Chapter 11 Sorry "Can you forgive me?"

The five laps can be long or short.

When Gu Ci was a child, he was often taken running by his father. As long as he was at home, he would wake Gu Ci up at dawn and drag him for a morning run around the familiar streets.

The city had just woken up in the early morning, and the hot steam from the breakfast stalls and noodle shops was rising. He and his father ran side by side through the green trees, passed by the chirping cicadas in midsummer, walked through the cool autumn rain, and stepped on the piled up first snow. The number of vehicles and people increased from a few to a constant stream. They stood on the opposite side of the road, and in the end, only one person was left running.

It seemed that he was the only one on that track.

Gu Ci couldn't help but look at Shang Zui who was panting beside him. Thinking of something, the corners of his mouth slowly curled up again.

Shang Zui was sweating profusely as he ran, propping himself up on his knees and waving his hands.

He no longer had the demeanor of a seasoned runner: "I can't do it anymore! I'm really going to give up! You're so energetic so early in the morning!" Meeting Gu Ci's smiling eyes, he turned in surprise and said, "Gu Ci, am I seeing right... are you smiling?"

Although he knew Gu Ci was in a good mood, to still be so happy after running two kilometers was a bit too good.

Because he had just finished running, Gu Ci's cheeks were slightly flushed, and his eyes were wet, making his pupils even more transparent and dark, gleaming as he looked at him, making Shang Zui's complaints after the penalty run disappear.

How could there be someone so beautiful... oh no, an angel?

Gu Ci said sincerely, "Thank you, Shang Zui."

He was indeed smiling. For some reason, he was just happy.

It was great. At least he wasn't alone.

Shang Zui scratched his head, thinking that he hadn't done anything yet.

Thinking of the person who had caused this farce, he was filled with righteous indignation and comforted Gu Ci, saying, "Don't worry. Although your spell was interrupted by Crab Bro, I'll definitely help you with Huo Wenyuan's anger towards you!"

Gu Ci shook his head and said, "No need."

He looked up at the sky and blinked. "Huo Wenyuan was not mean to me at all. He did nothing wrong. I misunderstood him."

He was mistaken; Huo Wenyuan didn't want to be protected by him.

Shang Zui said anxiously, "Then I don't care. You're my deskmate and my friend. Your business is my business. If you're unhappy, I can't be happy either."

"You're quite nosy."

A meaningful irony shattered the friendly and harmonious atmosphere. Gu Ci and Shang Zui turned around at the same time, only to see the person they had been discussing walking towards them with one hand in his pocket and steady steps.

Huo Wenyuan tossed a bottle of soda toward Shang Zui. "Come on."

Shang Zui frantically reached out to catch it, then puffed out his chest and said, "Don't think you can escape justice by giving me soda!"

Huo Wenyuan didn't bother to argue.

He still had another bottle of soda in his hand, so he walked over to Gu Ci and handed it over.

Gu Ci twisted his fingers, hesitated for a moment, then took the water and whispered, "Thank you."

Shang Zui, desperate for revenge, quickly questioned his target. "Huo Wenyuan, what brought you down here?" Huo

Wenyuan replied, "I'm free."

Shang Zui: "?"

He unscrewed the bottle cap, gulped down half a bottle, and continued his venomous attack: "Huo Wenyuan, tell me the truth, did you upset Gu Ci?"

Normally, being confronted so bluntly, Huo Wenyuan would have either called him an "idiot" or simply walked away without a word. But now, he remained composed, miraculously not denying his story.

Shang Zui sensed something fishy and urged, "Tell me quickly! What unforgivable sin have you committed?"

Huo Wenyuan leered at him and retorted, "How do you know I'm wrong?"

Shang Zui glanced at Gu Ci, glaring at him fiercely. "Gu Ci is an angel. How could a little angel make a mistake? "

Huo Wenyuan: "..."

A perfect reason.

He didn't bother with a fool and simply ignored Shang Zui. Turning to Gu Ci, he asked, "Would you like me to unscrew the cap?" Before Gu Ci

could even begin to speak, Huo Wenyuan took the soda from his hand, unscrewed the cap, and handed it back to him.

Gu Ci: "...Thank you."

Shang Zui's eyes widened.

He knew where the conspiracy came from.

Although Gu Ci didn't understand why Shang Zui did this, he whispered, "I can do it myself."

Huo Wenyuan nodded, "I know."

He looked Gu Ci straight in the eye and said, "I just wanted to do it. I'm sorry for what I said to you this morning."

Gu Ci's surprise deepened at Huo Wenyuan's words.

Shang Zui was also stunned, repeatedly looking through his water bottle at the sun—this sun… didn't rise from the west either?

Huo Wenyuan had admitted his mistake so easily; it was the most magical plot ever.

Huo Wenyuan bluntly told Gu Ci, "I only cared about my own feelings and didn't consider your perspective. I'm sorry."

He knew the source of his sudden emotion.

Huo Xiao often said that the man named Gu Li was his lifelong comrade and best friend. After decades of hardships, they had blossomed and blossomed, and now they had achieved success. They had been "best friends" and finally "protected." Only a few had left and remained.

Gu Ci's father had left to protect him, and he subconsciously didn't want Gu Ci to sacrifice anything for him anymore.

His body had already burdened too many people.

Yet, he knew that "friends" inevitably owed each other debts. Therefore, he hated making friends; interacting with people was such a hassle.

