Chapter 110
Gu Ximian didn't sleep well all night.
A low-grade fever-like heat gradually rose in the middle of the night. It was a feeling Gu Ximian was already very familiar with—her susceptible period for the month had arrived. Fortunately, she had noticed it last night and had taken an inhibitor before bed. Now, she got up and took a second one, then lay down drowsily, drifting in and out of sleep, walking through countless magnificent dreams. When she finally opened her eyes, it was as if she had been woken by the sound of her own heartbeat, and her face quietly turned red.
Her body felt a little weary, a normal condition during her susceptible period, but not to the point of affecting her daily life. Compared to before she was fifteen, it was a completely negligible side effect. Gu Ximian propped herself up and sat up, first taking a shower. She didn't usually have the habit of bathing in the morning, but today she had no choice.
By breakfast time, that indescribable heat had finally subsided enough for Gu Ximian to have the leisure to think about Zhuang Chi.
Why are there still more than ten days of vacation left? Gu Ximian thought. Otherwise, I might as well find some time in the next few days to go directly to Zhuang Chi's house to see her. Seeing her in person would be better than... this.
Gu Ximian never knew a vacation could be so hard to endure, nor did she know she was such an impatient person. Or perhaps the susceptible period was fueling her romantic feelings. In any case, at this moment, she really, really wanted to see Zhuang Chi.
It was like a small fire was slowly simmering in her heart. Gu Ximian lost her appetite after just a few bites of breakfast, hastily putting down her chopsticks and saying she was full. Her parents assumed it was just discomfort from her susceptible period and thoughtfully didn't ask further. Gu Ximian returned to her room. For once, she had no banquets or similar arrangements scheduled for the day and planned to use studying to distract herself. However, she had only read a few pages when the silence in the room was broken by her phone vibrating twice.
It was just past nine in the morning. It was rare to receive a message at this time during the vacation. Gu Ximian picked up her phone and saw Zhuang Chi's name at a glance. The message was simple: 【Good morning, are you awake?】
The emotions that had just settled in her chest surged up again the moment she saw the message. While feeling joyful, Gu Ximian was also puzzled—Zhuang Chi didn't usually wake up early, so why was she contacting her so early today? She quickly sent a reply, her words appearing calm, faithfully concealing her joyful heart: 【Good morning. You're up very early today.】
Then, Gu Ximian watched as Zhuang Chi's WeChat name repeatedly showed "typing...", but no reply came for a long time. She was growing anxious and was about to ask again when the chat interface suddenly flashed. Zhuang Chi was making a voice call.
It was just a regular voice call, not a video call, which saved Gu Ximian the time of tidying her appearance. She answered immediately and, as expected, heard Zhuang Chi's voice. However, the other person seemed to be outdoors, and her voice was slightly more muffled than usual. "Morning, Gu Ximian. I... ah, is it convenient for you to talk right now?"
"Yes." Growing more concerned, Gu Ximian pressed the phone closer to her ear. "What's wrong? Are you not at home right now?"
"I..."
It was a simple question, yet Zhuang Chi seemed to hesitate, awkwardly asking back, "...What about you? Are you at home?"
She feels like something is being hidden from her. Gu Ximian frowned slightly and first replied, "I am. I don't have anything to go out for today. Didn't I tell you yesterday—"
Just as she was about to ask Zhuang Chi what was wrong, she faintly heard another person's voice through the phone, seemingly talking to Zhuang Chi, urging her about something. The male voice was slightly familiar, not entirely strange, but not so familiar that she could place it immediately. Gu Ximian pondered for a moment but ultimately couldn't resist asking directly, "Where are you right now?"
"..." The person on the other end of the line sighed softly and confessed with a hint of dejection, "...At the main gate of your house."
It wasn't until she was stopped by the gate security guard that Zhuang Chi began to wonder if her trip had been a bit too sudden.
It was a trip made without any careful consideration. A three-and-a-half-hour high-speed train ride from her city to Gu Ximian's. She had bought a very early ticket and had barely slept the night before, which was how she managed to be standing here at this hour.
...But she had indeed forgotten about this part. After all, when she lived here three years ago, the security guards couldn't even see her, so she was never stopped. Zhuang Chi thought. For a private residence in this kind of wealthy area, the security would naturally be extremely strict. A stranger like her wouldn't be let in so easily.
Then she was asked by the security guard to make a call to verify her identity. While Zhuang Chi knew this was unavoidable, she also felt a little dejected. She had originally wanted to give Gu Ximian a surprise, but now she couldn't even get through the main gate. It felt a bit lame...
...And after calling Gu Ximian, just after she said she was at the main gate and before she could ask her to speak with the guard, she heard Gu Ximian's urgent "Stay right there," and then the call was abruptly ended. So Zhuang Chi stood there silently, steeling herself to ignore the frequent suspicious glances from the guard who hadn't received verification. She looked at the sky, thinking the weather was decent today, but it was still quite cold. Gu Ximian's voice on the phone just now had sounded a bit listless. Had she caught a cold and wasn't feeling well? If so, it would be troublesome for her to come out all this way. She should have reminded her to wear more clothes when coming out...
