Wanqiu met the friends he was about to get to know.
When meeting her new friends, Wan Qiu was so nervous that she even wanted to introduce herself, even though she already knew them all.
On her birthday, Wanqiu had only a few scattered and chaotic memories.
Before coming, Wan Qiu carefully memorized the photos and names of his new friends based on the information Chu Yigui had given him, and even asked Chu Yigui to check them for him.
When they met face-to-face, the other person greeted him warmly and called him by his name.
Chu Yigui introduced himself, and Song Wenqiu introduced herself as Chu Jianshu's secretary.
Wan Qiu felt that everyone seemed to become a little reserved after hearing Song Wenqiu's self-introduction.
Wan Qiu indeed met his fiancée, whom he had met at his birthday party, brought by his friends.
But surprisingly, someone brought a man with them.
After hearing the self-introduction, Wan Qiu realized that he had brought a friend, not his lover.
"Your expression is strange. Should I not have brought a friend?" the other person asked.
Wan Qiu shook his head: "I just remembered everyone saying to bring your partner, and I thought this was your partner."
"Huh? My boyfriend? Hahahaha, hey, hey, how about you become my wife and I'll be your boyfriend?"
"Get lost."
The two had a very good relationship, and the person who made the joke even got punched a few times.
"..." Wan Qiu stared longingly.
The person who was making the joke noticed Wan Qiu's expression and immediately explained, "Just kidding, just kidding, we really don't have that kind of relationship."
Wan Qiu shook his head: "No, not anymore."
"Hmm?" a girl nearby laughed, "Did you think they were same-sex lovers?"
Wanqiu turned around blankly, only to see the girl covering her mouth and giggling.
Wanqiu's brain hadn't been able to process the unfamiliar words he was hearing for the first time.
"Stop it, not everyone can accept homosexuality." The girl's partner couldn't help but gently pat her arm.
Homosexuality? This was the first time Wan Qiu had encountered this term.
The topic was quickly moved on, and it seemed that no one cared.
For some reason, Wan Qiu memorized this unfamiliar word.
Although it was a meeting with someone they had only met once and talked to for less than three or four minutes, they seemed to know each other.
Everyone was good at chatting, and when Wanqiu occasionally couldn't join the conversation, they would change the topic to one that Wanqiu could talk about.
Even though Wanqiu could not keep up with most of them.
Song Wenqiu remained nearby, showing no intention of joining the conversation.
Chu Yigui is the same.
Since meeting these friends, Chu Yigui has remained silent and quietly stood aside.
Whenever Wan Qiu turned around, Chu Yigui was always standing there.
When Wanqiu needs help, Chu Yigui will come up and say a few words to him.
Wan Qiu felt that this was not just a matter of Chu Yigui unilaterally refusing to participate in the discussion.
Rather, none of the people around her intended to bring Chu Yigui along.
Everyone... doesn't even look at Chu Yigui.
This is an extremely strange thing in Wanqiu's world.
Chu Yigui is dazzling, like the brightest star on top of a Christmas tree, always attracting more attention.
But it's not here.
No one was looking at Chu Yigui.
Chu Yigui remained silent, as if she didn't exist.
"High school, just thinking about that time makes me feel gloomy. I really didn't like going to school, but I still had to take the college entrance exam."
“My grades are pretty good. I was originally going to go to a school abroad, but my family said that if I went to a university nearby, I could take time to stay connected with family matters, so I chose a local university.”
"I remember that guy who didn't take the college entrance exam and went abroad directly, right?"
"It seems Chu Zhang didn't participate back then?"
Wan Qiu sat down and suddenly grasped Chu Yigui's hand, tentatively saying, "I really like high school, and I'm very happy to be in high school with Yigui."
"You really enjoy studying?" someone asked.
Wan Qiu said, "I like it."
Do you have a crush on someone at school?
"I like Yi Gui..."
Upon hearing this, someone finally turned their gaze to Chu Yigui.
"Indeed, Chu Yigui is very good-looking, and I heard that she has good grades. My dad used to always tell me to learn more from Chu Yigui."
"Haha, for a while, Chu Yigui was the model child of other people's families."
