Gu Nianzhi looked up and raised her tiny fists with a sly look. She gently hit Huo Shaoheng’s shoulder and whispered, “Why is that something I have to get used to? Coming back to kiss me isn’t that hard.”
Huo Shaoheng didn’t’ speak and only watched her quietly. His eyes were as dark as obsidian, and when he watched her intently, she felt like he had the whole world in his eyes. He was willing to offer the world to her, but he kept silent instead. Huo Shaoheng’s gaze put Gu Nianzhi under a spell, and she gradually softened her stance. Two voices kept arguing in her head. One voice said, It’s fine if it’s like this. Why does he have to change for you? The other voice countered, But he loves me, right? Why can’t he make one harmless change for me? In the end, Gu Nianzhi finally looked down to avoid Huo Shaoheng’s gaze.
She put her arms around his neck and massaged him, then said coyly, “Huo Shao, just give it a try. It’s not that hard.” While she was playing coy and draping her arms over Huo Shaoheng, she completely forgot they were sitting in a full bathtub, and Huo Shaoheng, who hadn’t completely fulfilled his desires, had some fun once again.
…
After another shower, Huo Shaoheng carried an exhausted Gu Nianzhi out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. She rolled into the bed and wrapped herself tightly in the thin blanket with her back to Huo Shaoheng.
He laid next to her back with satisfaction and finally spoke in his baritone voice, “If I wanted you right now, you think your little sheet could keep me away?” He leaned forward to drag Gu Nianzhi out of the blanket and into his embrace. He covered her with his own blanket.
At first, Gu Nianzhi resisted his advances, but Huo Shaoheng’s arms were so warm and safe that she could only pretend to struggle before finding a comfortable spot on his shoulder and passing out in less than a minute. When she woke up the next day, she found she was “working out” again.
“Huo Shao, are you done yet? I still have to go to school.” Huo Shaoheng urged Gu Nianzhi breathlessly under his body. She was driving him crazy. Even though her voice was sweet, her constant nagging was ruining the mood. Huo Shaoheng finally blocked her mouth impatiently with his lips and drove his tongue inside every time she tried to speak. He sucked hard on her tongue until she couldn’t talk. Aside from the weak cries, she couldn’t make any other sounds.
…
After another round of lovemaking, Gu Nianzhi once again collapsed onto the bed with exhaustion. She stared at Huo Shaoheng as he stood up and got dressed. He had done the most work last night, but he was also more refreshed and energetic. He was so rejuvenated it looked like he’d gotten a full 16 hours of sleep. Gu Nianzhi scoffed loudly to alert him there was a worn out person needing comforting. Huo Shaoheng turned around to look at her with a hint of a smile. He walked towards her and bent over to gently pat her cheek.
“Don’t fuss. It’s time to get up. I’ll take you back to school.” As he spoke, he threw her phone to her. “Your Professor was anxious. He called many times.”
Gu Nianzhi sat up right away and gripped her phone. Her eyes were wide with shock. “Why do you have my phone, Huo Shao!” She clearly remembered putting it in her coat pocket!
“You were sleeping so well last night, and I was worried it might wake you up. So I took it out and shut it off,” Huo Shaoheng replied calmly before going to the closet to bring Gu Nianzhi a set of clothes. “Go change in the bathroom. I’ll make you breakfast.”
Gu Nianzhi couldn’t sit still, and she glared at Huo Shaoheng. She mustered enough courage to say, “Huo Shao, you can’t do that to my phone.”
Huo Shaoheng didn’t speak, just put both hands in his pockets as he leaned in front of the closet. He replied calmly, “You’re still not getting up and showering? You don’t want to shower alone? Then let’s go together. It’ll save water.” He started to unbutton the clasps at the top of his military uniform.
Gu Nianzhi shrieked before grabbing the clothes and getting up from the bed. She dashed into the bathroom in her pajamas. The door locked with a click. She didn’t want to be “eaten” again…
…
At seven am sharp, Huo Shaoheng dropped Gu Nianzhi off at her dorm. Resting both hands on the steering wheel, he gave her a sidelong glance. “Go now, I’ll take you home this weekend.”
Gu Nianzhi’s bottled up grievances were melted away by his words. She looked at Huo Shaoheng’s handsome side profile and despised her own lack of backbone and principles, but she still instinctively leaned over to kiss his cheek. She blushed. “Huo Shao, did you remember what I told you?”
