Chapter 84 Part 1

Looking at that visibly flushed face, Li Qiming chuckled: “Look at all these questions you’re asking. The Young Master is already shy.”

Wang Yang persisted relentlessly: “We’re all guys here. I’m just curious what the Young Master’s boyfriend looks like.”

Zhou Chiyu swallowed his food and shrank back as he said: “What else? A 188 cm tall hunk, obviously.”

Li Qiming let out an “oh”: “The Young Master sure eats well.”

Gu Yuan’s Adam’s apple moved imperceptibly, and the speed at which he drank his water clearly slowed compared to before.

“It’s okay, I guess.” Zhou Chiyu pretended to stay calm. “But we’re apart more than together, so when we meet, it’s like dry wood meeting a fierce fire.”

“Oh! How fierce exactly?”

“Indeed, a short parting is better than a new marriage.”

“How often do you two meet?”

Gu Yuan’s slender fingertips paused slightly, and with the corner of his eye, he noticed that the root of Zhou Chiyu’s ear had turned red enough to drip blood.

“Once a week, I suppose.” Zhou Chiyu lied with a straight face. “Let’s not talk about me anymore. Say something else.”

Wang Yang grew even more curious: “Which school is he from, anyway? Everyone’s guessing it’s the computer science prodigy from the neighboring school.”

“He’s from the Math Department.”

The grilled meat was so hot that it made Zhou Chiyu grimace. Gu Yuan handed him a glass of lemon water: “Eat slower. No one’s fighting you for it.”

It was the first time Wang Yang had seen brothers with such a good relationship, especially since they weren’t blood-related, which made it all the more unusual.

“We’re planning to go camping this weekend. You guys interested?”

These kinds of activities were more fun with more people. Wang Yang knew Zhou Chiyu usually had classes on weekends, so he tempted him with food: “We can grill fish by the stream, go off-road biking in the wild, and sleep in the camper van at night.”

“I’ve never stayed in a camper van before.” Zhou Chiyu popped a sizzling, oily piece of beef rib into his mouth. “Bro, can you come with me this weekend?”

Gu Yuan: “Mm, sure.”

Wang Yang wasn’t too satisfied with this outcome: “Bring your boyfriend along too.”

Zhou Chiyu didn’t take the bait at all and slurped down some soda: “My boyfriend has something this week, so only my brother can come with me.”

Just like last time at dinner, Gu Yuan took care of Zhou Chiyu’s meal the entire time. At first, Li Qiming only envied Zhou Chiyu, thinking he was a spoiled little young master from a wealthy family, but gradually, he found Gu Yuan’s care for Zhou Chiyu somewhat intriguing.

When they got home, the two told Old Master Gu about the camping trip. Although Old Master Gu felt it wasn’t very safe, since Zhou Chiyu insisted on going, he arranged for someone to drive them there.

“It’s out in the wild mountains. You two take good care of yourselves.”

Zhou Chiyu diligently pounded Old Master Gu’s back: “I knew Grandpa loved me the most.”

Old Master Gu deliberately pouted and glared at Zhou Chiyu.

With less than half a month until New Year’s, the entire Gu Family was busy preparing for the holiday. These past couple of days, Zhou Chiyu didn’t have heavy coursework, so after school, he learned calligraphy from Old Master Gu. He had already made bold declarations that he would write a couplet worthy of hanging on the door before Lunar New Year.

Ever since the Lin Family mother and daughter visited last time, Lady Zhao hadn’t contacted Bai Wenran again. Perhaps because Gu Yuan had made his stance clear enough, and with the Lin Family’s status, there was no need to force this marriage alliance with the Gu Family.

However, during that time, Miss Lin chatted a bit with Gu Yuan. She wanted to invite him to her birthday party, specifically emphasizing to bring Zhou Chiyu along.

Gu Yuan had wanted to politely decline, but Miss Lin also sent an invitation to Zhou Chiyu. Zhou Chiyu didn’t want to reject her outright and felt that Gu Yuan’s words in front of Lady Zhao last time had been too harsh, so he wanted to use this chance to prepare a generous gift for Miss Lin.

The Gu Cheng couple was surprised when they learned about it. Old Master Gu suddenly set down his brush and stared at the ink blot on the rice paper: “I really can’t understand the thoughts of you young kids.”

…

Before they set off on the weekend, Old Master Gu specifically called Gu Yuan to the Study Room and reminded him to take good care of Zhou Chiyu while staying overnight outside.

“You two aren’t sharing a camper van, are you?”

The issue of Gu Yuan’s sexual orientation had always been a lingering doubt in his heart. “Although your relationship is like real brothers, you’re both older now, and Little Fish likes boys, so it’s better to keep some distance.”

Gu Yuan parted his lips slightly: “Grandpa, I’m Little Fish’s brother. Keeping distance wouldn’t that make us grow apart?”

Old Master Gu’s gaze swept over Gu Yuan’s calm expression as he picked up his warm tea: “Last time I didn’t make myself clear. This time, I’ll reiterate. I cannot accept you liking boys. Even if you do, you can’t set your sights on your younger brother. Understand?”

Gu Yuan lowered his hands and took half a step back: “Grandpa, you know how I feel about Little Fish. I’ve long regarded him as family.”

“I know.” The sandalwood cane thudded heavily. Before Gu Yuan could speak, Old Master Gu snorted lightly: “So just keep treating him as your real younger brother. Don’t have any other thoughts.”

Gu Yuan furrowed his brow slightly: “Grandpa, I’ll head out first.”

…

All the way to the campsite, Zhou Chiyu noticed that Gu Yuan seemed to be in a bad mood that day and hadn’t spoken much on the road.

Once they boarded the reserved camper van, he leaned close to Gu Yuan and bobbed his head: “Bro, are you feeling unwell?”

Gu Yuan raised his hand and gently pinched Zhou Chiyu’s earlobe: “It’s nothing. Just thinking about some things.”

Zhou Chiyu was very perceptive and immediately guessed that Gu Yuan’s low spirits were related to what had just happened. He had seen Old Master Gu call Gu Yuan to the Study Room.

“Did Grandpa scold you?”

“Or is it because of Miss Lin?”

Zhou Chiyu drooped his head sullenly, like a trumpet flower wilted by rain: “I bet Grandpa can’t accept you liking boys.”

Gu Yuan didn’t respond and pulled Zhou Chiyu into his arms: “Grandpa’s stance is firm for now, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for discussion.”

Zhou Chiyu’s eyes drooped at the corners as he silently turned and sat on the sofa: “They all want you to get married and have kids. What’s there to discuss? Are you going to have a kid with someone else?”