Chà Chà Novel

Hearing Gu Yan reject even that offer, Wang Zhiliang couldn’t help asking,

“Why not?”

He looked at the pair of legs that had remained motionless behind the curtain for quite some time, then glanced toward the other changing cubicles.

“Yanzi, did you get stuck trying to take off your dress? Need me to help you?”

“Don’t!”

Gu Yan hurriedly stopped him.

“I can manage on my own! Just… just hurry up and go. Don’t keep her waiting too long.”

If you don’t leave right now, I’m seriously going to start cursing!

Although Yi Heng cooperated by remaining completely silent, he wasn’t putting much effort into supporting Gu Yan either.

Gu Yan might have been relatively light, but he was still a fully grown adult.

Holding himself up in that position was becoming increasingly difficult.

All he could do was wrap his arms tightly around Yi Heng’s neck to keep himself from slipping down.

Fortunately, Wang Zhiliang’s attention was entirely focused on the arts representative.

When Gu Yan urged him to leave, he didn’t think too deeply about it.

He simply assumed his friend was embarrassed to accept help changing clothes and cheerfully headed out.

“All right! We’ll figure out exactly where and when we’re going out another day. We’ll talk about it later!”

The sound of the changing room door closing finally reached them.

Gu Yan’s tense shoulders immediately relaxed.

Only then did he realize just how tightly he’d been clinging to Yi Heng to keep himself from falling.

He had wrinkled Yi Heng’s clothes, and even his collar had been pulled upright.

Gu Yan’s neck felt as stiff as though it had rusted over, and his expression became increasingly unnatural.

Yi Heng had only come to help him with a zipper.

It wasn’t as though they were doing anything shameful.

So why had he felt the need to hide?

If Wang Zhiliang had actually discovered them, even eight mouths wouldn’t have been enough to explain the situation.

The moment Gu Yan met Yi Heng’s gaze, he hurriedly tried to climb down.

But when he pushed against Yi Heng, the man didn’t budge.

The hands that had barely been supporting him moments earlier suddenly tightened, holding him firmly in place.

“He’s… he’s gone now…”

In an instant, Gu Yan’s mind went completely blank.

Every part of his face touched by Yi Heng’s searching gaze seemed to burn.

His feet were touching the floor now, but because of their height difference, he still had to stand slightly on his tiptoes.

Gu Yan pressed his lips together.

His breathing abruptly stopped.

Yi Heng’s pheromones were leaking out!

He raised his eyes and met Yi Heng’s deep, dark gaze.

The fleeting glimmer in those eyes immediately told him that something was terribly wrong.

Yi Heng had never once lost control of his pheromones.

Even doctors had praised his extraordinary self-restraint.

And Gu Yan had already witnessed what happened when that seemingly unshakable control finally collapsed.

“Yi Heng?”

Gu Yan called his name hesitantly, a faint tremor in his voice.

He hadn’t expected seeing him in women’s clothing to affect Yi Heng so strongly.

Yi Heng appeared to be struggling with himself.

Even his jaw was clenched tightly with the effort of maintaining control.

Gu Yan’s fair skin, his innocent yet embarrassed gaze, and those long, slender legs were all irresistibly tempting to him.

Originally, Yi Heng had still been able to restrain himself.

But the moment Gu Yan jumped into his arms, the towering structure known as reason came crashing down.

Yi Heng stared at Gu Yan’s rosy lips.

To make him look more feminine, the makeup artist had deliberately applied a glossy lip tint.

His lips looked irresistibly soft and inviting, like a ripe, juicy peach.

Gu Yan’s heartbeat fell completely out of rhythm.

In his field of vision, Yi Heng suddenly lowered his head.

Gu Yan instinctively closed his eyes.

A sharp sting spread across his lower lip.

It felt as though he’d been bitten.

Their lips met without warning.

Yet unlike their first kiss, which had been intense and overwhelming, this one was extraordinarily gentle.

In a daze, an unfamiliar tide of emotion swept over Gu Yan, drowning out his thoughts.

His mind went blank, and he remained perfectly still, hardly daring to move.

Yi Heng was kissing him.

He was kissing him while they were both completely sober and fully aware of what they were doing.

Soft, intimate sounds filled the space between them, enough to make anyone blush.

Gu Yan could no longer think clearly about what was happening.

A sensation like electricity raced through his entire body.

The person I like is kissing me.

Who cares why?

With the reckless determination of someone staking everything on a single chance, Gu Yan devoted himself to kissing Yi Heng back.

At that moment, they were pressed so closely together that each could feel the other’s heart pounding fiercely within his chest.

Neither of them said a word.

Yet somehow, they both seemed to understand something that had remained unspoken until now.

Their agreement no longer seemed quite so important.

A new bond had already formed between them.

