Chapter 97: A Clear Heart (End)

Chapter 97: A Clear Heart (End)

After Christmas was over, when Zhao Yu and Gu Hansheng were about to head back, Mr. Koster came with Meng Qi to see them off at the airport.

Zhao Yu said, "Little Qi, be safe on your trip, and hey, although the girl is a year older than you, you're not allowed to do anything more than hold hands, got it?"

Meng Qi had arranged to travel with the girl he liked, and although his adoptive parents had already reminded him many times, Zhao Yu couldn't help but add a few more words.

"I know, bro. I'd be too shy to even hold her hand." Meng Qi's ears turned red.

"That's good to hear. Also, the university you want to apply to puts a lot of emphasis on community service, so get out there and join more activities."

"I know."

"Most importantly, don't stay up late, or you won't grow tall."

"Bro, when you were my age you stayed up every night, and you still ended up this tall?"

"That's because I love exercising."

It wasn't until they were almost about to miss their flight that Zhao Yu finally said goodbye to them and headed inside with Gu Hansheng.

Unlike Zhao Yu, Meng Qi was a second-gen immigrant. He was born and raised in California and wanted to stay here and build his life. This little guy who once held the restaurant door open for Zhao Yu and almost got blown away by a typhoon had also matured a lot after his mom passed, becoming much more independent.

On the flight back, Zhao Yu looked at the Christmas group photo saved on his phone and suddenly felt guilty. He felt he hadn't given Meng Qi enough attention, making this fifteen-year-old kid grow up too fast.

Seeing his expression, Gu Hansheng said, "I'll help him with his university applications. Don't worry."

"Thanks."

Gu Hansheng said, "He called me 'big sis' yesterday. Why are you still thanking me?"

Zhao Yu laughed. "Meng Qi can be pretty clueless sometimes. Why didn't you just brush it off?"

The person Zhao Yu cared about most was Meng Qi, and since his own brother had given the relationship his stamp of approval, how could Gu Hansheng not accept it? Being called "sister-in-law" wasn't so bad after all.

...

As soon as they got back, Zhao Yu was buried in work again. Jinyan was open all year round, and while he could usually swap days off with Cao Xu, he basically couldn't get any time off during the holidays.

Moreover, he had to come up with new dishes every month. For his persimmon spring rolls, Zhao Yu had hit up several different persimmon orchards before finding the perfect variety with just the right sweetness and a smooth, gooey texture.

But no matter how busy he was—even too busy to text Gu Hansheng back—after closing time, that man would always be waiting at the door.

"Chef Zhao, whipping up a midnight snack for your boyfriend again?" Fatty teased. "Let me get a taste of the new dish too."

"Didn't you already try it?" Zhao Yu picked up a sizzling spring roll from the pan, grinning without any warmth. "Come on, Qingqing, open up, big bro's got you."

"Bro Yu, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Fatty kept backing away. "I won't get in the way of your love life, I'm outta here."

Zhao Yu placed the finished spring rolls into a box, sprinkled some soybean flour on top, then filled a bottle with warm pear soup and stuck a straw in it, so Gu Hansheng could warm his hands with it the moment he walked out.

"Why didn't you wait inside the restaurant?" Zhao Yu asked while locking the door. "Is your cold any better?"

"I just got here when you came out." Gu Hansheng said, "The cold's already gone."

Zhao Yu walked with him to the parking lot. "Seriously, you don't have to pick me up every day. I've been crashing at your place these past few days anyway."

He had said the same thing several times, but ever since returning from Los Angeles, Gu Hansheng had gotten even more stubborn than before—no matter what time Zhao Yu got off, he insisted on coming to get him.

Zhao Yu drove, letting him sit shotgun and enjoy his midnight snack. Zhao Yu's driving had gotten smoother over the past couple of days, and he now knew the route from Jinyan to Gu Hansheng's place by heart.

The spring rolls were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, wrapped in a persimmon pastry shell, with a whole shrimp inside. Because they had been drained of excess oil with soybean flour before packing, they weren't greasy, and the persimmon sweetness was fragrant.

Gu Hansheng picked up a spring roll and was about to take a bite when he suddenly noticed a little cat face drawn on it with sesame seeds. He flipped through the ones underneath—each spring roll had a different expression.

"Is this a signature feature of the new dish?" Gu Hansheng poked the little cat, and its mouth got squished crooked, making it look puffed up with anger.

"Yeah." Zhao Yu said, "That's how they're sold."

"Oh." Gu Hansheng paused, then suddenly said, "Then why didn't the ones my secretary packed for me yesterday have any?"

Caught red-handed, Zhao Yu shifted uncomfortably in his seat, staring straight ahead at the road, a suspicious blush creeping up his ears.

Although it had started with a single sesame seed falling onto a spring roll, he didn't want to admit that while hunched over arranging the little expressions, what he'd actually been thinking about was Gu Hansheng's face. Luckily that idiot Mu Qingqing hadn't noticed, or he'd be cackling about it for ages.

