Chapter 23: I Have Someone I Like 2

Chapter 23: I Have Someone I Like 2

Gu Jiabei allowed Yun He to hug him for a while before patting his back. "Pick out an outfit first and put it on. After sending Lu Angyu and the others off, we can continue hugging."

Yun He reluctantly lifted his head to glance at Gu Jiabei before casually taking a sportswear set from Gu Jiabei's wardrobe. It was evident that the brand was quite expensive.

"About Wen Ying... what are you planning to do?" Yun He suddenly asked after changing into Gu Jiabei's clothes.

"We have no chance," Gu Jiabei replied straightforwardly.

"Since there's no possibility, why don't you clarify things with her? Why are you still allowing her to get close to you?" Yun He spoke up, feeling frustrated.

"Jealousy bag," Gu Jiabei pouted.

"I'm not joking around. I'm asking you seriously."

Seeing Yun He's displeased expression, Gu Jiabei sighed before saying earnestly, "You don't understand her. Her enthusiasm will probably fade away in a month or two. The more I reject her now, the stronger her desire to conquer me will be. It's better to let nature take its course; she won't remember who Gu Jiabei is after not seeing me for a long time anyway."

"But what if she likes you to the point where she can't live without you?"

"Don't be silly. Love isn't that simple. You really think it's easy to pour your heart out and remain devoted to someone forever?" Gu Jiabei tapped Yun He's forehead. "Alright, go out and have breakfast."

"Would you ever pour your heart out for someone?" Yun He remained still, sensing that Gu Jiabei had a rather pessimistic view on emotions.

Gu Jiabei paused for a few seconds before responding, "That's quite a profound question."

With the conversation ending there, Yun He understood that Gu Jiabei didn't wish to continue on this topic, leaving him feeling somewhat down as he left the room with Gu Jiabei.

Zhang Xunmei had prepared a bountiful yet light breakfast, reflecting her usual refined and elegant image.

"Come, sit down and eat," Zhang Xunmei said with a smile when she saw Yun He coming from the kitchen. "Why did you drink so much last night? Did Lu Angyu and his friends bully you?" She then glanced reproachfully at Gu Jiabei. "What were you doing? You should have taken better care of Little He when you went out."

"No, Auntie. It was my first time drinking, and I was just curious and inexperienced, so I overdid it. Auntie, how did I end up sleeping here last night? Didn't my parents mind?" Yun He only remembered kissing Gu Jiabei downstairs last night, with everything after that a blank. He was now most concerned about whether he had revealed any secrets while drunk that Zhang Xunmei might have noticed.

"You've got some nerve asking," Gu Jiabei pulled out a chair and sat at the table, giving Yun He a playful look. "If I had known you'd turn into such a mess when drunk, I wouldn't have let you touch a drop of alcohol."

"What kind of mess was I?" Yun He asked, lacking confidence.

"You held onto my arm, crying and shouting not to be separated from me. When I took you home, you refused to enter and insisted on hugging me tightly. Your parents were afraid you'd wake up the whole building, so they had no choice but to let you stick to me like a bandage." Gu Jiabei continued, "Then, I brought you back here, and you finally calmed down a bit."

Yun He felt uneasy all over. If what Gu Jiabei said was true, wouldn't his clinginess seem odd?

"It seems Little He quite likes Bei Bei," Zhang Xunmei found the situation amusing.

"Yes... I do like him..." Yun He cautiously admitted, speaking from the heart, then quickly glanced at Gu Jiabei.

After breakfast, Yun He went home to freshen up and change into his own clothes. He called his mother, who scolded him before he hopped onto Gu Jiabei's bicycle. They headed to a nearby business hotel, where upon arrival, Yun He saw Lu Angyu standing by the entrance, wearing a flashy pair of sunglasses and looking cool as he waved at Gu Jiabei. A luxury international brand suitcase stood beside him.

"Oh, my Hehe is here too," Lu Angyu teased Yun He upon seeing him. "Why did you disappear last night? You even took my buddy away. Let me tell you, Wen Ying won't be happy to see you when he comes out."

" Haven't they come out yet?" Gu Jiabei ignored Lu Angyu's comment.

"Not yet. Those two are evenly matched when it comes to packing – slow and meticulous would be an understatement," Lu Angyu said nonchalantly.

"You two made up?" Behind his sunglasses, Lu Angyu's eyebrows danced, conveying a knowing unspoken message.

Yun He stared at Lu Angyu in surprise, wondering why he would ask such a question as if he knew everything but chose not to say it outright.

Yun He quickly retraced his actions from the previous day, trying to recall if he had inadvertently revealed anything to Lu Angyu.

"Uh-huh." Gu Jiabei neither confirmed nor denied the matter directly.

Their unspoken understanding seemed to torment Yun He, who wondered, Were they playing some sort of riddle?

"F*ck, Gu Jiabei, you're quite the catch, huh? If I had known you were so easy to sway, I would've kept this opportunity for myself. What a waste that I've been by your side all these years and didn't take advantage of our proximity," Lu Angyu whispered with a mischievous grin. "Hey, I wonder what Wen Ying would think if he found out."

Lu Angyu's words held a wealth of meaning, and Yun He stared at him in horror.

"You…" Yun He was at a loss for words.

