Chapter 88: You Want to Kiss Me

In the middle of the night, Luo Xing’s throat was unbearably dry, so she got up to drink some water.

She had just opened the door to go fetch some when she first noticed the light spilling from the study.

The door to the study was ajar, the lamp inside still on, files stacked high on the desk, and the computer screen glowing faintly.

But Gu Shiyan wasn’t inside.

Luo Xing stepped out and saw Gu Shiyan standing on the balcony, smoking.

He rested one hand on the wooden railing, his back slightly hunched, head bowed.

Luo Xing made no sound, just stood there watching him for a while.

Her thoughts drifted back to what Qi Zhi had said: Gu Shiyan had only helped Qi Zhi because of her.

She remembered Gu Shiyan once telling her that Lu Yuanyi would never let Qi Zhi off easily. So what had Gu Shiyan done to persuade Lu Yuanyi to agree?

The news had reported a collaboration between the Lu and Gu families.

So Gu Shiyan had used his own family business to make Lu Yuanyi let Qi Zhi go.

Luo Xing’s throat tightened as she went to the water dispenser.

The water gurgled as she filled her cup.

Gu Shiyan turned his head to look at her.

He stubbed out his cigarette outside, stepped in, his demeanor careless and unhurried.

Luo Xing gulped down most of her water in one go before Gu Shiyan reached her.

She could see the fatigue beneath his eyes.

“Why are you still awake so late?” she whispered.

“Just handling some things,” he replied, casually reaching for a cup and filling it halfway.

There had been word from the old master—Gu Ming’s greed was boundless; he’d openly asked for direct controlling shares in Kesheng.

The old master had already anticipated that Gu Ming was eyeing Kesheng, but even he had underestimated Gu Ming’s ambition.

Of course, the old man would never compromise, which meant they had to find another way to make Gu Ming give up.

After dealing with the matters entrusted by the old master, Gu Shiyan found himself too exhausted even for sleep, so he’d stood out on the balcony smoking.

“Then, try to rest earlier,” said Luo Xing.

She finished her water in a single breath and was about to return to her room.

But Gu Shiyan caught her wrist. “Wait, Luo Xing.”

He suddenly called her name with unusual solemnity, catching her off guard. She turned back. “What is it?”

“What I said the other day—I meant it,” Gu Shiyan looked down at her.

Luo Xing met his gaze, her lashes lowering. “I understand.”

She pulled her wrist back, avoiding his eyes.

Seeing her reaction, Gu Shiyan knew she wasn’t ready to discuss this, and truly, now was not the right time.

He sighed. “The competition is in a few days. Make sure you rest well. Leave everything else aside for now.”

Luo Xing nodded. “Alright. I’m going to bed.”

Gu Shiyan watched her retreating figure, then glanced at his own palm.

...

It was a small competition, and their team took first place with ease.

Captain Xu Yan didn’t seem to care much; as soon as they got off the stage, he shoved the trophy into Qi Changbai’s hands.

“By the way, let’s have dinner together tonight,” Xu Yan grinned.

Luo Xing and Shen Que both frowned at the same time; their class was also having a gathering that evening.

They exchanged a look and silently agreed to skip the class event. With so many people in their class, their absence wouldn’t be noticed, but there were only five people on the team—if they didn’t go, there’d only be three left.

“I’ll message the class group to say we’re not going?” Shen Que looked at Luo Xing.

She nodded indifferently, never one to fuss over such small things.

But then she shook her head, pressing Shen Que’s hand before he could send the message.

“Just say you’re not going. I’ll tell them myself.”

Shen Que was momentarily stunned before realizing Luo Xing wanted to deliver the message separately.

It made her a little uneasy. Lately, whenever she attended class, she could feel gazes darting between her and Shen Que.

She’d always thought Shen Que wouldn’t care, and to avoid being pestered by admirers, she had let rumors about her and Shen Que stand.

But the other day, coming out of the restroom, she’d overheard someone who liked Shen Que was holding back because of her.

Only then did Luo Xing realize how selfish she’d been. She could afford not to care—but Shen Que couldn’t.

What if, because of her, he missed out on someone who genuinely liked him?

“I’ll handle it myself,” she said, looking at him.

“Are you hiding something from me?” Shen Que’s eyes bore into her.

Luo Xing bit the inside of her cheek where a canker sore had developed. It stung.

She figured it was from worrying about her grandmother and the competition—it had all been too much.

“What could I possibly be hiding? It’s just that the rumors in class are getting more outrageous, and I don’t want to bring you trouble.”

They were talking as they made their way backstage, where staff bustled around.

They picked up their things, ready to leave.

Shen Que caught Luo Xing’s hand as she walked ahead. “I don’t care about any of that.”

Luo Xing felt a pang of confusion, lowering her eyes. “Still, it’s not right.”

Suddenly, a shadow fell over them, and both Luo Xing and Shen Que looked up.

Gu Shiyan stood nearby, one hand in his pocket, eyes fixed on their joined hands.

Shen Que held on even tighter.

Luo Xing frowned, then turned to Shen Que, gently freeing her hand. “Shen Que, I know you don’t mind the rumors, but as your friend, I can’t just ignore things because you don’t care.”

Gu Shiyan stood aside, listening as Luo Xing stressed the word “friend,” her tone firm.

Gu Shiyan’s lashes flickered; he saw Shen Que’s expression falter at those words.

Perhaps Luo Xing felt nothing for Shen Que, but Gu Shiyan, as a man himself, could see quite clearly how Shen Que felt about her.

Xu Yan, swinging his bag, saw the stalemate and snapped his fingers. “What is this, a love triangle? Come on, dinner’s the real business tonight.”

He hooked an arm around Shen Que’s neck, pulling him forward, with Qi Changbai on Shen Que’s other side. Luo Xing and Gu Shiyan were left behind, their gazes meeting and quickly shifting away.

In the end, they followed after the others.

Luo Xing noticed how close the two boys ahead were and hurried her pace, putting distance between herself and Gu Shiyan.

Even so, she could still feel his gaze on her back, making her steps falter.

Her phone buzzed. She glanced down—it was a message from Gu Shiyan.

He said he wanted a drink tonight.

Luo Xing frowned and shot him a look over her shoulder, as if he were being ridiculous.

Her phone vibrated again.

He said he wanted to get drunk.

Luo Xing stared at the word “drunk,” then sent a question mark in reply.

Why did Gu Shiyan feel the need to inform her about his drinking?

His drunkenness had nothing to do with her.

Then another message arrived.

Gu Shiyan’s true intentions were at last revealed.

“You said before, if I get drunk, you’ll kiss me.”

Luo Xing: ?