Someone's chopsticks poked at the little cat face repeatedly, and just before taking a bite, he paused and said, "Make me some more tomorrow."

"Tomorrow's won't have faces."

"Then forget it. This limited edition, I'm going to preserve it."

Zhao Yu was about to lose it. "Hurry up and eat! If you're not eating, give them back!"

Gu Hansheng laughed and put the spring roll into his mouth.

He didn't know when it had started, but Zhao Yu had been putting more and more thought into things for him.

Gu Hansheng had once promised to prove his sincerity to Zhao Yu, and only a few months had passed. He felt he still hadn't done nearly enough, yet Zhao Yu never asked for anything, and without realizing it, he had begun treating him well again just like before.

In crowded settings, Zhao Yu's gaze would habitually land on him. He had once said he wouldn't report his whereabouts to Gu Hansheng at all times, but now he would tell him when he went to the persimmon orchard, and he would tell him when he spent the night elsewhere.

The chat box that had once been empty gradually filled with all kinds of content—from initially only brief, necessary exchanges to now often sharing trivial little details.

Gu Hansheng didn't dare ask whether Zhao Yu loved him, only piecing together his feelings from these subtle changes.

Gu Hansheng was willing to trade ten for one—as long as it was Zhao Yu's love, even one was enough.

When the Maybach pulled into Gu Hansheng's garage, Zhao Yu got out, opened the door as familiarly as if it were his own home, changed into his own slippers, and hung up his own coat as a matter of course.

The memories in this villa weren't exactly pleasant. The first time he'd stayed overnight, Zhao Yu had felt some resistance, but as the number of sleepovers increased, new memories covered the old ones. He didn't need to swallow his pride—Gu Hansheng's kisses were always gradual, filled with restraint and longing, only becoming more unrestrained once he received Zhao Yu's response.

The first-floor bedroom Zhao Yu used to stay in had long been cleared out and converted into a storage room. The new bedroom was next to the master bedroom on the second floor, and although it was prepared specifically for him, he'd never had the chance to sleep in it alone.

Zhao Yu had joked that Gu Hansheng was like a fixed-respawn NPC in a game—no matter where he was at night, he'd always respawn in Zhao Yu's bed by morning. But he'd also gotten used to opening his eyes and seeing this person.

That night, it suddenly started snowing heavily. Zhao Yu stood on the second-floor balcony watching the backyard gradually turn white, thinking that if it kept snowing this hard tomorrow, business at the restaurant might be affected—though that also meant he could get off work earlier.

Gu Hansheng walked out of the bathroom drying his hair, still on the phone. "Haihe Tower? Got it... If you don't use your brain, you might as well donate it. Do I need to teach you how to talk?"

Some subordinate was getting scolded again. Gu Hansheng looked up, noticed Zhao Yu watching him, and suddenly changed his tone. "Thank you for explaining things clearly to the old man. If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me... It's fine, I have time."

The person on the other end of the line had no idea why his attitude had suddenly changed so drastically and agreed repeatedly.

After hanging up, Gu Hansheng walked onto the balcony. "Why are you standing here? Aren't you cold?"

Zhao Yu leaned against the railing and teased, "Cold or not, I can't miss Mr. Gu scolding people. Haven't heard it in a while."

"What's there to listen to?" Gu Hansheng gripped the railing with both hands, trapping Zhao Yu between his arms as he kissed him, trying to get away with it this way.

Gu Hansheng wasn't a kind person at heart—all his gentleness was reserved for Zhao Yu.

...

The next day, heavy snow continued to fall, with snowplows plowing from one end of the street to the other. By around three in the afternoon, Cao Xu, worried about everyone getting home safely in the heavy snow, closed up early and sent everyone home.

"Be careful out there, and don't go out tonight," Cao Xu said to Zhao Yu as he locked the door.

"Got it, Boss. You stay safe too." Zhao Yu said goodbye and headed toward the street.

He hadn't had a chance to tell Gu Hansheng about getting off early, and besides, from the call he'd overheard yesterday, today seemed important for Gu Hansheng, so Zhao Yu didn't want to disturb him.

He always said there was no need for Gu Hansheng to pick him up, but now, without seeing him, Zhao Yu felt like something was missing. He remembered the last time it snowed, walking from the shop entrance to the parking lot, Gu Hansheng had held his hand and tucked it into his coat pocket—both hands clasped together in the pocket, keeping them nice and warm.

He rubbed his hands together, hailed a taxi, and told the driver Gu Hansheng's address.

The taxi radio crackled: "...A fire broke out at Haihe Tower on Guanghe Avenue, leaving three people injured so far, and many still trapped..."

Zhao Yu stared absently out the window, the name sounding vaguely familiar. He jolted back to reality, remembering that Gu Hansheng had mentioned this place last night.

Could he have gone there?

He immediately called Gu Hansheng, but all he got was a cold mechanical voice: "The number you have called is turned off..."

