What's Wrong with Changing to a New Wife? [Rebirth] - Chapter 5

Cheng Zhuo had lost several rounds of poker. After the game ended, while looking for his friend Brother Gu, he unexpectedly spotted Lin Qingran drinking with another man!

Cheng Zhuo rubbed his eyes, unable to believe what he was seeing. He quickly pulled Gu Ji aside as soon as he entered the room.

“Brother Gu… is that Lin Qingran? Why is he sitting with… someone else?” Cheng Zhuo, having drunk quite a bit, felt a bit dizzy and lowered his voice. “What’s going on? Shouldn’t you go ask?”

“Don’t bother,” Gu Ji replied indifferently.

This level of interaction was commonplace for Lin Qingran. Asking about it would be pointless, and expecting him to come to his senses was nothing but a pipe dream. At the very least, they’d have to wait until Lin Qingran’s actions crossed a clear line.

For now, Gu Ji couldn’t be bothered to care. Out of sight, out of mind.

Cheng Zhuo: “Huh?”

Gu Ji patted him on the shoulder. “You shouldn’t worry about it either. Go have a drink.”

Cheng Zhuo was utterly confused. He didn’t understand why Brother Gu was brushing it off, but his mind was already muddled in such matters, and the alcohol made it even worse. He decided he’d talk to Xu Jingyin about it later.

Afraid he might forget once he sobered up, he casually took out his phone and snapped a picture of Lin Qingran and the other man. That way, he’d remember when he saw the photo tomorrow.

Gu Ji returned to his previous seat. The game had ended, and the crowd that had gathered nearby had mostly dispersed.

Yan Congyu hadn’t moved and was still sitting in the same spot.

Gu Ji sat down. Having interacted earlier, he felt a bit more familiar with Yan Congyu and casually asked, “Hey, which department are you in?”

Yan Congyu looked at Gu Ji and, after a moment, replied, “Arts department, studying fine arts.”

Gu Ji was surprised once again. Lin Qingran was also studying fine arts, which seemed to explain why Lin Qingran knew Yan Congyu.

He could only hope that Lin Qingran wouldn’t go around causing trouble for everyone. Gu Ji had a rather good impression of Yan Congyu and didn’t want to see him deceived by Lin Qingran’s false facade, ending up in the same miserable state he had in his previous life.

Within his capabilities, Gu Ji was determined to save as many people as he could.

Thinking it was only polite to return the favor, Gu Ji introduced himself: “I’m Gu Ji, from—”

Yan Congyu said softly, “I know you. You’re from the finance department.”

Gu Ji paused.

If they were just ordinary university classmates, it wouldn’t be surprising for Yan Congyu to know him. It could have been through the school forum or mutual friends—perfectly normal.

But if Yan Congyu had known him during their university years, why, in their previous life when they met, had Yan Congyu not only failed to mention it but also acted as if they were strangers?

Although the fire had left scars on his face, they were on his temple and not very noticeable—certainly not enough to make him unrecognizable.

In his past life, Yan Congyu had appeared on a snowy night, stayed with him through the difficult recovery period, and then, a few months later, left without a trace—mysterious in his arrival and even more so in his departure.

Only now did Gu Ji realize that Yan Congyu seemed to harbor even more secrets.

“I overheard them saying earlier…” Yan Congyu began, asking, “Do you like men?”

Gu Ji had been asked this question countless times. Anyone who knew about his sexual orientation couldn’t resist their curiosity and would ask again. Gu Ji was used to it by now.

“Yeah,” Gu Ji nodded.

Yan Congyu lowered his gaze, concealing the emotions in his eyes, and asked as if casually, “…I heard many gay people were ‘turned.’ Were you too?”

Gu Ji fell briefly into reminiscence.

Yan Congyu noticed the other’s silence and thought to himself that he had been too hasty. He let out a soft sigh and said, “Sorry… I was being presumptuous.”

“It’s fine, I was just thinking,” Gu Ji replied. “I wasn’t ‘turned’. It’s probably innate.”

If he remembered correctly, he had met Lin Qingran in his second year of high school, but even before that, he had already realized he was attracted to boys. Even his first dream of that nature had featured a boy’s body.

Hearing the answer, Yan Congyu’s lips curved into a slight smile.

Pretending not to know, he asked, “So, do you have a boyfriend now?”

Of course, Yan Congyu already knew the answer. He just wanted to gauge Gu Ji’s attitude.

Gu Ji tilted his chin slightly, gesturing toward Lin Qingran, who was surrounded by other boys. “Him.”

Although he would soon be single again, for now, he still had to maintain appearances.

Yan Congyu’s eyes darkened slightly, but the dim lighting in the private room made it hard to discern the emotions in his gaze. His tone remained calm as he said, “He seems to be in the art department too.”

Gu Ji casually confirmed it.

This reaction…

Yan Congyu pondered silently. It didn’t seem like Gu Ji cared much about the other person.

“Your boyfriend seems quite popular,” Yan Congyu remarked.

Gu Ji couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re being very diplomatic.”

Yan Congyu grew even more uncertain about Gu Ji’s attitude. Everything he had previously understood seemed to be overturned in that moment, making it difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood.

