Chapter 28

The next morning, when Ji Su woke, daylight was already streaming in.

He blinked his long lashes in confusion, finding himself somehow asleep in the bed.

His mind snapped clear in an instant; Ji Su sat up, and the thin blanket slid from his waist.

He looked around, didn't see Gu Zhao anywhere in the bedroom, and immediately relaxed, flopping back onto the bed.

Ji Su closed his eyes, his cheek unconsciously nuzzling the soft pillowcase; his nose caught a crisp, pleasant woody scent, identical to Gu Zhao's, only fainter.

When Gu Zhao pushed the door open, this was the scene that met him.

A flushed little face nuzzling against his pillow, like a drowsy kitten, utterly unguarded, obedient and lovely.

Gu Zhao stood in the doorway enjoying the view for a moment, then raised a hand and knocked. 'Are you awake?'

Ji Su's eyes flew open at once, and he sat up on the bed. 'I'm awake.'

The black shirt he wore was already loose, and his sleeping posture had been anything but proper; the slouching neckline had slipped off one shoulder, exposing delicate collarbones and a snow-white shoulder, upon which there was a faint fingerprint.

It was a mark left in the bathroom yesterday — no real force had been used, but his skin was simply too tender to bear even that.

Gu Zhao's Adam's apple moved; his gaze dropped slightly, concealing whatever stirred in his eyes.

Ji Su got out of bed, his fingers tugging awkwardly at the hem of his shirt. 'Um... I remember I fell asleep on the sofa last night, I don't know why...'

Gu Zhao lifted his eyes. 'What about it?'

Ji Su asked cautiously, 'Did I climb into your bed in a daze in the middle of the night?'

Gu Zhao: 'Mm.'

Ji Su knit his brows slightly. 'I don't remember having sleepwalking, so why would I...'

'Go wash up first.' Gu Zhao cut off his self-talk. 'I made breakfast.'

'Oh, okay.' Ji Su came back to himself and offered an apology. 'I'm really sorry, I must have crowded you last night.'

'It's fine.' Gu Zhao turned around. 'I'll find you a new pair of pants.'

Ji Su answered, 'Okay, thanks.'

After washing up, he stepped out of the bathroom and saw a pair of black trousers laid out on the bed; he picked them up and changed into them, then rolled the long hems up twice before heading toward the living room.

No sooner had he stepped out of the bedroom than his keen nose caught the scent of food.

Gu Zhao brought out two steaming bowls of noodles with shredded pork and greens; on the table sat soup dumplings bought from the breakfast shop downstairs, paired with refreshing diced pickled cucumber — a feast for the eyes.

Ji Su pulled out a chair. 'What a generous breakfast.'

Gu Zhao sat down across from him. 'Try it.'

'Okay.' Ji Su picked up his chopsticks, took a bite, and didn't stint on praise. 'Delicious — a hundred times better than my noodles.'

Gu Zhao laughed very softly. 'Eat.'

Ji Su ate a few more bites, then suddenly stopped, the corners of his eyes reddening faintly.

'What's wrong?' Gu Zhao noticed the change. 'Is the noodle too hot?'

'A little...' Ji Su lifted his eyes and curved his lips into a smile. 'It's nothing, I just got caught in the steam.'

He'd left home early, boarding at school since middle school; on the rare holidays when he sat at a table with others, no one had ever asked what he wanted to eat, and no one had ever made a meal especially for him like this.

Gu Zhao looked at him, and only after several seconds spoke. 'Set it aside to cool a bit, eat the dumplings first.'

'Okay.' Ji Su answered, pushing the bowl of noodles aside and picking up a soup dumpling, biting a small hole in its tip.

'So fresh.' He licked the broth from his lips. 'How did you know I like soup dumplings?'

'How would I know?' Gu Zhao laughed. 'Didn't you tell me yourself?'

'When did I—' Ji Su's words faltered, his voice growing uncertain. 'I think I did say it...'

During his online relationship with G, they'd talked about so many things; many of the things he'd let slip offhand he'd forgotten himself, and he hadn't expected Gu Zhao to still remember...

