Chapter 23
Two days after the Mid-Autumn Festival, with Aunt Zhao on vacation, Gu Xiuyi decided to take Ji Ruan out for a quick getaway.
A friend owned a private estate in the suburbs. It wasn't far, perfect for a two-day, one-night trip, and they could stay overnight.
The pair packed a few change of clothes casually. Without calling for a chauffeur, Gu Xiuyi drove personally, and Ji Ruan naturally took the passenger seat.
The sensation felt a bit peculiar. The last time Ji Ruan sat beside Gu Xiuyi, he was being rushed to the hospital due to gastroenteritis; the pain was so intense he hardly noticed his surroundings. But now, out on a pleasure trip, with the clear sky and beautiful weather, the silence between them made the air feel excessively still.
"Have you ever thought about getting a driver's license?" Gu Xiuyi broke the silence.
"Driver's license?" Ji Ruan's gaze shifted from the treetops, "Why bring that up all of a sudden?"
Gu Xiuyi remarked casually, "Knowing how to drive means you can visit many places freely, without constraints."
True enough. Ji Ruan pondered; the idea of a road trip, leisurely admiring the scenery along the way, sounded delightful.
"But I've heard it's hard to pass," he said, scratching the tip of his nose, torn between the allure of the open road and the dread of a potential hassle.
This seemed to touch upon an area Gu Xiuyi was unfamiliar with, he frowned, "Is it?"
"It is," Ji Ruan replied earnestly, raising three fingers, "Han Xiaolin took the second stage test three times. And he's an athlete, with top-tier motor skills, and he still didn't pass."
Their entire dorm was a bunch of slackers, only Han Xiaolin had been preparing for his driving test since the summer vacation. Classes had resumed, yet he hadn't passed. Just last week, he failed his third attempt at the second stage, and he cried all afternoon.
The ordeal scared the others in the dorm, including Ji Ruan, making them apprehensive about getting their licenses.
"Really?" Gu Xiuyi leaned his elbow against the window frame, thoughtfully rubbing his lower lip with his index finger, "Perhaps our test was simpler back then. The difficulty might have increased. Nowadays, you have more exams than we did in our time."
Ji Ruan, a young man witnessing the intensifying pressures of society, sighed in response, "Exactly. After the break, I'll have to start prepping for so many tests. Can't believe there are midterm exams even in college."
Most of Gu Xiuyi's friends were his age, usually dealing with experienced seniors in their professional lives. He rarely had prolonged interactions with people more than a decade younger than him, so he hadn't heard someone complain about midterm exams in many years.
Such a minor complaint, out of Gu Xiuyi's familiar territory, became especially endearing.
"Hmm," his voice laced with amusement, "With so many exams, let's skip learning to drive. We have a chauffeur at home; there's no real need for us to drive ourselves."
Given Gu Xiuyi's background, he likely rarely drove himself, having a driver on most occasions. Ji Ruan silently observed him for a moment.
The man leaned back lazily in his seat, loosely gripping the steering wheel. His posture was casual, yet his driving skills were impeccable, rivaling those of Uncle Zhang, a veteran driver of decades.
Could someone who seldom drives maintain such a high standard when they do? Why didn't he seem rusty?
"Why are you staring at me?" Gu Xiuyi, eyes fixed on the road ahead, questioned.
Ji Ruan immediately turned away, "Ah... nothing."
Before they left, Aunt Zhao had packed some mooncakes she made the day before for Ji Ruan. Opening the box, Ji Ruan inquired, "Do you eat mooncakes?"
Glancing sideways, Gu Xiuyi remarked, "Did you make these with Aunt Zhao?"
"Yes," an amusing idea crossed Ji Ruan's mind as he grinned, "How about I randomly pick one for you, and you guess who made it?"
Such a game, a tad trivial and childish, wouldn't typically appeal to Gu Xiuyi.
