Online Dating Fiasco with the Campus Heartthrob (DATING)
Ji Su originally thought the Cheongsam wouldn't be anything fancy, but with Gu Zhao's smile, he felt uncertain again, "Let me see what the Cheongsam looks like first."
"Not so fast." Gu Zhao withdrew his hand and closed the wardrobe door, hiding the variety of skirts inside, "Since it's a surprise, it should be revealed on the birthday."
Ji Su: "..."
For Gu Zhao, it's a surprise, but for him, could it be a shock?
"It's getting late." Gu Zhao put his arm around Ji Su's shoulder and turned him around, "Let's go take a bath first."
"Alright," Ji Su decided to stop worrying for now and went to take a bath with his clothes.
After finishing his bath, he heard his phone vibrating on the table. He walked over while drying his hair.
Ji Su glanced at the phone screen, put down the white towel, and clicked to answer the video call, "Hello, Mom."
"Su Su." This time, only Su Yue Lan was on the other end of the video call with her expression slightly tense, looking somewhat serious.
Ji Su sat down on the chair: "Has something happened?"
Su Yue Lan got straight to the point: "Su Su, I heard about your father's company."
Ji Su slightly furrowed her brows: "Mom, are you here to blame me too?"
"Of course not," Su Yue Lan denied, "You are my child, and no one understands your temperament better than I do. If Ji Zheng Hai hadn't done something that pushed you to the limit, you would never have done such a thing."
Ji Su's eyelashes trembled, and he pursed his lips without speaking.
Su Yue Lan softened her tone: "Su Su, tell me, what exactly has happened over the years?"
Ji Su was silent for a few seconds, then replied lightly: "Actually, it's nothing. I just felt like an outsider in the Ji family, so I left."
"Ah..." Su Yue Lan sighed deeply, "I should have thought of it earlier. Having a stepmother is like having a stepfather. You must have suffered a lot in that house."
Ji Su shook his head, then turned to comfort her: "It's all in the past, Mom."
"When I divorced Ji Zheng Hai back then, he was so determined to win custody of you just to spite me." Su Yue Lan's eyes gradually welled up with tears, "At that time, my financial situation was too poor, and I couldn't compete with him. But I thought that since he took you, he would treat you well..."
As she spoke, her voice gradually choked up, and she could no longer speak, only covering her face with her hands and her shoulders trembling.
Ji Su's nose tingled with emotion, and he could only tilt his face slightly upward, unwilling to cry in front of his mother.
In truth, he had once resented Su Yue Lan, resenting her for bringing him into this world and then abandoning him.
But as he grew older, he gradually came to understand that Su Yue Lan, who was still young at the time, had been in a very difficult situation.
To give birth to him, Su Yue Lan had stepped down from the peak of her career and became a full-time mother, relying entirely on her husband.
But when the marriage fell apart, the proud woman took almost nothing, leaving with nothing but her dignity, and returned to the professional circuit with a tarnished reputation. It took her years of effort to stand on the international snooker stage again, and the hardships she endured were beyond words.
Su Yue Lan was his mother, but she was also an independent and free woman. She should have pursued her own career and ideals, she should have had a loving husband and a lovely daughter, not sacrificed her life for him.
"Mom, I've sometimes wondered, if you had taken me with you back then..." Ji Su's vision became blurry, "Would I have grown up better?"
After saying this, he seemed to sense something and raised his eyes, meeting the gaze of Gu Zhao, who was quietly leaning against the doorframe.
Su Yue Lan lowered her head with tears rolling down between her fingers: "I'm sorry... Su Su, it's Mom who's sorry for you..."
"But I don't think that way anymore, Mom," Ji Su said with tears in his eyes, smiling, "If I hadn't stayed, I wouldn't have met Gu Zhao."
Gu Zhao straightened up and walked towards him with big strides.
On the other end of the phone screen, Su Yue Lan raised her face and wiped the tears from the corner of her eye with her finger: "Who is Gu Zhao?"
"Gu Zhao," Ji Su looked at his lover standing in front of him, "Come and say hello to my mom."
Gu Zhao's back stiffened instantly, and his expression showed a hint of nervousness.
He had just finished showering with his muscular upper body bare and wearing only a pair of loose sweatpants. This lazy yet sexy look was clearly not suitable for meeting parents.
