Chapter 2: A Deal with Benefits

During the morning rush hour, the roads were packed as usual.

From the Gu residence to the school, they had to pass through a business district, and like always, the car was stuck in traffic.

The vehicle moved in fits and starts, while sunlight streamed through the window, warm and soothing against the skin.

It was early spring.

Tender shoots sprouted from the grass, branches stretched with new buds, and everything brimmed with vibrant life.

Even the breeze brushing against one’s face felt like a playful kitten gently nuzzling, bringing a sense of calm comfort.

He Ting sat in his seat, his eyelids growing heavier, his head gradually tilting to one side.

Absorbing new memories and beginning a new life had left him somewhat exhausted.

Drowsiness washed over him like a tide, and before he knew it, he had fallen asleep amid the gentle jolting of the car.

Gu Qiuhang sat with his long legs crossed, a laptop resting on his knees as he focused on typing.

The rhythmic tapping of the keyboard sounded almost like a lullaby.

He Ting’s small head slowly bobbed, inching closer toward Gu Qiuhang’s shoulder.

Each time it was about to touch, he would struggle awake just enough to straighten again.

Gu Qiuhang couldn’t help but turn his head to look.

A tiny thread of drool glistened at the corner of the boy’s lips, his long lashes resting softly against his eyelids.

His head kept nodding along with the car’s motion, drifting closer before weakly pulling back again.

His sleep was restless, yet he looked utterly adorable.

Gu Qiuhang pressed his lips together as he watched, finding it oddly novel.

He had rarely seen him this relaxed, this unguarded, simply being himself.

As he continued watching, a faint smile gradually formed in his eyes, and the corners of his lips lifted.

Old Chen, the driver, caught sight of his young master’s expression in the rearview mirror and was momentarily stunned.

Gu Qiuhang rarely smiled, let alone with such gentleness.

Seeing He Ting’s head tilt over again, Gu Qiuhang suppressed a laugh and reached out, intending to guide him onto his shoulder.

But just as his hand extended, a phone rang sharply.

The sudden sound was jarring in the quiet car.

He Ting’s lashes fluttered before he abruptly opened his eyes.

Still groggy, he fumbled in his bag for his phone, about to answer it…

Only for Gu Qiuhang to reach out first.

He Ting froze.

He felt Gu Qiuhang’s thumb lightly brush the corner of his lips, the warm touch grazing over them.

His ears immediately flushed red, and he instinctively shrank back.

Gu Qiuhang chuckled softly, raising his thumb in front of him.

‘That glistening droplet…’

Unbidden, He Ting recalled the earlier moment when he had been made to lick crumbs off his finger.

In an instant, his face turned completely red, like a boiled shrimp.

Paired with his just-awakened, dazed expression, he looked especially adorable.

His reaction seemed to please Gu Qiuhang, whose lips curved faintly as He Ting pressed his lips together and answered the call.

“Hello.”

He Ting spoke softly, sneaking a glance at Gu Qiuhang.

Gu Qiuhang had already lowered his gaze again, focused on typing.

After listening for a moment, He Ting replied, “It’s not very convenient right now. Let’s talk after school this afternoon.”

The caller was Meng Ling, Tang Xi’s younger brother.

When Tang Xi was born, he had a congenital heart defect, and his parents abandoned him in the snow one night.

Fortunately, he was found by Tang Wanli, who was returning from out of town, and taken home.

Later, his parents had another child, a healthy boy, Meng Ling.

Unexpectedly, after all these years, Meng Ling had come looking for him.

Meng Ling was sixteen this year, one year younger than Tang Xi.

He sought Tang Xi out to use his connection with the Gu family to transfer into the affiliated high school of X University.

X University was the best university in the country, and its affiliated high school admitted only the wealthy or powerful.

It was widely rumored that getting into that high school meant one foot was already in the university.

Naturally, spots were extremely limited, and Tang Xi himself had only been able to attend thanks to the Gu family.

But in truth, the school was not as miraculous as people claimed.

Though its acceptance rate was higher, it was mainly due to superior teaching staff.

Ultimately, success still depended on the student’s own effort.

Unfortunately, many believed the rumors without question, Meng Ling included.

In the original timeline, Meng Ling had also approached Tang Xi, but he had refused.

Tang Xi had his concerns.

His position in the Gu family was already delicate, and he wasn’t sure whether Gu Qiuhang would agree to such an unreasonable request.

He also feared that not only would he fail to help Meng Ling, but he might also incur Gu Qiuhang’s displeasure.

To Tang Xi, Gu Qiuhang was everything.

Anything that might cause him to be disliked was something Tang Xi desperately avoided.

Additionally, Meng Ling’s current school was already quite good.

Tang Xi believed there was no need for him to transfer.

But Meng Ling thought otherwise.

Because of this, he ended up walking down a path of no return.

Through unknown means, he connected with Gu Donghang and persuaded him to arrange the transfer.

Gu Donghang did help, but later, at a party, he and several rich second-generation heirs toyed with him.

That night, Meng Ling had even called Tang Xi to come over.

By coincidence, Tang Xi had been delayed and avoided disaster.

Meng Ling was sent to the hospital like a broken doll, disheveled and battered, bedridden for a full week.

Soon after, the incident spread throughout the school.

