CH 12

According to facts it is proven that when speaking, one should avoid taking big breaths or unnecessarily pausing, as it can easily lead to misunderstandings.

Su Li’s misunderstanding was entirely caused by Lin YuXing’s single “word,” and Lin YuXing had to bear the bitter consequences himself. In order to prevent Su Li from picking up the phone to call Gu Zhongyi’s cousin, Gu Nuan, Lin YuXing hugged him tightly and forcefully took away his phone.

After a great effort to clarify the situation, both of them were breathing heavily.

Su Li was a flexible person. He sat down and took a sip of the abalone porridge, immediately soothing his wounded heart.

“Really?” he asked.

Lin YuXing sat down and took a sip of water. “Yes, really.”

Su Li picked up the phone. “I’ll order some barbecue takeout and two cups of milk tea to celebrate.”

“Celebrate?” Lin YuXing questioned.

Su Li heartlessly drank the abalone porridge given by Gu Zhongyi and replied, “The first time I’ve seen such a gullible person.”

“…”

He still couldn’t quite understand. “Gu Zhongyi’s requirements were quite simple. I could believe it if he offered you a few hundred yuan per month. But suddenly giving you three thousand, even if he’s rich, isn’t that a loss-making business? Could it be that he’s saying something nice now but will later increase his demands?”

“He said he will draft a contract that includes what we should and shouldn’t do,” Lin YuXing held a trusting attitude. “Anyway, I don’t want to date anyone in college, and Xu Xiangchi is annoyingly pursuing me. I can’t shake him off…”

Most importantly, Lin YuXing said, “I’m also a bit short on money recently, and if the additional tasks he suggests are something I can handle, I don’t mind it.”

Where there is demand, there is a market. Gu Zhongyi needed someone’s time, and Lin YuXing sold his time.

Su Li listened and had nothing to say.

After a while, Su Li pondered and muttered, “Why did Gu Zhongyi insist on finding you instead of someone else to pretend? Could it be that he wanted to take advantage of you?”

“Take advantage of me?” Lin YuXing repeated.

Su Li explained the reasoning behind it, “With his conditions, if he finds someone to pretend to be his lover, it might backfire if the other person actually develops genuine feelings. But you are different. As long as the money is placed in front of you, you will definitely keep your promise and keep it professional. Moreover, you are from the same university, in the same major, and your personal information is clear.”

Su Li explained convincingly and couldn’t help but sigh a few times about Gu Zhongyi’s cunning plan. He firmly said, “After you delivered those flowers, he must have investigated you.”

Indeed, Gu Zhongyi knew from the beginning that Lin YuXing was an extremely suitable candidate.

A poor family, a persevering character, a desperate need for money, and a decent appearance. Those four factors combined made Lin YuXing an exceptionally simple target, whether it’s for cooperation or dissolution in matters of emotions.

For Lin YuXing, he was actually more afraid of Gu Zhongyi later asking for a refund more than getting involved in a romantic relationship.

With this in mind, everything seemed to make sense.

Lin YuXing murmured to himself, “No wonder… he said I’m suitable.”

Lin YuXing himself also felt that he was indeed suitable.

The celebration in the evening didn’t go smoothly. Barbecue and milk tea were still luxuries that Lin YuXing didn’t dare to enjoy.

He refused Su Li’s invitation to treat him, saying, “When I receive my salary from the bakery, I’ll treat you to barbecue and milk tea. We can stay up late like normal college students.”

“I’ve stayed up late countless times,” Su Li lay on the bed, holding his phone and playing games. From time to time, he would use voice chat to communicate, mostly saying, “Liang Xie, behind you, watch out!”

After finishing a game, Su Li asked, “Why wait for the bakery to pay your salary? Didn’t Gu Zhongyi already advance it for you?”

“He did, but today is my first day on the job, and it doesn’t feel real yet.”

Lin YuXing enjoyed the generous salary given by Gu Zhongyi. Although he knew it was payment for work, he still felt a bit guilty.

Lin YuXing said with unease, “I don’t plan to spend the money recklessly. Apart from necessary expenses, I’ll save the rest. In case he asks me to return the money for some reason… I’ll return an appropriate portion, not the whole amount.”

