PB - Chapter 61
Chapter 61
If Qiao Qi was only going to be away for two days, she would leave plenty of cat food at home and prepare a clean litter box, allowing Ping An to get by just fine on his own. But for longer trips, Su Jiayin used to help take care of him. During the time Su Jiayin wasn't in Beijing, she would send him to a pet shop. Now that Su Jiayin was back, that particular hassle was gone.
On Friday evening, Su Jiayin stopped by Qiao Qi’s apartment to check on Ping An before heading home. When she entered, she saw a light on and thought Qiao Qi had returned early. It wasn't until she saw Gu Jianchu on the sofa that she remembered the other woman had recently been granted the right to come and go as she pleased.
“I didn’t know you’d be here, so I just came straight up,” Su Jiayin explained, then glanced at Gu Jianchu on the sofa. Ping An was lying about fifty centimeters away from her. The two coexisted in a subtle, non-interfering harmony. She asked quizzically, “Is he staring at you?”
Gu Jianchu’s eyes swept over the black furball, and she huffed. “Who knows what he’s thinking.”
Even though Qiao Qi was away, Gu Jianchu didn’t want to stay in her own home, so she had moved in here. Who would have thought that from the moment she walked in a few days ago, Ping An had been extremely wary of her? He would either hiss at her or stand with his tail erect, watching her every move. She didn't bother trying to interact with him or pet him to build a connection. As far as she was concerned, they could just stay out of each other’s way.
Su Jiayin found the scene highly amusing. “Ping An is practically human. He must know you bullied A Qi and is holding a grudge.”
Gu Jianchu raised an eyebrow. “If he weren’t A Qi’s cat, I’d have thrown him out long ago.”
After laughing at her, Su Jiayin went to check Ping An’s food, litter box, and toys. She found the food bowl full and the litter freshly changed. The great Miss Gu might complain about Ping An, but she hadn't neglected a single one of her duties. She returned to the sofa and sat down with a smile. “You’re taking good care of him. He’ll stop being like this in a few days.”
Gu Jianchu was unmoved. “I was just afraid A Qi would be sad if he starved to death. Who wants to take care of him? Ungrateful cat.”
The thought of the great Miss Gu cleaning a litter box made Su Jiayin tease her, “So you even know how to clean a litter box.”
Gu Jianchu muttered under her breath, “It stank,” and said no more. She changed the subject, asking Su Jiayin, “Have you been busy lately?”
“Busy.” Su Jiayin found a comfortable position and semi-reclined. “Since A Qi is away and there’s nothing else to do, why don’t we go to your place for a hot spring bath? I’ve been so busy these past two days I feel like my bones are about to fall apart.”
Gu Jianchu checked the time and called the clubhouse to have them prepare in advance. The two of them, who came and went as they pleased, had clearly made this place their second home. Gu Jianchu went upstairs to change. As she came down, she and Ping An exchanged a look. The cat raised his tail, returned to his bed, and curled into a ball to continue waiting for Qiao Qi’s return.
They left rather late, as the city was quieting down. Gu Jianchu drove while chatting idly with Su Jiayin. Her clubhouse always did good business; even at this hour, more than half the parking spaces were occupied.
“Your business is doing well,” Su Jiayin remarked as she followed Gu Jianchu into the North Courtyard. “Your decision to open it to the public was a good one. The profits are more than enough to cover the maintenance fees for the equipment inside.”
“I had them prepare a medicinal bath for you to de-stress.”
Su Jiayin smiled. “How thoughtful of you, Boss Gu.”
In the hot spring, enveloped by the warm water, Su Jiayin felt a moment of relief. She leaned against the edge of the pool, her gaze passing through the skylight into the pitch-black sky. She asked, “Have you moved into A Qi’s place now? I called her yesterday and she said she was going to her parents’ for the weekend. What are your plans for the next two days? Just wait at home for her to come back?”
Her question seemed to need no answer. The sky was dark, obscured by thick clouds that let no light through. Gu Jianchu decided there was nothing worth looking at outside and closed the shade. Waiting for Su Jiayin to continue, she heard her add, “Anyway, it’s the weekend tomorrow. You should go find her.”
Gu Jianchu leaned against the pool wall and closed her eyes. After a moment’s thought, she asked, “Wouldn’t that be too forward?”
Su Jiayin laughed. “She’ll only be happy to see you. I’ve never seen you be so cautious before. Besides, given your current relationship, it’s only right that you meet her parents.”
“Do you want to come with me?”
