Chapter 37: Gaze

In the afternoon, one needed the air conditioner fan and iced melons and fruits to stay alive. The best was to take a nap and waste away the scorching, brutal hours.

Gan Xun had been unemployed at home for over ten days. While anxious inwardly, she fully felt the joy of not having to go to work.

She was very envious that Zhao Chiyun had lived this kind of life for over twenty years. It was far more enjoyable.

At the company, her lunch break was an hour and a half. After eating, she could only briefly lie down for a short nap.

But colleagues were always walking around and talking, so she never slept soundly.

Now, she felt sleepy and wanted to sleep.

Zhao Chiyun pointed the phone lens at her, however, snapping the second photo of her life.

Gan Xun seemed to be under a spell. She didn’t move a muscle.

After the click, Zhao Chiyun held the pose for a moment, as if afraid the phone wouldn’t catch up. Gan Xun stayed frozen with her.

In their eyes, half the world stood still in that one second.

“She has the poise of a falling goose.”

Zhao Chiyun finished shooting, opened the album, admired her work, and complimented Gan Xun.

She had already mastered zooming in and out, able to examine every detail in the photo.

Gan Xun’s hair was down. She wore a set of pajamas that felt like silk but definitely weren’t—cool and slippery, draping over her slender yet well-proportioned body.

Her eyes gleamed with a cold gray luster. Her whole presence clashed with the midsummer afternoon, carrying an out-of-place coolness.

When Zhao Chiyun saw the eyes, she asked Gan Xun, dissatisfied, “Why isn’t your gaze on me?”

In the photo, Gan Xun still looked slightly toward the window, not straight at the lens.

Before Gan Xun could speak, Zhao Chiyun pinpointed the issue. “You don’t want to look at me.”

She put a big hat on her. Gan Xun didn’t dare wear it and immediately focused her gaze on Zhao Chiyun’s face.

With a light tone, she quibbled, “No, why wouldn’t I want to look at you?”

She tossed the question back, using it to negate.

But she had to admit, Zhao Chiyun was sharp.

Zhao Chiyun prepared for her nap, slipping into a new nightgown. Sleeping alone must have made her feel safe, since she wore no underwear.

Gan Xun noticed the moment she walked in. Who could blame her eyes? The room wasn’t big, and Zhao Chiyun was the only living thing in it.

Zhao Chiyun knelt gracefully and perfectly on the bedding too, leaning by the window. Her skirt didn’t even reach her knees.

Gan Xun felt like she must have gotten heatstroke from that morning outing. Otherwise, why would she feel so dizzy so easily?

At the same time, she felt relieved. Back then, she could pretend to focus on the airplane route instead of being forced to ogle Zhao Chiyun’s outfit.

To be fair, the nightgown looked fine on the mall model. The style was mature—not cutesy cartoon girl, but not overly sexy either.

Cui Can had called it normal and approved the buy. Gan Xun had just felt guilty about letting Zhao Chiyun wear it.

But Zhao Chiyun wearing it went beyond any model. Especially now, with the exposure different from that trial day—it proved Gan Xun’s worries completely justified.

She wasn’t dumb, though, or some sheltered newbie.

She looked at Zhao Chiyun naturally, refusing to show weakness. Like straight-girl besties, she complimented calmly and enthusiastically, “You look great in this. Comfortable for sleeping?”

“Comfortable.”

Zhao Chiyun liked it. The fabric resembled her sleeping clothes from Mirror Country.

Too bad people here were so lax. Not a single flower embroidered on any garment.

Gan Xun had said handmade clothes were too pricey and flashy. Few wore them now. Plain and simple was real.

Gan Xun stayed calm. “Oh, you get what you pay for. I’ll buy one next time too.”

Zhao Chiyun looked at her against the light. “Gan Xun, your face is red.”

Tricked once before, Gan Xun was immune now. She wouldn’t stupidly check a mirror like last time. She smiled confidently. “I’m not. If red, it’s the heat.”

She drew the curtains as she spoke, blocking the glaring light.

Zhao Chiyun eyed the air conditioner.

She feared the cold more than Gan Xun, so the room’s unit ran two degrees warmer. At that, she grabbed the remote and lowered the temperature.

Then she asked Gan Xun, “Nap in the room?”

A red alert flashed in Gan Xun’s head. She shook her head at once. “I’ll just lie on the sofa awhile.”

“And tonight?”

Gan Xun blinked.

Zhao Chiyun stayed calm, simply stating, “We discussed this before. This is your home—you shouldn’t sleep on the sofa. Now you don’t need to rise early or burn the midnight oil on questions anymore. Won’t you go back to your room?”

“You said it yourself—two air conditioners at night wastes electricity.”

Gan Xun wanted to say she could sleep anywhere. Electricity be damned.

But she found herself nodding. Any more excuses would just make her look guiltier.

She had to say, “I’ll sleep in my room tonight.”

Zhao Chiyun nodded. She swiped the album ahead to the airplane route photo.

Her talent was decent. The focus nailed it—the colors popped richer than the naked eye.

She asked Gan Xun, “Are phones expensive?”

Gan Xun had thought about it on the road today. Zhao Chiyun should have one too.

“Some expensive, some cheap. I have a spare in my drawer. Charge it and it’s yours. Get a SIM card later.”

