Chapter 13: The Banquet

The anxiety in Yu Xi’s heart didn’t fade much after his phone call with Sheng Yunshu.

He feared Zhang Xingkuo would blame him for disappearing without a word, but he also feared that Zhang Xingkuo had forgotten him entirely. Despite his fears, Yu Xi wanted to attend the celebration; he wanted to see Zhang Xingkuo.

Once his mind was made up, he tried not to dwell on it, but he hadn’t expected his supposedly well-hidden worries to be seen through instantly by Gu Chuanzhou.

“Are you thinking about the Zhang family’s celebration?”

“Ah…”

“You’ve spaced out many times.” Gu Chuanzhou took the tilted popcorn bucket from Yu Xi’s hand, unhurriedly cleaned up the fallen kernels on the floor, and pulled out a wet wipe to clean Yu Xi’s hands. “If something is bothering you, you can talk to me.”

Yu Xi bit his lip, watching Gu Chuanzhou’s gentle movements. He hadn’t told Gu Chuanzhou because the relationship between Gu Chuanzhou and Zhang Xingkuo hadn’t been great during their childhood.

While Gu Chuanzhou had never engaged with Zhang Xingkuo’s competitive antics or cared about being the “leader” of the children, Yu Xi was sensitive enough to feel that Gu Chuanzhou didn’t like him getting too close to Zhang Xingkuo.

He remembered times when Gu Chuanzhou would pull him into a private room to be alone, and if they heard Zhang Xingkuo searching for him, Gu Chuanzhou would cover Yu Xi’s ears so he couldn’t hear the other boy calling his name.

“Since Mrs. Zhang sent you an invitation, she certainly welcomes you. You don’t need to worry too much about anyone else.” Gu Chuanzhou wiped each of Yu Xi’s fingers clean, then held his hand in his palm, massaging it rhythmically.

Yu Xi was lost in thought. “You already knew?”

Gu Chuanzhou nodded.

Yunshu must have told him? Yu Xi felt a mix of guilt and touched affection. He didn’t want his friends worrying over his small problems. He gripped Gu Chuanzhou’s fingertips back to comfort him. “I’m okay. I’m just a bit nervous about seeing someone I haven’t seen in so long.”

Gu Chuanzhou wore a faint smile. “They will all like you.”

“Mhm…”

Both tacitly avoided Zhang Xingkuo’s name. Yu Xi thought the topic had passed peacefully, until Gu Chuanzhou spoke again.

“Actually, I don’t really want you to go.”

Yu Xi was startled. “Why?”

“Because…” Gu Chuanzhou’s lips curved into a slightly bitter smile. “The more people discover Xi Xi, the less time Xi Xi will have for me.”

Yu Xi’s long lashes trembled as he looked at Gu Chuanzhou in disbelief.

Gu Chuanzhou still held his hand, not squeezing hard, but his fingers were highly present as they brushed against the sensitive skin between Yu Xi’s fingers. “Hasn’t Xi Xi realized it yet? I intentionally didn’t tell Sheng Yunjuan and the others that you were back.”

Yu Xi: “…”

Before the Sheng sisters had knocked on the door, Yu Xi had assumed Gu Chuanzhou avoided the topic because of some bad history or a falling out. When he realized there was no conflict, he had wondered if Gu Chuanzhou had simply forgotten or was waiting for a better time… he had never considered this reason.

“In the twelve years we were apart, not a day went by that I forgot you. I tried hard to find you, but we were too young then. The only information I had was your name and your parents’. At first, I could get news through the Pei family and reach your home phone. I never thought you would disappear so completely that even the Pei family would lose track of you.”

Yu Xi’s fingertips began to shake. He felt a lump in his throat, a heavy sense of distress. He wanted to explain, to apologize, but he didn’t know where to start.

A warm pressure came from his hand. He met Gu Chuanzhou’s eyes and found no resentment—only a gentle, all-encompassing tenderness.

“I know something must have happened with your parents. I’m only saying this to tell you how much I missed you.”

Unknowingly, Gu Chuanzhou had moved closer. His usually straight back leaned down, his head bowed. In his eyes, there was both a plea and deep self-reproach.

“Your departure made me a bit… ‘bad.’ I wanted you to only stay with me; I didn’t want to share you with anyone else. I’m sorry. I’m such a selfish person…”

“Xi Xi, could you… not hate me?”

