Chapter 65: Side Story

Ji Su, reminded of it like this, finally recalled that he did indeed owe the other a meal, and apologized at once: "Sorry, I was busy and forgot about it."

Gu Zhao was magnanimous about it: "It's fine — it's not too late to remember now."

Ji Su walked to the table and picked up his laptop. "What would Lawyer Gu like to eat tonight?"

"I'm fine with anything." Gu Zhao asked, "What do you want to eat?"

Ji Su replied with a smile: "I'm the one treating Lawyer Gu, so naturally we should eat what Lawyer Gu likes."

"Good." Gu Zhao smiled as well. "Then Teacher Ji, follow me."

Ji Su had assumed that an elite professional like Lawyer Gu, who went about in suits and leather shoes year-round, would probably prefer Western food — he hadn't expected the car to stop in front of a narrow alley.

The two got out of the car, walked through the long, narrow alley, and arrived before a small Chinese-style courtyard house.

Gu Zhao casually lifted the door curtain aside. "I came across this restaurant by chance. The owner has good skill."

The interior was Chinese in style, the atmosphere quiet and secluded, and there weren't many patrons.

They had only just stepped inside when a middle-aged man hurried up to greet them: "Lawyer Gu, you've come!"

"Boss Zhang." Gu Zhao nodded in greeting. "Is there a private room available?"

"Yes — just one left, as it happens." Boss Zhang's gaze fell on Ji Su's face. "And this is?"

"Teacher Ji." Gu Zhao introduced him. "An architectural designer."

"So it's Teacher Ji — a pleasure, a pleasure!" Boss Zhang said with a beaming smile. "Come, please follow me this way."

The two walked into a private room, which faced a window where pomegranate blossoms were blooming in vivid red.

After ordering, the server took the menu and left the private room. Ji Su opened the laptop he carried with him: "Lawyer Gu, let me first show you the Villa styles I've designed before."

"No rush." Gu Zhao lifted his tea cup and took a sip. "No business talk before dinner."

Ji Su: "..."

So why hadn't he stopped him earlier, when he was about to bring his laptop along?

Gu Zhao added, unhurried: "We'll talk after we eat."

Ji Su smiled. "Alright, Lawyer Gu."

Before long, the dishes they'd ordered arrived one after another.

The food at this restaurant was no worse than the last one, and Ji Su was beginning to suspect Lawyer Gu might be a professional foodie.

After dinner, Ji Su took the initiative to ask the server for the bill.

This time Gu Zhao didn't fight him for it; once he had settled the bill, he rose. "Let's go."

Back in the car, Gu Zhao asked again: "My place or yours?"

Ji Su didn't catch on: "What?"

"After dinner, it's time to talk business properly." Gu Zhao rested one hand on the steering wheel. "Your place or mine?"

"Um..." Ji Su hesitated. "How about we go back to the company to talk?"

"Then forget it." Gu Zhao didn't press him. "I'll come find you at your company tomorrow."

Ji Su nodded. "Alright."

Gu Zhao drove him to the entrance of his residential complex and brought the car to a stop.

Before getting out, Ji Su thanked him: "Lawyer Gu, thank you for driving me back."

Gu Zhao said, out of nowhere: "I never said I didn't want to see you."

Ji Su's hand, which had been unbuckling his seatbelt, froze. "What?"

Gu Zhao turned his face and explained, in earnest: "After we met last time, I wasn't sure what you felt about me, so I didn't presume to trouble you again."

Ji Su's heart gave a sudden leap, and for a moment he said nothing.

Gu Zhao's tone carried a smile: "But running into you unexpectedly this time — I was very glad."

"Thank you." Ji Su lowered his lashes and replied softly, "I'm quite glad too."

Gu Zhao stared at him without blinking. "Are you?"

"Of course." Ji Su's lips curved faintly. "Lawyer Gu came bearing a big project, after all."

Gu Zhao lifted an eyebrow slightly. "Just that?"

