The place where the two of them were sitting was fairly secluded, so under normal circumstances they wouldn’t have attracted much attention. But the one sitting there was Gu Xu, and that changed everything. Even dressed casually, his commanding presence hadn’t diminished in the slightest. So when Xia Zichen noticed Shen Yicheng, Shen Yicheng also turned to look over, and their eyes met.
Although things had been awkward between them because of Lian Fei’er, Xia Zichen still gave him a polite nod. It would have been rude to pretend they didn’t know each other. After a flash of surprise crossed Shen Yicheng’s face, however, he gave little response, clearly having no intention of acknowledging their acquaintance.
It was understandable. In their social circle, especially among the younger generation, having a male lover wasn’t considered a huge scandal. But bringing that lover to a gathering like this was another matter entirely. Even though homosexuality was tolerated in private, openly displaying such a relationship at a business function—where political marriages and family alliances were common—was another story. Playing around behind closed doors was one thing; making it public could damage one’s reputation.
Shen Yicheng had never expected Gu Xu to bring Xia Zichen tonight. He had seen Gu Xu take Xia Zichen out to dinner with Gu Yan before, but Gu Yan hadn’t seemed particularly attached to Xia Zichen then. It had looked more like he was treating him as his younger brother’s ordinary friend, so Shen Yicheng had never really considered Xia Zichen part of the Gu family. Even though Gu Xu and Xia Zichen were dating now, Shen Yicheng had always believed they would eventually break up.
Now, seeing Xia Zichen here without any attempt to hide their relationship, Shen Yicheng decided it was better not to interact with him until he understood the situation. Besides, he was attending tonight with his father and couldn’t afford to lower his own status.
Xia Zichen had always been sensitive, especially when it came to how people treated him. Although Shen Yicheng’s attitude wasn’t obvious, he still sensed the deliberate distance, the unwillingness to admit they knew each other.
Surprisingly, it didn’t hurt.
Instead, it felt a little ridiculous.
So this was what friendship amounted to.
Sensing his mood, Gu Xu squeezed his hand and held a small pastry to his lips.
“Eat.”
Xia Zichen took a bite before saying, “I’m full already. I can’t eat anymore.”
He really had eaten a lot tonight. The chef Gu Yan had hired was excellent. Every dish was beautifully prepared without sacrificing flavor.
Gu Xu finished the remaining half himself and said quietly, “Don’t waste your time worrying about people who don’t matter.”
“I’m not.”
Xia Zichen smiled.
“I just think it’s kind of hypocritical.”
“If you’re with me, there’ll be plenty of gatherings like this in the future.” Gu Xu looked at him. “If you don’t like them, I won’t bring you anymore.”
Social functions like these were routine for Gu Xu, but Xia Zichen had always lived a simple life. Throwing him into such a complicated social environment all at once—it was only natural if he didn’t enjoy it.
After thinking for a moment, Xia Zichen said, “If it’s necessary, I can come with you. I can just sit in a corner and eat.”
Gu Xu laughed.
“When did you become such a foodie? Luo Ji must’ve been a bad influence.”
Before getting together with Gu Xu, Xia Zichen had never paid much attention to food. But Gu Xu was always finding interesting dishes for him to try, while Luo Ji constantly sent him recommendations for delicious restaurants online.
Little by little, he had developed an appreciation for good food.
After all, good food really could improve a person’s mood.
“Don’t blame Luo Ji,” Xia Zichen teased. “You’re responsible too.”
Gu Xu nodded without denying it.
“I don’t mind you eating. I just wish you’d gain a little weight so all that food wasn’t going to waste.”
Xia Zichen snorted.
It wasn’t his fault. He’d always had this kind of metabolism.
By nine o’clock, nearly all the guests had arrived.
People chatted in small groups throughout the ballroom, while several young couples danced to the music in the center of the floor. The atmosphere was warm and harmonious, with none of the scheming or ruthless competition usually seen in the business world.
After finishing another round of socializing, Gu Yan strolled over.
“How’s the food? To your taste?”
Xia Zichen looked up and smiled.
