BXBX NOVEL Chapter 151: Tense
Chapter 151: Tense
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Zhang Siyi: “What!? Your brother asked me to call you.”
Gu Yao explained: “When you sent me the message, my brother had privately asked me to come over already.”
Immediately remembering what Gu Yu had mentioned in the kitchen, Zhang Siyi turned to stare at Gu Yu, waiting for his explanation.
Gu Yu plainly stated: “Your acting was bad.”
Zhang Siyi: “huh?”
Rubbing his head, Gu Yu sighed then said: “You were being too obvious. I noticed your mother staring at us often so I asked my sister to come over to divert her attention.”
When Zhang Siyi heard Gu Yu, he felt a little guilty. He couldn’t admit to Gu Yu that his mother was a big rot-girl.
..... Could it be that his mother really was thinking of them as a pair? But how could it be with her overly beaming attitude towards Gu Yao? Or, was it really as Gu Yu said; his sister really did over shadowed his mother’s rot-girl thoughts? (=_=)
“Cough. Ah, that’s it.” Zhang Siyi wasn’t particularly angry at Gu Yu going behind his back.
Certainly, there is more to Gu Yu’s reason than that. Since it has taken him a very long time to get as far as he has with his relationship with Zhang Siyi, he was on high alert. If he only had to rely on himself, there wouldn’t be a problem maintaining his relationship, but he is uncertain whether or not Zhang Siyi would buckle under pressure.
At twenty-three, Zhang Siyi is six years younger than Gu Yu. The bright future both career wise and relationship wise that a young adult has is always a concern for any parent and Zhang Siyi’s parents are no different. Even if his parents did not specifically come to visit with marriageable prospects, they understood that when he reaches the age of marriage, there will be plenty of women to choose from because Zhang Siyi’s family conditions and background weren’t bad.
Gu Yu wasn’t afraid of Zhang Siyi’s parents rejecting their relationship. He was afraid that Zhang Siyi himself hasn’t prepared himself mentally to fight social pressure.
Since they have been together for less than two months, their love period hasn’t ended and thus, Gu Yu feels like their relationship isn’t stable enough. If both parents realized the truth now and opposed them, it would be too easy to tear them apart. The pressure and responsibility by being an only son would shake Zhang Siyi to the core and ultimately, Gu Yu thinks Zhang Siyi would become duty-bound and leave him.
Instead of tackling the issue head on, it is better to strengthen the bonds between the families first by allowing Zhang Siyi’s parents to misunderstand the relationship with his sister.
However, Gu Yu will not talk about his reasons openly to Zhang Siyi because he is afraid since he has shielded him, that he doesn’t really understand the cultural pressure of thier situation. Also, he lacks the trust needed to follow Gu Yu without question and instead Zhang Siyi would simply become very angry and blow up at him in an argument.
In any case, after listening to Gu Yu’s short explanation, Zhang Siyi seemed relieved. Walking the dog, Zhang Siyi and Gu Yao were laughing and joking around. Gu Yu smiled at them.
When they returned home, Gu Yao asked Zhang Siyi if he knew about a recent trendy App called the Era of Music and whether or not he had played it.
Since Zhang Siyi had been under the influence of Gu Yu, he didn’t have time to play games anymore. Normally, when he got home from work, he either studied work related material or was with Gu Yu.
Listening to Gu Yao describe the game, Zhang Siyi was immediately interested and quickly went upstairs to get his recently unused iPad. After downloading the game, Gu Yao briefly showed him how to play. First, Zhang Siyi picked an easy tune. The game is similar to a dance game where you push a button that coincides with a particular falling icon.
Since Zhang Siyi plays the violin, he quickly adjusted to the rhythm of the music and in the first attempt, he achieved all the combo points and scored with a 99.9% accuracy; an A+.
“It is very simple!” Zhang Siyi commented.
“What’s so great about level 1. Let’s see what you can do on a more difficult challenge!” She grabbed Zhang Siyi’s iPad and selected a harder sequence: “I can play up to level five.”
Since they were similar in age, they easily got along. After Gu Yu finished wiping the dog’s claws, he walked into the living room and noticed the two of them close together chatting and laughing.
Gu Yu wanted to join them for a bit, but since he didn’t believe playing video games were worth his time, he gave up on the idea of sitting with them. After checking the cat food bowls, he grabbed the vacuum and started tidying up. His sister loudly complained: “Brother, we can’t hear the music!”
Gu Yu: “......”
Even though she complained to her brother, Gu Yao continued to stare at Zhang Siyi while he played the game. As he finished the levels, she grabbed his face and exclaimed with excitement: “Ahhhhh! All A+!”
Less then thirty minutes later, Zhang Siyi broke through level five without a problem. He breathed a sigh of relief. Noticing Gu Yao’s unbelieving attitude transform into worship he said: “See. It’s easy.”
