Chapter 24: You Are With Me
It was Wen Yan’s phone.
The phone vibrated slightly on the table, the ringtone piercing through the silent atmosphere.
The contact name displayed was [Mom].
The ringtone played for a moment. Just as Wen Yan raised his hand to hang up, another hand blocked him.
Gu Yulan took the phone and answered it.
“Hello, Auntie. It’s me, Gu Yulan.”
His tone was relaxed and lively, the kind that parents adore, yet the expression in his eyes remained cold and indifferent.
Wen Yan looked at Gu Yulan, feeling his nerves going numb.
The voice on the other end was faint; he couldn’t hear what his mother was saying.
Gu Yulan said, “Yan Yan is with me. We’re having dinner.”
The tears from a moment ago had left no trace on the man’s face; he acted as naturally as if nothing had happened.
“Is Uncle feeling any better lately?”
“Yan Yan and I are doing great. I’ll take good care of him. I’ll pass the phone to him.”
Wen Yan stiffly took the phone.
“Mom.”
His mother’s gentle and affectionate voice came through: “Yan Yan, make sure you get along well with Yulan, you hear? He’s spent a lot of effort chatting with your dad lately. I don’t know what they talk about, and he won’t tell me, but your dad’s mood seems much better now, so I haven’t asked too many questions.”
After Wen Yan’s father fell ill, he couldn’t work, and the medical expenses were high. He felt like a burden to the family, his mental state deteriorated significantly, and he had even attempted to swallow sleeping pills.
Fortunately, Wen Yan had discovered it in time.
Wen Yan’s mother had cried until she fainted that day. After waking up, she threatened to die with him, saying that if the illness couldn’t be cured, so be it, but if he died that way, she would go with him.
None of the three mentioned that incident, but it remained a scar in their hearts that hadn’t healed.
“Really?” Wen Yan’s throat felt dry, his words coming out rough. “Is Dad feeling better now?”
His mother’s smile sounded a bit tired. “He’s doing well. He just went to sleep. Before sleeping, he even said he wanted to go to the street tomorrow to buy some local specialties to mail to you.”
After a brief chat, the call ended.
Wen Yan knew Gu Yulan was watching him.
He didn’t know how to face Gu Yulan, how to face his parents, or how to face his own heart.
“What did you talk to Dad about?” Wen Yan lowered his eyes, finally giving up.
Gu Yulan finally smiled. He said softly, “We talked about some things from when you were little. Uncle said you used to pester him to tell stories, but he would always fall asleep while talking, and you would get angry every time.”
That was indeed something from his childhood.
Gu Yulan smiled and took Wen Yan’s hand. “Yan Yan, I told Uncle that we should think about the beautiful memories of the past.”
Wen Yan suddenly smiled. The smile was desolate, like a flower blooming in the mire.
“Gu Yulan, you are forcing me. Aren’t you?” he asked flatly.
Gu Yulan still took Wen Yan to Jinquan.
Jinquan Mall was the core landmark of City A’s CBD, filled with luxury boutiques.
Gu Yulan picked out a necklace; the platinum chain glinted coldly in his palm.
He turned his body to block the reflection from the glass display case, attempting to drape the pendant around Wen Yan’s neck.
Wen Yan had never worn such decorative necklaces, but Gu Yulan felt that such a slender and beautiful neck should be adorned with something sparkling.
“Yan Yan, try it on. It will definitely look good on you,” Gu Yulan continued to coax in a low voice.
The number of people in the store slowly decreased.
The two were standing very close. Gu Yulan spoke softly and didn’t notice the changes around them.
Ten steps away, Pei Zhouye’s gaze was fixed on the two of them, his pupils dark and calm.
Shen Yao shrank his neck and quietly hid behind Lin Seran.
Gu Yulan was about to fasten the necklace around Wen Yan’s neck. Just as his hands were fastening the clasp near the porcelain-white neck, he was suddenly blocked by a hand.
The impatience on his face froze for a few seconds upon seeing Pei Zhouye, Shen Yao, and the fully armed Lin Seran, then vanished completely.
Pei Zhouye’s expression was gloomy. He raised his hand to grip Gu Yulan’s wrist, his grip so fierce one could almost hear the bones grinding.
Gu Yulan didn’t let go; the necklace pulled tight abruptly, and Wen Yan cried out in pain.
“Let go.” Pei Zhouye’s voice was chillingly cold. Gu Yulan subconsciously let go.
Wen Yan turned around and saw several pairs of eyes staring at him. He froze in place.
Pei Zhouye didn’t care about the others’ gazes at all. The silver necklace was still wrapped around his fingers, glinting coldly. He casually used the hand wrapped in the chain to lift Wen Yan’s chin, his thumb rubbing over the red mark left by the chain, his touch neither light nor heavy.
“Does it hurt?”
Shen Yao’s eyes widened, his gaze darting between Gu Yulan and the two of them.
The atmosphere was deadlocked. Wen Yan reacted first and pushed Pei Zhouye away violently.
The area had been cleared; the few remaining people were all looking at him. Pei Zhouye’s eyes surged with dark tides, Gu Yulan’s face was ashen, Shen Yao’s look was meaningful, and there was another person wearing sunglasses.
Wen Yan suddenly felt the scene was absurd and suffocating.
After a moment of silent stalemate, still no one spoke. Gu Yulan just stood there looking at them.
Lin Seran took off her sunglasses, her expression impatient and her tone spoiled: “Since we’re here, let’s shop together. Didn’t I hear a few days ago that you, Gu Yulan, were going to pick out a birthday gift for me at Jinquan?”
Gu Yulan glanced hurriedly at Wen Yan, only to find him completely blocked by Pei Zhouye, visible to no one.
Lin Seran glanced at the necklace in Pei Zhouye’s hand. “Let me say this first, I don’t want something that cheap.”
Gu Yulan didn’t refute a single word. “I’ve already picked yours.”
Lin Seran was so close to Pei Zhouye and didn’t lack money; this necklace certainly wouldn’t be acceptable as a birthday gift today.
Lin Seran shrugged. “Give it to me at the birthday banquet.”
The conversation fell into Wen Yan’s ears. Although he couldn’t see, he felt somewhat uncomfortable.
“It hurts?” Pei Zhouye’s voice was low and hoarse, his gaze heavy and cold. He casually tossed the necklace onto the display counter and ordered the people behind him, “Throw this one away. Change it for another.”
He looked down at Wen Yan’s trembling eyelashes, seeing his distress over Gu Yulan, and asked irritably, “Is there anything you like? Pick it yourself.”
The atmosphere was incredibly weird. Wen Yan pushed Pei Zhouye away in irritation, preparing to walk out.
He didn’t have time to play these inexplicable games with these rich young masters.
Pei Zhouye followed him with a cold face.
Gu Yulan wanted to go but was stopped by Shen Yao.
Shen Yao’s expression was calm. “Young Master Gu, let’s take a walk together.”
“Annoying! If you want to go, go together!”
Gu Yulan frowned and looked into the distance, called back by Lin Seran’s voice. After hesitating for a while, he didn’t chase after them.
The crowd rushed by. Wen Yan pressed the button for the downward elevator, but the person behind him still caught up.
He was being driven crazy.
Walking out of Jinquan to a deserted place, Wen Yan finally couldn’t bear it anymore.
“What exactly do you want!”
He felt he couldn’t understand Gu Yulan, and he felt even more that he couldn’t understand Pei Zhouye.
Pei Zhouye stopped, his profile illuminated by the lights not far away.
“You be with me.”
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