Whether it came from pheromones or genuine affection, Gu Yan felt more secure than he ever had before.

Because he had finally realized that there might be something else capable of keeping Yi Heng by his side.

Something beyond a written agreement that could be terminated at any moment.

Yi Heng noticed Gu Yan’s sudden initiative and enthusiasm.

There was something almost childish about the way he kissed back, as though he were determined to compete with him.

Yi Heng froze for a brief moment.

Then his arms gradually tightened around Gu Yan.

And amid their wordless embrace, he effortlessly took control of the kiss once more.

Gu Yan still hadn’t quite mastered the art of breathing while kissing.

Yi Heng pulled back slightly.

His gaze lingered on Gu Yan’s swollen lips, caressing them almost as tenderly as fingertips might.

Then, in a tone that sounded as though he were savoring the words, he slowly repeated what Wang Zhiliang had said earlier.

“Eight handsome men giving you massages, and you can choose whichever one you like?”

For a moment, the changing cubicle fell completely silent.

An awkward atmosphere settled between them.

Gu Yan turned his head away, his face burning crimson.

“No! Wang Zhiliang was just talking nonsense. I would never go to a place like that…”

Ever since entering the novel, Gu Yan had practically become a model young citizen.

He barely even visited bars anymore.

He didn’t cause trouble, didn’t stir up drama, and spent every day working hard to live a positive, responsible life.

Honestly, he felt the government ought to give him an award for being such a law-abiding, well-behaved citizen.

Clearly, Yi Heng believed him.

He simply couldn’t explain why he still felt vaguely displeased.

Yi Heng gently released Gu Yan.

He reached up and tucked the slightly long strands of hair beside Gu Yan’s ear behind it.

Then he lifted the curtain.

“Get changed. I’ll wait outside.”

Cramped spaces had a way of awakening desires buried deep within a person’s heart.

Yi Heng was afraid that if he stayed any longer, Gu Yan’s shimmering, uncertain gaze might tempt him into doing something inappropriate.

“Mm.”

Gu Yan’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he answered quietly.

He slowly raised a finger to touch his lips, which had become so numb that he could barely feel them.

Then he lowered his head and buried his face in the clothes he was holding.

Suddenly, his shoulders and back trembled slightly.

A rush of happiness mingled with complicated emotions he couldn’t quite understand, filling every corner of his heart.

After changing his clothes, Gu Yan still needed to remove his makeup.

He went to the bathroom and carelessly splashed water onto his face several times.

The loose strands of hair falling over his forehead became damp, but no matter how much he washed, the makeup refused to come off completely.

“Don’t move. Let me.”

Yi Heng took a handkerchief from his pocket.

He dampened it with water, gently lifted Gu Yan’s chin, and began carefully wiping his face.

At first, Gu Yan was reluctant.

He recognized that handkerchief.

That tiny piece of fabric alone cost a five-figure sum.

He was afraid of getting it dirty and being unable to wash it clean afterward.

But Yi Heng didn’t seem to care in the slightest.

Without giving Gu Yan a chance to protest, he gently wiped around his eyes.

Yi Heng’s touch was perfectly measured, neither too firm nor too light.

Gu Yan closed his eyes.

At such close range, he could clearly hear Yi Heng’s slow, steady breathing.

I’m done for…

Gu Yan thought helplessly.

I think I’ve fallen even harder for Yi Heng.

In the end, Gu Yan couldn’t even remember how he’d somehow made his way into the auditorium and taken his seat.

All he knew was that even after three performances had finished, his heart was still racing.

Yi Heng was seated farther toward the front with the other special guests.

From where Gu Yan sat, all he could see was the back of Yi Heng’s head.

Throughout the entire cultural performance, Gu Yan barely remembered anything that happened onstage.

Instead, his gaze kept drifting toward Yi Heng.

He watched Yi Heng turn his head to speak with the university president.

He watched him applaud politely after each performance…

Perhaps it was all in his head, but Gu Yan couldn’t shake the feeling that his lips were noticeably swollen.

Every now and then, the back of his hand would brush, deliberately or otherwise, against his lower lip where Yi Heng had bitten him.

Finally, he curled his hand into a fist and lowered it, convinced that the movement looked perfectly natural.

That evening, Gu Yan headed home with Yi Heng.

While they were sitting in the car, he received a call from Wang Zhiliang.

The guy had called almost immediately after the performance ended.

Gu Yan assumed he simply couldn’t wait to share his experience of sitting beside his goddess that day.

But the moment he answered, Wang Zhiliang’s anguished wailing exploded through the phone.

Even without speakerphone, his voice was loud enough to be heard clearly throughout the car.

“YANZI! WAAAAH! I’VE BEEN DUMPED! I GOT MY HEART BROKEN ON THE VERY FIRST DAY OF OUR DATE!”

“Remember that girl who was walking with her today? Her best friend?”

