Chapter 8 We Meet Again

On the other side, after finishing their meal, Gu Ci and Wen Zixin headed to the warehouse to collect their books.

There were quite a few books for the final year of high school, not to mention all the various workbooks and campus cards, enough to fill two large stacks. Wen Zixin eagerly volunteered to help Gu Ci carry them, but watched in astonishment as Gu Ci lifted a stack in each hand with effortless ease, showing no sign of strain.

Wen Zixin’s eyes widened in surprise, her mouth agape, the picture of utter shock. Gu Ci coughed softly. “They’re not heavy.”

Wen Zixin glanced at the thick pile of books and, though unconvinced, decided to believe her—at least for now.

By the time they finished, the lunch break was nearly over, and class was about to start. Wen Zixin led Gu Ci down a shortcut she’d discovered by chance.

As they walked, two figures approached from the opposite direction. The four nearly collided. Gu Ci kept her eyes forward, but one of the men stopped right in front of her, a teasing smile on his lips and a rich, playful tone in his voice. “Well, little one, we meet again.”

At the sound of his voice, Gu Ci instinctively looked up. Sure enough, it was the man from the mountain, the one who’d lingered at her house and refused to leave.

Wen Zixin also noticed the strikingly handsome man. Her gaze darted between Gu Ci and him, and whatever scenes her imagination conjured made her cheeks flush bright red. Without warning, she snatched both stacks of books from Gu Ci’s hands and dashed off at lightning speed.

Only when she grabbed the books did Wen Zixin realize just how heavy they were. She gritted her teeth, clutching the books to her chest as she ran. “You two take your time,” she called over her shoulder. “I’m heading back to class.”

“So your name is Gu Ci,” Rong Ye laughed, the deep sound reverberating from his chest, clearly in excellent spirits.

Although he’d stayed at Gu Ci’s house, she’d never once told him her name. Even if he’d only just learned it from someone else, it didn’t stop the young master from feeling delighted.

“We’ve seen each other twice in a week. Wouldn’t you say that’s fate?”

Gu Ci stood at nearly one point seven meters, as tall as most boys, but she still had to look up at the man before her—he was a full head taller. Truth be told, Gu Ci found this upward gaze rather irksome.

Her brows, edged with a trace of sharpness, knitted slightly. Her voice was cool. “Or perhaps it’s just the misfortune of cow dung, sheep dung, dog dung, and wolf dung all mixed together.”

Rong Ye’s smile nearly vanished. Qin Yu, who stood at his side, couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

He found this girl utterly fascinating. All these years, he’d never seen the young master so thoroughly put in his place.

Catching Rong Ye’s chilly glance, Qin Yu quickly clamped a hand over his mouth and straightened up, his expression turning solemn.

“Ahem. Ye, I’ll head over first. You two take your time.”

Gu Ci glanced at the man blocking her path and turned away. “I have class soon. Please move.”

Rong Ye’s eyes narrowed lazily. After a pause, he answered, “Alright.” He then extended a well-defined hand toward her head.

Gu Ci instinctively moved to dodge, but the man said, “Don’t move.”

She froze for just a second, long enough for Rong Ye to pluck a dead leaf from her hair.

After this, he stepped aside with impeccable manners. “See you tonight, little one.”

Gu Ci found something odd in his words, but didn’t dwell on it.

After school, she finally understood what he meant.

She and Wen Zixin parted ways outside the school gates. Gu Ci waited there for half an hour.

A mocking smile flickered across her lips, but after a moment’s thought, she dismissed it with indifference.

As she walked, she sensed a car following her. Glancing discreetly in that direction, she saw the rear window roll down, revealing the man’s devilishly handsome face.

Rong Ye had made no effort to hide. Seeing her look over, he flashed her a lazy smile.

Expressionless, Gu Ci asked, “What is it?”

Rong Ye lifted his refined chin. “Get in.”

Qin Yu, at the wheel, leaned out as well. “Yes, Gu Ci, we saw you waiting here for ages. Are you waiting for someone? I doubt they’re coming.”

Rong Ye added, “We might as well give you a ride. It’s on our way.”

Qin Yu nearly choked on his own saliva.

This man… He didn’t even know where the girl was headed, yet “on the way” rolled off his tongue without a hint of hesitation!

Gu Ci’s mouth twitched. She knew “on the way” was just an excuse; Rong Ye simply wanted to quickly repay her for saving him, to avoid owing her a favor.

After a moment’s thought, she said, “Take me to Star Exchange Plaza.”

Rong Ye smiled. “What a coincidence. My house is on that road.”

He got out and, with perfect courtesy, opened the door for her.

Qin Yu looked as if he’d seen a ghost.

Star Exchange Plaza was a massive shopping center in the city’s southern commercial district—practically the opposite end of town from Crown Garden in the north. Yet the young master claimed it was “on the way” with a straight face!

And this man, who was usually above everything, was actually opening a car door for someone in person?

Qin Yu couldn’t help but glance at Gu Ci several more times.

She seemed an ordinary girl, apart from her looks. He couldn’t imagine what could possibly draw the young master’s attention.

Before he could stare any longer, Rong Ye’s chilly gaze swept over him.

Qin Yu felt a chill down his spine, immediately sat up straight, and focused on driving.

Rong Ye leisurely withdrew his gaze, turning to Gu Ci with a newfound warmth. “Just arrived in Songdu? Are you settling in well?”

Qin Yu was nearly floored by this obvious double standard!

“No, I’ve been here before,” Gu Ci replied, succinct and to the point. She pulled a small bottle from her pocket and took out a tiny pellet, popping it into her mouth.

Rong Ye glanced at the black pills in her palm, raising an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

Gu Ci offered politely, “Candy. Want one?”

Qin Yu was about to say, “Ye doesn’t like those,” when the notoriously picky young master accepted one without hesitation and popped it into his mouth.

The candy melted instantly, a gentle sweetness washing away his fatigue and leaving him feeling light and refreshed.

Gu Ci looked at Qin Yu, her eyes questioning. He shook his head so vigorously it was nearly comical. “No thanks.”

He wasn’t a child—why would he eat candy, especially such unappealing black ones?

Noticing his tired, haggard face and lingering dark circles, Gu Ci said nothing more.

The car stopped at Star Exchange Plaza.

Gu Ci waved goodbye to them both, but as she stepped out, she saw the man following her.

Catching her puzzled look, Rong Ye lazily shoved his hands into his pockets, taking long strides to her side. “I just remembered, I have something to buy too.”

Gu Ci didn’t object.

After her “conversation” with her biological parents, she’d decided not to stay at the Gu house. She’d come to the plaza to buy daily necessities and clothes for her new life.

Star Exchange Plaza was a comprehensive mall, home to only the most reputable brands. Shopping there was exceedingly convenient. Once a customer picked something, the sales assistant marked it on the computer, and after payment, the items would be delivered directly to the specified address.

Gu Ci simply pointed out what she wanted—bedding, mattresses, down to toothbrushes and teacups—her thoughts perfectly clear, never hesitating.

It was less “shopping” and more a full-scale sweep.

Just then, the device in Gu Ci’s hand vibrated gently.