Chapter 71: A Morning Kiss and a Warning
Gu Tang muttered under his breath, his voice very soft, almost like he was talking to himself.
“What are you saying?”
Gu Qinian looked at the boy in disbelief.
Afraid he had heard wrong, he leaned in carefully. “Say it again…”
But the moment he got close, the boy raised a hand and covered his mouth.
Gu Tang frowned, lips pouting, his face full of displeasure. “I already told you not to come any closer!”
He seemed to want to look fiercer, but his round eyes were watery and unfocused, and both cheeks were flushed red. It was not convincing at all.
Probably because he knew he could not push the person in front of him away, after trying to act fierce, he suddenly looked aggrieved instead. “Go away already. I’m not a pervert, wuwuwu…”
He really could not keep doing strange things to Young Master Gu.
So please, Young Master Gu, hurry up and leave. Stop appearing in his dreams!
“You’re not.”
Gu Qinian pulled the boy—who thought he was trapped in a dream—into his arms, patting his back gently and coaxing him in a soft murmur. “Even if you dream about me, that’s nothing strange. It’s normal. Don’t be scared.”
The sudden hug made Gu Tang freeze.
This dream felt so real.
Young Master Gu was solid, and he had body warmth too…
Seeing the boy stay motionless, Gu Qinian leaned close to his ear and tempted him in a low voice, “You dream about me only because you like me, right?”
Gu Tang looked dazed, tilting his head as if thinking.
For Gu Qinian, those few seconds felt like an entire century.
After a long while, the boy pressed his lips together and nodded. “Mm!”
Resting his chin on the other boy’s shoulder, Gu Tang leaned against him weakly and said in a soft voice, “I like Niannian best…”
“How much do you like me?”
Gu Qinian hugged him tighter, his face buried in the boy’s neck as he greedily breathed in his scent.
“Very, very much…”
Gu Tang murmured.
As if to prove it, he rubbed his cheek against Young Master Gu’s jaw, like the way little animals showed affection to each other.
There was nothing in this world more exhilarating than discovering that the person you liked just happened to like you back.
Having lived two lifetimes, this was the first time Gu Qinian truly understood what it meant to be overjoyed.
He could feel Gu Tang’s soft cheek brushing against him. He wanted to hear him say more, so he asked, “Why do you like me that much?”
Without even thinking, Gu Tang curved his pretty brows and eyes. “Niannian is handsome!”
The corners of Gu Qinian’s lips lifted. “What else?”
Gu Tang rubbed against him again and said with a sweet smile, “Niannian treats me well!”
“At least you’ve got some conscience.”
The smile on Gu Qinian’s lips bloomed wider. Holding him even tighter, he let his fingers rest against the hollow of the boy’s curved back and gently stroked him. “What else?”
“Niannian…”
The touch felt so nice that Gu Tang narrowed his eyes and thought for a while before suddenly saying, “Niannian’s ears are soft!”
Gu Qinian: “?”
Before he could react, Gu Tang tilted his head and bit his ear.
A soft, wet sensation spread across his earlobe.
Gu Qinian’s Adam’s apple bobbed hard.
Gu Tang caught the earlobe between his teeth, but afraid of hurting Young Master Gu, he only held it lightly for a moment before brushing it with the tip of his tongue. Then, like a little fish nibbling food, he sucked gently at that thin, soft flesh a few times.
Only then did he let him go in satisfaction.
Gu Qinian’s neck had gone red too now, and his dark eyes stared fixedly at the boy.
Ignorance was fearless.
Gu Tang was so drunk he could not tell dream from reality and felt no danger at all in Young Master Gu’s gaze. He said carelessly, “Niannian, your face is really red. Are you hot?”
“I’m hot too. Let’s take them off together!”
“Wait—”
Before Gu Qinian could finish, there was a rustling sound.
Gu Tang had already pulled down his zipper with swift, efficient hands and taken off his school uniform jacket. Underneath, he wore only a loose basketball jersey. The size was too big for him, and the collar slipped down one shoulder, exposing a beautiful collarbone and half of a round, pale shoulder.
“…”
Gu Qinian’s throat moved as he no longer knew where to look.
After stripping off the outer layer, Gu Tang felt much cooler.