Wan Qiu heard Chu Yigui bring up the topic.
But I don't know why...
Wan Qiu, however, did not hear the words he expected to hear.
These words, which seemed like compliments, did not bring Wan Qiu the joy that shimmered like exploding ribbons.
like……
Nobody cares.
People always seemed to intentionally or unintentionally steer the conversation toward Wan Qiu.
Wanqiu never heard anyone else comment on Chu Yigui.
That's strange.
Mingming Chu Yigui... should be the focus of attention.
For some reason, Wan Qiu reached out and grasped Chu Yigui's fingers.
Chu Yigui hooked her finger around Wan Qiu's arm, and Wan Qiu turned around to look at Chu Yigui.
Chu Yigui remained calm.
It's as if everything is irrelevant to him.
Wan Qiu had visited the ski resort, but only once, at Zhou Peiyu's invitation.
Wan Qiu had originally asked Chu Yigui if she wanted to invite Zhou Peiyu along, since it would be fun to do interesting things together.
However, Chu Yigui said that was not appropriate.
Only then did Wan Qiu vaguely understand the reason for Chu Yigui's denial.
It's like a basketball suddenly appearing out of place amidst a profusion of flowers.
Everyone has their own equipment at the ski resort, and they seem to come here often, leaving their equipment at the hotel.
Wanqiu listened to their casual discussion about the equipment, and after seeing Wanqiu's equipment, he praised it generously.
Even Wan Qiu didn't know what his equipment was; Yang Xiaoyu had prepared it all.
They had a great time.
In Wanqiu, you can even see some really impressive skiing techniques; they even go to advanced slopes.
They were happily shouting messages throughout the ski resort.
They critique each other's skiing techniques, even the ways they fall.
Wanqiu has only tried skiing once, and to say he knows how to ski is an understatement.
Chu Yigui rarely comes to the ski resort because although he has good athletic ability, he can only say that he knows the basic skills, but he can't do high-difficulty ones.
Wan Qiu spends most of his time surrounded by the girls he brought with him.
Wan Qiu felt that he should be very happy, and he would discuss the dazzling skills with everyone.
Wanqiu could only think back to the times he spent playing with Zhou Peiyu.
It feels different to hang out with Zhou Peiyu now.
It's like two different cups being filled with water. Water keeps flowing in, but the other cup has a crack, and water keeps gushing out of the crack, so it can never be filled up.
A feeling of emptiness lingers, like a shadow.
The skiing trip was a three-day, two-night trip, and the hotel they booked had a wide range of facilities, including hot springs, game rooms, chess and card rooms, and KTV.
Song Wenqiu told Wan Qiu that this was actually a private club.
Wanqiu, who usually finds it difficult to refuse, didn't reply because of a slight sense of resistance.
Chu Yigui stepped forward and said to everyone, "I'm sorry, the young master is very tired from playing today and needs some time to recover his energy."
Wan Qiu noticed that these people glanced at Chu Yigui indifferently while Chu Yigui was speaking.
This was also the first time Wan Qiu had clearly seen the way they looked at Chu Yigui.
It was as if they had only seen a landscape that didn't particularly interest them. Although they might smile and look up at it, perhaps praising the beautiful scenery, once they looked away, no one would remember it anymore.
"Then take a rest. You are indeed too thin. You are the thinnest among us."
"I heard you specialize in ballroom dancing, and I was thinking of dancing with you. I'm a professional, you know."
"Alright, what are you saying in front of your fiancé? You're taller than him, it's hard to be a good match."
Everyone joked around, but didn't make things difficult for Wanqiu.
It wasn't until Chu Yigui led Wan Qiu into the suite and closed the door that the situation changed.
In a daze, Wan Qiucai realized that they didn't seem to have answered Chu Yigui.
It was merely... something I heard Chu Yigui say.
"There's an indoor hot spring here; you can wash up and relax."
Chu Yigui helped Wan Qiu take off her coat and hung it on the coat rack by the door.
Wan Qiu hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Together?"
"Yes, that's fine," Chu Yigui replied.