Su Li thought Lin YuXing was too rigid, but he didn’t refute his thoughts. It’s always good to leave oneself an exit. Su Li was a nagging person, asking about Gu Zhongyi here and there, making Lin YuXing a little tired.

To change the topic, Lin YuXing brought up the matter of Su Li playing games. “I’ve been meaning to ask you, is this Liang Xie a guy or a girl? Alpha or Omega?”

“He’s a guy, an Alpha.” Su Li started a new game, his fingers swiftly tapping on the screen. “Didn’t I tell you before? We’re in a relationship in the game, and we’re currently in the sweet phase.”

Su Li described the relationship in an extremely romantic way, but in reality, it was commonly known as an online relationship.

Lin YuXing was quite worried that Su Li might be deceived. After all, who knew what kind of person the other party was over the internet?

Su Li knew what he was thinking. “Liang Xie and I have known each other in the game for several years. If he wanted to deceive me, he would have done it long ago.”

“Su Li, you still have to be careful in the online world.”

“Don’t worry, Liang Xie is even more cautious than me.” Su Li said with a hint of annoyance, devoid of the sweetness, “We’re in a relationship now, but he still refuses to meet me. We’re both in the same city. Is it that hard to find time to meet?”

Lin YuXing’s focus from start to finish was, “Be careful not to be scammed of your money.”

Su Li pouted and nervously said, “He’s quite active in sending gifts. I don’t even know how much money he has spent on me. I can’t tell who’s deceiving whom between us.”

Lin YuXing wanted to say something, but he received a message from Gu Zhongyi on his phone.

Gu Zhongyi: [Do you have class tomorrow?]

Lin YuXing: [Second class in the morning, first class in the afternoon.]

He decided to send the marked schedule he had made for himself to Gu Zhongyi.

Lin Yuxing sincerely said: [Senior, my work hours are also noted on the schedule every day. You can assign my work according to the remaining time. If you think the work hours are not suitable, I can adjust them accordingly.]

The word “work” truly showcased Lin Yuxing’s professional nature.

Gu Zhongyi’s ID showed that he was typing, and Lin Yuxing waited and waited.

Gu Zhongyi: [Okay, let me check.]

Just when he thought Gu Zhongyi would take a long time to review the schedule, Gu Zhongyi only took a few seconds: [After your class tomorrow morning, I’ll come to pick you up. Let’s have a meal together and also confirm if any modifications are needed in the contract.]

Lin Yuxing quickly replied: [Okay.]

Seemingly too casual with the response, Lin Yuxing politely added: [Senior, understood. See you tomorrow.]

As Gu Zhongyi looked at Lin Yuxing’s well-behaved reply, he rubbed his chin.

Although the conversation between himself and Lin Yuxing with the ID 789 was lively, Gu Zhongyi sighed helplessly. After discussing work matters, he took the opportunity to chat about personal matters.

Gu Zhongyi: [Are you feeling better?]

Lin Yuxing: [I’m fine now.]

Gu Zhongyi: [Take good rest.]

Lin Yuxing: [Thank you.]

Gu Zhongyi decided to end the conversation since it was their first day of interaction, and he didn’t want to rush things.

Unexpectedly, Lin Yuxing messaged again: [Senior, sorry to ask in advance, but will the monthly salary be specified in the contract? Is there a possibility of refunds?]

Perhaps afraid that Gu Zhongyi would dislike his audacity, Lin Yuxing honestly replied: [I need to send money to my family every month, so if the contract specifies a full refund, I might not be able to sign it. I’m really sorry, but I think it’s better to mention it in advance.]

Gu Zhongyi: [Understood. The contract doesn’t involve refunding money, so you can rest assured.]

Lin Yuxing expressed gratitude: [Thank you, senior!]

Gu Zhongyi thought for a moment and sent: [But I hope you will work diligently.]

Lin Yuxing’s response became longer again: [That’s a must! (An expression pack of a little hamster bravely facing obstacles.)]