Faced with suggestive looks, exaggerated rumors, malicious ridicule, and pranks…

Meng Ling could no longer remain at the school.

His pride prevented him from returning to his old one, and he eventually enrolled in a third-rate school.

His grades plummeted, and he became completely dispirited.

Although Gu Donghang was severely reprimanded by Gu Qiuhang, he and his friends remained carefree at school.

This was why He Ting despised Gu Donghang so deeply.

And Gu Donghang, in turn, believed both brothers were inherently lowly, worsening their relationship.

He Ting couldn’t shake the feeling that Meng Ling’s invitation back then had not been entirely innocent.

Though young, Meng Ling was highly utilitarian, materialistic and vain.

He admired wealthy heirs who barely acknowledged him.

Still, he was Tang Xi’s younger brother.

If possible, He Ting wanted to help him, both to prevent his tragedy and his own.

But if Meng Ling harbored ill intent, he would not allow his goodwill to be trampled repeatedly.

Everyone had to bear the consequences of their actions.

Meng Ling was no exception.

The question was how to help him.

Since he planned to leave the Gu family at eighteen, it would not be appropriate to use their resources.

Thinking this through, He Ting sighed softly.

He began mentally sorting through his classmates, searching for someone who might help.

Hearing his sigh, Gu Qiuhang looked over.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

He Ting forced a small smile.

“Not convenient to say?”

“It’s just a small matter. I can handle it myself.”

Gu Qiuhang fell silent.

The car soon arrived at the school gate and pulled over.

He Ting grabbed his bag, said goodbye, and got out.

Through the window, Gu Qiuhang watched his retreating figure.

Slim and upright, he blended into the vibrant spring scenery like a beautiful painting.

For some reason, he felt that today’s Tang Xi was different.

He had somehow stepped into the picture in his heart.

****

He Ting walked across campus, slightly anxious.

He wanted to find Du An and see if he had any connections to help.

After a short distance, he hurried into a narrow cobblestone path.

The path was secluded, lined with dense trees and winding turns, rarely used.

It was the only shortcut to the classroom.

Lost in thought, he walked quickly.

And suddenly collided with someone’s chest.

The person caught him and said, “Baby, I’ve been waiting for you. Why are you so slow today?”

Startled, He Ting looked up.

Only to hear the man continue, “See? This is my new boyfriend. You can give up now.”

The one holding him was Su Bei, a third-year senior and a prominent figure at school.

He Ting tried to break free but was held tighter.

In the original timeline, though not on this path, Su Bei had done the same thing.

That day, Tang Xi had also been late due to traffic and had been pulled into someone’s arms at the school gate.

Su Bei had said the same words.

But Tang Xi, fearing Gu Qiuhang’s misunderstanding, had hastily denied any connection.

He still remembered Su Bei’s frustrated expression.

But this time, He Ting cooperated.

Failing to break free, he lowered his head shyly into Su Bei’s arms, cheeks flushed.

The boy opposite them looked heartbroken.

After staring at them for a few seconds with tears in his eyes, he turned and ran away.

Once the footsteps faded, He Ting pushed Su Bei away.

“Senior, isn’t this a bit much?”

Su Bei grinned.

“Didn’t you play along?”

He Ting pressed his lips together.

He had clearly been forced, but didn’t bother arguing.

Turning, he prepared to leave.

Su Bei grabbed him again.

“Don’t go, don’t go, little brother. I owe you a favor, alright?”

He Ting shot him a glare, trying to shake him off.

Su Bei suddenly recognized him.

“Oh? Tang Xi, right?”

He Ting blinked in surprise.

“You know my name?”

Su Bei winked.

“A pretty boy like you isn’t easy to forget.”

He Ting wrinkled his nose cutely, half-believing.

“Senior, you sure have a sweet tongue.”

“Of course.”

Su Bei laughed.

“Weren’t you always following that annoying Gu Qiuhang before?”

The two had never gotten along.

He Ting only smiled without answering.

Su Bei continued, “Have lunch with me? Thanks for saving me.”

He Ting thought, ‘Who saved you? You set this up yourself.’

Still, he politely said, “No need, it was just a coincidence.”

He stepped back slightly.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll go.”

He still had to deal with Meng Ling’s matter.

“Wait.”

Su Bei stopped him again.

“I really need your help.”

“Hm?”

Su Bei smiled.

“Ren Yang won’t give up easily. Help me all the way.”

He Ting understood immediately.

“You mean…?”

Su Bei nodded.

“Let’s pretend to be a couple for a while. Once he gives up, you can dump me.”

He Ting frowned.

“But why should I help you?”

Su Bei coaxed, “If you agree, you can ask anything of me in the future.”

He Ting hesitated.

Then he asked silently, ‘System, is this an opportunity?’

The system replied, “A rich husband falling from the sky.”

“…You’re not a matchmaker, are you?”

“…”

He Ting thought it over carefully.

Su Bei needed him, and he also needed someone like Su Bei.

A powerful ally meant another way out.

Finally, he nodded.

“Alright. Deal.”

His lips curved into a smile.

“But since you’re treating, I choose the seafood restaurant near X University.”

Su Bei finally relaxed, grinning brightly.

“Sure thing, boyfriend.”

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