Chapter 73: Lipstick

To bring Wan An back with her, Gu Yu specifically asked her dad to pick her up.

Just as she was checking if she’d forgotten anything, her dad called to ask: “Xunxun, I’m at your dorm building. Can I go inside the girls’ dorm?”

Gu Yu: “…”

The good news: her dad remembered her dorm building number.

The bad news: her dad had completely forgotten she’d moved out.

She silently hung up and sent him her location. When he arrived, she mercilessly mocked him.

Gu Zhenglin hadn’t realized his memory had such a gap either. Chuckling, he acted as the manual laborer, bustling back and forth after his daughter. After a great deal of effort, they finally finished moving everything. In the dead of winter, he was drenched in sweat. He looked up and saw his own daughter in a pretty knit dress, holding a little white cat, looking like a fairy.

Only now did he have a chance to look her over properly. In one semester, his daughter had blossomed even more beautifully. Her face radiated a brilliant smile as she sat in the back seat and announced: “Let’s go!”

Gu Zhenglin got into the car and chatted with her about this time’s final exams.

Gu Yu hated being asked about that the most. What difference did it make whether she did well or poorly? They were over anyway. She replied lazily, her eyes glued to her phone, her fingertips flying.

As they got onto the elevated highway, she suddenly heard her dad ask: “Xunxun, are you in a relationship?”

Gu Yu’s fingertips froze. Her heart rate accelerated in sync with the car’s speed as she deliberated how to answer. If she admitted it, she wasn’t ready yet to come out of the closet. If she denied it, her obvious behavior wouldn’t escape her father’s sharp eyes; it would only make him more curious.

While her thoughts were tangled in knots, Gu Zhenglin smiled and said: “You’re twenty years old. Being in a relationship is your freedom, it’s not like you’re having a puppy-love affair. What’s there to be afraid of?”

Since he already believed she was in a relationship in his heart, Gu Yu steeled herself and responded softly with an “Mm.”

To Gu Zhenglin, however, it seemed like shyness. He glanced at his daughter through the rearview mirror, his heart souring. With emotion, he said: “Twenty years I’ve carefully raised my daughter… I wonder which family’s boy is so lucky.”

Gu Yu silently retorted in her mind: it’s clearly “which family’s girl.”

“How old is he? Height and weight? Does he treat you well? Has he bullied you? Is he willing to spend money on you?”

Five rapid-fire questions hit her. Gu Yu was stunned.

In her impression, her dad was never this talkative, nor did he casually inquire about her affairs. Her mom was the communication link between father and daughter. His sudden interest in her love life truly startled her.

She thought for a moment before answering: “Actually, we’re not officially together yet. I still need to think it over a bit more.”

“You’re doing the right thing,” Gu Zhenglin fully supported her. “Definitely don’t get into a relationship easily. Can’t be fooled by a man’s sweet words. There has to be a probation period.”

Gu Yu nodded silently, listening to her dad talk on and on for the whole drive. While she outwardly indicated she was learning much, inside she was in agony. What lousy boyfriend!

Enduring until she saw the sign for Yuning City, she secretly messaged Jiang Bomu on WeChat: 【I’m almost there!】

Before coming back, she’d already arranged with her parents that during winter break, Wan An would live at Jiang Bomu’s place. So the car would drive straight to Yue’an Mansion, where they’d first settle Wan An in before heading home.

The thought of seeing Jiang Bomu the moment vacation started made her heart leap with excitement, and she eagerly looked forward to it.

The gates of Yue’an Mansion were within sight. Gu Yu had already gripped the door handle, holding Wan An ready to jump out the moment they stopped, when she spotted an all-too-familiar figure at the security booth.

She was wearing a white down jacket and khaki wide-leg trousers, with a pair of cotton slippers on her feet. A casual, comfortable home outfit, the most common winter attire, yet Gu Yu recognized her instantly—it was Jiang Bomu.

Gu Yu quickly shouted: “Stop the car!”

Gu Zhenglin, puzzled, brought the car to a halt. The moment it was steady, Gu Yu pulled the car door open and dashed out, opening her arms to hug the woman in the white down jacket.

