CH 20

Gu Xiuyi describes a different home than the one Ji Ruan is familiar with - it is his regular apartment, not the villa. The interior design of the apartment reflects the same minimalist and cool aesthetic as the villa, without any additional decorations. 

Before entering the living room, Ji Ruan sneezes several times and covers his mouth. 

Gu Xiuyi places a pair of slippers in front of Ji Ruan and gently nudges him: "Put these on and take a hot shower immediately." 

Although the slippers are too big for Ji Ruan to wear perfectly, he puts them on loosely. However, when Gu Xiuyi pushes him forward, he stumbles for a moment before being caught securely. 

Gu Xiuyi supports Ji Ruan's shoulders and pulls him into an embrace, then directs his attention to Ji Ruan's feet. 

To facilitate Ji Ruan's shower, Gu Xiuyi hands him a pair of plain black sandals. However, Ji Ruan's feet are quite small, leaving gaps when he wears them. His toes are slightly curled up and turn white from the cold. 

Gu Xiuyi is momentarily taken aback and slowly furrows his brow: "You can't wear them properly..." 

Ji Ruan struggles to even put on a pair of slippers... 

With Ji Ruan in his arms, Gu Xiuyi realizes that the young man has slender shoulders and a thin waist. As he holds the damp cloth between his palms, Gu Xiuyi is overwhelmed with the sensation that he can almost touch Ji Ruan's waist. 

A light, indescribable tingling sensation spreads through Gu Xiuyi's blood, reaching his fingertips. It feels as if something has scratched his heart. 

Ji Ruan's hair is wet, and Gu Xiuyi doesn't attach Ji Ruan's external device immediately. After pondering for a moment, he attaches it to Ji Ruan's left ear and calmly says, "I don't have any small slippers here." 

This apartment is primarily Gu Xiuyi's resting place, and he rarely brings friends over. The few male friends that do visit are usually around the same size as him, ensuring their feet will fit his spare slippers. 

Today, Gu Xiuyi specially picked out an unused pair for Ji Ruan, never anticipating that they would be too big for him. 

Ji Ruan also looks down, realizing the significant size difference. Walking might be inconvenient, but it isn't impossible. 

Feeling a bit chilly, Ji Ruan instinctively seeks warmth. Just like small animals gravitate toward heat sources, he does the same. 

Subconsciously, Ji Ruan doesn't push Gu Xiuyi away. He sniffs and says, "It's fine, you can wear them." 

"It's not about that," Gu Xiuyi half-carries Ji Ruan into the living room and wraps a long towel around his body. "The size isn't suitable for showering. It would be easy for you to slip." 

Ji Ruan is bewildered, thinking this is the reason. However, if he doesn't wear slippers, the bathroom tiles will become wet, increasing the chances of slipping even further. 

The living room features a delicate fabric sofa with a soft blanket draped over it. Not wanting to soil the nice furniture, Ji Ruan finds a chair to sit on, attentively examining the slippers on his feet. 

Gu Xiuyi fetches a small towel from the bathroom and proceeds to wipe Ji Ruan's hair. Ji Ruan is covered with the towel, feeling a bit dizzy. 

He pats the back of Gu Xiuyi's hand and pulls on his forearm to stop him. 

Gu Xiuyi unravels a small mess from the white towel. His eyes sparkle, but his lips remain slightly pursed, indicating he isn't in the best condition. 

"What's the matter?" Gu Xiuyi leans closer. "Are you feeling unwell?" 

Without the external device, Ji Ruan's speech resembles that of a newborn animal. He halfway purses his lips, extends his senses for testing, and concludes each sentence with an uncertain tone. 

Ji Ruan doesn't want his hair brushed, and Gu Xiuyi doesn't insist. Instead, he gently caresses the ends of Ji Ruan's hair behind his right ear before bringing him the external device. 