Chu Yigui helped Wan Qiu wash her hair and clean off the sweat before Wan Qiu went into the hot spring.
Wanqiu lay on the edge of the hot spring to look at Chu Yigui, who was also washing up.
Chu Yigui also sat down opposite Wan Qiu.
Unlike Wan Qiu, whose head almost reached his neck when he sat down, Chu Yigui's head only reached below his shoulders.
Wan Qiu stared intently at Chu Yigui, who was as handsome as ever.
Whether it's his appearance, his temperament, his excellent grades, or his remarkable social skills, everything is exactly the same as before.
Why is it being ignored...?
Why is no one watching "Remembering Home"?
Wanqiu felt somewhat sad for some reason.
But I don't know what the reason is for this sadness.
It's like a wad of cotton blocking his chest; the fine, dense air can always pass through the cotton, but it prevents him from getting enough air.
Suddenly, Wan Qiu's face was splashed with some water.
Wan Qiu stared wide-eyed at Chu Yigui.
"Isn't it uncomfortable to soak in the hot spring?" Chu Yigui asked.
"It's very comfortable." Wan Qiu nodded.
"Then enjoy it a little longer," Chu Yigui said.
Wan Qiu felt guilty; Chu Yigui always seemed to know that he was overthinking things.
"You can't soak in a hot spring for too long. If you don't enjoy it now, it will be a pity if you don't have time to soak later."
Wan Qiu did indeed feel a bit warm and wanted to get up.
Wan Qiu stood up: "I'll go out first."
Chu Yigui raised her eyes and looked at Wan Qiu's back.
After being enveloped in the warm water for a long time, Wanqiu's skin turned pinkish. Although slender, her figure was very beautiful.
After just one glance, Chu Yigui lowered her eyes and didn't look again.
As Wanqiu rolled onto the bed, her phone rang.
Wan Qiu immediately answered the phone; it was Chu Zhang calling.
"Wanqiu, are you still playing?" Chu Zhang's voice came from the other end.
"I'm in my room now." Wan Qiu lay on the bed, the soft blankets enveloping him completely, and buried his face in them.
"Wanqiu doesn't seem to be in a good mood. Has something happened?" Chu Zhang asked curiously.
Wan Qiu did not answer immediately.
Chu Zhang waited calmly.
"That's a bit strange."
Wan Qiu's voice was somewhat unclear from under the covers, but even after her voice changed, it remained gentle, making it all the more alluring.
Chu Zhang felt a pang of pity for her at the slightly aggrieved voice.
"What's wrong? Are they treating you badly? Should I go back now and settle things for you?"
“No.” Wan Qiu’s fingers gripped the bedding. “It’s just that they seem to dislike Yi Gui.”
"Don't you like it?" Chu Zhang's voice rose at the end.
“It’s not usually like this. Everyone likes Yi Gui, praises her, and is willing to talk to her.”
But these people didn't.
"Oh." Chu Zhang drawled, smiling, "Does Wanqiu really mind this?"
Wanqiu minded.
"Hmm..." Wan Qiu's voice was very weak.
"Are you that bothered? Is it because Chu Yigui is looked down upon?"
Chu Zhang's words made Wan Qiu realize something: "Do they look down on Yi Gui?"
"Yes, they look down on Chu Yigui," Chu Zhang confirmed Wan Qiu's question.
"Why? Yi Gui is so outstanding." Wan Qiu didn't understand at all.
"Because Chu Yigui has no money and no family background. Although he was an adopted son in the Chu family before, he still had the Chu family's backing. But he doesn't anymore."
Wan Qiu held his phone, opened his mouth, curled up, but couldn't say a word.
"That's normal. People with no money or power are unwilling to spend their time on things that have no value. It's all very normal."
Chu Zhang seemed to notice that Wan Qiu was more silent than usual, and continued speaking.
"But this is only for now. In the future, Chu Yigui will occupy a pivotal position in the Chu family. Your parents intend to cultivate Chu Yigui. With his abilities, he will definitely gain respect through his own efforts in the future. Don't worry."
Wan Qiu knew that Chu Zhang was telling the truth.
"Hmm...I understand."
