CH 17

As time passed, the romantic relationship between Lin Yuxing and Gu Zhongyi became widely known. Even when Lin Yuxing walked on the road, people would recognize him. Lin Yuxing finally experienced what Gu Zhongyi had said at the beginning, that “dating me won’t be easy,” whether it was the disapproving looks of others or the gossip. If Lin Yuxing were not just a fake boyfriend, he would have been affected to some extent.

That day was no exception. As soon as Lin Yuxing stepped into the classroom, his shoulder was violently bumped by someone.

Being relatively thin, Lin Yuxing took two steps back. He rubbed his shoulder and was about to continue walking without paying attention when he heard the other person softly say, “Hick.”

Although Lin Yuxing had the title of “Gu Zhongyi’s boyfriend” to protect him, such incidents were unavoidable. Fortunately, those people only dared to go that far.

Hearing the other person’s mockery, Lin Yuxing admitted that his fashion sense was indeed not good, mainly because he was poor.

Lin Yuxing didn’t have many winter clothes, just two sets that he kept switching between. Regarding the jacket he was wearing, it was actually an old piece of clothing Lin Xiufeng had bought for him in junior high school. It lasted for many years because it was durable.

He opened his phone and checked his bank account balance and then decided to buy a new outfit. Regardless, he had to save face for Gu Zhongyi, so as not to lose this job due to image issues and not being the proper fit for him.

As Lin Yuxing contemplated, he walked inside as usual and found an empty seat to sit down.

At that moment, Gu Zhongyi sent a message: [Are you in the classroom?]

Lin Yuxing replied: [Yes]

Gu Zhongyi: [I’m treating my teammates to dinner tonight and I want to bring you along to formally introduce you to everyone. If you’re busy, you can refuse.]

Lin Yuxing: [Does work have a choice?]

Gu Zhongyi: [It does with me.]

Lin Yuxing was not an arrogant employee. If the boss had a request, he would undoubtedly do it.

Lin Yuxing: [Boss Gu, see you tonight.]

There was still some time before class started, and the teacher hadn’t arrived yet.

A tall classmate sat down next to Lin Yuxing and said to him, “The person who bumped into you earlier was chasing after Gu Zhongyi. I heard that he didn’t even finish confessing before getting rejected. You don’t have to pay attention to him.”

Indeed, Lin Yuxing didn’t pay any attention to him.

The person continued, “by the way, my name is Liao Yan. Nice to meet you.”

“Hello, I’m Lin Yuxing.” Lin Yuxing thought to himself that he had been taking that class for almost a semester, yet he had no idea who the person in front of him was.

“I know, you’re quite famous at school now,” Liao Yan seemed very familiar with what was happening and said , “What’s your account? Let’s add each other as friends.”

Apart from his dorm mate Su Li, Lin Yuxing had never had someone talk to him so enthusiastically. He considered Liao Yan as an extra that arose as a result of his situation with Gu Zhongyi and didn’t want to exchange contact information.

Liao Yan was an average-looking beta male with black-framed glasses and a thick fringe.

He realized something and said, “Please don’t misunderstand, my preference is quite fixed. Whether it’s Alpha, Beta, or Omega, I only like girls.”

He further explained, “I used to have poor health and often took leaves of absence. My mom was worried that I would get tired from taking too many classes, so she secretly asked a classmate to attend this course for me. Today is my first time coming here after so long, and I heard that you do delivery tasks, so let’s add each other as friends?”

Upon hearing that, Lin Yu Xing immediately took out his phone and said, “Let me scan your QR code.”

It never hurts to have more clients.

That evening, Lin Yu Xing wore the new clothes chosen by Su Li and got into Gu Zhongyi’s car.

When Gu Zhongyi saw Lin Yu Xing, his eyes lit up, and his first reaction was to pay him back.

To be honest, Gu Zhongyi had long wanted to take Lin Yu Xing to buy some winter clothes, but he was worried that Lin Yu Xing wouldn’t accept them. So he had been avoiding it and only gave small things like scarves as an alternative gesture.

He didn’t care whether Lin Yu Xing’s outfit looked plain or not; he only cared if Lin Yu Xing would feel cold.

Lin Yu Xing scratched his nose and said, “You don’t need to transfer money to me. I think it’s about time for me to buy a new set of clothes.” He adjusted his clothes; the inner layer was still a thin turtleneck sweater, and he wasn’t used to wearing new clothes. “I have poor taste, Su Li helped me with the matching.”

“It suits you well.”

A strong scent of bitter orange permeated the car. Lin Yu Xing pressed a button to crack open the window, letting the wind blow in through the gap.

Gu Zhongyi unconsciously asked, “Feeling hot?”

Lin Yu Xing replied, “Ah… Well, I just want some fresh air.”

