Online Dating Fiasco with the Campus Heartthrob (DATING)
Ji Su's feet were exquisitely beautiful, with snow-white skin so thin that the blue veins were clearly visible. His toes were round and delicate, with nails that had a faint pink hue, resembling cherry blossom petals in their loveliness.
Gu Zhao held onto his slender ankle and placed the sole of his foot against his own chest.
Ji Su wanted to pull his foot back as if shocked by electricity, but it was firmly pressed down by a hand as strong as iron tongs, moving down along the firm and full abdominal muscles.
Ji Su's toes curled from the heat, and a faint blush of shame spread across the top of his foot.
The tender sole of his foot gradually warmed to the same temperature, becoming hot and soft.
The air conditioning in the bedroom hadn't been turned on yet, and the temperature continued to rise, causing both of them to break into a sweat.
Unable to break free, Ji Su resignedly closed his eyes with beads of sweat rolled down from his forehead, moistening his long, thick eyelashes, which fluttered pitifully.
Gu Zhao's breathing grew heavier, and the heat in his palm continued to rise.
After what felt like an eternity, and long enough for the sole of Ji Su's foot to go numb, he could only plead in a trembling voice, "Gu Zhao..."
Gu Zhao took a deep breath, leaned in, and firmly sealed the parting red lips.
Ji Su thrashed like a fish out of water as his brain starved of oxygen from the kiss, completely unaware that his hand had been grasped...
When he finally came to his senses, his palm was sticky and damp with sweat.
Gu Zhao released him and stood up to grab a few tissues.
Ji Su stared blankly at his hand, then suddenly jumped off the bed.
As the sole of his foot touched the ground, the area that had been rubbed raw burned with pain.
Gu Zhao strode around the bed, scooped him up horizontally, and carried him into the master bedroom's bathroom.
He placed Ji Su on the vanity counter before holding onto his ankle and lifting one long, pale leg.
Ji Su, now traumatized by his actions, pushed against his chest with his leg.
Gu Zhao took hold of the foot and chuckled hoarsely, "I won't mess with you anymore, I just want to look at your foot."
Ji Su blushed and muttered softly, "You're really, really..."
"Really what?" Gu Zhao took a step back while still holding his foot and examining it carefully.
The pale sole was red, but thankfully not broken.
Ji Su tried to pull his leg back, and this time, there was no resistance.
He got down from the vanity, turned on the faucet, and let the running water wash over his palm.
As he washed, Gu Zhao hugged him from behind.
Due to their size difference, the person behind him could almost wrap his arms around his entire body.
Gu Zhao squeezed some hand soap, slipping it between his fingers, and carefully washed his hands.
After a few moments, both hands became slippery, almost impossible to hold onto, and the soap produced a rich lather.
Ji Su's face turned even redder. "That's enough, I'm done washing."
Gu Zhao replied indifferently, "It got dirty, so it needs to be cleaned properly."
Ji Su: "..."
So who was the one who made it dirty in the first place?
Ji Su pushed him out and took a shower in the bathroom, washing away the sticky sweat.
After showering, he headed towards the guest bedroom, but Gu Zhao followed him in.
Ji Su turned around and advised, "Your bed is bigger and more comfortable to sleep on."
"Got it," Gu Zhao chuckled softly. "Go to sleep, I'll leave soon."
Ji Su lay down on the bed, still somewhat skeptical as his moist eyes fixed on the figure by the bedside.
Gu Zhao adjusted the air conditioner to a comfortable sleeping temperature, then leaned down to kiss his forehead. "Goodnight."
The unexpectedly tender forehead kiss caught Ji Su off guard. He paused for a moment before replying softly, "Goodnight."
……
The next morning, Ji Su woke up naturally.
After freshening up, he stepped out of the bathroom to find Gu Zhao already preparing breakfast and setting it on the table.
Ji Su walked over. "Let me help you."
Gu Zhao handed him a plate, then leaned down to kiss his cheek. "Good morning."
Ji Su smiled slightly. "Good morning."
