Control Freak - Chapter 20

This year, Christmas didn’t fall on a holiday but landed awkwardly on a Wednesday. Office workers had to work, and students had to attend classes. As a result, fewer people were celebrating compared to usual, with most festivities concentrated on the weekend. Therefore, it wasn’t difficult for Ye Zhou to take a day off.

Guan Heng only had one class on Wednesday, from 1 PM to 3 PM. Since the class ended fairly early, there was no need for him to take a leave of absence.

After checking Guan Heng’s class schedule, Ye Zhou decided to take the whole day off. If they left home around 3 PM, they would reach the cinema early, just in time to avoid the rush hour traffic. Once in the city, they could have dinner first and then go to the movie. By the time the movie ended, it would be around 9 or 10 PM. There would still be time to either head home and rest or go for a drink, making the plan nearly perfect.

Many couples plan their first date from morning until night, as if they need to spend the entire day together. However, new couples often don’t fully understand each other’s preferences and lack experience, leading to long dates that can become tiring with limited activities. This can result in a less enjoyable experience. It’s better to arrange a suitable and well-planned amount of time together, making the date more comfortable and enjoyable for both.

Ye Zhou had always been accustomed to taking the lead in these matters, and now he did it with ease.

On Christmas Day, he didn’t sleep in despite taking the day off. He got up at his usual time, had breakfast, and then stood before his wardrobe to choose his outfit for the date. With some free time, he also cleaned the house. Ye Zhou was in the habit of being well-prepared for whatever might happen. Although Guan Heng had been to his place before and had even been in his room to fetch clothes, the situation was different now, as their relationship had significantly evolved. A clean and tidy environment would certainly be more conducive to intimacy.

By the time Ye Zhou finished all his tasks, it was almost noon. He didn’t slack off just because he was close to winning Guan Heng’s heart. He went to the kitchen to prepare lunch and delivered it as usual.

While Guan Heng was eating, Ye Zhou discussed their plans with him. “Let’s take my car later.”

Guan Heng had no objections; it didn’t matter who drove. “Okay.”

Ye Zhou, thinking there wouldn’t be much to do at home, added, “I’ll pick you up after your class.”

Guan Heng chuckled, “It’s so close, there’s no need.”

Even though Guan Heng said it wasn’t necessary, Ye Zhou still arrived on time to pick him up after class. Instead of waiting outside Guan Heng’s office, he stood outside the classroom. The class was held in a spacious lecture hall with many people. Ye Zhou arrived a few minutes early and, to avoid disturbing Guan Heng’s lecture, stood under a tree a bit further away.

Students have sharp eyes, and nearing the end of class, they were a bit restless. A strikingly handsome guy standing outside the window naturally caught everyone’s attention. The female students, in particular, frequently glanced over, probably thinking some classmate had an exceptionally good-looking boyfriend, and started whispering among themselves.

Guan Heng soon noticed the students’ gazes and discreetly glanced outside, spotting Ye Zhou.

After the bell rang, Guan Heng packed up his books and answered a few students’ questions. Probably because Ye Zhou was drawing the female students’ attention outside, he unusually wasn’t held up for too long and managed to leave the classroom smoothly.

As soon as Guan Heng left the classroom, Ye Zhou walked over immediately.

“Sorry, did I disturb your class?” Ye Zhou smiled somewhat bashfully, feeling a bit embarrassed. He had only intended to wait for Guan Heng to finish his class, but he ended up distracting his students. Were students nowadays really that bold, staring so openly? He wasn’t sure if he should have left.

From Ye Zhou’s perspective, Guan Heng was very handsome and had the charm of a mature man. But from the viewpoint of young students, Ye Zhou’s sunny type was likely more popular.

“No, not at all.” Guan Heng didn’t seem to mind and smiled warmly. “Are you keeping such a close watch because you’re afraid I’ll run away?”

“Of course not.” Ye Zhou knew Guan Heng was joking and laughed along, feeling happy and not hiding it. “I’m just afraid they’ll delay you and cut into our date time.”

It wasn’t the first time Guan Heng had been held up by students. He was so popular and hard to find that they loved to cling to him after class.

“It won’t.” Guan Heng wasn’t fazed by Ye Zhou’s direct approach, handling it with ease. “Anything missed will be made up.”

Ye Zhou was momentarily stunned, his steps pausing slightly before quickly catching up, his heart pounding.

Two strikingly handsome men walking side by side was a noticeable sight, but neither paid any attention to the stares from the students around them. They walked out together.

After each of them went home to change clothes, Ye Zhou parked his car at the entrance, waiting for Guan Heng to get in.

