Forbidden to Flirt and Run 14

Chapter 14

Every time she encountered Gu Yizhi, nothing good ever happened. It was always either awkward or embarrassing.

And this time, besides the embarrassment, Xu Qingtang had a very strange thought—Gu Yizhi was doing it on purpose.

Xu Qingtang thought of them nonsensically discussing cemeteries in the theater that day, of the rental information she had glimpsed in Gu Yizhi’s office, and of the very perfunctory lottery method Tang Gui had mentioned.

For what?

Just to rent the apartment to her cheaply?

Haha, how could that be possible?

Compared to the perfunctory lottery at her friend’s company, Xu Qingtang felt that her own idea was even more ridiculous.

Xu Qingtang was silent for a long while before she found her voice again. “Is this apartment yours?”

Gu Yizhi slowly walked over and stopped in front of Xu Qingtang. “Yes. It was empty anyway, so I thought I’d use it as an employee benefit.”

Xu Qingtang gave an awkward laugh, remembering a question she hadn’t had a chance to ask just now. “So, should I give the rent to you or your colleague in the future?”

“You can just give it to me.”

“Don’t be nervous,” Gu Yizhi’s gaze lingered on her for a moment, then she explained with a smile, “I’m just here to pick something up.”

Xu Qingtang had already regained her composure and nodded. “Feel free.” After a moment’s thought, she asked, “You don’t mind if I change the lock, do you?”

Gu Yizhi was very easygoing. “It’s up to you.”

Xu Qingtang sat down on the sofa, put away the contract, and watched the door to the second bedroom. Gu Yizhi was quick; she was in and out in less than two minutes. Xu Qingtang’s eyes were on Gu Yizhi the entire time. The moment their eyes met, Gu Yizhi asked calmly, “Do you hate me?”

Xu Qingtang was taken aback and subconsciously replied, “How could I?”

She really didn’t hate Gu Yizhi. On the contrary, getting along with her wasn’t bad. It would be fine if they could be friends, but Gu Yizhi’s goal was clearly to sleep with her.

“You think I want something to happen between us?”

Is there even a need to think? Xu Qingtang grumbled inwardly, but on the surface, she just smiled faintly and didn’t answer.

Gu Yizhi: “I do think so.”

Xu Qingtang’s eyes widened.

Gu Yizhi smiled again. “Just kidding.”

Xu Qingtang breathed a sigh of relief as she heard her say, “Actually, my sexual orientation is the same as yours.”

Xu Qingtang asked, “Straight?”

Gu Yizhi was noncommittal and just asked, “So, can two people who are the same have a meal together? Um, the reason is to congratulate Miss Xu on her move. What do you think?”

So she’s really just curious about what it’s like to kiss and make love with a woman?

Xu Qingtang discreetly sized her up, weighing the truthfulness of her words. She quickly came to believe her, but she still refused the invitation to dinner. She said, “No trouble, I still have to go back to the theater.”

“Alright.”

Gu Yizhi’s generous attitude made Xu Qingtang believe her a little more.

Having rented a satisfactory apartment, she felt cheerful. The high heels on her feet were steady and light. But as she stepped over the threshold, she accidentally tripped on a crack, fell against the doorframe with a bang, and a sharp pain shot through her ankle. The pain dispelled her reason, and she was dazed for a moment. When she came to her senses, Gu Yizhi was already helping her up. “How are you? Can you still walk?”

“I’m fine,” Xu Qingtang subconsciously pulled her hand away. “Thanks.”

Gu Yizhi suggested, “Why don’t you rest for a bit before you go back?”

“No need, it’s not a big deal.”

Xu Qingtang tried to take two steps. With each step, a piercing pain shot through her, as if her bones were being dismantled piece by piece. She endured the pain and said, “I’ll be going now.”

Gu Yizhi turned back to close the door and said, “I’m heading back too. You can tell me if you need anything.”

The elevator arrived. Xu Qingtang walked in with a slightly slow pace and let out a breath. “I’m not that fragile.”

“Are you really okay?”

“I’m really okay.”

Xu Qingtang had never liked showing vulnerability in front of outsiders. She took a deep breath and feigned nonchalance.

The mind can be stubborn, but the body is often the most honest. Not far from the first-floor lobby, Xu Qingtang was in so much pain that she couldn’t stand up straight and had to sit down on a roadside bench, looking a little disheveled.

Seeing this, Gu Yizhi squatted down. Noticing the swelling on her ankle, she looked up slightly and asked, “Is your matter very urgent? If not, I suggest we go to the hospital first.”

