Gu Fan always manages to lift my spirits from gloom and confusion with just a few simple words, making my heart bloom with joy.
I hugged my notebook tightly, licking my lips. Feeling their softness gave me an inexplicable boost of confidence, as if I’d put on lipstick and become prettier.
“If you really want to take a picture, come with me. You pick the spot, and we’ll talk about the price later.”
After mulling it over, I stated my terms. Gu Fan nodded eagerly, standing up smoothly from the corner and following me with ease.
His classmates froze, some wanting to call him back, but Gu Fan preemptively raised a hand to politely decline. With no other choice, they pursed their lips and returned to chatting among themselves.
Watching this unfold, I suddenly tasted a sweet hint of delight. Being cared for and prioritized by Gu Fan like this—no matter how irritated or anxious I was before, it instantly turned into happiness, didn’t it?
As I turned to hand the order sheet to the kitchen, I quickly hid my smile.
I really wanted to flash Gu Fan a sweet smile, showing off my beautiful, gentle “wife material” side, enhanced by my maid persona. If I played it right, I could surely make him think I’d be a virtuous wife and mother in the future.
And if I subtly teased him during this… maybe, just maybe, it’d add some extra spice to our future intimate moments.
My imagination when it comes to naughty things has reached a masterful level. In the brief moment of turning around, I’d already pictured countless possibilities and how to make them reality.
Luckily, I managed to wipe that infatuated, almost manic smile off my face in time, or Gu Fan would’ve definitely been startled. It’s a pity, though, to miss this chance to further polish my image in his eyes.
Clutching the notebook tightly to my chest with both arms wrapped around it, I led the way. Gu Fan’s steady, strong footsteps echoed rhythmically behind me.
Even with the heater warming the shop, I could feel a scorching heat radiating from my arms and the back of my waist.
If I hadn’t kept glancing back with my peripheral vision to confirm Gu Fan’s position, I might’ve thought he was pressed against my back… Realizing he wasn’t, I felt an inexplicable pang of disappointment.
Could my subconscious actually be craving that kind of closeness?
After some serious thought, I realized I might really be that kind of shamelessly bold girl, with a public sense of shame so low it’s almost despicable. As long as it’s something Gu Fan asks, I’d be willing to do anything.
Thinking about it, I’m practically a latent antisocial deviant… Thankfully, the object of my affection is someone as perfect as Gu Fan. He’d never ask me to do anything humiliating and always takes care of my sensitive feelings in every way.
It’s as if Gu Fan is handling a delicate piece of porcelain. I know my body is frail and weak, and my heart is just like that porcelain—shattering into pieces at the slightest rough touch.
That’s exactly why I dare to entrust my entire self to Gu Fan, believing he’ll gently wipe the surface of that porcelain with a soft cloth and place it somewhere safe, out of reach of cats and dogs, ensuring its security.
Maybe I’m just a big lazy cat, wanting to latch onto a responsible guy like Gu Fan.
Lost in these absurd thoughts, I suddenly felt my wrist gently grasped. My wandering mind slowly…
My wandering thoughts snapped back to my body, and I realized we’d reached the entrance to the cat room. Flame was pawing at the edge of the barrier, stretching its body, its sparkling eyes fixed on me as it let out a few soft meows.
“Here’s good, Zhinian. Is this okay?”
The feeling of my wrist being held—a strange mix of restraint and security—faded quickly as Gu Fan let go.
An unexplainable wave of melancholy washed over me. I watched as Gu Fan lowered his beautiful amber eyes, pulling the mini camera I’d given him from his coat pocket and focusing intently on adjusting it.
Recently, to fit in better and with the hope of enhancing my feminine charm to captivate Gu Fan, I’d scoured the internet for information.
I mainly wanted to understand what goes on in the minds of exceptional girls, the techniques they use when dating, and the thoughts they have.
Looking at Gu Fan now, with his slightly messy bangs but earnest, focused gaze, my heart thumped hard, as if a knot of emotions too complex to untangle had been woven in that moment.
I thought… maybe this is what they mean by “a serious guy is the most attractive”?
I don’t know whether to deny that Gu Fan in this moment struck the most sensitive part of my heart. All I know is that my heart was screaming, urging me to throw myself into his arms, wildly kiss his lips, and claim this captivating Gu Fan as my own.
Gulp… My breathing grew heavy, and despite swallowing several times, I couldn’t calm myself. To keep my frenzied state from being exposed to the world too soon, I struggled to tear my gaze away, staring at the floor while rubbing my legs together.
“Zhinian, ready for the photo.”
My self-control hadn’t fully returned when I felt a gentle pat on my head, making my breath catch.
Lifting my head, a warm breeze carrying an intoxicating hint of pheromones seeped invisibly into my body.
Just seeing Gu Fan’s smile was enough to suppress the wicked thoughts in my heart, as if they’d met their natural enemy.
I let out a long breath, my eyes seemingly welling up with grateful tears, which I quickly wiped away.
“Mmm, make sure you take a nice photo of me, okay?”
Glancing around, I noted that this area was far from the seats Gu Fan and his classmates had reserved, with a semi-transparent decorative wall blocking their view. Only the manager at the counter, watching the show, could still see us.
Catching my gaze, the manager seemed to misinterpret it as me being unsure how to win Gu Fan over. She frantically mouthed suggestions.
I squinted to make out her lip movements, deciphering that she wanted me to “go for it,” “kiss him,” or “hug him.” My experience is pretty limited, so I wasn’t sure if her advice was reliable.
After considering her suggestions, I decided it was better not to be too bold.
Scooping up Flame, who was pawing at my white stockings and meowing nonstop, I briefly explained its background to Gu Fan. Then, using the excuse of holding it as a photo prop, I petted it to calm my nervous heart.
Flame… if it were you, what would you do? Should I, like you, embrace Gu Fan with fiery passion and seek his loving touch?
Staring at the lens Gu Fan raised, I slowly stroked Flame’s soft fur. It purred contentedly, its cute little paws rhythmically kneading my chest.