Chapter 59: Help. "First... finish first."

"What's wrong?" Huo Wenyuan's voice echoed over the sound of running water, sounding muffled through the bathroom door.

Gu Ci asked with concern, "Brother Wenyuan... are you okay? You looked unwell just now."

"I'm fine." Huo Wenyuan continued to deny, but Gu Ci keenly heard the pause and restraint in his voice, as if he was trying hard to suppress some emotion.

His suspicions confirmed, Gu Ci tried to calm his chest, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open—

catching Huo Wenyuan's surprised expression.

But almost the next moment, a strong hand pulled him forward. Gu Ci stumbled forward, but was caught firmly, his clothes soaked by the shower.

"What are you doing here?" Huo Wenyuan quickly turned off the shower, rested his chin on the top of Gu Ci's head, and said in a tone that sounded like a scolding, "You're naughty."

Even so, Gu Ci could still detect the hint of lust in his voice.

His newly changed pajamas, half wet and half see-through, clung to his skin, pressed tightly against Huo Wenyuan's incredibly warm body. Gu Ci felt a little uncomfortable, nudging his muscular chest. "I..."

He lowered his head in shame. "Brother Wenyuan... let me help you."

Since Huo Wenyuan had "helped" him before, he owed him something in return.

Huo Wenyuan loosened his grip on Gu Ci slightly and looked down. The wet pajamas highlighted her slender figure, her long thighs pressed together tensely, her body trembling slightly.

"Help me?" He suddenly felt a surge of evil intent, deliberately demanding, "How?"

Gu Ci had never seen such a scene before. The bathroom was filled with mist, and he felt so embarrassed and heat-sick that he almost fainted. But now that it had come to this, he had no choice but to continue.

Gu Ci cautiously extended his hand to Huo Wenyuan, stealthily glancing up to see his reaction.

Huo Wenyuan was stunned for a moment, his eyes reddening. "...Cici?"

"No, don't call me yet." Gu Ci's palms trembled rapidly, his words nearly incoherent. "First... finish first."

His clothes were still damp, but he had no other thoughts. He had only one daunting task at hand: to...

For an unknown amount of time, Gu Ci shifted his hands again and again, his wrists so achy he could barely lift them. Yet, the "task" showed no sign of ending; instead, it was only getting more arduous.

...How could this be?

He looked up at Huo Wenyuan helplessly, ready to give up.

Huo Wenyuan saw his plea for help and smiled wryly, "Giving up now might not be very kind of me."

"Since you want to help me... why not help me more thoroughly?"

He took Gu Ci's lips in his, kissing him as he lifted him up and gently walked towards the bathtub.

In the soft light, Gu Ci's fair face was tinged with an alluring crimson, his lips as soft as delicate petals. Huo Wenyuan lowered him into the tub and gently removed his soaked pajamas.

Gu Ci shuddered, but not from the cold.

Huo Wenyuan stepped into the tub, lifted Gu Ci onto his lap, and asked, his voice straining, "Ci Ci, is this okay?"

Gu Ci, tears welling in her eyes, clung tightly to Huo Wenyuan's narrow waist.

Huo Wenyuan turned on the faucet, the pounding water gradually fading into the tub, ripples surging across the surface. His chin rested on Gu Ci's collarbone, his grip tightening around her slender waist as he sank in.

Years of drowning in love are like a fish, hesitant and waiting, finally waiting for the moment to erupt and plunder, then leaping out one rainy night.

The calm was never the surface of the water, but rather the deep, relentless love.

Gu Ci clung to Huo Wenyuan's arm with all her heart, tilting her slender neck to receive kiss after kiss, whimpering like a kitten.

"Wen, Brother Wenyuan..."

He couldn't help but shed tears, but not for anything else, simply out of happiness.

A long moment passed, and Huo Wenyuan, carrying Gu Ci, wrapped in a towel, emerged from the bathroom, gently placing him on the bed.

"What time is it..." Gu Ci asked drowsily.

"Twelve-thirty." Huo Wenyuan changed him into his pajamas. Because they were too loose, he could only roll up the sleeves and trouser legs layer by layer, revealing his fair skin, which had been left with many traces of fabric.

"Are you sleepy?" He stroked the still damp hair across Gu Ci's forehead. "Are you thirsty?"

Gu Ci shook his head, mumbling, "...not continuing?"

If memory served him correctly...we hadn't reached the final step yet. Just the initial feeling of being taken in was enough to overwhelm Gu Ci, and he frowned in pain. But when Huo Wenyuan finally stopped, he felt an inexplicable sense of regret.

...What kind of mentality was this?

Huo Wenyuan kissed his cheek and tucked him in. "Next time, wait until we're ready."

This time, they'd been too hasty. A quick taste would suffice; Gu

Ci couldn't get hurt. He was already ecstatic that Gu Ci had pushed open the door on his own initiative.

"Does your thigh still hurt?" His mind replayed the scene.

Gu Ci blushed and closed his eyes. "No... just a little scrape."

As for how the scrape... the more he thought about it, the more embarrassed he became. Gu Ci chose to mute himself. "Brother Wenyuan, go to sleep. We have plans for tomorrow."

"Okay." Huo Wenyuan lay down next to Gu Ci and pulled him into his arms. "Good night."

Gu Ci nuzzled his head against his chest. "...Good night."

A sweet night's sleep.

The next day, Huo Wenyuan personally took Gu Ci to school and prepared things he hadn't had time to prepare beforehand.

He opened the drawer and pulled out the scratched photo frame. In the photo, Gu Ci leaned against him, eyes closed, sound asleep.

He had printed out all the photos Shang had taken candidly during his high school research trip, as well as the photos he'd taken of them outside the car.

