Everyone else still looked awkward.
Gu Yiâan just wanted to gag Luo Qiqi so she could not say anything else, while Luo Qiqi was eating ever so heartily after making everyone feel awkward.
Gu Yiâan seemed to be able to feel everyoneâs gazes on him as he ate, and he had never felt so uncomfortable while having a meal.
He heaved a sigh of relief only when all of them left after lunch, and he also decided not to allow Luo Qiqi to come over during this time.
He had already felt rather awkward everytime he faced Guan Zijue. He felt as if something had changed between them, and that awkwardness seemed to only get worse after Luo Qiqi made that comment at lunch.
He suddenly felt like running away from all of this. He wished that Guan Zijue could recover as soon as possible so that he could leave and escape from this awkward situation.
Two months then passed in the blink of an eye.
Guan Zijueâs leg had healed very well and his cast had already been removed, but Gu Yiâan refused to let him walk as he was afraid that putting too much pressure on it might cause some lingering side-effects.
Guan Zijue, however, had already started walking on his own.
There was a voice in Gu Yiâanâs head that told him, Heâs recovered now. Itâs time for you to leave.
Though Gu Yiâan was unwilling, he knew that he couldnât stay here forever either.
Iâve already found him anyway. I can always drop by next time. Something seems to be different between us now, and I donât know if itâs for the best. I guess itâs better if I leave.
Gu Yiâan thus became extremely focused on helping Guan Zijue recover well and monitored his condition very closely.
Guan Zijue could also tell that Gu Yiâan was planning to leave soon, and he was too proud to ask Gu Yiâan not to leave even if he hoped that Gu Yiâan could stay.
He knew that Gu Yiâan would have to leave someday.
The day came when Guan Zijueâs injury was fully healed.
Gu Yiâan was thinking about what to say before he left, but nothing seemed to sound good.
There was no reason for him to stay either.
Ceng Hanyuâs call came in a timely manner, just as Gu Yiâan was looking for an excuse to leave but couldnât find any.
It was already late at night when Ceng Hanyu called. Gu Yiâan walked out of the room to answer so as not to disturb Guan Zijue in his sleep.
Guan Zijueâs eyes opened right after Gu Yiâan walked out.
He knew Gu Yiâan well enough to know that the latter was planning to leave and that he was looking for the right words to say before he did so.
He shut his eyes again, thinking to himself, He has to leave sooner or later anyway.
Gu Yiâan walked to the balcony to answer the call.
âHey, Hanyu. Whatâs up?â
Ceng Hanyu sounded anxious over the phone. âYiâan, are you okay?â
Gu Yiâan shook his head as he answered, âIâm fine. Whatâs wrong?â
âOne of my men was tasked to oversee the shipping of a batch of antiques from a private collection. Itâs supposed to be sent to America, but there was an information leak. These antiques originally belonged to China, and the authorities are probably tracking it right now. Iâd like for you to take over and oversee the shipment, otherwise the items might probably get stuck in China forever.â
Gu Yiâan frowned slightly. âYou said these antiques originally belonged to China?â
âYes!â Ceng Hanyu continued, âThey belonged to China, and Iâm not sure how they became a part of a private collection either. Our job is to complete the task, not to look into the background of these items. Try your best to finish the job, or else we would probably have to be liable and pay our employer a certain amount of money.â
Gu Yiâan nodded. âGot it. Send me the address and tell the guy that Iâm only responsible for getting it out of the country. Iâm not going to help with anything else. He has to get someone else for the job once the goods are out of the country, so calculate the costs accordingly.â
âSure! Iâll tell him. Iâll send you the address now.â
âOkay!â Gu Yiâan then ended the call.
He suddenly felt empty as he saw the bright city lights from the balcony.
He grew up in an orphanage before being sent to the underground wrestling rings in America. After which, he was adopted by an English mafia boss. He had never felt the warmth of a home while growing up, and Guan Zijue was someone who was able to give him that warmth he yearned for.
It was too easy to get addicted to this warmth, and he didnât dare to hanker after it.
Since Ceng Hanyu needed his help, it was the perfect excuse for him to leave.
Gu Yiâan returned to the bedroom after a while, and he did not notice Guan Zijue letting out a sigh after he fell asleep.
Though Guan Zijueâs injury was fully healed, he was being extra careful only because he wanted Gu Yiâan to stay for a while longer. However, he knew that Gu Yiâan could not stay forever.
Gu Yiâan got up at five in the morning the very next day.
Guan Zijue called out to him when he exited the bedroom. âYiâan!â
Heâs up so early?
In fact, Guan Zijue did not get a wink of sleep last night.
âWhy are you up so early?â
Guan Zijue sat up. âIâm used to it. We wake up early in the military. Why are you up so early today?â
He knew very well that Gu Yiâan was leaving, but he still had to ask.
Why did I get up so early? Thatâs because Iâm leaving today.
In the past, he would always keep in contact with Ye Zhongjue and Ceng Hanyu from time to time no matter how far apart they were.
Right now, however, he felt as if he was never going to see Guan Zijue ever again.
âThereâs something I have to take care of.â
âWill you be coming back?â
After some contemplation, Gu Yiâan said, âMaybe!â
Guan Zijue fell silent at this.
Maybe. So itâs possible. Since weâre able to meet, we should also be able to keep in contact with each other.
âOkay! Go pack up then. Drop by if you have the time. Iâm not allowed to leave the country now.â
âMm!â Gu Yiâan nodded. âI will!â
Gu Yiâan stood rooted to the spot, unsure what to do.
âErm⦠Iâll go make breakfast. Iâll be leaving soon after. Also⦠even though youâve recovered, you should still be careful...â He then turned to leave.
Why do I feel so bad? Weâre two grown men and itâs not like weâre never going to see each other again!
It was only six thirty after he made breakfast and was done with the packing.
Both of them had breakfast in silence.
When Gu Yiâan pulled his suitcase out, Guan Zijue said, âRemember to always be careful!â
This reminded Gu Yiâan of when Guan Zijue got hit by the car when trying to warn him about the bullet.
It was fortunate that Guan Zijue was well-trained in the military, and he reacted fast enough to protect himself. If it was someone else who got hit, they might not have been able to survive the blow.
Gu Yiâan nodded, suppressing his emotions. I should leave. Staying any longer would just make this more difficult for the both of us.
Guan Zijue gave a sigh as he watched the door close behind Gu Yiâan.
He returned to camp on the very afternoon Gu Yiâan left.
Having spent almost three months with Gu Yiâan, he was not used to the sudden empty space in his apartment. He thus chose to leave instead of facing that loneliness.
The routine in the military might just help him get over Gu Yiâanâs departure!