Chapter 51: Reflection - #Rumors of He Guan's Affair Captured#

Bioluminescent algae cling to the skin, and will naturally die within a few minutes of dehydration.

He Guan, initially engrossed in the quickly fading glow of the algae on his leg, chuckled upon hearing the serious explanation, "Well, obviously."

Holding him with one arm, he reached for his phone with the other, "I'll call the driver to pick us up. You can carry me for a bit longer."

Carrying He Guan steadily, Lou Dong simply nodded, "Alright."

As He Guan dialed and spoke to Du Junyan, he pulled Lou Dong closer, speaking face to face, allowing the voice from the phone to mingle with their conversation, "Junyan, where are you? We're heading back to the parking lot."

Du Junyan replied, "I'm right here, boss. Come on over."

He Guan inquired, "Do we have any spare sandals in the car? I remember leaving a pair."

Caught off guard by the request, Du Junyan replied, "I'll check now."

As He Guan spoke, Lou Dong jostled him, forcing him to grip tighter around his waist, removing the phone from his ear, "What are you doing?"

Feeling a tad nervous, He Guan tightened his leg grip, sensing the contour of Lou Dong's muscles.

Lou Dong commented, "You were about to fall."

He Guan countered, "You seem to have a steady grip. Where would I fall? Wait, move to the right; you're veering off..."

A passerby, overhearing their conversation, glanced at them, chuckled, and moved on.

Due to the backlighting, He Guan couldn't see the stranger's face.

Puzzled by the laughter, He Guan whispered to Lou Dong, "Why did that passerby just laugh?"

Lou Dong couldn't help but smile as well.

He Guan didn't realize that Lou Dong was just using it as an excuse to be closer to him.

Of course, Lou Dong wouldn't articulate that directly, so he responded, "I'm not sure either. Did you notice him? Or was he just watching you?"

He Guan replied, "No, how could he? I was looking at your hair."

Soon enough, He Guan's attention was diverted by Du Junyan—

Du Junyan indeed found a pair of plastic sandals in the car, debating whether to offer them to He Guan.

He Guan: "It's fine. It's not like I only wear those with diamonds. Just find any pair."

Lou Dong: "You can go without them."

After ending the call, He Guan remarked, "What's the plan? Are you intending to carry me all the way home? ...Turn here, to the right. There's a speed bump two steps ahead."

He sounded like a diligent GPS guide.

Lou Dong: "I'd be happy to."

Without hesitation, He Guan replied, "No, absolutely not."

His swift refusal piqued Lou Dong's curiosity.

Lou Dong questioned, "Why not?"

He Guan: "Stop, we're here. I see the driver."

He Guan dismounted from Lou Dong's back, slipping on the sandals as Du Junyan went to reverse the car.

The parking area was open-air. The night sky was clear, and the stars seemed especially bright.

Tilting his head upward, the sky was filled with twinkling stars, accompanied by the faint sound of waves.

Hands in his pockets, He Guan chuckled, "I've had quite an intimate day with you. Any more carrying and I might get overwhelmed."

In truth, He Guan wanted to add another line.

Once we get in the car, sit a bit farther from me.

But considering they were indeed trying out a romantic relationship, he refrained from voicing it.

Lou Dong nodded understandingly, "I get it."

When Du Junyan returned with the car, Lou Dong was the first to get in, sitting closer to the door than usual.

He Guan noticed, hesitated as if wanting to speak, but ultimately said nothing.

By the time they arrived home, it was nearing midnight. As they walked into the house, pathway lights illuminated, startling the sleeping Uncle Yue.

The middle-aged man emerged from a neighboring room, recognized them, and returned to his rest with a sense of relief.

He Guan, glancing at the previously wilted but now sprouting ivy, commented, "I initially thought that once the ivy was uprooted, it was gone for good. I didn't realize there were seeds left... now they've germinated."

Lou Dong: "Ivy?"

He Guan: "Yes. It's growing quite well now, almost covering the wall it had damaged. Want to feel it?"

Lou Dong: "Sure."

He Gu brought Luo Dongcang to see the ivy nearby.

The ivy's leaves were still small, exuding a youthful feel, filled with moisture, promising to thrive in the upcoming summer.

Luo Dongcang: "Aren't you going to fix this wall?"

He Gu: "The damage was to the decorative outer wall, not the load-bearing inner one. I thought I’d repair it later."

Luo Dongcang: "How much later?"

He Gu paused for two seconds, then said, "You'll see."

Luo Dongcang released the ivy he was touching.

