Before leaving the hospital, Gu Xiuyi arranged a comprehensive physical examination for Ji Ruan. A fasting condition was required for the morning check-up, so Ji Ruan was pulled out of bed at dawn, wandering through various departments, feeling starved and weak.
Leaning against the bedside, Ji Ruan glanced at Gu Xiuyi. The man's face seemed to fly up into the sky one moment and crash back down to earth the next. Dizziness overwhelmed him, forcing him to eventually close his eyes.
Aunt Zhao fed him half a bowl of porridge, but his hunger pains persisted and he ended up vomiting it shortly after. Although he was supposed to be discharged from the hospital that day, the extra complications caused him to stay another night and finally be taken home the following morning.
During Ji Ruan's illness, he survived on a diet of only dew and had to rely on Aunt Zhao's overcooked porridge, which he could barely stomach. Occasionally, he would nibble on some greens. His weakness was evident as Gu Xiuyi had to half-carry him upstairs and tuck him into bed.
Gu Xiuyi felt distressed when he noticed the small sliver of Ji Ruan's wrist peeking out from under the blanket, highlighting his weight loss.
However, the meticulously arranged physical examination only delivered a worse report. Gu Xiuyi read through it multiple times, even dusting off his rarely used reading glasses, but he couldn't believe what he was seeing. He started suspecting that there was something wrong with his vision.
Anemia, hypoglycemia, malnutrition - all the indicators were a mess, struggling to barely meet the minimum requirements. It wasn't a major issue, yet it seemed problematic on multiple fronts.
The report gave Gu Xiuyi a headache that lasted the whole day. He couldn't help but think that the fragile little boy he married to avoid complications was spiraling out of control. He was turning into a genuine troublemaker, the type that would faint at the slightest hint of harshness.
Ji Ruan remained bedridden and dizzy for two days until his stomach improved and he regained some energy. It was as if a dry patch of grass had finally been revitalized by a refreshing spring rain, brimming with vitality. He felt rejuvenated.
Every day, as he sipped on Aunt Zhao's light soup, which lacked substance, Ji Ruan would lament the fact that humans couldn't survive without meat.
Gu Xiuyi became busy again. Ji Ruan had spent almost an entire summer vacation at home. Although Gu Xiuyi rarely returned to the villa, he would often call to chat and inquire about Xiao An's well-being, as well as the dinner that Aunt Zhao had prepared. But these days, Ji Ruan hadn't received a single call. Gu Xiuyi seemed occupied.
The next time Ji Ruan saw Gu Xiuyi, it would be on his university orientation day, which fell on a Saturday. Before he had a chance to report to university, he fell ill and was admitted to the hospital. So, he had never experienced college life until now.
With this newfound lease on life, Ji Ruan was thrilled to step foot on the university campus.
As expected, human desires continue to grow. When faced with near-death experiences, all one desires is to live. But once survival is achieved, the wish transforms into a desire for a better, easier, and more liberated life.
That night, Ji Ruan went to bed early. The next day, he intentionally wore a light blue short-sleeved shirt that resembled a watercolor painting. Aunt Zhao commented that he looked very handsome in it.
After breakfast, Gu Xiuyi picked him up from the courtyard.
No longer dressed in a suit, Gu Xiuyi now wore a casual striped shirt with black trousers. His broad shoulders and tall figure resembled a confident senior on campus, exactly how Ji Ruan had imagined.
Ji Ruan admired him constantly.
Two days ago, it rained, but the weather today was pleasant - not too hot, with occasional sunlight.
"How's your health?" Gu Xiuyi asked as they sat in the car.
Ji Ruan was texting Han Xiaolin and typed his reply, "I'm feeling much better."
Gu Xiuyi carefully observed Ji Ruan's eyes. Although the missing flesh hadn't fully regenerated, his spirit had significantly improved, and he seemed to be in a very happy mood.
Today, he cut a dashing figure, clad in a light blue short-sleeved shirt and white shorts. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to his elbows, revealing his well-defined forearms. He carried a casual satchel, its strap slung nonchalantly across his shoulders. His whole demeanor exuded the vibrant energy of a young college student.
Gu Xiuyi couldn't help but feel that Ji Ruan was the perfect match for light blue.
A smile tugged at the corner of Gu Xiuyi's mouth as he asked Ji Ruan once more, "Have you been feeling dizzy recently?"
Dizziness and fatigue were common symptoms of his anemia and hypoglycemia.
Ji Ruan glanced at Gu Xiuyi with an expression of "You wouldn't understand" and sheepishly replied, "A little... especially when I'm hungry."
Although Ji Ruan had always been aware that he didn't get very hungry, now when he did feel hungry, dizziness would accompany it. One morning, he even fell when getting up, feeling stunned as he sat on the ground for a while before getting back up.
