Online Dating Fiasco with the Campus Heartthrob (DATING)
The next morning, before Ji Su's consciousness had fully awakened, an indescribable dull pain reached his nerve endings that caused him to let out a low groan.
What happened? Did someone beat him up?
Ji Su struggled to open his eyes and it took a while before he realized that he wasn't sleeping in the dorm.
He quickly sat up while looking around, and then relaxed.
He had been here before—it was Gu Zhao's home.
Ji Su threw off the thin blanket to get out of bed, and walked barefoot on the floor.
Opening the bedroom door, the familiar aroma of food wafted from the kitchen, where a tall figure stood by the counter.
Ji Su called out, "Gu Zhao."
Gu Zhao turned around before his eyes darken.
Ji Su was wearing his black T-shirt with the loose neckline revealing a large expanse of fair skin, the hem reaching the top of his thighs and exposing two long, straight legs that made it seem like he wasn't wearing anything underneath.
Gu Zhao's gaze continued downward before landing on two jade-like feet.
Gu Zhao frowned, "Why are you walking around barefoot?"
Ji Su looked down, "Ah, I forgot just now..."
As he looked down, he also noticed he wasn't wearing his own clothes.
Ji Su looked up, "Did you help me change my clothes last night?"
"Yes," Gu Zhao replied calmly, "You took off your own clothes, so I had to find you something new to wear."
"I..." Ji Su's ears inexplicably warmed, and he changed the subject, "I want to take a shower first..."
Gu Zhao looked away, "Come eat something after you're done."
Ji Su returned to the bedroom to take a shower, and put on the clothes he had left there last time before he finally felt refreshed, though his head still ached from the hangover.
He stuffed the clothes he had changed out of into the washing machine before looking for the dirty clothes he had worn yesterday, but couldn't find them in the bathroom.
Ji Su walked out of the bathroom and saw his clothes had already been washed, and already hanging on the balcony alongside Gu Zhao's.
It seemed he had really smelled bad after drinking last night—Gu Zhao couldn't stand it.
Ji Su returned to the living room with his tone slightly apologetic: "Gu Zhao, I've cleaned up."
"Mm, take your medicine." Gu Zhao poured a glass of warm water and handed him a pill, "This will help with your headache."
Ji Su sat down obediently and swallowed the pill, then looked up: "Last night... I didn't cause you too much trouble, did I?"
He had never been drunk before, so he had no idea what he was like when intoxicated.
Fresh out of the shower, his hair was still damp and water droplets were rolling down from the tips of his hair that left a moist trail on his cheek.
Gu Zhao reached out and used his thumb to wipe away the water trail: "You really don't remember anything?"
Ji Su furrowed his brow as he tried to recall the events of the night: "I only remember leaving the bar together, coming back to your place, and lying on the couch, and then..."
Gu Zhao looked down at him: "And then?"
Ji Su shook his head: "And then I don't remember."
Gu Zhao chuckled softly: "What happened after that was the real highlight."
At this, Ji Su immediately tensed up: "I... I didn't make a scene, did I? I didn't do anything to you, did I?"
Gu Zhao turned and walked to the other end of the dining table: "You did a lot."
Ji Su: "Like..."
Gu Zhao pulled out a chair and sat down: "You said you were hot and not only did you took off your own clothes but also tried to take off mine."
Ji Su: "!"
"That can't be..." he denied in a small voice and did not dare to look across the table, "I wouldn't do something like taking advantage of someone..."
"What?" Gu Zhao said with a half-smile, "You think I'm lying to you?"
"No," Ji Su pursed his lips and with his ears red, he solemnly apologized, "I'm sorry, I swear I'll never get drunk in front of you again."
Gu Zhao's voice turned slightly cold: "Then in front of whom do you want to get drunk?"
Ji Su explained: "I mean I won't get drunk at all in the future, so I won't trouble anyone."
Gu Zhao hummed ambiguously: "Indeed, you shouldn't drink when I'm not around."
Ji Su didn't grasp the deeper meaning in his words and apologized again: "I'm really sorry for sleeping in your bed without showering last night. I'll help you wash the sheets later."
"No need," Gu Zhao said indifferently, "I'll wash them myself."
Ji Su wanted to say more but was interrupted again.
"Also, you don't need to say sorry to me in the future," Gu Zhao looked into his eyes, "No matter what happens, you don't need to apologize to me."
The deep, serious look in those dark eyes made Ji Su's heart skip a beat.