He Gu: "You saw, didn't you?"

Luo Dongcang opened his mouth, at a loss for words.

In the dim light, He Gu looked at the ivy and murmured, "On the day of the fever, you clearly saw me."

Luo Dongcang remained silent.

So it turned out that day, He Gu...

Realized.

He Gu: "Luo Dongcang, I’ll wait for you, but I don't know when my patience will run out. I want you to trust me, yet I'm unsure when my feelings for you might change."

"I fear that once we start dating... I might unintentionally demand too much of you. Because upon reflection, if I truly love you, I might... really want you to see."

"I can be quite demanding."

"I know I'm like that, which is partly why I've been refusing this far."

"You could... choose to stop before we go any further. Nothing's happened yet. I won’t hold it against you, better now than regretting later."

"I feel like dating me can be burdensome for someone."

He Gu: "That's my self-reflection."

Luo Dongcang asked, "Aren't you cold?"

He Gu: "Yes, I am."

Luo Dongcang: "Let's go back to the bedroom then."

He Gu: "Alright."

He Gu thought that the matter would be glossed over just like that. He wouldn't say he was sad, but a sense of loss... there was definitely a hint of it.

Soaked for a long time in the seawater, He Gu was freezing cold and decided to take a rare bath.

Emerging from the bathroom after a drowsy soak, his cheeks flushed pink, his freshly blow-dried hair flicked up, bouncing with each move.

He Gu turned off the bathroom light, only to find the guest room's lights already off. He switched on his flashlight to find his bed.

The light from his phone revealed an empty bed.

He Gu: "Luo, where are you?"

Luo Dongcang: "On the balcony."

Though the guest room and master bedroom faced each other, their balconies had different orientations. The master bedroom's balcony faced the inner courtyard, while the guest room's overlooked the Gui Tang's rear pond, Jing Yuan Chi.

This was why the water's murmur was clearer in the guest room than in the master bedroom.

He Gu turned on the bedside lamp before heading out.

Having only stayed here for two or three days, he hadn't been on the balcony. With the curtains usually drawn, he saw nothing outside and would just sleep upon his return.

Luo Dongcang sat on the wicker chair of the balcony. Hearing He Gu's footsteps, he said, "Come sit."

He Gu: "You've left the windows open? Let me grab a jacket."

Luo Dongcang: "For you?"

He Gu: "No, for you."

Luo Dongcang: "I'm not cold."

He Gu: "I'd like to fetch it."

There's a kind of coldness that makes He Gu think you're cold. (jpg)

Handing a light jacket to Luo Dongcang, He Gu didn't wait to see if he'd wear it. He took a seat on a short stool next to him, gazing at the shimmering Jing Yuan Chi pond.

He Gu: "What's on your mind? Anything you'd like to share?"

Luo Dongcang: "Yes."

He Gu adjusted his posture slightly: "What is it?"

Even with his attempt at a more upright posture, the stool's shortness made him appear relaxed and endearing.

Luo Dongcang looked at him: "...I don't mind."

He Gu: "Hmm?"

Luo Dongcang: "I meant, if you want me to see... I don't mind."

He Gu: "Do you know what my father once told me?"

Luo Dongcang: "Hmm?"

He Gu: "He said I lacked friends because of my strong jealousy. Desiring a friend who considers me their best is hard. He advised against trying to hold onto everything precious to me."

Supporting his chin thoughtfully, He Gu continued, "He told me I need to learn to let go. Otherwise, I'd end up like I did in middle school, without a single close friend."

Luo Dongcang: "I see."

He Gu: "So, why don't you mind?"

Luo Dongcang hung his coat on the wicker chair's armrest, stood up, and walked over to gently touch He Gu's knee, squatting down in front of him.

He Gu chuckled, "You look like you're about to confess to me again. Unfortunately, I've heard it once, and I already have your ring, so the effect might diminish."

Luo Dongcang: "Would you be annoyed if I kept saying it?"

After a few seconds of pause, He Gu admitted, "...Yes, I would."

Luo Dongcang: "Why the hesitation? As if it's surprising that I understand you."

Left with no option, He Gu responded, "...It is quite surprising."

Luo Dongcang reached out to caress He Gu's face.

He Gu tilted his head slightly, moving closer to him in contentment.

Having strictly avoided excessive touch since his return from the seaside, Luo Dongcang had preserved their intimate connection, allowing He Gu the emotional bandwidth to respond to his affections now.

They drew near swiftly, their noses almost touching.

