CHAPTER 45: CHAPTER 45: AN ANSWER

Ning Yue turned around to look at Ling Tianyou, "What’s wrong?"

When did this guy come back, staying up at midnight just hanging around waiting for her?

Ling Tianyou stood up and placed the things she was holding on the nearby table, "Aren’t you going to ask where I went this afternoon?"

He went out to handle some business matters, and by the time he returned, Gu Ningyue had vanished.

All the way till late at night, his phone had not received a single message from her.

Initially, he thought she was jealous because of something about Chi Xingtong, but as soon as she returned just now, he realized he was overthinking it.

The smile on her face showed no trace of sadness.

"Uh... should I care?" Gu Ningyue blinked, "You don’t seem to care either, do you?"

He was the one who suddenly became distant; now he comes questioning her?

After glancing at the butler hiding in the dark corner along with Aunt Zhang, Ling Tianyou grabbed her arm and headed upstairs, "Come with me!"

"I’m sleepy, what do you want?" Gu Ningyue was speechless; what’s this guy doing acting crazy in the middle of the night?

Is it after reminiscing the past with Chi Xingtong during the day that he finally remembered her at night?

Thinking about it that way, Gu Ningyue felt inexplicably angry.

As soon as they arrived at Ling Tianyou’s room, before she could resist, Ling Tianyou had already pinned her against the snow-white wall.

The room wasn’t lit, only the moonlight spilled inside.

The man in a black shirt reached out to press the shoulders of the girl with long, wavy hair. His eyes hid tiny sparks, ready to ignite her at any moment, "What exactly am I to you? A get-out-of-jail-free card, someone who just has an engagement with you? Is that it?"

At the birthday party, under an inexplicable impulse, he agreed to this girl.

And she, perhaps, was just seeking shelter?

Now she’s out of the woods; does he mean nothing at all anymore?

Ling Tianyou’s voice was full of suppressed grievance, making Gu Ningyue’s heart soften instantly, "Neither, why would you think that?"

Or rather, such a good man is impossible not to like.

Even she finds herself occasionally captivated.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have let him take advantage so many times without breaking his leg.

Ling Tianyou drew near by an inch, "Then why didn’t you react at all when Xing Tong showed up?"

He and Chi Xingtong were so close, why was she indifferent?

He waited for her till now, just for an answer.

In the darkness, Gu Ningyue slightly lowered her head, "Actually, I was a bit upset; as soon as she returned, you became cold towards me."

Ling Tianyou’s eyes flared up, "You don’t like me being close with her?"

Gu Ningyue thought about having dinner with the three of them, actually, Ling Tianyou did consider her feelings.

Plus, after Chi Xingtong returned, the first thing he did was introduce her to him; he didn’t meet her alone.

He just treats Chi Xingtong as a friend or like a younger sister.

She wouldn’t restrict anyone from changing their social life because of her, even her boyfriend.

"No, you should have your own circle of friends." Gu Ningyue suddenly lifted her head to gaze into his deep eyes, "I just feel that you have someone better now, and it changed your attitude towards me, making me uncomfortable."

Could it be she was nothing more than an optional pet or a toy?

Ling Tianyou’s lips, which had initially drawn into a line, suddenly showed a hint of a smile, "So, you think I don’t care about you?"

Gu Ningyue nodded, that’s correct.

Ling Tianyou lifted a strand of her long hair, "What about you? Do you care about me?"

Gu Ningyue was about to answer, but the words shifted at the last moment, "Do you like me?"

Ling Tianyou looked at her, suddenly leaned closer to her face, Gu Ningyue closed her eyes in an instant.

But the next moment, warm breath brushed past her ears, "I like you."

Under the moonlight, Gu Ningyue’s heart suddenly raced faster.

Ling Tianyou let go of her hand, "Now, it’s your turn to respond."

His features, carved as if from jade, reflected in her clear eyes.

Gu Ningyue rose on tiptoe and lightly pressed her lips against his.

"—Is this answer satisfactory?"

In both past and present lives, this was her first time actively kissing a man.

Ling Tianyou’s lips twitched slightly, "Not satisfied."

A deeper, more lingering kiss stamped on her rosy lips, his hand wrapped around her waist, and heavy breathing gradually permeated the darkness, adding a hint of warmth to the chilly moonlight.

Just as Ling Tianyou’s fingertips were about to lift up her long dress, Gu Ningyue suddenly snapped out of it and held his hand, "No... no way!"

Ling Tianyou brushed against her cheek, "Scared? Hmm?"

His voice was somewhat husky, whispering gently in her ear.

Gu Ningyue thought for a moment and suddenly said, "We’re not married yet."

Ling Tianyou chuckled softly and withdrew his hand from her dress, "Alright, it’s late, let’s sleep first!"

Gu Ningyue looked at him for a while and nodded, "Good night."

She turned to leave, but Ling Tianyou caught her arm, "Where are you going?"

"Going to sleep!" Gu Ningyue looked at him, bewildered.

"I never said you could go back," Ling Tianyou pointed to his bed, "Sleep here."

Gu Ningyue, "...No way!"

"Relax! If you don’t want to, I won’t touch you," Ling Tianyou locked the door, not intending to give her any chance to leave, "Don’t you trust me?"

Gu Ningyue asked, "Are you sure?"

Ling Tianyou nodded, "Anyway, I can’t beat you, right? Go to sleep! I have to go to the company tomorrow."

Gu Ningyue, on second thought, agreed; not just one Ling Tianyou, even ten wouldn’t help.

Ling Tianyou took off his shirt, switched to pajamas, and casually handed Ning Yue a brand-new robe, "Go change!"

Gu Ningyue was a bit surprised, "Why do you have a women’s robe in your room?"

Ling Tianyou smiled without answering, "What do you think?"

Gu Ningyue felt baffled; could it be specially prepared for her?

So he had planned this all along? What a joker, the clown turns out to be herself.

After changing clothes, they laid on the bed, Ling Tianyou’s hand resting on her waist, nothing else followed, "Good night."

"Good night."

Gu Ningyue closed her eyes, but for some reason, couldn’t fall asleep.

Turning over twice, although her movements were light, they still reached Ling Tianyou’s ears, "Can’t sleep?"

Gu Ningyue responded, "Mm."

"So, want to exercise with me?" Ling Tianyou’s hand around her tightened slightly.

Gu Ningyue froze, "Suddenly sleepy, good night!"

Ling Tianyou’s lips curled; he suddenly laughed very happily.

How come he never realized before how cute she is, teasing her is just too fun.