“SHE ACTUALLY LIKES THAT GIRL! SHE DOESN’T LIKE ALPHAS AT ALL!”

“Huh? Calm down. Stop crying for a second.”

Whenever Gu Yan heard someone crying, his temples immediately began throbbing.

It took him a moment to process what Wang Zhiliang was saying.

They said that men didn’t shed tears easily.

Apparently, Wang Zhiliang really had been dealt a devastating blow.

Yi Heng continued driving, his gaze fixed steadily on the road.

Gu Yan pinched the bridge of his nose and remained silent for two seconds.

“How do you know she…”

Wang Zhiliang sounded both heartbroken and furious.

“I ASKED HER MYSELF!”

“During the intermission, her best friend came over to see her. They kept talking to each other, and I couldn’t get a single word in!”

“After her friend left, I didn’t know what else to say, so I asked what kind of person she liked!”

“AND SHE SAID SHE LIKED HER BEST FRIEND!”

“Tell me, how does a Beta end up falling for an Omega like that?!”

Gu Yan genuinely had no idea how to answer.

Feelings were simply strange that way.

Someone could carefully list every quality they wanted in a partner.

But once they met the person who truly captured their heart, all those requirements could suddenly become meaningless.

Fortunately, Gu Yan didn’t have that problem.

Yi Heng had practically been born to match every single one of his preferences.

Wang Zhiliang fell silent for a moment, apparently deep in thought.

Then he suddenly remembered something.

“Wait, I almost forgot! You and Yi Heng are a Beta and an Alpha too!”

“AHHH! I’M JUST A SIMPLE BELIEVER IN ALPHA-OMEGA ROMANCE!”

“WOULD IT KILL THE UNIVERSE TO GIVE ME ONE SWEET LITTLE OMEGA?!”

Gu Yan glanced at Yi Heng and hurriedly lowered his phone’s volume to the minimum.

Only then did Wang Zhiliang’s booming voice become barely manageable.

“Ahem… So what did you say afterward?”

If Gu Yan hadn’t brought it up, Wang Zhiliang might have calmed down.

Unfortunately, the question only made him even more miserable.

“MY BRAIN COMPLETELY SHORT-CIRCUITED!”

“I TOLD HER THAT IF THAT WAS THE CASE, WE SHOULD JUST BE GOOD BROS FROM NOW ON!”

“AND SHE ACTUALLY AGREED!”

“SHE SAID SHE’D ALWAYS THOUGHT OF ME AS A BROTHER ANYWAY!”

“WAAAAH!”

Wang Zhiliang’s tears flowed even more fiercely, like a river bursting through a broken dam.

Gu Yan: “…”

What an idiot.

He actually managed to turn the girl of his dreams into one of his bros.

Gu Yan had no idea how to comfort him.

After all, Wang Zhiliang had spent the day wearing a maid outfit and showing off his muscles just to impress the arts representative.

His bizarre appearance had probably destroyed whatever romantic prospects he might have had at the university.

Just then, Yi Heng unexpectedly spoke.

“Don’t be discouraged. You could always visit a high-end private club and find eight handsome men to comfort your broken heart.”

“Who knows? You might even meet someone who makes your heart flutter. There’s no need to be so rigid about gender.”

The sobbing on the other end of the phone stopped abruptly.

Wang Zhiliang’s tears seemed to dry up instantly.

Gu Yan: “…”

Wang Zhiliang: “…”

Gu Yan hadn’t realized Yi Heng’s hearing was that good.

The corner of his mouth twitched as he tried to explain.

“Uh…”

But Wang Zhiliang hung up almost immediately.

Then he switched to WeChat and began having a complete meltdown in Gu Yan’s messages.

Wang Zhiliang: “FUCK! FUCK! HOLY FUCKING SHIT! WHY IS YI HENG RIGHT NEXT TO YOU?! I WAS POURING MY HEART OUT ABOUT MY BREAKUP, AND YOU PUT ME ON SPEAKER?! ARE WE EVEN BROTHERS ANYMORE?!”

Gu Yan: “No, I didn’t turn on speakerphone. Your voice was just too loud.”

Wang Zhiliang: “THEN HOW DOES HE KNOW ABOUT OUR TOP-SECRET CONVERSATION?! DID YOU TELL HIM?!”

Gu Yan thought helplessly that none of this was his fault.

Yi Heng had heard everything on his own.

Wang Zhiliang wanted to send every single existential-crisis reaction sticker he had on WeChat.

His heartbreak had vanished completely.

Now all he wanted was to spin through the air in a full three-hundred-and-sixty-degree spiral and launch himself straight into heaven.

Yi Heng was such a cold, reserved person.

Yet the very first time he’d spoken directly to Wang Zhiliang, Wang Zhiliang had somehow managed to provoke an entire four sentences out of him!