It seemed he was already getting used to Gu Zhao's spontaneous kisses. Perhaps soon, he would fully adapt...
During breakfast, Gu Zhao suddenly asked, "Have you made up your mind?"
"Huh?" Ji Su looked up, confused. "About what?"
"About coming back to my hometown with me." Gu Zhao reminded him at a leisurely pace. "I told you to think about it overnight."
Ji Su finally remembered and replied without hesitation, "When did I have time to think about it last night?"
Gu Zhao took a sip of his coffee. "So, what's your answer?"
Ji Su hesitated for a moment before asking, "Does your family know you like men?"
"No," Gu Zhao set down his coffee cup. "Before you, I never liked anyone."
Ji Su pursed his lips. "Will they accept me?"
"I know what you're worried about, but you don't need to." Gu Zhao looked into his eyes. "The only elder in my family is my grandfather. He's open-minded and won't interfere with my life."
Ji Su's eyes widened slightly. "What about your parents..."
"They're gone." Gu Zhao said calmly. "I was raised by my grandfather."
Ji Su's heart ached and felt overwhelmed by a wave of pity. For a moment, he couldn't find the right words to comfort him.
He had always felt like an unloved child, but Gu Zhao had lost the possibility of being loved long ago.
He couldn't decide which was more pitiful.
"Don't look at me like that," Gu Zhao laughed softly. "It makes me want to kiss you to death."
Ji Su stood up, walked over to him, and bent down to hug his shoulders.
Gu Zhao's expression froze, and his fingers tightened around the coffee cup.
Ji Su's voice was soft but firm. "It's okay. From now on, I'll take good care of you."
Gu Zhao slowly pressed his face against Ji Su's warm chest, listening to the slightly rapid heartbeat.
After a while, he asked in a low voice, "So, will you come back with me this afternoon?"
Ji Su couldn't bring himself to refuse anymore and nodded. "Alright, I'll go back with you."
After lunch, Gu Zhao drove them back to the old house.
About two hours later, the car entered a winding mountain road.
It was summer, and the lush greenery on the mountain brought a coolness that couldn't be felt in the concrete jungle.
Ji Su gazed at the scenery outside the window and casually asked, "Did you live here all the time when you were a kid?"
Although the environment was beautiful, it seemed too quiet for a playful child.
"No," Gu Zhao rested one hand on the steering wheel. "I lived somewhere else until I was seven."
"Oh," Ji Su responded, not pressing further.
Before the age of seven, Ji Su probably lived with his parents, but those beautiful memories were far too fleeting.
The car continued forward, and after turning a corner, the view suddenly opened up.
Soon, a grand and classical Chinese-style courtyard villa came into view.
The entire mountainside was home to only this one courtyard villa, like a hidden paradise within the city.
Although Ji Su already had some understanding of Gu Zhao's family background, he was still momentarily awestruck by the sheer scale of what lay before him.
The intricately carved outer gate slowly opened, and Gu Zhao drove a bit further before finally stopping the car.
Ji Su was the first to step out of the car. He opened the trunk and retrieved the gift he had hastily purchased.
Despite the urgency of the situation, as a junior visiting for the first time, it was still important to observe proper etiquette.
Gu Zhao naturally took the items from his hands, leaving him with only a lightweight gift box. "Let's go," he said.
Ji Su walked while observing the layout of the courtyard, with winding paths leading to secluded spots, small bridges over flowing water, all elements of Chinese landscape design used to perfection.
He couldn't help but ask curiously, "Did your grandfather come from Jiangnan?"
"No, my maternal grandmother was from Jiangnan." Gu Zhao paused slightly in his steps. "My grandmother married far from home and often missed it, so my grandfather built this Chinese-style courtyard for her, replicating it exactly as it was there."
"Wow..." Ji Su couldn't help but exclaim, "Your grandfather really put a lot of thought into it. Your grandmother must have been very touched."
"The men and women of our Gu family are all deeply devoted." Gu Zhao said with a half-smile. "The effort I put into you will only be more, not less."
Ji Su's ears turned slightly warm, and he nudged Gu Zhao with his shoulder, "We're at your grandfather's house, tone it down."
