For the rest of the days Gu Shan spent in America Li Yunxi became his nightly dose of fun. His texts became his source of fun whenever he was bored.Li Yunxi however felt Gu Shan was taking everything as a joke. He kept teasing him treating him like a joke. He wanted to stop at some point but his heart kept pressing to get to know the guy better. He knew Gu Shan was just bored that's why he was paying attention to his texts. But he was still happy that he wasn't ignored.
The Congress prolonged longer period than expected due to unavoidable circumstances. By the time all activities were concluded,it was already a new year. Although Gu Shan's team didn't emerge the best,they were among the best and they did win a prize for that. The only thing Gu Shan wanted was to get on a fucking plane and fly back to China. He wanted to rest a few days before starting his end of semester exams.
Li Yunxi had kept asking when he was going back but he didn't want to reveal it to anyone he wanted his return to be a surprise. After the award ceremony, something unexpected happened and Gu Shan was feeling uncomfortable because the scene kept replaying in his head. Nan Xin confessed her feelings to him . Good thing she thought he was still dating Su Liang and promised not to pursue him. She just wanted to confess and get it over with. Maybe the feelings would even fade away. Gu Shan didn't how to react that time so he didn't say anything and was worried because the girl seemed hurt that he didn't respond. He had to do everything to avoid her. Even in the plane the following day,he sat on a different seat while Professor Jiang and Nan Xin sat together. He tried to act normal to avoid arousing Professor Jiang's suspicion.
*****
Ai Jia's car stopped in front of the Cherish apartment complex. Gu Shan sighed with relief feeling glad he was finally back.
"So this is where you live after you moved out?"Ai Jia asked contemptuously looking outside through the window to scan the entire neighborhood.
"I moved in with my friend,"Gu Shan replied not fazed by his uncle's disapproval of the place.
"What will your mom do when she finds out you live here?"
"As long as you don't tell her she won't know,"Gu Shan replied insolently and unfastened his seatbelt.
"You brat. You're stubborn just like me when I was your age. Fine my lips are sealed I won't say anything but if she ever finds out I won't back you up,"Ai Jia dramatically raises his hands up surrendering.
"What about your mattresses how will you carry them?"
Gu Shan opened the car's trunk taking out two well wrapped mattresses.
"My friend is here. He'll help me with the mattresses,"Gu Shan smiled proudly seeing Li Yunxi walking towards them. Earlier in the car he texted tricking him into coming outside without revealing his return and it worked.
"Yunxi?"Ai Jia called out still surprised.
"Doctor Ai ,"Li Yunxi bowed respectfully.
"How did this guy convince you into becoming his friend?"Ai Jia questioned still unable to believe they were really friends.
Li Yunxi smiled slightly before grabbing one of the mattresses and threw it over his shoulders.
"I'll come back for the suitcase,"Gu Shan said carrying the other mattress. Some minutes later,he came back to pick his suitcase.
"I guess we'll be seeing each other after your exams?"Ai Jia queried settling in the driver's seat.
"I guess so."
"Okay I'll call you later,"Ai Jia said and drove away.
Gu Shan watched the familiar car disappear out of his sight. He almost slapped Li Yunxi when he heard a soft yet manly hand pressing down his on the handle of the suitcase.
"Let me help you,"Li Yunxi offered.
Gu Shan slowly retracted his hand from the suitcase handle and walked beside Li Yunxi on their way inside.
"Did you just come from the airport?"
"No. I arrived yesterday and decided to take a rest at my uncle's place."
"Oh."
*****
Relish Club had become more bustling than before and the owner had hired another new batch of bartenders making them work in shifts so Xiao Hui and Li Yunxi didn't have to work everyday. They worked on alternating series of days. Like that day of Gu Shan's return happened to be their day off. Liu Daxun and Gu Shan organized a little Reunion party to celebrate his return and invited their two friends. Gu Shan opened his precious wine his uncle had gifted him and the four of them relished on the fragrant full bodied wine to their fullest.
"I'm not yet drunk. Should we go for some beers?" Xiao Hui suggested and the others agreed.
"Daxun. Come on let's go buy some beers ,"Xiao Hui grabbed Liu Daxun's hand and dragged him out before he could protest leaving the other two alone.
There was awkward silence between them. Gu Shan's face was already flushed red and his delicate pink lips formed a cute pout.
"Don't tell me you're drunk already?"Li Yunxi teased him and laughed.
"I'm not drunk,"Gu Shan protested and got up on his feet and began jumping on one leg,"Look I'm not drunk."
"Fine you're not drunk."
"Can you help me unwrap the mattresses?" Gu Shan requested pointing at the wrapped mattresses beside the couches.
Li Yunxi offered him a hand and they rolled out the two mattresses on the ground. The mattresses were soft ,dense ,fluffy and fragrant. Gu Shan stretched himself out on one of the mattresses and moaned at the pleasure the mattress was giving his body.
Shortly after both Xiao Hui and Liu Daxun returned from the convenience store carrying a shopping bag full of beers. Each grabbed a can of beer and gulped down pleasuring themselves. With time,the table was filled with empty cans of beer and even the two bartenders with their high alcohol tolerance finally blacked out.