Gu Xiuyi has all the time been busy, and more often than not he lives within the condominium closest to the corporate. If it weren’t for Ji Ruan, he would not step into this villa for ten days or half a month.  

The one function of his go to at present is to see his future companion together with his personal eyes and get married.  

Though he is aware of Ji Ruan, he nonetheless calls out his title in a questioning tone, which suggests extra of a affirmation than a greeting: 

Are you positive you need to marry me? 

However the teenager in entrance of him appears to nonetheless be in a daze, observing him with huge eyes and holding onto the sting of the mattress with out transferring. 

After ready for some time and never listening to a “sure,” Gu Xiuyi frowned and reached out to the touch Ji Ruan’s shoulder: “Ji Ruan?” 

Ji Ruan’s shoulder trembled below his fingertip. He appeared to have simply come again to his senses and picked up a small black factor on the desk to place it on. After a second of feeling, he lifted his eyes to take a look at Gu Xiuyi. His gaze was clear and shiny. 

Gu Xiuyi was bowled over. He had by no means instantly interacted with a hearing-impaired particular person earlier than, and Ji Ruan appeared too regular on the floor, making him overlook for a second that Ji Ruan may not have heard him.  

His expression softened a bit, and he bent all the way down to shorten the space between them, elevating his hand to tuck away the stray hair on Ji Ruan’s ear. Earlier than he might get an excellent look, the hair slipped by means of his fingers.  

The younger man leaned again barely, taking a look at him instantly with out avoiding eye contact: “I can hear now.” 

His voice was barely hoarse, like dense sand combined into comfortable heat water, extra calm than his delicate look.  

Gu Xiuyi was barely stunned, however he did not present it on his face. He straightened up and requested: “Okay, do you’ve all the mandatory paperwork?” 

“…..I introduced my ID card and family registration guide,” Ji Ruan replied. 

Gu Xiuyi nodded and seemed instantly at Ji Ruan: “Let me verify once more, you’re keen to marry me, proper?” 

As a consequence of his upbringing, Gu Xiuyi has a pure sense of oppression, and even when he speaks politely, it’s troublesome for individuals to really feel near him. 

Ji Ruan and Gu Xiuyi locked eyes, and his palms could not assist however sweat somewhat. “So long as Mr. Gu fully fulfills the contract, there will not be any issues.” 

Though it was troublesome to discern Gu Xiuyi’s feelings from his expression, Ji Ruan keenly sensed that he was very happy with this assertion. 

The person in entrance of him checked out his wristwatch and spoke softly, “It is somewhat late, let’s go down and have dinner. We’ll get our marriage license tomorrow morning.” 

His tone was as informal as if he have been giving directions to his secretary. Maybe in his eyes, getting a wedding license was actually no completely different from finishing an strange process.  

“Okay, however…” Ji Ruan tugged at his personal collar. “Can I alter my garments first?” 

He was carrying a unfastened, cotton, off-white pajama shirt that was a measurement too huge as a result of he favored to be comfy. The neckline was additionally giant, exposing a big space of his collarbone.  

Gu Xiuyi’s gaze lingered on the snow-white pores and skin on the boy’s chest for a second earlier than transferring away. He nodded frivolously and turned to go away, even kindly closing the door behind him. 

Because the night gentle shone by means of the French home windows, the room was fully silent after Gu Xiuyi left. Ji Ruan launched the strain he had been holding onto by the sting of the mattress, arching his again barely, and his brow was coated in sweat.  

Ever since he laid eyes on Gu Xiuyi, reminiscences that did not belong to him had crammed his thoughts, as if he was filling within the worldview of this guide for him. 

He had truly seen Gu Xiuyi earlier than! 

As an enormous capitalist like Gu Xiuyi, aside from work, he was most keen on charity. Ji Ruan was additionally one of many beneficiaries of his charity. It was due to Gu Xiuyi that he was in a position to survive, full highschool, and even get into one of the best college.  

A 12 months in the past, Gu Xiuyi got here again to his previous highschool to offer a speech, and Ji Ruan noticed him from afar within the viewers. From that second on, he was fully smitten.  

