◇ 【116】 Xi Long
Gu Juan thought that it would not be long before Ye Yinze would bring his helpers to Jade Street to seek revenge on him and Xi Lang, but after the New Year, Boss Niu and his men did not call for help except to wish him and Xi Lang a happy new year.
He and Xi Lang put the matter aside for the time being and continued to live peacefully.
After class that day, Gu Juan unexpectedly received a call from Zhang Cong.
"Jianzi, this year marks our school's fiftieth anniversary, and there will be a large celebration performance next weekend. The counselor, on behalf of the school, has asked me to invite you back to attend the celebration."
"Invite me?" Gu Juan wondered.
Zhang Cong laughed heartily, "You're a celebrity at Congzhou University! What? Don't you have the awareness of being a celebrity?"
Gu Juan laughed, "Not at all."
"How about it? Come back and play for a few days? We three brothers haven't seen each other for a long time."
Gu Juan agreed without thinking too much, "Okay."
"There's one more thing. The instructor asked you to prepare a program." Zhang Cong smiled slyly.
"What?" Gu Juan was stunned.
"Hahahaha... You've already agreed. I'll go and reply to the counselor right away. Bye!"
Before Gu Juan could say anything more, Zhang Cong hung up the phone.
Xi Lang closed his notebook and walked over. "Xiaojuan, what's wrong? You look so sad?"
"Congzhou University invited me to go back and participate in the school anniversary event and asked me to prepare a program. How can I perform a program?" Gu Juan looked at him for help.
Xi Lang couldn't help but laugh, "You are the idol of all the students at Congzhou University. Even if you just stand on the stage, the audience will applaud you."
Gu Juan glared at him speechlessly, "Seriously! Come up with a solution for me."
Xi Lang leaned close to him, his nose almost touching his, smiling without saying a word.
Gu Juan kissed him on the lips, understandingly, "Hurry up and tell me."
What a perfunctory response. Xi Lang shook his head fondly, "You can sing a song, something a little difficult, like a high-pitched song, that will amaze people without being too conspicuous."
Gu Juan deeply agreed with this.
…
In April, with gentle breezes, swaying willows, and blooming peach blossoms, the spring scenery is beautiful. Congzhou University seems to have put on new clothes, becoming as beautiful as a picture.
A taxi stopped at the gate. Gu Juan got out of the car wearing sunglasses and called Zhang Cong.
"Satoshi, I'm here."
"Come to the dormitory first. Huizi and I are both in the dormitory. I can help Huizi with some advice on what clothes to wear."
"Why are you so conceited?" Gu Juan said jokingly as he walked towards the dormitory building.
Liu Hui's loud voice came from the phone, "How can someone like you who is successful in both career and love understand the hardships we bachelors face? Today's event is a large-scale performance, and the girls will definitely be dressed up. Even if we're not here to pick up girls, we can't embarrass the boys, right?"
Gu Juan couldn't refute it, "That makes sense."
When he arrived at the dormitory, he saw that the four chairs and four computer desks in the dormitory were filled with unfolded clothes.
Zhang Cong greeted Gu Juan and looked at Liu Hui helplessly.
"He's been choosing for an hour and still can't decide what to wear."
Gu Juan honestly said, "Huizi, you've lost weight now. No matter what you wear, you look good. Elegance is more important than what you wear." Liu Hui followed the prescription he gave him and has now shrunk to over 140 pounds. Although his face is still a little chubby, his figure is impeccable, and he looks ten times more energetic than before. Zhang Cong said that there are girls who are pursuing Liu Hui, but Liu Hui just doesn't like them.
"That's right." Liu Hui picked up the fake two-piece long-sleeved T-shirt and jeans, "Come on, let's wear it like this."
He went to the bathroom to change his clothes and came out with a satisfied look on his face.
"By the way, Juanzi, are you alone? Big brother didn't come?"
Gu Juan said: "Here he is, he went to the supermarket."
Liu Hui winked ambiguously, "I knew it. You two have always been so inseparable, don't you think it's boring?"
"Yeah." Zhang Cong said seriously with a playful look in his eyes, "It's the same principle as for a husband and wife. Distance makes beauty. Occasionally, you two should be apart for a few days."