When he missed Gu Ci, he relied on these memories and photos, desperately recalling the days with Gu Ci, afraid to forget even a single thing.

Later, he realized that some people are ingrained in their bones and flesh, and even without consciously thinking about them, they remain.

His love for Gu Ci had reached a point of despair, and the only antidote was his Gu Ci.

-

"Junior Brother Ci, what's so good about you?" The forum had lasted nearly a day, and Senior Sister Jiang noticed that Gu Ci had been in high spirits since morning. She couldn't help but wonder, "What good news do you have? Tell me so I can cheer you up too."

Gu Ci looked at the professor who had just finished his introduction on the stage and said with a pursed mouth, "I'm really happy. I was able to meet so many academic leaders and seniors today. I feel like I've learned a lot that I wouldn't normally encounter."

Senior Sister Jiang: "..."

Such legitimate and good news?

Qiu Yue, standing nearby, scoffed, "Junior Brother Ci, look at him! That's the attitude you'd expect from someone who's here to exchange and learn."

Senior Sister Jiang retorted without hesitation, "Of course, our Junior Brother Ci has always been excellent, but I think you'd better learn from him and stop being so absent-minded and taking so few notes."

Qiu Yue guiltily put away his scant notebook, "I, I remembered it!"

But the truth was, his eyes had been uncontrollably following Gu Ci all day, his mind preoccupied with yesterday's report.

What was his relationship with that Huo guy...?

He had to find a way to find out.

"Junior Brother Ci, how about dinner tonight?" Qiu Yue offered after today's activities concluded. "You didn't get together with us yesterday, so why don't we have dinner together today?" "

Sure," Gu Ci agreed without hesitation. "But... a good friend of mine happens to be coming to see me too. Can we go together?"

Qiu Yue hesitated for a moment, but at the word "good friend," his nerves, tense all day, suddenly relaxed.

But upon meeting him in person, he realized he might have been mistaken.

"Shang Zui!" Gu Ci stood at the restaurant entrance, waving to Shang Zui as he emerged from his sports car. "Here!"

Shang Zui casually closed the car door and greeted Gu Ci warmly, his gaze immediately falling on Qiu Yue, who was standing beside him. He keenly sensed a hint of disappointment on Qiu Yue's face upon seeing him.

Gu Ci introduced, "Shang Zui, this is Senior Sister Jiang and Senior Brother Qiu, who are here with me for this study and exchange."

"Senior Sister, Senior Brother, this is Shang Zui, the best friend I told you about."

"Hello!" Both greeted each other warmly and took their seats in the restaurant.

The Western restaurant was recommended by Qiu Yue. It was right next to the beach, lined with a neat row of coconut trees and palm trees. In the evening, it was perfect for viewing the stunning sunset and the glow of the setting sun, making it a prime sunset viewing spot nearby.

Because of its romantic atmosphere, many couples, whether in a relationship or in love, had reserved tables there. Shang Zui turned around and saw two students hugging and exchanging passionate French kisses.

He turned back thoughtfully, taking another look at Gu Ci's two seniors.

"Little Gu Ci, where's Wen Yuan?" he deliberately asked Gu Ci in public. "Why aren't we having dinner together today?"

Gu Ci didn't notice anything unusual about Shang Zui, so he flipped through the menu and answered truthfully, "He said he had some work to attend to, so we're not having dinner together tonight."

Shang Zui nodded thoughtfully. "No wonder they asked me to stay with you first and said they'd pick you up later."

This was said with great care, clearly meant for others to hear. Sure enough, Senior Sister Jiang's expression remained calm, but Qiu Yue's had grown a little stiff.

Shang Zui narrowed his eyes.

Gu Ci, after asking for their opinions and placing his order, saw the sky just beginning to turn purple and red. He couldn't help but pick up his phone and take a picture of the scene to share with someone.

The picture was sent, and a response was received immediately.

Hale: "Beautiful."

Gu Ci's lips curled up, and he lowered his head to type: "It's a pity you weren't here. Shang Zui, my brothers and sisters, and I were having breakfast on the beach."

Hale: "Do you want me to join you?"

Gu Ci's face flushed slightly, and he was about to reply when Shang Zui suddenly stood up: "I want to order a drink, little Gu Ci, senior sisters and brothers, do you want any?" "

No thanks." Gu Ci shook his head, and Senior Sister Jiang also said no, but Qiu Yue stood up: "I'll go with you."

Gu Ci was about to remind them that they could scan the QR code to order with their phones, but the two of them had already walked out one after the other.

At the ordering counter, Shang Zui crossed his arms and leaned in to test Qiu Yue: "Senior Brother Qiu is quite concerned about little Gu Ci."

It would not be an exaggeration to say that his eyes were on Gu Ci the whole time.

Qiu Yue did not deny this: "Teacher Shang, since you are a good friend of Junior Brother Ci, I also want to ask you a question."

"Does Gu Ci have a boyfriend?"

Shang Zui: "..."

As expected, he was right, another one with intentions towards Gu Ci!

Huo Gou, this is the result of being unable to extricate yourself! Your wife is always being coveted by others!

Well, he can only rely on this great love security guard to step up.

Qiu Yue continued, "I saw the rumors in the news yesterday, but I believe they're not true. Junior Brother Ci clearly said that he was...his brother, right?"

Shang Zui's eyes rolled up in his head at the mention of his "brother."

He patted Qiu Yue's shoulder and said sympathetically but cruelly, "Sorry, that's really not his brother."

To Qiu Yue's astonishment, he said bluntly, "The news wasn't wrong. That's his..."

"boyfriend."