"You're a bit anemic, which makes you prone to dizziness. Take care to sit up and stand up slowly, and be cautious when walking to prevent falls," Gu Xiuyi repeated the doctor's words verbatim.
Ji Ruan lightly touched the tip of his nose and chose not to mention his recent fall. "Okay, I understand."
The freshman mobilization meeting and the open day made Peking University abuzz with activity. Banners adorned the long boulevard, and freshmen, alumni, relatives, and volunteers wearing blue jackets filled the area with laughter and liveliness.
Walking quietly beside Gu Xiuyi, Ji Ruan would occasionally glance at passers-by and then raise his big eyes to read the banners above.
The boulevard was lined with rows of sycamore trees, their ancient trunks gnarled and twisted like the limbs of wizened old men. Their leaves were a deep green, casting a cool shade over the street below. The occasional ray of sunlight would filter through the branches, illuminating the dust motes that danced in the air. Ji Ruan squinted for a moment before raising his head again to continue his observations.
Gu Xiuyi quietly observed Ji Ruan, sensing his genuine curiosity and longing for college life.
"Ji Ruan—!"
From a distance, Han Xiaolin, engaged in conversation with a senior wearing a blue jacket, spotted Ji Ruan and waved at him.
Ji Ruan found Han Xiaolin's antics amusing and burst into laughter.
Gu Xiuyi patted Ji Ruan on the shoulder and said, "Go."
Ji Ruan looked up at him, his long eyelashes sweeping. "What about you?"
The corners of Gu Xiuyi's lips curved into a gentle smile as he replied, "Alumni are gathering at the North Point Square. Are you headed to the multipurpose hall? I'll find you later."
"Hmm... that's fine," Ji Ruan pondered for a moment, recognizing that Gu Xiuyi had his own business to attend to.
"By the way," Gu Xiuyi pointed and reminded him, "Don't run, take your time."
"I got it." Ji Ruan waved his hand and turned towards Han Xiaolin.
Gu Xiuyi watched as Ji Ruan weaved through the crowd to join his friends. At first, he walked obediently, but as soon as he and Han Xiaolin made contact, they broke into a jog, shoulder to shoulder.
Gu Xiuyi couldn't hear what Han Xiaolin said to tease Ji Ruan, but he saw the child's genuine and happy smile. The corners of his mouth lifted high, and the arches of his eyes were beautifully curved, a smile unique to the age of eighteen.
Unconsciously, Gu Xiuyi's expression softened. Shaking his head, he turned and walked towards his own alumni association.
With so many talents at Peking University, countless people at the alumni association recognized Gu Xiuyi from the business world. They approached him one after another, seeking a closer connection. His phone vibrated, indicating a call from Song Ling. Gu Xiuyi answered.
"Boss, Xiaoya said you changed your delivery address back to the villa?" Song Ling inquired. "Why the sudden move?"
"Yes," Gu Xiuyi declined a glass of champagne and explained, "If there are any future deliveries, don't send them to the apartment."
"So sudden... You've been busy lately, is it all because of this move?" Song Ling clicked his tongue. "May I ask, why?"
Gu Xiuyi paused for a moment, pursing his lips. "Xiao An doesn't even recognize me anymore, so I need to spend more time with him while taking care of a cat."
Xiao An used to live with Gu Xiuyi in an apartment, and Aunt Zhao would occasionally come to take care of him. But since Ji Ruan moved in, Aunt Zhao took over the responsibility of looking after him and brought the cat back to the villa.
It was a good excuse.
However, Song Ling didn't believe him and even seemed to be chuckling. "Really?"
While it may be true that he wanted to spend more time with the cat, this cat was not the same as Xiao An.
Gu Xiuyi responded, feeling a slight dryness in his throat. He adjusted his collar and asked a volunteer for a bottle of mineral water.
-
"Have you seen the dormitory allocation table in the group?" Han Xiaolin pulled Ji Ruan through the densely packed crowd.
"Look," Ji Ruan said, slightly out of breath. "Why am I sharing a dorm with you?"
Han Xiaolin laughed heartily. "We're both leftovers. You're the last one left in the Chinese Department, and I'm the last one left in the Physical Education Institute. The other two..."
"The Fine Arts Department and the Finance Department," Ji Ruan added, taking off the ribbon from his hair.
There was an event on the road they had just passed, with a lot of salute barrels firing, which had splattered Ji Ruan.
"It's quite special. The only co-ed dormitory for our freshmen year chose us. Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket later," Han Xiaolin grinned, displaying his eight front teeth.
Ji Ruan looked at him helplessly. "I wish you luck and win 50 million."
"Thank you," Han Xiaolin pushed open the glass door of the multipurpose hall and asked Ji Ruan, "So, are you going for military training? When will you move into the dormitory?"
