Chapter 8: Clothes—Soaked in Another Strong Masculine Scent…
Gu Chuanzhou took Yu Xi to a very large mall. The interior was luxuriously decorated, housing many top luxury brands.
Except for when he was very young, Yu Xi had never been to such a place. As soon as he entered, he was dazzled by the glass dome and brilliant lights. He even felt a bit dizzy standing on the long escalator.
In this unfamiliar environment, he instinctively acted like a newborn chick, sticking close to Gu Chuanzhou’s arm and following his steps closely to seek a bit of security, afraid of being left behind.
Gu Chuanzhou saw his subtle reactions but said nothing, silently enjoying the feeling of being relied upon.
“Want to get something to eat first?”
In this situation, Yu Xi naturally followed whatever Gu Chuanzhou said.
Afterward, he tried many new things: milk tea, desserts, snacks… As long as he took a curious glance, Gu Chuanzhou would buy it for him.
He didn’t want to just let Gu Chuanzhou pay, but Gu Chuanzhou said, “When I was kept at home as a child, you secretly brought me many things. Just think of it as me repaying you now.”
“But…” Yu Xi recalled the small candies, half a chocolate bar, and a few fruits he had brought over like treasures back then. He felt they couldn’t compare to this at all. “Those things weren’t worth much.”
Gu Chuanzhou told him not to compare: “Buying these for you is the same for me.”
It was logical, so Yu Xi had nothing more to say and silently chose to accept.
What made it more difficult for him was that Gu Chuanzhou bought too much. He couldn’t finish it all, so his eating speed gradually slowed down, showing a troubled expression.
Extremely opportunely, Gu Chuanzhou took the food from his hand and ate it without changing his expression, and he didn’t say a word as if it were perfectly normal.
“Let’s go see the upper floor.”
Yu Xi responded with a slow reaction.
The third floor of the mall was filled with fashion brands. Yu Xi didn’t recognize them; he only felt that the things in the display windows and on the counters were all very shiny and expensive.
“Anything you’re interested in?”
Yu Xi shook his head. He took a curious look around then went back to biting the cream puff in his hand. Under the pale yellow bucket hat, his long eyelashes could be seen drooping submissively. His lips were moist and crimson from eating, and a bit of cream stuck to the corner of his mouth, which was quickly licked away by the tip of his cherry-colored tongue.
Gu Chuanzhou watched silently for a while before suddenly saying, “Want to eat the ice cream first? It’s about to melt.”
Yu Xi nodded. He wanted to take it, but unexpectedly saw Gu Chuanzhou scoop up a spoonful and hold it out, as if to feed him.
“Don’t want it?” Gu Chuanzhou asked.
“I… I do.” Even though he had fed the other person, Yu Xi was inexplicably nervous when being fed. He hesitated for a moment, then leaned his head forward and opened his mouth to take it.
Unfortunately, the ice cream didn’t make it into his mouth. As if Gu Chuanzhou hadn’t held it steadily, he very “accidentally” let the ice cream fall onto Yu Xi.
Yu Xi let out a small “Ooh.”
The semi-melted matcha ice cream fell right onto his collarbone. The coldness sent a layer of goosebumps across his skin, and it slid down his collar, soaking the thin fabric and spreading a matcha-colored stain.
Before he could react, Gu Chuanzhou had already quickly taken out a wet wipe to help him clean up.
The soft wet wipe was pressed against the delicate collarbone, rubbing it. Even with the man’s lightest force, it still rubbed a thin layer of pink onto the tender skin.
A glint of dark light emerged in Gu Chuanzhou’s eyes. His fingers moved downward, rubbing below the collar.
“Brother Chuanzhou, I’ll do it myself…” The place being repeatedly rubbed was getting itchy. Yu Xi’s breathing was slightly uneven, and he wanted to stop Gu Chuanzhou.
But Gu Chuanzhou didn’t agree, stubbornly insisting on helping. “It’s fine, it’ll be clean in a moment.”
Just as he took out a clean wet wipe to wipe Yu Xi again, he noticed that some passersby were about to walk by. His feverish mind quickly cooled down, and he stopped his hand. “I’ll take you to buy a new one.”
Yu Xi quickly shook his head. “No need, no need. I’ll just go home, change, and wash it.”
“It’s all my fault. I should be the one to compensate.”
Gu Chuanzhou’s voice grew low, inexplicably gaining a bit of a self-blaming tone.
As soon as he saw him like this, Yu Xi couldn’t bear to say anything more. But once they entered a certain store and saw the high-quality fashion inside, he regretted it.