With lightning speed, Gu Zhao opened the wardrobe, pulled on a black T-shirt, and hastily ruffled his hair a couple of times.
Ji Su couldn't help but laugh at seeing him in such a flustered state. The smile on his lips grew wider and wider.
Although Su Yue Lan couldn't see the situation on the other side, she could roughly guess what was happening.
Gu Zhao cleared his throat, walked behind Ji Su, and bent down to greet, "Good evening, Auntie."
A handsome, chiseled face appeared on the screen with his hair slightly disheveled, and the collar of his T-shirt askew, yet he still looked breathtakingly handsome.
Su Yue Lan was also taken aback by his good looks as she paused for a moment before responding, "Hello, I'm Su Su's mother."
Gu Zhao replied politely, "Hello, I'm Su Su's partner."
Ji Su's face turned red, and he elbowed Gu Zhao lightly from behind.
"I didn't say anything wrong," Gu Zhao glanced down at him with his innocent tone, "Aren't you introducing me to Auntie?"
Ji Su pushed him away with his hand, "That's enough, you can leave now..."
"Alright," Gu Zhao responded, never having been so polite before, "Goodbye, Auntie."
Ji Su lowered the phone screen slightly, forcibly moving that handsome face out of the frame.
Even through the phone screen, Su Yue Lan could feel the affection flowing between the two young men.
Finally, the person standing behind him left, and Ji Su, with a red face, looked back at the camera.
Su Yue Lan couldn't help but smile, "How long have you two been together?"
"A few months..." Ji Su asked softly, "Mom, you don't find it strange, do you?"
"Why would it be strange?" Su Yue Lan responded calmly, "Whether it's a man or a woman, as long as you like them, that's all that matters."
"Mm," Ji Su nodded. "Mom, I feel really happy now."
"Su Su, I'm glad you feel happy," Su Yue Lan's voice choked up again, and she quickly changed the subject. "Bring your partner over to my place for a few days during the winter break. Your sister misses you too."
Ji Su agreed, "Okay, Mom."
After chatting for a few more minutes, they hung up the phone.
Gu Zhao was already lying in bed, beckoning to him with a finger. "Come here."
Ji Su put down his phone and crawled up from the foot of the bed before obediently nestling into Gu Zhao's arms like a clingy little kitten as he rubbed his face against Gu Zhao's chest.
Gu Zhao's hand gently stroked Ji Su's slender back as he said in a low voice, "Baby, I'm really happy."
Ji Su rested his chin on Gu Zhao's firm chest. "What are you happy about?"
"I'm happy that you introduced me to your mom." Gu Zhao replied with a smile in his eyes. "I can tell that you care about her deep down."
"Yeah, maybe it's because she left me when I was very young, so my memories of her have always stayed from my childhood." Ji Su recalled. "I remember she was very gentle. Every night, she would tell me bedtime stories to help me fall asleep."
Gu Zhao responded, "I can tell you bedtime stories too."
Ji Su curved his lips into a smile. "I'm all grown up now. I don't need bedtime stories anymore."
Gu Zhao's voice was deep and magnetic as he said slowly, "You'll always be my baby."
Ji Su couldn't resist such sweet words. He propped himself up and planted a quick kiss on Gu Zhao's lips.
Gu Zhao narrowed his dark eyes slightly as his large hand gripping Ji Su's slender waist. "But before we get to the bedtime stories, let's do a little warm-up exercise first."
Ji Su sensed danger and tried to escape, but it was already too late…
……….
The new week began, and for Gu Zhao, time seemed to pass unusually slowly.
He had never looked forward to his birthday so much that he even counted down the days every day.
Ji Su noticed that the way his boyfriend looked at him was becoming increasingly intense, and he couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
The day before Gu Zhao's birthday happened to be a Friday.
After finishing his afternoon classes, Ji Su went to the express center to pick up the limited-edition sneakers he had ordered online. He carried the package back to the dorm.
Although he had promised to wear a Cheongsam for Gu Zhao, he still wanted to give him a proper birthday gift.
Qiao Jin glanced at his expression. "Su Su, what's wrong?"
"Nothing." Ji Su replied, finding it hard to voice his inner worries. "Maybe I didn't sleep well last night."
"Alright," Qiao Jin didn't think much of it. "By the way, Senior Gu's birthday is tomorrow, right? How are you planning to celebrate it?"
