CH 9

Gu Xiuyi's body radiated heat, and his fingers, accustomed to rigorous exercise, were not delicate. When they brushed against the skin on the inside of Ji Ruan's wrist, a peculiar tingling sensation enveloped him. 

Gu Xiuyi gazed intently at Ji Ruan's hand, speaking with a voice so soft that it touched the depths of one's heart, like ripples gently spreading across the surface of water. 

Perhaps this behavior held no meaning in itself, maybe it was just his way of speaking when he was at ease. But if Ji Ruan were still the Ji Ruan from the original book, his heart might have been stirred once more. 

The eighteenth-year-old's heartbeat always had a way of conveying itself bit by bit, infusing every subtle movement with significance. 

Truly a Gong, the protagonist of the abusive novel, he could treat you with tenderness, but never fall in love with you. And once you fell in love with him, he would only maintain that ordinary tenderness. But just as you were about to lose him, you suddenly realized that you loved him deeply, wearing a look of enlightenment on your face. 

But Ji Ruan detested such intricate and entangled emotions. 

While Gu Xiuyi admired his hands, Ji Ruan quietly observed Gu Xiuyi in return. 

To some extent, he was a person of the same cold-hearted nature as Gu Xiuyi, although Gu Xiuyi's temperament and upbringing had influenced this trait, while Ji Ruan was naturally inclined towards it. 

He had no need for love, and had grown weary of actively seeking it out. If he wasn't the sole focus of a relationship, he simply couldn't be bothered. 

Fortunately, the connection between him and Gu Xiuyi wasn't built on love. They lived in a realm of half-truths, pretending to be familiar with each other every day, until they finally parted ways with dignity. 

Ji Ruan gently withdrew his hand, fingertips lightly spread out in front of the sparkling chandelier in the living room. He carefully observed the ring adorning his ring finger and spoke slowly, "Mr. Gu, I have a question that has been on my mind for quite some time." 

It was the first time Gu Xiuyi had heard Ji Ruan address him as "Mr. Gu." Propping his chin up, he smiled and quizzed, "Hmm?" 

Ji Ruan looked up, his angle giving him a naive appearance. "Is there any difference between the custom-made rings and the ones found in stores?" 

He genuinely couldn't discern any discrepancies, for in his eyes, all plain rings for men appeared quite similar. 

Gu Xiuyi didn't react much to the question. He simply tilted his head, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Perhaps it's because I'm quite particular. Song Ling and the others have mentioned it." 

Ji Ruan raised an eyebrow, so you're aware of it too? 

Understanding the meaning behind his gaze, Gu Xiuyi shook his head noncommittally, got up, and patted Ji Ruan on the back. "Alright, go change your clothes, it's time to head out." 

The Gu family's ancestral home stood on the outskirts of the city, a testament to the family's wealth and power. The ancient, garden-style mansion had withstood the test of time, its walls bearing witness to generations of Gu ancestors. Over the years, the mansion had undergone multiple renovations, but its original beauty remained intact. 

The car parked in front of the quaint gate, and a respectful housekeeper led them inside. 

This stately manor, with its azure bricks, ebony tiles, and an arboreal canopy so vast that it defied easy enumeration, was fit for a scene in a sweeping historical drama. 

Passing through the gate and the front hall, they entered into a deep rock garden that seemed to have been carved out of the earth itself, adorned with towering trees rose up on all sides, their branches intertwining overhead to form a canopy that blocked out the sun. The only sound was the gentle trickle of water from the meandering streams that wound their way through the garden. Even the temperature dropped significantly as they stepped inside compared to the outside. 

Ji Ruan and Gu Xiuyi walked side by side, with the housekeeper trailing closely ahead in silence. 

As they continued walking, the scenery remained unchanged, and there was no sight of a main house-like building. 

Ji Ruan couldn't help but sigh softly. "Is this a residence or a royal park?" 

Gu Xiuyi glanced at him sideways. "Already tired from walking?" 

"..." Ji Ruan glanced at him and touched his nose. "Not yet." 

Gu Xiuyi calmly stated the facts. "At the very least, we have to go through a corridor to reach the main hall." 

"Really?!" Ji Ruan couldn't control his expression. 

As they rounded the bend in the path, a sight appeared that took their breath away. A magnificent arched bridge spanned the river before them, its ancient stones covered in a lush blanket of untrimmed moss. Caught up in their banter, Ji Ruan and Gu Xiuyi nearly slipped when they stepped on it. 

Gu Xiuyi tilted his head and observed as Ji Ruan patted his chest in shock. "It's so slippery..." 

He paused for a moment, then took hold of Ji Ruan's hand. "If it's slippery, just walk slowly." 

