Chapter 61: Ci Yuan "Good boy, Ci Yuan, kiss here."

Gu Ci felt himself being carried to the car. Uncomfortable, he ended up sprawled across Huo Wenyuan's lap, his eyelids heavy, unable to lift.

He dozed off for a moment, half asleep, when the car stopped and the door opened. A coat was thrown over Gu Ci, and he was immediately lifted up by the waist. The sudden weightlessness forced him to wrap his arms around his neck, raising his head to rub against his "physical support." Seeing his form clearly, Gu Ci couldn't help but purse his lips. "Brother Wenyuan..."

"No," he realized, shifting unsteadily. "You don't have to hold me. I can walk on my own..."

He tried to let go, but his balance shifted and he fell backward. He was about to fall, but Huo Wenyuan held him steady.

Huo Wenyuan patted his butt gently, "Be good, Cici. We'll be home soon."

Then, turning to Su Yan, he instructed, "You can go back now. Just keep a close eye on those people."

Gu Ci perked up at the word "home." He touched Huo Wenyuan's earlobe and asked, "Brother Wenyuan, where is my home?"

He recited the address and house number of the Gu family compound. "...Is it there?"

Huo Wenyuan's eyes darkened, and he hugged him tightly. "It's not just there."

Gu Ci fanned himself with his hand and drunkenly pressed on, "Then where is your home?"

Huo Wenyuan opened the door, walked into the apartment, and said, "Where you are is my home." "

My home is where my heart is at peace. "

Gu Ci could hardly hear what he was saying; he felt hot and humid. Especially under the influence of alcohol, the turmoil of his emotions overtook him, making him unwilling to think, relying only on instinct.

His coat fell to the floor. He lifted the hem of his coat in Huo Wenyuan's arms and fanned it gently.

That pure color instantly caught Huo Wenyuan's eye.

"Ci Ci..." Huo Wenyuan said calmly, "I'll take you to rest."

He carried Gu Ci into the bathroom and let him stand against the sink. He didn't expect that just as he took off Gu Ci's towel, Gu Ci fell crookedly into his arms.

"Brother Wenyuan..." Gu Ci raised his hand, his fingertips just touching his Adam's apple, "Will you always be my brother?"

"I'm not your brother." Huo Wenyuan turned his face away, his Adam's apple rolling, "I'm your boyfriend."

"Then why did you say that Senior Brother Qiu asked you to always be my brother?" Gu Ci blinked, his long eyelashes trembling slightly, "Senior Brother Qiu is right, we grew up together, you are like my brother..."

Huo Wenyuan asked in an unhappy tone, "You keep mentioning the last name Qiu, do you care about him so much?"

"Yeah." Gu Ci was about to reach out to poke his Adam's apple again, "He and the other senior sisters are very caring towards me, never exploiting me... They are very nice to me and quite interesting..."

Huo Wenyuan's expression became more serious. He allowed Gu Ci to touch him wantonly, but asked seductively, "Do you like him?"

"I like him!" Gu Ci answered without hesitation. "He's also my friend..."

As if anticipating Huo Wenyuan's sullen expression, Gu Ci added with a fierce, existentialist air, "But it's different from the liking I have for Brother Wenyuan..."

Huo Wenyuan's expression softened, and he patiently lifted Gu Ci and placed him on the sink. "How different?"

Gu Ci pondered, then leaned in and gave Huo Wenyuan a fierce kiss on the cheek, a resounding smack. "That's exactly how different!"

Huo Wenyuan: "..."

Suddenly, it struck him that Gu Ci's drunken state was quite amusing. Just one drink could make him look this drunk. But then he realized he was the culprit. After all, that was the strongest drink in the shop.

The culprit, unrepentant, cupped Gu Ci's face, pointed to his lips, and beckoned, "Good boy, kiss here."

Gu Ci zeroed in on those thin lips, leaned in, and gave them another kiss.

This time, Huo Wenyuan couldn't hold back any longer. He grabbed the back of Gu Ci's head and deepened the kiss, their tongues entwining and stirring. He could even taste the lingering sweetness of green apple.