Gu Zhongyi turned off the air conditioning.

Lin Yu Xing didn’t tell Gu Zhongyi about Liao Yan, after all, in the absence of others, Gu Zhongyi was his senior and also his employer. He couldn’t possibly be his real boyfriend.

There was no need to disclose everything.

But in public, Lin Yu Xing was everyone’s “brother-in-law.”

At the dining table, Lin Yu Xing picked up his wine glass and accepted the toasts from everyone. He downed it all in one gulp, regardless of whether his glass contained soda or not, and he pretended to have a high alcohol tolerance.

“Brother-in-law, you are an impeccable drinker !” Everyone applauded and praised him.

It was the first time Lin Yu Xing had a meal with “friends,” and he put down his glass, modestly saying, “Senior brothers, you flatter me!”

Initially, Gu Zhongyi was worried that Lin Yu Xing might not fit in. He even thought that if Lin Yu Xing felt uncomfortable, he would immediately send him back. After all, there would be many more opportunities in the future, no need to rush.

That day’s gathering was, at most, an excuse for Gu Zhongyi to see Lin Yu Xing.

Since the basketball game, Gu Zhongyi had been distant.

Fortunately, Lin Yuxing and he were not really close, which often reminded Gu Zhongyi to stay sober.

He pressed down on Lin Yuxing’s glass with a family-like attitude, saying, “Drinking too much soda is not good for your stomach”

Gu Zhongyi drove to the gathering and didn’t drink.

On the other hand, Yang Qing had quite a lot to drink and sat drunkenly next to Lin Yuxing, not holding back: “If you ever feel wronged by Zhongyi, just let us know. if he dares to treat you badly, we’ll make sure to teach him a lesson!”

Everyone waved their hands frantically, saying, “No, no, we never said that…”

Yang Qing, who was drunk, blushed from his face to his neck. He embraced Gu Zhongyi’s shoulder.

Everyone gasped.

Lin Yuxing followed suit and took a deep breath.

Looking at Gu Zhongyi, he remained unfazed. Perhaps it was because Lin Yuxing was present that he maintained a good temper. But everyone was afraid that Gu Zhongyi might change his attitude, and they all wiped off a cold sweat.

Yang Qing was a brave one.

“ What are all of you afraid of? Didn’t I say it before? Zhongyi may have a cold face, but he has a warm heart. He has changed a lot, he is not the same as before!”

One of Gu Zhongyi’s teammates, who was also his high school classmate, felt the change in Gu Zhongyi as an outsider. But it wasn’t as exaggerated as Yang Qing said it…

He stood up and covered Yang Qing’s mouth, pulling him away from Gu Zhongyi.

“Zhongyi, Yang Qing is drunk. Haha, he tends to talk nonsense when he’s drunk…”

“It’s okay.”

Gu Zhongyi didn’t get angry. Instead, he turned to Lin Yuxing and said, “Yang Qing can’t hold his liquor, don’t mind him.”

Lin Yuxing didn’t mind at all.

That night, Lin Yuxing saw Gu Zhongyi, who would chat with his teammates about basketball matches, and also saw how he would laugh freely over small matters. Most importantly, he witnessed how Gu Zhongyi bid farewell to his drunk teammates one by one.

Thoughtful, gentle, yet discreet.

Lin Yuxing’s impression of Gu Zhongyi was gradually changing.

In Lin Yuxing’s eyes, Gu Zhongyi was warm, not cold hearted.

The term “iceberg” probably had nothing to do with Gu Zhongyi in Lin Yuxing’s heart anymore.

After the dinner, Yang Qing was heavily intoxicated.

Gu Zhongyi was worried about him going home alone, so he decided to personally send him.

Yang Qing hiccuped and incoherently said, “Wuwu, you’re even taking me home. You’re really great now! If I were your junior, I would love you, I really love you!”

Gu Zhongyi’s hand holding the steering wheel stiffened, and he turned to Lin Yuxing, “Should we just dump him?”

Lin Yuxing played along, “There’s a bridge up ahead, let’s throw him under it.”

Lin Yuxing couldn’t help but laugh, showing his white teeth. “Senior, he fell asleep.”

“Okay, let’s not throw him then.” Gu Zhongyi also smiled.

They drove for about 20 minutes.

They arrived at the residential area where Yang Qing lived, located in the city center with high housing prices.

Yang Qing’s parents received a call and were waiting at the door. They helped Yang Qing and thanked Gu Zhongyi  “Yang Qing is so mischievous, and he has caused trouble for you again.”

Gu Zhongyi simply said, “Uncle Yang, it’s cold outside. You and Aunt Zhang should take Yang Qing to rest.”

“Alright, take care on your way back.”

