TLDMDTBS Chapter 61

Chapter 61:

“…Sister Liu expresses her heartfelt thanks to the sanitation workers in the community for helping her find her beloved dog and promised to provide assistance within her means…”

At home, Aunt Zhao hummed a little tune while preparing dinner as she listened to the news. The internal elevator chimed, and she quickly turned off the stove and went over to take a look.

“Oh, why are you back so early today?” Seeing the two of them enter together, Aunt Zhao’s face lit up with joy.

But Ji Ruan’s expression wasn’t good, and Gu Xiuyi looked very serious, leaning down and whispering something to him while trying to embrace him, only to be blocked by Ji Ruan’s arm in refusal.

Aunt Zhao asked softly, “What’s wrong?”

Gu Xiuyi smiled: “It’s nothing, Aunt Zhao. Just make dinner a bit lighter, he’s not feeling well. We’ll go upstairs to discuss some matters.”

“…Oh, alright.”

Aunt Zhao gradually put down the spatula in her hand, watching the two figures ascend the stairs with a puzzled expression.

The study door was gently closed, and Ji Ruan went straight to sit down on the small sofa.

Gu Xiuyi handed him a cup of warm water: “Have some first, your mouth is all dry.”

This cup of water also gave Ji Ruan a moment to collect himself. He slowly drank half a cup and thought about where to start.

But Gu Xiuyi spoke first.

“I like you.”

“Cough!”

Ji Ruan splashed water everywhere, covering his mouth as he began to cough.

“Ji Ruan?!”

Gu Xiuyi quickly patted his back, pulling out tissue to help him wipe his hands: “My fault, my fault. I should have waited for you to finish drinking before saying that.”

Ji Ruan’s choking wasn’t severe; it was more shock. He never imagined Gu Xiuyi would be so straightforward.

It was his first time experiencing a confession in such an opening manner.

Gu Xiuyi, on the other hand, had simply learned from the lesson of the “Legal Daily” incident.

He believed Li Sui’an was right; some things, even if the content was entirely the same, would yield a decisive impact based on the order in which they were spoken.

If he had first expressed his feelings to Ji Ruan before discussing the law that day, Ji Ruan wouldn’t have ended up crying. Who knows, he might have already kissed Ji Ruan rather than waiting until now.

In retrospect, Gu Xiuyi felt regret every day and night.

So he also learned that when talking to Ji Ruan, he had to state the most important thing first, to avoid any subsequent comments that could trigger Ji Ruan’s tear ducts, making it impossible for him to hear anything else.

Though it seemed he hadn’t succeeded too well this time either.

He gently rubbed Ji Ruan’s back, cautious: “Are you feeling better now, baby? Is there anything uncomfortable?”

Ji Ruan waved his hand: “You… why did you suddenly say this?”

He coughed until his eyes reddened, looking slightly upward at Gu Xiuyi, like a pitiable child who had just cried, though his eyes were filled with shock and confusion, a big question mark hovering over his head.

Gu Xiuyi couldn’t help but touch his head, wow, there was a lot of hair, so soft.

“Cough,” he cleared his throat as Ji Ruan looked at him with more confusion: “Because this is the most important conclusion of today.”

He observed Ji Ruan’s state, reassuringly: “You digest this first, and then I’ll slowly explain the rest.”

Ji Ruan: “…”

Ji Ruan inexplicably felt a kind of fear, as if being lectured by a math teacher.

It was his first time experiencing a confession that resembled a class or a meeting, and he thought to himself that he was unlikely to encounter something like this again.

Along with the shock, um… why did he feel a bit wronged too…

Gu Xiuyi wasn’t romantic at all!

But it wasn’t the time to feel wronged. He indeed had many things that needed Gu Xiuyi to explain clearly.

Ji Ruan steadied himself: “Alright, continue.”

Gu Xiuyi reached out and pulled him into his arms; the warmth of his body made Ji Ruan able to almost convince himself they weren’t in a meeting.

“I—”

Buzz buzz.

His phone rang.

Gu Xiuyi picked it up to glance at it, frowning and swiping it away.

“I never—”

Dingling.

The other side called directly.

