Boyfriend Always Thinks I’m a Little Pitiful Chapter 38

Originally, when Gu Yufeng suggested that Xie Ci treat everyone, the group thought he was joking. But to their surprise, Xie Ci really did plan to treat them and even invited the cheerleaders and all the basketball team members who came out for the match.

Among the cheerleaders, a group of girls had never spoken to Xie Ci before and felt a bit shy. In the end, only Wang Wei, Shen Qiuyue, and three other girls agreed to join.

Seeing the bus full of people, Xie Ci deliberately left out the PE teacher, who was also acting as the coach, and invited him to join when they got off the bus. This startled everyone else.

Inviting a teacher to a gathering? That would ruin the fun.

The PE teacher noticed the eager eyes looking at him and, understanding the situation, declined with a smile, "No need, I have other things to do. You all go ahead and have fun, but be safe."

Everyone secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

On the way to Old Street, Gu Yufeng occasionally felt Xie Ci's gaze on him. But whenever he turned to look, Xie Ci acted as if nothing was happening, chatting with Fang Size and the others about the upcoming league groupings.

"The finals and semifinals are in another city?" Gu Yufeng casually asked.

This basketball league was provincial, with over a hundred school teams participating.

Xie Ci replied, "The finals are at Yi Zhong."

Gu Yufeng asked, "Do we have a chance to make it to the finals?"

Jiang Chenyu chimed in, "Of course we do! We've been preparing for so long, training whenever we're not doing homework. We're aiming for the championship. This is our last high school competition, and we can't leave any regrets."

Zhang Ruochuan added, "But the Sports School and Er Zhong are both strong. Making it to the semifinals shouldn't be a problem, but winning the championship will be tough."

Jiang Chenyu said, "What's there to be afraid of? Roll up our sleeves and get to work!"

Fang Size analyzed, "As long as we perform steadily, we have a good chance."

Gu Yufeng asked, "How so?"

Fang Size seriously analyzed the champion teams' situations, "Our three teams are evenly matched, but their forwards can't match Old Xie's stamina. If they can't hold out and have to leave the game, their formation will collapse. Especially since Er Zhong's forward is also their captain, if he leaves, it's even more critical."

Jiang Chenyu patted Xie Ci's shoulder, "So as long as Old Xie stays in the game, we won't have any problems."

Gu Yufeng looked at Xie Ci, hinting, "When it comes to stamina, Old Xie definitely won't lose."

He never runs out of energy, and I've never beaten him in bed.

A perfectly normal sentence sounded less proper coming from Gu Yufeng.

Xie Ci tentatively asked, "You seem to know a lot?"

Gu Yufeng replied, "Didn't we play ball together?"

Xie Ci: "..."

That excuse sounds so familiar.

The group went to Lao Li's Stir-fry, and the small shop was quickly filled with people.

Fang Size and the others knew Xie Ci had little pocket money, so they didn't dare to order much. The other boys and Wang Wei's group were even more reserved, making the atmosphere at the table a bit awkward.

"You're only ordering these few dishes? On a diet?"

Gu Yufeng took the menu and marked all his favorite dishes, handing it to Lao Li, who was waiting nearby.

Zhang Ruochuan joked, "Old Gu, you're going to empty Old Xie's little treasury!"

Gu Yufeng replied, "Eating won't make him poor. If he really can't pay, we'll leave him here to be Lao Li's son-in-law."

The joke made everyone at the two tables laugh, easing the atmosphere.

Xie Ci poured himself a cup of barley tea and calmly added, "You're really generous."

Gu Yufeng retorted, "What do I have to be stingy about?"

Xie Ci said, "We're desk mates, and you'd give me away for a meal?"

Gu Yufeng replied, "At least you're worth a meal."

Xie Ci: "..."

As the skewers and dishes were served, the group of teenagers started chatting freely, no longer as reserved as before.

However, Xie Ci's attention was entirely on Gu Yufeng, his mind a bit chaotic.

Noticing Xie Ci's gaze, Gu Yufeng finally couldn't help but ask, "Why are you staring at me? Is there something on my face?"

Xie Ci withdrew his gaze and silently ate his grilled fish, "Not looking at you, just thinking."

