careless playboy image he had of him didn't fit anymore. Instead, there was an unexpected maturity beyond his years, with sharp eyes that seemed as keen as a nimble leopard.

"Uh-huh."

A satisfied smile appeared on Lu Angyu's face, and he promptly switched back to his carefree persona, engaging Yun He in idle chatter. Yun He wasn't in the mood for small talk, only occasionally responding with vague affirmatives.

After a while, the group reached the beach, laughing and chatting. Upon seeing the golden sand merging with the turquoise sea and blue sky, Wen Ying and Qian Duoduo couldn't resist sprinting along the shore. Lu Angyu happily joined in, stepping on the sand and playing with them. Only Gu Jiabei and Yun He stood nearby in silence, watching. The morning sun was gentle, providing a soothing warmth amidst the cool coastal breeze, making for a pleasant atmosphere.

Yun He turned to look at the silent Gu Jiabei. Under the blue sky and white clouds, Gu Jiabei appeared even more poised, his handsome profile causing Yun He's heart to involuntarily flutter. Wanting to preserve this image, Yun He discreetly took out his phone, aiming it at Gu Jiabei's profile before pressing the shutter button. However, just as he did, Gu Jiabei turned his head, locking eyes with Yun He through the camera screen. Yun He's hand trembled in panic from being caught, resulting in a blurred photo.

Frustrated, Yun He lowered his phone, hanging his head and staring at the sand beneath his feet.

Soon, Yun He sensed Gu Jiabei leaving his side. He felt dejected and sad, suddenly recalling Lu Angyu's words, "If Gu Jiabei doesn't want something, no one can force him."

When Wen Ying and the others had had their fun on the beach, Yun He led them onto a sightseeing boat. The vessel was small but just large enough to accommodate their group. The captain handed out life jackets to each person, which they donned before boarding one by one. Gu Jiabei and Lu Angyu stood on one side of the boat, while Yun He, Wen Ying, and Qian Duoduo positioned themselves on the other. The boat sped across the water's surface, creating waves and turbulence. Salty sea spray splashed up, causing Wen Ying and Qian Duoduo to cheerfully shout at the ocean. In contrast, Lu Angyu closed his eyes, seemingly a bit dizzy, with both hands gripping the edge of the boat. Gu Jiabei remained silent, while Yun He seemed disinterested, lost in thought. Suddenly, the boat turned sharply, losing balance. Yun He and Wen Ying were flung to the opposite side. Seeing this, Gu Jiabei immediately raised his arm, and in the next moment, Wen Ying crashed into his embrace. Yun He, on the other hand, was violently slammed against the boat. Startled, Lu Angyu opened his eyes and swiftly reached out to steady Yun He.

"Thanks," Yun He said to Lu Angyu after regaining his footing.

"Holy crap, that was too damn thrilling. I feel like throwing up; I never want to be on a boat again," Lu Angyu said, looking pale.

Yun He glanced at Gu Jiabei and Wen Ying. It seemed Wen Ying had no intention of leaving Gu Jiabei's arms, and Gu Jiabei's outstretched arm now hung limply by his side.

"It's okay now. You can get up," Gu Jiabei said, looking down at Wen Ying.

"No, I'm dizzy," Wen Ying protested, stubbornly remaining in Gu Jiabei's embrace.

"You were shouting loudly just a moment ago; didn't you have plenty of energy then?" Qian Duoduo had also been jolted but managed to regain his balance without much trouble.

"Shut up, Qian Duoduo!" Wen Ying gritted his teeth.

In the end, Wen Ying truly remained nestled in Gu Jiabei's arms until they disembarked.

Yun He felt an invisible hand squeezing his heart, pulsing with each beat. He couldn't understand why, if Gu Jiabei didn't want to reconcile with Wen Ying, he didn't push him away or resist Wen Ying's attempt to hold his arm and snuggle into his chest. Was it that boys simply couldn't refuse a girl who threw herself at them?

After a fun day at the beach, the group lunched at a renowned seafood restaurant recommended by Yun He. The extensive array of fresh seafood filled the table, delighting everyone except Yun He, who didn't seem to have much appetite.

"Are you not hungry?" Lu Angyu asked, munching on a crawfish.

"Mm," Yun He nodded.

"Well, eat something anyway. We're going to the amusement park this afternoon, and it'll be physically demanding. Besides, tonight... heh heh..." Lu Angyu smiled mysteriously, which Yun He found suspicious.

"What's happening tonight?" Yun He inquired.

"We'll drink, of course. What else can we do at night? We're still minors, after all. We're principled young men," Qian Duoduo said, taking a big bite of a fish dumpling. The succulent broth spilled out. "Damn, these dumplings are so fresh! No wonder you don't contact us much since you came here, Gu Jiabei. If I had this kind of delicious food every day, I'd forget who you guys are too."

"As if everyone is as obsessed with food as you," Wen Ying shot Qian Duoduo a disdainful look.

"Who do you think you're looking down on?" Qian Duoduo retorted.

"You, you, you! So what if I look down on you?" Wen Ying protested.

"Less talking, more eating," Gu Jiabei said, picking up a fried fish and placing it on Wen Ying's plate. She immediately beamed a flirtatious smile at Gu Jiabei, losing interest in her argument with Qian Duoduo.

Yun He gazed at the fried fish on Wen Ying's plate, eventually regretting his decision to tag along. Gu Jiabei was right; Yun He couldn't truly integrate with them. The sight of Gu Jiabei and Wen Ying together made him distinctly uneasy.