Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Gu Yubai’s eyes were filled with wonder.

Truthfully, this wasn’t the first time Gu Yubai had been captivated by Yu Li’s looks. The longer he spent with Yu Li, the more he sensed an unparalleled charm beneath his already exceptionally handsome appearance.

He stared at the young man leaning against the door, momentarily at a loss for words.

What could he say? That Yu Li was too good-looking, and he couldn’t tear his eyes away? Yet, he knew perfectly well that his admiration for Yu Li was purely platonic.

Gu Yubai remained silent, and Yu Li gave him a curious glance.

Suddenly, Yu Li couldn’t help but frown slightly. The smile faded from his face as he instinctively took two steps forward and placed a hand on Gu Yubai’s forehead.

Clear concern was etched between Yu Li’s brows.

“Why do you suddenly look so dazed? Did my sudden appearance scare you? Or have you run into some trouble lately?”

His palm carried a pleasant, dry warmth.

Gu Yubai’s eyelashes fluttered uncontrollably beneath his touch. He instinctively clenched his teeth, his expression tightening slightly.

When Yu Li’s hand slid away from his forehead, Gu Yubai jolted back to attention.

Before Yu Li could speak again, he quickly blurted, “What trouble could I possibly have? I just didn’t realize someone was behind me and… thought a thief had broken in. I was even preparing to fight off the intruder.”

After saying this, he shot Yu Li an annoyed glare and pressed a hand to his chest, feigning a startled expression.

In truth, his heart was pounding.

The thudding in his chest was almost audible.

Gu Yubai didn’t dare move his hand, afraid that if he did, the loud beating of his heart would be heard by Yu Li.

“Do you know how terrifying it is to be startled like that? The moment I got home, I saw your room door open and all your things gone. I really thought a thief had broken in.”

Gu Yubai preemptively deflected. The suspicion in Yu Li’s eyes gradually faded.

He smiled again.

“Sorry about that. I didn’t realize you’d come back at such a coincidental time. I’d just moved my things downstairs when you returned.”

Downstairs?

Gu Yubai’s eyes widened slightly. He instinctively raised his head, his gaze meeting Yu Li’s, which was filled with warm amusement.

“Your place downstairs is all renovated? Why didn’t you air it out longer?”

He casually turned his head away, avoiding Yu Li’s seemingly deep and beautiful eyes—eyes that, when he smiled, seemed to look at anything with affection.

He asked casually,

“By the way, where have you been these past days? You didn’t even tell me. Do you still consider me a friend?”

“Of course I consider you a friend. I went abroad for a meeting at headquarters, but I thought I mentioned it to you. Maybe you forgot.”

Yu Li picked up a broom and dustpan and began tidying the room.

“I’m really sorry for making you worry all these days. I was so swamped—nonstop meetings day and night—that I forgot to shoot you a text on WeChat.”

He lightly nudged Gu Yubai, signaling for him to move aside.

“No need to apologize. I was just a little worried since you’d been gone so long. Now that I know you’re fine, I’m relieved.”

Gu Yubai stepped aside, leaning against the wall as he watched Yu Li clean the room without helping.

Yu Li was tall and lanky, and he worked efficiently. In no time, the room he had occupied was put back in order.

If not for the fact that he was standing there cleaning, no one would have guessed someone had lived there just by looking at the spotless room.

A pang of irritation stirred in Gu Yubai’s chest.

He chalked this frustration up to not wanting to part with a close friend. Fortunately, Yu Li was just downstairs, and Gu Yihong was coming back soon. At least there would still be someone to keep him company at home.

Gu Yubai lifted his foot and gave the door a light kick.

Lazily, he said, “You still haven’t answered my earlier question.”

He was clearly just making small talk, but Yu Li stopped what he was doing and turned to him, seriously trying to remember the question.

“Didn’t I answer? I did! I went on a business trip, I consider you a friend, and I even apologized!”

Gu Yubai couldn’t help but laugh.

He coughed, his voice tinged with laughter.

“If I say you didn’t answer, then you didn’t. Think carefully—what was my first question?”

“I distinctly asked, ‘Is your place downstairs all renovated? Why didn’t you air it out longer?’”

Yu Li looked completely exasperated.

He could tell Gu Yubai was just killing time. With the room now tidy, he walked over to where Gu Yubai was blocking the door, broom and dustpan in hand.

His voice was low as he chuckled softly.

“Stop messing around.”

Then, tilting his chin slightly, he gestured for Gu Yubai to move.

Gu Yubai followed Yu Li, watching as he took out the trash. His gaze suddenly landed on the area beneath Yu Li’s eyes.

The skin there was slightly shadowed, a clear sign of lack of sleep.

Only then did Gu Yubai truly believe that Yu Li had indeed been buried in work for days.

If he hadn’t been so busy, he wouldn't have even had time to send a simple message, nor would the dark circles under his eyes be so pronounced.

After setting down the broom, Yu Li couldn’t suppress a yawn, his eyes instantly watering slightly.

Gu Yubai crossed his arms.

“You look exhausted…”

Yu Li rolled his eyes. “Fine, I’m leaving!”

True to his word, Yu Li waved goodbye and headed for the door.

Just as Gu Yubai thought he was really leaving, Yu Li suddenly turned back and gave him a bright smile.

"I wonder who it was earlier that couldn't bear to see me leave, hinting and asking if I should move out. Now that I'm really leaving, you don't say a word."

