“Are you sure this really works?”
“It works, it works!”
“Then… then alright.”
“See? Isn’t it fine like this.”
Gu Heng pushed Zuo Shihuan in front of the mirror.
Reflected in the mirror was a face with black hair and brown eyes, features that were somewhat ordinary and unremarkable, just a tall, clean, refined young man you could casually run into on the street. His lips were rosy, he was wearing beige loungewear, yet his temperament was particularly steady and refined.
“It really doesn’t look like me anymore.”
Zuo Shihuan looked at himself in the mirror in surprise and couldn’t help raising a hand to touch his face, confirming that there was no change at all, while the person in the mirror also raised a hand to touch his face along with him.
This made Zuo Shihuan momentarily dazed, still a bit unable to believe it.
Zuo Shihuan turned his head to look at Gu Heng and asked with lingering concerns, “Is it really okay that I didn’t do any makeup or disguise at all? Gu Heng, what if the brooch you gave me falls off, won’t the disguise be discovered?”
Gu Heng stood behind Zuo Shihuan, lowering his gaze as he carefully fastened the iris brooch at Zuo Shihuan’s collar, continuing to finely adjust the imaging frequency to ensure that no accidents would occur.
This kind of small item wasn’t anything particularly mysterious.
Through a special wave-light imaging frequency released from the brooch, it could deceive the human visual imaging system as well as camera recordings, making what was seen appear as another person’s facial features.
In this way, without any additional makeup or disguise, one could hide their identity when going out to certain places.
Of course, it wouldn’t work in places with extremely strict searches, but today they were just going out on a date, no need for excessive disguise. Blending into the crowd and avoiding the Zuo family’s eyes was the best concealment.
Gu Heng noticed that while Zuo Shihuan was voicing his worries, his hand couldn’t help but reach for that brown iris brooch. In those light brown eyes, a gentle fondness unconsciously rose, and he even leaned against Gu Heng’s chest, lifting his head to look at him with a face full of reliance and trust.
Completely unaware that his feelings were all seen clearly by Gu Heng.
He so clearly liked the iris brooch Gu Heng had given him, yet was too embarrassed to say it out loud.
It made Gu Heng feel a surge of intense affection swelling in his chest, almost overflowing, so much that he wished he could just tightly pull Zuo Shihuan into his arms and kiss him until the world went dark.
Unfortunately, today they were rushing out for a date, so he would let Zuo Shihuan off this once.
Gu Heng’s gaze darkened slightly. He reached out and cupped the lower half of Zuo Shihuan’s face, his thumb brushing against Zuo Shihuan’s soft, rosy lips, then, exercising great restraint, placed a kiss on his neck.
Watching as Zuo Shihuan outwardly pretended to be calm, yet the skin he had kissed flushed red, even the tips of his ears turning so red they looked ready to bleed.
Zuo Shihuan suppressed the embarrassment in his eyes and asked stiffly, “Is there anything wrong with what I asked? It would be troublesome if the brooch fell off.”
Seeing Zuo Shihuan who was forcing himself to stay composed, Gu Heng smiled with deep affection and gentleness. “There’s no problem. If Shihuan, you’re worried, then just don’t take a single step away from me during today’s date.”
Zuo Shihuan frowned and looked up at Gu Heng, realizing that Gu Heng really wasn’t joking.
Only then did he grit his teeth and say, “What if it really falls off? It would be terrible if it were discovered. I can’t possibly stick to you all day long, are we supposed to not even separate to go to the bathroom?!”
Gu Heng really wanted to say that it was completely fine to stick together, and that he would be more than happy to have Zuo Shihuan cling to him all day.
But seeing Zuo Shihuan staring intently at him, as if the moment Gu Heng said those words out loud he would angrily swing an elbow at him, Gu Heng said with a bit of regret, “Alright. Since Shihuan, you’re that worried, I also have a matching iris necklace. It works the same way as a disguise. You can wear both to ensure nothing goes wrong, and since the necklace is worn around the neck, it’s less likely to fall off.”
After saying that, Gu Heng took out a brown iris necklace with a simple, elegant design and handed it to Zuo Shihuan to wear around his neck.
But after Zuo Shihuan took the iris necklace, he didn’t put it on right away. Instead, his expression was complicated, as if he wanted to speak but hesitated. He looked up at Gu Heng with his lips pressed together.
Gu Heng asked in confusion, “What’s wrong? Can’t you put it on, do you want me to do it?”
