CHAPTER 1539: CHAPTER 1443: WHISPERING

Xia Yangyang stepped out of the car, staring blankly at everything before her.

It was as if she had stepped into her dream.

She had thought about it before.

Her dream was to become a journalist.

But she had also imagined, if she couldn’t be a journalist, what would she do?

Xia Yangyang’s answer was to open a bookstore.

A place that offers solitude in a bustling city, a sanctuary for the soul.

And what stood before her now—wasn’t it exactly what she had always longed for?

It turned out that, over the past eight years, all her dreams had come true.

She had become a journalist.

And after growing tired, she had opened a bookstore.

Gu Qichen walked to the bookstore’s entrance and said, "Come over here."

Xia Yangyang walked over and said to Gu Qichen, "Do you have the key? I want to go inside and have a look."

But Gu Qichen simply replied, "The key is with you."

Xia Yangyang was taken aback.

Gu Qichen took Xia Yangyang’s hand and placed it on the door handle.

It turned out to be a fingerprint lock.

The bookstore’s door soon opened automatically.

Xia Yangyang walked inside.

A wave of nostalgia, as though traveling through time, washed over her.

The space inside was actually quite large.

As she walked in, it felt like entering a library.

The bookshelves were custom-made, forming a small maze.

And in the maze’s corners, there was always a cozy and comfortable spot to read.

As Xia Yangyang walked through, with each step, her fondness for the place deepened a little more.

She took a book from one of the shelves and casually flipped through it.

Suddenly, she turned to Gu Qichen and asked, "Is this really my bookstore?"

Gu Qichen nodded.

A surprising sense of joy welled up within Xia Yangyang’s heart.

That feeling of a dream almost coming true.

She glanced around and said, "This place is incredible."

Gu Qichen walked over, taking the book from Xia Yangyang’s hands, his gaze fixed intently on her face.

In a low, resonant voice, Gu Qichen said, "All this time, not just the children and me, but also Heart Bookstore, have been waiting for you to return."

His voice carried a sort of mesmerizing allure.

So did his gaze.

Xia Yangyang felt herself being deeply drawn, as if she were sinking into a vast sea of stars.

As their eyes met, she found herself unable to look away and unsure of how to respond.

Gu Qichen’s presence drew closer and closer.

She could distinctly hear the sound of her own heartbeat.

The tip of his nose already brushed hers, their breaths intertwining.

"Uncle Gu, Auntie Yangyang, what are you doing?"

A childish, sweet voice floated up from below.

Xia Yangyang jolted in surprise.

Looking down, she suddenly noticed that little Xingxing was standing by her feet.

At this moment, those big, blinking eyes were staring curiously at Xia Yangyang and Gu Qichen.

Xia Yangyang’s face instantly turned crimson.

How had she, just moments ago, been so captivated that she hadn’t even thought about pushing Gu Qichen away?

In fact, she had even felt a little nervous and excited.

But being caught by the child, Xia Yangyang felt utterly embarrassed.

How should she explain?

Xia Yangyang had a flash of inspiration and quickly said, "Uncle Gu and I were just whispering a secret to each other."

Little Xingxing announced loudly, "But your mouths were touching!"

Xia Yangyang coughed awkwardly.

She shot an inadvertent glance at Gu Qichen.

He, however, appeared calm and unbothered, standing there with a watching-from-the-sidelines expression.

Left with no choice, Xia Yangyang explained, "Because we were sharing something really important, and that’s the only way to make sure no one else could hear."

Little Xingxing let out an "Oh," looking as if she had understood and accepted this new knowledge.