Chapter 57
"Have some tea, young Gu."
Ten minutes later, Gu Xiuyi sat on the small couch in the studio, accepting the white porcelain teacup from Cheng Yunxiu, saying politely, "Thank you."
Cheng Yunxiu replied with a gentle smile, "You're welcome. You two chat for a bit. It's getting late, and Zi Zhang and I are going out to buy groceries. If you're free, would you like to stay for dinner?"
Gu Xiuyi did not refuse, "I'd be honored."
Cheng Yunxiu laughed lightly, patting Ji Ruan on the shoulder, "What would you like to eat, Ji Ruan?"
Holding his own cup, Ji Ruan looked up upon hearing her, "Anything is fine. Didn't you mention you have some signature dishes?"
Cheng Yunxiu pondered, "Alright then, we'll improvise. Just don't be too picky later!"
"How could we be?" Ji Ruan smiled, "I'll be sure to enjoy it."
"Hahaha, alright," Cheng Yunxiu waved her hand, "You two carry on. I'll step out."
"Thank you, Professor," Ji Ruan waved in response.
Gu Xiuyi offered a gentle smile and nodded in acknowledgment.
After the mother-daughter duo disappeared from the doorway, Ji Ruan turned to look at Gu Xiuyi.
The man set his porcelain cup back on the coffee table, leaning slightly forward with his elbows resting on his thighs, fingers interlaced- a stance that seemed reserved and distant.
"... Have some tea," Ji Ruan pushed the cup towards him, probing, "What's the matter?"
Gu Xiuyi's features remained inscrutable, betraying no emotion.
He picked up the tea after Ji Ruan's suggestion, took a sip, and then placed it back. His gaze fell on Ji Ruan, scanning his waist and shoulders, "Does it still hurt?"
"Huh? No, no," Ji Ruan touched the tip of his nose, embarrassed, "I just said that on a whim..."
Earlier, Gu Xiuyi had held him for too long. With people passing by outside and just a glass door separating them, it was easy for Cheng Zizhang and her daughter to notice, making Ji Ruan feel utterly flustered.
Coupled with Gu Xiuyi's overwhelming assertiveness, Ji Ruan had started to feel breathless after a while.
But no matter how much he protested, it seemed as if Gu Xiuyi was the one with a hearing impairment.
In his helplessness, Ji Ruan feigned extreme pain, and only then did Gu Xiuyi release him, as if awakening from a trance.
Gu Xiuyi extended a hand, "Come closer."
Unsure of his intention but trusting him, Ji Ruan took Gu Xiuyi's hand, leaning in, "Are you sure you're okay?"
He realized that Gu Xiuyi was trying his best to appear composed, but his effort only seemed to make him appear more daunting.
For a moment, Ji Ruan had the erroneous feeling that the Gu family business was on the brink of bankruptcy, and Gu Xiuyi seemed like a mountain struggling to stand but on the verge of collapsing.
"I'm fine," Gu Xiuyi said calmly, pulling Ji Ruan by the hand to sit on his lap.
Ji Ruan, initially unresponsive, only realized something was amiss when he felt the texture of Gu Xiuyi's suit trousers, promptly springing up.
"What on earth are you doing?"
Yet Gu Xiuyi was firm, wrapping his arms around Ji Ruan's waist with unquestionable intent, "Sit."
Unable to resist him, Ji Ruan tentatively sat under Gu's directive, feeling completely out of his element. His back was rigid, legs pressed tightly together.
It was... such a peculiar sensation!
Gu Xiuyi's suit trousers were thin and comfortable, and Ji Ruan's pants weren't thick either. Within seconds, their body heat intertwined.
They say that the buttocks are the coolest part of the human body; Ji Ruan had once doubted it, but now it seemed all too real.
Otherwise, how could he explain the warmth radiating from Gu Xiuyi's thigh?
Ji Ruan felt as if he was sitting on a bed of hot coals. Before long, his cheeks and ears flushed a deep red.
He was utterly unaccustomed to this warmth, almost embarrassingly so. Pushing against Gu Xiuyi's shoulders, he exclaimed:
"What on earth... are you trying to do?"
But Gu Xiuyi pulled him into an embrace. Unlike the intense gesture at the door earlier, this hug was the epitome of gentleness.
He sighed softly, "Give me a moment, can I just hold you?"
Ji Ruan, flustered by Gu's actions, allowed himself to be enveloped in the embrace.
Fortunately, Gu Xiuyi showed restraint this time, not getting overly intense as he had outside. After a moment, he released Ji Ruan.
Gu Xiuyi cast a glance around, spotting the small white suitcase standing quietly to the side, revealing Ji Ruan's purpose for being there.
"Are you planning to move in for a while?" he asked.
