Online Dating Fiasco with the Campus Heartthrob (DATING)
Gu Zhao admitted it so straightforwardly that Aunt Qin was momentarily at a loss for words.
Ji Chen, who had been silently crouching nearby, sensed something was wrong and quickly ran over to stand nervously behind Aunt Qin.
Aunt Qin regained her composure and put on the airs of an elder before speaking earnestly, "Young man, business is not a game. You can't destroy a company out of momentary anger. Do you know how much effort went into building it?"
Gu Zhao asked expressionlessly, "If you cherish your efforts so much, why didn't you standardize production and leave such a big loophole?"
Aunt Qin couldn't think of a reasonable excuse to counter and shifted the topic. "The conflict between Ji Su and his father is a matter between them. As outsiders, we shouldn't interfere. What if he regrets it later—"
"Not an outsider." Ji Su, who had been silent, finally spoke. "Gu Zhao is not an outsider."
He stepped out of Gu Zhao's embrace and took the warm, broad hand and intertwined their fingers.
Gu Zhao was only stunned for a second before he firmly grasped his hand back.
Mrs. Qin looked astonished: "You, you two..."
Ji Chen also took a step back in disbelief: "Brother, you’re really with him?"
"Gu Zhao is right. If there hadn’t been internal issues within the company, others wouldn’t have been able to successfully report it." Ji Su analyzed calmly. "So, it’s not me, nor the Gu family, who pushed the company to the brink."
Ji Chen looked at him with an utterly unfamiliar gaze: "Brother, how could you become like this?"
Ji Su smiled faintly: "But I really like who I’ve become."
In the past, he had always been careful to please others, trying to make everyone happy and satisfied but forgetting about himself in the process.
It was Gu Zhao who helped him find himself again, and it was Gu Zhao’s love that taught him to love himself.
The delicate mask on Mrs. Qin’s face began to crack as her voice turned shrill: "Are you really determined to drive your father to his death? Aren’t you afraid of retribution for being so unfilial?"
"Retribution?" Gu Zhao sneered. "It’s hard to say if we’ll face retribution, but yours has already arrived."
"You—" Mrs. Qin was so furious she could barely catch her breath and almost fainted on the spot.
"Mom!" Ji Chen quickly stepped forward to support her. "Mom, are you okay?"
"Let’s go..." Mrs. Qin clutched her chest. "Xiao Chen, let’s go!"
Ji Chen helped her out but was unable to resist looking back as they left.
Ji Su and Gu Zhao stood side by side with their tightly clasped hands. It was both glaring and harmonious.
Qiao Jin spat while watching them leave before giving Gu Zhao a thumbs-up: "Senior Gu, I’m truly in awe of you this time. Thanks for finally giving Su Su some justice!"
But Gu Zhao didn’t let it go to his head.
He lowered his gaze to the person beside him, observing his expression.
Ji Su withdrew his hand and walked silently toward the dormitory entrance.
Gu Zhao immediately followed with his long strides after leaving only one sentence behind: "Qiao Jin, come up later."
Qiao Jin was confused. Although he didn’t understand what was happening, he decided to follow Senior Gu’s instructions and went to the gym to watch Zhou Yang play basketball.
Ji Su reached the dormitory door, took out his key, unlocked it, and pushed the door open.
Gu Zhao followed him in before pulling him into his arms: "Are you angry?"
Ji Su struggled slightly: "Talk properly and don't get handsy."
Not only did Gu Zhao not let go, he held him even tighter as he apologized in a low voice: "I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have acted on my own."
Ji Su looked up: "So you know that’s what I’m upset about?"
Gu Zhao sighed: "Your heart is too soft. I was afraid you’d feel pity for them."
The Ji family wouldn’t stand a chance against the Gu family. Eldest Brother could crush the Ji family as easily as squashing an ant.
To be cautious, he had specifically blocked all contact with the Ji family in advance, but it still ended up reaching Ji Su.
Ji Su’s emotions were complex: "You wanted to help me take revenge on the Ji family?"
"Thinking about all the suffering you’ve endured in the Ji family over the years, I just couldn’t bear it." Gu Zhao cupped his face with both hands. "I should have found you sooner and brought you home."
"It's not too late..." Ji Su gazed into those deep, affectionate black eyes with his voice slightly choked. "Although I wish I could have met you earlier, no matter when we meet, it’s always the best time."
"Alright..." Gu Zhao responded before pressing his forehead against Ji Su's until their noses brushed and breaths mingled.
After a long while, Ji Su opened his eyes. "Gu Zhao, let’s leave the Ji family matter as it is."
Gu Zhao looked at him. "You want the Gu family to back off?"
"What’s already happened can be considered the Ji family’s own doing," Ji Su replied softly. "But from now on, let’s not dirty the Gu family’s hands. Whether they can rise again will depend on their own fate."
Gu Zhao remained silent, seemingly weighing something.
"I’m not being soft-hearted, nor am I clinging to old sentiments. I just think it’s unnecessary," Ji Su said while wrapping his arms around Gu Zhao’s neck. "Because I feel so happy now, everything from the past has become insignificant."
More importantly, if the Ji family were truly driven to desperation, he feared Gu Zhao might get hurt.
Gu Zhao nodded. "Understood."
"Gu Zhao, you’re so good," Ji Su said with a smile curving his lips as he stood on his tiptoes, offering a tender kiss.
The usually shy lover’s rare initiative brought a flicker of amusement to Gu Zhao’s eyes. With one hand gripping Ji Su’s slender waist, he deepened the kiss.
Soon, Ji Su was lifted up and pressed against the door as they kissed.
The sound of water, both blush-inducing and heart-pounding, echoed in the quiet dormitory, and the air grew increasingly warm.
