Chapter 67 Published
Gu Xiuyi took Ji Ruan to the restaurant for a simple lunch and then returned to the suite.
The VIP room at the bow has the best view and the most complete facilities. When you push open the glass window, you will see a fairly spacious balcony with a jacuzzi, lounge chairs and parasols. There is also a small table with tea, pastries and more.
You can imagine how pleasant it is to have a massage in the bathtub at night while enjoying the river view.
Ji Ruan leaned his elbows on the railing, and the breeze from the river blew slowly past, which soothed his troubled heart a lot.
Gu Xiuyi stood beside him, leaning against the railing: "How is it, are you feeling better?"
Ji Ruan touched the tip of his nose: "It was nothing at first..."
His hair was a little messy due to the wind, and it scratched his eyes and prickled him, so he lowered his head to rub it.
"Don't rub it." Gu Xiuyi grabbed Ji Ruan's wrist and gently helped him to move his hair away.
There were some red bloodshot eyes in Ji Ruan, probably because he didn't sleep well.
Gu Xiuyi didn't let him continue to stay outside in the wind. He led him into the room and closed the doors and windows. Ji Ruan sat obediently on the bed in a daze. He took two steps closer and scratched Ji Ruan's chin.
Ji Ruan was a little ticklish, and struggled a bit under his hands, then hid in the corner of the bed, but was caught by Gu Xiuyi again.
"Don't do anything rash now." Ji Ruan pushed his shoulder with a smile.
Gu Xiuyi hugged Ji Ruan's waist tightly, kissed him hard twice, and then rubbed his cheek affectionately.
This was what he wanted to do before getting on the boat, but he had to endure it because Ji Ruan was too shy.
"Okay, I won't mess around now." Gu Xiuyi put some distance between the two of them and asked softly, "Do you want to take a nap and rest?"
Ji Ruan was a little tired. He got up early and didn't really fall asleep in the car. He began to feel sleepy a long time ago, but he was still a little hesitant. His eyelashes trembled when he lowered his eyes to think.
“Is it okay for me to sleep like this?” He said, “It feels like we have guests already.”
The soundproofing of the suite was actually quite good, but even with such good soundproofing, Ji Ruan could still hear some of the noise outside, which must have been quite lively.
Ji Ruan bit her lip and said, "You should go out and greet people at this time. Would it be bad if I don't go with you?"
"What's the big deal?" Gu Xiuyi smiled. "He's not an important guest anyway. I'll just show up. You can rest if you're tired."
Since the host said so, Ji Ruan stopped trying to be stubborn. After all, the bed under him was quite soft, and he didn't want to move after lying there for a while.
"Well... all right then."
Ji Ruan responded with her eyes curved, and after thinking for a moment, she quickly gave Gu Xiuyi a kiss on the corner of his mouth, lifted the quilt and buried his head, revealing his furry hair.
Gu Xiuyi's heart trembled.
Ji Ruan rarely initiates kissing.
Even if they were close, they were different from the wild type like Gu Xiuyi who wanted to tear the person apart and eat him.
Ji Ruan's kiss was the same as others, gentle and obedient, sliding from the corner of his mouth with a hint of shyness, like a little swan shaking its feathers and shyly throwing a little hook towards people's hearts.
Gu Xiuyi paused for a second, then without saying a word, he lifted the quilt and hugged Ji Ruan.
Ji Ruan was still lying on the bed with his heart pounding, pinching his fingers. Suddenly, his eyes brightened and he was hugged. The soft thin quilt slowly fell and covered the two of them again.
He saw Gu Xiuyi's smiling eyes in the dim light under the quilt.
"Why did you come in too?"
"Come and kiss you." Gu Xiuyi whispered in her ear.
My heart suddenly started beating so fast that it hurt my chest a little. Gu Xiuyi was really good at saying some love words that were so straightforward that people couldn't face them.
Ji Ruan was lying on her side in Gu Xiuyi's arms, her black hair scattered on the pillow, her cheeks and ears had turned pink due to shyness, and the stream flowing under her eyes was like a stream caught by the wind, rippling with layers of shimmering light.
Gu Xiuyi leaned closer and bit Ji Ruan's red lips, then hugged him completely in his arms.
"Hmm! ...You..."
"Be good, just give me a kiss, nothing else."
Gu Xiuyi held the back of Ji Ruan's head, gently stroked his soft hair, and exchanged a long kiss with him.
Oh no, it’s not an exchange. To Ji Ruan, this is called unilateral invasion.
No one knew where Gu Xiuyi had trained his lung capacity, but his so-called "kiss" probably lasted about that long.
