Chapter 76 Part 2

Gu Ningzi’s work had no fixed days off. He Zhen prioritized and crossed out a few items, having Secretary Yang call to reschedule, moving an important Sunday meeting earlier.

Secretary Yang looked dreamy. “Is President Gu arranging a weekend date? She got flowers the moment she arrived today. Any gossip?”

He Zhen looked up from the schedule, and Chi Nuan glanced over too.

Secretary Yang: “Someone must be pursuing President Gu! Can’t imagine who could captivate our President Gu.”

“President Gu has always had tons of suitors.” He Zhen tapped Secretary Yang’s forehead with her pen. “You saw the flowers delivered—did you see President Gu have the bouquet thrown straight into the trash untouched? —You’re here to work, not gossip.”

Secretary Yang stuck out her tongue and shrank back to her desk to make calls.

He Zhen continued studying the schedule. Chi Nuan asked, “……Does she really have that many people chasing her?”

He Zhen gave her a look that said, Do I seem like someone who jokes about this?

……Fine, it would be unbelievable if no one in this world liked Gu Ningzi. Just her appearance alone was enough to drive people mad, not to mention what a good person she was.

Chi Nuan understood, but she still felt a bit unhappy.

The daytime temperature had still been mild, but it dropped in the evening. The building was warm with heating, but the garage was filled with chilly air. Chi Nuan tightened her coat, feeling glum. Before getting in the car, Gu Ningzi asked, “Do you have plans this weekend?”

Chi Nuan was especially sensitive to the word “weekend” now and shook her head without thinking. “No.”

Gu Ningzi: “Then let’s go to the Aquarium.”

Ah?…… So she had compressed her schedule to free up Sunday to take Little Wutong to see the jellyfish?

Gu Ningzi got in the car, and Chi Nuan followed closely. Her gloomy mood vanished. She started the car with a beaming smile. Before setting off, she wanted to sneak another glance at Gu Ningzi in the rearview mirror, but their eyes met unexpectedly.

Gu Ningzi: “Are you that happy?”

“……” Was it obvious? Chi Nuan said shamelessly, “Yeah, it feels like a date with you.”

Gu Ningzi shook her head, looking rather speechless. Chi Nuan added, “Kidding…… Little Wutong must be thrilled.”

The car drove out of the garage. Chi Nuan braked gently and merged right into the street traffic. In the quiet car, Gu Ningzi said unhurriedly, “It wouldn’t be wrong to call it a date. Aren’t you my girlfriend?”

The brake was slammed fully, and the car behind nearly rear-ended them.

Gu Ningzi: “Kidding.”

“……Ha.” Chi Nuan forced a laugh in response.

……

Little Wutong’s excitement had been uncontainable since Saturday evening. He dragged Chi Nuan to buy a bunch of fruits and snacks, stuffing them all into his little backpack. “To eat on the road.”

S City’s Aquarium had a large Jellyfish Hall. Gu Ningzi had Chi Nuan book tickets there, and the snacks would pass the travel time nicely. But Little Wutong was so excited he barely slept. On the road from Yuncheng to S City, he kept dozing off like a little chick pecking at rice.

Chi Nuan watched the road. “……This is my first time on the highway. You…… don’t get nervous, okay.”

Her fingers gripping the steering wheel were nearly white-knuckled. Gu Ningzi scoffed. “You look more nervous than me.”

—“Don’t get nervous. Rankings don’t matter.”

—“You look more nervous than me.”

Amid the deafening cheers from the stands, the blue-and-white school uniform, the girl covering her eyes— this scene suddenly flashed in Gu Ningzi’s mind.

……

In the Jellyfish Hall, Little Wutong’s mouth hung open. He pressed against the jellyfish tank, head tilted back, staring blankly.

Jellyfish of all sizes floated in the silent underwater world, umbrellas opening, tentacles trailing, shifting colors with the cool-toned background lights—like dream weavers, graceful and illusory.

Watching their drifting paths easily drew one’s thoughts deep in. They had come to accompany Little Wutong, but Chi Nuan ended up more engrossed than anyone. By the time she finished touring the entire hall, Gu Ningzi had already taken Little Wutong to the rest area outside for a while.

They sat with one seat between them, each with a carton of milk, sucking on straws. Chi Nuan stopped in front of them to their left. Both had straws in their mouths and turned to look at her in unison.

The scene was amusing. Chi Nuan sat between them and smiled at Gu Ningzi. “You look like a kid too.”

Little Wutong heard and covered his mouth, giggling.

Gu Ningzi crooked a finger at Chi Nuan. Puzzled, Chi Nuan leaned in.

“Correction,” Gu Ningzi whispered so only they could hear. “Girlfriend.”

“……” Her heart pounded dozens of times.

Chi Nuan turned to look at Gu Ningzi, who resumed sucking her straw, finishing the milk expressionlessly.

……What nitpicky personality. Had Gu Ningzi always been like this???

Chi Nuan could only avert her gaze and laugh awkwardly.

Gu Ningzi changed the subject. “You went to S University for college?”

Chi Nuan steadied herself. “Yeah.”

Little Wutong watched their interaction curiously and raised his hand eagerly. “Me! Auntie Gu, I’ve been to my mommy’s school! The school has super yummy fish and…… and chicken cutlet!”

Chi Nuan asked Gu Ningzi, “Want to go?”

Gu Ningzi lifted her chin proudly, indifferent. “Whatever.”

S University wasn’t a detour. After leaving the Aquarium, they headed straight there. They strolled slowly around the campus—classrooms, library, theater, dorms…… As dusk fell, they ate dinner at the cafeteria before setting off back to Yuncheng.

Gu Ningzi took the driver’s seat. Chi Nuan played rock-paper-scissors with Little Wutong in the back. After a few rounds, he grew sleepy and dozed off on her lap in moments.

Chi Nuan said softly, “Gu Ningzi, thanks for today.”

The headlights lit the road ahead. Gu Ningzi hooked her lips and gave a forward-focused “Mm.”