As the world suddenly becomes clear, Ji Ruan's shoulders tremble. Gu Xiuyi places his palm against Ji Ruan's sphenoid bone, feeling the slight trembling, akin to the flutter of a butterfly's wings. 

"In that case, wash your hair like this." Gu Xiuyi withdraws his hand and absentmindedly strokes his fingertips. "Take it slow, and leave the door unlocked." 

Ji Ruan was tuning his cochlea when his ears perked up at Gu Xiuyi's statement. Without missing a beat, he raised an eyebrow and exclaimed, "I don't need to lock the door?!" 

Gu Xiuyi remained silent for a moment, his heart filled with mixed emotions, and finally responded with a hint of complexity, "As long as you don't fall, I promise not to barge in." 

As he spoke, Gu Xiuyi maintained composure, looking like a proper gentleman despite the top button of his shirt accidentally being undone during their embrace. Standing at a distance of half a meter from Ji Ruan, he exuded an air of sophistication. 

For two seconds, Ji Ruan and Gu Xiuyi locked gazes, innocence, and asceticism reflecting in each other's eyes. They both suddenly felt that Ji Ruan's reaction was a bit excessive, leading to an awkward dry cough from Ji Ruan as he muttered, "Alright, I won't lock the door. Thank you." 

At the corner of Gu Xiuyi's lips, a gentle smile emerged as his hand gently ruffled Ji Ruan's messy hair. "You're welcome. You can temporarily wear my clothes and pants. I have new ones as well." 

Ji Ruan's eyes widened, almost overreacting once again. 

"What's the matter?" Gu Xiuyi expressed genuine confusion as if he truly didn't understand the significance of wearing someone else's undergarments. 

Ji Ruan nervously scratched the tip of his nose and curled his toes in embarrassment. "Uh, it's... inappropriate..." 

With his hands in his pockets, Gu Xiuyi felt a slight sweat on his palms, but his face remained expressionless. "Under extraordinary circumstances, one must resort to immediate actions. Don't worry, I won't attach any special meaning to you wearing my underwear. There's no need to fret over it." 

"What are you talking about?" Ji Ruan looked up, revealing embarrassment and unease in his eyes. "I didn't mean that... I, I, I... oh..." 

He lowered his gaze and focused on his toes. "I mean... the size won't fit..." 

Naturally, as the protagonist in a historical romance novel, Gu Xiuyi's physique matches that of an ordinary person. Ji Ruan didn't want to embarrass himself. 

Gu Xiuyi froze. 

It felt like a bolt of lightning struck him, but he managed to hold himself still, resisting the urge to take a step back. 

Thankfully, Ji Ruan kept his head down; otherwise, he would have witnessed Gu Xiuyi's uncontrollable expression. 

Placing one hand on his hip, Gu Xiuyi fiercely squeezed the space between his brows. He had made a rash assumption. 

His way of thinking was too mature, and Ji Ruan wasn't even on the same wavelength. The messy-haired eighteen-year-old standing before him probably hadn't even been in a relationship yet, so his concerns focused solely on his masculinity. 

At this moment, the all-powerful Mr. Gu experienced a mental crash. He stared at the unruly hair on the top of Xiao Luan Mao's head for a long time. 

After a long while, he took a deep breath, regained control of his facial expressions, and raised his hand to hold Ji Ruan's chin, urging him to look up. With a reassuring but somewhat nonsensical remark, he said, "Don't be too disheartened. You're still developing." 

He frowned, a smile devoid of words tugged at the corner of his mouth as he added, "Thank you..." 

Gu Xiuyi realized his words had fallen into the abyss of the Great Rift Valley in East Africa, so he decided to stop discussing matters related to development with the young boy. Instead, he calmly said, "You can wear my clothes, but how will you change?" 

Ji Ruan already had a plan in mind. "Do you have a hairdryer at home?" 

Gu Xiuyi pursed his lips. "Of course." 

Ji Ruan sneezed again, rubbing the tip of his nose. "It's simple. While showering, I'll wash and dry the undergarments together. Mine are quite thin, and they should be dry in no time." 

