Chapter 47: Seductive Charm

Chapter 47: Seductive Charm

When Yun He woke up the next morning, Cai Mingzhi and his wife had already left for work without leaving any message. Yun He knew that they most likely forgot about his birthday. Although he claimed not to expect anything, the fact that Gu Jiabei remembered and planned to celebrate it brought a touch of joy to his heart.

Thus, the entire day, Yun He was preoccupied with anticipation, wondering what gift Gu Jiabei would give him. After enduring the day, he rushed home after school, finished his homework, and promptly cycled to pick up Gu Jiabei from school at the appointed time.

Gu Jiabei still came out with Li Shang, but today, another male classmate accompanied them. Yun He couldn't help but admire Gu Jiabei's social skills while setting off alarm bells in his mind. Jealousy surged within him, perplexing him as to why he wasn't this envious when they were in the same school before. Once Gu Jiabei was out of sight, he became overly anxious. Eventually, he concluded that he must genuinely love Gu Jiabei to an extent where he wished to keep him tied to his waist every day, taking him wherever he went.

"Your friend is here to pick you up again," Li Shang observed, instinctively creating some distance between himself and Gu Jiabei. He sensed that Yun He's gaze wasn't as friendly as it seemed.

Gu Jiabei effortlessly took the bicycle from Yun He, who gracefully hopped onto the back seat. Yun He politely bid farewell to Gu Jiabei's classmate.

"Jealous classmate, stop pretending," Gu Jiabei teased as he rode, glancing at Yun He behind him.

"What am I pretending about? I haven't said anything," Yun He thought he had concealed his jealousy well today, at least on the surface.

"Come on, your lips are almost a straight line. You're the only one who doesn't realize it."

"Huh? Is it really that obvious?"

"Others might not see through you, but I can with just one glance. I know what you're about to do the moment you shift your behind," Yun He said, his words laced with jest.

"Gu Jiabei, how vulgar you are." Yun He pinched Gu Jiabei hard but still couldn't help laughing at his friend's antics.

"If my vulgarity can make you smile, then so be it. Don't ruin your birthday by being unhappy," Gu Jiabei's voice rang out, filled with amusement amidst the night breeze.

"Gu Jiabei, you're not vulgar. You're gentle, the gentlest." Yun He wrapped his arms around Gu Jiabei's waist from the back seat and pressed his face against his back.

"That gentleness is all for you. Ask Lu Angyu if I'm a gentle person," Gu Jiabei suggested.

"Absolutely not mentioning Lu Angyu on my birthday!" Yun He lifted his furious little face from Gu Jiabei's back.

"Fine, fine, I won't mention him. You're truly a master of emotional transformation," Gu Jiabei said, feeling helpless.

"I don't know much about calligraphy, painting, or chess..." Yun He was a bit confused.

"But you're an expert in changing moods," Gu Jiabei chuckled, only to be met with another sharp pinch in his side that made him yelp in pain.

"Did you have cake tonight?" Gu Jiabei winced as he spoke, still feeling the pinch.

"Not yet, my parents really lived up to my expectations by forgetting my birthday," Little He said with a tinge of disappointment.

"Never mind, big brother will make a cake for you," Gu Jiabei said affectionately.

"You can bake a cake?" Yun He was pleasantly surprised.

"I can't. Do you really think I'm that versatile?" Gu Jiabei replied frankly.

"Then why did you offer to make one?"

"But your grandma can, and I can learn from her," Gu Jiabei said with a proud smile.

"Grandma..." Yun He felt his cheeks flush but his heart filled with contentment.

After securing their bikes back to the old tree, they headed straight for Gu Jiabei's home. Zhang Xunmei was watching TV on the sofa while applying a face mask, waiting for Gu Jiabei to return from school.

"Oh, Little He, why are you back so late with Bei Bei?" Zhang Xunmei asked, looking at Yun He from the couch. Her face mask trembled as she spoke, and of course, her husband Gu Wei was not at home.

