chapter 37
As the words fell, the waiter brought over two bowls of porridge.
Steam rose from them, carrying a fragrant aroma.
Gu Qingning glanced at the two bowls—both were exactly the same: vegetable porridge.
She looked at the person beside her in confusion. “You’re just going to eat this?”
She was the one with an upset stomach—why was he eating something so bland too?
Fu Juncheng’s brow lifted slightly, his voice calm. “It’s late. Eating something light is good.”
Gu Qingning made a soft sound of acknowledgment and picked up her spoon.
She had to admit, there was a reason this Chinese restaurant was so popular—the simple vegetable porridge tasted really good.
After eating nearly half a bowl, a large hand reached over and snatched her spoon.
Gu Qingning turned her head, following the hand with her eyes.
Before she could ask anything, the man’s deep, magnetic voice spoke. “Don’t eat too much, or your stomach will start feeling uncomfortable again.”
Gu Qingning pressed her lips together, looking somewhat wistfully at the remaining porridge in her bowl.
Such a pity.
Her small, disappointed expression caught Fu Juncheng’s eye. It reminded him of a greedy little cat. He chuckled softly. “If you like it, we can come again next time.”
Gu Qingning nodded and grabbed two napkins to wipe her mouth.
She stood up and casually put her hat on.
They had already paid when they ordered. Fu Juncheng picked up the car keys, and the two of them walked out side by side.
Moonlight spilled onto the road, making the dark night feel a little melancholic.
The black luxury car sped off, stirring up a trail of dust.
After a long day and taking her medication, Gu Qingning soon started to feel sleepy once she was in the car.
Leaning against the window, the cool breeze brushed her face. She half-closed her eyes, her features tinged with weariness.
Fu Juncheng glanced at her from the corner of his eye. Seeing her resisting sleep, he felt both amused and tender.
He freed one hand to lower her hat brim slightly. His deep, mellow voice filled the car. “It’s still a bit of a drive to school. Take a nap. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”
Then he teased softly, “Don’t worry, I won’t sell you off while you’re asleep.”
Her face, hidden under the hat, betrayed no emotion. In a slightly husky, drowsy voice, she said, “Thank you.”
Not long after, her slow, steady breathing merged with the cool air, signaling she had fallen asleep.
Seeing her asleep, Fu Juncheng slowed the car.
But even the longest roads eventually have an end.
Glancing at the sleeping girl beside him, he thought of her insomnia over the past two days and felt a sudden reluctance to wake her.
Turning the steering wheel, he drove toward a parking space across from the school.
The car stopped smoothly, and the headlights went out.
Fu Juncheng unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to look at the sleeping girl. His jacket draped over her made her slender frame appear even more delicate.
Recalling the weight of holding her the last two times, Fu Juncheng felt one of the few pangs of heartache he allowed himself—he had given it all to her.
A fleeting complex emotion passed through his deep, bottomless eyes. Almost instinctively, he reached out.
Just as his long fingers were about to touch her hat, he abruptly stopped.
After a brief hesitation, his warm hand landed softly on her head.
Perhaps it was due to her recent insomnia, or perhaps because she let her guard down around him—Gu Qingning showed no sign of waking.
Seeing this, Fu Juncheng let out a quiet sigh of relief, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
He stared unwaveringly at her delicate profile, at the long curve of her neck where veins were faintly visible beneath the skin, as if the slightest bend would break them.
He carefully removed her hat, murmuring softly, “You really don’t take care of yourself at all.”