“Play around with it first. Master it, then buy new.”

Zhao Chiyun smiled and swiped to another photo.

This one wasn’t hers.

She saw a young woman with a hot figure, in a tank top and miniskirt. She drew a slight breath. “Who is this?”

Gan Xun’s privacy alarm blared the instant Zhao Chiyun swiped. Seeing it, though, she relaxed.

She took the phone back. “Oh, from a video. I like these shoes.”

Screenshot to search dupes—totally normal.

Zhao Chiyun didn’t quite get it. She just knew the woman was strikingly gorgeous, saved in Gan Xun’s “shoot and claim” album.

The outfit was too revealing—hardly elegant. But Gan Xun and hers must see it as everyday.

She commented offhand, “You didn’t lie to me that day. You really do like looking at these.”

Gan Xun blanked for a second, then laughed. She remembered—it was her coaxing line from that day.

No need to explain. She owned it boldly. “Who doesn’t love looking at beauties?”

Zhao Chiyun snorted coldly. Hearing that soured her. She turned away and stopped talking.

Gan Xun leaned forward with a smile. “County Princess, sweet dreams. I’m heading down.”

She had planned a post-dinner stroll. But before cooking, Cui Can called. Did they want to come to her Book Garden? Eat and tour.

Zhao Chiyun wanted to. Gan Xun agreed, changed, and led her out.

Evening stayed muggy, but the sun wasn’t so harsh. Gan Xun wanted shorts but feared Zhao Chiyun’s nagging. She threw on a sleeveless dress instead.

Not too long, not too short. Compromise.

Zhao Chiyun didn’t nitpick. She just said, “Your scar has healed.”

The last scab on her calf had fallen off two days ago.

Zhao Chiyun had arrived the day she got hurt.

Weird. Not even two weeks.

The healed wound was fresh white. As Gan Xun changed shoes, Zhao Chiyun poked it. Gan Xun yelped in surprise.

“Still hurts?”

Zhao Chiyun couldn’t believe it.

Gan Xun flushed at her own jumpiness. Vague excuse: “Your nails are long. Stung a bit.”

Zhao Chiyun went with it. She held up her fingers and eyed them. “Needs trimming. I saw your clippers. Can you help tonight?”

Never seen such a pampered adult needing nail help.

But she was the County Princess. Gan Xun reluctantly agreed.

From the third floor to the first, each step down reminded Gan Xun of that touch.

Not light, not heavy. Not itchy, not painful. Just enough to savor over and over.

She wanted to ask why poke her. But courage failed.

A direct bus ran between Garden Neighborhood and Cui Lan Calligraphy Academy. Just over twenty minutes.

Out the east gate, short walk to the stop.

Gan Xun explained, “Bus means waiting at the stop. That big vehicle is the bus—numbered. Take the right one for your destination.”

Then, “My ride’s here.”

Zhao Chiyun looked puzzled.

Gan Xun clarified, “This hour, buses get packed. Too crowded.”

She recalled Zhao Chiyun’s subway discomfort with her. Buses would be worse. Carsick would suck more.

So they cabbed. Zhao Chiyun stayed quiet en route, borrowing the phone for roadside shots. Gan Xun didn’t mind.

The Book Garden sat bustling yet serene. Simple, bright decor—with faux-antique touches like window lattices and tea tables for artsy flair.

Zhao Chiyun felt right at home. She decided to work there.

As they walked in, Cui Can was sending off a parent.

Cui Can dressed like a pro today. Spotting Zhao Chiyun thrilled her. She let out an unprofessional laugh.

Zhao Chiyun had Gan Xun send samples ahead. Still, she brought her writings, framed.

No sales pitch needed. The brushwork spoke.

Cui Can clocked the master lineage at once. “Sister Zhao, you’re amazing!”

No one had ever called Zhao Chiyun that. She blanked.

Gan Xun thought her upset and cut in. “Call her Chiyun-jie from now on. Or Teacher Chiyun.”

Cui Can laughed, confused. “Sounds nicer, huh? Fine, whatever. Can I frame these and hang them on the corridor wall?”

Zhao Chiyun nodded gracefully. “Approved.”

Gan Xun envied it. Ancients mastered the four arts—always in demand anywhere.

Cui Lan Book Garden was the new spot, moved last year. Fresh, spacious, prime setup.

Two floors. Downstairs for exhibits and big classes. Upstairs boutique small groups and teacher offices.

The three headed up. On the stairs, they ran into Lan Xiaoxi, fresh off art class and heading down for dinner.

Lan Xiaoxi had no clue Gan Xun was coming. Long out of touch. Emotions surged. She blocked the way forever.

She asked Gan Xun, “Did you lose weight?”

Cui Can: “…”

Such a weird question. Anyone would block her.

Gan Xun smiled politely. “Teacher Lan, your eyes are sharp. Two jin down and you spot it.”

“Long time no see. What’s up today?”

Cui Can smoothed over. “Can’t visit for fun?”

Gan Xun stayed patient. “Friend wants part-time here. Brought her to check it out.”

Only then did Lan Xiaoxi glance at the girl beside Gan Xun. Her eyes locked. First time seeing someone prettier than Gan Xun.

Zhao Chiyun met her gaze, nodded politely. No more words. To Gan Xun, “Lead on.”