Ji Ruan's eyelashes fluttered, his face resembling a ripe cherry, the skin around his eyes tinged with a rosy hue. He replied, somewhat hesitantly, "Yes, is that not okay?"
Gu Xiuyi cupped Ji Ruan's face, gently brushing the corners of his eyes, "No, no, darling-"
He smiled, though it looked strained, "But could you perhaps tell me in advance? I tend to worry."
Ji Ruan tilted his head, his earlier unease morphing into confusion, "What are you talking about?"
"I did mention it to you, remember?"
He asserted, "I thoroughly described the situation before leaving!"
"..." Gu Xiuyi raised an eyebrow, "Where did you describe it?"
"I sent a message."
"I didn't receive any."
"......"
Ji Ruan blinked rapidly, "That's... that's not possible. I genuinely sent it."
"Then why didn't you answer my calls?" Gu Xiuyi inquired, "Do you know how I felt returning home to find you gone, luggage missing, and unable to reach you by phone?"
"... You called me?" Ji Ruan's determination began to waver. He reached into his pocket, not finding his phone. A pang of realization hit him.
"Well, I'm sorry," he said, managing a rueful smile, "I left my phone in the workroom inside... Just wait a moment; I'll get it-"
As he tried to rise, he was surprisingly held in place. Looking down, he realized Gu Xiuyi had him firmly wrapped in his arms.
Ji Ruan: "..."
Slightly exasperated, Ji Ruan patted Gu Xiuyi's hand, "Let go a bit, I need to get my phone."
For a moment, Gu Xiuyi's frown deepened, looking exceptionally hesitant. It was as if Ji Ruan wasn't merely retrieving something from a nearby room but embarking on a journey to the West for sacred scriptures.
Fortunately, Gu Xiuyi came to his senses quickly, refraining from letting his intellect nosedive. He calmly released Ji Ruan, saying, "Go ahead."
Ji Ruan exhaled in relief, quickly fetching his phone from the workroom.
Gu Xiuyi attempted to coax Ji Ruan to sit on his lap, casually extending a hand.
Ji Ruan wasn't one to be fooled twice; he promptly chose to sit beside Gu Xiuyi on the couch.
Gu Xiuyi: "..."
"Check your phone," he remarked calmly, retracting his hand.
By this point, Ji Ruan suspected there must have been an issue on his end. Still, he clung to hope, eager to see the message safe and sound in the chat box.
The message did indeed sit in the chat box, confirming that Ji Ruan didn't just leave without a word. Yet, the glaring red exclamation mark next to it couldn't be overlooked.
It declared the failure of the message's transmission.
Meanwhile, his notifications were swamped with red alerts. Han Xiaolin, Li Yu, and Qin Shan each sent him a barrage of messages, all filled with urgent concern. Their dormitory group chat was bustling with conversation.
--It still is bustling.
They were discussing whether Gu Xiuyi had found him, if any "hands-on family education" was administered, and if Ji Ruan was still well and alive.
Ji Ruan: "..."
He promptly sent a picture of the stoic Gu Xiuyi sipping tea.
[Thanks for your concern. I'm well. Don't worry.]
The group chat became even livelier. They exclaimed at how immaculate Gu Xiuyi looked in the photo and expressed relief that Ji Ruan was indeed alive. The subsequent comments became a bit too much for Ji Ruan, who swiftly turned off his screen.
For a brief moment, there was a profound silence, with only the rustling sound of the wind stirring the tree branches outside.
With composure, Ji Ruan put away his phone and made a decision.
He stood up, approached, and accurately sat on Gu Xiuyi's lap, looking into his slightly surprised eyes, he began to explain himself:
"I'm sorry for making you worry."
"I tried sending the message in the garage where the signal was poor, hence it didn't go through," he said with a faint sigh. "It's my fault too, I was so thrilled at the time that I forgot to double-check."
"But as you can see, it wasn't intentional. I sent you a message that was six or seven lines long. I was sincere."
"However, it's been a long time since I've been out and had fun. The sight of flowers and plants made me happy, and I enjoyed hanging out with my teacher and senior. I was so engrossed that I missed your calls and even disturbed my roommates... it's all my fault."
"In essence, everything is my fault."
His head bowed, his eyelashes slightly drooped, projecting an image of self-reproach and dejection. Yet, his words offered a complete account, painting himself as a lonely soul seeking a fragment of joy.
His explanation was structured with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
Who could blame him now?
Whoever did would be seen as an oppressor of the vulnerable, deserving to be universally condemned.
Gu Xiuyi: "..."
Gu Xiuyi was left speechless, amazed at Ji Ruan's adaptability.
However, with the man literally sitting in his lap, it would be unreasonable to push him away.
Gu Xiuyi tightened his embrace around Ji Ruan, a hold different from the previous two. This one bore a touch of exasperated affection, almost punitive in nature.
By the third time, Ji Ruan simply ceased to resist.
