Chapter 25 Part 2

“I hit you, alright.” Worried about scaring Zhou Chiyu, Gu Yuan merely shot Mei Shu a warning, cold glance before turning languidly to his lackeys. “You’d better take him to the infirmary quick. What if he loses his ear?”

The other classmates were all stunned. Gu Yuan was usually aloof but gentle with Zhou Chiyu. Who knew he could be like this when angry?

The onlookers scattered hurriedly, fearing Gu Yuan might target them.

After school, Gu Cheng personally picked up the two. Zhou Chiyu thought Gu Yuan would be scolded and hung his head, ready to admit fault.

He’d say…

It was his fault for making Gu Yuan hit the other kid!

“Little Fat Fish, why so listless?” Gu Cheng scooped Zhou Chiyu up and patted his butt. “Guilty conscience?”

Zhou Chiyu’s round eyes drooped guiltily. “Uh…”

Gu Cheng held Gu Yuan’s hand and looked down at his son. “Don’t worry, Dad’s handled everything.”

After the morning incident, the school called his assistant immediately for a meeting. Despite an important international deal, he came personally.

“Thanks, Dad.” Gu Yuan’s small hand was abnormally cold; he gently withdrew it into his pocket. “They went too far.”

“I know.” Gu Cheng bounced Zhou Chiyu and chuckled. “How about Uncle takes you to a restaurant? Then to the arcade after?”

“Yay! Uncle Gu is the coolest!” Zhou Chiyu jumped down from Gu Cheng’s arms, tugging Gu Yuan excitedly. “Uncle Gu, you should carry Brother now!”

Gu Yuan instinctively refused. “I don’t need—”

Before he finished, Gu Cheng hoisted him onto his shoulders. Gu Yuan pursed his lips and smiled faintly.

That night, the three didn’t get home until ten.

After learning of the school incident, Bai Wenran’s chest ached with anger. She went specially to check on Gu Yuan in his bedroom.

The two on the bed slept embracing soundly.

“They really went wild playing.”

Bai Wenran touched Gu Yuan’s flushed little face and froze.

That night, hurried footsteps echoed in the Gu Family courtyard.

The next day, when Zhou Chiyu woke, he learned Gu Yuan had been rushed to the hospital overnight with persistent high fever. The doctor said it was the flu; he needed half a month’s rest before returning to school.

Zhou Chiyu was smart and immediately guessed it was because Gu Yuan hadn’t worn his mask yesterday.

He hated Mei Shu!

It was all Mei Shu’s fault his brother got sick!

In the afternoon, Gu Yuan returned home and rested in bed. This flu hit hard; if Bai Wenran hadn’t noticed in time, his respiratory system might have failed, risking his life.

After feeding him medicine, Bai Wenran stayed to care for him.

She noticed Gu Yuan had changed lately, gloomy all day, not even wanting to read his favorite science books.

“Little Yuan, the doctor suggests more sun. Weather’s nice today—want to go to the Sunroom for some air?”

“I don’t want to.”

Gu Yuan stared blankly at the clock, his eyes empty like a bottomless dead pond, unmoved.

It was Friday; Zhou Chiyu would be out at three.

Home by three-thirty, probably.

Sure enough, half an hour later, “thud thud thud” footsteps sounded at his bedroom door.

“Brother.”

This time, Zhou Chiyu was very obedient. He changed into fresh clothes at home, washed and disinfected his hands before visiting Gu Yuan.

Gu Yuan turned sideways, glanced at Zhou Chiyu’s face, and nodded after a long moment. “You’re back.”

Bai Wenran knew their bond and instructed Zhou Chiyu. “Take Brother for some sun when you can. Doctor says it’s good for him.”

“Got it! Mission accepted!” Zhou Chiyu saluted, pulling Gu Yuan’s hand. “Brother, let’s get some sun?”

“Little Fish, I don’t want to.” Gu Yuan wrapped himself in the blanket, staring dazedly at the ceiling. Zhou Chiyu saw he had worries and didn’t force him, obediently lying by the bed to keep him company in silence.

Zhou Chiyu knew Brother was just sick and in a bad mood.

Not that he didn’t want to play with him.

That night, Gu Yuan firmly rejected Zhou Chiyu’s sleepover request, insisting Gu Cheng carry him away.

He feared passing the flu to Zhou Chiyu.

The next day, his condition hadn’t improved; he lacked energy for anything.

He was scared, terrified of relying on the wheelchair again like when he was little. So when he wanted a book from the Study Room, despite leg weakness, he chose to walk.

Palm against the wall, cold sweat beaded on his back as familiar, helpless pain swept over him.

“You’re a patient, and you won’t listen!”

Zhou Chiyu had just helped Old Master Gu grind ink when he caught Gu Yuan heading alone to the Study Room for a book. He wheeled the wheelchair over, helped the nearly collapsing Gu Yuan sit, and thoughtfully draped the Gray Wool Blanket over him. “Once Brother’s flu is gone, you’ll have strength again.”

He tiptoed to fetch the book from the shelf, then had an idea.

“Brother, I’ll tell you a story.”

He wheeled him out to the Sunroom, striding briskly.

“Look, Brother, it’s like spring here.”

Unlike the barren trees outside, ample lighting kept the plants lush. The four-meter atrium with surrounding clear white glass felt spacious, the beige marble floor beautifully textured. Reading here felt like being outdoors—warm and comfortable.

Gu Yuan said nothing, gently shielding his eyes from the sun.

He seemed to realize why he hadn’t wanted to go out lately.

Sunlight only made him feel out of place with the world.

Compared to the morning sun, he was more like dusk’s nightfall, nearing life’s end.

“Brother, I’ll tell you a story.”

“About seven princesses and a little dwarf.”

Gu Yuan gazed steadily at Zhou Chiyu. No curiosity in his eyes, but facing that expectant smile, he nodded. “Okay.”

“Once upon a time in a forest, there were seven little princesses: Gu Da Yuan, Gu Er Yuan, Gu San Yuan…”

Zhou Chiyu covered his mouth slyly, grinning mischievously.

This time, ripples clearly stirred in Gu Yuan’s calm eyes.

“Actually, they were all one person.” Zhou Chiyu squinted mysteriously. “Brother, know why?”

Gu Yuan shook his head. “No.”

Zhou Chiyu puffed his chest. “Because cats have nine lives, and so does Gu Yuan! Gu Er Yuan and Gu San Yuan are his clones, like Sun Wukong—invincible. The evil queen can’t kill him easily.”

Gu Yuan asked thoughtfully, “Why?”

“‘Cause he’s super lucky.” Zhou Chiyu spread his chubby hands. “We don’t have luck like yours.”

Gu Yuan finally saw Zhou Chiyu was teasing him and curved his lips faintly. “I’m not lucky. If only I weren’t sick.”

“Brother, it’s just a cold.” Zhou Chiyu sat on a stool opposite, resting gently on Gu Yuan’s knee. “My family runs a pharma company. Grandpa says scientists are working on curing you, but it’ll take a long, long time.”

Gu Yuan gripped Zhou Chiyu’s hand tightly, biting his lip. “But how long do I have to wait?”

“Not too long.” Zhou Chiyu propped his head, smiling optimistically. “You’ve got nine lives—you’ll surely wait till the scientists save you.”

Gu Yuan bowed his head, long bangs hiding his eyes. A scalding tear dropped onto the blanket.

He hurriedly covered it, not wanting Zhou Chiyu to see, but Zhou Chiyu stood, gently cupping his face to wipe the remaining tears.

“Brother, the little dwarf is called Zhou Chiyu.”

“I’ll protect you forever, so you never eat the poisoned apple.”