Chapter 8: Clothes

Gu Chuanzhou took Yu Xi to a massive shopping mall. The interior was luxuriously decorated, housing numerous top-tier luxury brands.

Aside from when he was very young, Yu Xi had never been to such a place. Upon entering, he was dazzled by the glass dome and brilliant lights; standing on the long escalator even made him feel a bit dizzy.

In this unfamiliar environment, he instinctively acted like a newborn fledgling, pressing against Gu Chuanzhou’s arm and following his footsteps closely to seek a sense of security, terrified of being left behind.

Gu Chuanzhou noted these subtle reactions but said nothing, silently enjoying the feeling of being relied upon.

“Shall we get something to eat first?”

In this situation, Yu Xi naturally agreed to whatever Gu Chuanzhou suggested.

Afterward, he tasted many new things—milk tea, desserts, snacks… whenever he cast a curious glance at something, Gu Chuanzhou would buy it for him. He didn’t want Gu Chuanzhou to pay for everything, but Gu Chuanzhou said, “When I was locked up at home as a child, you secretly brought me many things. Just consider this my way of paying you back.”

“But…” Yu Xi recalled the little candies, half-bars of chocolate, and few pieces of fruit he had brought over like treasures back then. Compared to these, they felt like nothing. “Those things weren’t worth much.”

Gu Chuanzhou told him not to compare: “Buying these for you feels the same to me.”

Faced with such logic, Yu Xi had no retort and silently chose to accept.

What made it even more difficult for him was that Gu Chuanzhou bought too much. He couldn’t finish it all, and his eating pace gradually slowed as a look of embarrassment crossed his face. Quite opportunely, Gu Chuanzhou took the food from his hand and finished it without a change in expression, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Let’s go upstairs and take a look.”

Yu Xi responded with a slightly sluggish nod.

The third floor of the mall was filled with fashion brands. Yu Xi didn’t recognize any of them; he only felt that everything in the windows and on the counters was shiny and expensive.

“Anything you’re interested in?”

Yu Xi shook his head. After a curious look around, he lowered his head to take a bite of the cream puff in his hand. Under his pale yellow bucket hat, his long lashes drooped submissively. His lips were moist and bright red from eating, and a bit of cream stuck to the corner of his mouth before being quickly licked away by a cherry-pink tongue.

Gu Chuanzhou watched him silently for a moment, then suddenly said, “Should we eat the ice cream first? It’s about to melt.”

Yu Xi nodded. He went to take it, only to see Gu Chuanzhou scoop up a spoonful and hold it out, as if to feed him.

“You don’t want it?” Gu Chuanzhou asked.

“I… I do.” Despite having fed the other person before, Yu Xi felt inexplicably nervous being fed. He hesitated for a moment before leaning forward and opening his mouth.

Unfortunately, the ice cream didn’t make it into his mouth. It was as if Gu Chuanzhou lost his grip; the ice cream fell right onto him.

Yu Xi let out a small “Ugh.” The half-melted matcha ice cream landed right on his collarbone. The chill sent a wave of goosebumps across his skin, and the liquid slid down into his collar, soaking the thin fabric and spreading a matcha-green stain.

Before he could react, Gu Chuanzhou had already produced a wet wipe to help him clean up.

The soft wet wipe pressed against his delicate collarbone. Even with the man’s lightest touch, it rubbed the tender skin into a faint pink.

A dark glint flickered in the depths of Gu Chuanzhou’s eyes as his fingers moved downward, wiping beneath the collar.

“Chuanzhou-ge, I can do it myself…” The repeated wiping made the area itch. Yu Xi’s breathing turned slightly ragged as he tried to stop him.

Gu Chuanzhou refused, stubbornly insisting on helping: “It’s fine. It’ll be clean in a second.”

As he swapped for a fresh wipe to go over it again, he sensed a passerby approaching. His heated mind cooled instantly, and he pulled his hand back. “I’ll take you to buy a new one.”

Yu Xi shook his head hurriedly. “No, no, it’s fine. I’ll just wash it when I get home.”

“It was my fault. It’s only right that I compensate you.” Gu Chuanzhou’s voice dropped, carrying a hint of self-reproach.

Seeing him like that, Yu Xi didn’t have the heart to say anything more. But once they entered a certain shop and he saw the high-quality fashion inside, he immediately regretted it.