Gu Xiuyi: “…”

He thought for a moment, then showed Ji Ruan the caller ID: “It’s my high school class monitor.”

After Ji Ruan nodded, he pressed accept and switched to speaker mode.

“Hey? President Gu? Hahaha it’s me, old Ma!”

“Hello, class monitor.”

“Wow, after all these years, you’re still so polite—so, there’s a class reunion in our class the day after tomorrow, would you be able to attend?”

Gu Xiuyi casually laid his phone on the coffee table and wrapped both arms around Ji Ruan: “Sorry, I’ve been pretty busy lately.”

“Eh? I heard you were free the day after tomorrow, so I specifically chose this day, President Gu, listen to me,” the class monitor lowered his voice, sneaky: “Bai Yue is back!”

“—This class reunion is just to welcome him, which is why I hurried to inform you!”

Gu Xiuyi looked at Ji Ruan, the kid had his head down, long eyelashes drooping, showing a slight curve of his snow-white cheeks, exquisitely beautiful.

He was playing with his fingers, seemingly completely uninterested in what Gu Xiuyi was talking about.

Unable to resist, Gu Xiuyi kissed the back of his neck, causing the snow-white skin to instantly turn pink.

Ji Ruan looked up at him, both shy and embarrassed, but concerned that someone was still on the line. He felt uneasy about speaking, so he leaned in close and whispered angrily into Gu Xiuyi’s ear:

“I haven’t agreed to this yet!”

Gu Xiuyi didn’t dare to actually make him mad, quickly comforting: “I was wrong, I was wrong.”

“President Gu? Are you still there?”

The corners of Gu Xiuyi’s eyes were full of smiles, but when he turned to the phone, his tone was devoid of any emotion:

“Class monitor Ma, I don’t know where you heard I was free the day after tomorrow, but even if I am, I would choose to stay home with my partner. What do you think?”

“—No problem, I’ll hang up then.”

Though his “partner” momentarily couldn’t quite accept such an intimate title, his cheeks were burning.

“Uh… ah…” Class monitor Ma, clearly taken aback by this turn of events, sounded like he was choking on a rock.

“No, Gu Gu Gu, I didn’t mean that, I wasn’t—”

Beep beep beep.

Gu Xiuyi pressed the hang-up button.

In the suddenly restored silence, Ji Ruan stared silently at him.

This phone call still felt quite awkward for Ji Ruan, but in strict terms, it wasn’t entirely a bad thing.

At least it had directly brought the heavy stone pressing on Ji Ruan’s heart to lie before Gu Xiuyi.

Gu Xiuyi put away his smile, looking at Ji Ruan with a serious expression: “Should I explain?”

This was what he had been waiting for. Ji Ruan nodded: “Go ahead, I’m listening.”

Gu Xiuyi paused for a few seconds: “First, I’ve never liked him.”

“Second, I did indeed know Bai Yue early on, but our relationship was not close, and we never established a good friendship.”

“Third, there’s no factual basis for the rumors outside about me and him; we do not have any inappropriate male-male relationship.”

“Each of these three points can be elaborated based on your questions.”

Ji Ruan: “…”

Ji Ruan’s gaze turned a bit blank.

A completely unanticipated path had appeared.

Ji Ruan originally thought that Gu Xiuyi’s explanations would be like those in all idol dramas: kisses, hugs, and then a few words of fact mixed with sweet talk, followed by their unresolved grievances being resolved in blissful embraces.

But Gu Xiuyi… Gu Xiuyi was truly a miraculous person, directly entering negotiation mode.

Ji Ruan even suspected that this man had forgotten to carry his emotional genes when inherited, resulting in him spending thirty years only thinking rationally.

But it was actually quite good; although this mode seemed a bit strange for matters of the heart, it truly could solve all unnecessary misunderstandings the fastest and most clearly.

Ji Ruan sat quietly for a moment, getting up from Gu Xiuyi and going to the desk to fetch a pen and an A4 paper, and then squatted back in front of the small coffee table under Gu Xiuyi’s gaze.

He took off the pen cap, raised his face:

“What were the three points? Can you repeat that, I forgot.”