After breakfast, Ji Su wanted to go collect his clothes, but Gu Zhao stopped him. 'Leave them for now, I'll bring them to you next time.'

Ji Su didn't think much of it. 'Okay, thanks for the trouble.'

He didn't lack a spare set to wear anyway, and carrying damp clothes around really was inconvenient.

Before long, the two of them drove back to School.

It was Saturday, and there weren't many students around campus; Gu Zhao dropped him off at the Dormitory Building and came to a stop.

'I'll head up then.' Ji Su gave a small wave. 'Thanks for dinner and breakfast.'

'Mm.' Gu Zhao answered, then suddenly reached a hand toward him.

Ji Su instinctively wanted to dodge, but his body froze mid-motion.

He couldn't overreact — Gu Zhao would think he was afraid again.

A warm, large hand settled on his head, fingers passing through the fine, soft hair, then quickly withdrawing.

'There was something in your hair.' Gu Zhao flicked it away casually, explaining lightly.

Ji Su blinked his lashes. 'Thanks, I'm off then.'

Gu Zhao stood where he was, watching Ji Su walk into the Dormitory Building; the hand at his side slowly rubbed thumb against fingertip.

*

Ji Su walked up to the Dormitory and knocked lightly.

The Dormitory door creaked open, and Qiao Jin poked his head out.

It was a Saturday morning, and his roommates were all sleeping in; Ji Su didn't want to disturb anyone, so he'd sent Qiao Jin a message in advance.

Qiao Jin slipped out, leaving the door ajar, and asked impatiently, 'Susu, tell me quick — what actually happened last night?'

Ji Su retreated to the corridor entrance and answered quietly, 'Nothing happened, I just slept at Gu Zhao's Residence.'

'He really didn't do anything?' Qiao Jin confirmed again.

'Really nothing — he didn't hit me or scold me.' Ji Su paused. 'He even cooked for me, it was really good.'

'Damn...' Qiao Jin looked incredulous. 'Too surreal — campus heartthrob Gu is actually a domestic type?'

Ji Su was amused by his phrasing. 'Maybe.'

'Holy shit!' Qiao Jin suddenly exclaimed. 'I just noticed you're not wearing your own clothes — judging by the size, those wouldn't be Gu Zhao's, would they?'

Ji Su looked down at his trouser hem. 'They are his, actually.'

His height wasn't short among boys, but Gu Zhao was too tall; right now he looked a bit like a little kid who'd stolen an adult's clothes.

'You're even wearing the same pants...' Qiao Jin rubbed his chin. 'So have you two completely buried the hatchet and shaken hands?'

'I guess so?' Ji Su raised his head. 'Honestly, I didn't expect Gu Zhao to forgive me so easily.'

When he'd gone to Gu Zhao's Residence last night, he'd gone in the spirit of one marching heroically to the execution ground, but apart from a slightly scary beginning, he'd been treated to most attentive hospitality by his host afterward.

'That's wonderful!' Qiao Jin brightened up. 'From now on you don't have to avoid Gu Zhao, and I don't have to avoid Zhou Yang!'

Ji Su asked, puzzled, 'When have you been avoiding Zhou Yang?'

Qiao Jin protested, 'To help you avoid Gu Zhao, I didn't even dare reply to Zhou Yang's messages before!'

Ji Su: '...'

Just then, the Dormitory door behind them opened again, and Li You stepped out. 'Ji Su, you're back!'

Ji Su's tone was apologetic. 'Sorry, did I wake you?'

'No, no!' Li You waved his hands repeatedly, unable to hold back his concern. 'But where did you go last night? Why didn't you come back to the Dormitory?'

Ji Su replied, 'I slept last night at... a friend's place.'

Li You scratched the back of his head. 'Okay.'

'Since everyone's up, let's not stand in the hallway.' Qiao Jin turned and headed back. 'Come on, let's go inside.'

Li You hesitated, then asked, 'Ji Su, I heard recently... that you've been getting close to Gu Zhao from the Law Department?'

'Huh?' Ji Su was slightly startled. 'Who did you hear that from?'

