Chapter 68 Part 1

The wind whistled past his ears as Zhou Chiyu stood up and turned around. The moment he saw Gu Yuan, he ran toward him.

“Brother.”

He spread his arms wide, but just before touching Gu Yuan, he paused slightly, his arms hovering in mid-air without moving.

“Why didn’t you reply to my messages?”

His voice carried a hint of resentment and frustration. “Even if it was a surprise, you should’ve at least reassured me.”

It was a November night, and the wind bore a distinct chill.

Gu Yuan gently steadied Zhou Chiyu’s shoulders and pulled him into an embrace. “It was my fault.”

“It absolutely was.” Zhou Chiyu rested his head on Gu Yuan’s shoulder, his face scrunching up like a little bun. “I loved your gift, but I’m still not forgiving you.”

Gu Yuan’s low chuckle reached Zhou Chiyu’s ears, and Zhou Chiyu muttered, “And you’re laughing.”

Gu Yuan’s chin gently rubbed against his hair as he took a delicately crafted small box from his pocket and opened it right in front of him.

Zhou Chiyu froze. Inside the box was the very ring he had seen in the Virtual Space, though now it was strung on a Necklace as a pendant.

“Happy birthday.”

Gu Yuan lifted the Necklace with his fingertips, holding it up in the moonlight. “The original intent behind preparing this birthday surprise for you was to fulfill one of your dreams. I knew you wanted to see them one more time. The meaning of the ring is simple: I hope it becomes the key that brings you happiness, whether in family or love.”

The moonlight coated the ring in a layer of silver gauze, its tiny diamonds refracting shards of pure, clear light.

Zhou Chiyu stared at the ring, slightly lost in thought.

“Little Fish.”

A trace of worry hid in Gu Yuan’s eyes as he gripped the Necklace tighter.

In the public eye, the ring undoubtedly symbolized love. It was normal for Zhou Chiyu to feel pressure about this gift.

“If you don’t want to—”

“Thank you.” Zhou Chiyu lowered his eyelashes and obediently exposed his neck, like a little lamb willingly entering a cage, his face full of innocence. “I love it.”

Surprise flashed across Gu Yuan’s face. Though his movements hesitated, he still chose to help Zhou Chiyu put it on.

Finally, he tucked the ring inside Zhou Chiyu’s sweater and held the person he had longed for day and night in his arms. “Thank you.”

Zhou Chiyu looked up in surprise. “Brother, why are you thanking me?”

“Thank you for accepting it.”

Gu Yuan’s hand grasped the back of Zhou Chiyu’s neck, applying slight pressure. “No matter what, thank you for being willing to wear it.”

Zhou Chiyu tilted his head and caught a glimpse of loss and gain in Gu Yuan’s dimmed eyes.

“Brother.” Zhou Chiyu raised both hands and proactively hugged Gu Yuan. “Do you remember the good news I told you about?”

“Yeah, I remember.”

Gu Yuan chuckled softly. “What good news? Something to do with school?”

“Of course not.” Zhou Chiyu cleared his throat, looped his arms around Gu Yuan’s shoulders, and tiptoed to whisper in his ear. “Will you be with me?”

Gu Yuan’s back stiffened into a straight line as his eyes widened in disbelief. He stared into the pitch-black night in the distance, clearly sensing Zhou Chiyu’s burning gaze fixed on him.

His heart pounded wildly against his ribs. He looked at Zhou Chiyu, his tone tentative. “What made you decide this all of a sudden?”

Zhou Chiyu’s eyes sparkled like they did when he was a kid spotting snacks. “Because I like you.”

The wind on the Terrace lifted the hem of their clothes, stirring Gu Yuan’s heart in the same way.

His eyelashes trembled lightly in the breeze. “Really?”

The question carried a hint of insecurity.

A proud son of heaven like Gu Yuan found his confidence worthless in front of the person he liked.

“Yeah.”

Zhou Chiyu wasn’t one to overthink things. After everything he’d been through, he had long understood one truth: hesitation was a thief that stole happiness. His feelings for Gu Yuan were indeed fifty percent familial love, but the other fifty percent was the jealousy and possessiveness he hadn’t dared to face in the dead of night. Gu Yuan feared him liking someone else, and he felt the same.

“You’re really not joking?”

Gu Yuan’s voice trembled uncontrollably. “If you suddenly tell me tomorrow that you don’t want to be with me after all, I don’t think I could handle it.”

“I’m not that kind of person.” Zhou Chiyu’s voice was clear and firm. “I’ve always liked you. I just didn’t realize that this liking included the possessiveness and jealousy unique to love. I’m afraid of you leaving me—not just losing my brother, but losing you, Gu Yuan.”

“The only thing I’m worried about is Grandpa, Auntie Bai, and Uncle Gu. I’m afraid they’ll regret…”

“Regret being so good to me.”

Zhou Chiyu lowered his head and forced a smile. “But I like you too much. I don’t want to lose you.”

“Little Fish.”

A surge of irrepressible guilt welled up in Gu Yuan. He knew that being together meant Zhou Chiyu would bear far more pressure and pain than he would. Those worries were all normal.

“After we’re together, leave the coming-out and all the pressure to me, okay? I promise I won’t let you get hurt at all. As long as you’re willing to be with me and don’t regret it, I’ll do anything.”

“Brother.” Zhou Chiyu shook his head gently. “We’re too young right now, and we can’t predict all the costs, but since I’m willing to be with you, I have to take responsibility as your lover. I’ll work hard to grow and get stronger, and shoulder the part that’s mine. Love is a two-person thing. We both have to make it work.”

Gu Yuan cupped Zhou Chiyu’s face, his brows furrowing with heartache as if caressing a precious treasure, not daring to use any force.

“Thank you.”

“Thank you…”

The last syllable vanished abruptly into Gu Yuan’s suddenly approaching lips. He gripped Zhou Chiyu’s wrist and gently nibbled on those soft lips.

Gu Yuan seemed to have drunk some Grape Juice before coming; a faint fruity aroma lingered between Zhou Chiyu’s lips and tongue. He tilted his head back cooperatively, his waist locked tightly in Gu Yuan’s arm, trying his best to keep up with the rhythm.

The sensation was wondrous. Though they had kissed twice before, it was completely different from this one.

He closed his eyes and immersed himself blissfully in Gu Yuan’s warm embrace.

Gu Yuan held him tightly, as if trying to merge him into his own chest.

Butler Chen pushed open the Terrace door with a tray of milk, only to spill it all upon seeing the scene before him.

He turned away, held his breath, and quietly hid behind the door.

“Brother.”

Zhou Chiyu tiptoed, his arms hooked around Gu Yuan’s neck. “I’m tired.”

To accommodate him, Gu Yuan bent at the waist, chasing his lips. Eventually, he simply scooped Zhou Chiyu into his arms and sat down on the Terrace’s rattan chair.

The rattan chair swayed gently along its curved base. Gu Yuan leaned back, his hand on Zhou Chiyu’s lower back pulling lightly. Without support, Zhou Chiyu fell forward onto Gu Yuan’s chest, their lips pressing even closer.