Chapter 43 Part 2

Gu Miaoyan’s smile faded slightly: “Oh? Who?”

“General Manager Han from Tai Chun Mining Industry.” The waiter’s eyes lit up as he pointed to a middle-aged man pacing at the corner ahead.

Gu Miaoyan said nothing and turned to take Chi Nuan’s hand: “Chi Nuan, let’s go.”

Chi Nuan saw General Manager Han approach cautiously: “Miss Gu, forgive my intrusion. I didn’t know you were at Cloud…”

Gu Miaoyan gave a slight nod and walked right past him.

Chi Nuan followed Gu Miaoyan and glanced back to see General Manager Han standing there, looking flustered.

They got into the car, and Gu Miaoyan sat in the back without saying where to go. Her gaze was neutral, fixed on the rearview mirror ahead.

An eerie silence.

“…I was foolish, Eldest Miss, give me one more chance,” the driver said, wiping his sweaty hands on his knees.

“Vomit out everything you swallowed,” Gu Miaoyan’s red lips curved slightly as she spat out: “Drive.”

Chi Nuan didn’t dare make a sound the whole time. She clearly realized that without Gu Ningzi, Gu Miaoyan’s gaze wouldn’t have lingered on her for even a second.

When they parted, Gu Miaoyan held Chi Nuan and instructed: “If you face any real difficulties—school, work, family, whatever—don’t hesitate. Contact Secretary Su directly. I’ve already told her to help within my power.”

The driver kept his back to them, wiping sweat repeatedly.

Gu Miaoyan’s heavy concern weighed on Chi Nuan, leaving her breathless. It was like a giant hand pushing her in a certain direction—she had no choice but to stumble forward unwillingly.

…

Outside the dorm, Chi Nuan peeled a chocolate candy and popped it in her mouth before quietly opening and closing the door. Xu Dan and the others were napping, so she lay down on her bed too.

The mattress felt like cotton soaked in water, pulling her deeper and deeper underwater.

There was an unread message from Gu Ningzi on her phone, telling Chi Nuan to let her know whenever she finished, no matter the time.

Chi Nuan’s mind was a mess. Should she end this relationship? Or follow her heart and stay with Gu Ningzi regardless? How long would Gu Ningzi like her? Would they break up from emotional fallout before even triggering family conflicts? If so, wasn’t all this inner turmoil pointless and laughable?

…

The chocolate candy slowly melted away. Chi Nuan thought about so many things until the alarm rang. Her roommates got up one by one to prepare for afternoon classes.

Chi Nuan stood at the sink splashing water on her face, washing for a long time before coming out.

She bumped right into Xu Dan.

“Your eyes are so red?” Xu Dan asked.

Chi Nuan said: “It’s nothing, water got in them.”

In the classroom, class was about to start. Gu Ningzi wanted to talk to Chi Nuan. Chi Nuan pointed to the podium—He Liwen had arrived.

Gu Ningzi whispered: “Didn’t you get my message?”

Chi Nuan said: “Gu Ningzi, we’ll talk later. Class first.”

She said that, but Chi Nuan zoned out the entire class. She pulled her focus back several times, only for it to wander off again minutes later.

She glanced back at Gu Ningzi, who was looking her way with careful, aggrieved, and bewildered eyes.

When Gu Ningzi wasn’t in sight, Chi Nuan felt a blind courage, thinking she could make any decision. But once their eyes met, she melted instantly, heart softening. She couldn’t help reflecting: she was too selfish, always considering only her own feelings from start to finish—had she spared even a second for Gu Ningzi’s?

Chi Nuan messaged Gu Ningzi: “I’ll go home with you for dinner.”

Gu Ningzi replied almost instantly: “Okay.”

The afternoon had never felt so endless. Finally, school ended, and Chi Nuan went home with Gu Ningzi.

Chi Nuan knelt on the carpet petting the cat while Gu Ningzi was in her room. Secretary Su, who delivered the food, gave Chi Nuan her business card: “Did A-Ning’s sister mention this?”

The card had only Secretary Su’s name and contact info.

No need to make things hard for Secretary Su. Chi Nuan took it and thanked her: “Thank you.”

Secretary Su said: “No problem. Contact me if you need anything.”

Gu Ningzi came out of the room. Chi Nuan slipped the business card into her pocket. Secretary Su said, “A-Ning, I’m off,” and left.

Gu Ningzi walked over and stood behind Chi Nuan. The Blue Cat’s pupils reflected their figures. Gu Ningzi raised her hand toward Chi Nuan’s shoulder but withdrew it: “…Chi Nuan, let’s eat first.”

Chi Nuan had requested steamed fish yesterday. Even though she hadn’t come for lunch, it was still prepared for dinner. The fish had few bones and tender meat. Gu Ningzi urged Chi Nuan to eat more, but with lunch still sitting heavy in her stomach, Chi Nuan barely touched it before setting down her chopsticks.

Gu Ningzi pushed her bowl away too and asked nervously: “Is your stomach still hurting?”

Chi Nuan slowly shook her head and forced herself to eat with Gu Ningzi a bit longer, but clearly, Gu Ningzi’s appetite was ruined by her mood.

The two silently left the table without a word—Gu Ningzi ahead, Chi Nuan trailing with her head down. Midway, Gu Ningzi suddenly turned, pulling Chi Nuan into her embrace.

Unable to see each other’s faces, Chi Nuan heard Gu Ningzi’s voice tremble slightly: “Can you promise me first? You can have a thousand reasons to leave me, but never give up on me because of my family?”

Chi Nuan recalled the kindergarten story Gu Miaoyan had told her.

How deep a shadow had that incident cast on Gu Ningzi, that even years later, it was the first thing she thought of?

“Chi Nuan, give me some time. Five years… or ten. I’ll work hard. I’ll take control of my own future.”

Chi Nuan’s eyes grew wet.