"It's getting late — I'll head back first." Ji Su sidestepped the topic and opened the car door. "Lawyer Gu, take it slow on the road back."

Gu Zhao didn't stop him; he only followed that retreating figure with a heavy gaze, until it vanished from view.

*

Early the next morning, when Ji Su arrived at the company, Gu Zhao was already waiting for him.

Gu Zhao had brought a contract; Ji Su skimmed it at a glance, and felt a little surprised when he reached the end.

Gu Zhao sat on the sofa, tapping his knee with his fingertips. "If Teacher Ji isn't satisfied with the price, we can still discuss it."

"No, that's not what I meant." Ji Su raised his eyes and answered honestly. "The price Lawyer Gu offered is very high."

"Teacher Ji's work is worth that much." Gu Zhao turned his wristwatch absently. "Besides, won't the company still take a large share?"

"Since Lawyer Gu puts it that way, I'll accept the favor." Ji Su left his desk and walked over to him. "Lawyer Gu, pleasant cooperation."

Gu Zhao rose from the sofa and extended his large hand. "Teacher Ji, pleasant cooperation."

His hand was warm and dry, its grip full of strength; Ji Su felt the slightly rough pad of his finger brush, almost absently, against the back of his hand.

But soon Gu Zhao withdrew his hand and asked, with perfect seriousness: "When does Teacher Ji plan to begin work?"

Ji Su replied: "Any time."

"Then let's start today." Gu Zhao glanced at the time. "After work, I'll take you to see the Villa first."

Ji Su responded: "Alright."

Just as Gu Zhao was about to leave the office, Ji Su suddenly thought of something: "Lawyer Gu, let's add each other on WeChat — it'll make things easier to coordinate going forward."

"Good." Gu Zhao drew his phone from his suit pocket. "I've finally been waiting for Teacher Ji to be willing to add me on WeChat."

At dusk, Gu Zhao drove Ji Su to the seaside.

A two-story standalone Villa, facing south with its back to the north, with excellent ventilation and natural light; standing on the second floor, one could take in the entire sea view — it was practically the house of Ji Su's dreams.

Gu Zhao asked: "What does Teacher Ji think of the house?"

"Absolutely perfect." Ji Su turned back, a little curious. "What made Lawyer Gu think of buying a Villa by the sea?"

Gu Zhao answered briefly: "A fortunate coincidence."

Ji Su didn't press further, only said: "I've always wanted to build a Villa by the sea myself, but I haven't had the funds for it yet."

"What a coincidence, then." Gu Zhao laughed softly. "As long as Teacher Ji likes it."

Ji Su walked onto the Balcony. "What kind of style does Lawyer Gu roughly want?"

"I don't have any particular style in mind." Gu Zhao followed him onto the Balcony. "Teacher Ji, go by your own preferences."

Ji Su was taken aback. "Entirely by my own preferences?"

"Mm." Gu Zhao met his eyes. "I trust Teacher Ji's aesthetic."

Ji Su furrowed his brow slightly, and suddenly felt the pressure double.

Among his past clients, there had been those who nitpicked over every detail, those who watched his every move, and those who tried to dictate to him — but never one who let go completely and let him work freely.

But given Lawyer Gu's high standards and exacting demands, if what he designed failed to satisfy the other, he might face a complete redo, and then...

As if reading his concern, Gu Zhao offered him a reassurance: "Don't worry. I said I'd leave it entirely to you, and I won't interfere again."

Ji Su pressed his lips together. "Alright, then I'll thank Lawyer Gu in advance for your trust."

"No need to thank me." Gu Zhao shifted the topic. "What do you want to eat tonight?"

Before the project had even officially begun, Ji Su had, once again in a daze, followed him off to dinner.

After dinner, Gu Zhao drove him back as usual.

Over the days that followed, Ji Su kept shuttling back and forth between the company and the Villa.

Gu Zhao had said he'd leave it entirely to him, and he truly left it entirely to him — aside from driving him to and fro and taking him to meals, he concerned himself with nothing else, as if it weren't his own house being renovated.

