The next day, Du Yunyan noticed that Gu Wenxi seemed unusually excited, as if something had sparked in him. He was whistling and humming a popular tune from two years ago while wiping the table.

Listening to him chat with the college students guests earlier in the month about singing in bars, he must have some talent in that area. Even if it was just a tune whistled casually, it had a special flavor.

As the New Year approached, there was more cleaning work to be done at the inn, and the two of them almost cleaned the floors and tables together every day.

Gu Wenxi’s phone rang with a series of triple-note melodies, the sound coming from the dining table near the door.

“Your phone is ringing,” Du Yunyan heard it first and kindly reminded him.

Gu Wenxi continued to self-indulgently whistle while wiping the table, completely ignoring the sound.

“I said your phone is ringing,” he repeated.

“Huh?” Gu Wenxi finally heard it and walked to the side to pick up the phone he had casually left behind in the morning.

The name “Gu Yuching” was displayed on the screen.

Even if Gu Yuching didn’t call, Gu Wenxi planned to contact him in these two days, so he immediately pressed the answer button.

“Dad,” he said softly.

Gu Yuching on the other end of the phone took a deep breath. “Do you still have a father in your eyes?”

“How could I not,” Gu Wenxi said happily, “I was just about to call you.”

“Really?”

“Yes, Dad, please understand me a little,” he made up nonsense on the spot, “I’ve been working outside and lost thirty kilograms.” In fact, living a regular life in the inn, eating and sleeping well, he had even gained a little weight.

“Hmph,” Gu Yuching knew very well what kind of person his son was. “I could believe you if you didn’t add that last sentence.”

However, he immediately continued, “Wenxi, I don’t necessarily want you to stay in the company in the future.”

“Wow,” Gu Wenxi felt happy in his heart but spoke with a careless tone, “Have you changed your mind, old man?”

“Stop being so slick,” Gu Yuching said, “I’ve always wanted to talk to you seriously.”

“Dad, I have something to tell you too.” He didn’t intend to continue beating around the bush, subconsciously glanced at Du Yunyan who was working in the hall, pushed the door and walked outside. “I plan to come back after the New Year.”

“Why?”

“I made a friend outside, and he’s alone for the New Year. It’s so lonely…”

“A friend?” Gu Yuching became alert. “Male or female?”

“Of course it’s a guy, Dad, what are you thinking?” Although he had a tiny bit of ulterior motive towards Du Yunyan, he definitely couldn’t be so blatant in front of Gu Yuching.

“Is it really a guy?”

“Ah, otherwise, should I take a photo with him later for you to see?” This was indeed a good opportunity.

“Alright, I got it,” Gu Yuching sighed deeply, feeling helpless towards his child, but more indulgent. “As long as you come back, I’ll talk to you about it later.”

“Okay, thanks.” Gu Wenxi felt relieved. Gu Yuching’s tone didn’t seem too arbitrary, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to sneak back in the future.

The weather was getting colder. It was freezing to make a phone call outside. He looked up at the overcast sky, gray and endless, and it might snow in the following days.

Du Yunyan was still wiping the tables and chairs. After wiping the tabletop, he squatted down and cleaned along the table legs. Gu Wenxi walked into the room, picked up the cloth he had thrown down earlier, rinsed it in the basin, and continued wiping another table.

“I told my dad,” he briefly recounted what happened on the phone, “I can stay here for the New Year.”

“Is that necessary?” Du Yunyan stood up, not moving for a while.

“I want to.” Gu Wenxi explained. “When I was studying, there was also a year when I didn’t spend Chinese New Year at home, and my family wasn’t that particular about it. Plus, when I was young, I followed my mom. But when I went back later… I always felt a bit out of place. Of course, they were nice to me, no scheming or anything, just occasional awkwardness,” Gu Wenxi talked about some family matters, then changed the subject, “It’s pretty nice to spend New Year’s here. I’ve never experienced it before.”

“What’s there to experience?” Du Yunyan was unimpressed. “Now that living conditions are better, nobody really cares. The countryside just has more places to set off fireworks.”

“Well, that’s not bad either. Let me stay here to accompany you,” Gu Wenxi blinked at him, “Yunyan.”

“You—” Du Yunyan looked at him awkwardly, “What did you call me?”

“Yunyan, of course,” Gu Wenxi half-sat on the table that hadn’t been wiped yet, tiptoeing, “Did you forget how you called me last night?”

Du Yunyan wasn’t embarrassed, just a bit surprised. “You were still awake at that time?”

“Are you saying you only dare to call me like that after I fall asleep?”

“You said we’re buddies, right?” Du Yunyan’s expression returned to normal. “Calling you like that shouldn’t be a big deal.”

“That makes sense,” Gu Wenxi immediately agreed. “So, I’ll call you the same way.”

Du Yunyan chuckled lightly. “I’m almost thirty years old, according to age, you should call me Yunyan ge.”

This casual banter made Gu Wenxi’s face collapse instantly. “Why? Do I have to follow the seniority just because we’re buddies? I’ll just call you Yunyan!” It wasn’t that he minded Du Yunyan taking verbal advantage, he just didn’t want to call him like Yun Han. He couldn’t get the words out in one breath, threw the cloth aside, and stopped wiping the table.

“Why are you so easily angered?” Du Yunyan chuckled, “You can’t even take a joke. I didn’t say you couldn’t…”

“Who said I’m angry?” He immediately raised his lips, changing his tone as if flipping a book, “Just look at the magnanimity of Young Master Gu.”

“Your appetite is quite big,” Du Yunyan’s peripheral vision glanced at him, “You eat enough for two.”

“What’s wrong with eating a lot? I’m even taller than you.” Gu Wenxi didn’t care about his sarcasm, suddenly remembering something he mentioned to his father just now, he stretched his long legs, took two steps to Du Yunyan’s side, and put his arm around his shoulder, “Right, take a picture with me to send to my dad.”

“Why do you want to take a picture with me?”

“Show him I’m really hanging out with a friend,” Gu Wenxi opened the phone camera and switched to selfie mode, “Otherwise, he’ll think I’m fooling around outside.”

Du Yunyan was being hugged by him, though he didn’t resist, his body was a bit stiff, and his lips turned to the side, looking unwilling.

“Smile naturally,” Gu Wenxi stared at the screen, “I told my dad we’re just pure friends. Don’t make it look like we’re having an affair.”

Du Yunyan’s face became even more bitter, his brows furrowed. Gu Wenxi continued, “Of course, if you really want to develop a little affair with me, that’s fine too.”

“Gu Wenxi—”

Seeing the other about to get angry, he preemptively scolded, “You say I can’t take a joke, but aren’t you the same?”

“Hurry up, is the picture taken? I need to get to work.”

In the final photo, Du Yunyan’s expression was as serious as a passport photo, but his appearance was outstanding. Even with a cold face, he still looked very attractive.

Gu Wenxi didn’t send the photo to his dad at all; he guessed Gu Yuching wouldn’t care about such things.

As for the photo, he kept it for himself.