It lasted so long that Ji Ruan saw flashes of white light in front of his eyes due to lack of oxygen.
Later, Gu Xiuyi probably kissed his eyes and earlobes again, and wiped his face with a hot towel.
But Ji Ruan was too sleepy. Kissing was the most physically demanding exercise he had done in recent months. After the kiss, he could no longer resist. He fell asleep in a daze before he even finished wiping his face.
I slept much more soundly this time than I did in the car. Although the bed was not as warm as Gu Xiuyi's embrace, it was better at not being too arousing.
Ji Ruan slept for several hours in a row, and the moment he opened his eyes he couldn't tell whether it was day or night.
He lay there for a while with his eyes dull, then he felt a burning pain in his lips. He quickly sat up, turned on the bedside lamp, and took out his mobile phone to open the camera.
My lips are swollen again.
Although it was not serious, her lips turned red for no apparent reason, and her lip bows were shiny, just like what Han Xiaolin said, that she had applied the snail pink mirror lip glaze.
At that moment, Ji Ruan's heart was filled with despair.
The door diagonally in front was pushed open, and the person who came in moved very carefully. Ji Ruan put down his phone and met Gu Xiuyi's eyes.
He was staring at a head of messy hair and a sausage-like mouth, while Gu Xiuyi was dressed neatly and looked refreshed. Ji Ruan felt very unbalanced at that moment.
Gu Xiuyi didn't notice Ji Ruan's anger, and came over to hug him with a smile: "Are you awake?"
"You!..." Ji Ruan paused, barely suppressed his anger and turned his head to look for something.
Gu Xiuyi held his shoulders, skillfully found the external machine and put it on him, then kissed the corner of his lips: "Speak, baby."
Ji Ruan pushed him away!
No push...
“You!…” His chest rose and fell for a few seconds, and he had to choose to reconcile with the strong arms around him, pointing at his lips: “You’re doing it for the sake of watching!”
"What's wrong? Let me take a look." Gu Xiuyi seemed to really not understand, and held Ji Ruan's face to check: "It's fine, there's no broken skin and no swelling."
“But it’s very red!”
Ji Ruan was almost annoyed. There were so many people outside today. How could he go out in this state?
"No," Gu Xiuyi laughed, "No, I put lipstick on you."
"……ah?"
Gu Xiuyi looked at Ji Ruan's dazed look and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He wiped his lips with his fingertips and asked, "Do you feel sticky?"
Ji Ruan smacked his lips and said, "Hmm... maybe a little?"
"I was afraid your lips would become chapped, so I put on some lipstick. Maybe it has some color, so it looks red," Gu Xiuyi patted his back to comfort him, "It's okay, baby, we can wash it off and it won't be red anymore."
Ji Ruan was relieved, and after a pause, he felt something was wrong: "How come you have lipstick?"
Based on his understanding of Gu Xiuyi, this person is the type who would not choose to wear lipstick even in the cold winter.
"I asked Li Suian to bring it here," Gu Xiuyi said with a look of disdain, "I don't know how he chose the color."
"Oh, so that's it..." Ji Ruan pursed her lips.
Gu Xiuyi looked at him, suddenly raised his eyebrows, and pinched his cheek: "What are you thinking about?"
Ji Ruan's eyes wandered: "Nothing."
Gu Xiuyi suddenly felt a sense of pleasure of being checked on, and pulled Ji Ruan into his arms, Oh, good boy, I'm holding you now.
"Are you feeling uncomfortable?" He gently touched Ji Ruan's soft hair: "Are you not seasick?"
Ji Ruan felt it and said, "It should be no, but I don't feel like I have much strength."
Gu Xiuyi smiled: "Of course you don't have the energy to lie down all the time. Now that you've woken up, get up. I'll take you for a walk on the deck."
Ji Ruan also felt that he needed to move around, so he nodded obediently: "Okay."
As a result, because he was too well behaved, he was picked up and bitten again.
Before going out, Ji Ruan washed his mouth carefully, but he was still a little worried and took out his mobile phone to take pictures from time to time.
Gu Xiuyi hugged him and avoided the crowd, helplessly: "Okay, it's really clean now, there's no color at all."
Not only was it not red, it even returned to its usual pale appearance. Gu Xiuyi stared at Ji Ruan's lip beads and felt a little distressed. It would be better for her to keep using that lipstick, at least she wouldn't look as sickly as she does now.
By the time Ji Ruan had taken a nap, the cruise ship was already different from when he came, with people coming and going and bustling about.
Ji Ruan had never met most of these people. According to Gu Xiuyi, they were some of the old man’s close friends and family, as well as many dignitaries and celebrities, and even quite a few media reporters.