"Uh, I...," Yun He suddenly felt a bit awkward, unsure how to explain himself to his 'grandma.'

"Mom, Yun He's birthday today, and he wants a cake. Teach me how to make one, please." Gu Jiabei said with a calm expression, gently nudging Yun He towards the center of the living room.

"A birthday? Oh, that's great! Little He is growing up another year. Auntie will make a cake for you." Zhang Xunmei rose from the sofa.

"No need, I can do it myself. Mom, just guide me from the side," Gu Jiabei replied.

"You?" Zhang Xunmei asked, unsure.

Yun He felt a bit awkward. This situation didn't seem quite right. Normally, which boy would bake a cake for another boy? Male friendships weren't usually this delicate, were they?

"It's... It's okay... I don't have to eat cake if it's a problem..." Yun He waved his hands nervously nearby.

"Well, of course, there has to be a cake on your birthday. If Bei Bei wants to make it, let him. I'll get to taste my son's culinary skills," Zhang Xunmei said, removing her face mask and revealing a reassuring smile.

For the next half an hour, Yun He spent his time in the kitchen amidst the clattering of pots and pans and Zhang Xunmei's anxious reminders.

"Oh dear! Bei Bei, you've cracked eggshells into the bowl!"

"Bei Bei! You've spilled all the flour on the floor!"

"My goodness, how much milk did you spill?"

"Bei Bei!"

"Gu Jiabei!"

Zhang Xunmei's voice lacked its usual tenderness. Despite Gu Jiabei's instructions for Yun He to wait obediently in the living room, Yun He couldn't resist sneaking a peek into the kitchen, and that glimpse nearly made him burst out laughing.

It was a rare sight to see Gu Jiabei so disheveled, his face filled with disappointment and frustration. His hair was a mess, flour smeared across his cheeks, and his black pants were now dusted with white powder. With a dejected air, Gu Jiabei was attempting to salvage the cream in his hands, only to lift his head and catch Yun He standing at the kitchen doorway, stealthily observing him. "Stop looking," he said.

Despite the apparent irritation on Gu Jiabei's face, he spoke to Little He with unwavering patience. Little He felt that Gu Jiabei was right; he wasn't inherently gentle, but he reserved his tenderness solely for him. Watching Gu Jiabei, who had been so disheveled while making the cake just for him, filled Yun He with immense satisfaction. He wanted to cherish this version of Gu Jiabei in his heart forever.

The cake that Gu Jiabei eventually presented was truly a sight to behold. The cake base had somehow collapsed, and the frosting on top was uneven and pockmarked. The handwritten "Happy Birthday, Crybaby" was so grotesquely ugly that it might as well have been scribbles from a ghost.

"Woah, what a beautiful cake!" Yun He genuinely admired it and expressed his heartfelt praise.

However, Gu Jiabei and Zhang Xunmei didn't quite interpret it the same way.

"Hahahaha, you call that beautiful? Little He, even though Bei Bei is my son, I couldn't bring myself to utter such a blatant lie," Zhang Xunmei chuckled at Yun He's sincere expression.

"Don't exaggerate on purpose," Gu Jiabei said with a frown, still dusted with flour as he looked at Yun He.

"I'm not! I'm telling the truth! You have to believe me, I really love this cake!" Yun He defended himself anxiously. "Ahh, I'm going to take a picture of it with my phone!"

"Wait a moment," Gu Jiabei interrupted him. "I'll light the candles first."

Gu Jiabei took out two candles from his backpack, both shaped like the number "16".

"Where did you get those candles?" Yun He asked.

"There's a bakery by the school gate. I asked the staff for them," Gu Jiabei replied expressionlessly, using his slender fingers to stick the candles into the sunken cake.

"Thank you, I genuinely love it," Yun He said sincerely, his bright smile illuminating Gu Jiabei's face.

"Uh-huh," Gu Jiabei nodded, pressing his lips together.

