Chapter 17: Collection—I Don’t Fall for His Coaxing
“Leave the contract in my office. I’ll be over in twenty minutes.”
Gu Chuanzhou sat in the backseat of the sedan making a call. His cold grey suit was meticulous. Half of his features were hidden in the shadows, his eyes like a deep pool, his temperament cold and sharp.
The driver in the front seat didn’t dare make the slightest sound, involuntarily breathing lighter in this oppressive space, quietly waiting for instructions.
“Alright, President Gu. Also… your father asked me to pass a message to you. He said…” The assistant on the other end of the phone paused. “He hopes you can focus your mind on proper business.”
Gu Chuanzhou pulled the corner of his mouth into a cold sneer. “He’s just someone who has been completely ousted. You don’t need to relay similar things to me in the future.”
“Yes, I understand.”
The call ended. Gu Chuanzhou ordered the driver to wait in the parking lot and got out of the car holding the paper bag.
The elevator went to the top floor, to the large flat-floor residence where Gu Chuanzhou stayed most often and which was closest to the company. It had a cold and minimalist black-white-grey style. The most striking color was the 270° floor-to-ceiling window view.
However, the owner of the house had long since tired of everything in this space. He returned this time to hide his “treasures.”
Gu Chuanzhou entered the study, turned the switch behind the bookshelf, and opened the hidden door disguised as a cabinet.
Behind the hidden door was another password-protected door requiring facial recognition. After it opened, the built-in light strips automatically turned on, and a dim cold light illuminated the secret space.
In this square space, three of the four walls were respectively made into a wardrobe, a jewelry cabinet, and a display cabinet. The remaining wall was covered with densely packed photos of various sizes.
Everything in this room had another owner, even if that person was unaware.
Gu Chuanzhou first added several new snapshots to the long-empty space on the photo wall. One of them was a close-up; the youth’s profile was serene, his features exquisite. Around his fair neck was tied a solid black ribbon, and the fixed green gemstone brooch sparkled as beautifully as his eyes.
This one was very beautiful. Gu Chuanzhou intentionally enlarged it to occupy the center position on the wall.
Before this month, there were only photos of the youth as a child here. Now, finally, new ones could be added.
Gu Chuanzhou stood still and appreciated it, a satisfied light emanating from his eyes.
Afterward, he opened the jewelry cabinet and placed that green gemstone brooch in a conspicuous position. Previously, it was just an ordinary piece among the many jewels in this cabinet, but after being worn by the youth, it had become completely different.
The display cabinet on the side was also opened, and the items in the paper bag were taken out one by one and placed inside.
The display cabinet was not filled with expensive collectibles like the jewelry cabinet. Instead, it contained miscellaneous items that were as old as could be. Empty soda bottles, peeled glass candy wrappers, small pale yellow dried flowers sealed in a glass jar… there was also a grass-woven grasshopper that had dried until its original form was lost.
Gu Chuanzhou placed the newly obtained grasshopper next to it and watched quietly for a long time.
He thought of how, before leaving the Pei house, Yu Xi had pulled his sleeve and whispered a reminder: “You must, must not tell anyone else, especially Xiao Juan. Because I promised her before that I’d give her the first new one I made, but I broke my word… Let’s keep it as a little secret between us, okay?”
A secret.
He was the first and only person to receive so many.
Gu Chuanzhou repeatedly savored these words that were somewhat excessively sweet. The excitement he had suppressed all the way was finally about to become uncontainable at this moment. His heart beat wildly, continuously thumping against his heated chest.
Veins bulged, his blood boiled, and an abnormal flush spread across the face that was mockingly called “devoid of emotion” by the outside world, reaching his neck.
Gu Chuanzhou gently gathered the grass-woven grasshopper into his hand and then pressed his nose against it. He could distinguish several strands of body fragrance belonging to the youth from the scent of the grass blades. It was only by relying on powerful self-restraint that he didn’t use excessive force and crush this gift.
This bright green, vivid grass-woven grasshopper was not a stolen item he had hidden away, nor was it an abandoned object thrown away by others. It was a gift Yu Xi had proactively given, made by his own hands for him alone.
It was something that truly belonged to him.
