Chapter 33: I’ll Take That Blessing

It wasn’t that Gu Shiying had never been to a Western restaurant before, but dining with a near-stranger called for a bit more polish.

He Zexuan had chosen a Western place in the shopping mall near the school—convenient for Gu Shiying to reach via subway.

Nowadays, Western restaurants weren’t seen as high-end fortresses of exclusivity like they were years ago. They were pretty common.

A smiling server greeted him at the door. “Hello, do you have a reservation?”

Gu Shiying: “My friend’s already here.”

Server: “Right this way, please.”

The restaurant He Zexuan had chosen wasn’t very busy at this hour. Soft, soothing music played throughout the elegantly decorated space. As Gu Shiying’s female classmates would say, it was a highly “Instagrammable” spot.

He Zexuan spotted Gu Shiying and stood, waving him over.

“Here, over here!”

Today’s He Zexuan was a far cry from the man Gu Shiying had encountered at the KTV.

Back then, drugged and disoriented, his suit did nothing to project his attractiveness. Now, however, he wore a textured, deep blue dress shirt, collar slightly open, revealing a beautiful collarbone.

He was a man with serious presence. His smile held a captivating, magnetic quality.

Gu Shiying sat down opposite him and immediately asked after his well-being. “How’s your body now?”

He Zexuan: “All thanks to you. Two days on an IV drip at the hospital, and I’m basically fine now.”

Gu Shiying was sincerely happy for him. “That’s great to hear.”

He Zexuan smiled. “Come on, order. Anything you’re particularly craving? Today’s on me.”

The KTV incident seemed not to have left any lasting shadow on He Zexuan. He came across as a remarkably cheerful person.

Knowing he genuinely wanted to treat him, Gu Shiying didn’t hesitate to order a reasonably priced set meal. In terms of navigating social graces, he felt he did alright.

While waiting for their food, He Zexuan asked the usual questions—what school Gu Shiying attended, and so on. Gu Shiying had nothing to hide.

He Zexuan: “You’re a top student, huh? Getting into A University is seriously impressive.”

Gu Shiying: “Nah, at my school, I definitely don’t count as a top student. There are people way more brilliant than me everywhere. Not being modest—just the truth.”

He Zexuan: “I get it, I get it. But A University was my dream school once too.”

Gu Shiying: “Oh, right. Brother Zexuan, what kind of work do you do? How’d you end up running into people like that?”

He Zexuan’s expression faltered for a moment. He wondered whether he should really tell this college student the details.

“No harm in telling you. I have this dream of being a director. I recently wrote a screenplay and was trying to find investors. A friend recommended a dinner meeting, so I went. Never imagined it’d turn into something like that.”

Gu Shiying’s mouth opened slightly, surprised. “You studied directing?”

If He Zexuan had told him he was an actor who’d stumbled into a casting-couch scenario, it would’ve been understandable. He really did have the looks of a popular actor.

He Zexuan laughed at his reaction, used to it by now. “Doesn’t fit the image, right? A lot of people don’t believe it.”

Gu Shiying nodded. “Yeah. You look more like an actor.”

He Zexuan: “And you? What’s your major?”

Gu Shiying told him his major. “Then, can I ask you for advice in the future? On how to shoot a good piece, how to master cinematography, get good close-ups, and then edit the footage into a really compelling story.”

Getting into his professional realm, He Zexuan became serious. “Do you have any work I can see?”

Gu Shiying pulled out his submitted assignments and projects to show him. He Zexuan pointed out several subtle details that even their professors had missed.

“Yeah, exactly like that. I haven’t shot my final project yet. Can I ask you for help then?”

“Of course. I’d be happy to.”

The server brought their food.

The meal passed with excellent conversation flowing between them. Gu Shiying asked He Zexuan many professional questions, and He Zexuan answered each one patiently.

Dinner was a thoroughly enjoyable affair.

Gu Shiying hadn’t expected that saving a person would yield such an unexpected benefit.

He Zexuan had other things to do in the afternoon and offered to drive Gu Shiying back to school, but Gu Shiying declined.

They parted ways at the mall.

Before leaving, He Zexuan patted Gu Shiying on the shoulder. “See you next time. If you ever need anything, reach out.”

Gu Shiying: “Will do.”

After the man left, Gu Shiying looked up He Zexuan’s name online. He was surprised to find he even had a search entry.

He’d graduated from one of the top film academies in the country. His student films had won first prize at university-level competitions—awards with real merit. His very first post-graduation film project had earned him a “Best New Director” award.

But despite his talent and works, no major company had ever absorbed him. There seemed to be reasons for that.

He Zexuan’s films all leaned toward the tragic, more in the vein of art-house cinema. They didn’t align with mainstream market demands. Perhaps that was why he had to find his own investors.

While He Zexuan’s career wasn’t something a college student could assist with, the conversation had only solidified Gu Shiying’s determination to build his own personal media presence.

Scrolling further down, he noticed an inconspicuous line.

He Zexuan’s Rumored Boyfriend: Wei Ming.

Huh?

Wasn’t Wei Ming a major celebrity?

Wasn’t this entry taking things a bit far? Wait—that’s when it clicked for Gu Shiying. He Zexuan liked men?

He clicked through a link in the entry and discovered that He Zexuan’s award-winning debut work was actually a gay-themed film. Though the portrayal had been subtle, two men ready to sacrifice everything for each other—how could that profound connection be anything but love?

The subway connected to the mall. He intended to take it back to school.