Ji Ruan passed by and was protected by Gu Xiuyi and refused to be interviewed. His eyes widened a little and he whispered in Gu Xiuyi's ear: "Is it so grand?"
Gu Xiuyi curled his lips indifferently: "Grandpa's request is that the media report it simultaneously, so that the people of the whole city and even the whole country can celebrate his 80th birthday together."
Ji Ruan couldn't quite understand this mentality, so he just shut up and didn't ask any more questions. The sun was shining brightly on the deck, and in the evening the setting sun was splashing down, making the river sparkle.
Ji Ruan looked down from the railing. There was another layer below. The water surface was not too far from him and was extremely calm. No wonder he didn't feel seasick at all. The weather was so good and the waves were small. The boat was moving very slowly and he could hardly feel the shaking.
Gu Xiuyi casually said, "The space down there is mainly for the crew to move around. Banquets are held up there, so they won't come up unless there's something going on."
"Oh." After hearing this, Ji Ruan stretched his neck to take a look. Sure enough, there were people in sailor uniforms walking back and forth in the corridor on the lower floor. If you didn't know, you would think they were really on the sea.
"This is also what Grandpa asked for," Gu Xiuyi smiled and shook his head: "Even if we can't really go to the sea, the equipment must be the same as sailing, even the clothes of the crew."
Ji Ruan exclaimed: "It's not easy for him to think about that even though he is so sick."
Although it was already evening, the sun was still quite hot. Gu Xiuyi didn't let Ji Ruan stay outside for too long. After a walk, he took him into the lobby.
"——Mr. Gu! I'm looking for you." Li Suian came over with champagne, and a beautiful woman followed him.
"Long time no see, Mr. Gu." The beautiful woman greeted with a smile.
Gu Xiuyi nodded: "Long time no see Li Yuan, come and play, you're welcome."
"I know. I will."
Gu Xiuyi hugged Ji Ruan and introduced: "This is Li Suian's girlfriend, Li Yuan. - This is my love, Ji Ruan."
The beautiful woman greeted Ji Ruan generously, and Ji Ruan responded with a smile.
"She's my fiancée now." Li Suian coughed and corrected.
Gu Xiuyi raised his eyebrows: "Proposed?"
Li Yuan smiled a little embarrassedly: "Yesterday."
Gu Xiuyi nodded in understanding: "Congratulations."
Someone came to toast them again. Gu Xiuyi said a few words to Ji Ruan, then went to socialize with Li Suian. Ji Ruan and Li Yuan sat down on the sofa in the corner to rest.
Li Yuan handed Ji Ruan a glass of lemonade, looked at Ji Ruan and let out a long sigh: "I finally see you in person."
Ji Ruan thanked him and took the cup. He just took a sip and raised his eyes when he heard the words: "Have you heard of me?"
"Of course." Li Yuan brushed her long curly hair, her temperament was leisurely: "Boss Gu often asks Sui An about love issues, such as how to give her boyfriend a sense of security, how to make the relationship intimate, etc. Maybe Boss Gu wants to have a good relationship with you but doesn't know how."
Ji Ruan was a little surprised: "Does he often ask these questions?"
"Isn't it?" Li Yuan sighed and laughed, "Sui'an just pretends to be good at talking in front of his friends, but he's actually a half-baked person. Every time Mr. Gu asks him, he comes back and asks me. I've heard your name so many times that I'm tired of it."
Ji Ruan wanted to laugh, but held back her smile: "This... Doctor Li seems to have a high EQ and is quite experienced in love, right?"
"How could he have that?!" Li Yuan laughed. "As for his emotional intelligence, I trained him day by day for three years. Otherwise, why do you think he and Mr. Gu could become friends?"
That really hits the nail on the head.
It can’t be said that there is a big problem with Gu Xiuyi’s emotional intelligence, but it is unstable, very unstable. Sometimes he is so high that it makes people blush and their hearts beat fast, and sometimes he falls into the Grand Canyon of East Africa. It is difficult for him to maintain a stable level.
Ji Ruan felt like she had met a soulmate: "You are absolutely right, Sister Xiaoyuan."
Li Yuan waved her hand: "By the way, your lipstick is also mine."
She said, "Today, Mr. Gu suddenly asked Suian to bring one over, but we were already in the car at that time. I happened to have two unopened ones in my bag, so I gave one to you. What do you think? I feel it is very moisturizing and easy to use."
Speaking of this, Ji Ruan felt a little embarrassed. It was moisturizing, but the color was really not good.
He laughed out loud: "It's very useful and very moisturizing."
