FSGOR Ch60

The Next Day

Chu Xuyu didn’t go to the office. Instead, he drove to Runshan Mansion without notifying Meng Tangyan’s people in advance.

When the elderly butler saw the poised and mature young master at the door, a flicker of surprise crossed his face. It showed that Meng Tangyan still wasn’t keen on meeting her own son frequently.

But Chu Xuyu parked the car and still wanted to see her—if only because he was worried she might have caught a cold.

The Runshan Mansion villa district had winding, quiet paths and a tranquil, elegant atmosphere. Just walking through the gate took some effort.

Chu Xuyu stepped into the Zen-style courtyard. The place had a cold air about it, with little sign that it was regularly lived in.

The interior of the Japanese-style home was understated and simple, in line with Meng Tangyan’s preference for peace and quiet.

But she wasn’t fond of socializing either. Though bright and attractive, Meng Tangyan had few friends in Beijing and was known to sometimes bring young men home.

It had been that way for as long as he could remember.

With her wavy hair and red lips, Meng Tangyan didn’t show much sign of her fifties. She was still a captivating woman, with a unique allure to younger men.

Because of that—

Chu Xuyu could pretty much guess the “godson’s” special relationship with his mother.

Not that he was the first. Just like how she came to love Japanese-style homes after living in Los Angeles and dating a half-Japanese model. Her aesthetics had been influenced then.

In the end—

Chu Xuyu could understand his mother’s behavior. It all started with Chu Jianye’s betrayal of their marriage, which led to her mental health issues and a desperate need for emotional refuge.

He could fully understand every one of her decisions.

At this moment—

Chu Xuyu sat in the Japanese-style living room, facing the sunlit courtyard.

Just as he was about to get up at the sound of footsteps behind him, he heard Meng Tangyan’s lazy, slightly impatient voice: “What are you doing here?”

She didn’t even call his name.

Chu Xuyu took a deep breath. From the corner of his eye, he saw his still-elegant mother sit on the sofa next to him without speaking.

Her gaze was directed toward the courtyard—the very spot he’d been quietly looking at all along. Yet she wouldn’t even spare a glance at her own son sitting right beside her.

Chu Xuyu was used to this. He followed her gaze to a newly planted azalea bush, which was thriving now, more vibrant than when he last saw it.

“Mother.”

Chu Xuyu called softly, but Meng Tangyan didn’t respond—not even a glance or a word.

The atmosphere grew tense, like it had frozen over.

Then suddenly, the woman let out a bitter laugh that quickly turned into an exaggerated, shoulder-shaking bout of hysterical laughter—like someone who had lost her mind.

And frankly, she wasn’t far from it.

“You know full well…”

She lifted trembling hands to cover her face, her voice nearly breaking. “Every time I see your face, I think of that disgusting man.”

The hatred pouring from her was nothing like the love a mother should have for her child. It was a kind of bitter loathing she couldn’t let go of.

Chu Xuyu clenched his fists, frozen in place. He could only watch as the butler brought her medicine and warm water, trying to coax the graceful but unstable woman into taking it.

He had no idea how many times this scene had repeated itself.

Chu Xuyu hadn’t always been this emotionally numb. He used to try—used to care. But now, even his inward sneer showed how foolish he’d been.

He had once tried to comfort her—only to be slapped, bitten so hard on the shoulder that he bled, and screamed at like a madwoman, saying he shouldn’t even exist. Every time she looked at him, she was reminded of that “disgusting man.”

It was like a veil of darkness had draped over his memories, yet here he was again, seeing that helpless, wounded boy from all those years ago.

He had traveled far for that birthday, hoping she might say “happy birthday”—even without cake or a party.

But the sad joke was that he spent that birthday in a Beijing hospital. Even after Meng Tangyan calmed down and realized she had hurt him, all she did was have the butler take him to the doctor. She didn’t show an ounce of guilt.

“…”

Chu Xuyu should’ve realized by now: his very existence was a shame to her. He shouldn’t keep begging for motherly love.

“I’m glad you’re getting better.”

“I won’t come again.”

If Meng Tangyan’s hatred left no room for warmth, and if there wasn’t a trace of motherly affection in her heart, then any hope he held onto only served to torture himself.

Without expectations, no new pain could grow. He shouldn’t have come.

His father was a failure. His mother hated him. No matter how many times he tried, he couldn’t seem to let himself go.

After leaving his mother’s house—

Chu Xuyu got into his car, buried his face in the steering wheel, and sat there, numb, unable to even drive.

Fortunately, he had brought the medication Fu Boxi gave him. After swallowing one and sitting in silence for a while, he finally calmed down a bit.

He stared straight ahead, jaw clenched, stepped on the gas, and drove toward Beijing University. He knew more than ever—he needed Jiang Tian right now.

