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Gu Tingting chatted with An Yiqing for a while, and after instructing her to return to the dormitory after eating, she hung up the phone.
"What else does she like to eat?"
Hearing Gu Yelin's slightly gentle question, Gu Tingting's smile had just faded when her mouth corners twitched back into place. Master Gu! You're not my brother, you're my master! Can you not be so frightening! That's so scary!
An Yiqing finished the stinky tofu and, as she promised Gu Tingting, she quickly returned to the dormitory. She tidied up briefly, changed into a nightgown, and then began to read while leaning against the headboard of her bed.
The night was quiet, with an occasional breeze blowing through the curtains, gently touching the beautiful woman's face, bringing with it a burst of fragrance.
**
After dropping Gu Tingting off at the mansion, Gu Yelin returned to the suburban villa without heeding the butler's request to stay. This was a place where Gu Yelin stayed alone, and if it were to be called "home," it lacked the vitality and warmth a home should have. The interior design of the house was much like Gu Yelin himself: clean lines, harsh in black and white, understated yet luxurious, but missing that hint of softness.
Gu Yelin took a shower and put on a black silk robe. His dense hair, having just been washed, lacked the cold rigidity of daytime but gained a messy, carefree beauty. Gu Yelin loosely tied the belt of his robe, revealing a sexy and toned chest. Drops of water from his recent shower still clung to his body, creating a trail of enchantment as they slipped over his chest with each of his movements. He went to the bar and poured himself a glass of red wine. His thin lips looked even more seductive and alluring against the blood-red wine. His Adam's apple quivered slightly with a simple swallow, a movement that was provocatively suggestive.
Gu Yelin sat on the tall stool, lost in thought as he recalled his abnormal behavior that day. This was a loss of control he had never experienced in his 27 years. Although he hadn't been with a woman, he wasn't ignorant of love. Perhaps his feelings for An Yiqing hadn't reached the level of love yet, but from the moment he saw An Yiqing's silhouette that evening, his heart seemed to tell him, she was the one.
If it was just one night, why was he so certain that An Yiqing was the one for him for life? He wasn't sure himself. But sometimes, with some people, it takes just one look, and it lasts a lifetime.
It was fate, unexpectedly, that this little woman turned out to be Tingting's best friend, making things much easier. He needed to think of a perfect plan to capture her; after all, it was best to keep the little white rabbit close and raise it himself.
Having figured everything out, Gu Yelin downed the glass of wine, his dark eyes glittering with determination to succeed.
**
Sunday morning
An Yiqing had developed the habit of getting up early to exercise over the years due to practicing ancient martial arts. She still remembered standing on the plum blossom stakes as a child, falling nose first onto the ice-cold, smooth surface, bruising her face but eventually mastering the fighting skills she had now.
After freshening up, An Yiqing changed into a white tracksuit and tied her hair up in a simple ponytail. Her petite face was delicate, and the ponytail made her look even more youthful and vibrant.
The Xuan University sports field was busy with people exercising every morning, with students and local residents alike. The sunshine was pleasant today, and An Yiqing stretched her arms and legs a bit before slowly starting to jog around the plastic track.
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...
"Were you really oblivious or just pretending?"
An awkward male voice rose behind An Yiqing, and upon hearing the slightly aggrieved tone, she couldn't help but secretly smile.
Not long after she started her run, she had sensed someone following her. The only person at Xuan University childish enough to do such a thing was her one and only male friend, Tang Lin, who always acted awkward and tsundere. Intentionally, An Yiqing didn't look back, and sure enough, after two laps, the breathing behind her began to falter.
Born in Xuandu City, Tang Lin chose to live in the dormitory for independence. That morning, on a whim, he came to the field for a run and spotted An Yiqing from a distance. With her graceful and slim silhouette, no one else at Xuan University could be mistaken for her. He had initially planned to call out to An Yiqing but once behind her, he just silently followed. He was indeed childish; he just wanted to see how long it would take for An Yiqing to notice him.
An Yiqing slowly came to a stop and turned around leisurely, her eyes twinkling with mirth.
"Hmm, I always thought it was a tsundere dog following me," An Yiqing teased, arching her eyebrows playfully.
At her words, Tang Lin's face turned beet red, and although he glared at the mischievous girl in front of him and opened his mouth, he couldn't bring himself to say anything harsh.
"Hmph! To compensate for my loss, you're treating me to lunch!" Tang Lin turned away awkwardly, giving An Yiqing the opportunity to invite him for a meal.
An Yiqing, fully aware of the boy's tsundere ways, quickly nodded in agreement, "Alright, whatever you want to eat, I'll treat, guaranteeing your satisfaction."
"That's more like it!" Tang Lin's ears tinged red, a triumphant smile on his lips. If Ruan Xue and Gu Tingting were here, they would definitely scream at An Yiqing for being a fool. Couldn't she see such obvious affection, only she, the beauty with sluggish senses, wouldn't get it?!
Having decided on their lunch plans, An Yiqing and Tang Lin walked and chatted on the field. Tang Lin gazed at An Yiqing, the morning sunlight casting a holy glow upon her as if coating her in sanctity; he was slightly spellbound, fearing that such a wonderful person might leave at any moment.
Tang Lin steadied his emotions and began to act tsundere again, causing An Yiqing to listen with a smile as if dealing with a grumpy younger brother.
As An Yiqing and Tang Lin were chatting, they noticed many people hurrying in the same direction, faintly hearing shouts of "Quick, call an ambulance". Exchanging a glance, they stopped a student rushing by to ask what had happened. It turned out that an old man had fainted in the pavilion, and his condition seemed serious; the people around him were hesitant to move him.
Upon hearing this, An Yiqing sprinted towards the crowd, with Tang Lin quickly at her heels.
Around the pavilion was a large crowd, some genuinely anxious, others just onlookers. An Yiqing, using her agility, squeezed to the forefront to see the school doctor attending to an elderly man dressed in a white robe. He appeared to be an early riser out for exercise but had collapsed here for some reason. An Yiqing carefully examined the old man's complexion and her expression turned solemn.