Gu Xiuyi raised an eyebrow. It was a practical solution. 

Ji Ruan's nose turned red from the friction, prompting Gu Xiuyi to check the temperature on the side of his neck with the back of his hand; it was unusually low. 

"Alright," Gu Xiuyi cut short any further nonessential dialogue. "Hurry up and wash. I'll leave the clothes by the bathroom door." 

Ji Ruan was visibly shivering from the cold, so he removed the external device and entered the bathroom with Gu Xiuyi 

Gu Xiuyi located a shirt that had seen minimal use and carefully placed it on a small stool by the bathroom door. The sound of running water could be heard from within, and the frosted glass door gradually became veiled with a misty layer. It was only after some time passed that Gu Xiuyi realized his throat was parched. 

He opened the freezer in the refrigerator, contemplating the fact that Ji Ruan would need hot water for his cold medicine after showering. Deciding against the mineral water he initially reached for, he instead opted to boil a pot of water. 

When Ji Ruan emerged from the bathroom, the scalding hot water in Gu Xiuyi's cup had cooled to a drinkable temperature. Holding the handle of the cup, Gu Xiuyi scanned the surroundings. 

A cloud of steam billowed out as Ji Ruan opened the misted glass door, revealing him clad in Gu Xiuyi's shirt, which was far too big for him, and a dry towel draped over his shoulders. His hair glistened with droplets of water, giving him a roguish appearance. 

Ji Ruan playfully wiggled his toes on the absorbent mat by the door, making his way to the living room to retrieve the hairdryer from the coffee table. 

Gu Xiuyi's shirt enveloped Ji Ruan's legs perfectly like a second skin, and as the bright living room light bathed him in a golden glow, his legs appeared slender and straight, making them appear almost translucent. 

The milky whiteness of Ji Ruan's skin was only made more luminous by the droplets of water that clung to it, but they possessed a radiance that surpassed it, emitting a soft, near-holy glow, freshly descended from the heavens. 

The purity of his fair skin extended to his knees, ankles, and even his toes, which boasted a subtle pink hue. 

Gu Xiuyi's breath caught in his throat, and he tightly gripped the water glass before averting his gaze. 

Ji Ruan's attire was undoubtedly inappropriate before any man! 

However, considering the circumstances, Gu Xiuyi sipped his water and attempted to calm his mind through rational analysis. 

Firstly, Ji Ruan's clothes and pants were wet, leaving him with no choice but to don Gu Xiuyi's shirt. Gu Xiuyi had, after all, been the one to find it for him, so it wasn't fair to blame Ji Ruan for looking good. 

Secondly, it was Gu Xiuyi's fault for forgetting to provide Ji Ruan with a pair of indoor slippers, resulting in his barefoot appearance and the accidental exposure of his pink toes. Ji Ruan couldn't be blamed for that either. 

Lastly, Ji Ruan wasn't wearing pants... why wasn't he wearing pants? 

He had placed a pair of grey sweatpants on the sofa! 

As if to confirm his thoughts, Gu Xiuyi turned his head to steal a glance at the sofa. Sure enough, the grey sweatpants were lying there. Simultaneously, Ji Ruan's legs peeped out from beneath the hem of his shirt near the sofa. 

Gu Xiuyi pressed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. Perhaps Ji Ruan didn't see any problem with this, or maybe he hadn't even registered the presence of Gu Xiuyi, a living being, standing beside him. 

It's possible that Ji Ruan only focused on the hairdryer and the task of drying his hair hurriedly. 

And so on... 

The sip of water Gu Xiuyi just took got stuck midway in his throat. 

Ji Ruan wasn't wearing... 

Ji Ruan wasn't wearing anything beneath the shirt... 

This realization exploded in Gu Xiuyi's mind like a sudden thunderclap, igniting sparks that temporarily disabled his ability to think. 