Ji Ruan had been worried for the past few days. "I'm not sure. I don't want to do military training. Let's talk to Gu Xiuyi when we go back. Maybe we'll come a few days later."
With delicate eyebrows and fair skin, Ji Ruan exuded elegance even when he frowned slightly.
Han Xiaolin was slightly taken aback and muttered, "It's alright. Mr. Gu must be reluctant to part with your military training..."
Ji Ruan looked at him, confused.
The registration office for the Chinese Department was by the entrance, while the Physical Education Institute was located at the back. Han Xiaolin changed the subject. "I'll go ahead. Can you call me later?"
Ji Ruan shook his head. "Gu Xiuyi is coming to see me."
With clear eyes, Ji Ruan possessed the talent to effortlessly tease single people without saying a word.
"...Alright," Han Xiaolin smiled. "Goodbye."
A gust of wind passed before Ji Ruan's eyes. Han Xiaolin, engaged in track and field, was as skinny as a monkey, but his legs were filled with muscles. He swiftly disappeared.
The senior sister at the Chinese Department's registration desk brightened as she spotted Ji Ruan. "Is that our junior? Come, report in!"
"Yes," Ji Ruan said, pursing his lips and smiling.
The senior sister was very welcoming and placed a form on the table. "Come, sit down and fill out the form."
Ji Ruan felt slightly uncomfortable with the level of enthusiasm, so he opened the stool and sat down. "Thank you, senior."
The multipurpose hall had central air conditioning, but due to the large number of people, it had little effect. Almost every department had brought in large fans to cool down the area.
Ji Ruan faced the Chinese Department's fan and felt a bit dizzy from the breeze. He slightly moved the stool to the side before continuing to fill out the form.
As he wrote, the curve of his neck was graceful, resembling that of a ballet dancer. The tip of his nose and the areas around his eyes were slightly reddened from sweat, exemplifying a captivating beauty that combined composure and vitality.
More and more people inexplicably gathered around him, attempting to strike up a conversation.
"Can I add you on WeChat?"
"Do you have a girlfriend, little brother?"
"Do you prefer older or younger people? Would you consider dating someone of the same age?"
As the crowd grew and the air became thinner, Ji Ruan started feeling a bit lightheaded. Pausing his pen at the tip, he raised his head and smiled softly. "I'm already married."
A sudden silence seemed to fill the air.
Ji Ruan let out a sigh of relief, quickly filled out the form, and handed it to the senior sister.
After a few seconds, the silence broke, and the sound of people around started to rise again.
"Married? Isn't he..."
"It might be true. He wears a ring on his ring finger..."
"Oh my god, they are all high school graduates, and they're pulling out their marriage licenses faster than I can pass my driver's license test. I've failed the second grade five times!"
Ji Ruan accepted the gift bag from his senior sister, turned around, and left in a low-key manner.
"Hey! Isn't he that... Gu... kind of resembles..."
"Damn it, that photo... it looks like... Gu Xiuyi..."
"Eighteen years old, admitted to a prestigious university, married into a wealthy family, and so beautiful... What a winner at life..."
Ji Ruan once again underestimated Mr. Gu's influence, but he hadn't expected to be recognized. He hurriedly made his way out, feeling overwhelmed by the sudden crowd.
Fortunately, Gu Xiuyi called at that moment, and without thinking, Ji Ruan quickly answered the call. "Hello?"
"I'm here..." Gu Xiuyi's voice paused and suddenly turned more serious. "Why is it so noisy over there?"
Ji Ruan tightly covered his ears, fearing the external noise would drown out his voice, and his tone trembled slightly. "I am—"
As he spoke, he caught sight of Gu Xiuyi standing outside through the gap in the crowd. The moment their eyes met, Ji Ruan immediately hung up the phone and hurriedly made his way toward Gu Xiuyi.
It seemed that Gu Xiuyi had run over as well, looking visibly concerned. Ji Ruan was held by the hand after just running a couple of steps, and he bumped into Gu Xiuyi.
Ji Ruan's palms began to sweat.
Gu Xiuyi steadied him, supporting his shoulder. "Are you scared?"
Ji Ruan swallowed and regained his composure, shaking his head. "A lot of people asked for my WeChat earlier, and I mentioned that I was married. Then they realized that I'm your partner..."
He furrowed his eyebrows, feeling both unsettled and surprised.
Gu Xiuyi raised his eyes and glanced at the crowd ahead. His cold expression emitted an aura that signified strangers should not intrude, and he effectively isolated the crowd on the steps in the distance.
"It's alright," he reassured, taking Ji Ruan's hand. "Let's go."
-----
Author's Note:
Mr. Gu: Good job, I knew you wouldn't entertain their advances.
Ruan Ruan: They surrounded me and scared me to death!