Yu Xi’s heart surged with emotion. This was completely unexpected. He wasn’t shocked by Gu Chuanzhou’s “badness,” but rather that a man who seemed as immovable as a mountain could be so shaken—all because of him.

Even when they were close as children, Yu Xi often felt he couldn’t see through Gu Chuanzhou. The older boy seemed like someone from another world—so excellent he was hard to follow, so distant it inspired hesitation. He had been satisfied just being a friend who could talk to someone like that; he never dreamed the man cared this much.

Seeing Gu Chuanzhou in such a vulnerable, lowered state, Yu Xi felt a deep pang of sympathy. And, more embarrassingly, a tiny, secret spark of joy flickered in his heart.

“I won’t,” he said, gripping Gu Chuanzhou’s hand tightly. “How could I ever hate you?”

“Truly?”

Yu Xi nodded emphatically. “Of course. You didn’t do anything wrong. If anything, it’s my fault for being gone so long. Don’t blame yourself.”

Gu Chuanzhou’s brow remained furrowed. “I’ve been so afraid these past two days that you would be unhappy because of this.”

Yu Xi assured him he wouldn’t be.

“Then, can Xi Xi promise me one more thing?”

“What is it?”

Gu Chuanzhou whispered, “If one day, because I’m afraid someone will take Xi Xi away, I do something unforgivable… will Xi Xi promise not to leave me?”

In that moment, Yu Xi would have nodded to anything Gu Chuanzhou said. “Okay, I promise.” After all, how much trouble could someone as good as Gu Chuanzhou actually cause? There was nothing unforgivable.

Upon hearing the promise, Gu Chuanzhou’s shoulders slumped as if a weight had been lifted. He leaned his forehead against Yu Xi’s shoulder, his voice sounding exhausted. “I haven’t slept well these past two days. Could Xi Xi stay with me a little longer today?”

Five minutes later.

The man lay on the sofa, his head resting on the youth’s soft lap. His sharp eyes were closed, his breathing steady; he had already fallen asleep.

Yu Xi’s back was stiff, his long lashes fluttering. He didn’t know where to put his hands. He had thought Gu Chuanzhou would just rest on the sofa; he hadn’t expected his lap to become the pillow. He didn’t dare move, terrified of waking him.

Gu Chuanzhou, usually as sharp as ice, looked incredibly peaceful. Yu Xi found himself staring, gradually getting used to the weight on his legs. After a while, he pulled over a blanket to cover him.

Suddenly, a phone buzzed. Yu Xi quickly silenced it. Just as he was about to check the message, his waist tightened.

Gu Chuanzhou, seemingly dreaming, hugged him like a body pillow. His grip was strong, pulling Yu Xi close until there was no gap between them. His nose pressed against Yu Xi’s soft stomach through the thin summer shirt. Yu Xi could feel every warm breath against his skin.

He instinctively tried to shrink back, but his back was against the sofa and the arm around his waist was like a cage. The hot, long breaths against his abdomen were both stinging and itchy.

“Chuanzhou-ge?”

Yu Xi whispered, but there was no response. He tried to gently pull at the hand on his waist. He didn’t dare use force, so it did nothing but make him break into a nervous sweat. Gu Chuanzhou nuzzled against him unconsciously.

“Mm.” A strange sensation flickered as Gu Chuanzhou’s nose brushed his skin. Yu Xi’s face turned bright red, his breathing hitching. He rested his hand on Gu Chuanzhou’s shoulder, but in the end, he didn’t push him away.

He’s probably like an insecure puppy, Yu Xi thought. Seeking warmth and a familiar scent. It was pitiful and made his heart soften. So, he simply endured the heat and the tight grip, changing his intended push into a gentle pat to help the man sleep deeper.

The celebration banquet held by Mrs. Zhang for Zhang Xingkuo was at a six-star hotel. Given the Zhang family’s status, many young heirs and socialites hoped to use the occasion to build connections.

“Why are there so many people?” Sheng Yunjuan frowned as she got out of the car. “Xiao Xi will definitely be nervous. Sister, we need to go in quickly.”

Sheng Yunshu patted her hand. “Gu Chuanzhou is with him. No need to rush.”

Sheng Yunjuan calmed down but remained puzzled. “Doesn’t Zhang Xingkuo’s dad hate his racing? Why agree to such a big party?”

“His mother likely organized it personally,” Sheng Yunshu whispered. “Xingkuo hasn’t reconciled with his father. His mother probably coaxed him home with this banquet.”