"I've already got the gift." Ji Su indicated. "The cake and restaurant are booked too."
"How about we throw a birthday party for Gu Zhao together?" Qiao Jin suggested eagerly. "It'll be more fun with more people!"
Ji Su thought for a moment and politely declined, "No, Gu Zhao doesn't like crowds."
"Alright then, you two can enjoy your alone time!" Qiao Jin leaned in closer. "But take care of yourself, Su Su, my darling."
Ji Su: "..."
Not long after, he received a message from Gu Zhao saying he was downstairs at the dorm.
Just as the two got into the car and were about to head home, Gu Zhao received a phone call.
The call was from Gu Chen, asking him to come home for dinner and specifically reminding him to bring Ji Su along.
Ji Su secretly breathed a sigh of relief: "Since that's the case, we shouldn't let Eldest Brother's kindness go to waste. It's a good opportunity to go back and see Grandpa."
Gu Zhao glanced at him: "Alright."
The Gu family's old residence was quite far, and by the time they arrived, it was already dark.
The old house was brightly lit. As the two walked side by side into the main hall, they found the entire Gu family gathered around the dining table, waiting for their return.
Gu Chen was the first to notice them and strode over: "Finally, you're back!"
"Eldest Brother," Ji Su greeted obediently, then went on to greet everyone else.
Having decided to come on a whim, he only had time to buy some nutritional supplements and fruits, and he also bought a small gold accessory for Gu Zhao's niece, Gu Lele.
Ji Su crouched down and carefully put a small tiger gold bracelet on Gu Lele's wrist.
Gu Lele, with her two pigtails and big, sparkling grape-like eyes, stayed perfectly still as he held her tiny wrist.
"All done," Ji Su let go and asked with a smile, "Lele, do you like the little tiger?"
"Yes! Lele likes it!" Gu Lele nodded vigorously with her voice clear and sweet, "Lele also likes the pretty brother!"
Gu Zhao raised an eyebrow slightly: "What did you call him?"
"Hahahaha!" Gu Xueyao almost doubled over with laughter, "Lele, he's not your brother. You should call him Little Uncle."
"No, no!" Gu Lele started to act spoiled as she stretched out her snow-white arms for a hug, "Pretty brother, hold me!"
Ji Su picked up Lele and, pointing at Gu Zhao, asked, "Lele, if you call me brother, what do you call him?"
Gu Lele didn't hesitate at all: "Little Uncle!"
Gu Zhao pretended to frown: "Don't call him brother, call him Little Aunt."
Ji Su's cheeks warmed, and he glared at him, signaling him not to talk nonsense.
Unexpectedly, Gu Lele really liked this title. She wrapped her arms around Ji Su's neck and happily called out, "Little Aunt! Pretty Aunt!"
Ji Su's face turned even redder, but he couldn't explain it to a child, so he just lowered his head and unable to hide the redness of his ears.
A hint of amusement flickered in Gu Zhao's eyes as he said leisurely, "Lele, next time Little Aunt will buy you a big gold tiger."
"Yay! Big gold tiger!" Gu Lele cheered before leaning her face forward, "Pretty Aunt, kiss me!"
Ji Su's heart melted, and he gently kissed her rosy little cheek.
"Enough," Gu Zhao reached out and took Gu Lele from his arms then handed her over to Gu Chen, who was standing by and watching the scene.
Gu Chen took his daughter and laughed heartily, "Come on, Xiao Wu, are you really jealous of a little girl?"
Gu Zhao said expressionlessly, "If Lele lets some little boy kiss her in kindergarten, it's your fault as her father."
Hearing this, Gu Chen quickly started educating his daughter, "Lele, a girl's face shouldn't be kissed by just anyone, understand?"
"Daddy, I know!" Gu Lele patted her little chest, "I only let the pretty brother kiss me!"
Gu Chen's face changed dramatically: "No! No matter how pretty the brother is, you can't let him kiss you!"
At this point, Madam Gu also came over to help her husband teach their daughter to protect herself.
Gu Zhao took the opportunity to pull Ji Su into his arms and led him towards the door, "Let's go, it's time to rest in our room."
Ji Su quietly reached out and pinched his waist.
"Ouch..." Gu Zhao glanced sideways. "A man's waist is not to be pinched."
Ji Su pouted. "But you always pinch my waist."
