The Protagonist 'Gong' Became my Wife - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: The Agreement

A whole class period passed, and an unknown round of the game had finally reached its end. Once the word “Victory” appeared on the screen, Gu Zhuo logged off without mercy, pocketed his phone, and went to the classroom for his next class.

77 flapped its little wings and followed, opening the light screen and clicking twice.

Host, in an empty classroom one floor up and to the right, Gu Xiao is there doing self-study.

Gu Zhuo followed the instructions, pushed open the classroom door, and teamed up with Gu Xiao to go to the next class. To be precise, Gu Zhuo accompanied Gu Xiao. Because today, a small plot point would occur: in this elective class, Gu Xiao would encounter the person who took advantage of him last night, Wen Xiyu.

That’s right, Wen Xiyu served as the teacher for this class. Today, he would see Gu Xiao again and feel that he looked like a childhood companion, thus developing an interest in him. A normal person would certainly test the waters perhaps it really was the person he thought? But Wen Xiyu was clearly not normal; without a second word, he would hand Gu Xiao a “Stand-in Maintenance Agreement” (Sugar Baby Contract), and Gu Xiao’s nightmare would begin because of it.

The moment they walked into the classroom, Gu Xiao’s expression began to turn wrong. Gu Zhuo, walking at his side, clearly saw him bite his lower lip until it bled. The moment the two took their seats, 77 prompted that the plot task was completed.

77, I have a question. The plot is so unreasonable; how does this book world continue to function?

77 thought seriously for a moment. I don’t know. I’m just a weak new system. You are also my first Host, so I’m not very clear either…

It guiltily tapped its wingtips together, afraid that Gu Zhuo would look down on it for being a new system. Unexpectedly, Gu Zhuo gently held it in his palm, his finger lightly rubbing the two wings. His exquisite face leaned very close; 77 subconsciously slowed down its data processing speed.

Then, shall we… Give it a try? Try what? Try to change the plot. Together. Okay? O—okay…

77 was so bewildered by the charm that it didn’t even know what it had answered; it let out a silly giggle. Upon coming to its senses, the light ball turned red and green by turns, finally let out a soft “hmpf,” and disappeared into the void. Gu Zhuo knew it was going to turn a blind eye (to his interference).

Having settled this matter, Gu Zhuo finally glanced at the teacher on the podium. To be fair, Wen Xiyu had no problems in terms of lecturing. Unfortunately, his eyes were a bit blind. And the Protagonist Shou next to him was soft on the outside but firm on the inside. A “Maintenance Agreement” or whatever would only push the person further and further away.

Thinking this, Gu Zhuo typed a line of words on his phone and showed it to Gu Xiao: “Eat out tonight? My treat.”

Gu Xiao was somewhat surprised and nodded. After the final class ended, Gu Zhuo pulled Gu Xiao and dashed out of the classroom like the wind, leaving Wen Xiyu far behind. They only stopped once they reached the restaurant they usually frequented.

“Why the rush? Zhuo-zhuo, did you not eat enough at noon?” Gu Xiao’s physical stamina was poor, and he was gasping for breath.

Gu Zhuo shook his head. “I ate enough, it’s just that I’ve been getting hungry very quickly lately. Maybe I’m about to grow.” These words weren’t nonsense to appease Gu Xiao. This body, having shaken off the influence of the special drug, would undergo a second development until its physical strength equaled that of a normal Alpha. To verify his words, Gu Zhuo wildly devoured eight bowls of rice before stopping, putting down his chopsticks with satisfaction.

Gu Xiao looked at this scene with some sadness. “Zhuo-zhuo, it turns out you’ve never been full. No wonder you’re so thin. Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

That wasn’t exactly the case. I usually eat until I’m 80% full outside before going back. This was hard to explain, so Gu Zhuo simply took the stack of money from his pocket and placed it in Gu Xiao’s palm.

“Here. This is the tip Jiang Yanning gave us last night to thank us. I hadn’t found a free moment to give it to you. Here, put it away quickly.”

Gu Xiao froze as he caught it. After reacting, he hurriedly pulled out half and stuffed it into Gu Zhuo’s hand. “How can you give it all to me? You helped me too!”

Gu Zhuo declined once or twice but eventually accepted it. The remaining money was put into Gu Xiao’s backpack, and he muttered about how Jiang Yanning was truly a good person.

Gu Zhuo replied casually: “If there’s a chance, I’ll say thank you to him for you.” After speaking, he stood up first to settle the bill. He left Gu Xiao reflecting on those words, a question popping up in his mind: What is with this subtle “family member” vibe?

…

With Gu Zhuo acting as a protector and 77 turning a blind eye, Wen Xiyu simply could not find an opportunity to hand out that Stand-in Maintenance Agreement. He brought the agreement to Twilight, threw himself onto the sofa, and detailed his inner frustrations. Ji Zenan and Li Mengze were both questioning who the other person was to think someone made Wen Xiyu, who had remained pure as jade for over twenty years, feel mortal desire.

Jiang Yanning leafed through the documents in his hand, his expression becoming increasingly unpleasant. “A-Yu, who is he?”

What Wen Xiyu feared most was a stone-faced Jiang Yanning; he spilled everything without missing a word.

“Gu Xiao? That waiter from the third floor? He is indeed quite good-looking. A-Yu, want us brothers to give you a hand?” Ji Zenan was somewhat eager to try, wanting to call Gu Xiao over directly.

Jiang Yanning glared at him. “None of you are allowed to go. If you’re in love, then fall in love properly. What’s with this ‘stand-in agreement’?” For the first time in his life, Jiang Yanning felt his friend had a problem with his brain. “A-Yu, you are a teacher of the people after all. If you pursue them properly, it’s not like you don’t have a chance. Why go to extremes?”

