Chapter 53 Premonitions "Ci Ci, where are you going?"

Sunlight streamed through the window screen, and Gu Ci was awakened by the warmth before him. He rubbed his eyelids lazily, then suddenly remembered something and quickly turned to the other side of the bed.

It was empty, even the sheets had lost their warmth.

It seemed Huo Wenyuan had been gone for quite some time.

He should have breathed a sigh of relief, but for some reason, Gu Ci didn't feel quite at ease. An indescribable feeling welled up in his stomach.

Worse still, after a night, the memories of last night weren't as completely forgotten as he'd imagined. On the contrary, they seemed to have been automatically replayed, the more he tried to avoid them, the more they kept coming back.

"..." Gu Ci covered his face with his hands, the quilt slipping from his shoulders, revealing his ears, a suspiciously red hue. Fortunately,

Huo Wenyuan remained relatively well-behaved for the rest of the night. Although they shared the bed, he obediently maintained a safe distance, a completely different person than he had been in the bathroom.

Liar.

Gu Ci gritted his teeth, threw off the covers, and rose to find a text message from his advisor on his phone.

It read: "Xiao Gu, the exchange program you applied for at ACIU three months ago has been approved. Please arrive at ACIU before 2:00 PM next Wednesday. Details will be in your email."

Gu Ci successfully cast all the chaotic thoughts out of his head.

ACIU is a world-leading institution for biology, closely aligning with Gu Ci and his colleagues' research areas. As an undergraduate, Gu Ci had the privilege of attending an international academic conference with his advisor, where he gained valuable insights that greatly benefited his subsequent research and experiments. Three months ago, upon learning of another exchange opportunity, he applied and surprisingly quickly landed the spot.

Gu Ci excitedly thanked his advisor and opened the email to review the notes provided by the recipient. Now that the trip was set, preparations needed to begin as soon as possible.

As soon as they came downstairs, Butler Feng caught a glimpse of the smile on his face. "Is there some good news? Why are you smiling so happily, Xiao Ci?"

A little embarrassedly, Gu Ci shared with him that he was going on an exchange program.

Butler Feng was equally delighted and congratulated him, his face etched with visible pride and admiration.

After all, Gu Ci had always excelled, not to mention how much less of a worry it was for him. If only Gu Li and the others could see...

"That's really great news! We'll definitely celebrate again when you come back!" He patted Gu Ci's shoulder affectionately and asked with concern, "How long will you be staying? Are you coming with anyone else?"

Gu Ci replied, "About a week. Don't worry, Uncle Feng, there will be other students who applied for this exchange program with me."

Butler Feng nodded, "That puts my mind at ease."

"Oh, right..." He adjusted his glasses, a sudden thought occurred to him. "You just said you were going to... ACIU?"

Gu Ci nodded.

Butler Feng beamed. "Did you know your mother used to attend this school?"

"Huh?" Gu Ci's eyes lit up in surprise, his lips parted. "My mother... went there too?"

When he was little, his father had told him many stories about his mother, like how she'd been a military doctor, and later became an attending physician at a hospital and a professor at a medical school. In his father's eyes, his mother was like a spring flower that never faded, her smile always radiant, her vibrant vitality easily dispelling the gloom in others' hearts.

So, Gu Ci had always wanted to be like his mother, someone who, no matter how hopeless, remained optimistic. After all, there was no hopeless solution except life and death.

Steward Feng, lost in thought, narrowed his eyes as he spoke, "Your mother was a genius. Even Mr. Huo had to look at her with awe. That year, your father accompanied Mr. Huo to the Huo family's ancestral home overseas for some business. That same day, he ran into Que Ci, who was also out for a stroll nearby."

Steward Feng seemed to see the puzzlement in Gu Ci's eyes and explained, "Yes, I was there too."

Los Angeles's summers are often sunny. As dusk approached, Sunset Boulevard bathed the skyline in a romantic orange-purple hue, and palm trees rustled. Back then, Mr. Huo was critically ill. Gu Li and Huo Xiao hurried to the ancestral home in the early morning, leaving only in the evening. Looking up, they saw a long-haired girl in a black dress pass by the car window.

The 5'95" tough guy, who had seen it all, lost his mind on the spot.

Butler Feng laughed. "I had urged him to ask for their contact information, but strangely enough, Gu Li was struck by a bicycle just as he got off his bike. Given your dad's reflexes, he should have been able to dodge it, but I don't know if it was because he saw your mom was so engrossed, or what, he just collapsed. Coincidentally, your mom is a doctor, and upon hearing the noise, she rushed to your dad."

The tall and sturdy Gu Li sat shyly on the side of the road, while the seemingly gentle Song Queci calmly tended to his wounds. In Gu Li's words...

"I felt like I saw an angel."

He was tongue-tied, unsure how to express his affection, so he ended up bowing directly to the object of his affection, then idiotically giving his name and phone number.

Gu Ci, hunched over the table, his chin in his hand, listened with rapt attention.

He had never imagined his parents' encounter could be so fascinating. He'd asked about it out of curiosity as a child, but every time he broached the subject, his dad's ears would turn red, his eyes would avert, and he'd change the subject.