Gu Yufeng squinted at him, feeling that this guy was either hiding something from him or plotting something against him.

"Why are you looking at me?" Xie Ci asked in return.

Gu Yufeng's gaze swept over Xie Ci's face, "After a month of rest, your complexion looks much better."

Xie Ci replied, "Thanks to Boss Gu's support."

Gu Yufeng suddenly laughed, "I realized I'm doing the same thing as your dad."

The seemingly random comment puzzled Xie Ci, but he quickly recalled Gu Yufeng's previous words about the dog his "precious son" sent, which had to be fed to death.

Xie Ci asked, "Are you complimenting me or insulting me?"

Gu Yufeng handed him a skewer, "Eat more, I can't lose."

Xie Ci: "..."

"In the afternoon, we don't have any plans. Want to go to KTV together?" one of the boys suggested.

On weekends, they were usually scheduled for various tutoring classes, especially the seniors. But today, because of the basketball game, they all took a break.

Everyone at the table gradually agreed, except for Xie Ci and Gu Yufeng, who remained silent. Jiang Chenyu asked, "What about you two? Come along."

With that question, the girls at the other table looked over expectantly.

Xie Ci wasn't really interested, "I'll pass."

"We won the group match today, let's celebrate."

Jiang Chenyu nodded towards the other table, "If you don't go, the girls over there probably won't go either."

The girls, caught in their thoughts, quickly looked away.

"What's KTV for?" Gu Yufeng asked sincerely.

Zhang Ruochuan looked at him in surprise, "Singing, haven't you been?"

Gu Yufeng replied, "No, never seen it."

Zhang Ruochuan and the others: "..."

Never seen it?!

What kind of environment did you grow up in?

"Then we must take you to see the world," Jiang Chenyu grinned confidently, "As long as Old Gu goes, Old Xie will definitely go too."

Xie Ci: "..."

What's the inevitable connection between the two?

In the end, Xie Ci went along.

Most of the customers at the KTVs on Old Street were students. Unless there was a strict city check, they usually didn't check IDs.

With so many people, they booked a large private room.

The boys were as excited as monkeys coming down the mountain for the first time.

While Jiang Chenyu and the others were choosing songs, Zhang Ruochuan casually asked Gu Yufeng, "Old Gu, you've never been to KTV, what about internet cafes?"

Gu Yufeng sat down, "Never been."

Shen Qiuyue, sitting nearby, heard this and felt even more fond of Gu Yufeng. She shyly added, "Old Gu is so well-behaved, unlike other boys who always want to skip class to play."

Xie Ci listened without commenting.

Gu Yufeng might not have been to internet cafes or KTVs, but he frequented bars, clubs, and nightclubs more often than going home. He shamelessly flirted with waiters, often buying drinks for people, and openly lured minors into becoming hosts, never doing anything decent since he was young.

The girls took the opportunity to ask Gu Yufeng some questions.

"Did you study abroad before? What do you do for fun besides studying?"

Gu Yufeng thought for a moment, "Not much time for fun. Occasionally, I play strategy games."

Shen Qiuyue asked, "Strategy games?"

Gu Yufeng replied, "Like making competitors go bankrupt or mysteriously disappear."

Xie Ci: "..."

Shen Qiuyue and the others: "…Huh?!"

Seeing Xie Ci's speechless expression, Gu Yufeng was amused, "Just kidding."

As the group breathed a sigh of relief, Gu Yufeng added, "That's work, not a game. I don't play games in my free time."

The girls exchanged glances, unable to tell which of Gu Yufeng's words were jokes.

After the boys finished choosing songs, they called Shen Qiuyue and the others over.

Once the girls left, Xie Ci teased, "So going to bars is work too?"

Gu Yufeng ate some fruit that had just been delivered, "That's not work, it's a task."

Xie Ci asked, "A task?"

Gu Yufeng explained, "Like you're a student, you have to go to school every day, regardless of your preferences."

Xie Ci: "..."

More nonsense.

He clearly enjoys himself every time, not like he's being forced.

