A question like that, but she still nodded honestly. "Yes, not many guests come to the billiards area. You and your friends were our first group of customers."
Yue Feng's lips twitched. He tossed aside his cue, walked over to He Qinghuan, and dropped the key card onto the coffee table. "Your Wangwang's key card."
The Hot Spring Resort's presidential suites weren't something just anyone with money could afford. If it was Gu Wang and his friends, that made sense.
He Qinghuan glanced at it. Gu Wang had worn a T-shirt without pockets today, so it must have fallen out of his trouser pocket when he bent over to take a shot.
He slipped the key card into his own pocket. "I'll give it to him later."
Yue Feng couldn't help laughing. "Will you really?"
He Qinghuan gave him a cool glance, and Yue Feng immediately shut up.
The fireworks had started outside. Quite a crowd had gathered in the courtyard. With so many people still around close to midnight, it was easy to imagine how appealing the resort's fireworks were.
Gu Wang, Shen Zhao, and Song Zhiyan sat around a small coffee table. Gu Wang felt a little cold and had gone upstairs to put on one of Song Zhiyan's hoodies before coming to watch the fireworks. He hadn't brought one himself, thinking he wouldn't need it.
But nights in the mountains were much colder than in the city. A gust of wind could raise goose bumps all over.
Gu Wang curled up in a wicker chair, hugging a cushion, the hood resting against the back of his head. Even Song Zhiyan thought he looked quite well-behaved like this.
Of the three of them, Gu Wang had the most deceptive face. As children, they had always made trouble together. Gu Wang usually led the way, Shen Zhao blindly obeyed, and Song Zhiyan questioned him before choosing to obey.
Yet whenever their parents caught them, only he and Shen Zhao ended up getting scolded. Gu Wang just had to shed a couple of tears and say he'd never do it again. Gu Dazhi would be so heartbroken that scolding him was out of the question.
In sixth grade, Gu Wang had jabbed someone in the thigh with a fountain pen, and Gu Dazhi had even taken him to an amusement park to comfort him, bringing home a whole carload of building blocks.
From childhood onward, who knew how many advantages Gu Wang had gained with that face.
Song Zhiyan couldn't help sighing.
Gu Wang looked at him, puzzled. "What's wrong?"
Song Zhiyan touched his face. "If I were just a little more handsome, maybe Meng Ou would like me."
Shen Zhao looked incredulous. "Why would you say that? It's not like Meng Ou doesn't like you because you're ugly!"
Warmth flooded Song Zhiyan's heart. Shen Zhao had grown up and even knew how to defend his dad now. But before he could finish feeling pleased, Shen Zhao continued, "It's because you're not only ugly, you're also a hopeless straight guy."
Song Zhiyan: "..."
Gu Wang: "..."
Song Zhiyan nearly kicked Shen Zhao's chair over. He turned to Gu Wang as though pleading for help. "Wangwang, you've dated so many times. Share some of your experience with me."
"..." What experience did Gu Wang have? That all belonged to the Original Host. He was even worse than someone who'd been single since birth-he'd never even liked anyone.
But faced with Song Zhiyan's pitiful, big-dog eyes, Gu Wang hesitated before saying, "Maybe it's fate."
Song Zhiyan's face fell at once.
Shen Zhao nearly doubled over laughing. Song Zhiyan asking Wangwang for advice was no different from a failing student asking a top student how he scored a hundred. He was simply asking to be humiliated.
Once their laughter and horseplay ended, a streak of fire split the darkness in the distance and shot into the ink-black sky overhead. After a brief silence, it exploded with a bang.
Multicolored fireworks spilled across the night sky, filling the horizon with pearly light and jade-like threads, spreading out layer upon layer. Just as they were about to fade, the next burst followed. Half the sky shone, and the courtyard was as bright as day.
Beneath the sky full of fireworks, light and shadow flickered across Gu Wang's face.
While photographing the fireworks, Shen Zhao couldn't resist taking a couple of pictures of Gu Wang too.
When the fireworks display ended, the crowd slowly dispersed. Gu Wang drew his gaze away from the gradually darkening sky and yawned.
Song Zhiyan looked at him. "Wangwang, are you sleepy?"
Shen Zhao added, "Wangwang, go back to your room and sleep. You've been studying until two or three every night since school started. You must be exhausted. Song Zhiyan and I will play a couple of games at the internet café before bed."
