Goodnight, Maiden

Chapter 140

Gu Xiangcheng's confident voice faded into the depths of the silk shop.

Gu Ran poked half his head out from behind the pillar. Confirming that the "enemy forces" had departed, he finally let out a long sigh of relief.

"Alright, we're safe."

He looked down and saw Ye Zhenzhen still gripping his arm for dear life. Her fingers were practically digging into his flesh, and her palms were covered in a fine layer of sweat.

This girl... talking big about wanting a thrill, but her body was completely honest. She was adorably cowardly.

"Let's go."

Gu Ran flipped his hand to grasp her wrist, his thumb gently brushing against her skin. "If we don't leave now, Old Gu will come out after buying his silk scarves, and we'll have to put on a live performance of 'loving siblings' for them. I wouldn't be able to handle that scene."

Ye Zhenzhen snapped back to reality, standing up straight like a startled rabbit. Yet, she didn't let go; instead, she gripped him even tighter.

"Where... where are we going?"

The girl kept her voice extremely low, her eyes scanning left and right like a vigilant radar.

"Ye Zhenzhen, do you read the Art of War?"

Ye Zhenzhen: "???"

Gu Ran jutted his chin toward the nearby pier, the corners of his lips curling up slightly. "A waterborne retreat. It's called a stealth escape!"

Hearing this, the girl couldn't help but roll her eyes, wondering what on earth was going through his head.

Still acting so childish at a time like this.

She turned her head to look back at the silk shop again, her feet glued to the spot for a long moment.

Gu Ran: "???"

What the hell, are you actually getting addicted to this taboo thrill?

Ignoring the girl's silent protests, Gu Ran practically dragged her along, hugging the wall as they sneaked over to the boat pier.

The night was now deep, and tourists at the pier were sparse.

An elderly man in a blue calico shirt was sitting at the bow smoking a dry pipe. Seeing potential customers approach, he tapped his pipe. "Two hundred to charter the whole boat, sixty to share."

"Charter."

Gu Ran pulled out his money without a moment's hesitation.

You've got to be kidding. Share a boat at a time like this?

"Alrighty, watch your step getting on."

The old man untied the mooring rope, and the sculled boat swayed gently with the ripples.

With a stretch of his long legs, Gu Ran hopped lightly onto the bow. The boat only dipped slightly under his weight.

He turned around and reached out his hand to the girl on the bank. "Come on, Dr. Ye, jump."

Ye Zhenzhen stood on the bank, looking down at the wobbling awning boat, and then at her flat white sneakers, feeling a bit faint-hearted.

The water was pitch black and dizzying to look at, completely different from boarding a boat during the day.

"What are you afraid of? I'm here." Gu Ran waved his hand in the air, his tone unwavering. "Even if you fall, I'll be your human crash pad."

Ye Zhenzhen bit her lip and naturally reached out, resting her hand lightly in his palm.

The exact moment she took a step, the boat lurched violently with the current.

"Ah!"

The girl let out a soft cry, instantly losing her center of gravity.

With quick reflexes, Gu Ran grabbed her slender waist with both hands.

Like picking up a little kitten, he exerted a bit of force, half-lifting, half-hugging her right into the cabin.

"Thud."

The two of them tumbled onto the narrow wooden bench at the stern.

The space was cramped. Thigh pressed tightly against thigh, their body heat transferring through the thin fabric. It was shockingly hot, practically causing a physical temperature spike.

"Sit tight, we're setting off—"

The old boatman called out as the wooden scull sliced through the water, making a rhythmic creaking sound.

The small boat slowly left the shore, gliding into the deep, tranquil canal.

The hustle and bustle of the riverbanks gradually faded away, leaving only the shimmering reflections of red lanterns in the water and the gentle babbling against the hull.

The surrounding light was dim, as if the entire world had been compressed into this tiny space.

Ye Zhenzhen's tense body slowly relaxed. She carefully shrank closer to Gu Ran until her shoulder was fully pressed against his, finally feeling a sense of security.

"Earlier..." Gu Ran turned his head, his warm breath brushing against her ear, his tone carrying a highly punchable teasing quality. "Did you say, 'so thrilling'?"

Ye Zhenzhen's body stiffened.

"Dr. Ye, I couldn't tell." Gu Ran clicked his tongue twice. "What is this? A dopamine rush brought on by a taboo thrill?"

"You... shut up!"

Flustered and annoyed, Ye Zhenzhen reached out with pinpoint accuracy in the dark, pinching the soft flesh at Gu Ran's waist and twisting it a full one hundred and eighty degrees clockwise.

"Hiss—" Gu Ran sucked in a sharp breath of cold air.

"I... I was just scared!"

Ye Zhenzhen gritted her teeth, her cheeks turning as red as a ripe tomato in the dim light. "Who told Uncle Gu and my mom to show up so suddenly?"

Gu Ran rubbed his waist, laughing so hard his chest vibrated. "But honestly, in that split second, didn't you feel your heart racing? Wasn't it a total rush?"

Ye Zhenzhen was just about to retort.

Just then, an oncoming tourist boat brushed past them.

The wake generated by the other boat crashed against their hull, causing the small sculled boat to rock violently from side to side.

"Ah!"

Ye Zhenzhen cried out in alarm. Completely losing control of her body, she practically threw herself directly into Gu Ran's arms.

A chest full of osmanthus fragrance crashed into him.

Gu Ran wrapped a single arm around her, clamping down on her shoulder to secure her firmly against his chest.

"Don't move."

The young man's voice sounded from above her head. "If you keep thrashing around, the boat will actually flip, and then we'll become 'drowned lovebirds'."

Ye Zhenzhen's cheek was pressed tightly against his burning chest, the pleasant scent of lemongrass lingering at her nose.

