The Picked-Up Little Tentacle Begs Me to Take Responsibility 53p1

Chapter 53 Part 1: Extra 3

The turmoil surrounding Shen Qiao finally subsided after two months. During this period, Lin Quan barely had any rest, his hard work evident to everyone. As Shi Xu predicted, he was promoted to director of the Anomaly Management Bureau.

Lin Quan still felt unworthy, politely declining the offer, but under the persistent support of his colleagues, he wavered, seeking Qi Yu’s advice.

Qi Yu was surprised by his visit, his opening remark blunt. “Don’t you have any friends? Why are you talking to me?”

Lin Quan, before even expressing his thoughts, was struck by Qi Yu’s sharp words.

After months of hardship, however, he had lost his previous arrogance. Previously, he would have retaliated, but he wouldn’t have sought Qi Yu out in the first place.

He wondered why he came here. He must be crazy, talking to Qi Yu about his insecurities.

But he couldn’t think of anyone else. Qi Yu wouldn’t betray his confidence, and despite his bluntness, he offered the best advice.

Enduring the embarrassment, he confessed his doubts to Qi Yu.

Qi Yu’s expression turned increasingly complex as he listened. After Lin Quan finished, he paused, processing the information. “You’re still dwelling on Shi Xu, aren’t you?”

Lin Quan paused, then nodded slowly.

Qi Yu was silent. “Shi Xu doesn’t hold grudges. If he says it’s over, it’s over.”

He couldn’t reveal the main reason: Shi Xu no longer cared about Lin Quan’s past antagonism because the true source of his suffering, Lin Zhi, was dead.

Lin Quan’s actions had been petty, not crossing any lines, easily forgiven.

Or rather, forgotten.

Lin Quan, however, seemed unable to let go, perhaps because of Lin Zhi, carrying his brother’s guilt and his own.

As Shi Xu’s friend, Qi Yu understood him. Even he, an outsider, found Lin Quan’s persistent guilt unnecessary, even burdensome to Shi Xu.

“Do you know what you look like?”

Lin Quan: “What?”

“A lovesick puppy, desperately chasing after someone who doesn’t care.” Qi Yu, true to form, was blunt and to the point.

Lin Quan’s face flushed crimson, then turned purple. “I don’t have those kinds of feelings for Shi Xu!”

Qi Yu: “It’s just an analogy.”

Lin Quan, embarrassed and angry, “It’s not an appropriate analogy!”

Qi Yu shrugged. “If you find it offensive, then stop being so dramatic. You’re just burdening Shi Xu.”

Although Shi Xu probably wouldn’t find it burdensome, more likely amusing.

Lin Quan’s anger deflated. “If Shi Xu hadn’t resigned, he would be a better director than me.”

“Why bother with hypotheticals? Have you even asked him? He has no intention of returning.” Qi Yu scoffed. “He’s finally living his dream life. Stop bothering him.”

Lin Quan looked stunned. Qi Yu sighed inwardly. This guy was truly obtuse. If he didn’t guide him, he might dwell on this forever.

Perhaps that wasn’t a bad thing.

At least, this painful lesson would prevent him from becoming another Shen Qiao.

Qi Yu took out a red invitation from his pocket. “Shi Xu asked me to give this to you.”

Lin Quan took it, his confusion deepening. “What is this?”

“Can’t you read?” Qi Yu rolled his eyes. “Shi Xu and Gu Sui are getting married next Saturday. Keep your schedule clear. But it’s fine if you don’t want to come.”

Lin Quan’s fingers trembled, his voice shaky. “Why would Shi Xu send me an invitation?”

The invitation was actually Gu Sui’s idea, not Shi Xu’s.

Gu Sui wanted everyone to know he was marrying Shi Xu, including Shi Xu’s former rivals.

His reasoning: “Seeing how happy Wife is will surely make him die of anger.”

Qi Yu, of course, wouldn’t relay Gu Sui’s true intentions, offering a more palatable version. “I don’t know. I just delivered the invitation. Whether you come or not is your decision. But if you do, don’t bring your gloom and doom with you.”

He looked at Lin Quan, his voice softening. “If you want to feel guilty, then feel guilty. Just be a good director, prevent tragedies from happening again. That’s the best way to help him, to help everyone.”

“I… will.”

Shi Xu realized, while flipping through his calendar, that it had been a while since he proposed to Gu Sui. The impulsive proposal had been far from romantic, but Gu Sui, not caring about such formalities, readily agreed.

And he hadn’t pestered him about the wedding date.

With Gu Sui’s personality, he would have demanded a specific date, but he never asked.

He was clingy, sometimes suffocating, but he never overstepped, always respecting Shi Xu’s boundaries, a stark contrast to his usual impulsiveness, always asking for permission, even for things Shi Xu had already allowed.

The next day, Shi Xu went out, making sure Gu Sui stayed home, so his plans wouldn’t be revealed.

He ordered two rings. His was a simple band, while Gu Sui’s was more extravagant, silver vines entwined around the band, designed to interlock with his.

When joined, the vines would envelop his ring, like Gu Sui’s love for him, all-encompassing and almost suffocating.

A week later, he received the rings. He wasn’t a romantic person, but he didn’t mind creating a romantic moment.

The next day, he ordered a truckload of red roses from a nearby florist. Sui Sui, knowing his plans, helped him, creating a distraction while he and Gu Sui were out.

Gu Sui took Sui Sui and Little Black to Qi Yu’s house, eager to return home, not lingering.

An hour later, the house was filled with the scent of roses.

He opened the door, stunned by the sight of the rose-covered hallway.

He didn’t see Shi Xu, but he heard his soft breathing from the bedroom.

He knew Shi Xu was home, but he didn’t understand the meaning of this extravagant display.

The roses weren’t just in the hallway, but all the way to the living room, a vibrant path of red.

Entering the living room, he finally saw Shi Xu, standing beside him, holding a bouquet of roses.

Gu Sui paused, confused. “Wife, what… does this… mean?”

Shi Xu held out the roses. “Take them.”

Realizing he had reverted to his usual commanding tone, he cleared his throat, his voice softening. “Take them, okay?”

His sudden change in demeanor confused Gu Sui, but he liked it, regardless of Shi Xu’s tone.

He took the roses. As he did, Shi Xu knelt before him, a ring box in his hand. Gu Sui instinctively reached out to help him up, then froze, staring at the box.

“Marry me.”

It wasn’t a grand, dramatic proposal, but it was perfect, a moment Gu Sui would cherish forever.

The person he loved, kneeling before him, offering him everything.

Expressions of love didn’t always require the words “I love you.” He knew he might never hear those words from Shi Xu, but it didn’t matter. He could feel Shi Xu’s affection in his actions and reactions.

Like now. If Shi Xu didn’t like him, why bother with a formal proposal?

Shi Xu liked him!

Shi Xu was expressing his love!

He was so overwhelmed that he froze, unable to express the depth of his own feelings.

But he quickly recovered, embracing Shi Xu tightly.

“Yes! Marry! We’ll get married!!!”

As he spoke, Shi Xu kissed him.

He finally understood the joy and wonder of a proposal, and to him, this was the most perfect, most romantic proposal.