Qiao Qingman truly did not expect that after finally avoiding the male lead in the parking lot, this man would actually chase her all the way to the restaurant where she was learning to cook.
No, had he not kissed her enough yesterday? The deadline for today’s task had not even arrived yet.
Why was the male lead in such a hurry?
Gu Qianshi was terrifying. Truly terrifying.
Soon, however, she noticed something was off. The male lead had changed into a dark blue suit, not a black one.
Speaking of which, did the color of his suit have some particular meaning?
In any case, if it was not black, did that mean he was not here to kiss her?
Then why was he here?
Could it be like yesterday, unable to stand seeing her with Chen Leyan?
She had not thought much of it before, but now that she considered it, yesterday the male lead had also looked displeased when he saw her and Chen Leyan together in the kitchen.
What was going on?
Surely he was not worried that she would tell Chen Leyan how inconsistent he was?
Acting as if he despised her on the surface, yet constantly kissing her back in private?
Forget it.
In any case, the moment the male lead appeared, the atmosphere between her and Chen Leyan seemed less awkward.
It was just that Chen Leyan looked rather… rather sorrowful?
Well, according to the plot setting, Chen Leyan loved her, she loved his cousin, and his cousin loved the female lead…
If the female lead happened to like Chen Leyan, would that not form a closed loop?
Everyone had someone they “deeply loved,” and everyone loved in vain.
Pfft, that was suddenly a little funny.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught the male lead watching her meaningfully. Qiao Qingman, who almost laughed: “……”
What was she thinking about?
Immediately after, a tall figure stepped in front of her, completely blocking her view of the male lead.
It was Chen Leyan.
His broad shoulders were tense, and one hand behind his back was clenched tightly, betraying his nervousness.
Even so, when facing his slightly taller cousin, Chen Leyan still stood firmly in front of her and said as calmly as he could, “Cousin, please don’t keep making things difficult for Miss Qiao.”
Gu Qianshi had told him yesterday, “Chen Leyan, next you’d better listen carefully to what kind of person the Qiao Qingman you think has given up on me really is.”
And now? Who was it that kept pursuing Qiao Qingman?
Chen Leyan exerted all his strength to suppress the surging darkness in his heart, so that it would not show in his gentle eyes.
Naturally, the Qiao Qingman behind him had no idea that in Chen Leyan’s heart, he had already fiercely condemned Gu Qianshi.
Nor did she know that Gu Qianshi, who had just finished part of his business discussion with a partner and was taking a short break in a nearby office, had taken a sip of iced coffee and suddenly sneezed for no apparent reason.
At this moment, Qiao Qingman actually felt somewhat helpless.
Her relationship with Gu Qianshi was complicated, so complicated that it was almost love and hate intertwined.
But to say that Gu Qianshi was “making things difficult” for her was not entirely accurate.
At most, it was a mutual benefit.
However, when Chen Leyan turned to look at her, and she saw the expectation in his clear eyes, she suddenly understood.
Back at the bar, Gu Qianshi had forcibly taken her away. And now, it was the same…
But back then, Gu Qianshi had most likely acted because she had stepped on his foot first. Or was it because he had seen Chen Leyan trying to help her and felt displeased?
No matter what, now that Chen Leyan had spoken those words, Qiao Qingman felt even more awkward.
After all, things are different now. Tonight, she still needed to discuss a compromise kissing location with the male lead. And she had indirectly rejected him once already this morning. Even though she was displeased with his behavior last night, she still had a task to complete…
“So Miss Qiao thinks I’m making things difficult for you?”
The man’s low, mellow voice, laced with faint amusement and pressure, echoed in the quiet space.
“If that’s the case…”
His tone was cool and calm, as if he was not angered by her silent refusal.
He merely cast a casual glance at Chen Leyan, who stood in front of her, and let out a soft, almost inaudible scoff. “Then I won’t disturb you.”
With that, he truly turned around and walked out.
Without the slightest hesitation.
Qiao Qingman’s breath caught. “W-Wait a moment!”
Was he really leaving just like that?
Last time, he had at least called her twice.
Qiao Qingman took a deep breath and forced herself to ignore Chen Leyan’s shocked, hurt gaze fixed tightly on her.
She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, I probably can’t continue learning to cook today either. But this isn’t your fault, it’s mine. So you must keep the payment.”
Please, please do not refund it again. Please let her spend this “large sum.”
After making her point, Qiao Qingman took out a cheque she had prepared in advance from her bag, placed it on the nearby table, and then walked decisively to the man standing by the entrance.
She lifted her chin slightly and gave him a polite smile. “Gu Qianshi, did you call me over for something important?”
“Why don’t we talk outside?”
To be honest, she truly did not want to continue any plot involving Chen Leyan.
Even if Chen Leyan’s sorrow stemmed only from the plot’s “passionate feelings” setting, she, as the catalyst, still felt uncomfortable.