Gu Zhao smirked and retorted, "If I didn't pinch your waist, would you be able to kneel properly?"
Ji Su pinched him again but harder this time. "Stop talking!"
Gu Zhao chuckled and tightened his arms around him. "Alright, I won't say anymore."
The two returned to their room. Ji Su finished showering first and stepped out onto the balcony and sat on the rattan chair to enjoy the cool breeze and the night view of the garden.
Soon, Gu Zhao joined him on the balcony. He bends down to pull Ji Su into his embrace before sitting down on the chair himself.
The moon was bright tonight, and the deep blue sky was filled with countless stars with their reflections shimmering on the nearby lake like scattered pearls.
Ji Su nestled in the warm, broad embrace and murmured, "This is so nice..."
"Hmm?" Gu Zhao looked down at him. "What's so nice?"
"Nothing." Ji Su tilted his head up with his eyes curving into a smile as he gazed at him. "Everything is nice, and having you here makes it especially nice."
Gu Zhao's brow twitched, and he leaned down to kiss him.
Ji Su was lifted onto Gu Zhao's firm waist. He was sitting in a dominant position, yet he was still kissed breathless.
"Mmm..." A soft moan escaped from their tightly pressed lips. "Here... we can't..."
Although the Gu family's old residence was spacious, everyone lived in the back building. If they made too much noise, they would surely be discovered.
More importantly, tomorrow was Gu Zhao's birthday, and Ji Su didn't want to be unable to get out of bed in the morning...
Gu Zhao pulled back slightly with his eyes dark. "Do you remember the gift you promised me?"
Ji Su gasped softly. "I remember..."
“Good." Gu Zhao gritted his teeth, then stood up and carried Ji Su back into the room. "We'll save it for tonight."
………
The next morning, Ji Su woke up in the familiar embrace. He quietly gaze at the handsome face before him.
Soon, Gu Zhao's eyelids fluttered, and he opened his eyes.
"Good morning." Ji Su kissed his chin. "Happy birthday, Gu Zhao."
"Mm." Gu Zhao responded in a low voice as he buried his face in the warm crook of Ji Su's neck. "You too."
Ji Su laughed. "It's your birthday, not mine."
Gu Zhao nuzzled the soft side of Ji Su's neck with his high nose bridge and replied, "You wished me happiness, so I'll share all of it with you."
Ji Su's heart warmed, and he wrapped his arms around Gu Zhao in return. "Then let's wish for both of us to be happy."
The two lingered in bed for a while before getting up to wash up.
The Gu family knew that Gu Zhao didn't like noisy celebrations, so they didn't throw a big birthday party. Instead, they prepared a family dinner, with only close relatives attending.
However, Gu Zhao still received many extravagant birthday gifts.
The generosity of the Gu family was truly astonishing.
For example, Eldest Brother Gu Chen casually gifted Gu Zhao a piece of land.
Or Second Sister Gu Nan, who presented him with a Maserati.
Compared to them, the sneakers Ji Su gave might seem insignificant. In the past, Ji Su would have felt inferior and thought that he wasn't good enough for Gu Zhao.
But now, he didn't feel that way at all, because he knew deep down that Gu Zhao's favorite gift would undoubtedly be the one from him.
After lunch, Gu Zhao only sat for a short while before eagerly pulling Ji Su to leave.
Gu Chen teased, "Xiao Wu, what kind of treasure are you hiding at home that you're in such a hurry to get back?"
Gu Zhao chuckled, "That's right, a very big treasure."
Ji Su could somewhat guess why he was in such a rush. Thinking about what he might face upon returning home, his legs felt a bit weak.
……..
In the evening, the two entered the house one after the other.
Ji Su changed into slippers and quickly said, "I ordered a birthday cake for you, it should be arriving soon."
"Mm," Gu Zhao glanced at him, "Let's have the cake first."
About half an hour later, the birthday cake arrived.
Ji Su placed the cake on the dining table and unwrapped the exquisitely packaged box, revealing the cream cake inside.
Gu Zhao reached out, picked up the figurine on top of the cake, and examined it closely.
The crystal figurine, dressed in a robe, looked serious and quite impressive.
"Is this me?" Gu Zhao asked.
"It's you." Ji Su nodded while inserting the candles one by one and lighting them himself.