After a month, the renovation had made little progress, but they had eaten a great many meals together.

Ji Su could sense that Gu Zhao had feelings for him, but he didn't want to mix personal emotions with work, so he deliberately kept a certain distance.

Fortunately, Lawyer Gu was serious and focused at work, and a gentleman in private — occasionally flirting with him, but only to a point, with just the right measure of charm.

Ji Su gradually let down his guard, and the two grew more and more natural in each other's company.

That evening, Ji Su lost track of time while coordinating with the construction crew, and finished quite late.

Gu Zhao took him to get something to eat, and by the time they were done it was already past ten.

"It's too late. Stay here tonight." Gu Zhao suggested. "We'll get two rooms at a nearby Hotel."

Ji Su considered it and agreed: "Alright — it's not safe for you to drive back this late either."

The two found a Hotel nearby, and when they asked at the front desk, there was only one business twin room left.

"It's peak tourist season by the sea — Hotels all need to be booked in advance, and the others probably won't have rooms either." The receptionist reminded them. "Would the two of you like to make do for one night?"

"Fine." Gu Zhao agreed. "Book it."

After checking in, the two walked into the twin room one after the other.

With a soft click, the door closed behind them, and Ji Su felt inexplicably nervous.

He looked around the room, and his gaze suddenly froze.

A king-size bed room or a couple's suite with a semi-transparent bathroom might still be called a matter of taste, but why did a business twin room also have this kind of glass bathroom...

Gu Zhao acted as if he hadn't noticed, walked straight to the desk, and set down his bag. "You shower first — I still have to deal with an email."

"Alright." Ji Su responded, and walked into the bathroom bracing himself.

After all, they were both men — even if he was seen completely, it wouldn't matter, right...

Ji Su saw the showerhead hanging on the wall, had a sudden inspiration, and turned the water temperature up to the hottest setting.

Sure enough, within a few minutes the entire bathroom was enveloped in white steam.

Ji Su felt relieved, and began to undress and shower.

Gu Zhao, seated at the desk, turned his head, his gaze directed toward the bathroom.

Steam curled through the bathroom; a hazy figure was reflected on the semi-transparent glass — slender and upright in form, with faintly visible graceful curves — making one want to wipe away the mist on the glass and see clearly, and even...

Gu Zhao narrowed his dark eyes slightly, the look in their depths unreadable.

Ji Su showered quickly, slid open the glass door, and stepped out of the bathroom.

The room's cool air rushed in; he took a deep breath and felt himself come back to life.

Gu Zhao looked up, and his gaze suddenly froze.

Dark hair, still damp, dripped water downward; his beautiful cheeks had been steamed a pale cherry pink; the loose collar revealed a large expanse of skin, white tinged with pink — like a delicious strawberry-flavored cake.

The white bathrobe wasn't long enough, revealing a stretch of long, slender calves, so fair they were dazzling, radiating a warm, jade-like luster — it wasn't hard to imagine how good they would feel held in one's palm...

"I'm done showering." Ji Su reached up to gather his bathrobe. "Are you going to shower?"

Gu Zhao withdrew his gaze, his voice low: "Mm."

Ji Su sat cross-legged on the bed and opened his phone to deal with messages.

After a while, the bathroom door opened again.

Ji Su lifted his lashes, and his eyes instantly widened.

Gu Zhao walked out bare-chested, his chest muscles solid but not exaggerated, his eight-pack symmetrically defined; water droplets, not yet dried, rolled down along the distinct ridges of his abs, leaving trails on the beautiful, flowing lines of his Adonis belt, and rolled into the loosely knotted towel at his hips.

And that white towel was conspicuously bulging in a large area...

Ji Su's ears grew hot; he hastily looked away and stammered: "You... why did you come out without any clothes on?"

"The bathrobe accidentally fell on the floor and got wet." Gu Zhao walked toward him. "Isn't this a towel wrapped around me?"