"Really?" Li Yuan was very happy to get the affirmation: "I have another one here, if you like it, I'll give it to you too!"
Ji Ruan was shocked and waved his hands quickly: "No, no, no, no, I——"
Before he finished speaking, he suddenly stopped and looked over Li Yuan's shoulder to the back, his brows slightly furrowed, his eyes full of surprise and doubt.
Li Yuan looked back immediately. There was nothing there, nothing special except the guests coming and going.
"What... is wrong with you?" she asked tentatively.
Ji Ruan's heart skipped a beat.
Just now, he saw a very familiar figure in the crowd.
——It was Lin Qing who had disappeared for several months.
But it was gone in a flash, and disappeared in the crowd in an instant, making Ji Ruan even feel that he was seeing things.
But that moment was clear and exceptionally real.
Ji Ruan frowned, and searched the crowded lobby, where people were toasting and chatting, but he could not find that figure anymore.
In the huge banquet hall, the crowd swam like fish, and gradually dispersed at a certain second. Ji Ruan saw Bai Yue holding champagne.
He was wearing a small white suit and slowly met Ji Ruan's gaze.
Could it be that he mistook Bai Yue for Lin Qing?
That shouldn't be the case. The two people don't look alike at all, so it's impossible for him to make a mistake.
But Lin Qing had absolutely no conditions to board this cruise ship, and there seemed to be no other reason except that he had made a mistake.
"Ji Ruan?" Li Yuan touched his shoulder, her eyes starting to change from doubt to worry: "Are you okay?"
Ji Ruan came back to his senses and smiled at Li Yuan: "It's okay, I just... saw an acquaintance."
Bai Yue walked towards Ji Ruan holding champagne, with a suspicious look in his eyes: "Were you looking at me just now?"
"...No." Ji Ruan was a little upset.
Bai Yue raised his eyebrows, obviously not believing it.
Ji Ruan sighed, and had to suppress the doubt in his heart, and picked a random topic: "Yes, the Han embroidery you ordered from me has been completed, don't you need to check it?"
Ever since his failure in the business world, Bai Yue has never appeared in front of Ji Ruan again, probably because he felt ashamed.
He tilted his head, his face turned bad, and he reluctantly said, "Okay, take me to see it."
The embroidery had been brought over by Song Ling and should be in the hall now. Ji Ruan was about to get up to contact Song Ling when soothing music suddenly sounded in the hall.
Then the heavy curtains in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows were slowly drawn, the lights in the room suddenly dimmed, and a spotlight lit up on the high platform at the front of the lobby.
A caregiver pushed a wheelchair slowly forward, and in the wheelchair was the protagonist of today's birthday party - Gu Changyun.
Li Yuan stood up and stood beside Ji Ruan, whispering, "I'm afraid it's too late for you, the show has already started."
Gu Changyun changed into a bright red coat with delicate "Fu" characters embroidered on the silk fabric, which barely made his gloomy face look a little festive.
There was also a man in a suit standing on the stage with a microphone in his hand. He should be the hired host.
After Gu Changyun was slowly pushed to the center of the stage, the host held a cue card and passionately read out a blessing. Then he squatted beside Gu Changyun and asked him to say a few words with a smile on his face.
Gu Changyun tilted his head slightly towards the microphone and began breathing heavily before he opened his mouth. The slow "ho ho" sounds sounded like the whispers of an old beast from deep in a cave.
He spoke each word hoarsely and slowly: "Everyone is welcome... Don't be shy... Enjoy as you like..."
It was quiet all around. The guests who had not seen Gu Changyun in person for a long time exchanged surprised and meaningful looks with each other. They couldn't believe that the old chairman who once controlled the Gu Group was now in such a terminally ill state.
The host was quite professional. He ignored the unusual silence in the audience due to shock, laughed twice, and said happily: "I heard that your juniors have carefully prepared birthday gifts. Don't you want to take a look?"
This was obviously a line that had been prepared long ago, but Gu Changyun smiled with satisfaction as if he had no idea: "Really? Then let's see what the children think."
It was as if he was really a kind elder.
The guests had different expressions, but they still cooperated and applauded warmly.
It was a harmonious scene with both the host and the guests enjoying themselves.
For a moment, Ji Ruan felt a pair of burning eyes staring at him. He tilted his head and saw Bai Yue folding his arms and looking at the stage.
The other guests around were all shocked at Gu Changyun's current condition and no one was paying any attention to him. He turned around, feeling a heavy sense of uneasiness.
Suddenly, a hand climbed onto Ji Ruan's shoulder.
Ji Ruan's back stiffened and he shuddered and jumped away almost reflexively.
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