Chapter 40

Ji Su was pinned against the desk by a large hand — cold, unyielding wall at his back, lean and burning body at his front, not a single inch of room to flee.

Gu Zhao's gaze deepened, fathomless. 'Are you ready?'

Ji Su knew there was no dodging this one. He shut his eyes and tipped his face up of his own accord. 'Then kiss me back.'

He had known it all along — Gu Zhao was the sort who would never let a slight go unpaid; without a kiss returned, he would not rest easy.

Gu Zhao leaned in, the high bridge of his nose pressing into the soft flesh of Ji Su's cheek, his scalding breath fanning across skin that was already too sensitive, his thin lips hovering — there, then not quite there.

As the breath against his ear grew heavier, Ji Su's heartbeat climbed to match it, until he was nearly gasping for air.

He turned his face aside, unable to bear it. 'Is this enough?'

The large hand gripping him tightened without warning, forcibly turning his face back; searing lips landed at the corner of his mouth.

'No—' Ji Su gasped at the heat. 'I only kissed your face—'

Gu Zhao stayed pressed to the corner of his lips, unmoving; in those black eyes, two flames burned, guttering and steadying by turns.

Several seconds later, Ji Su felt that fiery breath withdraw, just a fraction.

Before he could so much as breathe easy, a sharp sting bloomed across his cheek.

Gu Zhao had actually opened his mouth and bitten him — not lightly, not cruelly, but with deliberate weight.

The soft, tender flesh of his cheek was yielding and springy; biting into it was like biting into a pillowy mochi, soft enough to stick to the teeth.

Ji Su covered his face on instinct and shrank back; a thin veil of mist gathered at the edges of his eyes. 'Gu Zhao — are you a dog?'

Gu Zhao stared at the faint mark he had left, and licked his lips, as though the taste were not yet enough. 'Yes. I'm a dog.'

Ji Su tried his best to glare at him, but his cheeks were flushed scarlet and his gaze kept flickering — not a shred of menace to be found.

Gu Zhao's voice dropped, low and rough, soothing him. 'Alright. I'll consider it repaid.'

Ji Su mumbled. 'How is it "consider"?'

He had only pressed a light kiss back then; now he was being bitten for his trouble — however one looked at it, he was the one coming off worse.

Gu Zhao raised a hand and pinched his cheek in a placating way. 'Tidy yourself up first. I'll go make you something to eat.'

Ji Su watched the tall figure leave the room; only when he hopped down from the desk did he realise his legs had gone a little weak.

He took out all the clothes he had brought and arranged them in the wardrobe; the bookshelf and the desk were soon filled to the brim.

Gu Zhao had even prepared a monitor riser for him — every last detail, it seemed, had been thought of.

Once he had finished putting everything away, Ji Su walked out of the bedroom.

Gu Zhao was busy in the open Kitchen, his movements orderly and unhurried; even the simple act of cooking was a pleasure to watch.

Ji Su walked over and spoke softly. 'Gu Zhao — do you think we should draw up some sort of agreement?'

Gu Zhao turned. 'What agreement?'

'A roommate agreement.' Ji Su organised his thoughts. 'Even though I'm only staying at your place temporarily, for us to get through finals week in harmony, we might need a few ground rules.'

Gu Zhao looked at him with quiet interest. 'What rules did you have in mind?'

'First — housework can be split evenly.' Ji Su said it seriously. 'We can't have you doing everything on your own.'

Gu Zhao was hardly his hired help; how could he possibly live in someone else's home and lift not a finger?

'No problem.' Gu Zhao turned back to what he was doing, unhurried. 'I'll handle the cooking. You handle the dishes.'

Ji Su pointed at the dishwasher. 'But there's a dishwasher.'

'Then you put them in.'

Ji Su's brow creased, just slightly. 'Wouldn't that be a little too easy for me?'

'I'll take care of cleaning the house.' Gu Zhao continued the division of labour. 'You do the laundry.'

Ji Su: 'Um — there's a washing machine for that, too.'

Gu Zhao: 'Then you put them in.'

Ji Su: '...'

He decided to set aside the question of housework for the moment and move on to a more important clause. 'Second roommate rule: respect each other's private space.'