Gu Xiuyi: “…”

Three minutes later, the two were seated on opposite ends of the desk, with three points written in bold and powerful strokes by Gu Xiuyi in front of Ji Ruan, emanating a strong business negotiation atmosphere.

Ji Ruan’s serious expression made the air filled with a thick essence of business negotiations.

Gu Xiuyi stared at Ji Ruan’s lips, which were unconsciously pouting with seriousness, feeling a subtle discomfort.

So he got up and pulled Ji Ruan onto his lap, gazing at Ji Ruan’s long eyelashes, feeling comforted.

However, Ji Ruan was somewhat uncomfortable, shifting around in his lap. Gu Xiuyi pressed down on his shoulder: “Just like this, this position is fine for talking.”

Moreover, it didn’t look that much like a business meeting.

Ji Ruan, despite his grievances, eventually accepted the free cushion, and after bouncing the A4 paper in his hand, he took on a serious tone:

“Based on your points one and three, regarding the statement that there is no inappropriate relationship with Bai Yue, my side temporarily grants recognition and trust.”

He raised his sparkling large eyes: “When that person was showing off to me, he didn’t dare mention your name and only referred to you as a friend. If you really had something, wouldn’t he be parading it down the street with a loudspeaker?”

After Ji Ruan finished speaking, he positively nodded to himself and crossed off points one and three.

Gu Xiuyi couldn’t help but chuckle, thinking Ji Ruan looked just like a novice intern who had just entered the company, cute and serious. He very much wanted to join Ji Ruan’s intern life, leaving a vivid imprint behind.

He kissed Ji Ruan’s ear: “Hmm, our baby is great—logical and well-reasoned.”

Ji Ruan was flattered, his lips curling up in pride, but then he composed himself: “Don’t try to get close.”

“As for point two, I have a question.”

Gu Xiuyi nodded: “Baby, go ahead.”

“Hiss,” Ji Ruan frowned: “Don’t call me baby, we’re discussing serious matters.”

Gu Xiuyi chuckled: “Alright, baby.”

“…”

“Whatever…” Ji Ruan shook his head: “In your second point, you stated that you knew him early but weren’t close. Since you’ve known him for so long, why would you not be close?”

Gu Xiuyi grew a bit serious:

“Because he originally knew Gu Xiuli first.”

Ji Ruan was taken aback.

“I’m not clear on how they specifically got to know each other. The first time I met Bai Yue was when I was eleven; at that time, he was playing in the yard with Gu Xiuli, and afterwards, he frequently came to my house.”

“You know Gu Xiuli is the illegitimate child of my father and Fang Lan, my mother, died of depression because of this. I naturally have a repulsion towards that mother and son. While it’s not the case that I would wrongly lash out at the innocent, my relationship with Bai Yue was indeed just superficial.”

While speaking, he kept an eye on Ji Ruan’s expression and continued: “It’s probably also because Bai Yue is about the same age as me, while Gu Xiuli is much younger than us, which led others to believe he often came to my house simply because we were close.”

Ji Ruan carefully digested this part: “But since it was just a superficial relationship, why would he think he was your closest friend?”

Gu Xiuyi smiled bitterly: “Because at that time, I really didn’t have any friends. If we were to count it that way, he was the only one.”

He held Ji Ruan a bit tighter: “My best friends, Song Ling and Li Sui’an, I met them in middle school, and before that, I thought I didn’t need friends.”

“I… I also have a question.” Ji Ruan frowned.

Gu Xiuyi picked up a cup of water and brought it to Ji Ruan’s lips: “Your lips are dry, have some first.”

Ji Ruan obediently took a sip, looking a bit conflicted.

Noticing his emotions, Gu Xiuyi softly said: “It’s okay, just say whatever’s on your mind.”

Ji Ruan looked up, worry evident: “Why does he know your phone password?”

“What?” This was the first time genuine surprise appeared on Gu Xiuyi’s face today.

“1028,” Ji Ruan said: “He made it into a keychain and said that was the date he left.”

He shot a glance at Gu Xiuyi: “I heard you were heartbroken and got drunk that night because he left.”

Gu Xiuyi: “…”

“I don’t know when he went abroad,” Gu Xiuyi said firmly: “He didn’t tell me, and I didn’t go to see him off.”