He asked in a daze: "Why?"
"Because there's nothing you need to apologize to me for." Gu Zhao said leisurely, "Even if there is, it's fine."
He would personally take action to get it back twofold elsewhere.
Ji Su snapped out of it and sincerely thanked him: "Thank you, Gu Zhao, thank you for being willing to forgive me."
In his view, these words meant that Gu Zhao had truly forgiven his deceit and that they could now interact like normal friends.
After finishing a delicious brunch, Ji Su prepared to take a taxi back to school.
Gu Zhao asked casually: "It's Saturday today, why are you in such a hurry to go back to school?"
Ji Su thought for a moment and replied, "Actually, there's nothing important. I just haven't finished my homework yet."
Gu Zhao gestured, "I have a computer here."
"I can't use your computer," Ji Su patiently explained. "We need specialized software for drawing, and it's quite troublesome to install."
Gu Zhao said, "Then take a day off."
Ji Su was puzzled, "I can rest in my dorm too."
Gu Zhao raised his eyes, "What? Use me and then discard me?"
He deliberately emphasized the word "use", implying something more.
Ji Su felt inexplicably guilty, "I didn't..."
Gu Zhao retorted, "Didn't you?"
"Then what do you want to do today?" Ji Su gritted his teeth. "Whatever you want to do, I'll accompany you, okay?"
"Oh, really?" Gu Zhao seemed a bit interested. "Anything?"
Ji Su cautiously said, "Tell me what it is first."
Gu Zhao was silent for a few seconds, then asked, "What do you want to do today?"
"Me?" Ji Su was slightly taken aback and thought seriously for a moment. "I don't seem to have anything special in mind."
Gu Zhao put down his long legs, which he had been resting on the table, "I remember you said you like to go shopping on weekends."
Ji Su: "..."
Gu Zhao really remembered every word Qiao Jin had said.
Gu Zhao sneered, "Was that also a lie?"
"No," Ji Su quickly denied. "Qiao Jin likes to go shopping, and sometimes I go with him."
Gu Zhao asked again, "You don't like it yourself?"
"It's not that I don't like it..." Ji Su's mind raced, and he came up with a good idea. "How about we go watch a movie today? My treat."
After the movie, he could also treat Gu Zhao to a meal and made up for the trouble he caused last night.
Gu Zhao agreed, "Alright."
In the afternoon, the two arrived at the downtown cinema.
"Gu Zhao, which movie do you want to watch?" Ji Su's fingers slid across the electronic screen. "The ones currently showing are—"
"This one." Gu Zhao raised his hand and pointed randomly at one.
Ji Su took a closer look at the movie poster and reluctantly agreed, "Alright, let's watch this one."
On a Saturday afternoon, the cinema wasn't crowded, with only a few couples and a family scattered around the screening room.
Ji Su was used to watching movies with Qiao Jin and didn't find it strange for two guys to watch a movie together, so he sat down naturally.
The lights dimmed, and the movie began.
It was a thriller.
Although there weren't any particularly bloody or terrifying scenes, there were plenty of sudden sound effects and jump scares that caused occasional screams in the cinema.
To maintain his image, Ji Su tried hard to stay calm.
Suddenly, a hand reached out from the big screen that startled him so much that his heart skipped a beat. Instinctively, he reached out to grab the armrest beside him, but his fingertips touched something warm.
Ji Su wanted to pull his hand back as if electrocuted, but the larger hand grasped his instead.
Gu Zhao leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Hold onto me, and you won't be scared."
Ji Su's ears tingled, and a strange electric current ran down his spine, causing his body to tremble uncontrollably.
Gu Zhao sat up straight before enveloping the soft hand entirely in his broad palm.
In the darkness, the slight curve of his lips was almost imperceptible.
Ji Su missed the best opportunity to pull his hand away and didn't want to force it, so he let Gu Zhao hold it.
However, he soon immersed himself back into the thrilling plot.
By the time the movie ended, Ji Su relaxed his body with lingering satisfaction while leaning back in his seat.
Gu Zhao held his hand as his thumb gently caressing the warm, soft, and smooth back of Ji Su's hand: "Did you enjoy it?"
Their hands had been clasped for so long that they were already soaked with sweat and sticking together in a sticky, inseparable mess.
"It was good." Ji Su turned his face with his eyes bright, "Though a bit scary, it was really good."
The lights in the cinema came on, and the cleaning lady walked in.
