The conversation between the two ended with the sound of Xia Zichen coming out to call them for dinner. Gu Xu washed his hands and took the initiative to help Xia Zichen bring out the dishes, not letting Xia Yuze do it.
At the dining table, Xia Yuze told Gu Xu to eat more, and Gu Xu nodded. The meal was eaten quite seriously. Seeing him eat quite a lot, Xia Zichen felt reassured. Originally, he had been worried that the food might not suit Gu Xu’s taste, after all, he had never formally cooked a meal for him before.
Gu Xu picked out the fish bones and placed a small plate beside Xia Zichen for him to eat more easily. The three of them did not talk much, but the atmosphere was very harmonious.
Halfway through the meal, Xia Yuze received a call from the law firm, asking him to return, saying that a major case had just been received and needed discussion.
In work matters, Xia Yuze never refused, especially since the ones going today were all senior lawyers in the firm. So after finishing the meal, Xia Yuze drove out, telling Gu Xu to stay and play at home and not rush back.
After seeing his father off, Xia Zichen returned to the kitchen to wash the dishes, and Gu Xu followed in as well. “I’ll wash them.”
Xia Zichen turned to look at him, a hint of scrutiny in his eyes, then rejected him. “Forget it. Even if my plates aren’t particularly expensive, I still can’t let you randomly break them for fun.”
Gu Xu was amused and reached out to pinch his ear. “You really don’t trust me that much?”
“It’s not that I don’t trust you, just in case.” At least he had never seen Gu Xu wash dishes before. The two of them in the dorm had also used disposable tableware, just thrown away after use.
“Later we’ll get a dishwasher at home, then you won’t have to wash them.” Gu Xu leaned against the counter, watching Xia Zichen carefully wash the dishes.
“Mm.” Xia Zichen did not object. In fact, there were few people at home, and after one meal, there were not many utensils, so washing them himself was quite convenient.
Gu Xu turned around and hugged Xia Zichen from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder, speaking softly in his ear. “The food you make tastes very good. It has a home feeling.”
The breath on his neck was slightly ticklish, and Xia Zichen instinctively shrank a little, softly saying, “It’s good that you like it.” He was very happy that his cooking could be liked by Gu Xu, though on the surface he still kept that calm expression.
“When I was in elementary school, the school lunch wasn’t good, so many classmates brought lunchboxes from home. At noon, I always had a big food box delivered by the butler. Although the dishes were more abundant than theirs, I still envied those who ate small boxed lunches,” Gu Xu said slowly. “To me, their food had a home feeling. My mother doesn’t cook, so I couldn’t expect her to cook for me. The meals at home were all made by chefs. Although they were good, it always felt like something was missing.”
Xia Zichen turned and looked at him, joking, “You weren’t starving. Otherwise, anything would taste the same.”
Gu Xu smiled. “Mm, you’re right. But eating your cooking today made me feel that childhood envy was satisfied.”
Xia Zichen pinched his nose with a damp hand and snorted. “I’m not your mother.”
“Of course you’re not. You’re my lover, the other half of my life.” Gu Xu kissed his fair neck. “I just feel it has a very home-like feeling. Our home.”
Xia Zichen was silent for a moment, then said, “If you like it, after we move out when school starts, I’ll cook for you every day.”
“No need to go through so much trouble. Occasionally is enough. I don’t want you to be too tired.” Originally, he had not planned to cook at home, but after eating Xia Zichen’s food today, he changed his mind. Of course, one must not be too greedy; most of the time, takeout would still be fine.
“It’s not that troublesome.” To Xia Zichen, this was just a normal part of life. “Making food yourself is more reassuring, and also cheaper.”
“I can support you.” He did not need Xia Zichen to save money.
“Who needs you to support…” Xia Zichen turned off the water and wiped his hands dry with a towel.
Gu Xu smiled and said nothing more. On this matter, Xia Zichen always held his own stance.
In a sunny afternoon, the two brewed coffee with the coffee pot Gu Xu brought and chatted together. The afternoon passed quickly in this comfort.
Since meeting the parents, their relationship became even clearer. Xia Zichen could now take phone calls at home without secretly avoiding Xia Yuze.
Gu Xu was busy with work, and their dates were mostly on weekends. If Gu Xu got off work early, he would come to the Xia house for dinner, which Xia Yuze had approved. This way of interaction also gave Xia Zichen a sense of stability.