Gu Zhao: 'For example?'

'For example — knock before entering the other's bedroom, don't disturb each other while studying, and...' Ji Su pressed his lips together; his voice dropped. 'And maintain an appropriate social distance.'

Gu Zhao lifted an eyebrow, the barest fraction. 'What do you mean by "appropriate social distance"?'

Ji Su lowered his lashes. 'You know perfectly well.'

One word out of place and Gu Zhao would simply lift him up and set him down somewhere or other — and he had not the strength to resist.

'Fine.' Gu Zhao laughed, once. 'I can make you a promise — you don't touch me, I won't touch you.'

Ji Su let out a quiet breath of relief, then went on. 'I haven't thought of a third rule yet. If there's anything you'd like to add, feel free to bring it up.'

Gu Zhao: 'I have no issues.'

Before long, four dishes — a feast for every sense — were laid out on the table.

Sweet-and-sour ribs, stir-fried beef, lightly sautéed greens, and a steamed egg custard with minced pork.

Ji Su bit into a piece of the sweet-and-sour ribs and could not help exclaiming: 'This is really, really good.'

Compared with the cafeteria's unchanging fare, Gu Zhao's cooking could stand shoulder to shoulder with any restaurant chef's.

No — some restaurants could not even make sweet-and-sour ribs this perfectly suited to his palate.

Gu Zhao picked up another piece and set it on his plate. 'If you like it, eat more.'

After lunch, Ji Su went back to his room and began working on his drawings.

For the whole of the afternoon, no person and no thing came to disturb him; his drawing efficiency climbed considerably.

He could not have said how long it had been when a polite knock came at the door. 'May I come in?'

'Come in.' Ji Su looked up — and only then noticed that the sky outside had already gone dark.

Gu Zhao pushed the door open. 'Take a break. Dinner's almost ready.'

Ji Su stood and walked toward the door. 'Let me help.'

Dinner was another lavish spread; after they had eaten, Gu Zhao sat on the sofa and watched him load the dishes into the dishwasher.

Ji Su dried his hands and quipped: 'What an enormous workload.'

Gu Zhao laughed too, and lifted a hand to pat the seat beside him.

Ji Su walked over and sat down next to him. 'What were you doing this afternoon?'

Gu Zhao replied, lightly: 'Reading. Working out.'

Ji Su was a little surprised. 'You still have the energy to work out during finals week?'

'Mm.' Gu Zhao glanced at him sidelong, his tone unhurried. 'I've always had energy to spare.'

Ji Su: '...'

Mysteriously shown up again, without warning — there really was no comparing oneself to certain people.

They chatted for a while, half-serious and half-idle; then Ji Su rose from the sofa. 'I'm going back to my room to keep studying. Saying goodnight in advance.'

'Mm. Goodnight.' Gu Zhao reminded him, lightly. 'Rest early. Don't stay up too late.'

'Alright — you too.' Ji Su answered, and went back to the Secondary Bedroom.

He had only just opened his textbook when the phone on the desk buzzed.

He opened WeChat; a new message popped up.

Qiao Jin: [Su-su baby — how's the first day of living with Gu the campus heartthrob?]

Ji Su: [Not living together. Just roommates.]

Qiao Jin: [Fine, fine, fine — if you say roommates, then roommates.]

Qiao Jin: [So did Gu Zhao impatiently do this and that to you...]

Ji Su: [No...]

Apart from demanding that kiss when he had first moved in, they had not had any physical contact at all that day.

Qiao Jin: [Really? How come I just don't believe it?]

Ji Su: [Really. We even drew up a roommate agreement.]

Qiao Jin: [What's that now?]

Ji Su was just about to explain when another new message popped up from the other side.

Qiao Jin: [So it looks like I actually misunderstood Gu the campus heartthrob?]

Qiao Jin: [He's really a gentleman?]

Ji Su: [In any case, stop worrying about me and get on with your revision.]

Qiao Jin: [Speaking of revision, I actually have a question I want to ask you.]

Ji Su: [Send it over.]

After answering Qiao Jin's question, he returned to his own revision.

A little past ten, Ji Su closed his books, gathered up his sleepwear, and went to wash up in the bathroom off the living room.