"Don't you like this?" Chu Zhang asked. "Then Wanqiu, how about you stop being friends with them? Now I'll have your family come and pick you up, okay?"
"It's alright," Wan Qiu said.
"Hmm, didn't Wanqiu dislike it?" Chu Zhang's tone was almost seductive, as gentle as if he were whispering a calm love song.
“They have their reasons for not caring about Yi Gui,” Wan Qiu said.
Chu Zhang looked surprised on the other end of the phone: "Doesn't Wan Qiu dislike them?"
"I don't dislike it."
“I thought you would speak up for Chu Yigui,” Chu Zhang said.
"I also have things I don't like." Wan Qiu couldn't force people to have their own preferences.
"Wow..." Chu Zhang secretly covered his lips with his fingers, a smile playing on his lips, "But you like people who like Chu Yigui, and you don't dislike people who don't like Chu Yigui, do you?"
Wan Qiu was stunned.
He realized that Chu Zhang had found out about his previous fight.
Chu Zhang must have heard his reasons for defending the class monitor.
Wan Qiu rubbed against the bed and muttered, "That's because they... have no taste."
"Hahahahaha." Chu Zhang laughed unrestrainedly on the other end of the phone. "Did Wan Qiu have fun today?"
"I'm not very happy," Wan Qiu said truthfully.
"Is it because they don't like Yigui?"
“A little…” Wan Qiu said, then added, “It seems like they’re not happy either.”
"Um?"
Wan Qiu recalled the scene from that time.
That didn't seem like a happy atmosphere.
Bland and tasteless, offering no surprises.
Wan Qiu hesitated, trying hard to find a way to express himself: "They really want to talk to me, but what I say doesn't interest them. However... we're both trying our best to chat."
Chu Zhang knew that this was not anyone's fault.
They were praising Wan Qiu, going along with Wan Qiu, and guiding the conversation toward Wan Qiu.
Wan Qiu was the organizer, Wan Qiu was the youngest son of the Chu family, and Wan Qiu was someone they needed to curry favor with.
If this happened to an ordinary person, they might feel inflated with ego.
However, Wanqiu lacked the capacity to expand.
Unlike ordinary people, Wanqiu pays more attention to other people's thoughts and feelings when she looks at them because of her personality.
Because of her meticulousness, Wanqiu often notices others first and is slow to react to herself.
Therefore, people who are unfamiliar with Wanqiu and want to please her will also think that Wanqiu is a difficult person to get along with and hard to approach.
"It's because we haven't known each other for very long, and we don't know each other well yet."
Chu Zhang found the scene of these rich kids trying to use their usual social skills to deal with Wan Qiu, only to run into a brick wall, quite amusing.
"So what can I do to make everyone happier?"
"There's nothing for you to do," Chu Zhang said.
"But……"
“Wanqiu, listen to what your elder brother has to say.” Chu Zhang’s voice became serious. “This is not making friends, this is socializing. Socializing often comes with a strong purpose. They are willing to obey you because they can get better resources from the Chu family if they have a better relationship with you.”
Wan Qiu was stunned.
“Whether they are happy or unhappy is not the most important thing. What matters is the result of being on good terms with you.” Chu Zhang suddenly laughed. “So our little angel Wanqiu doesn’t need to do anything. Just playing with them is enough to give them face.”
Wanqiu remained dazed until he hung up the phone.
Chu Zhang asked at the end if he liked it this way.
Wan Qiu curled up, unable to give a proper answer.
Chu Yigui stood by the door, and he could hear Wan Qiu's phone call clearly from beginning to end.
Finally, Chu Yigui entered the room and brought a glass of warm milk.
Wan Qiu sat up, holding the cup, and sipped the water slowly.
“Yi Gui…” Wan Qiu’s eyelashes trembled slightly, “Did you have a very difficult day?”
Wan Qiu never considered what Chu Yigui lost by leaving the Chu family.
Only now have we caught a glimpse of a corner of it.
"No," Chu Yigui said.
"Yi Gui, if you were still my younger brother, wouldn't they treat you very well?" Wan Qiu asked.