What was terrifying was that Gu Xiuyi’s reminiscence had by no means included somebody like him from starting to finish.  

This combination of gratitude and infatuation despatched chills down Ji Ruan’s backbone.  

He lastly understood why the protagonist, a white lotus who was unyielding within the face of poverty and by no means misplaced his ambition, agreed to marry Gu Xiuyi below a contract.  

It was as a result of he fell in love first!

Within the historical abusive romance tales, there’s an unchanging regulation that whoever falls in love first would be the one to endure.  

In line with his cousin, the guide solely had a candy starting, however as Gu Xiuyi, the courteous gentleman, turns into more and more irresistible, he shall be emotionally and bodily abused from the second he returns from the “White Moonlight” incident.

He’ll yearn for Gu Xiuyi’s love whereas additionally feeling anxious, and at last, after being kidnapped, experiencing a automotive accident, and dropping his reminiscence, he’ll “HE”(comfortable ending). 

Though Ji Ruan would not know the particular plot particulars, he remembers his cousin’s last evaluation: the one cause the guide might have a cheerful ending is that it did not drag on perpetually as a result of no medical miracle might save those that endured such abuse. 

On the time, Jiran was solely complaining, questioning why individuals would use their well being to commerce for a deeply abusive romance once they had an opportunity to reside nicely.  

However now that he has turn out to be the protagonist, Ji Ruan’s coronary heart is racing. He takes a number of deep breaths to relax. 

Upon reflection, it began with the protagonist’s ill-timed infatuation. However now that Jiran has taken over because the protagonist, he feels no feelings towards Gu Xiuyi, which implies he has severed the prerequisite for an abusive romance. 

Jiran slowly will get up, altering garments whereas pondering that so long as he would not develop actual emotions, his relationship with Gu Xiuyi will solely be a easy monetary transaction. When the “White Moonlight” incident is resolved, he’ll take the cash and run, leaving everybody with a cheerful ending.  

Having died as soon as earlier than, Jiran has no emotional wants. So long as he would not expertise the despair of being getting ready to loss of life once more, he would not care about the rest. 

Having figured this out, Jiran lastly breathes a sigh of reduction, places on his pants, opens the door, and heads downstairs.  

When the contract expires in three years, he’ll take the cash and run, by no means trying again. 

The chandeliers within the restaurant emit a low-key and sensible gentle. Gu Xiuyi has already sat down on the desk. When he sees Ji Ruan coming over, he particularly stands as much as pull out the chair reverse him. 

He’s certainly a gentleman, however can this sort of gentlemanly conduct, crammed with thick politeness and distance, actually make the protagonist fall deeply and uncontrollably in love step-by-step? 

Ji Ruan’s coronary heart is sophisticated and obscure.

He politely thanks Gu Xiuyi and sits reverse him.  

Assistant Tune and Aunt Zhao have disappeared in some unspecified time in the future, leaving solely the 2 of them within the restaurant. It’s so quiet that solely the crisp sound of utensils clashing will be heard.  

There are three dishes and one soup on the desk, that are easy Chinese language home-cooked dishes. It’s sufficient for Ji Ruan and Gu Xiuyi to complete them.  

Ji Ruan had a foul urge for food for the previous few days as a result of warmth, and he eats lacklusterly. Gu Xiuyi would not communicate, and he’s simply comfortable to be comfy.  

He would not care concerning the particular person in entrance of him, however the particular person in entrance of him is blatantly observing him.  

Gu Xiuyi solely wants a authorized companion who can get married. He would not actually care about this marriage, so long as Ji Ruan would not trigger bother, he will not spend an excessive amount of vitality to grasp him. 

However when the wedding companion, whom he had by no means met earlier than, sat in entrance of him, curiosity was pushed by intuition.  

To Gu Xiuyi’s shock, Ji Ruan has unusually good consuming habits. He sits upright together with his again naturally relaxed, and he chews and swallows with out making a sound, like a toddler raised in a scholarly household. 

He wipes his mouth similar to what Tune Ling mentioned, folding the tissue in half and gently wiping from the left nook of his mouth to the precise.  