"So be it," he thought, "It's not as if I'm losing anything."
·
Reflecting on Ji Ruan's recent elopement-like escapade, there might have been a silver lining after all.
At the very least, Gu Xiuyi's tolerance for separation had grown. He became more accepting of Ji Ruan's short stays at Cheng Zizhang's and even his residence in the dormitory for the last couple of months this semester.
The only stipulation: no losing contact.
Yet Cheng Zizhang felt rather vexed. Even though Ji Ruan had been staying at his place, Gu Xiuyi seemed omnipresent.
The usually busy Gu Xiuyi now appeared to have plenty of free time, personally delivering meals thrice a day. In return, he would whisk Ji Ruan outside for a brief intimate embrace.
By evening, under the pretext of aiding Ji Ruan's recuperation with walks, he'd escort him until dusk.
To Cheng Zizhang, it felt like Ji Ruan was both constantly present and forever elusive.
The only perk, perhaps, was that the meals Gu Xiuyi brought were truly delectable, sparing her the effort to cook.
A few days later, it was Monday.
After nearly a month's leave, a rejuvenated Ji Ruan finally returned to school.
Campus life was much the same: attending classes during the day, occasionally visiting the studio with Cheng Zizhang, and spending evenings in the dormitory chatting and gaming.
His roommates were eager to introduce Ji Ruan to gaming, but he seemed inherently allergic. The flashy interfaces made him dizzy.
Still, group activities in a dorm are essential. Ji Ruan, with sheer persistence, managed to divert his roommates' fervent interest from the dazzling "King's Glory" game to the simplistic and aesthetic "Joyful Mahjong".
Campus life was indeed much more fulfilling than merely staying at home. Ji Ruan spent his days happily, yet there was a catch: the opportunities to meet Gu Xiuyi had dwindled.
Although Ji Ruan went home every weekend, and Gu Xiuyi occasionally took him out for meals, there was a pang of emptiness in his heart every night around nine when he heated up his own milk.
This sentiment didn't ease over time; it only alleviated when he sat on Gu Xiuyi's lap on weekends, sipping a cup of milk.
Friday afternoons, when Ji Ruan had no classes, were the designated times for Gu Xiuyi to pick him up and bring him home.
However, this week saw an impromptu addition of an interdisciplinary lecture in the first afternoon slot. Ji Ruan only found out about it while having lunch, instantly dampening his mood.
"What's with that face?" Han Xiaolin tapped his bowl, "You're sulking so hard you could hang an oil bottle from your lip."
Ji Ruan grumbled while pushing around his food, "It's the general education lecture. Didn't you get the message in your class group? So annoying when we were supposed to have the day off."
The most irksome part about their university were these general education lectures: insignificant, lax in discipline, yet with strict attendance requirements. All they cared about was a full-looking classroom.
Such a darned nuisance.
"Oh, come on," Han Xiaolin clicked his tongue, "Isn't the first slot in the afternoon still decent for you? You get to leave right after. You know when mine is scheduled?"
He held up a finger, "Tomorrow morning. Saturday. 8 am! Wanna swap?"
Ji Ruan: "..."
Quickly taking another bite, Ji Ruan wiped his mouth and stood up, "Enjoy your meal. I'm off to class."
Instead of heading back to his dormitory for a nap, Ji Ruan went directly to the lecture hall, snagging a corner seat in the back row. He then whipped out his phone to vent to Gu Xiuyi, expressing his disappointment about the extra class with a crying emoji.
Considering his phone was running critically low on battery after morning classes, Ji Ruan quickly updated Gu Xiuyi on his whereabouts, ensuring the message was sent, lest Gu Xiuyi panic when unable to reach him.
The lecture turned out even more tedious than anticipated. With his phone dead, Ji Ruan couldn't even play mahjong.
He sat by the window, the afternoon sun making him feel toasty warm, especially without having had his usual nap. It was a lethal combination.
Yet, he dared not drift off.
By mid-May, the temperatures were already soaring. The air-conditioning in the classroom had been turned on early, and even though Ji Ruan wore a thin long-sleeved shirt, he was apprehensive about catching a cold if he dozed off beneath the vents.
His eyelids waged countless battles against the weight of sleep, forcing them open time and time again, but eventually, sleep's siren call was irresistible.
Seated at the very back, with his eyes closed, Ji Ruan's head nodded repeatedly in a drowsy rhythm until, finally succumbing to exhaustion, it dropped onto the desk.
At the very last moment, a steady hand cradled Ji Ruan's face, averting the potential calamity of his head creating a dent in the desk or a nasty bump forming on his forehead.
Although his face landed on a warm cushion of flesh, Ji Ruan's muddled mind managed to gain a touch of clarity.
Blinking his eyes open with a slight smacking of his lips, he was met with the complex expression of Gu Xiuyi.