Gu Juan blushed. He and the old man weren't apart much. He didn't know if other couples were like this, but he didn't like being apart from the old man for too long, and he could tell the old man was the same. Today was supposed to be Hongtu Group's semi-annual shareholders' meeting. As one of the major shareholders, Xi Lang was also supposed to attend, but he had taken leave and didn't go, instead accompanying him to Congzhou.
"Well, is it time to go to the auditorium?"
Liu Hui and Zhang Cong laughed and stopped joking. If they did, they would have crossed the line.
"Let's go to the auditorium."
Liu Hui opened the door, and someone pushed it open from outside.
Zhao Rui walked in hurriedly and saw Gu Juan there. He paused and looked embarrassed.
"Are you back? We'll leave first." Liu Hui, Zhang Cong and Zhao Rui greeted each other.
Gu Juan nodded slightly to Zhao Rui and left with Liu Hui and Zhang Cong.
Zhao Rui looked at their backs and asked loudly, "Mr. Xi didn't come?"
Gu Juan glanced at him and said calmly, "He went to buy some things."
Zhao Rui opened his mouth, said nothing, then turned and went into the dormitory.
When they arrived at the auditorium, Gu Juan, Liu Hui and Zhang Cong did not go in immediately. Instead, they stood at the door chatting while waiting for Xi Lang.
Xi Lang came quickly, carrying only a small silver backpack.
Liu Hui and Zhang Cong both call him "big brother".
Xi Lang apologized, "I'm sorry to have kept you two waiting for so long."
Gu Juan smiled and walked forward to "complain", "Old man, Huizi and Congzi said that distance makes beauty, we should separate for a few days occasionally."
Xi Lang put his arm around his shoulders, glanced at Liu Hui and Zhang Cong, and said with a smile, "Don't listen to their nonsense. Single people are not qualified to give advice to married people."
Liu Hui and Zhang Cong were sweating profusely, and they exchanged bitter smiles. It's not easy to mess with your brother, and it's even harder to mess with your brother's husband.
The four of them entered the auditorium together.
The owner of the flower shop in the school is very good at business. He set up a stall next to the auditorium and sells all kinds of beautifully packaged bouquets and flower baskets.
Xi Lang bought a bouquet of red roses with a normal expression.
Looking at Juan, his ears were red and his heart was beating fast, but he pretended to be calm.
Zhang Cong and Liu Hui each bought a bouquet of lilies and a bouquet of yellow roses, both flowers that represent friendship. Liu Hui also bought a bouquet of yellow tulips as a backup, saying that if he saw a beautiful woman among the performers, he could give her this bouquet.
The show begins at nine o'clock.
First the leader gave a speech, offering words of blessing and looking into the future. Perhaps knowing the guests wouldn't want to hear that, he ended the speech after ten minutes and the performance officially began.
Gu Juan's program was the eighth, singing the song "Qinghai-Tibet Plateau". When it comes to high-pitched songs, this song is the first one that comes to his mind.
Xi Lang was a little disappointed. He had originally thought that the child would sing him a song like "Love You for Ten Thousand Years", "I Need You" or "Love You Forever".
Gu Juan’s answer was: “You are beautiful.”
"Next, let's welcome our idol, Gu Juan, to sing 'Qinghai-Tibet Plateau'!" The female host smiled sweetly. "To be honest, I've been waiting for this moment. It must be such a treat to hear our idol belt out those high notes! Please welcome Gu Juan."
The applause was thunderous.
After Gu Juan came on stage, he said nothing and started singing after the prelude:
"Who brings the ancient call,
Who left behind a thousand years of hope?
…
That is the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau..."
Halfway through the song, Xi Lang stood up.
Liu Hui asked uncertainly, "Brother, you don't want to personally deliver flowers to Gu Juan, do you?"
"Is there a problem?" Xi Lang was puzzled. He and Gu Juan were not worried about their relationship being exposed, because they were now well-equipped to handle any situation that might arise if it were to be exposed.
Liu Hui smiled bitterly, "No problem. The three of us will go together."
He meant well, so Xi Lang nodded, put on sunglasses, and went up to the stage from the side steps with Liu Hui and Zhang Cong to hand the flowers to Gu Juan.
When Gu Juan saw Xi Lang coming up with a red rose, she almost broke her voice. She glared at him and took the flower.
