Chapter 33

The morning after the rain was clean and cool. Wen Ran sat in the passenger seat with the bag of croissants, pressing the opening shut again and again to make sure it was sealed tight—afraid the bread's fragrance would leak out and linger in the car.

"If you want to eat, eat." Gu Yunchi fastened his seatbelt without looking at him. "No need to drop hints."

"No, I'm afraid the smell will get out." He hadn't eaten since noon yesterday; his stomach felt like a sheet of paper. Wen Ran swallowed and asked, "Can I really eat in your car?"

"No."

"...You just said eat if I want to."

"Then why are you still asking."

Wen Ran, reading the room, shut up. He opened the paper bag, took out a croissant, and bit into it with his head down, carefully watching that no crumbs fell on the seat.

A few minutes into the drive, Gu Yunchi, eyes on the road, asked suddenly: "Did you lower the setting on your neck ring."

"Hm?" Wen Ran chewed his bread, thought for a moment. "It's at the highest setting. I was afraid my pheromones would leak."

Gu Yunchi clicked his tongue. "Lower it."

Wen Ran didn't dare ask more and hurried to comply. The moment the setting dropped, Alpha pheromones curled around the bread scent and drifted into his nose; his mind cleared along with it. Only then did Wen Ran understand that Gu Yunchi had never raised his own ring's setting—he'd been releasing pheromones the whole time.

Comfortable from head to toe again, Wen Ran licked the crumbs from his lips and said, sincerely: "You're really good."

At that, Gu Yunchi frowned. "Stop talking while you eat."

It was a compliment, and he'd called it nonsense. Wen Ran truly couldn't figure out what had set Gu Yunchi off, and continued eating the bread in mild embarrassment.

Before the car turned onto the tree-lined avenue leading to the Wen family gate, Wen Ran, having already eaten five croissants, gathered his courage. "Just stop at the entrance. I'll walk the rest of the way home."

"So me driving you home makes you feel ashamed."

How had it been understood that way? Wen Ran blinked, then hurried to explain: "No, I'm afraid my family will see. I don't know if my brother was home last night, and there are his guards at the gate—if they see you dropping me off, they might think we're close."

They were already at the intersection as they spoke. Gu Yunchi stopped under a tree and countered: "If we're not close, why did you come to my place yesterday."

"We're not on bad terms, right?" Wen Ran didn't wait for Gu Yunchi's answer and went on: "But I don't want them to know."

Even if Chen Shuhui hadn't issued an order to keep his distance from Gu Yunchi, Wen Ran still didn't want the Wen family to know he and Gu Yunchi weren't on bad terms.

Gu Yunchi folded his arms and leaned back in his seat, offhand: "So you like sneaking around."

An incomprehensible conclusion, a ten-ton black pot. Wen Ran stared blankly: "How can you say that..."

"Get out." Gu Yunchi's tone was crisp.

"Oh..." He didn't know why, but he wanted to stay longer—maybe to smell Gu Yunchi's pheromones a bit more. Wen Ran folded the bag opening shut, but didn't open the door to get out. After a few seconds of hesitation, he said, "My brother brought Fang Yisen home yesterday, and had several guards watching him."

No surprise from Gu Yunchi. "Your brother's been pulling this kind of rotten thing for a while now."

"True... and he clearly has a place outside, but this time he brought him home. I'm worried when my mom comes back and sees Fang Yisen, she'll lose her temper at him." Wen Ran said quietly, "He's already a victim. Why should he have to bear this too."

"Worrying won't help." Gu Yunchi glanced at him. "It's not your business, and not something you can handle."

"But I still feel bad for him." Wen Ran picked at his fingers. "I also heard my brother ask him if he didn't want his will anymore. Doesn't sound like a good sign."

"During the time Fang Yisen was locked up by your brother, his mother died. He didn't get to see her one last time. She only left a will." Gu Yunchi looked at the avenue ahead, the black gate of the Wen house at its end. "Your brother took the will. He uses it as leverage to control Fang Yisen."

Wen Ran was stunned for a long time before he said: "So that's how it is."

Mother and son, the same methods—using others' vulnerabilities to manufacture conditions favorable to satisfying their own desires. Whether it was crafting a high-match Omega, or seizing a will.

Like him and Gu Yunchi sitting in this car now—one the user, one the used.

Wen Ran said again: "Sorry."

