Gu Xingchuan felt happy for a moment then immediately grew annoyed again.

He wanted Song Yi to be angry, but also didn’t want him to be angry. Between these two emotions, he actually preferred Song Yi to be angry.

Song Yi didn’t pick up on his subtle feelings, his mind entirely focused on the colorful menu. “Lemon risotto, cream mushroom soup, what do you two want?”

He handed the menu to the boy, who cautiously glanced at the death glare from Gu Xingchuan. Hesitating, he took the menu and forced a smile. “Sorry, I haven’t met any of Brother Chuan’s other friends, I thought you were…”

“It’s fine.” Song Yi turned his head, smiling lightly and politely saying. “My last name is Song, I’m also your Brother Chuan’s classmate.”

The boy’s eyes widened. “Ah, I see now,” he said, suddenly understanding. His gaze turned strange as he leaned toward Gu Xingchuan. “So, this is your rival, huh? Didn’t you hate him?”

Although the restaurant was crowded and noisy, the boy’s loud voice made it clear enough for Song Yi to hear. He looked at Gu Xingchuan with some interest.

Gu Xingchuan shot the boy a dark look and gritted his teeth. “Ding Qi, do you have to talk so much? Can’t you just keep quiet while we eat?”

Ding Qi wisely closed his mouth, but occasionally cast curious glances at Song Yi, as if trying to figure something out from him.

Song Yi found the kid amusing, guessing he must be from a wealthy family. At his age, there was no way he could speak so freely unless he came from money.

Song Yi ate for a while but started feeling a bit nauseous. He made his way straight toward the restroom.

Ding Qi watched him leave, scratching his head. “Brother Chuan, what’s going on between you two?”

They were hanging out together, but it didn’t seem like they were rivals.

Gu Xingchuan remained calm, not even blushing, and said. “We’re together.”

Ding Qi’s jaw almost dropped. He stammered for a moment, staring at Gu Xingchuan before raising his voice. “Brother Chuan, you’re really something, even getting together with your rival.”

Gu Xingchuan kicked him hard under the table, causing Ding Qi to yelp in pain.

He ignored Ding Qi’s reaction, picking up Song Yi’s cup and refilling it with water, speaking seriously. “Be more civil when talking in front of him. He’s a good guy and doesn’t like hearing that kind of talk.”

Ding Qi rubbed his knee, looking at Gu Xingchuan with a look of utter disbelief. “Brother Chuan, what’s going on with you?”

“You only see what you see.” Gu Xingchuan replied, nonchalant.

Ding Qi scrutinized him, clicking his tongue in amazement. “Last time, I told you Xiao Fei got married and became a total wife slave. We laughed at him together, but it looks like you’re about to get married too, and it’ll be just like Xiao Fei.”

Gu Xingchuan shot him a sideways glance, sneering. “You don’t know anything. I’m not going to be like Xiao Fei.”

Ding Qi looked unconvinced. After a few seconds, he sighed, nudging Gu Xingchuan with his elbow. “Isn’t your dad going to set you up with someone from the circle?”

Gu Xingchuan turned his head, frowning. Most of the people he knew, no matter how they behaved on the outside, would still marry someone from their social circle. They’d close their eyes, play around when needed, and muddle through life together.

He thought for a moment, squinting, and said clearly. “My dad won’t do that. He really likes Song Yi. This time, when I told him I was taking a private jet, he scolded me for not focusing on work. But the moment he heard I was going out with Song Yi, he immediately gave his blessing. He even told me before I left not to bully him.”

“Your dad has moments like that?” Ding Qi blinked, clearly surprised.

Gu Xingchuan nodded slightly, saying matter-of-factly. “Because Song Yi is really outstanding, of course he likes him.”

Ding Qi clicked his tongue, grinning. “I think he’s pretty good-looking too.”

“Go to hell.” Gu Xingchuan grabbed a lemon from the table and threw it at Ding Qi, giving him a glare. “Keep staring at his face, and I’ll gouge your eyes out.”

Ding Qi burst into laughter. “Young Master Gu, this time, you’re done for.”

Song Yi returned to the table, his face flushed with steam from the restroom. He still felt nauseous, his complexion pale and drained of color. He had to splash some water on his face in the restroom before he looked a little better.

Gu Xingchuan noticed Song Yi’s sluggish appearance and exchanged a few casual words with Ding Qi before the two of them headed back to the guesthouse.

During the day, the room was filled with an ambiguous atmosphere that made it hard to look at. By night, the soft pink lighting poured down, casting everything in a half-lit, half-dark haze, filling the space with a dreamy, suggestive vibe.

Song Yi was the first to shower. The mirror walls on all sides made him feel embarrassed, so he didn’t use the bathtub. Instead, he quickly rinsed off with the shower and wrapped himself tightly in his pajamas before stepping out.

Gu Xingchuan, who was checking his phone, looked up and saw only Song Yi’s neck and above visible in the pajamas. He chuckled softly. “Are you that afraid of me?”

Song Yi pretended not to hear and sat down at the edge of the bed, seriously reading the newspaper.

As Gu Xingchuan entered the bathroom, he noticed the thin mist covering the mirrors. The scent of the minty shower gel, cool and fresh, filled the air and slipped into his nose, making his body feel hot and restless.

He glanced back at Song Yi, his gaze intense and burning. Song Yi lifted his head from the newspaper, their eyes met briefly, and there was a palpable tension, a wordless attraction in the air.

When the sound of water from the bathroom started, Song Yi let out a deep breath and squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, trying to shake the sensation. He opened them again, lightly tapping his cheek as if to remind himself to stay focused.

The atmosphere felt completely off. In a foreign country, in a hotel like this, with two people who had once been intimate, it felt like everything could easily catch fire.

^_^