FSGOR Ch42part1

Early morning.

Chu Xuyu got out of bed and worked out, then took a shower. He wore carefully chosen loungewear, and even his hairstyle had been styled with care—he exuded a relaxed, mature charm from head to toe.

If it weren’t for the fact that Jiang Tian insisted on taking the bus and wouldn’t let him drive over to pick him up, this CEO might have gone even more overboard with his outfit.

And then—

Because his little boyfriend was bringing a “mysterious gift,” the usually cool and aloof man became uncharacteristically restless at home. He even went downstairs to sit on the lobby sofa, pretending to read the newspaper like he was busy.

The butler: “………”

‘What strange wind is blowing through today?’

But soon enough, a high-value young man stepped through the door carrying a paper shopping bag. His eyes flicked toward the butler, clearly intending to ask something—only for Chu Xuyu to intercept him in a flash.

“You’re here.” Chu Xuyu even opened his mouth first.

“Was the traffic bad during rush hour?”

Jiang Tian smiled lightly. “Not bad, no traffic.”

The butler: “?!!”

So… Mr. Chu had been waiting here for this boy for the past half hour?!

Of course, a smart man never gossips. The butler maintained his professional smile and attitude, giving nothing away despite the seasoned gleam in his eyes.

But Chu Xuyu didn’t care about any of that. His eyes were only for Jiang Tian. Seeing him arrive, slightly dusty from travel and holding what looked like a branded menswear bag, he quickly ushered him inside.

It was hot outside. Jiang Tian’s forehead was dotted with sweat, and he gave Chu Xuyu a slightly embarrassed smile.

“Chu-Ge… I hope you’ll like this gift.”

He handed over the bag, and Chu Xuyu’s mood soared. As if he’d received a precious treasure, he took it with both hands by the handles—and even without opening it, he leaned in to reward him.

“Thank you, baby.”

He pressed a light kiss to Jiang Tian’s cheek in the elevator.

Jiang Tian: “……”

His eyes darted toward the surveillance camera, and he discreetly wiped the kiss mark from his cheek. That action was just as panic-stricken as when he hung up the phone the other night.

But almost immediately—

Jiang Tian realized he was overreacting. Though he wasn’t fully used to it yet, he had already accepted the relationship. Acting this way might hurt Chu Xuyu’s feelings.

However—

When he glanced back at Chu Xuyu’s smiling, handsome face, radiating smug joy, he suddenly felt like… maybe he was overthinking it.

Ding.

The elevator reached the top floor.

Once inside the house, Jiang Tian changed shoes at the entrance. Chu Xuyu, pleased after receiving a gift, deliberately blocked his way and leaned in with an ambiguous tone: “What is the gift?”

His warm breath tickled Jiang Tian’s ear. He instinctively rubbed his earlobe but didn’t dodge.
“You can open it, Ge.”

Chu Xuyu opened the bag while asking, “A shirt?”

“…”

Jiang Tian noticed how well Chu Xuyu understood him and nodded.

 “Yes.”

At that moment, Chu Xuyu pulled out the shirt. It was extremely similar to the one he had thrown away before—maybe even better in terms of color and design. It was hard to say if it was real or just love-tinted lenses.

“Thank you.”

Chu Xuyu gently set the gift on the counter, then leaned in to kiss Jiang Tian without warning.

Even though he had mentally prepared for it, Jiang Tian still stumbled a bit. The man’s aggressive kiss covered his lips and slipped his tongue in, full of burning desire.

“……!”

Jiang Tian reflexively wrapped his arms around his shoulders, his palms meeting the solid, well-trained muscles beneath the cotton fabric—hot and powerful.

He was more passive in the kiss, but not entirely helpless. Their lips parted slightly, breathing grew heavier, and they exchanged a sticky, passionate kiss.

The air seemed to ignite. Chu Xuyu’s breath turned rough and heavy—he was devouring Jiang Tian like he wanted to drag him into his own world.

They kissed until they were both out of breath.

Eventually, they pulled apart, but Chu Xuyu, ever the dominant one, wasn’t willing to let go. He held him tightly, his hands wandering across Jiang Tian’s body.

Jiang Tian took a deep breath. “……”

This man was never well-behaved. Just like the night they confirmed their relationship—stealing kisses and sucking on his collarbone when he wasn’t paying attention, leaving hickeys.

