Chapter 77
The barbecue feast was thoroughly enjoyed. The restaurant’s owner hailed from northeastern China and was a skilled chef.
Gu Juncheng meticulously selected the best-looking skewers of barbecue and placed them earnestly in front of Cheng Xuyuan. He even refilled Cheng Xuyuan’s drink promptly, showing no signs of someone burdened with worries.
Cheng Xuyuan mumbled while gnawing on a piece of pork belly, “Gu Juncheng, you’re so good to me. What if I keep relying on you in the future?”
“Rely on me?” Gu Juncheng chuckled. “Aren’t I the one who’s always sticking around you like a leech?”
Cheng Xuyuan looked at him seriously, his lips and eyes shining. His voice carried a hint of uncertainty. “But… what if you stop liking me in the future? What if I still want to rely on you?”
Gu Juncheng popped a grilled pineapple slice into Cheng Xuyuan’s mouth, locking eyes with him. Just as he had expressed his feelings before, his gaze was sincere, like a gentle spring, yet resolute.
“I’ve told you that I like you,” Gu Juncheng said, looking at him. “But if you doubt my feelings, I can say it again anytime. I like you.”
Cheng Xuyuan paused mid-bite, a blush crossing his face. He lowered his gaze to the plate and murmured, “I didn’t doubt you. I just lack confidence in myself…”
“You lack confidence?” Gu Juncheng raised an eyebrow. “Yesterday, two guys and five girls confessed to you on the confession wall. If you lack confidence, who at Hangda University has any left?”
“It’s not about that…” Cheng Xuyuan hesitated.
“Are you worried about your GPA?” Gu Juncheng looked at him. “Although it’s challenging, with effort, you can improve. Besides, I’ve seen you grasp things quickly.”
Cheng Xuyuan wasn’t truly concerned about his grades or his charm. His worry stemmed from the uncertainty of what would happen after finding the system — whether he’d be forcibly sent to other worlds.
The answer remained uncertain.
He glanced at Gu Juncheng, who was still helping him choose barbecue. Smiling, Cheng Xuyuan said after a moment, “Alright, I’ll work hard.”
Both harboring their own thoughts, they finished the barbecue in a harmonious atmosphere.
________________________
After dropping Cheng Xuyuan off at his dorm, Gu Juncheng headed straight to the student union office. Upon entering, he addressed the responsible teacher, “Teacher Chen, I voluntarily give up the student exchange spot.”
Teacher Chen adjusted his glasses in surprise. “Why don’t you reconsider? This opportunity is rare. You and Yuan Ke are outstanding students in our college. She mentioned your willingness to go, so I reserved the spot for you.”
“I won’t go.” Gu Juncheng stated firmly. “I recall it was only reported, not officially signed.”
Impressed by Gu Juncheng’s persistence, Teacher Chen didn’t argue further. He asked, “Even if being an exchange student could enhance your resume significantly, are you sure about giving up?”
Gu Juncheng looked directly at Teacher Chen. Each word was deliberate. “I voluntarily decline this opportunity. Please give it to someone who needs it.”
“Very well, I’ll remove your name from the list.” Teacher Chen wasn’t unreasonable. Still, he looked puzzled. “You’re usually someone who seizes opportunities. Why give up this time?”
Gu Juncheng and Teacher Chen locked eyes for a second. Then, Gu Juncheng politely replied, “Thank you, Teacher. I choose to give up because I want to stay at the university and accompany my wife.”
Teacher Chen nearly choked on his water. After recovering, he looked at Gu Juncheng and slowly raised his thumb. "Impressive, young man!"
“First of all, I apologize for any trouble I’ve caused you, Teacher,” Gu Juncheng nodded slightly. “But I hope you’ll understand.”
Teacher Chen took a sip of tea, his gaze piercing through his glasses as he said, “Whether I understand or not isn’t crucial, but I believe your partner should have the right to know. Their understanding matters most.”
Gu Juncheng solemnly nodded. “I understand. Thank you, Teacher Chen.”
________________________
Leaving Teacher Chen’s office, Gu Juncheng didn’t head directly to find Cheng Xuyuan. Instead, he furrowed his brow and sent a WeChat message to Yuan Ke: “Where are you now?”
Yuan Ke received the message and responded excitedly with a 54-second voice note.
Gu Juncheng didn’t bother listening; he converted it to text and glanced at it expressionlessly.
