MMH Chapter 50

In the first year of high school, the workload was heavy, and it became even more demanding in the second year. Even though they had specialized in different subjects, the burden remained.

Their group of childhood friends had chosen the science track. While there were some academically challenged individuals among them, they were not lacking in wit. In essence, their lively and playful nature made them ill-suited for memorizing history and geography; they preferred dealing with science subjects.

Gu Jingchen, following Xu Zhou’s lead, also opted for the science track. Although Xu Zhou was considering studying business, which fell under the social sciences, he had a personal preference for working with numbers, leading him to choose the science track.

Ideally, going abroad for high school would be the best choice, as it would familiarize them with the international environment sooner. However, Xu Zhou’s family thought he was too young and was not comfortable sending him overseas at such an early age.

As for Xu Zhou himself, he felt it was fine to wait a bit longer, perhaps until Gu Jingchen matured a bit more.

Gu Jingchen, on the other hand, didn’t think much about it. Going abroad was simply a matter of following Xu Zhou. Wherever Xu Zhou went, he would follow.

So, despite the heavy workload and Xu Zhou pushing him to study, Gu Jingchen’s days remained enjoyable. Every weekend, he gathered friends for basketball, or they spent afternoons at the arcade. In the evenings, they often indulged in hot pot dinners. Sometimes, they would go to the swimming pool to pass the time, as the weather was still warm. Overall, they had a great time.

Xu Zhou and Zhou Nianyuan were part of their group, but they weren’t particularly fond of joining in group activities. For example, when Gu Jingchen and the others played basketball, Xu Zhou and Zhou Nianyuan would just watch from the sidelines without participating.

This time was no different. As Gu Jingchen and his friends sweated under the sun, Xu Zhou and Zhou Nianyuan sat on the steps chatting. With autumn approaching, the weather was cooler, and Gu Jingchen casually lifted his shirt, revealing his abdominal muscles.

Xu Zhou leaned on his hand, smiling contentedly as he watched, his eyes shining with warmth and fondness.

Zhou Nianyuan calmly remarked, “You better clarify things with him sooner.”

Xu Zhou turned to look at him.

Zhou Nianyuan continued, “So that others don’t beat you to it.”

A subtle change crossed Xu Zhou’s face.

Zhou Nianyuan pointed to a girl approaching Gu Jingchen on the nearby running track and said, “Look, someone else is confessing to him again.”

The girl was from the second-year liberal arts class, a well-known beauty named Meng Xinqi, with a sweet and innocent appearance. Carrying a small bag, she blushed and walked up to Gu Jingchen, handing him a small gift. She whispered, “Gu Jingchen, this is for you.”

People often gave gifts and love letters to Gu Jingchen, but he never accepted them.

This time was no exception. He walked to Xu Zhou’s side, took the mineral water Xu Zhou offered, poured it over his head, and then took the towel from Xu Zhou to wipe the water droplets off his face. Only then did he turn to Meng Xinqi and say, “Thank you, but I can’t accept it.”

Meng Xinqi’s expression froze briefly, and then her eyes reddened.

Other friends gathered around, urging, “Leader, the beauty is almost crying; you should comfort her.”

Gu Jingchen frowned, “Whoever wants to comfort her can go ahead.”

Saying that, he took Xu Zhou’s hand and added, “Let’s go eat barbecue; I’m hungry.”

Xu Zhou smiled slightly and stood up, his voice incredibly gentle, “Okay.”

Afterward, he glanced at Zhou Nianyuan with a raised eyebrow, implying, ‘See, Jingchen cares more about me.’

Zhou Nianyuan naturally understood his meaning, gently shook his head, and didn’t say much.

The group walked away, shoulder to shoulder, leaving the beauty almost in tears behind.

Meng Xinqi did feel quite uncomfortable, but fortunately, it was broad daylight, and the playground wasn’t crowded. No one noticed the scene just now, and no one saw her being rejected.

This school was an elite institution in Haicheng. Those studying here were either free top students from various places or scions of prestigious families, like Gu Jingchen and Xu Zhou.

Meng Xinqi’s family was in the real estate business and had some wealth, but compared to these prestigious families, they were significantly less affluent.

If judged by family background alone, she wouldn’t have qualified to study here. However, due to her excellent academic performance, she was admitted through special enrollment and consistently ranked in the top ten of her class.

The reason she developed feelings for Gu Jingchen was because, once after school during a heavy rainstorm, she didn’t have an umbrella, and Gu Jingchen lent her his.

Seeing Gu Jingchen rushing into the rain and mist that day made her heart flutter.

Since then, she had been paying attention to him.

She knew Gu Jingchen was very popular.

Xu Zhou and Zhou Nianyuan were also handsome, and their academic performance was even better, but they were too aloof, making ordinary people hesitant to approach them.

Gu Jingchen, on the other hand, always smiled, was so sunny and handsome, played basketball well, and was simply the ideal boyfriend in the eyes of all the girls.