With Gu Yao star-struck gaze, she watched Zhang Siyi with adoration: “How did you do it! I played several times without getting an A+.”
Zhang Siyi chuckled a ‘he-he’ and said: “I don’t know. Maybe it is because I can play the violin.”
Gu Yao instantly became Zhang Siyi’s fan-girl: “Really? Oh My God! At the time that the Korean version of “Boys Over Flowers” was broadcasted, I was obsessed with Kim Hyun Jong. Since then, I really like boys who can play violin!”
Zhang Siyi was feeling a little embarrassed: “Well, if you want. I can play it for you.”
Looking forward to answering Zhang Siyi positively, Gu Yao was suddenly interrupted by her brother: “No.”
Zhang Siyi: “......”
Standing next to the vacuum cleaner, Gu Yu emitted an ‘I’m not happy’ signal from head to toe.
Surprised at his outburst, Gu Yao wanted to argue with him and ask why not, but her brother cut her off: “It’s almost ten. Most people are asleep. Are you not concerned with the neighbors if you play the violin so late at night?” Gu Yu stared at Zhang Siyi coldly: “And you, are you a child? Still playing video games with no restraint.”
Being shut down by Gu Yu, Zhang Siyi couldn’t stand it anymore. He said: “What is the problem? Today is Saturday. There is plenty of time to play.”
Hearing Zhang Siyi, Gu Yao had the courage to speak up: “Yeah. I usually go to bed at midnight in school. Ten o’clock isn’t late at all! This game is really fun so let’s play. Just because you don’t play video games, doesn’t mean you can prevent us from playing.”
Feeling sullen, Gu Yu was angry. These two kids just ignored him. But, what can he do? He can’t admit that he’s jealous...
After setting the vacuum cleaner aside in a corner of the wall, Gu Yu didn’t say anything and instead went straight upstairs.
Zhang Siyi: “......”
Gu Yao:”......”
Gu Yao thought her brother was acting strange. Playing games wasn’t a big deal and he didn’t usually care so much about them, but today, he seems particularly vitriolic. His reaction was just too much!
Gu Yao expressed her wonder out loud: “Why is my brother so tense?”
Zhang Siyi bowed his head and sighed with a narrow eye. “Who knows. Maybe he was scratched by a wild cat.”
Gu Yao: “poof......”
As the mood to play was ruined, the two looked up at each other and both sighed. Gu Yu commented: “Forget it. Time to go upstairs and sleep.”
Slowly, Zhang Siyi walked upstairs with little sound. He surveyed the area and since Gu Yu wasn’t on the platform, he assumed Gu Yu went back to his room.
Zhang Siyi dropped Gu Yao off at his room first. Since his parents had visited, the bed was made and the room was already clean.
Gu Yao saw the violin at the foot of the bed. With eyes bright, she stated in surprise: “Wow, you really can play the violin!”
Looking at the instrument, Zhang Siyi reflected, is Gu Yu jealous because of the violin......? Well, it’s a possibility.
Even though he did tell Gu Yu that he only played the violin for people that he liked as a ploy, Gu Yu may not be happy hearing Zhang Siyi tell Gu Yao that he would play for her. To think he would get jealous over his own sister......
Zhang Siyi grinned and responded to Gu Yao: “It’s too late today, I’ll have a chance to play another time.”
Gu Yao nodded and looked happy.
Zhang Siyi pointed to the direction of the other bedroom. “Well, I will go see your brother. If you are tired, go to sleep.”
With some reluctance, Gu Yao gestured and waved her hand: “Go ahead.”
Turning around, Zhang Siyi went into Gu Yu’s room without knocking on the door.
Gu Yu wasn’t asleep. He was standing in front of his desk practicing calligraphy. On the table were several written words; cold, quiet.
Zhang Siyi: “......”
Glancing at him without expression, Gu Yu picked up a picture book to cover the part he had already written then continued to write something else.
Zhang Siyi: “....” I have already seen it! (=_=)
Zhang Siyi gently closed the door and went to the bed to sit down. Looking at Gu Yu’s back, he patiently waited for him to speak, but Gu Yu continued to practice writing, ignoring him.
After five minutes, Zhang Siyi felt anxious. He stood up and hugged Gu Yu from behind suddenly. As a result, Gu Yu calligraphy stroke was heavy on the rice paper.
Zhang Siyi tightened his arms and pulled him in his direction: “What are you doing? If I don’t speak, you just ignore me?”
Gu Yu snorted softly: “Since you don’t listen to me, why should I talk to you.”
Exasperated, Zhang Siyi asked: “It is obvious you are mad at me, but you still walked away without saying anything...... Can’t we talk?”