“I’m currently at the Student Activity Center. Are you trying to thank me for securing the exchange student spot for you? Let me tell you, it’s my duty, and if you want to express gratitude, we can take care of each other during our exchange student experience…”
Suppressing the urge to curse, Gu Juncheng replied, “Wait where you are.”
Although the message carried annoyance, Yuan Ke, in her love-struck state, interpreted it differently. She found Gu Juncheng’s authoritative command quite attractive.
When Gu Juncheng arrived at the Student Activity Center, everyone already knew the news. They cast admiring or suggestive glances at Yuan Ke. Blushing, she walked up to Gu Juncheng.
Lowering her head, she coquettishly said, “You didn’t need to come find me personally. The exchange student spot rightfully belongs to you…”
“I know,” Gu Juncheng coldly observed her. “Indeed, I deserve this spot. Everyone has witnessed my contributions in the student union. There’s no need for you to emphasize it.”
Yuan Ke looked up at him, bewildered.
Gu Juncheng continued in a stern tone, “Yuan Ke, when you reported the spot, did you think it was appropriate for a vice president to make that decision without informing me?”
Her eyes welled up, and she pitifully said, “I did it for your own good…”
A male student nearby couldn’t bear it any longer. But given Gu Juncheng’s high standing in the student union, they cautiously said, “President, maybe you shouldn’t be so hard on Senior Yuan. After all, she fought for the spot for you…”
“For me?” Gu Juncheng raised an eyebrow at the group. “So, are you all implying that without Yuan Ke’s help, I couldn’t have secured this spot?”
“No, that’s not what we meant…”
“Teacher Chen did express his intention to give me the spot, but I don’t need anyone else making decisions for me.” Gu Juncheng looked seriously at the juniors. “You’re all sophomores now. Shouldn’t you understand the meaning of respect?”
“Juncheng, I didn’t expect you to be this angry. We’ll both be exchange students in the future. You don’t need to…”
Gu Juncheng’s gaze remained icy as he cut her off. "Whoever wants to go can go. I never said I wanted to be an exchange student."
The people present all widened their eyes in astonishment. After all, this was a fully funded exchange program, and there were only a few spots available in the entire school. Gu Juncheng had just declined it?!
Yuan Ke also stared at him in disbelief, her voice trembling as she asked, “You… you’re not going?!”
Gu Juncheng turned away, not wanting to say anything more.
Yuan Ke shouted after his retreating figure, “Why?! Do you realize how precious this opportunity is?”
Without looking back, Gu Juncheng replied, “I have no obligation to report to you. Please refrain from making such low-level mistakes again. And by the way, we’re not close, so stop casually calling me ‘Juncheng.’ Is it that hard to use my full name?”
His words left everyone dumbfounded. Tears welled up in Yuan Ke’s eyes. As Gu Juncheng walked away, a male student whispered, “This is too much…”
Gu Juncheng ignored them, took a deep breath, and suppressed his anger as he left the Student Activity Center.
Alone on the rooftop, he pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit one. It had been a while since he’d smoked, but now he felt overwhelmed. Should he tell Cheng Xuyuan about this?
If he did, it might burden Cheng Xuyuan. But if they kept hiding things, they’d only accumulate debts between them, drifting further apart.
Just then, Cheng Xuyuan sent him a message.
“It’s getting cold. Want to go shopping for clothes? Will you accompany me?”
________________________
Cheng Xuyuan didn’t really need new clothes, but half an hour ago, he’d seen a message in their class group chat.
Apparently, a girl from Software Engineering Class 2 was in the student union. She had a gossipy personality and had enthusiastically recounted the scene she witnessed: the vice president of the student union had secured an exchange student spot without the president’s consent, and it seemed the president wasn’t pleased and had even gotten angry.
The comments in the group chat were overwhelmingly supportive of the president.
“Such nerve! Making decisions without anyone’s consent.”
“Yeah, like those annoying parents who never respect others.”
“Exchange student spots are hard to come by, but not everyone wants to go…”
“Wait, isn’t the president Gu Juncheng?”
Reading the messages, Cheng Xuyuan furrowed his brow. He recalled seeing Gu Juncheng looking troubled earlier near the school building. Although he’d quickly hidden it, Cheng Xuyuan had noticed.
So, Cheng Xuyuan messaged him to go shopping.
Gu Juncheng extinguished the cigarette, rinsed his mouth carefully with mouthwash, and sprayed a bit of Cheng Xuyuan’s favorite “Morning After” scent on his collar and cuffs.
