NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6
Gu Huai stayed up late that night. When he finished reviewing Sheng Xin’s contract, the clock was nearly at midnight. He poured a glass of red wine, leaned back in his comfortable chair, and stared at the computer screen in a daze.
Mu Ci’s interface was still on the screen, and Gu Huai looked at it silently, lost in thought.
He left his study at 1:00 in the morning and went upstairs to sleep. His disciplined military routine had him awake promptly at 6:00, followed by a 30-minute workout in the gym, a shower, and a change of clothes, leaving him finished by 7:00.
Bai Ling knocked on the door to the study and stuck his head in, “Young Master Gu, breakfast is ready.”
Gu Huai nodded and set aside the documents. His expression was marked by the habitual air of a long-standing authority.
“Should we call Young Master Mu to join the breakfast?”
He paused and suddenly remembered that Mu Ci was still wearing his pajamas. Gu Huai hesitated, not wanting others to see Mu Ci in his sleepwear. Although the pajamas were modestly fitted and only revealed the tips of his fingers due to the sleeves being too long, they were still private attire.
However, the main house seldom received outside guests, let alone provided their clothing.
Gu Huai scrutinized Bai Ling, who had a slender figure. He estimated that Mu Ci could fit into his clothes and nodded in satisfaction, instructing, “Bring some of your clothes for Mu Ci to wear, and don’t forget underwear.”
Bai Ling: “…”
‘Have you, the ruthless capitalist vampire Gu, finally decided to exploit your subordinates?’
‘I’ve been thriftily buying thousands of dollars’ worth of clothes! I demand a raise!’
Gu Huai raised an eyebrow, “Huh?”
Bai Ling immediately acquiesced, “Yes, I’ll get it right away.”
Satisfied with his instructions, Young Master Gu added, “Make sure to have the maid wash, dry, and disinfect it first.”
Bai Ling, filled with resentment, questioned, “Young Master, am I so unclean that I don’t deserve to lend your sweetheart clothes without disinfecting? Isn’t that excessive?”
“Lend?” Gu Huai seized the word.
Bai Ling was taken aback, “Aren’t you… going to return it?”
An annoyed look crossed Gu Huai’s face, “Do you still want to wear the clothes that Mu Ci has worn? Dream on!”
Bai Ling withdrew, and Gu Huai added, “Make sure to have someone measure Mu Ci and purchase some clothes.”
.
So, Butler Bai begrudgingly left the house and contacted the Gu family’s personal clothing designer. He was disheartened but couldn’t quit. After all, he had a beautiful woman to support, and a Shiba Inu + a cat to care for, which came with significant expenses.
Although Mu Ci had a slender physique, his bone structure and muscle were well-proportioned, giving him an overall sense of appropriateness, a beauty that was truly pleasing to the eye.
The freshly washed, dried, and disinfected clothes carried a faint fragrance, along with a subtle air of Bai Ling’s lament for his cherished clothing. Mu Ci hesitated for a moment before putting on the clothes.
Gu Huai had taught him how to button his shirt yesterday, and Mu Ci followed the instructions meticulously, buttoning each button with care.
Bai Ling handed him a hair tie and advised him to secure his long hair. Mu Ci looked at him with confusion, prompting Bai Ling to step in and tie a low ponytail for him, saying, “We’ll have breakfast soon. You don’t want your hair ending up in the soup, do you?”
Mu Ci touched the ponytail at the back of his head and smiled gratefully, saying, “Thank you.”
Bai Ling’s heart skipped a beat, suddenly realizing how this innocent and pure-hearted person had been captivated by Gu Huai, who appeared cruel and sanctimonious demon.
What a shame, it was like putting a precious gem in a pile of volcanic rocks!
.
At the dining table, Bai Ling was preparing oats soaked in milk while occasionally glancing at the sparrows outside the window without getting distracted.
On the opposite end of the table, Gu Huai, looking refined, was cutting bacon and eggs for Mu Ci and spreading jam on his bread. He was so attentive that Bai Ling had a feeling that, if he wasn’t there, Gu Huai might have started feeding Mu Ci himself.
Then, Gu Huai used his fork to pick up a piece of pineapple and held it out to Mu Ci, saying, “Here, open your mouth.”
Bai Ling: “…”
Mu Ci leaned back uncomfortably, avoiding the situation. He found the situation a bit too intimate for someone they had only known for a day.
Additionally, Gu Huai’s face bore a striking resemblance to Ji Yunshu’s, which added to his discomfort.
Mu Ci managed to locate a set of chopsticks he was familiar with from the array of tableware and softly said, “I can handle it myself.”
Gu Huai didn’t seem to appreciate being rejected; a hint of a sinister emotion flashed in his eyes briefly but was quickly concealed. It was like a small fish darting through the water, and Mu Ci didn’t seem to notice it.
Mu Ci ate the bread attentively. The baked pastries tasted delicious, with a crispy exterior and a soft interior, a flavor he had never experienced before. The morning light filtered through the clear glass window, casting unique patterns on his long hair.
Gu Huai’s eyes showed contentment, and his mood seemed to have improved significantly. He poured Mu Ci a glass of milk and inquired, “You mentioned yesterday that you were the prince of the Yi Dynasty, correct?”
Bai Ling’s ears perked up, and he turned to look at Gu Huai, wondering if his boss genuinely believed the story.
After swallowing what was in his mouth, Mu Ci affirmed, “Yes, I didn’t lie to you.”
Gu Huai let out a sigh and spoke honestly, “It may sound absurd, but please stay calm and listen. Yi Dynasty did exist, but… that was six hundred years ago.”
Mu Ci was in disbelief, and it took him quite some time to respond, “Six hundred… six hundred years ago?”
He was bewildered. How could the Yi Dynasty, which he had just left yesterday, suddenly have transpired six centuries ago? He still had vivid memories of Ji Yunshu’s face, the soldiers battling behind him…
Gu Huai confirmed, “Yes, six hundred years ago. If what you’re saying is true, the only explanation is that you traveled to the present when you jumped into the well.”
Though Gu Huai’s words seemed far-fetched, Mu Ci’s face turned pale, as if he had been struck with fear.
“Six hundred years ago, that… Yi Dynasty is long gone, and I…”
Only now did he notice the phrase “time travel” in Gu Huai’s explanation, prompting him to inquire, “What does ‘time travel’ mean?”
“Hmm…” Gu Huai pondered how to explain this abstract concept.
He offered a tentative explanation, “For instance, you come from one place and suddenly arrive many years in the future or past. Have you ever heard of stories like that?”
Mu Ci wracked his brain for a moment, “Is it like ‘The Peach Blossom Spring’?”
Pfft! Bai Ling couldn’t contain his laughter and sprayed his coffee.
Gu Huai shot a disdainful look at Butler Bai and continued to reassure Mu Ci, “Ignore him. What you mentioned is somewhat similar, but it’s a bit more peculiar. You’ve traveled from six hundred years ago to the present, spanning a considerable time. But don’t worry, I’ll help you to slowly understand this world, and you will like this place.”
Bai Ling, at the corner of the table, rolled his eyes as he wiped the table, “Who would ever like this world?”
Grateful, Mu Ci gazed at Gu Huai and sincerely said, “Thank you.”
He reminded himself not to transfer his resentment towards Ji Yunshu onto Gu Huai, recognizing that Gu Huai was a different person. Gu Huai was a good person who extended a helping hand when he needed it most.
However, even as a well-protected prince, Mu Ci had never been favored, and he hadn’t experienced the darkness of the human heart or the selfishness of love.