Zhou Chiyu frowned slightly. “Brother, what are you saying?”
He didn’t understand why Gu Yuan would think that way.
“You’re my family. Of course, it’s different from friends.”
“How could I be happy without you?”
Gu Yuan revealed a faint, almost imperceptible smile. He pulled the puffed-up Zhou Chiyu close and explained warmly, “Seeing how well you get along with Xie Lin made me a little jealous.”
“Hey, I already told you to roller skate with me.”
Zhou Chiyu knew Gu Yuan was emotionally sensitive and understood why he felt that way. He patiently explained further, “No one can replace your position in my heart. We haven’t spent much time together these past years, so it’s normal not to know each other as well. If there’s anything you want to know about me, Brother, just ask directly. Don’t overthink and make yourself unhappy—it won’t help your recovery.”
Gu Yuan watched Zhou Chiyu’s earnest analysis, a flicker of surprise and satisfaction crossing his face.
He knew his feelings for Zhou Chiyu were improper. If Zhou Chiyu didn’t need him or would be happier without him, he could choose to step back.
“But—”
Gu Yuan hesitated, his distinct knuckles lightly gripping Zhou Chiyu’s sleeve. “Am I number one in your heart?”
“Yes!” Zhou Chiyu nodded affirmatively.
“And in the future?” Gu Yuan felt his question was odd but couldn’t suppress his curiosity to probe Zhou Chiyu’s true thoughts. “Once you have someone you like, I’ll be second, right?”
“No.” Zhou Chiyu’s tone was firm. “You’ll both be tied for first.”
“And…” he added, “the person I like most right now is you.”
The sea breeze outside the window grew fiercer. Gu Yuan’s throat tightened as he stared into Zhou Chiyu’s sincere, bright eyes, his thoughts growing ever more complex.
If that was the case, could he give it a try?
“Brother, does your head hurt a lot?”
Zhou Chiyu noticed Gu Yuan’s poor complexion and caringly checked his temperature. “No fever.”
The warm touch against his forehead made Gu Yuan gaze at the face so close by, his breathing turning cautious.
“Have some water.”
Zhou Chiyu handed him the cup, a smile suddenly appearing. “Brother, do you smell BBQ?”
On the deck, Wu Chen and the others had started grilling meat. Zhou Chiyu was eager to try it. “Brother, wait for me. I’ll get some meat for you.”
His nose was always sensitive; even Gu Yuan, who was less perceptive, hadn’t noticed the scent.
“Okay.”
Gu Yuan watched Zhou Chiyu’s hurried retreating figure, his fingertip gently rubbing the glass cup as the color drained from his face.
Give it a try.
…
The next day, Wu Chen took everyone to the neighboring Little Island for a meal.
This Little Island was smaller than the other one. Near the coast, where tourism development was planned, rows of seaside wooden houses had been built for future tourist stays.
“This Little Island belongs to my family too. We came over to play last night.”
The boat docked in front of the outermost wooden house. Wu Chen pulled Zhou Chiyu up to check it out. Zhou Chiyu pushed open the door and found the small wooden house fully equipped, with its own bathroom and even an E-sports Room.
“Sleeping here in summer must be super cool.”
The others filed in one by one. Zhou Chiyu lay on the large bed, leisurely propping up his legs to admire the view outside.
Gu Yuan leaned nearby, his gaze and thoughts entirely on Zhou Chiyu.
He recalled that summer vacation when Zhou Chiyu took him to the Underwater Labyrinth. In the hotel bed there, they had lain side by side like this, enjoying the sea view.
“We seemed to see the Red Moon last night.” Xie Lin excitedly shared with Zhou Chiyu. “It was gorgeous. I took photos.”
Zhou Chiyu examined the photo closely and noticed faint blue and green glows emanating from a cave on the right side of the beach.
“What’s that?”
“Probably Water Spirit Cluster or Agate Raw Stone.” Gu Yuan glanced at it and said gravely, “Such things form more easily in damp environments.”
Zhou Chiyu looked toward the cave’s location—a spot inside a cliff about 500 meters away, not high up, accessible directly from the boat.
Intrigued by the novelty, Zhou Chiyu announced to the group, “I want to take the camera in there and snap some photos.”
Wu Chen nodded. “Sure, I can go with you now.”
There were plenty of small wooden boats around; any one would do.
Seeing Zhou Chiyu already packing his exploration gear, Gu Yuan fetched thick jackets for the two of them and prepared to join them on the boat.
“Going in the evening would be better.”
Wu Chen gave his reason. “I think the dim light might make it clearer.”
Zhou Chiyu nodded. “That works too.”
The previous day, Zhou Chiyu hadn’t gotten any BBQ because he was caring for Gu Yuan. Wanting to make it up to him, Gu Yuan decided to prepare a special barbecue for him that day.
Wu Chen and the others were tired of BBQ and uninterested, planning Italian cuisine for dinner. Gu Yuan had wanted to send someone to help with ingredients, but he refused. He handled everything himself—the ingredients, the tools—and spent the entire afternoon busy with it.
Seeing Gu Yuan sitting alone cutting fruit, Wu Chen found it bizarre and quietly asked Zhou Chiyu, “Has your brother always been this weird since childhood?”
Zhou Chiyu understood Gu Yuan’s intentions and whispered, “He just wants to grill meat for me himself.”
“I don’t get it.” Wu Chen smiled, then suddenly had an idea. “Little Fish, I’m pretty interested in your brother. Could you ask him for me if he’d be willing to date me?”
Zhou Chiyu let out an “Oh.” “You like my brother?”
“Yes!” Wu Chen’s smile was radiant. “Help me ask, will you? If he says no, at least I’ll know to give up.”
Zhou Chiyu looked toward Gu Yuan and nodded hesitantly. “Okay, I’ll ask him now.”
