Chapter 17: Idiot "Gu Ci, come here." ...

"What's going on, Manager!" As the competent spokesperson for Young Master Huo, Butler Feng preemptively questioned the manager, frowning, "The market price isn't this low. Are the goods here fake?"

He emphasized the words "low" and "fake," winking at the manager.

Sure enough, upon hearing this question, Gu Ci's eyes darted over inquiringly, filled with curiosity and scrutiny.

The overwhelmed manager was already somewhat bewildered: "How could it be fake!"

... He had already quoted a low price, as instructed by the Huo family, going from five figures to two. Was that too much or too little?

Butler Feng knew he was being confused, and kindly reminded him, "Our Young Master and Xiao Ci want to give a friend a birthday present. Besides this 99, is there anything more affordable?"

He casually changed his habit of using one finger to adjust his glasses, instead using three fingers for a hint.

The store manager: "..."

He swallowed hesitantly, then gritted his teeth and nodded, "Yes."

Gu Ci and Huo Wenyuan each bought two co-branded Labubu plush toys at a three-digit discount of 20%.

When they were checking out, Butler Feng promptly approached and said, "Xiao Ci, your card is with me. You can do it yourself."

Gu Ci nodded in thanks, carefully entering his PIN and swiping his card. When the buzzer sounded, his lips curled slightly. He took the bank card with both hands and quickly walked over to Butler Feng.

"Thank you, Uncle Feng. Please keep it for me."

Butler Feng: "Hmm?"

This card had always been one of Gu Ci's, but he had been keeping it at the Huo family. He had been planning to give it to him as an allowance card after this incident.

But Gu Ci looked at him sincerely and said, "You're the parent. Please keep it."

He knew his father had left a will when he passed away, leaving all his property to him, to be kept by the Huo family until he turned eighteen.

Since he was someone his father trusted, he didn't doubt it.

Butler Feng's eyes reddened beneath his glasses, but he quickly regained his composure. He took the card and said, "...Okay."

Gu Ci's lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes sparkling. He turned to Huo Wenyuan and said, "Let's go, Brother Wenyuan, back to planting some flowers!"

Huo Wenyuan said little, lazily shoving his hands in his pockets as he followed Gu Ci, who seemed to be bouncing briskly, out, his eyes never leaving him.

Fortunately, there was no danger.

Kids are always troublesome.

Gazing at Gu Ci and Huo Wenyuan's backs, the store manager breathed a sigh of relief, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and raised his ring finger to Butler Feng, who hadn't left yet. Butler Feng

ignored him and patted him on the shoulder with satisfaction. "You've made progress. I'll transfer you triple the full amount when I get back. Now that the special plane has arrived, remember to airfreight everything back. Don't let the other overseas customers get anxious."

The store manager: "..."

Are you afraid of making others wait, yet you still do this?!

He didn't understand.

Gu Ci didn't understand either.

He stared at the two dolls sitting neatly in the back seat, wondering how he'd get these two expensive, large dolls tomorrow.

Huo Wenyuan rested his elbows on the armrest, his knuckles gently nudging his temples. He caught a glimpse of Gu Ci looking back and said, "Send them directly to Liu's house tomorrow."

Gu Ci opened his mouth in disbelief. "Wow!"

Huo Wenyuan had actually guessed right!

Huo Wenyuan: "..."

His expression was written all over his face. What was so hard to guess?

He turned and suddenly asked, "The one with purple bunny ears? If you like it, why don't you buy it?"

It was obvious that Gu Ci had initially preferred that doll, but he ultimately chose the one that matched Liu Zhihe's preferences. Before leaving, he gazed at it again, reluctantly.

Would he buy it for someone else, but not for himself?

"Me?" Gu Ci realized what Huo Wenyuan was implying and lowered his head. "I'm actually fine... Mainly, I'm buying a gift for Liu, so I can buy it anytime."

Huo Wenyuan thought Gu Ci was incredibly clueless.

On the spot, he intercepted the doll that was almost sent back to the Art Capital, and successfully moved it into Gu Ci's room.

After returning to the room, Gu Ci was so surprised that he asked incoherently: "Huh... When was this put in..."

He walked over and hugged the doll with both hands, looking up at Huo Wenyuan: "Brother Wenyuan, is this a gift from you?"

Huo Wenyuan said: "Santa Claus gave it to me."

