Chapter 52: Returning Home at Night
After entering the password and pushing open the door to Gu Xu's luxury apartment in the city center, the entrance sensor light automatically illuminated softly. In the living room, only a single floor-standing reading lamp was on, its light concentrated on the large desk area. Sure enough, Gu Xu was still working.
He sat with his back to the door, his back straight, in an ergonomic chair. A pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, their lenses reflecting the cold light of the computer screen, making his usually gentle and elegant, elite face appear sharp and distant. A video conference interface was open on the computer screen. Across from him, several executives in suits sat formally, not daring to utter a word. Gu Xu's voice came through the headset. It was not loud, but every word was as cold as ice, carrying an undeniable sense of oppression:
"...Is this the plan you've been dawdling over for a month? The market research data is lagging, the risk assessment is superficial, and the cost budget is full of loopholes. Ruichuang wants a team that can fight tough battles, not a bunch of losers who can only write beautiful PowerPoint presentations. Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, I want to see something that convinces me, otherwise, the project team will get out."
The executives on the other side were silent, nodding in agreement. Gu Xu expressionlessly cut off the video call, removed his headphones, tossed them on the table, and wearily pinched his brow. His gold-rimmed glasses were removed and set aside. His previous aggressive aura instantly dissipated, leaving only a deep sense of weariness.
Chu Yan didn't say anything to interrupt. He walked lightly to the open kitchen and poured a glass of warm water. When the glass was placed on the edge of the desk, it made a slight clinking sound.
Gu Xu finally noticed his presence and looked up. The moment he saw Chu Yan, the frost and fatigue in his eyes melted away as if encountering the warm sun, replaced by a relaxation and warmth that bordered on dependence. His face was expressionless, but his eyes lit up.
Chu Yan smiled at him, signaled him with his eyes to drink some water, then walked to the single sofa next to him and sat down, took out his mobile phone and flipped through it casually, with a relaxed posture, as if this was his territory.
Gu Xu, still clutching unreviewed documents in one hand, took a few sips from his water cup with his other. The warm liquid slid down his dry throat, bringing a sense of relief. He didn't speak immediately, simply relaxing back in his chair, his gaze involuntarily following Chu Yan on the sofa. The room was silent, broken only by the subtle swipe of Chu Yan's phone and the low hum of the air conditioner. This silent companionship, more than any words could, soothed Gu Xu's frayed nerves and the irritation he had just felt at the idiot.
Time flowed in silence. After an unknown amount of time, Chu Yan felt the sofa beside him sink slightly. He looked up and saw Gu Xu had already sat down next to him, leaning naturally on his shoulder, a hint of fatigue on his face.
"Are you done?" Chu Yan put down his phone, stretched out his arms to hold him, making him lean more comfortably, and his fingers unconsciously played with the soft short hair on the back of Gu Xu's neck.
"Hmm," Gu Xu muttered glumly, closing his eyes. He nuzzled Chu Yan's neck like a large cat seeking comfort. After a few seconds, as if finally finding an outlet, he couldn't help but rant, "That new project at Ruichuang is being dragged down by a bunch of idiots. The marketing department's projections are like playing house, and the guys in the tech department are so overconfident, constantly clamoring for a budget increase. Do they really think my money came from the wind? And that Vice President, Li, is so senior and overbearing..."
Gu Xu is usually a flawless president in front of others, but in front of Chu Yan, he is like a wronged child, complaining about the bad things at work, his tone is rare with irritability and childishness.
Chu Yan listened quietly, tightening his grip around him. Seeing the usually mastermind Mr. Gu strip off his disguise, revealing his true face of irritation and exhaustion, the smile in Chu Yan's eyes grew deeper, a touch of doting and indulgence.
When Gu Xu was complaining about the "genius" idea proposed by a veteran in the technical department, Chu Yan finally couldn't help it. He turned his head and gently kissed Gu Xu's exceptionally soft lips.
Gu Xu's complaints stopped abruptly.
He suddenly opened his eyes and met Chu Yan's smiling gaze. His lips, which had been chattering a moment ago, pursed in an instant, and his ears turned red at a visible speed. The anger and irritation caused by work disappeared in this sudden, soothing kiss.
"Okay, calm down." Chu Yan's voice was low and pleasant with a smile. "Tomorrow I'll ask someone to help you look into the problem with the technical department and see if it's really the solution that's failing or if there's a communication barrier."
Gu Xu: “…”
He blinked, and his angry expression was instantly soothed. He said "hmm" obediently, buried his head back in the crook of Chu Yan's neck, and stopped talking.
