Chapter 20: What Am I to You?
Within the confined space, as Pei Zhouye leaned over, the scent of cedarwood cologne washed over him.
Wen Yan unconsciously breathed carefully, awkwardly wanting to dodge but daring not to move.
Too close. Pei Zhouye’s breath seemed to brush against his skin.
Instantly, Wen Yan remembered that dream he hadn’t had for a while. The person pressing down on him in the dream had breathed just like this against his neck, incredibly scorching.
“What are you thinking about? Done.” Pei Zhouye had already returned to the driver’s seat, and the seatbelt on Wen Yan was unbuckled.
Called back to reality by his voice, Wen Yan frowned at the unbuckled belt.
Why couldn’t he undo it after trying for so long, yet Pei Zhouye undid it instantly?
It was different. Pei Zhouye and the person in his dream were different.
Wen Yan opened the door and got out. Pei Zhouye got out from the other side and followed.
“Yan-yan.”
Wen Yan looked up and saw Gu Yulan standing not far away. His eyes lit up. “Yulan-ge! Why are you here?”
Pei Zhouye was right beside him and naturally saw the change in Wen Yan’s expression. His eyes darkened.
“President Pei, I’m going back first.” Wen Yan paused. “Thank you for driving me back today.”
Gu Yulan walked over from over there, took Wen Yan’s hand, and looked at Pei Zhouye.
“Why is Pei Shao here?”
This was the first time he hadn’t greeted Pei Zhouye first upon seeing him.
Just now, he had noticed the license plate first. He guessed who it was not long after seeing that string of matching digits. Then, he saw the lowered window and Wen Yan in the passenger seat.
A glaring provocation.
Pei Zhouye narrowed his eyes at their joined hands, his face gloomy, saying nothing.
Gu Yulan gripped tighter, staring right back.
The tension between the two was palpable.
However, Wen Yan didn’t notice. He shook Gu Yulan’s hand, reminding him that he was hurting him. “President Pei sent me back.”
Gu Yulan still didn’t speak.
It was only then that Wen Yan, somewhat belatedly, sensed something was off with the atmosphere. He guessed Gu Yulan might have seen Pei Zhouye unbuckling his seatbelt.
He looked up at Pei Zhouye, ignoring the other’s dangerous, dark gaze. His voice was gentle. “President Pei, this is my boyfriend, Gu Yulan. You two should know each other. We’re going back now.”
Wen Yan took Gu Yulan’s hand and turned to leave.
Gu Yulan laughed once, his expression returning to its usual decorum. “Pei Shao, goodbye.”
Just now, Wen Yan’s hand had struggled slightly in his palm. It was very slight, but he felt it.
In that instant, his heart felt like it was being strangled by a thin thread. He suddenly wasn’t sure if Wen Yan would always be willing to be led by him like this.
The two walked away. Pei Zhouye didn’t stand there for long before turning back to his car.
Supermarket outside the complex.
Wen Yan needed to buy some things for the house. Gu Yulan pushed the shopping cart and followed behind him.
The tall young man in front had cold, white skin on the back of his neck and a figure as upright as bamboo. When he bent down to choose items from the middle and lower shelves, his clothes outlined a slender waist. The whole person was perfect, like a work of art that should be displayed in a museum. No wonder he became the center of attention wherever he went.
Such a work of art now belonged to him, Gu Yulan. Gu Yulan had a smile on his lips, recalling how Wen Yan had taken the initiative to declare sovereignty for him just now.
For good things like this, he always had to fight, snatch, and refuse to yield for them to fall to him.
Only Wen Yan would stand by his side obediently and firmly, tolerating and accommodating him.
“Yulan-ge, should I buy cucumber-flavored chips or original?” Wen Yan straightened up, holding a yellow bag and a green bag of chips.
Gu Yulan smiled. “If you like both flavors, just take both.”
“No.” Wen Yan pouted. “Then cucumber flavor it is.”
He didn’t love snacks. He would occasionally eat a few chips to stay awake when staying up late to work on projects, never finishing a whole bag at once.
He had told Gu Yulan before, but Gu Yulan hadn’t remembered.
After buying the things, Gu Yulan helped Wen Yan carry them back to the rental apartment.
The rental was tidy, with everything categorized and placed in an orderly manner, looking clean and comfortable.
After putting the things away, Gu Yulan sat on the sofa. Wen Yan came over, took his hand, and tried to pull him up.
“Didn’t we say we were going to eat, and then pick a gift for your friend? It’s getting late, let’s hurry.”
Gu Yulan sat on the sofa without moving. He pulled Wen Yan’s hand and yanked him with a skillful force.
Wen Yan lost his balance, stumbled, and fell into Gu Yulan’s arms. He wanted to struggle, but his waist was bound by an arm, rendering him immobile.
Gu Yulan looked thin and gentle, but he was strong. Wen Yan couldn’t break free, his cheeks burning, so he simply closed his eyes, deceiving himself.
“Yulan-ge, let go of me.”
This posture of embracing was too intimate; Wen Yan’s face was burning hot.
“Yan-yan.” Gu Yulan’s voice was low and husky. “Do you want to be with me?”
“We are already together.” Wen Yan was overly shy, his voice getting weaker.
Gu Yulan guided Wen Yan’s hand downwards. “Not that kind of together.”
Wen Yan realized his meaning and jerked his hand back to dodge, narrowly avoiding touching that area.
He struggled free, using much more serious force than before. Gu Yulan couldn’t restrain him and simply let go.
Wen Yan stood up. The flush on his cheeks hadn’t faded, but his face was cold.
No matter how slender he was, the height characteristics of a 1.8-meter adult male were evident at this moment.
“What do you mean?”
Wen Yan’s eyes were red, and he turned his head away, his heart blocked with grievance. “We haven’t seen each other for so many days. Did you come to find me just because you wanted to go to bed with me?”
Gu Yulan knew Wen Yan was angry. He slowly calmed down and sat up straight. “Sorry.”
Gu Yulan had said he was very busy recently, so even though they were in the same city, they had barely met. Wen Yan was very happy that he could come over today.
Gu Yulan had come here for two things: to pick a birthday gift for a friend, and to drop by to see him.
Wen Yan was still very happy, satisfied even just wandering around the supermarket together.
But that matter of simply wanting to see him and eat with him had changed flavor. Everything became disgusting, and Wen Yan suddenly felt nauseous.
Gu Yulan also stood up, wanting to hug Wen Yan, but Wen Yan dodged.
“Sorry, Wen Yan, sorry. I was just… too insecure today seeing you with Pei Zhouye. So I just… sorry.”
Was it just an impulse driven by possessiveness? Wen Yan’s heart slowly grew cold.
Clearly, they hadn’t even reached the level of intimacy for kissing, yet Gu Yulan hoped he would agree to such a request. Clearly, Gu Yulan knew where his bottom line was, yet he still tested it like this.
Even in the atmosphere just now, if Gu Yulan had wanted to kiss him, Wen Yan would have agreed.
Wen Yan’s voice was cold as he asked stiffly, “Gu Yulan, deep down, what am I to you?”
A serious romantic partner, or a plaything never worth cherishing or respecting?
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