Just then, she heard hurried footsteps. They came so quickly, not even ten minutes after the call ended. Zhuang Chi turned her head and, sure enough, saw Gu Ximian's figure. Her clothes looked warm enough, which relieved her a little.
Gu Ximian ran over and stopped a few meters away from Zhuang Chi. She had run in a hurry and was slightly out of breath when she stopped. Her breaths turned into warm white mist in the cold, dry air, making the Zhuang Chi before her seem blurry. It took a few more glances for her to dazedly realize that Zhuang Chi was really here, smiling at her.
Just looking isn't enough, Gu Ximian thought. I need to go over and hug Zhuang Chi tightly.
But before she could act on this thought, the security guard who had been watching Zhuang Chi approached, speaking to Gu Ximian with no small amount of nervousness, "Is... is this your guest? Since she wasn't registered, I stopped her first..."
It was the male voice she had heard during the voice call with Zhuang Chi. So it was her family's gatekeeper; no wonder it sounded slightly familiar. Realizing someone was watching, Gu Ximian's impulsive thought was interrupted and now difficult to act on. She gave a low "mm," knowing her attitude was dismissive, but she really couldn't spare any attention for others. Her eyes were practically glued to the still foolishly standing Zhuang Chi. She walked over in a few steps, her voice hoarse when she spoke, "...Why did you come?"
"Well..." Zhuang Chi was a little embarrassed. She replied, "During our video call yesterday, it seemed like you really wanted to see me. And it just so happened that I felt the same."
Gu Ximian didn't speak, just stared at her fixedly. A direct gaze was so much more intense than one through a screen. The emotions in those beautiful eyes were too full, her long eyelashes trembled slightly, almost making Zhuang Chi mistake that Gu Ximian was about to cry. But Gu Ximian didn't. She just silently reached out, captured Zhuang Chi's hand, and said in a low voice, "On such a cold day..."
Her hand was, of course, warmer than Zhuang Chi's, which had been out in the cold all morning. Zhuang Chi worried about chilling her and flinched slightly, but Gu Ximian only gripped her hand tighter, unceremoniously lacing their fingers together and pulling her inside.
This time, no one stopped her. Zhuang Chi followed obediently. She tried to speak to Gu Ximian a few times, but was silenced with a single look and a brief, four-word response: "We'll talk when we get back."
She didn't dare to speak again. Gu Ximian walked very fast, and her pace quickened until she was almost jogging, an inexplicable air of tension and urgency surrounding her. Fortunately, the residence wasn't far from the main gate. Gu Ximian opened the door and went in. If Zhuang Chi hadn't remembered to change her shoes, she probably would have been dragged straight upstairs. So Gu Ximian stopped and silently found a new pair of slippers for Zhuang Chi. Being stared at by her made Zhuang Chi move a little faster. The commotion at the entrance alerted Gu Ximian's parents. They had both come to the living room after their daughter suddenly ran out, and now they looked at Zhuang Chi with considerable surprise. "Ximian, this is...?"
Gu Ximian looked at the suddenly tense Zhuang Chi, a faint smile gracing her lips as she said softly, "She is my lover."
After saying that, without regard for anyone else's reaction, Gu Ximian pulled Zhuang Chi up the stairs and quickly returned to her own room. Closing the door with a backhand motion, Gu Ximian looked at the still somewhat dazed Zhuang Chi and was finally able to approach without restraint, throwing herself forcefully into her arms.
The tightly wound emotions in her chest finally dissipated. The embrace felt solid. The awareness that Zhuang Chi was right here in her room gradually took shape, filling Gu Ximian's heart to the brim. But it wasn't enough. It was winter, and both of them were wearing thick clothes. After hugging for a moment, Gu Ximian pulled back slightly, took off the down jacket she had grabbed on her way out, then reached for Zhuang Chi's dark blue scarf and said softly, "Take it off?"
Before coming, she had imagined how Gu Ximian might react, but she still couldn't quite keep up with the development of events. Zhuang Chi had just nodded, intending to take off the scarf herself, when she felt Gu Ximian decisively untie and remove it for her. Then, Gu Ximian reached for her coat, and before Zhuang Chi could react, the zipper was pulled down and the coat was taken off. Then Gu Ximian moved close again. This time, with fewer obstacles between them, a warm, soft body pressed tightly against hers, making Zhuang Chi belatedly realize that under that long down coat, Gu Ximian was only wearing pajamas.
"Why didn't you change before going out?" More than anything else, concern for Gu Ximian's health welled up first. Zhuang Chi unconsciously touched the thin fabric. "It's so cold outside, and windy..."
Zhuang Chi's hand rested on her waist, just barely touching the hem of her clothes, not a firm touch, but the mental awareness of being touched was incredibly clear. Gu Ximian bit her lip and buried her face deeper into the side of Zhuang Chi's neck. Every breath was filled with Zhuang Chi's scent, more captivating to her than the richest coffee. She spoke, her words like a soft sigh held between her lips, "...I couldn't wait..."