He remembered that the investigation report on Gu Yufeng specifically mentioned that Gu Yufeng loved clubbing, always surrounded by men and women, actually preferring men. He liked gentle and stable types, tall and fit, with a witty conversation, high taste, preferably Asian, no dyed hair, perms, or tattoos. The conditions were so specific it was ridiculous, with a strong directional preference.

But in reality, anyone meeting these conditions would surely catch Gu Yufeng's eye. This guy wasn't fixated on any particular person.

Xie Ci had the hardware, and to pursue someone, he crammed a bunch of useless skills, packaging himself to look decent. Fortunately, it worked.

"But—"

Gu Yufeng finished the grape in his mouth and turned to look at Xie Ci, "That night at the bar wasn't a task."

Xie Ci snapped back to attention, waiting for him to continue.

Gu Yufeng said, "I specifically went to find you."

Xie Ci raised an eyebrow, "To find me for what?"

Gu Yufeng replied earnestly, "To persuade you, a promising young man, to turn back from the wrong path and not go astray."

Xie Ci retorted with a hint of sarcasm, "You were so kind. With your persuasion, I almost became a host."

Gu Yufeng: "It's my duty."

After Wang Hao and Zhang Ruochuan sang a few songs, they took out cards and invited Xie Ci and the others to play.

"Hey, look over there!" Zhang Ruochuan nudged Xie Ci beside him, nodding in a direction.

Gu Yufeng, at some point, was surrounded by girls again, chatting with Shen Qiuyue, seemingly engrossed.

Zhang Ruochuan chuckled, "I think there's something going on!"

Wang Wei patted Zhang Ruochuan, signaling him to keep his voice down, "Qiuyue finally gathered the courage, don't ruin it."

Zhang Ruochuan: "How could we ruin it, right, Old Xie?"

Xie Ci looked over there but said nothing.

Before long, Gu Yufeng and Shen Qiuyue quietly got up and left the private room together.

Zhang Ruochuan covered his mouth with cards, surprised as he watched them leave, "Progressing so fast?! Qiuyue is impressive."

Wang Wei hummed with a hint of pride, "She's excellent enough to hit the mark."

The group chatted for a while, but Xie Ci remained silent.

After a round, Xie Ci excused himself to the bathroom and left the private room.

The hallway outside was dimly lit. He looked both ways but didn't find them, so he headed towards the exit.

He finally found them at the entrance, across the street at a milk tea shop, where Gu Yufeng handed a milk tea to Shen Qiuyue. They didn't seem to be coming back, chatting and laughing as they walked away.

Returning to the private room, Xie Ci gave up his spot at the card table to Jiang Chenyu and sat on the sofa, picking up a game controller to play, though his mind was elsewhere.

"Hey, you're back so soon?"

Hearing Zhang Ruochuan's teasing voice, Xie Ci turned to look.

"Just buying something, doesn't take long." Shen Qiuyue replied, feeling embarrassed as everyone in the room stared at her. She quickly squeezed in next to Wang Wei, her ears turning red.

Wang Wei glanced at the milk tea in her hand, teasing, "Seems like there's progress."

Shen Qiuyue didn't say anything, sneaking a glance at Gu Yufeng, her eyes sparkling.

Listening to the boys' teasing, Xie Ci silently withdrew his gaze and continued playing his game.

"How can you die playing Tetris?"

Gu Yufeng passed by Xie Ci and sat next to him, "Pause it and give me your hand."

Xie Ci turned to look at Gu Yufeng, noticing he was holding a plastic bag with "Kangjian Pharmacy" printed on it.

Gu Yufeng took out a medicine box, opened it, took out a spray, and placed it aside. He grabbed Xie Ci's right hand, removed the wristband, and sprayed some on it, "Shen Qiuyue said this medicine works well. You have another group match tomorrow, so spray it again after your bath tonight. It's best to apply a hot compress before spraying."

The room was soon filled with the smell of medicine.

Xie Ci didn't move, letting him apply the medicine.

"You went out with her just to buy this?"

"What do you mean just to buy this?"

Gu Yufeng capped the spray, glanced at him, and then lowered his head to spread the medicine, "If you had applied the medicine earlier, your hand wouldn't have developed a condition."