He Gu, suppressing a laugh, said, "At this rate, I'll go cross-eyed. It's a bit funny."

Luo Dongcang: "Then laugh."

He Gu gave him a puzzled glance.

Luo Dongcang: "Haven't I told you?"

He Gu brushed a stray hair by Luo Dongcang's temple, captivated by its angle and movement, laughing as he asked, "Told me what?"

Luo Dongcang: "I wanted to see because of you. So, whatever you mentioned earlier... it's a non-issue."

"As long as it's you, I have no objections."

"Moreover..."

In a soft voice, he added, "Didn't I give you my first kiss? Are you trying to avoid responsibility?"

He Gu instantly blushed.

Luo Dongcang always enjoyed being close and intimate with He Gu.

Yet, his actions were always so stealthy. By the time He Gu noticed, he would find himself fully enveloped, embraced tightly, and trapped, unable to struggle free.

The man who knelt to embrace him had a seductive tone, leaving a trail of delicate kisses at the sensitive nape of He Gu's neck, causing his nerves to jump.

"...Ah, a playboy."

He Gu wanted to deny the label, but just as he opened his mouth, a finger was slipped inside, silencing him. When it was removed, it was immediately replaced by the man's lips.

This kiss was entirely different from the one by the sea.

It was all tease and enticement.

He Gu tried to pull away, but unexpectedly, the low stool he sat on tipped over as he leaned back.

He had a minor fall, but the man didn't miss a beat, following immediately and pinning his hand.

...Followed by a more dominant kiss that jumbled all his thoughts.

He Gu felt as though he was hearing a side of him he never knew.

His breath was so heavy it didn't sound like him, and his reactions were all unexpected.

His unsaid desires for intimacy, tempered by his hesitation for further contact, were all scattered by that kiss, letting He Gu know... Luo Dongcang understood him.

The back of his hand pressed coldly against the floor, yet his front was filled with a scorching breath, continuously quivering.

Their breaths intertwined; their kisses were fierce, almost biting.

Everything before He Gu's eyes was hazy. Even with them open, he felt as though he was seeing himself.

The nerves he'd relaxed after his bath were now taut, thanks to the man's teasing and possessive actions. He could only clumsily follow the lead.

Due to their changing positions, something suddenly brushed against him.

It was the other man's eyelashes.

This soft and fleeting touch tickled him to the point of discomfort. As his eyes blinked, a shimmering tear emerged—

A tear brought forth by a breath-stealing kiss.

The tear was quickly noticed and fervently licked away.

Leaving a moist trail in its wake.

*

Late at night, He Gu's phone wouldn't stop ringing, a different ringtone than usual.

It was the special ringtone He Gu set for the PR department.

At this time again...

Half-asleep, He Guan struggled to sit up from Luo Dongcang's embrace and answered the phone, "What's the matter?"

His staff reported, "You're trending, sir. You've topped the trending list, and the sentiment pattern is peculiar – it resembles that of Tong Jiaqi's trend the last time."

He Guan, now more awake, replied, "Me? Trending? Why would I be trending?"

The employee's tone carried a hint of bemusement, "I'll send it over."

Following the conspicuous trending headline sent by the employee, He Guan clicked in and couldn't help but chuckle.

#HeGuanSuspectedAffairCaughtOnCamera#.

The employee queried, "Mr. He, how would you like to handle this?"

He Guan: "It's okay, just a minor issue. I'll handle it myself tomorrow. No need to trouble you all."

No wonder they didn't call when Tongjia Qi trended before. But for today's trending topic, they did. Turns out it involves me.

Employee: "If that's the case, I'll hang up now. Continue your rest."

He Guan: "Thank you for your hard work."

Lou Dong woke up when he heard the phone ring and timely asked, "What's trending?"

He Guan turned off his phone and replied, "Go back to sleep, it's just a silly trend."

Lou Dong: "Huh?"

He Guan, laying back with hands behind his head, said, "They suspect I'm having an affair."

Lou Dong: "Who's the suspected partner?"

He Guan chuckled and closed his eyes, "…You."

The photo on the trending page was quite good, taken from behind the car. It perfectly captured He Guan leaning towards Lou Dong, chatting, with only He Guan's face visible.

No wonder the employee who called sounded so peculiar.

The more He Guan thought about it, the more amused he became.

The new app is ready and they are preparing for the promotional launch. The marketing department has been requesting funds lately.

Tomorrow would be a good day for a live stream to attract traffic and clarify the situation.

To clarify...

How he supposedly cheated on his own fiancé.