MMH Chapter 55

After Xu Zhou left, Gu Jingchen was in a daze for a long time. Not only did Xu Zhou leave silently, but he also changed his phone number.

He asked his friends for Xu Zhou’s new contact information, but they said that Xu Zhou had not contacted them either.

In reality, Xu Zhou and Zhou Nianyuan kept in touch. Unfortunately, Zhou Nianyuan was a very loyal person, and no matter how Gu Jingchen pressed him, he didn’t reveal Xu Zhou’s new number.

Unable to resist any longer, Gu Jingchen went to find Xu’s mother.

Xu’s mother looked at him gently and said, “Jingchen, you know Zhou’s temper. He said he didn’t want to talk to you for a while, so I can’t give you his new number.”

Gu Jingchen was shocked, “Zhou Zhou doesn’t want to talk to me?”

Xu’s mother felt a bit reluctant, after all, Gu Jingchen had grown up under her care, and she liked his kindness and honesty.

But thinking of her child leaving with a desolate look, she hardened her heart and said, “Actually, both our families know that Zhou Zhou likes you. We don’t oppose it, and we even agreed that if you two were together, we would bless you. But since you don’t like Zhou Zhou, and Zhou Zhou doesn’t want to bother you or cause you trouble, he can only leave… Relationships can’t be forced by anyone, so I don’t blame you. But please understand Zhou Zhou’s decision… I hope you can give Zhou Zhou some time and let him figure things out himself.” She paused and continued, “Zhou Zhou said he promised you to be your lifelong good friend. When he comes back, you can still play together like you did when you were kids.”

Gu Jingchen’s eyes were red, and he couldn’t bring himself to look at Xu’s mother. He had hurt Zhou Zhou’s heart, and Zhou Zhou had left early to go abroad for emotional healing. If he chased after him, Xu Zhou would be even sadder because he still couldn’t accept spending his life with a man.

However, Xu Zhou ignored him, and he was extremely heartbroken.

He felt like a large part of his life was suddenly empty, and he couldn’t muster the energy to do anything…

Mrs. Xu gently patted his shoulder, “Don’t be sad, Zhou Zhou will come back one day.”

Gu Jingchen covered his face, choked up, and responded with a sound.

When saying goodbye to Mrs. Xu, he looked dejected and numb.

Mrs. Xu sighed again as she watched his back.

It’s a pity, these two children were destined to be apart.

Otherwise, with the similar backgrounds of the Gu and Xu families and the fact that the two children grew up together, they were truly a perfect match.

In this way, it seemed like Xu Zhou had completely disappeared.

Gu Jingchen, however, did not recover. In the first semester of his senior year, he handed in a blank exam in the final exams.

Now, not only were the teachers in the school anxious, but also the elders of the Gu family.

Grandpa Gu had a serious conversation with Gu Jingchen, saying, “I didn’t expect you to be so irresponsible to yourself.”

Gu Jingchen felt guilty and bowed his head.

Grandpa Gu continued, “I don’t want to say much about your relationship with that child from the Xu family. But since you rejected him, don’t show this sad attitude. He is the one who should be sad!”

Gu Jingchen opened his mouth but found himself unable to refute.

Yes, Xu Zhou should be the sad one. Why was he acting like this?

Grandpa Gu said, “There are still twenty days before school starts. Go to the military and stay there.”

The intensity of daily training in the military is high enough to forget worries.

Gu Jingchen did not refuse and packed his bags that day to leave.

Although he had been practicing martial arts with Grandpa Gu since he was a child, he realized how far behind he was after joining the military. On the first day, he almost couldn’t get up.

Feeling somewhat unwilling to admit defeat, he devoted himself to training, even spending New Year’s Eve at the military base.

During the Spring Festival, he specifically asked his friends to pay attention to whether Xu Zhou had returned, but unfortunately, Xu Zhou did not appear in Haicheng. According to his friends, Xu’s mother had gone abroad in the second year, probably to visit Xu Zhou.

Gu Jingchen couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

Because of the discomfort in his heart, he trained even more vigorously, temporarily forgetting the sad things.

After returning to school, he was now in the second semester of his senior year, facing the college entrance examination.

His friends were worried that he would also submit a blank exam on the day of the college entrance exam.

In the end, it was Zhou Nianyuan who found him and asked directly, “Are you still planning to study abroad?”

Gu Jingchen shook his head.

He had planned to study abroad because of the agreement with Xu Zhou, but now that he and Xu Zhou had fallen out, if he went abroad, Xu Zhou would definitely not want to see him. It would be pointless.

Zhou Nianyuan said, “Then, let’s take the entrance exam for Haicheng University together.”

Gu Jingchen: “…”

Zhou Nianyuan placed the prepared materials on his desk and said, “These are my notes. Memorize them within this month, and next month, I’ll give you new materials.”

Gu Jingchen: “…”

He looked at the notes that were a full ten centimeters high and couldn’t find the words to speak.

Zhou Nianyuan glared at him, “Don’t let Xu Zhou look down on you.”

Gu Jingchen originally wanted to refuse, but hearing this, he silently took back the notes.