When he looked up and saw that Young Master Gu was still sitting stiffly without moving, he asked in confusion, “Why isn’t Niannian taking his off? I’ll help you!”
As he said that, he reached toward the other boy’s collar.
He genuinely wanted to help him take his clothes off.
But he was dizzy and seeing double. One button looked like two, and after fumbling for a while, he could not even find the right one.
Gu Qinian grabbed the fingers wandering around his chest and said in the calmest tone he could manage, “I’m not hot. Go to sleep first, okay?”
Gu Tang stared at him blankly for a while before finally nodding. “Okay.”
Gu Qinian let out a long breath.
He had barely recovered when the boy suddenly said in a rather aggrieved voice, “I can’t get up there. Help me…”
The dorm beds were loft-style, with desks underneath. To sleep, he had to climb up to the top bunk.
Gu Tang was so dazed that he could not even find the ladder and could only ask Young Master Gu pitifully for help.
“Hold on tight.”
Gu Qinian placed his hand on the ladder and supported his arm so he could climb up.
But Gu Tang’s arms and legs were weak. He looked like he was trying very hard, little butt sticking out and all, but in reality he could not produce any strength. He was just about to slip down when Gu Qinian reacted quickly and caught him.
Something soft and yielding landed in his palm.
Gu Tang was drunk out of his mind, and Gu Qinian had no intention of taking advantage of him.
He simply used a bit of force to lift him up, then held the boy’s ankle hanging over the bed and settled him properly in place.
Gu Tang really was obedient. Even at a time like this, he still remembered his manners.
The moment he was lying down, he sweetly said, “Thank you, Niannian.”
“…”
Gu Qinian’s voice came out hoarse. “You’re welcome…”
After glancing down at his own condition, Young Master Gu felt he needed a cold shower immediately.
He had just turned to leave when Gu Tang popped his little head down from the top bunk again.
Afraid he might fall, Gu Qinian instantly reached up to steady his shoulders. “Now what?”
Gu Tang’s eyes were unfocused as he licked his lips. “I’m sticky…”
As he spoke, he sat up.
Sensing that something was very wrong, Gu Qinian raised a hand to stop him. “Don’t take it off!”
But he spoke too late.
In the next second, a patch of creamy white skin and two rosy points flashed before his eyes. Before he could even see clearly, the basketball jersey Gu Tang had just taken off landed over his face.
Gu Qinian: “…”
When he pulled the jersey away and regained his sight, he saw that Gu Tang had already fallen asleep leaning over the bed rail.
The boy’s upper body was bare and pale, his delicate shoulders and back curving naturally into a beautiful line. One arm hung over the edge of the bed, and from his wrist dangled a small white jade gourd, swaying lightly with each breath.
Gu Qinian held the boy’s wrist, ran his thumb over the little jade gourd a few times, then carefully placed his arm back and pushed him a little farther toward the inside of the bed.
Gu Tang slept like a little pig. The moment he was nudged, he rolled inward obediently and even wriggled his hips a little.
“…”
Gu Qinian felt a fire burning in his throat.
What kind of torturous trial was this?
He could not frighten Gu Tang, nor could he do anything excessive while the boy knew nothing. In the end, Gu Qinian picked up the basketball jersey Gu Tang had just taken off, held it to his nose, and inhaled deeply like a man possessed.
The jersey carried Gu Tang’s scent.
It could serve as a stuffed bear…
After staring deeply at the muddleheaded boy asleep on the bed, Gu Qinian took the jersey with him into the bathroom.
Gu Tang did not know how long he had slept. When he woke up, he saw light filtering in through a gap in the bed curtain.
It was not lamplight. It was sunlight.
So it was already morning…
“Ah, my head hurts so much…”
That was Xie Qian’s voice.
“No, I need a shower.”
“Wait, let me go first! I stink too badly!”
Zhu Xu’s booming voice rang out.
Xie Qian sounded completely drained. “Fine, fine, you go. I’ll lie here a bit longer. So this is what a hangover feels like? I’m so dizzy…”
Then came a chaotic series of footsteps, followed by the sound of the bathroom door closing.
It sounded like Zhu Xu had rushed off desperately to shower.
Gu Tang lay flat on the bed. Unlike the two people outside, he did not feel uncomfortable at all. His whole body felt fresh and clean.
