Chapter 19 Part 1

Chi Nuan ran downstairs without pause and dashed all the way to the school gate. Her heart felt like someone had secretly hidden a drum inside it—thump, thump, thump. It was so noisy, yet she had no idea how to make it stop.

The White Sports Car arrived quickly. Of course it did—from Gu Ningzi’s Home to No. 1 Middle School was only a ten-minute walk, after all.

The car braked to a stop outside the school gate, and the window rolled down.

Chi Nuan’s heart raced as she leaned in to look at Gu Ningzi.

…She froze.

Gu Ningzi’s black hair had been entirely dyed ash-white, and she wore sunglasses. At first glance, she looked like a character who had stepped straight out of a 2D world.

…Stunningly, arrogantly beautiful.

“Get in.” Gu Ningzi slid her sunglasses down to the tip of her nose and said.

Chi Nuan snapped back to reality. Thinking of her injured hand, she opened the car door, climbed in, and pulled it over to inspect closely.

The wound on her palm had healed very well, with almost no scar left.

Chi Nuan examined her hand intently, her breath brushing against the palm. Gu Ningzi felt a bit itchy and averted her eyes. Only after Chi Nuan let go did she look back at her.

The temperature outside was high, and sweat beaded on Chi Nuan’s flushed cheeks, sticking a few strands of hair to her skin. Her eyelashes fluttered, and the expression she turned toward Gu Ningzi held a mix of curiosity and shyness.

They gazed at each other for a few seconds, and Gu Ningzi suddenly felt the oxygen in the car thinning. She casually lowered the window, only for the scorching heat from outside to rush in eagerly. She quickly closed it again and turned the AC lower.

Chi Nuan had been a little awkward at first, but watching Gu Ningzi keep a cool face while fumbling around made her seem cuter and cuter in Chi Nuan’s eyes. She couldn’t help but want to laugh.

A tiny dimple appeared on Gu Ningzi’s fair cheek. “It’s just a bit hot…”

Chi Nuan’s eyes curved in a smile as she played along. “Yeah.”

Gu Ningzi deliberately avoided her bright gaze, but Chi Nuan grabbed her hand and asked, “You dyed your hair…”

Gu Ningzi said, “Yeah.”

Chi Nuan: “It looks good.”

That tiny dimple reappeared on Gu Ningzi’s cheek. Chi Nuan stared at it, and a sudden thought popped into her mind. She said excitedly, “…Gu Ningzi, what are you eating tonight?”

Gu Ningzi asked, “Got any ideas?”

Chi Nuan: “I’ll cook for you!”

Gu Ningzi: “…”

Gu Ningzi: “You serious?”

Chi Nuan: “Totally serious.”

The two headed to a nearby large supermarket, grabbed a cart, and shopped for groceries together. Chi Nuan asked what Gu Ningzi liked to eat, and Gu Ningzi replied, “Anything’s fine. What can you make?”

Chi Nuan: “All the basic home-style dishes.”

Gu Ningzi: “Your specialty?”

Chi Nuan didn’t hesitate: “Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs.”

Gu Ningzi: “Then make the Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs you love.”

“…” Chi Nuan had no rebuttal.

As the cart passed the fruit section, Gu Ningzi stopped to pick some fruit.

She wore a thin black T-shirt, her posture tall and straight. Standing there, she was impossible to look away from. Chi Nuan admitted the hair color seemed flashy and bold, but with Gu Ningzi’s fair skin and red lips, it gave her a cool, aloof vibe—truly stunning.

Young guys occasionally peeked at Gu Ningzi from between the shelves.

Oblivious, Gu Ningzi spotted some fresh grapes and focused on selecting a bunch. She held it up and asked Chi Nuan, “Want some?”

Chi Nuan: “…Yeah.”

Gu Ningzi put the grapes in the cart and naturally flicked Chi Nuan’s forehead with her finger. “Let’s go.”

The flick was light, but Chi Nuan’s face inexplicably heated up, a secret joy swelling in her chest.

…

They didn’t need many dishes. As they walked and discussed, they finalized the menu: Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs, Superior Soup Baby Cabbage, and Tomato Fresh Shrimp Tofu Soup.

After gathering the main ingredients and sides, while queuing to check out, Chi Nuan remembered Gu Ningzi didn’t cook at home alone. She asked, “Do you have cooking seasonings at home?”

Gu Ningzi: “…No.”

Chi Nuan asked again: “Rice?”

Gu Ningzi: “…”

Chi Nuan persisted: “…What about pots, bowls, and utensils…?”

Gu Ningzi: “Those we have!”

The two circled the store again, picking up what they needed before returning to the checkout.

Soon it was their turn. The cashier scanned everything efficiently. Gu Ningzi reached to pay, but Chi Nuan blocked her. “Gu Ningzi, I want to thank you. Let me treat you this time.”

Chi Nuan was firm, and Gu Ningzi understood her real intention behind cooking. She didn’t argue on the spot. But once they were back in the car, Gu Ningzi said, “Chi Nuan, I’m happy you’re cooking for me, but don’t do it out of gratitude, okay?”

She spoke sincerely, and Chi Nuan shook her head. “But what about Cao Pinhui…”

“That has nothing to do with you.” Gu Ningzi cut her off.

“How could it not? You did it for me! You saved me, but I couldn’t help you at all. Even now, I still can’t give you anything…”

Chi Nuan recalled those agonizing days—not just the physical pain, but the extreme mental suppression and tension. Even though Gu Ningzi was fine now, the mere thought of her having been at risk of harm made Chi Nuan’s heart ache reflexively.

“You can’t think like that.” Gu Ningzi corrected her seriously. “You were passive from start to finish. It was my oversight, using such an extreme method and making you bear an unnecessary mental burden.”

“No, it’s not!” Chi Nuan’s eyes reddened as she saw Gu Ningzi taking the blame. “It’s not your fault. I just didn’t know what to do. I felt so guilty.”

Gu Ningzi: “…Chi Nuan, you’ve helped me before too.”

Chi Nuan: “That’s different…”

Those so-called “helps” couldn’t compare to what Gu Ningzi had done.

Gu Ningzi turned sideways in her seat, patiently guiding Chi Nuan. “You did what you could, and I did what I could. Degrees might differ, but the intention is the same… Don’t fight yourself over it. It’s exhausting and not worth it.”

An unparalleled wave of emotion surged in Chi Nuan’s chest. She couldn’t understand why she was so lucky to meet such a wonderful Gu Ningzi.

…

Back home with bags big and small, the Blue Cat meowed as it came to greet them. Long time no see—it had grown a full size bigger.