At this time, there were still scars on the back of his hand from the military, not fully healed, and fresh flesh could still be seen.

After twenty days of training, he had indeed grown. At least he wouldn’t feel like the sky was falling, and he wouldn’t be disheartened and exhausted, feeling tired of living.

He thought Zhou Nianyuan was right; he couldn’t let Xu Zhou down, nor could he disappoint him.

From childhood to adulthood, Xu Zhou had supervised his studies. This showed that Xu Zhou cared about his academic performance. How could he disappoint Xu Zhou?

So, he heeded Zhou Nianyuan’s advice and started studying seriously.

After the college entrance exam, he successfully entered Haicheng University.

During the summer vacation, he went back to the military.

As for Xu Zhou, he still hadn’t returned to the country. It was said that Xu’s mother went to California for two months, presumably to accompany Xu Zhou during exams.

Gu Jingchen already knew he wouldn’t see Xu Zhou, so he wasn’t particularly disappointed.

He stayed in the military for almost three months until the start of his freshman year when he finally left.

The childhood friends could hardly recognize him when they saw him.

He had tanned a bit, mostly due to military training, grown taller, and looked more energetic. At first glance, he really looked like a soldier.

One of his childhood friends joked, “Brother Jing, you look like you’ve taken a trip to Africa.”

Gu Jingchen touched his face, “Don’t worry, I’ll be fair again soon.”

He wasn’t a fan of sunscreen and would usually get a bit darker during the summer but would lighten up as autumn approached.

If needed, he could always opt for skin whitening. He remembered that Xu Zhou liked him with a fair and clear complexion, so he had to take good care of himself.

He and Zhou Nianyuan applied for the same major and were in the same class, becoming thoroughly familiar with each other.

Zhou Nianyuan had taken over the Zhou family by now. However, as he was born to a mistress, despite being brought back to the main family, many within the Zhou clan were discontent, and his position wasn’t very stable.

Seeing Zhou Nianyuan busy with the company every day, Gu Jingchen felt he should also take on some responsibility. So, he often followed Zhou Nianyuan to learn.

Zhou Nianyuan didn’t keep things to himself and taught him some tricks of the trade in the business world.

Under their joint efforts, the Gu and Zhou families collaborated on several projects, all of which turned out to be profitable.

Coincidentally, during this time, Zhou Nianyuan’s elder aunt found He Jing to assist Zhou Nianyuan, and that’s how Gu Jingchen got to know He Jing.

The first semester of their freshman year passed quietly like this, and Gu Jingchen’s birthday was approaching.

He turned nineteen this year.

Two years ago, on this very day, Xu Zhou had confessed to him.

Calculating carefully, Xu Zhou left around Christmas last year, nearly a year ago.

He suddenly wanted to see Xu Zhou.

On his birthday, he approached Zhou Nianyuan and said, “Did you prepare a gift for me?”

Zhou Nianyuan glanced at him, “Are you indirectly asking me for a gift?”

Gu Jingchen chuckled, “Yes.”

Zhou Nianyuan: “…”

At that moment, Zhou Nianyuan was in the office, looking down at a document. Gu Jingchen sat on the sofa opposite him and said, “Give me Xu Zhou’s address; I want to go see him.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Nianyuan raised his gaze from the document and stared at him in silence.

Uncomfortably scratching his head, Gu Jingchen said, “I just want to check on him.”

Zhou Nianyuan remained silent, staring straight at him.

Covering half of his face, Gu Jingchen said, “Don’t look at me like that… I feel like you’re staring at an idiot.”

Zhou Nianyuan put down the document and said, “Have you thought it through?”

Gu Jingchen was taken aback.

Zhou Nianyuan continued, “The reason he hasn’t shown up yet is that he hasn’t healed from the emotional wounds. If you go there without responding to his feelings, do you think he’ll be happy? I feel like you’ll only hurt him again… You need to get yourself together.”

Gu Jingchen: “…”

He couldn’t argue with Zhou Nianyuan, so he lowered his head in frustration.

After that, he never brought up the idea of visiting Xu Zhou again.

On his birthday, he didn’t meet anyone. He went to his villa and sat alone in the audio-visual room, lost in thought.

Since kindergarten, every year on his birthday, Zhou Zhou would give him a gift.

But this year, he was destined not to receive one.

Somehow, he absentmindedly opened the adult film that Xu Zhou had set up back then.

Strange sounds soon emanated from the audio-visual room. He watched expressionlessly for a while, still without any reaction.

However, images of the day Zhou Zhou undressed suddenly flashed in his mind.

Snow-white skin, slender waist, and those straight legs…

Suddenly, blood started flowing from his nose.

This… something isn’t right!

The room had a humidifier, so it couldn’t be because of dry air…

Gu Jingchen was stunned.

*

Since that birthday, Gu Jingchen’s temperament has become much more stable.

His family thought he had grown up, and even Zhou Nianyuan acknowledged his attitude towards work.

However, Gu Jingchen knew why he had matured overnight.

During the winter break of his freshman year, he found Zhou Nianyuan and said firmly, “I’ve figured it out this time; I want to go find Zhou Zhou.”

