Chapter 38 Part 1

Chi Qingchuan stayed at the hospital to keep Yue Yun company, and Chi Nuan lingered until very late before heading home.

On the way back, she sent photos of Little Wutong to Gu Ningzi but received no reply. In the long-silent six-person group chat, Xue Wen suddenly appeared.

Xue Wen had returned after her tour ended and had brought a bunch of souvenirs for everyone: “See you at the start of school.”

At that moment, Xu Dan, who had collected a ton of middle-aged and elderly emoji packs, finally found her chance to shine. She immediately replied: “Wow…! [Thanks!]”

“[Great to know you!]”

“[Cheers to our friendship!]”

“[May our friendship last forever!]”

Du Min: “…”

Zhao Jingjing: “…”

Chi Nuan: “…”

Xue Wen: “[Laughing and crying]”

The next second, Xu Dan switched to their four-person dorm group and @’d Chi Nuan and the others one by one: “Xue Wen brought us gifts again, and she even invited us to L City for the premiere before. Should we return the favor somehow?”

Du Min: “This is doable.”

Zhao Jingjing: “Invite her out for a meal?”

Xu Dan: “Yes, yes!”

Chi Nuan: “I approve.”

The four reached a consensus. Xu Dan declared that there was no time like the present and suggested inviting them tomorrow! She also mentioned that Gu Ningzi was back in Yuncheng anyway, so they had to invite her too.

They discussed hotly where to eat, but Chi Nuan said: “For tomorrow, I might not be able to make it…”

Xu Dan: “What’s wrong with you now? We understood when you had to work part-time for Zhou Damao’s birthday, but if I remember right, your part-time job ended today!”

Chi Nuan: “I just became an aunt today!”

With that, she shared the photos of Little Wutong with them.

Xu Dan: “Wow…! [What a great day!]”

Xu Dan: “[Blessings to you, my friend!]”

Xu Dan: “[Wishing your whole family safety!]”

Du Min: “…”

Zhao Jingjing: “…”

Chi Nuan laughed out loud: “Thanks.”

After much discussion back and forth, everyone decided on hotpot. Xu Dan took the lead and @’d Xue Wen and Gu Ningzi separately in the group, telling them the time and place for hotpot and earnestly inviting them both.

Xue Wen: “Sure, see you tomorrow.”

Chi Nuan got out of the taxi, climbed the stairs home, and saw leftover rice from lunch in the fridge. She used it to make some egg fried rice. Thinking of Gu Ningzi, who had arranged a candlelit dinner, she pulled out her phone again. Gu Ningzi had already replied with three messages in a row:

“Going to take a shower.”

“Little Wutong looks like you.”

“Are you going tomorrow?”

Chi Nuan carried the fried rice to the dining table and sat down, holding her phone: “Might not go.”

A few seconds later, Gu Ningzi made her first appearance in the six-person group since Xiting Island: “Might not go.”

She had copied and pasted it exactly, not changing a single word.

Chi Nuan: “…”

Xu Dan wouldn’t give up and kept inviting Gu Ningzi. Gu Ningzi didn’t appear in the group again but privately messaged Chi Nuan: “Did you eat anything later? You didn’t have dinner.”

Chi Nuan snapped a photo of the fried rice and sent it to Gu Ningzi: “About to eat.”

Gu Ningzi: “I’m hungry too.”

Chi Nuan: “Then come over.”

“…” Realizing it wasn’t right—Gu Ningzi might actually show up given her personality—she quickly corrected herself: “I was joking, don’t come.”

Gu Ningzi: “…”

Unable to get a response from Gu Ningzi, Xu Dan turned to Du Min to chat about that domineering CEO novel: “Are you still following it lately? I already dropped it!”

Du Min: “Huh? Why drop it? It’s been all sugar lately, and the little bun is about to be born—how could you drop it now?”

Xu Dan: “It’s too sweet! Tooth-achingly so, ugh! Single dogs like me can’t handle it.”

Du Min: “Hahaha, you’re toxic! Let me warn you—catch up quick. The author hinted that the abuse is about to start. I suspect the supporting female lead is up to something, and the female lead might miscarry!”

Xu Dan: “Hearing that actually gives me some motivation to keep going… I love those sour, bloody drama plots!”

Chi Nuan switched to the group chat and skimmed through, then asked curiously: “…You’re not still talking about that one from before, are you?”

Zhao Jingjing: “Yep! Overbearing Affection: CEO’s Spoiled Wife Unleashed Love. Nuannuan, you should read it too—super dramatic and so fun!!”

Chi Nuan: “…You’re reading it too? …Wait, hasn’t that been serializing for ages? …It’s not finished yet?”

Du Min: “Joking aside, the author swore to write five million words!”

Zhao Jingjing: “I want to recommend this book to the whole world. The male lead’s flirting game is top-tier textbook level!! Especially from chapter 100 onward—glass dome, seaside fireworks, helicopter proposal… too many to count!”

Xu Dan: “Aaaah, reigniting my girlish heart!”

Chi Nuan: “…”

Gu Ningzi: “Sounds interesting.”

Chi Nuan: “…………”

…

The next day, Chi Nuan got up before dawn. The timed millet porridge was ready, so she poured it into a thermos. She also bought xiaolongbao, tea eggs, and the like from a breakfast stall outside the neighborhood and brought them to the hospital.

Yue Yun still couldn’t eat solids, so Chi Qingchuan took them, half-scolding and half-touched: “Auntie Bai and I can eat at the hospital cafeteria. Don’t get up so early to bring food.”

Chi Nuan smiled at him. Auntie Bai, who was helping with care, said: “This little aunt is so caring.”

Chi Nuan walked to the wall to look at Little Wutong. His eyes were squinted into a slit. His little feet kicked in a flurry first, building up energy, then he suddenly burst into loud wails.

Chi Nuan was caught off guard and didn’t dare touch him, so she turned to Chi Qingchuan and Auntie Bai for help.