CHAPTER 82: CHAPTER 78: ISN’T IT EXCITING?

Gu Yanjing left the tea room to take a call outside in the corridor.

As soon as the call connected, Qiao Yuxian laughed and said, "Mr. Gu, are you missing me?"

Gu Yanjing: "......"

"Hmm? Why aren’t you speaking?" Qiao Yuxian continued, "Hmm... is Mr. Gu feeling shy?"

"Where are you tonight?" Gu Yanjing didn’t answer her question.

"Here," Qiao Yuxian’s voice was as cheerful as ever.

But Gu Yanjing still sensed that she wasn’t in a good mood.

"Oh no, I won’t be able to see my handsome Mr. Gu tonight. I wonder if I can sleep, or if I’ll suffer from insomnia," Qiao Yuxian teased in a drawn-out tone.

Bathed in moonlight, Gu Yanjing stood in the corridor, his posture rigid, with a stern expression, exuding a serene and cold demeanor like the clear moon.

He said coolly, "Be serious."

Qiao Yuxian chuckled on the other end of the call, persistently asking, "So, do you miss me?"

Gu Yanjing pressed his lips together without saying a word.

Qiao Yuxian didn’t need him to answer, she paused for two seconds, then said seriously, "Gu Yanjing, I miss you a bit."

Gu Yanjing’s hand at his side moved slightly.

Neither of them spoke again, and silence lingered over the phone.

After a while, Qiao Yuxian laughed and said, "But we’ll see each other tomorrow. Don’t work too late, rest early, good night."

"Hmm." A few seconds later, Gu Yanjing responded.

Qiao Yuxian ended the call.

Gu Yanjing also put down his phone and looked up at the moon in the sky.

Then he turned and went back to the tea room.

Chu Zhengran was leisurely sipping tea, and when he saw the caller return and grabbed the coat from the chair, he said, "What? Did your wife ask you to go back?"

Gu Yanjing draped the coat over his arm and glanced at him.

Chu Zhengran smiled gently, but the smile carried an obvious challenge.

Gu Yanjing withdrew his gaze and said coldly, "This tea is terrible."

After speaking, he left without looking back.

Chu Zhengran’s smile froze, watching his retreating back with a frustrated heart, caught in his throat.

He could stand having himself criticized, but not his tea.

Chu Zhengran would be troubled and sleepless for the entire night.

He extended a trembling finger pointing in the direction Gu Yanjing left, and after a long pause, said, "Gu Yanjing, you’re something."

...

At the Qiao Family.

After ending the call, the smile vanished from Qiao Yuxian’s lips.

She sat on the floor without moving, resting her head on her knees quietly for a while.

She withdrew all her aura, becoming docile.

Quiet and lonely.

After a while, she picked up her phone, found a contact, and sent a message: [Brother Wen Yan, when are you coming back?]

The reply came quickly: [What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Did something happen? If there’s an emergency, I can return anytime, or have someone bring you over.]

Qiao Yuxian replied: [I’m fine, nothing’s wrong. I just want to ask you something. No need to rush back. If it’s urgent, I’ll come to you.]

The other side replied: [Tentatively returning mid-October, there’s much to handle domestically. Once things here are settled, I’ll return immediately.]

Qiao Yuxian: [Okay.]

The other side also said: [Contact me anytime if there’s anything, if you feel anxious, you can take half of the usual amount of medication.]

Qiao Yuxian: [Hmm.]

Turning off the phone, Qiao Yuxian got up, walked through the darkness to her bedroom, and flopped onto the bed, not wanting to move.

Her face buried in the bed, it was unclear how long it took her to nearly fall asleep when her phone rang.

Hearing the ringtone, she didn’t move.

Quietly lying on the bed for a while longer, she finally stirred, reached for the phone, and glanced at it.

Seeing Gu Yanjing’s name, Qiao Yuxian froze for a moment.

For an instant, she thought she was dreaming.

After two seconds, she responded and answered the call, her voice small and dazed: "What’s up?"

"Come out."

The voice from the receiver felt like a cold breeze swiping past her ear.

"Huh?" Qiao Yuxian blinked in confusion.

Gu Yanjing didn’t say anything.

Qiao Yuxian stayed dazed for a while, then got out of bed and went to the window.

The floor-to-ceiling window was always shrouded with a thin curtain, she drew it open and looked outside.

The moonlight was bright at night, like a thin veil draped over the night.

She saw a car parked downstairs.

Trees partially obstructed the view, the model unclear. She could only see there was a car parked below.

Qiao Yuxian ended the call and quickly left the room.

The living room was empty, very quiet.

She swiftly opened the door, noticing the silence outside, and quietly closed the door.

Even her walking was light.

Like a child sneaking out to play at night, tiptoeing.

Perhaps due to the atmosphere’s buildup, her heart quickened when she opened the front door.

Afraid of making the slightest noise.

Successfully leaving the villa, she jogged a few steps out of the yard.

Mentally, she immediately noticed Gu Yanjing standing by the car outside.

He stood next to the car, shrouded in darkness, giving off an air of mystery and strength that could be relied upon.

Qiao Yuxian stopped at the gate, watching him for a moment, then ran towards him, running straight into Gu Yanjing’s embrace and hugging him.

Running directly over, Gu Yanjing was slightly pushed back by the impact.

He stiffened a bit, slightly surprised, then raised his hands to embrace Qiao Yuxian, and stroked her hair.

Her face nestled against his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, she softly said, "Gu Yanjing."

The voice was small, soft.

"Hmm." Gu Yanjing felt a touch of coolness on her body.

"Why are you here?" Qiao Yuxian, eyes closed, asked.

Gu Yanjing looked down at the top of her head, remaining silent.

"Because I said I missed you." Qiao Yuxian held him tighter.

Gu Yanjing still said nothing, feeling how soft and warm her body was snuggled closer to him.

Qiao Yuxian assumed he acquiesced and smiled happily: "I only missed you a little just now, but seeing you now, I miss you even more suddenly."

Deep within his eyes, a subtle tenderness appeared.

The night was a bit chilly, and he noticed she was wearing slippers.

He let her go, opened the car door for her to get in.

When she got in, he touched her hand, finding it cold.

His expression turned a bit stern as he got in the car and touched her hand again: "Cold?"

Qiao Yuxian shook her head: "Not cold."

Though she claimed she wasn’t cold, she snuggled closer to him, extending her other hand: "Cold hands, warm them."

Gu Yanjing glanced at her sparkling eyes, holding her hand in his for warmth.

At first, Qiao Yuxian was well-behaved, letting him hold her hand.

But soon after, she started to fidget, occasionally tickling Gu Yanjing’s palm with her fingers.

He looked at her, she’d be good for a moment, then start again.

Doing so more and more, she grew bolder: "Gu Yanjing, it’s so late, it wouldn’t be convenient to go back. Why not sneak into my room? Wouldn’t that be exciting?"

In a teasing tone, expression mischievous.

Gu Yanjing: "......"