Chapter 35 Part 1

Chi Nuan barely slept that night. After midnight, she reluctantly said goodnight to Gu Ningzi. She finally drifted off, only to wake up midway through her dream with a smile on her face. It was already past four in the morning, and she had only gotten two or three hours of shut-eye. Yet Chi Nuan was full of energy and didn’t feel sleepy at all. She looked up at the roses on her desk and thought about what happened the night before. Unknowingly, her face heated up again.

She hugged the blanket and rolled around, her mind filled with Gu Ningzi. She blushed all the way to her ears.

In the morning, as she left the house with Chi Qingchuan, she received a message from Gu Ningzi: “I didn’t sleep at all last night…”

Chi Nuan read it and couldn’t hold back. She let out a “pfft” of laughter.

Chi Qingchuan: “…”

Chi Nuan replied to Gu Ningzi: “Then get a good sleep during the day.”

Gu Ningzi: “Can I come find you tonight?”

“No.” Chi Nuan’s lips curved upward persistently.

…

Chi Nuan swept away her listlessness from the holiday so far. Everything she said and did carried an enchanting sweet smile. Sister Mu stood behind the cash register, sighing as she asked, “Did something good happen to you?”

It was just small talk to start a conversation. Sister Mu wasn’t overly curious about Chi Nuan’s affairs and went on about her own: “My boyfriend and I broke up.”

Chi Nuan: “Ah…”

It was a slow afternoon with few customers in the store. Sister Mu sniffled and continued, “Late last night, I was scrolling through Weibo and saw a post from a junior from the neighboring department. She was holding a huge bouquet of roses, standing in a heart made of candles. The one who confessed to her and spent Valentine’s Day with her was my boyfriend.”

Chi Nuan listened with her mouth agape.

Sister Mu: “I really… in that instant, I felt like my mind went blank. I was so angry I was shaking all over. I called him to get some answers, and he hung up on me right away. I… I’m going to the mall after work today to return the shoes. Xiao Chi, do you have time to come with me?”

Chi Nuan: “Sure, Sister Mu. I’ll go with you.”

Since she had already promised Sister Mu, Chi Nuan naturally had to tell Gu Ningzi: “Are you coming today? After work, I have to go to the mall with a coworker first.”

Gu Ningzi: “Didn’t you say I couldn’t come find you?”

Chi Nuan: “Yeah [smiley]”

Gu Ningzi: “Oh [smiley]”

After nightfall, Chi Nuan looked toward the shop door every few minutes. But even until closing time, Gu Ningzi never showed up.

She dawdled while packing her bag. After leaving the store with Sister Mu, Chi Nuan kept looking around and glancing back, but there was still no sign of Gu Ningzi.

She really wasn’t coming?? …She couldn’t be mad, could she?

Chi Nuan: “…”

They went to the mall and headed to the sneaker brand counter. It didn’t take much effort—the clerk patiently handled the return. As the shoes were taken back, tears glistened in Sister Mu’s eyes. Later, sniffling, she said to Chi Nuan, “Come on, let me treat you to something to eat.”

Chi Nuan hurriedly said, “No need, Sister Mu. Really, it’s fine.”

Sister Mu insisted, and Chi Nuan couldn’t refuse, so she went along.

There was a food court on the basement level of the mall. Sister Mu ordered all sorts of snacks and ice cream, filling the table. Chi Nuan exclaimed, “Sister Mu, that’s too much. We can’t finish it…”

Sister Mu said, “It’s fine. Eat up quick. I held you up today, and if you get home too late, your family will worry.”

Chi Nuan quietly scooped ice cream to eat. Sister Mu didn’t mention the breakup again and talked about the part-time job at the bakery instead: “By the way, Xiao Chi, you’re not coming in next week?”

Chi Nuan: “Yeah, I need to review my lessons.”

Sister Mu: “It’s Friday already. You still working two more days?”

Chi Nuan smiled: “Just tomorrow. I told Boss Lady this morning that I’d end a day early.”

After eating with Sister Mu, they parted ways outside the mall. They lived in different directions, so their bus stops were separate.

The bus stop wasn’t far, and fine rain began to fall again. The bus Chi Nuan needed was already at the stop. She hurried over and got on.

The bus was packed with passengers, and there were no empty seats. Chi Nuan wiped the raindrops from her face and held onto the railing. She secretly felt relieved in her heart—good thing Gu Ningzi hadn’t come today, or she’d have to walk home in the rain again.

The bus pressed on through the rain. The driver was in a hurry and didn’t slow down much at the turn. Chi Nuan’s body swayed with the inertia, her footing unsteady. She stepped on the toe of the shoe of the person standing behind her.

“Sorry…” Chi Nuan turned to apologize. When she saw who it was, her eyes lit up instantly.

Gu Ningzi had a smile on her lips. Her gentle gaze shone through her glasses, pouring unreservedly onto Chi Nuan’s face.

“You…” Chi Nuan was both shocked and delighted. “How are you here!?”

Gu Ningzi said, “I got on the bus with you.”

Chi Nuan: “How did you get on the same bus as me? I didn’t see you at all!”

“I waited for you at the stop…” Gu Ningzi smiled and lowered her head to check her watch. “Two hours and five minutes.”

“…” Chi Nuan’s heart melted.

The bus reached the next stop amid a chorus of complaints about the thunderstorm. Some passengers got off.

There was a bit more space now. Gu Ningzi spotted an empty seat and nudged Chi Nuan to sit. Chi Nuan only took up the front half and gestured for Gu Ningzi to sit with her.