“I have to work this weekend, so I won’t intrude on your private time.”
After their bath, both were too lazy to travel back and forth, so they rested at the clubhouse. They woke up before seven the next morning. Gu Jianchu ordered breakfast, and after eating, Su Jiayin left for her family’s company. Gu Jianchu returned to Qiao Qi’s apartment, where Ping An was as indifferent to her as ever. She finished up some work, packed a small bag, and headed to the airport.
Gu Jianchu called Qiao Qi just before boarding the plane. Su Jiayin had been right; Qiao Qi’s initial surprise quickly gave way to delight. She landed at eleven and saw Qiao Qi waiting for her, a smile gracing the corners of her eyes and brows. The calm that had settled over her heart for days finally stirred. She walked over and slipped into the other woman’s embrace, not forgetting to ask, “Did you miss me?”
Qiao Qi answered her, “Yes.”
Qiao Qi had driven to the airport to pick her up. Her home was a long way from the airport, and they were halfway there before Gu Jianchu remembered to ask, “Where are we going?”
“Home. I told my parents you were coming.”
Gu Jianchu asked the same question again. “Won’t that be too forward? Shouldn’t I have bought some gifts first?”
“Don’t worry about it this time. You can prepare something for the next formal meeting.”
Gu Jianchu smiled faintly and replied, “Okay.”
The drive took about an hour, and it was after one in the afternoon when they arrived at the Qiao family home, an old-fashioned two-story courtyard house. Qiao Qi parked in an empty space outside. She took Gu Jianchu’s hand and led her to the door. Upon entering, President Gu, accustomed to large houses, found her first impression of the place to be cramped. Qiao Qi’s father was watching television on the sofa, while her mother emerged from the kitchen to welcome the guest her daughter had brought home.
Gu Jianchu was polite and proactive. “Hello, Uncle. Hello, Auntie.”
Her striking looks immediately won over Qiao Qi’s mother, who smiled and said, “Hello, hello. This is the first time Qiqi has brought a friend home. Come, sit on the sofa.” Then she asked, “You haven’t had lunch yet, have you?” Gu Jianchu nodded politely, and she happily returned to the kitchen.
Qiao Qi’s father shifted his gaze from the television to size her up for a moment, then turned to Qiao Qi and asked in a low voice, “Is she that President Gu from Rongfang who stole your business?”
Gu Jianchu pretended she hadn’t heard, but in truth, she had caught every word. She expected Qiao Qi to cover for her, but to her surprise, Qiao Qi admitted it openly. “Yes.” She knew Qiao Qi was direct and honest, but such excessive honesty at a time like this was truly infuriating. What if Qiao Qi’s parents disliked her because of it?
That, however, was a needless worry. Because of the U.E. project, Qiao Qi’s father had assumed Rongfang’s President Gu was a fierce and ruthless character. Seeing her now, he was surprised to find a beautiful and polite young woman, which prompted his need for confirmation. As for how they had buried the hatchet and become friends, he wasn’t concerned. He had always supported all of his daughter’s decisions.
The Qiao family had waited for her arrival to have lunch. Qiao Qi’s mother was the cook, and the food tasted somewhat similar to what Qiao Qi had made before. At the table, Qiao Qi’s mother was especially attentive to Gu Jianchu. “When are you heading back, Miss Gu?”
“I’ll fly back with A Qi tomorrow.”
“Miss Gu must be as busy as Qiqi. If it weren’t for her recent birthday, she wouldn’t have come back for a long time,” Qiao Qi’s mother said, then turned to her daughter. “Have you booked a hotel for Miss Gu?”
“She’s sleeping with me at home tonight.”
Qiao Qi’s mother was slightly taken aback. As an adult, Qiao Qi was accustomed to keeping a certain distance from people, and Gu Jianchu didn’t seem like the type to stay in such a simple place. Though she had her doubts, she didn’t say anything, only urging Qiao Qi to eat more. Lunch was late, which cut into their afternoon rest time. Qiao Qi had to visit her maternal grandfather in the afternoon, and since Gu Jianchu had nothing else to do, she tagged along.
Her grandfather was overjoyed to see Qiao Qi and eagerly brought out the calligraphy he had written this year for her to see. It was the same phrase as always: “Picking through all the cold branches, refusing to perch.” Gu Jianchu remembered the scroll hanging in Qiao Qi’s study in Beijing, a gift for her birthday seven years ago. Qiao Qi had told her that every year on her birthday, her grandfather would write the same piece for her. Gu Jianchu remembered all of it.
