Chapter 93: Model

Chapter 93: Model

A month later, Yun He completed his resignation procedures and walked out of school. Gu Jiabei stood outside the teaching building, somewhat lost in thought as he watched the students on the playground drenched in sweat. Yun He approached him unnoticed.

"What are you so engrossed in?" Yun He asked.

Gu Jiabei retracted his gaze. "Is everything done?"

"Yes, it's all done. I can leave this place now."

Gu Jiabei nodded, his eyes returning to the boys running for the basketball under the hoop. "I just suddenly realized how quickly time flies. In the blink of an eye, we've grown up."

Yun He grinned. "What's with you? Are you feeling melancholic like an old man?"

"I remember that summer when we first met; you were just like them, full of energy, bold, and a bit reckless," Gu Jiabei said with a faint smile.

"And then?"

"Then you barged into my life, stayed by my side during my darkest days, but left me when I needed you the most." Gu Jiabei turned to look at Yun He. The breeze brushed against their faces, and his eyes shimmered slightly. "I hated you, resented you. I thought I knew you."

"Yet, I still underestimated you, Yun He."

"Why didn't you tell me about what Zhao Ming did back then? Did you think you'd become a great hero by shouldering everything alone? That all I had to do was think of you and resent you like an idiot, right?" Gu Jiabei's voice was soft, but each word carried a tinge of bitterness.

Yun He stammered, "I'm sorry—"

Gu Jiabei turned around and embraced Yun He. "I'm sorry, Yun He. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you during those tough times."

"Thank you too, for considering me back then, for not forgetting me all these years, and for still seeing me as your whole world."

Yun He's eyes welled up with tears, his eyelashes fluttering. He raised his hand to gently pat Gu Jiabei's back, his voice slightly choked. "You're welcome, Baby Gu. Let's leave the past behind, right or wrong. What matters now is our future."

"Alright." Gu Jiabei tilted his head and kissed Yun He's earlobe softly.

A few days later, Gu Jiabei arrived at Yun He's parents' house with lavish gifts. Cai Mingzhi welcomed him warmly as usual, while Yun Qingtian seemed a bit awkward and avoided eye contact.

Cai Mingzhi nudged his arm. "Can't you see Little Gu brought you a gift? Don't know how to express gratitude, huh? Why are you standing there like a wooden post?"

Only then did Yun Qingtian reluctantly direct his gaze at Gu Jiabei. "Thanks, Little Gu. No need to be so formal."

"Of course, Uncle," Gu Jiabei replied.

"What of it? There's nothing of it! We're not related by blood!" Yun Qingtian suddenly raised his voice.

"Aiyah, you troublesome man, starting again. Didn't you say you understood last night before going to bed?" Cai Mingzhi swatted Yun Qingtian's arm in dissatisfaction.

"I changed my mind after waking up this morning!" Yun Qingtian grumbled. Then, he looked at Yun He and Gu Jiabei with a worried expression. "You two, you're such great kids! Why can't you understand? Why do you have to... have to... sigh!"

"How can't they understand? Didn't you read those fiery comments on the internet recently? When people were insulting your son, you weren't saying that with your alternate account, were you?" Cai Mingzhi exposed him. "Who was replying in the middle of the night, saying, 'Two outstanding boys wanting to be together, what does it have to do with you? Instead of wasting your time here, go home and help your parents more. Stop being envious and jealous of others just because you're full and have nothing better to do.'"

"He even said that he thought they were a perfect match and gave his full support, saying no one could change his mind. In the end, he was chased by thousands of replies, asking who he was and why his tone sounded like their father. That's what you call having too much time on your hands and meddling in other people's business!"

Yun Qingtian felt embarrassed from being exposed. "I was just standing up for my son."

"Then aren't you happy that your son is now living happily?" Cai Mingzhi asked.

"I..." Yun Qingtian couldn't answer.

"Dad," Yun He hugged Yun Qingtian's arm affectionately. "I know you love me the most. Don't worry, I'll live very well, happier and more loving than you and Mom."

Yun Qingtian glared. "Nonsense, who in this world could be happier than your mother?"

"Ahh, I was wrong, I was wrong. I'll work hard to live up to you and Mom's standards, alright?" Yun He submitted.

Yun Qingtian's expression softened slightly.

"Uncle, don't worry, I'll definitely take good care of Yun He," Gu Jiabei interjected at the right moment.

Although Yun Qingtian was still reluctant, he eventually gave in. "Then don't let my son turn out like me, idling away his days in the kitchen."

"If I have time in the future, I'll cook," Gu Jiabei offered.

"Should the two of you men ever argue, please don't resort to physical violence. My son has always been afraid of pain, so don't hit him," Yun Qingtian instructed, still concerned.

"I won't, Uncle. I would never lay a hand on him," Gu Jiabei promised, silently adding in his mind: except in bed.

