Boyfriend Always Thinks I’m a Little Pitiful Chapter 69

In the face of absolute strength, who cares about Xie Ci's personal style issues? Whatever his reasons for hanging out at nightclubs, the fact is he took first place.

On the third day of Xie Ci's cold, Gu Yufeng remembered the foot soak pack Zhang Zhijie had given him for athlete's foot and dug it out from a corner.

Watching Xie Ci being pressed into a chair to soak his feet by Gu Yufeng, Jiang Chenyu and the others watched the show from the side.

"This is what they call 'thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river,' right?" Jiang Chenyu laughed heartlessly.

Zhang Ruochuan, writing his paper, added, "When you mess around, you'll have to pay back sooner or later, and Old Xie is no exception."

Zhang Zhijie chimed in, "Is the foot soak pack enough? If not, I have more at home."

Xie Ci replied, "It's enough, no need to trouble Auntie anymore."

With what they had on hand, it was enough to last until the end of the semester.

Gu Yufeng brewed a cup of ginger tea and handed it to Xie Ci, leaning against the table to supervise, "Drink up."

Xie Ci could smell the ginger from afar and moved away in disgust, "Can't I skip it?"

Gu Yufeng insisted, "This is a specially bought extra-strong ginger tea, said to be very effective."

Xie Ci held the cup up to Jiang Chenyu's nose, who was sitting next to him.

The ginger scent hit Jiang Chenyu's senses hard, making him sneeze violently and flee with his paper, "Damn! It's so spicy! This could be used as a biochemical weapon."

Xie Ci looked at Gu Yufeng, "See? This isn't for humans."

Jiang Chenyu: "…Bro?"

Using him as a test subject?

Gu Yufeng took the cup, drank a mouthful without changing his expression, and handed it back, "Now it's drinkable."

Xie Ci: "…"

He'd do anything to mess with him.

Watching Xie Ci drink it down and seeing him grimace from the spiciness, Gu Yufeng finally took a sharp breath, his throat burning, coughing lightly, "What kind of stuff did Robertson buy?"

"Could it be you added too much?"

Xie Ci tossed a piece of candy from the table to him, "This isn't ginger tea, it's ginger porridge."

Gu Yufeng unwrapped the candy and popped it into his mouth, "Eat it, stop complaining, say one more word and I'll feed you mouth to mouth."

Xie Ci: "…"

His domineering nature is just like in his past life.

After soaking his feet and drinking a cup of extra-strong ginger tea, Xie Ci broke out in a sweat, and his cold improved significantly the next day.

Seeing it was effective, Gu Yufeng had Robertson buy ten more boxes of extra-strong ginger tea, placing them in the most conspicuous spot in the dormitory, causing everyone to avoid it, wearing an extra pair of socks every day just to avoid catching a cold and being forced to drink ginger tea.

In the blink of an eye, only five days were left until the final exams, and the intense study pressure was suffocating everyone.

After school on Thursday afternoon, Jiang Chenyu and the others planned to go out for a walk and stopped by Old Li's shop on Old Street.

After ordering food, Jiang Chenyu and Zhang Ruochuan went to get drinks, and Fang Size turned to Xie Ci, "I heard from my dad that the disciplinary committee is investigating."

"The disciplinary committee?"

Xie Ci poured himself and Gu Yufeng a cup of barley tea, "What are they investigating?"

"Corruption."

Fang Size lowered his voice, "Recently, several parents of students who were injured by Gao Yuan have come forward, and I heard one of them caught something on Gao Yuan's protector and reported it to the disciplinary committee."

"It can't be that simple." Gu Yufeng slowly rotated his cup in his hand.

They hadn't found anything earlier, but now, just when the Gao Yuan incident blew up, they found something. Even if the parents did find something, they probably didn't have that much power.

Xie Ci took off his jacket and casually picked up Gu Yufeng's almost floor-length coat, hanging them both on the back of a chair, "There are always people ready to kick someone when they're down."

Where there are people, there are conflicts. As long as the matter becomes big enough, there will always be someone with the ability to use this momentum to remove that protector. He doesn't need to do anything, just wait for the situation to develop.

Seeing Xie Ci so calm, Fang Size asked, "Did you foresee this?"

Originally, the Gao Yuan incident wouldn't have attracted attention from the provincial department, but everything started when Xie Ci stirred things up.

The troublemaker quietly exited the stage wearing the victim's cloak, but the situation continued to escalate beyond their sight, and the resulting shockwaves were still spreading.

A small stone falling into the water caused ripples, making many hidden giants restless.

"How could I?"

Xie Ci smiled faintly, "I just handed them a knife. Whether they use it or not is up to them, but my goal is achieved."

Gu Yufeng glanced at his raised lips, silently calling him an old fox.

Without having to beg anyone, he managed to handle the situation, even exposing the protector behind Gao Yuan.