Gu Xiuyi casually watches and discovers that Tune Ling missed one thing. Ji Ruan may even press his lips gently by means of the tissue, like an motion full of formality sense.  

These unconscious habits will not be observed by strange individuals, however within the eyes of Gu Xiuyi, a choosy detail-oriented particular person, they’re an necessary situation for him to be happy. 

Maybe they’ll additionally not directly turn out to be one of many analysis standards for the month-to-month bonuses of your entire secretary crew.  

Ji Ruan put down his chopsticks after a couple of bites, and ran into Gu Xiuyi’s gaze. They froze for a second, however Gu spoke naturally, “Auntie Zhao additionally mentioned that you simply did not eat a lot. Is it to not your style?” 

“…..No,” Ji Ruan licked his lips. “I’ve all the time eaten little.” 

He did not need to speak an excessive amount of with Gu Xiuyi in the mean time. After throwing the used serviette into the trash can, he requested cautiously, “Could I’m going again to my room first, Mr. Gu?” 

Gu Xiuyi glanced over the dishes on the desk that have been barely touched, paused for 2 seconds, and nodded, “Go forward.”

As if considering of one thing, he added, “I will not come over typically, so you do not have to be too restrained. We do not have so many guidelines at dwelling.”  

Ji Ruan, who did not really feel restrained: “…” 

“Okay…thanks, Mr. Gu.” 

____________________________

After ending the meal, Ji Ruan lay again on the mattress and continued to feed himself cherries with the damaged paw of the beckoning cat. It was not as a result of he was too lazy to make use of his fingers, however as a result of he was too bored. 

The one process he had for coming to this home was to register for marriage with Gu Xiuyi. He thought he might end it in in the future, however Gu was so busy that it took three days.  

When he was critically in poor health earlier than, Ji Ruan needed to keep in a small ward. Now that he can stroll and transfer, going out continues to be troublesome. Simply as he stepped out with one foot, he was scared again by the scorching temperature exterior.  

So through the anticipate Gu Xiuyi to come back dwelling, he might solely eat and sleep, and alter his mattress, and watch the TV drama he had been watching earlier than. 

Ji Ruan swallowed a couple of cherries and belatedly remembered that he ought to end watching the earlier episode of the drama. As he sat as much as decide up the distant management, he was startled by the sight of an enormous cat by the door. 

Xiao An was squatting on the bottom, taking a look at him 

For the reason that first day he got here right here, Ji Ruan had vaguely felt that Gu Xiuyi was a particularly choosy and uncompromising particular person. The furnishings within the spacious villa, together with all of the furnishings, image frames, and handicrafts, have been meticulously neat and tidy. Regardless of proudly owning such a big long-haired cat, there was hardly any cat hair to be seen on the ground, all the time spotlessly clear. 

Identical to now, as Xiao An squatted in entrance of him, the fastidiously groomed Maine Coon with its huge fluffy tail unfold out on the bottom, like a murals in an oil portray—aside from the watchful look in its eyes.  

Maine Coons are naturally good-looking and noble in look, and this one raised by Gu Xiuyi was a standout even amongst its friends. Nonetheless, unexpectedly, it had a timid and clingy persona, hardly ever displaying such a cautious expression. 

Ji Ruan put down the distant management and pushed apart the beckoning cat on the small desk, eager to go over and play with Xiao An. 

Nonetheless, Xiao An appeared to have seen one thing and out of the blue arched its again and raised its tail, letting out a cry and scampering away. The whole course of took lower than a second. 

Ji Ruan sat dumbfounded on the sting of the mattress, feeling the wind of the large tail brushing towards his calf. 

After a second, he stiffly turned his head and realized that the reason for scaring Xiao An like that may have been the beckoning cat whose claws he had eliminated.  

“…” 

Did this silly cat mistake the beckoning cat for its personal variety? 

It could not be that Xiao An thought Ji Ruan additionally needed to take away its claws, might it?! 

Shocked, Ji Ruan slipped on his slippers and walked out of the room, and positive sufficient, noticed Xiao An hiding on the finish of the hallway. He could not assist however really feel speechless. “How did Gu Xiuyi, such an individual, increase such a timid cat…” 

He tried to take a few steps ahead, however the scared cat instantly jumped up onto the railing of the hall.  