And every single one of those sentences had been dripping with jealousy!

Could anyone possibly understand what he was going through right now?!

Without wasting another moment, Wang Zhiliang contacted Yi Feng that very night to ask for advice.

After all, Yi Feng had somehow managed to survive more than twenty years under Yi Heng’s watchful eyes while still running around carefree.

Surely he had some kind of survival strategy!

Gu Yan slipped his phone into his pocket and secretly glanced at Yi Heng.

Yi Heng’s thin lips were curved in a cold, mocking smile.

Gu Yan had almost forgotten that Yi Heng was merely a man of few words, not necessarily a forgiving one.

Even during their very first meeting, Yi Heng had left him completely speechless with just a few well-chosen remarks.

As an elite businessman, Yi Heng possessed an almost frightening ability to seize upon specific words and summarize situations with devastating precision.

Whenever he chose to speak, his sarcasm could reach truly terrifying levels.

After that incident, Wang Zhiliang became considerably more well-behaved.

He no longer dared make careless remarks behind people’s backs, nor did he suggest taking Gu Yan to questionable entertainment venues.

Sometimes, before even calling Gu Yan, he would send a WeChat message asking whether Yi Heng was nearby.

Meanwhile, Gu Yan wasn’t exactly idle while staying at Yi Heng’s home.

He continued secretly gathering evidence against Du Ting.

According to reports from his subordinates, Du Ting had recently been visiting a particular dessert shop quite frequently.

However, the reason for those visits remained unknown.

Du Ting clearly didn’t enjoy sweets.

So why did he keep going to a dessert shop?

Could he be buying something for someone else?

But every time he purchased desserts, he either returned home or went straight to the office.

Gu Yan’s people still couldn’t determine who the treats were intended for.

The more Gu Yan thought about it, the more puzzled he became.

His brows gradually drew together.

Gu Chengjing’s recent activities had attracted the attention of quite a few businesses.

Just when Gu Yan thought the man would become even more reckless and arrogant, Gu Chengjing unexpectedly pulled back and stopped making moves.

Only three days later, the elderly patriarch of the prestigious Xu family in Kyoto passed away.

The Xu family held a grand funeral ceremony at their ancestral residence.

Prominent families from across the city came to pay their respects.

Gu Chengjing, who ordinarily had no meaningful connections to the uppermost circles of high society, somehow managed to secure an invitation.

He even brought his entire family to attend.

Several members of the Yi family were also present.

Mr. and Mrs. Yi attended, along with Yi Heng, Yi Feng, and their youngest uncle, Yi Cen.

Du Ting arrived as well, accompanying his mother, Yi Nantu.

The Xu family had been involved in business for more than a century.

They possessed not only enormous financial resources but also an exceptionally prestigious reputation in society.

The hall was packed, with every seat occupied.

Many distinguished families who were rarely seen at ordinary gatherings came forward to offer their condolences and tributes.

Throughout the ceremony, the Gu family sat in the very last row, so inconspicuous that they might as well have been invisible.

As the funeral was drawing to a close, Gu Yan got up to look for the restroom.

While passing a corner of the hallway, he accidentally overheard Gu Chengjing speaking on the phone.

Ever since the Gu family’s financial problems had been resolved and its cash flow restored, Gu Chengjing had been behaving with extraordinary arrogance.

It had been a long time since Gu Yan had heard him speak to anyone in such a humble, almost servile tone.

Gu Yan stopped walking.

He leaned against the corner of the wall and quietly listened.

“Yes, you’re absolutely right, sir. I promise I won’t make any decisions on my own again. I’ll make sure to obtain your approval before taking any action.”

“The property development we just acquired is already under construction. If everything goes smoothly, it should be completed by early next spring.”

“It’s possible, of course, but with my current financial capacity, there’s no way I can produce that much working capital. I’m worried someone might become suspicious…”

The conversation was fragmented, with little context, leaving Gu Yan thoroughly confused.

But it was enough for him to confirm one thing.

Gu Chengjing was nothing more than a front.

On the surface, those real estate developments and plots of land had all been purchased by Gu Chengjing.

In reality, his name was merely a false shell used to conceal the true owner.

The ultimate profits would all flow into the hands of the person operating behind Gu Chengjing.

Gu Yan was convinced that something was wrong with this mysterious individual.

His instincts told him that the person’s money might have come from illegitimate sources.

Otherwise, why would they need to conduct these transactions under Gu Chengjing’s name instead of purchasing the properties openly themselves?

Before Gu Yan could think any further, Shen Yan’s voice suddenly sounded behind him.

“Gu Yan? Why aren’t you inside the hall? What are you doing standing here?”

Gu Chengjing’s voice on the phone stopped abruptly.

A moment later, an enraged roar erupted from around the corner.

“GET OUT HERE!”