Chapter 49 - Island
This time, they were traveling on Gu Hengzhi's private jet. The flight path had been approved in advance, and as soon as they arrived at the airport, they were received by designated personnel, with no need to go through regular security procedures.
They waited briefly in a private VIP lounge before boarding the plane. The cabin was very spacious, the seats large and comfortable. Further in, there was even a soft, luxurious bed.
Earlier, Ji Linxue had been chatting with Xiao Liu. Whether intentionally or not, he had been trying hard to ignore the frequent glances cast his way. It wasn't until the man sat down beside him that he pretended to casually lift his head.
“What is it?”
“Nothing,” Gu Hengzhi replied, half smiling as he glanced at Xiao Liu. “Didn’t expect you two to have so much in common.”
Xiao Liu, sensing the atmosphere, quickly stood up and walked towards the restroom, muttering quietly: "Shouldn't have drunk so much water just now..."
He left without looking back. Soon, only the two of them were left in the cabin. Ji Linxue withdrew his gaze and said calmly: "We were talking about cats just now."
After he mentioned he was considering getting a pet, Xiao Liu had made suggestions based on his lifestyle, saying that his personality was more suitable for a cat, and he might not be able to handle a dog's enthusiasm.
Ji Linxue thought about it and agreed. He already had a large dog with a strong possessive streak at his side. Adding another would just be too much to manage.
Gu Hengzhi crossed his legs, adopting a posture of sincere attentiveness. “You’re interested in that?”
“No, I was just asking.” Ji Linxue pressed his lips together.
He couldn't say he particularly liked cats or dogs, but he didn’t dislike them either. In truth, he’d simply had too little exposure to them, which left him feeling curious.
Gu Hengzhi’s gaze was steady, as if contemplating something. After a moment, he said, “If you want one, there’s no harm in getting one.”
“Don’t you dislike animals?” Ji Linxue was surprised. He’d known Gu Hengzhi for years and had never seen him show interest in any animal. He wouldn’t even glance at them on the street. Plus, he had a cleanliness obsession. Keeping a pet would definitely involve physical contact.
“I do dislike them.” Gu Hengzhi propped his chin on his hand and smiled. “But if you want one, I can tolerate it.”
His voice was low and deep, his words elegant. Coupled with his handsome and profound face, a single smile could make one blush and their heart pound. Even with Ji Linxue's strong self-control, his heart couldn't help but skip a beat.
He lowered his gaze and composed himself. “Forget it. I’ve heard cats shed a lot. Shen Shaoyan and Lu Yu definitely wouldn’t agree.”
“If they don’t agree, we’ll just move out.” Gu Hengzhi raised an eyebrow, looking every bit the sly fox waiting for prey to walk right into his trap. “I bought a place near campus. It’s already renovated. If you want to move in, we can do it anytime.”
The two of them moving out… wasn’t that basically living together?
In the past, Gu Hengzhi would never have said something so direct. At most, he’d subtly test the waters and gradually, imperceptibly, change Ji Linxue’s habits.
After a moment’s thought, Ji Linxue chose to avoid the subject.
“Living with the others is livelier. It’s fine if we don’t get a cat. By the way, are you sure it’s okay to take so many days off? How’s the company doing? Busy?”
It wasn't that he didn't want to respond to Gu Hengzhi, but his mind was a tangled mess right now, and he didn't know what to do.
Gu Hengzhi saw that he was deliberately changing the subject but didn't expose him. He raised an eyebrow.
"The company doesn't lack capable people, and I can handle work remotely even when I'm away."
"Oh..." Ji Linxue was a little speechless, saying dryly, "That's good."
After a pause, Ji Linxue asked again
"How's that project you've been working on recently? I heard the company is expanding?"
“It’s going well. I’ve assigned someone to oversee it full-time. Nothing should go wrong…”
Whatever Ji Linxue asked, Gu Hengzhi answered without hesitation. Their back-and-forth soon led Ji Linxue to run out of topics.
He frowned slightly, visibly troubled, his delicate features drawn tight. The corners of his lips were pressed together, and his usual cool aura cracked just a little, revealing something softer underneath.