As the car moved smoothly on the asphalt road leading to the estate, Gu Xiuyi pondered for a moment, "Alright, but..."
He seemed slightly troubled, moving his hand from the window frame to grip the steering wheel firmly, "I can't really eat while driving. Could you help by placing it near my mouth?"
"Oh, right," Ji Ruan realized and apologized, "Sorry, I conveniently forgot you were driving. I'll feed you then."
The corners of Gu Xiuyi's lips twitched upward, a gesture quickly hidden as he pressed his lips together, responding earnestly, "Thank you."
"Eh... what's there to thank..." Ji Ruan's voice trailed off, unintentionally sounding coy.
Holding a mooncake wrapped in a napkin, Ji Ruan carefully brought it to Gu Xiuyi's mouth, ensuring not to distract his driving, emphasizing, "Focus on the road ahead, don't look at me."
"Understood," biting into the mooncake, the sweetness of red bean paste spread across Gu Xiuyi's palate, amplifying his delight, "Such a good boy."
"Huh?"
As Ji Ruan was about to take a piece for himself, he looked up in bewilderment.
Without missing a beat, Gu Xiuyi said, "I meant the mooncake tastes great. You made it, didn't you?"
Ji Ruan looked surprised. "Impressive! How did you guess?"
It was just an ordinary red bean mooncake. Aunt Zhao had prepared both the filling and the skin. Ji Ruan had only helped in wrapping it. The difference in taste should have been indiscernible. If it weren't for the minor imperfection on the edge of the piece given to Gu Xiuyi - a result of a slight mishap during preparation - even Ji Ruan might not have been able to identify the maker.
His eyes curved with amusement. "Did you just take a wild guess and got it right?"
Gu Xiuyi shook his head, his tone gentle yet certain. "There's too much red bean paste. It's sweeter."
"......"
Ji Ruan inspected it closer; indeed, his filling seemed to be more generous than Aunt Zhao's.
"Well..." Ji Ruan tried to defend, slightly embarrassed. "Typically, the more filling a stuffed food has, the more delicious it is."
"Oh, really?" Gu Xiuyi looked genuinely curious, as if hearing this for the first time.
"Absolutely." Ji Ruan attempted to persuade him.
"Hmm..." Gu Xiuyi nodded thoughtfully. "Let me try another bite then."
"Alright." Ji Ruan wrapped another piece in paper and began to hand it over, hesitating halfway.
Something felt a bit off.
·
The mansion was grandiosely built, reminiscent of English manor houses, boasting vast green lawns and majestic castle-like structures.
After the car was taken away by the valet, Gu Xiuyi led Ji Ruan down a gravel path cutting through the lawn.
"Will there be many people this time?" Ji Ruan inquired.
"Not many," Gu Xiuyi reassured, guiding Ji Ruan slightly. "Besides the owner of this place, you know the others - Song Ling and Li Sui'an."
Recognizing familiar names, Ji Ruan felt more at ease. "That's good. It's more enjoyable with fewer people."
In the small garden in front of the castle, a few people were having afternoon tea. They rose to greet them as they approached. The man in the lead wasn't particularly tall but had a hearty face. Following him were Li Sui'an and another unfamiliar face.
"Gu, you're late!" The man greeted Gu Xiuyi warmly.
Gu Xiuyi glanced at his wristwatch, replying nonchalantly, "I'm not."
The man chuckled, "Really, what's wrong with being polite?"
Li Sui'an, as always elegant, greeted Ji Ruan first, "Long time no see, young Ji Ruan."
Gu Xiuyi coughed, "Who are you calling 'young'?"
"...", Li Sui'an was at a loss for words, "Alright then, patient Ji Ruan?"
Out of the three, Ji Ruan only recognized Li Sui'an and graciously smiled, "It's been a while, Dr. Li."
At that moment, Song Ling finally made her tardy appearance. Dressed more casually without a suit, she seemed much more relaxed. She bumped fists with Li Sui'an, "I'm not too late, am I?"