With Xie Ci's current status, he can't control everything, but he managed to manipulate everyone.

Jiang Chenyu and Zhang Ruochuan returned, placing hot drinks on the table.

Gu Yufeng casually picked one up, and Xie Ci, recalling the incident at the hot spring town, took it from him to check the ingredients list.

"I won't make the same mistake twice," Gu Yufeng emphasized.

Xie Ci: "You're wearing my socks today too."

Gu Yufeng paused, rolled up his pant leg, and sure enough, they were Xie Ci's socks.

This guy noticed but didn't remind him.

"Food's here!" Old Li brought several steaming dishes to the table, "Exams are coming up, eat more, I added extra portions for you."

Jiang Chenyu and the others cheered.

"Thanks, Uncle Li!"

Every time they came, they had to order a spicy stir-fried snails dish. Gu Yufeng didn't like spicy food and wasn't interested in snails, but seeing everyone else sucking them up, he wanted to try.

Xie Ci saw him scoop a spoonful of snails into his bowl and handed him a toothpick.

"Use this."

Gu Yufeng didn't take it, "No need, I'm great at sucking."

Xie Ci: "…Suck what?"

Gu Yufeng slowly replied, "Of course, the snail below."

Xie Ci withdrew his hand, "I thought you meant something else."

Fang Size and the others sensed something was off, looked up, and heard Xie Ci continue, "That snail's butt."

Gu Yufeng smiled, "If you can't get it out, I can help you suck it out."

Xie Ci: "You should deal with your own first."

Jiang Chenyu looked at the two of them, "Hey, are you guys flirting?"

Gu Yufeng said seriously, "Eating snails and you think crooked?"

Jiang Chenyu looked suspiciously at Zhang Ruochuan and Fang Size, both of whom were calm.

Was he the only one thinking crooked?

Fang Size: "…"

Stop looking, you won't figure it out.

In the end, Gu Yufeng couldn't suck out three or four snails and had to use a toothpick, earning a round of laughter from Xie Ci.

"What's so funny?" Gu Yufeng was embarrassed and angry, his leg under the table pressing against Xie Ci's knee.

It was fine until he mentioned it, and then Xie Ci burst out laughing.

"Where's that arrogance from earlier?"

Zhang Ruochuan: "Old Gu, I'll teach you how to suck."

The three of them took turns teaching Gu Yufeng how to suck snails, all ending in failure, until Xie Ci personally taught him, and only then did he learn.

Gu Yufeng: "All these improper skills are taught by you."

Xie Ci was puzzled, "What else have I taught you?"

Gu Yufeng: "Think for yourself."

Xie Ci: "…"

On Saturday, Gu Yufeng used the excuse of tutoring to go to Xie Ci's house.

After Robertson parked the car, he saw Gu Yufeng organizing the books and documents he brought and hesitantly spoke, "Should I go with you?"

Gu Yufeng gave him a strange look, "You're not taking the exam, why come along?"

To supervise you and the little guy's situation.

Robertson smiled, "It's convenient for me to take care of you."

"No need."

Gu Yufeng got out of the car, "I don't like being disturbed by outsiders when I'm studying."

"But—"

Before Robertson could finish, the car door closed.

Isn't Xie Ci an outsider?

Two guys alone in a room, won't something happen?

When Gu Yufeng went in, Xie Ci was playing frisbee with Xiao Fang in the front yard.

The studio was empty on weekends, making it feel particularly spacious.

As he passed through the back garden, Gu Yufeng glanced at the separate art studio.

The floor-to-ceiling window curtains were open, sunlight filled the studio, and paintings were piled around in a messy yet orderly manner. On the easel facing the window was an unfinished piece, with only a few bright and vivid color blocks, quite different from Jianyan's previous style.

"Is your dad doing better lately?" Gu Yufeng asked casually.

Xie Ci: "Yeah, after a few days of isolation following the group activity, he's actually doing better than before."

Gu Yufeng: "Where is he?"

Xie Ci: "Your dad took him out."

After saying that, he noticed Gu Yufeng's subtle expression and realized the ambiguity, "Took him to meet other old folks, said there's a calligraphy and painting exchange meeting."

Gu Yufeng: "I almost thought we were going to become brothers."

Xie Ci imagined that scenario and felt uncomfortable.

"Don't talk nonsense."

Though it was supposed to be tutoring, Gu Yufeng wasn't incapable, just lazy.

Xie Ci brought down competition materials from upstairs, and Gu Yufeng was already sitting at the dining table, starting to work. This spot was just right for catching the sun.

His gaze swept over the documents spread on the table, some of which were acquisition proposals, all for tech companies.

"Desen has already started making moves?"

"The Desen family has been targeting my family since the previous generation, but both sides are evenly matched, fighting back and forth, unable to do anything to each other."