Lin Yuxing curiously watched them from the passenger seat until Gu Zhongyi drove away, and Yang Qing’s parents were still standing at the entrance of the residential area, watching them leave.

Gu Zhongyi took the initiative to answer Lin Yuxing’s doubts, “They all work for my dad. My dad has a bad temper, so they are also cautious around me.”

After Gu Zhongyi finished speaking, he asked, “It’s still early, is there anywhere you want to go?”

Lin Yuxing was not familiar with City C and didn’t know where to go.

“No, let’s go back to the school.”

But Gu Zhongyi took a detour instead.

Outside the car window, the lights were dazzling.

Lin Yuxing had been studying at University C for several months, from summer to winter, and it was the first time he carefully looked at the scenery of the city. Even if it was just a quick glimpse from the car, the lights formed a rapidly moving line, shining brightly in his gaze.

Gu Zhongyi consciously stopped the car not far from the riverbank.

“From this angle, you can see a very nice night view.” Gu Zhongyi pressed the window on Lin Yuxing’s side and extended his hand, pointing ahead. “Can you see it?”

Lin Yuxing followed his direction and looked over, his eyes reflecting a colorful and mesmerizing picture.

“It’s so beautiful,” Lin Yuxing murmured.

In a simple way, Gu Zhongyi accompanied Lin Yuxing to admire the bustling night view of City C. He didn’t mock Lin Yuxing’s ruralness but silently watched the side profile of Lin Yuxing, responding, “Yes, it’s really beautiful.”

When Lin Yuxing turned his head, Gu Zhongyi discreetly averted his gaze.

“Do you want to go down and take a closer look? It’s a bit windy though.”

“Sure, I’m not afraid of the cold.”

Lin Yuxing was as happy as a child going to an amusement park and walked with Gu Zhongyi to the riverside. He smelled the damp air and took out his cheap phone with low pixel resolution.

He wanted to take a photo of the distant scenery, but no matter how he tried, it didn’t turn out nice.

Lin Yuxing could only give up and said, embarrassed, “It’s hard to focus at night.”

Gu Zhongyi took out his own phone and handed it to Lin Yuxing. “It’s still early before curfew, you can take as long as you want.” Not only that, Gu Zhongyi even taught Lin Yuxing some tips for taking landscape photos.

Lin Yuxing felt the proximity of Gu Zhongyi and was enveloped by his presence, even the cold wind seemed to avoid them. Lin Yuxing turned his body slightly, and Gu Zhongyi’s handsome face was just within reach.

He felt the warmth of Gu Zhongyi and got slightly lost in his thoughts.

“Yuxing?”

Lin Yuxing blinked in a hurry, holding his phone, not knowing what he was doing.

But he still let Gu Zhongyi send him the photos.

Lin Yuxing set one of them as his phone wallpaper and spoke to himself happily, “It feels like we went on a trip today.”

Had delicious food, saw beautiful things.

He had never been on a trip before and had no experience of sightseeing. He looked at the small night view of City C with great excitement, revealing a somewhat inexperienced appearance.

Lin Yuxing realized it and quickly fell silent.

He was the same when he first came to the school, coming from the countryside to the city for the first time, seeing many things for the first time. He tried to share his astonishment with his classmates, but all he received were incredulous laughter.

Lin Yuxing felt like he didn’t fit in.

At that time, only Su Li didn’t laugh at him, so they became close friends who could talk about anything.

Now, he awkwardly quieted down.

unexpectedly, Gu Zhongyi agreed, “It does look like it. Shall we take a photo together? Otherwise, it would be a waste of this trip, right?”

Lin Yuxing was stunned for a moment, and a tingling sensation spread through his heart. “A photo together?”

Gu Zhongyi curved his lips and asked, “Do you want to take one?”

“Yes, yes!” Lin Yuxing clearly hadn’t drunk any alcohol, but his body and mind felt as if he had consumed a can of it.

He stood stiffly next to Gu Zhongyi.

Gu Zhongyi said, “Come a bit closer.”

Lin Yuxing took a small step and Gu Zhongyi patiently called out to him, “Yuxing, closer.”

Lin Yuxing’s ears tingled, and he slightly moved his feet. Finally, Gu Zhongyi put his arm around Lin Yuxing’s shoulder. With a cry of surprise from Lin Yuxing, the two of them pressed against each other.

Lin Yuxing widened his eyes, his heart pounding.

He looked at the selfie camera on Gu Zhongyi’s phone screen and heard Gu Zhongyi’s voice covering his heart, “Yuxing, smile.”

He knew that photos should be taken with a smile.

Lin Yuxing made a goofy “yeah” gesture and smiled foolishly.

That was his first photo that belonged to him, apart from his ID photo and a group photo taken at the orphanage.

And he was in the photo with his sort of boss, Gu Zhongyi.