"What a stubborn little girl! Looks like when we're married in the future, I'll have to coax her, pamper her, kneel on a keyboard, a durian, or even a washboard—anything to make her happy, it's all worth it."
Looking at the fragile yet pretending-to-be-strong expression on the little woman, Gu Jingchen's heart was profoundly moved. The man's sharp brows slightly raised, the corners of his thin lips gently curved, and his deep, ancient-pool-like eyes gazed obsessively at his beloved little woman with an almost imperceptible fondness. He murmured softly, his heart filled with an overwhelming tenderness.
Since Yun City University was in the new district, Gu Jingchen's car had to cross the sea bridge and continue driving for a while. Shang Xixia was too exhausted, and her adorable little head began to nod lightly before finally resting against the car's interior as she fell asleep. Outside the window, the streetlights painted a dreamy glow, and the flicker of neon lights cast faint shadows on her delicate face, making her look even more enchanting.
Gu Jingchen kept driving at an even pace, as slow as he could manage. He turned up the car's air conditioning slightly and just watched her. In this moment, the man's usual steel-like composure melted into a warmth that brimmed over. Calm and aloof as he usually was, for once, he longed deeply for time to stretch out, for this moment to last forever.
The car finally arrived at the university. After parking, Gu Jingchen gazed at the small, peaceful smile on the sleeping woman's face, his own smile rich with affection and depth.
"Xixia, Xingyan, wake up now—we're here. Mr. Gu has been waiting for us this whole time!"
At the same time, Yu Tingting, who had been groggily dozing in the back seat, was the first to stir at the car's sudden stop. She abruptly sat up, only to accidentally bump her head on the car's roof. Rubbing her head with an apologetic grin, she glanced at Gu Jingchen, giving him a shy smile before frantically calling out to Shang Xixia and Zhou Xingyan to wake up.
"Thank you, Brother Jingchen. I'm so embarrassed for making you wait so long and taking up so much of your time." Shang Xixia's face flushed an alluring red. Sticking out her cute little pink tongue, her bright, expressive eyes shimmered with shyness, sending ripples of beauty that were simply irresistible.
"Xixia, there's no need to be so polite with me," Gu Jingchen said with a composed smile, his voice deep and smooth, resonating like the mellow tone of a cello in D minor.
"Xixia, here's the thing—I know a friend's child who wants to learn piano. They've already met a few teachers but haven't found the right fit. Earlier, during your conversation, I caught a few bits about your piano proficiency—your grades are excellent. Why don't you give it a try and see if you can teach?"
Speaking slowly and deliberately, Gu Jingchen exuded an air of sincerity. By this point, he had stepped out of the car alongside the three girls. His commanding presence blended seamlessly with the warm early summer breeze. Standing there with his hands casually tucked into his trousers, his sharply tailored black slacks paired with a crisp white shirt made him nearly blindingly handsome.
"Really? Thank you, Brother Jingchen!" Shang Xixia's clear, melodious voice brimmed with unrestrained excitement, her pitch rising just slightly. Her sparkling eyes darted a look at Gu Jingchen.
"Yes. After I go back tonight, I'll get their contact information and pass it along to you," Gu Jingchen said, watching the radiance of excitement light up her graceful features. His smile softened with warmth as he spoke.
The group chatted a bit more before Gu Jingchen finally got back in his car and drove off.
That evening, after Gu Jingchen arrived at the Gu Family Mansion, he sat silently in his car for a long time.
Normally, at a time like this, he might casually light a cigarette with his fingers, but tonight he couldn't bring himself to do so. The faint, fresh scent lingering in the car from the little woman's presence was something he couldn't bear to disturb. Breathing deeply, his sharply defined face carried a hint of a bitter smile, and his thin lips pressed together lightly.
Meanwhile, in Room 204 of Yun City University's dormitory...
Fresh out of the shower, Shang Xixia stepped out of the bathroom only to see Yu Tingting and Zhou Xingyan whispering conspiratorially to each other. With mischievous grins on their faces, they walked toward her together.
"What are you planning now?" Shang Xixia asked, glancing at her two mischievous best friends with a touch of suspicion in her elegant brow. Her soft voice was laced with curiosity. As she spoke, she was drying her long, flowing hair with a towel, the light casting a luminous glow on her flawless skin, making it almost impossibly fair.
"Hmph! Shang Xixia, our dear classmate, in the interest of avoiding cruel interrogation, you'd best come clean: what's going on between you and Mr. Gu Jingchen? Two days—no, three days! And one of those days, you were off the grid without our supervision. In these three days, you've met him three times. Care to explain why you've been meeting so often? As for today—let me tell you, that wasn't a simple happenstance. Don't you think we deserve a hint? If you've really landed such a big backer in Gu Jingchen, does that mean the two of us can get away with anything we want from now on? Like beating up Qu Yanyan and Li Chengjing whenever we see them?"
Yu Tingting and Zhou Xingyan exaggeratedly bumped their delicate arms together, throwing sneaky and expectant glances at Shang Xixia. They were positively consumed with curiosity, hoping for a resounding "yes."
"Clearly, your hopes are misplaced. Brother Jingchen has looked after me since we were young—he's been taking care of me for so many years. If you think about what you're saying, are you suggesting he's been in love with me since childhood? And stayed in love all these years? Let me tell you, don't let your overindulgence in romance novels cloud your judgment. Brother Jingchen achieved so much so young. The only reason he helps me this much is because we've known each other since we were kids, and he knows about the turmoil my family went through." Shang Xixia sighed.