E-Scum Gong Chapter 51
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
Chapter 51
Ah, happy days always seemed so fleeting, because even happier days were just around the corner!
On the eve of reporting to Q University, Gu Jinzhi hummed a tune that was slightly off-key while merrily packing his bags. Even without an assistant to help, he was as cheerful as ever.
Although the summer in Jiang City had been overall enjoyable and he didn't have to go to work, Gu Jinzhi was terrified of the snakes, insects, and rodents. Most importantly, there were just too many young people around! It made him feel especially insecure. Every time he went out with his boyfriend for meals and fun, they were surrounded by a sea of high school graduates, all fresh-faced and enjoying student discounts, including his own boyfriend... which made him feel really old.
But now, he could finally return to his own turf!
After buying his plane ticket, Gu Jinzhi proudly informed everyone of his return. He even took the initiative to call his older brother.
“Ge! I’m coming back tomorrow. Is the company still without a leader? They must be waiting for my return!” he asked with one ankle propped up on his thigh.
If Gu Jinzhi hadn’t reached out today, Gu Qi might have almost thought that his younger brother, just like in the TV dramas, had lost his memory due to various reasons and had been picked up by a random guy, and had forgotten where his home was, and would spend the rest of his life in Jiang City...
“Don’t get your hopes up. There are plenty of talented young people around. Who do you think you are?” Gu Qi adjusted his glasses, mocking him mercilessly, still irritated by Gu Jinzhi’s unilateral “disconnection.”
To his surprise, Gu Jinzhi didn’t cry or make a fuss. Instead, he sounded even happier. “Well, if that’s the case, I guess I won’t be going to work.” He couldn’t continue working anyway — he had to be with his boyfriend.
“……” Gu Qi was left speechless.
Feeling pleased after teasing his older brother, Gu Jinzhi quickly hung up the phone.
With some free time on his hands, Gu Jinzhi began to think about other peculiar things. It would be Lin Xu’s first trip away from Jiang City, as he had never left before.
Typically, first-year college students would be accompanied by their family to school for the first time. However, since he had heard that Lin Xu’s relatives were working in the capital and that his grandparents were too old for the journey, only Gu Jinzhi would be going.
Every time he thought about it, Gu Jinzhi felt like he was Lin Xu’s destined benefactor. He would fill this role and make sure his boyfriend wouldn't feel lost in a new city.
Gu Jinzhi had it all planned out. He would take Lin Xu to school, help with the registration, and assert his claim. After all, he knew how attractive his boyfriend was. He wouldn’t let Lin Xu have any chance to break up and explore college romance.
He had heard that freshmen had to stay on campus initially and undergo military training. Thinking about this, Gu Jinzhi felt a headache, but there was nothing he could do. He planned to take Lin Xu out for a walk to get familiar with the place first, and then send Lin Xu back to school safely.
“By the way, will he get sick from the change in environment?” Gu Jinzhi muttered to himself, lying on the bed, remembering having heard about such things. This wouldn't do. So, he went online and researched extensively.
Late that night, Gu Jinzhi snuck out wearing a mask and found a secluded flower bed. He dug up about two pounds of soil with a small shovel, carefully placing it in a bag and taking it back to the hotel.
The next morning, before boarding, Lin Xu looked at his grandparents, whose eyes were moist, and felt a bit reluctant. He wasn’t sure when he would be able to return again.
Parting was always a part of life. On the journey of life, no one can accompany you forever.
“Grandpa, Grandma, don't send me off anymore. I’m about to go in. Please head back and stay safe.” Lin Xu waved to them after his grandmother finished patting his head.
“Don’t worry, Grandpa and Grandma. I’ll take good care of Xiao Xu.” Gu Jinzhi stepped in at the right moment, placing a hand on Lin Xu’s shoulder, subtly conveying that he was taking on the responsibility.
Of course, Grandpa and Grandma Lin didn’t notice anything amiss. They were simply pleased that Lin Xu had a friend who was also going to the capital. They felt reassured.
“Then I'll trouble Xiao Gu. When you get to the capital, have Xiao Xu's big brother treat you to a meal.” Grandma Lin nodded gratefully.
After watching the elderly couple leave, Lin Xu and Gu Jinzhi turned around and went in.
Lin Xu was still reflecting on his emotions. After all, in his previous life, he had never experienced separation anxiety.
Suddenly, Gu Jinzhi presented a small package to him as if it were a treasure.
Lin Xu looked at him, feeling that Gu Jinzhi was up to something again. Smiling helplessly, he took the package, which felt heavy, and opened it to find freshly dug soil with a pleasant aroma.
“Hmm?” Lin Xu looked at Gu Jinzhi in confusion, unsure of his intent.
“I heard that if you get homesick from the change in environment, drinking water with hometown soil can help,” Gu Jinzhi said earnestly.
According to online sources, there were many successful examples of this. People who had experienced nausea and a lack of appetite found relief after drinking water with hometown soil.
Lin Xu was both amused and exasperated. He shouldn’t be too concerned about this, given that he had lived in the capital for many years in his previous life. But looking at Gu Jinzhi's innocent eyes, Lin Xu didn't think he was silly at all. Instead, his heart softened. The fact that Zhizhi could think of this meant he wasn't as scatterbrained as he seemed.
It was just that sometimes, Zhizhi’s thoughts were a unique.
“Alright.” Lin Xu put the package into his backpack. It added weight, but it was a weight of happiness.
A few hours later, the plane landed.
Gu Jinzhi usually passed the time on flights by sleeping, but with his boyfriend beside him, he had no desire to sleep. He just wanted to tease Lin Xu to pass the time.