“It’s excellent.”
“Good.”
Gu Yan sat down on Xia Zichen’s right and instructed his assistant,
“Have the bar make two fruit cocktails.”
Knowing his younger brother wasn’t interested in fruit cocktails, he didn’t order one for Gu Xu. After spending the evening entertaining guests and drinking quite a bit, he only wanted something light.
The assistant nodded and headed toward the bar.
“I’m going to use the restroom first,” Gu Xu said as he stood.
With Gu Yan here, he wasn’t worried about leaving Xia Zichen alone.
After Gu Xu walked away, Gu Yan asked,
“So? How have things been between you and Xiao Xu lately?”
“Very well.”
Xia Zichen smiled and nodded.
“Xiao Xu mentioned that when school starts again, the two of you want to move out together.”
Gu Yan continued,
“Our family doesn’t own any property near your university. Renting always feels too uncertain to me. There are too many things subject to a landlord’s approval.”
“So I’d rather just buy a place. Whether you live there forever doesn’t matter. You’ll still be in school for another two years, so it won’t be wasted.”
Xia Zichen hesitated.
Buying a house had never crossed his mind.
Houses were expensive, and he didn’t want Gu Xu spending that kind of money.
“Of course, you don’t need to worry about any of that. Xiao Xu will handle it.”
Gu Yan smiled faintly.
“But since my younger brother is settling down, I should at least contribute something. Otherwise, it feels like the Gu family isn’t sincere enough.”
Thinking about how Gu Xu had been asking around about properties these past few days, the corners of his mouth lifted.
“I also had my secretary look into a few developments. There’s a newly built complex two subway stops from your university. Great location. Fully furnished and ready to move into. The higher floors even have an ocean view.”
“What do you think?”
Xia Zichen knew exactly which development he meant.
He often passed it on the way home.
The buildings were beautiful—only three mid-rise towers with excellent landscaping.
“The apartments there are really expensive.”
He had seen the electronic billboard advertising them during pre-sales.
The price was so high that he had never imagined being able to afford one in his lifetime.
“It’s not bad.”
Gu Yan didn’t seem concerned.
“The subway station is right outside the complex, and there are buses too. It’ll be convenient for your classes. Xiao Xu can drive to work easily as well. Traffic there isn’t bad.”
Xia Zichen nodded.
It really would be convenient for both of them.
Just then the assistant returned with the two fruit cocktails before tactfully stepping away.
Seeing Xia Zichen nod, Gu Yan smiled, took a set of keys and two key cards from his suit pocket, and placed them in Xia Zichen’s hand.
“This is a little gift from your big brother.”
“The furniture hasn’t been added yet. The two of you can decorate it however you like.”
Xia Zichen froze.
“I…”
Gu Yan lifted his glass and lightly clinked it against Xia Zichen’s.
“My little brother is in your hands now.”
“If anything comes up, call me anytime.”
Xia Zichen unconsciously tightened his grip around the glass.
Ever since he had gotten together with Gu Xu, everything about their relationship had gone so smoothly that sometimes it didn’t even feel real.
Seeing him still somewhat stunned, Gu Yan smiled and patted his shoulder.
At that moment, the assistant gestured from across the ballroom, indicating someone wanted to speak with Gu Yan.
“I’ll be back in a bit.”
He took a sip of his drink.
“This cocktail is good. Give it a try.”
“Okay.”
Once Gu Yan left, Xia Zichen tasted the cocktail.
The flavor was light and refreshing—perfect for someone who rarely drank alcohol.
Returning from the restroom, Gu Xu gently took the glass from Xia Zichen.
“Even if it tastes light, you shouldn’t drink it that fast.”
Licking the corner of his lips, Xia Zichen said awkwardly,
“It tasted good.”
Gu Xu shook his head helplessly before grabbing two glasses of champagne from a passing server.
“These…”
Xia Zichen handed him the keys and key cards.
“Your brother gave them to me.”
Gu Xu glanced at the address on the card and immediately understood.
He had no intention of refusing Gu Yan’s generosity.
