Chapter 70: A Guest

Chapter 70: A Guest

After arriving at school, Yun He sent his mother a message, informing her that he would be bringing Gu Jiabei home for dinner tonight. Her reply was, "I haven't seen you so efficient before. Don't worry, I'll cook a big feast for you both."

Yun He put away his phone with a smile. Although Gu Jiabei's words in the morning had made him upset, he motivated himself anew. As long as Gu Jiabei still had a tiny place for him in his heart, Yun He would strive to root himself there like a resilient weed in a narrow crevice.

So let the storm rage on, Yun He smiled at his reflection in the office wall mirror and silently cheered himself on, "Come on! Don't care about your pride!"

Nonetheless, Yun He still had a difficult day. Apart from not being able to sit comfortably, standing for too long also caused discomfort. Most importantly, his voice was strained from overuse the previous night, and after a day of teaching, he feared he might end up mute.

"Are you off work?" Yun He messaged Gu Jiabei after his last class, standing by his desk.

To his surprise, Gu Jiabei replied instantly, "Outside the door."

A grin tugged at the corners of Yun He's lips as he looked at his phone.

"I'm leaving, Teacher Jin," Yun He croaked, greeting Teacher Jin, who had just finished his class.

"Oh dear, your throat," remarked Teacher Jin, unaware of the reason for Yun He's condition, assuming it was due to the strain of teaching. "Go home and rest well."

Yun He waved at Teacher Jin and headed towards the school building, wishing he could dash to the G-Class like a sprinter if not for his limp.

"As early as usual," Yun He chirped at Gu Jiabei the moment he got in the car, though his voice was uncharacteristically unpleasant.

Gu Jiabei frowned. "What happened to your throat?"

"Being held down by you all night...I screamed until my voice went hoarse, and then I had to teach all day," Yun He glanced at Gu Jiabei with a mix of embarrassment and reproach.

Gu Jiabei started the car but after driving for less than five minutes, he pulled over to the side of the road and turned on the hazard lights. "Wait here for me."

Without waiting for Yun He's response, Gu Jiabei alighted from the car. His long strides were swift, and Yun He watched him leave with a puzzled gaze. When he saw Gu Jiabei enter a pharmacy, Yun He suddenly felt that even if he really lost his voice, it would be worth it.

Sure enough, after Gu Jiabei returned, he tossed a bag of medicine onto Yun He's lap. He switched off the hazard lights, skillfully merged into traffic, and said, "There are throat lozenges, cough syrup, anti-inflammatory medication, and a bottle of water. Open them and take them yourself."

"Okay." Yun He happily chose a throat lozenge and popped it into his mouth.

Gu Jiabei glanced at him. "Take the rest of the medicine too."

"Okay." Yun He obediently grabbed the other medications and consumed them. Perhaps it was a psychological effect, but he immediately felt a soothing coolness in his throat.

As they drew closer to Cai Mingzhi's home, the expression on Gu Jiabei's face grew increasingly cold. Returning to their old residence stirred up emotions that needed no words.

"The area was rebuilt after the demolition. It must look very different now… The basketball court is gone too," Yun He said anxiously, casting a glance at Gu Jiabei.

"Everything has changed beyond recognition, as time has the power to transform all," Gu Jiabei replied, his words carrying a double meaning.

"Only the surroundings have altered; many of our old neighbors are still here. The essence of human relationships and familiar objects remains," Yun He argued.

Gu Jiabei didn't respond further.

Gu Jiabei had brought along a variety of gifts: high-end liquor and tobacco, skincare products, cosmetics, and an expensive designer handbag for Cai Mingzhi.

When Cai Mingzhi opened the door to welcome Gu Jiabei into her home, she was more affectionate than if he were her own son, barely holding back from giving him a kiss.

"Come in, come in, let Auntie take a good look at you!" Cai Mingzhi beamed, holding onto Gu Jiabei's hand.

"Oh my, your demeanor, your looks," she exclaimed with a series of tuts. "I always knew Little Gu would amount to something. You're clearly different from Lin Yong and his crowd."

At that moment, Lin Yong sneezed in his shop.

"Auntie, Uncle, how are you both doing?" In front of elders, Gu Jiabei instinctively transformed into a well-behaved and polite child that everyone adored.

"Fine, fine, we're in great health, appetite's excellent," Yun Qingtian tugged at Cai Mingzhi. "Let Little Gu sit down and have some tea before we chat."