***

Meanwhile, at Beijing University’s Chemistry Department

Freshmen were in gym class inside the sports hall when something unexpected happened.

A girl with a congenital heart condition collapsed from improper exertion. The counselor rushed over from the administrative building.

This counselor was young, refined, and known to have graduated with a PhD in humanities from overseas. He had been working at Beijing University for less than two years.

He was fairly popular among students, but in this emergency, no one had time to gossip—though some had guessed before that Mr. Zhuang might be kind of “gay.”

Since most students didn’t dare go near the girl, Jiang Tian, who had basic medical knowledge, stepped up to help get her to the infirmary.

Luckily, she was treated in time and was okay. During this, Jiang Tian got asked a lot of questions by Zhuang Zhe.

After the school doctor called the counselor to discuss contacting the student’s family, Jiang Tian’s questioning finally ended.

Then someone tapped Jiang Tian on the arm.

He turned to see Dou Ya trying to talk to him.

Dou Ya gave him a wary look, glancing over at the counselor’s elegant silhouette: “So annoying.”

“So many girls saw Xiao Yun faint, and he ignored them all.”

“Why is Mr. Zhuang fixated on you, Jiang Tian?”

Jiang Tian paused. He figured maybe the teacher already had a partner and was just cautious with female students—it was possible.

Dou Ya was shocked. “Are you serious? He’s obviously gay!”

Jiang Tian froze: “…?”

Dou Ya squinted, arms crossed and voice lowered. “My gaydar is always accurate. I even clocked you, and you’re deep in the closet! And that guy? He’s a screaming zero if I’ve ever seen one.”

Jiang Tian was completely stunned by her tiger-like comments and couldn’t respond.

Since there wasn’t anything else going on, the two of them ended up walking to a pathway outside the infirmary. Fallen yellow leaves littered the ground as they sat on a bench and continued their rather explosive conversation.

“You’re actually pretty sharp.”

Jiang Tian suddenly spoke up, but explained that being deeply closeted was only something from before high school graduation.

Dou Ya’s eyes lit up like flashlights. “Then what about after? When did you ‘bend’? Was it after that comic convention, when you and our Big Wolf were kissing and cuddling?”

Jiang Tian: “…………”

…Yes.

Her gaydar wasn’t just beeping—it was like she’d unlocked a whole new skill for reading minds. How could she be so accurate?

Seeing him go quiet and blush, Dou Ya got so excited her face turned red and her heart pounded. “Aiya!”

“So that’s how our Big Wolf got his Little Pup!”

“I was just plugging in variables and solving the equation!”

Jiang Tian felt like he’d been tricked.

But thankfully, Dou Ya had a bright and open personality—not a bad bone in her body. It reminded him of the relaxed atmosphere with his old class president in high school. Willing to open up, he said, “Your guess is pretty close.”

Dou Ya blinked. “Only close? I think it’s spot on. You probably didn’t expect—”

Jiang Tian: “?”

Dou Ya gave a crooked smile, up to no good. “After CP66’s event, my friend and I were squatting by a back door of the convention hall and caught you and Big Wolf walking out.”

Jiang Tian: “???”

Was this what people meant by being stalked by fans?

But Dou Ya promised she was just gossiping. She hadn’t taken any photos, let alone posted anything without permission.

“Honestly, I wasn’t going to say anything. But since Jiang Tian trusted me enough to share his secret, I figured I should be honest with you too.”

Jiang Tian let out a breath. “That’s good.”

He’d always been used to treating classmates equally, regardless of gender, and could tell Dou Ya was an earnest and warm-hearted person. Naturally, he was willing to be friends.

As a result, he couldn’t help but take her advice seriously—even though he wasn’t entirely sure that Instructor Zhuang had any improper intentions toward him.

Dou Ya clicked her tongue. “Zhuang Zhe just gives me this fake vibe. He looks polite and refined, but something about him just doesn’t sit right. You get what I mean?”

Jiang Tian half-understood. “Reminds me of someone I used to know.”

“?”

Dou Ya thought she was missing some kind of inside joke. She stroked her chin, guessing, “Anyway, once you dig a little, you’ll find out.”

“His academic credentials seem fishy, and his qualifications to be a counselor at Beijing University? Definitely backed by someone.”

As Jiang Tian listened, his gaze instinctively shifted toward the school clinic—and then he froze.

He had thought Zhuang Zhe was still talking to the nurse. But instead, the man was holding up his phone, the camera seemingly pointed in his direction—possibly trying to sneak a photo.

Though Zhuang Zhe quickly recovered, casually adjusted his angle, nodded, and smiled, Jiang Tian still felt deeply uncomfortable.

“See?” Dou Ya didn’t even need to look to guess what happened from Jiang Tian’s expression. “He’s using his position to get close to you.”

“Poor Pup—you’ve probably already been targeted.”

