Pampered by My Billionaire Childhood Sweetheart-Chapter 22 Hey, the protagonist is here!

At this very moment, the intense yearning surged within himself...

To divert his thoughts, the man gritted his teeth, got out of bed, stretched his tall frame, and headed straight to Lai Le Bar.

"Let's go, third floor. Let's play a few rounds of pool." Gu Jingchen's deep eyes dimmed. He desperately tried not to think about the woman he loved, but he couldn't control himself. The stronger his longing, the more irritable he became. Looking at his two buddies, he said this with frustration.

"Alright, let's have a few drinks upstairs,"

Gu Jingyu and Xie Qikan nodded, stood up gracefully, stretched their long legs, and headed to the upper floor.

In the pool room upstairs, Gu Jingchen initiated the game. His actions were naturally suave and unrestrained—his tall and imposing physique leaned over the pool table, his gaze sharp as a falcon's. His fingers, long and elegant, brushed against the cue. With a single strike, the ball smoothly sank into the pocket.

For the next several minutes, the pool table became the man's center of attention. Before long, more than half of the billiard balls had disappeared.

"Boss, leave a ball for us at least. If something's bothering you, talk to us." Xie Qikan glanced at Gu Jingchen. At this rate, neither he nor Gu Jingyu were going to have anything left to do.

"I just don't understand. Look at us—aren't we the most eligible bachelors in all of Yun City? Yet, why is our love life so damn bumpy? Boss has been devoted all these years, but his little woman still doesn't know he's liked her for so long. Qi Yan's situation is even worse; he's still nursing wounds from... well, whatever that was. And you, Qikan—no offense, but honestly, forget it. I can't even begin with you."

Gu Jingyu waved his hand in annoyance. After all, when it came to dealing with Xie Qiyan, it was pure futility. The man, despite being the only one married among them, lived a life that might as well be one of a bachelor.

And, sure enough, as the words left his mouth, Xie Qikan stood there, his face dark and sullen, lips pressed tightly together, saying nothing.

"And then there's my family's duo who can't seem to grow up—Jingrui and Jingxin. People have always envied them since they were kids. Everyone said they were the perfect pair—twins who understood each other's hearts and could accompany each other as they grew up. But who would've thought? Once they got older, they ended up falling for the same woman. Now, they're not speaking to each other, and this knot seems to be a dead one; there's no untangling it."

"And me... well, forget it. What's there to say?" His own plight was no better. When all he could do was pine after another's affection, what was the use? Love, when reciprocated, was protected and cherished. But when unrequited, it was no more than a weed—discarded and overlooked.

The three men, typically towering like gods, adept in resolving problems with ease, ruthless in the business world, stood silent in the face of love's cruelty. Outwardly, they remained majestic and unrestrained, but beneath it all, love reduced them to something far weaker and far humbler than anyone might imagine. Each one exuding breathtaking charm, wealth rivaling nations, and surrounded by admirers whose mere number could circle Yun City—and yet, what did any of it matter?

Despite the sea of possibilities, they were single-minded men. The path of their love lives? Honestly, it was one hell of a tragedy.

This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.

"Here, take this!" Xie Qikan grabbed a few cans of beer from behind him and handed one to each of his brothers. With a pop, he snapped open the lid. The usually poised man showed a hint of wildness, took a light sip, and the irritation in his chest seemed even heavier.

That night, the three men carried on in this atmosphere until dawn's first light broke through. Then, they retreated to the bar's second-floor private rooms, where each had a place to nap for a while.

The next morning, Gu Jingchen woke early. He grabbed a cigarette and strode out to the rooftop. His finely sculpted fingers flicked open a lighter, and the scarlet flame ignited the cigarette. The curling smoke framed his irresistibly rugged yet relaxed face, lending him an air of aloof resolution.

Once he finished his smoke, the man went for a shower, changed into casual clothing, and drove straight to Yun City University—all before the sun fully rose. Parking in front of the dormitory where his little woman lived, he gazed deeply at the second-floor room. The dawn sunshine painted his features with a faint, bitter smile. Only at moments like these—when he shared the same breath of air as his beloved—did the chaotic world within him calm down. Seated in his car, mere meters away from her, his heart melted, his expression softened, and his lips curved into bittersweet tenderness.

"Life on campus sure is sweet. Someone's receiving flowers; that girl must be so lucky. Just look at that boy—he seems shy, but he's got decent looks. If I were a girl myself, I'd give him a chance."

Outside his line of vision, a young man had appeared. Dressed in a white shirt and blue jeans, looking timid but well-mannered, he stood near the dormitory entrance clutching a bouquet of roses. His face betrayed a nervous eagerness as he lingered. Since graduating high school, he'd started taking over parts of Gu Family's business. Though still under thirty years old, he was seasoned from experience. Gu Jingchen always trusted his own judgment in sizing people up.

It was a day with early morning classes. By seven, the dorm's three young girls had already finished freshening up, gathering their books, laughing and chatting as they prepared to go to the cafeteria for breakfast.

"Xixia, good morning! I woke extra early to bike to the flower market and pick out these roses. They still have dew on them! I carefully selected each one myself, and I hope you like them. Xixia, I truly mean it—I've liked you for four years now. I just hope you'll give me a chance."

At the sight of Shang Xixia stepping out of her dormitory, Luo Hao strode forward nervously, extending the bouquet to the girl he idolized. Bathed in the morning sun, his refined face blushed with determination as he finally found the courage to confess.

"That guy? One look and you know he's just some pretty boy. All flash, no substance. Who'd even like someone like him? Tsk."

In the Maybach's cabin, an overwhelming wave of jealousy surged. The man stubbornly turned his head to stare out the window. All the casual, objective assessments he'd made earlier were now rejected outright. His handsome face darkened, frustration carving deep lines of his barely contained fury. The irrational emotions—childish and petulant—rendered him adorably unguarded, deviating completely from his usual composed self.

"Tch! A punk like him dares try to steal my woman?"

Gu Jingchen had the urge to step out and shout at the guy: "Hey, pal, her man's right here—she's mine!" But he thought about it again, and restrained himself.