Chapter 18 Gift

Chapter 18 Gift

"What's the big deal about a birthmark on the waist?"

Gu Shiying had no idea what had triggered Fu Huan—was this really worth such an intense inner thought?

Ever since he learned that the inner voices he heard were people’s most urgent and intense desires at that moment, he couldn’t look Fu Huan in the eye anymore.

Did Fu Huan have nothing else to do? He had actually become Fu Huan’s biggest desire right now.

At that moment, Fu Huan had no idea that Gu Shiying’s mind had raced a thousand miles in two seconds. Calmly wiping the water off his face, he was even less aware that Gu Shiying’s spitting out water was the strongest reaction to hearing his inner voice, mistaking it for a reaction to almost drowning that had reddened his face.

In reality, Gu Shiying had also coughed for a long time from choking on water, his face half red from coughing and half from embarrassment.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Seeing that he was still coughing, Fu Huan pulled him out of the pool.

Gu Shiying sat by the edge of the pool, drenched, his head hanging dejectedly as he wiped the water from his face. He subtly scooted away from Fu Huan, maintaining some social distance.

Fu Huan asked him, "Feeling better?"

"Yeah." Gu Shiying nodded, his throat sore from choking. He had swallowed some water and felt a bit nauseous.

Fu Huan put his own towel on Gu Shiying’s shoulder. "Going into the deep end before you’ve even learned how to swim—trying to get yourself killed?"

Gu Shiying used the towel to wipe the water from his face. "I just didn't notice I’d swum into the deep end."

Fu Huan asked, "You know now?"

Gu Shiying knew he was mocking him, but it really was his own fault.

"I know."

Fu Huan glanced at him, unable to bring himself to scold him further, and his tone softened. "Be more careful next time. If you really want to learn, I can teach you. At least it’ll be safer than you trying on your own."

Gu Shiying was instantly thrown back to the moment he heard Fu Huan’s inner voice. "I don’t really want to learn that badly. I just need to pass the final exam. Being able to swim is enough."

Fu Huan had always maintained a sense of propriety with Gu Shiying. "Come to the pool more often to practice. Have Zhang Zhi come with you."

"Okay." Gu Shiying nodded eagerly, not wanting Fu Huan to lecture him again. Every time he did something stupid, he always ran into Fu Huan. He had nothing to say—why couldn’t Fu Huan just see him in his good moments?

Having choked on water and almost felt the fear of drowning, Gu Shiying didn’t want to stay in the water any longer. His head was still fuzzy, so he headed back to the locker room with Fu Huan’s towel, completely forgetting he was still in the middle of P.E. class.

Since it was class time, the locker room was nearly empty. Before class, it had been full of boys changing clothes, but now nothing but rows of lockers remained, along with him and Fu Huan, who had followed him in.

The air around them grew strangely tense and thick, and Gu Shiying felt his breathing grow heavier.

Normally, he could change clothes right in front of Zhang Zhi without a second thought, but now—he couldn’t do it at all!

What should he do?

In the dorm, there was at least a bathroom, but here the shower area just had dividers without doors. He was afraid of Fu Huan.

Fu Huan’s eyes dropped, landing on Gu Shiying’s lower back. "Aren’t you going to shower?"

"In a sec." Gu Shiying casually placed the back of his hand over his lower back, barely covering the birthmark there.

Fu Huan’s locker turned out to be right next to his. His eyes lingered on the birthmark on Gu Shiying’s waist for a second.

Though discreet, his gaze was detected by Gu Shiying, who was becoming increasingly attuned to Fu Huan's presence.

Having observed Fu Huan frequently lately, even Gu Shiying, dense as he was, could notice that Fu Huan’s pupils would dilate when looking at him. His eyes no longer carried a lazy, bored expression but showed emotions he rarely displayed—excitement, for instance.

Gu Shiying lingered by the lockers until Fu Huan randomly chose a shower stall. Only then did Gu Shiying choose the one farthest away, rushed through his shower as fast as possible, and threw on his clothes without even toweling off.

