Gu Chenshi felt Lin Ranran’s surprised gaze and looked up.
Lin Ranran, acting a bit spoiled, rolled her eyes and said, “Then you drink it yourself. I don’t drink things others have already sipped from.”
Gu Chenshi feigned surprise. “What? You want to drink it too?”
Lin Ranran was stunned again. “You didn’t buy it for me?”
Gu Chenshi smiled. He was actually quite handsome, and his smile was charming. “No, I bought it for myself because I wanted to drink it. So you wanted some too? Well, the milk tea shop is over there.”
Lin Ranran’s fair face flushed bright red with embarrassment.
She had mistakenly thought the milk tea someone else bought for themselves was meant for her, and she had even reached out for it so naturally in front of everyone. Wasn’t that just being presumptuous?
It really damaged her lofty goddess image.
But after leaving the private room, she had indeed said she was thirsty, and then Gu Chenshi had disappeared.
Based on Lin Ranran’s understanding of Gu Chenshi, he must have gone to buy her a drink, and it would definitely be her favorite flavor.
Gu Chenshi had always revolved around her, paying attention to her every move. She had grown so accustomed to it that no matter what he did for her, she took it for granted. That’s why the awkward misunderstanding had just happened.
Lin Ranran was thin-skinned and a bit sulky.
Even if she had made a mistake, it was still Gu Chenshi’s fault!
Why didn’t he buy her a cup too?
Why did he have to embarrass her in front of everyone?
Hmph, she never wanted to talk to him again!
Seeing Lin Ranran’s embarrassment, someone immediately stepped in to smooth things over. “It’s just milk tea. If you want some, I’ll go buy it for you right now.”
The boy speaking was named Kong Xiao, one of Lin Ranran’s many admirers. In the past, Gu Chenshi had seen him as a rival and secretly competed with him, but now… well, whatever made him happy.
Before Kong Xiao eagerly ran off to buy milk tea, he didn’t forget to belittle Gu Chenshi. “I mean, Gu Chenshi, how can you be so stingy? Buying only one cup of milk tea and drinking it right in front of us. If you’re this cheap, whoever marries you in the future will be really unlucky.”
This Kong Xiao—Gu Chenshi would definitely find a way to deal with him properly when he had the chance.
In his previous life, when Gu Chenshi was bedridden and living in misery, Kong Xiao had visited.
He hadn’t come to comfort Gu Chenshi but to mock him sarcastically and rub salt in his wounds.
Gu Chenshi smiled. “Yeah, you’re right. One, two, three, four… Well, I’ll pass since I’ve already had mine. I don’t want to trouble you.
There are thirteen people in total. You’ll have to buy thirteen cups. That’s quite a hassle. If you can’t carry them all, just let me know. I’ll help you.”
Kong Xiao: “…”
He had only intended to please the school belle and buy her a cup specifically, not for everyone else. But with Gu Chenshi stirring things up, if he really came back with just one cup after mocking Gu Chenshi for being stingy, wouldn’t that be slapping himself in the face?
Of course, Kong Xiao’s parents were both company executives, and his family was well-off. He wasn’t short on money, but being outmaneuvered by Gu Chenshi like this made him uncomfortable.
Besides, he only wanted to show off in front of the school belle. If he bought for everyone, the gesture would lose its special meaning.
Kong Xiao was angry, but he was in a difficult position and had no choice but to grit his teeth and go buy the milk tea.
“Hey—did you figure out everyone’s preferred flavors? If you buy flavors no one likes, it’d be a waste to throw them away.”
Gu Chenshi leisurely called out to stop him.
Kong Xiao: “…”
Although he knew Gu Chenshi was doing it on purpose, others wouldn’t see it that way—instead, they’d think he was being considerate.
So I’m spending money and effort, while you just flap your lips and get to be the good guy?
By the time Kong Xiao had confirmed everyone’s preferences one by one and bought back thirteen cups of milk tea, his hands were full of milk tea bags. He didn’t look like someone generously treating everyone; he looked more like a street vendor.
Everyone cheerfully accepted their milk tea, thanked him, waved goodbye, and scattered.