But just as he came out of the restaurant, he’d spotted a familiar silhouette. For a moment, he wasn’t sure if his eyes were playing tricks on him.

Fu Huan should have been at school. He couldn’t possibly be at the mall…

Don’t tell me… worried about him meeting a stranger for a meal, Fu Huan had actually tailed him?

Wasn’t this a bit too much care and concern?

It was true they’d been spending a lot of time together lately, but wasn’t this… excessively clingy behavior?!

Gu Shiying watched the elevator doors open. People crowded in, and Gu Shiying let them pass, stepping aside. He leaned against the railing overlooking the giant teddy bear in the mall’s central atrium, lost in thought for a long moment.

He opened WeChat and tapped into his chat with Fu Huan.

[Gu Shiying: Brother Huan, you still in the dorm?]

Fu Huan replied instantly.

Lately, he hadn’t bothered to hide his care and affection for Gu Shiying.

[Fu Huan: What’s up?]

[Gu Shiying: I want to go shoot some footage, but I forgot my GoPro. Could you bring it to me at the mall?]

[Fu Huan: Gu Shiying, I’m not at the dorm.]

[Gu Shiying: Where are you, then?]

[Fu Huan: Behind you.]

Gu Shiying didn’t turn around. But he felt the familiar, taller figure approach from behind.

He glanced sideways at Fu Huan, whose ears were faintly red from being discovered. Gu Shiying didn’t ask why he’d followed.

It seemed Fu Huan had known He Zexuan was gay even sooner than he had.

Was this guy projecting his own orientation onto everyone else?

As if He Zexuan could possibly like him. This was paranoia.

Gu Shiying: “Eaten yet?”

Fu Huan: “A little.”

He’d been off to the side, watching Gu Shiying and He Zexuan chat away happily. It had somewhat killed his appetite.

Fu Huan was, in fact, incredibly nervous. He hadn’t expected Gu Shiying to spot him. But he didn’t want Gu Shiying to misunderstand.

A rare hesitation showed on his face. “Aren’t you going to ask why I’m here?”

Gu Shiying: “I know you were worried about me.” And I know it’s because you like me. “But don’t do this again.”

Fu Huan: “Sorry.” He didn’t over-explain. Any justification would feel hollow. And he realized Gu Shiying didn’t actually seem surprised.

He wouldn’t follow him covertly again. Next time, he’d stay by Gu Shiying’s side openly.

Gu Shiying indeed wasn’t surprised. Over the past week, he’d noticed Fu Huan had a degree of possessiveness toward him. The concern was genuine too. It was a feeling he couldn’t quite pinpoint. What surprised him most wasn’t Fu Huan’s possessiveness—it was his own complete lack of aversion to it.

He didn’t mind it. Even when discovering Fu Huan had followed him, he still didn’t mind. Why?

Gu Shiying himself was a little baffled.

He decided not to dwell on it with Fu Huan. “I’m going to shoot material for my final project. Wanna come with?”

“Sure. What do you want to shoot?” Relief washed over Fu Huan internally. Gu Shiying didn’t find him annoying.

Gu Shiying pulled up a map on his phone. “Need to go here, here, and here. Is your afternoon free?”

Fu Huan: “It’s free. My time today is yours.”

Gu Shiying: “…” Stop dropping romantic lines so casually!

Ugh. With these skills, Fu Huan could snag anyone. Why did it have to be him?

Fu Huan had driven, which was incredibly convenient.

He’d just glanced at Gu Shiying’s planned destinations. “You want to film windmills?”

Gu Shiying: “I checked. Seems like the only place with windmills in our city is that park.”

Fu Huan: “I know another place with windmills. By the sea. It’s a bit of a drive, though. You can see the sunset there too—really beautiful. Want to go?”

The thought of going to the seaside lit Gu Shiying up. “Yes!”

His theme was simple: just various romantic vehicles. Windmills were only one part of it.

Fu Huan: “Wait for me here, then. I need to grab something from that store.”

Gu Shiying nodded.

Ten minutes later, Fu Huan emerged from a brand-name clothing store, carrying two paper bags.

Gu Shiying didn’t ask much, assuming Fu Huan wanted to buy some clothes for himself.

It wasn’t until nearly two hours of driving later that his curiosity got the better of him.

Gu Shiying couldn’t hold back any longer: “Where are we going? Have we already left A City?”

Fu Huan knew the roads well; he rarely needed GPS, serving as a human navigation system himself.

Fu Huan: “Yes. We’re heading to the neighboring city. They have offshore windmills. A City doesn’t have any.”

Gu Shiying: “How much longer?”

Fu Huan: “Don’t worry. We’ll still catch the sunset.”

Gu Shiying’s heart itched with anticipation. Fu Huan was a master at building suspense—not telling him the destination meant he couldn’t even pre-check it on his phone.

But then again, wasn’t this a kind of surprise in itself?

He had that thought again: with this romantic streak, Fu Huan could successfully chase anyone.

They did indeed catch the sunset.

Fu Huan brought Gu Shiying to the seaside. There were pristine, soft sand beaches and rows of colossal windmills. The sea stretched endlessly before them.

Gu Shiying gasped, “Holy crap. This is insanely romantic!” He even forgot Fu Huan’s underlying intentions and blurted out, “Fu Huan, with a romantic touch like this, you’d succeed chasing anyone!”

Fu Huan fixed his gaze on him steadily. “I’ll take that blessing.”

Gu Shiying wanted to slap his own mouth. Traitor!