Chapter 55

The puddles by the roadside reflected shattered streetlight shadows, and occasionally a few raindrops splashed onto the window glass outside.

Zhou Chiyu slept soundly, likely exhausted from the day’s fatigue. He had wanted to chat more with Gu Yuan when he first lay down, but his head had barely touched the pillow before he fell asleep.

Gu Yuan quietly gazed at the contours of his face in the darkness and reached out to gently brush the messy curls to the sides of his forehead.

At that moment, he heard a murmur and leaned his ear close to Zhou Chiyu’s lips to discern it carefully.

“It hurts.”

Zhou Chiyu frowned and lightly drew back his leg.

Gu Yuan’s pupils dilated slightly in a daze. He immediately lifted the blanket to check the wound hidden beneath Zhou Chiyu’s sleepwear.

He worried that the wound had gotten wet during his recent bath.

There wasn’t much light around, so Gu Yuan turned on his phone’s flashlight and examined it closely. Seeing that the freshly scabbed wounds showed no signs of infection, he finally relaxed.

The image of Zhou Chiyu crying resurfaced in his mind, and a dull ache pierced his heart.

He was truly sorry for what had happened that day.

He knew full well that all the conflict stemmed from his own selfishness. It was normal for Zhou Chiyu not to understand. He seemed to be stepping back, but in reality, he was using their bond to force Zhou Chiyu to compromise, allowing him free rein in their relationship.

He always said he would protect Zhou Chiyu once they grew up, but he had utterly failed in his responsibility.

He was an extremely selfish person.

“Sorry.” Gu Yuan grasped that slender wrist and murmured softly.

…

The next day, when Zhou Chiyu woke up, Gu Yuan had already prepared breakfast.

“Brother, can you lend me some clothes to wear?”

Zhou Chiyu, wearing only a pair of boxer briefs, burst into the kitchen island: “My clothes are a bit thin, and the temperature is too low today.”

Gu Yuan, who was setting the table, looked up in surprise: “Turn left to the wardrobe; pick whatever you like.”

“Got it.” Zhou Chiyu sneaked a glance at Gu Yuan, then stepped forward to snatch a piece of milky bread, trotting off with bouncy steps.

Gu Yuan stared at Zhou Chiyu’s two straight, fair long legs and sighed quietly, making him a bowl of oatmeal with fruit.

Soon, Zhou Chiyu returned wearing Gu Yuan’s Baseball Jersey.

Gazing at those dangling empty sleeves, Gu Yuan scrutinized him carefully: “I’ll take you to the mall later to buy a couple of outfits.”

Zhou Chiyu held up a sandwich: “Sure, and we can grab a meal at the mall too. Last time I came to the USA, Grandpa didn’t have time to take me around.”

“Mm.” Gu Yuan continued watching him: “Has your hair grown out?”

“Yeah, I need a trim.” Zhou Chiyu shook his head: “Every time I wash it before bed, it looks messy the next morning.”

Gu Yuan: “Want me to brush it?”

“Sure.” Zhou Chiyu grinned: “After I finish eating.”

Gu Yuan said nothing and instead stepped forward gently, gathering Zhou Chiyu’s hair tenderly. “Let me brush it for you.”

“Alright, thanks, Brother.” Zhou Chiyu was starving and inhaled the oatmeal bowl like a storm: “Just a simple brush is fine.”

“Mm.” Gu Yuan placed his palm on Zhou Chiyu’s forehead, his fingers sliding slowly from the roots along the strands to the tips, every motion drawn out and gentle. The morning glow enveloped them both. When finished, he leaned down to tidy the stray hairs on either side of Zhou Chiyu’s forehead: “There. I’ll take you for a haircut today too.”

“Sure.” Zhou Chiyu polished off the oatmeal bowl: “Whatever you say.”

…

After driving ten kilometers, they arrived at the nearby most prosperous mall. Everything caught Zhou Chiyu’s eye as novel; he clung to Gu Yuan’s arm, wanting to peek into every shop. Even though these brands existed back home, he still found them exciting.