The card players nearby smelled the medicine and turned their heads.

Jiang Chenyu asked, "Old Xie, is your hand injured?!"

Fang Size saw it and immediately walked over, "Is it serious? Did you get hurt in today's group match?"

The basketball team members were all worried, fearing that Xie Ci's hand injury would affect the upcoming matches.

"No."

Xie Ci looked at Gu Yufeng and calmly said, "It's tenosynovitis, not a big deal."

He was suddenly diagnosed with tenosynovitis out of nowhere.

The girls who were singing and chatting also noticed.

"Is Captain Xie's hand injured?"

"Training too hard? They've been playing whenever they have time, not even a chance to catch their breath."

Shen Qiuyue watched from the side, seeing Gu Yufeng apply medicine to Xie Ci, and the light in her eyes dimmed a bit.

At four in the afternoon, the group prepared to leave the KTV.

Xie Ci received a message from his dad, Xie Qian, saying he just got back from the hospital and could give him a ride home.

After settling the bill, he walked out with the group and saw Xie Qian waiting by the roadside.

"Dad, why are you standing by the road?"

"This road is too narrow for parking. I had Xiao Yang park at the street corner and came over to wait for you."

Xie Qian glanced at the flashy KTV sign and the group of students coming out, not saying much, and asked Xie Ci, "All done? Ready to go home?"

Zhang Ruochuan and a few others had seen Xie Qian in Prosperous Lane, but the others hadn't. Seeing Xie Qian in his wrinkled linen clothes and worn-out cloth shoes with a hole, they were overwhelmed with guilt.

It was clear the family wasn't well-off, yet they let Captain Xie treat them, even paying for the KTV. They felt terrible.

Noticing the sympathetic and guilty looks from those around him, Xie Ci could guess what they were thinking and asked Xie Qian, "Did you really wear that to see the doctor?"

Xie Qian, puzzled, replied, "The doctor said to dress casually, like usual."

He rarely went out and usually dressed for comfort.

Xie Ci: "…That's a bit too casual."

Standing beside Xie Ci, Gu Yufeng observed everyone's reactions and teased with a smile, "Good thing my dad didn't see this, or he'd be heartbroken."

Xie Ci: "…"

The girls planned to go shopping together, while the others headed home. Xie Ci asked Gu Yufeng, "Is your ride here? Want me to give you a lift?"

"No need, my assistant is always on standby." Gu Yufeng waved and walked away without looking back.

Wang Wei and Shen Qiuyue reached the pedestrian street and dove into an accessory store, as excited as the boys playing in the KTV.

Seeing Shen Qiuyue's lack of interest, Wang Wei asked, "What's wrong? Missing Old Gu already?"

Shen Qiuyue put the hairpin back, thought for a moment, and quietly said, "I'm thinking of giving up."

Wang Wei was surprised, "Why? Didn't you just make some progress?"

Shen Qiuyue recalled the scene of Gu Yufeng applying medicine to Xie Ci, the look in his eyes when talking to him. She couldn't quite describe the feeling, but it was different from how he treated others.

"Forget it, I probably don't stand a chance. Better to pursue someone else."

Wang Wei teased, "You're so fickle."

-

In the evening, Xie Ci served a bowl of meat to Xiao Fang, placing it in front of him, and sat at the dining table to eat with his dad.

Watching Xiao Fang devour the food, Xie Ci suddenly remembered Gu Yufeng's words, "I can't lose," feeling a bit complicated.

He couldn't win against Xiao Fang in terms of appetite.

After showering and returning to his bedroom, Xie Ci saw the spray bottle on the desk and thought of Gu Yufeng's insistence on his tenosynovitis, finding it amusing.

After some thought, he went back to the bathroom, wrung out a hot towel, and applied it to his right hand, taking a photo to send to Gu Yufeng.

[Applied the hot compress.]

After sending it, he didn't get a reply for a long time. Xie Ci flipped through his physics book absentmindedly, occasionally checking his phone, afraid of missing a message.

Over an hour later, Gu Yufeng finally replied.

Gu Yufeng: [Good boy.]

Xie Ci: "…You're too young to be my dad."