"Hahaha... Alright, I'm just too happy. Little Gu, come here, quickly come and sit." Cai Mingzhi still refused to let go, pulling Gu Jiabei towards the sofa.

Baiyun, nestled in the center of the sofa, rarely got up when he saw Gu Jiabei. It wagged its tail slightly before settling back down.

"Oh, what a perceptive cat. It knows Little Gu is back and finally stood up, even if it didn't move from its spot," Yun Qingtian chuckled, then poured a cup of tea for Gu Jiabei.

"Thank you, Uncle." Gu Jiabei took the tea with both hands and placed it on the coffee table before walking to Baiyun and scooping it into his arms.

"Do you remember me?" Gu Jiabei asked.

"Mew..." Baiyun let out a barely audible meow.

"It's just getting old," Yun He joined them by Baiyun's side.

"Yes, Baiyun has been waiting for your return, longing to see you every day. When will my Jiabei little brother come back to visit me?" Cai Mingzhi laughed. "We've finally waited for you."

Yun He cast a glance at Cai Mingzhi, who only beamed at Gu Jiabei with a playful smile.

"Um, I'm back," Gu Jiabei whispered to Little Baiyun.

Yun He's heart trembled. He was unsure whom Gu Jiabei's words were meant for.

"Are you leaving again after this visit?" Yun Qingtian asked, then gestured towards the sofa. "Sit down, both of you. No need to stand while chatting."

"I will leave. There are other work arrangements in the pipeline," Gu Jiabei said as he sat on the sofa with Little Baiyun in his arms.

Yun He's heart sank. He had no idea when Gu Jiabei would depart once more and what their future held after this departure.

"I heard that the largest gym is yours? I even saw an exclusive feature on it in a magazine. Why wasn't your name mentioned?" Cai Mingzhi commented.

"Because no one interviewed me," Gu Jiabei replied with a smile.

"You've really made a name for yourself. You're talented. By the way, did your mom come back with you this time?" Cai Mingzhi continued. "It's been years since I last saw her. I miss her. You both just up and left without any notice back then. Your mom even changed her phone number; we couldn't get in touch with her."

"My mom is doing well. She has settled in Shanghai and opened a cake shop," Gu Jiabei chuckled, skillfully diverting the conversation. "She's always wanted to come back for a visit. I'll arrange for all of us to meet when the time comes."

"Aha, really? That's great, fantastic!" Cai Mingzhi clapped her hands in delight.

Yun Qingtian sat for a while before rushing to the kitchen to cook. Cai Mingzhi chattered away, engaging Gu Jiabei in conversation, asking about his university, work experiences after graduation, and whether he had a girlfriend or was single. Gu Jiabei didn't mind and happily conversed with Cai Mingzhi, leaving Yun He feeling like an extra in their lively exchange. It wasn't until Yun Qingtian placed the last dish on the table that Cai Mingzhi finally ceased her questioning.

"Come, Little Gu, try this. It's Uncle's specialty!" Yun Qingtian used a serving chopstick to place a fried eggplant pocket onto Gu Jiabei's plate.

"Little Gu, Little Gu, eat more meat. Look at how thin you are. How can someone so tall not look heavy at all?" Cai Mingzhi picked up a large chicken leg and put it on Gu Jiabei's plate. "Don't be shy, Little Gu. Have more. If there's anything else you like, tell Auntie, and I'll make it for you next time you visit."

"You? Haha, don't even joke. Which of these dishes weren't made by me?" Yun Qingtian replied.

"Well, didn't I accompany you to buy groceries?" Cai Mingzhi shot a glance at Yun Qingtian.

"Yes, but I ended up carrying all the groceries back by myself while you were eating ice cream and ogling at handsome guys on the street."

"It's not like carrying some vegetables would exhaust a grown man."

"But you were looking at other men! That's the point!"

"I'm just looking, not doing anything. As if you guys don't check out pretty girls when you walk down the street!"

...

...

Throughout the meal, which was meant for four, Yun Qingtian and his wife somehow turned it into a dramatic performance. It wasn't until Gu Jiabei called that they finally quieted down.

"Alright, send me the schedule when you've arranged it," Gu Jiabei said before hanging up.

"Seems like work keeps you busy?" Cai Mingzhi asked.

"It's manageable. I mostly just go through the motions; the professionals handle the actual tasks," Gu Jiabei replied. The warmth from the food had made him roll up his shirt sleeves. Listening to Cai Mingzhi and her husband bicker for a while had unknowingly put him at ease.

"How wonderful. If only I had a daughter, I'd insist she marry you," Cai Mingzhi exclaimed.