Zhou Nianyuan scrutinized him for a moment and said, “Have you really figured out your feelings?”

Gu Jingchen nodded emphatically.

Zhou Nianyuan said, “Fine, I’ll give you the address.”

He wrote down the address and handed a gift box to Gu Jingchen.

Gu Jingchen happily took the note with the address but didn’t accept the gift. He looked at Zhou Nianyuan with suspicion.

Zhou Nianyuan lightly tapped the desktop with his fingers and said, “It’s the birthday gift from Xu Zhou to you.”

Gu Jingchen widened his eyes.

Zhou Nianyuan continued, “He sent it to me, asking me to pass the gift to you. However, considering your current situation, I thought it would be better not to contact each other, so I kept the gift. He didn’t object, probably thinking it’s better to give you time to come to terms with things.”

Gu Jingchen was too excited to find words.

So, Xu Zhou still remembered his birthday!

He gratefully accepted the gift, expressed his thanks, and quickly left.

Back in his car, he couldn’t wait to open the gift.

Inside was an anime figurine.

He loved collecting figurines, and Xu Zhou always did this – presenting him with the best things.

Gu Jingchen’s nose tingled for a moment. After a while, he rubbed his face vigorously, started the car, and drove straight to the airport.

*

After more than ten hours, the plane landed in California.

Xu Zhou lived in a famous wealthy neighborhood in California. Fortunately, the Gu family also had property there, so Gu Jingchen drove directly to Xu Zhou’s place after getting off the plane.

He didn’t go home first but parked his car outside Xu Zhou’s house.

It was only a little after three in the afternoon, and Xu Zhou was in class. There were only housekeepers at home.

Eager to see Xu Zhou, Gu Jingchen asked one of the housekeepers for Xu Zhou’s class schedule.

Several housekeepers had come from the old Xu family estate specifically to take care of Xu Zhou. Having worked for the Xu family for decades, they naturally knew Gu Jingchen.

They suggested that Gu Jingchen wait at home because Xu Zhou had a practical class today and might not be at school.

Gu Jingchen had no choice but to sit obediently in the living room and wait.

Finally, when it got dark, Xu Zhou still hadn’t returned.

It wasn’t until 7 p.m. that the sound of a car was heard in the courtyard.

He stood up in an instant.

Soon, Xu Zhou walked in with large strides.

Xu Zhou had grown taller, still fair, and still as handsome.

Gu Jingchen was so excited that his lips were trembling.

Xu Zhou slowly changed his shoes at the entrance and walked towards the living room.

He had no idea that Gu Jingchen had come looking for him. Today, he went to a famous financial company with his teacher and discussed some financial issues with the company’s CFO.

Honestly, he was tired and hungry, but he declined the dinner invitation from his teacher and the CFO. He couldn’t get used to the food here and just wanted to go home early to eat the dishes made by the housekeepers.

Upon entering the living room, he saw a tall figure that shouldn’t have been there.

At that moment, his eyes widened slightly, and then he completely froze in place.

Gu Jingchen walked over quickly, calling out with a trembling voice, “Zhou Zhou…”

He really wanted to hug Zhou Zhou, but he didn’t dare. He could only use his gaze to outline Zhou Zhou’s features.

Xu Zhou tightly bit his lower lip, and after a long time, he whispered, “How did you find this place?”

The voice couldn’t convey whether it was joy or disgust.

Gu Jingchen was very nervous, swallowing saliva as he explained, “I… I got the address from A’Yuan…”

Xu Zhou clenched his fist and asked, “Why did you come to find me?”

Gu Jingchen hesitated for a moment, feeling that he should make his intentions clear. He said, “Zhou Zhou, can I… talk to you?”

Xu Zhou looked at him without saying a word.

At that moment, the butler walked over from the dining room and said, “Young Master, you’re back. Dinner is ready; please have your meal first.”

Xu Zhou nodded in agreement.

Although he was very hungry, and even though he didn’t have the mood to eat when he saw Gu Jingchen, he didn’t want to mistreat himself.

But Gu Jingchen, with a pitiful look, stared at him, “Zhou Zhou, I… I came straight from the airport at noon and haven’t eaten anything…”

He touched his stomach in a forlorn manner.

Xu Zhou found himself unable to refuse him. He lowered his eyelids and said, “Well, join me.”

Gu Jingchen immediately revealed a big smile.

Xu Zhou glanced behind him, then turned and walked towards the dining room.

Gu Jingchen quickly followed.

Behind him, it seemed like an invisible tail was vigorously wagging.

Xu Zhou walked ahead, paying no attention to him, silently wondering what he had come here for.

And he… doesn’t know what mood to face Gu Jingchen.

 

The author has something to say:

Darlings, there won’t be an update tomorrow, but there will definitely be one the day after tomorrow, about 4000-5000 words~

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

Thanks to the little angels irrigating with [nutrient solution]:

Struggling Gemini, 20 bottles; Art style, a mouthful of small sweet cakes, 10 bottles; My love, he is Du Jingsheng, 6 bottles;

Thank you very much for everyone’s support, I will continue to work hard!

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