Soon, only Gu Chenshi, Kong Xiao, and Lin Ranran remained.
Kong Xiao smiled ingratiatingly at Lin Ranran. “Lin Ranran, you’re so beautiful. It definitely wouldn’t be safe for you to go home alone. Let me walk you back.”
Lin Ranran bit her straw, her eyes discreetly glancing at Gu Chenshi. She gave a light hum and nodded.
Kong Xiao was overjoyed. He looked at Gu Chenshi with a triumphant expression.
Gu Chenshi had finished his milk tea. He casually tossed the empty cup into a trash can and, without looking back, tossed out a “bye” before walking away.
Lin Ranran stared blankly at his retreating figure, suddenly feeling he seemed a bit unfamiliar.
She had agreed to Kong Xiao’s offer to walk her home. Under normal circumstances, Gu Chenshi would definitely have been very displeased and would have tried to win the chance to walk her home himself.
She had agreed to Kong Xiao precisely to get back at Gu Chenshi for making her lose face earlier.
But she hadn’t gotten the reaction she wanted from Gu Chenshi—no panic or distress on his face. Instead, he had calmly left?
Lin Ranran bit her lower lip. Why did she feel a bit wronged?
“Lin Ranran, the car’s here. Shall we go?”
A taxi arrived. Kong Xiao happily ran to open the car door, looking at her expectantly.
Lin Ranran suddenly regretted it.
She really didn’t want Kong Xiao to walk her home at all.
Nor did she want to give Kong Xiao any notion that “she might be someone I can pursue.”
She had only agreed earlier to provoke Gu Chenshi!
But now, how could she go back on her word and say, “I don’t need you to walk me, thanks”?
After getting in the car, no matter how excited Kong Xiao was or how he tried to liven up the atmosphere, Lin Ranran remained silent the whole time, seeming disinterested.
At this moment, Lin Ranran actually really wished that the person sitting next to her was Gu Chenshi.
Gu Chenshi was considerate and quiet.
He would never chatter incessantly or try to show off just to get her attention.
He wouldn’t tell jokes that weren’t funny at all in an attempt to amuse her.
He always knew just the right way to show concern, unlike other boys who annoyed her.
But tonight, what was wrong with him?
Before, she had thought he was dispensable. But now that he wasn’t by her side, why did her heart feel unsettled?
Lin Ranran pondered distractedly the whole way. It wasn’t until right before bed that she seemed to figure it out.
Was Gu Chenshi angry because she had agreed to let Kong Xiao walk her home?
Thinking this, Lin Ranran let out a long sigh of relief.
Her annoyance toward Gu Chenshi grew a bit more.
So this guy is pretty petty too. I’m not his private property, nor am I his girlfriend. I can let whoever I want walk me home. What business is it of his?
Hmph, I’m not going to pay attention to you anymore!
No matter how you apologize to me, I won’t pay attention to you!
That’s what she thought, but before bed, she couldn’t help checking her phone over and over again.
If it were any other day, Gu Chenshi would have sent a message asking if she had gotten home safely.
But today, the chat history stopped at this morning, with a birthday wish from Gu Chenshi—just four short words: Happy Birthday.
When she saw this message among the many birthday greetings this morning, she couldn’t even be bothered to reply.
It was nearly ten o’clock when Gu Chenshi got home. Mother was in the kitchen making dumplings.
Gu Chenshi’s family was of modest means.
Mother worked as a stock clerk at a supermarket in the mall, while Father was an ordinary company employee who often traveled for work, returning home once every ten days or half a month.
Mother got off work late and was busy making dumplings to store in the freezer for Gu Chenshi’s breakfast.
“How was your outing?”
Jing Lan looked up at her beloved son, who stood a head taller than her, her eyes filled with affection.
Gu Chenshi washed his hands and picked up a dumpling wrapper to help.
Jing Lan shooed him away: “Oh, don’t bother! Your dumplings are too ugly—they don’t look appetizing at all. Go wash up and get some sleep. You have to wake up early tomorrow.”
Gu Chenshi looked at the deep wrinkles at the corners of his mother’s eyes and was overwhelmed with guilt.