E-Scum Gong Chapter 47 (Part 2)
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
Chapter 47 (2/2)
Finding some time, Lin Xu arranged to meet Gu Jinzhi. This was their first opportunity to see each other in quite a while.
"Finally done with everything?" Gu Jinzhi exclaimed in surprise, jumping out of bed. He wasn’t upset that his boyfriend had done so well on his exams, but it had left him stuck alone in the hotel for what felt like ages!
“There’s a graduation ceremony at school in a couple of days. I have to attend, but after that, I’ll be free,” Lin Xu said apologetically. He had been so busy.
“A graduation ceremony! Can I come?” Gu Jinzhi asked eagerly. He really wanted to witness that moment, to be able to say that he had been there as his boyfriend grew up.
Lin Xu hadn’t expected that to be Zhizhi’s focus. After thinking for a moment, he replied, “You should be able to. Family members can attend, so I can bring you along.”
Hearing this, Gu Jinzhi felt that Lin Xu was finally learning how to be romantic. He’d quietly referred to him as family, and that made Gu Jinzhi feel incredibly content.
Gu Jinzhi teased, “What kind of family member am I?”
Lin Xu thought about it seriously and answered, “If I say you’re my big brother, they’ll definitely let you in.”
Gu Jinzhi: ...Screw you!
Feeling deflated, he muttered, “Fine, I’ll still go that day.” Big brother it is, then!
“Zhizhi, let’s meet up,” Lin Xu said.
“Huh? Now?” Gu Jinzhi came back to life. He thought he would have to wait a few days before he could see his boyfriend again.
“Hmm.” Lin Xu carefully placed the watch back into its box, and changed into a simple outfit.
They had arranged to meet on the bridge by the river, near the hotel. This way, they could see each other quickly and take a stroll together.
True to his flashy nature, Gu Jinzhi hurriedly tidied himself up and styled his hair. After all, meeting his boyfriend required him to look perfect!
When Lin Xu spotted the fashionable figure in the distance, he felt a bit dazed. Was this really his boyfriend? He had never imagined dating someone like this.
Gu Jinzhi spotted him and casually removed his sunglasses, giving him a lazy wave as he leaned against the railing, his slender waist and long legs on full display.
Lin Xu walked straight toward him.
“What’s up?” Gu Jinzhi asked with a smug grin. What other reason could there be for meeting, besides simply wanting to see him? Yet, he couldn’t resist teasing Lin Xu.
But Lin Xu’s response caught him off guard. “I’m returning something to you.”
Gu Jinzhi looked at him in confusion. Return something? What could it be?
Lin Xu reached into his pocket and handed him a small box.
Gu Jinzhi slowly opened it, revealing a watch. It didn’t look familiar at first, but after racking his brain for a moment, he realized it was the gift he had once given to Lin Xu. He hadn’t expected Lin Xu to return it one day.
“Why are you giving this back? It was a gift from me to you,” Gu Jinzhi said as he pushed the box back toward Lin Xu, suddenly feeling a bit uncomfortable. His tone became noticeably sharper.
He slowly came to understand that Lin Xu was not the phoenix man he had initially thought him to be. In fact, Lin Xu’s integrity was almost excessive. This was generally a good thing. Gu Jinzhi even thought that his boyfriend was now practically perfect, without a single flaw.
However, at this moment, he would have preferred Lin Xu to take advantage of him rather than being so insistent on returning his gifts.
Born into a wealthy family, Gu Jinzhi had always been warned that many people approached him for his money and influence, and this had often proved true. Meeting someone like Lin Xu, who wasn’t like that, made him feel fortunate, but it also left him uneasy. Without the leverage of wealth, he might not be able to hold onto Lin Xu.
Lin Xu didn’t owe him anything, didn’t want his possessions, and wasn’t dependent on him, which meant he could leave at any time.
Gu Jinzhi knew that his personality wasn't very likable, and although he often saw himself as quite charismatic, it wasn't enough to maintain a stable relationship.
He had always been dismissive of those who disliked him, thinking they wouldn’t dare offend him and that he had no need for them.
But now, he cared about Lin Xu.
“Zhizhi, you know my family isn’t wealthy, and I’m about to start college. There’s no need for me to wear such an expensive watch,” Lin Xu said again, trying to return the gift. He felt that a poor student like him was just an ordinary person.
Gu Jinzhi’s impatience flared up. Though he usually had trouble getting angry with Lin Xu, he couldn’t hold back now. He slapped Lin Xu’s hand away, letting the watch fall to the ground, and turned his head, his fingers trembling.