"Happy birthday, Gu Zhao." he looked up with his eyes sparkling as he gazed at his lover, "May all your wishes come true and your path be smooth in the future."
Gu Zhao put down the figurine, pulled him into his arms, and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "All I wish for is you."
After hugging for a moment, Ji Su softly reminded, "It's time to blow out the candles."
Gu Zhao let go of him, silently made a wish in his heart, and then blew out the candles.
Ji Su cut a piece of cake with a knife and handed it over, "Try it, see if it's good."
Gu Zhao took a bite, "It's delicious."
Ji Su also cut a piece for himself and, adhering to the principle of not wasting food, ate it all.
Gu Zhao looked at him and reminded, "You've got cream on the corner of your mouth."
"Huh?" Ji Su stuck out his red tongue and licked the corner of his lips.
Gu Zhao's eyes darkened. He cupped Ji Su's chin with his large hand, licked the cream off his lips, and then kissed him.
Both had just eaten cake, and their mouths were filled with the sweet aroma of cream. Ji Su was kissed until he felt dizzy that even his hands almost pressed into the cake.
Gu Zhao released his lips while breathing heavily, "Are you hungry?"
"Not hungry..." Ji Su replied softly, "We just had cake."
"Good." Gu Zhao wiped the moisture from his lips, "Then it's time for me to receive my birthday gift."
"The gift..." Ji Su suddenly became alert, "Are we giving it now?"
"Sooner or later, you'll have to wear it." Gu Zhao picked him up and headed towards the bedroom while chuckling softly, "You can't escape tonight."
Hearing this, Ji Su became even more nervous as his fingers unconsciously dug into Gu Zhao's firm back muscles.
Gu Zhao remained unfazed, as if he had just been lightly scratched by a kitten.
"Gu Zhao..." Ji Su confirmed again, "It's a cheongsam, right?"
Gu Zhao replied, "Mm, it's a cheongsam."
He carried Ji Su into the bedroom, placed him on the bed, and then opened the wardrobe before pulling out a piece of clothing.
Ji Su sat on the bed, and when he saw the style of the cheongsam, he was completely stunned.
He had never seen such a cheongsam like this before.
Apart from the traditional buttons and exquisite embroidery, the fabric in other parts was semi-transparent ice silk, with cutouts on both sides and only loose ties hanging down. The slit on the side of the cheongsam almost reached the waist.
Ji Su swallowed dryly: "The one I saw before... doesn't seem to be this one."
"But I said it's this one." Gu Zhao replied while holding the cheongsam and walking towards him at a leisurely pace.
"No, it's not this one." Ji Su instinctively moved back with his pale heels rubbing against the bedsheet, creating layers of wrinkles.
Gu Zhao stopped at the foot of the bed: "You promised to give me a gift, Baby."
Ji Su felt his cheeks burning as if they were on fire: "I know, but..."
He regretted it a little; he shouldn't have believed that Gu Zhao would bring out a decent cheongsam for him to wear.
But today was Gu Zhao's birthday, and if this could make Gu Zhao have a happy birthday, he was willing, especially since he had already worn that embarrassing kitten outfit...
Thinking of this, Ji Su climbed up from the bed and reached out to take the cheongsam: "I'll wear it."
"Wait," Gu Zhao didn't hand it over to him. With his dark eyes fixed on him, he said, "I want to help you put it on."
Ji Su firmly refused: "No, I'll do it myself."
Gu Zhao emphasized again: "Today is my birthday."
Ji Su bit his lip as his boundaries kept retreating further: "Then... when you help me put it on, don't—"
Before he could finish, Gu Zhao readily agreed: "Okay."
Ji Su had a feeling he was being tricked again, but it was too late to back out now.
The light green cheongsam accentuated his already fair skin, making it appear even more flawless, like a piece of fine jade that exuded a warm and translucent glow.
The semi-transparent ice silk material faintly revealed his skin tone, and the embroidery on the cheongsam just happened to rub against his chest that barely covered the two cherry-pink spots.
Gu Zhao's bony fingers picked up the ties on both sides of the cheongsam before meticulously and patiently crossing them.
Ji Su shrank into the scorching embrace as the slightly rough fingertips occasionally brushed against his sensitive waist, causing his body to tremble uncontrollably.
After tying the waistband, the large hand slowly moved down along the high slit of the cheongsam...
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