He lay there blankly for a while.
Then suddenly, he sensed that something was wrong.
Gu Tang sat bolt upright and looked down at himself—His body felt as though it had been cleaned. There was no sticky discomfort at all. His clothes had been changed. Even his underwear was not the pair he had been wearing yesterday…
But he had clearly blacked out after drinking that “beverage” last night. So who had changed him?!
The only possible answer instantly made his face burn.
He wanted to ask Young Master Gu, but the “secret passage” between their two beds had been sealed up by his own hands. If he suddenly tore off the transparent tape holding the bed curtain in place, it would feel unbearably awkward.
Just as he was wondering how to ask, Young Master Gu’s low voice came from the other side of the curtain. “Awake?”
Gu Tang jumped. “…How did Niannian know?”
He had not made a sound!
“The dorm beds aren’t sturdy.”
Young Master Gu spoke in his usual calm tone. “Even when you roll over in your sleep, I can tell.”
Gu Tang’s face grew even redder.
Did that mean whenever he dreamed about Young Master Gu, if he moved around too much in his sleep, the other boy knew all about it?
Thinking of this, Gu Tang hugged his knees and asked tentatively, “Last night… was it Niannian who helped me change my clothes?”
“Who else would it be?”
Young Master Gu’s voice sounded no different from usual.
Gu Tang let out a slight breath of relief, thinking that he probably had not done anything too outrageous. Otherwise Young Master Gu could not possibly sound this natural.
He went on asking, “Where did you put the dirty clothes? I’ll wash them later.”
“No need.”
Young Master Gu still sounded breezy and unconcerned. “I already washed them and hung them on the balcony.”
Even the underwear too?!
Gu Tang almost blurted it out, but he was far too embarrassed. In the end, he only asked weakly, “…E-everything? You washed everything?”
“What, did you want to keep them as souvenirs?”
For some reason, Young Master Gu suddenly gave a low laugh. “The clothes you wore the first time you ever got drunk.”
Gu Tang: “…”
He knew it.
Alcohol really was not a good thing.
At that moment, the outline of a hand suddenly appeared on the curtain.
He heard Young Master Gu ask in an annoyed tone, “Are you still not opening this curtain?”
Gu Tang actually wanted to reopen the “secret passage” too, but had been struggling to find an excuse. Now that the other boy had handed him one, he hurriedly took it.
In just a few quick motions, he ripped off the transparent tape holding the bed curtain in place.
Before long, Gu Qinian saw the curtain being pulled open and a fluffy little head poking through.
He reached out and rubbed that adorable little head before asking, “Aren’t you going to the hospital today? Are you getting up?”
“Oh right, I’m going to see Dad.”
Gu Tang tilted his head up at just the right angle for the other boy to cup his cheek.
Both of his hands were still on the other side of the curtain, and only his head was sticking through, so he was completely at the other boy’s mercy.
The other boy pinched his cheek, and then his fingers began rubbing at his lips again.
Last night’s memories slowly resurfaced.
Suddenly, Gu Tang saw again in his mind Young Master Gu’s face drawing closer and closer, and under the dim yellow light, the two of them almost pressed together, their shadows looking as if they were kissing.
He suspected he had once again had a dream he should not have.
And this time, it had happened while Young Master Gu had been taking care of him.
In that instant, Gu Tang felt overwhelmed with guilt. He had no idea how to face the person in front of him and only wanted to run away.
“I’ll go to the hospital by myself.”
As soon as he said it, he tried to pull back, only to have the back of his neck pinched.
Gu Qinian kneaded the back of his neck with his fingers and raised a brow. “You don’t want me to come along?”
“No…”
Gu Tang answered against his own heart. The truth was, he really did not want Young Master Gu to go with him.
He wanted to be alone for a while.
But to avoid Young Master Gu asking something ridiculous like “Who is Alone?” he chose to stay silent.
Seeing him refuse to speak, Gu Qinian bent closer.
At this point, every time Gu Tang saw Young Master Gu leaning toward him, it felt like looking at some terrible flood-beast, and he asked nervously, “What are you doing?”
If only he had stretched his hands through earlier too.
Then he could at least have pushed him away.
“Morning kiss.”
Gu Qinian looked at the boy’s red lips, ripe as berries, with obvious amusement. “You still haven’t given me one.”