He let out a soft sigh.

Cheng Zhuo had just been forced to drink by a group of people and was on the verge of throwing up. While he was still somewhat sober, he searched the room for Gu Ji.

Finally spotting him, Cheng Zhuo staggered over and slumped onto the sofa, utterly exhausted. When he drank too much, he tended to become a chatterbox. “Bro, what are you doing?”

Feeling Yan Congyu’s gaze on him, Gu Ji introduced, “This is my roommate, Cheng Zhuo.”

Hearing his name, Cheng Zhuo instinctively straightened up and began rambling, “Zhuo is like the ‘zhuo’ in ‘scorching’—the character with fire and a ladle. My grandma gave me that name…”

Yan Congyu said, “It matches your hair color.”

Cheng Zhuo slapped his thigh as if he had found a kindred spirit, his eyes sparkling. “Bro, you’ve got great taste! I dyed my hair red to match the ‘fire’ in my name. Let’s be friends… How about you become my sister-in-law?”

Cheng Zhuo’s words came out so fast that Gu Ji didn’t catch them at first. When he finally processed it, he quickly pulled Cheng Zhuo back and whispered, “What are you saying?”

Unwilling to be dragged away, Cheng Zhuo stared pleadingly at Yan Congyu and pointed at Gu Ji. “This is my bro. Since we have such great chemistry, why don’t you become my sister-in-law?”

Gu Ji: “…”

Gu Ji felt like he had lost all face. “Sorry, he starts talking nonsense when he’s drunk.”

Yan Congyu shook his head slightly. “It’s fine.”

Cheng Zhuo was indeed drunk, his mind in disarray. He had never liked Lin Qingran much, especially since the latter often spoke ill of him in front of Gu Ji. But out of respect for Gu Ji’s feelings, he had never brought it up.

Now, seeing Lin Qingran drinking intimately with other men, he couldn’t help but wish for Gu Ji to find someone better.

He thought the guy in front of him was a great choice—far better than that lousy Lin Qingran.

Cheng Zhuo continued to babble, “So, what do you think? How about becoming my sister-in-law? Bro, what do you think? — I think it’s a great idea.”

A faint smile touched Yan Congyu’s eyes and brows.

Gu Ji remained silent, suddenly feeling the urge to knock Cheng Zhuo out with one slap.

“We should get going now.” Not wanting to let Cheng Zhuo embarrass him further, Gu Ji forcibly pulled Cheng Zhuo to his feet. “He’s drunk.”

Yan Congyu stood up as well. “Are you heading back to campus? I’m going that way too. Let me give you a ride.”

Gu Ji hesitated for a moment. Cheng Zhuo was difficult to handle when drunk, and he didn’t want to trouble the other too much.

But who would have thought that despite being drunk, Cheng Zhuo was still stubborn. “I want my sister-in-law to take us.”

Too embarrassing. Gu Ji’s ears flushed red as he lowered his voice. “Shut up.”

Yan Congyu’s gaze lingered on Gu Ji, the corners of his lips curling slightly. “It’s fine, we’re going the same way anyway. Let’s go together.”

“…Then I’ll trouble you.” Gu Ji thanked him. “I’ll treat you to a meal another day.”

Cheng Zhuo, though drunk, didn’t need to be supported. Instead of walking beside Gu Ji, he insisted on squeezing next to Yan Congyu, chattering incessantly. “What do you think of my Gu-ge?”

Yan Congyu smiled as he replied, “He’s great.”

Cheng Zhuo nodded in satisfaction, then whispered, “Will you say bad things about me in front of Gu-ge?”

Yan Congyu didn’t quite understand the question, but Gu Ji, overhearing it, felt a slight pang in his heart. So, Cheng Zhuo and the others had known all along.

Lin Qingran didn’t like his friends, and Cheng Zhuo was the one he disliked the most. Probably because Cheng Zhuo was too straightforward and often unintentionally offended others. Moreover, Cheng Zhuo saw right through Lin Qingran’s tactics, always leaving him speechless and embarrassed.

Because of this, Lin Qingran often urged Gu Ji to stay away from Cheng Zhuo, his tone dripping with disdain.

Cheng Zhuo wasn’t foolish. He had long sensed others’ dislike for him and had even overheard Lin Qingran mentioning him during phone calls with Gu Ji. He simply pretended not to know, not wanting to put Gu Ji in an awkward position.

“No one will say bad things about you,” Gu Ji said.

When they reached the parking area downstairs, Gu Ji helped Cheng Zhuo into the back seat and was about to open the front passenger door when Yan Congyu stepped ahead and opened it for him.

Aside from taxi drivers, Gu Ji had never received such treatment. He paused for a moment. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Yan Congyu walked around to the driver’s side and opened the door, only to find that Gu Ji had already fastened his seatbelt. A faint sense of regret stirred in his heart.

His gaze inadvertently drifted to Gu Ji’s hand resting at his side. The wrist bone prominent, fingers long and slender, with faint veins visible on the back of his hand. It was strikingly beautiful.

After a moment, Yan Congyu forced himself to look away.