"Yun He likes sweets, but not ginger or cilantro. He eats male prawns but not females. He doesn't like fish roe when eating fish, and he drinks a glass of water every morning. And—"

"Enough, are you marrying off a daughter? What are you doing, embarrassing yourself?" Cai Mingzhi interrupted Yun Qingtian's endless chatter. "You're so naggy, it's annoying. Come on, Little Gu, let's not talk to him. Let's get him back to the kitchen to cook, and I'll chat with you."

"You're the annoying one! My son is about to follow this pesky kid to an unfamiliar city and start a new life, and I can't even give him a few words of advice?!" Yun Qingtian turned away with a huff and headed for the kitchen. "I don't even want to bother with either of you!"

Gu Jiabei was pulled by Cai Mingzhi to sit on the sofa. "Ignore him, he's been acting strange lately."

"Mom, I'll go into the kitchen to see Dad," Yun He followed into the kitchen.

"Dad." As soon as Yun He entered the kitchen, he approached Yun Qingtian, leaning against his back in a coquettish manner.

Yun Qingtian continued cutting vegetables with his knife, not turning to look at his son.

"Hehe, I know Dad loves me, and I love Dad the most too. Don't worry, Dad, you can tell me anything, I won't think you're bothering me," Yun He wrapped his arms around his father's back, resting his head on his dad's shoulder.

"I'm annoyed by you. You're already grown up, yet you're so clingy. Get off me," Yun Qingtian shrugged his shoulders.

"Sorry, Dad," Yun He whispered softly. "I... This isn't a sickness, and I can't change it. It's who I am for life, but I promise Gu Jiabei and I will work hard to love each other properly."

Yun Qingtian's eyes reddened as he sniffled, "This chili really is spicy."

Yun He's eyes also reddened, but he smiled. "Yeah, it's quite spicy."

After a while, Yun Qingtian said softly, "As long as my son is happy, I'm happy. We only live once, after all; everyone has their own preferences. Who the hell cares? And who the hell has the right to care?"

Yun He was at home packing his luggage. There wasn't much he needed to take with him.

"Oh, bring that sketchbook!" Yun He rushed into the study and then ran back to the living room, clutching his beloved sketchbook. "I need to take this."

"How did you find it?" Gu Jiabei took the sketchbook, noticing that Yun He had carefully preserved its contents by resealing them.

"You weren't going to keep it anyway, so why should it matter how I found it?" Yun He pouted, snatching the book back.

Gu Jiabei looked at him calmly. "You're being petulant now."

Yun He ignored him, placing the sketchbook in an inner compartment of his suitcase. Just as he finished packing and was about to stand up, Gu Jiabei, who was sitting on the floor, pulled him down.

"Ahh!" Yun He cried out in surprise.

Gu Jiabei protected his head, pressing him down onto the carpet. "I didn't want to get rid of it, but taking it with me back then would have been more painful."

"But it almost ended up in the trash," Yun He protested, pouting unhappily.

Gu Jiabei lowered his head and kissed Yun He's lips. "Then I'll draw you a new one."

"I don't need it. No matter how much you draw, you can't capture the vigor of my youth anymore."

"But I can sketch your mature charm now."

"Then draw me!" Yun He challenged.

Gu Jiabei grinned mischievously. "Alright."

Five minutes later, Yun He stood naked in the living room, covering his private parts with embarrassment. "Gu Jiabei, are you crazy? It's broad daylight... You... You're committing lewd acts in public!"

"This is artistic creation. Stand still and remove your hand," Gu Jiabei instructed from behind his easel, rapidly sketching lines on the paper while stealing glances at Yun He.

Yun He couldn't match Gu Jiabei's audacity. He was too embarrassed, never having been a nude model before; his composure couldn't keep up.

"I'm not doing this anymore, not anymore," Yun He declared, turning to run away.

Gu Jiabei chased after him, catching up and pinning Yun He onto the carpet. His hand circled Yun He's thigh persistently. "Didn't you ask me to draw you?"

Yun He felt a tickling and burning sensation from the touch. "I didn't ask you to draw this kind of picture!"

"What's the difference between this kind and that kind? It's all art. Why does it sound like you're playing favorites?" Gu Jiabei maliciously moved his hand from Yun He's thigh to the back, massaging the firm buttocks with the palm of his hand, while his fingers traced an ambiguous circle around a sensitive area.

Yun He's entire body tensed up, uncontrollably shivering. "You... don't do this..."

"What did I do?" Gu Jiabei leaned down and whispered in Yun He's ear, making a suggestive gesture with his fingers. "Like this?"

With just that gesture, a gasp escaped Yun He's throat.

Gu Jiabei carried Yun He by the waist towards the bedroom. "This time, you don't have to worry about your clothes."

"A nude model."