"Sigh, it's such a shame about my kitchen and all those high-quality imported ingredients," Zhang Xunmei chimed in playfully.

"Auntie, thank you," Yun He said apologetically to Zhang Xunmei.

"No need to thank me, Little He. I should be the one thanking you. I never thought I'd get to see Bei Bei in the kitchen. Come on, quickly take a picture of the cake, then we'll light the candles and make a wish."

"Okay!" Yun He nodded energetically.

As they sang Happy Birthday to Yun He and Gu Jiabei, Yun He made three wishes.

"For my first wish, I hope my parents stay healthy and happy forever."

"For my second wish, I hope Aunt Zhang remains youthful, beautiful, happy, and content." Yun He said.

"Aww, you even wished for me! Thank you, Little He!" Zhang Xunmei was delighted that Yun He had included her in his wishes, ruffling his hair affectionately.

"For my third wish..." Yun He looked into Gu Jiabei's eyes and silently wished in his heart, "I hope Gu Jiabei will be by my side for every birthday from now on."

Although Gu Jiabei didn't hear Yun He's third wish, he gave him a subtle nod, as if to assure Yun He that he understood.

Yun He blew out the candles in one breath. Zhang Xunmei squealed with joy, "Happy Birthday, Little He!"

"Thank you, Aunt Zhang."

"Auntie will go fetch a plate for us to taste Bei Bei's skills in the kitchen." With that, Zhang Xunmei turned around and headed to the kitchen to retrieve the cake-cutting tools and plates.

"Happy birthday, darling," Gu Jiabei whispered, leaning in to give Yun He a gentle peck on the cheek before quickly returning to his original position.

"Do you want to hear my final wish?" Yun He asked softly.

"I've already heard it," Gu Jiabei replied in a low voice, his dark eyes filled with emotion.

Zhang Xunmei returned with a knife and a plate. Yun He sliced the cake and divided it into several portions, then began devouring it eagerly. Upon taking the first bite, Gu Jiabei furrowed his brow. After two or three bites, Zhang Xunmei also found it unpalatable and used the excuse of it being late and needing rest to escape.

"Stop eating," Gu Jiabei couldn't help but intervene as he watched Yun He finish a large slice and reach for another.

"I think it tastes pretty good," Yun He said with a grin.

"It's too sweet," Gu Jiabei commented.

"But I love sweets."

"Even so, don't eat any more," Gu Jiabei insisted. After a brief pause, he added, "For your birthday next year, I'll make you something even better."

"Alright, you said it."

"Mm-hmm."

With Gu Jiabei's assurance, Yun He finally put down his fork, stretched, and glanced at his wristwatch. "It's eleven. I should head back. My mom just texted me, asking when I'll be home."

"In that case, tell her you won't be going back tonight. Sleep over here." Taking Yun He's hand, Gu Jiabei led him towards his bedroom. "I have another gift for you."

"Another one?"

"Mm, come in." Gu Jiabei pulled him inside.

Upon entering the bedroom, Yun He sat effortlessly on the edge of Gu Jiabei's bed, looking at him expectantly. "What else do you have? Show me! I thought the cake was everything."

"How could that be? On my baby's birthday, there has to be more than just a cake." Gu Jiabei walked to his desk, opened a drawer, and took out a roughly ten-inch portrait, handing it to Yun He.

Yun He took it and saw a beautifully framed watercolor painting. Two boys were lying on the grass, with countless sparkling stars in the bright blue night sky. One of the boys was pointing in the direction of the brightest star. The painting was stunning, with vibrant and bold colors. Yun He could almost feel the wind blowing through the grass in the scene.

"It's so beautiful..." Yun He couldn't help but exclaim, gently caressing the artwork. "Did you paint this?"

"Indeed. Do you like it?" Gu Jiabei nodded, a hint of pride lifting his brows.