Gu Ci couldn't help but moan as he was kissed fiercely. He didn't know when his legs had wrapped around Huo Wenyuan's waist. As they breathed passionately, his body rapidly changed.

"It's so hot..." He shifted uneasily, trying to undress again. "Brother Wenyuan... I'm hot..."

Gu Ci reached out and tugged at his clothes, apparently trying to remove them, but his hands were too weak to lift. He could only look at Huo Wenyuan for help, "Help me..."

Huo Wenyuan knew what Gu Ci meant, but he reached down and deliberately asked, "What do you want me to do?"

"Help me, help... hiss..." Gu Ci couldn't help but gasp at the touch and leaned back against the cool mirror. "No..."

Huo Wenyuan took Gu Ci's hand with him. "Do you want it or not?"

Gu Ci's eyes flushed, and he bit his lip and trembled, "...Yes."

Huo Wenyuan chuckled softly and mercilessly fulfilled Gu Ci's request. Soon, through the mirror, he saw Gu Ci's strength draining out, his eyes vacant, and he collapsed on top of him, his eyes vacant.

"More?" Huo Wenyuan reached out and lifted his legs.

Gu Ci gritted his teeth and nodded, his obedience unbelievable.

Huo Wenyuan's heart stirred. He picked up Gu Ci and hurried into the bedroom.

Gu Ci clutched his shirt tightly: "Brother Wenyuan..."

"Cici, don't call me brother." Huo Wenyuan laid him on the bed, looking down at him. "Call me by my name."

Gu Ci tilted his head, his expression completely lost.

Huo Wenyuan leaned down, kissed his hair, and reminded him: "Call me by my first two names."

"Call me, and I'll give you a reward."

Gu Ci: "...Wenyuan?"

"Good boy." Huo Wenyuan unbuckled his belt, opened the drawer, and took out the items he had prepared.

"Here, help me put them on." " Good

boy, relax."

"Don't be afraid. If it hurts, just hold me tight."

He kissed Gu Ci's slender, beautiful butterfly bones on his back, almost obsessively, and hugged his slender waist, watching the shadow on the wall sway back and forth.

At the moment of pain and pleasure, Gu Ci suddenly woke up in panic: "Wen, Wenyuan..."

Huo Wenyuan lifted his chin, blocking the two words that were about to come out: "Focus."

Gu Ci could only utter intermittent syllables, completely controlled by Huo Wenyuan's rhythm, until the sound of heavy rain came from outside the window, and it seemed as if a heavy rain fell in the room.

Gu Ci was shaking all over. Seeing Huo Wenyuan's expression, he struggled to crawl forward, but as soon as he took a step, Huo Wenyuan held his ankle and held it in his palm.

"Where do you want to go?"

Huo Wenyuan's knee touched him an inch: "Ci Ci, don't hide."

The heavy rain outside was so powerful that Huo Wenyuan became fearless. He stared at the slender white ankle in his palm, and the dark tide of years of suppression surged in his eyes.

"Ci Ci, I never wanted to be your brother, let alone a good friend."

"Everyone says I can't get the love I want?"

"Love is real." He approached again, drowning Gu Ci bit by bit, "Can't get..."

"Fake."

The heavier the rain, the stronger the undying love.

At daybreak, Gu Ci was awakened by the ringing of the alarm. He reached out to turn off the alarm, but was frightened by the purple and red marks on his arm.

Everything that happened last night replayed like a slideshow. He stood up suddenly, but his body was extremely dry, obviously cleaned up. As for the person who cleaned it... Gu Ci slowly got up, but there was no sign of Huo Wenyuan in the bedroom.

He got out of bed and took a few steps. The strange thing was that after such an intense and long night, except for a little soreness in his waist and some obvious marks on his body, he didn't feel any discomfort.

Is it because you will never resist doing anything with the one you love?

"Awake?" Huo Wenyuan emerged from the kitchen, breakfast in hand. "I figured you'd be up around this time. Perfect, I'll just eat breakfast and stop by on the way to school."

Gu Ci glanced at the freshly baked sandwich. "How did you know I'd be up at this time?"

