Chapter 38

Chen Gu was genuinely very happy.

Jiang Mian rested his hand on the passenger side car door, his palm propping his chin, and looking at Chen Gu’s reflection in the window, he thought.

From the moment he got that snail alarm clock, the corner of Chen Gu’s lips hadn’t come down.

Although he always wore a faint smile in front of him before, the two were different.

Jiang Mian could distinguish them.

If he’d known Chen Gu would be this happy receiving a gift, that day picking Chen Gu up from the airport, he should have just given Chen Gu the return gift he’d prepared for the meal delivery.

That day, Jiang Mian had actually brought it out with him. But because Chen Gu asked him if buying him a meal meant there was a “result” to the pursuit, he hard stopped Jiang Mian from giving the gift.

Because that gift…

When he chose it, he simply thought it suited Chen Gu very well, so he bought it. Even bringing it with him later, he hadn’t thought much about it.

It wasn’t until Chen Gu’s words that Jiang Mian belatedly realized that giving that gift would probably truly be a “result”.

So Jiang Mian decided to keep it himself for a while longer.

Chen Gu was not a school affiliate; his license plate wasn’t registered and couldn’t be driven inside campus.

So he parked outside. When getting out, Jiang Mian unbuckled his seatbelt. Seeing Chen Gu showed no intention of moving, he subconsciously asked: “Didn’t you say you’d accompany me to the Library?”

Before he could even begin his act, Chen Gu paused. The corner of his mouth rose involuntarily, but he still continued with that tone of a wounded soul determined to stay strong, saying meaningfully: “Didn’t you say not to show up at school?”

Jiang Mian: “…”

Here we go again.

A rare feeling of helplessness rose in Jiang Mian. This “what-can-you-do” feeling was different from the speechless frustration he felt towards others before.

He couldn’t exactly describe it, but he knew he wasn’t averse to it, nor did he feel powerless.

Even…

He even thought this side of Chen Gu was inexplicably endearing.

A bit like a large, spoiled, whining dog.

But Chen Gu’s personality wasn’t like a dog.

So Jiang Mian mentally corrected himself, thinking it was like those jackals he saw in animal documentaries that would act spoiled and make whimpering sounds.

Very heart-stirring (?);

Jiang Mian’s “cute points” were sometimes things ordinary people couldn’t get.

“No.” Jiang Mian’s tone sounded calm and natural on the surface, but harbored a tolerance he himself didn’t notice. He was just still meticulously correcting the error: “I said I thought about it, not that I planned to act on it.”

Jiang Mian was the type that, if he argued with someone, would definitely reason it out seriously.

But if it was his fault, he would apologize. If both sides were at fault, then he would apologize and then continue reasoning seriously.

He was a rationalist, after all.

If he weren’t a rationalist, he’d likely feel some displeasure.

But Chen Gu, clearly not a rationalist, wasn’t the least bit unhappy. Any unhappiness was fake.

Chen Gu said pitifully: “Yeah, yeah, in your eyes, I can’t be seen in public anyway.”

Jiang Mian: “.”

Wordlessly, he met Chen Gu’s puppy-dog eyes, which seemed ready to shed tears the next second. Because he truly had no clue how to comfort people, he could only say dryly: “No.”

Jiang Mian pressed his lips, adding sincerely: “Really.”

Pushing someone to the point of frustration lost its fun.

Chen Gu timely reined in his act. But to wrap up naturally, he still asked with feigned grievance: “Not just coaxing me?”

Jiang Mian nodded: “Not coaxing.”

That thought of his was simply not wanting to be misunderstood that way, nor wanting Chen Gu to become the center of gossip because of him.

But after thinking carefully, Jiang Mian felt he truly didn’t need to be so concerned.

He’d always been someone indifferent to others’ gazes; there was no need to care now.

Those people were just passersby.

Idle talk was spoken by idle people, and those idle people would likely never intersect with his life.

That was Jiang Mian’s rational thinking.

And his emotional thinking couldn’t help but care about Chen Gu.

Under Jiang Mian’s affirmation, Chen Gu naturally ended the act and got out of the car with Jiang Mian.

South Boundary was still hot in early October, though not as terrifying as the summer break.

South Boundary University was always bustling with people. Jiang Mian and Chen Gu’s looks were probably outstanding even compared to the neighboring Art Institute, so when the two walked side-by-side, people frequently glanced back.

Seniors knew Jiang Mian. The new students, having been here half a month, had heard enough gossip and seen plenty on the forum.

In others’ eyes, Chen Gu and Chen Yishen truly looked exactly the same.

Only Jiang Mian felt they had two completely different faces.

So the gazes cast their way were many, some also carrying confusion.

The point of confusion clearly lay in “Chen Yishen’s” hair growing long overnight.

Especially when they ran into Song Wen on the way.

Song Wen greeted them: “Chen Yishen! Jiang Mian!”

After calling out, looking at Chen Gu’s hair, he felt something was off.

Before he could process it, Chen Gu said flatly: “I’m Chen Gu.”

Song Wen let out an “Ohhh”: “Right… Brother Gu, sorry, you and Chen Yishen really look alike. Worthy of being twins.”

He felt a bit strange internally, thinking, when they played basketball, was Chen Gu this personality?

Song Wen: “Jiang Mian, can I borrow your notes?”

“Sure.” Jiang Mian nodded with little hesitation: “But I don’t know who has them right now.”

Several classmates had borrowed his notes earlier. He gave them out to let them arrange their own schedules.

Song Wen: “I know, A Guang has them. I’ll return them to you tomorrow.”

Jiang Mian said okay.

Song Wen then asked curiously: “Where are you guys going?”

Chen Gu didn’t speak. It was entirely up to Jiang Mian to answer.

