Chapter 58: Hot Spring

A thatched cottage with a very rustic, pastoral atmosphere had been built in the plum blossom garden. A fireplace crackled warmly inside, ensuring it wouldn’t feel cold even on a snowy day.

To get a better view of the scenery, guests in the private rooms usually kept the wooden sliding doors open, so Zhang Xingkuo and his group were recognized the moment they walked past.

Since their families had more or less partnered together in business, they exchanged a few pleasantries.

One of the youths there seemed to have a decent relationship with Zhang Xingkuo.

“I heard you returned to the country. How come you didn’t attend my party? Some brother you are, doing me dirty like that.”

Zhang Xingkuo: “I was busy. Didn’t have the time.”

“Busy? Your racing has been put on hold, so what could you possibly be busy with? I heard you’ve been hovering around a little boy lately. Since when did you become a simp? A virgin with zero relationship experience like you better watch out or you’ll get played.” The guy teased.

Zhang Xingkuo clicked his tongue: “You went abroad and your mouth became this foul? I’m leaving.”

“Hey, don’t! Stay a bit!” The young man blocked Zhang Xingkuo, then looked toward the Sheng sisters and Lin Shuhuai. “It wasn’t easy running into each other. Let’s sit together and catch up.”

The young man didn’t think he would be rejected. After all, his family had a very good relationship with Zhang Xingkuo and the others, and they used to hang out a lot.

What he didn’t expect was that after asking, he didn’t immediately hear the anticipated reply. Instead, he saw Zhang Xingkuo and the others look toward a certain spot behind them in unison.

“I don’t mind.”

A clear, gentle voice rang out, resembling the sweet scent of plum blossoms drifting into the private room.

Only then did the young man realize there was someone else behind them. He poked his head out to look and completely froze.

The moment the youth appeared in his line of sight, the vibrantly blooming red plum blossoms behind him turned into a mere backdrop, accentuating that incredibly gorgeous, beautiful face. A pair of eyes shaped like peach blossom petals reflected the pure, crisp white light of the snow. When they curved slightly, spilling a trace of a smile, it was enough to make this simple, ancient-styled thatched wooden cottage gleam with splendor, as if all the light had gathered on his body.

“Hello, everyone. My name is Yu Xi.”

The young man felt a wave of dizziness. While he was still dazed, several of his friends who accompanied him had already stepped forward enthusiastically to greet him.

“I know you! We met before at Xingkuo’s racetrack. I even greeted you then, remember?”

“So you’re Yu Xi. No wonder they haven’t been coming out to play with us lately. They’ve been accompanying you, right?”

“Your name precedes you. Good to meet you, my name is…”

Watching his friends scramble to get close one after another, a question mark popped up over the young man’s head.

Wow, everyone kept it so well-hidden. Turns out they had been paying attention in secret all along.

No wonder their expressions were so strange whenever he brought up this matter before.

With a complex expression, the young man sat on one side of the long table, drinking tea with his head lowered while secretly observing the youth who sat in the seat of honor.

Just as the rumors said, Zhang Xingkuo and the others took meticulous care of the youth—pouring tea, peeling fruit, cracking walnuts, and even adding an extra layer to his seat cushion. The youth also seemed accustomed to it, accepting it with pleasure and returning a smile each time.

Seeing it with his own eyes, the commentary that he was like the moon surrounded by stars and deeply cherished was not an exaggeration at all.

But the young man had also heard that this youth had absolutely no background; he was just an ordinary Capital University student who had suddenly popped out of nowhere one day and moved into the Pei residence. Within a few days, he became the center of Zhang Xingkuo’s entire group, and even the one from the Gu family was…

This inevitably sparked some gossip within their circle. Some whispered in secret that while the youth appeared innocent, his capabilities were quite something, managing to turn these young masters and young ladies around his little finger purely by relying on his beauty and methods.

“Xiao Xi, eat this mandarin orange I peeled. It’s exceptionally sweet.”

“You didn’t even peel it clean. Practice more.”

“Eating too many oranges causes internal heat. Xiao Xi, try the tea I brewed.”