Huo Wenyuan smiled, pulling out a chair for him. "Your body clock hasn't changed in all these years."

Gu Ci thought about it, and it was true.

"Brother Wenyuan, last night..." He fumbled with the sandwich, taking a sip of warm water to calm his nerves. "What happened last night..."

Huo Wenyuan raised an eyebrow. "Are you asking me to pretend it didn't happen?"

"No, no!" Gu Ci blushed, waving his hands in explanation. "I, I didn't mean that!"

"I just wanted to say... you're amazing. I haven't felt any discomfort so many times. I thought I'd be unable to walk today."

With that, Gu Ci shut his mouth tightly.

...What was he talking about?!

Huo Wenyuan's eyes flashed with surprise for the first time, then a smile replaced it. "If you like, let's continue tonight."

"!" Gu Ci looked up in fear, then quickly lowered his head again under Huo Wenyuan's intense gaze.

"Still, you still need a balance between work and rest."

Huo Wenyuan reached out and touched his head. "Don't worry, I won't tire you out."

Gu Ci: "..."

He remained skeptical.

Today was the final day of the academic forum. As one of the representatives from Jingcheng University, Gu Ci was also expected to take the stage for a Q&A session and a speech. Thoroughly prepared, his fluent speech earned unanimous applause from both the stage and the audience. Senior Brother Qiu, on the other hand, had completely changed his demeanor, throwing himself into every aspect with unwavering focus, a stark contrast to his usual relaxed and playful demeanor.

Senior Sister Jiang, perplexed, quietly asked Gu Ci, "Brother Qiu, what stirred you last night?"

Why had he changed so much? His level of seriousness rivaled that of when he first entered the lab.

Gu Ci quietly adjusted his shirt collar. "No? Perhaps your passion for learning has been piqued?"

Senior Sister Jiang: "...That's quite rare."

After a day of intense discussion, the academic forum finally concluded successfully. To celebrate and bond, the university organizers hosted a dinner for the participating faculty and students.

Sitting at the dinner table, Gu Ci had sent Huo Wenyuan a message in advance. Looking at the message screen, he suddenly remembered that Shang Zui hadn't replied to his messages all day.

...Could anything be wrong?

Just as he was about to call to ask, Shang Zui's phone rang, as if by telepathy.

“Wow, little Gu Ci…” Shang Zui cried and looked for him for comfort, “Where are you…”

“What’s wrong?” Gu Ci hurried to comfort him, “I was at the school dinner, did something happen?”

“What happened was serious…” Shang Zui said absentmindedly, “I had sex with… that bastard Qu Zhi!”

“He actually took advantage of me! And he wanted to propose to me! I’m going to fight him!”

“Wow!” Taking into account the noise around him, Gu Ci pointed at his mobile phone to Brother Qiu and Sister Jiang and went out to the corridor, “This is too sudden!”

“It’s more than sudden, it’s simply… crazy! I slept for a whole day and then woke up. When I woke up, the sky fell apart…”

“Oh, if it was a dream, how nice it would be…”

Gu Ci probably understood Shang Zui’s feelings, but now, apart from comforting him, he could only ask: “Then… what are your plans?”

“I plan to twist his head off and kick it like a ball!” Shang Zui was so angry that his teeth itched, “You were so sanctimonious at the time, saying that you wanted to make a career, but now you regret it and want love again?”

"You wish!"

Gu Ci: "..."

He echoed Shang Zui's words: "Really?"

The reason Shang Zui and Qu Zhi broke up was actually quite simple: Qu Zhi's work often involved traveling, while Shang Zui's performances often took him to various locations. The long separation between them made both sides reluctant to part, but neither would compromise.

"Alas, little Gu Ci, only you understand me..." Shang Zui's vacation mood was ruined. "I can only pretend I've been bitten by a dog... You go on to the dinner. I need to be alone to calm down and check for a flight home..." Gu

Ci had to give him a few more instructions before hanging up. Returning to the table, he found a gift bag with the school logo on his seat. Senior Sister Jiang explained that it was a souvenir from the school. As the party

was about to end, Senior Sister Jiang went back to the dormitory to continue packing. Qiu Yue, who had been quiet all day, offered to walk him to the bus under the pretext of taking a walk.