That glimpse of softness only made the gaze beside him grow more tender.
Just as he finally thought of a new topic, Ji Linxue smoothed his brow and was about to speak when he heard the person beside him suddenly chuckle. The pleasure in his voice was undisguised. Even Xiao Liu, who had been sitting in the front row silently, couldn't help but prick up his ears.
Chairman Gu is laughing so happily, is there some good news?
"What are you laughing at!" The exasperated voice came from Ji Linxue.
Gu Hengzhi’s voice still carried a hint of laughter. “I wasn’t making fun of you. I just think…” He tilted his head slightly. “You’re very cute when you’re thinking.”
If it were normally, being called cute by a tall, male peer, Ji Linxue would have punched him long ago. But facing this man's teasing, Ji Linxue couldn't say a single word and even his ears tingled uncontrollably.
After a moment, he said stiffly, “I’m not cute.”
Gu Hengzhi only stared at him more intently.
Ji Linxue simply pulled the blanket over his face, not wanting to pay attention to Gu Hengzhi's teasing. At first, he just wanted to block the other person's gaze, but later, Ji Linxue actually fell asleep.
He hadn't rested well these past few days. Not only was he physically tired, but his mind was also tense. Every time, he would fall asleep as soon as he lay down, and he slept very deeply.
It wasn’t until the plane began descending that he finally woke up. His gaze inadvertently swept across the cabin window, and his sleepiness immediately vanished.
The lush forests had disappeared, replaced by endless blue ocean stretching to the horizon, merging with the clear sky. Scattered among the sea were clusters of green islands, surrounded by jelly-clear water and golden beaches.
Ji Linxue had seen the sea before, but never such a beautiful sea.
Not long after, the plane landed. The few of them got off the plane, greeted by a damp, salty sea breeze. Ji Linxue exhaled softly, feeling much more relaxed.
A driver was already waiting for them at the airport. Ji Linxue thought this island was their final destination, but the car soon stopped at a seaplane base. Guided by staff, they boarded a private seaplane toward the real location.
About thirty minutes later, they landed on another island. Xiao Liu and the staff unloaded their luggage. Just as Ji Linxue was about to speak, a figure came running from a distance, waving enthusiastically.
“Xiao Xue! Heng-ge! You’re here!”
Hearing the familiar voice, Ji Linxue curved his lips and said to Gu Hengzhi beside him: "Shen Shaoyan is still so boisterous."
Gu Hengzhi was also smiling, shaking his head: "If he could restrain that personality, I'd suspect he was a different person."
Shen Shaoyan ran very fast. He reached them in a moment. To be honest, if he hadn't made a sound just now, Ji Linxue almost wouldn't have recognized him.
Shen Shaoyan used to have normal yellowish-white skin. Even after military training in college, he would only get a little more tanned. But now he was completely yellowish-dark, like he had just climbed out of a coal mine, especially when he smiled and showed a few bright white front teeth, making his skin look even darker.
As soon as Shen Shaoyan arrived, he gave Ji Linxue a big hug, whining.
"Xiao Xue! I missed you so much!"
After saying this, he belatedly glanced at Gu Hengzhi, who was staring at him, and quickly withdrew his hand and stood straight.
"Of course, not as much as Brother Heng missed you."
"Shen Shaoyan," a calm voice sounded, interrupting Shen Shaoyan's desire to catch up, "Where's Lu Yu?"
Shen Shaoyan rubbed his hands: "Lu Yu is cooking. He said he wants you guys to taste his skills."
"Lu Yu can cook too?" Ji Linxue was very surprised. When they were at home before, he was usually the one cooking. Shen Shaoyan had no cooking skills at all, and Lu Yu was busy with his studies.
Shen Shaoyan raised his chin proudly: "Of course! During our trip out, if we encountered a place with bad food, Lu Yu would cook himself. His skills are great."
Looking at his proud demeanor, one would think he had done all the cooking himself.
Ji Linxue couldn’t help but laugh. “Great, then I definitely have to try some.”
As they chatted, they reached a beachfront villa. Shen Shaoyan pushed open the wooden gate and said, “Your rooms are all ready. Go put your stuff down and we’ll have dinner together.”
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