"Bang, bang!"
Two knocks suddenly sounded on the door Ji Su was leaning against, and Zhao Ziyun's rough voice reached his ears: "Is anyone in the dorm?"
Ji Su trembled all over as he abruptly snapped back to reality, and tried to turn his face away.
Gu Zhao, who was thoroughly enjoying the kiss, stubbornly chased after the wet lips.
"No, mm..." Ji Su buried his burning face in the crook of Gu Zhao's neck, "Someone's here..."
Gu Zhao took a few deep breaths, then picked Ji Su up and walked over to the bed.
He placed Ji Su on the bed before biting the soft, warm flesh of his cheek with a hint of frustration: "I'll go open the door."
Ji Su, dizzy from the kiss, took the opportunity to roll over and pretend to sleep.
Gu Zhao walked to the door and opened it.
Zhao Ziyun's eyes widened: "Gu Zhao? What are you doing here?"
"Ji Su wasn't feeling well, so I brought him back." Gu Zhao explained briefly before leaving.
Li You quickly entered the dorm and walked over to Ji Su's bed, concerned: "Ji Su, what's wrong? Where do you feel unwell?"
Ji Su lifted his face from the pillow and replied softly, "Thank you for your concern, I'm fine."
His face was flushed, his lips slightly swollen, and his eyes seemed to hold a pool of spring water, making him look exceptionally beautiful.
Li You was momentarily stunned and completely forgetting what he had originally intended to say.
Ji Su asked, "Is there anything else?"
"Huh?" Li You snapped out of it, stammering, "N-no, nothing else."
"Alright." Ji Su lay back down but feel his phone vibrate in his pocket.
He took out his phone and opened WeChat to check the message.
Gu Zhao: [I've already talked to Eldest Brother.]
Ji Su: [Thank you, Gu Zhao.]
Gu Zhao: [Just a simple thank you?]
Ji Su: [Then how do you want me to thank you?]
Gu Zhao: [Call me 'hubby' again?]
Ji Su's ears burned as he remembered the consequences of calling Gu Zhao 'hubby' last time.
Ji Su: [No.]
Gu Zhao: [Really not going to call me?]
Ji Su: [Really not.]
Gu Zhao: [Alright, I'll save it for later.]
Ji Su shivered inexplicably as he read the words in the chat box.
………
The days passed steadily, and the weather gradually turned cooler.
One day, while checking his phone calendar, Ji Su suddenly realized that Gu Zhao's birthday was approaching.
That evening, back in the dorm, he discussed with Qiao Jin: "Xiao Qiao, Gu Zhao's birthday is in a few days. What do you think I should get him as a gift?"
Qiao Jin, who was engrossed in a phone call, covered the receiver and replied, "Think about what Senior Gu might be lacking lately."
Ji Su pondered seriously: "It seems like he doesn't lack anything."
"I think so too..." Qiao Jin suddenly had an idea, "How about this? Give yourself as a gift to him. Gu Zhao would definitely love that!"
Ji Su: "..."
He recalled the last time he followed Qiao Jin's advice and wasn't sure if this was a good idea.
Qiao Jin hung up the phone and focused on the discussion: "From what I know, Senior Gu really likes seeing you in skirts. Buy a sexy little dress then wrap yourself up as a gift, hehe..."
As he spoke, he started laughing mischievously: "I guarantee you, Senior Gu would be absolutely thrilled with this gift!"
"Stop!" Ji Su leaned back tactically, "I'm talking about a proper gift. Can you be serious for once?"
"Alright." Qiao Jin cleared his throat, "Then how about buying him clothes or sneakers? Even though he doesn't lack them, the ones you buy would definitely have a different meaning."
Ji Su nodded, "Then I'll buy him a pair of sneakers."
Qiao Jin asked persistently, "Are you really not considering my suggestion?"
Ji Su refused firmly, "Not considering."
Although he refused decisively, Ji Su actually felt a bit hesitant inside.
On one hand, he really wanted Gu Zhao to receive a very satisfying gift, especially since Gu Zhao had given him the perfect birthday gift before.
But on the other hand, he was a bit afraid that Gu Zhao might make him wear even stranger clothes...
After much deliberation, Ji Su decided to first consult the person in question.
When he returned home in the evening, he sat cross-legged on the sofa and asked, "Gu Zhao, is there anything special you want for your birthday?"
Gu Zhao, who was reviewing a case, pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses and replied, "You."
Ji Su pursed his lips, "Besides me?"
He was already Gu Zhao's, so he couldn't count as a birthday gift, right?
"You wearing a skirt for me—" Gu Zhao paused slightly as his tongue took a turn, "for me to see."
Ji Su had a feeling that wasn't the word Gu Zhao intended to say, but he had no evidence.
Gu Zhao asked gentlemanly, "Can I have this as my birthday gift?"
"Fine," Ji Su blushed and emphasized, "but it can't be any of those weird skirts."
"Oh," Gu Zhao responded leisurely, then stood up from the sofa, "Come with me."
Ji Su stood up and followed him into the bedroom.
In the bedroom, there was a whole wall of wardrobes. Gu Zhao opened one of the doors, "Here, pick one yourself."
Ji Su then noticed that it was filled with all kinds of skirts.
He licked his slightly dry lips, "Why... are there so many skirts?"
"Of course, I want to see you wear them." Gu Zhao replied honestly as his long fingers brushed over the skirts.
Ji Su: "..."
Gu Zhao's fingertip stopped on one of the skirts, "How about a Cheongsam?"
Ji Su thought for a moment, figuring a Cheongsam shouldn't be too strange, "Alright, then a Cheongsam it is."
Gu Zhao showed an ambiguous smile, "I'm looking forward to it."
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