Gu Hansheng never turned his phone off. Even when dining with Old Master Gu or in a meeting, he would always find time to take Zhao Yu's calls—even if it was just a brief reply, he was always patient.

If Gu Hansheng was catching a flight or in a situation where he couldn't take calls, he would let Zhao Yu know in advance, never letting any of Zhao Yu's calls go unanswered.

"Driver, head to Guanghe Avenue instead."

Zhao Yu gripped his phone tightly, sent Gu Hansheng a few more messages, and turned the volume up, hoping Gu Hansheng would call back.

The twenty-minute ride had him on edge. A few blocks away, he could already see thick black smoke rising in the distance. Traffic came to a standstill, and he had to get out and walk.

There was no evidence that Gu Hansheng was there—just a guess—yet his heart was already racing. His breath turned to white mist in the wind, and he could hear his own heart pounding and breath coming fast. The biting winter wind seared his throat with each breath.

In the parking lot behind Haihe Tower, he spotted a black Maybach. He checked the license plate numbers over and over before he could be sure it was Gu Hansheng's car.

The exterior of Haihe Tower was scorched black, with flames still licking out of a few windows. Ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars surrounded the area. A severely injured person was being carried onto a stretcher, arms burned beyond recognition, while others with minor injuries sat on concrete barriers receiving emergency treatment.

Zhao Yu pushed through the crowd, scanning for Gu Hansheng. A firefighter stopped him: "Step back! It's dangerous!"

Zhao Yu grabbed his sleeve and demanded, "Has everyone come out? Is anyone still inside?"

"We don't know yet—we're still searching... Don't go over there! It's dangerous!"

By the time Zhao Yu realized what he was doing, his body had already moved before his mind, lunging past the cordon.

What if Gu Hansheng was actually in there?

His mind went completely blank. The sirens, voices, crying, and the spray of water hitting the walls all blurred together. The air reeked of smoke and burning. White snowflakes fell to the ground, trampled into slush.

The wind whipped freezing spray from the fire hoses into Zhao Yu's face, biting cold.

He had once secretly vowed never to let loving someone make them his entire world—that even if betrayed or forced to part, he could walk away gracefully.

But now he realized he couldn't love Gu Hansheng with only a fraction of his heart.

He loved him more than he thought, so much so that he feared the man who was always there might vanish forever. If all he saw after work was an empty, dark street, then that sesame seed on the spring roll would mean nothing at all.

But where are you? Didn't you promise you'd always be there when I needed you?

The firefighter pushed him back behind the cordon. He looked down at his phone—still no messages. His icy fingers kept lighting up the screen and letting it go dark, until a drop of water hit the wrong unlock digit.

A hand suddenly grabbed him, and a hoarse, anxious voice cut through: "What are you doing here?"

Zhao Yu spun around. Snowflakes stung his eyes, and Gu Hansheng's face slowly came into focus.

In a daze, he let the man drag him through the crowd until they reached a quiet corner. Only when Gu Hansheng turned to look at him again did he snap out of it.

His heart pounded as if it would burst out of his chest. Zhao Yu demanded, "Why is your phone off?"

Gu Hansheng felt his coat pocket and realized his phone was gone. He was about to explain when Zhao Yu suddenly hugged him, his fingers digging into Gu Hansheng's clothes. Gu Hansheng could feel his unease in the rapid rise and fall of his chest.

Gu Hansheng wrapped his arms around him, gently massaging the back of his neck, and said in a low voice, "My phone must have fallen in there. I missed your call—I'm sorry."

Zhao Yu looked up and cut off his apology with a kiss.

Snowflakes slipped into their collars, melting against their skin, but Zhao Yu's heart refused to slow down.

"Come on, let's go home," Zhao Yu murmured.

The car parked at the curb suddenly rolled down its window, and a stern voice called out, "Hansheng!"

Zhao Yu asked quietly, "Do you have somewhere to be later?"

Gu Hansheng replied, "No."

Old Master Gu stepped out of the car, glaring at them. Though Gu Hansheng had already made his position clear, seeing it in person hit harder than hearing about it.

"Enough of this nonsense!" he barked.

"Sorry to have alarmed you, Old Master," Gu Hansheng said, glancing at Assistant Wu. "Why don't you take him home?"

The old man shoved aside Assistant Wu's hand, then let out a cold laugh and said to Zhao Yu, "If you're trying to get something out of the Gu family, watch out—you might lose that little shop of yours!"

Before Gu Hansheng could speak, Zhao Yu said, "You clearly don't know Gu Hansheng very well. That shop is mine, but he cares about it more than I do. If I really wanted to take something from the Gu family, it would be Gu Hansheng—because I love him."

With that, he tugged Gu Hansheng away.

The old man pounded his cane twice on the ground, shouting furiously, "Outrageous!"

Gu Hansheng glanced back at him, his eyes cold and unguarded in their threat. The old man, who had seen it all, knew exactly what that look meant.