Deep in the Night - Chapter 21

That was certainly not Gu Yuan’s first kiss, but it was undoubtedly the first time he had felt such an electrifying sense of trembling stimulation.

Unconsciously, he deepened the kiss, staking his claim, conquering and sweeping across the soft expanse of Fang Jin’s mouth. Their scorching lips and tongues seemed to melt together, mercilessly invading and licking even his teeth and the roof of his palate.

This is incredibly stimulating, the thought involuntarily flashed through Gu Yuan’s mind amid the chaos.

He blocked Fang Jin’s mouth and straddled his body, then swiftly stripped off his loose T-shirt and pajama bottoms. Fang Jin lay there in a stupor, seemingly unaware of what was happening; he was merely desperately drowsy and wanted to sleep. But under the light, his pale, taut flesh and the smooth, graceful lines of his body seemed to possess a captivating luster. Gu Yuan’s breath hitched—he was so hard he felt ready to explode.

It was, objectively, highly unethical, given that Fang Jin was barely conscious and in no state to consent.

But who cares?

—He definitely likes me, Gu Yuan repeated to himself. He must have always liked me a lot, otherwise why would he follow me so faithfully, why would he call out my name just now?

———

The following morning, Fang Jin woke to bright daylight. He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling, remaining in a dizzy haze for several minutes, his mind too chaotic to recall anything.

Then, he heard the sound of footsteps emerging from the bathroom.

“You’re awake?” Gu Yuan asked casually, leaning against the bathroom doorway.

Fang Jin abruptly sat up, utterly speechless due to the profound shock, looking at Gu Yuan as if he had seen a ghost.

Gu Yuan had just finished washing up, wearing only his underwear, his honed, muscular physique completely exposed. His handsome face looked refreshed and alert, yet he showed no surprise when faced with Fang Jin’s expression of disbelief. “Good morning—do you need a moment to digest what happened last night?”

Fang Jin’s lips were trembling slightly. He looked down at his own naked body, and after a long moment, spoke hoarsely: “We… this is…”

“We slept together. You knew it was me,” Gu Yuan stated brutally, instantly blocking any attempt by Fang Jin to retreat. He then walked to the edge of the bed and sat down, raising an eyebrow to look him directly in the eyes.

In the morning light, Fang Jin’s face was transparently pale. Because he had just woken up, the corners of his eyes were still tinged with red—giving him a fragile appearance. However, his gaze was filled with terror and dismay. For a terrifying moment, Gu Yuan felt something within that gaze shatter.

Yes, emotional collapse. It was the look of despair and utter helplessness when one is confronted with a sudden, uncontrollable situation—the result one most feared, yet which had happened right before his eyes.

“What is wrong with you?” Gu Yuan frowned, his handsome brows furrowed.

He reached out, intending to feel Fang Jin’s forehead to check for a fever, but was immediately slapped away with a sharp “Slap!”

The movement was instinctual, but so sudden and awkward that neither of them reacted immediately. When Fang Jin regained his senses, he instantly scrambled off the bed. The moment his feet touched the floor, his legs buckled. Gu Yuan instantly rose reflexively to support him: “What are you—”

“Let go of me!” Fang Jin cried out hysterically.

Gu Yuan flinched, slightly loosening his grip.

Fang Jin immediately retreated several steps. They faced each other in the messy bedroom, the disheveled bed behind them, every mark on the sheets silently proclaiming the absurd and decadent reality of what had happened just hours ago.

“…You were drunk last night,” Gu Yuan stated, staring at Fang Jin. “But I have no intention of judging you for this, and I did this because I want to pursue a relationship with you. We can talk properly if you want. Why don’t you calm down first…”

However, the phrase, “I want to pursue a relationship with you,” somehow triggered Fang Jin. He abruptly cut Gu Yuan off: “No!”

Gu Yuan froze.

“…I’m sorry,” Fang Jin gasped quickly. After a long moment, he said raggedly, “I didn’t mean to, I truly didn’t… I’m sorry…”

Gu Yuan had no idea what he was apologizing for. What was there to apologize for about drunken sex? What was there to apologize for when he was clearly a willing participant?

He wanted to press him for an explanation, but before he could even ask, Fang Jin snatched his discarded pajamas from the floor, retreated hurriedly into the bathroom, and slammed the door shut before Gu Yuan could take a step toward him.

This entire sequence of actions left Gu Yuan bewildered. For ten full seconds, he simply stood there, utterly confused about what was unfolding.

He had anticipated several reactions Fang Jin might have upon waking: fear, unease, trembling shock, perhaps a mixture of happiness and panic… He had even entertained the idea of teasing Fang Jin, perhaps pretending to scold him or reject him, then waiting for him to sheepishly approach and reluctantly take his hand.

But he had never once foreseen this reaction: collapse and terror, as if a condemned man had finally heard his death sentence read aloud.

Gu Yuan’s heart sank. After a prolonged pause, he finally stepped forward and knocked on the bathroom door: “Fang Jin?”

No response.

“Fang Jin, come out! We need to sit down and talk!”

Still, no sound from inside the bathroom.

Gu Yuan stared at the dark wooden door, his mind racing through possibilities. He painstakingly recalled the details of the previous night several times, searching for any clue that could explain the current, insoluble situation. After a moment, a subtle shift occurred in his mind, and he finally registered a possibility that was almost unthinkable, yet potentially devastating.

“Fang Jin…” Gu Yuan asked slowly, facing the door. “Is it possible that you don’t actually like me?”

Inside the bathroom, Fang Jin’s movements ceased. After a moment, he tilted his head back and swallowed a handful of pills he had cupped in his palm.

—Though they wouldn’t take effect immediately, his psychological dependence was heavy. He instantly felt his spiraling anxiety flatten, like boiling water violently suppressed under immense pressure.

There’s a solution, he thought despairingly. There must be a solution.

The bathroom door was knocked again. Gu Yuan’s voice was now very cold, but the undertone was indescribable: “—Fang Jin, open the door! Come out and say whatever you have to say!”

Fang Jin said slowly, “…I’m sorry…”

Silence reigned for a moment outside. Gu Yuan’s voice, though steady, carried a deeply complex emotion: “So, you really don’t like me?”

Stillness enveloped the entire room. Despite the barrier of the door, they could practically hear each other’s drawn-out breaths.

“CEO Gu…” Fang Jin finally croaked, every word seemingly torn from his throat with the bloody pain of a fresh wound:

“…I am so sorry. Please… please you have to forgive me…”