Chapter 56

Chapter 56

Before, Yu Li had been a pitiful, rejected stray, a dog utterly heartbroken by Gu Yubai’s refusal.

But now, having heard Gu Yubai personally offer him a chance to pursue, Yu Li was a large, fierce dog, eyes gleaming with renewed fighting spirit.

A dog, nonetheless.

A dog’s nature is to never let go of any food within reach, save for its master. This instinct perfectly aligned with Yu Li’s shrewd businessman’s soul.

Gu Yubai was exasperated, almost amused, by Yu Li’s question.

He shouldn’t have given this man an inch. He hadn’t even won him over yet, and he was already getting jealous.

The corner of his mouth twitched as he said pointedly, “Don’t you think you’re overstepping a bit right now?”

Yu Li, feigning ignorance of the underlying meaning, shamelessly retorted, “Am I? But if I’m overstepping, why are you still holding my hand?”

Gu Yubai was caught off guard by Yu Li’s sudden counterattack. His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the brazen man.

Then, slowly, his gaze drifted to their tightly clasped hands.

More accurately, it was Yu Li gripping Gu Yubai’s hand.

Even now, he showed no intention of letting go.

Gu Yubai’s fingers twitched slightly, as if to pull away, but in the next second, Yu Li tugged his hand to his lips.

Under Gu Yubai’s unimpressed gaze, Yu Li smirked unrepentantly and kissed the back of his hand.

Gu Yubai’s lips twitched again. “President Yu, when did your skin get thicker than a city wall? Who’s the one refusing to let go here?”

Yu Li ignored the question, still holding Gu Yubai’s hand, even attempting to tuck it into his trouser pocket.

Gu Yubai scoffed lightly. “Giving an inch and taking a mile—that’s you, Yu Li.”

Yet there wasn’t a trace of anger in his tone. The way he spoke to Yu Li sounded more like playful banter, prompting Yu Li to press his lips together tightly before flashing Gu Yubai a sheepish yet pleased smile.

Yu Li said, “I’m very glad I’m skilled at pushing my luck. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have gotten myself such a cute boyfriend today.”

He turned his head to smile at Gu Yubai, whose cheeks flushed slightly. Gu Yubai didn’t dare meet Yu Li’s gaze—those beautiful, tender eyes that seemed to shimmer with emotion—and instead looked away without another word.

Anyone could tell Gu Yubai was helpless against such shamelessness.

He muttered under his breath, “Not your boyfriend yet.”

But, who cared? From today onward, Yu Li had already staked his claim on Gu Yubai.

They had arrived in separate cars, but now they were leaving in one.

Yu Li’s car remained at the airport—he said he’d have Assistant Jin retrieve it later.

Gu Yubai was still the one driving.

He had asked Yu Li about his schedule, expecting to drop him off at the company for overtime work, but Yu Li insisted on going home with him.

Yu Li: “If I remember correctly, your school starts tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah, first day for freshmen,” Gu Yubai replied.

“President Yu, you’re really robbing the cradle this time.”

With that, Gu Yubai bit back a smile, his sharp, boyish features suddenly taking on a hint of sweetness.

Gu Yubai knew that, accounting for his psychological age, he was about the same as Yu Li—otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so particularly receptive to Yu Li’s way of doing things.

But outsiders didn’t know that. To them, Gu Yubai was just an eighteen-year-old freshman starting college this year.

If the two of them were seen together, no one would assume they were a couple.

At most, they’d think it was an older brother taking his younger sibling out shopping.

Gu Yubai couldn’t help but laugh. While driving, he shot Yu Li a sidelong glance, quickly returning his attention to the road before the other could react.

Yu Li thumbed through his phone and nodded.

“Yeah, your brother keeps calling me an old fogey.”

His teasing tone carried a hint of complaint before he turned to look at Gu Yubai seriously.

Mischief sparkled in Yu Li’s eyes.

He asked, “Between me and your brother, who’s more important?”

Gu Yubai didn’t hesitate. “Of course, Gu Yihong is more important.”

Yu Li immediately fell silent, gobsmacked and mildly put out. He tossed his phone aside, crossed his arms, and sat quietly in the passenger seat.

Gu Yubai didn’t notice Yu Li’s odd mood.

He was puzzled by Yu Li’s sudden silence but only glanced at him briefly before focusing on the road again.

A few seconds later, a voice dripping with performative resignation came from beside him.

“I know… I came too late. It’s only natural that I come after your adoptive father and brother in your heart. I’ll take third place. I just hope that one day, I can be first.”

Gu Yubai immediately refuted him.

“That’s impossible. First place in my heart will always be my adoptive father. Second is my brother, Gu Yihong.”

Yu Li sputtered.

He was truly at a loss for words, let alone able to keep up the pitiful act.

Gu Yubai snorted.

He took a hand off the steering wheel to pat Yu Li’s shoulder in consolation, only to find himself touching gelled-up hair instead.

Yu Li butted his head against Gu Yubai’s palm, then looked up at him with puppy-dog eyes, the very picture of wounded pride.

Gu Yubai quirked a smile at him, drawling as he comforted his newly appointed would-be boyfriend.

“Why’d you shove your head at me? Now my hand’s covered in hair product. Do you dump a whole bottle of gel on your head every day or something?”

Before Yu Li could speak, Gu Yubai quickly coughed, his tone casual as if nothing had happened.

"But gel works too."