His brother never liked family refusing his gifts anyway.
Preparing a home for them meant Gu Yan had accepted Xia Zichen.
That was unquestionably good news.
“Since Big Brother gave it to us, we’ll go take a look in a couple of days and see what we need.”
Naturally, Gu Xu slipped the keys and access cards back into Xia Zichen’s bag.
“Okay.”
Although Gu Yan had only sat with them briefly and chatted with Xia Zichen for a few minutes, it attracted countless curious looks from the other guests.
Xia Zichen paid them no mind.
He continued chatting with Gu Xu as if nothing had happened.
But perhaps because of the alcohol, he gradually began feeling warm.
His head wasn’t spinning.
He wasn’t dizzy.
Just… hot.
“What’s wrong?”
Gu Xu noticed immediately.
“Nothing.”
Xia Zichen smiled reassuringly.
“I’m just a little warm. I’m going to splash some water on my face.”
“Okay.”
Gu Xu watched him leave with a puzzled frown.
The ballroom’s air conditioning was running full blast.
Even he didn’t feel warm.
Why would Xia Zichen suddenly start sweating?
One glass of fruit cocktail shouldn’t have caused this.
Even if he’d had a little alcohol, at most his face should be flushed—not like this.
Inside the restroom, Xia Zichen turned on the cold water and splashed his face several times.
The heat on his cheeks subsided slightly.
But the burning sensation throughout his body didn’t lessen at all.
Frowning, he shut off the faucet and wiped his face with a paper towel.
Within moments, the heat surged back.
Even stronger than before.
Supporting himself against the sink with one hand, he couldn’t understand it.
He rarely drank, but surely one small cocktail couldn’t make him like this.
Besides, he wasn’t sleepy.
His mind was perfectly clear.
He definitely wasn’t drunk…
Then the sudden reaction below his waist made him freeze.
He…
He was getting hard.
Completely caught off guard, Xia Zichen stood there in shock.
It wasn’t fully obvious yet, but it was entirely beyond his control.
At that moment, the restroom door opened.
Shen Yicheng walked in.
Seeing Xia Zichen standing there motionless, he asked,
“What’s wrong?”
Xia Zichen snapped back to himself, turned sideways, and forced a smile.
“Nothing.”
“I think I drank a little too much.”
Shen Yicheng looked him over.
Aside from his flushed face, nothing seemed unusual.
“I didn’t expect to see you here today.”
“Yeah…”
Before Xia Zichen could finish, another wave of burning desire swept through him.
He nearly cried out.
Even someone as inexperienced as he was could now vaguely understand what was happening.
He needed to get out of here.
He needed to find Gu Xu.
“Gu Yan seems to treat you pretty well too.”
Shen Yicheng observed him carefully.
He had seen Gu Yan chatting with Xia Zichen earlier.
The atmosphere had been surprisingly warm—almost like family.
“Yeah…”
Another intense wave surged through his body.
His voice trembled.
“I have to…”
“If you’re free sometime, let me treat you to dinner.”
Shen Yicheng continued.
“We haven’t seen each other since vacation started. I’m not busy these next few days.”
Xia Zichen lowered his head.
“We’ll… talk about it later…”
Even Shen Yicheng could hear the trembling in his voice now.
He reached out instinctively.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.”
Xia Zichen barely avoided his hand.
“I should…”
Before he could finish, the restroom door opened again.
Gu Xu strode in.
The moment Xia Zichen saw him, the tension inside him finally eased.
Without saying a word, Gu Xu pulled him into his arms.
His legs weakened, and he collapsed against Gu Xu.
The obvious bulge pressing against Gu Xu’s leg made Xia Zichen clutch tightly at his sleeve, desperately swallowing the moan that almost escaped.
Gu Xu stiffened for a brief moment.
Then he gently patted Xia Zichen’s shoulder and whispered into his ear,
“It’s okay…”
Xia Zichen nodded lightly without speaking.
Gu Xu wasted no more time.
He supported Xia Zichen out of the restroom, leaving Shen Yicheng staring after them as realization slowly dawned on him.