PART 2
He released Lin Zheng’s mouth.
Lin Zheng immediately questioned, “Why did you say such things to him?”
Gu Lin looked at Lin Zheng’s flushed face, “Did I lie? Weren’t you blushing because you couldn’t grab the phone? Aren’t you actively clinging to me right now?”
Lin Zheng looked back; the hand on his waist had been removed when Gu Lin covered his mouth.
Free, he snatched the phone and called Zhao Yi back.
Zhao Yi’s voice sounded tired.
“Zhao Yi, it’s me. Gu Lin answered earlier. He was exaggerating. I was just trying to grab my phone from him. Nothing happened. About moving out of your place, I’m not mad. It’s fine where I stay. Thanks for the help; I’ll contact you later.”
Gu Lin leaned on the bed, watching Lin Zheng explain to Zhao Yi, his eyes darkening.
Seeing Lin Zheng’s different attitudes towards him and Zhao Yi, he felt a little annoyed.
Lin Zheng hung up. An arm suddenly reached around him, and he fell onto the bed.
Still dazed, Lin Zheng felt a hand move from his back to his leg, then a chill on his ankle.
He was about to ask Gu Lin what he was doing when he saw something on his ankle.
Looking up, he saw Gu Lin’s displeased expression.
On his ankle was something similar to what he wore on his wrist earlier, but smaller, a thin band, but it seemed more complex than it looked.
Lin Zheng yelled, “What the hell is this?!”
Gu Lin held up a key, raising an eyebrow, “Something interesting.”
It was hard not to think the worst.
Wasn’t this like the wrist restraints? Just a different location?
A possibility struck Lin Zheng. “You’re not going to make me wear this out, are you?”
Gu Lin didn’t speak, just smiled.
Lin Zheng blushed, “Pervert! You big pervert, Gu Lin!”
On the way out, Lin Zheng muttered constantly, a 3D surround-sound experience for Gu Lin, who ignored him completely.
Lin Zheng fastened his seatbelt, asking why Gu Lin was being a pervert. Gu Lin said it was because Lin Zheng liked to run away, a luxury package based on his escape plans. As long as Gu Lin held the key, Lin Zheng couldn’t remove it even if he ran. Lin Zheng almost cried, realizing Gu Lin had cut off his escape route. He was relieved he was wearing long pants, but long pants could also be dangerous. If the pant legs were lifted, it would show.
“When can I take it off?” Gu Lin looked at him, “Behave today, I’ll take it off after the banquet.”
Lin Zheng stopped his sobs, “I’ll listen to you today, but no more weird stuff after that.”
Gu Lin: “Deal.”
Half an hour later, they arrived at Lin Ya’s house.
Lin Zheng thought a successful person like Rick would host a formal, stiff banquet, but as Gu Lin said, the atmosphere was relaxed. The banquet was at home, starting in the daytime. Rick’s backyard was full of children with toys and sweets, laughter everywhere, fitting the first birthday theme. Adults were also relaxed and comfortable.
Lin Zheng liked this atmosphere.
As soon as Lin Zheng entered, a small Pomeranian ran to his feet. He knelt, scratching it under the chin. Lin Ya greeted them.
Lin Zheng suddenly realized he forgot his gift and was worrying when Gu Lin handed a gift to Lin Ya, saying, “A little something from Lin Zheng and me.”
Lin Zheng looked at Gu Lin in surprise.
Lin Ya was surprised, confirming, “You two came together?”
Gu Lin smiled, “We came together and prepared this together.”
Lin Ya smiled with relief, looking at them, “That’s wonderful.”
There were many guests, and Lin Ya had to greet them, leaving after thanking them.
Lin Zheng touched the back of his neck, embarrassed, “Thank you.”
Gu Lin glanced at his ankle, “It’s showing.”
Lin Zheng looked down. The Pomeranian was biting and tugging at his pants leg, revealing the device several times, scaring him. He pulled down his pants leg and glared at Gu Lin.
If it wasn’t for Gu Lin’s prank, would he have been so nervous?
Gu Lin just smirked.
Besides the dessert table, there were several barbecue grills. Rick was grilling skewers for the children.
Lin Zheng walked over, and Rick handed him a sausage, “Glad to see you, Zheng.”
“Glad to see you too, Mr. Rick.” Lin Zheng took a bite, “Delicious.”
“Eat slowly, there’s plenty.”
Gu Lin came over, seeing the messy Lin Zheng, handing him a tissue. Lin Zheng politely took it, “Thank you, Mr. Gu Lin.”
Because of his kind appearance, children surrounded him, dragging him to play with toys.
Rick, watching Lin Zheng happily playing with the children, leaned over and asked Gu Lin, “Your relationship with Zheng isn’t simple, is it?”
Gu Lin looked at Rick, “Who says?”
Rick smiled, “Don’t underestimate my eyes, Gu, I can see through everything.”
Gu Lin smiled.
Rick curiously asked, “Weren’t you a bachelor? I’m curious what made you change your mind… No, it’s unnecessary now. I’m more curious, you came here because of him, right?”
Rick’s judgment was always accurate.
Gu Lin looked at Lin Zheng, sitting cross-legged on the grass, playing with toys, a radiant smile on his face. A certain emptiness in his heart seemed to be filled.
He didn’t deny, “Yes, it’s because of him.”
Rick flipped the vegetables on the grill, smiling knowingly, “But, you have a conflict?”
Rick thought that if there wasn’t a conflict, Gu Lin wouldn’t have been surprised to learn Lin Zheng’s number last night.
