Xie Xiaobao woke early Saturday morning.
Set to meet He Yu, he washed up and stood before his wardrobe, picking an outfit.
Since they were heading to the gym, he needed something sporty.
After rummaging, he chose a sweatshirt, capri pants, and sneakers, admiring his lively reflection in the mirror.
He packed a tank top and shorts as backups, then grabbed milk and bread in the living room, munching breakfast while waiting for He Yu’s message.
At 8:30, He Yu’s car pulled up downstairs.
Xie Xiaobao, backpack slung over his shoulder, bounded down, waving cheerfully at He Yu.
He Yu straightened, dressed in athletic wear—a stark contrast to his usual formal suits. His bangs fell loosely, softening his sharp features.
Xie Xiaobao stared, eyes wide, then blurted, “You’ve got a great figure.”
He Yu raised an eyebrow, murmuring an acknowledgment, only to hear Xie Xiaobao add, “I wish I had a figure like that.”
He Yu: *…*
Clearing his throat, He Yu glanced at Xie Xiaobao’s wistful expression and round face, saying against his better judgment, “You will.”
Xie Xiaobao beamed, nodding eagerly, and hopped into the passenger seat.
Having both eaten breakfast, they headed straight to the gym—He Yu’s usual spot, new to Xie Xiaobao, who trailed behind, curiously scanning the place.
The gym was quiet, with only a few people working out. He Yu, clearly a regular, led them to the changing room to swap into workout clothes.
Xie Xiaobao donned his tank top and shorts, his pale arms and legs almost dazzling. He Yu, walking beside him, quietly explained the exercise equipment.
The gym had plenty of machines, but for a newbie like Xie Xiaobao, they weren’t ideal yet. He Yu found an open space and started with warm-ups.
Assuming Xie Xiaobao rarely exercised, He Yu worried his body might be stiff, making stretches tough. But after one demonstration, Xie Xiaobao mimicked them flawlessly.
He Yu was surprised. “Your flexibility’s impressive.”
“Really?” Xie Xiaobao replied, a bit guilty, knowing flexibility was a feline race perk.
He Yu nodded, correcting a few minor moves. One taught patiently, the other learned earnestly. After warming up, He Yu introduced him to the equipment.
With He Yu’s guidance, Xie Xiaobao trained for over an hour, collapsing like a noodle, exhausted and ready to flop on the floor.
He Yu caught him, steadying him. “No sitting yet. Walk it off.”
Like a wilted kitten, Xie Xiaobao leaned into He Yu, slowly pacing to catch his breath.
From afar, He Qi squinted, double-checking before confirming he wasn’t mistaken.
“A-Yu?”
He Yu turned, surprised to see He Qi, and nodded in greeting. “Second Brother, you’re here too.”
He Qi’s gaze flicked curiously to Xie Xiaobao, noting their closeness, his tone hesitant. “This is…?”
“Xie Xi, the third young master of the Xie family,” He Yu said, catching his cousin’s implication and clarifying firmly, “His eldest brother asked me to look after him.”
Xie Xiaobao looked up, puzzled, unaware of any such request from his big brother.
He Yu remained calm. Seeing Xie Xiaobao had rested enough, he said to He Qi, “We’re heading out. Got plans later.”
He Qi nodded, waved, and walked off.
He Yu and Xie Xiaobao changed back, and Xie Xiaobao glanced at He Qi’s retreating figure. “Is that your brother? You don’t look alike.”
He Qi, in his mid-thirties, was a refined, handsome man, about 1.8 meters tall, but his gloomy aura and odd stare made Xie Xiaobao uneasy.
He Yu’s sharp, upright features contrasted with He Qi’s demeanor. They didn’t seem like brothers at all.
He Yu thought for a moment and explained briefly, “He’s my great-aunt’s son. After her divorce, he took her surname.”
Old Master He had three wives. The first two passed early, leaving a son and a daughter. The third, Grandma Li, bore twin sons, including He Yu’s father.
Grandma Li was kind, keeping the large He family harmonious. The only trouble was years ago, involving He Qi and his mother.
When He Qi’s mother died, he was in prison. After his release, Grandma Li, pitying him, wanted him to move back, but He Qi, ashamed of his mother’s wrongs and his own, insisted on living alone, only visiting Cuiyuan for holidays.
The story was old and complex, so He Yu kept it brief and took Xie Xiaobao to lunch.
After a morning of exercise, Xie Xiaobao was starving. When the food arrived, he dove in, slurping without care for appearances.
He Yu, sitting beside him, served him dishes while reminding him to slow down.
“Mm…” Midway through shoveling rice, Xie Xiaobao remembered something. He wiped his mouth, pulled his backpack close, and handed He Yu a carefully wrapped box. “Almost forgot—this is for you.”
“What’s this?” He Yu took the dainty box.
Xie Xiaobao scratched his cheek, grinning shyly. “Starry donuts I made. Try them—hope you like them.”
He Yu opened the box, revealing six delicate donuts, their starry blue frosting sprinkled with white chocolate bits. His lips twitched.
Taking a bite, the cloying sweetness filled his mouth. He Yu’s brow flickered subtly, but he said evenly, “Thanks, I love them.”