Chapter 5 – 005

Buzz, buzz, buzz—

Smack!

Gu Xian slammed down the game controller, biting hard on the lollipop in his mouth, then picked up his phone to answer the call.

“Li Yuqiu, can’t you stop bothering me right when I’m about to break a record? Can you? Hmm?”

“Hehehe…” Li Yuqiu chuckled awkwardly on the other end, muttering softly, “Why don’t you turn on ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode then…”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing, nothing!”

“If it’s nothing, I’m hanging up.”

“No, no! It’s something! Something big!”

Li Yuqiu always made a fuss, turning trivial matters into the end of the world. Gu Xian lazily leaned back, grabbed a new lollipop, and spoke with a completely indifferent tone. “Then say it quickly.”

“Xie Yunjing asked me to pass a message. He wants you to take him off your blacklist.”

Crunch.

Gu Xian ground the candy between his teeth. “So? Are you here to play peacemaker?”

“Hah, do you think I just agree to everything Xie Yunjing asks? Of course not! I’m brave and righteous, unyielding to pressure and temptation, and I firmly refused!”

“Uh-huh…”

Gu Xian was losing interest, and was about to put down his phone and let Li Yuqiu ramble on by himself.

“But after I refused, Xie Yunjing asked for your address. Even though I didn’t give it to him, it’s not hard for him to find out where you live, so he might be coming over soon.”

“…”

“Gu Xian, are you still listening?”

“Oh.”

“…” Li Yuqiu hesitated, then said, “Hey, Gu Xian, how about I bring some people over? You’re living alone, and if something happens, it won’t be good.”

“Tsk, spare me.” The lollipop glistened as it caught the light. Gu Xian leaned back, with his head tilted. “There’s a number called 110, and a profession called the police. We live in a society governed by law. If Xie Yunjing dares to cause trouble, I’ll have him chat with the police.”

“But…”

“Enough, enough.” Gu Xian put the lollipop back in his mouth, his voice becoming muffled. “I know how to handle Xie Yunjing better than you guys. Stop worrying. Bye.”

“Gu!…”

Li Yuqiu’s voice was cut off without mercy, and just as Gu Xian was about to toss his phone aside, he heard the ping of a new message notification.

With the phone still in his hand, Gu Xian glanced at the screen and then brought it closer.

The messages weren’t from Li Yuqiu, but from Zhang Hejie.

Zhang Hejie: Gu Xian, when do you have time? Ranran and I want to treat you to a meal.

Zhang Hejie: I transferred 300,000 yuan to you. Did you receive it?

Zhang Hejie: This 300,000 yuan is an extra thank-you gift. The conditions we agreed on won’t change.

Zhang Hejie: Don’t feel bad about accepting it; you really helped me and Ranran a lot.

Gu Xian checked his notification bar. The bank deposit notification was at the top of the recent pings.

Gu Xian: It’s only fair. After all, I got bitten by a mad dog because of this. You do owe me compensation for emotional distress and medical expenses.

The “typing…” indicator at the top of the chat window flickered but nothing came through.

Gu Xian sneered and continued typing.

Gu Xian: I received the money, but I’ll skip the meal. I’m busy. Anything else?

Zhang Hejie: …Nothing.

Finally, peace and quiet.

Gu Xian picked up the game controller, and his phone buzzed again. He raised his eyebrow, unmoved, and pressed the start button, but when the phone played the ringtone, he quickly abandoned his game character.

The glowing game character stood still, helplessly swept away by the rushing water, letting out a weak scream.

Gu Xian muted the game and answered the call.

“Hello, Dad? Why are you calling all of a sudden?”

“Of course I’m at home, I’m still in the middle of my game. You’re coming over with Aunt Yan? Alright, I got it.”

“I got it, I got it. I’ll start tidying up now.”

The game character continued to cycle through death and respawn points, though pressing the pause button would have stopped it. Gu Xian didn’t spare it a glance and got up to change his clothes.

Though he didn’t change into formal wear, his new attire was much better than his previous loose, casual look. Gu Xian removed the hair tie holding back his bangs and combed his hair with his fingers, showing none of the irritation and impatience he had when Li Yuqiu and Zhang Hejie interrupted him.

With his superior looks, a little grooming made Gu Xian look presentable. He finally exited the game and picked up his phone to make a call.

“Hello, Lao Ni? I’d like to order some food.”

“… Nonsense! You’re the one leaving the monastery. My dad and his partner are coming over. Yes, three people. Him? Who knows, probably at school. Today’s dishes shouldn’t be spicy and use less salt, got it?”

“Finish it quickly and send it over, don’t be late.”

*

When the intercom system announced a visitor. Gu Xian hurried downstairs, running his fingers through his hair before facing the slowly opening door.

“Dad, Aunt Yan…” His casual yet clear voice rose sharply upon seeing who was actually there. “Why is it you!”

Xie Yunjing smiled politely, but his words were cutting. “I’m here to see my boyfriend. Is there a problem?”

Gu Xian shuddered. “Don’t disgust me!”

“Gu Xian! Watch your mouth!” Gu Rongcai, who was a step behind Xie Yunjing, immediately reprimanded him. Then, realizing he might have been too harsh, he quickly softened his expression, and looked at Gu Xian with a mixture of frustration and disappointment. “You useless boy, always playing games! Your situation with Yunjing is all over the news. Do you think you can keep it hidden?”