Meng Xinqi also knew that Gu Jingchen had rejected many girls. Still, she always thought that with her good grades, she should be able to win Gu Jingchen’s favor. She didn’t believe that Gu Jingchen lent her an umbrella because he liked her; she knew he was just genuinely helpful.

However, the reality was that Gu Jingchen didn’t even give her a second glance and walked away directly.

In fact, after leaving the playground, his group of friends continued discussing her.

“Boss, why don’t you give it a try? Meng Xinqi is very pretty.”

“Yeah, and her grades are excellent. I heard she has a gentle personality.”

“And a great figure…”

As they went on with increasingly inappropriate remarks, Gu Jingchen quickly interrupted, “Alright, stop tarnishing the girl’s reputation. From now on, don’t bring it up again.”

Everyone sighed in regret.

Gu Jingchen draped his arm over Xu Zhou’s shoulder, smiling and saying, “As for me, if I’m going to look for someone, it has to be someone I can marry directly. My grandpa said, any love not aimed at marriage is just playing around. When I find a girlfriend in the future, it will be for a long, long time, a lifetime without parting.”

Mainly because Grandpa Gu was from an older generation, and in that era, marriage and love were considered quite pure and conservative. When Gu Jingchen was a child, his grandfather thought his grandson was growing up too well and was afraid he would turn bad, so he instilled this kind of thinking in him.

Gu Jingchen loved his grandfather the most, so he remembered his words.

This remark elicited laughter from his friends; they thought only having one relationship was unrealistic. Gu Jingchen didn’t argue with them; everyone has their own views on love, and he had his own thoughts.

However, he noticed that Xu Zhou’s mood didn’t seem good. His face lost its smile, and even his dimples disappeared.

“Zhou Zhou, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Gu Jingchen leaned over, pressed against Xu Zhou’s ear, and asked with concern.

Xu Zhou kept his eyes down, not saying a word.

Gu Jingchen became anxious, “Are you sick? Then let’s not go for barbecue; I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Still, Xu Zhou remained silent.

Zhou Nianyuan chimed in, “He’s not sick.”

Gu Jingchen looked at him suspiciously.

Zhou Nianyuan explained, “He has a heartache.”

“Hmm?” Gu Jingchen didn’t understand.

Xu Zhou, fearing further questioning, could only say, “It’s nothing. Let’s go for barbecue.”

Gu Jingchen had a lingering feeling that Xu Zhou wasn’t very happy. Throughout the barbecue, he kept a close eye on his friend’s mood. He even attentively put pieces of meat into Xu Zhou’s bowl, saying, “Zhou Zhou, this is delicious. Try some, okay?”

After being fed a few pieces of meat by Gu Jingchen, Xu Zhou’s mood improved.

However, their group of friends suffered; all of them were drunk, making a mess.

It was the first time Gu Jingchen saw Xu Zhou drink, and he managed to make so many people drunk. He was stunned.

Their friends’ families sent drivers to pick them up. Gu Jingchen sent everyone into the cars and turned to look at Xu Zhou.

Xu Zhou’s eyes were clear, showing no signs of being drunk.

The driver from Zhou’s family also arrived. Before getting in the car, Zhou Nianyuan said to Gu Jingchen, “Take good care of Zhou Zhou; he might have had too much to drink.”

Gu Jingchen agreed, but in his heart, he thought, Zhou Zhou definitely isn’t drunk.

After Zhou Nianyuan left, he supported Xu Zhou and exclaimed, “Zhou Zhou, I never knew you could drink this well!”

Leaning against his shoulder, Xu Zhou gave him a light glance and smiled, “There are many things you don’t know about me.”

Gu Jingchen: “?”

They had known each other since they were wearing diapers, and he even knew when Zhou Zhou started bedwetting. How could he not know other things about Zhou Zhou?

However, Xu Zhou didn’t explain.

The two families lived close by, and in order to take care of Xu Zhou, Gu Jingchen simply got in the Xu family’s car.

He kept asking incessantly what Xu Zhou meant by there being many things he didn’t know.

Xu Zhou still leaned against his shoulder, shook his head, and changed the topic, “Your birthday is approaching. How do you want to celebrate?”

Gu Jingchen was born in mid-October, and that day happened to be a weekend.

“I’m fine with anything,” Gu Jingchen didn’t have any particular thoughts. He celebrated his birthday every year, receiving gifts from relatives and friends, and he thought that was enough.

With his eyes closed, Xu Zhou whispered, “I’ll organize a birthday party for you and invite all the classmates who had a good time.”

 

Author’s note:

Regarding the matter of love, Little Jingchen has his own thoughts ^_^

Little Zhou is about to do something big~

Thanks to the little angels who voted for me or provided nutrient solution~

Thanks to the little angel who planted a [landmine]: Black 1;

Thanks to the little angels who irrigated with [nutrient solution]:

相手に 5 bottles;

Thank you very much for your support. I will continue to work hard!

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