The clothes on him cost no more than a few dozen yuan online, and he had washed and worn them repeatedly for years. Wouldn’t Gu Chuanzhou be at a disadvantage buying him such nice things?
But Gu Chuanzhou gave him no chance to refuse. He crisply picked out a set for him and paid for it while he was trying the clothes on.
Yu Xi’s prepared excuses about the “clothes not fitting” were completely useless.
“Xixi doesn’t like it?” Gu Chuanzhou held his shoulders and turned him toward the fitting mirror. “I think it looks very good.”
In the VIP fitting room, they were undisturbed. The fitting mirrors on two walls showed only the two of them.
When Gu Chuanzhou picked the clothes, it seemed like a casual choice, yet they suited Yu Xi surprisingly well.
A light blue short-sleeved shirt over a white T-shirt, paired with apricot-colored shorts—a very simple combination that perfectly highlighted his clean aura. The simply dressed youth was already enough to attract attention, and now he was stunningly beautiful.
Yu Xi stared blankly at his reflection. The first thought that arose was that the color of the open shirt was very similar to Gu Chuanzhou’s shirt, as if they were part of a series.
“Let’s pair them with some shoes.”
In that moment of daze, Yu Xi was pressed down onto the sofa again. Gu Chuanzhou was holding a pair of casual shoes in the corresponding size brought by the sales assistant, kneeling on one knee.
“Brother Chuanzhou…!”
However, the man’s expression didn’t change at all. With one hand, he easily controlled Yu Xi’s leg as it tried to shrink back, circling the ankle and pulling it toward him.
His movements were unhurried as he unlaced the old canvas shoes on Yu Xi’s feet. After taking them off, he replaced the socks and the shoes with new ones.
The sales assistant nearby was very discerning and didn’t rush to serve them. She watched as the handsome man knelt on the carpet, his fingers pinching the youth’s exposed calf—which was so soft that a slight press left a shallow indentation—and changed his shoe without allowing refusal.
The crimson on the youth’s ears spread to his cheeks. He tried to stop him several times, grabbing the man’s hand. “You don’t need to do this! I can put them on myself!”
The man pushed his hand away and said in a low voice, “Xixi, be good.”
Then he pinched the other calf and put on the other shoe.
It took quite a while, but finally, the man successfully changed the youth’s shoes and socks.
The beige casual shoes and the socks reaching just above the ankle made the youth’s legs look very long, perfectly matched.
But there were also several finger marks pinched onto those white, smooth calves.
…
Frightened by Gu Chuanzhou’s behavior and seeing the staggering number on the bill, Yu Xi had no more energy to say anything.
Except for when his mother put on his shoes when he was little, and when his friends would race to squat down and tie his laces when they saw them undone, no one had done such a thing for him as an adult.
He knew Gu Chuanzhou was good to him, but he hadn’t expected him to be this good.
Why was the grip on his calf so strong back then? He couldn’t refuse even if he wanted to.
Yu Xi’s gaze uncontrollably drifted to Gu Chuanzhou’s hands.
He was carrying several bags—packaged desserts and snacks, as well as gift bags with fashion brand logos. Inside were his old, discarded clothes.
The stacked bags were like an open fan. Yu Xi would need two hands to carry them, but one was enough for Gu Chuanzhou. It felt like his fingers were much longer than his own.
His kitten-like observation was noticed by Gu Chuanzhou, leading to a slight misunderstanding.
“Want to eat anything else?”
“No…”
Yu Xi wanted to say he was full when a surprised voice came from behind.
“Master Gu, what a coincidence! You’re shopping here too?”
Turning around, they saw a pair of young people dressed in flashy clothes and jewelry.
Gu Chuanzhou cast a side glance and nodded coldly, treating it as a greeting. He then led Yu Xi into another store. “I’ll pick out a new hat for you.”
This completely unfamiliar reaction meant Yu Xi didn’t pay much attention to the strangers who suddenly appeared. He pinched the pale yellow bucket hat on his head and asked, “Didn’t you already give me a hat?”
“The clothes have changed, so we need a hat that matches better.”
“Ah? No need to be so particular.”
The two were already absorbed in picking out a hat and didn’t notice the couple still watching them.
“This is truly rare, meeting him in a place like this.”
The girl’s gaze swept back and forth between the two, who were acting intimately. “Isn’t it said that this heir of the Gu family rarely socializes in private? He seems very close to that boy, and I don’t recognize him at all.”
The boy took out his phone. “I’ll just take a photo and send it to the group to ask.”
“You’re so bold! If Gu Chuanzhou finds out, you’re finished.”
“What’s there to fear? This is big news. Shouldn’t it be shared?”