After these preparations, he replied to Cheng Xuyuan, “Sure.”
When they met, Cheng Xuyuan still caught a whiff of tobacco on Gu Juncheng. He didn’t say anything, just followed behind him, occasionally sharing funny stories from their dorm.
The atmosphere between them felt delicate.
At the mall, Cheng Xuyuan picked out a jacket for himself while helping Gu Juncheng browse as well.
“This outfit looks good,” Cheng Xuyuan picked up the clothes and compared them in front of Gu Juncheng. “It complements your complexion. Maybe you should buy this set?”
Gu Juncheng blinked. “And what about you?”
Cheng Xuyuan grinned, a touch of pride in his expression. “My skin is fair, so I can wear clothes of any color. As long as you like it, I’ll buy the same one.”
Gu Juncheng took the clothes from him, then ruffled his hair affectionately. He smiled. “Alright.”
Cheng Xuyuan teased him. “You’re so indecisive. It makes me feel like you’re just going along with it.”
Gu Juncheng tried on the outfit, and indeed, it looked good on him. He turned to Cheng Xuyuan. “Clothes are meant for you to see, not me or anyone else. I’ll wear whatever you like.”
Caught off guard by his sweet response, Cheng Xuyuan playfully glared at him. “You’re quite the smooth talker.”
They both ended up buying the same long coat. Cheng Xuyuan insisted on paying, swiping his card. “Consider this my gift to you. Make sure to wear it often,” he said.
Gu Juncheng nodded with a smile. “Sure.”
Cheng Xuyuan couldn’t help but comment, “Why do you always say ‘sure’? You weren’t like this before.”
Gu Juncheng looked into his eyes seriously. “Because my wife means everything to me.”
Cheng Xuyuan blushed, averting his gaze. For a moment, he was speechless.
Gu Juncheng smiled as he watched the other’s retreating figure, his eyes filled with indulgence. He truly adored how this feisty little guy, who challenged everything, became flustered in his presence.
As they passed a mobile mini KTV booth in the mall, equipped with everything needed for karaoke, Cheng Xuyuan suddenly glanced around and reached out to pull Gu Juncheng inside.
“What are we doing here?” Gu Juncheng looked puzzled. The small booth felt cramped with two big guys inside. “I don’t know how to sing.”
“Neither do I,” Cheng Xuyuan chuckled, his eyes twinkling mischievously, momentarily distracting Gu Juncheng.
After a while, Gu Juncheng asked, “So why did you bring me here?”
Cheng Xuyuan leaned closer, whispering, “Is there something you want to tell me?”
Gu Juncheng was left speechless.
“If you don’t want to talk, I won’t force you,” Cheng Xuyuan said, looking down and fiddling with the small microphone in his hand. “But if you do want to share, I’m your confidant anytime.”
Gu Juncheng suddenly hugged him.
The broad and warm chest left Cheng Xuyuan momentarily stunned. The mingling scents of perfume and tobacco played with his senses.
Gu Juncheng pressed his chin against Cheng Xuyuan’s forehead, his voice resonating from above. “Yuan Ke — that idiot — applied for an exchange student spot without my consent. I had to spend ages talking to Professor Chen to sort it out. I warned her to stay out of my business, but her backup admirers think I’ve gone too far…”
Gu Juncheng poured out all his frustrations in one breath, his voice sounding heavy.
Cheng Xuyuan remained silent for a while.
Gu Juncheng whispered, “Do you think I’m narrow-minded and too grudge-holding?”
Cheng Xuyuan chuckled in his embrace, his laughter trembling.
Suddenly, he lifted his head to look at Gu Juncheng and said, “You’re too forgiving. If it were me, I might have splashed makeup remover on that Yuan Ke right then and there.”
Gu Juncheng found his teasing amusing.
“Are you sure you want to give up the exchange student spot?” Cheng Xuyuan asked seriously.
Without hesitation, Gu Juncheng nodded.
“For the sake of just one person — me — would you sacrifice potential future opportunities?” Cheng Xuyuan looked at him intently.
Gu Juncheng reached out, pinching Cheng Xuyuan’s nose, and whispered in his ear, “As long as it doesn’t involve my future without you, I don’t want any of it.”
Cheng Xuyuan stared at him, lost in the depths of Gu Juncheng’s eyes — like a galaxy in the sky.
“Life is fleeting. Why let irrelevant people occupy my world? As long as you’re willing, I’ll be there with you every step of the way.”
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