Chapter 11 Part 2

Chi Nuan glanced at the time— past 8:30. Still enough time. She crouched by the floor-to-ceiling window, listening to the TV as she teased the blue cat with a wand toy.

At some point, the wind outside suddenly grew fierce. Through the window, fallen leaves swirled chaotically in the courtyard.

Gu Ningzi emerged from the shower and walked over to Chi Nuan, reaching out to gently touch the cat’s ear. Her hand had beautiful bones, with fair, slender fingers. The little blue cat meowed and rubbed against the back of her hand.

Later, Gu Ningzi sat on the sofa to apply Medicinal Ointment. Chi Nuan followed and sat nearby.

A long strip of Medicinal Ointment covered her entire left instep.

At the sight, Chi Nuan winced as if it hurt her. “Hiss.”

Gu Ningzi’s lips curved slightly. In a firm tone, she said, “You drank alcohol.”

Chi Nuan covered her mouth, eyes widening. “……You could smell it? It was Xu Dan’s birthday; I only had a little beer.”

Gu Ningzi shook her head. “You flush easily.”

Huh, was her face red? Chi Nuan cupped her cheeks and rubbed gently.

Gu Ningzi’s gaze shifted from her face to the clock. “……Dorm locks at 9:30?”

It was already 9:10.

“Oh no, I have to go!” Chi Nuan headed for the door but paused after a few steps, turning back worriedly. “Rest well these next few days.”

Gu Ningzi rose, supporting herself on the sofa armrest.

Chi Nuan opened the door, and a gust of wind rushed in. She caught a whiff of earthy dampness. ……Was it raining?

Gu Ningzi looked toward the window. At first, raindrops trailed like beads down the glass. Then, suddenly, heavy drops pelted down.

Chi Nuan: “……”

Gu Ningzi: “……”

Chi Nuan’s phone rang cheerfully. She answered, and Zhao Jingjing asked, “It’s pouring! Where are you?”

Chi Nuan stepped back inside to take the call. “Still at Gu Ningzi’s.”

Zhao Jingjing sighed in relief. “I was worried you’d get caught in the rain.”

Chi Nuan said, “No, I was just about to head back.”

Zhao Jingjing: “Rain’s too heavy— borrow an umbrella from Gu Ningzi.”

A streak of crimson lightning flashed across the sky, followed by thunder booming right overhead.

“Ah!” Chi Nuan flinched, her hairs standing on end.

Zhao Jingjing paused. “……Will Gu Ningzi let you stay over?”

Chi Nuan: “……”

On the other end, Xu Dan seemed to have woken up. Maybe hearing “Gu Ningzi,” she yelled into the mobile phone at full volume, “Gu Ningzi! You’re no fun! We invited you to hotpot and you didn’t come, huh? Why not? Everyone was so, so happy today!”

Chi Nuan quickly hung up.

The door was still open, damp air seeping in through the crack. The foul weather outside stirred unease.

Gu Ningzi tiptoed on her left foot, damp bangs falling over her eyes, and slowly approached Chi Nuan.

“The rain’s pretty heavy. ……Do you have an umbrella?” she asked the approaching Gu Ningzi.

Gu Ningzi reached out and pushed the door shut.

The storm’s roar cut off abruptly.

“Stay here,” Gu Ningzi said.

……

Chi Nuan wiped the steam from the mirror.

She’d just showered and changed into Gu Ningzi’s clothes, which were too big, so she’d rolled up the sleeves.

Her hair was mostly dry, hanging loose. In the mirror, her skin glowed red from the hot water, the color at her eyes deepened— probably the alcohol hadn’t fully worn off.

Chi Nuan walked out. The living room’s main light was off, leaving only a soft yellow floor lamp. Gu Ningzi sat on the sofa watching the late-night news, the blue cat curled up by her leg, snoring softly.

The TV volume was low, the room utterly quiet. The raging wind and rain outside felt distant.

Chi Nuan sat beside Gu Ningzi.

Gu Ningzi asked, “Are you sleepy?”

Chi Nuan said, “Not really.”

Gu Ningzi handed her the remote, gesturing for her to change channels. Chi Nuan said, “This is fine.”

The two watched the local late-night news in silence. It was showing a segment on some newly appointed minister holding a press conference. Chi Nuan thought the minister was not only young but quite handsome. She yawned, then heard her mobile phone chime with a message. She picked it up— an unknown number.

“Sleep yet?”

Chi Nuan realized it was Xue Wen’s number and saved it, replying, “Not yet.”

She’d just set the phone down when two more chimes sounded.

“What are you up to? [Cute]”

“Xu Dan and Du Min okay?”

Gu Ningzi propped her head on her hand, slowly stroking the blue cat’s back, and gave Chi Nuan a bland glance.

Chi Nuan muted the phone, thought for a moment, then typed back, “They crashed as soon as we got to the dorm. I’m about to sleep too.”

Xue Wen: “Night then, sweet dreams.”

Chi Nuan set the phone aside. The news ended.

An ad played on TV. Chi Nuan pulled over a large pillow, hugged it to her chest, and rested her chin on it.

Leaning against the sofa back, she watched the flickering screen, her eyelids growing heavy until she unknowingly fell asleep.

……

In a half-dreaming haze, someone softly called her name. Chi Nuan struggled to squint her eyes open a crack. Gu Ningzi stood before her.

“Hm?” she mumbled drowsily.

“Go to the room to sleep,” Gu Ningzi said.

The TV was off, but the floor lamp still glowed. Chi Nuan heard her but didn’t move right away, wanting to linger on the sofa.

Gu Ningzi smiled. She bent down and softly said “Hey” right by Chi Nuan’s face.

A faint breath, like a playful breeze, brushed Chi Nuan’s face— ticklish.

Chi Nuan opened her eyes fully.

Their gazes met perfectly, without a hint of deviation.

“……”

Gu Ningzi turned and walked to her room.

Eh? Was that lingering alcohol surging again? Chi Nuan wondered, taking deep breaths. Why had her heart suddenly started racing…