Chapter 49 Can’t Handle It

Chapter 49: Overwhelmed

To avoid losing the boyfriend he had finally won over, Fu Huan had to step in and rescue him. He also didn't want to see Gu Shiying teased by his friends. What he wouldn't do himself, even his childhood best friends couldn't do, let alone anyone else.

"I'm treating tonight. Pick a place," Fu Huan warned Liang Qi with a look.

Liang Qi, knowing Fu Huan's protective streak, chuckled, "Don't miss out on his treat, you two. Hurry up and find a spot."

Yang Shuhang was easily placated; he hadn't taken Gu Shiying having a boyfriend seriously. Who, after all, goes hiking with a bunch of guys on the weekend if they're in a relationship?

Zhang Zhi thought the same. He had just been joking earlier. Though he often playfully "shipped" himself with Gu Shiying, he had never actually connected the dots that his buddy's partner could be a man.

Zhang Zhi asked, "Seriously? My knowledge of upscale places is limited. Liang, you take the lead. Show us something impressive."

Liang Qi replied, "In that case, I'll pick. How about a private club? You might even spot some celebrities there."

Zhang Zhi exclaimed, "For real? Can I bring my roommates from 701?"

Yang Shuhang added, "I'll invite Yu. He's been studying like crazy lately."

Seeing Fu Huan didn't object, Liang Qi took it as agreement and made the decision for him. "After what happened today, a bigger crowd will help calm our nerves." And, it would give his good friend a chance to show off his new boyfriend.

The two started calling people, with Yang Shuhang even rounding up friends from his class.

The last time Gu Shiying had attended such a lively event, it had also ended in an incident, requiring police intervention. He was starting to develop a phobia of going out.

On the way to the private club, Fu Huan drove Gu Shiying in his car. Liang Qi took Yang Shuhang, Zhang Zhi, and Guan Yu. The others took taxis.

Noticing Gu Shiying had been quiet since getting in the car, Fu Huan sensed his mood. "What's wrong?"

Gu Shiying scratched his head. "I feel like something always happens when we go out. I hope tonight doesn't get ruined."

Fu Huan was well aware of Gu Shiying's "Conan-like" tendency to attract trouble. "Don't worry, not tonight. I'll stick with you the whole time. If you need, I'll even go to the restroom with you and lift the toilet seat."

Gu Shiying's eyes widened. "Absolutely not!"

Since becoming his boyfriend, Fu Huan had grown so bold. Gu Shiying didn't think he was just talking; he'd actually do it, and had probably thought about it more than once.

Fu Huan sighed regretfully, then assured him, "Relax, nothing like last time will happen tonight."

When they got out of the car, Gu Shiying realized Fu Huan was telling the truth.

The KTV they had gone to last time and this private club were worlds apart. One was a common, ordinary KTV; the other was a truly private club, where a high-end butler in a suit and tie greeted them at the entrance with a warm, polite, but not fawning smile.

While typical KTVs often reeked of cheap air freshener or stale smoke and alcohol, here the air was fresh, with a serene setting of miniature bridges and flowing water. The decor at the entrance looked exquisite, and an ancient-looking painting, whether genuine or not, hung by the main door.

The butler said, "Mr. Fu, please. The third floor is ready. You and your friends won't be disturbed tonight."

Fu Huan nodded. "Mm."

Though Fu Huan wasn't a regular customer here, his brother and his friends certainly were. The butler possessed an exceptional memory, remembering the faces of all important guests, especially those as strikingly handsome as Fu Huan.

The butler escorted them to the elevator, but Fu Huan dismissed him, noticing Gu Shiying's discomfort.

"Don't like it here?" Fu Huan asked.

"Not at all. I've just never been to a place like this. It's quite an eye-opener," Gu Shiying replied calmly. Having brushed with death earlier, this didn't shock him or make him feel inferior.

"From now on, I'll take you wherever you want. If you don't like a place, we won't go. I don't particularly enjoy coming here myself either," Fu Huan said.

"Mm. Did you book the entire third floor?" Gu Shiying wondered if booking a whole floor at such a private club would be expensive.

Fu Huan subtly hooked his finger with Gu Shiying's. "My brother is a super VIP here. They sometimes meet important clients at Wanhe for privacy. The membership's already paid for—might as well use it."

Gu Shiying could almost hear Fu Huan's inner thoughts:

*Today is our first day together. It's worth commemorating—we have to book the whole place.*

*Can we go public?*

*I really want to tell everyone.*

*Will Gu Shiying agree? I want everyone to know he's my boyfriend.*

Gu Shiying felt a twitch in his forehead. They hadn't even been together for eight hours—why was Fu Huan already thinking about going public? Was this his ulterior motive for treating everyone?