This motion made Ji Ruan’s coronary heart tremble with worry.  

The second ground was fairly excessive. Though cats appeared to have a pure capacity to run alongside roofs and partitions, Xiao An’s physique form did not seem like he might soar down frivolously like a swallow.  

Gu Xiuyi was nonetheless in a video convention within the research a number of meters away, and Ji Ruan did not need to make a commotion.  

Furthermore, on this home, Xiao An was an area resident whereas he was only a customer. If he triggered any bother, it might most likely trigger quite a lot of issues. Ji Ruan even felt a headache simply eager about it.  

After considering for 2 seconds, Ji Ruan left decisively and got here again with a can of cat meals that Xiao An favored probably the most, tempting him with it. 

At first, Xiao An was nonetheless cautious, however after smelling the meals, he forgot all the pieces and loved it with relish.  

Ultimately, Ji Ruan even stroked its head together with his hand.

Ji Ruan could not giggle or cry.  

How did Gu Xiuyi, an individual like him, handle to boost such an easy-to-please cat…?

Xiao An ate fortunately and was stroked fortunately. When Ji Ruan took away the empty can, he obtained a hug of affection from Xiao An. 

Identical to each time Gu Xiuyi got here dwelling, Xiao An would soar up excitedly. Ji Ruan was additionally pounced on.

However he wasn’t ready in any respect and did not have Gu Xiuyi’s robust physique 

“Increase—!” 

A loud noise was heard.  

A big cat weighing dozens of kilos fell from the sky and effortlessly knocked Ji Ruan to the bottom, inflicting a large number of cat hair to fly up. 

As Ji Ruan hit the bottom, there was a muffled sound of his shoulder blades slamming into the ground, inflicting his soul to just about depart his physique. His again ribs have been in intense ache.  

For a couple of transient seconds, Ji Ruan’s thoughts went clean, with just one thought remaining – luckily, he did not fall over the railing. 

Xiao An was nonetheless enthusiastically licking Ji Ruan’s neck whereas he was pinned down, unable to breathe correctly and unable to push the large cat off of him. He could not even make a sound. 

Ji Ruan needed to cry with out tears.  

At a loss for what to do, he out of the blue felt a lightness in his chest and the load on his physique disappeared as if somebody had moved Xiao An to the aspect.  

Ji Ruan blinked to see, and as contemporary air rushed into his compressed chest, he coughed and fell to the bottom.  

Gu Xiuyi had simply completed a gathering when he heard a loud noise exterior and knew one thing was mistaken. When he rushed out to have a look, he noticed each the cat and Jiran sprawled on the hall ground.  

Ji Ruan was pinned down and red-faced, and his silly cat saved making an attempt to get near him. 

Gu Xiuyi grabbed the again of Xiao An’s neck, pulled the large cat towards the wall, and turned to take a look at Ji Ruan who was nonetheless coughing on the bottom, feeling a bit embarrassed. 

Gu Xiuyi did not like bodily contact with individuals, and he had solely ever carried cats earlier than, not individuals.  

He stared at Ji Ruan’s again for some time, and subconsciously reached out in the direction of his neck, aspiring to raise him up from the bottom. 

Nonetheless, as quickly as his hand touched the graceful nape of Ji Ruan’s neck, Ji Ruan out of the blue turned his head again as if startled, coughing and taking a look at him with a frightened expression, as if he have been some sort of faux gentleman benefiting from somebody’s misfortune.  

Gu Xiuyi’s hand froze, and he slowly straightened up and took two steps again. 

Within the air stuffed with cat hair, the 2 of them had a silent eye confrontation.  

Quickly Gu Xiuyi calmed down and returned to his ordinary self, not even taking a look at Ji Ruan’s face. He grabbed Ji Ruan’s arm like a sack of potatoes and carried him down the steps. 

Ji Ruan was dizzy till he was positioned on the couch, and it took a number of sips of water from Aunt Zhao who got here working over earlier than he recovered.  

Urgent on his chest, he coughed twice and turned his head to take a look at Gu Xiuyi. 

