Chapter 44 Part 1

Gu Ningzi’s words had moved her so deeply that Chi Nuan’s sense of guilt ran just as deep. She understood what Gu Ningzi meant, but could she really let her cause an irreconcilable rift with her family just for her sake?

Before meeting Gu Miaoyan, she might have been able to pretend ignorance. But after meeting her, she could no longer do anything that went against her conscience.

Indeed, no one understood the preciousness of family bonds better than Chi Nuan.

She couldn’t answer Gu Ningzi. Chi Nuan tilted her face up to look at her; both pairs of eyes were misty.

Chi Nuan covered Gu Ningzi’s eyes, stood on tiptoe, and planted a kiss on her lips. She didn’t know if she was trying to comfort her or herself.

…

Endless exercises to complete, key points to memorize—senior year crammed their schedule full, and a week flew by.

During that week, Chi Nuan visited Gu Ningzi’s home twice. Xu Dan finally noticed and grumbled, “I’m really puzzled—when did you two get so close? You’re going over there for meals every few days?”

No… Chi Nuan denied it inwardly. They hadn’t grown closer; instead, she harbored reservations, tormenting herself in every interaction with Gu Ningzi.

Greed constantly urged her to draw near, to possess her, but reason reminded her every moment: Can you really do this?

Infatuation mingled with repression. Every kiss and embrace felt like walking on knife’s edge, filling Chi Nuan with agony. Gu Ningzi must have sensed her hesitation and uncertainty.

She simply never said anything.

The domineering CEO novel had progressed to the point where the male lead’s mother exposed her past misdeeds against the female lead. In a fit of rage and shame, she finally spat out that classic line to her son: “If you want to marry her, you’ll have to do it over my dead body!”

Xu Dan and the others giggled gleefully. “This is so heartbreaking!”

Chi Nuan paused her pen under the desk lamp, lost in thought: If Gu Miaoyan was like the male lead’s mother—a clear antagonist from the moment she appeared—would she feel less psychological burden?

A video of the Blue Cat sat in her phone, sent by Gu Ningzi. Chi Nuan watched it but didn’t reply. Only when she lay down to rest did she tap out a “good night” to Gu Ningzi.

Gu Ningzi: “You’re studying too late… Get some rest.”

Chi Nuan stared at it, her nose stinging.

The next day, Zhou Damao called in sick. During evening self-study, Chi Nuan took the initiative to sit at his desk, keeping Gu Ningzi company as they did homework.

The classroom blazed as bright as daylight. Gu Ningzi wrote for a bit, then stopped and rested her chin on the desk, gazing at Chi Nuan. Unable to help herself, she raised a finger and traced Chi Nuan’s features in the air.

Curved eyebrows, pert nose, smiling lips…

Chi Nuan poked Zhao Jingjing’s back and quietly borrowed her English book.

Zhao Jingjing handed it over casually. As Chi Nuan flipped through it, Gu Ningzi said, “I have an English book too…”

A faint smile flickered in Chi Nuan’s eyes. She asked, “Does your English book have notes?”

Gu Ningzi: “…”

Gu Ningzi pinched her neck. “Doesn’t your neck get sore from writing all the time?”

Teacher He, on duty, cleared her throat at the podium. Chi Nuan glanced cautiously, pulled Gu Ningzi’s hand down, and made a shushing gesture.

She picked up her pen to continue her homework. A few minutes later, Gu Ningzi passed her a note: “Wanna take a walk after class?”

Her pen hovered over the note. Chi Nuan turned to look at Gu Ningzi.

Gu Ningzi stared back unblinkingly.

Chi Nuan folded the note, tucked it into the pocket of her school skirt, and gave a slight nod.

Many classmates milled about during the break. Aside from hazy moonlight and streetlamps spaced far apart, most of the campus lay in darkness. Gu Ningzi held Chi Nuan’s hand as they stopped at the railing by the sports field.

“Want to sit?” Gu Ningzi asked.

Chi Nuan: “Sure.”

Gu Ningzi helped Chi Nuan onto the railing. Their foreheads bumped in the process, and Chi Nuan let out a muffled yelp. Gu Ningzi laughed and seized the moment to kiss her lips.

Startled by the kiss, Chi Nuan hunched her shoulders and whispered, “Someone might see…”

Gu Ningzi: “Mm.”

She murmured “mm,” then leaned in again. Under the sparse moonlight, their lips brushed lightly.

Gu Ningzi’s scent filled Chi Nuan’s nostrils. She closed her eyes, surrendering to the moment even as she futilely struggled inside.

We shouldn’t be doing this anymore…

The ten-minute break ended quickly. Chi Nuan hopped down from the railing but tripped on her shoelace, tumbling straight into Gu Ningzi’s arms. Gu Ningzi steadied her with a laugh.

As they embraced, Chi Nuan looked over Gu Ningzi’s shoulder and spotted a familiar silhouette heading away from the sports field.

*Teacher He!?

Back in the classroom from the sports field, Chi Nuan’s heart still hadn’t calmed. When Zhao Jingjing turned to borrow her math homework, Chi Nuan absentmindedly handed over her English book instead.

Zhao Jingjing: “…”

Teacher He hadn’t returned yet. Chatter rustled everywhere. Zhao Jingjing fished Chi Nuan’s math workbook from the pile and waved it. “Thanks.”

“…” Chi Nuan took a deep breath to steady herself. She organized her textbooks and homework, then said to Gu Ningzi, “I’m heading back to my seat.”

Gu Ningzi tugged at her clothes.