Liang Qi and the others arrived later, having waited for Guan Yu.

The club offered more than just karaoke—there were board games, archery, shooting, billiards, tabletop games, and more.

Since Fu Huan had brought along college students who hadn't experienced much of the world, he asked the club to put away anything too "adult."

When his brother or other clients came, they would sometimes invite celebrities to entertain them. It was better if Gu Shiying and the others didn't know about that—tonight was just about simple fun, eating, singing, and hanging out.

The butler brought the menu, and Fu Huan asked Gu Shiying if he was craving anything.

"The chefs here are pretty good. There's even a French chef poached from a Michelin-starred restaurant at great expense. Want to try?" Fu Huan suggested.

"With so many people coming, would it be appropriate for just the two of us to order French food?" Gu Shiying asked.

Fu Huan was momentarily stumped. He regretted inviting everyone—he should have taken Gu Shiying out alone.

Gu Shiying smiled. "How about we decide when everyone gets here? But a buffet could work too."

Fu Huan nodded, immediately having an idea. "Alright, let's do the buffet. I'll have the butler arrange it."

Tonight, everything revolved around Gu Shiying.

The butler reappeared promptly. After Fu Huan gave a few directions, he understood exactly what kind of service was needed.

By the time Liang Qi and the others arrived, Fu Huan had everything under control.

It was Gu Shiying's first time seeing Fu Huan handle things like this—everything was organized efficiently, with a truly commanding presence. The butler stood by, nodding repeatedly. Even the well-experienced butler lacked Fu Huan's natural confidence and aura.

Seeing this side of Fu Huan for the first time, Gu Shiying was almost mesmerized.

After the butler left, he kept staring at Fu Huan.

Fu Huan snapped his fingers in front of him. "What are you looking at? Is there something wrong with me?"

Gu Shiying propped his chin in his hands and shook his head gently. "You were really charming just now."

Fu Huan leaned in, stopping just five centimeters away—close enough to count Gu Shiying's eyelashes, hear his soft breaths, and feel his presence.

"Did I charm you?"

"Yes, Brother Huan is so captivating, no wonder he's my boyfriend. I've got great taste."

"I've got great taste too—I fell for you at first sight." He leaned in closer to Gu Shiying, but just as their lips were about to meet, a sudden "Wow" shattered the intimate moment.

Gu Shiying pushed Fu Huan away, creating distance between them, and sat upright against the couch.

Fu Huan didn't mind being pushed away. He noticed Gu Shiying blushing and felt no annoyance at the interrupted kiss. Compared to others, he preferred seeing Gu Shiying flustered and shy because of him—proof it wasn't just him, that Gu Shiying hadn't agreed to be his boyfriend just out of gratitude, but because he genuinely liked him.

Yang Shuhang bounded over and squeezed in beside Gu Shiying. "Why aren't you two singing?"

Zhang Zhi was already grabbing for a mic. "I want to sing! I just learned this new hit song!"

Yang Shuhang was quicker, starting to pick a song. "Hey, me first!"

Liang Qi sat next to Fu Huan and asked about the plans. Fu Huan gave him the lowdown.

There were a bunch of people today—Gu Shiying's classmates, as well as Fu Huan and Liang Qi's classmates. A group of over a dozen young people gathered, making it a real party.

Liang Qi told everyone, "Everyone, eat and drink whatever you want today. If you get drunk, you can crash here—there are rooms."

The college students, not used to this kind of treatment, cheered loudly.

"Liang-ge, do we each get our own room?"

Liang Qi: "Of course, but if you want to pair up, that's fine too. The third floor is ours tonight."

"Thank you, Liang-ge!"

Liang Qi: "Don't thank me. Fu Huan is treating everyone today—thank him."

"Thank you, Brother Huan!"

Fu Huan grabbed the mic. "You're welcome. Go ahead, help yourselves."

Gu Shiying: "…" Anyone who didn't know better might think it was Fu Huan's wedding.

With more people around, Fu Huan and Gu Shiying kept their interactions discreet.

Zhang Zhi and Yang Shuhang were completely absorbed in the fun, pulling Gu Shiying into playing board games with everyone. However, they noticed that no matter where Gu Shiying was, Fu Huan would appear beside him. Both guys and girls could tell that Fu Huan and Gu Shiying had a special bond, and some had even guessed their relationship was more than platonic.