The person’s expression was chilly and stern, sitting together with his legs crossed on the aspect, with a manly distance of about one particular person in between them. 

Ji Ruan: “…” 

Ji Ruan felt inexplicably that Gu Xiuyi was protesting towards what had simply occurred with a silent and imposing method.  

Feeling a coolness on the again of his hand, Ji Ruan circled and noticed Xiao An, who Gu Xiuyi had thrown to the wall earlier, licking his hand and appearing cute.

Ji Ruan rubbed Xiao An’s head irritably after which picked up the cat’s paw to weigh it. 

Gu Xiuyi watched coldly from the aspect and had the sensation that the little boy was fairly involved concerning the weight of his cat.  

“Cough,” Gu Xiuyi cleared his throat and mentioned indifferently, “It was 20 jin final time, however it may need gained a bit these previous few days.” 

Ji Ruan’s motion of stroking the cat slowed down.   

Instantly, he seemed up at Gu Xiuyi: “What did you…say?” 

He appeared unable to listen to clearly.  

Gu Xiuyi’s expression modified subtly. 

With out saying a phrase, he lifted the hair masking Ji Ruan’s proper ear, revealing that the little synthetic cochlea that he all the time wore on his ear was lacking.   

Aunt Zhao observed this too and requested nervously, “Oh my, what is going on on?” 

Gu Xiuyi glanced at Ji Ruan’s furrowed forehead and mentioned to Aunt Zhao, “Are you aware the synthetic cochlea that he often wears?”

Aunt Zhao replied rapidly, “Sure, I’ve seen Xiao Ruan put on it earlier than.”

Gu Xiuyi nodded and mentioned, “Okay, it may need fallen off simply now. Aunt Zhao, please assist me search close to the steps rapidly.” 

“Okay, I will go instantly!” Zhao Ayi replied repeatedly.

Ji Ruan’s fingers have been already twisted collectively, and he hung his head in a restrained and anxious posture, solely sitting on the couch for lower than a 3rd of it.  

He’s not an emotionally expressive little one, and there’s not a lot youthful vigor in his eyes like most 18-year-old college students, so he’s significantly quiet and introverted, which is initially probably the most satisfying level for Gu Xiuyi.  

Even the fleeting look again at him within the hall solely confirmed a momentary panic, so this extended and quiet panic appeared significantly abrupt. 

Ji Ruan turned into a black T-shirt earlier than dinner, revealing his slender arms and white fingers. His garments and hair have been coated in Xiao An’s fur, making him look somewhat matted. 

Gu Xiuyi could not stand disorderly issues, so he could not assist however decide off the cat hair for him. 

In any case, he’s nonetheless a young person who has simply come of age, and his physique will not be absolutely grown. His shoulders are skinny and his feelings are barely irregular.  

He considered it, and gently patted Ji Ruan’s again and mentioned, “It is okay, simply wait somewhat longer.” 

Ji Ruan hesitated for a second, however didn’t reply. Gu Xiuyi out of the blue realized that he might not have heard him clearly, and was speechless, so he stopped speaking.  

Aunt Zhao was fast in her actions and rapidly discovered Ji Ruan’s exterior system, “It ought to have slipped out from the hole within the railing. I picked it up on the primary ground. I do not know if it is damaged?” 

Aunt Zhao spoke rapidly, and Ji Ruan did not actually hear what she mentioned, however he thanked her joyfully.  

Gu Xiuyi noticed Ji Ruan’s eyes gentle up as he took the system in his fingers.  

He fastidiously wiped the shell, put it again behind his ear, and pursed his lips as if fastidiously feeling one thing. 

Time appeared to decelerate, and Gu Xiuyi watched Ji Ruan’s trembling eyelashes. His targeted expression made Gu Xiuyi really feel a touch of nervousness  

After some time, Ji Ruan seemed up at him. His eyes have been shiny and clear, and his eye sockets have been nonetheless crimson from coughing, making his expression look unhappy. 

Gu Xiuyi out of the blue had a foul premonition. 

The subsequent second, the younger man’s voice trembled barely, “Is it damaged?” 

____________________________

The creator has one thing to say: 

Mr. Gu: It is damaged…?!