Zhang Xingkuo escaped from home in the afternoon and arranged for everyone to go to the equestrian club together.
He drove to the Pei house to pick up Yu Xi and also brought along Pei Wang.
Only because Pei Wang had asked Yu Xi, “Are you not going to teach me how to do homework today?” before he left, Yu Xi couldn’t bear to leave him at home alone and could only turn his head to look at Zhang Xingkuo expectantly.
Yu Xi’s peach blossom eyes were unique. Because his pupils were black, bright, and relatively large, they emphasized his clean and pure temperament. But when he stared at someone with pleading, the “deep affection” of peach blossom eyes was revealed.
Simply no one could resist it, let alone Zhang Xingkuo, whose immunity had been zero since childhood.
Zhang Xingkuo hesitated for 0.01 seconds and curled his lips in agreement. “Fine, for Xiao Xi’s sake.”
Pei Wang followed into the car, not forgetting to remind, “He gets carsick; drive a bit slower.”
This sentence made Yu Xi turn his head to take a look. Pei Wang, who had done bad things, rubbed his nose and turned his head to the side.
Zhang Xingkuo let out a cold laugh. “I don’t need your redundant reminder. I knew he got carsick when you didn’t even know where you were.”
Pei Wang: “…”
Pei Wang didn’t just speak up for no reason. He only thought that Zhang Xingkuo, this famous racer, was known for his wild style and drove like his life didn’t matter on the track, so he was a bit worried.
Before leaving, he had prepared some motion sickness supplies in his bag for emergencies.
In the end, those things weren’t needed. Zhang Xingkuo drove more steadily than anyone else. He wasn’t even impatient when someone cut in line at a red light. He was simply not the same person as in the race broadcasts.
Yu Xi didn’t feel any discomfort on the way and kept praising, “You really drive so well. Very few people can drive in a way that gives me no carsickness symptoms at all.”
Zhang Xingkuo raised an eyebrow with some pride. “Of course. When I was learning to drive, I thought I must learn well so that when we go out to play, you can sit comfortably in the car. I also didn’t expect to develop an interest in racing while learning and accidentally win a few trophies. This is also thanks to you.”
There was a bit of humble-bragging in these words, but Yu Xi was amused by the last sentence and couldn’t help but laugh.
“It’s because you’re capable; it has nothing to do with me.”
That the grown-up Zhang Xingkuo became a racer didn’t surprise Yu Xi.
Zhang Xingkuo had been brave and imaginative since childhood, liked adventure, and was keen on pursuing excitement. He could do everything he liked exceptionally well. It was just a pity that Father Zhang viewed this trait as a thorn in his side, feeling he was too rebellious and difficult to discipline.
Thinking of this, Yu Xi showed a bit more concern: “Was everything okay when you went home?”
“It’s fine, he can’t control me.” Zhang Xingkuo said nonchalantly, “We’re almost there.”
The best equestrian club in the capital had cordoned off a large piece of land, possessing professional training grounds and facilities. It had established membership standards and only served the highest-end customer groups, so those who could enter were either wealthy or noble.
Raising horses was a quite money-consuming hobby; it wasn’t something ordinary people could play.
“Yunshu’s horses and mine are all raised in the same stable. I’ll take you to see them first.” Zhang Xingkuo’s arm rested on Yu Xi’s shoulder as he introduced the various grounds to him. “The weather is good today, not too hot. We can play in the outdoor arena. I’ll also pick a horse with a better temper for you later and call a coach so you can get on and try.”
“Ah, me?” Yu Xi thought he had just come along to look and hadn’t planned on getting on himself.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be with you; there won’t be any safety issues. I’ve prepared everything for you in advance. Yunzhuan said she brought an equestrian outfit for you; she should be arriving soon.”
His friends had arranged things to this point, so Yu Xi didn’t refuse further and obeyed obediently.
After a while, the Sheng sisters arrived, with Meng Shen following behind.
“Xiao Xi, Xiao Xi! I missed you to death!” Sheng Yunzhuan rushed over, tore Yu Xi away from Zhang Xingkuo’s side into her arms for a bear hug, and inevitably praised him upon meeting, rubbing his head. “Oh, the little yellow hat you’re wearing today is so cute.”