'Just heard it from others.' Li You looked a bit uneasy. 'I also heard Gu Zhao is hard to get along with, and I'm a little worried about you—'

'Gu Zhao is actually a good person, not like what people say.' Ji Su cut him off for the first time before he could finish, his tone serious. 'And he's my friend now.'

Li You hurried to explain, 'Sorry Ji Su, I didn't mean anything else, I was just worried about you.'

Ji Su gave a small smile. 'Thanks for your concern, I'm fine.'

At Ji Su's smile, Li You blushed again for no clear reason.

*

Ji Su unilaterally considered himself and Gu Zhao to be friends now — or at least well on their way down that road.

So from then on, every time he ran into Gu Zhao on campus, he'd greet him first, and Gu Zhao never failed to respond in kind.

He didn't think too deeply about why, with the Law Department and the Architecture Department separated by half the campus, they ran into each other so often.

Gradually, Ji Su grew accustomed to eating with Gu Zhao, going to the Library together, and sometimes taking walks together.

Of course, most of the time it was a group of four — with Qiao Jin and Zhou Yang, and sometimes Wang Mingzhe added on.

One Friday, Ji Su received a message from Gu Zhao during class.

Gu Zhao: [A new Chinese restaurant just opened nearby, want to try it?]

Ji Su: [Do you want to go?]

Gu Zhao: [Mm, do you have time to go together?]

Ji Su: [I do, when do you want to go?]

Gu Zhao: [Wait till your class ends, I'll come pick you up.]

Ji Su: [Okay.]

Ji Su put away his phone, propped up his textbook to hide his face, and said very quietly, 'Xiao Qiao, we're going out to eat tonight.'

'Going out to eat?' Qiao Jin, in the same posture, replied, 'What are we eating?'

'Gu Zhao said he wants to try a new restaurant.' Ji Su replied. 'I'm planning to treat him to dinner tonight.'

Guilt over the online deception had always made him try to look after Gu Zhao a little more, but on reflection, it was he himself who'd been more looked after.

But at least he could treat Gu Zhao to something he wanted to eat — a small token of goodwill.

'Got it.' Qiao Jin fished out his phone from his pocket. 'I'll ask Zhou Yang if he's going.'

After class, Ji Su shouldered his backpack and walked out of the classroom.

Just as he stepped out of the teaching building, he saw a familiar figure standing at the foot of the stairs — one hand in his pocket, long-legged, that handsome face wearing its usual impassive expression.

That face was too conspicuous — as the face of A University, it hung year-round on the campus forum and official accounts, and represented A University in every handsome-students-of-elite-schools ranking; nearly everyone knew it.

So whenever he appeared in front of the Architecture Department building, every passing student had to look, and the murmuring around him never stopped.

Yet only at the instant he saw Ji Su did those dark, icy eyes soften by a fraction.

He set those long legs in motion up the steps, his gaze never once leaving that face.

Ji Su walked toward him as well. 'You're early.'

'No afternoon classes.' Gu Zhao stopped on the next step and naturally reached for the backpack. 'Give me the bag.'

Ji Su shook his head. 'No need, it's not heavy.'

Gu Zhao didn't press it. 'Let's go.'

Ji Su turned back. 'Wait—'

'Susu! I'm here!' At that moment, Qiao Jin, fresh from the restroom, bounded up in a single stride. 'Where are we eating?'

Gu Zhao's brow creased slightly. 'You're coming too?'

Qiao Jin shrank his neck. 'Isn't Susu treating—'

Gu Zhao was about to speak when a bright, clear voice came from behind: 'Little Qiao, I'm here!'

Zhou Yang's steps faltered. 'Huh? Brother Gu, why are you here too?'

Gu Zhao turned back, his voice cold. 'What do you think?'

'Zhou Yang, didn't Little Qiao tell you?' Ji Su explained patiently. 'I wanted to treat Gu Zhao to a meal, so I had him invite you.'

'Oh, oh, got it!' Zhou Yang nodded. 'Then let's go!'

Gu Zhao's face went cold; without a word, he set his long legs walking down.

'Wait, let's call Wang Mingzhe too.' Ji Su thought for a moment. 'It doesn't seem right to leave him out.'

