She could have casually said it was Gu Ningzi—friends talked all the time. But last night’s vibe felt like a dazzling dream, too special. Mentioning it might taint its magic, stripping its original allure.
Chi Nuan: “Nothing much…”
Xu Dan: “Oh ho, that makes us suspicious, friend. So mysterious [sneaky grin]”
Du Min: “Smells like Bagua [adjusts glasses]”
Xue Wen: “[question]”
Zhao Jingjing: “[question]”
Gu Ningzi: “Me.”
Chi Nuan’s pupils contracted sharply, her heart skipping a beat.
Xu Dan didn’t grasp Gu Ningzi’s “Me,” assuming it was her opener. “Ah! Gu Ningzi! What’s up?—We’re talking tomorrow’s L City trip. A-Wen’s picking us up at school around one. You in?”
Gu Ningzi: “I’ll go on my own. Don’t worry about me.”
Xue Wen: “[OK]”
…
Chi Nuan finished brunch and returned to her room to open the closet. Recalling Xu Dan’s “dress fancy for the idol” logic, she hesitated long before pulling out the real silk cheongsam Yue Yun had bought her last year.
Back then, Yue Yun and Chi Qingchuan were newly acquainted. Knowing he had a sister, she’d gifted the cheongsam.
Chi Nuan had tried it once; it hadn’t fit perfectly last year. This year, it fit just right.
She changed into it, parted her hair into strands, and tied two buns high on either side of her head, accented with ribbons matching the cheongsam.
She’d packed her overnight things already. She grabbed her bag and headed out. Chi Qingchuan was at work, so she told Yue Yun she was heading back to school.
Yue Yun eyed her outfit and exclaimed, “Whoa.” “Come here, let me see.”
Chi Nuan obediently stepped closer.
The innocent hairstyle paired with the cheongsam hugging her curves— the pretty girl exuded an effortless sensuality that captivated. Yue Yun propped her forehead lazily. “Are you dating someone?”
Chi Nuan blinked, baffled. “…Huh?”
Yue Yun: “I heard you on the phone late last night.”
Chi Nuan: “I’m not dating.”
“Oh.” Yue Yun waved dismissively, signaling no more chat. “Fine.”
Chi Nuan left home. Under the blazing sun, nearing the complex gate, a Black Mercedes-Benz overtook her and screeched to a stop ahead.
The driver’s window rolled down. The woman inside turned to look at Chi Nuan.
Sunglasses masked half her face; Chi Nuan didn’t recognize her.
Then the rear door opened. Gu Ningzi, in white top and black pants, stepped out. “Chi Nuan.”
Chi Nuan halted, stunned. “Gu Ningzi? What are you doing here?”
Her mind clicked: Who else but Secretary Su in the driver’s seat?
Gu Ningzi: “Get in first.”
Without a word, Chi Nuan approached. Gu Ningzi took her bag and loaded it into the trunk. Chi Nuan stowed her parasol and climbed in.
The AC chased away the excess heat on her skin. Chi Nuan glanced at Secretary Su up front, then at Gu Ningzi beside her. Joy lit her face. “You came to pick me up!?”
Secretary Su glanced back via the rearview mirror and smiled, pulling out of the complex.
Gu Ningzi reached to the front seat for a box of cherries and handed it to Chi Nuan. “In case you get hungry on the road. There’s also Birthday Cake.”
She draped a thin blanket over Chi Nuan’s legs too.
The cheongsam’s side slit was fine standing but rode up sitting; the blanket covered it perfectly.
Chi Nuan’s eyes sparkled at Gu Ningzi.
Gu Ningzi raised a hand and lightly brushed one of her little buns.
They both smiled.
At the intersection, the light turned red, and the car slowed to a stop.
Chi Nuan opened the box and picked out a cherry, offering it first to Gu Ningzi. “Want one?”
Gu Ningzi leaned down familiarly and took it.
Chi Nuan withdrew her hand, rubbing her fingertip against her palm.
Secretary Su’s sunglasses slipped; she watched them deliberately via the rearview. Chi Nuan noticed and offered her one. “Would you like one?”
Secretary Su met Gu Ningzi’s cool gaze. “…No thanks, you two eat.”
The back seat pair munched fruit for a bit. Chi Nuan pointed out the window. “Gu Ningzi, look—that’s my old primary school.”
Gu Ningzi followed her gaze. The XX Primary School sign flashed by.
“Back then, Brother picked me up every day. Hot days, he’d buy me popsicles; cold ones, roasted sweet potatoes or chestnuts, tucked warm in his clothes. They were still hot when I ate them.”
Gu Ningzi envisioned little Chi Nuan, hand in Chi Qingchuan’s, leaving the school gate. She smiled faintly. “Sounds nice.”
As they spoke, phones buzzed. Xu Dan asked in the group how long until they reached school. Overexcited, she’d left home early and was now cooling off in the milk tea shop across the street.
Du Min: “Don’t tell me you’re sitting in the milk tea shop in your fancy dress… [crying laugh]”
Zhao Jingjing: “Too beautiful a picture [crying laugh][crying laugh][crying laugh]”
Xu Dan: “You’re killing me!”
Xue Wen: “I’ll head over now.”
Du Min: “[sneaky grin] About half an hour for me.”
Zhao Jingjing: “Same as Minmin.”
Gu Ningzi: “Chi Nuan and I are going straight to L City.”
“…”
Chi Nuan recalled Gu Ningzi had said yesterday she’d go alone.
Xu Dan: “…”
Du Min: “…”
Zhao Jingjing: “…”
Xu Dan: “Damn! Nuannuan, you’re no fun! And here I was excited to show you my outfit first!”
Chi Nuan typed apologetically. “I just found out too…”
Xue Wen: “[mysterious smile]”
Xue Wen: “In that case, head straight to the theater. The hotel we booked is upstairs.”
Gu Ningzi: “[ok]”