"Cough--!" 

Violently choking on the saliva trapped in his throat, Gu Xiuyi began to cough uncontrollably. 

Ji Ruan, who hadn't yet begun drying his hair and wasn't wearing the external device, could only hear muffled sounds around him. Even Gu Xiuyi's cough, which reached his ears, became a faint noise. 

When Ji Ruan turned his head to investigate, all he saw were Gu Xiuyi's slightly hunched shoulders behind the kitchen counter. 

Ji Ruan furrowed his brows, momentarily unsure whether he should be concerned. 

"Um..." Ji Ruan tried to speak, but fearing that Gu Xiuyi might suddenly turn around, he discreetly tucked his hands behind his back and amplified his voice, "Are you catching a cold too?" 

As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt that something was off. Without wearing the external device, his voice sounded no different from an ordinary person's when spoken softly, but when spoken loudly, the pitch became uncontrollable. 

Although he couldn't hear it clearly, Ji Ruan sensed that the tone of his sentence was peculiar, almost resembling a folk song. 

In a surprise, Ji Ruan pressed his fingertips to his lips, turning his head back to continue drying his hair. He no longer wished to engage in conversation, at worst, he would prepare a glass of cold medicine for Gu Xiuyi later. 

Gu Xiuyi took a bath longer than expected, much to Ji Ruan's amusement. He slowly dried his hair and put on his sweatpants, finding a bag to pack the wet clothes. He then poured two more cups of cold medicine, the sound of the water in the cups gradually decreasing. 

When Gu Xiuyi finally emerged from the bathroom, he was completely calm and collected, his usual expressionless face in place. Ji Ruan couldn't help but smile to himself. 

Two steaming cups of cold medicine sat on the coffee table in the living room. Ji Ruan lay crookedly on the sofa, clutching a pillow to his chest, his eyes drooping with sleep. 

He had already donned Gu Xiuyi's gray sweatpants and buttoned his shirt up to the top button. It was a strange sight, to be sure, but it was also strangely endearing. Ji Ruan looked like a little boy who had gotten into his father's clothes. 

Gu Xiuyi couldn't help but smile as he watched Ji Ruan. He breathed a sigh of relief, this is a good baby. 

Gu Xiuyi brushed away Ji Ruan's bangs with the gentlest of touches, his large palm dwarfing the boy's small forehead. As he felt for any sign of fever, his fingers lingered for a moment, savoring the warmth of Ji Ruan's skin. When Ji Ruan opened his eyes, their gazes met, and Gu Xiuyi felt a jolt of electricity run through him. 

Ji Ruan's eyelashes fluttered like the wings of a butterfly, and Gu Xiuyi's heart skipped a beat. He quickly withdrew his hand, not wanting to give away his feelings. And there was a subtle touch under Gu Xiuyi's hands, like a butterfly kissing his little finger. 

Gu Xiuyi's fingertips trembled as he withdrew his hand from Ji Ruan's. He had been holding his breath, afraid that Ji Ruan would notice his shaking. But Ji Ruan was too tired to notice anything, and he simply rubbed his eyes and handed Gu Xiuyi a cup of cold medicine. 

"Drink this quickly," Ji Ruan said. "You sound like you have a cold." 

Gu Xiuyi took the cup and hesitated for a moment. He didn't have a cold, but he didn't want to disappoint Ji Ruan. So he took a sip of the cold medicine, "Thank you, but I don't have a cold." 

But Ji Ruan seemed to think that Gu Xiuyi was being stubborn, and snorted softly. "I don't have a cold either, but it can be prevented." 

Gu Xiuyi glanced at Ji Ruan's red nose and white lips and sighed. "I hope you won't get sick." 

After all, it was Ji Ruan who had made the medicine himself. Gu Xiuyi drank it all in one gulp, strong-willed, while Ji Ruan, holding the cup with empty eyes, took small sips. 

"It's always so slow to eat anything," Gu Xiuyi muttered. 