Zuo Shihuan slightly furrowed his brow. “I took yours. Gu Heng, what are you going to wear?”
Gu Heng smoothly pulled Zuo Shihuan into his arms and explained with a light laugh, “I still have others at home. Shihuan, don’t worry, I won’t be left without anything to use.”
Zuo Shihuan still had his brows knitted, but very quickly a trace of resolve flashed through his eyes. Holding the iris necklace in his hand, he said to Gu Heng, “How about I just wear one brooch? Since Gu Heng, you already said we’re going on a date, and today we won’t be far apart anyway. I’ll give this necklace back to you.”
Gu Heng was a little surprised, but still soothed him with an explanation. “I have a lot of these little devices here. Shihuan, you don’t need to worry about me not having one to use. Aren’t you worried it might fall off? I can find a few more for you, no matter how many fall, it won’t matter.”
Zuo Shihuan finally blushed faintly and confessed nervously, “But I just want Gu Heng you to wear one too. It’s not that… isn’t it very similar to the brooch I’m wearing, the same style?”
Gu Heng suddenly realized, staring blankly at Zuo Shihuan’s shy, flushed face, and finally understood what Zuo Shihuan really wanted.
So Zuo Shihuan wanted to wear matching couple necklaces and brooches with him.
That was why Zuo Shihuan had awkwardly and implicitly tried to return the necklace for him to wear. Even Gu Heng hadn’t thought of the idea of couple accessories.
At the time, he had only noticed that the color of this brown iris brooch was quite similar to the color of Zuo Shihuan’s eyes, and thought it would suit Zuo Shihuan very well, so he had conveniently taken a brown iris necklace from the same series.
Honestly.
How could there be someone so cute?
Gu Heng felt his heart get hit in an instant, pounding nonstop, his heartbeat speeding up until his whole body felt light and floaty, as if his heart had sunk into a pool of warm, soft, sweet syrup.
When he came back to his senses, Gu Heng had already wrapped his arms around Zuo Shihuan and was vigorously kissing his flushed cheeks, laughing heartily in an exuberant, sweet mood as he said, “Alright, I’ll wear the matching couple style my darling personally picked for me…”
Zuo Shihuan felt his face grow even hotter and muttered a small rebuttal. “What matching couple style… I just think this necklace style suits you, Gu Heng, and… don’t call me darling, it’s weird.”
“Alright, alright, I’ll listen to you, Shihuan darling…”
Gu Heng laughed until his black eyes crinkled into bright slits. What he said and what he actually did were completely different, as he continued to call Zuo Shihuan darling again and again.
“Shihuan darling, I’ve put this necklace on, does it look good?”
“Shihuan darling, now you and I are both wearing matching couple styles, are you happy?”
“Shihuan darling, how about we pick a set of couple outfits to wear out on our date? It’s just that I don’t know if it’s too late to have someone send clothes over right now…”
“It’s fine. Since Shihuan darling is rarely making requests of me, later when we go out on our date we can go to the mall and buy a set of couple outfits. Not just one set, let’s buy several. Seven days a week, we’ll wear couple outfits every day!”
“Right, Shihuan darling~~~”
Gu Heng’s suddenly excited, enthusiastic words echoed by his ear.
It was all “couple outfits” and “darling” nonstop, making Zuo Shihuan feel so flushed and embarrassed he could hardly breathe, regretting that he ever let Gu Heng know his little thoughts.
Now look what happened!
If the overly excited Gu Heng really wanted to find a set of couple outfits for him to wear, even just imagining that scene made Zuo Shihuan’s heart stir with a bit of curiosity and anticipation.
But something as conspicuous as couple outfits, wearing them at home would be one thing, but if they went out and everyone saw them…
Zuo Shihuan felt like he’d be blushing with shame to the point he couldn’t lift his head.
He immediately put on a dark face, pushed away the overly enthusiastic Gu Heng, and said through gritted teeth, “Don’t call me darling anymore! I’ll just wear this today!”
Gu Heng stared at Zuo Shihuan with lingering regret, then at the beige loungewear he was wearing, and said pitifully, “Shihuan, don’t you want to wear couple outfits with me at all?”
Zuo Shihuan was momentarily bewitched by the pitiful Gu Heng, his heart softening and wavering as he considered whether he should just agree to Gu Heng’s request.