Thus, a photo was sent to a small circle’s group chat without the two knowing, and it was quickly forwarded to various places.
After buying everything, they ate together and watched a movie. It wasn’t until sunset that Gu Chuanzhou sent Yu Xi back.
Yu Xi entered the house carrying large and small bags. Pei Lexin, who had just finished work, praised him as soon as she saw him. “Oh, our Xiao Xi looks so good in this outfit!”
Yu Xi was embarrassed by the praise and smiled with pursed lips. “Brother Chuanzhou bought it for me.”
Pei Lexin nodded with satisfaction. “Our Xiao Xi is beautiful; he should wear good clothes. In a few days, Auntie will take you out to buy some too.”
“No need, Auntie Pei. I don’t lack anything…” Yu Xi said, noticing Pei Wang sitting at the dining table. After thinking for a moment, he took the initiative to greet him. “I’m back.”
The boy, who never had a good face, let out another heavy snort. “You certainly had a good time. You completely forgot what you said this morning about tutoring me with my homework, didn’t you?”
Yu Xi: “…”
“It was clearly you who didn’t want me to tutor you.”
Yu Xi looked elsewhere and couldn’t help but whisper a small complaint.
Then, before Pei Wang could get even angrier, he handed over a bag. “I bought something delicious for you.”
In reality, it wasn’t; Gu Chuanzhou had bought an extra portion because he saw that Yu Xi liked it.
Fortunately, Pei Wang went silent after seeing it. He didn’t retort again and even awkwardly thanked him.
Yu Xi was secretly happy: So, giving Pei Wang sweets can coax him.
Thanks to this item, the atmosphere at dinner tonight was much better than the day before.
Yu Xi finally had a solid meal.
After eating and drinking his fill, he went upstairs with his bags. After organizing everything, he realized he had missed one thing.
He picked up his phone and sent a message to Gu Chuanzhou.
[Brother Chuanzhou, I seem to have forgotten to take the bag with my old clothes (taps fingers)]
Gu Chuanzhou’s reply was late.
[Mhm. I’ll wash them and return them to you tomorrow.]
Yu Xi sat on the sofa swaying his legs, telling Gu Chuanzhou about giving Pei Wang the sweets.
[I really didn’t expect it! He actually likes sweets.]
[Brother Chuanzhou, do you think if I give them to him a few more times, he’ll like me a bit more?]
Gu Chuanzhou: [No one would dislike Xixi.]
[But some people aren’t worth Xixi spending so much effort on.]
Yu Xi’s attention was on the first sentence, and he tapped the keyboard earnestly.
[Brother Chuanzhou, no one in the world is liked by everyone. You’re coddling me too much.]
The message was sent to the other phone, causing a slight vibration in the man’s hand.
Gu Chuanzhou held the phone with one hand, his thumb rubbing over the bubble. A very light laugh escaped his nose.
He replied: [How could that be?]
How could that be, Xixi?
Everyone who meets you will gradually be attracted to you, becoming infatuated with you bit by bit, completely sinking… It’s simply the most natural thing.
Why is it that after so many years, you still have no self-awareness?
Having no sense of crisis is a very dangerous thing. Having no self-knowledge of one’s own allure will only attract more and more beasts. By the time you react, you’ll already be surrounded by wolves, and it will be too late.
Gu Chuanzhou wouldn’t allow such a thing to happen.
What exactly should he do so that Xixi only has him by his side?
Such thoughts circled in Gu Chuanzhou’s mind. They had sprouted twelve years ago and had now taken deep root, becoming an inescapable obsession.
Not a day went by that he didn’t think about how to make Yu Xi belong only to himself.
He had to be patient, to proceed step by step, and gradually lure the unaware rabbit into the trap he had already set… then strike.
The prerequisite for all this was endurance.
Gu Chuanzhou broke into a hot sweat, his fingers tightening. He let out a heavy breath from his chest, venting all the unsightly desires in his body.
A strange smell slowly spread through the room.
Gu Chuanzhou let go of the clothes he was clutching.
The white T-shirt was incredibly wrinkled and soaked through. In addition to the youth’s clear fragrance, it was now soaked in another strong masculine scent.
Translator’s Note: Umm… that ending? 😳 Gu Chuanzhou is down bad. He didn’t just “wash” the clothes; he used them to… well, let’s just say his obsession is reaching a whole new level. Also, “taps fingers” (對手指 – duì shǒuzhǐ) is a cute internet slang/action where you bring your index fingers together, usually meaning you’re feeling shy or a bit guilty. Xixi is being so cute while Gu Chuanzhou is being… that. Well~ I don’t have words for that ahahahha
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