When Fu Huan came out, he was a little taken aback by how quickly Gu Shiying was done.

“Rushing to your next life? You didn’t even dry off.”

Gu Shiying tossed his towel to Fu Huan, turning away without daring to look at the naked man standing before him. Brother Huan is just too damn impressive.

Shit!

Why should a straight guy like him care? That thing is for Fu Huan’s future boyfriend to worry about anyway—it’s none of his business.

Gu Shiying blurted out an excuse: “I’ll shower again in the dorm. No soap here—can’t get really clean.”

“Oh.” That was a valid reason.

Fu Huan took his time drying off and only started getting dressed after Gu Shiying was fully clothed.

Just then, a group of people poured into the locker room, including Zhang Zhi.

Thank god you showed up when you did, bro!

Fu Huan had shown up so quickly when Gu Shiying nearly drowned that hardly anyone noticed—not even the lifeguard realized he had already gotten out of the water.

Zhang Zhi babbled excitedly about his earlier diving competition.

From his peripheral vision, Gu Shiying saw Fu Huan finish packing up. When Fu Huan noticed Zhang Zhi had entered, he said nothing and left with his sports bag.

Zhang Zhi: “Ying Er, why’d you get out so soon?”

Gu Shiying: “I’m tired.”

Zhang Zhi: “Did you figure it out? If not, I can teach you this weekend.”

Gu Shiying thought about how Zhang Zhi was easily sidetracked by anything fun and decided against it.

He said confidently, “It’s fine, I’ll find time to practice on my own this weekend.”

Still spooked from almost drowning, he had no desire to go back to the pool. What a pain—how was he going to pass the final exam? He needed to secure the credit for this elective.

Swimming is exhausting. Gu Shiying had dinner with Zhang Zhi in the cafeteria, and as soon as they returned to the dorm, Yang Shuhang latched onto him.

Yang Shuhang: “Ying Er, are you free on Saturday?”

Gu Shiying: “What’s up?”

Yang Shuhang: “Want to hit the mall with me? I need to buy gifts.”

Gu Shiying: “Birthday gifts?”

Yang Shuhang: “No, no. You guys helped me last time, and I meant to treat you to a meal, but we got too into it and ended up with Brother Huan footing the bill. So I want to get everyone a gift—yours will be a bit bigger—and I want your opinion.”

Gu Shiying: “Don’t be so formal! We’re brothers—we don’t stand on ceremony.”

Yang Shuhang: “Nah, my mom taught me to always return the favor when someone helps out!”

Gu Shiying didn't insist further—he could refuse for himself, but he couldn’t accept favors on others’ behalf.

On Saturday morning, the two slept in and headed out before lunch. Yang Shuhang hailed a taxi straight to the city’s biggest mall with Gu Shiying.

As an ordinary college student, Gu Shiying never imagined he’d step into a mall where he could spot international luxury brands at a glance.

He was even more shocked by Yang Shuhang’s financial power. “What are you planning to buy? These brands are pretty expensive, aren’t they?”

But Yang Shuhang was stuck. “I usually go shopping with my mom, and she always buys skincare products as gifts. What do guys even like?”

Gu Shiying was even more clueless. “I’m not sure either. Maybe look up some gift ideas online?”

Yang Shuhang grabbed his arm and headed into the mall. “No need—we’ll just buy whatever catches our eye.”

Since Yang Shuhang had cut ties with the band, he’d been spending more time in the dorm and interacting more with Gu Shiying. Over time, Gu Shiying had come to understand Yang Shuhang’s personality a bit better.

Previously, Yang Shuhang would come back exhausted from practice, shower, and pass out right away. With his sharp, delicate, idol-style heart-shaped face, Gu Shiying had assumed he was an aloof, cool idol-in-the-making.

It was a natural assumption. Gu Shiying once had a classmate whose parents set up social media accounts for him early on, spending hundreds of thousands annually on private lessons in dance, music, and more. That classmate also had an aloof vibe and his own team—he’d be picked up by his manager right after class. Gu Shiying barely saw him even after graduation, let alone interacted with him.