Ji Ruan was distracted for a moment, and then suddenly raised his head from the hot air in the cup. "So French snails are soaked in soup?" 

Gu Xiuyi was taken aback. "What? Yeah." 

Gu Xiuyi turned on the TV and began to channel surf, waiting for Ji Ruan to finish his medicine before washing the cups. 

When Ji Ruan was finished, Gu Xixuyi unlocked his phone and handed it to him. "Order takeout," he said. 

Ji Ruan was indeed hungry, and he didn't hesitate to take the phone and open the takeaway app. He scrolled up and down the menu, then looked up at Gu Xiuyi and asked, "How about rice noodles?" 

It was rare for Ji Ruan to not have difficulty choosing, which meant that he wanted to eat rice noodles. 

Gu Xiuyi nodded. "That sounds good." 

Ji Ruan smiled and began to order his food. 

As he was ordering, he turned to Gu Xiuyi and said, "You know, I think rice noodles are the perfect food for us. They're simple, yet satisfying." 

Gu Xiuyi smiled back at him. "I couldn't agree more." 

Ji Ruan's fingertips danced across the screen as he added the "three delicacies" to his shopping cart. "I'm feeling particularly carnivorous today," he said to Gu Xiuyi, who was sitting next to him. 

Gu Xiuyi shrugged. "Same as you," he said. "I'm always up for a good meal." 

The rain outside the window was coming down in sheets, but the delivery was not delayed. Ji Ruan and Gu Xiuyi were soon tucking into their steaming hot rice noodles, savoring every bite. 

After dinner, they moved to the living room. Ji Ruan and Gu Xiuyi curled up on the soft carpet in the living room, watching TV and sipping hot cocoa. The rain fell steadily outside, but inside, the warm lights and the smell of cooking food created a cozy atmosphere. 

Ji Ruan likes this kind of feeling very much. listening to the sound of rain outside the window. The bright lights of the living room cast a warm glow over him. It's just... a bit like home. 

After taking a bite of rice noodles, his whole body was filled with warmth. He closed his eyes in satisfaction and said to Gu Xiuyi, "I don't think French snails are better than this." 

Gu Xiuyi smiled. He had asked Ji Ruan out to eat Western food, but he wasn't interested in the French snails. He just wanted to spend time with him. 

"I think so too," he said. "Rice noodles are much more delicious and satisfying." 

Ji Ruan laughed. "I knew you'd agree with me." 

Gu Xiuyi flicked on the TV, casually flipping through the channels. He landed on a sports channel, and to his surprise, it was broadcasting the ten-meter diving platform. He had never been much of a fan of diving, but something about the sight of those athletes soaring through the air and gracefully entering the water captured his attention. 

The athlete tumbled down from a high place and dived into the water, and as soon as her body hit the water, she transformed into a graceful mermaid, her limbs slicing through the waves like fins. 

Gu Xiuyi unconsciously thought of Ji Ruan. 

In that serenely cozy moment, as the rain gently tapered off outside and the aromatic scent of hot rice noodles filled the air, Gu Xiuyi couldn't help but let his thoughts wander to Ji Ruan. 

The television, tuned to a sports channel showcasing the grace and precision of a diver executing a ten-meter dive, unintentionally became a catalyst for Gu Xiuyi's contemplation. 

Ji Ruan, snugly cocooned in a dark blue quilt and propped up on a light blue pillow, sported eyes as sparkling as the ocean and a mouth adorned with delightful dimples. He truly embodied the essence of a mesmerizing little mermaid. 

"Ahem—" Two abrupt coughs jolted Gu Xiuyi back to the realm of reality. 

He turned his head to find the supposed little mermaid, now clutching his chest while struggling to reach for a napkin at the edge of the table. His face flushed and crinkled, and his hair fell into an unruly mess. 

"..." 

Gu Xiuyi quickly discerned the distinction between the ideal and the actual. 