Ji Su was about to get up when he realized his hand was still holding Gu Zhao's: "Um..."
This time, Gu Zhao loosened his fingers to allow Ji Su to pull his hand away.
After the movie, they chose an authentic Italian restaurant for dinner.
Ji Su was well taken care of throughout the meal, even his steak was pre-cut into small pieces and served to him.
Seeing him put down his utensils, Gu Zhao asked, "Are you full?"
"Yes," Ji Su nodded and called the waiter to settle the bill.
As they stepped out of the restaurant, the city lights were just coming on, and the streets were bustling with activity.
"Shall we take a taxi back to school?" Ji Su slightly tilted his face up, "Or are you going to stay at home for another night?"
Gu Zhao answered evasively, "Accompany me to a place."
Ji Su: "Where to?"
Gu Zhao: "The swimming pool."
Ji Su hesitated: "But I can't swim."
"I accompanied you to the movie, so you accompany me to the swimming pool," Gu Zhao reached out and pinched his cheek, "Fair enough?"
"Fair," Ji Su didn't dodge the big hand as his cheek flesh puffed up, making his speech a bit muffled, "Shall we go now?"
Gu Zhao restrainedly let go of his hand: "Mm."
Inside the swimming pool, Ji Su sat on a chair by the pool and waited for someone to change.
His phone, which was tucked in his pocket, suddenly vibrated.
He took out his phone, unlocked the screen, and opened WeChat.
Qiao Jin: [Su Su baby, it's already 8 PM, when are you coming back?]
Ji Su: [I’ll be a while longer.]
Ji Su: [I’m accompanying Gu Zhao to swim.]
Qiao Jin: [Swimming?]
Qiao Jin: [But you can’t swim, can you?]
Ji Su: [It’s fine, I’m not going in the water.]
Ji Su: [I’ll just sit by the pool and watch him swim.]
Qiao Jin: [Then remember to take some videos or photos of Gu, the campus heartthrob, swimming.]
Qiao Jin: [I’ll sell them at a high price later, haha!]
Ji Su: […]
Qiao Jin: [But seriously, last night at the bar, Gu Zhao protected you like you were his own child.]
Qiao Jin: [I’m starting to wonder if Gu, the campus heartthrob, might have some feelings for you…]
Ji Su: [What?]
Qiao Jin: [That he might be interested in you…]
Ji Su: "?"
Ji Su: [Gu Zhao is straight, straighter than I am.]
Ji Su: [And remember, he’s homophobic? Don’t joke about this anymore, Xiao Qiao.]
Qiao Jin: [Got it, got it…]
Qiao Jin: [Then come back soon, I miss you!]
Ji Su: [Okay, I’ll hurry.]
Just as he finished typing this message, he heard a familiar intake of breath beside him.
Ji Su turned his head, took one glance, and quickly looked away.
Gu Zhao walked out while wearing loose black swim trunks, his broad shoulders and narrow waist, tall and long-legged, with muscles so perfectly defined he looked like a sculpture displayed in an art museum.
This was the VIP pool in the swimming center, and there weren’t many people around.
But almost everyone’s gaze was drawn to him.
Gu Zhao, as usual, ignored all the stares and walked straight toward Ji Su. He leaned down and asked, "Are you sure you don’t want to get in the water?"
Ji Su kept his eyes forward: "I’m sure I won’t."
Gu Zhao chuckled briefly: "Last time at the villa, you didn’t want me to see your legs. What’s the reason this time?"
Ji Su’s cheeks flushed, and he muttered softly, "So you were deliberately testing me back then…"
Gu Zhao neither confirmed nor denied it. He just simply did a couple of warm-up exercises and then dove into the water.
White waves churned as his long, athletic body swam swiftly back and forth.
After a moment, Gu Zhao swam to the edge of the pool, pushed his wet hair back that revealed his handsome, chiseled features. His eyes were dark and deep, and so attractive that it made one’s heart race.
He looked at Ji Su, who was sitting far away, and called softly, "Come here."
Ji Su walked over and crouched down: "What’s up?"
Gu Zhao rested his wet arm on the edge of the pool: "Really not getting in?"
Ji Su hesitated: "I really can’t swim at all."
"It’s fine," Gu Zhao said while staring at his face. "I can teach you."
Ji Su frowned, seemingly torn.
Gu Zhao tapped his knee with a finger: "With me here, nothing will happen to you."
His tone was as calm as ever and without much emotion, but for some reason, Ji Su believed him.