Gu Ci couldn't refuse, and the two of them walked slowly, reminiscent of countless late nights they had emerged from the lab together.

"I'm going back home tomorrow. These past few days have flown by so quickly." Qiu Yue gazed up at the night sky, a bitter expression on his face. "In the blink of an eye, it's been almost five years since I've known you, Junior Brother."

Gu Ci found Qiu Yue's attitude a bit strange, but he nodded and sighed, "Time really flies."

Soon, they would both graduate and enter a new stage of life. Working side by side in the lab for so many years, through hardships and achievements, was truly an unforgettable memory from their student days.

At the intersection, Qiu Yue suddenly said, without warning, "Junior Brother Ci, I'm sorry."

Gu Ci paused, puzzled. "Senior Brother Qiu, what are you saying... You don't have anything to be sorry about."

"Sorry," Qiu Yue shook his head. "I was drunk yesterday and said something wrong. I shouldn't have said that to your boyfriend."

He had indeed been secretly in love with Gu Ci for many years, so when he learned that Gu Ci was in a relationship, his first reaction wasn't congratulations, but jealousy and suspicion. He even got ridiculously drunk. After sobering up, he realized what Gu Ci's friend, Shang, had said: They were in love, and it was legitimate. He was just an ordinary friend. Why should he dictate other people's feelings? And what right did he have to think Gu Ci would favor him?

It had become a joke.

"It's okay, Senior Brother Qiu," Gu Ci expressed his understanding. "You probably didn't understand the situation. Brother Wen Yuan won't blame you."

Qiu Yue stared into Gu Ci's beautiful, clear eyes, moved. So many times, Gu Ci had comforted him, just like just now, time and time again.

"I remember two years ago, my father passed away due to illness. I was like a pile of mud. I was absent from classes repeatedly and was almost suspended from school. I thought I would never recover. It was you who came to my house with vegetables and fruits, shared the latest paper courseware and laboratory progress with me, and took me out for a walk with a few senior sisters... Junior Brother Ci, thank you for saving me."

For him, the most amazing encounter was just this. Gu Ci was like a ray of light, filling the gap in his life. However, he was still a step too late. Before him, Gu Ci had already formed a deeper bond with someone else.

"Junior Brother Ci, I..." The night was clear and he almost blurted out the impulse in his heart, but the approaching car lights made him calm down again and finally kept his secret crush silent in his heart.

Gu Ci tilted his head to look at him, his eyes looking wet under the streetlight, a faint red mark visible on his neck. "What's wrong, Senior Brother Qiu?"

"Nothing." Qiu Yue took a deep breath and looked at the car parked on the side of the road. "Your boyfriend is here to pick you up, go back quickly."

Gu Ci nodded. "Then Senior Brother Qiu...goodbye?"

Qiu Yue nodded and waved at him. "Goodbye, Junior Brother."

"Are you cold?" Huo Wenyuan pushed open the car door and got out, draping a shawl over Gu Ci. "Didn't you say you'd wait for me inside?"

Gu Ci's hand was held in Huo Wenyuan's palm. He shook his head and said, "It's okay, I'm not cold. Let's go for a walk with Senior Brother Qiu."

Huo Wenyuan's eyes swept over Qiu Yue's face indifferently. Without pausing, he put his arm around Gu Ci and got into the car.

Qiu Yue stood there, stung by the scene before him, and suddenly a relaxed smile appeared on his face.

With the car heater on, Gu Ci sat beside Huo Wenyuan and said curiously, "Senior Brother Qiu has been acting really strange lately... He seems to be hesitant to speak. Even Senior Sister Jiang thinks he's unusual."

But before he could delve deeper, a large, sinister hand interrupted his thoughts. Concerned for the other passengers, Gu Ci forced himself to lower his voice, "Hey... Brother Wenyuan, what are you doing?"

Su Yan immediately cordoned off the backseat, giving Huo Wenyuan even more confidence to reach under his shirt and knead it.

"I want some cherries," Huo Wenyuan suddenly said, startling Gu Ci so much that he almost choked on his own saliva.