Actually, as long as it wasn’t overly obvious or flashy, simple, elegant clothes in the same color scheme and style could be worn out on the street and still count as couple outfits, right?
Zuo Shihuan hesitated and said, “If it’s some not-too-obvious, same-color-style couple outfits, I can accept that. But Gu Heng, do you really have that many clothes at home?”
Because Zuo Shihuan had never planned on coming to Gu Heng’s home, he only came after hastily fleeing from a broken engagement, and hadn’t prepared any suitable clothes.
Even the beige loungewear he was wearing now was something Gu Heng himself rarely wore.
Honestly, Gu Heng’s build was a bit larger than his. Even this beige set looked slightly long on Zuo Shihuan, especially the pants.
So where would Gu Heng find so many couple outfit styles?
Just as Zuo Shihuan was sincerely thinking things through for Gu Heng, he raised his head to look at him to ask about his plans, only to suddenly see Gu Heng beaming with a full smile, a trace of triumphant cunning glinting in his black eyes.
Like someone watching a silly prey walk straight into a trap.
Instantly, Zuo Shihuan felt that something was off. It seemed he had been led astray by Gu Heng again, off to who-knows-where. Going out on a date didn’t necessarily require wearing couple outfits, did it?!
At once, Zuo Shihuan felt both embarrassed and annoyed. Turning around, he pushed Gu Heng away and said, “Didn’t we say we were in a hurry to go out on our date? Let’s talk about couple outfits some other time!”
Seeing that the longed-for couple outfits were about to slip away, Gu Heng clung to Zuo Shihuan coquettishly, letting out a winding, plaintive cry of surprise and grievance by his ear. “Eh, Shihuan doesn’t want to wear couple outfits with me? But I really want to…”
It made Zuo Shihuan’s ears feel soft. Covering his ears, he said firmly, “Don’t you want to go out on our date sooner? Hurry up and change clothes, then we’ll go.”
He couldn’t let this b*stard keep pushing his luck.
Gu Heng was forced to accept reality, bending over and slumping against Zuo Shihuan dejectedly as he said, “Alright…”
But he quickly perked up again.
“Shihuan, let’s hurry and pick out clothes.”
Gu Heng raised an eyebrow and continued, “Shihuan, you’re still wearing my clothes right now, aren’t you? But it’s fine, what’s mine is yours. You can wear whichever of my clothes you want…”
Zuo Shihuan suddenly froze, realizing that he still couldn’t escape Gu Heng’s plan.
No matter whether he wore couple outfits or not, wearing Gu Heng’s clothes was even more embarrassing than any couple outfit could be.
Zuo Shihuan blushed and stubbornly retorted, “You gave me that thing that disguises my appearance. If I go out now, I won’t be discovered. I can go to the mall and buy it myself!”
Gu Heng looked at Zuo Shihuan with smiling eyes, then glanced at the off-white loungewear Zuo Shihuan was wearing. He lowered his magnetic voice, curled his lips, and teased ambiguously.
“Is there a difference?”
Zuo Shihuan instantly understood. His cheeks flushed red and dark at the same time. In a burst of embarrassed anger, he reached out and pressed his hand against Gu Heng’s laughing, vibrating chest, pushing him step by step toward the doorway, wanting him out of sight and out of mind.
“All right, let’s stop fooling around, ”
“Who’s fooling around with you!”
“It’s me, it’s me who’s fooling around with you, so Shihuan, young master, please forgive me.”
Gu Heng raised both hands, lifted high, black eyes brimming with laughter as he looked at Zuo Shihuan. He let Zuo Shihuan’s palm press against his chest, his heels already at the threshold, just one step away from being outside the door.
Zuo Shihuan was really at a loss with this guy. No matter how many times he pushed him out, push him out a hundred times, he would immediately shamelessly crowd back in again.
At once, Zuo Shihuan lost interest and turned back inside.
Gu Heng’s gaze darkened. Smiling, he casually reached out and shut the door tightly.
Hearing the door close, Zuo Shihuan didn’t think much of it.
“Didn’t you say we’re going out on a date? Hurry up and change clothes… and give me today’s outfit too.”
“Okay. Shihuan, what style of clothes do you prefer?”
“Anything, I’m fine with whatever.”
“How about this one?”
“Sure.”
“Then this one?”
“That’s fine too.”
“I picked several sets of clothes. How about you try them all on, Shihuan?”
“So troublesome? Fine, I’ll try quickly.”