The clothes he wore were only worth dozens of yuan from online shopping, and he had washed and worn them for years. It felt like Gu Chuanzhou was getting the short end of the deal buying him such nice things. But Gu Chuanzhou gave him no chance to refuse. He decisively picked out an outfit and paid for it while Yu Xi was still trying it on. Yu Xi’s prepared excuses about the “clothes not fitting” were completely useless.

“Does Xi Xi not like it?” Gu Chuanzhou held him by the shoulders, turning him toward the mirror. “I think it looks very good.”

In the undisturbed VIP fitting room, only their two figures were reflected in the wall-to-wall mirrors.

Gu Chuanzhou had picked the clothes as if at random, but they suited Yu Xi remarkably well. A water-blue short-sleeved shirt over a white T-shirt paired with apricot shorts—a simple combination that highlighted his clean aura. The youth was already eye-catching in plain clothes, but now he was stunningly beautiful.

Yu Xi stared blankly at his reflection. His first thought was that the color of the shirt was very similar to what Gu Chuanzhou was wearing—almost like a matching set.

“Let’s get a pair of shoes to match.”

While he was still dazed, Yu Xi was pressed down onto a sofa. Gu Chuanzhou held a pair of casual shoes in the correct size brought by the attendant and dropped to one knee.

“Chuanzhou-ge…!”

The man’s expression didn’t change at all. With one hand, he easily controlled Yu Xi’s leg as he tried to pull back, circling his ankle and pulling it close. Moving unhurriedly, he untied the laces of Yu Xi’s worn-out canvas shoes, took them off, and replaced both the socks and shoes with new ones.

The shop attendant, showing great tact, didn’t intrude to serve them. She simply watched as the handsome man knelt on the carpet, his fingers gripping the youth’s exposed calf—so soft that a slight press left a shallow indentation—as he changed the shoe with irresistible authority.

The blush on the youth’s ears spread to his cheeks. He tried to stop him several times, grabbing the man’s hand: “You don’t have to do this, I can put them on myself!”

The man pushed his hand away and whispered: “Xi Xi, be good.” Then he gripped the other calf and changed the second shoe.

It took a while, but eventually, the man successfully finished changing the youth’s shoes and socks. The beige casual shoes and ankle-high socks made the youth’s legs look very long and perfectly complemented the outfit. However, several finger marks from the firm grip remained on those white, smooth calves.

Startled by Gu Chuanzhou’s actions and glimpsing the staggering number on the receipt, Yu Xi didn’t have the energy to say anything more.

Aside from his mother when he was little, and the children who used to scramble to tie his laces for him, no one had done this for him since he grew up. He knew Gu Chuanzhou was good to him, but he hadn’t expected it to reach this level.

Why was the grip on my calf so strong? I couldn’t even refuse.

Yu Xi’s gaze involuntarily drifted to Gu Chuanzhou’s hands. The man was carrying several bags—takeout desserts, snacks, and a gift bag with a fashion logo containing Yu Xi’s old clothes. The stack of bags looked like an open fan. Yu Xi would have needed two hands to carry them, but Gu Chuanzhou managed with one. His fingers seemed a good deal longer than Yu Xi’s.

His kitten-like observation was noticed by Gu Chuanzhou, leading to a slight misunderstanding. “Still want to eat something else?”

“No…”

Just as Yu Xi was about to say he was full, a voice filled with pleasant surprise came from behind.

“Young Master Gu, what a coincidence! You’re out shopping too?” Turning around, they saw a young man and woman dressed in flashy, expensive clothes.

Gu Chuanzhou glanced sideways, giving a cold nod as a greeting. Then, he led Yu Xi into another shop: “Let’s pick out a new hat for you.”

This clearly indifferent reaction meant Yu Xi didn’t pay much mind to the strangers. He touched the pale yellow bucket hat on his head and asked, “Didn’t you already give me one?”

“The clothes have changed, so we need a hat that matches better.”

“Huh? There’s no need to be so particular, is there?”

As the two immersed themselves in choosing a hat, they didn’t notice the couple was still watching them.

“How rare to run into him in a place like this.” The girl looked back and forth between the two, who were behaving quite intimately. “Didn’t they say this heir of the Gu family rarely socializes? He seems very close to that boy. I don’t recognize him at all.”

The guy pulled out his phone. “I’ll just take a photo and ask in the group chat.”

“You’ve got guts! If Gu Chuanzhou finds out, you’re dead.”