Gu Wang, who had actually only scheduled posts to his Moments: "..."
But Gu Wang really was feeling a little sleepy. He said good night to Shen Zhao and Song Zhiyan and headed back to his room to sleep.
It was already midnight, yet plenty of people were still running around. The brilliant lights made everything feel a little unreal to Gu Wang. This resort really was rather extravagant.
At his door, Gu Wang couldn't find the key card in his trouser pocket. He froze. Had he lost it? The pockets of the trousers he'd put on after his shower were shallow, but he'd thought it wouldn't matter.
He went downstairs again to search the places he'd visited. The restaurant was already being cleaned. Gu Wang asked Auntie whether she'd found a key card, and Auntie said no.
Gu Wang checked the courtyard too, but found nothing. Last came the billiards room. The staff member had changed again. A young man was wiping down the balls expressionlessly, but immediately put on a standard welcoming smile when he saw someone approach.
"Hello, is there anything I can help you with?"
After hearing Gu Wang ask whether he'd found a key card, his smile remained dazzling. "I'm sorry, I haven't seen one."
Gu Wang could only go to the front desk.
"Please show me your ID."
Gu Wang paused, then said, "My ID is in my room."
Seeing such a handsome, polite young man, the receptionist felt bad making things difficult for him, but she had to follow the rules, even though she also thought this particular rule was very unreasonable. "I'm sorry, but please provide proof that you're the guest in room 601."
Gu Wang: "..."
Seeing how disappointed the boy looked, she couldn't help saying, "Once the manager comes in tomorrow, we can open the door for you. We have to follow the rules. Tonight's manager is filling in and doesn't have the authority to open guests' rooms. Thank you for your understanding."
Gu Wang: "...All right. Sorry for the trouble."
The receptionist said, "It's our job. Have a pleasant evening."
It probably wasn't going to be pleasant.
Gu Wang gave up. No matter how he approached it, the same few responses never changed. Holding his phone, he prepared to call Shen Zhao. He could squeeze in with Shen Zhao and the others for now.
Even sleeping on the sofa would do.
He was just opening his contacts when He Qinghuan called.
What did he want this late?
"Hello." Gu Wang stood by the elevator, watching the numbers change one by one.
He Qinghuan had just showered. His gaze fell on the gold key card on the table before shifting to the window. "I have your key card."
Gu Wang froze, then said in delighted surprise, "How did you end up with it?"
Hearing Gu Wang's voice suddenly brighten, He Qinghuan softened his tone a little. "You left it in the billiards room."
Gu Wang stepped into the elevator. "Are you in your room? I'll come get it."
He Qinghuan lightly slid his fingers over the key card. His eyes lowered, his lashes veiling his ink-dark pupils. Transmitted through the phone, his voice took on an unfathomable significance.
"All right. Come get it yourself."
Author's note: He Qinghuan: What's a decent person? Why should I be one?
Chapter 34
Gu Wang knocked on He Qinghuan's door.
After waiting a few seconds, Gu Wang heard the lock turn. He Qinghuan was wearing dark blue cotton pajamas that didn't look like the hotel's.
Gu Wang paused briefly. He Qinghuan looked much gentler like this, the chill surrounding him considerably softened. Yet inwardly, Gu Wang could only marvel that a white moonlight truly was a white moonlight. However dark his true nature, his appearance absolutely made it impossible to dislike him or put up one's guard.
Judging by He Qinghuan's attitude over the past two days, Gu Wang had thought he might come up with another whim to make things difficult for him. He hadn't expected He Qinghuan to actually be holding his key card and to offer it to him as soon as he opened the door.
"Thank you." Gu Wang reached out to take it.
The key card was metal and cool to the touch. Gu Wang tugged it out of He Qinghuan's hand, but it didn't budge. He looked up at He Qinghuan in confusion.
Under the pale yellow ceiling light in the hallway, He Qinghuan's expression looked gentle and intent. His fingers reached past the key card and lightly hooked around Gu Wang's. "How will you thank me?"
Seeing the person before him seemingly turn to stone, he repeated, "Wangwang, how are you going to thank me?"
It was like being held fast. Though it seemed casual, Gu Wang couldn't pull his fingers out of He Qinghuan's grasp at all.