Wen Xiyu opened his mouth and blurted out: “But I don’t like him. It’s just because he looks very much like You-you did as a child.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yanning’s expression became even more subtle. “You don’t like him but you go and provoke him? Can you face your You-you?”

Wen Xiyu was speechless and lowered his head to rub the tip of his nose. “But… but I can’t find You-you anymore.”

Jiang Yanning casually turned to a page in the file, pointing to a place called Xinghe Village. “If I’m not mistaken, you went here as a child.”

Wen Xiyu nodded. “Yes, that’s where I met” He suddenly widened his eyes. Written clearly on the paper was that Gu Xiao was from Xinghe Village.

“There aren’t that many coincidences in the world, A-Yu. Believe in a miracle one more time.” Jiang Yanning patted his shoulder and straightened his glasses for him. “Go.”

“No, no, no, no, no.” Wen Xiyu dodged backward. “I can’t go. I can’t go.” “Why?” “Because two days ago I got… got drunk, and I forcibly kissed him…”

Among the four, Li Mengze, who had the most romantic experience, spat out a mouthful of wine and gave him a thumb’s up. “Brother, your mouth recognized him earlier than your brain did.”

That night, Wen Xiyu guzzled a large bottle of wine, acted like a drunken fool while tearing the agreement to shreds, and even cried and made a scene about going to apologize to Gu Xiao. But in this state, he would only scare someone half to death. Jiang Yanning rubbed his brow and called the bodyguards to drag the man directly into the car. Li Mengze, whose home was nearby, followed into the car to help look after him.

Assistant Zhou sent a message saying he would arrive in about ten minutes; Jiang Yanning simply stood in the parking lot to wait. Ji Zenan wanted to stay and accompany him, but was driven back up without mercy. “We’re all adults, what’s there to worry about?” “Fine then, I’m going up first.”

Watching the numbers slowly rise, Jiang Yanning relaxed his body and leaned against a pillar. Suddenly, he heard a burst of resentful sobbing coming from the darkness. Cold wind whistled through, causing a door panel to sway left and right, making a creaking sound.

Jiang Yanning stood up, looked around, and then without hesitation took two steps further away.

Gu Zhuo and 77, hiding in the dark, spoke in low voices. Host, why isn’t he going over to take a look? Maybe because crying isn’t miserable enough. Ah? Then what should we do? 77 was getting a bit anxious. If he doesn’t go look, how will he find out that the Protagonist Shou is currently in urgent need of money because his father is sick? If he doesn’t find out, how can the plot continue?

Gu Zhuo revealed a sly smile in the darkness. How about you give Gu Xiao a hand, 77?

Thus, with 77’s special effects enhancement, Gu Xiao’s crying became increasingly shrill, like a female ghost coming for a life. Jiang Yanning rubbed the goosebumps on his arms and ran quickly toward the lights.

Gu Zhuo lunged out from the darkness, spread his long arms, and picked the man up by the waist, stuffing him into another dead corner. Jiang Yanning struggled violently until he smelled the familiar bitter coffee scent on his nose and reacted. He relaxed his body and looked at Gu Zhuo helplessly.

“Why are you here too? Lunging out suddenly, who are you trying to scare to death? Let me go quickly.”

Gu Zhuo blinked innocently, shrouding the two of them with pheromones, his body pressing even closer to Jiang Yanning. “President Jiang, it’s so dark here, I’m so scared.”

Jiang Yanning was also scared, but he was stubborn. “This is nothing. Coward.” He didn’t doubt the truth of Gu Zhuo’s words; after all, his waist was currently being squeezed until it was painful. “Fine, I know you’re scared, but let me go first, I can’t breathe!”

Gu Zhuo loosened his strength, and Jiang Yanning immediately broke from his embrace. But before the frustration in his heart could gather, he was pulled into Jiang Yanning’s arms.

Actually, it wasn’t exactly a hug. It was just that Gu Zhuo had a thin frame, while Jiang Yanning had a tall build, sturdy muscles, and broad shoulders. Squatting in the small corner, they inevitably touched. It looked like one person was cradling the other.

After adjusting his posture, Jiang Yanning explained quickly: “Don’t overthink it. I’m just being kind, afraid you’ll cry from fear.” In reality, he himself had no confidence; he closed his eyes nervously in the dark, and smelling the bitter coffee scent from Gu Zhuo, he subconsciously leaned closer to seek a sense of security.

As for Gu Zhuo, he silently watched Jiang Yanning’s movements, the corners of his mouth curving slightly. He relaxed his body to feel the unfamiliar body temperature beside him. With a slight turn of his face, he could rest on someone’s soft and springy chest muscles.

Jiang Yanning’s gentle breath hit the top of Gu Zhuo’s head. Gu Zhuo, who was long accustomed to hiding his true emotions, felt his face turn red with a bit of helplessness, and his heartbeat quickened slightly. Only, in the darkness, no one could notice.

Vibrate, vibrate. Jiang Yanning’s phone rang. He turned his head to listen to the movement outside; it seemed much quieter. He opened his phone; Assistant Zhou had sent a message saying he would be at the parking lot soon.

He broke the silence first, asking in a whisper: “Do you think there are ghosts in this world?”

Of course not. Gu Zhuo was firm in his heart, but hesitant on his tongue: “Probably not… President Jiang, how about we go out and take a look?”

Jiang Yanning reluctantly agreed.

The two walked out like Siamese twins, fumbling toward the place where the crying came from. After a few steps, a bright light fell from above. Gu Xiao, with red and swollen eyes, stood by the switch, looking at the two in front of him in confusion.

“Zhuo-zhuo? President Jiang? Why are you here?”