Xi Lang raised the corner of his lips and walked off the stage slowly.
Gu Juan looked at his slow pace and gritted his teeth.
After the song, warm applause surged like a tide.
Gu Juan thanked him and bowed, then went backstage and left the auditorium.
Several hosts originally wanted to interview him, but seeing this, they could only continue hosting the show regretfully.
Xi Lang and Gu Juan were truly in sync, and were already standing at the door of the auditorium.
Gu Juan cunningly stuffed three bouquets of flowers into his arms and said, "Hold them for me."
Xi Lang's face was buried behind the flowers, and he smiled helplessly.
Gu Juan sent a text message to Liu Hui, asking him and Zhang Cong to meet them at Zuijiu Lou near the school gate after the performance and have dinner together.
After staying in Congzhou for one night, Gu Juan and Xi Lang flew back to the imperial capital.
…
Xi family
Xi Cong and Xi Long admired Xi Cong's collection of calligraphy and paintings in his study.
There was a knock on the door, and the servant said, "Young Master, Young Master Long, Young Master Er and Young Master Gu are back."
Xi Long hung the calligraphy and painting back on the wall and said, "Let's go down and take a look."
Xi Cong stood there for a while before taking another step. He had no idea why Xi Long had come, but the only thing he was sure of was that he was looking for A Lang.
Gu Juan and Xi Lang stood at the kitchen door.
Xi Lang rolled up his sleeves and asked Gu Juan, "Do you want to make some chili sauce?"
"Yes. It tastes even better with chili sauce." Gu Juan put Xi Lang's coat on the sofa and rolled up his sleeves, ready to help. On their way back, they passed by a snack bar and saw someone eating chicken rolls, which made him greedy.
Xi Lang said he would cook it for him when he got back.
Xi Long came down from upstairs and saw this scene. She felt that Xi Lang and Gu Juan’s relationship was still as good as ever.
He smiled and asked, "Is there any chicken roll for Ah Cong and me?"
"Of course." Xi Lang asked, "Cousin, how come you have time to come here today?"
Xi Long said, "I have something to do. It's nothing urgent. You guys go ahead and do your work. I'll be waiting to benefit from it."
Xi Lang made six chicken rolls in less than half an hour. He cut each one into several pieces in the shape of a roll and tied them up with green coriander. They looked very appetizing and tempting.
He took out four plates, put five chicken rolls on three of them, and put the rest on another plate, and handed it to Gu Juan.
Xi Cong and Xi Long both smiled ambiguously.
Gu Juan secretly glared at Xi Lang, feeling very embarrassed, but his heart was sweet. He picked up a chicken roll and took a bite. The taste was fragrant on his lips and teeth, and he squinted his eyes in satisfaction.
"Is it delicious?" Xi Lang asked with a smile.
Gu Juan nodded.
Xi Lang poured him a glass of milk and asked Xi Long, "Brother, you haven't told me what's going on yet? If there's anything you need my help with, just let me know."
Xi Long ate a chicken roll and praised it highly. "Alang, your cooking skills are still so good. It's not a big deal. Everyone has been busy recently, and we brothers haven't gotten together for a long time. I wanted to ask you guys if you have time to have a meal together."
"When did my eldest cousin become so unhappy?" Xi Lang's eyes held a hint of displeasure as he smiled faintly. "If it was just about this matter, you could just make a phone call. How could my eldest cousin and I not respond to your call? Just tell me what's going on. There are no outsiders here."
In fact, Xi Long realized his slip of the tongue the moment he'd spoken. Instead of directly stating his purpose, he'd arranged another time with Xi Lang and Xi Cong, as if intentionally excluding Gu Juan. He'd just witnessed how doting Xi Lang was on Gu Juan, and this would only anger him. At the same time, Xi Long realized that his cousin, previously a resting cheetah, was now gradually revealing his claws. If anyone dared to hurt someone he cared about, he would not let them off.
Gu Juan wasn't as angry as Xi Lang. Even if Xi Yongchang's family and Xi Yongming's family were close, there was still some distance between them. Even a married couple would have different outlooks on life, let alone two families. It was impossible for them to agree on everything. The Xi Yongchang family's lack of closeness to him wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
He picked up a chicken roll and stuffed it into Xi Lang's mouth, smiling at him, "You haven't eaten any yet."
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