When he came out, fresh and clean, he ran straight into the person standing by the dining table, drinking water.

Gu Zhao's gaze fell on his bare calves, paused there for a few seconds, then slowly travelled upward to his face.

Fresh from the bath, his snow-white skin carried a lovely flush of cherry pink; his fringe clung damp across his brows, lending him an air of pure, pretty innocence.

Ji Su grew uneasy under the stare; his fingertips plucked at the drawstring of his sleep trousers. 'You're not asleep yet?'

'Almost.' Gu Zhao set down his glass. 'Dry your hair before you sleep.'

'Alright.' Ji Su answered obediently and went back to his room to blow-dry his hair.

Once his hair was dry, a knock came at the door, perfectly timed.

Ji Su went to the door and opened it. 'What is it?'

Gu Zhao had a glass of milk in his hand, which he held out to him. 'Drink a glass of milk. You'll sleep better.'

'Thank you.' Ji Su took the warm milk and bade him goodnight once more. 'Goodnight.'

'Goodnight.' Gu Zhao answered, low-voiced.

Ji Su closed the door, hesitated a moment, then reached up and locked it.

A soft click — unnaturally loud in the quiet of the house.

Gu Zhao's footsteps halted; he glanced sidelong at the door behind him.

A few seconds later, he let out a low laugh of indeterminate meaning.

*

Over the following week, Ji Su woke each morning comfortable and refreshed, ate his breakfast, and was able to throw himself wholly into revision and drafting.

When he had to go to School for exams or end-of-term reviews, Gu Zhao would drive him; in the evenings the two of them would return home together.

So while everyone else was tearing their hair out over finals, he was positively glowing, brisk and clear-eyed.

Ji Su knew perfectly well that all of this was thanks to Gu Zhao, and he was turning over in his mind how, once the exams were over, to properly thank him for his care these past weeks.

As for how exactly to thank him — he had not yet decided.

After finishing yet another exam that day, Ji Su decided, once dinner was done, to relax a little.

He sat on the sofa scrolling through videos; Gu Zhao sat beside him, leaning back, playing on his phone, his two long legs stretched comfortably on the floor.

Ji Su came across a funny clip and laughed, his body tilting toward Gu Zhao's side, his leg brushing the other's by accident.

Gu Zhao glanced at him, then parted his own strong, solid thigh and pressed it against Ji Su's leg.

Through two thin layers of fabric, the heat of the other's leg came through with unmistakable clarity.

Ji Su pulled his leg back as if shocked. 'What was that for?'

'You touched me just now.' Gu Zhao replied, tone level. 'So I touched you back.'

Ji Su was, for the moment, at a loss for words; he silently inched a little further toward the edge of the sofa.

Gu Zhao opened his mouth to ask: 'How many more exams do you have?'

'Just one left.' Ji Su tapped the screen, pausing the video. 'Tomorrow, after the last one, it'll all be over.'

'And then?' Gu Zhao asked, offhand. 'Are you planning to go home for the summer?'

Ji Su was silent for a moment, then shook his head. 'Not for now.'

'Mm.' Gu Zhao answered. 'Then keep staying here over the summer. No need to apply to stay on campus.'

A University's Dormitories were emptied over summer, but to accommodate students preparing for graduate exams or with other reasons to stay, one Dormitory Building was opened and students could apply to remain.

'That would be too much trouble for you.' Ji Su declined, gently. 'Applying to stay isn't any hassle — I'll just go fill in the form after the exams.'

Gu Zhao stared at him. 'I don't find it a bother.'

'I might do a part-time job over the summer, so I might not stay on campus.' Ji Su avoided that gaze. 'We'll see when the time comes.'

Gu Zhao said nothing more and drew his gaze back.

After a little more video-scrolling, Ji Su received a voice call from Qiao Jin.

He stood up, phone in hand, and walked out onto the Balcony. 'Hey, Xiao Qiao.'

'Aaah, Sussu baby, after tomorrow's last exam we're free!' Qiao Jin came alive all at once. 'Tomorrow our whole Dormitory is going out for barbecue!'

Ji Su replied with a smile. 'Sure, my treat.'

