Glancing at the words on the screen, Gu Xu had no intention of responding at all. He was preparing to wait until Xia Zichen rested a bit, then the two of them would go do some arena battles.
‘Private Chat’ [Lian Feier]: I saw you came out of the dungeon. I have something important I want to talk to you about. Can you spare some time?
Even though Gu Xu didn’t reply on his side, Lian Feier kept sending private messages.
‘Private Chat’ [Lian Feier]: My father is the boss of Fenghe Real Estate. He hopes to have the opportunity to cooperate with the Gu family. Although our company isn’t very large, it is still quite well-known in the industry. I think you must have heard of it. Cooperating with my father, we can achieve mutual benefit in real estate projects.
Gu Xu still didn’t respond, but a trace of impatience flashed across his face.
Even though it only lasted a second, Xia Zichen still noticed the change in Gu Xu’s mood and looked up. “What’s wrong?”
“Your roommate and his girlfriend—how are they now?” Gu Xu asked, though his expression didn’t seem very interested.
“I don’t know. After she finished setting off fireworks for you, I stayed at your place and didn’t see Shen Yicheng.” Xia Zichen felt a bit strange, not understanding why Gu Xu suddenly asked that. Normally, he wasn’t the type who liked gossip.
“Mm.” Gu Xu responded, then began typing.
‘Private Chat’ [Can Mo Wu Hen]: No time. I said before, don’t send me private messages again. We’re not familiar.
‘Private Chat’ [Lian Feier]: Young Master Gu, my father is truly very sincere about cooperating with your family this time. He has also brought in Lei Group and the Shen family. If we add the Gu family, I believe the real estate in two N cities will be completely under our control.
Seeing her words, Gu Xu revealed a highly sarcastic smile. The Shen family was Shen Yicheng’s family business. They had previously cooperated with Fenghe Real Estate, but up until now it had only been investment, and they had not yet recovered their capital. The Lei Group was stronger than the Shen and Fan families. Climbing onto this connection would indeed be beneficial for their development, but it still wasn’t enough to catch his eye.
If the Gu family truly wanted to take over the entire N city market, it wasn’t impossible. It was just that the Gu family’s vision would never be so short-sighted. A single N city—they didn’t take it seriously.
‘Private Chat’ [Can Mo Wu Hen]: You don’t understand human language? I’m currently accompanying my wife to play. Don’t disturb me.
Today, he had even paused work just to accompany Xia Zichen. How could he have time for such boring matters?
‘Private Chat’ [Lian Feier]: Young Master Gu, this cooperation is truly very beneficial to the Gu family. Please consider it seriously. If you have concerns about a four-party cooperation, we can establish a long-term stable relationship, such as marriage alliance…
Gu Xu let out a cold laugh—marriage alliance? What could they even use to form one? What right did they have to even bring up marriage with the Gu family?
It wasn’t arrogance on his part. After his eldest brother took over the Gu Corporation, the first thing he ever said was: “My younger brothers do not need to rely on any marriage alliances to sustain the Gu family.” That was why now, his choice of Xia Zichen faced no obstruction.
Besides, even if it were a marriage alliance, who among them would be used to arrange such a marriage? Fan Jiayue, who already had an engagement? Or the Lei family’s young lady whose public image was bright but whose private life was a mess? Or perhaps Shen Yicheng?
The Gu family had always been extremely picky when choosing partners. And there weren’t any girls in the family anyway…
Gu Xu really disliked Lian Feier, but the other party kept talking endlessly on her own. The game didn’t even have a function to block private messages. Watching her spam, he even wanted to have the game operator ban her account.
After thinking for a moment, Gu Xu typed again.
‘Private Chat’ [Can Mo Wu Hen]: Don’t waste your time on me. I don’t have time to chat with you. If you can convince Zichen, you can tell him directly. I might consider listening. However, the Gu family is not currently under my control, so talking to me won’t help.
‘Private Chat’ [Can Mo Wu Hen]: Also, you’re a girl, so I’ll give you some face. But don’t push your luck.
After typing that line, Gu Xu looked up. “Are you rested? Let’s go do arena battles.”
“Who were you chatting with?” Seeing the disdain in Gu Xu’s eyes grow stronger, Xia Zichen couldn’t help but ask.
“Come here.” Gu Xu didn’t hide it and called Xia Zichen over.
Xia Zichen walked over in confusion. Gu Xu pointed at the computer screen, letting him see for himself.
After reading the unfriendly conversation, Xia Zichen slapped Gu Xu on the back and glared. “What wife? It’s just the kids in the guild joking around, don’t talk nonsense.”
“You don’t like it? Or do you want to be on top in the future?” Gu Xu looked at Xia Zichen’s small frame with a teasing gaze, a smile in his eyes.
“Got a problem with that?” Xia Zichen snorted and reached out to push Gu Xu, who was holding him. In truth, he hadn’t really thought about this before. Gu Xu had always respected his opinions and hadn’t done anything excessive. That restraint made Xia Zichen feel that their relationship was truly a romance, not just driven by physical desire.
He liked this kind of relationship. Even when kissing, there was desire, but not enough to lose control. Gu Xu was his first real love, so many things felt especially important.
“Mm, wait until you’re taller than me.” Gu Xu smiled and pinched his ear. He didn’t mind letting Xia Zichen be on top once. After all, two people in love would want to fully possess each other. But only once—his wife would still be the one he spoiled.
Xia Zichen glared at him but didn’t say anything else. Things would go naturally. Changing the topic, he asked, “What if she really comes to find me?”