Which, of course, was how Jiang Tian ended up socially dead in front of his friends.

Before Chu Xuyu could do anything else, Jiang Tian slightly backed away and calmly asked in a warm tone: “Do you want to go out on a date?”

The fact that he initiated the question made Chu Xuyu’s heart skip. He cupped Jiang Tian’s face.

 “Whatever you want.”

But Jiang Tian didn’t have any specific plans.
“Hmm… How about the park?”

Chu Xuyu’s handsome face went through an instant emotional shift—half love-struck, half reluctant.

 “It’s way too hot for that.”

“…You’re right.”

With the forecast showing a high of 38°C, Jiang Tian paused and then offered another idea:
“Then how about a movie at the mall?”

Chu Xuyu, clearly hoping Jiang Tian would just stay home with him, replied: “We can watch movies in the living room too.”

Before he could lean in for another kiss, Jiang Tian quickly turned to the window, desperate for a distraction.

 “Let’s go for a boat ride on Jingting Lake.”

He was a bit on guard, hands braced against Chu Xuyu’s shoulders—clearly not ready for another kiss. But his expression wasn’t one of rejection, just shy embarrassment.

He forced a smile.

“There’s parking at the dock, and the boat has air conditioning. Want to go?”

Chu Xuyu: “……”

He wasn’t into touristy stuff. Those boats were for out-of-towners. But fine—he’d go along with his sweetheart’s plan.

“Okay.” Chu Xuyu nodded.

“I’ll go change.”

***

Half an hour later—

The CEO, with his little sweetheart, arrived at the dock. They queued up with a crowd of elderly tourists, bought tickets, and boarded the luxury double-decker dragon boat.

Climbing to the top-level sightseeing deck, they were greeted by breathtaking views. The experience wasn’t half bad.

Jingting Lake, a 4A-rated scenic spot, sparkled with soft ripples under the breeze. The lake was scattered with lotuses and mandarin ducks, and surrounded by small scenic islands.

A full tour would take at least an hour or so.

At first, Chu Xuyu had his arms crossed, worried he might get bored and fall asleep. After all, how attractive could the same scenery you wake up to every day really be?

But Jiang Tian had a kind of magic about him. He clearly wasn’t the outgoing type, yet he always managed to hold Chu Xuyu’s interest.

Whether talking about fun facts regarding the view or drifting into everyday topics, the whole lake tour flew by. Even when the elderly tourists around them returned to their seats, still buzzing with excitement, it felt like the boat ride had ended much faster than expected.

“There was a little kid playing with a toy just now,”

Back at the dock, Jiang Tian bought ice cream at a small shop and handed a cone to Chu Xuyu.
“I hope he didn’t bother you?”

Chu Xuyu took the matcha-flavored cone and replied casually while enjoying its cooling sweetness: “Was he sitting near us?”

In truth, he hadn’t paid attention to anyone except Jiang Tian. That noisy kid earlier hadn’t even registered in his memory.

“Yeah.” Jiang Tian smiled lightly.

“Good thing he didn’t disturb you.”

Chu Xuyu also curved his lips slightly. This outing had turned out quite well. Though the weather was hot, they could grab a bite now, then go home and continue their date.

Chu Xuyu drove. Jiang Tian sat in the passenger seat planning their next moves—maybe catch a movie, then have dinner. It was shaping up to be a perfect date.

Because Jiang Tian had given him a gift earlier, Chu Xuyu insisted on treating him to a pricey Western dinner. He didn’t allow Jiang Tian to pay, which left the boy feeling slightly guilty.

But Jiang Tian silently promised himself he’d return the favor next time and made a note of Chu Xuyu’s tastes, planning to surprise him during their next date.

Before heading home—

The two passed by a convenience store. Chu Xuyu mentioned wanting a drink later that evening. Jiang Tian, who wasn’t a fan of alcohol, suddenly said:  “Then I’ll grab a bottle of plum wine.”

He was reminded of that plum wine he had in the old hutong bar—not bad, really. He was curious to find something similar tonight.

“Alright.”

Just then, Chu Xuyu’s phone rang—likely work-related. He waved Jiang Tian inside: “I’ll wait outside.”

“Okay,” Jiang Tian nodded.

“I’ll be quick.”

With that—