Jiang Bomu wanted to hug her back too, but mindful of her uncle watching them from the car, she whispered: “Xunxun, let go quickly.”

Gu Yu was immersed in the joy of reunion. Reminded by her, she immediately stiffened. But wouldn’t letting go now be an obvious case of protesting too much? So she steeled herself and hugged for a moment longer before finally releasing with a smile.

Jiang Bomu steadied her heart and walked closer to Uncle Gu’s car, bending down to greet him.

“Why did you come out in such cold weather?” Gu Zhenglin laughed. “Get in the car, I’ll drive you both over.”

Jiang Bomu didn’t decline.

Gu Yu followed closely and got back into the car, her head feeling dizzy. The moment she saw Jiang Bomu, she’d lost all control and nearly let the cat out of the bag.

She carefully glanced at her dad, but he was focused on driving; all she could see was the back of his head.

Gu Yu sat up straight, maintaining an appropriate social distance from Jiang Bomu, not daring to make any more reckless moves.

They drove in silence. After parking the car, Gu Zhenglin said: “You two go on up. I’ll wait for you here.”

Jiang Bomu invited: “Uncle, please come up and sit a while at my place.”

Gu Yu also urged: “Right, Dad, Sister’s home is really nice. Come on up and sit.”

Inside, however, she was praying to every god she knew that he’d absolutely refuse. She wanted some alone time with Jiang Bomu!

After three back-and-forth refusals, Gu Yu waved regretfully at her dad, but the moment she turned around, she was grinning from ear to ear, her lips curving up uncontrollably.

The elevator doors closed. As the social distance steadily shrank, Gu Yu hooked her hand around Jiang Bomu’s, her fingers slowly sliding from the wrist to the palm, gradually interlocking their fingers. A sweet feeling spread in her heart.

Just as she was about to take things further, Jiang Bomu spoke: “There’s a surveillance camera in the elevator.”

Gu Yu felt it didn’t matter, but Jiang Bomu was a celebrity. If the surveillance footage ever got leaked, it would be disadvantageous for her. She had to restrain herself and simply watched the changing floor numbers, chatting idly: “Sister, why didn’t you wait for me at home?”

“Would you like the official answer or the real answer?”

Gu Yu blinked: “What’s the official answer?”

Jiang Bomu said with a perfectly straight face: “Because your father would also be coming. As a junior, of course I should go out to welcome him.”

Having navigated the entertainment industry for years, her sense of social etiquette was impeccable. Gu Yu had had no inkling of this at all. Hearing the explanation, she suddenly understood and asked again: “And the real answer?”

“Impatience to see you.”

Ding. The elevator stopped on the 21st floor. After settling, the doors slowly opened.

Stepping out of the elevator, the two were still holding hands tightly. Jiang Bomu pressed her fingerprint with her other hand. The door answered by opening. A moment later, it closed tightly shut.

On one side of the single door, the hallway was utterly quiet. On the other side, passion blazed like fire.

As soon as they entered, Jiang Bomu was pressed against the door by Gu Yu. Fine, dense kisses landed on her forehead, eyes, and the tip of her nose. An endless tingling numbness swept over her. Her body weakened, and she loosely wrapped her arms around Gu Yu’s waist.

Their breaths intertwined. Jiang Bomu asked softly: “Why so impatient?”

“Afraid you couldn’t finish paying off those 156 kisses, so I’m adding a few more today,” Gu Yu lifted her chin, then suddenly frowned in a dilemma. “But… does one kiss on the mouth count as one, or do kisses on other places count too?”

“The latter.”

“Oh, I see,” Gu Yu drawled. “Then how many did I just give you?”

How could Jiang Bomu possibly count? She hadn’t had the mind to count either and honestly shook her head.

“Fine then,” Gu Yu beamed. “We’ll just reluctantly do a rough estimate.”

Jiang Bomu’s eyes widened. She was bending the rules!

“You’re the one bending the rules, Sister,” Gu Yu rubbed the tip of her nose against hers again and again. “I worked so hard memorizing…”

Her last syllable disappeared between their lips. Jiang Bomu actively took her lips, cutting off her words.