As if she were some kind of villain.
Qiao Qingman hurried out of the restaurant as if escaping.
Gu Qingshan did not spare Chen Leyan another glance and followed her out.
Thus, the vast restaurant was left with only Chen Leyan alone.
Watching the figures of Qiao Qingman and the familiar man walk farther and farther away, the frustration and helplessness in Chen Leyan’s eyes disappeared.
He clenched both fists, veins bulging at his temples. In those usually sunny and pure eyes burst a chilling coldness.
Gu Qianshi. It was Gu Qianshi again.
His words sounded lofty and proper, yet twice he had taken Qiao Qingman away from Chen Leyan’s side. Was this what his cousin called “not liking” her?
Moreover, the last time outside the Qiao family villa, when Qiao Qingman kissed him, Gu Qianshi did not refuse and did not push her away.
Today, he had even come looking for her directly.
Was it really necessary to go this far just to prove to him that the person Qiao Qingman liked was still Gu Qianshi?
As a thought crossed his mind, a cold smile curled at Chen Leyan’s lips.
If he were to let Qiao Qingman know that the reason Gu Qianshi neither avoided nor rejected her, and even proactively took her away from his side, was merely to make him, this cousin, give up completely, then what would happen?
In reality, Gu Qingshan, who had been mistaken for Gu Qianshi, had only scheduled a meeting today with someone in the mall’s top-floor executive office to discuss an acquisition.
After finishing the negotiation, Gu Qingshan walked out of the mall and had just gotten into his car when, by sheer coincidence, he overheard two people discussing their boss’s decision to take the day off.
“I just heard the boss tell a Miss Qiao that our restaurant is undergoing renovations, but it was clearly operating normally yesterday.”
“Come on, that’s just a rich man’s little trick to pursue a girl. Aren’t those people who book entire cinemas considered romantic too?”
“Our boss is different. He just booked his own restaurant.”
“But that lady is really beautiful. She’s not inferior to top celebrities at all.”
“Really? Really? Ah, what a pity I didn’t see her.”
“What’s there to pity? Once our boss wins over the future boss’s wife, we’ll definitely get to see her.”
“That’s true.”
After finishing their discussion, the two of them walked straight out through the entrance.
They had no idea that after they left, in the back seat of a limited-edition ultra-luxury sedan parked by the entrance, Gu Qingshan had heard every word of their conversation clearly.
He slowly turned the watch on his wrist, and a trace of hostility flashed through his cold, deep-set brows.
Moments later, the man spoke calmly, “Where is Gu Qianshi?”
In the front passenger seat, Secretary Jiang replied, “At the top-floor Xinyue private restaurant.”
Xinyue Private Restaurant was the flagship private dining establishment of this high-end mall, and it was also a restaurant invested in and controlled by Gu Qingshan.
This restaurant was naturally operating normally today, let alone undergoing any “renovations.”
In other words, the person the two staff members mentioned was not Gu Qianshi.
Then who was it?
For some reason, the hostile, gloomy gaze he had accidentally encountered outside the Qiao family villa yesterday suddenly surfaced in Gu Qingshan’s mind.
Along with Secretary Jiang’s report: “According to our understanding, Miss Qiao recently… has been learning to cook with Chen Leyan.”
Gu Qingshan lowered his watch and instructed Secretary Jiang, “Confirm which restaurant Chen Leyan is the owner of.”
“Yes, President Gu.”
*
Qiao Qingman only wanted to leave the restaurant kitchen as quickly as possible. She did not want to face Chen Leyan alone.
But after walking out of the restaurant, she belatedly realized that the way the male lead had called her over was really infuriating.
Although he had not crooked his finger, he still carried that lofty, superior air.
Qiao Qingman felt displeased.
They both needed to kiss each other, and they could barely be considered unspoken “partners” now. How could the male lead treat a partner like this?
Negative review.
Qiao Qingman watched the man ahead walking with one hand in his pocket. His back was tall and straight, his presence imposing, with not the slightest consideration for waiting for her, a girl.
She followed behind him like a little lackey.
Qiao Qingman simply quickened her pace and overtook him. After walking several more steps forward, she stopped.
Just like the male lead had done to her in the restaurant, she slightly raised her chin and looked down at him. She even crooked her finger at him, just like she had outside the bar before. “Gu Qianshi, come here.”
Before the words had even finished leaving her mouth, Qiao Qingman’s back was suddenly bumped by a girl who was chatting and laughing with her friends.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” the girl quickly sidestepped and apologized.
Qiao Qingman lost her footing and reflexively lurched forward.
“Ah—”
However, the expected pain did not come.
Qiao Qingman unexpectedly crashed into a solid embrace.
Her breath caught in her throat. What entered her sight was a firm, warm chest.
