chapter 72
The back seat fell into silence.
Xi Nai frowned in confusion and glanced at the rearview mirror.
The golden light filtering through the car window outlined the man’s tall, lean figure. His white shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, revealing a hint of his collarbone — a mix of cool detachment and restrained allure.
At that moment, the man’s cold eyes were fixed on the window, a faint smile playing at their depths.
Xi Nai was stunned.
Was he seeing things?
This man… actually smiling so gently?
“Ah Cheng, what are you looking at?”
There was no response. The man in the back suddenly opened the door and got out.
Xi Nai blinked in confusion. “Hey, Ah Cheng—”
What’s going on?
He unfastened his seatbelt and, not caring whether he’d get a parking ticket, rushed out of the car after him.
At the Supermarket
Gu Qingning stood at the checkout counter, holding a row of yogurt drinks, waiting for her change.
After a while, the cashier looked up.
Seeing the girl’s exquisitely delicate face, a surge of maternal affection softened her tone. “Sorry, sweetie, I’m short on small bills — is it okay if I give you coins?”
Gu Qingning nodded. “That’s fine.”
The cashier counted out the change and handed it over. “Eighty yuan — please check.”
Gu Qingning took it without looking and slipped it into her pocket.
“Thank you.”
“It’s nothing, dear.”
As she watched the girl leave, the cashier couldn’t help sighing.
Same gender, different world — how could someone’s daughter look that pretty?
Outside, Gu Qingning walked back toward the internet café.
Just as she was taking out her money, a familiar voice came from behind.
“Skipping class to go to an internet café? Not behaving, are you, little one?”
The low, magnetic voice carried a faint rasp, a charm that could unsettle anyone’s heart.
Gu Qingning froze, her fingers tightening around the coins. Slowly, she turned around.
Under the sunlight, her pale, composed face was as calm as ever — no trace of guilt at being caught.
“What are you doing here again?”
They’d run into each other at the bookstore before. Now here again.
Don’t tell her it was another coincidence.
Fu Juncheng raised an eyebrow. “Out with a friend. Just passing by.”
Gu Qingning didn’t believe him, narrowing her eyes slightly. “Where’s your friend?”
Before he could answer, a teasing voice called out, “I was wondering why you ran off and left me behind. Turns out you were here flirting with a little girl.”
Xi Nai strolled over, his gossipy gaze sweeping over the girl’s school uniform. His brows lifted slightly.
A student?
A smirk tugged at his lips.
“Ah Cheng, who would’ve thought?”
An old bull chasing tender grass.
And the target was such a delicate little thing, too.
Fu Juncheng’s cool eyes narrowed as he shot him a warning look. “Shut up.”
Xi Nai shrugged, grinning roguishly.
It wasn’t every day he got to see this man in such an interesting situation — he wasn’t backing down now.
Fu Juncheng ignored him and stepped closer to the girl. “Why aren’t you in class?”
His tone was soft, indulgent — anyone could hear the fondness in it.
Gu Qingning tilted her head up, her expression calm. “The teacher gave me time off.”
A flimsy excuse if there ever was one.
Fu Juncheng frowned. “Did someone bully you again?”
Gu Qingning blinked. “Huh?”
Why did he always ask that? Did she really look that easy to push around?
She replied briefly, “The teacher found out my test paper was written by someone else and told me to skip the next two periods.”
Xi Nai clicked his tongue.
So she got caught cheating, kicked out of class — and still had the guts to go to an internet café? The girl had nerves.
Fu Juncheng’s expression relaxed slightly. He reached out and flicked her forehead. “That teacher’s too much.”
Xi Nai’s mind went blank.
Wait, what?
Shouldn’t he be scolding her? Or at least telling her to stay on the right path?
What happened to principles? To boundaries?
Thrown to the dogs, apparently.
Gu Qingning couldn’t help laughing, lips curving. “It’s nothing. I’ll head in first.”
Fu Juncheng’s tone softened, his voice gentle. “This place isn’t safe. Don’t come here often.”
As he spoke, he casually took the coins from her hand.
Gu Qingning tried to pull back but only managed to save a few coins.
Her stingy little expression made him chuckle.
He stepped closer, his long fingers reaching for her backpack.
Gu Qingning instinctively stepped back, her dark eyes wary. “What are you doing?”
Fu Juncheng laughed quietly, then lowered his hand to catch her wrist.
“Don’t move.”
She froze. Taking the chance, he unzipped her backpack and slipped the money back inside.
Zipping it up again, he said, “It’s almost noon. Let’s go eat.”
No way was he letting her into that shady place.
Watching the scene unfold, Xi Nai’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Holding hands?
Now inviting her to lunch?
Looks like the café plan was a lost cause. Gu Qingning tucked her few saved coins back into her pocket.
She said coolly, “If it’s somewhere expensive, I can’t afford it.”
She had earned a bit from songwriting, but not enough to treat him to a meal.
Fu Juncheng chuckled. “Did I say you were paying?”
Gu Qingning pursed her lips. “But I still owe you one.”
“Then you can treat me next time,” he said, reaching out to ruffle her hair. He’d wanted to do that since the moment he saw her.
Before she could bristle, he withdrew his hand with deliberate leisure.
“Let’s go.”
Gu Qingning glanced at Xi Nai. “Your friend?”
Fu Juncheng’s tone was indifferent. “Ignore him. He’s got things to do — won’t be joining us.”
Realizing he was about to be ditched, Xi Nai quickly jumped in.
“Plans can wait. No rush.”
He smiled brightly, but inside he was fuming.
So much for brotherhood — the man instantly forgot his friend for a girl!
“Today’s my treat. Let’s go.”
Fu Juncheng shot him a sidelong look. Xi Nai looked anywhere but at him — the sky, the road, his shoes.
With a grin, Xi Nai turned to Gu Qingning. “You don’t mind, do you, little miss?”
Gu Qingning glanced at Fu Juncheng, then shook her head.
Xi Nai’s grin widened, showing a row of perfect white teeth. “Such a sweet girl.”
The three of them got back into the car, Xi Nai taking the driver’s seat.
In the back, Fu Juncheng turned to the girl beside him, sounding casual. “What were you going to do at the internet café?”
Gu Qingning sipped her yogurt through a straw, lazy and unconcerned. “Play games.”
Xi Nai was curious. “What kind of games?”
“Match-3 puzzles,” she replied.
“…”
Xi Nai was speechless.
People still played that kind of game?
Gu Qingning glanced sideways at Fu Juncheng, her red lips parting slightly. “Do you know about the exchange event between No.1 High School and Jingjiu High?”
Fu Juncheng nodded. “You’re joining?”
Gu Qingning thought for a moment before asking back, “Any benefits?”
His voice was calm, lazy. “Students from those two schools who win at the exchange get an automatic admission slot to A University.”
Gu Qingning’s interest remained lukewarm. “That’s it?”
Knowing his little lioness’s weakness for money, Fu Juncheng added bait. “There’s also a generous cash prize.”
As expected, a spark of light flickered in the girl’s dark eyes.
“How generous?”
