Chapter 82

Chapter 82

The next day, Gu Yubai awoke feeling utterly drained.

An indescribable ache and numbness radiated from his lower back downwards, as if his legs and knees had outright mutinied from being pounded too many times. Even his waist still burned from where Yu Li had gripped him tightly for so long.

His throat was raw, his voice a hoarse whisper. His jaw ached fiercely, and his throat still felt like something was lodged in it.

At least his body felt fresh, free of any sticky residue.

Gu Yubai vaguely recalled that just before he lost consciousness, Yu Li had let out a low, sensual laugh and carried him to the bathroom. Everything after that was a blank.

Dazed, he swam back to awareness and realized it was almost ten in the morning.

Yu Li wasn’t beside him.

But Gu Yubai wasn’t worried about him leaving. He knew very well that he'd chosen Yu Li precisely because the man made him feel utterly secure.

Yu Li was exceptional, too.

Over the past two years of their relationship, he'd figured out exactly what kind of dynamic would make Gu Yubai love him even more.

If Yu Li’s affection for Gu Yubai had been sparked by love at first sight, deepening over time, then Gu Yubai’s feelings for Yu Li had started with just being drawn to his looks and aura, gradually growing into something deeper through their daily interactions.

As Gu Yubai had once admitted, in terms of love, his contribution paled in comparison to what Yu Li gave.

At this hour, Yu Li was probably out arranging lunch.

He couldn’t just laze in bed.

Gu Yubai tried to get up, only to find his lower body stiff and uncooperative, like gears jammed with debris. It took him a couple of seconds to regain control of his legs.

As he sat up, the thin blanket slid off his shoulders, brushing against his chest—

Gu Yubai hissed sharply at the sting of chafed skin.

Instinctively, he looked down—then immediately flushed crimson.

He gritted his teeth.

Yu Li was an absolute animal!

How could he have… not only left them bitten red and puffy but actually broken the skin?!

At least the marks had been treated with ointment.

As Gu Yubai dressed in front of the wardrobe, he could still faintly smell the medicinal scent. Standing before the mirror, he adjusted his clothes until he was bundled up to his chin, finally feeling a little more composed.

The embarrassment slowly faded.

Taking a deep breath, he steeled his flustered nerves and prepared to face Yu Li.

He had never been this physically intimate with anyone before.

Even in his past life, he'd been hardcore straight, never considering romance, let alone surrounding himself with romantic entanglements.

This time, with Yu Li…

He had thought he was ready for intimacy. But when it came down to it, he—he just couldn’t handle Yu Li’s relentless demands.

The experience had been beyond his comprehension.

He had imagined whispered sweet nothings and slow lovemaking, prepared to endure whatever came with it. But the reality had been an entirely different kind of mind-blowing rapture.

Remembering their feverish kisses and tangled limbs from the night before, his ears burned red again.

In the mirror, his flushed face rivaled the blush of dawn, his eyes damp and shy, his entire body exuding an irresistible allure, ripe for the taking, making one's mouth water.

Just then, Yu Li pushed the door open, his gaze clinging hungrily to Gu Yubai once more.

The heat in his eyes was enough to drag Gu Yubai back to their heated coupling of the previous night.

A sudden touch at his lower back made Gu Yubai shiver.

He finally noticed Yu Li behind him, the scorching wall of his chest pressing against his back, Yu Li’s hot breath fanning over his neck.

Glancing at the glaring daylight outside, Gu Yubai nudged Yu Li away.

“B-Back off.”

It was broad daylight!

He had never known he could be this bashful!

Yu Li let out a dark, sexy rumble.

He obediently stepped back, though his gaze, still heavy-lidded with want, remained shamelessly fixed on Gu Yubai’s face, brimming with adoration—as if Gu Yubai were the most breathtaking sight in the world.

Gu Yubai had no doubt that, at this moment, he was the most priceless treasure in Yu Li’s heart.

Not even all the riches of a kingdom could tempt Yu Li to trade him away.

Putting quick distance between them, Gu Yubai opened the window before turning back.

