Zhou Chiyu was still mulling over what had just happened as they entered the movie theater.
Did they really look like a couple?
He glanced at Gu Yuan, whose expression remained perfectly normal, and suddenly burst out laughing.
Gu Yuan turned his eyes toward him and smiled. “What’s up?”
Zhou Chiyu’s smile deepened as he leaned close to Gu Yuan’s ear and whispered, “Brother, have you ever heard of top and bottom?”
Gu Yuan’s smile clearly stiffened for a moment, his light brown eyes flickering slightly.
“I think that’s why they mistook us for a couple—because you have such strong top vibes.” Zhou Chiyu had read similar Korean manhwa, and Gu Yuan perfectly fit the image of a top. “But Brother, you’re not quite at versatile top level yet. Once you get there, you’ll have a bunch of little bottoms swooning over you.”
Gu Yuan’s puzzled expression gradually shifted to surprise. The movie had already started playing on the screen, but his attention was entirely on Zhou Chiyu’s words.
“So Little Fish knows all about this stuff?” He gazed at Zhou Chiyu with a half-smile. “What about versatile tops—do you like them?”
“Me?” Zhou Chiyu shook his head like a rattle. “That’s too exaggerated. You’re perfect just the way you are, Brother.”
Over the past couple of days, Zhou Chiyu hadn’t had a chance to shower with Gu Yuan, so he’d been quite curious about his figure.
He’d always assumed Gu Yuan followed the slender beauty route, but unexpectedly, he could faintly make out the muscles beneath his shirt.
It was simply unbelievable.
“Brother, do you work out a lot?”
Delight sparkled in Zhou Chiyu’s eyes as he bit his straw and raised his brows at Gu Yuan. “Show me those muscles sometime?”
The faint glow from the screen danced in Gu Yuan’s deep eyes. He gave a casual “Mm” and turned his gaze to the screen.
“I’ve been working out for a long time.”
His last surgery had been two years ago.
Since then, he’d been following the diet and exercise plan prescribed by his doctor.
Zhou Chiyu bumped his shoulder against Gu Yuan’s, his smile brimming with joy. “Having a big brother is the best. He watches movies with me and shares his popcorn.”
“Mm.” Only after Zhou Chiyu turned his attention back to the movie did Gu Yuan let his gaze settle on him.
The surroundings were pitch black, and Gu Yuan’s gaze was undisguised, full of tenderness and affection.
…
A week passed, and National Day arrived soon after.
The day before the holiday, Zhou Chiyu received an invitation from his good friend to vacation on a private island.
Wu Chen was the youngest son of the Ningcheng Wu Family. He’d become good friends with Zhou Chiyu through gatherings between their elders. He was two months older than Zhou Chiyu, and this trip to the private island was to celebrate his eighteenth birthday.
Zhou Chiyu was naturally thrilled at the chance to relax on the laid-back little island, but he wanted to bring Gu Yuan along.
Wu Chen had tons of fun friends, and now that Gu Yuan was back, he hoped Gu Yuan could make some too.
“Wu Chen’s super good-looking. He goes to the university next to mine.”
Gazing at the lush coconut groves in the distance, Zhou Chiyu wore a light pink short-sleeved shirt paired with white shorts. It made his skin look even fairer, like a warm spring sun full of youthful energy.
“Brother, did you have a lot of friends in the USA?”
“I remember you mentioned a friend named He Zhen.”
“Mm.” Gu Yuan leaned lazily against the cruise ship’s railing, his white shirt billowing slightly in the sea breeze, every gesture relaxed and carefree.
“Just that one friend.”
For some reason, Zhou Chiyu suddenly felt a pang of sadness. He walked over to Gu Yuan’s side and gently tugged at his arm. “Brother, you must’ve been really lonely in the USA.”
If that was the case, he hoped even more that Gu Yuan would find someone he liked—at least then Gu Yuan would be happy.
Gu Yuan lowered his eyes, his gaze landing on Zhou Chiyu’s slender collarbone.
After a pause, he led him to the dining table, scooped out some Bird’s Nest Fruit pulp with a spoon, and fed it to Zhou Chiyu.
Zhou Chiyu chewed the sweet fruit, squinting his eyes in bliss. “Fruits from places with plenty of sun really are the best.”
“I’m not lonely in the USA.”
Gu Yuan peeled a lychee and popped it into Zhou Chiyu’s mouth. “We video chatted all the time—did you forget?”
“I didn’t forget.” Zhou Chiyu puffed out his cheeks, his voice full of concern. “I’m just worried you don’t like socializing and end up all alone with no friends.”
“It’s fine.” Gu Yuan’s expression deepened. “With you always thinking about me, I’ve never felt lonely.”
In the distance, Wu Chen’s call interrupted their conversation.
Zhou Chiyu turned to look and saw that the cruise ship was about to dock.
“Little Fish, is this your brother?”
Wu Chen was about the same height as Zhou Chiyu. From afar, his skin looked extremely fair, and his lively, enthusiastic speech and tone marked him as a classic extrovert.
“Little Fish, slow down.” Gu Yuan grabbed the excited Zhou Chiyu’s hand and pulled him along as they disembarked. He nodded politely at Wu Chen. “Hello, I’m Gu Yuan.”
Wu Chen’s curious gaze swept over the two of them, ultimately lingering on their tightly clasped hands.
He clearly froze for a moment, his brows furrowing slightly. Then he sized up Gu Yuan’s features and said meaningfully, “As expected, Little Fish wasn’t lying—you really are a handsome guy.”
Gu Yuan tilted his head and wiped the sweat beads from Zhou Chiyu’s nose wing.
“See? I told you my brother is top-tier handsome.”
Wu Chen watched Gu Yuan, tilting his head in thought. “Come on. Some people have been waiting for you so long the flowers are wilting.”
Zhou Chiyu jogged to catch up. “Is it Xie Lin?”
