Chapter 8: The pinching of his face was obvious, and he was delighted. …

Only after returning home did Gu Ci realize that, beneath that adorable sky-blue paper bag, were even cuter lamb-shaped cookies in a variety of flavors.

Out of respect for the Young Master, Butler Feng privately told him that the Young Master had spent half an hour selecting them at the bakery, and had even chosen them specifically for him when he picked him up from school.

The thought of Young Master Huo selecting cookies with a stern face at the bakery struck Gu Ci as unbelievable—no, unimaginable.

It seemed the Young Master truly wanted to be his friend this time.

In front of Huo Wenyuan, Gu Ci tore open the milky-scented package and nibbled at the cookie, his delicate cheeks trembling with each chew. He said cheerfully, "Thank you, Young Master!"

Huo Wenyuan couldn't quite articulate his feelings, but his expression remained his usual disdainful, wondering, "Are these cookies really that delicious?"

As if reading his mind, Gu Ci extended his hand, unfolding it before him. In his delicate white palm, a lamb cookie lay.

"Young Master, please try it too."

Huo Wenyuan turned his face away stiffly and refused.

He said sternly, "I don't like sweets. Also, I've told you many times, call me Huo Wenyuan."

Gu Ci stuck out his tongue embarrassedly and nodded in agreement, "Okay, Huo Wenyuan."

After a while, he still wanted to share, "But this cookie is really delicious! Huo Wenyuan, don't you really want some?"

Huo Wenyuan, "No."

Gu Ci felt a little disappointed, but he didn't want to force him, so he carefully put away the remaining cookies and said, "Give the rest to Shang Zui and the others."

Huo Wenyuan's eyelashes moved, and he asked, "Are you tired of it so soon?"

"Ah?" Gu Ci didn't expect him to think so, and waved his hand to explain, "No, it's because this cookie is delicious. I want to share it with Shang Zui and the others next week. Everyone will like it."

Huo Wenyuan never quite understood Gu Ci's train of thought. He stared at those eyes that were always bright and clear, and asked, "Sharing, is it so important?"

In his opinion, what anyone wants can only be truly given to oneself. The so-called "sharing" is nothing more than the weakest and most useless link in maintaining emotional ties in meaningless human social interactions.

The prerequisite for sharing is that others must have it. But for him, that meant uncertainty and passive dependence.

But Gu Ci told him, "That's not the case."

He said, "Sharing is actually a subtext of 'liking' and 'getting close'."

"I bring you what I like, and you bring me what I like. That way, we have double the joy."

"So what if it's 'dependence'? It's not necessarily a bad thing. On the contrary, it can be a kind of unknown expectation and trust. Just like... the lamb cookies that the young master gave me."

Gu Ci waved the paper bag in front of Huo Wenyuan, a smile brighter than a spring day in March.

"I'm very happy and I love it. Every time I think of this day and taste this cookie, I'll remember the sweetness of being with the young master."

Huo Wenyuan looked skeptical, his gaze flickering to something. He pulled out a tissue and handed it to Gu Ci: "Wipe your mouth."

Gu Ci touched the corner of his mouth and obediently took the tissue, only to see Huo Wenyuan staring at him.

He asked, "Huo Wenyuan, are there any cookie crumbs on my face?"

Huo Wenyuan shook his head, but leaned over and pinched his face, neither too hard nor too light. His soft cheeks were harshly pinched, even the corners of his mouth curled up.

Gu Ci was stunned, and it took him a moment to realize that he was being pinched. He stared at him with a look of grievance, "Huo Wenyuan, why are you pinching me?"

Reminded, Huo Wenyuan instantly loosened his grip, looking away awkwardly, his ears reddening suspiciously. He

felt a flicker of guilt, but not much. More importantly, Gu Ci's face was just as he'd imagined: soft, smooth, and elastic.

The strange emptiness in his heart was filled again. He just wanted to get closer to the boy before him... closer, to satisfy his greedy desire with touch.

If... it was really as Gu Ci said, then... how would he remember this day?

He didn't know how he remembered it, but Gu Ci's diary entry read:

"Today, the young master actually sent me a bag of cookies! Fragrant, crispy, and incredibly delicious!" ］

［Since the young master has expressed his sincerity to me, I will also be doubly nice to him. I hope we can be good friends for life! ］

［Later, the young master wanted to shake hands with me again. I extended my hand on the spot. ］

［Good friends should of course hold hands! As for pinching your face...if it's really good to pinch, then let him pinch it! As the only person the young master can touch now, don't worry, young master, I will always be by your side o(^▽^)o］

-On

Saturday morning, Gu Ci woke up naturally.

He actually didn't have the habit of staying in bed, although he still didn't sleep well last night and even dreamed of his mother and father.

Before going downstairs, Gu Ci glanced at the closed door opposite, touched the handrail and walked down the stairs. An aunt greeted him gently and asked if he needed something to eat or drink.

Gu Ci politely asked for a glass of orange juice and walked to the door. Only then did he see Butler Feng coming in from outside, accompanied by a bunch of brothers and sisters he had never seen before.

Butler Feng was the first to see him and greeted him with a smile. "Good morning, Xiao Ci. Let me introduce you. This is Teacher Xiao Lu, the young master's piano teacher. This is Teacher Xiao Yu, the young master's boxing teacher. This is Teacher Xiao Gao, the young master's golf teacher, and this is..."