Li Sui'an responded nonchalantly, "We all arrived around the same time."
The shorter man turned to Ji Ruan with enthusiasm in his voice, "So you're Ji Ruan! The one everyone talks about. It's finally nice to meet you in person! My name's Duan Zeping. Just call me Brother Duan. This here is Lin Qing..."
As he spoke, he pulled over another unfamiliar face, revealing a hint of shyness, "I'm pursuing him."
Lin Qing, appearing scholarly and reserved, offered everyone a gentle smile, "Hello."
"Well, well, Brother Duan," Song Ling teased, "When did this start? So, am I the only single one now?"
Li Sui'an has a girlfriend, Duan Zeping is pursuing someone, and even his damn boss has raced ahead and gotten married, leaving him, Song Ling, feeling a bit bitter as the odd one out.
Li Sui'an smirked, "What do you know? I've been courting for several months now."
Lin Qing turned his head away, remaining silent.
Seeing the expression on Lin Qing's face, Duan Zeping laughed somewhat awkwardly, "Shut it. Qing is sensitive, don't tease."
It was the end of September, the beginning of autumn. Despite the sun, the temperature was still a bit high, reminiscent of the lingering summer heat. Ji Ruan, sensitive to sunlight, felt his lips drying out after just a short while.
Gu Xiuyi frowned, interrupting the group's drifting conversation, "What's the plan for the afternoon?"
Li Sui'an was the first to snap back, "We're going fishing, followed by a fish feast in the evening."
Gu Xiuyi seemed indifferent, turning to Ji Ruan, "Do you think fishing might be boring?"
After all, fishing is usually enjoyed by those older than them. Ji Ruan, who had partied at nightclubs with Han Xiaolin, was a fresh young sprout. Gu Xiuyi doubted he'd have the patience for it.
"Sure," Ji Ruan licked his lips, squinting against the sunlight, "I love fish."
He also excelled at the art of sitting still.
"Alright," Gu Xiuyi decided not to let Ji Ruan sunbathe any longer, succinctly suggesting, "Let's put our luggage away first."
Duan Zeping gave a hearty laugh, "Alright then, we'll go ahead. See you at the fishing spot."
The castle's interior decoration carried a distinct old European flair, beautifully refined and elegantly rustic.
Ji Ruan and Gu Xiuyi's room was on the fifth floor, offering a panoramic view of distant rolling mountains when the window was opened.
From his luggage, Gu Xiuyi retrieved an insulated cup, handing it to Ji Ruan, "Your lips are dry. Don't you know to drink water?"
Ji Ruan, captivated by the view, had overlooked his thirst. Seeing the cup brought to him, he smiled, revealing a dimple, "Thank you."
Gu Xiuyi's gaze lingered on Ji Ruan's dimple for a few extra moments before looking away, "I'm heading to the restroom. Get ready. We'll go fishing soon."
"Mm-hmm," Ji Ruan nodded with a smile.
The cup contained sugar water made by Aunt Zhao. The lightly sweetened drink moistened his throat, and together with the gentle breeze outside, it soothed his soul, making him feel significantly refreshed.
When asked to prepare, Ji Ruan genuinely took some time to do so.
After washing up, Gu Xiuyi returned to find Ji Ruan sporting a black fisherman's hat, obediently waiting for him by the bed.
Where the hat had come from was anyone's guess. It had a wide brim and seemed a tad too big-perhaps Ji Ruan's head was just too small. Either way, it sat somewhat precariously on his head. Ji Ruan frequently adjusted the brim and brushed aside his bangs which fell into his eyes.
From Gu Xiuyi's vantage point, Ji Ruan appeared almost childlike, his head slightly lowered, eyebrows and eyes obscured by the hat, revealing a pale, pointed chin and a hint of rosy cheek.
Gu Xiuyi stood still, watching him for a moment. The next second, their eyes met as Ji Ruan tried to peer out from under the hat.
