In the end, Gu Jingchen couldn’t figure out a reason.
Fortunately, Xu Zhou didn’t press him, he just kissed his face and said, “Take your time to think. I won’t force you.”
Gu Jingchen immediately smiled and handed a yogurt to his lips, saying, “Finish the yogurt; it helps sober you up.”
Xu Zhou nodded, seeing that he also peeled a grape for himself. Unable to resist, he laughed along.
The two of them continued like this. Although they hadn’t officially defined their relationship, Xu Zhou occasionally kissed Gu Jingchen, and Gu Jingchen didn’t mind.
However, Gu Jingchen was straightforward and, in several conversations with Xu Zhou, expressed that they were still brothers and shouldn’t be too affectionate.
But Xu Zhou was not one to obediently follow, completely ignoring his words and continuing to be affectionate.
Gu Jingchen never showed any temper in front of him, just letting him be playful.
Their close friends gradually caught on. At first, they were surprised, but later they became indifferent. Even when they saw Xu Zhou pinning Gu Jingchen against the wall to kiss him, they didn’t avert their gaze.
Only Zhou Nianyuan quietly reminded Xu Zhou, “Wait for him to be sure of his feelings before telling the family.” To avoid unnecessary excitement.
Xu Zhou was always clever. In ordinary times, he would have understood Zhou Nianyuan’s implied meaning. However, when it came to Gu Jingchen, he seemed a bit impulsive and blinded.
He had set his heart on Gu Jingchen since childhood, and now, watching the clouds part to reveal the moon, how could he endure waiting?
Not long after, he came clean with his family, stating his intention to be with Gu Jingchen.
Fortunately, the elders in the family were open-minded, and Gu Jingchen had grown up under their watchful eyes. He was a reliable young man, and the elders did not object.
From then on, Xu Zhou had no reservations. He just needed to wait for Gu Jingchen to come around.
When the girls at school who secretly admired Gu Jingchen heard about their relationship, they all retreated.
You should know that the Xu family is also a renowned prestigious family, and Xu Zhou is a formidable character. Who dares to snatch someone from him?
So, in the next few months, surprisingly, not a single girl confessed to Gu Jingchen.
However, Gu Jingchen didn’t notice this change. After all, he had never cared about such things before.
He also paid little attention to the rumors around as the coursework in the second year of high school was demanding, and his focus was on studying, even reducing the time for basketball and leisure.
He hadn’t forgotten the agreement to study business abroad with Zhou Zhou.
His father hoped he would enter politics, but… his intelligence probably wouldn’t fit into that circle. Hence, his grandfather urged him to manage the family company.
Time passed quickly, and winter arrived. On the eve of Christmas, Xu Zhou invited Gu Jingchen to go to an amusement park.
In previous years, he celebrated with his close friends, but this year he wanted to spend a private moment with Gu Jingchen.
Gu Jingchen had no objections. However, that day, the school didn’t have a holiday, and the amusement park closed early. Xu Zhou changed his mind and suggested having dinner together in the evening.
After the evening self-study session, Xu Zhou was called by a teacher for something, and Gu Jingchen waited for him in the corridor. He then heard Meng Xinqi calling him.
He didn’t have much impression of Meng Xinqi. Even though Meng Xinqi had attended his birthday banquet, he didn’t remember much. After all, Meng Xinqi was from another class and had no interaction.
Meng Xinqi hesitated for a moment, walked up to him, and asked, “Are you waiting for Xu Zhou?”
Gu Jingchen nodded.
Although he was the big shot in the school, he was always gentle. Often, unfamiliar classmates greeted him, and he would respond with a friendly smile.
So, even though he didn’t know Meng Xinqi, he didn’t adopt a cold attitude.
Seeing the look in his eyes, Meng Xinqi knew he had already forgotten her, silently sighing to herself.
She said, “I heard that you… are together with Xu Zhou?”
Gu Jingchen looked slightly surprised, “Who did you hear it from?”
“It’s all over the place…” Meng Xinqi paused, then looked at him incredulously, “So, are you not together?”
Gu Jingchen rubbed his nose, “It’s not that…”
He certainly couldn’t disclose the details of his relationship with Xu Zhou to outsiders. He spoke vaguely and didn’t elaborate.
However, Meng Xinqi remembered the day of his birthday when the two walked hand in hand into the private room. At that time, she could tell that Xu Zhou was the one taking the initiative.
After looking at Gu Jingchen for a few seconds, she asked softly, “Are you… not sure if you like men?”
Gu Jingchen didn’t expect her to guess his thoughts… or maybe she guessed half of it.
All this time, he hadn’t given Xu Zhou a definite answer because he wasn’t sure if he could spend his life with a man.
Zhou Zhou was great, and he really liked him, willing to be brothers for life. But as a lover, he didn’t know if he might regret it in the future.
Mainly, from childhood to adulthood, his grandfather kept urging him to find a girlfriend. He had always thought he would spend his life with a girl.