After playing all the games, Fu Huan was pulled over to Liang Qi's table to play dice. Having spent the whole evening with Gu Shiying, Gu Shiying returned the gesture by joining him. It really felt like they were making the rounds at a wedding reception—especially since guessing wrong meant drinking.

Those staying the night could drink freely and had rooms to crash, so everyone went all out.

Gu Shiying could hold his liquor, but for some reason, he wasn't good at guessing the dice and kept losing and drinking.

Fu Huan whispered, "Want me to drink for you?"

Liang Qi, with sharp ears, objected: "No way! No drinking for others tonight!" He was setting him up and hoped his friend wouldn't blow it.

Not wanting to be a buzzkill, Gu Shiying insisted, "It's fine, I don't need help. I can drink on my own."

Fu Huan shot Liang Qi a look, but Liang Qi ignored him and continued the game.

In the end, Gu Shiying, unused to drinking, eventually grew tipsy and leaned against Fu Huan.

Liang Qi elbowed Fu Huan, whispering proudly, "Perfect chance, make your move."

Fu Huan helped Gu Shiying up. "I'll get you back for this."

Liang Qi laughed, collapsing onto the sofa. "Hurry up and get your baby back to his room."

Gu Shiying wasn't completely drunk—he still had some awareness—but he was dizzy and unsteady on his feet.

Fu Huan could support him, but Gu Shiying was limp as a noodle. He considered carrying him princess-style but, mindful of Gu Shiying's shyness, opted for the more conservative piggyback ride, just like when Gu Shiying had hurt his foot.

Gu Shiying wrapped his arms around Fu Huan's neck, his face pressed against Fu Huan's ear, their skin touching so closely that he could almost hear Fu Huan's thoughts.

He mumbled against Fu Huan's hot ear, "Fu Huan, stop talking. It's so noisy."

Fu Huan didn't dismiss it as drunk talk and replied seriously, "Gu Shiying, I'm not talking."

Gu Shiying nuzzled his ear. "No, you are. You said, 'Gu Shiying, he's so cute.'"

Fu Huan smiled. "…" That was exactly what he had been thinking.

He hadn't expected drunk Gu Shiying to be this adorable. But how did Gu Shiying guess so accurately?

Curious, he asked, "What else did I say?" He wondered if Gu Shiying would reveal more, if he had known all along that Fu Huan liked him.

Gu Shiying hiccupped. "Mmm, you said you really like me, that I'm your baby now."

Fu Huan's face flushed slightly, growing warm.

He did feel that way, but having the person he liked call him out on it so bluntly was almost too much to handle.

*Baby, stop talking.*

Gu Shiying: "Baby, stop talking."

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Author's note: Fu Huan: [LOL][LOL][LOL]

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Next story: "From the Republic of China to Here"—A story about a protagonist from the Republic of China era who time-travels to the modern day and meets his partner, featuring an arranged marriage that turns into love.

Jiang Yicen was born into a feudal family in the late Qing Dynasty. He studied classical texts with his grandfather and was engaged to a young lady from another family since childhood. However, his fiancée, who had studied abroad and had modern ideas, broke off the engagement, indicating that he was too rigid, old-fashioned, and boring, and that being with him would surely not bring happiness.

Later, he experienced the turmoil of war, spending all his family's wealth to save people from suffering.

Then, he joined the army and died in the chaos of war.

He thought death was the end, but unexpectedly, it was a new beginning—though he returned to a family that was both feudal and open-minded.

Feudal because he was sent into an arranged marriage; open-minded because his arranged marriage partner was a man.

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Nan Shuyi was unruly, loved freedom, did as he pleased, and frequently made headlines for various scandals—one could call him a playboy.

To rein in Nan Shuyi's wild nature, the Nan family forced an arranged marriage on him.

The day before the wedding, he scoffed to his friends, "Hah, I would never sleep with a man in this lifetime."

On the wedding day, his arranged partner sat before him like a young master from the Republic of China era, a slight, proper smile on his lips without showing teeth.

He softly addressed Nan Shuyi, "Sir."

Nan Shuyi paused, adjusting his crooked tie—tugged askew out of impatience—and stood up straight and proper.

Jiang Yicen thought, having finally arrived in an era without war, where he could live safely, he could adapt to anything. What harm was there in addressing his arranged partner as "Sir"?

He had traveled a long, long way to get here from the Republic of China.

Years later, Jiang Yicen realized his ex-fiancée was wrong—his life hadn't been entirely without interest.

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