“Then what does 1028 mean?”

“The day I began to control the Gu Corporation.”

“…!”

His tone was flat, yet it stirred a wave in Ji Ruan’s heart.

Gu Xiuyi’s playful demeanor vanished without a trace, replaced by a serious gaze:

“My mother held 25% of the Gu Corporation’s shares. Before she died, she made a will that I would inherit everything after my eighteenth birthday. But in reality, due to procedural issues, I didn’t receive all of my mother’s shares until several days after my birthday.”

He fixed his gaze on Ji Ruan’s eyes: “So it was from that day onward that I truly began to have the strength to confront my grandfather.”

Ji Ruan swallowed hard.

Because Gu Xiuyi was so rational and believed strongly in the law, Ji Ruan always unintentionally forgot that his background was, in fact, a drama-filled aristocrat story. He forgot that Gu Xiuyi also bore many burdens, experiencing unimaginable hardships to reach his current position.

That seemingly impenetrable exterior was merely a thick cocoon molded by struggles and endurance.

Ji Ruan’s voice softened: “I see…”

Gu Xiuyi gently pulled him into his embrace, taking on a comforting posture, a gesture that successfully garnered Ji Ruan’s soft voice: “Alright, it’s fine now! You’re really amazing!”

In a place where Ji Ruan couldn’t see, Gu Xiuyi’s smile crept back.

To be honest, from ousting the elder to taking complete control of the Gu Corporation, it had hardly taken him years, nor did it consume much of his energy. Perhaps he was just born to engage in such dealings.

However, Ji Ruan felt sorry for him, which was an unexpected delight.

Taking in the sweet scent of Ji Ruan, Gu Xiuyi slightly loosened his hold: “As for getting drunk…”

He momentarily looked embarrassed, preparing himself: “Ji Ruan, first and foremost I must clarify that I was only eighteen at that time and not yet at an age where I could fully hide my emotions. Can you understand that?”

Ji Ruan, still immersed in the narrative of Gu Xiuyi’s childhood trauma of losing his mother and seeking revenge for power, nodded without thinking: “Uh-huh!”

“So finally receiving my mother’s shares, I was very happy, and such feelings are understandable, right?”

Ji Ruan nodded vigorously: “Absolutely!”

“Good boy.” Gu Xiuyi patted his face.

“—So I went out drinking with Li Sui’an to celebrate that day.”

His expression grew serious: “But at that time, my alcohol tolerance was not particularly good, and I was seen leaving by others…”

“So…”

Gu Xiuyi fell silent, and everything hung unspoken in the air.

Ji Ruan was dazed for two seconds before he couldn’t contain the twitching of his lips.

So Gu Xiuyi got drunk because he was too happy at the bar, and it just so happened that Bai Yue was going abroad that day. One thing led to another, and that led to him being portrayed as someone who got drunk after failing to woo his crush.

Bai Yue then became an unattainable “white moonlight,” and after being sensationalized, even he started to believe in the myth.

Ji Ruan tried hard to suppress the corners of his mouth, but it was becoming increasingly uncontrollable.

He just couldn’t help but laugh at the thought of the eighteen-year-old Gu Xiuyi having fun with Li Sui’an at the bar while being woven into a melodramatic love story.

Ji Ruan could also understand why this turned into a heart-wrenching tale.

With such a bizarre reason, if the two hadn’t sat down to openly discuss things, who could have guessed it?

The misunderstandings could easily stretch into countless torturous words.

Gu Xiuyi cupped Ji Ruan’s chin, his calm facade nearly breaking: “What’s so funny? Didn’t you say you could understand me?”

Ji Ruan’s eyes turned crescent-like, and with his face being held his adorable dimples peeked out: “Uh… understanding is one thing, but laughing is another…”

Gu Xiuyi: “…”

Reluctantly, Gu Xiuyi simply had to wait for Ji Ruan to laugh enough before he stopped.

He wrapped his arms around Ji Ruan’s waist, gently saying: “Actually, there’s a fourth point, which is the most important one today, but I didn’t mention it earlier.”