'Sure, I'll call Old Wang.' Zhou Yang pulled out his phone, dialing as he sighed, 'Ji Su, you're really a little angel — you think of everything.'

Gu Zhao glanced at him, his gaze like an ice-cold blade.

In the end, what had been a party of two became a party of five.

The private restaurant Gu Zhao had carefully chosen was a Chinese-style garden hidden amid the bustling city — quiet, elegant, full of refined taste.

'Damn—' Wang Mingzhe gestured dramatically. 'Brother Gu, why haven't you ever brought us to a place this nice before?'

Gu Zhao's thin lips parted. 'Do you deserve it?'

'What? How can a mouth at body temperature spit out words this cold?' Wang Mingzhe clutched his chest in wounded theatricality, then his tone shifted. 'Fine, I really don't deserve it.'

'Hahaha!' Qiao Jin laughed so hard he nearly toppled, but Zhou Yang was quick enough to catch him with a steadying hand.

Led by the greeter at the entrance, the group walked into the private room Gu Zhao had reserved in advance.

Gu Zhao pulled out a chair. 'Ji Su.'

Ji Su had been about to take the seat nearest the door, but at those words he obediently went over.

Once he was seated, Gu Zhao pulled out the chair beside him and sat down.

After they had ordered, the server took the menu and left the private room.

At a place like this, every dish was cooked to order, so there'd be a wait; Zhou Yang suggested a few rounds of mahjong to pass the time.

Four of them took a side each, and Ji Su, who couldn't play, sat to the side and watched.

As the game went on, Wang Mingzhe started running his mouth again: 'Oh right, let me tell you — I ran into my dream girl today!'

'Dream girl?' Zhou Yang mocked. 'Isn't your dream girl one of those teachers far away in a foreign country?'

'No, this time it's real!' Wang Mingzhe slapped the table in his urgency. 'The flower of the English Department — you don't know her?'

'I think I know her.' Ji Su cut in. 'Is your dream girl Shen Jintang?'

Gu Zhao lifted his head, his dark eyes narrowing slightly.

'Yes, yes, yes! Shen Jintang!' Wang Mingzhe slapped the table with a crack. 'Ji Su, you've finally proven I'm not making this up!'

'There's really someone like that?' Zhou Yang said, surprised. 'How do you know her, Ji Su?'

'She's also a member of our Music Society,' Ji Su replied.

'That explains it!' Wang Mingzhe had a sudden realization, then added, 'That's perfect — Ji Su, introduce me to my dream girl!'

Ji Su hesitated. 'But… I'm not that close to her.'

Wang Mingzhe wasn't a bad person, but going up to a girl and offering to set her up with someone was presumptuous — and she was hardly short of suitors.

Wang Mingzhe tried to say more, but Gu Zhao cut him off without mercy: 'If you've got the guts, chase her yourself.'

'Aiya, Brother Gu, I—' Wang Mingzhe met that warning gaze, made a zipping motion across his lips. 'Fine, I'll shut up.'

Before long, he couldn't resist finding a new topic: 'Speaking of dream girls, everyone share — what's your ideal type?'

Qiao Jin glanced at Zhou Yang across from him and tossed the answer out casually: 'I like someone sunny and cheerful, and I like dark skin.'

Wang Mingzhe laughed. 'So Qiao Jin, you like dark-skinned hot girls!'

'Right.' Qiao Jin gave a perfunctory reply. 'What about you, Zhou Yang?'

Zhou Yang thought it over seriously, then answered: 'I haven't really pictured anyone specific, but I think I'd like someone with a gentler personality.'

The words slipped out of Qiao Jin's mouth: 'Then do you think I'm gentle?'

Zhou Yang was startled for a beat, then laughed. 'Of course you're gentle.'

Wang Mingzhe started egging them on: 'Ooh ooh ooh! What are you two doing, getting all bromance-y like that!'

Secretly pleased, Qiao Jin — to cover his joy — boldly tossed the question to Gu Zhao: 'Brother Gu, what's your ideal type?'

He'd asked offhandedly, with no real expectation of an answer.

Gu Zhao played a tile, replying without much care: 'I like someone with long, beautiful legs.'