Qiao Qingman suddenly widened her eyes. She lifted her gaze and met the rich, captivating eyes of the man holding her.
Their eyes locked. The man’s faint, fresh scent lingered at her nose, and the air between them fell into a brief silence.
The surroundings inexplicably became quiet, as if only the two of them remained.
The man’s facial features were sharp and flawless. His cold expression, bordering on ruthless, added an unmistakable sense of pressure to his refined, handsome face.
Warm sunlight outside streamed in through the windows, dyeing the hair above his head a dazzling golden hue and adding a layer of softness to his appearance.
Two extremely contradictory impressions slowly dissolved within the depth of his intense gaze. Instead, they stirred an urge to take a risk and test whether this man was truly as frightening as he seemed.
“Gu Qianshi.”
Qiao Qingman’s voice was so soft that even she herself did not notice it.
She called his name in a low tone.
Then, as if possessed, she rose onto her tiptoes and lightly kissed the man on the lips.
Immediately after, the system notification sounded in her mind: [Eighth day kiss. Check-in successful.]
Huh? Check-in successful?
Qiao Qingman froze and instinctively covered her lips.
She had no idea that when she kissed him in a way different from before, while still calling him “Gu Qianshi,” the man’s handsome brows had drawn tightly together.
At this moment, Qiao Qingman was afraid the male lead might suddenly give her a deep kiss in public.
At the same time, she thought in shock: She, she kissed Gu Qianshi? She just kissed the male lead, Gu Qianshi?
Today’s task was completed? Just like that?
What was going on?
Meeting the man’s dark, inscrutable gaze, Qiao Qingman’s already quickened heartbeat began to race even faster.
She grew completely tense and forgot to leave the man’s arms, standing there dumbly, her alluring peach-blossom eyes filled with unease and surprise.
However, the man merely stared at her with an unreadable expression. Just like that time at the private club, he did not move to kiss her back.
Qiao Qingman was baffled.
What confused her even more was that the man she had fallen into and kissed was now lifting his eyelids dangerously, asking with a half-smile that was not quite a smile, “Gu Qianshi?”
“Huh?” Qiao Qingman blinked in confusion.
If not “Gu Qianshi,” then what should she call him?
At that moment, the restrained laughter of two nearby girls reached Qiao Qingman’s ears.
She followed the sound and saw that the girl who had bumped into her and her companion were covering their mouths, smiling as they whispered to each other, clearly enjoying the scene and shipping the couple.
When they noticed Qiao Qingman looking over, the girl who had bumped into her quickly put away her smile and spoke up, “Sorry, sorry. I bumped into you earlier. I’m really sorry.”
Qiao Qingman knew that the two of them had misunderstood her relationship with the male lead.
Especially since she had just kissed him on impulse.
Wait, why was she still holding onto the male lead?
And why had this man not let go of her either?
Without time to think further, Qiao Qingman immediately pushed herself out of the man’s arms.
She squeezed out a polite smile toward the two girls and said weakly, “It’s okay.”
After the two of them left, Qiao Qingman immediately glared at the man in front of her.
“Gu Qianshi—”
This was strange. What was wrong with this man? In a situation like this, where people had misunderstood them, he did not explain at all?
And usually, didn’t he always kiss her back immediately after she kissed him? Why did he not do it today? It made it look like she alone had taken advantage of him, which was incredibly awkward.
Wait.
Qiao Qingman glanced at the two girls, who were still some distance away and happily chatted about things like “so handsome,” “so pretty,” “they look so good together,” and “she even kissed him.” Suddenly, she understood.
So this was the reason the male lead did not kiss her back today?
Thinking about it, it made sense. In the eyes of outsiders, the male lead was someone who truly disliked her, his former pursuer. How could he possibly kiss her back in public?
Wasn’t this the same as what happened at the private club?
Qiao Qingman felt she had figured it out.
Then she suddenly realized something important. Huh? This time, it seemed she did not feel sleepy either.
Huh? What was going on?
While she was still curious, Qiao Qingman noticed people coming and going around them, some appearing to be looking their way.
Thinking of what the two girls had said earlier, Qiao Qingman quickly grabbed the male lead’s hand and pulled him away from the area.
She had no idea that while she was thinking about those things, Gu Qingshan calmly took in Chen Leyan’s gloomy gaze at the restaurant entrance, a gaze filled with barely restrained emotion.
“Let’s go, hurry up,” Qiao Qingman urged, her voice reaching Gu Qingshan’s ears.
Gu Qingshan was pulled forward by Qiao Qingman. He lowered his head and looked at their joined hands, clearly feeling the warmth in the girl’s palm. At the same time, a strange emotion flickered through his heart.
Then it vanished just as quickly.
So quickly that even Gu Qingshan himself did not notice it.
After the two of them left, the adjacent escalator reached this floor.