'I can't keep letting you pay — tomorrow's on me!' Qiao Jin said, then abruptly changed tack. 'Once tomorrow's exam is over, you'll be moving out of Gu Zhao's Residence, right?'

Ji Su replied, voice low. 'I don't know yet.'

Qiao Jin raised their voice. 'What do you mean? You're not planning to just keep living with Gu Zhao indefinitely?'

'No — I was planning to stay on campus over summer, but Gu Zhao said I could keep living at his place.' Ji Su explained briefly. 'I haven't decided yet.'

'Sussu, I really think it's too dangerous for you to keep staying at his place.' Qiao Jin urged, with the patience of long suffering. 'Believe this truth: a carnivore doesn't easily turn into an herbivore.'

Ji Su listened, half-understanding. 'You mean — the way Gu Zhao is now is all an act?'

During this time, Gu Zhao had strictly observed their roommate agreement, never overstepping in the slightest, and Ji Su had indeed grown more and more at ease.

'I didn't say that.' Qiao Jin paused. 'What I mean is — before Gu the campus heartthrob's big tail shows itself, you'd better retreat in time.'

Ji Su turned instinctively and, quite without warning, collided with a pair of dark eyes that smiled without quite smiling.

Gu Zhao had come up behind him at some unknown moment; what he had heard was anyone's guess.

Ji Su's heart gave a leap; he cut off the torrent on the other end. 'Xiao Qiao, I'm about to rest. See you at the exam hall tomorrow.'

This time Qiao Jin's reaction was lightning-fast; they shut up in time. 'Alright, alright, see you tomorrow!'

After hanging up, Ji Su's tone carried a faint guilt. 'I'm going to shower. You should rest early too.'

Gu Zhao turned sideways and did not, in fact, stop him — only watched him go with a gaze that defied description.

Ji Su felt an inexplicable prickle at his scalp and could only quicken his steps out of the living room.

*

After his shower, Ji Su returned to his room to find, as usual, a glass of warm milk on the desk, along with strawberries washed and sliced.

He curved his lips without thinking, downed the milk in one go, then carried the strawberries out of the bedroom and knocked on the door of the Main Bedroom.

'Come in.' A low, magnetic voice answered from inside.

Ji Su turned the handle and opened the door. 'Gu Zhao, I can't finish the strawberries.'

Gu Zhao was sitting at the head of the bed reading, a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on his high-bridged nose; at the sound he lifted his gaze. 'Bring them here.'

Ji Su walked in and set the strawberries on the bedside table. 'They're already washed — have a few.'

Gu Zhao picked up a strawberry at random and held it to his lips. 'Try one.'

Ji Su lowered his head and, from that hand, bit the tip of the strawberry.

The long-boned fingers pressed in slightly, pushing the strawberry into his mouth.

Ji Su's tongue curled around the fruit; the tip of his tongue accidentally grazed that finger, and he immediately drew back a little.

The colour of Gu Zhao's eyes deepened. 'Sweet?'

Ji Su swallowed the flesh of the strawberry and nodded. 'Very sweet.'

Gu Zhao knew he liked strawberries; every time, the ones he picked out for him were large and sweet.

Gu Zhao suddenly stretched out an arm; with one sweep of his large hand, he hooked Ji Su around the waist and pulled him onto the bed.

Ji Su started, lifting his lashes. 'What now?'

Gu Zhao's one hand gripped his chin; slowly, he smeared the strawberry juice from his fingers across those wet, red lips. His Adam's apple gave a single bob. 'I'd like a taste too.'

Ji Su's crow-wing lashes trembled; he struggled a little. 'Then let me get you another strawberry…'

'I don't want another.' Gu Zhao laughed, low. 'I want the one from your mouth.'

Ji Su instinctively pressed his lips shut — which only served to make it look as though he were actively holding the long finger between them.

Gu Zhao's brow gave a single jump; the tip of his finger pried open those pressed lips and slipped inside. 'Is this an invitation?'

Ji Su shook his head, denial muffled and indistinct. 'No…'

Gu Zhao drew out the wet finger, pinched that pointed chin, and reminded him, voice gone hoarse: 'Ji Su. You can push me away.'

The next instant, he reached up, removed his glasses, and pressed a heavy kiss to the lips he had longed for, day after day.