Chapter 69: Don’t Punish Me for Too Long

Chapter 69: Don't Punish Me for Too Long

The next day, Yun He truly used all his willpower to drag himself out of bed, only to instantly fall back to the ground when he tried to stand up.

Not knowing when Gu Jiabei had left, Yun He couldn't help but feel a sense of loss. Dragging his aching and exhausted body, he went to the bathroom to freshen up.

After Yun He finished washing up, he heard the sound of someone unlocking the door. He immediately poked his head out from the bathroom and saw Gu Jiabei returning with breakfast in hand.

"How did you find the key to my place?" Yun He was pleasantly surprised and quickly headed towards the living room.

"I found it hanging by the entrance," Gu Jiabei replied nonchalantly, placing the breakfast on the dining table.

Yun He followed and as soon as he sat down on the chair, he winced in pain and quickly stood back up.

"I got some ointment for you. Apply it later," Gu Jiabei said, sitting down beside Yun He.

"Will you help me apply it?" Yun He asked.

"There's a cotton swab," Gu Jiabei replied.

"No one else's touch compares to yours..." Yun He leaned closer to Gu Jiabei, purposefully exhaling near his face.

Gu Jiabei shot him a sidelong glance. "Stop being flirtatious."

Seeing Gu Jiabei remain unflustered, Yun He obediently returned to his original spot.

"Well, you can drive me to work after we eat," Yun He devised another plan, clinging to Gu Jiabei. "My car is still parked in front of Lin Yong's shop."

Gu Jiabei didn't respond, merely unpacking the breakfast he had bought – steamed dumplings, soy milk, and fried dough sticks.

Worried that Gu Jiabei might refuse, Yun He hastily added, "It'll be difficult to catch a taxi during rush hour."

Satisfied with what he deemed a flawless excuse, Yun He waited for Gu Jiabei's response. When none came, he happily picked up a dumpling to eat.

"Sit down and eat," Gu Jiabei instructed.

"I'm more comfortable standing," Yun He replied, giving Gu Jiabei a glare.

Yun He clearly sensed that Gu Jiabei was less distant this time around compared to their previous encounter. At least he had bought breakfast, ointment, and agreed to take him to work. Indeed, actions spoke louder than words between men.

With this in mind, Yun He began to scheme.

"Ahem." Yun He cleared his throat.

Gu Jiabei looked up at Yun He standing nearby.

"Um... my mom knows you're back. After all these years, she misses you," Yun He observed Gu Jiabei's expression as he spoke. "She would like to invite you over for dinner. Would that be convenient?"

"When?"

"Tonight?" Yun He ventured.

Gu Jiabei suddenly smiled, a smile that made Yun He feel uneasy.

"What's so funny? Are you happy or not about it..." Yun He asked.

"Why do you want to spend another night with me after we just spent the past two nights together?" Gu Jiabei asked with a grin.

"I didn't mean it like that. I just wanted to invite you over for a simple dinner. That's all. I don't have any other plans!" Yun He clarified. He genuinely only wanted to share an innocent meal; he had no ulterior motives as Gu Jiabei seemed to imply...

Certainly, if energy permitted... it wouldn't be impossible...

"From the day we met, you wanted to spend three consecutive days with me. I wonder how you managed to endure all these years," Gu Jiabei said with an indifferent smile.

Though his tone was casual, both knew the answer held great significance.

Yun He slowly sat down beside Gu Jiabei, barely touching the edge of the chair.

"I'm a toad," Yun He grimaced.

Gu Jiabei raised an eyebrow, urging him to elaborate.

"When I couldn't see my swan, I could only secretly think about you. For years, I only dared to call Lu Angyu when drunk; I'm sure he's told you about it and complained about me multiple times," Yun He smiled bitterly. "But now that I've found my swan, I lack self-control. I just want to be by your side every day."

Gu Jiabei remained silent, his gaze deep and unreadable as he looked at Yun He.

"I don't wish to justify myself, but I was only sixteen back then... I admit I wasn't as resolute as you were... Besides, I believed you could have made better choices... But I regret it now..." Yun He gazed at Gu Jiabei, his eyes slightly reddened. "Since the day I couldn't find you in this city anymore, I've regretted it... Why can't there be a better life with me...?"

After so many years, he finally voiced the words that had been weighing on his heart: "But since I made my decision, how could I have the face to seek you out? Perhaps you would despise me even more for contradicting myself, claiming to act for your benefit while trying to bind you... I constantly reminded myself, Yun He, don't regret it, you did the right thing – Gu Jiabei has started anew... Yet, I couldn't bear to let you go... So I could only harass Lu Angyu while drunk... Am I quite selfish and contradictory, huh...?"

Yun He spoke in a fragmented manner, trying his best not to cry, but a tear or two still managed to escape.