But it was obviously too late; he and Gu Ci had become "friends." Young Master Huo was a man of his word, never breaking his promise.

Gu Ci felt aggrieved after hearing this. He looked down at his toes and said guiltily, "Actually, I shouldn't have..."

I shouldn't have taken the initiative to "protect" him without his consent. What if he didn't need protection at all?

Before he could finish his self-blame, Huo Wenyuan extended his palm, interrupting him.

A weight felt above him. Huo Wenyuan's hand rested on his head, ruffling his soft, silky hair.

Shang Zui: "...What the hell! You..."

He hadn't seen it wrong. Huo Wenyuan had actually touched Gu Ci! And nothing happened! It was unheard of!

Huo Wenyuan glanced at him. "Is it strange that I can touch him?"

"Strange..." Shang Zui wanted to say, "Strange, really strange." After all these years, this was the first time Huo Wenyuan could touch someone, and it was Gu Ci.

Huo Wenyuan ignored Shang Zui's questioning, his mind preoccupied with one thing.

He looked at Gu Ci: "Can you forgive me?"

Gu Ci, her nose red, tilted her head, and smiled at him.

The sky cleared.

The sun was shining brightly in the sky. Xie Buruo once again leaned on the railing outside the classroom, looking at the students walking back shoulder to shoulder. He put his palms together and couldn't hide the smile on his face.

"Even though I didn't hear what they were saying, it feels like I've been transported back to the days before I was a poisonous husband..."

He affably greeted the triumphant return of his three classmates. As they took their seats, they became the focus of the entire class.

"Well, well, everyone's here." Xie Bu Ruo's expression changed faster than a Sichuan opera opera. His eyes had just slitted into a smile, then he put his hands on his hips and berated, "Huo Wenyuan, you're into the fun too, aren't you?!"

Before Huo Wenyuan could begin, he reached out to stop him. "Alright, stop talking. I understand. Since you're also idle, as payment for your disregard for class rules, you'll be giving the pre-exam pep talk and sharing your exam experience next month!"

Huo Wenyuan: "..."

The entire class erupted, cheers echoing throughout the entire floor.

After all, that was Huo Wenyuan! Xichen Middle School's iconic figure, the kind who could inspire people with just his presence.

Shang Zui, however, was unimpressed. He whispered to Gu Ci, "They obviously don't know. The first half might be a punishment for Huo Wenyuan, but the second half... is pure torture for the underdog."

Gu Ci asked, puzzled, "Why?"

As someone who'd experienced it, Shang Zui replied, "You'll know when the time comes. Sharing the experience of a genius student... hehe." It was practically the same as humiliating them on the spot.

He laughed his ass off.

Upon learning that Huo Wenyuan could touch Gu Ci, Shang Zui was astonished as if he had discovered a new world. Unfortunately, Gu Ci knew little about the reason, so Shang Zui concluded: Gu Ci is an angel, and angels can of course touch humans.

This was quite true.

"Shangcrates Zui" also had a golden conclusion: the most popular things in school were currency, knowledge, and gossip.

Within a day, the rumor that Huo Wenyuan had accompanied Gu Ci for his "punishment" spread throughout the school.

The students who heard the gossip were in disbelief. Oh my god! That was Huo Wenyuan, the legendary, unapproachable, and stern genius. How could he stoop to such a low standard for a transfer student?

Rumors! It must be a rumor!

Only Class 9 (1) and the athletes who witnessed it know how true it is.

From Gu Ci's hands, you can even get lamb cookies hand-picked by Huo Wenyuan.

"Come on, Huo Wenyuan took someone else's punishment? And he's giving them lamb cookies! How can this guy not brag to the heavens?" On the playground, a nimble teenager effortlessly performed dozens of pull-ups, then landed gracefully and complained to his friends.

"My sister has been pursuing Huo Wenyuan for three years without success. To put it bluntly, Huo Wenyuan is a stickler. How could he possibly sacrifice for someone else? I don't believe it."

"What? You saw it with your own eyes? Okay, who's that little devil? I'm going to confront him right now!"

The teenager ran to the door of Class 9 (1) with familiarity, looking menacing.

He bumped into the fair-skinned boy head-on. Just as he was about to explode, his anger subsided when he saw his face.

Isn't this the pretty girl I met this morning?

Gu Ci also remembered; he'd seen her before.

Not only in the morning, he had also seen him on the grade's honor roll, it seemed... the photo was right behind Huo Wenyuan, and his name was... Qu Zhi?

Time was limited, Qu Zhi forced himself to move his eyes away from Xiao Piaoliang's face, and said viciously again: "I'm looking for the one called Gu... something Chi, please ask him to get out!"

Gu Ci's pupils gradually dilated, and he asked in confusion: "Do he have to get out?"

Qu Zhi: "... This is just an exaggeration, please don't mind it."

"Where's Gu Chi? Is he there? I'm looking for him!"

Gu Ci pondered his meaning for a moment, and said cautiously: "Although there is no classmate named Gu Chi in our class, there is also someone named Gu Ci. Maybe you are looking for him?"

Qu Zhi: "Yes, yes, yes! Him!"

Before Xiao Piaoliang went to call people, he took the opportunity to say: "By the way, classmate, what is your name? Can you leave me a contact number?"

A hint of doubt flashed in Gu Ci's eyes, and he said softly: "I am Gu Ci, what are you looking for me for?" Qu

Zhi: "???"

Gu Ci = Gu... Chi?

Xiao Piaoliang = "little goblin"?