The two of them cuddled quietly for a while. Chu Yan picked up the remote control, randomly turned on a well-rated art film, and projected it onto the TV across from him. He then stood up and went to the wine cabinet to get a bottle of red wine and two glasses.
In the dim light, the screen flickered with light and shadow, and the rich red wine swayed in the glass. The two of them watched the movie intermittently, occasionally exchanging a few words in low voice about the plot, but more often they just cuddled quietly, enjoying this rare, undisturbed peace and warmth after the exam. The alcohol and the warmth of the person beside them completely relaxed their tense nerves.
The morning sun filtered through the gaps in the heavy blackout curtains, casting a thin golden streak across the floor. Chu Yan's biological clock had awoke him perfectly on time. He glanced sideways at Gu Xu, who was still soundly asleep beside him. The man was sound asleep, his usually meticulously combed hair a little disheveled across his forehead. His long eyelashes cast a faint shadow under his eyes, his lips slightly parted. Shedding all pretense and calculation of elite status, he appeared unusually quiet and harmless. Only on his exposed shoulders and collarbone did the ambiguous red marks from last night's passionate lovemaking remain.
Chu Yan smiled silently and stood up very quietly, so as not to wake him. After a quick wash, he changed into sportswear and prepared to go out for a morning run.
The early summer morning air, fresh with the scent of dew and grass, was refreshing. Chu Yan jogged along the tree-lined riverside trail, sweat trickling down his brow as the morning breeze washed away the last traces of fatigue. After his run, he stopped by a reputable Cantonese dim sum shop near the residential complex, ready to pack some of Gu's favorite dim sum.
While waiting in line to order, Chu Yan was looking down at the news on his phone.
"Hi! Is that you?"
A clear male voice with a touch of surprise sounded beside him.
Chu Yan looked up at the sound. Standing before him was a young man in casual sportswear, seemingly in his early twenties, with a handsome, sunny face and a bright smile, looking at him with a look of surprise. Chu Yan felt that he looked familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen him before.
The boy seemed to notice his hesitation, scratched his head embarrassedly, and reminded him: "Uh, in a bar in City A, about half a year ago? I lost the truth or dare game, and they encouraged me to ask you what kind of person you like. Do you remember?" His face was a little red, but his eyes were bright and expectant.
Bar...Truth or Dare...
Chu Yan's memory was instantly awakened. It was that young university student who had lost a game, had come to him uncomfortably to ask him questions, and had finally been driven away by his teasing.
"Oh, it's you." Chu Yan smiled with realization and nodded, "I remember. What's your name?" He was gentle and polite in every way.
"Lu Chen! My name is Lu Chen!" The boy was even happier when he saw that he remembered. "I didn't expect to see you here! Why are you in S City? Are you here for tourism too?"
"No, I have something to do here." Chu Yan answered simply without further explanation.
"Is that so..." Lu Chen seemed to want to chat a little more, but when he saw Chu Yan holding the takeaway bag and the people queuing behind him, he felt a little embarrassed. "Have you finished your shopping? This morning tea shop is pretty good."
"Yeah, I brought it for a friend." Chu Yan smiled. "I'm leaving now. See you later."
"Ah? Okay, okay! See you later!" Lu Chen nodded quickly, watching Chu Yan pick up his takeout bag, turn upright and leave, his steps calmly blending into the morning crowd. He stood there, slapping his forehead in frustration: "Oops! I forgot to ask for contact information again!" Twice they met, both times his brain short-circuited because of the other party's "destructive power". Looking at the direction where Chu Yan disappeared, Lu Chen felt both annoyed and unwilling.
Chu Yan returned to the apartment, still warm, with his morning tea, and opened the door. The bedroom was still quiet; Gu Xu hadn't woken up yet. Chu Yan placed his breakfast in the insulated container with gentle movements. Thinking of how exhausted Gu Xu had been the night before, he didn't intend to wake him up immediately.
He walked to the French window in the living room, pulled out his phone, and began to fulfill his promise from last night. He dialed a number, his voice returning to the calm and composed tone he used to when working: "Hello, Professor Zhou, it's me, Chu Yan. Yes, I have something to trouble you with. Ruichuang Technology is currently promoting a project, and the technical route has encountered a bottleneck. Yes, yes, there may be some internal communication problems with Mr. Gu. You are experienced, so you can help check it out. Okay, I'll send you the contact information of Mr. Gu's assistant, and you can contact him directly. Thanks, I'll treat you to a drink someday."
