Among Lin Ranran’s classmates, Lin’s mother only knew Kong Xiao.
She had met Gu Chenshi once before, but at that time she was too angry to take a good look at him.
Now, seeing him again, she realized that Gu Chenshi was handsome, with outstanding looks and an extraordinary demeanor.
Lin Ranran looked at him apologetically: “My mother has always felt quite embarrassed about what happened last time, and I also feel very sorry. So today, I came to sincerely apologize to you in person.”
Gu Chenshi said: “My mother is right—what’s past is past, and I’ve already forgotten about it.”
Curiously, Lin Ranran peeked behind him and asked with a smile, “What does your room look like? Can I take a look?”
Partly because she was genuinely curious, and partly because she wanted to show the adults that they were on good terms.
Gu Chenshi had closed the door when he came out, so Lin Ranran couldn’t see inside.
Gu Chenshi replied: “Better not. I just got up, and the bed isn’t made. It’s a mess.”
Lin Ranran said: “Then why don’t you be a bit more diligent and make the bed? Auntie must often worry about you, right?”
Gu Chenshi didn’t respond.
He thought to himself, Lin Ranran, aren’t you tired? Where’s your usual arrogant, nose-in-the-air attitude?
That’s the real you!
Jing Lan smiled and said: “Chenshi is usually quite well-behaved. He really doesn’t give me much to worry about.”
While the adults chatted on the side, Lin Ranran wanted to talk to Gu Chenshi, but he excused himself to brush his teeth and wash his face, avoiding her.
Listening to the back-and-forth conversation in the living room, he felt utterly speechless.
What exactly was Lin Ranran trying to do?
As Zhou Xiangyu had said, had she seen his good qualities and wanted to reconcile?
Impossible.
Then what could it be?
Oh, it must be that her mother felt that coming alone wasn’t sincere enough, so she dragged Lin Ranran along.
That had to be it.
Gu Chenshi noticed the porridge and meat buns in the pot.
“Auntie, have you had breakfast yet?” Gu Chenshi asked politely.
Lin’s mother quickly replied that they had.
“Mom, why did you prepare so many buns?”
“Oh, they’re for Xiao Yu. That child wakes up late, so I didn’t bring them to her.”
Gu Chenshi said: “If we don’t eat them soon, the buns will get cold. I’ll take them to her. Auntie, I’ll be right back.”
Lin’s mother naturally replied: “Alright, go ahead and do what you need to do.”
Carrying the meat buns and a bowl of porridge, Gu Chenshi stepped out of his home and stood in front of the neighboring door, raising his hand to knock.
As he knocked, he prayed that Qiao Yu was already awake.
He really didn’t want to engage in insincere small talk with Lin Ranran and her mother. He needed a place to hide, even if it meant getting scolded by his mother later.
The door opened quickly.
“Auntie, last night I had a really interesting—”
Qiao Yu, with her hair loose and wearing a comfortable, thick fleece loungewear, opened the door with a smile, eager to share the fresh dream she had just had the night before. But before she could finish, she suddenly realized that the person standing in front of her wasn’t her aunt…
Qiao Yu stared at Gu Chenshi with wide, startled eyes, her mouth slightly agape, momentarily flustered.
Gu Chenshi raised the plate in his hand: “My mother saved breakfast for you.”
Qiao Yu took it and whispered, “Thank you…”
Seeing that she was fully dressed and nothing seemed inconvenient, Gu Chenshi asked quietly: “Is it okay if I come in?”
Qiao Yu was surprised again, a bit flustered as she replied: “Y-yes…”
Though she felt a bit reluctant in her heart, she still agreed.
Because he was Auntie’s son…
Gu Chenshi breathed a sigh of relief, thanked her, and slipped inside.
Then, without looking around, he picked up a steamed bun—there were plenty of buns—and stood by the living room window, gazing outside as he ate obediently.
Qiao Yu was taken aback.
Had he come to her place just to eat?
But didn’t he have his own home?
Qiao Yu was puzzled but didn’t ask.
She was only close to Gu Chenshi’s mother. Strictly speaking, she and Gu Chenshi were still strangers who didn’t know much about each other.
Qiao Yu handed him the only bowl of porridge.
Gu Chenshi said, “No need, thank you. I have some at home. I’ll go back and have it later. You should drink it while it’s hot, or it’ll get cold.”
Qiao Yu silently picked up a meat bun and took a bite. Mmm, the savory aroma filled her mouth—it was delicious.
“Thank you…” she whispered again.
Gu Chenshi stood with his back to her, tall and straight, his figure imposing an almost suffocating pressure.
He didn’t react, probably not hearing her.
Gu Chenshi indeed hadn’t heard; he was lost in thought.
After finishing the bun in his hand, Gu Chenshi wondered what he was doing hiding here. How could he let Lin Ranran affect him like this? She wasn’t worth it.
At that thought, he decided to just go home.
Gu Chenshi turned around and accidentally met a pair of bright, clear eyes that had been secretly observing him. When he looked over, their owner was clearly startled and quickly averted her gaze.
Gu Chenshi thought, what a strange person.
But maybe he seemed just as strange in her eyes.
He had his own home, yet he’d inexplicably come to her place and stayed for a while. What was the point?
Gu Chenshi said, “Thank you, I’m leaving.”
Qiao Yu sat on the living room sofa, sipping porridge with a spoon, looking quite elegant.
Hearing that Gu Chenshi was leaving, she said “Oh,” then stood up as if to see him out.
Gu Chenshi had already opened the door and was about to tell her not to be so polite when a question suddenly occurred to him.
“Wait,” Gu Chenshi stood at the threshold, looking back at Qiao Yu. After hesitating, he asked, “Um… would it be okay to ask if you’ve run into some kind of trouble?”
Qiao Yu looked up at him blankly.
The girl’s long hair fell softly over her shoulders, her fair face free of makeup, and her eyes sparkling with a youthful beauty that could make one’s heart skip a beat.
Fortunately, Gu Chenshi was mentally strong now, or his heart would have definitely missed a beat.
“What?” she asked, confused.
Gu Chenshi said, “The first time we met—oh, not when I hung the curtains for you, I don’t know if you noticed—before I hung the curtains, you came back from outside, and I was walking right behind you.”
Qiao Yu thought back and recalled that there had indeed been someone behind her at the time, who later overtook her and walked ahead.
She hadn’t paid much attention then, but with Gu Chenshi’s reminder, she realized that person was him.
“You looked very nervous back then, as if someone was following you—what was going on?”
Gu Chenshi had to get to the bottom of this.
Because his mother was getting too close to her now, almost like mother and daughter. If Qiao Yu really was trouble, it might affect their family, so Gu Chenshi couldn’t help but be cautious.
Qiao Yu fell silent for a moment.
Gu Chenshi said, “If you don’t want to talk about it, then forget it.”
But later, he must remind his mother not to bare her heart to everyone—the key is, only if she’s willing to listen.