Gu Xiuyi's hands were large enough to completely engulf Ji Ruan's body, their skin meeting and causing a slight jolt when their rings brushed against each other. 

Upon hearing the movement, the housekeeper ahead discreetly turned his head. Ji Ruan quickly understood the situation and without hesitation, intertwined his fingers with Gu Xiuyi's, relieving any burden. 

Fearful of slipping once more, Ji Ruan focused his gaze on the ground, carefully placing one foot in front of the other. 

Gu Xiuyi absentmindedly watched the red carp swimming in the pond. It was only later that he realized Ji Ruan had fallen silent and turned to look at him. 

The young man delicately held his hand, taking each step with utmost care. 

Gu Xiuyi didn't know whether to laugh or sigh. "Shall I arrange for a sedan chair for you?" 

Having caught the humorous tone in his words, Ji Ruan silently rolled his eyes. Without lifting his head, he squeezed Gu Xiuyi's hand firmly. "President Gu, joking is not your strong suit." 

Gu Xiuyi's low laughter resonated in his ears. "Fair enough..." 

In his hand, he held a tightly sealed kraft paper bag, which he had brought back along with the afternoon ring. It was evidently something of great importance, unrelated to Ji Ruan. 

Upon seeing this, Ji Ruan recalled something and questioned Gu Xiuyi. "This is my first time visiting your house. Shouldn't I bring a gift?" 

Even though he had no idea what the atmosphere in Gu Xiuyi's family was like, it was considered impolite to arrive empty-handed when meeting your partner's parents for the first time. However, this sudden visit had left Ji Ruan with no time to think about it. 

Gu Xiuyi didn't immediately respond, his eyes revealing a hint of surprise as he regarded Ji Ruan. He then shook his head. "No need." 

After a moment of contemplation, he continued, "When you meet the people inside later, just ignore them. Your comfort is all that matters." 

Although this statement seemed comforting on the surface, it held an underlying emphasis. 

The corridor they walked upon was set above a large pond, causing the wind to be stronger here than in other areas. Ji Ruan frowned and coughed twice. "What?" 

His throat was not in perfect condition, leading to a lingering cough after each episode. 

Gu Xiuyi positioned himself slightly ahead of Ji Ruan and explained, "My grandfather, father, stepmother, and two half-brothers all reside there. The older one is my stepmother's child from her previous marriage, while the younger one is my father's illegitimate child." 

He looked at Ji Ruan, his eyes devoid of any emotion. "So, when you see them, just ignore everything. Pay no mind to their words or actions. If you find it boring, you can simply switch off your hearing." 

Ji Ruan smiled lightly. "Don't you dislike it when I casually tune out?" 

Gu Xiuyi's voice remained steady. "It's okay this time. It's not important." 

Ji Ruan raised an eyebrow. It seemed that the grievances of wealthy families were truly complex. Gu Xiuyi appeared to have no affection for his so-called "family members." 

However, Ji Ruan had always been impatient when it came to getting entangled in such intricacies. He never even bothered with Gong Dou after watching dramas. With his simple way of thinking, he casually pondered and asked Gu Xiuyi, "So, are they the bad guys?" 

Bad guys? 

A slight twitch occurred on Gu Xiuyi's forehead. 

It had been quite a while since he had encountered someone like Ji Ruan, someone who simply classified people as "good" or "bad." 

He himself had long abandoned the act of defining human nature. 

For a moment, Gu Xiuyi couldn't provide an answer to this question. 

After a lengthy pause, he gazed into Ji Ruan's gentle eyes, and unconsciously felt a significant weight lifted off his shoulders. "From my perspective, you could say that." 

He curved his lips. "So, don't worry about anything else. Just follow my lead." 

Ji Ruan nodded thoughtfully. It just so happened that he had no inclination towards delving into complicated matters. 

He had always been adept at simplifying things. 

The observant housekeeper discreetly stole glances at the couple, Ji Ruan and Gu Xiuyi, as they stood in close proximity. Ji Ruan, ever the cunning charmer, embraced Gu Xiuyi's arm with a fondness that could not be easily misconstrued. 

In a hushed tone, he posed a question that bore a hint of mischievousness, "My dear, wouldn't it be rather convenient if I were to play the role of a deaf and mute individual?" 

To this enticing proposition, Gu Xiuyi responded with a series of low chuckles, conveying both amusement and agreement. "Indeed," he replied, his laughter embodying an air of velvety charm. 

----- 

The author has a clever interjection: 

Ji·The Artful Pretender·Ruan Ruan 

Mr. Gu: My astute and captivating spouse