Gao Hongyi cupped her cheek, her face pressed lightly against her palm, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the corner of her lips, savoring the lingering warmth from feeding him just moments ago.
“Bai Shu…”
Her voice was low, a little hoarse.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I just wanted to call you. It’s so nice. Having dinner with Bai Shu after school.”
Looking at Gu Yebai, her eyes almost overflowing with happiness.
The food on the table was still steaming, and the delicious meal paired with the layered night view of Donghai City was simply perfect.
The one she loved was right beside her, their breaths close.
She wished it could stay like this forever.
Never disturbed by anyone.
‘Sometimes, when she really thought about it, what was the point of going to school? Why did she have to go to Paris in the future for some so-called piano dream? Gao Hongyi sometimes thought that she didn’t really like playing the piano that much. Besides, her family was rich, and her parents would definitely support them for life. Since they had money, time, and such a luxurious space, why did they need to go out? It was like seeking the far at the expense of the near. Might as well just stay with Bai Shu forever.’
Such thoughts rose like a wisp of smoke in her heart.
She could even picture it—waking up to Bai Shu’s face first thing in the morning, cuddling on the couch to watch movies at noon, him writing novels at night while she played piano for him, falling asleep leaning on each other’s shoulders when tired, and if excited, holding each other’s bodies… letting go freely.
Just the two of them.
This thought made Gao Hongyi’s breath tremble slightly, and her fingertips involuntarily tightened around the fork.
But… she suddenly frowned, her eyelashes drooping to conceal the flash of gloom in her eyes.
‘Too strange. If it were really like that, wouldn’t Bai Shu get bored one day? Would he secretly miss the wind outside, miss those people, miss freedom? No. Appropriate freedom still had to be given. If he wanted to go out, she would go with him. The world was beautiful too; they could go together under the thunder gate of Sensoji Temple, watch the sunset by the Seine in Paris, or on a whim, go anywhere in the world worth going.’
She picked up a piece of lobster tail, the lemon butter sauce glistening in the candlelight, and slowly brought it to Gu Yebai’s lips.
“Bai Shu, is tonight’s meal to your liking?”
“It’s pretty good.”
“Then… eat more.”
“Eat more so you’ll have the strength to keep me company this weekend.”
But just then, the doorbell suddenly rang.
Gao Hongyi frowned instinctively, because their private space had been disturbed.
Gu Yebai stood up.
“Is it our dad?”
“He called me today and said I have to go for the principal’s interview at St. George’s International School this weekend.”
“It couldn’t be Bai Xialin, could it?”
Gao Hongyi was suspicious.
“Can’t be her.”
Gu Yebai had specifically told Bai Xialin on WeChat not to come to his house.
He had also made it clear to her that Gao Hongyi would be unhappy if she appeared.
Bai Xialin probably wouldn’t come.
‘And Gu Yebai had clearly stated—I love Gao Hongyi, and I will never cheat. She sent a crying emoji and then nothing more. So… it should be over.’
Bai Xialin was enthusiastic and had shown interest in him, but he had unilaterally rejected her proposal of becoming a couple.
It would probably make her very sad, but compared to the slow pain of lingering ties, clearly stating it was impossible would hurt her less.
And Gu Yebai had also made it clear to her that she deserved a better guy, and that they could be friends, but only friends—never crossing that line.
“Good evening, Xiao Gu, and Hongyi.”
After pressing the doorbell, before he could go open the door, it opened by itself.
Gao Hongzhi stood at the entrance, his suit sharp but unable to hide the fatigue in his eyes.
He looked like he had just come from the office; his tie was slightly loosened, a few strands of hair were messy at his temples, and his shoulders carried the chill of the night wind.
After stepping inside, his gaze first fell on the ruby pendant necklace around Gu Yebai’s neck, pausing for two seconds, then sweeping around—omni-directional surveillance cameras.
In every corner of the living room, little red lights glowed, like countless eyes watching silently.
He said nothing, walked to the dining table, pulled out a chair, and sat down.
“Dad…”
Gao Hongyi lowered her head, her voice soft but with a hint of wariness.
The unpleasantness from last night’s dinner still seemed lodged in her chest.
“Dad, have you eaten dinner?”
Gu Yebai asked, his tone natural but concerned.
“Let’s eat together.”
“No, no need. I have a meeting later, I can’t stay long.”
Gao Hongzhi waved his hand, his voice a bit hoarse.
In fact, at this moment, Gao Hongzhi was racing against time between work and family.
Coming to see Gu Yebai meant that work matters might very well fall through.
But no matter how busy work was, he couldn’t let his son face these things alone.
“I called you today and told you there’s an interview the day after tomorrow, but I was busy with work at the time and only briefly mentioned it.”
“I can put work aside for now. I figured I should come over and explain it to you properly.”
Gao Hongyi interjected, her voice sweet but with a hint of displeasure.
