Chapter 58: Why Don't You Try and See for Yourself?

They lingered over dinner for quite some time, and by the time they stepped outside, the sky was already deep into the night. Winter arrived late in City A, and at this hour, only a light jacket was necessary.

“Heading home?” Gu Zehuai asked Wen Jiu.

Wen Jiu couldn’t think of anywhere particularly interesting to go, so she simply nodded.

The two made their way toward the underground parking garage. Soon, they reached the complex’s lot, where Gu Zehuai suggested a trip to the supermarket, mentioning that his fridge was nearly out of groceries.

Wen Jiu rarely visited the produce or meat sections, so watching Gu Zehuai select vegetables with such practiced ease felt novel and amusing to her.

Once they had gathered enough vegetables, Gu Zehuai steered the cart toward the snack aisle. “Go pick your snacks,” he said.

As Wen Jiu walked ahead, she turned back and remarked, “You really do know me well.”

Gu Zehuai replied with a laugh, “Of course I do.”

After Wen Jiu had chosen her snacks, the two continued to browse the aisles before finally checking out and heading home.

When they exited the elevator, Wen Jiu stopped in her tracks. Gu Zehuai, thinking she might not want to come back to his place, said considerately, “It’s still early, but if you’d rather head home, don’t let me keep you.”

At that, Wen Jiu couldn’t help but burst out laughing. How adorable Gu Zehuai was—he clearly didn’t want her to leave, yet pretended otherwise.

“Oh? You want me gone that much? Then maybe I should go home after all,” Wen Jiu teased, deciding to play along.

With that, she took a step toward her own door, curious to see if Gu Zehuai would let her go.

Sure enough, as soon as she took her first step, Gu Zehuai reached out and caught her hand.

“Jiujiu, why don’t you come to my place instead?” he suggested.

Wen Jiu stifled a laugh—he was no match for her.

Seeing that Wen Jiu did not refuse, Gu Zehuai led her to his apartment. Once they were settled on the sofa, Wen Jiu smiled and admitted, “Actually, I was just wondering where to put the snacks. If I leave them all at your place, then I’ll have an excuse to come over anytime.”

Gu Zehuai was momentarily stunned, as if he hadn’t expected her to say that. What to do, he thought, I like her even more now!

Yet, instead of basking in self-satisfaction, he pondered her words before replying with earnest seriousness, “Jiujiu, I’m already your boyfriend. You don’t need an excuse to come over, just like I’ll always express it boldly when I miss you.”

As he finished, Gu Zehuai’s ears turned a rare shade of red in embarrassment. When Wen Jiu didn’t respond right away, he grew self-conscious and turned his face away, gaze drifting to the window by the balcony.

Wen Jiu hadn’t expected such a sincere response from him—she had only wanted to tease. Yet his earnestness moved her even more.

She softly called his name, and as Gu Zehuai turned back, he felt a warm, gentle touch on his left cheek.

Before he could react, Wen Jiu had already sat up straight.

Gu Zehuai looked at her in delighted surprise. “Jiujiu, just now you...”

“No talking!” Wen Jiu blushed as well.

Gu Zehuai regarded her with a meaningful look. “Alright, alright, I won’t say a word. I’ll show you instead.”

With that, he slowly leaned in.

As Gu Zehuai’s face drew closer, Wen Jiu closed her eyes nervously.

Gu Zehuai kissed her with great care.

The moment their lips met, both their minds went blissfully blank, leaving only the soft sensation and their quickening breaths.

What was supposed to happen next, again?

Wen Jiu soon found herself breathless and gently pushed Gu Zehuai away.

He was no better off, gasping for air.

Wen Jiu laughed at him. “What’s wrong, Ah Huai? No experience?”

As if you don’t know whether I do or not—she’s teasing me, Gu Zehuai thought, vowing to show Wen Jiu that even without experience, he was up to the task.

As if eager to silence her, Gu Zehuai quickly shifted, draping most of his weight over her and cradling the back of her head with his hand to protect her from the wall behind the sofa.

“You’ll know if you try,” he said, then lowered his head once more.