He Qinghuan pinched the tip of Gu Wang's index finger and gently stroked it, the gesture carrying an indescribable intimacy.
Gu Wang was innocent by nature. How could he withstand He Qinghuan teasing him like this? Regardless of whether he liked him, in this atmosphere, with the person before him someone the Original Host had always liked so much, Gu Wang's face instantly turned red.
His skin was fair, and even his blush looked pretty, blooming like a peach blossom.
He Qinghuan watched him, not wanting to go too far either. Just as he was about to let go, Yue Feng and the others' voices came from the direction of the elevator. The three had gone downstairs to buy snacks at the supermarket, and now they had returned just in time to run into He Qinghuan and Gu Wang.
Gu Wang standing outside He Qinghuan's room in the dead of night felt wrong no matter how one looked at it. The two of them didn't seem to have the sort of relationship that allowed for late-night heart-to-hearts.
Gu Wang also knew this wasn't the right setting. With his other hand, he fished a few candies out of his hoodie pocket and hastily shoved them against He Qinghuan's chest.
"Will this do?"
Honestly, this was the first time anyone had thanked He Qinghuan with candy.
But this was Gu Wang, and Gu Wang was He Qinghuan's exception.
"Good night, Wangwang." He Qinghuan released Gu Wang's hand with a soft laugh.
Gu Wang's room was at the end of the hallway. Once he had his key card, he hurried away, swiped it at lightning speed, and shut the door with a thunderous bang.
Yue Feng was opening a fruit beer. The slamming door startled him. "I thought my can exploded!"
They entered the hallway and saw He Qinghuan leaning against the wall, his head lowered, his thoughts unknown.
Yue Feng walked over and saw the candies in his hand, baffled. "He Qinghuan, weren't you asleep? What are you doing standing at the door?"
"Returning a key card."
Old Ma didn't understand. "What key card? To whom?"
Old Ma and Dada hadn't been there when Gu Wang's key card was found, so it was natural that they didn't know.
Yue Feng didn't answer him, tipping his head back to drink. Old Ma's attention was drawn to the candies in He Qinghuan's hand. "He Qinghuan, where'd you get the candy?"
He Qinghuan raised his eyes and looked at him coolly. "Wangwang gave it to me."
They were mints in green wrappers.
Dada craned his neck beside them to peer at the candies in He Qinghuan's palm and murmured, "Those are what the front desk downstairs gives guests."
He Qinghuan looked at Dada and murmured, "The front desk?"
Seeing that He Qinghuan's expression was off, Old Ma pinched Dada's waist. Dada swatted his hand away and earnestly explained to his big brother He Qinghuan, "Yes, in that cardboard box next to the front desk. If guests have children with them, or if their requests aren't met, the front desk gives them candy."
Dada was quiet and observant. He explained everything carefully and methodically, afraid He Qinghuan wouldn't understand what he meant.
Old Ma stared at the ceiling light, feeling suffocated.
Yue Feng sighed, reflecting on how fortunate it was that Dada wasn't his family's successor.
Unexpectedly, He Qinghuan's expression remained unchanged after hearing Dada out. He merely hummed in acknowledgment, glanced at them, said good night, and went straight into his room.
Looking at the closed door, Dada slapped his forehead. "I forgot to tell big brother He Qinghuan that those candies cost one yuan each. They're even cheaper wholesale."
After saying that, he actually made to knock on He Qinghuan's door.
"Are you done yet? Worried you're not dying fast enough?" Old Ma wailed, grabbed Dada by the collar, and hauled him away like a little chick.
Telling He Qinghuan that the candy Gu Wang gave him was just a handful grabbed from the front desk downstairs-tsk, that really stung.
Back in his room, He Qinghuan casually tossed the candies onto the TV cabinet and opened WeChat. There was a message Gu Wang had just sent.
[Wangwang: Thank you.]
He Qinghuan stared at the screen for a long time before putting his phone down and walking over to the TV cabinet. Slowly, he picked up the candies he'd casually tossed there, one by one, gathered them in his palm, and put them into a compartment of the schoolbag standing nearby.
After all, they were the first things he'd given him since saying he didn't like him.
Early the next morning, with the sky barely light, Gu Wang was woken by pounding on his door. He wasn't grumpy when woken up, but