He shrank back, "Where are the cherries at this hour..."

Huo Wenyuan raised his lips and smiled, looking up at him. "So, you're eating them, aren't you?"

"Ci Ci, what did you call me last night?"

"Ah..." Gu Ci held Huo Wenyuan's wrist, the lingering numbness making him unable to resist. He couldn't say the name he had called countless times the previous night.

But Huo Wenyuan was still being naughty, increasing his strength: "Why don't you scream? I want to hear it, baby."

Gu Ci shuddered and blurted out: "Wenyuan..."

"Good baby." After a night, Huo Wenyuan kissed the bright red spot on his neck again, "I want you."

Gu Ci: "?!"

What does this mean?!

The car suddenly stopped, and Gu Ci was horrified to see Su Yan unbuckled his seat belt and got out. He didn't know what he said on the phone, and then he got into another car very quickly and drove away.

He looked shocked: "Where is Assistant Su going..."

"Baby, why are you not concentrating at this time?" Huo Wenyuan picked him up easily and let him sit between his legs. "You know I don't like you looking at other men, but you still make me angry."

Gu Ci cooperated with Huo Wenyuan to take off his coat, watching the buttons of his shirt unbutton one by one: "I don't..."

"That Qiu has other intentions towards you." Huo Wenyuan sniffed the unique scent on Gu Ci and said bluntly, "He likes you."

Gu Ci straightened his back: "No! Don't talk about Senior Brother Qiu like that."

"Are you protecting him now?" Huo Wenyuan rubbed his lips and bit them mercilessly, breathing heavily, "We are all men, don't I know what he is thinking?"

"If you don't believe me... you can ask him in front of me now."

"How can I ask now..." Gu Ci didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He was turned over by Huo Wenyuan unexpectedly and had his back to him.

Gu Ci held onto Huo Wenyuan's thigh tightly: "Wen, Wenyuan..."

"Don't you like thick latte?" Huo Wenyuan kissed his earlobe. "Baby, do it yourself."

The car swayed slightly by the lake, and ripples spread out as the water's surface. A hand fumbled to open the door, but was intercepted and grabbed back by another hand in time.

Until the first rays of green reflected in the center of the lake, Huo Wenyuan slowly massaged Gu Ci's cramped calf, his face full of dismay.

Gu Ci was a little angry at first, but when he saw the sunrise over the lake, his puffy cheeks instantly turned to surprise.

"So beautiful..."

Huo Wenyuan interlocked their fingers: "Indeed."

"I love you, Cici."

Gu Ci turned and glared at him.

Huo Wenyuan wisely shut up and continued massaging his little ancestor.

When the morning sun fully emerged and the mist parted, Gu Ci leaned against Huo Wenyuan's chest and whispered, "I love you too."

They exchanged a long, passionate kiss, and Huo Wenyuan said, somewhat jealously, "Keep your distance from Qiu Yue from now on."

"Oh?" Gu Ci dragged out the last syllable, a smile in his eyes. "Brother Wenyuan, are you jealous?"

Huo Wenyuan was completely jealous: "You're not allowed to call me brother either."

He had never wanted to be Gu Ci's brother. He had been so naive before, and now he'd almost caused trouble for no reason.

Gu Ci teased him, "What if I don't?"

Huo Wenyuan bit his lip. "Then I'll keep teaching you until... I've mastered it completely."

The sky was clear and the clouds were bright. This early winter was the warmest Huo Wenyuan had ever experienced.

It was several days before he was ready to return home. With winter break approaching, Gu Ci no longer had any classes, and his lab project had concluded successfully. Now that he had some free time, he didn't go back with Qiu Yue and the others, but stayed here a while longer.

This time, Huo Wenyuan would also be with him.

Gu Ci rubbed his waist. Checking his luggage for missing items, he realized he'd almost forgotten to pack the school gifts. He simply opened the gift bag and pulled out a pen, bookmark, and greeting card. There was also a small USB drive.

Strangely, the USB drive didn't have the school logo on it, and it looked like it had been used.

"Did someone accidentally put their USB drive in here?"

