Chapter 169: Expired Syrup

Gu Jin Xing felt his heart thump; when they were in school, Lu Shenyang was extremely fond of Meng Shutang, and if he learned that Lu had dragged his beloved little sister into the sea, he would have to ruin him.

Lu Shenyang didn't act, and handed him a cocktail.

Gu Jin Xing sipped that Mojito; the lime's sharp sourness mixed with the coolness of mint leaves, and fine mist gathered at the rim, just like the cool evening breeze.

Yet for some reason, the pleasure of this cocktail ultimately had nothing to do with him.

Perhaps the syrup was added too little; he only tasted the lime's sharpness and the rum's burn, and from start to finish he couldn't discern any sweetness.

"I've heard about what happened that night at the birthday banquet."

Lu Shenyang slowly approached, gave Gu Jin Xing a faint smile, and said, "I also heard that your brother kept looking for you but couldn't find you. Where have you been these days?"

As he spoke, Lu Shenyang patted Gu Jin Xing's shoulder.

"I went abroad, found it meaningless, and came back."

He paused, "Senior, I'm sorry; I shouldn't have let Shutang and I share that tragic and absurd death because of my selfishness and obsession. My brother says I'm a madman, and indeed, I am a madman."

After speaking, he slowly lifted his gaze, looking at the man beside him.

The obsession in his eyes had not faded a bit, nor had the madness extinguished; it was merely wrapped in a layer of cold reason.

He smiled, his smile as thin and cool as an autumn wind, yet carrying an unprecedented clarity, "…I lost in a very ugly way, didn't I?"

These days, he has been reflecting.

He laments that he shouldn't have bound her with death or threatened with destruction; this cowardly stance of being unable to lose must have terrified Meng Shutang.

He hates why he resorted to such lowly means, why he couldn't use a higher, more dignified way to win.

Like after his divorce, Gu Yunci pursued Meng Shutang, step by step, gradually, warming her heart little by little.

Rather than like a mad dog, dragging her down into the sea together.

"What do you want to do?"

Lu Shenyang looked at him, his expression faint.

"This time, I don't want to use such despicable means; I want to be open and fair, competing with my brother."

Lu Shenyang no longer looked at him; his gaze shifted to Meng Shutang, whose face bore a bright smile.

"If Shutang still likes you and you want to compete fairly with your brother, I support you."

"But she has long let go; after you returned, her kindness toward you was only because she felt indebted. Jin Xing, you must admit, you missed your chance."

Gu Jin Xing's fingertips that gripped the glass turned pale; Lu Shenyang couldn't discern the emotion in his eyes, only his indifferent expression.

After a long while, Gu Jin Xing tipped his head back and drained the cocktail, saying, "This drink is too sour."

"I just took another sip; indeed it's so sour it's hard to swallow."

As he spoke, Lu Shenyang glanced at the cup and set it down, "Perhaps the syrup is expired."

Lu Shenyang said it unintentionally, but Gu Jin Xing, upon hearing it, felt a shudder run through his whole body.

His feelings toward Meng Shutang are probably like this expired syrup—past its date, no longer worth tasting.

Gu Yunci dismounted, then lifted Meng Shutang off the horse; looking up, he saw Lu Shenyang standing on the steps.

Meng Shutang smiled and walked over, "Brother Shenyang, when did you arrive?"

Lu Shenyang saw Meng Shutang's flushed little face, poured her a glass of water, and said, "I've been here a while."

As he spoke, he turned to look at Gu Jin Xing, about to speak to him, but saw no one.

He thought that he left alone, also not wanting Meng Shutang to know he had been here, so he said nothing.

After finishing, Meng Shutang set the empty water glass down; Gu Yunci naturally picked it up, poured another, and asked, "Want more?"

Meng Shutang shook her head; the man's wrist turned, bringing the cup to his lips for a few sips.

While Meng Shutang walked over to talk with Huo Yanchen about Zhou Xingfan's condition, Gu Yunci came to Lu Shenyang's side and said, "Just now, I saw my brother arrive."

Lu Shenyang nodded, "I advised him to let go."

Gu Yunci's thin lips barely pursed, "What did he say?"

Lu Shenyang was about to speak when Meng Shutang abruptly ended the conversation and came over, "I want to go back."

Lu Shenyang gave them a slight nod, and Gu Yunci left with Meng Shutang.

Meng Shutang originally intended to leave the stables and go straight back to Qingluju, but halfway Gu Yunci changed his mind, "We never have our own time; after finally going out, let's eat first before leaving."

Gu Yunci took her to a hotpot restaurant he had just opened; when they left, it was already nine p. m.

The decorative lights on the trees lining the street peacefully and splendidly adorned the night.

Meng Shutang walked along the roadside; Gu Yunci fell half a step behind, lazily and aristocratically following her.

They hadn't taken such a walk for a long time; after walking a while, they reached the riverbank, where a long bench stood. Meng Shutang, tired, sat down by the road.

Gu Yunci saw this and sat beside her.

The night spread across the riverbank, and the streetlights fractured on the water into a hazy gold.

Meng Shutang lifted her hand, brushing her long hair back.

The evening breeze, wrapped in mist, brushed her face; a few strands of hair were lifted, grazing his cheek, jaw, and even barely touching his lips.

The man tilted his head slightly, his breath catching for a beat.

He raised his hand and gently brushed her beautiful hair.

He was immersed in this long‑missed flirtation when her hair slipped through his fingers; Meng Shutang bent, and the man saw a rubber ball fall at her feet, a little boy ran over, smiling at her, "Auntie, this ball is mine."

Meng Shutang picked it up, slightly inclined her body, and handed it to him, "Here."

The boy took it, politely saying, "Thank you."

Seeing him about to turn, Meng Shutang warned, "Be careful."

The child, who likes good‑looking adults, said sweetly, "Sister, you look so beautiful."

He had just finished speaking when a hand already lifted him, "Your little mouth is so sweet; how many people have said that?"

The four‑year‑old child was as light in Gu Yunci's hand as a chick.

He, whether in looks or aura, belongs to the kind that scares children; the little boy, when he grabbed him like that, was instantly terrified and about to cry.

Meng Shutang saw it, got up, "Quickly put him down, be careful that the adults might see in a moment."

Gu Yunci merely teased him, and after that, obediently released the little boy.

The little boy was originally very frightened, but seeing that he was also a henpecked husband, he said, "Just like my dad, scared of his wife, useless."

Gu Yunci, upon hearing, said, "Seeing your little mouth, your dad must never have let you experience the dangers of society."

While saying that, he again tried to lift the little boy; the boy, seeing this, instinctively stepped back one step.

"You have five seconds, run quickly, hear?" Gu Yunci said.

The little boy still thought he was going to beat him, froze for a moment then grabbed the ball and ran; he seemed afraid Gu Yunci would chase him, running while looking back, he found Gu Yunci still standing there, becoming even more panicked.

With a thud, he fell to the ground.

An elderly woman ran over and helped him up; she seemed to be the child's grandmother or maternal grandmother.

Not knowing what the child said, the elderly woman looked up and glanced toward Gu Yunci and Meng Shutang.