"I'm sorry..." Yun He held onto Gu Jiabei's hand tightly. "I know what I say now won't make a difference, but can you just give me another chance?"

"Then what?" Gu Jiabei chuckled softly. "Yun He, we're not kids anymore. Do you really think I'd believe you? You said you wanted to separate when we were together every day, and now, after a decade-long gap, you say you still want to be together. Isn't that laughable? Are you truly sure you still like me?"

"I do like you..." The corners of Yun He's eyes reddened.

"Yun He," Gu Jiabei sighed softly. "I admit I enjoyed our intimate moments, but I can't trust you anymore. The trust I had in you when I was seventeen might not have meant much to you, but it was the only time for me. We can't go back, can we?"

Gu Jiabei stood up. "I'll wait for you in the car. Finish your meal first."

"But I still like you!" Yun He tugged on Gu Jiabei's wrist, shouting desperately. Two streams of tears finally rolled down his smooth, fair cheeks. "Gu Jiabei, I regret it... I really do..."

"On that day, you cried too... I couldn't tell if there were more raindrops or tears." Just like back then, Gu Jiabei gently wiped away Yun He's tears, but his words were cutting. "But I remember telling you not to regret it."

The ointment Gu Jiabei had bought was left untouched on the dining table. Yun He didn't have the face to ask Gu Jiabei to apply it to him now. The atmosphere between them froze anew due to Yun He's confession.

Yun He endured the pain in his lower body and stepped into the large G-Class car with large strides. The two of them set off in an awkward silence.

After driving for a while, Yun He's emotions stabilized somewhat. He then mustered the courage to initiate a conversation.

"Are... Are you still coming over to my mom's for dinner tonight?" Yun He turned to look at Gu Jiabei, who was driving.

"I'll go. I haven't seen Auntie in years, so I miss her," Gu Jiabei replied, focusing on the road ahead.

"Well, I'll give her a call later. She'll definitely be thrilled to see you," Yun He said, feeling slightly better. Although Gu Jiabei had not accepted him, he had not completely cut off all contact either. Yun He was determined to do everything in his power to salvage their relationship, no matter how slim the chance.

"Don't let her down," Yun He warned, using Cai Mingzhi as leverage. "Don't lie to her and get her hopes up for nothing."

Gu Jiabei watched as the traffic light turned, pressing down harder on the accelerator. The G-Class sped through the intersection just as the red light came on. With a nonchalant tone, he said, "I'm not you."

Yun He's slightly improved mood was dashed by Gu Jiabei's cold response. Tears welled up in his eyes, and his nose tingled with sadness. He turned away, staring out the window, muttering softly, "...Do you have to make me feel so humiliated?"

Gu Jiabei's fingers tightened around the steering wheel. Glancing at Yun He's visibly hurt expression, even in the back of his head, his brows knitted involuntarily.

The rest of the journey was spent in silence. It wasn't until they arrived at Yun He's school gate that Gu Jiabei finally spoke up, "We're here."

"Um... thank you..." Yun He's voice lacked vitality, and his gaze wandered, avoiding direct eye contact with Gu Jiabei.

He was afraid of being hurt by Gu Jiabei's words again, even if he had mentally prepared himself, he couldn't withstand continuous cold sarcasm.

Yet, he didn't want to get out of the car, nor did he want to be separated from Gu Jiabei, so he could only fidget uneasily inside.

Gu Jiabei didn't rush him, just kept staring at him.

"You've changed, Gu Jiabei..." After a while, Yun He mustered the courage to complain, albeit softly, revealing a lack of confidence, "You never used to bear to make me sad before... But now, your casual words can make me miserable for a long time."

Looking at Gu Jiabei somewhat aggrieved, Yun He sniffled slightly, "I know, I've also made you sad before, and this is your punishment for me... but, please don't punish me for too long, okay?"

Gu Jiabei remained silent, simply opening a crack in the window to light a cigarette. After taking a couple of puffs, he spoke slowly, "Get out of the car."

"Then come pick me up tonight." Yun He, bearing the sting of Gu Jiabei's indifference, said, "My car is still parked outside Lin Yong's shop, isn't it?"

"I'll have someone drive it back for you."

"But I'm not physically able to drive... You hurt me too much..." Yun He's lips curled downward, his eyes filled with grievance.

Gu Jiabei took a deep drag on his cigarette, meeting Yun He's gaze. Eventually, he couldn't bear to be harsh any longer. "…We'll talk about it later."

The resentment in Yun He's eyes visibly vanished, replaced by the joy of receiving a promise. "Then it's settled. Drive safely on your way there, and we'll see each other tonight." Yun He left without looking back.

Gu Jiabei watched his limping figure, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

A sacrifice to evoke sympathy.

Shaking his head, Gu Jiabei, with a cigarette between his lips, sarcastically muttered to himself, "Who's punishing whom, really?"