With Gu Zhao around, he definitely wouldn’t get hurt.
"Okay," Ji Su finally made up his mind. "I’ll go change."
Gu Zhao submerged himself in the water again, swam a couple of laps, and then resurfaced.
Ji Su had just finished changing into his swimsuit and returned before softly calling out, "Gu Zhao."
Gu Zhao turned around in the water as his gaze settled on Ji Su, causing his eyes to darken a few shades deeper.
For his first time swimming, Ji Su had chosen a rather conservative swimsuit. However, the black swimsuit clung to his body that perfectly outlined his enviable waist and hip curves.
The length of the swim trunks just concealed the red mole on the side of his thigh and revealed two long, straight legs that were flawless.
Gu Zhao subtly clenched his back teeth while feeling a pang of regret for bringing him to a public swimming pool.
Ji Su walked to the edge of the pool and asked humbly, "Should I just get in the water now?"
Gu Zhao swam back to the poolside and instructed, "First, sit down and let your legs get used to the water temperature."
"Okay," Ji Su responded before sitting on the edge and tentatively dipping his calves into the pool.
His fair calves entered the water and emitted a warm, jade-like glow.
Gu Zhao narrowed his dark eyes slightly and his voice lowered a bit, "How's the water temperature?"
Ji Su replied, "I think it's fine."
"Hi there!" Just then, a sweet female voice suddenly came from behind.
Ji Su turned around and saw a girl in a swimsuit before politely responding, "Hello."
The girl walked over, "Are you regulars here too?"
Ji Su pointed to the person in the water, "He's a regular, I'm here for the first time."
The girl's gaze towards Gu Zhao was somewhat shy, but she mustered the courage to ask, "Handsome, can I add you on WeChat?"
Gu Zhao wiped the water off his face and remained silent.
"I don't mean anything else, I just saw you swimming earlier and thought your technique was really good," the girl took two steps closer to the poolside. "I was thinking we could arrange to come swimming together sometime, and maybe you could give me some pointers."
Gu Zhao shifted his gaze to Ji Su on the shore, "Ji Su, what do you think?"
"Huh?" Ji Su blinked, "What?"
Gu Zhao looked up at him, "Do you think I should give her my WeChat?"
Although the person in the water was looking up, the natural authority in his expression was undiminished.
Ji Su was baffled, "Why are you asking me?"
The girl who wanted to add WeChat was Gu Zhao, what did it have to do with him?
But the girl seemed to understand something and immediately turned her attention to Ji Su, "Handsome, is it convenient to add you on WeChat?"
Ji Su: "..."
'What's going on? Is Gu Zhao trying to deflect the situation onto me to avoid giving out his WeChat?'
After a few seconds of eye contact, Ji Su sighed in resignation, "I'll go get my phone."
But Gu Zhao's expression turned cold and he firmly grasped Ji Su's ankle in the water.
Ji Su was startled, "What's wrong?"
"We didn't bring our phones," Gu Zhao shifted his gaze to the girl on the shore and his voice icy, "Feel free to leave."
His gaze was so cold, like countless icy daggers that were shooting over, the girl couldn't help but take a few steps back, "Sorry to bother you..."
Ji Su secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but the next second, the large hand gripping his slender ankle suddenly yanked him into the pool.
With a "plop," water splashed everywhere.
Ji Su sank into the pool as the cool water eagerly enveloped him.
But before he could feel even a hint of fear, a pair of large hands gripped his waist, and strong, sturdy arms lifted him steadily out of the water.
With a "splash," Ji Su surfaced before gasping for fresh air.
Jet-black bangs dripped with water, and his damp face resembled a lotus emerging from the water, exuding an ethereal and stunning beauty that was beyond compare.
Gu Zhao stared at his moist, full red lips. "How do you feel?"
Ji Su snapped out of his daze and punched him with a clenched fist. "Gu Zhao!"
He wanted to learn how to swim, not how to dive!
Gu Zhao chuckled deeply and reminded him, "I'm going to let go now."
"Don't!" Ji Su panicked and instinctively reached out to cling to his broad shoulders, along his long legs tightly wrapped around Gu Zhao's sturdy waist.
There was no barrier between his smooth, delicate legs and the scorching body, and he could even feel the subtle tremors of the muscles beneath his thighs.
Gu Zhao let out a muffled groan as the muscles in his abdomen instantly tensed up harder than the toughest diamond.
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