Zhou Chiyu suddenly widened his eyes. Before he could react, Gu Yuan’s dragonfly-like kiss had already quietly ended.
His damp eyelashes still carried lingering astonishment as he gazed at Gu Yuan, waiting for an explanation. But Gu Yuan looked completely nonchalant, showing no guilt whatsoever for his mischief.
“Wishing you two happiness.”
The salon owner had clearly seen their intimate moment and teased while staring at Zhou Chiyu’s reddened ear tips, “You’re super cute, like a doll.”
Zhou Chiyu raised his hand and stiffly rubbed his lips. After a long moment, he finally mumbled an unclear sentence, “Let’s go.”
Their next stop was the Biological Base, where Gu Yuan received his long-term treatment. Zhou Chiyu sat uncomfortably in the passenger seat. Thinking back to that kiss, his face burned hot.
That kiss felt different from the forceful one last night.
Today’s kiss had a distinctly flirtatious vibe.
He glanced at the “chief culprit” beside him and cleared his throat. “No more random kisses next time.”
The words had barely left his mouth when he immediately fell silent, frowning in panic.
Why did it feel like he was acting coquettish toward Gu Yuan?
Gu Yuan turned his head to look at him, a faint smile in his eyes. “What do you want to eat tonight?”
“Tonight? Of course, some classic American food.” Zhou Chiyu was successfully distracted, completely overlooking that Gu Yuan hadn’t agreed to his demand.
“There’s an American barbecue place near the apartment. Interested?” Gu Yuan lightly pressed the brake and stopped the car. His fingers gently hooked Zhou Chiyu’s wrist. “I hear the reviews are great. You’d love it.”
“Sure.” Zhou Chiyu’s eyes lit up as he fully immersed himself in the joy of upcoming authentic American barbecue. “Tonight, after that, let’s stroll along the Freedom Trail.”
“No problem.”
Gu Yuan raised his hand to smooth a stray hair from Zhou Chiyu’s temple. His mood unconsciously improved along with Zhou Chiyu’s delight.
“After the new haircut, you’re no longer a fluffy little dog.”
“You’re the little dog.”
Zhou Chiyu vainly ran his fingers through his new hairstyle. “This is a broken, edgy beauty look, Leo’s style.”
“It is.” Gu Yuan arched a brow slightly and started the car. “I hope my parents recognize you with the new haircut.”
“Huh? Is it that big a change?”
Half an hour later, Zhou Chiyu and Gu Yuan arrived at the Laboratory.
Bai Wenran and Gu Cheng had already learned the results ahead of time. Fortunately, it was a false alarm—the DNA sample had just been contaminated, and Gu Yuan had recovered very healthily.
“Little Yuan.”
Bai Wenran was just about to share the good news with Gu Yuan when she suddenly noticed the boy behind him. “Who’s this?”
“Little Fish?” Gu Cheng smiled in surprise. “How did you end up in the USA?”
Zhou Chiyu felt proud that Gu Cheng recognized him at a glance. He ran over, hugged Gu Cheng’s arm, and complained, “I came to the USA this time to keep Brother company while waiting for the results. But yesterday, Brother slept like the dead and didn’t answer my calls. I almost came to stay with you guys.”
Gu Cheng patted Zhou Chiyu’s head and sighed contentedly, “You’re the one who really cares about Little Yuan.”
“Of course.” Zhou Chiyu smiled at Bai Wenran, then returned to Gu Yuan’s side and stuck close to him. “We’re family, after all.”
Gu Yuan’s attending physician hadn’t seen Zhou Chiyu in ages. Seeing how tall he’d grown, she spoke in a gentle tone, “What nationality is in Little Fish’s bloodline? You’ve gotten even more handsome over the years.”
“My maternal grandmother is Georgian.” Zhou Chiyu spotted a medical record on the table, picked it up, and flipped through it seriously. “My maternal grandfather is Chinese-Austrian mixed.”
“I see.” Dr. Amy stared at the medical record in Zhou Chiyu’s hands and explained Gu Yuan’s condition to everyone. She suggested using this as an opportunity for Gu Yuan to undergo a full comprehensive physical exam.
“I think a full checkup would be better.” Zhou Chiyu looked up at Gu Yuan with a worried expression. “That way, I can feel at ease.”
Gu Yuan gazed at him and curved his lips faintly. “Mm.”
Bai Wenran and Gu Cheng exchanged a glance, a flicker of surprise passing between them.
A full physical was different from a routine checkup—it involved many tests. Beyond checking the lung transplant, the gene therapy’s effects required Gu Yuan’s active cooperation. Most importantly, these exams were quite painful, so Gu Yuan had only done one in all these years.
“So, it’s settled?” The attending physician was equally surprised. During the checkup three years ago, even Gu Yuan, with his incredible pain tolerance, had nearly given up on treatment.