Gu Ci: "..."

He knew when Christmas was.

Huo Wenyuan said: "Not only people who have birthdays can get gifts."

Gifts are not only given at a certain time.

Gu Ci understood, and ran downstairs in his slippers - he would plant flowers for Huo Wenyuan!

Huo Wenyuan: "..."

He coughed a few times, took a sip from his water glass, and gazed at an empty spot on the bookshelf. He glanced at the clock and asked in disbelief, "Is he still downstairs?"

Butler Feng said, "Oh," and pointed out the scene outside the French window. "He's learning to plant flowers with the gardener."

Huo Wenyuan: "Over an hour?"

Butler Feng asked, puzzled. "Isn't it... not that long?"

"Young Master, do you have something to ask Xiao Ci?"

"No," Huo Wenyuan denied with a cold face.

"You should go out first."

Alone in the room, Huo Wenyuan felt bored.

He couldn't make out the printed words on the paper. At first glance, they seemed to have transformed into abstract smiles on flower pots.

Huo Wenyuan stood up irritably, walked to the cupboard, bent over, opened the refrigerator, and took out a fresh bag of ice.

The touch of the cold instantly subsided the familiar tingling in his palm.

The French window had a wide view, taking in the entire garden.

Huo Wenyuan stared at the figure in school uniform, sleeves and apron, and tightened his grip on the ice pack.

After ten minutes, he felt he couldn't bear to watch any longer, so he threw away the ice pack and opened the door.

Coincidentally, someone was also standing outside the door, his hand just hanging in the air.

"Brother Wenyuan!"

The tender green and healthy stems and leaves of the plants came into view, but compared to that, Huo Wenyuan was more concerned about the smiling face hidden behind the branches and leaves, which was more delicate than anything else.

It was obvious that he had been working hard, and there was mud on his apron and sleeves, and some on his face as well.

Gu Ci excitedly held the flower pot in front of Huo Wenyuan: "Look! Finally succeeded!"

Huo Wenyuan's heartbeat slowed down for a moment, and he took the flower pot with one hand and wiped the mud off Gu Ci's cheek with the other hand.

"Idiot."

-

The next day at noon, Gu Ci and Huo Wenyuan arrived at the restaurant Liu Zhihe had chosen.

Perhaps because they'd reserved the place, the restaurant was empty, decorated to look like a birthday party. Upon arriving, they discovered that, in addition to a few girls from Liu Zhihe's class who were close friends, Qu Zhi and a familiar, pretty young lady had also been invited.

Shang Zui, holding a limited-edition Hello Kitty co-branded bag, was blocking the entrance. Upon seeing the invited guests, he gasped, then slowly exhaled.

"Oh my god, Huo Wenyuan's here!"

"And you, Qu Zhi? It's okay for your sister to come, but what's the point of you being an eyesore?"

Qu Zhi proudly took his seat. "Didn't expect that? Hey, this little bastard is so popular~"

Humph, if Huo Wenyuan can come, why can't he?

Shang Zui angrily shoved the bag and everything into Liu Zhihe's arms, then plopped down next to Gu Ci.

"I give up. He wasn't here last year, so why is he joining in the fun this year? Forget it, Gu Ci, let's chat."

As they chatted, his eyes fell on Shi Fei, who was sitting quietly by the window listening to music.

He gently touched Gu Ci's shoulder, motioning him to look over, and whispered, "How is it? Does it look good?"

Gu Ci obediently looked over and found that Shi Fei was the girl who had given Huo Wenyuan the amulet. Tall and slender, with long, smooth, black hair, a very iconic oval face, beautiful eyes that were very strategic, and a high, straight nose that gave her a heroic look. Her skin and demeanor were extremely outstanding, making her a "campus beauty" no wonder.

Shang Zui couldn't help but feel a little proud at Gu Ci's affirmation, yet also a little wary of Huo Wenyuan beside him. He whispered to Gu Ci, "It's a pity the goddess has poor eyesight; she just prefers Huo Wenyuan's aloof, expressionless demeanor."

Gu Ci couldn't help but stare a few more times, curiously asking, "What about Huo Wenyuan?"

Shang Zui smiled, "You probably don't know anything about Huo Gou's charm."

If it weren't for his aloofness, which kept most people at a distance, the line of people pursuing him would probably stretch all the way to the neighboring school.

