Can I Come Often?

Gu Yuechen had originally thought Yu Yaochen's studio would be in some office building or street-front shop.

Not until the car stopped before a small Western-style villa did he hold his breath and stare at the exquisite, beautiful building ahead in surprise and envy.

"This is... your studio?"

Yu Yaochen unfastened his seat belt. "Yes. My grandfather gave it to me for my eighteenth birthday. It's quiet here, perfect for creating."

Giving away a villa as a birthday present might not be worth mentioning to the wealthy, but to Gu Yuechen, Yu Yaochen was simply flaunting his privileged life.

All he had to do was paint, and he got such a beautiful house.

Meanwhile, he and his grandmother were still crammed into a rented room barely over ten square meters, sleeping in bunk beds. His grandmother was old, so he had no choice but to sleep on the top bunk.

Sometimes, when he got up in the middle of the night and accidentally slipped, banging his knee against the rail, he would endure the pain and secretly cry alone in the bathroom.

Gu Yuechen had never had a room of his own. Seeing Yu Yaochen's so-called studio now, how could he not feel the gap between them?

"Get out," Yu Yaochen said.

Gu Yuechen snapped back to his senses and got out of the car with Yu Yaochen.

The small villa had three floors and was filled with artwork. Afraid he might bump into something and have to pay for it, Gu Yuechen walked with extreme caution.

"Sit in the living room for a while." Yu Yaochen brought him a pair of comfortable slippers. "I don't have any drinks here. Is tea okay?"

"Yes, thank you."

After Yu Yaochen left, Gu Yuechen bent down to change his shoes. Looking at the sneakers he had bought only two months ago, he was glad he had not worn the pair that had been washed until they were faded white.

He stepped into the slippers Yu Yaochen had prepared. He had no idea what they were made of, but they felt as soft as stepping on feathers.

Just then, a blond, blue-eyed foreigner walked into the villa and met Gu Yuechen's gaze.

Gu Yuechen jumped in fright and immediately stood up, watching the man warily.

Had the door not been shut properly?

How could some random stranger just walk in?

The foreign man said something Gu Yuechen could not understand at all, and Gu Yuechen slowly edged toward the kitchen.

Yu Yaochen finally came out, carrying two cups of tea.

"A stranger broke in!" Gu Yuechen called out to Yu Yaochen. "Call the police!"

Yu Yaochen froze for a moment. Only after seeing the foreign man's face did a smile appear on his own.

He set the cups on the coffee table, then strode over to the foreign man and embraced him.

After they separated, the two chatted with smiles, speaking entirely in English that Gu Yuechen could not understand.

Gu Yuechen realized he had misunderstood. His expression turned somewhat awkward as he slowly sat back down on the sofa.

"Sit here for a moment." Yu Yaochen finally looked at Gu Yuechen. "I'm going upstairs with him to get a painting."

Gu Yuechen examined the two men, his expression becoming complicated.

"Okay."

Gu Yuechen felt that it was not worth it for Pei Huanyi. They were practically getting married, yet his fiancée was hugging other men everywhere, with no sense of propriety at all.

He could not shake the feeling that their relationship was unusual, and he badly wanted to go upstairs to find out.

If he could catch Yu Yaochen cheating, would their engagement be called off? Then Pei Huanyi could go back to work at the pet hospital.

At the thought of seeing Pei Huanyi every day again, excitement surged through him uncontrollably.

He picked up his phone and prepared to head upstairs.

But after only two steps, Gu Yuechen heard their conversation drawing closer. His expression panicked, and he hurried back to the sofa.

Yu Yaochen and the foreign man came downstairs, the foreign man carrying a painting in his arms.

The painting was wrapped up, so Gu Yuechen could not see what it was.

Disappointment showed in his eyes. They had come down so quickly, and the man was carrying a painting; they were probably just ordinary friends.

After the foreign man left, Yu Yaochen came over and sat down across from Gu Yuechen.

"Have you been waiting long?" Yu Yaochen nudged the teacup toward Gu Yuechen. "This tea smells wonderful. You should try it."

Gu Yuechen picked up the cup and took a sip. It really was fragrant, without the slightest bitterness.

"Who was that man?" Gu Yuechen asked curiously.

"He's a friend I met while studying abroad. He came here to hold an exhibition and wanted to display my paintings."

"So he was the one who called you just now?"

Yu Yaochen nodded.

The smile on Gu Yuechen's face stiffened slightly.

He had thought Pei Huanyi was coming, which was why he had suggested visiting the studio—so he could see Pei Huanyi.

Now that was ruined. This was a villa district, even farther from his home.

Gu Yuechen did not even know how he was supposed to get back.

Next time, I need to ask clearly. I should only make plans with Yu Yaochen after I'm sure I'll get to see Pei Huanyi.

"I should go," Gu Yuechen suddenly said, getting to his feet.

Yu Yaochen was slightly startled and stood up as well. "You're not going to look around?"

Gu Yuechen thought, What's there to look at in this junk? It's nothing but Yu Yaochen showing off his paintings.

"Next time. It's getting late."

Yu Yaochen looked somewhat regretful, but he did not insist.

"That works too. I rarely bring people here, so I haven't prepared anything. I can't properly host you."

Gu Yuechen paused and turned to look at Yu Yaochen.

"Does Pei Huanyi usually come here?"

"Sometimes."

Once Yu Yaochen became immersed in creating, he did not like being disturbed.

Other than the auntie who cooked for him, he did not allow anyone else in.

Hearing that Pei Huanyi came here sometimes, Gu Yuechen immediately regained interest. The indifference vanished from his face as he took the initiative to hook his arm around Yu Yaochen's.

"Maybe I should look around after all. I don't have anything to do tonight anyway."

Yu Yaochen had not expected Gu Yuechen to approach him so proactively, and his body stiffened slightly.

Only after Gu Yuechen raised his pretty face and looked at him in confusion did Yu Yaochen force himself to relax, his composed expression returning.

"Let's go to the second floor. My studio is on the second floor."

"Okay."

Yu Yaochen truly loved art. He usually did not talk much, but once he entered his studio, he could not stop himself from talking.

He tirelessly introduced Gu Yuechen to his paintings and the art pieces he had collected.

Gu Yuechen listened absentmindedly, nodding now and then in response.

In truth, Gu Yuechen had not absorbed a single word Yu Yaochen said. His mind was filled with plans for how to use Yu Yaochen to get close to Pei Huanyi.

Suddenly, the endless voice by his ear stopped.

Gu Yuechen came back to his senses and looked up at Yu Yaochen.

A rare shyness appeared in Yu Yaochen's cool features as he smiled and said, "Have I been talking too much?"

"Not at all. I think it's very interesting," Gu Yuechen said against his conscience.

"You really are different. They rarely have the patience to listen to me talk about these things."

They?

Was he talking about Pei Huanyi or Xie Wangchi?

"Can I come often in the future?" Gu Yuechen asked expectantly.

Yu Yaochen hesitated for a moment.

Afraid he would refuse, Gu Yuechen hurriedly said, "I have to work too. I'll only come by occasionally on weekends."

Yu Yaochen agreed.

"Okay."