"I'm just telling you facts. No need to spiral and apologize again." Gu Yunchi pressed the door unlock. "Next time before you say sorry, think clearly whether it's actually your fault, whether you need to be the one apologizing. Get out."

He hadn't fully grasped Gu Yunchi's words before being kicked out again. Wen Ran was caught off guard, but immediately opened the door. Before his foot went out, he turned back to Gu Yunchi: "Thank you for releasing pheromones for me. I feel much better. If you're free these next couple of days, you can call me anytime to go eat at your teacher's house. I'm fine with it."

"Noted."

Wen Ran smiled, got out, stood at the roadside watching Gu Yunchi leave, then headed home.

The guards at the gate didn't give him much attention—probably Wen Rui's people, only responsible for watching Fang Yisen, and not necessarily reporting his all-night absence. Wen Ran pushed open the front door. Aunt Fang was up making breakfast; seeing him come in from outside, she said in surprise: "Up so early? Where did you go?"

"Went to buy bread." Wen Ran vaguely lied. "You don't need to make too much breakfast. I'll just heat up some milk."

"Just tell me what you want to eat and I'll go buy it. You're not feeling well and you still went out." Aunt Fang hurried toward the kitchen. "I'll heat your milk."

Five minutes later, Wen Ran carried the milk upstairs and gently knocked on Fang Yisen's door: "Assistant Fang, are you up?"

The door opened quickly. Fang Yisen was still in his pajamas: "I'm up. Just finished washing."

"I brought you hot milk, and this croissant—it's really good. May I come in?"

The room light was on. Fang Yisen pulled the door open a little wider and said: "Sure, please come in."

Though the croissants brought back from Gu Yunchi's house were precious—a rare treat one only got to eat once in a long while—being able to share them with Fang Yisen brought Wen Ran comfort, and with it guilt. All he could do was this much.

"Did you sleep well yesterday?"

"All right." Fang Yisen took a sip of milk. "Thank you."

"No need." Wen Ran sat in the chair, rubbed his palms on his knees, sat quietly for a moment, then asked: "Is there anything I can help you with?"

Fang Yisen turned his head to look at him, then looked away. "I'd like to trouble you to find me some books. Sitting here like this is a bit boring."

Wen Ran immediately stood up: "I'll go find them now. Wait for me."

He ran to the study, took several books of different types from the shelf, returned to the guest bedroom, and set them on the table.

After Fang Yisen finished breakfast, Wen Ran stopped disturbing him. Back in his room, he counted: he'd eaten five, Fang Yisen had eaten three, seven croissants left. He could eat them slowly through the weekend.

Separated from Gu Yunchi's pheromone comfort, his head was a bit dizzy and hot again, but much better than the past few days, no major impact. Wen Ran sat at his desk and started his homework.

Saturday ended between doing problems and watching a movie with Fang Yisen. Chen Shuhui was away on business, Wen Rui was busy with company matters and probably couldn't find the time. Wen Ran breathed a quiet sigh of relief for Fang Yisen.

After his evening shower, Wen Ran had just walked out of the bathroom when he heard someone coming up the stairs. He opened his door—Wen Rui was back.

Wen Ran asked him: "How long are you going to keep Assistant Fang locked up here?"

"Is that any of your business?" Wen Rui stopped.

"Mom will be angry when she comes back. She'll say harsh things to Assistant Fang." Wen Ran kept his voice as low as he could. "He's already having such a hard time. Do you still want to embarrass him?"

Wen Rui was silent for a moment, then said: "Mom getting angry isn't new. Why should everything go according to her wishes?"

"That doesn't mean Assistant Fang should be caught in the middle, suffering."

Wen Rui gave him an impatient look: "Kid, don't worry about so much."

After saying that, he left and went to knock on Fang Yisen's door. Wen Ran could only close his door and sit on the bed in a daze.

His Mobile Phone buzzed. A text from 339: Good evening! Per the young master's notice, departing tomorrow at 10:30 AM for lunch at Teacher Zhang Fangyi's house. Please prepare in advance!

Wen Ran: Got it. Should I wait at home or go on my own?

339: A driver surnamed Gu will arrive on time to pick you up!

Wen Ran: Okay

He'd assumed this Driver Gu was just a coincidence in surname, until 10:20 the next morning, when Wen Ran walked out the gate and saw the dark gray sports car at the end of the avenue from afar—and realized the driver's full name was Gu Yunchi.

