Chapter 19: The Bet

Jiang Bomu quietly regarded Gu Yu.

Except when acting, she rarely made direct eye contact. Since they began living together, aside from brief glances, this was the first time she truly looked at her.

The girl before her had slightly wavy, long hair, casually tied into a low ponytail for the convenience of baking. A few rebellious strands fell beside her temples, giving her a lazy, casual air. But her eyes were startlingly bright, her gaze resolute, carrying the unique clarity and hopefulness of youth. They glowed.

Jiang Bomu was bathed in that light, yet it also stung her eyes. She turned her face slightly away, avoiding it.

Instantly, the light in Gu Yu’s eyes dimmed.

The next second, a slender hand with distinct knuckles gently brushed the stray hair by her temple, tucking it softly behind her ear. A faint fragrance—refined citrus—lingered in the air.

“Xunxun, family shame shouldn’t be aired in public. Even if I told you, it would only add to your troubles,” Jiang Bomu said calmly. “Eating cake is enough for me.”

But…

Gu Yu opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but words failed her. It was a polite refusal, yet it landed with finality.

Yes. What status did she hold? What right did she have to probe into her family matters? It was unprovoked and utterly nonsensical. Anyone would refuse, wouldn’t they?

It was Jiang Bomu’s excessive gentleness that had emboldened her.

Now, that courage had completely faded. Heat rushed from her chest straight up to her face, making her cheeks burn with embarrassment.

Jiang Bomu didn’t look at her again. She turned and walked towards the dining table, a smile on her face. “Let’s eat. This is the first time you’ve prepared breakfast with such care. It won’t taste good if it gets cold.”

During the meal, Jiang Bomu, usually a woman of few words, went against her norm. She inquired about Gu Yu’s studies and daily life. Gu Yu answered each question, inwardly understanding that she was subtly signaling that this small incident wouldn’t create any awkwardness between them.

In dealing with her, Jiang Bomu was always so effortlessly in control.

In front of her, Jiang Bomu was simply a calm, gentle, considerate… older sister.

Gu Yu bit into a perfectly fried egg, casting her eyes down. A faint, barely noticeable tooth mark was left behind. A hollow ache settled in her heart.

After breakfast, neither of them was very hungry. There was no rush to finish the cake. Gu Yu gathered her feelings and began teaching Jiang Bomu to paint.

An hour passed. Once Jiang Bomu began her own sketching, Gu Yu went to make the cake.

From the living room came the faint, intermittent scratching of pencil on paper, while the kitchen clattered and banged. Worried she might be disturbing Jiang Bomu, Gu Yu called out, “I’m not bothering you, am I?”

“It’s fine. If I finish my drawing just in time to eat cake, that’ll be double the happiness.”

Gu Yu smiled slightly. She said slyly, “Then let’s make a bet?”

Jiang Bomu’s interest was piqued. “What’s the bet?”

“Let’s see who finishes first. If I win…” Gu Yu paused to think. “Then Sister has to eat two pieces of cake.”

“What if I win?”

Gu Yu tossed out three words. “Think of one yourself!”

Jiang Bomu shook her head, laughing. After a moment’s thought, she said, “If I win, you have to give me another painting. And I’ll be your live model.”

Gu Yu blinked softly. Could she lose on purpose?

What kind of punishment was this? This was clearly a reward!

Even so, she gave it her all. The cake base and ingredients were already prepared; only spreading the cream and piping decorations remained. She clumsily spun the cake turntable, awkwardly smoothing the cream with an offset spatula.

For a small six-inch cake, it took her over ten minutes just to get a passable result. The surface was still bumpy, but at least it looked presentable.

Piping was much easier. As an art student, her hand was steady. After just two practice attempts, she could do it perfectly. The piping was done. Just as she was about to arrange the cut fruit on top, Jiang Bomu’s voice came from the living room: “I’m finished.”

Gu Yu called out, “I was so close to winning!”

Though competitive, she wasn’t too disappointed. The “punishment” was actually a huge benefit for her. She’d get to stare at Jiang Bomu without any reservation. Pure bliss!

Carefully, she placed the fruit, then gently, ever so carefully, carried the cake to the dining table.

“It’s beautiful,” Jiang Bomu examined it seriously. “Are you sure this is your first time?”

Why did that sound so ambiguous? Gu Yu’s face heated up for a second, but she immediately scolded herself for the stray thought. She quickly answered, “Of course it’s my first time making a cake.”

Jiang Bomu paused, also realizing her wording had been a bit awkward. She sat down, a little embarrassed.

Suddenly, Gu Yu ran off. She turned off all the lights and pulled the curtains shut, plunging the room into darkness.

Jiang Bomu was puzzled when Gu Yu came running back, inserting a single candle. The tiny flickering flame illuminated their faces. Jiang Bomu could see the purest joy and excitement dancing in Gu Yu’s eyes.

That emotion was infectious. She rested her chin on her hand, relaxed and at ease, watching the girl across from her.

Truly like a little sun.

For the umpteenth time, she felt grateful she hadn’t refused Grandma Qiao’s request.

“Although it’s not a special holiday, what’s a cake without blowing out candles?” Gu Yu declared with great ceremony. “Let’s make a wish, okay? Together.”

Together, they clasped their hands. Together, they closed their eyes.

Together, they made a wish.

Together, they blew out the candle.

The heavy cloud of gloom in Jiang Bomu’s heart seemed to disperse with the smoke.

“Sister, what did you wish for?” Gu Yu asked curiously.

“It won’t come true if I say it aloud,” Jiang Bomu smiled. Seeing her disappointment, she revealed a little. “It was about you.”

Gu Yu had only asked casually, but this answer drove her crazy with curiosity. A wish about her! She wanted to badger an answer out of her.

The girl’s way of acting coquettish was so natural, it was irresistible. Unable to withstand her pestering, Jiang Bomu finally relented: “If you perform well during our line-reading session this afternoon, then I’ll tell you.”

Gu Yu: “!”

She’d almost forgotten! They were supposed to run lines today!

Jiang Bomu had told her just before bed last night, but she’d been so preoccupied with the cake, she’d completely blanked on it.

After finishing the cake, she asked for a copy of the script and started cramming. She spent a long time in her room practicing, and once she felt confident, she sent a voice clip to Tao Tao for a critique.

Tao Tao was puzzled: [Teacher Gu, there’s really no need to be so serious. No matter how your delivery is, Sister Mu will get into character.]

Gu Yu shook her head with a sigh: [You just don’t get it.]

At three in the afternoon, Gu Yu confidently walked out of her room and confidently opened the script, ready to play the role of the male lead. But she stumbled on the very first line.

“This young la-lady… might you have seen… this person?”

She’d been completely fine when reciting alone. Why did she turn into a mess the moment she saw Jiang Bomu? Gu Yu wanted to cry. She looked up nervously and suddenly froze.

Jiang Bomu hadn’t spoken yet, but her entire demeanor had already shifted from gentle, aloof older sister to a seductive, alluring courtesan belle. She glanced up subtly, her eyes holding a pool of shimmering, crystalline water—soul-stealingly seductive, yet laced with a hint of shyness. She had perfectly embodied a peerless beauty experiencing her first flutter of love.

She cast a fleeting, dismissive glance at a non-existent portrait before finally speaking, “It seems I may have seen him, but I just cannot recall where. Young master, perhaps you could come inside so we may speak in detail?”

The male lead was supposed to refuse. But Gu Yu blurted out involuntarily, “Yes, yes, of course!”