"I love it! I absolutely adore it!" Yun He leaped from the bed and threw himself at Gu Jiabei, causing Gu Jiabei to stumble back two steps before regaining his balance. "Is this how it looked when we celebrated your birthday? Was it really that beautiful? You're amazing, Gu Jiabei."

"In my heart, that day was indeed beautiful," Gu Jiabei whispered as he embraced Yun He.

Yun He's heart skipped a beat.

"You can paint, bake cakes, you can do anything..." Yun He's ears turned red.

Remembering the collapsed cake he had made, Gu Jiabei couldn't help but chuckle. "Baking a cake probably doesn't count as one of those ten skills, right?"

With dewy eyes, Yun He gazed at Gu Jiabei and softly said, "You can also kiss..."

Gu Jiabei smiled. "Are you asking for a kiss?"

"I'm tempting you, actually..." Yun He cautiously drew closer to Gu Jiabei, gently nipping at his earlobe.

"Knowing how to seduce people at just sixteen, what will you be like when you grow up?" Gu Jiabei's voice was low and husky. With one hand, he lifted Yun He's chin. Yun He had grown taller, now about an inch or two shorter than Gu Jiabei, but still around 5'8". His youthful appearance was captivating, and standing together, their vitality was undeniable. The air soon filled with a restless heat that stirred the heart.

Yun He looped his arms around Gu Jiabei's neck, pressing their lips together in a gentle and contented kiss, savoring the softness of Gu Jiabei's lip. Gu Jiabei, in turn, embraced Yun He's slender waist, deepening his breath.

"Don't go back tonight," Gu Jiabei said, tightening his hold on Yun He when the younger boy had finally had his fill.

"Why? Didn't you say you'd wait until I turn eighteen?"

"Yes, that's true. I don't have any other intentions. I just want to sleep with you in my arms. Don't let your imagination run wild," Gu Jiabei grinned, his smile exuding the charm of a rebellious bad boy.

"Well, you certainly have great self-control..." Yun He's waist was growing weak under Gu Jiabei's touch. "How about we change it to when you turn eighteen? That way, we'll have one less year to wait."

"No, both of us have to be eighteen years old first," Gu Jiabei declared firmly.

"But why is that so?" Yun He looked at Gu Jiabei discontentedly. "I'm not a little girl, and I can't get pregnant either. Why do we have to wait until I'm eighteen? Age is just a number. What difference does it make between sixteen and eighteen?"

Gu Jiabei pressed Yun He's head against his shoulder, hiding his expression before he spoke slowly, "Because I want to give you more time to think things through carefully. After all, this path... isn't one that everyone takes. When you're an adult and can take responsibility for your actions, if you still feel as resolute and without regret...

"I won't regret it!" Yun He pulled away from Gu Jiabei's shoulder in protest, gazing unwaveringly into his eyes. "I won't regret it. Why would I when I like you so much? Besides, you're only a year older than me. Why should there be so much to consider? If one doesn't be wild in their youth, they'll regret it later!"

Looking at Yun He, who was earnestly arguing with him, Gu Jiabei's heart softened. He truly wanted to pin Yun He down on the bed right then to see if he could still speak so boldly about being wild in one's youth. But reason told Gu Jiabei that he couldn't, that it wasn't the right time yet.

"Yun He," Gu Jiabei's voice lowered, his expression more serious than ever before. "I'll wait for you until you turn eighteen. Until then, you're free to change your mind. But after that, you can never betray me. If you do, you'll lose me forever, do you understand?"

Yun He, who had just been confidently debating with Gu Jiabei, was now cowed by his aura. He nodded involuntarily and obediently replied, "O... I understand..."

It took Yun He a very long time to fully grasp what had transpired. In the past, Gu Jiabei always claimed that the future was too uncertain, never making light promises about it. Yet, on that day, Yun He became part of Gu Jiabei's future – at least, the Yun He after he turned eighteen. But this was conditional; the Yun He before eighteen must not have reneged on their bond.