Not daring to hesitate, Wen Ran broke into a run, panting up to the car. Gu Yunchi was looking down at his phone. Wen Ran didn't know how to open the door, fumbled and observed for a while, and had no choice but to knock on the window.

Gu Yunchi didn't look up. He pressed a button, and the door opened automatically.

"Good morning." Wen Ran sat in the passenger seat and greeted him.

As expected, Gu Yunchi ignored him, started the car, turned around, and drove out.

It wasn't far—about half an hour to Zhang Fangyi's house, a quiet garden villa. Gu Yunchi parked under a tree, got out with Wen Ran, and called out to the alpha loosening soil everywhere with a small hoe: "Teacher."

Zhang Fangyi looked up, stood, and smiled: "You're here."

Gu Yunchi pushed open the garden gate. Wen Ran followed him in. Zhang Fangyi washed his hands and asked Wen Ran: "Do you still remember me?"

"I remember." Wen Ran was actually very nervous. "Hello, Teacher."

"Don't be so polite. Treat it like visiting relatives." Zhang Fangyi led them into the living room. "Last time, for Peiwen's birthday, I happened to be abroad. I only learned when I came back that he'd arranged your engagement that night. Missed it, a pity—so I thought I'd invite you over for a meal."

Hearing the word "engagement," Wen Ran felt uncomfortable all over. He didn't dare look at Gu Yunchi, took the water the housekeeper offered, said thanks, and started drinking sip after sip to cover his embarrassment.

Gu Yunchi asked: "Where is Teacher Wu?"

"She's been busy lately. There's a performance next week, and she went to supervise rehearsal early this morning." The housekeeper came over to signal that lunch was ready. Zhang Fangyi said, "Alright, let's eat first. We can chat while we eat."

Chen Shuhui rarely ate at home, but Aunt Fang had always cooked to her tastes, so Wen Ran never quite adjusted to the food there — which was why meals elsewhere always seemed to suit him better: Gu Yunchi's place, Liu Shu and Liu Shen's, and today, Zhang Fangyi's.

"If it's good, eat more." Seeing Wen Ran eat with such appetite, Zhang Fangyi smiled. "You're so thin—I thought you didn't like eating. Didn't expect such a good appetite."

Wen Ran swallowed a bite and said: "Really delicious. Thank you."

Gu Yunchi glanced at him, and in a voice only the two of them could hear, said: "Pig."

At the same volume, Wen Ran admitted: "That's right."

The atmosphere at the table was relaxed. Zhang Fangyi talked about Gu Yunchi learning violin as a child—how if he played a wrong note, he'd sulk, and never make the same mistake twice.

"No wonder you play so well." Wen Ran said, thinking to himself that the young master had loved getting angry since childhood.

Gu Yunchi picked up some food with his chopsticks and said lightly: "When have you ever heard me play violin."

Wen Ran choked—it was 339 showing him the practice room surveillance last time. But how could he betray 339? So he said: "I imagined it. You're so smart, and with such a great teacher, it couldn't be bad."

Gu Yunchi looked at him and said nothing.

Zhang Fangyi laughed with pleasure: "Yunchi, there are many kinds of opponents. Looks like you'll have to be careful."

"I will be." Gu Yunchi said. "Careful not to be outsmarted by an idiot."

He didn't understand, but it didn't stop Wen Ran from continuing to eat.

After lunch, Zhang Fangyi suggested they go up to the practice room together. Whether to avoid being asked to play live or for some other reason, anyway Gu Yunchi raised his phone and said he needed to take a call, telling them to go first.

"This kid—just afraid I'll ask him to play." Zhang Fangyi pushed open the practice room door and asked Wen Ran: "Do you play any instrument?"

"I can play a little piano." Wen Ran answered.

The practice room was large, with excellent natural light. Many violins were displayed in glass cabinets, and the largest wall was neatly hung with photos of various sizes.

"This is Yunchi's first public performance, at five and a half."

Wen Ran leaned in to look. First, he examined how the frame was hung—no string, hung on a nail; it shouldn't suddenly fall. Then he looked at the photo: less than six years old, Gu Yunchi in a black tailcoat, playing with a serious face.