Case in point, within just a brief moment, Sheng Yunjuan, Zhang Xingkuo, and Lin Shuhuai began bickering over a mandarin orange, while Meng Shen—the one from the Meng family with the weakest sense of presence—never tore his gaze away for even a single second.

Before a winner could be determined, another tall, slender figure appeared outside the private room.

The man looked travel-worn. The frost and plum blossoms blown down from the branches along the corridor clung to his shoulders, and his entire body was steeped in chilliness. Beneath his loose, black overcoat, he still wore a suit, making him appear far more powerful, elegant, and debonair compared to the group who had come to play in casual clothes.

“Xixi.” The man’s gaze fell solely upon the youth, and the frost in his eyes—which was even more biting than the weather outside—melted in an instant. “I’m sorry, I arrived late.”

Yu Xi was a bit surprised: “I thought you wouldn’t arrive until dinner time. Come on in quickly.”

Gu Chuanzhou, who had been standing in the cold wind, walked inside. Ignoring the empty seats offered by the acquaintances he wasn’t familiar with, his gaze swept over the positions flanking Yu Xi, which were occupied by Sheng Yunjuan and Zhang Xingkuo.

Sheng Yunjuan and Zhang Xingkuo simultaneously raised their guards.

Sheng Yunjuan crossed her arms: “What? Want me to give up my seat? No way!”

Zhang Xingkuo also let out a disdainful snort at Gu Chuanzhou: “Since you came late, just sit over there honestly. What are you dreaming about?”

Gu Chuanzhou didn’t pay them any mind, looking back at Yu Xi: “Xixi.”

He didn’t say anything more, but it was clear he wanted to sit next to him.

A battle without gunpowder is about to begin, the young man watching everything thought to himself.

If they kept fighting like this, these few people might end up severing ties. Wouldn’t the years of friendship between these families be ruined in one day?

The young man thought worriedly, but his thoughts quickly changed.

After pondering for a short moment, the youth propped himself against the table and stood up, saying to Gu Chuanzhou, “Why don’t you sit in my spot? It’s warm here.”

The moment he wanted to give up his seat, the two people on his left and right grew anxious, simultaneously pulling Yu Xi back to stop him from moving.

“You two can just sit here.” Yu Xi addressed both of them, but his eyes were fixed on Zhang Xingkuo.

Zhang Xingkuo had originally been baring his teeth at Gu Chuanzhou, but his posture froze upon noticing Yu Xi’s gaze.

Those peach blossom eyes, which appeared deeply affectionate whenever he looked at someone earnestly, seemed to possess a magical power. By the time Zhang Xingkuo reacted, he had already spoken a compromise.

“Wait, no, I…”

Yet Yu Xi smiled with delight and said, “I knew it. Xingxing is the most generous and friendly toward friends.”

“…” Damn it.

Under the praise, Zhang Xingkuo swallowed his words of regret through gritted teeth. Amidst Sheng Yunjuan’s schadenfreude gaze, he gave up his seat, allowing Gu Chuanzhou to sit between himself and Yu Xi.

He was filled with a bellyful of rage, glaring with murderous intent at Gu Chuanzhou, who had taken over the choice spot the moment he arrived, wishing he could tear him apart.

He just knows how to pretend. A seat I fought so hard to get, on what basis?

Indignant, he wanted to stab him with a sharp remark, but just as the words were about to leave his mouth, his ribs were suddenly poked lightly. Turning his head, he found Yu Xi leaning close from behind, propping himself on the wooden floor with one hand while handing something over with the other.

“Xingxing, your favorite beef jerky.”

A single small piece of beef jerky instantly extinguished his raging fire with a loud hiss, leaving nothing but a silly smile on Zhang Xingkuo’s face.

The young man watched blankly as Yu Xi resolved the difficult problem with such ease, utterly dumbfounded.

He had never seen Zhang Xingkuo look so docile, nor had he ever seen this most aloof member of the Gu family reveal a subtle expression akin to a victor.

It’s just a seat, is it really worth it?

He questioned internally, but looking at the youth’s flawless appearance and clear, clean, smiling eyes, he felt it was entirely justifiable.

Yes, it certainly was worth it.

Having arrived late, Gu Chuanzhou managed to fight for a seat, but he missed the chance to vie for a room.