A significant portion of the passengers on the plane were teenage boys and girls, likely freshmen. Their eyes were filled with curiosity and anticipation for the future. When they saw Lin Xu, who looked quite extraordinary, their eyes would occasionally dart his way, thinking to themselves that there were indeed many handsome guys on this flight.
Gu Jinzhi himself was extremely good-looking, and by all accounts, he should have been quite eye-catching. However, he was leaning against Lin Xu's shoulder in a relaxed manner, mumbling something to him, with no sense of boundaries at all. His relationship with Lin Xu was suddenly very clear to everyone.
If Gu Jinzhi had just sat there quietly, without speaking, he would have definitely been the subject of many covert fantasies.
Therefore, although people glanced at them, no one dared to make a move. The signals indicating that the two were a couple were too strong. Outside, Gu Jinzhi was carefree about their age difference. There was nothing strange about it.
As soon as he connected to the internet, Gu Jinzhi's phone started buzzing with notifications.
Gu Jinzhi had been telling Lin Xu, “Later, ge will take you to school…” when he received another call from his older brother.
“I happen to have time today. I’ll come pick you up.” Gu Qi was being unusually brotherly for once.
Gu Jinzhi’s face fell instantly, like a wilted cabbage.
“No, ge! I’m twenty-four, not fourteen. There’s no need for you to pick me up,” he said, clinging to his boyfriend and frowning.
Gu Qi was taken aback. He hadn’t expected that his rare show of consideration would be met with such resistance.
“Cut it out. I'll be there soon.”
Gu Jinzhi glared at his phone. He felt like cursing, but with his boyfriend present, he restrained himself from losing his temper. His face flushed various shades of red and purple.
Lin Xu shook his head helplessly. “It’s fine. Zhizhi, you should head back. After all, you haven’t been home for a long time.”
Just then, his older brother sent a message saying he was coming to pick him up.
Originally, Lin Shen said he would take a day off to pick him up, but Lin Xu thought it was no big deal and told his older brother not to bother. They could meet up after his military training.
However, Lin Shen decided that since it was Lin Xu’s first time in the capital, he would skip the meeting to come.
“Well, it turns out my big brother is coming too...” Lin Xu spread his hands helplessly.
If that was the case, then it must be fate.
Gu Jinzhi looked at Lin Xu’s face, feeling extremely reluctant to part with his boyfriend. He was burning with urgency inside.
Without thinking much, Gu Jinzhi pulled Lin Xu away from the crowd, into a secluded corridor, and boldly pressed him against the wall, kissing him fiercely.
This wasn’t just a light peck. Gu Jinzhi was determined, even biting Lin Xu’s lips until they were red.
As Lin Xu felt the soft, fiery press of Gu Jinzhi’s lips, he instinctively wrapped his arms around Gu Jinzhi’s waist, unwilling to let go.
After pulling away, Gu Jinzhi still wasn’t comforted. He sighed, saying, “We can’t let my big brother find out about us.” Otherwise, Gu Qi, being the meddlesome type, would surely try to break them up.
First, he would think him absurd for being an old cow eating tender grass. Second, since Lin Xu came from an ordinary family, his older brother would probably disapprove.
“It’s okay. We can just keep it a secret,” Lin Xu said, licking his lips and nodding in understanding.
Gu Jinzhi reluctantly squeezed Lin Xu’s hand before saying gloomily, “I should head out now. I’m afraid my big brother will find you.”
With that, he went to fetch his luggage, glancing back like a wilted eggplant as he left.
Looking at the clear sky outside, Gu Jinzhi didn't expect that he would still have to date in secret at his age. It was too hard.
Once outside, he quickly spotted his older brother and waved weakly.
As he approached, Gu Jinzhi was surprised to see someone familiar standing next to his older brother.
“Jinzhi, come over and say hello. This is Mr. Lin Shen. He happens to be here to pick up someone as well.”
Gu Jinzhi gave a distracted nod and a casual greeting. He wasn’t very familiar with Lin Shen.
Lin Shen, however, had a distinct impression of him now. His gaze conveyed a mixture of curiosity and amusement.
Seeing the Gu family's prodigal son again, he was struck by how perfectly he fit the image of a typical playboy. Tsk tsk tsk, having such a younger brother must be a big headache for Gu Qi.
“Then, we’re leaving now,” Gu Qi said curtly and then led his younger brother away.
Once they were in the car, Gu Qi asked, “Why did you stay in Jiang City for so long? Did you get your revenge?”
At his older brother’s question, Gu Jinzhi perked up slightly, feeling a bit guilty. “Yes, the revenge is over...” Now, he had successfully secured his online boyfriend.
“I’ve told you before that online relationships are unreliable. Be careful. Don’t come crying to me next time, after all, you’re twenty-four now,” Gu Qi mocked him without mercy.
Gu Jinzhi rubbed his nose and mumbled an agreement. A pure-hearted boy like his boyfriend really did need to be watched carefully. After all, with someone as proactive as him, he was bound to come looking... There was no way they could break up.
Meanwhile, Lin Xu, thinking that Gu Jinzhi should have left by now, slowly pushed his suitcase out of the airport.
Although he hadn’t seen his older brother in over half a year, he immediately spotted Lin Shen in the crowd. Both brothers were strikingly handsome.
“Ge.” Lin Xu waved at Lin Shen.
Lin Shen studied his younger brother a few times, noting that Lin Xu had become much more reserved. He was completely different from that Gu kid.
Taking Lin Xu’s luggage, Lin Shen glanced at his younger brother’s lips and asked with concern, “Too much internal heat?”
Lin Xu, feeling a bit embarrassed, bit his lip and looked away.
Kind of… It seemed like Zhizhi was quite heated.