“Oh… I see.” Sheng Yunjuan laughed. “So our Xiao Xi is the bait?”

Sheng Yunshu nodded slightly. “I thought we could hide him longer. After tonight, we sisters have another ‘enemy’ to deal with.”

They entered the hall and eventually found Yu Xi sitting behind a massive gilded floor candelabra. The soft glow of the small lights made him look like a piece of fine porcelain.

He was dressed in a style between casual and formal: a jade-white loose silk shirt with a vintage long-pointed collar, tied with a contrasting black silk ribbon at the neck. The ribbon was held in place by a brilliant emerald brooch, giving him an elegant, soft aura.

“Xiao Xi!” Sheng Yunjuan rushed over, pushing Pei Wang aside to sit down. “Wow, you look so beautiful today!”

Yu Xi’s ears turned red. “You and Shushu are very pretty too.”

Sheng Yunshu smiled. “Did Auntie Pei pick this out?”

Yu Xi nodded, instinctively touching the emerald brooch. “Auntie Pei chose the clothes, but Chuanzhou-ge lent me this.”

That morning, Gu Chuanzhou had asked to see his outfit. After a long silence, he had replaced the original pearl button with this emerald brooch. Yu Xi had tried to refuse, sensing it was valuable, but Gu Chuanzhou had insisted: “Just for one night, Xi Xi. Return it after the banquet, okay?”

“I knew it was his,” Sheng Yunjuan said, inspecting the jewel. “He bought this at an auction two years ago for 19 million yuan. I asked to see it back then and he wouldn’t let me. Finally, he’s willing to take it out.”

Yu Xi’s eyes widened. 19 million?

“Are you sure it’s that one?” Pei Wang asked in disbelief.

“Of course,” Sheng Yunjuan rolled her eyes. “My sister and I studied jewelry design. How could we be wrong?”

Yu Xi felt his neck become heavy. The brooch was worth a fortune.

“Don’t be stressed, Xiao Xi,” Sheng Yunjuan patted his shoulder. “To Gu Chuanzhou, this is just a drop in the ocean. Even if you lost it, he wouldn’t say a word.”

Sheng Yunshu added softly, “Its value lies in how well it suits you. That is enough.”

Pei Wang brought over some desserts, and the group chatted in their corner. However, the corner soon became crowded as people approached to greet the Sheng sisters. Their interest quickly shifted to the stunning new face sitting with them.

The sisters kept a tight guard, revealing nothing but his name. This only made the crowd more curious.

“Don’t mind them,” Pei Wang said, handing Yu Xi a sweet. “Just eat.”

Yu Xi ate distractedly, glancing toward the entrance.

“Waiting for Gu Chuanzhou?” Sheng Yunshu asked quietly.

“Mhm. He said he had some company business and would be late.”

“He’ll handle it and find you immediately when he arrives.” Sheng Yunshu caught something out of the corner of her eye. “A-Shen is here.”

Meng Shen stood at the entrance, looking around tentatively. Despite his attempts to stay low-profile, his massive frame made him stand out.

“He never comes to these things. He must have come to see you,” Sheng Yunshu said.

Yu Xi stood up. “I’ll go find him.”

As they walked over, Pei Wang whispered, “I don’t remember him much. A son of the Meng family?”

Yu Xi nodded. He knew Meng Shen’s history—his father was a philanderer with many wives and illegitimate children. Meng Shen had grown up in an environment of neglect and isolation, even from his own mother.

Seeing Meng Shen standing like an isolated island in the crowd made Yu Xi’s heart ache. He forgot his own nervousness and hurried over.

“A-Shen.”

The “isolated island” suddenly found its anchor. Meng Shen’s gloomy eyes lit up. “Xiao Xi…”

“Yunshu and Yunjuan are over there. Let’s go find them.” Yu Xi naturally reached out his hand to Meng Shen.

Meng Shen stared at the hand, his throat moving. His habitually clenched fist slowly opened, trembling as he reached out to take it.

Just as they were about to touch, a sneer came from behind them.

“I wondered why you’d actually show up today. So you were looking for someone? Strange—who else could you possibly know besides that Sheng woman?”

The speaker stepped forward, rounding Meng Shen’s large frame. When he finally saw the boy being shielded, his mocking expression froze. His pupils dilated as he stared at the youth’s face.

“Yu Xi?” he rasped.