Gu Ci curiously pulled out his laptop and inserted the USB drive, wanting to see if there was any information. The moment the USB drive was loaded, a video popped up on the screen.

Alerted, Gu Ci first activated the security wall installed by his hacking-savvy senior, then clicked on the video.

It was a video from the car's panoramic dashcam. At the moment he heard the conversation, Gu Ci froze, his fingers trembling.

"Dad, Dad..."

Even after ten years, Gu Ci couldn't fail to recognize the voice. After all... that was the family he missed so much.

Time flashed back to that rainy night ten years ago. Gu Li stood in front of the car, holding a black umbrella, his expression wary as he surveyed his surroundings.

"Stay alert," the voice was as powerful as ever. "Sir, end this negotiation immediately and come out. If they make a move, we'll take immediate action."

"Yes!"

The sound of wind and rain pounded against the car's roof and windows. The waiting people emerged from the building. Gu Li grabbed another black umbrella and strode forward.

The voices fell silent for a moment, then suddenly a rustling of voices resonated: "Hey, don't you think... isn't this move by the boss a bit too harsh?"

"To find a reason to attack them, you're actually trying to stage a car accident and put the blame on them? What if... something really goes wrong?"

"Are you crazy? You dare to doubt the boss? He's always been ruthless. Just do as you say!"

The two men quickly entered the car, made their move, and immediately withdrew. Immediately afterwards, others began to board, and Gu Ci saw the faces of Huo Xiao and his father clearly.

A few minutes later, the car's brakes suddenly failed, and it hurtled into the car in front amidst the storm. Gu Ci heard his father hurriedly call out "Sir" and lunge at Mr. Huo.

The video stopped, and a line of words and a phone number appeared on it: "This car accident was planned by Huo Xiao. If you want to avenge your father, contact me."

"What are you watching?" Huo Wenyuan walked towards him and asked.

"Nothing," Gu Ci turned off the computer and took out the USB drive. "Just now... I was checking a file."

Huo Wenyuan did not doubt his words and touched his head: "Aunt Lan invited us to dinner tonight, let's go?"

Gu Ci: "Aunt... Lan?"

Huo Wenyuan sat next to him: "Yes. She is the adopted sister of Housekeeper Feng."

"...Ah?"

"Aunt Lan, do you really not need our help?"

Gu Ci sat at the dining table, looking at Aunt Lan busy in the kitchen, a little at a loss: "Or I..."

"You guys, just sit down." Aunt Lan brought over a plate of cream of mushroom soup with a smile, "I've wanted to get you together for a long time. Wen Yuan has been busy with the handover work, and you are also at school. Now I finally find the opportunity before you leave."

After serving the last dish, she untied her apron and sat down, with fine lines of smile at the corners of her eyes: "I asked A Jing about your favorite dishes. I wonder if they suit your taste."

Gu Ci looked at the table full of dishes and said with emotion: "Of course I like them. Thank you, Aunt Lan."

Aunt Lan looked at Gu Ci with a smile and served him soup with a spoon: "You don't look like Gu Li, but you look exactly like your mother. You are beautiful."

"Now... are you with Wen Yuan?"

Gu Ci was choked: "...Ah?"

Did Aunt Lan know so soon?

"Don't be nervous," Aunt Lan said gently. "I don't mean anything by it. I'm just asking. We've been together for so many years, and it couldn't be more perfect."

Gu Ci asked cautiously, "Aunt Lan, don't you think... we're both men..."

"So what?" Aunt Lan shook her head. "Relationships have nothing to do with gender or identity. If only I had your courage..."

She sighed, "Let's not talk about it. Try it."

Gu Ci quietly exchanged a glance with Huo Wenyuan and nodded in obedience.

After dinner, Gu Ci helped Aunt Lan clear the table. When he came out of the kitchen, Aunt Lan called him over, took off the jade bracelet on her hand, and handed it to Gu Ci.

Gu Ci retracted his hand and asked in surprise, "What are you doing?"