As soon as I hung up the phone, I heard a muffled "bang" coming from the bedroom, followed by a suppressed cry of pain.
Chu Yan hurried into the bedroom. He saw Gu Xu slumped awkwardly on the thick carpet beside the bed, one hand supporting the edge, the other on his waist, his brow furrowed and his teeth bared, clearly in great pain. He tried to stand, but his legs gave way and he nearly fell again.
Chu Yan walked over and looked down at his rare embarrassment. He couldn't help but chuckle, "Mr. Gu, are you planning to perform a flat-ground wrestling show?"
Gu Xu looked up and glared at him, his eyes full of accusation and shame: "Chu Yan, how dare you laugh?" His voice was hoarse from waking up in the morning, even more so than last night.
Chu Yan bent down, reached out, and easily picked the man up, placing him back on the bed. He sat by the bed, watching Gu Xu rubbing his aching waist and rubbing his weak thighs, with an aggrieved look that said, "My whole body is falling apart." The smile in his eyes deepened.
"Blame me?" Chu Yan raised his eyebrows, reached out and pinched Gu Xu's red earlobe, and said with a teasing tone, "Who teased me first last night? Huh?" He glanced at the mark on Gu Xu's collarbone meaningfully.
Gu Xu blushed at what he said. Thinking of the bold actions he had taken last night when he was carried away by the excitement, he was suddenly speechless. He could only turn away and face Chu Yan with the back of his head, expressing with practical actions that "I don't want to pay attention to you now."
Seeing Gu Xu's angry and helpless expression, Chu Yan felt particularly relieved. He leaned over and kissed Gu Xu's puffed-up cheek. "Okay, remember this. If you flirt like this again, you'll have to bear the consequences. Breakfast is in the insulated box, all your favorites. I've made an appointment with Professor Zhou for you. He'll go and help you with the problem with Ruichuang's technical department."
Gu Xu didn't turn around, but moved his ears and made a muffled "hmm" sound.
The wonderful two-day holiday passed quickly in laziness, tenderness, and a few minor incidents. The "aftereffects" of Gu Xu's back pain and leg weakness only barely subsided in the evening of the second day, and the two of them had a quiet dinner together.
However, just as night fell, Chu Yan's cell phone rang. It was Chu Yu.
"Ah Yan." Chu Yu's voice came through the receiver, and the background seemed a bit noisy. "The International Smart Technology Exhibition in Berlin has opened early. There was a small problem with the debugging of the 'Cloud Intelligent Control' model machine, and the exhibition team is a bit overwhelmed. You need to go there in person. The earliest flight tomorrow morning has been booked for you."
Chu Yan held his phone in his hand and looked across at Gu Shi, who was elegantly cutting a steak. Gu Shi seemed to have noticed something and looked up at him with a questioning look.
Chu Yan replied into the phone, "Got it, Brother Yu. I'll pack up and go there tomorrow morning."
After hanging up the phone, Chu Yan met Gu Xu's eyes, which were filled with understanding and obvious disappointment.
"Leaving again?" Gu Xu put down his knife and fork.
"Yeah, about the project in Berlin." Chu Yan said apologetically, "I'm on a flight tomorrow morning."
Gu Xu was silent for a few seconds, and finally just picked up the red wine glass and raised it towards him: "Alright, Mr. Chu is very busy. Be careful."
We are all adults, so there is no need to complain too much.
Late at night, in Gu Xu's master bedroom, the atmosphere was even more heated than the previous two nights, tinged with a near-rapacious demand and possessiveness that preceded a parting. Gu Xu seemed to be trying to imprint Chu Yan's scent and warmth in this way, his movements tinged with a subtle impatience and anxiety. Chu Yan, for once, showed no restraint, responding with exceptional devotion. The two of them, like vines entangled in a storm, clung to each other, clinging to each other until death. All he remembered was that by the end, Gu Xu's voice had completely given way, unable even to utter a sob.
The next morning, before daybreak, Chu Yan quietly rose and dressed. Beside the bed, Gu Xu was still fast asleep, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he were restless. Fresh kisses and fingerprints covered his bare shoulders, silently revealing the madness of the previous night.
Chu Yan leaned over and placed a very light kiss on his sweaty forehead, then dragged his suitcase and quietly left the apartment, blending into the deepest night before dawn.
The international flight to Berlin took off with a tremendous roar, passing through the thick clouds. Chu Yan leaned back in the spacious first-class seat, watching the gradually shrinking city skyline outside the window. The remaining tenderness in his eyes quickly faded, and he regained the calm and sharpness unique to working mode.
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