“What’s there to be afraid of? This is big news, gotta share it.”

Thus, a photo was sent to a small circle’s group chat without their knowledge, and it was quickly forwarded elsewhere.

After finishing their shopping, having a meal, and watching a movie, Gu Chuanzhou finally dropped Yu Xi off at sunset.

Yu Xi entered the house carrying various bags. Pei Lexin, who had just returned from work, praised him immediately: “Oh my, our Xiao Xi looks so handsome in this outfit!”

Embarrassed by the praise, Yu Xi smiled and bit his lip. “Chuanzhou-ge bought it for me.”

Pei Lexin nodded with satisfaction. “Our Xiao Xi is beautiful; you should wear nice clothes. I’ll take you out shopping in a few days too.”

“No need, Auntie Pei, I don’t lack anything…” As he spoke, Yu Xi noticed Pei Wang sitting at the dining table. After a moment’s thought, he took the initiative to greet him: “I’m back.”

The boy, who always looked displeased, gave another heavy snort. “You certainly had a fun time. I guess you completely forgot about saying you’d help me with my homework this morning?”

Yu Xi: “…”

“You were the one who said you didn’t want my help.” Yu Xi looked elsewhere, unable to stop himself from complaining in a small voice. Then, before Pei Wang could get angrier, he handed over a bag. “I bought something delicious for you.”

Actually, he hadn’t; Gu Chuanzhou had bought an extra portion because he saw Yu Xi liked it.

Fortunately, Pei Wang went silent after seeing it. He didn’t snap back and even gave a very awkward “thanks.”

Yu Xi thought happily: So Pei Wang can be coaxed with sweets.

Thanks to that gift, the atmosphere at dinner was much better than the previous day. Yu Xi finally had a peaceful meal.

After eating and drinking his fill, he carried his bags upstairs. While organizing, he realized he was missing something. He picked up his phone and messaged Gu Chuanzhou.

Yu Xi: [Chuanzhou-ge, I think I forgot the bag with my old clothes (fidgeting fingers)]

Gu Chuanzhou’s reply arrived after a short delay. Gu Chuanzhou: [Yes. I’ll return it to you tomorrow once I’ve washed it.]

Sitting on the sofa, Yu Xi swung his legs and told Gu Chuanzhou about giving Pei Wang the sweets. Yu Xi: [I can’t believe it! He actually likes sweets.] Yu Xi: [Chuanzhou-ge, do you think if I give him sweets more often, he’ll like me a bit more?]

Gu Chuanzhou: [No one could dislike Xi Xi.] Gu Chuanzhou: [But some people aren’t worth Xi Xi’s effort.]

Yu Xi focused on the first sentence, tapping the keyboard earnestly. Yu Xi: [Chuanzhou-ge, no one in the world is liked by everyone. You’re coddling me too much.]

When this message arrived on the other phone, it caused a slight vibration in the man’s hand.

Gu Chuanzhou held the phone with one hand, his thumb brushing over the chat bubble. A very soft laugh escaped his nose. He replied: [How could that be?]

How could that be, Xi Xi? Anyone who meets you will gradually be drawn to you, becoming infatuated bit by bit, falling deeper and deeper… it is the most natural thing in the world.

Why is it that after all these years, you still have no awareness of it at all?

Having no sense of crisis is very dangerous. Having no self-knowledge of one’s own allure invites more and more predators. By the time you realize it, you’ll be surrounded by wolves, and it will be too late.

Gu Chuanzhou would not allow that to happen.

What exactly would he have to do to make it so that only he remained by Xi Xi’s side?

Such thoughts swirled in Gu Chuanzhou’s mind. They had sprouted twelve years ago and had now taken deep root, becoming an inescapable obsession. Not a day went by that he didn’t think about how to make Yu Xi belong solely to him.

He had to be patient. He had to take it step by step, slowly tricking the oblivious rabbit into the trap he had long since prepared… then strike with precision.

The prerequisite for all of this was endurance.

Gu Chuanzhou broke into a hot sweat, his fingers tightening. He let out a heavy breath from his chest, venting all the unsightly desires within him.

A strange scent slowly spread through the room.

Gu Chuanzhou let go of the clothing he had been clutching tightly. The white T-shirt was incredibly wrinkled and soaked through. Aside from the youth’s light fragrance, it was now permeated with another heavy, masculine scent.