But after spending more time with Yang Shuhang lately, Gu Shiying realized he was actually a lively, sometimes chatty, rich kid with a simple heart—a far cry from the cold, future idol image. He was just adorably genuine.

Today, Gu Shiying noticed another trait: Yang Shuhang spent money without batting an eye, hardly even glancing at price tags.

Watching him swipe his card without a second thought, Gu Shiying couldn’t help but ask, “Don’t you check the prices?”

Yang Shuhang replied, “I did. My mom said anything under ten thousand per item doesn’t need her approval.”

Gu Shiying: “…”

Wow, so this is what it means to be a young master with deep pockets.

Yang Shuhang urged Gu Shiying to pick something he liked, but Gu Shiying shook his head. “No need, I don’t need anything.”

Gu Shiying wasn’t particularly materialistic—he only bought what he needed, when he needed it. But today, he gained a deeper understanding of Yang Shuhang’s spending habits. No wonder his bandmates were happy to spend his money while calling him “young master” behind his back—he was basically a giant money tree.

Looking at their four hands nearly full with shopping bags, Yang Shuhang exclaimed, “Shoot, I almost forgot I came here to buy gifts.”

Gu Shiying sighed helplessly. “You finally remembered.”

Yang Shuhang grinned awkwardly. “Hehe, let’s go. For real this time.”

While selecting gifts, they ruled out skincare products and fancy food gift boxes as too ordinary. Then, passing by a branded smartphone store, Yang Shuhang had an idea. “Old Guan’s Bluetooth earphones broke—I’ll get him a new pair.”

Gu Shiying, tired of shopping, nodded casually. “Sounds good.”

Suddenly inspired, Yang Shuhang continued, “Brother Huan likes smoking—I can buy him a lighter. I’m not sure about Liang Qi’s preferences, but I noticed he’s been breaking out in acne. Maybe a men’s skincare set? As for Ying Er… still no idea what you want?”

Gu Shiying said, “You don’t have to get me anything. Just treat me to another meal.”

“No way!” Yang Shuhang insisted, dropping the subject of preferences. “I’ll prepare a blind box for you—you’ll get whatever’s inside.”

Gu Shiying agreed, “Fine.” Yang Shuhang was clearly determined to give them all gifts.

It took another half hour before Yang Shuhang finished selecting everything.

By the time they returned to campus, it was already 8 p.m. Gu Shiying collapsed onto his bed, too exhausted to move.

Fu Huan wasn’t staying on campus this weekend, but the other three were in the dorm.

Yang Shuhang distributed the gifts. Gu Shiying’s blind box contained a reasonably priced fitness tracker—nothing beyond his comfort zone.

After playing on his phone for a while, Gu Shiying got up to use the bathroom before bed. Glancing at Fu Huan’s empty bunk, he felt oddly uneasy.

His eyes fell on the gift on his desk, and he thought about how Fu Huan had had his back multiple times recently. Maybe he should give him a gift too?

After some deliberation, Gu Shiying quickly ordered a gift online—not expensive, but heartfelt enough.

Two days later, around noon before class, Gu Shiying received the delivery.

He opened the package.

Although he’d mentioned it was a gift when communicating with the seller, they’d only asked for his gender, not the recipient’s. To his surprise, the gift box was pink.

Damn, they must have thought he was giving it to a girl.

With class about to start and Zhang Zhi urging him, Gu Shiying left the gift box on his desk and hurried off.

Fu Huan, who never napped, had been playing basketball. After showering, he passed Gu Shiying’s desk on his way to class and noticed the gift box with a big pink bow. He paused.

Tsk, already giving gifts to someone else? Such a love-struck fool!

Author’s Note:

Fu Huan: [Bawling his eyes out] Love-struck fool, hmph!

Gu Shiying: [Question mark] Me?

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End of the month—Little Fu might need some virtual support~ [Dog emoji holding a rose]