So that's the reason...

"Although they've had their ups and downs, your father and your mother are one of the most loving couples I've ever met. Xiao Ci, you're the child of their love, and you'll be happy too."

"Uncle Feng..." Gu Ci was at a loss for words.

Although Butler Feng had never married or had children, he truly treated him like his own child.

"As half your parent, Uncle Feng has something to say to you." Butler Feng looked at Gu Ci with a loving gaze. "Whether it's the person or the thing you love, just pursue your true feelings. As for any other obstacles, they don't matter."

"I used to think rules and reputation were important, but that's not the case. Nothing is more important than what you love. If you love something, go for it. Of course, Uncle Feng isn't worried, because you've always been a brave child."

Gu Ci nodded vigorously. "Uncle Feng, don't worry, I won't let you down."

Butler Feng's eyes wrinkled. "No matter what you do, I will never let you down."

Leaving the Huo family, Gu Ci sat in the back seat of the car, gazing out the window at the rapidly receding trees, his thoughts drifting.

Over the years, the Huo family has really given him enough shelter and love. Although Huo Xiao does not agree with Huo Wenyuan's feelings for him and rarely comes back, he always supports him at critical moments. As for Butler Feng... not to mention. Everyone in the Huo family treats him as a family member.

But when he thinks of Huo Wenyuan, Gu Ci starts to have a headache again.

...If, he means if, he really gets together with Huo Wenyuan, wouldn't it be a bit unfair to Uncle Huo for taking care of him all these years?

It's probably like - "I've taken care of you for so many years, and you actually kidnapped my own son?"

Gu Ci imagined Huo Xiao's expression and tone, which was covered in ice, and felt a little scared.

Wouldn't he be too ungrateful? Besides, if the outside world knew that Huo Wenyuan liked men, it would have a negative impact given his current status.

That's right, for both moral and logical reasons, he shouldn't be with Huo Wenyuan.

Gu Ci finally sorted out his thoughts.

This time, he had a solid reason to justify his rejection of Huo Wenyuan.

Returning home, Gu Ci began packing his bags and learned that his fellow students, Brother Qiu and Sister Jiang, would be joining him at ACIU.

Brother Qiu's excited voice echoed: "Great! We can study together then!"

Sister Jiang pointed out the truth in the group chat: "What study? I think you really just want to go shopping, right?"

Qiu Yue: "Those who know me well, Sister Jiang //thumbs-up //grin"

Qiu Yue: "Looking forward to next week then! Cici, see you there!"

Gu Ci also sent a "see you there" emoji in the group chat.

Shortly after putting down his phone and preparing to continue packing, Shang Zui called again.

"Little Gu Ci! I! Have! New! Holiday! It's! Time!" Shang Zui's excitement was beyond words, "What are your plans for next week?"

Gu Ci looked at the open suitcase: "I was just planning to pack my luggage and tell you, I'm going to ACIU next week for exchange and study."

"Ahhh! Did your application succeed! Congratulations!" Shang Zui was even more excited than him, "I knew you would be fine!"

"Then you are leaving next week?"

Gu Ci nodded: "Yes."

Shang Zui said leisurely: "No problem, I'll go with you, it's a good opportunity, I can go see my brother too..."

"By the way! You are going to ACIU?!"

Gu Ci was just wondering why Shang Zui emphasized it again when he knew it already, Shang Zui explained the reason: "Then you can also be with Huo Gou!"

Gu Ci didn't quite understand what Shang Zui meant.

"He's going back next week for a press conference!" Shang Zui became excited again. "I don't know the details of how it works, but I heard that as soon as this press conference takes place, his position as the head of the Huo family will be officially confirmed." "

Although the Huo family has deep roots in China, everyone knows it also has unshakable family influence overseas. This is probably why Uncle Huo asked him to hold a global press conference abroad..." "

If I remember correctly, ACIU is very close to where he is. Strange, didn't he ask to go with you?"

Gu Ci answered truthfully, "I haven't told him yet."

Besides, even if they were close, they didn't have to go together. The inseparable stage was long gone now. After all, they had become busy adults.

"Oh..." Shang Zui stretched out the last word, and Gu Ci couldn't tell him if he could hear a hint of regret in it.

"Then why is he in such a hurry to come back?" Shang Zui muttered. "I thought this trip was a sure win..."

Gu Ci was about to speak when there was a gentle knock on the door.

Shang Zui heard it through the phone and asked him, "Why don't you go open the door first?"

The knocking continued, and Gu Ci said, "Then I'll hang up first and call you back later."

Shang Zui: "Go quickly."

Gu Ci put the phone away, carefully stepped over the suitcase, and opened the door.

Outside the door, a man holding a handful of pink lychees put one hand in the pocket of his suit jacket, raised his eyebrows and looked at him.

Gu Ci immediately let go of the door handle, took a step back, and said in astonishment: "Brother Wenyuan, you... why are you here?"

Huo Wenyuan did not respond to his question. His eyes were deep, and the look he gave Gu Ci was almost hot, and his tone was indescribably low.

"Ci Ci, where are you going?"