Aunt Lan took his hand and said, "This is a little gift from Aunt Lan. Your mother and I have been good friends for many years. We were joking at the time that if we happened to have a son and a daughter, we could arrange a baby marriage if we had the chance in the future." "

Although it was a joke, the friendship is still there. A Jing has long regarded you as his own child. Now that you have found happiness, I will give you the ancestral bracelet as a blessing to you."

Gu Ci kept refusing, "Aunt Lan...this is too expensive. I can't accept it."

"Take it." Aunt Lan put the bracelet on his hand, "Although jadeite looks a bit delicate on boys, you are fair and beautiful, and it won't be out of place on you. Keep it in the future and think of it as a thought from your elders."

"Xiao Ci, I took care of Wen Yuan during his most difficult time, and I know what he thinks. Now that he can be reunited with you, I am really relieved. From now on, the two of you will continue to love each other."

"Wen Yuan has just taken over the Huo family, and now he has other matters to deal with. It won't be easy, but no matter what, please trust Wen Yuan and believe in the bond between elders. Our feelings are more indestructible than you can imagine."

Gu Ci's eyes were a little sore, and he bit his lip and said, "I'll remember. Thank you, Aunt Lan."

Aunt Lan smiled and walked them to the door: "Take care of yourself, and..."

She looked at Huo Wenyuan: "Take good care of Gu Ci, otherwise, we won't forgive you."

Huo Wenyuan smiled, "Don't worry, Aunt Lan."

He wrapped a scarf around Gu Ci, held his hand tightly, and walked out.

"How amazing..." Gu Ci couldn't help but sigh, "Aunt Lan actually knows my mother too."

Huo Wenyuan nodded: "Aunt Lan, your mother, and my mother, we have always been good friends."

And their fathers... they had also walked side by side since they were young, and the word "friends" can no longer be used to describe them.

Gu Ci always felt that something was missing, and asked curiously, "Wen Yuan, what is the relationship between Aunt Lan and Uncle Feng?"

Huo Wenyuan pinched his fingers and said, "Probably... more than close relatives, but less than lovers."

Gu Ci: "Huh?"

Huo Wenyuan opened the car door for him: "I heard that Butler Feng was adopted by Aunt Lan's parents when he was a child, and he has always liked Aunt Lan. Later, he directly resisted the marriage for her and wanted to elope with Aunt Lan. As a result, he didn't wait for Aunt Lan and was beaten by Aunt Lan's father and had both legs broken."

"Aunt Lan was threatened by her father and chose to remain silent for the safety of Butler Feng. Later, Butler Feng didn't even see her for the last time before saying goodbye. He followed my father back to the country, and the two have been separated since then."

Gu Ci showed regret: "Aunt Lan actually likes Uncle Feng too, right?"

Huo Wenyuan did not deny it, and looked directly into his eyes: "So... Ci Ci, you are really lucky that you have chosen me firmly again and again."

Gu Ci didn't know how he was dragged into them again, and lowered his eyes embarrassedly: "Didn't you also choose me firmly."

Fortunately, they all survived.

Back at the apartment, Gu Ci thought about what Aunt Lan said, and suddenly he remembered the video in the USB drive with uneasiness.

Who gave him that USB drive? How did it appear in his gift bag? Are the contents inside real? Why did he find him?

A series of mysteries are waiting to be solved.

Gu Ci clutched the USB drive in his hand, and without hesitation, he walked to the study and knocked on the door.

Huo Wenyuan was still working overtime to process the last remaining documents. Seeing Gu Ci coming over, he smiled, took off his glasses and asked, "What's wrong?"

Gu Ci handed him the USB drive in his hand: "I received this, take a look."

Huo Wenyuan only had Gu Ci in his eyes. He asked him to come and sit on his lap, then buried his head in his neck and asked, "Have you seen it all?"

Gu Ci raised his head: "Do you know what's inside?"

"Would you blame me if I told you I knew?" Huo Wenyuan wrapped his arms around his waist. "Su Yan also got this video."

"But... it might be a little different from what you see."

Gu Ci: "What?!"

Huo Wenyuan opened his computer and showed it to him without hesitation. The first half of the video was identical to what he'd received, but when the two men entered and tampered with it, the conversation was noticeably different.

"Hurry up, they'll be here soon!"