When Zhou Zhou suddenly confessed to him, turning a brother into a potential wife, he found it hard to accept.
But he also didn’t want to hurt Zhou Zhou’s feelings, so he kept postponing the conversation.
And… to be honest, the thought of rejecting Zhou Zhou and the possibility of them parting ways made him incredibly sad.
He didn’t want to be separated from Zhou Zhou; they still had plans to study abroad together.
Lost in his thoughts, Meng Xinqi gathered courage, looked at him, and said, “How about you try being with me then.”
Gu Jingchen was startled and quickly took a step back.
Meng Xinqi: “…”
She didn’t realize she could scare him away like that.
“I think you can consider my suggestion. If you’re unsure about liking men, you can try with a woman. I like you… and I’m willing to help you…” She tried to soften her tone, making her expression appear sincere.
Gu Jingchen eyed her up and down.
She quickly flashed a sweet smile at him.
Gu Jingchen said, “Help me? Do you think I’m a fool?”
Meng Xinqi’s smiling face froze.
Gu Jingchen sneered, “With your little tricks, you want to deceive me into being with you? Let me tell you, even if you were the last woman on earth, I still wouldn’t be interested in you!”
Meng Xinqi, who had never been insulted like this, couldn’t hold back her tears, sobbing, “Gu Jingchen, if you don’t agree, just reject me directly. Why humiliate me like this? What kind of man are you?”
Gu Jingchen’s face turned cold, “Aren’t you also insulting my intelligence? Don’t think I can’t see through what you’re trying to do. I know you’re not interested in me at all; you’re just interested in the status of our Gu family. Let me make it clear to you, in our circle, we don’t lack beautiful and intelligent women, nor do we lack women with schemes. But you don’t fit in because you can’t let go of your own dignity. If you want to get close to our Gu family, why pretend to help me?”
He wasn’t typically sharp-tongued, but being around Xu Zhou for a long time had inevitably influenced him with this habit.
Normally, when he rejected girls, he was very gentle, at least not making them feel embarrassed. However, Meng Xinqi was truly hateful, treating him like a fool.
From childhood to adulthood, accustomed to having his way, he had never been treated like this. Naturally, he needed to vent his frustration.
Meng Xinqi’s face went through various changes, a mix of embarrassment from being exposed and discomfort from being scolded.
She covered her face and hurriedly left.
Gu Jingchen, of course, didn’t care about her feelings. He lowered his eyelids, silently contemplating his thoughts.
Even strangers could tell he was hesitating about something, and Zhou Zhou should be more aware, right?
Should he clarify his attitude with Zhou Zhou?
Before he could delve into this thought, he heard Xu Zhou’s voice from behind, “Let’s go; I’ve reserved a table.”
He quickly composed himself and set out with Xu Zhou to the restaurant.
Xu Zhou had booked a Western restaurant, renting the entire place and decorating it with a festive atmosphere. There was even a guzheng performance, creating a romantic ambiance.
Gu Jingchen liked beef, whether it was jerky or steak, he enjoyed it thoroughly.
Xu Zhou smiled as he watched him eat, in a very good mood.
After the meal, fireworks were being set off outside. The two smiled at each other, wishing each other a happy holiday, and exchanged gifts.
After watching the fireworks, Xu Zhou said, “Let’s go to your villa.”
Originally, he planned to finish the western dinner, catch a midnight movie, and each go home.
However, after hearing Meng Xinqi’s words at school, he changed his mind.
He felt he should educate Gu Jingchen on some knowledge about men being together.
Back at home, he held Gu Jingchen’s hand and said, “Watch a movie with me.”
Gu Jingchen, of course, had no objections. He led him to the media room, turned on the heater in case he felt cold, and even brought a small blanket.
Seeing him bustling around, Xu Zhou smiled and gestured, “Come, sit here.”
Gu Jingchen obediently sat down.
Xu Zhou chose a movie, but unexpectedly, the scenes that played were of men intimately involved in bed.
Gu Jingchen: “…”
He was dumbfounded. When he realized what was happening, he immediately turned his eyes away, “I… I’ll go get you some fruits…”
Xu Zhou, how could he let him go? He grabbed his wrist, “No leaving, watch it with me.”
Gu Jingchen felt awkward but obediently sat there.
Xu Zhou glanced at him casually, “Don’t close your eyes; you need to watch carefully.”
Gu Jingchen dared not disobey and stared motionlessly at the screen.
In the movie, the two men share a passionate kiss, and soon after, their intimacy escalates.
Gu Jingchen: “…”
He experienced a tremendous shock, his mind went blank.
Coincidentally, at this moment, Xu Zhou reached out and grasped what was beneath him.
Gu Jingchen: “…”
He struggled to swallow, lifted Xu Zhou’s hand, took a deep breath, and said, “Zhou Zhou, I… I find it a bit hard to accept this scene…”
