Chapter 40 Part 2

Zhou Chiyu still felt Gu Yuan’s mood was off and leaned over. He discovered Gu Yuan was actually buying Roller Skates.

“You’re interested in roller skating too?” Zhou Chiyu’s delight was visible to the naked eye.

“Mm.” Gu Yuan replied in a low voice: “I just found out you like roller skating.”

Zhou Chiyu paused, soon realizing he’d forgotten to share his interest from three months ago with Gu Yuan.

He felt a bit awkward, frowned, and gauged his reaction: “I meant to tell you back then, but I forgot.”

His words carried a trace of guilt.

In Zhou Chiyu’s view, even Wu Chen and the others knew about it, but Gu Yuan didn’t—it was inexcusable.

He carefully pursed his lips, his guilty expression just like when he was little.

“It’s fine. I just want to play with you.” Gu Yuan’s raised hand hesitated in mid-air before he finally stroked Zhou Chiyu’s hair after a moment’s conflict: “You’ll have to teach me.”

“No problem!” Seeing Gu Yuan wasn’t angry, Zhou Chiyu relaxed and grinned, unaware that Wu Chen and the others had witnessed the whole scene.

Gu Yuan smoothly smoothed the messy curls on Zhou Chiyu’s forehead and handed him the phone: “Can you pick one for me?”

“Sure.” Zhou Chiyu said enthusiastically.

Only then did Xie Lin sense something off.

Gu Yuan seemed overly attentive to Zhou Chiyu.

And…

Their bond was indeed very close.

“Young Master, we’ve reached the sea fishing spot. We can start.”

At the staff member’s prompt, Wu Chen stood and led everyone to the second-level deck.

This spot avoided aquaculture areas, ports, and military zones—the best place for angling. Zhou Chiyu didn’t know how to fish and looked puzzled as everyone changed into anti-slip shoes and Life Jackets.

Seeing this, Xie Lin prepared to set aside his things and help Zhou Chiyu, but Gu Yuan had already selected a suitable Life Jacket and helped him put it on.

Zhou Chiyu spread his arms and tilted his head cooperatively, just like the countless mornings as a child when Gu Yuan dressed him.

To avoid the zipper catching his hair, Gu Yuan tied it up, his movements meticulous and gentle: “Have you fished before?”

Zhou Chiyu grinned: “Does the fishing game in our family courtyard from when I was little count?”

Gu Yuan paused, his lips pressing together lightly as his smile deepened: “It should count.”

Zhou Chiyu was satisfied with the answer and, like when he was young, rubbed his head against Gu Yuan’s shoulder. Gu Yuan was about 185 cm tall, and their nearly 10 cm height difference made the gesture perfect.

“Come on, let’s fish.”

Wu Chen quickly averted his gaze from the pair and had professionals handle their gear. Their targets this time were large fish like Grouper or Sea Bass; the bait they’d bought was Loach or Sea Shrimp.

“Little Fish, here’s a stool for you.”

Xie Lin placed his seat next to Zhou Chiyu’s and handed him a rigged Fishing Rod: “I’ve set it up—you can use it right away.”

“Thanks.” Zhou Chiyu mimicked the instructor’s motions, cast the line into the sea, and waited solemnly and seriously for a Grouper to bite.

He’d never had much patience since childhood, unless food tempted him.

To eat fresh Grouper, he stayed perfectly still, afraid any noise would scare off the fish about to bite.

Xie Lin watched Zhou Chiyu and found him utterly adorable—especially with his hair tied up, like a round little apple.

“I’m definitely eating Grouper today!” Zhou Chiyu’s expression grew serious as he instructed Gu Yuan: “We can definitely catch one today.”

At some point, waves churned on the sea surface, and seabirds startled by the gale skimmed over the rolling swells.

Zhou Chiyu gripped the reel tightly as the line slid wildly in the wind. In his panic, he grabbed it with his hand and winced at the pain.

“What happened?”

Xie Lin exclaimed, but before he could react, Gu Yuan had already stepped in to help Zhou Chiyu secure the line and anxiously grasped his palm to check the injury. Leaning over, Xie Lin saw a moderately deep cut from the line on Zhou Chiyu’s hand.

“What happened?” Wu Chen hurried over too. Seeing Zhou Chiyu hurt, he quickly called the accompanying doctor to bandage it.

These years, Old Man Gu had spoiled Zhou Chiyu quite a bit. He’d never suffered much, and now, watching blood seep steadily from his palm, he pursed his lips, bit them, and showed a look like he might cry but held back.

Gu Yuan’s brows furrowed lightly as he pushed the doctor’s hand aside: “Let me do it. Tell me how.”

He worried the doctor’s touch might be too rough and hurt Zhou Chiyu.

Thus, following the doctor’s instructions, he personally tended to Zhou Chiyu’s wound.

“Does it need a shot?” Xie Lin’s brows dipped: “Could it get infected or something?”

“I don’t want a shot.” Zhou Chiyu clutched Gu Yuan’s sleeve tightly, growing more scared the more he heard: “It’s just a scrape—should be fine.”

“Probably not.” Gu Yuan analyzed calmly and comforted him: “Fishing lines are new; infections usually come from already contaminated products.”

“Yes.” The doctor nodded in agreement: “Just keep the wound dry for now—might need to eat with a spoon.”

With the doctor’s help, Zhou Chiyu’s wound was soon bandaged.

“Little Fish, don’t fish for now.” Xie Lin said deliberately: “I’ll watch a movie with you. Once they’re done, we’ll BBQ together. I’ll grill—you just eat.”

Xie Lin’s offer was tempting, no doubt. But Zhou Chiyu felt he couldn’t just accept favors unconditionally, so he politely replied: “It’s fine—my brother is taking care of me.”

Gu Yuan hadn’t interjected once, merely packing away the medicine silently and noting the bandage change time and method.

Xie Lin smiled: “No worries.”

Soon, the group returned to the deck to fish. Before leaving, Gu Yuan glanced at Xie Lin, who stuck closely to Zhou Chiyu, his steps hesitating.

“Gu Yuan, come catch a Grouper for Little Fish.”

Wu Chen held a Fishing Rod and gazed thoughtfully at the now-calm sea. When Gu Yuan returned to his seat, he leaned in with a smile: “Brother Gu Yuan, do you have a boyfriend?”

Gu Yuan didn’t even lift his eyelids, staring ahead: “Why?”

Wu Chen propped his chin on one hand, his tone soft: “If you don’t have a boyfriend, how about considering me?”