Suddenly, Jiang Tian remembered that message from Zhuang Zhe about checking his email. But the form he was asked to submit wasn’t even urgent.

When he mentioned it offhandedly, his roommates were shocked—none of them had been asked, only him. Zhuang Zhe had even followed up with more questions.

But Jiang Tian had good grades, and was popular with instructors, so his roommates hadn’t thought much of it.

Jiang Tian had also grown up reading people well. He just assumed it was normal concern—he was from the south, after all, studying in the north. Of course his advisor would check in.

Dou Ya’s mouth twitched. “There are only a few advisors per department. Each of them covers over a dozen classes. I’m from the south too—why isn’t he concerned about me?”

Typical Dou Ya.

Jiang Tian almost blurted out something Lu Qiao once said about their old class president: “That girl’s practically an authority on everything.”

Just the thought of his old friends made him want to suppress the strange swirl of emotions in his chest.

When Jiang Tian mentioned his friend Lu Qiao, Dou Ya was struck by a realization.

“???”

“Wait a sec.”

“Was that the curly-haired guy you were with last Saturday?”

Jiang Tian felt an ominous premonition. “Hmm? Yeah, that’s him.”

Dou Ya covered her forehead and burst into laughter like a character having a mental breakdown in an anime, a slightly sinister energy around her. “That kid’s definitely deep in the closet too!”

Jiang Tian: “……”

Why was this conversation so packed with bombshells?

Before he could say anything else, his phone buzzed in his jacket pocket. When he checked it, his expression subtly changed.

Dou Ya cleared her throat. “Ahem—is it a call from Big Wolf?”

“Come on, Jiang Tian, pick up! Don’t leave your Ge hanging!”

“I—I won’t bother you two! I’m off to the cafeteria to grab food! Great chat, and if you ever wanna show me a couple selfie, I’d be honored~!”

Her blush was so dramatic it left Jiang Tian slightly baffled—but also kind of amused.

However—

When he answered the call from Chu Xuyu, the smile on his face froze.

Jiang Tian shot up, tense and nervous. “Ge…”

“Where are you right now?!”

Chu Xuyu on the other end couldn’t respond properly.

All Jiang Tian could hear was the rapid, erratic breathing through the phone—so loud it almost exploded in his ears. It reminded him of that time they fought at Chu Xuyu’s house, and the way his lover’s breathing had grown tight and strained, nearly gasping for air.

Without hanging up, Jiang Tian bolted toward the parking lot, speaking in a soothing tone the whole way.

“Don’t panic. Try to breathe slowly. I’m on my way… Ge, just hang in there a little longer, okay?”

On the other end, Chu Xuyu was desperately suppressing his emotions. He’d barely managed to park the car near the gymnasium—and almost couldn’t hold onto his phone.

The sound of his heartbeat drowned out all sense—like a tide swallowing him whole. His nerves had gone numb.

Thud.

The phone slipped from his hand and hit the ground. He could faintly hear Jiang Tian’s voice, but the entire world felt like it was being devoured by darkness, pressing down on his chest and leaving him gasping for breath.

He tried to unbuckle his seatbelt, but it did nothing to ease his condition. The numbness spreading from his heart to his limbs pinned him firmly in place, even stealing his ability to breathe.

He felt like he was suffocating.

Clack—

The car door was suddenly thrown open. A tall figure climbed inside and pulled him into a tight embrace.

That familiar scent filled his lungs, driving away the shadows clinging to his body. The darkness receded just enough for him to recognize who it was.

“I’m here.”

Jiang Tian didn’t dare hold him too tightly. His palm gently covered the back of Chu Xuyu’s neck, massaging the tense muscles. “You’re not alone…”

He wasn’t good at comforting people—it came out awkward and unpolished. But he kissed his forehead again and again, pouring his worry and tenderness into each one. “Ge.”

“Are you feeling any better?”

In his arms, Chu Xuyu slowly emerged from that abyss of pain. He opened his eyes, staring blankly at the leather pattern of the car seat. Though the agony had eased, he was still pale, unable to form coherent sentences.

“…”

His voice was still deep, but his breathing was uneven—like a wounded beast on the brink of collapse. “A bit better.”

Jiang Tian eased his grip. “Really?”

He couldn’t rest easy. Holding Chu Xuyu’s handsome face in both hands, he bit his lip, as if sharing the pain with him.

Then—

He leaned in and kissed the man’s forehead. “Don’t force yourself. Whatever it is, tell me, okay?”

“I’ll always be by your side.”

“Ge, you can rely on me…”

It was that clumsy, heartfelt comfort that finally freed Chu Xuyu from his cage. The light broke through the darkness, casting rays of dawn into even the dampest corners of his heart.

“Mm.”

Chu Xuyu leaned into his neck, closed his eyes, and took in the scent of his beloved deeply.

“Having you is enough.”