“Excuse me, I’d like a few well-fitted outfits for my little brother here.”

Gu Yuan lightly held Zhou Chiyu’s shoulder: “The styles need to be comfortable.”

The sales assistant smiled at Zhou Chiyu and praised sincerely: “Your brother is too cute.”

Zhou Chiyu naturally understood the compliment and accepted it graciously: “Thanks, I think so too.”

Gu Yuan smiled and took Zhou Chiyu to the VIP room to rest. The staff were very professional and soon wheeled in a cart of clothes suited to Zhou Chiyu’s style.

Zhou Chiyu was busy sampling the desserts provided by the staff and nudged Gu Yuan’s shoulder: “Brother, pick for me.”

Gu Yuan nodded, taking out the clothes one by one to inspect them, finally selecting four youthful, stylish sets to show Zhou Chiyu.

“Your Chestnut Cakes are delicious.”

Zhou Chiyu set down the cake plate and sidled up to Gu Yuan: “I think these suit me too. I’ll go try them on now.”

“Mm.” Gu Yuan lifted his fingertip to wipe the chocolate sauce from the corner of Zhou Chiyu’s lips: “Go ahead.”

Zhou Chiyu smiled until his eyes curved and followed the sales assistant into the fitting room.

Gu Yuan was a regular customer, so the other staff recognized him and chatted idly: “Are you two a couple?”

Gu Yuan thought for a moment: “Mm.”

“You two are perfect together,” the staff said enviously. “You could be ad models.”

Gu Yuan took a sip of coffee: “Why do you think we’re a couple?”

“Because your eyes are full of love.”

At those words, Zhou Chiyu dashed out wearing light brown overalls and a jacket: “Brother, how do I look in this?”

Gu Yuan turned to look; an aura of youthful vibrancy hit him full force.

Zhou Chiyu looked great in the overalls. The two straps swayed gently with his steps, paired with a cream-colored inner shirt and cashmere sweater, making him seem playful and lively.

“Good-looking.”

His fingertips on his leg curled slightly, ripples of tender warmth shimmering in Gu Yuan’s eyes: “Better than a model wearing it.”

“Great.”

Pleased with the affirmation, Zhou Chiyu raised his brows smugly. After trying on the other sets, he liked them all.

After shopping, they had a meal and headed to a local famous Hair Salon for haircuts. Zhou Chiyu’s request was simple: just shorten it a bit. The owner served many blond, blue-eyed foreign boys and was confident in Zhou Chiyu’s style, even suggesting a design based on Little Leo’s youthful hairstyle.

Zhou Chiyu was somewhat tempted but worried about it going wrong, so he turned his round eyes to Gu Yuan for approval.

“You look good in any style. Up to you.”

Encouraged, Zhou Chiyu decided: “Then design a Leo hairstyle for me.”

Zhou Chiyu was very nervous during the haircut, occasionally wrinkling his nose or straining his eyes to check the strands on both sides. Gu Yuan watched his hands clutching the clothes tightly and slowly curved his lips into a faint smile.

Just like when he was little.

Midway, Zhou Chiyu examined his emerging style in the mirror and found it quite satisfactory. He accidentally met Gu Yuan’s gaze behind him, a flash of shyness and awkwardness in his eyes.

Oh no! Gu Yuan caught him admiring himself!

The long hour finally passed.

Zhou Chiyu stood before the mirror amid a rainbow of compliments from the owner and other customers. They all said he was even prettier than Leonardo in Total Eclipse of the Heart. Whether true or not, his vanity was greatly satisfied, his eyes nearly squinting into slits from smiling.

Gu Yuan approached from behind and stood quietly beside him. Zhou Chiyu placed his hands on his hips and shot Gu Yuan a flirtatious wink: “Am I handsomer, or is Leonardo?”

The mirror reflected Gu Yuan’s slightly stunned face. He smiled faintly, leaned down, and planted a kiss on Zhou Chiyu’s eye: “You are.”