The Protagonist 'Gong' Became my Wife - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: I Want to Be in a Relationship with You

After that chaotic night, Jiang Yanning understood his own heart even more clearly. Although he didn’t show it, he was constantly thinking about how to confess to Gu Zhuo. He even spaced out during work, causing Assistant Zhou to suffer frequently in silence.

Gu Zhuo was still unaware of all this.

On the morning of that day, He Wenyun was taken away by people Jiang Yanning had called; word was he would be sent to the hospital to keep Li Chuan company. Fortunately, Gu Xiao had already finished that fashion show, and there was no longer any need for He Wenyun to appear before them.

Currently, Gu Zhuo was worried about how to trick Qi Chi into coming out so they could play out the plot once more. Otherwise, 77 would definitely keep buzzing in his ear, leaving him no peace.

On this day of classes, Gu Zhuo had already investigated Qi Chi’s schedule. Knowing he would be at school for classes in the afternoon, Gu Zhuo went to intercept him. However, just as class ended, Qi Chi’s message arrived first.

He wanted to invite him out for a drink. But it wasn’t at “Twilight”; it was at an obscure little bar. After confirming with 77 that the plot location wasn’t strictly restricted, Gu Zhuo agreed decisively.

77, on the other hand, was a bit hesitant.

【Host, this shouldn’t be right. He saw you and Jiang Yanning… doing that the other day, so why is he still actively inviting you out?】

Gu Zhuo was puzzled.

What does me being with Jiang Yanning have to do with him?

Of course it’s because… because…

77 couldn’t say it. Because Qi Chi likes you! It knew that if it said those words, tonight’s mission wouldn’t be doable. However, for the sake of the host’s “purity,” it still subtly reminded the host to report his whereabouts to Jiang Yanning.

The moment the message “No need to worry” was sent, Qi Chi had already walked up to him. Gu Zhuo turned off his phone and got into the car Qi Chi had hailed.

Thus, he didn’t see that on the other end, Jiang Yanning had replied to him very quickly.

“With whom? I’m already at your school gate, I wanted to…”

The message was cut in half because Jiang Yanning had already caught sight of Gu Zhuo and Qi Chi. The taxi quickly disappeared into the traffic. Jiang Yanning glanced at the neatly arranged rose bouquet in the back seat and let his wrist drop weakly.

But soon, he pulled himself together again. Regardless of who Gu Zhuo liked, he had to at least try. Locating that obscure bar, Jiang Yanning started the car and followed.

…

This bar didn’t have much foot traffic. Because the prices were cheap, most customers were nearby college students. Qi Chi seemed very familiar with the owner; after saying a few words to the front desk, he led Gu Zhuo to a private booth upstairs.

The pre-ordered alcohol was set out one by one. The waiter quickly retreated, closing the heavy door behind him. The lighting suddenly grew dim. Gu Zhuo merely closed his eyes for a moment to adjust to the darkness.

Qi Chi handed him a bottle of wine first, his smile as bright as usual.

“Junior Gu, please.”

Gu Zhuo hesitated for a second but took it in the end. To catch a wolf, one must be willing to sacrifice the child; besides, he had a “sobriety tool,” so Qi Chi couldn’t drink him under the table.

Just like that, Gu Zhuo was coaxed by Qi Chi into gulping down a large bottle of wine. Because he drank too quickly, he choked. His face turned red from coughing, and his eyes filled with a watery sheen.

Qi Chi’s breathing grew increasingly rapid as he impatiently handed over the next bottle. Gu Zhuo finally realized: Qi Chi wanted to get him drunk. Although he didn’t know why, the original plot did indeed have this scene.

After discussing with 77, Gu Zhuo temporarily blocked the effects of the sobriety tool. His mind instantly became muddled. As he took the wine from Qi Chi’s hand, he went thud and slumped onto the table.

He had fallen unconscious.

Still so good-looking.

Countless evil thoughts flashed through Qi Chi’s mind; his eyes were full of obsession with Gu Zhuo. Looking at that fair hand resting on the edge of the table, he slowly leaned his face closer, his nose seemingly already surrounded by the unique fragrance belonging to Gu Zhuo.

77, watching from the side, felt a wave of disgust, staying on guard in case he did something perverted. As long as Qi Chi pulled out his phone, the mission would be complete, and it would immediately wake the host to teach him a proper lesson.

Qi Chi stood up. He reached out his hand. His phone was about to be pulled—

With a loud bang, the door of the booth was kicked open.

Jiang Yanning looked at the unconscious Gu Zhuo on the table, his expression darkening as he smashed a punch into Qi Chi’s face. Qi Chi’s grip loosened, his phone falling back into his pocket as he turned to brawl with Jiang Yanning.

77 froze in mid-air, shedding “wide-noodle” tears as it woke Gu Zhuo.

【Host, the mission failed! Waaaah…】

Gu Zhuo propped his forehead with his hand and slowly sat up, completely oblivious to what 77 was saying. Jiang Yanning, who was currently pinning Qi Chi to the ground and beating him, saw him and immediately stood up, leaning over to ask about his condition.

Gu Zhuo’s consciousness, briefly suppressed by alcohol, had not yet recovered. His ears were buzzing, and he couldn’t hear clearly. He only knew that Jiang Yanning had just hit Qi Chi.

Without thinking much, he rubbed his brow and asked casually, “Finished fighting? If you’re finished, let’s go home.”

Jiang Yanning’s hand paused, his throat feeling inexplicably dry.

“Gu Zhuo, were you willing? Did I… disturb you two?”

Qi Chi climbed up from the ground, clutching his bruised and purple face, standing tall with the posture of a victor. Gu Zhuo remained silent for a long time, until Jiang Yanning finally gave up and turned to leave. Then, Gu Zhuo spoke again.