Yu Li had already tidied the room, so there was no need for Gu Yubai to do anything pointless.

He didn’t dare look at Yu Li, afraid that one glance would have his carefully donned clothes ripped right off him.

Yu Li instinctively took a step toward him, his voice molten soft.

“Lunch is ready. Your… *ahem* baby brother was just asking why you were still sleeping in. He said his semester starts soon—his flight’s tomorrow—and he wants to go over the details with you.”

It was true. The new term was approaching.

But Gu Yubai had already taken leave, staying at the rehabilitation center to accompany his comatose adoptive father through recovery treatments.

Yu Li was busy, too.

The fact that he had flown over last night likely meant he'd mostly wrapped up the engagement arrangements, and he had come to give him the rundown.

He didn’t want to overthink things either.

Gu Yubai recalled what Yu Li had said to him the moment he got off the plane last night, and he’d already forgiven him in his heart.

He had already made it clear last night—he wouldn’t make trouble for Yu Li.

"Besides, you’ve already sent out the engagement invitations. Anyone connected to the overseas Yu clan knows your future partner is a man named Gu Yubai."

"Ahem, no way you’d dare to change partners when we officially get married later!"

Gu Yubai’s words carried a faint trace of pride, his expression utterly adorable. Yu Li watched as the other man, despite speaking considerate words, made it sound like playful whining. His face immediately softened into an indulgent smile.

"Of course not."

Yu Li tightly grasped Gu Yubai’s hand, instinctively bringing it to his nose for a deep inhale, as if tempted to taste it.

Gu Yubai glared at him.

Only then did Yu Li reluctantly lower Gu Yubai’s hand.

He declared, "If I dare change grooms, let me drop dead!"

His gaze was solemn, but before Gu Yubai could cover his mouth, his expression melted back into tenderness.

"I’d rather not be the Yu Family Patriarch than be separated from you."

Even with memories of two lifetimes, Yu Li was still new to romance, behaving like an infatuated youth.

He clung to Gu Yubai, drowning him in sweet talk.

At first, Gu Yubai was still a little shy, but when he realized he had unknowingly been led back to bed, his expression darkened instantly.

So the sweet talk was just bait!

Gu Yubai had no intention of suffering another sore back. He quickly pushed Yu Li away and stood up to leave.

Gu Yubai: "Didn’t you say lunch was ready? Let’s go, let’s go, or else Gu Yihong will be left waiting!"

Yu Li: "...Coming."

Just outside the door, Yu Li saw Gu Yubai frozen in place, leaning stiffly against the wall.

Yu Li hurried forward to ask, "What’s wrong?"

Gu Yubai’s face instantly burned crimson.

Seeing Yu Li about to reach out and grope him, he hastily stopped him.

"I-It’s just... ahem, my hips are a little sore?"

Yu Li’s concerned gaze immediately dropped below Gu Yubai’s waist.

Two seconds later, his smile turned utterly suggestive.

"Oh, overdid it last night, huh?"

Gu Yubai: "..."

Like anyone needed reminding who went wild down there last night.

----

Yu Li personally informed Gu Yubai about the arrangements for their engagement invitations.

After Gu Yihong officially left for school by plane, he stuck around the island with Gu Yubai for almost another week.

It wasn’t until Assistant Jin called repeatedly to urge him that he reluctantly boarded a plane to leave.

Before departing, he made sure to tell Gu Yubai that he’d return as soon as he finished handling the engagement matters.

Gu Yubai pursed his lips, keeping his relief completely hidden, merely nodding obediently.

The moment Yu Li was gone, Gu Yubai finally let out a deep sigh of relief.

Holding his waist, he felt that if Yu Li hadn’t left soon, he might’ve been worked to death.

His kidneys... were shot.

At least Yu Li wasn’t here now.

After resting sufficiently, Gu Yubai fell into a rhythm—spending his days by his adoptive father Gu Mingliang’s hospital bed, handling company affairs, and only returning to sleep at night.

Gu Mingliang, lying on the hospital bed, was just like always.