“Dad, you can just focus on work. If Bai Shu doesn’t understand something, I can explain it to him.”
Gao Hongzhi glanced at her, his expression complicated, but not angry.
“Of course Hongyi is very reliable, but for some things, I think it’s better if I handle it personally.”
He paused, turned to Gu Yebai, his voice low but with a tenderness that couldn’t be refused.
“Xiao Gu, Dad knows you’ve been under a lot of pressure lately.”
“Dad isn’t against you being with Hongyi. Dad is just worried about you.”
“Dad is busy with work and doesn’t spend much time with you, but you will always be Dad’s son. That will never change.”
“About the interview the day after tomorrow, I’ve already spoken to the principal. He’s an old friend of mine, but I still want to personally teach you some etiquette details, and also ask you… what you really think.”
Gao Hongzhi reached out and patted Gu Yebai’s shoulder.
The force was light, but heavy.
Like a father silently saying: Son, Dad is always here.
“If you want to go to a different school, Dad will still be your strongest support. St. George’s International School is a dual-track school with IB and A-Level, not the kind of middle school you usually attend. You should understand that, right?”
“The terms IB and A-Level are appearing in my world for the first time.”
Gu Yebai was honest.
“Simply put, two paths are laid before you at the same time. You can walk both, or you can choose one to focus on.”
Gao Hongzhi was very patient.
“Let’s start with A-Level. It’s from the Mist Country system, quite classic. You study for three years, choose three to four subjects to delve into, like math, physics, economics, literature, etc. Then you take the final exam, one shot. Good grades let you directly apply to top universities in the Mist Country, like Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College. It’s basically a direct route. The advantage is focus and depth. The downside is early specialization, narrower path.”
“IB, full name International Baccalaureate, is a more comprehensive and more tiring program. You have to take six subjects, covering language, math, humanities, science, art, plus three cores: TOK (Theory of Knowledge), EE (Extended Essay), and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service). You finish in two years, and take a final exam, but the scoring is comprehensive. The advantage is broad perspective and high university recognition, especially in Lighthouse Country, Maple Leaf Country, and European schools. The disadvantage is heavy workload and high pressure.”
“Actually, Dad has also considered your situation. Son, look, in Linchuan, you attended a Chinese-style high school and received a Chinese education. I’m worried that you might not adapt to a new environment and get isolated by other students…”
“Dad, the pressure in domestic high schools is even greater. Some school hours drag on until nine in the evening. Can you bear to let Bai Shu attend that kind of high school?”
Upon hearing that Gao Hongzhi seemed to intend for Gu Yebai to attend a different school than hers, Gao Hongyi immediately stood up in anxiety.
Gao Hongzhi’s gaze turned to the ruby pendant necklace again.
Inside was a GPS tracker; in plain words, it was a collar.
Gao Hongzhi wished even more that Gu Yebai could break free from Gao Hongyi’s control, so he could have some space of his own, especially after what happened yesterday.
This thought had grown stronger.
He had brought the boy back from Linchuan.
Gao Hongzhi wanted to see him run free, not become his daughter’s pet… In Linchuan, Gu Yebai’s eyes still had light.
Now, they were increasingly hollow.
“Bai Shu, just say you’ll attend St. George’s, okay?”
“We won’t be separated, never separated. Bai Shu also has to take the IB program with me, got it?”
“In the future, we’ll go to Paris together.”
Gao Hongyi’s fork was still suspended in midair.
A drop of butter sauce from the lobster tail fell onto the plate, making it easy to mistake for a tear falling.
“Dad…”
“Alright, Xiao Gu, no need to say more. St. George’s suits you well too.”
He had already seen the signs.
His son hadn’t said “no,” but he hadn’t said “yes” either.
In those eyes, there were too many things suppressed, barely even the strength to refuse.
“It’s okay, son. Tomorrow the custom suit will be delivered. The day after tomorrow, Dad will pick you up for the interview. Ah, there’s still some time. Dad will teach you how to get along with a high-class gentleman from Mist City, and what topics to discuss to appear proper.”
“We learn American English in our country. There are some differences between British English and American English. When you introduce yourself, say it like this…”
Gao Hongzhi rubbed his tired brow, cleared his throat, and switched to a tone with a slight British accent, slow, steady, with a hint of gentlemanly composure:
“Good evening, sir. My name is Gu Ye Bai, but please feel free to call me Ye Bai. It is a great honour to meet you. I am most grateful for this opportunity to interview at St. George’s International School.”
He paused and added another sentence.
“Remember, the Mist Country gentleman values politeness and restraint most. Look the other person in the eye, but don’t stare too hard. The handshake should be firm—strong but not exaggerated. Speak slowly, voice steady, don’t rush. Talk about the weather, football, literature—anything is fine, but don’t get too personal.”
“Come, let’s simulate the interview first. Next, I’ll play the principal.”
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