Gu Lin took two beers from the table, opening them and handing one to Rick. They clinked.
Rick had been in the sun for a long time, drinking half the bottle. “Drinking in this weather is the best, especially with the sun overhead.”
Gu Lin took a sip, looking at Lin Zheng, answering Rick, “He always wants to escape me.”
“What?” Rick was surprised, “…He wants to escape you? Why?”
In Rick’s eyes, Gu Lin was almost perfect, with no flaws. He couldn’t believe someone would want to leave Gu Lin.
“Who knows?”
Rick joked, “I never thought I’d see you troubled by love.”
“Spare me.”
Gu Lin didn’t understand why Lin Zheng always wanted to leave, as if something bad would happen if he stayed.
“Perhaps, have you considered letting go?” Rick said seriously.
Sometimes letting go is a solution, giving both space.
Gu Lin paused, then said, “I haven’t thought about it.”
Gu Lin knew that if he let go, Lin Zheng would slip away like water through his fingers.
The person he wanted, even if he had to tie him up, he would keep him by his side.
Gu Lin was that stubborn.
After playing with the children, Lin Zheng felt tired and hot. A cold juice appeared beside his face, instantly cooling his skin. Lin Zheng sighed in relief, then looked back; it was Gu Lin.
Lin Zheng felt Gu Lin was thoughtful for a moment.
Gu Lin seemed to see a friend and went to greet them.
Lin Zheng held the juice, feeling satisfied.
Thinking about it, Gu Lin had been quite good to him, providing a well-paying job and a place to stay. Although initially playful, his later sincerity wasn’t fake. Although sometimes he had strange quirks, they weren’t unreasonable.
Lin Zheng rested his chin on the juice, looking at Gu Lin.
Ignoring the plot, Gu Lin would be an ideal lover.
Tall, handsome, great figure, bringing surprises, paying attention to small details.
Lin Zheng tapped the juice lid, shook his head, and went inside to find Lin Ya.
Lin Ya was preparing desserts with the chef, handing Lin Zheng a cake to taste.
Tired from the sun, Lin Zheng felt sleepy. After helping Lin Ya taste some new desserts, he asked about a place to rest. Lin Ya took him to the third floor.
Lin Ya said, “You can rest here; no one comes up to the third floor.”
The guest area was on the first and second floors and the courtyard, making the third floor quiet.
Lin Zheng nodded.
There were guest rooms, but Lin Zheng didn’t go there. He opened the door to an outdoor terrace with a transparent roof, a long sofa in the shade, a hanging chair, and flowers around.
From upstairs, he could see the lively scene below, but the sound wasn’t loud.
With a cool breeze, Lin Zheng lay down on the sofa, listening to the distant chatter, and closed his eyes.
Ten minutes later, the terrace door opened.
Sleeping Lin Zheng didn’t notice.
The person knelt before him, holding a beer and a petal, lightly touching Lin Zheng’s nose.
Lin Zheng frowned, rubbing his nose, then relaxed and fell asleep again.
Gu Lin chuckled, “He’s really asleep this time.”
Gu Lin sat down beside him, playing with the petal.
After a while, looking at the blue sky, he took a sip of beer.
A breeze blew past them, carrying a pink petal from Lin Zheng’s cheek.
The banquet lasted until 10 pm, but Lin Zheng had to leave for the Flower Festival at 9 pm. He said goodbye to Lin Ya, Rick, and their baby.
Back in the car, Lin Zheng asked Gu Lin to fulfill his promise.
He had been restricted all day.
Gu Lin gestured, “Look down.”
Lin Zheng looked at his ankle; nothing was there.
He asked, “When did you take it off?”
Gu Lin recalled, “Probably when you fell asleep on the third floor.”
Lin Zheng was surprised, “You followed me? You knew I was asleep on the third floor?”
Gu Lin laughed, “Did I need to follow you? I just asked.”
Lin Zheng clicked his tongue, “You should have told me earlier. I was so nervous all day.”
Gu Lin teased, “What if I told you, and you disobeyed me?”
“I’m not that kind of person.” Lin Zheng argued, but seeing the time, he said anxiously, “Hurry, Gu Lin, we’re running out of time. The Flower Festival is starting soon.”
Gu Lin told the driver to start the car.
The Flower Festival was an annual event, held at different times each year. This year, it was in this season.
As the name suggests, it’s a celebration during flower season.
R City has spring-like weather all year round, with flowers blooming constantly, but each season has different flowers, offering unique experiences.
A special venue was prepared for the festival.
Even before reaching the venue, the streets were filled with flowers, and more people than during the daytime.
Lin Zheng bought flowers along the way, handing them to Gu Lin when his hands were full.
Gu Lin said, “You’re quite bossy.”
Lin Zheng chuckled, “You’re free anyway.”
Then he continued buying flowers.
Near the venue, the crowd thickened.
Lin Zheng was buying flowers when he turned to look for Gu Lin but couldn’t find him.
“Gu Lin?”
He turned back, but the crowd pushed him forward.
The closer to the center, the more crowded it became.
He scanned the crowd but couldn’t see Gu Lin.
Perhaps because of the unfamiliar crowd, or the missing Gu Lin, Lin Zheng felt a little panicked.
“Gu Lin.”
Lin Zheng called out in Chinese.
A moment later, a familiar hand grasped his.
He turned and saw Gu Lin standing behind him, holding the flowers, looking at him with a mix of helplessness and amusement, his voice low, “Did my little rabbit get lost? Even this you can get lost?”
Author’s Note: Sorry for keeping you waiting! This is a double update combined. Muah!
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