Gu Yubai had learned from the nurses how to bathe him, massage him, and administer nutrient solutions. When he had time, he would softly recount all the people and events he and Gu Yihong had encountered in this life.

Gu Yubai spoke whatever came to mind, not expecting his comatose father to wake up soon.

Gu Yihong, attending school, occasionally called.

Gu Yubai would hold the phone to Gu Mingliang’s ear, turning on speakerphone so he could listen to Gu Yihong’s ranting about school struggles.

Gu Yihong complained about the endless laws he had to cram daily, griped about his noisy dormmates, and mentioned how he’d thankfully moved into Yu Li’s home now.

He also bitterly announced to Gu Mingliang who Yu Li was, jokingly threatening the unconscious man that if he didn’t wake up soon, he might miss his own son’s wedding.

Finally, he complained about Yu Li’s clout.

Though Gu Yubai was outstanding, apart from his own company, he had no powerful family backing him.

He lamented that if Gu Yubai were ever bullied by Yu Li in the future, a law student couldn’t exactly take down the Yu Family Patriarch.

If Gu Mingliang were still awake, at least he could put Yu Li in his place as an elder.

Hearing this, Gu Yubai couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

He didn’t defend Yu Li.

Gu Yihong wasn’t badmouthing him—he was just still stewing over how Yu Li had taken charge of planning their engagement ceremony without consulting him first!

Total control freak!

So bossy!

Gu Yihong was convinced that as Gu Yubai’s favorite little brother, Yu Li should’ve run it by him!

Of course, Gu Yubai didn’t explain that the Yu clan might have internal drama, and Yu Li keeping him out of it was just dodging drama.

Besides, between the two of them, what counted wasn’t some showy engagement for outsiders. Gu Yubai got Yu Li completely.

Time slipped away bit by bit.

Just before the National Day holiday, nearly a month after the start of the school year, the engagement ceremony between Yu Li and Gu Yubai officially began on the Yu family's private Arctic island overseas.

Though Gu Yubai didn’t show up, Gu Yihong was personally summoned by Yu Li under the guise of family and brought to the island.

On the day of the engagement, Gu Yihong stood with Yu Li at the entrance of the castle to greet important guests, only to lock eyes with the Su family, who had arrived with their invitation.

Gu Yihong didn’t hold back.

His tone dripped sarcasm, but his words cut straight to the point, making it clear that he had no goodwill toward the Su family.

“Well, look who we have here. Who are these people? If it isn’t the prestigious Su family, the talk of Mingcheng for ditching their real son in favor of a false young master!”

Gu Yihong deliberately pretended to look around.

With feigned confusion, he asked, “Huh? So where’s your precious fake heir, Su Shengli? Didn’t you all treasure him like pearls? Where has he gone?”

Those around them who knew the online rumors that Gu Yihong was the Su family’s True Young Master burst into quiet snickers at his mocking words.

The Su family, especially Su Linyuan, went beet-red.

Like anyone here didn’t know about the scandal two years ago involving the Su family and the false young master, Su Shengli?

Gu Yihong was doing this on purpose!

He damn well knew that after Su Shengli had been kicked out of the Su family, he had sold off all his assets and disappeared.

Yet Gu Yihong deliberately brought up this embarrassing topic at such an occasion!

All bark and no bite without Yu Li propping him up.

But... Yu Li’s fiancé, Gu Yubai, was their Su family’s real son!

At this moment, Su Linyuan’s gut twisted with humiliation.

After Su Linyuan, Su Wanlin, and Song Manman were led by staff to seats that, though near the front, were painfully mediocre,

they watched as Gu Yihong, as a family member, sat in the front row, working the room with those around him. Su Linyuan’s already regretful mood grew even heavier.

Only now did he truly realize that the Su clan hadn’t just lost out on perks—it was game-changing connections that could have elevated them further!

And all of this was because, two years ago, the Su family had chosen the false young master, Su Shengli.

Ever since then, though the True Young Master and the Su family acted like strangers passing in the night, the emotional gap between them was so vast they might as well have lived in different universes!