"You may not compete for first place with my adoptive father, but at least you have a chance to share second place with Gu Yihong."

Gu Yubai was amused by his own words, his lips quirking in a smirk as he shot a challenging glance at Yu Li.

As if challenging: did Yu Li dare to fight for the second spot in Gu Yubai’s heart?

Would he... dare to set aside his pride and intelligence, to give up first place and compete for second?

A single look carried two questions.

Yu Li clenched his fingers tightly, staring at Gu Yubai, whose eyes now gleamed with a smug arrogance, so different from his usual gentle composure. It felt as though he was only truly seeing this side of him for the first time.

His heartbeat quickened, from slow to rapid, then to a fierce pounding.

The once pure and innocent eighteen-year-old boy now took on a dazzling, almost provocative allure.

A thrill shot through Yu Li.

He grabbed Gu Yubai’s arm, pressing as close as possible without disturbing his driving.

Yu Li declared, "I can! I’m willing to be second in your heart—willingly, delightedly, even intoxicatedly..."

What was love, if not the desire to uncover the hidden flaws of someone who had only ever shown you their best side?

He was willing to embrace every imperfection in Gu Yubai, even if the other didn’t love him back.

Newly in a relationship and living just upstairs and downstairs, the two should have been inseparable on their drive home.

At least, that was what Yu Li had thought.

But the moment they arrived downstairs, Gu Yubai took a call and was off again.

Only then did Yu Li realize he hadn’t even asked why Gu Yubai had gone to the airport earlier.

He seemed busy.

That afternoon, while Assistant Jin had been helping him check out Mingcheng University, he had subtly inquired and learned that most students on campus today were either early returnees or seniors preparing to welcome new students tomorrow.

Combined with the snide "updates" Gu Yihong had been feeding him these past few days, Yu Li had already figured it out.

If Gu Yubai didn’t return early tonight, Yu Li wouldn’t get a chance to go upstairs and spend time with him. And tomorrow, Gu Yubai might be busy all day.

So what was the point of coming home early now?!

Feeling his time had been wasted, Yu Li pulled out his phone, turned around, and headed back downstairs. He might as well go back to work—at least that would be productive.

----

On the university registration day, Gu Yihong was absent.

Though he couldn’t get his driver’s license just yet, after completing the required hours for the second test, Mingcheng’s rules allowed him to take the theory test in the morning and the road test in the afternoon.

While each test took no more than sixty minutes, the sheer number of examinees and the poor scheduling by the vehicle management office and driving instructors meant Gu Yihong would be stuck there all day.

Unable to monitor his brother’s progress with Lin Xuyan, he was sick of complaining.

Thinking of Lin Xuyan reminded him of another... good-for-nothing he had once pinned his hopes on!

Yu Li was a true workaholic. Apart from that one accidental encounter, Gu Yihong hadn’t seen him again before the semester started.

Fortunately, out of respect for his brother, Gu Yihong had reluctantly added Yu Li on WeChat. These days, he occasionally slipped him tidbits about his brother’s interactions with Lin Xuyan—though maliciously, Yu Li still hadn’t blocked him!

Another piece of evidence that Yu Li was after his brother!

Such forbearance showed exactly how much he loved Gu Yubai!

Otherwise, no ordinary person could tolerate a future brother-in-law as infuriating as him.

Gu Yihong snickered to himself at Yu Li’s patience, then immediately came up with another scheme.

He wasn’t allowing Yu Li near his brother—he was using Yu Li to drive away the hated Lin Xuyan!

Gu Yihong’s face darkened as he stared at the photo his brother had just posted on WeChat.

Was it really necessary to stand so close and smile so brightly just for orientation?

Why did his brother have to be so nice to someone like Lin Xuyan?

They were even wearing coordinating vests like a couple!

After finishing his morning test, Gu Yihong left a comment under his brother’s latest post while having lunch with fellow trainees.

"Wow, big bro, you look amazing in Mingcheng University’s red vest! Is orientation over? Want me to help tomorrow? I’m so free~"

His tone was sweet and playful, playing the part of the cute little brother—but his expression was cold.

Scrolling through Gu Yubai’s WeChat feed, Gu Yihong noticed Lin Xuyan had been practically glued to his brother these past few days, appearing in every photo and standing alarmingly close!

A formidable opponent!

A smooth operator!

Gu Yihong was growing anxious. Would his brother introduce Lin Xuyan as his boyfriend in a few days?

Lin Xuyan—who did he think he was?!

His brother was meant to shine alone!

Just like in their past life, with no lovers or boyfriends coming between them. Gu Yihong would always be Gu Yubai’s most beloved and important little brother!

It wasn’t that Gu Yihong was deluding himself—it was simply the truth.

Why else had his brother left all his inheritance to him in their past life, giving nothing to Su Linyuan, their biological half-brother who later became disabled? Because he was the one who mattered most!

Gu Yihong decided that if his brother wanted to date, he would handpick the candidates himself.

Every person he chose would be better than Lin Xuyan, love Gu Yubai more deeply, yet never threaten his unique position as the favored brother!

Among the flood of comments under Gu Yubai’s post, Gu Yihong’s was quickly buried.

Even after passing his afternoon driving test, he received no reply from his brother.

Gu Yihong gritted his teeth, grinding Lin Xuyan’s name between his teeth.

His brother... appeared to have completely forgotten about him because of Lin Xuyan.

This. Would. Not. Stand!