His gaze shifted. Beside it was a group photo that looked dated, marked twenty-one years ago. Among the many unfamiliar faces, Wen Ran quickly recognized Zhang Fangyi in his younger years. He was about to raise his hand to point and confirm with him, but suddenly noticed the woman standing in the row behind Zhang Fangyi.

Long black hair pinned behind her ears, a clean and beautiful face not at all plain, standing in the crowd like a graceful bamboo.

The moment his eyes met hers in the photo, Wen Ran's heart gave a heavy thump. He was sure he didn't know this woman, yet familiarity washed over him—like seeing his own face.

"So alike, right?" Zhang Fangyi said softly. "Last time I said you look like someone I know. It's her."

Wen Ran was still staring at that face, so absorbed he could only ask in a breath: "Who is she?"

"Li Qingwan." Zhang Fangyi said slowly. "My most outstanding and most talented student. I once thought she could succeed me as the orchestra's concertmaster."

"Compared to others who started learning from childhood, she started much later. But talent is essential to music, and she was the one with talent."

"She won many awards. Media and magazines wanted to interview her—all refused. Many people thought she was too aloof and too proud. Only my wife and I knew she simply didn't like dealing with people, wasn't interested in worldly honors. Her favorite thing was practicing and composing in the practice room. She thought she was just an ordinary violinist."

"Later she smoothly entered the Capital orchestra. My wife and I were both certain she would be the next concertmaster—in fact, everyone thought so."

His heartbeat stretched into a straight line. Wen Ran asked: "And then?"

"She disappeared. Eighteen years ago." Zhang Fangyi looked at the photo, his voice lowering. "Suddenly gone. No news. To this day we don't know where she is, whether she's still alive."

Going downstairs and out of the living room, the sunlight had faded considerably. Gu Yunchi was holding a small hoe, violently loosening soil. Zhang Fangyi exclaimed: "Young master, my flowers are all going to be shoveled to death by you!"

Gu Yunchi threw down the hoe and stood: "It was going to die anyway. Teacher Zhang, don't blame me."

"Maybe it could have been saved." Zhang Fangyi said. "Alright, go wash your hands, or it'll get to Old Gu's ears and he'll think I put you to work. How's his health recently?"

"Health is good. Thank you for your concern."

After washing his hands, Gu Yunchi turned around and looked at Wen Ran: "Want to go back yet?"

Zhang Fangyi said: "How do you expect him to answer? Saying he wants to go back would mean he didn't have fun here?"

"Got it. I'm the one who wants to go back." Gu Yunchi said. "I have some things this afternoon."

"Go be busy. Come play together whenever you're free."

"Mm. Goodbye, Teacher." Gu Yunchi walked to Wen Ran's side, saw him dazed, and reminded him: "Speak."

Wen Ran came to, flustered: "Oh—oh, goodbye, Teacher. Lunch was delicious. Sorry to bother you today."

"No bother. You're welcome anytime." Zhang Fangyi looked at him for a few seconds. "Go on."

On the way back, Wen Ran quietly watched outside the window. Li Qingwan's face lingered in his mind, and especially after learning she'd been missing for seventeen years, Wen Ran strangely felt a sense of regret and sadness.

The sky gradually darkened, as if about to rain again. Gu Yunchi still parked at the intersection. Wen Ran turned back, barely gathered his energy, and said: "Sorry for the trouble today. Thank you, Driver Gu."

After saying it, seeing Gu Yunchi's expression, Wen Ran shivered and suddenly snapped to: "No no, misspoke. That's not what I meant."

"Heat does affect IQ." Gu Yunchi said. "Though your brain's never been great to begin with."

"Maybe. I still feel a bit unwell these past two days. Sorry." Wen Ran pushed open the car door, thought for a moment, then asked: "Will you still come to school next week?"

"What for."

"Just asking. If you're free, you can come to school more often." Wen Ran avoided eye contact. "Aren't your best friends all at school."

Without waiting for Gu Yunchi's answer, he got out after speaking. Just as raindrops began to fall, Wen Ran closed the car door, waved at Gu Yunchi, and ran home in big strides.

Just inside the gate, he saw Chen Shuhui's usual car parked in the garden, several guards standing at the door looking at each other. Wen Ran's heart dropped. He almost rushed over, and the moment he stepped into the living room, he heard Chen Shuhui's angry voice.

"Has Wen Rui lost his mind, bringing someone into the house?!"