Ji Ruan seemed a touch impatient. His brows slightly furrowed and the corners of his eyes reddened from the irritation of his hair, giving him an adorably petulant look.
Gu Xiuyi's fingers trembled ever so slightly, a warmth spreading in his chest.
He stepped forward, gently patting Ji Ruan's head, "Wearing the fisherman's hat because we're going fishing?"
"No," Ji Ruan removed the ill-fitting hat, his cheeks puffing out a bit in frustration, "I just don't want to get sunburned..."
With his thick hair, if it became disheveled, he'd look unkempt, reminiscent of a fluffy cat with its fur standing on end when agitated.
Gu Xiuyi stifled his laughter and smoothed out Ji Ruan's hair, "It's alright, you can fish under the shade of the umbrella."
Ji Ruan abruptly looked up, his eyes flashing with exasperation from unnecessary hustling, "Why didn't you say so earlier?"
·
"Hey, don't you think Ji Ruan... kind of resembles that... who was it?" whispered Duan Zeping to Li Sui'an at the fishing spot.
"Who?" Li Sui'an, engrossed in selecting fishing tools and bait, responded absentmindedly.
Duan Zeping clicked his tongue, "You know, that one with the surname Bai."
Li Sui'an paused, immediately glancing around. Lin Qing was in the restroom, and the other three hadn't arrived, "Don't be ridiculous, they're nothing alike."
"I didn't mean their faces," Duan Zeping scrunched his brow, struggling to find the right words, "It's that kind of vibe, you know... It's hard to explain. And the stature, the build, they're somewhat similar."
Setting down the fishing gear, Li Sui'an said seriously, "Aren't most boys around eighteen or nineteen built like that? It's been so many years, do you even remember what he looks like?"
"Well, it's been over a decade since I last saw him..." admitted Duan Zeping awkwardly, "I didn't mean anything by it, just an offhand comment..."
"What are you two discussing?" Lin Qing emerged from the restroom, sensing the tension between them.
Duan Zeping promptly chuckled, steering Lin Qing away, "Nothing, let's go fishing, Qing."
For many, fishing is often perceived as a tedious activity requiring immense patience. Yet, Gu Xiuyi noticed Ji Ruan seemed quite content, even engrossed.
It must have been a skill he honed during his summer holidays spent mostly indoors.
Sharing a fishing rod and seated beneath a sunshade, Gu Xiuyi was in charge of fishing, while Ji Ruan played the role of a lucky charm, occasionally snacking.
Ji Ruan ate delicately and quietly. A small cake, consumed bite by tiny bite with a small spoon, could last him quite a while.
Fishing is a game of patience, and most of the time, the water remains still. Gu Xiuyi found himself quietly observing Ji Ruan's eating habits.
Interestingly, even though Ji Ruan took minuscule bites, his cheeks would puff out, resembling a contented squirrel that had eaten its fill of nuts, occasionally revealing a hint of a rosy tongue.
As Ji Ruan continued to eat, he would occasionally feel the weight of a heated gaze upon him. At first, he tried to ignore it, but as time went on, the intensity of the gaze lingered longer and longer.
It became so intense that it disrupted Ji Ruan's snacking. He finally set down his spoon, exasperated, "Why do you keep staring at me?"
Gu Xiuyi, with his hand still propped against his forehead, looked nonchalant. There was no trace of embarrassment or avoidance at being caught, he casually remarked, "Because the fish hasn't bitten the bait."
So he's watching him eat because the fish isn't biting?
He's not a fish!
Ji Ruan poked the cake with his spoon, his tone terse, "Stop watching."
Then he heard a soft chuckle. It seemed Gu Xiuyi really did turn away.
"Old Gu! Come quickly! There's something interesting here hahaha-"
Duan Zeping's triumphant laughter echoed from outside.
Gu Xiuyi gently patted Ji Ruan's head, whispering, "Eat at your own pace, I'll see what's going on."