'Holy—!' Wang Mingzhe started. 'Brother Gu, you're a leg person?'

Ji Su and Qiao Jin exchanged a glance, catching in each other's eyes a flash of knowing.

Gu Zhao continued his unhurried list: 'A slim waist, fair skin.'

Ji Su listened, and gradually felt something was off.

'Let me sum it up — Brother Gu, you just like beauties with slim waists, long legs, fair skin, and good looks!' Wang Mingzhe smacked his lips. 'Brother Gu, turns out your type is basically the same as mine!'

'Hands should be pretty too, and able to play Piano for me.' Gu Zhao lifted his eyelids, his unfathomable gaze landing on Ji Su's face. 'Cares about me, likes clinging to me, calling me gege, only acts spoiled for me.'

Ji Su silently turned his face away, pretending he hadn't understood.

This was bad — listening to Gu Zhao's description, it sounded like he still had lingering feelings for him — no, for Mengmeng…

'Brother Gu, you like the clingy type!' Wang Mingzhe saw a business opportunity. 'I'm going to sell this info — a hundred yuan per lead!'

Gu Zhao withdrew his gaze. 'Try it.'

Qiao Jin: 'Try it and die?'

'Wouldn't dare!' Wang Mingzhe begged off at once. 'Just kidding, just kidding…'

Qiao Jin and Zhou Yang burst out laughing together; once they'd finished, Zhou Yang turned his gaze to Ji Su. 'Ji Su, what about you?'

Ji Su, who had been trying to minimize his presence to the greatest possible degree: '…'

Wang Mingzhe asked curiously: 'Right, Ji Su, what kind of girl do you like?'

Under the weight of that oppressive gaze from across the table, Ji Su braced himself and made something up: 'I think I might like someone with a stronger personality…'

The summarizer Wang Mingzhe: 'Got it — you like the domineering big-sister type!'

Ji Su: '…'

Why did it feel like the gaze fixed on him had grown heavier?

'You guys play, I'm going to the restroom.' Ji Su stood, his expression calm as he walked toward the door.

Out of the private room, he followed a server's directions to the restroom.

The restroom here was beautifully decorated too; a faint fragrance hung in the air, with not a trace of unpleasant smell.

Ji Su walked to the sink, cupped a handful of cool water, and splashed it on his face.

He wasn't quite sure now whether Gu Zhao simply liked girls of Mengmeng's type, or hadn't forgotten the Mengmeng he'd pretended to be.

If it was the latter, then every time he appeared before Gu Zhao was a kind of invisible wound.

Ji Su sighed softly, lifted his face — and unexpectedly collided with a pair of dark, heavy eyes.

Gu Zhao had come in at some unknown moment, and was standing right behind him.

The two held each other's gaze through the mirror for a few seconds; Ji Su turned around. 'Why are you here too?'

The moment the words left his mouth, he knew he'd asked a useless question.

Gu Zhao set his legs in motion, walking toward him.

Ji Su braced his hands on the sink behind him, inexplicably nervous. 'Wh-what is it?'

He'd just washed his face; his bangs were damp, droplets gathered between his painterly brows and eyes, giving him a wet, glistening beauty.

Gu Zhao stopped before him, raised a hand, and used the pad of his thumb to wipe away a drop of water beneath his eye.

The skin of his face was too delicate — such a light touch, and a faint red mark was left behind.

After this time together, Ji Su had grown accustomed to these occasional touches; his body didn't react too strongly.

But the next instant, Gu Zhao gripped his waist and lifted him onto the sink.

Ji Su started in fright. 'Gu Zhao, what are you—'

The tail of the sentence cut off short.

A strong, powerful leg in suit trousers pressed between his knees, slotting itself between those slender, straight thighs; a burning large hand pressed down on his leg, its broad palm almost completely wrapping around his thigh.

Through the thin layer of fabric, Ji Su was seared by the heat of that palm; he instinctively tried to struggle, but the large hand held him firmly in place, not a fraction of movement permitted.

At the same time, the other hand gripped the back of his neck, forcing him to lift his face.

On that face — handsome beyond reproach — an indescribable smile appeared. 'Like the domineering big-sister type?'