Amused by Lin Yuxing’s adorable expression pack, Gu Zhongyi couldn’t help but laugh. He looked at the chat interface with Lin Yuxing, feeling like they were getting closer.

However, Lin Yuxing had no idea that Gu Zhongyi had been waiting for this day, waiting for many years.

Waiting until life’s end and starting anew.

Lin Yuxing knew nothing about all this, and Gu Zhongyi couldn’t express it normally.

With the night sky like a starry river draped in darkness, Gu Zhongyi put down his phone and stood silently by the French window, gazing at the flickering night view. How long had it been since he spent countless lonely nights alone?

As time passed, the smile at the corner of Gu Zhongyi’s mouth gradually faded, returning to a calm state.

He prepared to take a shower and rest early.

Suddenly, his other phone received a message.

It was a phone with only Lin Yuxing as a contact.

Gu Zhongyi hurriedly went over, picked up the phone, and unlocked it with face recognition.

A long message appeared on the screen, sent by Lin Yuxing.

Lin Yuxing: [Hey, bro, I don’t know how to say this to you. Anyway, your intuition was right, and your well wishes had foresight! Let me share some good news with you. I’m actually dating Gu Zhongyi now, haha! I didn’t expect it myself, it just happened suddenly! So, you know what to do, right?]”

Lin Yuxing quickly sent another message: [Post that blessing again. I’ll treat you to a meal, a big feast at the South Campus canteen.]

Gu Zhongyi couldn’t help it.

Lin Yuxing, who didn’t want to have a meal with him before, was now going all out to invite a stranger for a meal? Could this be what Lin Yuxing meant by working diligently…?

Gu Zhongyi couldn’t help but laugh, planning to tease Lin Yuxing.

ID789: [I won’t post it.]

Lin Yuxing: [Why?]

ID789: [you ask me to delete it, I delete it. Now you ask me to post it, I won’t post it.]

Holding the phone, Lin Yuxing clenched his fist and muttered, “Quite a temper.”

Lin Yuxing: [I’ll run errands for you for a semester for free.]

ID789: [That trick won’t work anymore.]

Lin Yuxing: [ How about this, name your price?]

ID789: [I don’t need money.]

Lin Yuxing: [what do you need]

Lin Yuxing: [You really don’t need money.?..]

Lin Yuxing: [I beg you on my knees! (Crying emoticon x3)]

ID789: [That works.]

Gu Zhongyi couldn’t be bothered to take a shower anymore. He quickly logged into the forum and posted the congratulatory message, sharing it with Lin Yuxing and Yang Qing.

Lin Yuxing imitated Su Li’s way of flattering people in the online world: [Great master thank you, love you!]

Lin Yuxing corrected himself: [Love in friendship, someone has already captured my heart.]

Gu Zhongyi laughed uncontrollably. He hadn’t been this happy in a long time.

Without hesitation, he made a phone call to Yang Qing. “Can you ask your friend to feature my post ?”

Yang Qing’s mouth twitched a couple of times. “What kind of little romantic game are you playing by dating someone? It would be fine if you posted it yourself, but making Lin Yuxing run errands for you time and time again, even delivering things to the dorm manager? Let’s not talk about anything else, let’s just consider it supporting your junior. But buying me a razor was going too far!”

Yang Qing was annoyed. Gu Zhongyi knew very well that as an Alpha male, he couldn’t grow a beard.

He had caused Yang Qing a lot of heartache because of this.

“Gu Zhongyi, why don’t you show off your affection in a different way? Don’t forget, I’m still a single dog!”

Gu Zhongyi had actually forgotten about that. “Sorry, I’ll pay more attention to your situation in the future.”

Yang Qing hung up angrily.

Five minutes later, Yang Qing sent a message: [It’s featured! Our basketball team will have a gathering afterward, and you must be there, or I won’t help you again!]

Gu Zhongyi replied: [Okay, I’ll treat everyone.]

Yang Qing: [Damn,  you are really coming right?]

He said it casually, something Gu Zhongyi never participated in before.

Gu Zhongyi: [Yes, I’ll even bring my family.]

Yang Qing: [… Pretend I didn’t ask.]