Chi Nuan looked at Gu Ningzi, who happened to look up at her.
Chi Nuan said, “…Aren’t you going to answer? She’s been calling since dinner. Maybe it’s urgent?”
Gu Ningzi said, “Not answering. Annoying.”
With that, she hung up directly.
The person on the other end seemed to know Gu Ningzi’s temperament well and didn’t call back after being hung up on.
Before 11, Chi Nuan finished her homework.
She packed her bag, pushed in the chair, and turned around. Gu Ningzi was leaning against the headboard, flipping through a magazine.
The light softened the contours of her face.
Chi Nuan stood there for a moment before Gu Ningzi noticed and looked up over the magazine. “Done?”
Chi Nuan nodded.
Gu Ningzi closed the magazine, got off the bed, straightened her crooked collar, and asked Chi Nuan, “Want to shower before bed?”
Chi Nuan said, “Sure.”
Gu Ningzi rummaged in the closet for another set of pajamas, draped it over her arm, and led Chi Nuan to the bathroom.
She adjusted the water temperature and pointed out the toiletries for Chi Nuan. Before leaving, Gu Ningzi confirmed, “Are you sleeping with me, or should I clean the guest room?”
Chi Nuan didn’t want to trouble her further and said without thinking, “With you, of course.”
With that, she took out her hair tie and started removing her sweater.
Gu Ningzi gently closed the door.
…
The blue cat returned to its little cat bed and slept soundly.
Chi Nuan and Gu Ningzi lay side by side in bed. The room lights were off, and only the inner layer of sheer curtains was drawn, letting faint moonlight seep in.
Chi Nuan felt an itch on her back and reached to scratch it.
In the quiet space, the rustle of clothes and bedsheets sounded.
Gu Ningzi asked, “What’s wrong?”
Chi Nuan answered honestly, “My back itches…”
Gu Ningzi hesitated for a moment but still rolled over toward Chi Nuan. In their eye contact, Chi Nuan understood and turned her back as well.
Gu Ningzi’s hand landed on Chi Nuan’s back over her pajamas.
Chi Nuan squinted comfortably, yawned, and called, “Gu Ningzi.”
Gu Ningzi: “Hm?”
Chi Nuan’s voice softened. “Did you set the alarm…?”
Gu Ningzi: “Hm.”
Chi Nuan: “Hm…”
Chi Nuan fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, just past six, the alarm rang.
Gu Ningzi turned it off and got up first. Chi Nuan woke too but kept her eyes closed, unwilling to rise. The bedding and pillow were filled with Gu Ningzi’s scent.
Chi Nuan found it pleasant and sniffed occasionally.
The doorbell rang in the yard, followed by faint voices and the sound of the front door opening and closing.
Chi Nuan opened her eyes, knowing she’d be late if she dawdled. She got out of bed, smoothed the covers neatly, took off her pajamas, and changed into her own clothes.
Gu Ningzi knocked on the door from outside. “Breakfast time.”
Chi Nuan pulled her sweater over her head swiftly. “Coming!”
She left the room, brushed her teeth, washed her face, tied her hair, and turned into the living room for breakfast.
It was a bright sunny day. Even though it was just past six, sunlight already streamed through the glass door onto the living room floor.
The blue cat basked in the sun, batting at a little fur ball playfully.
Gu Ningzi wore a loose sweater and sat at the dining table sipping milk.
“Gu Ningzi, morning!” Chi Nuan smiled as she walked over, then… stood there dumbfounded.
The breakfast on the table was incredibly abundant—from milk toast and buns with soy milk, to wonton noodles and congee with side dishes… it covered half the table.
Gu Ningzi: “Sit.”
Chi Nuan: “You didn’t… make all this, did you?” She’d only gotten up a short while ago—how could she have had time?
Gu Ningzi nodded matter-of-factly. “Delivery.”
But there was so much—two people couldn’t finish it… With that thought, Chi Nuan sat down and picked a bowl of congee to drink.
The congee was fragrant and glutinous. Gu Ningzi moved the side dishes over to Chi Nuan. They were artfully plated, and though Chi Nuan couldn’t identify them, she took a tentative bite. The freshness made her eyebrows nearly lift off.
This was way too delicious!
With the exquisite sides, she unknowingly finished the whole bowl. Gu Ningzi, however, only drank some milk and tore off half a slice of bread, her appetite seeming poor.
Chi Nuan’s gaze drifted uncontrollably to the wontons.
Thin-skinned, plump wontons floated in an emerald bowl, steaming invitingly. They looked irresistible.
Perhaps her stare was too obvious, because Gu Ningzi placed the wonton bowl in front of Chi Nuan.
Chi Nuan tried one embarrassedly and gave Gu Ningzi earnest feedback. “This place’s breakfast is all so good. The congee was delicious, the sides were great, and the wontons taste amazing too!”
Gu Ningzi said, “Is that so?”
Chi Nuan scooped up a wonton with her spoon. “Don’t believe me? Try one.”
Gu Ningzi looked at her and slowly leaned in.
For some reason, Chi Nuan’s heartbeat slowed by half a beat.
Gu Ningzi ate the wonton right from Chi Nuan’s hand. After chewing slowly, she asked, “Are you going to try every breakfast item?”
Chi Nuan shook her head. “I’m f-full.” She stuttered involuntarily.
At school, entering the classroom, Xu Dan said, “The sun must’ve risen in the west. Gu Ningzi not being late is already giving the teacher face, and now she’s even here for morning self-study?”
Chi Nuan stood at her seat, slowly taking out her books from her bag.
Xu Dan chatted while checking herself in a mirror. “But you know, Gu Ningzi’s got real loyalty. Yesterday when we took you to the School Infirmary, Du Min texted that Old Mo had commandeered self-study for a pop quiz. I was stressing, and boom—Gu Ningzi skipped the test outright.”
Xu Dan snapped her compact mirror shut. “Alright, Gu Ningzi’s one of us from now on.”
Chi Nuan turned her head. Gu Ningzi was sprawled on her desk, catching up on sleep.
