Chapter 78 Part 2

Chi Nuan: “…” Right, she had exceeded five minutes…

Chi Nuan pulled out her phone. “…Did you message me? I was rushing over and just saw it.”

Gu Ningzi: “…”

Gu Ningzi lifted her chin and told the driver, “Drive.”

The car left the hotel. Chi Nuan had no idea where they were headed, and Gu Ningzi said nothing. Chi Nuan reviewed the day’s events in her mind, finding it increasingly amusing, and couldn’t help sneaking glances at Gu Ningzi.

A few minutes later, Gu Ningzi said, “Stop looking. I really can’t do a single one.”

Chi Nuan tried hard not to laugh. “Try again.”

Gu Ningzi remained unmoved and turned to look out the window.

Fine… Chi Nuan thought. Gu Ningzi probably found the finger game boring too.

The car stopped at the port. After getting out, the two boarded a yacht. It was the most beautiful moment of sunset, with the sun like a fireball not yet fully dipped below the sea horizon. Seagulls circled as the entire sea churned with red-glow waves.

“Do you get seasick?” Gu Ningzi asked.

Chi Nuan shook her head. As she walked around, she noticed colorful ribbons tied at the stern, fluttering tirelessly in the sea breeze like little elves dancing in skirts.

She stared blankly at the seascape on the deck for a long time before following Gu Ningzi to the restaurant. In the empty restaurant, the chef was ready. Once they sat, he began preparing seafood.

They were already far from the port by then. Chi Nuan looked around and finally realized, “…Gu Ningzi, no one else?”

Gu Ningzi: “Who?”

Chi Nuan: “Your friends, or business associates…”

Gu Ningzi: “No.”

Was it because work had been exhausting, so she wanted to steal a moment of leisure? In that case, it felt like they were on a date again. Thinking this, Chi Nuan’s expression couldn’t help but show a hint of delight.

Gu Ningzi didn’t look up. “Thinking it’s a date, are you?”

Chi Nuan was speechless: “…”

Gu Ningzi smiled faintly and shook her head lightly.

The sun plunged into the ocean, and in the blink of an eye, night fell. The yacht’s lights sparkled, waves lapped at the hull—this beautiful maritime world softened Gu Ningzi’s usual cool voice. “Pan-fried in oil only, no added seasonings. The meat is fresh and sweet. Try it.”

Chi Nuan’s enthusiasm returned. “Okay.”

…

After dinner, the two returned to the deck to enjoy the breeze.

The sky brimmed with twinkling stars. Chi Nuan looked up; the night sky was the purest canvas, stars close enough to pluck.

She watched entranced when her view was suddenly blocked—Gu Ningzi had raised her hand over Chi Nuan’s eyes.

“…” Chi Nuan stepped back and looked at her puzzled.

Gu Ningzi spread her five fingers in front of Chi Nuan. “How did you do it?”

Her pinky pressed down, but it bent her ring finger too. The gesture from Chi Nuan’s first photo looked simple, but proved surprisingly difficult.

Chi Nuan had thought Gu Ningzi wasn’t interested. Hearing the question, she reached out and gently pressed Gu Ningzi’s pinky toward her palm. With that external force, Gu Ningzi’s ring finger straightened.

Laughter filled Chi Nuan’s eyes, nearly overflowing. “See? Now you can do it too.”

She held Gu Ningzi’s hand. The sea wind tousled her hair but couldn’t dispel her overly sweet smile. Gu Ningzi smiled slowly too, then turned her palm over.

She took Chi Nuan’s hand.

“…” The sound of waves faded from her ears, the wind grew unusually tender, and her heartbeat pounded so loudly Chi Nuan wished it would quiet down.

“Your hand is very soft,” Gu Ningzi said, tilting her head slightly. “Is that why?”

Chi Nuan stammered, “…M-maybe…”

Stars lit the night-sailing yacht, its brilliant lights reflecting on the sea like a dream.

Soft words drifted away with the sea breeze.

…

Chi Nuan dreamed all night. When the alarm jolted her awake, the Heat Tide within hadn’t subsided. She tossed and turned in bed for a long while before calming down.

They had to return to Yuncheng that morning. When Chi Nuan went downstairs, Gu Ningzi’s suitcase already stood in the living room. Had He Zhen packed it?

The air carried the sweet scent of coffee. Gu Ningzi, sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper, looked up. Her gaze traveled from bottom to top, landing on Chi Nuan’s face as her red lips parted slightly. “Morning.”

The dream lingered vividly—Gu Ningzi’s lips in it… Chi Nuan pressed her forehead, meeting Gu Ningzi’s gaze with sidelong glances, her face heating and heart racing. “Morning…”

He Zhen clicked past Chi Nuan in high heels. “Up?”

Chi Nuan: “…Sorry, I got up late.”

He Zhen leaned against the bar counter, spread jam on toast, and casually asked, “Sleep well?”

Chi Nuan: “P-pretty good.”

He Zhen sighed. “I’m envious. My night… horrible! I dreamed all night, nothing but Stacking Ginger. When I woke up, my fingers ached like I’d pounded out project books for days!”

Chi Nuan: “Huh?”

Stacking Ginger? The one she had told Gu Ningzi about?

He Zhen set down the toast and demonstrated with her fingers. “See, Assistant Chi? Can you do it? Like this, like that…”

Chi Nuan: “…”

He Zhen failed again. She rubbed her temple. “…I must be crazy. Why did I do something so childish?”

Chi Nuan and Gu Ningzi both saw the faint amusement in each other’s eyes.