But the next second, she reached out her small hand and smacked Gu Ran's chest. "Drop dead, who's a lovebird with you?"

The boat's rocking gradually subsided, returning to a steady glide.

But Gu Ran didn't let go, and Ye Zhenzhen didn't sit up.

The two of them maintained this embracing posture, leaning quietly against each other as they watched the night scenery of the ancient water town slowly retreating outside the boat.

At the bow, the old man was in a good mood, humming a soft local folk tune as he sculled: "The crescent moon shines over the lands, some families rejoice while others are sad..."

The melody was melodious and gentle, rippling across the tranquil water.

"Are you cold?" Gu Ran asked softly.

Ye Zhenzhen shook her head against his chest, her hair brushing against Gu Ran's chin and making it itch slightly.

She didn't speak, but simply reached out with her free hand, quietly fumbling until she grasped Gu Ran's left hand, which was resting on his knee.

The girl's fingers were slender and soft, carrying a hint of coolness. They lightly traced the inside of his broad palm, like a silent tease.

Gu Ran's breath hitched.

This girl was getting better and better at this.

He flipped his hand over and forcefully threaded his fingers through hers. Their fingers intertwined tightly, fitting together perfectly, leaving not a single gap.

"Ye Zhenzhen."

"Call me 'older sister'."

Gu Ran: "..."

We're already like this, and she's still hung up on making me call her 'older sister'?

Ye Zhenzhen, you're a little bit of a pervert.

"From now on, let's go on a trip together once a year."

Gu Ran looked at the flickering lights in the distance, his voice gentle. "When we get to college, we'll have more time. We can go to Erhai Lake to feel the breeze, go to Changbai Mountain to see the snow, go to Sanya to scuba dive..."

Ye Zhenzhen leaned gently against his shoulder, looking at their intertwined hands. The corners of her lips couldn't help but curl up slightly, revealing a very faint, incredibly sweet smile.

"That depends on a certain someone's behavior."

Her voice was soft and sweet, carrying a trace of imperceptible coyness. "If he doesn't behave well, I'll just go with Susu instead."

Hearing this, Gu Ran chuckled, his thumb gently rubbing the back of her hand. Then you'd better practice your footwork. After all, I'm like sticky candy—once I'm attached, you won't be able to shake me off.

Gu Ran, you're a rascal.

Ye Zhenzhen, I'm honored by the compliment.

...

By the time the boat docked, it was nearly eleven at night.

Most of the tourists in Xizha had dispersed, leaving the streets looking empty and quiet.

Gu Ran led Ye Zhenzhen ashore by the hand. Instead of strutting down the main road, they specifically picked the dimly lit alleyways to slip through.

Their anti-reconnaissance awareness had to be maxed out.

Passing by a convenience store that was still open, Gu Ran stopped. I'm going to buy a bottle of water. Wait here.

Oh.

Ye Zhenzhen nodded obediently. Standing in the shadows by the store's entrance, she poked her head out to look up and down the street, looking exactly like a little spy keeping watch.

Seeing her looking so nervous yet thoroughly enjoying herself, Gu Ran couldn't help but find it amusing.

Coming out with the water, Gu Ran handed her a bottle. Let's go, Comrade Agent. We've reached the safe house.

The two sneaked along the way, making it back to the guesthouse without a hitch.

Click.

The door closed, and the world finally grew quiet.

Gu Ran placed the water on the table. Just as he was about to draw the floor-to-ceiling curtains, a soft noise suddenly came from the balcony next door.

He paused.

He saw Ye Zhenzhen push open the balcony door of her own room. Wearing a pure cotton nightgown, she stood barefoot under the moonlight.

The night breeze fluttered the hem of her dress. With her long hair cascading over her shoulders and her hands behind her back, the young girl just looked at him quietly.

The moonlight washed over her like water, making her look as beautiful as an elf.

Those eyes that were usually so aloof now seemed to be brimming with stars.

Gu Ran...

she called out softly.

With his hand resting on the door handle, Gu Ran felt his throat go a bit dry. What's wrong? Not sleeping yet?

Ye Zhenzhen bit her lower lip, as if mustering a tremendous amount of courage. Suddenly, she stood on her tiptoes and quickly leaned in.

Gu Ran: !!!

Wait a minute! This is supposed to be an innocent ride!

But before he could react, the girl's movement stopped right by his ear.

Goodnight.

With that soft and sweet voice dropping, the girl turned and fled back into her room like a startled fawn, shutting the balcony door with a bang.

Leaving Gu Ran standing there, touching his cheek that hadn't actually been kissed. Looking at the empty balcony, he shook his head with helpless doting.

What was that?

Did she just turn the tables and flirt with him?

Tonight was destined to be another sleepless night.

...

Meanwhile, far from the guesthouse.

Inside a suite at a high-end hotel.

Ye Shulian came out of the shower. Drying her hair, she said to Gu Xiangcheng, who was watching the news, Hey, do you think we're being a bit too mean? Leaving the two kids at home while we run off to enjoy ourselves.

Gu Xiangcheng changed the channel with the remote control, not even looking up. The kids are grown; they need to learn to be independent. Besides, didn't we leave them living expenses?

True.

Then Gu Xiangcheng pulled Ye Shulian into his arms with a cheeky grin. But Zhenzhen is very well-behaved. With her keeping an eye on Gu Ran, as long as that boy doesn't cause any trouble, I'll be thanking the heavens.

Ye Shulian scolded playfully, What are you doing? I haven't done my skincare routine yet, move your hands!

Old Gu calmly watched the TV, looking completely normal, clearly possessing a wealth of composure.

Let's switch to a boutique guesthouse with some local flavor tomorrow. What's the point of coming to a water town in Jiangnan just to stay in a hotel?

...