Chapter 37 Part 2

Gu Yuan naturally had no objections. He directly fed a shelled gooseneck barnacle to Zhou Chiyu and continued eating with his head down.

Bai Wenran watched Gu Yuan acting like the family head and teased: “You really take care of your brother like a kid.”

Gu Yuan’s expression remained calm as he methodically processed a second barnacle.

“Having a brother is the best.” Zhou Chiyu bumped Gu Yuan’s shoulder affectionately: “My bond with my brother is the best in the world.”

“Good, good, good. You two have the best bond.”

Old Master Gu greatly enjoyed this harmonious family atmosphere and joked: “When can I eat shrimp peeled by Little Yuan?”

“I’ll peel for you!” Zhou Chiyu quickly put on gloves and said earnestly: “I’ll peel shrimp for Grandpa until you’re a hundred.”

Old Master Gu laughed heartily at Zhou Chiyu’s words: “No one’s as sweet-mouthed as you.”

Gu Yuan smiled faintly in response, divided some cut steak into small pieces for Zhou Chiyu, and as he looked up, his gaze met Gu Cheng’s.

Gu Cheng smiled thoughtfully: “Little Fish has always had a sweet mouth since he was little.”

…

That night, Gu Yuan and Zhou Chiyu talked until late.

They seemed to have endless things to say, and the initial unfamiliarity from their reunion gradually faded.

Seeing it was late, Gu Yuan patted Zhou Chiyu’s head: “Time to sleep. We’ll go to school together tomorrow.”

“You’re not sleeping with me?” Zhou Chiyu sat up and, right in front of Gu Yuan, pulled off his hoodie and started undoing his belt: “This is your room.”

“Mm.”

Gu Yuan leaned on the sofa, his gaze tightening slightly at Zhou Chiyu’s skin. Zhou Chiyu’s complexion was very fair, like top-quality mutton-fat jade that would shatter with a squeeze in his palm.

“My leg got bruised a few days ago, I think.”

Zhou Chiyu’s ankles were slender, thin enough to reveal faint blue veins. Gu Yuan stood and approached. As Zhou Chiyu bent down to check, Gu Yuan noticed the two faint red moles at the end of his butterfly bones.

“It’s not bruised anymore.” Gu Yuan squatted down and pressed lightly: “How did you bump it?”

With no clothes on, a chill crept over Zhou Chiyu’s slender nape, making him shiver uncontrollably: “I hit myself while playing golf.”

He sneaked a cautious glance at Gu Yuan, worried about being teased.

“You don’t know how to play? I can teach you.”

Gu Yuan casually draped a blanket over Zhou Chiyu: “Go take a shower.”

“Oh.” Zhou Chiyu wrapped himself up like a little worm, only his head poking out: “Brother, will you sleep with me tonight?”

Gu Yuan turned away and hummed: “I’ll go get pajamas.”

“Yay!” Zhou Chiyu excitedly bounced into the bathroom.

Gu Yuan looked at the blurry figure inside, drawn by the bright, cold moonlight outside.

That night, they didn’t fall asleep until nearly two in the morning.

Zhou Chiyu curled up in Gu Yuan’s arms, his left knee unconsciously pressing against Gu Yuan’s hip bone. Just like when they were kids, he chattered on endlessly, sharing fun stories with Gu Yuan.

Zhou Chiyu never slept soundly, twisting and turning under the covers. Gu Yuan held him, occasionally brushing his nose against Zhou Chiyu’s messy hair, his heart beating heavily.

Finally, he and Zhou Chiyu were together again.

But…

Gu Yuan had no other extravagant hopes; he only wished they would never separate again.

…

On the weekend, the photographer came to the house to shoot the Gu Family’s Family Portrait.

Old Master Gu favored neo-Chinese style, and this shoot’s theme was called Moon Round.

“Brother, I can’t get these buttons right.”

Zhou Chiyu hung his head, struggling with the white jade shell buttons at his collar for a long time without success.

With his mixed-race genes, the stylist had specially fitted Zhou Chiyu with an exquisitely crafted moon-white horse gown jacket. He looked just like a naive young master returned from studying abroad.

Gu Yuan fastened the buttons for him and smoothed his cuffs.

Zhou Chiyu’s wrist bones were fair and exquisite, fully visible in the loose sleeves, impossible for Gu Yuan to ignore.

He gently grasped Zhou Chiyu’s wrist and frowned with heartache.

Why had Zhou Chiyu become so thin after just a few years apart?

“Your whole family has such high looks.”

The photographer eyed Gu Yuan’s superior bone structure and joked: “The Eldest Young Master could even be a celebrity.”

Zhou Chiyu asked proactively: “What about me?”

The photographer smiled: “The Little Young Master could model for fashion brands. This face would be super popular in the fashion world.”

Half an hour later, everyone posed according to the photographer’s directions and began shooting.

For harmony, Gu Yuan and Zhou Chiyu should stand one on each side, but he didn’t like that, so he suggested their parents stand on Grandpa’s side while he and Zhou Chiyu stood on the other.

Seeing his determination, the photographer agreed to try.

Returning to Zhou Chiyu’s side clearly improved Gu Yuan’s mood. He tilted his head slightly, gazing at Zhou Chiyu’s smiling eyes, and took his hand.

Two seconds later, his fingertips threaded through Zhou Chiyu’s fingers.

Their fingers intertwined.

The flashbulbs flashed continuously. Half an hour later, the photographer transferred the photos to the TV for everyone to select.

“This one’s good.”

Old Master Gu nodded: “We’re all smiling.”

The photographer examined it closely and nodded in agreement.

This Family Portrait turned out really well: the couple on the left were perfectly in tune, and the brothers on the right were affectionate and harmonious.

However—

Before leaving, the photographer teased Gu Yuan lightly: “This Family Portrait looks just like two loving couples posing with an elder.”

Gu Yuan stood straight-backed before the mirror, unfastening his long robe’s buttons. At those words, his tall frame paused slightly as he turned to the photographer.