Ji Ruan wiped away the tears from laughing and sat up straight: “Go ahead.”

Gu Xiuyi looked directly into Ji Ruan’s eyes, his expression incredibly serious, even earnest.

Infected by this seriousness, Ji Ruan gradually restrained his smile: “What is it?”

Gu Xiuyi tightened his embrace around him slightly:

“The fourth point is that I really like you.”

Ji Ruan paused.

“But this point doesn’t allow for questioning or discussion, because it is difficult for me to provide a rational answer.”

He smiled gently: “I’m sorry.”

Ji Ruan froze in his embrace.

His heart raced, pounding fast.

Gu Xiuyi’s confession was always so unexpected, making people speechless.

But Gu Xiuyi had confessed.

He really had confessed!

By the trajectory of typical novels, he should have at least waited until the ending to confess, allowing them to communicate their feelings only by the finale.

But now he had said it!

Did that mean the plot had undergone a change?

Yes, as long as he confessed to Gu Xiuyi now, the story would completely be unrelated to the novel, meaning he wouldn’t have to suffer as much!

Ji Ruan’s brain felt dizzy, excitement coursing through every vein.

But to Gu Xiuyi, this expression made him look like a silly little fool.

“Ji Ruan?” Gu Xiuyi shook his chin lightly: “What are you thinking?”

“Wake up, little buddy.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle: “Did I kiss you?”

Ji Ruan suddenly came to his senses, excitedly curling his fists: “I also like—”

Knock knock!

“Dinner’s ready, kids!” Aunt Zhao called cheerfully from the door.

Ji Ruan was startled, hurriedly springing away from Gu Xiuyi.

Gu Xiuyi could no longer hold back and burst into laughter: “Alright, Aunt Zhao, we’ll be right down.”

“Hurry up, or the food will get cold.”

“Okay.”

He said as he stood up, walking next to Ji Ruan who was adjusting his clothes in the mirror, turning his face to plant a quick kiss:

“I know you like me too.”

Then he was satisfied to see Ji Ruan turn beet red.

·

At nine o’clock in the evening, Gu Xiuyi swaggered into Ji Ruan’s room with a glass of milk.

Ji Ruan had just taken a shower, scenting the air with freshness as he dried his hair. Upon seeing Gu Xiuyi, he suddenly felt a bit uneasy.

“What are you doing here?” he pretended to be calm.

Gu Xiuyi stepped closer, touched Ji Ruan’s belly with a serious demeanor: “I saw you eating dinner in a rush; is your stomach feeling unwell?”

Ji Ruan’s cheeks were flushed from the moisture and the blow dryer, gripping the small towel stubbornly: “No, it feels fine.”

Gu Xiuyi’s eyes twinkled with mirth: “Then how about a kiss?”

Ji Ruan immediately bit his lip, glancing around anxiously with wide eyes: “No, no, that’s not good…”

“Why not? Aren’t we in a mutual liking relationship with a marriage certificate?”

“…”

He seemed to have a point; they had already confessed to one another.

But would Aunt Zhao see them if they kissed now? That would be so awkward!

Ji Ruan nervously peeked towards the door, feeling like a thief: “How about… you close the door first?”

Hiss, but what if he closed the door and his beastly nature surged, wanting to do something else?

“Eh, wait, let’s not close it.”

Better not close it.

No, no, if they didn’t close it Aunt Zhao would definitely see!

She was already of a certain age; how could she see such things? Absolutely not!

“Gu Xiuyi…” After struggling for a long time, Ji Ruan tugged on Gu Xiuyi’s sleeve, looking at him with imploring eyes: “How about we skip the kiss? It’s late at night; it wouldn’t be good for you—wu?!”

Gu Xiuyi suddenly cupped his face and pressed forward.

In the dimness, his warm lips landed on Ji Ruan’s cool ones, and Ji Ruan was quickly overwhelmed and opened his mouth.

Blood rushed to his brain and heart, and his limbs gradually became numb and lost their feeling.

Thump, thump, thump!

Ji Ruan heard his heart pounding like thunder.

But he couldn’t tell whether it was his own or Gu Xiuyi’s, who was holding him tightly, with their chests pressed closely together.