Gu Yufeng browsed the company information on his laptop screen, "But my grandfather didn't play as dirty as them and got tricked."

Xie Ci walked behind Gu Yufeng, glancing at the screen's content.

He wasn't sure if in his past life Gu Yufeng had also started taking over the group this early, but just like he returned to having nothing, Gu Yufeng was in a similar situation.

It's true that Gu Yufeng was born into a prestigious family, appearing glamorous and unattainable to outsiders, but the more prestigious the family, the more complex the interests involved. Even though Gu Yufeng had memories from his past life, allowing him to accurately select investment targets and plan the group's development direction, he was currently just a high school student with no say in the group.

In the face of interests, words are useless. The best way is to achieve results and throw the report card in the faces of those on the board, and achieving results takes time.

Besides that, all interpersonal relationships need to be re-established, and long-distance work isn't a long-term solution.

Rationally, Xie Ci understood, but he couldn't just let him go back like that.

Sunlight reached the bottom of the screen, and Xie Ci moved his laptop inward, "This time, take good care of your eyes, don't get nearsighted again."

"Are you worried?" Gu Yufeng looked up at him.

Xie Ci brushed his fingers over the corner of his eye, "Such beautiful eyes, it'd be a shame if they got nearsighted."

Gu Yufeng tilted his head, rubbing against his palm, "Flirting with me?"

Seeing the smile in his eyes, Xie Ci bent down and kissed the corner of his lips, "That's more like it."

Caught off guard by the kiss, Gu Yufeng's fingers on the table tightened, and after realizing it, he raised his hand to pull Xie Ci closer, wanting to deepen the kiss, but Xie Ci pulled away.

"Time to study." Facing Gu Yufeng's dissatisfied gaze, Xie Ci pulled out the chair next to him and sat down, starting to work on his paper.

Gu Yufeng was speechless.

"Enjoy and leave, not caring about my life or death?"

Xie Ci retorted, "Didn't you enjoy and leave before?"

Gu Yufeng: "Didn't we agree not to bring up old scores?"

Xie Ci: "We just reincarnated, not lost our memories, old scores still need to be brought up."

Gu Yufeng turned sideways, holding his chin to face him, "President Xie, you love me, right?"

Xie Ci looked serious, "In our line of work, the biggest taboo is falling in love with a client."

Gu Yufeng: "…"

How does he still remember that?

How did he pretend to be so magnanimous before?

By 11 o'clock, Gu Yufeng had finished his work, moved his stiff shoulders and neck, and turned to see Xie Ci still working on his paper, with a thick stack of materials in front of him, almost done.

Preparing so seriously for the competition, is he planning to attend university in the country?

The thought flashed through his mind, making Gu Yufeng feel uneasy.

"Have you decided which university to attend?"

"Not yet." Xie Ci glanced at the question, casually writing down the formula and simplified solution steps, flipping to the next page.

"Come to D Country with me for university."

Xie Ci paused, looking up.

This wasn't the first time Gu Yufeng suggested going to D Country together.

Gu Yufeng looked serious, "Or we can attend university together in the country."

Xie Ci was silent for a moment, "With your current grades, you can barely get into a vocational college, and you want me to accompany you to a vocational college?"

Gu Yufeng: "…If you agree, I'll start working hard now."

"As if you can get in just by working hard."

Xie Ci continued to work on his paper, and Gu Yufeng suddenly got up and sat on his lap, feeling a bit helpless, "I can't work on my paper like this."

Gu Yufeng leaned in, lightly biting his ear, "I'm sitting on your lap, and all you can think about is working on your paper?"

Xie Ci held his waist, pushing him away a bit, "Don't move, I said no."

"Those old men on the board aren't as stubborn as you."

Gu Yufeng's fingers threaded through Xie Ci's hair, kissing along his jawline.

They were too familiar with each other, easily igniting the fire, and Xie Ci's hand on his waist tightened, "Control yourself."

A soft laugh came from beside his ear, and Gu Yufeng whispered, "I'm a foreigner who can go into heat at any time, can't control it."

Xie Ci thought for a moment, "Isn't it said that middle-aged couples kiss, and they can have nightmares for most of the night?"

"…"

Gu Yufeng lifted his head, "Facing you, it's good enough if I don't have wet dreams."

Xie Ci cursed softly, turning his head to kiss him, "You're really asking for it."

Initially proud of his successful seduction, Gu Yufeng soon found himself softened by the intense kiss, his mind blank, unable to think of anything else.

"You used to be so gentle, now you're so rough." Gu Yufeng pushed him away, feeling his lips go numb, "You tricked me badly."

Xie Ci licked the corner of his lips, "You don't like it?"

Gu Yufeng wrapped his arms around his neck, "Again."

Xie Ci lifted him onto the table, "Time to cook."