Gu Tang: “?”
Since when had there ever been such a thing as a morning kiss?
What episode had he missed???
Young Master Gu spoke as though it were the most natural thing in the world. “If there’s a goodnight kiss, why shouldn’t there be a morning kiss? If you eat dinner, does that mean you don’t need breakfast too?”
“I never asked you for one before because you can never get up in the morning.”
Gu Tang: “?”
So somehow this was his fault now?
Young Master Gu’s expression clearly told him: Yes, exactly. It is your fault.
“Hurry up.”
Gu Qinian urged, “Otherwise I’ll go with you and stay with you the entire day.”
Since it was the weekend, and Young Master Gu’s basketball farewell match had already ended, and he was not going back to the Gu house, he really did have the time to follow him around all day.
Afraid the other boy might actually do it, Gu Tang hurriedly leaned forward and planted a loud mwah on his left cheek.
A simple, direct, clean morning kiss.
But after receiving it, the other boy turned his right cheek toward him too and offered it up to his lips.
Gu Tang choked. “Don’t tell me it’s left side once, right side once, and then the middle gets one too?”
“The middle too?”
Young Master Gu’s dark eyes lit up, looking genuinely interested.
Gu Tang hurriedly strangled that dangerous thought in the cradle. “No, the middle is not allowed.”
After saying that, he quickly planted another mwah on the other boy’s right cheek.
Task complete.
However, Young Master Gu’s natural attitude toward all of this did reassure him.
It meant he really had not done anything out of bounds last night.
Most likely, he had not even thrown a drunken fit and had simply slept quietly.
That was the best possible outcome.
He did not want things to become awkward between him and Young Master Gu.
“Mm.” Young Master Gu touched his cheek, clearly very satisfied with the morning kiss.
“Then I’m going!”
Just as Gu Tang was about to retreat, the other boy suddenly leaned forward and lightly kissed his forehead.
[AHHHHHHHH—]
[What on earth are you two doing this early in the morning?!]
The system screamed in his mind, and Gu Tang’s own brain froze for a moment too.
He then saw Young Master Gu curl his thin lips, clearly in a very good mood. “Give and take.”
Young Master Gu was already stunning when he was being his usual cold, distant self. But right now, with the corners of his long eyes curled upward, his lips lifted into a radiant curve, and that beautiful mouth bending into a vivid smile, he looked like a fox spirit from Qingqiu had taken human form—positively wicked.
Gu Tang stared blankly at him and instinctively swallowed.
Watching that small, elegantly protruding Adam’s apple slide along the boy’s neck, Gu Qinian’s gaze darkened.
He wanted to bite it. To kiss it.
To see whether that little thing would tremble slightly, and whether the boy’s throat would make the sounds he loved…
Young Master Gu kept his word. If he said he would not follow, then he would not.
By the time Gu Tang finally recovered enough to climb down from bed, Young Master Gu had already gone to the student council.
With senior year approaching, schoolwork was heavy, and because Gu Qinian had been occupied with basketball team training lately, this weekend was the only chance he had to take care of student council matters.
The moment Gu Tang jumped down, he saw the basketball jersey and his little bear-print underwear hanging out to dry on the tiny dorm balcony.
The thought of the dignified Young Master Gu washing his underwear made him feel both guilty and embarrassed.
Cursing alcohol again in his heart, he hurriedly took the little underpants down and stuffed them into the wardrobe.
But strangely, deep down, there was also a faint thread of pleasure he could not quite name.
Just like the morning kiss earlier.
He had been so shy that he had wanted to crawl into a crack in the wall, yet he had not hated it at all.
In fact, it had even made him a little happy…
Leaning his back against the wardrobe door, Gu Tang blankly touched the spot on his forehead where he had been kissed. “Maybe I really am a pervert…”
He hoped the tasks would finish soon.
He could not keep staying by Niannian’s side.
If this went on, he had no idea what he might end up doing to Niannian…
[Host, you did a really great job on the task last night!]
Hearing the system speak, Gu Tang looked confused. “I completed a task last night?”
[The ‘Destroy the Male Lead’s Faith’ task! You completed it beautifully!]
The system was excited, but Gu Tang was more worried about Young Master Gu. “What faith of Niannian’s did I destroy?”