“After this set, there’s this one… and this one…”
“Why are there so many!”
“But I just want our first date to be perfect and flawless. Don’t you want that too, Shihuan? You can also pick a set of clothes you like for me to wear on our date.”
Gu Heng looked at Zuo Shihuan with a wronged, coquettish expression. In his eyes was a deeper, hard-to-detect malice and slyness. He pretended to be aggrieved and blinked, his thick, long eyelashes casting lightly trembling shadows, like layers of butterfly wings spreading.
Zuo Shihuan’s heartbeat sped up, and he couldn’t bring himself to say any harsh words of refusal.
On the other hand, the suggestion of personally choosing clothes for Gu Heng also made Zuo Shihuan’s heart stir. He couldn’t resist the temptation of dressing Gu Heng up.
Zuo Shihuan awkwardly turned his face aside. “Fine, but you’re not allowed to nitpick and say the clothes I pick for you are old-fashioned.”
The smile in Gu Heng’s black eyes deepened, the corner of his mouth lifting. “I promise I won’t dislike them.”
After that, the two of them were like they were playing a dress-up game.
Gu Heng let Zuo Shihuan fuss over him, changing set after set. In the end, the still-unsatisfied Zuo Shihuan chose a set he thought suited Gu Heng best and made him look the most handsome and tall.
Next, it was Zuo Shihuan’s turn.
Originally, Zuo Shihuan thought the process would be just like before, at most, Gu Heng would ask him to match a few more sets of clothes. But the feeling during the process was completely different.
“Are you done yet?”
Zuo Shihuan endured his shame and irritation, lifting his eyes to look at Gu Heng, who was standing far too close. Gu Heng was personally helping him tie his tie and fasten buttons, his fingers occasionally brushing against Zuo Shihuan’s sensitive collarbone and chest.
It felt very strange.
Yet every movement Gu Heng made seemed perfectly normal. Instead, the one who kept feeling uncomfortable with the overly intimate distance seemed to be him, the abnormal one.
Zuo Shihuan gritted his teeth and endured the embarrassment, allowing Gu Heng to personally tie his tie, completely failing to notice the gradually intensifying, obsessive possessiveness and love in Gu Heng’s deep, smiling eyes.
Only when he was about to reach his limit did he open his mouth to complain once or twice.
“Why isn’t it done yet?”
“It’s done.”
Gu Heng let go of the tie, stepped back, and admired his handiwork.
Zuo Shihuan, his face completely flushed, looked at him with a dazed, trusting expression. A layer of enticing moisture shimmered in his light brown eyes. Even though he had been enduring discomfort and shyness throughout the process, he never resisted Gu Heng’s arrangements.
He only complained a little when he was about to reach his limit.
But under Gu Heng’s sly coaxing, he quickly calmed down again and continued to let Gu Heng arrange him.
Such an obedient, adorable Zuo Shihuan almost made Gu Heng lose control. He wanted to just forget everything and drag Zuo Shihuan off to fool around all day.
But it wasn’t only Zuo Shihuan who was looking forward to the date, Gu Heng desired and looked forward to a formal, beautiful date with Zuo Shihuan even more.
Zuo Shihuan asked tiredly, “Have you chosen already? Are we going out today in this set?”
Gu Heng denied it. “No. This set isn’t convenient for moving around outside.”
Zuo Shihuan was about to get angry. Gritting his teeth, he asked, “Exactly how many sets are left?! If there’s another one, I’m not changing anymore!”
Gu Heng, of course, knew Zuo Shihuan was at the limit of his patience. He hurried to placate the bristling Zuo Shihuan. “I’ve already chosen. We’ll wear this set for today’s date.”
Zuo Shihuan pressed his lips together in dissatisfaction. “This really is the last set, right?”
Gu Heng’s eyes curved with a smile. “Yes, yes, the last set.”
Zuo Shihuan sighed. “Fine…”
Then he picked up the final set Gu Heng mentioned.
What slightly surprised Zuo Shihuan was that most of the clothes and accessories in the final set were things he had already worn earlier. It seemed Gu Heng really had carefully selected the set that suited him best.
After Zuo Shihuan finished changing and came out,
Gu Heng revealed an amazed look. Smiling, he walked up to Zuo Shihuan and helped him straighten his collar. “All right, let’s go on our date.”
Zuo Shihuan took Gu Heng’s outstretched hand and couldn’t help smiling. “Okay.”
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