Not long after Gu Xiuyi left, Lin Qing approached. Ji Ruan, who had never spoken to him, was somewhat taken aback.
Lin Qing pointed to the spot next to Ji Ruan, "May I sit here?"
Ji Ruan nodded, "As you please."
After Lin Qing sat down, Ji Ruan didn't initiate conversation. The other seemed hesitant for a moment, then suddenly asked Ji Ruan, "Can I inquire how you and Mr. Gu came to be together?"
At a glance, Lin Qing appeared unaware of their contractual marriage. Ji Ruan pursed his lips and set down his spoon, "Why such a question?"
Lin Qing met Ji Ruan's gaze, and with an awkward smile, said, "Seems it's a sensitive topic, huh..."
His fingers, resting on his knee, clenched momentarily, betraying some inner turmoil. After a pause, he took a deep breath and turned to Ji Ruan, "When you're with Mr. Gu, aren't you afraid people will say you're after his wealth?"
Ji Ruan blinked, suddenly feeling as though he was thrust into some melodramatic novel. Characters like Lin Qing were staples in those old-time stories.
"Hmm..." Ji Ruan took a moment, then cautiously inquired, "Are you deeply bothered by such remarks?"
"Absolutely." Lin Qing rubbed his arm, and even from his body language, his distaste was evident.
After pondering a bit more, Ji Ruan ventured, "I might be overstepping, but do you have feelings for Brother Duan?"
Lin Qing turned to look at Ji Ruan, his expression complex, yet conspicuously missing the emotion typically reserved for a beloved.
Ji Ruan discerned the underlying truth-Lin Qing wasn't as innocent as he seemed.
If you weren't that fond of it, and utterly detested being talked about, why did you accept the invitation to the mansion in the first place? And why let them pursue you for months without rejecting or responding?
Of course, Ji Ruan could never voice these thoughts.
He placed the plate with the cake back onto the small table, "I'm sorry, I can't answer your question."
He added with a smile, "I don't mind how others perceive me."
Their relationship was never founded on emotions to begin with.
After speaking, Ji Ruan headed over to where Gu Xiuyi was; they had caught many fish.
Lin Qing noticed Gu Xiuyi adjusting Ji Ruan's hair and asked him with a smile about the flavor he'd like for the fish. Ji Ruan's response wasn't clear, but it evidently delighted Gu Xiuyi.
·
Dinner was an entire fish feast, with some left unfinished. Song Ling suggested having an outdoor barbecue for supper, with fish as the main course and some side dishes.
Ji Ruan's cold hadn't fully recovered, and Gu Xiuyi, thinking barbecue might be too harsh, didn't want Ji Ruan to eat it. Hence, the two didn't join the others.
Gu Xiuyi went swimming in the indoor pool while Ji Ruan sat by the side on a lounge chair, sipping orange juice, watching Gu Xiuyi from a not-so-distant spot.
The man was truly well-built. Naturally broad-shouldered and with long, straight legs. Years of regular fitness meant there wasn't an ounce of excess fat on him. The lines of his arms and back muscles appeared taut and smooth as he swam.
After a few laps, he approached the edge, "Ji Ruan-"
Ji Ruan, seeing this, set down his orange juice, walked over, and squatted in front of him: "Do you need me to get you something?"
"No need," Gu Xiuyi replied, resting his arms on the pristine white tiles, "Can you swim?"
Ji Ruan hugged his knees and honestly shook his head.
Gu Xiuyi, deep in thought, nodded. As he wiped the water from his face, a few drops splashed onto Ji Ruan's foot.
The cold droplets made Ji Ruan shiver slightly.
Gu Xiuyi looked unperturbed and casually asked, "Want to give it a try?"
Author's note:
Mr. Gu's Wife-Chasing Tips #5: Sometimes, a little strategizing is needed. (Having taught you so many tricks, you should have your own wives by now. Stop sticking to mine!)