[No idea. It just suddenly completed!]
Gu Tang: “…”
[Don’t worry. You only completed it for one second, and then the male lead’s faith instantly recovered!]
[Good thing I reported the notification quickly, or it wouldn’t even have counted!]
[See? We really are the perfect team!]
The system tried desperately to make itself feel important.
Gu Tang thought the story backend had probably bugged out again.
Being able to finish the task without hurting Young Master Gu was truly great.
He let out a sigh of relief and perfunctorily answered, “Mm.”
[…]
[Host, the way you’re treating me right now is exactly like a scumbag.]
The system’s electronic voice protested.
Gu Tang quickly soothed it. “Who says that? We’re the best team!”
[Then since you gave the male lead a morning kiss, can’t you give me one too—]
Gu Tang cut the little system off. “But you don’t have a physical form.”
“I’ll comfort you spiritually instead. Be good.”
[Hmph!]
Today was yet another day the system hated the male lead.
After eating breakfast at the school cafeteria, Gu Tang headed to the hospital.
Originally, he had only planned to visit his father. But now that he knew he had completed a task, it worked out perfectly—he could share the life-value reward from last night with his father.
The system really did work very well with him.
Without him even having to say anything, the system had known to only report the notification, while keeping the reward unclaimed and delaying its payout.
When he arrived at the hospital, Gu Tang found an excuse to go alone into the inner room to see his father, and quickly transferred all 100 life points to him.
Holding his father’s hand, he called softly, “Dad.”
It felt very strange.
Every other time he had transferred life value, his father’s hand had reflexively tightened a little, like he was responding to him.
But this time there was no reaction at all.
Feeling that something was wrong, Gu Tang stepped out of the room and asked his mother, “Wasn’t it said that Father was close to waking up? Why does he seem so spiritless again?”
“It’s not that easy…”
Yin Ruan also looked deeply worried. “The doctor said waking up would be a miracle, but that we shouldn’t hope too much. Recently your father’s condition has started declining again. I’m afraid that…”
“He won’t.”
Gu Tang cut her off before she could continue.
He himself was living by relying on life value, and he had stayed healthy all the way until now.
This method had to work.
If it wasn’t the method of sharing that had gone wrong, then something must have changed on Father’s side…
But what could it be?
“Oh? Little brother is here today too?”
The moment he heard that voice, Gu Tang frowned slightly.
When he looked up at the newcomer, he greeted him politely but distantly. “Hello, Cousin.”
Gu Tang had addressed Yu Xiao and Yu Yang as “big brother” and “second brother,” but he called Yu Rong “cousin” instead of “brother.” The difference in closeness could not have been more obvious.
Yet Yu Rong seemed not to notice and still smiled warmly. “You’ve come to see Uncle. That must make him very happy. Don’t worry, Uncle will wake up someday.”
Gu Tang gave a small nod but said nothing.
At that moment, Yu Xiao pushed the door open and walked in.
Gu Tang immediately called out, “Big brother.”
He noticed Yu Rong’s eyes—those parts not hidden by the mask—flicker slightly. So apparently the form of address did matter to him after all.
But in less than a second, Yu Rong was smiling again as he asked Yu Xiao, “Big brother, is second brother not coming?”
Yu Xiao handed the strawberry cake he had specially brought for Gu Tang to him while replying to Yu Rong, “A-Yang has gone to film. He’s locked into the set recently.”
“Oh, with Uncle in this condition, it would be nice if he could come by more often…”
Yu Rong wore a regretful look and watched Yu Xiao’s expression, then changed his wording. “But I suppose it can’t be helped if he’s an actor. If Uncle were awake, he’d support his work too.”
After finishing his little speech to himself, Yu Rong went into the inner room to see Yu Zhongyuan.
Nothing he had said sounded obviously wrong, but Gu Tang could not shake the feeling that Yu Rong’s words contained hidden meaning…
Like he was trying to drive a wedge between the brothers.
That evening, Yu Xiao offered to drive Gu Tang back to school.
There was no need to be polite with his own older brother, so Gu Tang agreed readily. He even mooched dinner off him and packed up an extra portion for Young Master Gu.