“Gege, aren’t you going to take me home? I drank too much, my head hurts terribly. I didn’t hear what you just said clearly.”

In an instant, Jiang Yanning felt as if he had traveled from hell to heaven. He gave Qi Chi a triumphant look. He leaned down to scoop Gu Zhuo into his arms, his chin rubbing against the top of Gu Zhuo’s head.

“I’ll take you back now. Don’t come out to drink with shady people in the future, it’s dangerous.” His fierce gaze swept toward Qi Chi, his words pointed.

Gu Zhuo glanced at 77, who was still crying on the ground, knowing that this mission could likely never be completed again. He wrapped his arms around Jiang Yanning’s neck to soothe him.

“Okay, I won’t go out with others anymore. I’ll only drink with Gege.”

Jiang Yanning was coaxed into happiness. Carrying the person, he walked downstairs through the noisy crowd. During this time, Gu Zhuo poked 77.

Why did Qi Chi treat me like that? Why was Gege so angry? What exactly happened?

77’s voice carried a sob.

Because Qi Chi likes you! He wanted to take the opportunity to touch you, but Jiang Yanning found out, so…

Like me?Gu Zhuo snorted coldly.It’s just lust born from looks all fake. Forget it, we won’t see each other again anyway.

He stopped worrying about 77, who was heartbroken over the failed mission. Seeing that Jiang Yanning had reached the car, he jumped down from that warm embrace and pulled open the car door.

A large bouquet of striking red roses lay on the back seat, with dew still visible on them; every flower was delicate and dripping.

Gu Zhuo asked expressionlessly, “Who is Gege giving these to? You didn’t remind me it would be bad if I crushed them.”

His back was toward Jiang Yanning, so he didn’t see the tension on Jiang Yanning’s face. After taking a deep breath, Jiang Yanning stepped forward and grabbed one of Gu Zhuo’s hands. He looked directly into those beautiful eyes.

“They are for you. I originally planned to confess to you today; I already booked the restaurant and the flowers. I just didn’t expect you would have an appointment with Qi Chi. I saw you two then, and I was afraid something would happen to you, so I came to check.”

He felt inexplicably guilty, his voice growing smaller and smaller. He had clearly knocked over the vinegar jar (was jealous), unable to suppress the envy in his heart, insisting on ruining their date.

Thinking that Gu Zhuo probably had no feelings for Qi Chi, he gathered his courage, standing there under the lush, green tree. Above them were the flickering streetlights; the prepared bouquet wasn’t even in his hand, nothing was as he had envisioned.

But he said it anyway.

“Gu Zhuo, I like you. I want to have a relationship with you with the goal of marriage. I hope you can accept me.”

His palms broke into a fine sweat, which he wiped on his neat suit pants. Because he was too nervous, he gripped the pants into rows of wrinkles.

Then he heard Gu Zhuo’s answer.

“I promise you, I will only marry you in this lifetime. Can you give me the same promise?”

Jiang Yanning nodded hurriedly. “Of course! I will only like you in this lifetime!”

Gu Zhuo smiled with satisfaction. “That’s good.”

They stood by the roadside for a long time. A slightly cool evening breeze blew by, but Jiang Yanning didn’t feel the cold at all, standing stupidly in place. His usually cold face was covered in smiles.

Gu Zhuo couldn’t help but take off his glasses, meeting those eyes filled with his own reflection, and smiled back.

“Gege should still wear glasses in the future. You look too good like this; I want to hide you away.”

The tips of Jiang Yanning’s ears turned beet red as he scrambled into the car. To sit with the bouquet of red roses, Gu Zhuo chose to sit in the back seat. He held the bouquet and wouldn’t let go, the curve of his lips never dropping.

77 couldn’t help but roll its eyes.

【Host, do you remember your reaction when you heard Qi Chi likes you? How is it different now that it’s Jiang Yanning?】

Gu Zhuo spoke with total conviction.

How can Qi Chi be compared to Jiang Yanning? If it weren’t for the mission, I wouldn’t even look at him once.

The host had always been double-standard; 77 had nothing to say. It stopped flapping its little wings, wanting to land on the bouquet to rest for a while. As a result, it was swatted away by Gu Zhuo.

Mine. Don’t touch.

77 squatted in the corner, feeling aggrieved, and started crying.

When they arrived home, it was already late. Realizing neither had eaten dinner, Jiang Yanning took off his coat and quickly ducked into the kitchen.

While waiting for the meal, Gu Zhuo carried the bouquet into the bedroom and placed it in a satisfactory spot. He went downstairs to help but noticed that the entire first floor was wrapped in a rich, milky fragrance. The closer he got to the kitchen, the stronger the scent. It had even covered the smell of the food in the pot.

Jiang Yanning was completely oblivious to this. He was stirring the pot of seafood porridge. Noticing the sound of Gu Zhuo’s footsteps, he didn’t look back.

“You just drank, and I was afraid you wouldn’t have an appetite, so I made porridge. See if there’s anything else you want to eat?”

He couldn’t smell his own pheromones; his body was heating up, but he only thought it was because the confession was successful and he was too excited. Little did he know that in Gu Zhuo’s eyes, he had already become the most delicious dish in the whole kitchen.

Gu Zhuo was very satisfied with Jiang Yanning’s proactive confession today. This made what was about to happen next even more natural.

He hugged Jiang Yanning’s waist from behind, his chin resting on his shoulder. One hand turned off the stove fire. The other hand slipped into the apron, flicking open a button on Jiang Yanning’s shirt.

His lips were pressed against his ear, his voice husky.

“Gege, I want to eat…”