“Yes, I did.” He sounded aloof yet polite as if he were brushing her off.
Gu Nianzhi knew he spoke like this whenever he was “ready to accept criticism but refused to change.” She got out of the car and stood on the steps of the dorm building to watch Huo Shaoheng’s car speed away. She felt uncertain about her future. It wasn’t like she was asking for much, but why did Huo Shaoheng always refuse to compromise? How many times had she given in already? I have no self-respect or principle when it comes to him, she thought. I despise my own behavior.
…
Back at the dorm, Ma Qiqi was still asleep. Gu Nianzhi packed her backpack in her room then went to the cafeteria to buy breakfast for her roommate and get a bowl of yellow cornmeal porridge for herself. She’d already had breakfast at Huo Shaoheng’s place, but his Yanghzhou fried rice made her parched, and she needed something to drink.
When Ma Qiqi opened her door and was shocked to see two fried donuts, a bowl of silky tofu, and three xiaolongbaos on the dining table. Gu Nianzhi sat alone and was enjoying her own bowl of yellow porridge. Ma Qiqi rushed over to Gu Nianzhi, hugged her cheerfully, and kissed her cheek.
“Nianzhi, you’re my little fairy! Never stop!” She sat across from Gu Nianzhi and began devouring the breakfast. Gu Nianzhi cast away her worries and smiled at the sight of Ma Qiqi eating. She felt especially proud.
Ma Qiqi chewed on the donuts as she asked Gu Nianzhi, “Where did you go last night? I almost stayed up for you.” She continued, “Yesterday Miao Yunxiao was released on bail to await the trial. She came over especially to see you and said she wanted to thank you.”
“Miao Yunxiao? Came to thank me! You must’ve heard wrong!” Gu Nianzhi couldn’t help looking out the window. “Am I crazy? Is the sun still rising from the east!” She was very sure that the sun hadn’t risen from the west.
“Of course not, I even asked her, and she said she would personally speak to you when you came back. Also…” Ma Qiqi hesitated for a second before leaning closer to Gu Nianzhi to whisper, “I think she’s going to transfer schools.”
Gu Nianzhi nodded with understanding. “If she doesn’t transfer out, the school would expel her. So considering her options, it’s still better to withdraw voluntarily.”
When the two girls finished breakfast, Miao Yunxiao knocked on their door again. Ma Qiqi opened it and turned around to look at Gu Nianzhi. “Nianzhi, Miao Yunxiao is here to see you.”
Gu Nianzhi came out of the small kitchen and examined Miao Yunxiao quickly. The last few days must have been terrifying. Her normally round face had completely sunken in leaving her skin waxy and her hair brittle. Her eyes didn’t dart quickly as they had before, and she often looked away to avoid eye contact. It looked like the ten days of detention hadn’t been easy. Gu Nianzhi sighed but remained quiet as she stood next to Ma Qiqi. Miao Yunxiao finally looked up to quickly glanced at Gu Nianzhi. Gu Nianzhi fair and rosy skin seemed to exude youth. She quickly looked away. Miao Yunxiao stuttered, “Classmate… Classmate Gu, I came here to thank you.”
“To what do I owe the honor? I don’t remember doing anything you need to thank me for,” Gu Nianzhi countered Miao Yunxiao with a smile. The truth was, she would rather Miao Yunxiao apologize about all the gossip she’d made up about her. But unfortunately, this was someone who would rather give thanks than apologies.
Miao Yunxiao hung her head and mumbled, “I heard the personnel say it. You helped find evidence to prove my testimony was true. That’s how I got released on bail to wait for the trial.”
Gu Nianzhi froze. She instantly understood that this must have been Yin Shixiong or Zhao Liangze’s handiwork. They were the only ones who knew about her involvement in the case, but she didn’t see why they would tell Miao Yunxiao.
“Classmate Miao, this was only a coincidence. Don’t think too much of it,” Gu Nianzhi said politely. “Cooperate fully with your lawyer and help the military find Yamaguchi Aiko. You may even help the nation and get a lesser sentence.”
“Really?” Miao Yunxiao jerked her head up. “If I can find that woman, will my record be cleared?”
