Chapter 83 Part 1

Dinner was sumptuous. After the meal, as they left the restaurant, Chi Nuan thought they would head to the underground parking garage on the negative floor. Instead, Gu Ningzi raised her hand and pressed the button for the first floor. “Let’s walk off the wine.”

Chi Nuan broke into a smile. “Sure.”

Her smile was so sweet that the corners of Gu Ningzi’s lips curved faintly. “Do you like taking walks?”

Gu Ningzi was hosting tonight. She had taken a few polite sips of red wine, and now her eyes held a slight flush, her expression half-smiling, half-serene. The cool detachment had softened a bit, replaced by an overwhelming allure.

Chi Nuan struggled to handle her beauty. “…Yeah, I like it.”

As long as it’s with you, I like doing anything.

The two strolled aimlessly along the streets. Chi Nuan took off her thin cardigan. The nights had still felt a bit chilly a few days ago, but today the air carried the breath of early summer.

Neon lights flashed. Gu Ningzi stopped walking and pointed to a shop by the street, asking Chi Nuan, “Want some?”

It was an ice cream shop.

They bought two cones and crossed the overpass to the central square. Sitting side by side on a bench eating their ice cream, they watched the square come alive at night. Young people on roller skates zipped by one after another, forming a long dragon that passed right in front of them, their carefree laughter spilling along the way.

Chi Nuan picked off the cookie crumbs from her ice cream and patiently fed the square pigeons milling around her and Gu Ningzi’s feet.

These little guys were very shrewd. Once they realized Chi Nuan had food, they all crowded around. The few crumbs were gone quickly, but they lingered, cooing as if urging her for more.

“There’s none left.” Chi Nuan said softly.

Gu Ningzi replied unhurriedly, “When I first joined Spider as Professor Lin’s assistant, the company arranged a camping trip.”

“Hm?” Chi Nuan was used to Gu Ningzi’s reticence and never expected her to volunteer details about her past experiences. She felt a surge of novelty and anticipation, waiting eagerly for more.

Gu Ningzi continued, “There was a lake near the campsite with lots of wild swans. Professor Lin took his twins to feed them, and then…”

Chi Nuan’s eyes sparkled as she watched her.

Gu Ningzi finished, “The swans chased and pecked him all the way.”

“…” Chi Nuan finally understood the point of the story and laughed. “But I was just feeding pigeons!”

“Mm.” Gu Ningzi glanced at the ice cream in Chi Nuan’s hand. “It’s melting.”

Chi Nuan had been so focused on feeding the pigeons the crumbs that her ice cream had indeed started to melt. She lowered her head to eat it, and suddenly Gu Ningzi leaned in, their noses touching. She took a bite from Chi Nuan’s ice cream.

They were so close their breaths mingled. Chi Nuan’s eyes widened. In the play of lights and shadows, she saw Gu Ningzi’s eyelashes fluttering slowly, like butterfly wings.

Gu Ningzi sat back up straight and licked the chocolate bits from her lips, her face utterly serious. “Yours tastes better.”

Chi Nuan said, “…Then, sh-should we swap?”

Gu Ningzi tilted her head, pondered briefly, and accepted Chi Nuan’s suggestion.

After they exchanged ice creams, they both fell silent for a moment.

The music fountain not far away started up, and they both turned to look in unison. Chi Nuan laughed first, pressing the back of her hand to her face, which felt scorching hot.

Gu Ningzi slowly ate the swapped ice cream and reached out to ruffle Chi Nuan’s hair.

…

It had been a long time since Chi Nuan felt this happy. When she got home, she was still smiling. Little Wutong hadn’t gone to bed yet. When he saw her return, he immediately peered behind her. The excitement on his little face clearly turned to disappointment. “Mommy… Auntie Gu isn’t coming today?”

Chi Nuan asked him, “Do you miss Auntie Gu?”

Little Wutong nodded.

I miss her even more than you do… even though I just parted from her.

After washing up, Chi Nuan returned to her room to sleep. The pillow, the bedsheets… everything was imbued with Gu Ningzi’s scent. It was as if Chi Nuan had eaten a huge handful of candy—sweet enough to make her dizzy.

She picked up her phone, wanting to say something more to Gu Ningzi, unwilling to let such a wonderful day end so easily.

Secretary Yang’s group chat was still buzzing.

Yang Yang Yang: “This world isn’t real. Our President Gu, who’s so——, actually planned a date itinerary herself. I’m dying to know who the lucky one is!”

Yang Yang Yang: “Whoever can win over President Gu must be no ordinary person! I’m preparing eighty notebooks, waiting for a chance to learn from them!”

He Zhen: “BOSS falling in love is impossible, but if you force me to guess who she might like, I have a slight idea.”

Yang Yang Yang: “Who who who!!! ”

Chi Nuan joined the chat: “…Who?”

He Zhen: “Work [smile]”

Yang Yang Yang: “…”

Chi Nuan: “…”

Chi Nuan quietly left the group and opened her chat with Gu Ningzi. She thought for a long time, typed “Good night,” and was about to hit send when Gu Ningzi’s message popped up first.

“Good night.”

…

Secretary Yang had been excited for days, but she never heard about any new private outings from President Gu. Her burning gossip fire dangled frustratingly in mid-air.

He Zhen tapped on the desk and said to Secretary Yang, “If you put half your enthusiasm for gossiping about BOSS into work, I bet you’d fall in love with your job too.”

Chi Nuan smiled and lifted her cup to drink some water. On the other side of the glass wall, Gu Ningzi, who was chatting with a visitor, happened to look over.

Hm? Why did even the boiled water taste so sweet???

Du Min and Zhou Damao’s wedding was set for May. In mid-to-late April, Du Min arranged for everyone to try on the dresses.