The last remaining room was the furthest from Yu Xi’s, the most secluded, and its area was also slightly smaller in comparison.

Zhang Xingkuo looked at Gu Chuanzhou triumphantly, flashing a mocking smile: “What a pity, the room next to Xiao Xi was taken by me. I’ve already slept in that bed; surely someone isn’t going to snatch it away?”

Meanwhile, Lin Shuhuai, who also occupied the room on the other side of Yu Xi by virtue of being the person who made the reservation, said apologetically, “Chuanzhou, this room is a bit small. It’s a little unfair to you. Would you like me to arrange another room for you upstairs?”

“No need.” Gu Chuanzhou accepted the result calmly, pushing his luggage into the room before casting a soft gaze at Yu Xi. “Let’s go eat. Xixi should be hungry.”

Yu Xi’s slightly surprised gaze lingered on Gu Chuanzhou’s face for a few seconds before he responded with a delayed “okay.”

Even more surprising was that during dinner, Gu Chuanzhou didn’t contest for the seats next to Yu Xi either. He randomly found a spot that was neither too close nor too far, sitting right next to Sheng Yunshu, who had always preferred quiet.

Sheng Yunshu blanked out for a moment, asking in surprise, “You want to sit here?”

Gu Chuanzhou nodded: “I won’t disturb your reading.”

“…Oh, suit yourself.” Lazy to investigate, Sheng Yunshu lowered her head to immerse herself back into the ocean of words.

The expressions of the others shifted, repeatedly sizing up Gu Chuanzhou’s demeanor.

Yet Gu Chuanzhou sat with an air of complete serenity, showing no desire to compete or any trace of jealousy on his face. He merely pushed the distant dishes a bit closer during the meal to make it convenient for Yu Xi to taste them.

Because of Gu Chuanzhou’s unusual behavior, dinner rarely erupted into a bloodbath, passing by quite harmoniously.

After enjoying some entertainment at the villa to digest their food, the prime time for soaking in the hot spring arrived.

Although their rooms all featured private hot spring pools, the mixed pool was larger and offered a better view.

Originally, they weren’t accustomed to soaking in a mixed pool, preferring a more private space and tacitly intending to return to their respective rooms. However, before parting ways, Yu Xi cast an extra glance at the beautiful mixed pool equipped with built-in moonlight lamps. Seeing this, Sheng Yunjuan asked with great interest, “Does Xiao Xi want to soak over there? I’ll accompany you!”

This single invitation opened a new floodgate.

The group showed a rare display of unity as they egged Yu Xi on.

“I can accompany you too. Soaking alone is boring.”

“The ones in the rooms are still too small, it feels stifling to soak in them. It’s actually not bad to soak out here.”

“We’ve booked out this entire floor of rooms, so even if it’s a mixed pool, no one else will come. Xiao Xi can rest assured.”

“It’s more lively when everyone is together, much better.”

Hearing this, Yu Xi felt there was nothing wrong with it, so he nodded and agreed.

However, once he changed into his swimming trunks, tied his bathrobe, and arrived at the hot spring pool, his toes curled back upon meeting several scorching gazes that had arrived long before him. He began to regret this decision.

“Xiao Xi, aren’t you taking it off?”

“Come on in quickly, it’s very cold up there.”

“It’s so comfortable in here.”

Every single pair of eyes was filled with a certain anticipation. Even Sheng Yunjuan, despite being soaked in the pool, didn’t forget to hold her camera, completely unafraid of it getting wet.

“…” Yu Xi clutched the knot of his bathrobe, feeling a bit like running away.

At this moment, Sheng Yunshu, who arrived a step late, walked over from behind him. Taking hold of Yu Xi’s hand, she stepped into the pool first while still wearing her bathrobe.

“Xiao Xi, come on.”

With her setting an example, Yu Xi followed her into the pool with his bathrobe on.

Although he hadn’t soaked in a hot spring before, Yu Xi still understood that entering the pool in swimwear was more appropriate; no one would soak in a hot spring wearing a bathrobe that would absorb water and become heavy and cumbersome.

Sheng Yunshu had intentionally helped him out of the predicament.

After entering the pool, Yu Xi also chose to stay with Sheng Yunshu. Seeing Meng Shen quietly approach, he tacitly allowed it as well.