"How about... you come downstairs with me to see my newly renovated place?"

The young man patiently waited for Gu Yubai's reply. Gu Yubai felt like he was being fooled by Yu Li again—he clearly knew Yu Li was teasing him, yet he still moved forward helplessly.

Gu Yubai said stubbornly, "It was you who invited me to see it, not me bothering you when I knew you were exhausted."

"Mm-hmm, I know, it was my invitation. Could you check for any issues with my renovated place so I can have Assistant Jin fix them later?"

There couldn’t possibly be any issues with the renovation.

Yu Li simply noticed Gu Yubai’s slightly downcast mood, realizing he wasn’t used to the sudden absence of someone in the house, so he invited him downstairs to see the new decor.

Yu Li found it amusing.

Gu Yubai was really... clingy.

Such a clingy kid.

Usually appearing refined, gentle, and poised, but in reality, he was like a beautiful cat quick to feel lonely, always wanting someone around.

By now, Gu Yubai had already figured it out.

Yu Li had only moved in because his own home was destroyed in an accidental fire, and after being entrusted by Elder Su to look after him, he discovered that Gu Yihong had usurped his identity as the True Young Master. Worried there might be hidden conflicts, Yu Li had asked for his permission before moving in.

Now that Yu Li had returned from his business trip and his place was fully renovated, there was no reason to stay at Gu Yubai’s anymore.

There was a tinge of disappointment, but not much—after all, they lived just one floor apart.

Yu Li’s newly renovated home was stunning, with an overall American-style aesthetic. A holiday-green leather sofa stood beside a potted banana plant nearly shoulder-height.

The balcony was spacious and bright, with a large, spotless floor-to-ceiling window. The curtains were made of pure white lace with intricate patterns, layered yet surprisingly light, while also providing excellent blackout—once drawn, they completely blocked out the streetlights outside.

The kitchen, study, bedroom—Yu Li’s home even had a dedicated workout room, equipped with a brand-new treadmill and abdominal bench.

Gu Yubai was so engrossed that he turned to ask Yu Li how good the treadmill was, only to find him already fast asleep on his own holiday-green leather sofa.

Yu Li was fast asleep. Gu Yubai crouched in front of the sofa, watching him for a long while, but Yu Li didn’t stir.

Helpless, Gu Yubai tiptoed toward the door, closing it so softly that the latch made only the faintest click.

-------

The gift Gu Yihong had sent from afar was truly "small but meaningful."

He had actually mailed Gu Yubai a quill pen.

Unwrapping the package, Gu Yubai couldn’t help but curse Gu Yihong for wasting money.

The shipping cost alone was more expensive than the quill itself—especially when he realized its origin was just in the neighboring city. Gu Yubai was completely exasperated.

This was completely pointless—something that could’ve been bought locally. Who knows why Gu Yihong picked it while shopping.

Was it just a half-hearted gift to appease him? And here he’d been looking forward to it.

Angry, Gu Yubai immediately called Gu Yihong, scolded him before demanding he hurry back.

School was starting in half a month, and they’d agreed to get their driver’s licenses together. Yet Gu Yihong had been procrastinating abroad, hadn't even started driving lessons.

Gu Yubai, on the other hand, had already completed his required hours for the road test (Subject 3) and scheduled the exam. He’d even booked the theoretical test (Subject 4) for the same day—if he passed both, he’d get his license the next day.

That hopeless guy Gu Yihong had stood him up again.

In the video call, he vowed repeatedly to Gu Yubai, "I’ll definitely make it back before school starts! It’s not like I wanted this—getting sick isn’t something I can control. The doctor here is insisting I rest and take medication. Look at all the pills these foreigners prescribed me!"

The camera panned to show numerous medicine bottles on Gu Yihong’s bedside table.

Faced with this, Gu Yubai had no choice but to relent.

"Pull yourself together and take care of your health."

Since when was his little brother this fragile? Baffled, Gu Yubai decided to make him follow a strict workout routine once he returned.

"By the way, since you won’t make it back on time, you probably can’t join the hiking trip Song Yao organized for both classes. Remember to call her—she’s been asking about you."

Gu Yihong mumbled in agreement, coughed twice, said he needed water, and hung up.

The family car hadn’t been driven since their foster father’s accident after the college entrance exams, now covered in a thick layer of dust.

After getting his license, Gu Yubai took the car for a drive, refueled, washed it, and gave it a full maintenance check.

Once everything was ready, he drove straight to the neighboring city’s convalescent home.

Even though his father had 24/7 care, not seeing him for over a month had made Gu Yubai genuinely worried.

He stayed at the center for another week, returning to Mingcheng only the day before the class trip.

Not long after arriving home, his phone rang.

Caller ID: Yu Li.

Yu Li said he was with a client, couldn’t spare the time, and didn't want to use a courier—so he asked Gu Yubai to deliver a file from his study to the company.

Such a small favor—Gu Yubai readily agreed.

He told Yu Li, "Your timing is perfect. One day earlier, and I wouldn’t even have been in Mingcheng."

Yu Li gave a light chuckle.

"Guess we’re really fated then. What’s that saying—'an invisible red thread connects those destined to meet'..."

"Cut it out! I think you’re teasing me."

The real saying is "fate brings people together across great distances, while those without fate might never meet even when standing face to face."