Gu Jiabei glanced at Yun He and smiled. Perhaps it was the amicable atmosphere or the effect of alcohol after Yun Qingtian's persistent urging, but his gaze seemed to carry a hint of indulgence and tenderness.

Despite the fleeting glance, it was the first time in so many days that Yun He had seen the familiar gaze in Gu Jiabei's eyes. His heart leaped uncontrollably, and his nose tingled with unshed tears.

"Right, didn't you say the other day that you wanted to be a rich lady? If you had a daughter who married Little Gu, you wouldn't become a rich lady, but a wealthy mother-in-law, hahaha…" Yun Qingtian teased.

"That's not the point!" Cai Mingzhi shot Yun Qingtian a disapproving look, then turned to Gu Jiabei with a warm smile. "Auntie isn't interested in your money. I genuinely like you, dear. I've liked you since we were neighbors."

"Mom, you might not be after money, but you're after looks," Yun He chuckled from the side.

"Nonsense! Only I'm after looks, huh? Aren't you after looks too? If you weren't, why did you stick so closely to Little Gu back then? After he moved out, who was the one acting like they'd lost their soul?" Cai Mingzhi scolded.

Yun He's smile froze on his face; he was sure his mom had deliberately said this.

For a long time after Gu Jiabei had moved away, Cai Mingzhi had noticed Yun He's unusual behavior. But neither of them had ever explicitly discussed it, until Yun He went off to university and left home.

"Mom..." Yun He felt at a loss.

"What's wrong? Did I say something wrong? You were calling someone's name in your feverish delirium one night. Do you really think your mother didn't hear you?" Cai Mingzhi pouted.

Gu Jiabei gazed across at Yun He, his dark eyes seemingly drunk with emotion.

"Hmm? Whose name were you calling?" Yun Qingtian looked puzzled.

"Cai Mingzhi shot back, "Go drink your wine, this doesn't concern you."

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean? If it doesn't concern me, then it concerns you?" Yun Qingtian was indignant.

"Yun Qingtian, are you looking for a fight?"

"Resorting to violence when you can't win in an argument. Who taught you that?" Yun Qingtian shook his head disapprovingly.

"I'm not in the mood to deal with you," Cai Mingzhi said, rolling her eyes at Yun Qingtian. She then turned to Gu Jiabei and said, "Little Gu, come with Auntie for a moment. There are some things I'd like to discuss with you privately."

"Mom?!" Yun He exclaimed in surprise. He had never talked to his mother about Gu Jiabei before. He had no idea what she wanted to say to Gu Jiabei all of a sudden.

"Wife, what do you want to talk to Little Gu about alone?" Yun Qingtian looked clueless, as some matters didn't fit into his straight man mindset, and he genuinely had no idea.

"You two carry on with your meal and drinks," Cai Mingzhi waved dismissively. "Come along, Little Gu. Let's go with Auntie."

"Alright." Gu Jiabei stood up, glanced at Yun He, and followed Cai Mingzhi into the small study.

"What could they possibly discuss in private?" Yun Qingtian asked his son, utterly perplexed.

"Umm... about life, I guess..." Yun He looked guiltily at his father.

"But shouldn't Mom be discussing life with me?!"

"Well, you'd have to ask her about that..."

The father and son sat there, staring at each other blankly, until Gu Jiabei and Cai Mingzhi emerged from the study. Yun Qingtian was still thoroughly confused.

Both men fixed their eyes on the faces of Gu Jiabei and Cai Mingzhi, trying to discern any clues, but their expressions seemed unchanged from before they entered the study. It was impossible to tell if their conversation had been pleasant or not.

"Auntie, it's getting late. I won't disturb you and Uncle's rest," Gu Jiabei said, standing by the dining table. "Uncle, next time, I'll treat you to a drink."

"Oh, alright, that's good," Yun Qingtian replied, dazed.

"I'll go with you then. You shouldn't drive after drinking, so I'll send you," Yun He promptly stood up from his seat.

"You've also had a drink," Gu Jiabei pointed out.

"I'll take a taxi with you," Yun He insisted firmly.

"Less talking, let's hurry. Your hoarse voice has been torturous for me all evening," Cai Mingzhi said, looking at his son with disdain. He then affectionately patted Gu Jiabei's arm, showing obvious favoritism. "Well, Auntie won't keep you. Be careful on your way."

"Alright, Auntie. You should also rest early," Gu Jiabei replied with a gentle smile.