Sure enough, Gu Ci saw Shi Fei approaching and nodded and smiled at them before taking the initiative to ask Huo Wenyuan, "Mr. Huo, I have some questions about my college entrance exams. Could you give me some advice?"

Shang Zui shrugged helplessly, turned to Gu Ci, and silently counted to three:

3, 2, 1.

Huo Wenyuan deadpanned, "Sorry, maybe your homeroom teacher knows better than me."

Shang Zui spread his hands, savoring the triumph of having guessed everything correctly.

Gu Ci, however, felt Shi Fei was very brave. Even when rejected directly by the person she liked, she politely thanked him and turned away, showing no awkwardness or persistent pursuit.

Shang Zui said she had been in love with Huo Wenyuan for many years.

Could someone just be a teenager and clearly identify their crush?

Gu Ci was lost in thought, not noticing the look Huo Wenyuan cast upon him.

As the birthday song ended and the candlelight faded, Liu Zhihe, wearing a birthday hat, raised his glass of juice and said, "Thank you all for coming to celebrate my birthday. I have to celebrate with my family tonight, so I can only spend the day with my good friends." "

A special thank you to Qianqian, Chengcheng, Asi, and Xiaojin for studying, eating, and walking with me. I'm also very grateful to my good friend Feifei who has always been there for me... And of course, Gu Ci and Huo Wenyuan. Although we haven't been together long, you've helped me so much and given me so much strength. Thank you all!"

"Because of you, my fourteenth birthday feels complete. Cheers!"

"Happy fifteenth birthday—"

The clear clink of tall glasses echoed, and Huo Wenyuan gently tapped his glass against the tabletop, signaling a reunion.

After the celebration, Shang Zui finally realized what was happening. He exclaimed in exasperation, "No, I'm here too! Why don't you thank me?!"

Liu Zhihe feigned surprise and glared at him, "Wow, I forgot you were even here!"

Shang Zui: "?"

Please, Heaven, tell the difference between loyalty and treachery!

Time passed in the bickering and laughter of the teenagers. Gu Ci turned his head to meet Huo Wenyuan's gaze, his eyes curved like crescent moons.

Huo Wenyuan paused for a moment, a strange sense of satisfaction rising within him.

He wasn't a fan of crowds, but if Gu Ci was happy, then he didn't mind.

The cinema was next door. After the birthday celebration, they left the restaurant. Aside from a few young men and women in gray jackets, the entire shopping district was deserted, practically no one passing by.

"Strange," Xiao Jin, holding Liu Zhihe's arm, asked curiously, "Isn't this the busiest shopping district? Why is there no one?"

"Oh, yeah." Liu Zhihe also felt something was amiss. Didn't they say the show was fully booked when they booked the tickets? Why was there so few people now?

"Never mind, fewer people is better! Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could rent the entire theater?"

Sure enough, the entire giant-screen theater was completely empty.

What was going on?

The manager scratched his head and explained, "Maybe the guests all had other plans today. As a thank you for coming, we're giving away free popcorn and drinks. You can choose any seat you want."

It was unbelievable that such a sudden and pleasant surprise could have happened!

While everyone cheered, Huo Wenyuan quietly took a seat in the last row. The gloved manager immediately brought him a glass of room-temperature soda. Qu

Zhi, standing nearby, noticed this scene and glanced thoughtfully at Gu Ci, who was being held and shaken by Shang Zui. A sense of urgency suddenly washed over him, as if he were about to be sent to the exam room.

He couldn't explain the source of this urgency, but the urge to compete with Huo Wenyuan that he had always had since childhood returned.

The movie was about to start, and several girls took seats in the front row, arm in arm. Seeing Huo Wenyuan sitting in the last row, Gu Ci, thinking he preferred quiet, started to move towards the back row.

Halfway through the walk, Qu Zhi reached out to stop him and invited him: "Gu Ci, come sit with me."

"We're all younger brothers, why don't we talk?"

Gu Ci was confused: "Be...a younger brother?"

Aren't we going to watch a movie? Do we still need to exchange our thoughts?

Qu Zhi was still holding Gu Ci and fanning the flames, saying: "Your brother is so cold and creepy. Come, sit with me."

As he spoke, he was about to pull Gu Ci over.

The familiar producer's title had flashed by, and Gu Ci was about to refuse, but he heard Huo Wenyuan's voice clearly:

"Gu Ci, come here."