Chapter 30 You Can Use Me
The end of the final exams ignited the long-suppressed noise at Shenghua College. Students rushed out of the classroom cheering like birds out of a cage.
Chu Yan followed the crowd out of the school gate with his usual gentle smile on his face, but his eyes paused slightly when they fell upon the familiar black Bentley at the school gate.
The car window rolled down, revealing Gu Xu's still handsome yet exhausted face. His eyes were noticeably dark, and his gaze was thick with weariness from days of intense work. Even his usual gentle smile seemed forced, and only when he met Chu Yan's gaze did he manage to raise it.
Chu Yan raised an eyebrow, opened the car door, and got in the passenger seat. The air conditioning in the car was on full blast, carrying the faint, refreshing scent of Gu Xu's aftershave.
"Finished your exams? You've worked hard." Gu Xu's voice was barely audible. He turned sideways, about to say something else, but his gaze was glued to Chu Yan's profile, which was gilded by the sunlight. Without any prelude, Gu Xu suddenly leaned forward, grasped the back of Chu Yan's neck with one hand, and kissed him with an almost brutal eagerness and catharsis.
The kiss carried the bitter taste of tobacco, was unstructured, even a little rough, like a drowning man grasping at a piece of driftwood. Chu Yan was caught off guard, leaning back slightly, but he didn't push away. He felt the cool touch on his lips and Gu Xu's rapid, unsteady breathing, and a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
After a brief struggle, Chu Yan tilted his head slightly, ending the sudden kiss. His slender fingers brushed over his lips, which had been ravaged and reddened. His eyes were a little playful, and his voice was low and smiling: "So impatient? Mr. Gu, this is not like you."
Gu Xu was breathing rapidly, his eyes still a little unfocused. He heard Chu Yan's teasing and twitched his lips, trying to smile as usual, but it only brought out a bitter taste. He simply gave up on pretending, leaned back into the driver's seat, closed his eyes, and spoke with a voice thick with weariness and a kind of resigned frankness: "Yeah, I'm anxious, I can't wait to seduce you." He chuckled self-deprecatingly, "My methods are clumsy, and I'm afraid Young Master Chu is laughing."
Chu Yan's gaze fell on his pale face, especially the two glaring dark spots. He stretched out his finger and gently touched the shadow under Gu Xu's eyes, his tone carrying a subtle hint of inquiry: "How many days have you not slept? You've tormented yourself like this?"
Gu Xu did not open his eyes, but just shook his head tiredly, as if he had exhausted even the strength to speak.
Chu Yan stared at him for a few seconds, frowning slightly, then decisively unbuckled his seat belt, leaned over and patted Gu Xu's arm: "Get out of the car and change seats."
Gu Xu opened his eyes and looked at him blankly.
"Are you driving like this to commit suicide with me?" Chu Yan's tone was calm, but with an unquestionable sense of command, "Get down, I'll drive."
Gu Xu didn't insist, obediently unbuckled his seatbelt, and the two quickly swapped places. Chu Yan got into the driver's seat, expertly adjusting the seat and rearview mirror, and started the car. His smooth, fluid movements carried a reassuring sense of power.
"Where are you going?" Chu Yan asked, his eyes scanning the navigation.
"Hotel?" Gu Xu answered almost subconsciously, his voice heavy with sleepiness.
Chu Yan glanced at him in the rearview mirror, his deep eyes seemed to be able to see through people's hearts: "Are you sure you are going to the hotel to sleep or something like that?" His tone was a little teasing.
Gu Xu choked, a rare look of embarrassment crossing his face. He was truly exhausted and just wanted to fall asleep. All those romantic thoughts had long been washed away by exhaustion.
"Then... take me back to the company?" he asked hesitantly, his voice getting lower and lower.
Chu Yan didn't say anything. He turned the steering wheel and drove the car in the opposite direction of the Gu Group headquarters. He made a phone call, explained a few things briefly, and then hung up.
The car finally pulled into a quiet, high-end residential complex with tight security. Chu Yan parked the car and swiped his credit card with Gu Yu to enter an apartment building, leading them straight to the top floor. This was the apartment Chu Yu had bought near the company to facilitate Chu Yan's summer internship at Cloud Intelligent Control. It was spacious and bright, with a simple, modern decor, reflecting Chu Yu's usual cool and hard style, but it also had everything you need for daily life.
When the car came to a complete stop, Gu Xu was already leaning back in the passenger seat, breathing evenly and deeply, completely falling into a deep sleep. His brows were still slightly furrowed, and even in his sleep, the heaviness and fatigue were clearly visible.
Chu Yan didn't wake him immediately. He unbuckled his seatbelt, turned sideways, and quietly stared at Gu Xu's sleeping face. Usually gentle and in control, Mr. Gu, now letting down his guard and revealing a vulnerable and exhausted inner self, seemed a little strange.
[Chu Yan: System, check Gu's recent movements.]
System: Gu's subsidiary, Ruichuang Technology, was targeted by an unknown force last week. Core projects were poached, key supply chains were disrupted, and market expectations were significantly lowered. The losses were severe, and as the direct person in charge, Gu Xu was under immense pressure. The manipulator behind the scenes pointed to the cloud-based intelligent control system, and the execution instructions came from Chu Yu.
Chu Yan: Sure enough, it's the work of my protective cousin. Tsk, he's pretty quick.
[System: Chu Yu seems to regard Gu Xu as a major threat to you.]