“If you don’t want my gift, then just throw it away. A gift from me is never to be taken back.” His tone grew cold as he slipped back into his old, arrogant self. He felt genuinely upset.
So Lin Xu didn't want to take advantage of him, and he wanted to draw a clear line. He was even returning gifts... His older brother was right, men were all no good.
Lin Xu hadn’t expected such a strong reaction from Gu Jinzhi. He picked up the watch and carefully wiped it.
“I am not rejecting your gift,” Lin Xu explained.
Gu Jinzhi finally looked at him, his eyes slightly red. “Do you think it’s ugly?” he asked seriously, glancing at the watch. He had chosen it somewhat randomly at the time. It did fit his taste, but it never seemed quite right on Lin Xu’s wrist.
If that was the case, Gu Jinzhi wouldn’t be upset.
“Why didn’t you say so earlier? I’ll get you another one. This one can be discarded.” With that, Gu Jinzhi took the watch, ready to throw it away.
But Lin Xu stopped him, looking reluctant. “Don’t throw it away.”
“Huh?” Gu Jinzhi was confused.
“Zhizhi, you know, back then I realized it was wrong of me to ask you for gifts. I was planning to return this watch and delete your contact,” Lin Xu said solemnly.
Gu Jinzhi was stunned, not having expected Lin Xu to want to delete him so early on. But he wasn’t angry. He hadn’t valued Lin Xu at first either.
“But at that time, I had already sold the watch, and I couldn’t pay it back, which led to everything that happened later. After going through several twists and turns, it ended up back in my hands. At this point, I didn’t want to mistreat a gift from you.” He didn’t want it to be thrown away. It held significance for him. If Gu Jinzhi truly wanted to discard it, he’d keep it himself.
Gu Jinzhi hadn’t realized that a gift he had casually given would become a key part of their story. With that in mind, he couldn’t bear to let it go so easily.
Looking at this watch, he seemed to be able to glimpse the journey of the boy's heart, from disliking him to liking him.
“Then put it on me,” Gu Jinzhi said, extending his hand. He wanted to cherish this gesture.
Lin Xu’s eyes lit up. He carefully placed the watch on Gu Jinzhi’s wrist. It actually looked very good on him.
“My taste is indeed impeccable,” Gu Jinzhi said with satisfaction as he admired the watch.
“Then I’ll pick out a new one for you. That’s settled,” Gu Jinzhi decided, still feeling that Lin Xu and he were too distant. He didn’t see why Lin Xu couldn’t accept his things.
And so they had come full circle.
“Zhizhi, the person standing before you now is truly Lin Xu. The one who clings to Gu Jinzhi is no longer Lin Xu. I’m happy and grateful for your affection, but you don’t need to supplement me. I’m not pitiful,” Lin Xu said with a helpless smile. As a thought crossed his mind, he bent down, wrapped his arms around Gu Jinzhi, and rested his chin on his shoulder.
This was their first time doing this, so he felt a bit unaccustomed to it. However, Lin Xu felt that only through physical closeness could he deeply sense Gu Jinzhi’s profound care and affection for him.
"......" Gu Jinzhi tried several times to speak but couldn't find the words. If Lin Xu hadn’t brought it up, he wouldn’t have realized his own feelings buried deep inside.
He had always feared that Lin Xu might be bothered by his ordinary background, making him feel inferior and mentally unstable, especially once they moved to the capital together. To narrow the gap between them, Gu Jinzhi had tried to minimize their differences, offering everything he had, reassuring Lin Xu that he could suck his blood. He was willing to give Lin Xu anything, no matter the cost, without expecting anything in return.
Ultimately, he was afraid of affecting their relationship. Breaking up with Lin Xu would be devastating, far worse than losing money.
But Lin Xu wasn’t the type to be influenced by such concerns. His boyfriend was self-assured and perceptive, never holding grudges.
Gu Jinzhi suddenly wanted to tell his older brother that the worldly lessons he had taught him didn’t apply to everyone. Next to Lin Xu, his own privileged background couldn’t overshadow Lin Xu’s confidence because Lin Xu wasn’t insecure.
Yet, Gu Jinzhi could only think of using worldly measures to keep Lin Xu close. He worried about how things would be when Lin Xu went to university, encountered a broader world, and understood his own desires more deeply. How could he ensure that Lin Xu would still choose to be with him?
In the future, Lin Xu might be attracted to someone who didn’t have wealth or looks but simply met his heart’s desires. Lin Xu was just that kind of person.
Without a worldly standard to measure by, Gu Jinzhi felt even more fearful.
