Chapter 41 Part 1

Wu Chen and Gu Yuan’s conversation was heard word for word by Xu Moting and the others. Everyone quietly paid attention to Gu Yuan, waiting for his response.

“Sorry, not interested.”

Gu Yuan’s fishing line suddenly tightened, subtly dragging the rod in his hand downward. It looked like a big fish had taken the bait.

“Why not? Can I ask what your ideal type is, Brother?” Wu Chen showed no sign of dejection on his face. Instead, his curiosity grew stronger, as if he were engaged in something very amusing.

Gu Yuan glanced at him faintly. “That’s private. I don’t want to disclose it.”

“Alright.” Wu Chen raised his eyebrows languidly. “To be honest with you, Xie Lin really likes Little Fish. As Little Fish’s close brother, what do you think of Xie Lin?”

Gu Yuan’s pupils contracted slightly, and in that instant, a deep, abyss-like darkness surged within them.

“No interaction yet, so I can’t judge.”

Wu Chen’s smile grew even more brazen. “Xie Lin has a great personality. You’ll definitely like him.”

“Mm.”

Gu Yuan timed it perfectly and yanked the heavy line upward sharply. But when the bait broke the surface, it was empty.

Wu Chen remarked wistfully, “Looks like the fish got away.”

To Gu Yuan, those words were particularly grating. He stared at the empty hook, remaining silent for a long time.

After a moment, he suddenly stood up.

It seemed he had figured something out. He gently set down the fishing rod and strode toward the yacht’s interior with his long legs.

Xu Moting reminded Wu Chen, “Don’t push too far. I heard the Gu Family is ultimately led by Gu Cheng. Offending Gu Yuan won’t do you any good.”

Wu Chen raised his eyebrows. “I just find him interesting, that’s all.”

In the living room, Xie Lin was explaining a movie’s criminal methods to Zhou Chiyu. When Gu Yuan suddenly returned, he curiously tilted his head to look at him.

“Brother, why are you back?”

Zhou Chiyu chewed on some snacks and said with a grin, “Did you already catch a grouper?”

“No, I wasn’t at ease leaving you alone.” Gu Yuan sat on Zhou Chiyu’s other side, his gaze falling on the snacks in his hand. “Are they tasty? Let me try one?”

Zhou Chiyu generously handed one over. “Here, they’re really good.”

Gu Yuan’s voice was flat. “My hands are a bit dirty. Too lazy to wash them.”

“Oh! You, who loves cleanliness so much, are actually being lazy?” Zhou Chiyu laughed as if he had discovered a new continent, teasing him cheerfully. “Finally caught you.”

With that, he held a cheese-filled snack to Gu Yuan’s lips. “I remember you didn’t like sweet things when you were little, Brother.”

“I like them now.” Gu Yuan parted his lips slightly, and as he bit into the cheese, his lips brushed Zhou Chiyu’s fingertip. “They’re indeed delicious.”

Zhou Chiyu withdrew his hand and licked the lingering milky sweetness from his fingertip. “This movie is great. Xie Lin strongly recommended it. It’s a famous Spanish suspense film.”

Xie Lin smiled at Gu Yuan. “You can watch it with us.”

Gu Yuan stared at Zhou Chiyu’s fingers, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly, like a cat that had stolen some honey. Sated, he lifted his gaze to Xie Lin. “Mm.”

The sound of waves outside the yacht rose and fell intermittently. Gu Yuan’s fingertips lightly tapped the sofa, then he tilted his head back against it, his dark brows furrowing repeatedly.

Zhou Chiyu was focused on the movie but glanced sideways at Gu Yuan.

At that moment, Gu Yuan raised his hand and gently massaged his temple.

“Brother, what’s wrong?”

Zhou Chiyu set aside his snacks and leaned closer to Gu Yuan.

“My head hurts a bit.” Gu Yuan pressed his brow bone, rubbing it rhythmically, his expression clearly showing fatigue.

“Why would your head hurt?” Zhou Chiyu tilted his head to observe Gu Yuan’s face. “Go upstairs and lie down first. I’ll get the doctor to check on you.”

“Okay.” Gu Yuan stood up and looked down at him. “I’ll wait for you upstairs.”

After Gu Yuan left, Zhou Chiyu said goodbye to Xie Lin and took the doctor to see him.

Though it was just a headache, he worried it might be related to Gu Yuan’s old illness and grew anxious.

After a brief examination, the doctor speculated that Gu Yuan might have mild seasickness, exacerbated by days of travel, triggering a tension headache.

“Brother, do you want some water?” After the doctor left, Zhou Chiyu drew the sheer curtains by the floor-to-ceiling window and stood by the bed with a cup of warm water.

His expression was very obedient, the worry evident in his features.

Gu Yuan lay on the bed, quietly watching him for a moment before raising a hand toward him. “Little Fish, I want to chat with you.”

“Okay.” Zhou Chiyu leaned over and sat on the bed’s edge, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “What about?”

“About…” Gu Yuan slowly lifted his eyelids, his gaze reflecting thoughtfulness and struggle.

After a moment, he continued, “I feel like our relationship isn’t as close as it used to be.”

His words carried a hint of disappointment.

Gu Yuan seemed to compromise in the end, his eyes devoid of any spark. “What do you think?”

“What do I think?” Zhou Chiyu felt wronged and a bit angry. “Why would you think that? Is it because I didn’t tell you about my roller skating hobby?”

He knew Gu Yuan too well. The Gu Yuan from their childhood would definitely throw a tantrum over something like this.

“No.” Gu Yuan sat up and gently pinched Zhou Chiyu’s wrist. Zhou Chiyu was clearly unhappy, his face flushed red as if he had suffered a great injustice.

Gu Yuan pressed his lips together, his gaze tracing inch by inch along Zhou Chiyu’s chin, lips, nose, and up to his eyes. His tone held caution and probing. “You have a great personality and lots of friends. I think even without me, you’d be perfectly happy.”