Gu Yu was miffed and bit lightly in punishment, but afraid of hurting her, she repeatedly soothed that spot with gentle suction. Jiang Bomu’s fragrant lips parted slightly, and a fresh white peach flavor surged forward, exchanged in their shared breaths, twisting into an intimate, ambiguous scent.

“Did you specifically brush your teeth?” Gu Yu asked indistinctly.

Jiang Bomu’s breathing was unsteady. She took a moment before answering: “It’s basic etiquette for kissing.”

Gu Yu then remembered that time in Jinling. She had also insisted on brushing her teeth before allowing any kisses. Laughing so hard she couldn’t continue kissing, she buried her face in Jiang Bomu’s shoulder and kept laughing.

“What is it?” Jiang Bomu was puzzled.

“So Sister wants to kiss even more than I do,” Gu Yu said deliberately. “You refused to let me kiss you in the elevator just now, but inside, you were definitely willing, right?”

Her words made Jiang Bomu’s cheeks flush. She faltered: “I didn’t.”

“Then why did you brush your teeth beforehand?”

“I…” she weakly explained, “It was just a hunch.”

“A hunch that we would kiss?” Gu Yu laughed again. “So you rehearsed it in your head a few times?”

Nothing she said could explain it away. Jiang Bomu bit her lip and turned her face away, ignoring her.

“Miss Little Ai is truly adorable.”

Joy filled Gu Yu’s heart, and she kissed her again. This kiss, once more, was unstoppable. Nearly drowning in it, Jiang Bomu pulled back the thread of reason, struggling to separate. She spoke with difficulty: “We can’t kiss anymore. We can’t stay in here too long.”

After not seeing each other for months, all the longing had turned into an avalanche of kisses, and neither could bear to part. But this wasn’t the time to pour their hearts out.

She walked towards the living room. Gu Yu finally remembered her dad waiting downstairs. She sighed regretfully and picked up Wan An, who had been completely ignored since they entered, and walked towards the litter box.

After settling Wan An, Gu Yu worried her face might look suspicious and went to the bathroom to check the mirror. The lipstick was nearly all gone, but her own lipstick was in the car, so she found a similar shade and reapplied it.

Watching her apply the lipstick, Jiang Bomu asked: “When are you coming over to my place?”

The words sounded like an ambiguous invitation, carrying a hidden meaning. Gu Yu’s heart fluttered for a moment before she answered properly: “In a couple of days. I need to spend a few days with my parents first.”

That was only right. Jiang Bomu nodded: “Remember to tell me before you come.”

“Why?”

“I’m worried I might have work scheduled and not have time to see you.”

Gu Yu agreed. She put the lipstick down and hugged Jiang Bomu again. Just now, she’d been staring at her so intently. Did this woman even know how captivating she was?

“Let’s go. I’ll walk you downstairs.” Jiang Bomu pinched her cheek.

In the elevator, Jiang Bomu instructed: “When we’re with your dad, act normal with me.”

Now that she’d calmed down, Gu Yu also realized how odd her earlier behavior had been. Eagerly hugging her upon meeting, then rigidly keeping distance in the car—alternating between intimacy and distance just made things look more suspicious.

She silently reflected on herself. By the time she saw Gu Zhenglin, her demeanor was much more natural.

“Uncle, Xunxun, I’ll head back now,” Jiang Bomu said politely. “Drive safely on the road, and send my regards to your wife.”

Gu Zhenglin’s gaze briefly swept over her lips, which had suddenly become redder. A flicker of doubt passed through him; he was certain they hadn’t looked like that when they first met. But his face showed nothing as he smiled: “Very well, very well. You head back too.”

Gu Yu waved with a beaming smile: “Bye, Sister! I’ll come find you to hang out in a couple of days!”

As the car pulled away, Jiang Bomu’s figure blurred. Gu Zhenglin looked at his daughter, who had returned to her usual calm demeanor, and silently dismissed his suspicion as absurd.

He must be imagining things.