"Oh?" Gu Zhao glanced sideways, "So you're calling him 'grandfather' already?"
Ji Su belatedly realized what he had said with his ears turning even redder, "I just got used to saying it."
"That's good," Gu Zhao chuckled softly, "Saves the trouble of changing it later."
Ji Su: "..."
The two walked through layers of corridors and finally arrived in front of the main hall.
A middle-aged man hurried forward, "Young master, you're back!"
"Uncle Li." Gu Zhao nodded in greeting, "Is grandfather home?"
"Yes, the old master is waiting for you in the front hall." Uncle Li reached out to take the various gift boxes, "Let me carry these, you two go on in."
Ji Su stood at the door and kept taking a deep breath.
"Don't be nervous." Gu Zhao took his hand before giving it a reassuring squeeze, "He's a bit of a looks person, he'll like you."
Ji Su: "..."
What kind of joke is this at a time like this?
But with his distraction, Ji Su did indeed relax a bit more.
Gu Zhao strode into the front hall, "Grandfather, I'm back."
Ji Su followed behind him and looked up to see an elderly man with graying hair, spirited and straight-backed despite the cane in his hand.
"You're back." the old master Gu walked towards them with his gaze falling on Ji Su's face, "And who is this young man?"
Gu Zhao called out, "Ji Su."
Ji Su's brain short-circuited, and he blurted out, "Hello, grandfather, my name is Ji Su."
"Good." The old master Gu didn't mind his address as he nodded approvingly, "Not bad, I've heard Xiao Wu mention you, you are indeed quite handsome."
Ji Su and Gu Zhao exchanged a glance, seeing a hint of teasing laughter in those dark eyes.
The old master Gu continued, "Xiao Wu, take Xiao Ji to the guest room to rest first and just come down for dinner later."
"Alright, grandfather." Gu Zhao responded before leading Ji Su towards the back.
They walked through another long corridor, up to the second floor, and finally arrived at the bedroom area.
Ji Su asked softly, "Gu Zhao, why does your grandfather call you Xiao Wu?"
"Because I have four cousins older than me." Gu Zhao pushed open the bedroom door, "You'll meet them later."
Ji Su looked into the bedroom, "Is this your room?"
"Yes," Gu Zhao pushed him into the room, "Did you really plan to sleep in the guest room?"
Ji Su turned back, "Isn't that okay?"
"It's okay, but unnecessary," Gu Zhao leaned down to kiss him, "Your boyfriend doesn't want to sleep alone tonight."
Ji Su leaned back to avoid the heated kiss, "The door isn't closed yet..."
Gu Zhao lifted one of his long legs and kicked backward, causing the door to slam shut with a loud "bang".
As they kissed, Ji Su was gradually pressed down onto the bed, feeling a warm and comforting sensation.
Although Gu Zhao didn’t often return home, the household must have regularly changed and washed his bedsheets, even taking the quilt out to sun it.
"Mmm…" Ji Su let out a soft moan as his lower lip was bitten gently but firmly.
"What are you thinking about?" Gu Zhao rubbed his nose against Ji Su’s with his voice hoarse and rough. "You’re kissing me, and yet you still have the mind to wander?"
Ji Su wanted to explain, but before he could get a word out, his lips were sealed again.
Gu Zhao deepened the kiss with his tongue almost reaching Ji Su’s throat, while his large hand, which had been gripping Ji Su’s slender waist, slid down to rest on his thigh.
Ji Su was kissed until he felt dizzy and his hands weakly resting on Gu Zhao’s broad shoulders, unsure whether he was pushing away or leaning into the embrace.
Just then, there was a light knock on the door: "Young Master, dinner is ready."
Gu Zhao released their entangled lips, pulling back slightly, and responded in a husky voice, "Got it."
Ji Su finally got a chance to breathe and took in small gasps of air with his eyes dazed from the intensity of the kiss.
Gu Zhao licked away the saliva at the corner of Ji Su’s mouth that he hadn’t had time to swallow. "Let’s go eat first."
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