Chapter 19: Smile More

The old man was discharged the next day. At dinner, Xia Yangyang saw Gu Zhaohan again. Although Gu Zhaohan had agreed to replace Li Jiashu as Liang Shanbo in the play, he hadn't made contact or participated in rehearsals. This was a problem; the school festival was only half a month away, and the school considered it very important. Rehearsals needed to begin immediately.

After dinner, unexpectedly, Gu Zhaohan wasn't in his room. He was bathing Oscar in the yard. Even more unexpectedly, he wasn't wearing his usual stony expression. He was talking to Oscar, saying, "Where have you been running off to today? You're covered in mud! Luckily, it's me washing you. If Uncle had seen you, you would have been scolded."

There was a hint of indulgence in his voice, and he even smiled faintly. Xia Yangyang approached, crouched beside Oscar, petted him, and said, "I never thought you looked so cute when you smile."

Gu Zhaohan was startled, then his face hardened. "I hate people trying to get in good with me."

Xia Yangyang feigned innocence. "I wasn't talking about you. I was praising Oscar. Look at him—doesn't he look adorable when he smiles? He's like a smiling angel." She teased Oscar's face.

Gu Zhaohan snorted, a faint blush appearing on his face. He lowered his head and snorted again, seeming a little sulky. Xia Yangyang thought he wasn't as unapproachable as rumored; teasing him was quite fun. She chuckled, then composed herself. "Gu Zhaohan, thank you."

Gu Zhaohan rinsed Oscar's paw with a cold voice. "No need to thank me. I'm only doing it for my uncle."

Xia Yangyang felt he might not dislike her as much as she thought. "No matter who you're doing it for, you helped me, and I appreciate it. Also, let's start rehearsals tomorrow night in the East Hall."

Gu Zhaohan didn't respond. Yangyang waited for his answer. Oscar, impatient with the washing, tried to break free several times. Gu Zhaohan said, "Can you hold him down? He always gets fussy when I wash his hind paws."

Yangyang quickly held Oscar's neck, pressing against him with her whole body. Washing his hind paws was a struggle; both were gasping for breath. As they stood up, Oscar shook his fur vigorously. Caught off guard, Yangyang got soaked.

"Oscar, did you do that on purpose?" she exclaimed.

Seeing her flustered, Gu Zhaohan surprisingly laughed—a charming, captivating laugh.

Xia Yangyang said, "You see, you should learn from Oscar. You should smile more. You look so good when you smile."

Gu Zhaohan's smile was truly attractive; Xia Yangyang thought of "beauty that overthrows cities, and the shame of flowers"—pure and clean, like morning sunshine on a snow peak. This was a genuine compliment, but his face immediately darkened. He was indeed moody.

"You should go inside. Your clothes are all wet," he said, averting his gaze.

Yangyang looked at her wet clothes and nodded. "Then I'll go in first."