"Yes," Chu Yigui replied.
"Then why must you..." not be his younger brother?
“Because it’s unnecessary, I don’t need these.” Chu Yigui’s hand sank into the bed, creating a shallow indentation. “These are not what I want.”
"What does Yi Gui want?" Wan Qiu asked.
Chu Yigui was taken aback.
want to……
What does he want?
Those vague ideas from the past now seem to be gradually becoming clearer.
"I'm very happy today." Chu Yigui looked at Wan Qiu, meeting those beautiful eyes that always appeared in his mind.
"Why?" Wan Qiu asked.
"Because you will turn around and look at me, because I feel ignored and you will hold my hand, because I am unhappy."
Wanqiu didn't understand why Chu Yigui would say something so self-evident.
“This is what I wanted,” Chu Yigui said.
Wan Qiu was very confused, almost to the point of drawing several question marks on his head.
"What else? Aren't these things?" Wan Qiu didn't understand at all.
“It’s a feeling.” Chu Yigui looked up and asked Wan Qiu, “Do you think I’m unhappy?”
At that moment, Wan Qiu suddenly realized something.
Although Chu Yigui was ignored from beginning to end.
But Chu Yigui never showed any displeasure.
even……
Looking at Chu Yigui now, Wan Qiu could tell that Chu Yigui was happy.
Just like the smell of milk candy, just smelling it can bring back memories of the sweet taste of milk candy.
At that moment, Wan Qiu suddenly felt that today wasn't so sad after all.
At least Yi Gui was happy.
Chu Yigui saw Wan Qiu suddenly turn over and get up, sending a message to someone.
Under Chu Yigui's questioning gaze, Wan Qiu said, "I would like to ask Zhou Peiyu if he has any games that we can have fun playing."
Chu Yigui raised an eyebrow.
Although Chu Zhang said there was no need to care whether others were happy or not.
But for Wanqiu, everyone had to be happy before he could invite them all out to play.
Zhou Peiyu has many, many friends, so she must have many interesting ideas.
Even if it doesn't succeed...
You have to at least try.
Chu Yigui turned her head and looked into Wan Qiu's bright eyes.
Take the almost empty milk cup from Wanqiu's hand and wash it.
Zhou Peiyu had many games, but unfortunately, he didn't offer any good solutions for Wanqiu.
Zhou Peiyu: Aren't you guys at the ski resort? Just skiing?
Wanqiu: But they didn't seem very happy when they were skiing today.
Zhou Peiyu: Why?
Wanqiu: I don't know either.
Zhou Peiyu: Was it awkward because you didn't know the people very well?
Wanqiu: That's probably true.
Zhou Peiyu: They probably don't play the games I play, right?
Zhou Peiyu: It feels like we're from different social classes. Wanqiu, your family is probably quite wealthy, right? They're probably trying to curry favor with you.
Wanqiu: That's what my older brother said too. He said I don't need to think too much about it.
Zhou Peiyu: Since Master Chu Zhang has said so, you don't need to think too much about it. Master Chu Zhang must be right!
Wan Qiu: I invited them, and I hope that everyone I invited will have a good time.
Zhou Peiyu: Your personality isn't very good; you need to change it.
Zhou Peiyu: It's impossible to satisfy everyone.
Zhou Peiyu: Isn't it frustrating to stay with people who make you unhappy? Besides, they're the ones who wanted to get to know you, so you shouldn't be the one trying to find a way to do it.
Zhou Peiyu: Show some confidence! You're Chu Zhang's younger brother, and that's Chu Zhang himself!!!
Zhou Peiyu: Your having fun is the most important thing! I'm sure the great Chu Zhang thinks the same way!
As Wan Qiu watched Zhou Peiyu's string of complaints against him, he could almost picture Zhou Peiyu standing with his hands on his hips, pointing and gesturing at him.
You can't please everyone.
Wan Qiu was not unaware of this principle.
In the end, Wan Qiu could only reply to Zhou Peiyu with: Okay, I understand.
Extremely obedient, never arguing back.
Wan Qiu turned over, thought for a moment, and realized that perhaps he was not suited for 'socializing'.
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