Chapter 427 IOU (Script 13)
Warm water poured down from the shower head, enveloping Shen Xiangyang’s cold and stiff body.
He leaned against the cold tile wall, letting the water wash over his cheeks and the traces of tears that had not yet dried on his face.
The bathroom is stocked with high-end shower gel and shampoo, which exude a fresh herbal scent.
Shen Xiangyang is very familiar with this taste.
This is... the unique smell of Gu Xi.
Shen Xiangyang's tense nerves finally relaxed a little bit in the warm water and this safe environment.
He closed his eyes, and the greedy and rogue face of Shen Guozhu, the harsh curses, and the determined look in Gu Xi's eyes when he stood in front of him... scenes flashed before his eyes.
It was unknown how long it took before Shen Xiangyang slowly dried his body and changed into the home clothes that Gu Xi gave him.
The clothes fit well, the soft fabric stuck to the skin, with a warmth and clean scent from the sun, making Shen Xiangyang feel as if he was wrapped in tenderness.
He took a deep breath, opened the bathroom door and walked out.
Although he knew that this was Gu Xi's home, Shen Xiangyang still felt a strong sense of unease and helplessness.
The soft carpet under his feet, the faint fragrance in the air, and the quiet and elegant courtyard night view outside the window all formed a sharp contrast with his "home" that was full of clutter.
Gu Xi was sitting at the desk and immediately looked up when he heard the noise.
He saw Shen Xiangyang wearing his slightly loose home clothes, his wet hair stuck to his forehead, his face a little red from the heat, and his heart instantly softened.
He immediately stood up and walked in front of Shen Xiangyang.
"Did you shower? Feeling warmer?"
Gu Xi's voice was very soft, with cautious concern. He naturally raised his hand to help Shen Xiangyang brush away the wet hair on his forehead.
Shen Xiangyang subconsciously tilted his head slightly to avoid this overly intimate action.
Shen Xiangyang hugged the old clothes he had changed out of, his fingers unconsciously tightened, his knuckles turning white. He lowered his head, his eyes fell on his feet wearing brand new cotton socks, his voice dry and hoarse: "I...I should go back."
When he said the word "go back", even he himself felt it was absurd and cold. Could that place still be called "home"?
Gu Xi's hand stopped in mid-air, then naturally dropped it, his brows furrowed tightly. "Go back? Where to?"
His tone was undeniably firm. "Can you still go back to that place? You..."
Gu Xi originally wanted to say "your father", but he felt that Shen Guozhu was not worthy of the word "father", so he changed the wording temporarily: "What he said... have you forgotten?"
Gu Xi thought of those dirty words and his eyes turned cold again.
Shen Xiangyang's body shrank slightly.
Of course he didn't forget.
What Shen Guozhu did today was like a poisoned knife, completely cutting off his last bit of longing for "home".
He raised his eyes to look at Gu Xi in front of him, his eyes filled with great confusion and fatigue: "Then... I... I..."
"You stay here."
Gu Xi said firmly: "This place is very big, and I live alone. My father is very busy at work and rarely comes home."
He specifically emphasized that "father is very busy at work" in order to alleviate Shen Xiangyang's concerns in this way.
"But……"
Shen Xiangyang’s lips moved, and a huge sense of uneasiness enveloped him.
Why should he live here? Why should he accept Gu Xi's protection and support?
They were just classmates... not even friends...
Gu Xi saw the struggle in Shen Xiangyang's eyes.
So he took a deep breath, walked in front of Shen Xiangyang, leaned over slightly, kept his eyes parallel to Shen Xiangyang's lowered gaze, and his voice was unprecedentedly serious and solemn: “Xiangyang, look at me.”
Shen Xiangyang raised his eyes and met Gu Xi's deep and burning eyes.
"I meant every word I said in the alley."
Gu Xi spoke each word clearly, repeating the promise he had made not long ago: "I will support you and pay for your education. As long as you want to study and as long as you are willing to work hard, no matter how long it takes or where you go, you don't have to worry about money anymore..."
The boy's promise hit Shen Xiangyang's heart like a heavy hammer.
Shen Xiangyang opened his mouth, wanting to refuse, wanting to say that he could work and apply for a student loan…
Unexpectedly, Gu Xi saw through Shen Xiangyang's thoughts.
His eyes softened. "I know what you're thinking. Do you feel uncomfortable accepting all this for no reason? Do you feel like you owe me something?"
Shen Xiangyang nodded silently.
"good."
Gu Xi stood up, walked to the desk, opened the drawer, and took out a brand new notebook and a pen.
He turned the notebook to a blank page and pushed it in front of Shen Xiangyang, his eyes frank and sincere: “Then we will do it your way, you write an IOU.”
Shen Xiangyang was stunned and looked at Gu Xi in confusion.
Gu Xi looked at him seriously and explained, "The IOU says: Shen Xiangyang borrowed the money from Gu Xi for the expenses he needed during his university years (including tuition, accommodation, and basic living expenses). This loan is interest-free and will be repaid after Shen Xiangyang graduates from university and is able to work independently."
Gu Xi's attention was attracted by the IOU, and he didn't notice that Shen Xiangyang's eyes had turned red unconsciously.
Gu Xi lowered his eyes to look at the blank notebook and gently discussed, "As for the repayment period...how about writing ten years? Is that okay with you?"
Shen Xiangyang pursed his lips and didn’t speak.
Seeing this, Gu Xi continued, "Xiangyang, this isn't charity. It's a favor between friends, and it's also a loan you'll definitely pay back in the future. Let's write it down in black and white. You take one copy, and I take one. This way, you can live here with peace of mind, prepare for the college entrance exam, and go to University A with peace of mind. When you start working and making money in the future, you can slowly pay me back. This money isn't a burden to me, but it's worth it to give you peace of mind."
Gu Xi’s words were like a warm spring, moistening the dry land in Shen Xiangyang’s heart.
He did not say "Don't worry" condescendingly, nor did he say "It doesn't matter" lightly. Instead, he truly stood in Shen Xiangyang's perspective, understood his stubborn self-esteem and insecurity, and gave him a practical plan that would allow him to accept help calmly.
Shen Xiangyang first looked at the blank page, then looked at Gu Xi's eyes that were full of seriousness and frankness. His nose suddenly felt sore and his vision blurred instantly.
Shen Xiangyang blinked hard, trying to force back the surging tears: "I..."
His voice was choked and he couldn't even utter a complete sentence.
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