Of course, it wasn’t easy for him to say anything directly when the others drew close; this was a mixed pool, so he couldn’t be too overbearing.

It was just that before he knew it, everyone had huddled too close, surrounding him. Four distinct yet well-built chests hovered before his eyes. Yu Xi felt a bit dizzy after soaking for just a few minutes, not to mention Sheng Yunjuan’s camera flash kept going off beside him.

Withstanding the pressure for a while longer, he finally spoke up weakly: “I want to get out.”

The others wanted to keep him, but he claimed he couldn’t quite adapt to the temperature of this pool and felt uncomfortable, so they let him go back.

He climbed up the steps. His figure swayed slightly due to the bathrobe being heavy from absorbing water, and his waist and hips were simultaneously supported by several hands. Once he was ashore, he looked back at his friends who had all gathered at the edge of the pool to send him off, unable to distinguish whose hands they belonged to.

Biting his vivid red lips, he didn’t care to bicker anymore. Squeezing the water out of his bathrobe, he walked back to the changing room.

He planned to sneakily soak in his own room instead, so he just took a quick shower, changed into a dry bathrobe, and returned to his room.

Entering his personal space with no one else to disturb him, and with no need to wear a bathrobe because of anyone’s gaze, Yu Xi could finally enjoy the pleasure of soaking in the hot spring with his whole heart and soul.

Because it was so comfortable, he nearly fell asleep.

It was the doorbell that woke him.

Having soaked for a bit too long, his bones felt soft and his consciousness had become a bit sluggish; he almost tripped when coming ashore.

He had been careless; soaking alone was a bit dangerous, and if he soaked any longer, he really would have passed out from the heat.

“W-Wait a moment—” he called out to the exterior.

His body was wet, so drying himself and putting on clothes took some time. Coupled with his dizzy head, his movements were even slower, but the person outside the door waited for him to open up with great patience, not rushing him in the slightest.

There were temporarily no extra bathrobes left in the room. Fortunately, there were still two sets of Japanese-style yukata in the wardrobe that fit the hot spring theme. Yu Xi wasn’t very good at wearing them; clumsily tying a knot, he hurriedly went to open the door.

He only opened the door by a tiny crack. Seeing Gu Chuanzhou, he didn’t allow the man straight in, maintaining his guard.

“Is something the matter?”

Gu Chuanzhou had also changed into a dark blue striped yukata, his hair casually styled, looking a bit more lazy and casual than usual. He gazed at Yu Xi, who was half-hidden at the doorway like an alert rabbit, and narrowed his long eyes with pleasure: “Xixi, do you still remember? You still owe me one condition.”

“…Oh.”

Since it was something he had agreed to personally, Yu Xi could only swing the door wide open to let the man in.

He turned around to walk into the room first, but because he had just soaked in the hot spring and hadn’t recovered his strength, he was still a bit dizzy and accidentally bumped into the low table.

“Ugh!”

He was caught by a powerful arm, preventing a fall.

A wave of dizziness washed over his eyes again, forcing him to close them. Once he eased out of it, he discovered he had already been carried onto the sofa by Gu Chuanzhou.

“Was Xixi soaking in the hot spring all by himself just now?” Gu Chuanzhou asked.

Because he had cast aside their group to soak in secret, Yu Xi couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty. He simply leaned against Gu Chuanzhou’s arm, pretending he was still unwell and hadn’t heard.

He didn’t answer, and Gu Chuanzhou didn’t ask further either, appearing to quietly wait for him to recover.

However, keeping his eyes closed, Yu Xi didn’t immediately realize that his current appearance was a bit disastrous.

The messily tied knot around his waist had already loosened quite a bit. His collar fell wide open, revealing his shoulders and a large expanse of snow-white skin. The prominent cherry hue peeked out indistinctly, rising and falling with his breath. Even his small navel was exposed to the man, and beneath the sash, his two legs peeked out from the gaps.

Such a scenery was vastly different compared to before when he entered the mixed pool wearing a bathrobe, where the damp flannel clung tight to fully display his curves.

More importantly… right now, there was only one viewer.

Within a private space, a certain something could no longer be restrained, restlessly poking its head out.

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