If it really was like what Gu Xu said, Fan Jiayue might really come to him.
“If you don’t mind, just treat her like she’s treating you to a free meal. Order whatever you want, and after she finishes speaking, just leave after eating your fill.” Gu Xu smiled as he gave advice. “If you don’t want to meet her, just hide at my place. My office door is always open for you.”
Xia Zichen was both amused and exasperated, reaching out to pinch his face. “Weren’t you always pretty serious before? Why are you getting less and less proper?”
“I’m serious with others. With us, it should be more playful. I want you to be happy every day when you’re with me.” Although Gu Xu had not had much dating experience, in his understanding, once two people were together, they should sincerely maintain the relationship, adjust the atmosphere, and occasionally tease each other—that was also a kind of affection. Maybe he didn’t fully understand everything about love, but he was willing to try his best, without any reluctance, just because the other person was Xia Zichen—the one he loved.
Xia Zichen lowered his head slightly and looked into his eyes. “Even though we haven’t been together for very long, during this time I’ve really been very happy, and very satisfied, truly.”
“So am I.” Gu Xu smiled at him. As long as Xia Zichen was happy, he was happy too. “Actually, I don’t like this kind of socializing. Many families with some wealth choose marriage alliances. To me, that’s very ridiculous.”
Xia Zichen quietly looked at him without replying.
“So I also never have a good impression of people who rely on marriage alliances to speak.” Gu Xu paused. “You like me just because I am me. Even if I had nothing to do with the Gu family, as long as I am still myself, not too bad in personality or character, and within your acceptable appearance range, you would still be with me like now.”
Xia Zichen nodded without any hesitation. He hadn’t lived an easy life before, so he didn’t covet Gu Xu’s wealth. He simply liked him.
“And those people—even if I were a scum—so long as I still carried the title of the Gu family’s Fourth Young Master, they would use every excuse to flatter me. But if one day the Gu family fell, I don’t even know how badly they would look down on me.” Gu Xu looked at Xia Zichen seriously. “So I like you. You’re simple. You make me feel comfortable, and I want to stay with you. I won’t get tired of it even for a lifetime.”
Xia Zichen looked at Gu Xu, the happiness that was about to overflow in his heart impossible to suppress. Maybe this was the simplest form of love—just being willing to stay together was already endless fulfillment.
“Of course, I’m only telling you this so you know how I feel. But more than that, I’ll prove it with actions.” Gu Xu took his hand and kissed it lightly. “I won’t let you down, I won’t let you regret it, and I won’t make you sad.”
“Okay…” Xia Zichen responded softly. Just a simple syllable, yet it made their relationship become even more solid.
Every time they were together, it felt like they were carefully building a castle for their relationship. In the process, they understood each other, communicated sincerely, and tolerated one another. Once the castle was completed, their love would be unbreakable under its protection.
After finishing arena battles and coming out, the sky outside had already darkened, and it was time for work to end. Employees at the company were also leaving one after another.
Gu Xu originally wanted to take Xia Zichen out to eat, but considering it was rush hour, even if they reserved a restaurant, traffic would be unbearable. So he decisively gave up the idea of going into the crowds and ordered takeout from a nearby private restaurant instead.
While waiting for the meal, Gu Xu took Xia Zichen around the company so he could get familiar with the work environment in advance. Although it would still be some time before he officially started working, Gu Xu hoped he could treat this place as his own territory and not feel restrained.
After the two of them ate dinner and finished their coffee, Gu Xu then drove Xia Zichen home. The afternoon they spent together felt far too short for two people in love, but there was no helping it—Gu Xu had to start working properly, and Xia Zichen also needed to study more. Once school started, there would also be academic work.
Today, Xia Yuze was working overtime and no one knew when he would return, so Xia Zichen had dared to stay out so late with Gu Xu. Otherwise, he really wouldn’t know how to explain it. At the very least, he wasn’t mentally prepared yet to tell Xia Yuze directly. It felt a bit awkward—like a child admitting to a parent that they have someone they like.
Xia Zichen glanced up at the window of his home. The lights were still off, and the curtains weren’t drawn. It seemed his father had not yet returned.
“Then I’ll go up first. Drive back carefully.” Xia Zichen got out of the car and said goodbye.
Gu Xu also got out, seemingly not intending to leave immediately.
At this time, there were quite a lot of people in the residential area, mostly out for evening walks or to cool off. The parking spot Gu Xu chose was relatively deep inside, so not many people noticed them.
“I’ll stay with you a bit longer. Your father hasn’t come back yet, right?” Gu Xu walked to Xia Zichen’s side and looked at the night scene of the neighborhood, feeling that staying a little longer like this wasn’t bad.
“Not yet, but he should be back soon.” Xia Zichen looked in the direction his father’s car would come from, but didn’t see any sign of it.
Neither of them wanted to leave. Since Xia Yuze wasn’t home, Xia Zichen wasn’t in a hurry to go upstairs either. They stood by the car chatting casually. The night air in the neighborhood was very fresh, and after sitting in the office all day, it felt good to come out and breathe.
While chatting, time slipped away. By the time fewer and fewer people were out walking and more and more had gone home, Xia Zichen finally checked his phone—and it was already 9:30.
Since Gu Xu still had work the next day, Xia Zichen told him to head back quickly. This time, Gu Xu didn’t refuse. After pulling Xia Zichen into a long kiss, he finally let go and drove away.
Xia Zichen watched the car disappear around the corner of the neighborhood, then turned to go upstairs.
Just as he turned around and hadn’t even taken a step, he met Xia Yuze’s stern face standing not far ahead…