Chapter 15 Hearts United
In high school, Gu Zhaoyu wore a clean uniform, always fresh and elegant. Hard to imagine his family was actually average.
In the dream, his dad gambled, mom was sick. His life was miserable.
His views turned to survival of the fittest, by any means. As long as it made money, he'd do it. Later became a black-and-white Hong Kong Tycoon.
Though in the dream, I didn't see his end.
But I thought it wouldn't be good.
After waking, he was my deskmate, classmate, friend—a living person. I couldn't watch him sink into mud.
Knocking me out cost his family thousands.
Seemed little, but it was their last savings.
Gu Zhaoyu lied to his mom about a scholarship, took little living money. Actually, he ate buns daily, drank plain water.
He tutored me, ate dinner at my house. I brought him breakfast daily, treated lunch. Indeed filled his stomach.
Later, I went to training camp. His mom fell ill. My mom found doctors, paid fees, cared for her, gave him money to get through. His mom didn't die early like in the dream.
In university, I sought him, made him eat three good meals. He didn't get stomach issues like in the dream.
Seemed like I helped Gu Zhaoyu a lot.
But I always felt doing good without expecting return was a virtue. I shouldn't use it to demand. That would taint the favor.
And I felt we were mutual.
Without him, I wouldn't have reached now.
I wouldn't have studied painting hard, got into a good university.
Wouldn't know so many professors, hear their talks, practice their ideas.
Couldn't avoid so many investment traps, earn loads.
So, no right to talk favors. We achieved each other, helped each other—solid revolutionary friendship.
Thus, I never let myself think romance.
I always felt I'd taken part of his money—how could I take him too? That was too much.
My bottom line was flexible, but had a line.
Taking food and more wasn't good.
"Gu Zhaoyu, favors and love are different."
"They are. I know the difference."
"How do you prove it?"
"These days I've been upset. I was jealous of your cousin, had him followed. Saw him betray—I was angry and happy. Angry you found scum, angry you didn't care about betrayal. You're so forgiving, means you don't love him. But if not, why with him? Lin Zhiyue, I got pimples on my face. Look."
His handsome face indeed had several pimples.
He pulled my hand, placed it on his chest.
"My heart really hurts. Lin Zhiyue, if you really don't like me, tell me yourself. Say it—I can accept."
My heart pounded wildly. Even the hand on his chest trembled.
I couldn't say "I don't like Gu Zhaoyu."
From my heart, I feared saying it.
Did this mean I liked him long ago?
I just didn't dare, was afraid, just put a moral lock on myself, not think that way?
Gu Zhaoyu waited for my judgment.
His eyes lowered, lashes long, looking about to shatter.
My bottom line shattered too.
Fine, we're so familiar—taking food and more wasn't bad.
"Gu Zhaoyu, don't regret. You know me—I'm not easy."
Gu Zhaoyu smiled.
"This New Year, we would go home together, see parents. Don't regret—you can only have me. We two, life and death together."
He leaned over, approached step by step. Warm lips devoutly kissed my forehead, brows, eyes...
I felt his scorching heat, myself burning bit by bit.
The youthful dream became real today.
I felt his body against mine, our movements wild and entwined.
When everything settled.
Gu Zhaoyu's phone got a message.
[Gu total, just found out, Mr. Zhao is Ms. Lin's cousin, they are relatives. Continue checking?]
Gu Zhaoyu's face darkened.
I looked at the phone and laughed wildly.
"What detective is this? So lame!"
Gu Zhaoyu grumpily blocked the person.
"All scammers!"
"Gu Zhaoyu, you get scammed too."
"Yes, without you, I always get tricked. You have to stay with me, don't let me get tricked again. Lin Zhiyue..."
"Hm?"
"I love you!"
"Hm."
"What does hm mean?"
"Hm means I know you love me, I know I love you, I love you as much as you love me."
"Hm."
"Hm hm."