Yu Rong also followed them to the parking lot and took the initiative to say to Yu Xiao, “There’s still a lot to do at the company. I’m going back to work a while longer.”
Yu Xiao gave a small nod. “Thanks for your hard work.”
“It’s nothing.”
Yu Rong smiled generously on the surface. “Second brother became an actor, after all. If I don’t help you manage the company, who can you trust?”
Then, looking at Gu Tang with a pleased expression, he added, “But now it’s good. Little brother has come back. Once he grows up, big brother will have one more helper.”
“…” Gu Tang did not answer.
Instead, Yu Xiao smiled faintly. “Tangtang can do whatever he wants. He doesn’t need to feel pressured. Whatever happens, big brother is here.”
Warmth filled Gu Tang’s heart, and he nodded obediently.
“Big brother, I really envy second brother and little brother.”
Yu Rong suddenly said, “Having a big brother like you to care for them… If Uncle were awake, he would definitely love little brother very much too.”
After Yu Rong left,
Gu Tang thought about it and then said to Yu Xiao, “Big brother, second brother didn’t do anything wrong by becoming an actor.”
Yu Xiao turned to look at him. “He didn’t do anything wrong. It suits him very well.”
So you did hear the provocation in Yu Rong’s words after all?
That was what Gu Tang wanted to ask, but he felt it would not be appropriate coming from him, so he lowered his head and hugged the meal box in his arms.
“I know what you want to say.”
Yu Xiao lovingly rubbed Gu Tang’s head. “I can understand that Ah Rong has his own thoughts, but it’s impossible for him to drive a wedge between us brothers. I’ll be arranging a long business trip for him soon, so he can clear his head.”
Hearing that, Gu Tang finally relaxed. Smiling with curved eyes, he let his big brother keep petting his head.
Yu Xiao loved touching his little brother’s head. It was round, and the hair was soft and smooth. He was the gentlest and cutest child in their family.
And yet he had drifted outside for so many years.
That made Yu Xiao think again of the thief who had carried his little brother away. He had been investigating the matter the entire time, but too many years had passed, and there were almost no witnesses left, making the search extremely difficult.
“As long as you stay carefree, that’s enough. I’ll protect all of you.”
Yu Xiao said it with deep sincerity.
“Thank you, big brother.”
Gu Tang’s eyes grew hot.
His feelings for the Yu family had never been as deep as his feelings for the Gu family. It was only after learning that he had been born into this body that he started to feel a subtle pull of blood ties.
But at this moment, he truly felt it—the person before him was his big brother.
After living through two lifetimes, this was the first time he had ever felt what it meant to be connected to someone by blood.
Gu Tang pressed his lips together and said a little shyly, “Big brother, can I hug you?”
“Of course.”
Yu Xiao opened his arms and embraced his little brother.
Then he patted his thin shoulders and back, muttering, “You’re so skinny. Is the Gu family not feeding you well, or is the school cafeteria no good?”
“The Gu family treats me very well, and the school cafeteria is fine too.”
Gu Tang did not want his brother to misunderstand the Gu family or the school, so he explained sheepishly, “But your little brother is a bottomless pit. I only eat and never grow…”
Yu Xiao laughed. “What a coincidence. Your big brother is a bottomless pit too.”
“And your second brother is too.”
The two brothers looked at each other and started laughing in the car.
When they reached the school gates,
Yu Xiao saw that Gu Tang was carrying a pile of takeout food, and that it was dark all around, so he asked, “Do you need me to walk you inside?”
Gu Tang shook his head. “No need.”
“I’m almost inside the school already. It’s very safe on campus.”
As he said this, he even waved his little hand and specially reminded Yu Xiao to drive carefully on the way back.
Watching his adorable little brother, laughter lines formed at the corners of Yu Xiao’s eyes.
He wanted to stay and make sure his little brother got into the school before leaving.
However, after his little brother had only walked a few steps, a tall figure approached him from the school gate.
That figure looked vaguely familiar.
Then he heard Gu Tang call out clearly, like a little lark, “Niannian,” and that figure stepped forward, took the things from his little brother’s hands,
and then even freed one hand to offer to him.
Watching the two of them walk into the school hand in hand, Yu Xiao’s brows slowly drew together.
***
Author’s Note:
Big Brother: Safe my ass! The school isn’t safe at all!