Gu Jianchu could see how close Qiao Qi was with her grandfather. She stayed by her side, watching a side of her she had never seen in Beijing, listening to stories of a past she had never been a part of. Her heart and eyes were completely filled with her. The weather was poor today, but her mood was excellent. Su Jiayin was right; it was better to come find her than to wait alone.
That night, after washing up and lying in bed, Gu Jianchu held Qiao Qi and kissed her softly. The cautious yet urgent feeling was all the more stimulating to the nerves. Qiao Qi always let her have her way. She leaned close to Qiao Qi’s ear and whispered, “Have you been sleeping well these past few days?”
This was clearly not a question about her well-being. Qiao Qi smiled faintly and gave the satisfying answer she was looking for. “How could I sleep well without you to help me?”
As if giving a reward, Gu Jianchu kissed her again. “Was your trip to Shenzhen successful?”
Qiao Qi tapped the tip of her nose. “That’s a Ruifeng secret. President Gu shouldn’t pry.”
Gu Jianchu grabbed her wrist and bit her fingertip. Qiao Qi’s brow furrowed slightly. A tingle shot through Gu Jianchu’s heart, and emotion flickered in her eyes. Suddenly, a smile hidden on her lips, Qiao Qi flipped her over, pinning her underneath. Qiao Qi took Gu Jianchu’s lower lip into her mouth, tasting something as sweet as honey, and became even more lost in her passion.
The air-conditioned room was at a perfect temperature, but Gu Jianchu’s skin was scorching. Her body felt as if it were adrift in the ocean, floating with the waves. Yet a voice in her mind kept reminding her of the room’s smallness, so her gasps were soft and careful. Qiao Qi noticed, kissing her chin, then the tip of her nose.
Qiao Qi leaned close to her ear and whispered, her voice soft yet full of emotion, “Jianchu, I love you.”
Gu Jianchu had always known that Qiao Qi’s indulgence and affection were genuine, but Qiao Qi had never once uttered a confession that laid her heart bare. Even later, when Gu Jianchu had repeatedly expressed her love, Qiao Qi had only acknowledged hearing it. At first, she thought it was Qiao Qi’s reserved nature, but now she understood. Qiao Qi had been evaluating her. She had been weighing her.
In the tender afterglow of their intimacy, Gu Jianchu lay in Qiao Qi’s arms. Only when her mind was clear did she ask, “When?”
Qiao Qi naturally knew what she was asking. She answered, “From when you pulled out of the Xingda acquisition, from when you helped Sitian through her difficulties.” Those actions had gradually confirmed for her that not only did she have a place in Gu Jianchu’s heart, but she was becoming more and more important.
Gu Jianchu smiled, a truly beautiful sight. “So our President Qiao has KPI evaluations for her girlfriend.” She looked up from Qiao Qi’s embrace and kissed her. “So, am I a qualified girlfriend?”
Qiao Qi kissed her back, her voice brimming with laughter. “Very qualified.” She kissed her forehead again as if to say goodnight. Gu Jianchu was thoroughly pleased, nestling into her shoulder, quiet and obedient.
The next morning, Gu Jianchu woke at almost the exact same moment as Qiao Qi. She stirred against Qiao Qi, who was preparing to get out of bed. Qiao Qi turned and held her, asking, “You’re awake?”
“Mmm.”
“Let’s get up. My mom has probably made breakfast.”
“Okay.”
For breakfast, Qiao Qi’s mother had made chicken soup with small wontons, which she had specially wrapped after hearing Qiao Qi was coming home. The rich broth was sprinkled with chopped green onions and smelled wonderful. During the meal, Qiao Qi’s father said, “Stay for lunch before you go back.”
Qiao Qi had already planned to spend more time with her parents, so she agreed. “Okay.” She then turned to Gu Jianchu and asked, “You’re not busy today, are you?”
Gu Jianchu smiled and said, “Not busy. I’ll go back with you.”
Qiao Qi extended an invitation. “Want to go for a walk after breakfast?”
“If it’s convenient, I’d be honored to have Miss Qiao as my guide.”
Their little couple’s game was interrupted by Qiao Qi’s mother. “Yes, it’s Miss Gu’s first time here, Qiqi should show her around. Our town isn’t big, but it’s very interesting. Qiqi, after you finish eating, take Miss Gu for a walk. Just be back in time for lunch.”
Gu Jianchu played the part of the well-behaved guest, saying quickly, “Thank you, Auntie.”
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