Xu Qingtang’s voice was restrained. “It’s a small matter.”

Gu Yizhi was firm. “I’ll carry you.”

Xu Qingtang was slightly taken aback. “Huh?”

Can you…

As if she had read her mind, Gu Yizhi smiled helplessly and explained, “My car is in the parking lot, not far. If you don’t want the situation to worsen, I think not being stubborn is the wise choice.”

She had originally thought the pain was just from the fall and would pass if she endured it. Now it seemed she might have sprained her ankle. She had frequent rehearsals and performances in the coming period, and her work didn’t allow her to be stubborn at this time.

Xu Qingtang didn’t hesitate any longer. She cooperatively wrapped her arms around Gu Yizhi’s neck and easily hopped onto her back, whispering a soft “thank you” in her ear.

Gu Yizhi’s back was not as thin as she had imagined. It was slender yet warm. Xu Qingtang controlled her strength, trying to lighten the burden for her. As the gentle breeze blew, Gu Yizhi’s ink-black long hair swayed with it. A faint scent of cedar came from behind her ear, fresh and pleasant.

Xu Qingtang felt a little embarrassed and said, “If you’re tired, you can put me down.”

Gu Yizhi’s voice was quite relaxed. “It’s alright.”

Xu Qingtang was silent for a moment, then asked, “Am I heavy?”

Gu Yizhi: “Very light.”

Xu Qingtang hummed in agreement and said no more, quietly letting Gu Yizhi carry her. Occasionally, she could see the lost-and-found earring on Gu Yizhi’s ear. As if she had thought of something again, she asked, “Gu Yizhi, how much do you weigh?”

Before Gu Yizhi could answer, she answered herself, “Ninety-seven or ninety-eight?”

Gu Yizhi hummed in agreement. “For a while, yes. I might be a little heavier now.”

Xu Qingtang sneered inwardly.

In the past, Lin Huaijia had tried to carry her but couldn’t, saying she was heavy and sincerely suggesting that she should lose weight to ninety-seven or ninety-eight.

In fact, she had only weighed a little over ninety at the time. Even though she wasn’t as tall as Gu Yizhi, at one meter sixty-eight, she was still in the slender category.

Of course, that was just a small matter, but looking back now, every detail was tinged with a nauseating flavor.

As they got into the car, Xu Qingtang seemed to remember something and said, “Don’t go to the municipal hospital.”

Gu Yizhi didn’t ask why. “Alright.”

At the hospital, Xu Qingtang had an X-ray taken at the orthopedics department. There was a slight dislocation. After it was successfully reset, Xu Qingtang’s fair face was completely drained of color. She held onto the armrest of the chair and lamented, “People are so fragile.”

Gu Yizhi came in from outside the ward. Xu Qingtang stopped her lamenting, composed herself, and said with a slight smile, “I thought you had left.”

Gu Yizhi asked, “Do you need to stay in the hospital for a night?”

Xu Qingtang felt much better and shook her head. “No need, it shouldn’t be a big problem. I can go back by myself later.” As she spoke, she tried to gently swing her right leg.

Gu Yizhi hummed noncommittally, slowly squatted down, and held Xu Qingtang’s leg bone. As she let out a surprised cry, she said, “Don’t move.”

Then she took a band-aid from her pocket, tore it open, and gently applied it to Xu Qingtang’s left calf.

Xu Qingtang first felt a slight pain and a cool sensation. Watching Gu Yizhi’s gentle and careful movements, her cool face softened a little. She was slightly dazed, then said a little uncomfortably, “Uh… thank you.”

Gu Yizhi stared at her leg bone. There were many fine scars on it, which looked quite old. She asked softly, “Have you fallen before?”

Xu Qingtang pulled the hem of her qipao over it, her eyes avoiding hers. “They’re from when I was practicing.”

After a moment of silence, Xu Qingtang took the initiative to ask, “Are you free tonight? I mean, is there anything you’d particularly like to eat? My treat.”

After all, the other person had been kind enough to take her to the hospital. She couldn’t just do nothing.

Xu Qingtang added thoughtfully, “It doesn’t have to be a meal. Or is there anything you need?”

Gu Yizhi threw the remaining band-aid wrapper into the trash can. “Anything?”

Xu Qingtang said, “Anything.”

Gu Yizhi sat opposite her and said softly, “So decisive. Aren’t you afraid I’ll ask for something you can’t do?”

“As long as it’s within my ability.”

“Kiss me.”