At first, Gu Rongcai scolded him, but as he spoke, a smile involuntarily spread across his face.

“…” Seeing the joy in his father’s eyes, Gu Xian was momentarily stunned before feigning ignorance. “Dad, what news are you talking about?”

“It was my fault. Someone managed to take a photo…”

Gu Xian sensed that Xie Yunjing was up to no good, but he couldn’t interrupt in time.

“Don’t be mad anymore.”

Xie Yunjing’s humble demeanor was rare, but it made Gu Xian feel even more disgusted.

“You…” It felt like a fly was stuck in his throat, but he couldn’t swallow it or spit it out, making it hard for him to curse properly.

“Alright, alright, forget about the news. The important thing is that everyone knows about you and Yunjing now,” Gu Rongcai tried to smooth things over, thinking he was being considerate. “Besides, you were also responsible for being photographed. You can’t blame Yunjing for everything. What are you standing there for? Are you planning to let your Aunt Yan and Yunjing stand outside forever?”

Damn green tea!^[1]“绿茶” (Green Tea): Short for “绿茶婊” (Green Tea Bitch), a derogatory slang term used to describe someone who pretends to be innocent or sweet but is manipulative or … Continue reading

Gu Xian shot Xie Yunjing a sharp glare and grudgingly stepped aside.

Gu Rongcai, like a protector, ushered Xie Yunjing inside, followed by Yan Lingfang, who was also an elder, leaving Gu Xian trailing behind.

“Yunjing, take a seat, take a seat.”

Gu Rongcai invited Xie Yunjing to sit down, while Yan Lingfang chimed in and headed to the kitchen. “Yunjing, you sit first. Auntie will get you something to eat.”

Gu Xian quickly intervened. “No, no, Aunt Yan, you sit down too. I’ve got things all over the place. I’ll get it.”

“Alright, I won’t get in your way then.” Yan Lingfang reluctantly sat down, looking at Gu Xian’s retreating figure with a mix of helplessness and sorrow. “Xiao Xian is really something. It would be easier with an auntie to take care of him, but he insists he likes his independence and refuses no matter what.”

Xie Yunjing met her gaze and nodded slightly. “Mm.”

In the kitchen, Gu Xian rummaged through the fridge, which was stuffed with drinks, chocolates, chips, and beer, paying no mind to whether they were appropriate. He finally found a can of tea leaves amidst the pile of “unhealthy” snacks.

After brewing two cups of tea, he poured himself a glass of cola and then fetched an unopened bottle of vinegar from a corner of the fridge.

Playing the green tea card, are we?

…

Gu Xian placed the tea in front of Gu Rongcai and Yan Lingfang, then picked up his glass of cola and started drinking.

Remembering Xie Yunjing’s earlier words, “Don’t be mad anymore,” Gu Rongcai eagerly picked up the solitary remaining cup of cola and handed it to Xie Yunjing. “Gu Xian is just being difficult. Yunjing, don’t take it too seriously.”

The dark liquid surface fizzed with tiny bubbles popping continuously. Xie Yunjing glanced at Gu Xian discreetly, and caught the fleeting mischievous grin on the latter’s face.

Even though he suspected a trick, Xie Yunjing’s upbringing in the Xie family didn’t allow him to refuse a drink offered by an elder.

“Thank you, Uncle Gu.”

He couldn’t just take the cup and not drink from it. As he sipped, even though he was mentally prepared, the odd taste made his eyes twitch involuntarily.

“Pfft.” Gu Xian, watching his every move, couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Gu Rongcai, unaware of what Gu Xian had done, noticed the malicious tone in his son’s laughter and glared at him. “What kind of attitude is that?”

Gu Xian ignored his father’s rebuke and casually asked, “Dad, why did you come over?”

“Oh, that!” Gu Rongcai’s displeasure vanished instantly, replaced by a beaming smile.

Gu Xian straightened up a bit from his slouched position on the sofa, feeling uneasy.

Strange, wasn’t Xie Yunjing here to raise hell?

Gu Rongcai, in his excitement, rubbed his hands together. “This is about you and Yunjing…”

“Uncle Gu,” Xie Yunjing interrupted, placing the cola down and smiling politely. “Let me explain it to him.”

He turned to Gu Xian, seemingly kind-hearted. “Would you like to put the cup down first?”

Gu Xian raised his eyebrow. “Why should I?”

Xie Yunjing’s smile deepened. “I’m afraid you might get too excited in a moment.”

“Heh.”

Gu Xian scoffed, dismissing the idea that he might be afraid of having to apologize. “No problem, go ahead.”

“I warned you,” Xie Yunjing replied.

Gu Xian raised his cup of cola, drinking with confidence and nonchalance.

“I came with Uncle Gu and the others to talk to you about…” Xie Yunjing’s deliberate slow pace ensured he timed it perfectly as Gu Xian took a big gulp of cola, “our marriage.”

“Pfth!—”

Gu Xian sprayed the cola everywhere.

Xie Yunjing, looking exasperated but clearly amused, used a doting tone laced with schadenfreude. “See, I told you to put it down.”