Chu Yan sighed silently, reached out, and very gently brushed away a strand of hair that had fallen from Gu Xu's forehead. Then, he pushed open the car door, walked around to the passenger side, opened the door, and gently unbuckled Gu Xu's seatbelt.
"Gu Xu, wake up, we're here." He called in a low voice.
Gu opened his eyes dazedly, his gaze vacant for a few seconds before focusing on Chu Yan's face. The dazed look and defenseless vulnerability of someone who had just woken up made Chu Yan's heart soften inexplicably. He couldn't help but reach out and ruffle his sleep-disheveled hair: "Get off, go upstairs and sleep."
Gu Xu was startled by the affectionate gesture, then obediently let Chu Yan pull him out of the car. Entering Chu Yan's apartment, the cold air conditioning and minimalist space sobered him up. He watched Chu Yan open the refrigerator, take out the ingredients, and then walk naturally into the open kitchen.
"I don't have much to eat here. Can we just make something for dinner?" Chu Yan turned around and asked him, tying an apron and looking relaxed.
Gu Xu nodded, taking a seat on the living room sofa with some restraint, and surveying the space. He still felt exhausted, but now, far from the Gu family and the company, with only Chu Yan around, his frayed nerves finally seemed to find a respite.
The simple dinner took place in silence. Chu Yan's cooking skills weren't particularly impressive, but he was very skillful. Two bowls of clear noodle soup, topped with a fried egg and vegetables, were steaming hot. Gu Xu ate slowly, his stomach warming and his spirits returning somewhat.
After clearing the dishes, Chu Yan wiped his hands and walked over to sit on the sofa opposite Gu Xu. He didn't beat around the bush and spoke directly in a calm tone: "Are you free tomorrow morning at ten o'clock?"
Gu Xu looked up at him with a questioning look.
"I'll take you to see someone," Chu Yan said, mentioning a name that was well-known in the technology circle, "Professor Li Chongming."
Gu Xu's hand holding the water cup suddenly paused, his pupils shrinking! Li Chongming! A leading figure in the field of artificial intelligence in China, the cutting-edge laboratory he leads possesses numerous disruptive technologies! Gu Xu had painstakingly arranged several meetings with him to facilitate Ruichuang Technology's transformation, yet he hadn't even met the assistant! If he could establish this connection, Ruichuang's current predicament would be easily resolved and even reach new heights.
Gu Yu was speechless for a moment. He looked up at Chu Yan, his eyes filled with a complex mix of shock, ecstasy, disbelief, a hint of embarrassment at being seen through, and even deeper doubts. Why was Chu Yan helping him? What price would this cost him? Was he being exploited? Was it a deal? Or was it another Chu Yu-style trap?
Countless thoughts were churning in Gu Xu's mind. He opened his mouth, but his throat seemed to be blocked.
Chu Yan watched the emotions swirling in his eyes, understanding the wariness and struggle. He stood up, walked over to Gu Xu, and leaned forward slightly. The distance between them instantly closed, and Chu Yan's deep gaze seemed to penetrate Gu Xu's heart.
"Gu Xu," Chu Yan's voice was low and clear. "Don't be afraid." He reached out his hand and, with a tenderness that brooked no refusal, gently embraced Gu Xu in his arms. Gu Xu's body stiffened instantly, but he didn't push her away.
Chu Yan's voice was right beside his ear, and his warm breath brushed against his sensitive earlobe:
"I told you, I like you very much."
"So, you can use me." Chu Yan chuckled: "I am willing to let you use me."
"Going to see Professor Li tomorrow is not for the sake of the Gu family, but for yourself and for your Ruichuang Technology. Seize this opportunity and you will be able to get out of this mess."
Chu Yan pulled away slightly and looked directly into Gu Xu's shocked and complicated eyes, speaking every word clearly:
"Gu Xu, consider me your retreat."
"Use me, use the Chu family's connections, use everything you can think of to achieve your goal and leave this quagmire of the Gu family."
Chu Yan's tone became unusually calm, as if stating an established fact: "We are all well aware of your current situation. The Gu family is facing internal and external troubles, your parents are unreliable, Old Man Gu is suspicious, the other branches are eyeing you covetously, and Chu Yu is still causing trouble for you. If you take a wrong step, you may be doomed." He paused, his eyes as sharp as a knife, "So you need this lifeline, and I am willing to give it to you."
These words, like a heavy hammer, struck Gu Xu's heart. The naked honesty, laying their mutual calculations bare, tore through all of Gu Xu's disguises and defenses, revealing his most unbearable and most needy situation. Yet, in his despair, they also handed him a thorny, yet incredibly real, lifeline.
Gu Xu looked into Chu Yan's eyes, so close to him. There was no pity or charity in them, only a cold clarity and an indulgence he couldn't understand. A torrent of bitterness, shock, humiliation, and an indescribable throbbing surge instantly broke through Gu Xu's defenses. He suddenly closed his eyes and gave himself over.
[System: By helping Gu Xu secure his position, isn't this increasing the difficulty for Gu Ye to gain control of the Gu family?]
[Chu Yan: The current Gu family is not worth acquiring, and Gu Xu's ambitions are not limited to the Gu family.]
Chu Yan believed that Gu Xu had the ability to break away from the Gu family and build his own career. All he needed was an opportunity, and Chu Yan could provide him with that opportunity. Ruichuang Technology was Gu Xu's hard work and his only hope of escaping the quagmire of the Gu family. Without Gu Xu, the Gu family would be a perfect place to rebuild and reshuffle. After all, the Gu Ye would not be in charge of a Gu family that was all show and no substance.
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