Producing two pieces of paper, he approached Ji Ruan and inquired, "What's wrong?" 

Ji Ruan, having successfully obtained the napkin, casually wiped his face before succumbing to another bout of vigorous coughing. 

Gu Xiuyi had become somewhat adept at back-patting, at least in the initial stages. He wrapped his arms around Ji Ruan and gently patted his back. 

Amidst his coughs, Ji Ruan pointed to the soup and then to his throat, communicating that the soup had gone down the wrong pipe. 

Gu Xiuyi chuckled, once again astounded by Ji Ruan's delicate and slender throat. 

This time, Ji Ruan hadn't choked too severely, as there wasn't excruciating chest pain accompanying her coughs. However, his throat persisted in an unrelenting itch. 

Leaning against Gu Xiuyi's supporting frame, he intermittently coughed for a long duration until his annoyance allowed to cease. He wearily slumped onto the sofa, his head buried in his arms. 

Witnessing his glassy stare, Gu Xiuyi felt a potent blend of both pathos and humor. Placing a hand on his head, he used his fingertips to tap her petite Adam's apple, feeling a twinge of helplessness. "How can something as delicate as your esophagus be overwhelmed by the three delicacies? What good is that small pipe of yours?" he mused. 

Ji Ruan coughed vigorously, eventually subsiding, while Gu Xiuyi remained bewildered by his unpredictable nature. 

He wrested his hand away from Gu Xiuyi's grasp, casually brushed his neck, and nonchalantly remarked, "Isn't beauty useful?" 

Gu Xiuyi froze, his hand still lingering in the air, struck by the profundity of Ji Ruan's words. In that moment, he truly absorbed the sight before him. 

With his collarbone slightly exposed, his hair tousled, and her neck arching gracefully as he reclined on the sofa, Ji Ruan's delicate skin became even more luminous due to a light sheen of perspiration. Tears glistened on his face, accentuating his clustered lashes, even as his eyes appeared distant and unfocused. 

Strangely enough, however, he remained strikingly beautiful. 

It was a beauty reminiscent of moonlit rose petals adrift in a rivulet, ethereal yet flowing with an ephemeral light. 

Ji Ruan slowly closed his eyes, and once the dizziness had abated, he rose from the sofa and made his way to the bathroom. Tears blurred his vision, preventing him from perceiving details clearly, forcing him to rely on touch as he washed her face. 

It wasn't until the bathroom door closed with a resounding thud that Gu Xiuyi withdrew his now-numb hand. 

On the television, athletes continued to dive, plunging into the water with unparalleled grace and emerging like mermaids. 

Yet, at that moment, Gu Xiuyi couldn't help but realize that the mermaid he had conjured in his imagination paled in comparison to the extraordinary mermaid before him. 

As the rain subsided and Beijing's gates stood guard, Gu Xiuyi couldn't bear to keep Ji Ruan cooped up any longer. He packed their belongings and accompanied them back to school. 

Perhaps due to the heavy rainfall, only a few students lingered near the school gate, transforming the streets into deserted and tranquil corridors. The air hung heavy with the scent of moisture. 

Not allowing Ji Ruan to disembark immediately, Gu Xiuyi procured something from the trunk of the car. 

Meanwhile, Ji Ruan fumbled with his disheveled hair before the mirror, when suddenly, the driver's door swung open, and Gu Xiuyi entered the vehicle, carrying a tinge of dampness along with an umbrella and a sugar bowl in his hand. 

The candy was smaller than the first glass jar filled with a delightful combination of chocolate and fruit candies, but inside, it boasted the same vibrant red wrapper. 

At once, Ji Ruan recognized the only cherry-flavored candy. 

"Take it back and enjoy," Gu Xiuyi handed both the candy jar and the umbrella to Ji Ruan. 

Ji Ruan picked up the jar, marveling at how the street lamps refracted and danced off its bright red surface, casting an enchanting broken light that resembled the magical candies found in fairy tales. 