Jiang Mian didn’t hide it either: “To the Library.”

Song Wen didn’t react initially. Jiang Mian had already nodded in farewell and left with Chen Gu.

Leaving Song Wen alone, full of question marks.

Didn’t Chen Yishen say his older brother Chen Gu started school early and skipped grades, graduating long ago?

And Chen Gu didn’t go to a university in South Boundary either. He studied abroad. What was he doing at their school library??

After walking a few steps away, Chen Gu finally seemed to unmute himself and spoke languidly: “This is what you meant by ‘not as good as I imagine’?”

Jiang Mian understood his meaning almost instantly.

He turned his head to look up at Chen Gu, a bit puzzled: “It’s just a small favor.”

Taking notes was something he did anyway. When he took notes, it was already his second round of reinforcement. If classmates wanted to borrow them, let them—it didn’t affect him at all.

Because Jiang Mian’s third round of reinforcement was usually through doing problems.

How was doing something easy good?

Jiang Mian critiqued Chen Gu: “You have too thick a filter for me.”

He really wasn’t as good as Chen Gu said.

Chen Gu neither agreed nor disagreed, switching topics: “How long do you plan to stay at the Library?”

“Until dinner.” Jiang Mian had no other plans: “If you have things to do, you can leave first.”

Chen Gu curved his lips: “I’m free.”

He said lazily: “Just confirming your schedule. Let’s have dinner together tonight. Any cravings?”

…Only just finished lunch and already thinking about dinner?

After a moment of silence, Jiang Mian shook his head, signaling for Chen Gu to decide.

He was always very indecisive in day-to-day choices.

——

Jiang Mian picked out several books. Chen Gu just grabbed one randomly from where Jiang Mian was picking—mainly because this section was all law and legal studies, not his field. Any book was the same to him.

It wasn’t the pre-exam finals period, nor a public holiday, so the library still had plenty of seats.

Jiang Mian chose a corner by the window, sitting next to the window. Chen Gu just happened to sit on the outside. If Jiang Mian needed to get out, Chen Gu would have to move.

After sitting down, before opening his book, Jiang Mian glanced at Chen Gu.

He thought Chen Gu was sometimes childish and incomprehensible.

For instance, he couldn’t figure out why Chen Gu would be happy about this seat.

Because he was sitting next to him?

But they’d sat side-by-side at Chen Gu’s place before, and in the car too.

The innocent-minded Jiang Mian really couldn’t find the answer.

Chen Gu couldn’t quite focus on these books, but thankfully Jiang Mian was willing to share his notebook and pen.

He just took the paper and pen Jiang Mian had torn out for him to draw.

He drew chibi versions of Jiang Mian, drawing him while reading.

One after another, filling several pages, then softly asked Jiang Mian for more.

Jiang Mian flipped his notebook to the end. Just as he was about to tear off paper, he first caught sight of Chen Gu’s “masterpieces”.

Chen Gu’s drawing was indeed only praise-worthy, but page after page of chibi Jiang Mian still hit the person involved.

Jiang Mian fell silent, then flipped the notebook back: “Not giving anymore.”

He said quietly: “Stop drawing me.”

Chen Gu blinked, his face full of pitiful innocence: “Why?”

He whispered: “You’re so good-looking. If not you, who else?”

Jiang Mian hadn’t never been praised for his looks before, but hearing it from Chen Gu’s mouth felt different.

He moved his lips and found he couldn’t utter a single word at first.

Chen Gu then smiled gently, playing the good guy: “Alright, I won’t draw anymore.”

He twirled the pen, tucked the papers neatly into his own pocket, and confiscated the pen along with them: “Won’t disturb your studies anymore. Go ahead and read.”

Jiang Mian watched helplessly as this person naturally “confiscated” his items. He paused for a moment, but ultimately said nothing.

Just a pen.

He refocused on his book, continuing to navigate the sea of learning.

For Jiang Mian, the most important thing at this stage was naturally his studies.

He was already in his third year, also preparing for his master’s, with the bar’s subjective exam next week, and the Civil Service Exam next year… Jiang Mian’s focus was indeed on his academics.

He also hoped Chen Gu understood that dating him probably wouldn’t leave much free time.

Not a discouragement, just that before starting, one should get to know each other well enough.

When Jiang Mian’s neck felt slightly stiff and he loosened his grip on the book to stretch, he then remembered Chen Gu.

It was really because Chen Gu was too quiet…

Jiang Mian turned his head, thinking, no wonder.

Because Chen Gu was lying on the table, fallen asleep facing his way.

In his hand, he was still clutching the papers he’d folded and put in his pocket earlier—the ones with Jiang Mian’s chibi drawings.

Jiang Mian hesitated.

Earlier, he’d only glanced hastily and hadn’t looked too closely. But he was sure Chen Gu was drawing him.

Because Chen Gu had said, after graduating, he’d only ever drawn him.

And Jiang Mian also understood the underlying message: “I will only draw you.”

He was too good at deciphering the hidden meaning in every one of Chen Gu’s sentences.

When Chen Gu was asleep, he was very pleasing to the eye, but his edges were still sharp.

Without the essence in those puppy-dog eyes, his whole person looked like the face of some fierce beast.

Even while sleeping, he seemed like a predator feigning slumber, waiting for prey to come close.

Jiang Mian watched quietly for a moment, then eventually reached out, wanting to gently pull the papers from Chen Gu’s grasp to see exactly what Chen Gu had drawn.

But the moment he touched a corner, Chen Gu’s eyes snapped open.

Jiang Mian paused, then met Chen Gu’s meaningful gaze, seeing him smile knowingly as he hoarsely whispered: “Sir Jiang, attempting a sneak attack?”