Chapter 51: Eye Contact

“Xunxun, wake up.”

Jiang Bomu collected her emotions and softly called out to Gu Yu.

Gu Yu kept her eyes shut, mumbling, “What is it?”

“Go sleep on the bed. It’s not comfortable here.”

“But holding you is so comfortable.”

Emboldened by that kiss, Gu Yu snuggled even closer into her embrace. Her tone, however, was sorrowful. “I won’t see you in a few days. Can’t you let me hold you a little longer?”

So pitiful it would make anyone who heard it weep. Gu Yu felt her acting was already at the level of a Best Actress winner. The next Oscars statuette deserved to go to her!

Jiang Bomu sighed and indulged her. “Alright. Hold on a little longer.”

She wanted to cherish every opportunity to be with Gu Yu.

Not wanting the atmosphere to be so heavy, Gu Yu chatted idly. “Sister, what event are you attending tomorrow?”

Ever since she’d moved in with Jiang Bomu, she hadn’t paid much attention to Weibo. The person was right in front of her, so why not just ask?

“Zhenyan Jewelry,” Jiang Bomu said. Her index finger moved slightly, twirling a strand of Gu Yu’s hair. “Actually, you’ve met Zhenyan’s Design Director before.”

Met her? Gu Yu froze, thinking back carefully. She didn’t know any Design Director.

“My cousin,” Jiang Bomu’s finger moved again, lifting the pendant that sparkled faintly against her collarbone. “She designed this.”

Gu Yu blinked, recalling the scene when she’d met Cousin that day. Only four words came to mind—Ice Mountain Beauty. The red string on Cousin’s wrist was also etched in her memory.

“Cousin is so beautiful,” Gu Yu praised sincerely. “The moment I saw her, I thought she was like the moon.”

“How so?”

“Just a feeling,” Gu Yu thought for a moment. “The glow of a bright moon.”

Jiang Bomu’s lips curved into a smile. “What a coincidence. Her name has ‘Moon’ in it. Bo Shiyue.”

Gu Yu suddenly understood. “So the second character in your name is your mom’s surname? Paired with ‘Mu’ (Dusk), it’s absolutely stunning!”

Jiang Bomu didn’t want to discuss it further. “I’ll go in the morning and be back by evening,” she said lightly.

“Will there be lots of celebrities? Let me see if any of my favorites are there.”

Jiang Bomu narrowed her eyes. “Want me to get you autographs?”

“How did you know?” Gu Yu asked, surprised.

“Lucky guess.”

Actually, she was remembering that time on set when Gu Yu had asked her to get Song Zhiwei’s signed photo. She wasn’t used to doing such things, but since it was what Gu Yu wanted, she added, “I’ll have Tao Tao send you the guest list later.”

“Yay!”

Jiang Bomu asked, “Can you let go now?”

Gu Yu whined, “No, I haven’t woken up yet.”

“But I need to use the bathroom.”

“Kiss me and I’ll let you go.” Gu Yu pointed to her cheek. “Right here.”

She really wanted a real kiss, but she feared Jiang Bomu would get shy. That stolen kiss just now must have used up all her courage.

She had to take it slow.

Cheering herself on internally, Gu Yu closed her eyes, giving Jiang Bomu no chance to refuse.

But that kiss never landed.

Gu Yu felt a little helpless. They were mutually in love, so why was she still so shy? Besides, a kiss on the cheek was totally normal in many foreign social customs.

Gu Yu decided to use that to convince her. Just as she was about to speak, the fresh, sweet scent of grapes enveloped her. In the next second, a soft kiss landed on the corner of her mouth, gone as quickly as it came.

“You…” Gu Yu’s eyes flew open, staring at her in stunned disbelief.

“It was too dark. I accidentally missed.” Jiang Bomu stood up calmly, but her flickering gaze betrayed her nervousness. “Alright, let’s go out now.”

Saying this, she walked out of the room, her steps distinctly hurried.

Gu Yu sat securely on the sofa. The corner of her mouth, just kissed, tilted upward in an ecstatic curve. So, even she could have little schemes like that.

Then, thinking of something else, Gu Yu felt a pang of regret. Why hadn’t she reacted faster back then? If she’d known, she would have kissed her directly! They could have confessed and gotten together right then and there!

A perfect chance, missed!

Just as she was lamenting, Tao Tao sent a WeChat message—the guest list for tomorrow’s jewelry event. Gu Yu raised an eyebrow. Tomorrow would be an even better opportunity. She could plan and set up a romantic confession atmosphere.

Inspiration struck almost instantly, and she wished it were tomorrow already.

Sadly, it was only five o’clock. But thinking that by this time tomorrow, Jiang Bomu would be almost home and they’d be together, Gu Yu felt she could endure one more day.

