Thanks to Boss Bo’s deep pockets, the Maybach sped along, bypassing ordinary hospitals to reach the most expensive area in the city center—

A private hospital under Bo Corporation.

The hospital’s disinfectant smell was pungent and unpleasant. Gu Xichi tilted his head slightly, lost in thought.

The hospital corridor wasn’t crowded. Private hospitals were expensive—not something ordinary people could afford, which greatly reduced patient traffic.

Of course, it also saved Gu Xichi a lot of trouble.

In the distance, noisy sounds accompanied by the click of dress shoes approached. Gu Xichi looked toward the sound and noticed Bo Yu’s expression wasn’t good.

What he held in his hand was presumably his diagnosis report. His tall, lean figure standing before him carried a cold, sharp sense of oppression.

“What’s the diagnosis result?”

Gu Xichi’s lashes trembled slightly as he asked in a low voice.

Bo Yu handed him the diagnosis report, thin lips pressed into a straight line: “Acute gastroenteritis. You need an IV.”

Gu Xichi let out an “oh,” narrowing his eyes slightly to study the report in his hand.

“How many days have you gone without eating? The doctor said your stomach is very fragile now and can’t handle any stimulation.”

They stood on the twenty-second floor, the view outside the window completely unobstructed. Rain had started falling again at some point, pattering down. The sky was dim, night hazy, covering the brilliant neon outside with a veil, gradually soaking the night into deep colors.

Gu Xichi brushed the hair by his ear, tone flat and natural, revealing no emotion: “Four or five days?”

Maybe longer…

He lowered his head, neck bone slightly protruding, the fair, smooth side of his neck radiating a jade-like warm luster. His spine line was sharp. His whole person wrapped in the oversized shirt gave off an especially pitiable fragility.

Bo Yu suddenly wanted to touch the side of his neck to see his reaction.

He asked: “Why aren’t you eating?”

Gu Xichi didn’t give him a single glance—a refusal to communicate.

“Gu Xichi, come for your IV!”

In the empty corridor, a nurse hurried past, leading Gu Xichi away.

By the floor-to-ceiling window, the scarlet between Bo Yu’s fingertips flickered. He lowered his eyelids, lashes long and straight, casting shadows that concealed the darkness in his eyes.

His current emotions were somewhat indescribable.

Originally, he’d wanted to catch the person and teach him a good lesson, incidentally persuading him to drop certain ideas.

Don’t even think about scheming against him.

But Gu Xichi’s performance made Bo Yu feel the other didn’t like him at all and had no interest in him whatsoever.

It was all his own wishful thinking.

Just then, sounds came from the hospital room. Bo Yu stubbed out his cigarette, leaning against the doorframe, coldly watching the person lying on the bed move.

The phone by his arm vibrated incessantly, buzzing. Seeing Gu Xichi ignore it, it persisted, finally waking the sleeping Gu Xichi.

Light suddenly pierced his eyes. Gu Xichi instinctively raised his arm to block it, forgetting there was an IV needle in the back of his hand.

He used too much force. The back of his hand instantly pulled up a patch of bruising, scarlet blood also flowing backward into the IV tube—somewhat frightening.

Gu Xichi instinctively closed his eyes. After a while, he adapted to the light. His arm was forcibly grabbed by someone and then lowered.

It was Bo Yu.

Gu Xichi’s lips parted, then returned to silence.

The contact name on the phone was truly annoying.

Big Brother.

It was Gu Yuan’an.

Gu Chengtian was particular about naming. Both children’s names had been calculated by a master—names that matched their birth charts with excellent meanings.

Yuan’an, Yuning.

Yuning was originally “Gu Xichi’s” name.

Unfortunately, it was stolen by someone else and never retrieved.

Gu Yuan’an was as domineering as always, calling to lecture him regardless of the time.

Gu Yuan’an: “Gu Xichi, what tricks are you playing now? Scheming to get into the same production as Xiao Ning—are you planning to sabotage him again?”

Gu Yuan’an’s voice was too loud. Even without speakerphone, one could feel his fury.

Gu Xichi just tossed the phone on the bed, not avoiding Bo Yu, and suddenly laughed.

Moisture blurred his eyes. A teardrop hung in his eye socket, about to fall but not falling.

Gu Xichi laughed hoarsely: “Gu Yuan’an, let me guess where you heard this news.”

“Did Gu Yuning pull on your sleeve with teary eyes calling you brother, saying Gu Xichi is going to bully me again? Or did he pretend to panic while holding a contract or phone, coincidentally letting you see the news about me and him being in the same production?”

“Anyway, his tricks are always the same—stupid to the extreme, boring beyond measure.”

Previously, Gu Xichi was like a silent lamb, keeping quiet. Whatever Gu Yuan’an said, he honestly accepted without refuting or explaining.

This was the first time Gu Yuan’an encountered Gu Xichi daring to contradict him.

And slandering his most beloved younger brother.

Gu Yuan’an was furious: “Gu Xichi, who taught you to talk like this? Have your wings grown hard, has your courage gotten fat?”

“Don’t forget—everything you parade around outside relies on whose name? The Gu family!”

“Without the Gu family, how do you think you got that role?”

His tone was aggressive, full of mockery, like a sharp blade gleaming coldly, stabbing into a blood-drenched heart.

Gu Yuan’an had always treated “Gu Xichi” this way, so he didn’t feel anything was wrong.