Gu Ci's eyes widened in confusion. "So, the young master Huo's weekend is so packed..."

Butler Feng didn't know what he was feeling guilty about. Every surprise Gu Ci felt made him feel more guilty. But these were all Mr. Huo's requests. He couldn't disobey his master, could he?

But he specifically said to Gu Ci, "Xiao Ci, I've also hired a pottery teacher from Jingdezhen for you this time. After the young master finishes his lessons, you can experience pottery lessons together!"

Gu Ci nodded in understanding. Since the young master had other courses to study, it was a good opportunity for him to focus on reviewing his lessons. Then, they could experience pottery together.

Unexpectedly, during the first piano lesson, Huo Wenyuan had a minor problem.

Huo Wenyuan first expressed his dissatisfaction that it wasn't Gu Ci who woke him up that morning. He went downstairs with a sullen look on his face. Seeing Gu Ci concentrating on studying by the window, not even noticing him coming, his face became even uglier.

Even Teacher Xiao Lu's gentle call couldn't melt his frosted face.

She had no choice but to gently call the young master's attention back, saying, "Master, you haven't had piano lessons for a few days since you were sick last time. We need to practice some more."

Huo Wenyuan didn't even listen to what Teacher Xiao Lu said. He stared at Gu Ci, who was only concentrating on turning the pages, his lips pursed even deeper.

Teacher Xiao Lu didn't notice her student's gaze. Her right hand landed on the piano keys. She was about to get up to help the young master regain his memory, but the next moment, the young master's hand was already on the keys, playing a few notes.

At that moment, Teacher Xiao Lu and Gu Ci, absorbed in reviewing his mistakes, didn't notice anything amiss until five seconds later, when a surge of intense piano music followed. A remarkably fluid yet unmistakably emotional chime swirled through the concert hall.

Teacher Xiao Lu watched in amazement as the young master's hands moved with explosive force, rising and falling rapidly, accurately matching the music tabs.

Gu Ci glanced over curiously, exclaiming at the young master's excellent playing before returning to studying the exam questions.

Teacher Xiao Lu was astonished at Huo Wenyuan's learning ability. He had mastered this incredibly difficult piano piece in just a few months, and he believed that if he persisted, he would surely achieve great things in his field.

Little did Huo Wenyuan know, he had heard the same thing from every teacher, his ears practically callused.

Teacher Xiao Lu encouraged, "Young Master, how about we try again?"

Young Master Huo withdrew his hands, disenchanted with the practice.

He stood up from the piano chair, walked over to Gu Ci, and impatiently tapped on his desk.

Gu Ci was startled and looked up. Seeing it was Huo Wenyuan, she immediately dimpled. "What's the matter, Master?"

Huo Wenyuan held out his hand to him in a very cold manner.

Gu Ci still held the pencil in his hand and looked at Master Huo, not quite understanding.

What did this mean? Did he want his pencil?

Gu Ci placed the pencil in Huo Wenyuan's palm.

Huo Wenyuan stared at the neatly sharpened pencil in disbelief and asked, "Why are you giving this to me?"

Gu Ci was confused by the question. "Master, didn't you ask me to borrow a pencil?"

Huo Wenyuan: "..."

Did he become stupid from eating lamb biscuits? He was practicing piano, so why did he ask him to borrow a pen?

Gu Ci felt aggrieved. If he didn't ask him to borrow a pen, then why did he ask him for it?

Huo Wenyuan thought Gu Ci was really stupid and had to give him a hint. "What is our relationship?"

Gu Ci answered, "Good friends!"

Huo Wenyuan was finally satisfied with his answer. "What should good friends do?"

Gu Ci understood and held out his hand, placing it in Huo Wenyuan's palm.

"Master, keep practicing! We're also going to make pottery together (^ω^)"

Huo Wenyuan's icy face, which had been sullen all day, finally showed a sign of thawing.

Clearly, he was relieved.

With a calmness that was a stark contrast to his earlier anger, he returned to the concert hall and performed "The Bell" perfectly once again.

Teacher Lu marveled: "How come the Master played even better after just one trip?"

A genius, indeed.

After practicing, Huo Wenyuan called over Butler Feng and asked, "Butler Feng, can I just take the pottery class?"

Butler Feng, holding the class schedule and evaluation form, looked hesitant. "Master, as you know, these classes are arranged by the teacher. I'm afraid... it's difficult to explain to him."

Huo Wenyuan fell silent, his punches coming with such force that even the boxing instructor barely managed to withstand them.

He took off his gloves to change his clothes. As he passed Gu Ci, he inexplicably slowed his pace and then stopped again.

Gu Ci understood immediately, looked up at him, and took the initiative to invite: "Huo Wenyuan, do you want to shake hands?"

Huo Wenyuan quietly closed his slightly hot palms. He had just done strenuous exercise, so now was not the time to shake hands.

Gu Ci had no idea what he was thinking. Seeing Huo Wenyuan's fists clenched, he also raised his right hand and gently touched his with his. Then, his five fingers spread out and flew away like small fireworks.

Huo Wenyuan seemed to be hit hard by something. He looked at Gu Ci's nimble white fingers and moved his fingers slightly.

He had never wanted to take a pottery class so much.