"Hey, you say... Boss, that's a bit too clever! If Huo Xiao dies right here, the entire Huo family would be within easy reach!"

"Destroyed, let's go!"

The two men left, and then the scene Gu Ci had witnessed unfolded. Shortly after Huo Xiao and Gu Li got into the car, the brakes failed and it crashed into the car in front. Gu Li, who had stepped in front of Huo Xiao, died instantly from his injuries.

Gu Ci covered his eyes, unwilling to watch any more.

"We have asked experts to verify these videos. The version you received should have been modified by AI." Huo Wenyuan patted his back gently to comfort him, "In fact, at the beginning I didn't dare to confirm whether what I got was the original, until... Su Yan stole this from the safe where Huo Xiao hid it. After repeated comparisons and verifications, I dared to confirm it."

Gu Ci asked softly: "Why would you check this?"

And take such a knife-like approach?

Huo Wenyuan said, "We have to investigate. Although Huo Xiao is my father, if he really did something to hurt Uncle Gu, I will not be soft-hearted. After all, this was the first lesson he taught me."

"I have to give you an explanation."

"The other one..." Huo Wenyuan confessed, "The maker of this video, if I'm not mistaken, should be the 'illegitimate' heir who appeared out of nowhere recently."

"He claimed to be the child of my grandfather's illegitimate child. He used a fake appraisal report and will to deceive people in order to lure people who were not in line with the Huo family to fight against the Huo family, and then devour them step by step. In fact, we have found out that he has no blood relationship with the Huo family at all. He is purely a target found by the enemy family."

"Huo Xiao is so good. He retreated at the right time and left the mess to me alone, calling it the first test after I took office." Huo Wenyuan smiled bitterly, "But... I'm very happy that you really chose to believe me."

Gu Ci asked, "Aren't you afraid that after I know... I will have different opinions from you, which will be detrimental to the Huo family?"

Huo Wenyuan shook his head, took his hand and kissed him, "Don't be afraid."

"I trust you, just as you trust me. If you want to know the truth, I'll go with you to Huo Xiao and ask him for the truth."

But Gu Ci stopped him by holding his hand. "Don't worry, what are you going to do?"

Huo Wenyuan said, "We've already faked his recruitment into a domestic branch, waiting for him to reveal his true intentions."

Gu Ci's expression was serious. "Can I help you?"

Huo Wenyuan frowned. "Ci Ci, I don't want you to put yourself in danger. Just do what you want to do. I can handle the rest."

"But what I want to do is help you." Gu Ci's hand caressed his face. "Have you forgotten what Aunt Lan said? No matter what happens, we have to trust each other and face it together, okay?"

Huo Wenyuan closed his computer, pushed aside the documents at hand, and responded with a quick, deep kiss.

Gu Ci returned the kiss, and Huo Wenyuan lifted him up and sat him on the desk, legs dangling in the air. He expertly unbuttoned Huo Wenyuan's shirt, tracing his way down his abs to the metal buckle of his belt.

"Ci Ci, unfasten it and continue," Huo Wenyuan ordered.

"Click!"

the metal buckle undid.

The night before returning home, Gu Ci and Huo Wenyuan had left traces everywhere in the apartment. The most insane moment was when, in the living room, Gu Ci accidentally knocked over an upside-down photo frame. Picking it up, he realized it was a photo of him and Huo Wenyuan.

At his command, Huo Wenyuan had to retrieve nearly a hundred photos from home.

Gu Ci: "..."

Huo Wenyuan: "We have some at the company."

Gu Ci's skin crawled. "W-Why are you printing out so many photos of us and me?"

Huo Wenyuan grabbed his waist and slept with him again.

"I miss you,"

Gu Ci muttered with difficulty, hugging Huo Wenyuan's broad, strong back. "Don't think about it now..."

"I'm already yours..."

Huo Wenyuan propped himself up and carefully smoothed Gu Ci's hair. "Give me some time. Once we've sorted these things out, I'll go back to the old house with you and visit your uncle and aunt."

Gu Ci couldn't help but hug him tighter, feeling her heart slowly fill with happiness.

"Good!"