“Mm.” Gu Yuan took the medical record from Zhou Chiyu’s hands. “Looks like I’ll need to stay in the USA a few more days.”
“Me too!” Zhou Chiyu grinned and promised, “I’m an excellent student in both studies and conduct. The counselor will approve my leave.”
“Little Fish is amazing.”
Gu Yuan’s gentle praise landed on Zhou Chiyu’s earlobe. He instinctively averted his gaze from Gu Yuan’s eyes and curved his lips while staring at his sneakers.
There was no need to praise him like that.
It was like coaxing a child.
Seeing how close the two boys were, Bai Wenran felt touched. Since Gu Yuan had agreed, she began arranging the Laboratory’s preparations for the pre-exam series.
Gu Yuan handed the medical record back to the doctor and took Zhou Chiyu’s arm. “Mom, Dad, we’ll head out first. Tonight, I want to take Little Fish out to play.”
Gu Cheng called him back. “Little Fish is in the USA for once. Come home for dinner tonight.”
Gu Yuan looked at Zhou Chiyu upon hearing this, as if seeking his opinion.
“Sure, then we’ll do barbecue tomorrow.”
Zhou Chiyu had always been good at sweet-talking since he was little. Seeing the plans change, he immediately ran to Gu Cheng’s side and clung to him. “Uncle Gu, it’s only been a few days, but you look even more handsome.”
Gu Cheng had been buttered up by Zhou Chiyu many times and didn’t take the flattery at face value. He glanced at Zhou Chiyu’s new haircut and said, “Why’d Little Fish decide to cut his hair short?”
Zhou Chiyu shuddered cleverly. “I’m imitating Leo.”
Gu Cheng paused and asked Bai Wenran, “Does it look like him?”
Bai Wenran pursed her lips in a faint smile. “Not at all.”
“Hey, but Brother says it does.”
The family of four walked toward the door in tacit harmony. Zhou Chiyu’s resentful voice echoed through the hallway, “Looks like only Brother gets me.”
A warm, elegant voice rang out, “It’s only Brother who spoils you.”
…
Gu Cheng placed great importance on this dinner, having the head chef prepare all his signature dishes. Of course, Zhou Chiyu ate happily too, until he was stuffed and lay on a recliner in the small courtyard, drowsily gazing at the stars in the sky.
Gu Yuan brought over some digestive fruit juice. “Drink some. Don’t overstuff yourself.”
“Thanks, Brother.” Zhou Chiyu pouted, showing no intention of lifting a hand—he clearly wanted Gu Yuan to serve him.
A flicker of affection passed through Gu Yuan’s dark eyes. He suddenly felt that confessing that night hadn’t been such a bad thing, after all. At least Zhou Chiyu was much more natural around him now.
He unwrapped a straw, inserted it into the cup, and held the bottom with his slender fingertips, slowly bringing it to Zhou Chiyu’s lips. “Young Master, have some juice.”
Zhou Chiyu grinned triumphantly and slurped several gulps. “It’s so sour.”
“There are lots of hawthorns in it. Of course it’s sour.” Gu Yuan patiently bent at the waist. “Take two more sips.”
“I don’t want to anymore, unless…” Zhou Chiyu mumbled, “you add some sugar for me.”
Gu Yuan smiled faintly. “No problem.”
The sugared version of the digestive juice was quickly brought over. Gu Yuan’s service was very attentive as he fed it to Zhou Chiyu’s lips once more. “Young Master Little Fish, give it a try.”
Though it still wasn’t sweet enough, Zhou Chiyu didn’t push his luck. He politely drank half the cup and continued squinting his eyes to rest.
Gu Yuan finished the rest of the juice and sat down on the neighboring recliner, leisurely and intently watching Zhou Chiyu.
This season still had some flying insects, especially in areas lush with greenery.
Zhou Chiyu frowned and raised his hand to shoo away the annoying bugs in front of him. He unintentionally opened his eyes and met Gu Yuan’s affectionate gaze.
In that instant of eye contact, an indescribable electric current crept up Zhou Chiyu’s spine inch by inch.
His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he gently shifted his gaze away, unaware that his trembling fingertips completely betrayed his current mood.
Gu Yuan smiled lightly. His heated gaze fell on Zhou Chiyu’s hands, which dangled lightly on either side of the recliner.
Zhou Chiyu’s hands were beautiful—rounded knuckles, fingertips flushed with healthy pink, like cherry blossoms dusted with morning dew, soft and adorable.
After a moment’s hesitation, he gently entwined those slender fingertips. When Zhou Chiyu nervously looked at him, the deep affection in his eyes surged even stronger.
He leaned over, cradled those hands, and planted a gentle kiss on them.