Gu Xichi laughed coldly, his gaze cold and sharp, not avoiding hitting back: “Gu Yuan’an, I think you should go to the hospital to treat your brain that’s been fed Gu Yuning’s love potion, see how much water can be shaken out.”

Gu Yuan’an choked. Then he heard Gu Xichi continue:

“From the age of sixteen when I returned to the Gu family, I haven’t used a single cent of Gu family money.”

“As for my roles, I auditioned for every single one myself. The one truly using the Gu family name to intimidate others—I think that’s only Gu Yuning.”

The IV bag had already delivered more than half its contents, visibly about to finish dripping.

The night was heavy. Outside the window seemed shrouded in an impenetrable fog.

Gu Yuning enjoyed Gu Chengtian and Gu Yuan’an’s affection in the warm Gu family home as if it were natural. Gu Xichi could only get an IV alone in the hospital.

Clearly, Gu Xichi was the Gu family’s true young master, who should have enjoyed everyone’s attention and love.

His heart trembled in his chest. Gu Xichi hung up the phone. His lips were frighteningly pale, blue veins visible under his thin skin—like a fragile butterfly about to fall.

Bo Yu had openly eavesdropped for quite a while without the slightest guilt.

He actually hadn’t had time to look at the information about Gu Xichi that Bai Heng sent. He’d only hastily glanced at the youth’s face and name before throwing himself into the torrent of work.

Looking at Gu Xichi’s face too much was addictive.

Bo Yu’s standards for himself were very high, his self-control formidably strong.

But facing Gu Xichi, all of this seemed to crumble. Bo Yu felt inexplicably annoyed. Why hadn’t he carefully read through Gu Xichi’s information? Otherwise, he wouldn’t be facing this situation unable to say a word.

The water in the IV bag dripped quietly until the last drop flowed.

Gu Xichi withdrew his gaze from the IV bag, turning to look at the man guarding his side.

Gu Xichi: “Sir, may I go home?”

He actually didn’t know his name, so he carefully chose a form of address.

“Won’t you rest here a bit longer?” Bo Yu asked him.

Gu Xichi shook his head: “I want to go home.”

Unable to oppose him, Bo Yu could only retreat a step, casually seeming to bring up that night’s events.

“After that night, are you okay? Your body…” He thought of the marks on Gu Xichi’s waist, tongue tip pressing against his palate before continuing: “Is there anywhere on your body that’s uncomfortable?”

Not expecting him to ask this, Gu Xichi finally had his interest slightly piqued tonight. Recalling his miserable state that night, Gu Xichi was very dissatisfied.

Even more dissatisfied with the man before him.

He’d cried asking him to stop, but the man turned a deaf ear, only persistently grabbing him and not letting go.

Large palms gripping his waist, not willing to relax for half a moment.

Gu Xichi was almost killed by him in that bed.

With a retaliatory mentality, the corners of Gu Xichi’s lips curved into a wicked smile. His beautiful peach-blossom eyes swept out an arc of light from the corners—passionate yet casual.

“Your technique is very poor, extremely poor.”

Gu Xichi’s tone was very sincere, yet infuriating enough to make one’s teeth itch: “Sir, for the sake of your future partner, I suggest you practice your technique more.”

Bo Yu was so angry he directly snapped the cigarette between his fingertips.

The man’s brow bone was high, making his eye sockets appear extremely deep. His eye shape was long, narrow, upturned phoenix eyes, double eyelid creases very deep. When not smiling, he always seemed full of oppression, inexplicably frightening to look at.

But Gu Xichi wasn’t afraid.

He just provocatively locked eyes with Bo Yu.

Smiling like a cat who’d stolen fish, with a kind of reckless boldness.

Outside the door, Bai Heng was scared out of his wits. The last person who dared talk to Bo Yu like this was nowhere to be seen. He wasn’t sure what would happen to this Mr. Gu.

But Bo Yu endured it. The black suit jacket hung on his arm. He looked away.

Bo Yu: “The rain’s heavy outside. I’ll take you home.”

Bo Yu’s reaction was unexpected. Gu Xichi raised his eyebrows slightly, noncommittal.

The rain was torrential. His health was poor—he was practically an invalid who gasped three times for every step. If he got caught in the rain and caught a chill, cold entering his body, he might have to visit the hospital again tomorrow.

Gu Xichi knew this clearly in his heart. No need to insist on such matters. He readily agreed.

When returning to the apartment, all was silent—only the crisp sound of raindrops falling on the umbrella.

Dim streetlights were shrouded by fine rain threads. Gu Xichi held an umbrella, Bo Yu’s jacket draped over his shoulder, his other hand carrying a pot of hot porridge as he walked alone toward the apartment building.

Light followed him all the way, even melting into his hair, making him appear especially tender and gentle.

The Maybach’s window rolled down. Plane tree leaves were washed into fresh green by the rain, their earthy fragrance mixed and entering his nose.

Bo Yu just quietly watched Gu Xichi go home.

The apartment building’s stairway lights lit up one by one, finally stopping on the sixth floor.

That bit of irritation in his heart burned and rose again, making Bo Yu extremely uncomfortable.

“Bai Heng, send me all the information you found on Gu Xichi.”

“Right now.”

He wanted to know everything about Gu Xichi.

Couldn’t wait.

---

Author’s Note:

Bo Yu: Wifey loves me so much