On Friday night, with nothing much going on, Xia Zichen went to watch a movie with Gu Xu. On the way back, Gu Xu handed him an invitation.
“What is this?” Xia Zichen took it and turned on the car light to open it.
“My big brother’s birthday. He invited you to come have fun,” Gu Xu said while driving.
Xia Zichen looked at the address on the invitation—it was a five-star hotel in the city. “This is a birthday banquet?”
“Mm. My brother’s birthdays are basically banquets. To put it plainly, it’s businessmen using the opportunity to talk about cooperation, with no real restrictions. Anyone with some assets in the circle is invited,” Gu Xu said. “It’s basically socializing, and also gives people who usually try every way to get cooperation with the Gu family a chance. Otherwise, they might not even be able to make an appointment with my brother in a year.”
“Your big brother really works hard,” Xia Zichen said.
“Mm. Usually the family will celebrate separately for him again. Then we all get together as a family, which is also nice.”
After thinking for a moment, Xia Zichen asked, “What kind of gift should I bring? What does your brother like?”
Something too expensive he couldn’t afford, but a gesture still had to be made. After all, with Gu Yan’s status, he wouldn’t lack anything.
“My brother already said, just you coming is enough. No need to bring anything. He doesn’t lack anything; even if you buy something, he might not use it,” Gu Xu said. “Mainly this time he invited a pretty good chef. He’s inviting you to eat.”
Xia Zichen nodded. “Alright.”
“Then I’ll come pick you up tomorrow evening. No need to dress too formally. My brother likes casual,” Gu Xu said.
“Got it.”
The next evening, Gu Xu arrived downstairs on time. To match Xia Zichen, he also dressed casually.
Xia Zichen was still in his usual outfit—T-shirt and jeans. Before going out, he carefully showered to feel fresher, since it was midsummer and very hot.
The car stopped at the hotel entrance. The valet opened the door and invited them out. Gu Xu handed the keys over for parking and held Xia Zichen’s hand as they walked in.
Inside the lobby, staff were already arranged to receive guests. Gu Xu recognized them, and the secretary of Gu Yan quickly walked over with a smile. “Fourth Young Master, you’re here. This way please, there is a private elevator.”
“Mm.” Gu Xu nodded and walked inside with Xia Zichen. Their hands remained intertwined, not avoiding public attention. The secretary discreetly glanced at Xia Zichen without any malice.
When the elevator reached the banquet hall, many guests had already arrived, chatting among themselves. Gu Xu’s arrival naturally drew everyone’s attention—partly because of his presence, and partly because his outfit was very casual compared to the others, and he was holding a boy’s hand.
Seeing them enter, Gu Yan stopped chatting with a few people and walked over. “You came early.”
“Bringing Zichen here, of course I can’t be late,” Gu Xu said.
“Big brother, happy birthday,” Xia Zichen said with a smile. He then took out a small box from his bag. “This is a gift.”
“Didn’t I say just coming is enough?” Gu Yan looked slightly surprised.
“I still felt I should bring something. It’s my first time attending your birthday banquet. It’s not very expensive, I hope you like it.”
“Thank you.” Gu Yan opened the box. It was an exquisitely made silver signature pen. He smiled slightly and placed it into his inner suit pocket. “I like it very much. You were thoughtful.”
Among all the gifts today, this might have been the cheapest, but the expensive gifts were only meant to flatter him and seek cooperation. Those people came for profit, not for what he actually needed. Xia Zichen’s gift, however, was exactly right.
“Big brother is too kind,” Xia Zichen said.
“Ten minutes before dinner. There are cards over there; order whatever you like, don’t worry about others,” Gu Xu said, pointing to the tables. “Xiao Xu, you just stay with Zichen.”
“Got it,” Gu Xu nodded.
Gu Yan went back to socialize again.
Gu Xu and Xia Zichen sat at a table and began tasting the dishes. The banquet hall was lively, with many people secretly observing them.
When they were almost done eating, Xia Zichen leaned back and looked around. In the crowd, he caught sight of a familiar figure—a girl in a white dress sitting near the bar, seeming to be thinking about something.
After thinking for a moment, he remembered—it was the girl he had seen last time outside the coffee shop, who had entered the nightclub across the street with a group.
While he was thinking, he turned his head and saw Shen Yicheng walking in through the main entrance with his father. He slightly curled his lips.
This circle really was small…