While Ye Zhou usually wore shirts or business attire for work, his casual style was different—relaxed yet stylish. Guan Heng’s style, on the other hand, remained understated and luxurious. Today, though, he was dressed a bit differently, wearing a dark, form-fitting knit sweater that subtly outlined his chest and abdominal muscles. The shirt’s collar was turned out, with the top button undone, revealing his collarbone, making him look both reserved and seductive. It was a simple outfit but incredibly stunning, creating a visual allure that made one want to explore further.

A well-dressed attractive person stands out even more. If Ye Zhou didn’t have to drive, he would have undoubtedly stolen a few more glances.

Everything went as Ye Zhou had planned. Although there were more cars heading towards the city than usual, the traffic was still smooth.

Ye Zhou had already reserved a table at a well-known Michelin restaurant near the cinema. While it was a bit pricey, it was affordable for the two of them who were already financially independent. Budget-friendly restaurants were fine, but on a special day like this, they would be crowded with couples and young people, leading to long lines and noisy environments, which would ruin the atmosphere. They were no longer young professionals just starting out, so there was no need to squeeze in with others. Sometimes, spending a bit more for a comfortable environment was well worth it.

And indeed, Ye Zhou’s decision proved to be correct.

By the evening, the streets became more crowded, bustling with people waiting in line at restaurant entrances. The two tall, handsome men walking together drew a lot of attention, with many heads turning to look at them.

However, this phenomenon disappeared once they entered the upscale restaurant. The clientele there had a certain level of decorum and wouldn’t stare openly. The staff were well-trained and provided excellent service. The restaurant had a quiet, intimate atmosphere, with enough privacy and ample space between tables to ensure no disturbances.

When Ye Zhou made the reservation, he asked if there were any window seats available. These seats usually accommodate two to four people, with screens or decorations providing privacy, making them ideal for conversation and fostering intimacy.

Ye Zhou appropriately ordered a Christmas set meal for two. High-end restaurants serve very refined dishes, not particularly large in portion, but exceptional in creativity and flavor.

Being a restaurant owner himself, Ye Zhou occasionally tried other restaurants to compare tastes. He found the meal quite good, though he noticed that Guan Heng seemed somewhat disinterested. He asked, “What’s wrong? Is it not to your taste?”

“It’s not that. I just prefer your cooking.”

Ye Zhou smiled, feeling a bit flattered. “You rate my cooking that highly?”

“Yes.”

At this point, with the two of them already out on a date, it was only a final verbal confirmation that was missing. Ye Zhou felt it was the right time to make things clear, as both the atmosphere and timing were perfect. He began, “Guan Heng, I think you must have realized by now that I’m pursuing you. I really like you, not just for your looks, but for many other things that have deeply moved me. The more I spend time with you, the more I discover your many admirable qualities, and the more I respect you. I know there is a significant gap between us, and maybe in your eyes, I’m just an ordinary person, but I can’t help being attracted to you.

My qualifications may not match yours or those of people you’ve dated, but I’m not that bad either. I don’t have any bad habits, and I can be quite humorous and fun, I think. My only noteworthy skill is probably my cooking. If you like my cooking, I can cook for you every day. If you feel bored or need company, I would love to be there for you. I can’t promise anything too far into the future—that’s too unrealistic—but I hope you’ll give me a chance to prove that I will treat you very, very well.”

Throughout his speech, Ye Zhou maintained eye contact with Guan Heng, never wavering or avoiding his gaze. He wasn’t trying to impress with fancy words, just honestly expressing his thoughts and feelings. While his words might not have been particularly moving, their sincerity made them heartfelt.

Guan Heng had likely heard many confessions before. Ye Zhou’s wasn’t the most unique or original, but Guan Heng listened intently, without interrupting, though he also didn’t immediately respond.

The two of them quietly gazed at each other for a long moment.

Then Ye Zhou suddenly smiled. His confession had been carefully thought out, so it was only right for Guan Heng to take his time considering it. Not making a hasty decision was a form of respect. Ye Zhou broke the silence, saying, “You don’t have to answer me now. I hope you take your time to think it over.”

“Alright.”

After his confession, Ye Zhou didn’t feel awkward. He had said everything he wanted to say and expressed his feelings clearly. How Guan Heng chose to respond was beyond his control, which made him feel much lighter. He could see that Guan Heng didn’t seem inclined to reject him outright, though there might be some considerations on his part. Based on what he knew about Guan Heng, not being rejected on the spot meant there was still a significant chance. He wasn’t discouraged and decided to keep trying.