Holding Wan An, she walked out of the room in high spirits, just in time to see Jiang Bomu coming out of the bathroom.

“So, is your absolute favorite star going to be there?”

The words “absolute favorite” were enunciated just a bit too heavily.

Gu Yu beamed. “Yep!”

Jiang Bomu stroked Wan An, asking casually, “Who is it?”

Gu Yu played coy. “Guess.”

“Boring.” Jiang Bomu spoke coldly, taking Wan An and heading towards the cat tree.

Gu Yu followed, kindly reminding her, “Her name has three characters.”

“Not guessing.”

Jiang Bomu tossed the words out, placed Wan An on the cat tree, and turned to walk towards the kitchen.

“Fine, I won’t tell you then.”

Gu Yu spoke indifferently, but inside she was blooming with delight. She was pretending not to care, but wasn’t she burning with curiosity inside?

She wanted to see just how long Jiang Bomu could hold out.

Counting silently from one, by the time she reached seven, Jiang Bomu spoke coldly. “If you don’t tell me, how am I supposed to get her autograph for you?”

“Oh, right,” Gu Yu said, as if suddenly realizing. Then, with utmost solemnity, she announced, “Her name is Jiang Bomu.”

Jiang Bomu: “…How childish.”

But a hint of a smile touched her face.

Gu Yu sidled up to her, acting coy. “But I don’t have a personalized autograph from you! You even gave one to Song Zhiwei, and that was your first meeting! I’m your little assistant by day, and I provide ‘night services’ by night. Even without great achievements, I’ve worked hard, right? I don’t care, I want one too!”

Jiang Bomu felt her face heat up, whether from her closeness or her bold words she wasn’t sure. “Watch your language,” she said with forced sternness.

“Huh?” Gu Yu played dumb. “What did I say wrong? Sister, can you repeat it for me?”

“…” Jiang Bomu was utterly at a loss. She had no choice but to change the subject stiffly. “Forget it. I need to start cooking. Go wash the vegetables.”

“No, I said something wrong, Sister might be angry,” Gu Yu feigned innocence. “Sister, tell me what it was.”

Jiang Bomu took it seriously. Flustered, she said, “Xunxun, I’m not angry.”

“Really?” Gu Yu said softly. “Then look into my eyes. Thirty seconds. I’ll know if you’re lying.”

Jiang Bomu didn’t suspect a thing. Her gaze locked onto Gu Yu’s.

For the first ten seconds, her mind was clear. She just thought Gu Yu’s eyes looked a lot like Grandma Qiao’s.

Another ten seconds passed. Looking into Gu Yu’s eyes, she felt the urge to look away, because she realized she wanted to kiss her. She lowered her eyes slightly, her gaze drifting to her lips. Her ear tips flamed, and her eyes immediately moved back up.

The final ten seconds. She tried to empty her mind, but it was useless. Facing Gu Yu’s steady gaze, she couldn’t ignore it.

At the thirtieth second, she slowly leaned closer to Gu Yu.

Nose brushed against nose. Lips met.

Their intertwining breath was so intoxicating. The erratic rhythm was proof of stirring emotions. Neither knew whose hand reached for the other’s waist first. They pressed close to each other, with no distance left between them.

Gu Yu gently pressed and teased her lips, a sense of finality settling in her heart. The twilight had finally rushed towards her.

In the next second, the twilight scattered, hanging once more in the distant sky.

“Sister…” Gu Yu murmured, feeling a sense of loss.

“Xunxun, I…” Jiang Bomu bit her lip, unsure how to begin.

“I understand,” Gu Yu said, steadying her breath. “It was just another accident.”

A few days ago, Jian Ya had told her that strangers who make eye contact for thirty seconds could develop feelings for each other. She’d applied the knowledge, never expecting such success.

Though right now, Jiang Bomu seemed like a playgirl who pulls up her dress and refuses to take responsibility, thinking of her big confession plan for tomorrow, Gu Yu decided to go along with Jiang Bomu’s lead. Tomorrow, everything would be cleared up. As long as Jiang Bomu told her all her worries, they’d find a solution.

“Sorry,” Jiang Bomu whispered. “Xunxun, it’s my fault.”

“If you come home early tomorrow, I’ll forget this kiss.” Gu Yu asked with a smiling face, “Okay?”

Even though she’d used this tactic before, she knew Jiang Bomu wouldn’t refuse.

Just as expected, Jiang Bomu agreed, a little surprised. “I’ll try to be back by five.”

“That’s way too early!” Gu Yu regretted the words the moment they left her mouth and quickly added, “Seven is fine. Don’t push yourself too hard.”

“Alright.”

Gu Yu’s smile was very sweet. Tomorrow, they would be together. They could embrace and kiss openly.

The wish she’d made four years ago would come true tomorrow.