How could she have the time? How could she possibly wait? Hearing that the person she longed for had come to her city to find her, she didn't want to delay for even a second.
Gu Ximian took a deep, silent breath. Zhuang Chi was still properly wearing her pheromone blocking collar, so she could only smell a very faint scent on her, which soon felt insufficient. When she looked up, even the choker on Zhuang Chi's neck seemed like an eyesore, and she felt an urge to undo it. Zhuang Chi also seemed to notice something was amiss. She gently held Gu Ximian's shoulders and pushed her back a little. Looking at the displeased frown on Gu Ximian's face, she raised a hand to feel her forehead and asked worriedly, "You feel a little hot. Did you catch a cold? When I called you just now, I felt your voice wasn't quite the same as before..."
What an unromantic person. But her words were full of concern, which made Gu Ximian's heart soften again. She pulled down the hand Zhuang Chi had used to check her forehead. It was hard to say if she wanted to punish her for pushing her away or something else, but Gu Ximian, as if possessed, bit Zhuang Chi's wrist. Her canine teeth grazed against the slightly protruding wrist bone, then she let go. She placed an apologetic kiss on the spot she had bitten, her lips and tongue clinging to Zhuang Chi's cool, pale skin, finally landing a lingering kiss on her pulse, as if kissing Zhuang Chi's synchronously beating heart.
"...I didn't catch a cold."
Only after biting did she realize what she had done. Gu Ximian's face flushed slightly. And now Zhuang Chi was almost as hot as she was. She looked at her equally blushing Alpha and said in a small voice, "It should be because... my susceptible period has started. It just began last night."
Zhuang Chi was clearly startled and subconsciously held her breath. Seeing her like this, Gu Ximian regained some composure, moved closer again, and murmured, "If you had told me earlier that you were coming, then I would have..."
Would have what? Gu Ximian thought vaguely. Would have... not taken the inhibitor?
Zhuang Chi didn't know her thoughts, and her heart trembled, left hanging by that unfinished sentence. Her mind was already in chaos. She was thinking, could it be that my sudden arrival has caused trouble for Gu Ximian? and also, Gu Ximian must have already taken an inhibitor for her susceptible period, right? Otherwise... otherwise I should have been able to smell...
But to be honest, Gu Ximian's room was already more or less saturated with her scent. Zhuang Chi didn't dare to breathe too deeply. The person in her arms leaned against her tightly, as if devoid of strength. She wanted to hold her more securely but worried that doing so might agitate Gu Ximian's susceptible period. As she hesitated, she felt Gu Ximian look up, her voice tinged with dissatisfaction, "Why aren't you hugging me?"
Zhuang Chi didn't know how to answer. Her first reaction was to obediently raise her arms and tighten her hold around Gu Ximian's waist. Gu Ximian's eyes curved in satisfaction, but she didn't lean back against her shoulder. Instead, she just looked at her quietly, her eyes veiled in a light mist, beautiful like water-glazed glass. Her upward gaze was like a silent invitation, revealing a hint of allure.
Who could resist a look like that from Gu Ximian? Zhuang Chi thought.
She moved closer, preparing to be proactive before her lover could ask, "Why aren't you kissing me?"
But the kiss was not to be. Just before Zhuang Chi could successfully kiss Gu Ximian, there was a knock on the door. It was Mother Gu's voice, calling softly from outside, "Ximian, why don't you let your guest come down for some water first?"
The voice startled Zhuang Chi, who subconsciously leaned back to create some distance. Her slow-working brain now realized that she hadn't properly greeted Gu Ximian's parents yet. They must have been worried by the sight of them rushing upstairs and closing the door without a word, and that's why they came up with an excuse to call them. Zhuang Chi thought this was indeed a bit rude. She looked at the quiet Gu Ximian, whose eyes were downcast, and was about to suggest, "Shouldn't we go down first?" when she heard Gu Ximian suddenly reply, "She's not thirsty."
There was no sound from outside the door. It was unclear whether her mother was stunned by the answer or had already left. But Gu Ximian couldn't be bothered with that. She looked at Zhuang Chi again, eagerly hooking her arms around her neck, then leaned in to kiss her.
Gu Ximian didn't know how to tell Zhuang Chi about the longing that had accumulated in such a short time, and the fervent love ironed hot by her susceptible period. Things that couldn't be spoken could only be expressed through actions. She was already hugging Zhuang Chi tightly, but it still wasn't enough. The kiss she initiated wasn't enough either. Only when Zhuang Chi kissed her deeply did she feel a faint sense of satisfaction, her soft whimpers swallowed by the other's mouth.
Being people from fundamentally different worlds, she felt insecure if they weren't within a distance where they could touch at any moment. Being separated by a screen only made this anxiety accumulate. Such complex longing was hard to put into words, and Gu Ximian also felt she was making a big deal out of nothing. But when her lover appeared before her as if by magic, those emotions burst forth like an opened floodgate, impossible to hold back.
Whatever. Let there be mountains collapsing and tsunamis, let it be the end of the world outside. Right now, Gu Ximian only wanted to properly kiss her Alpha, her Zhuang Chi.
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