Chapter 20: A Sweet Moment

Xia Yangyang knelt, concerned. "Gu Zhaohan, are you alright?"

Gu Zhaohan shivered. Xia Yangyang hesitated; perhaps this method was wrong. She said, "I'll turn on the lights. It might help."

"Don't go," he said.

Before Xia Yangyang could rise, Gu Zhaohan caught her hand. He remained curled up, but reached out and gripped her hand tightly.

Xia Yangyang sat down beside him. "I won't leave," she whispered.

They sat in silence for a while. Xia Yangyang's hand grew numb from his grip. Gradually, however, Gu Zhaohan's trembling subsided. Finally, he released her and looked up. Her hand was pale and almost numb.

"Are you feeling better now?" she asked with concern.

Gu Zhaohan's face returned to normal. Seeing her whitened hand, he looked apologetic. "I'm sorry."

Xia Yangyang was startled, then shook her hand and laughed. "It's alright. It'll be fine soon."

"Let's go home," Gu Zhaohan said.

Xia Yangyang checked her watch—it was nine o'clock. They biked home together.

As they changed shoes, they encountered Gu Mingzhu.

"Did you two come home together?" she asked. "And so late?"

Xia Yangyang replied, "Xiao Han and I were rehearsing for the school festival play. We just finished."

When Xia Yangyang mentioned "Xiao Han," Gu Zhaohan, changing his shoes, paused.

Gu Mingzhu looked stunned. "Is that true? You're participating in the play?" she asked incredulously. Her son hated crowds and had never performed since childhood.

Gu Zhaohan nonchalantly nodded. "I'm going upstairs," he said coldly.

As he ascended, Gu Qichen descended. Seeing Xia Yangyang, Gu Qichen caught her as she nearly fell while rushing towards him.

"Still restless as a child," Gu Qichen said gently, holding her close. "Watch where you're going."

Xia Yangyang nuzzled into his chest. "But I missed you," she murmured.

Gu Qichen chuckled, pinching her cheek before kissing her. They were alone at the stairwell's turn, but Gu Zhaohan hadn't gone far. He watched the scene from above. His eyes darkened, and he quickly retreated to his room.

Gu Qichen brushed back Xia Yangyang's hair. "Why are you so late?"

"I told you—I'm rehearsing a play. The performance is in ten days, so I'll be late these days."

"I'll pick you up in the evening," he offered.

"No need," she said. "Your nephew is there, rehearsing with me."

Gu Qichen nodded. "Alright, then I'll emphasize to him to take good care of his aunt."

Xia Yangyang chuckled. Being an elder to someone older felt peculiar.

"Are you hungry?" Gu Qichen asked.

"Starving!" Xia Yangyang exclaimed. "I haven't had dinner. Could you make me some noodles?"

"Alright, my little food-lover," Gu Qichen replied.

Suddenly, Xia Yangyang remembered. "Oh, Gu Zhaohan hasn't eaten either. Can you make him some too?"