Yu Xi was rubbed until he laughed, straightening his bucket hat. “Chuanzhou Ge gave it to me.”
Sheng Yunzhuan: “Well, I have to admit his eye for picking things for you has always been good.”
“That’s enough. Didn’t you just see him yesterday?” Zhang Xingkuo tore Sheng Yunzhuan’s arm away from Yu Xi with an unhappy expression.
Sheng Yunzhuan raised her chin. “So what? I miss Xiao Xi even if we’re apart for an hour. As for you, even if you didn’t come back for a lifetime, I’d have to clap and say it’s great.”
“As if I really want to see you either.” Zhang Xingkuo rolled his eyes.
Sheng Yunzhuan immediately returned a grimace without showing any weakness.
“…” Pei Wang tried hard to press down the corners of his mouth.
Were these people so childish in private?
He didn’t expect this small gesture to be caught by Sheng Yunzhuan.
“Laugh if you want to, don’t hold it in. This guy is just very ridiculous and loves to pretend to be a cool guy.”
Zhang Xingkuo talked back: “He’s laughing at you, okay? Can’t you be a bit more steady like your sister?”
“None of your business!”
Yu Xi followed with a laugh and diverted the topic: “I heard you brought an equestrian outfit for me. Can I see it now?”
Sheng Yunshu, who was reading manga on her E-ink reader, looked up and handed over the paper bag in her hand. “Bought it on short notice. Xiao Xi, try it on first.”
Sheng Yunzhuan said, “If the size isn’t right, just wear one from here for now. Let’s go, let’s go, I already can’t wait to see him in riding clothes.”
Thus, the group left the stable and headed toward the equipment room.
They inevitably passed by an outdoor arena where several people were practicing dressage.
During a break, the three were talking when a blonde youth inadvertently looked up, noticed something, and forgot what he was about to say.
“Who did you see?” Another person followed suit and turned their head curiously, their eyes also lighting up. “Hey, are those Xiao Wang and Xiao Xi? Who is Xiao Xi talking to? He’s smiling quite happily; how cute… Meng Liang, is that tall guy your brother?”
The listless Meng Liang quickly raised his head when his ears caught a certain name, frowning as he asked, “Who did you say?”
“Your brother. Over there. It looks like him but I’m a bit unsure; I’ve seen him too little.”
Meng Liang looked over. Not far away, the youth was walking at the end, talking to the person next to him who looked like an eyesore. He looked up with a smile, his eyes curved into crescent moons, even more bright and eye-catching than the little yellow hat on his head, making it so one could only notice him at a single glance.
Meng Liang let out a laugh from his nose. “I’ve run into him again so soon.”
“Then that is your brother? Your brother seems quite familiar with the people next to him, chatting quite happily.”
“So what? I also know Yu Xi; I’ve seen him since we were kids.”
“Whoa! You’ve known each other since childhood!” Both cast envious gazes.
Meng Liang had an indifferent expression. “Yeah, very familiar. Is this anything worth being surprised about? Even people like you know him, so why couldn’t I?”
The two selectively ignored the second half of the sentence, focusing elsewhere.
“I still don’t know what Xiao Xi looked like as a kid. He’s this good-looking now; he must have been incredibly cute as a kid.”
“Meng Liang, tell us about it. Or do you have photos? Can we take a look?”
Meng Liang crossed his arms arrogantly, as if he were being bothered, and opened his mouth reluctantly. “No photos. It wasn’t anything special; his face was just rounder than it is now. I pinched it once, and it turned red with just a light touch. Delicate to death.”
“And he had no temper at all. After being pinched, he’d only stare at me with both eyes and ask me to be lighter next time.”
As he spoke, Meng Liang paused strangely for several seconds, as if he were already immersed in that memory. The tips of his ears had a suspicious red. Pressed by the people next to him asking “And then?”, he feigned a couple of coughs and continued speaking.
“No ‘and then.’ He probably thought everyone in the world would like him. He acted coquettish with me too, but he miscalculated. I don’t fall for his coaxing.”
Finally, Meng Liang clicked his tongue as if he couldn’t stand it and gave a comment. “In short, this person is quite beyond help.”
T/n: [Beyond help? There’s someone else who is truly beyond help. 🐶🌹]
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