chapter 61
Gu Qingning raised an eyebrow, her beautiful dark eyes narrowing slightly, suspicion written all over her gaze. “Buying books?”
Buying books? Him? Did he really need to come out in person to buy books?
Fu Juncheng let out a quiet smile. “What, you don’t believe me?”
Gu Qingning casually ran her fingers over the pages, effortlessly turning the question back on him. “What do you think?”
With so many bookstores in City A, of all places, he just happened to choose the one near her school? Saying it was a coincidence was too far-fetched.
Fu Juncheng spread his hands, innocence in his eyes. “There’s nothing I can do if you don’t believe me. I really did come to buy books.”
Gu Qingning didn’t believe him for a second. She shifted the topic, her voice tinged with caution. “How did you know I was here?”
The girl’s exquisite dark eyes were frosted over with coldness, reminiscent of their first meeting—like a little spiky beast ready to attack.
Fu Juncheng sighed helplessly, a low sound slipping from his lips.
He stepped closer, his long, jade-like hand landing on top of her head, his tone serious. “I didn’t investigate you. Never did.”
This really was a coincidence. He had just happened to see Gu Zhao’s car while waiting at a red light. Knowing her character, how could he possibly have sent someone to follow her?
Gu Qingning tilted her head back, her eyes reflecting the sharp contours of his face.
She turned her head slightly, and Fu Juncheng’s hand landed on empty air, her soft hair slipping through his fingers.
“Aren’t you here to buy books? Why are you just standing here?”
The tense atmosphere was broken, and the narrow space filled with a faint warmth.
Fu Juncheng let out a small laugh, but his gaze unconsciously fell on the redness on her forehead. The smile vanished from his lips.
He furrowed his brow and, just as he was about to withdraw his hand, reached out again, his warm fingers gently pressing the spot on her forehead where she was hurt.
“Who did this?” His voice was low, tinged with a cold sharpness.
“Someone you were fighting with?”
The person he cared for most—how could he let anyone bully her?
From so close, Gu Qingning could clearly feel his anger.
She had never seen him angry before and froze for a moment, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
“I bumped it myself, it’s nothing.”
Fu Juncheng asked skeptically, “Really?”
Gu Qingning nodded.
The coldness in Fu Juncheng’s eyes softened. His fingers lightly massaged the reddened spot on her forehead, his tone full of helplessness. “Be careful, or else…”
He didn’t finish the sentence, sparking Gu Qingning’s curiosity.
“Or else what?”
Fu Juncheng lowered his eyelids, his deep dark eyes taking on a more serious hue.
Or else he would be unable to resist keeping her by his side and taking care of her personally.
Yet, in the end, he didn’t say it, afraid of scaring the girl in front of him.
He glanced at the medical book in her hands, subtly changing the topic. “Planning to become a doctor?”
Gu Qingning shook her head, waving the book. “Just looking.”
The obscure professional terms caught his eye. Fu Juncheng tugged at the corner of his lips and asked casually, “The college entrance exam is coming soon. Which university are you aiming for?”
Gu Qingning belatedly realized that his hand was still on her forehead. Her obsidian-like eyes flickered with unease.
She lowered her head, avoiding his hand. “Just a small bump. It’s fine.”
Fu Juncheng withdrew his hand and subtly stepped forward.
He pressed on, “Which university, hmm?”
Gu Qingning hadn’t really thought about it; any university would do for her.
Seeing her hesitation, Fu Juncheng suggested, “How about University A?”
His voice was low and magnetic, with a hint of teasing persuasion.
Gu Qingning stared at him, stunned. “University A in Beijing?”
If she remembered correctly, her third brother was a professor at University A.
Fu Juncheng hummed in agreement, pretending to speak casually. “The medical department at University A is pretty good. They also have a lot of rare medical books.”
Gu Qingning tilted her head, a half-smile forming. “Why do I feel like you’re trying to trick me?”
Fu Juncheng thought to himself: kids who are too smart can be such a headache.
He curled his lips into a lazy smile, his tone teasing. “Being too suspicious isn’t good.”
Gu Qingning snorted lightly. If she weren’t suspicious, she’d probably end up being sold by him and counting the money for him too.
“Pretty lady.”
A soft, childlike voice rang out suddenly, brimming with excitement.
Before Gu Qingning could react, a small figure dashed over.
Chubby little hands grabbed the hem of her school uniform, demanding attention.
The tiny voice was sweet and sticky. “Pretty lady!”
Gu Qingning looked down at the little boy at her feet, her eyes showing surprise.
“Pretty lady, we’re super lucky to meet again so soon!” Qi Heng’s round, pink face beamed with a bright smile, his watery eyes crescent-shaped.
“Qi Heng missed you so much! Did pretty lady miss Qi Heng?”
Gu Qingning’s red lips curved slightly. She pinched his chubby cheek and softened her tone. “Little one, where are your parents?”
“Qi Heng got lost.” Immersed in the joy of running into Gu Qingning, Qi Heng didn’t notice anyone else around and lied boldly.
“Pretty lady, can you take care of Qi Heng for a bit?”
Fu Juncheng raised an eyebrow, his gaze dark as he glanced at the little one.
Qi Heng clung to Gu Qingning’s long legs, looking pitiful. “Pretty lady, please?”
Gu Qingning hesitated. Fu Juncheng’s crisp voice whispered near her ear.
“When did he get lost? How come I didn’t know?”
Qi Heng froze, struggling to turn his neck.
Next, he met Fu Juncheng’s half-smiling gaze. He froze.
This was bad.
He would definitely get locked in the little dark room by his uncle when he went back.
But he had finally met pretty lady, and he didn’t want to go back.
Thinking this, the little body hid behind Gu Qingning, wearing a scared expression. “Pretty lady, he’s a kidnapper. He wants to take Qi Heng away. Qi Heng is scared.”
Fu Juncheng: “……”
Gu Qingning looked up at the man in front of her, her gaze flicking between him and the little boy. Suddenly, it clicked.
A faint, teasing smile curved her lips. “A kidnapper, huh?”
Catching the teasing tone in her voice, Fu Juncheng leaned closer, meeting her bright eyes. His thin lips moved slightly. “If I were a kidnapper, wouldn’t you know it better than anyone else?”
If he were a kidnapper, he’d only ever take her.
The warmth of the man’s breath brushed her ear. His voice was low, magnetic, and gentle—but if listened to carefully, there was an inexplicable hint of flirtation.
“You…”
Gu Qingning froze for a moment, her cheeks and ears burning a deep pink.
Fu Juncheng reached out to lightly brush her nose, his laugh low and enticing. “Ningning isn’t speaking… do you also think I’m a kidnapper?”
The soft, lingering voice calling her name—the sound of “Ningning”—wrapped around her ears like a spell, disturbing her heartbeat.
Gu Qingning stiffened, the color at her ears deepening.
“Ningning…”
The man’s pleasant voice sounded again. Gu Qingning came back to herself and hastily interrupted, “Shut up.”
Master Fu is such a flirt—maybe Ning should flirt back, haha!