Before Gu Yufeng could react, he was already gone, leaving him sitting on the table in a daze.

"Xie Ci!"

Entering the kitchen, Xie Ci opened the fridge, took out some ingredients he needed, and handed them to Gu Yufeng, who had followed him, "Wash these."

Gu Yufeng instinctively caught them, feeling annoyed, "I'm a guest."

Xie Ci took an apron, tying it around his waist from behind, "Roll up your sleeves, don't get them wet."

"…"

Resigned, Gu Yufeng walked to the sink, rolling up his sweatshirt sleeves, "That hug from behind felt nice, maybe we should try apron play next time."

Xie Ci: "…Is your mind filled with nothing but dirty thoughts?"

Gu Yufeng sneered, "I've been a monk for half a year, don't push me to act on my thoughts."

"You mean—"

Xie Ci hugged him from behind, his hands brushing over Gu Yufeng's chest and thighs, his voice carrying a light smile, "You like this feeling?"

Warm breath brushed against his neck, and Gu Yufeng didn't expect him to suddenly hug him, his heart skipped a beat, dropping the potato in his hand and turning to pounce.

But Xie Ci stepped back first, calmly turning to the stove.

"Got it, focus on washing the vegetables, the water's splashing."

Here we go again.

Gu Yufeng was so angry his teeth itched, who's fishing whom?

"You damn—"

Gu Yufeng kicked Xie Ci's butt, "Deserve a beating!"

Xie Ci took the kick.

In the past, he couldn't imagine the always elegant and proper Gu Yufeng doing something so crude.

Teasing the ex-husband seems addictive.

With just the two of them eating, Xie Ci cooked five dishes and a pot of light yam and pork rib soup.

Gu Yufeng picked up a piece of meat for Xiao Fang, who was squatting by the table, looking at them eagerly, "Do you know you got me into trouble? But I'm generous, I won't hold it against you."

Xiao Fang ate the meat, wagging his tail excitedly and whimpering.

Xie Ci placed a bowl of dog food on the ground, asking Gu Yufeng, "Have you tasted the dishes, how do they taste?"

"Do you want the truth or a lie?" Gu Yufeng smiled.

Xie Ci: "…Is it bad?"

"Compared to Grandma's cooking, it's not just a little worse."

Gu Yufeng said slowly, "But it's still a familiar taste, makes me nostalgic for the past."

Back then, they could be together naturally, but they didn't cherish it, now they have to sneak around, not knowing how many hurdles they have to cross to return to the starting point.

"I prefer now."

Xie Ci sat across from Gu Yufeng, "At least you're willing to tell me the truth now."

The road may be difficult, but the end won't be that impenetrable fog anymore.

"The past was better, could do whatever we wanted." Gu Yufeng said, sighing with a bit of loss.

Xie Ci: "…"

Robertson received a notification to pick up Gu Yufeng around three in the afternoon, thinking it was good he didn't stay overnight.

When the back door opened and Gu Yufeng got in, Robertson immediately noticed the red spot on his lips, turning to look closely, "What happened to your lips?"

Gu Yufeng wiped the corner of his mouth, his expression calm, "Old Xie's cooking was so good at lunch, I bit my lip."

Robertson was shocked, "How good must it be?"

Gu Yufeng laughed, "Just really good."

After dropping him off at home, Robertson edited a report and sent it to Fiona.

【Everything was normal today.】

At dinner, Xie Ci and his father casually chatted about the calligraphy and painting exchange meeting.

Xie Qian: "Did Little Gu come over today, didn't you guys go out?"

"Too much homework, didn't go out."

Thinking about the conversation at lunch with Gu Yufeng, Xie Ci asked, "Who's managing your finances?"

"Finances?"

Xie Qian looked puzzled, "I didn't give it to anyone, just kept it in the account."

Xie Ci: "…"

He guessed as much.

Xie Ci: "Give it to me, I'll help you manage it after the holidays."

Xie Qian naturally had no objections, thinking it was just buying some bank financial products or something, he didn't care about the yield, letting Xie Ci handle it however he wanted.

"By the way, yesterday a D Country art dealer named Neil contacted me, wanting to sign a contract."

Xie Qian asked Xie Ci, "From the information he sent, it looks good, I'm a bit unsure, can you help me take a look?"

"Neil?"

Xie Ci paused slightly, "Is it the Neil who runs the Beniel Gallery?"

Xie Qian nodded, pulling up the information on his phone to show him.

Xie Ci quickly flipped to the personal profile section, confirming it was the old man.

In his past life, his father's paintings sold for millions of dollars, thanks in no small part to this man's efforts.

He didn't expect him to come so soon in this life.

Xie Ci suddenly remembered when Gu Yufeng gave the painting Gu Yongnian bought to Caitlin as a gift.

That guy was secretly helping him again.