Fortunately, Lu Angyu had a knack for reading between the lines. "That's right, I'm gay too. Otherwise, why would I have said those things to you yesterday? Your little emotions might fool Qian Duoduo and Wen Ying, but not your brother Lu's sharp eyes. I just didn't expect... tsk tsk tsk..." Lu Angyu clicked his tongue in disappointment. "I never thought my excellent Brother North would be so confused. If you were going to bend, why not bend towards me? We've known each other for years; I'd definitely lift you up to new heights. Besides, Little Hehe is still so young – how could you bear to do that to him?"

"It was me who made the first move, and you two aren't a match. Gu Jiabei only fits with me. Don't say such things anymore, even as a joke. I have quite a possessive streak," Yun He protested.

Lu Angyu removed his sunglasses, studying Yun He intently before throwing him a thumbs-up.

Gu Jiabei smiled silently on the side.

For over twenty minutes, the three engaged in intermittent conversation. Qian Duoduo and Wen Ying finally emerged from the hotel, each dragging a large suitcase behind them.

The moment Wen Ying spotted Gu Jiabei outside, he promptly tossed his luggage toward Qian Duoduo and ran straight to Gu Jiabei, instinctively looping his arm around him.

"Beibei, why did you suddenly leave last night? I was so worried all evening. Did my confession make you uncomfortable?" Wen Ying pouted.

Gu Jiabei gently extracted his arm and took a step back. "Wen Ying, I've found someone I like."

Yun He's heart skipped a beat.

Qian Duoduo gaped at Gu Jiabei in astonishment, while Lu Angyu nonchalantly put his sunglasses back on, adopting an air of casual detachment.

"What do you mean by that?" Wen Ying asked, still puzzled.

"Exactly what it sounds like. I have someone I like, and he likes me back. He's quite possessive too, so we'll need to be mindful of our boundaries from now on," Gu Jiabei explained.

"Holy shit, are you serious?" Qian Duoduo exclaimed in disbelief.

"No way. You're lying; you just want me to give up on you, don't you?" Wen Ying refused to accept it.

"I wasn't lying. If I've hurt you, I apologize," Gu Jiabei said.

"It's impossible! You're definitely lying! Back in school, countless girls were chasing after you, but you never gave them a second glance. Do you think I don't know how long it took for you to agree to give us a try? You're the type who finds it hard to like someone, and you're inherently emotionally distant. How can you fall for someone in just a couple of months here?!" Wen Ying exclaimed, her usual coquettish charm replaced by frustration. "You just want to use this as a way to force me to stop pursuing you!"

"Bloody... emotionally distant?... Do you really know Gu Jiabei that well?" Lu Angyu exclaimed, astonished.

"Sorry, Wen Ying. What I said is the truth. Whether you believe it or not is up to you," Gu Jiabei replied without further explanation. Turning to Lu Angyu and Qian Duoduo, he continued, "I initially wanted to send you both to the airport, but it doesn't seem appropriate now. Let me drop you off here. Thank you for coming to visit me."

"Beibei..." Wen Ying's voice trembled, revealing her genuine sorrow and helplessness.

Qian Duoduo patted Wen Ying's shoulder comfortingly. "Try to see it positively. Neither of you was truly invested in each other, right?"

"Shut up, you!" Wen Ying punched Qian Duoduo.

"Yeah, weren't you just saying Beibei is naturally emotionally detached?" Lu Angyu teased. "Wen Ying, it's probably your desire to conquer that's talking."

"You two know nothing!" Wen Ying shouted at Lu Angyu and Qian Duoduo, tears welling up in her eyes.

Lu Angyu quickly raised his hands in surrender, palms facing upward.

"Alright, let's go," Gu Jiabei said.

After Qian Duoduo and Wen Ying boarded the waiting airport shuttle, Lu Angyu, who had yet to get on, approached Gu Jiabei for a hug. He patted his shoulder, winked, and whispered, "Brother, welcome to our queer club."

"Cut the crap. About what I asked you to do—" Gu Jiabei began.

"Don't worry, I'm keeping an eye on it." Lu Angyu patted his own chest, then smiled at Yun He. "Little He, do you want some advice from your big brother?"

"What?" Yun He asked.

"Next time, don't just go drinking with anyone," Lu Angyu whistled at Yun He, then lowered his voice. "And don't break Gu Jiabei's heart either."

With a cool wave of his hand, Lu Angyu got on the bus.

The shuttle started up quickly and disappeared from their sight.

"Do I drink badly?" Yun He frowned at Gu Jiabei.

"Well, let's put it this way – my lips still hurt," Gu Jiabei chuckled, looping an arm around Yun He's shoulders. "Come on."

Yet, Yun He stood rooted to the spot.

"Anything else?" Gu Jiabei asked.

"Why did you come clean with Wen Ying if you said we should just let things take their course?"

"Darling, didn't realize you have quite a few questions," Gu Jiabei replied with a helpless smile. "When I said let things take their course, what was our relationship? And now, what is it? Do you think it's appropriate to continue being casual?"

Yun He opened his mouth but didn't speak, as his focus was on the term "darling." When Gu Jiabei called him that, his tone was slightly mischievous and affectionate, causing Yun He's heart to race uncontrollably.