Gu Xu half-supported, half-carried Xia Zichen upstairs to the room Gu Yan had reserved earlier. Originally, he had wanted to carry Xia Zichen outright, but there were too many people coming and going in the hotel—especially in the elevator. Even if he didn’t mind, Xia Zichen probably would.
After realizing in the banquet hall that his suspicions toward Xia Zichen had been unusual, he immediately went over everything Xia Zichen had eaten that evening. Nothing seemed out of place. They had eaten the same food, so if Xia Zichen had been drugged, he shouldn’t have been unaffected.
Just then, something clicked.
The only thing Xia Zichen had consumed that he hadn’t was that glass of fruit wine.
Instinctively, Gu Xu turned to look for Gu Yan, but after scanning the banquet hall, he couldn’t find him. Only the assistant remained, entertaining the guests.
Gu Xu walked over and called him aside.
“Where’s my brother?”
“Young Master Gu said he’d had a bit too much to drink and took his room key upstairs,” the assistant replied. He was puzzled as well. Gu Yan had always held his liquor well. How could he suddenly be drunk?
Gu Xu frowned.
The thought that his own brother had done something like this never crossed his mind. He knew Gu Yan would never stoop to such methods. Besides, he had no reason to drug Xia Zichen.
“Did anyone touch the fruit wine my brother and Zichen drank tonight?” Gu Xu asked.
The assistant paused before answering, “I brought it over myself after the bartender mixed it. No one else handled it.”
Gu Xu fell silent.
Everyone around Gu Yan had been carefully selected. They were people who would literally take a bullet for him. There was no way they’d tamper with his drink.
That meant the problem had to be the bartender.
“The wine was tampered with,” Gu Xu said quietly.
“What?” The assistant’s expression immediately darkened.
“It’s nothing too serious. Don’t worry about my brother. Detain the bartender for now. We’ll see what my brother wants to do tomorrow. Give me a room key. I’ll leave the guests to you.”
“Understood, Fourth Young Master.”
The assistant handed him a key card.
Taking it, Gu Xu hurried away from the banquet hall to find Xia Zichen.
He laid Xia Zichen gently on the bed, helped him remove his shoes, then placed another pillow beneath him so he could lie more comfortably.
Xia Zichen’s body burned with heat, and the reaction between his legs became increasingly obvious, confined uncomfortably by his jeans.
The sensation felt both familiar and unfamiliar.
It was familiar because he’d experienced something similar during the few times he’d taken care of himself. It was unfamiliar because every sensation had been magnified several times over, leaving him almost unable to control himself even though his mind remained perfectly clear.
Curling onto his side and drawing his knees up made him feel a little better.
Gu Xu leaned over and lightly kissed his ear.
“Feeling miserable?”
“I’m… okay…” Xia Zichen answered softly. His naturally pleasant voice sounded especially gentle at that moment.
Gu Xu smiled faintly.
“Don’t be afraid. I’ll help you.”
He gently turned Xia Zichen over, supporting himself above him before capturing his lips in a kiss.
The kiss gradually deepened.
Every gentle caress and teasing movement made Xia Zichen’s body tremble, drawing him further into the moment.
Almost unconsciously, he wrapped his arms around Gu Xu’s neck and began responding.
They hadn’t kissed many times before, and Xia Zichen was still somewhat inexperienced. Yet it was precisely that innocent awkwardness that stirred Gu Xu’s desire even more.
Compared to the unbearable heat consuming his own body, Gu Xu’s cool skin made Xia Zichen want to cling to him even more.
Right now, he had no energy left to ask what had happened.
Getting through tonight came first.
Everything else could wait until tomorrow.
Gu Xu carefully loosened Xia Zichen’s clothes enough to help him cool down and stay comfortable, never rushing him or forcing anything beyond what Xia Zichen was willing to accept.
By the time Xia Zichen finally relaxed, the intense heat caused by the drug had gradually subsided.
Gu Xu stayed beside him, letting Xia Zichen rest against his arm.
“Feeling better?” he asked quietly.
Xia Zichen nodded.
“Much better…”
Gu Xu brushed the damp hair away from his forehead.
“Rest for a while. Then I’ll take you to wash up.”
Xia Zichen looked up at him and asked in a small voice,
“What about you?”
Gu Xu smiled helplessly.
“I’m fine.”
After a while, when Xia Zichen had recovered some strength, Gu Xu carried him into the bathroom.
Leaning drowsily against him, Xia Zichen closed his eyes, quietly drawing comfort from the warmth and gentle care that lingered after the night’s chaos.