"Thank you," a dimple appeared on his face, "Actually, before leaving, I counted them, wondering if there would be a cherry-scented one that slipped through the cracks, but there wasn't." 

He blinked, unreservedly expressing his joy, "I felt a little disappointed then, so if you give me this now, I'll be several times happier than usual." 

Gu Xiuyi's heart was once again stirred, different from the tumultuous stirrings that raked his heart and lungs earlier. This time, it felt like a gentle stream, smoothing away any rough edges. 

"Have you ever tasted this flavor?" Ji Ruan inquired. 

Gu Xiuyi gripped the steering wheel and shook his head, "No." 

Upon hearing this, Ji Ruan opened the jar and scooped out a few candies, placing them in Gu Xiuyi's palm, "Then you must try it, it's delicious." 

With that, he swung open the car door and stepped out, clutching a bag of clothes, an umbrella, and the candy jar in his hands. It was an unwieldy load, preventing him from waving his hands farewell. So, he stooped down and smiled at Gu Xiuyi through the car window, "Goodbye." 

It wasn't until Ji Ruan's figure disappeared into the tree-laden shadows that Gu Xiuyi released his grip on the steering wheel, leaning his head back against the chair as he exhaled deeply. 

Upon returning to the dormitory, Ji Ruan's changed attire immediately caught the attention of his roommates, who began teasing him. 

Led by Han Xiaolin, who crossed his arms, he jibed, "Ah, a boyfriend shirt." 

Qin Shan chimed in, "Ah, boyfriend pants." 

Li Yu playfully concluded, "Ah, boyfriend candy." 

Ji Ruan was taken aback by their comments, setting down his bag and settling into a chair, "Shut up, all of you! Come over and have some candy, I think it's delicious." 

Reluctantly, the three roommates each took one candy as a symbolic gesture, not daring to ask for more since it had been given by someone else's partner. 

Li Yu toyed with the bright red cherry-flavored candy and sighed, "Does this represent genuine love?" 

Qin Shan chimed in wryly, "They're legal partners now, how can there still be innocence after a change of clothes?" 

As Gu Xiuyi finished his nighttime routine and climbed into bed, a small cherry icon lit up on his phone screen. With a faint smile, he tapped on the message. 

[image.jpg] 

It was the familiar red candy wrapper. 

[Even my roommates said it wasn't delicious and that it was too sour, but I find it both sour and sweet.] 

Gu Xiuyi chuckled, about to compose a reply when another message promptly appeared. 

[Have you eaten yet?] 

Gu Xiuyi paused, and then his gaze shifted to the bedside table, where the three shiny candies sat untouched. He realized that he hadn't had a chance to enjoy them. 

Observing that his message was read but not replied to, Ji Ruan made a playful guess. 

[You didn't eat them, did you?] 

Without further hesitation, Gu Xiuyi popped one candy into his mouth. The intense sour flavor instantly assaulted his taste buds, causing him to furrow his brows. 

Ji Ruan's roommates were correct; they truly were sour. 

When Gu Xiuyi bought the candies, he was well aware of why the cherry flavor was scarce in the market. Numerous customers had complained about its lackluster taste and insufficient sweetness. 

Ji Ruan took a sip of the milk and smiled. He knew that Gu Xiuyi would like it because it had a unique taste. When he finished drinking the milk, he sent a picture of the empty cup to Gu Xiuyi. 

Gu Xiuyi replied with a picture of himself holding a red candy wrapper. The wrapper was small in his large palm, but he looked very happy. 

"It's very sweet," he said. 

----- 

Author's Note: 

Mr. Gu's tips for chasing his wife ② - On the one hand, it is a literal statement about the candy wrapper being sweet. On the other hand, it is a metaphor for Gu Xiuyi's desire for Ji Ruan. 

Gu Xiuyi is not afraid to express his desire for Ji Ruan, even if it is unconscious.