Gu Qianshi, dressed in a suit, stepped off the escalator. He looked around and, seeing no one he recognized, frowned slightly.
He seemed to have heard someone call his name. And the voice sounded a bit like… Qiao Qingman’s?
“President Gu, what’s wrong?” Secretary Shen asked curiously from the side.
Gu Qianshi said, “…Nothing. Let’s go.”
The hand Gu Qianshi kept in his trouser pocket clenched tightly into a fist.
Strange. How could he have heard Qiao Qingman’s voice? He must have heard it wrong.
It was all Qiao Qingman’s fault, messing around with that “playing hard to get” nonsense for no reason.
Hallucinations last night? Auditory hallucinations today?
So annoying.
At the same time.
Qiao Qingman dragged Gu Qingshan all the way to the fifth floor, where there were few people around.
She took deep breaths, both relieved that they had escaped before more people could comment on them, and shocked to realize that after kissing the male lead this time, not only did she not feel sleepy, she actually felt more and more alert after that brief run.
Qiao Qingman released the man’s wrist and leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. Her mind, muddled from running, slowly became clear.
Thinking back on the kisses over the past few days, Qiao Qingman could not help wondering if perhaps…
She only felt sleepy when the male lead kissed her.
That would explain why, two days ago, when the male lead was sleepwalking, she did not feel as sleepy after kissing him as she did at other times.
Back then, she had thought it was because of that bitter melon coffee. Now it seemed that it was simply that the effect of the male lead kissing her wore off after a certain amount of time.
Qiao Qingman was absorbed in these thoughts and did not notice that the man, whose wrist she had released, lowered his gaze, glanced at the wrist she had let go of, then looked at the girl leaning against the wall, her cheeks flushed and a thin sheen of sweat at her temples.
A faint, unusual emotion surfaced in the depths of the man’s indifferent eyes, then quickly faded away.
In the next moment, after adjusting her breathing, Qiao Qingman walked over and pushed the man back against the wall. With blazing eyes, she said, “Gu Qianshi…”
Then she rose onto her tiptoes, pouted her lips, and said, barely containing her excitement, “Kiss me!”
Gu Qingshan, suddenly pinned against the wall: “?”
Although he did not know why Qiao Qingman took the initiative to kiss him every day.
There was one thing he did know. Qiao Qingman only kissed him once each day, and every time, after kissing him, she strongly resisted him kissing her and hurried to leave.
Except for that time at the private club.
And today.
That time at the private club, the man Qiao Qingman directly asked for a kiss from was the real Gu Qianshi.
Today, when she asked him for a kiss, she still called him by the name Gu Qianshi.
Gu Qingshan looked down at the girl in front of him, who was puckering her lips and asking him for a kiss.
This spot was secluded. The lighting was dim and yellow, yet it cast a hazy, seductive glow over Qiao Qingman’s fair, faintly flushed face.
The girl’s lips had beautiful lines, moist and pink, like an alluring peach in an ethereal mountain valley, tender and soft, making one want to bite into it and see if it was truly sweet and juicy.
Qiao Qingman’s skin was smooth and pale. The contours of her brows and eyes were both spirited and soft. Her nose was straight and delicate, her palm-sized face beautiful and moving. Especially when she closed her eyes, her long eyelashes were strikingly clear and captivating, making one want to draw infinitely closer.
Coupled with the faint, fresh scent on her body…
Her long eyelashes trembled gently. The nervous excitement faintly revealed within seemed to be a silent invitation, stirring endless imagination.
Gu Qingshan’s prominent Adam’s apple rolled slightly.
Then, as he thought of the name Qiao Qingman had called when asking him for a kiss, the man’s deep eyes darkened again and again.
Gu Qingshan closed his eyes deeply. When he opened them again, the restlessness in his gaze was dangerous and profound.
“Qiao Qingman—”
The man’s voice was low and heavy, carrying a trace of helplessness that even he himself had not noticed.
Qiao Qingman was waiting to conduct her experiment. However, after waiting for quite a while, her calves were already aching from standing on tiptoe, yet she still felt nothing on her lips.
Qiao Qingman felt puzzled.
Then she heard him call her name, in a tone that seemed to be restraining something.
Qiao Qingman opened her eyes in confusion and saw the man she had pinned against the wall looking at her meaningfully, with no intention of kissing her at all.
As Qiao Qingman’s confusion showed, he spoke lightly and asked, “What did you call me?”
Qiao Qingman froze slightly. “? Gu Qianshi. What’s wrong?”
Strange. Why was the male lead asking this?
She then saw the man towering over her, his gaze turning sharp.
In the next instant, the back of Qiao Qingman’s head was suddenly cradled by a large hand, and the man leaned in abruptly.
Immediately after, the man’s low, warm, dangerous, hoarse voice sounded by her ear.
“Remember this. My name is Gu Qingshan.”