Close Companion Bear

Chapter 24

Just as Gu Xiangcheng was fond of Ye Zhenzhen, Ye Shulian absolutely adored Gu Ran.

One liked the girl's well-behaved and sensible nature, while the other loved the boy's sweet-talking and lively personality.

Ye Shulian couldn't stop laughing behind her hand, enthusiastically placing a piece of braised pork into Gu Ran's bowl.

"You've been working so hard at school, Xiao Ran. Eat more and nourish your body."

Ye Zhenzhen: "..."

Gu Xiangcheng: "..."

The two exchanged a knowing glance, both seeing the utter speechlessness in each other's eyes.

However, if Gu Ran knew what they were thinking, he would definitely stand up and argue.

He was actually studying very hard now, alright!

But at this moment, he was too busy playing the perfect hype-man for Ye Shulian to notice their facial expressions.

"Oh my, this braised pork is so fragrant! I have to say, Aunt Ye, your cooking is the best. The fat-to-lean ratio is perfect, and every bite is full of sweet and savory goodness. It's way better than my dad's cooking!"

He spared no effort in praising Ye Shulian's culinary skills, eating rapidly, completely unaware that Gu Xiangcheng's face had darkened.

He glared at his son sitting opposite him, but the latter didn't even glance in his direction.

Feeling frustrated, he picked up a piece of the braised pork that Gu Ran had praised to the heavens and put it in his mouth. The expression on his face gradually became quite colorful.

He had to admit, it was indeed a little bit better than his...

But only a little bit!

That brat Gu Ran simply had no taste and didn't know how to appreciate good food. Did he think just anyone could eat a meal cooked by him? And here he was being picky.

Ye Zhenzhen also muttered "suck-up" in her heart once again, rolled her eyes at Gu Ran, and then silently continued eating.

...

After lunch, the group began to pack their luggage.

The mother and daughter didn't have much to move. Many unnecessary items were simply thrown away, leaving only a few boxes.

Ye Zhenzhen stood in her bedroom, looking at the room she had lived in for a long time, a trace of melancholy unconsciously flashing through her eyes.

"Hmm... aren't you taking that little bear?"

Gu Ran had appeared behind her at some point, pointing at the little bear abandoned on the bed and asking softly.

"Ah!"

His sudden appearance startled her. Ye Zhenzhen quickly turned around, a blush uncontrollably rising on her usually calm face.

"Why... why don't you make any sound when you walk!"

She originally wanted to criticize him for casually entering a girl's room, but seeing the bare walls around them, she changed her tune and accused him of suddenly appearing behind her and giving her a fright.

Gu Ran gave her a weird look, not understanding why she was being so unreasonable, but he also knew better than to argue with a woman, so he didn't retort.

"You still haven't said, why aren't you taking this bear?"

The little bear sat alone at the head of the bed, its dark eyes staring at the door as if it knew it was about to be abandoned, looking rather pitiful.

"It's too worn out, so I don't want it anymore."

Ye Zhenzhen took a few deep breaths to slow her racing heart, but the next scene immediately made her newly calmed heart beat wildly again, almost jumping out of her throat.

"It is a bit worn. I'll buy you a new one later."

Gu Ran stepped forward, picked up the bear, and started playing with it in his hands.

Watching the bear she used to cuddle to sleep being toyed with by Gu Ran, her breathing grew rapid. She felt as if a jolt of electricity had passed through her body, making her tremble unconsciously.

"What... what are you doing?"

"Nothing, just looking. Didn't you say you didn't want it?"

Saying this, Gu Ran lifted the bear and sniffed it. He had only meant to check for any weird smells, but unexpectedly caught a faint scent of osmanthus.

Seeing his action, Ye Zhenzhen could no longer control her heartbeat, and her pretty face instantly flushed red.

"What... what are you sniffing?"

Her cold eyes held a hint of embarrassment and anger, looking at him as if he were a pervert.

"Oh, I was just seeing if it smelled bad..."

Saying so, he held up the bear and asked tentatively, "Um... this wouldn't happen to be your sleeping pillow, would it?"

"Of course not!"

Ye Zhenzhen quickly denied it, her face full of bashful anger.

This bad guy!

He had already smelled it just now, and yet he still asked if it was her sleeping pillow. How was she supposed to answer that?

Was she supposed to say, what you're smelling is my body scent, do you want to hold me and take another sniff?

"Good that it's not. I'll take it then."

Hearing her answer, Gu Ran picked up the bear and sniffed it again. Breathing in the elegant osmanthus fragrance, he felt his mind clear up significantly.

Good stuff. It comes with a natural fragrance and is even refreshing!

Ye Zhenzhen: "???"

"How... how could you!"

Ye Zhenzhen's beautiful face grew even redder. Her eyes were filled with bashful indignation, completely losing her previous composure.

She bit her lip lightly, staring at Gu Ran as if he were a total creep. If she hadn't held onto a shred of reason, she would have lunged forward to snatch the bear back.

"What's wrong? Didn't you say you didn't want it?"

"I... I don't want it, but..."

Before she could finish, Gu Ran interrupted, "You don't want it, so I'm taking it. Isn't that perfectly logical?"

Hearing this, Ye Zhenzhen froze, her mouth agape, not knowing how to retort.

Overwhelmed by embarrassment, her dizzy mind couldn't quite process it, and she actually found herself thinking he had a point.

But soon, she shook her head and snapped out of it.

It was true she didn't want it, but it was an intimate personal item. How could she give it away?

Was this guy going to collect her discarded underwear in the future too?

She bit her lip in embarrassed frustration. She wanted to say it was an intimate item, but she had just denied it moments ago. Now she was riding a tiger and couldn't get off, not knowing how to refuse him.

"Kids, let's go!"

Ye Shulian's call came from the living room. Gu Ran immediately replied and quickly walked out of the bedroom.

Watching her bear being carried away, Ye Zhenzhen looked panicked. She wanted to chase after him but didn't know what to say. In the end, she could only watch him leave the room with a flushed, bashful face.

Reaching the doorway, Gu Ran saw the girl still standing there in a daze, her face red as she thought about who knows what. He raised an eyebrow and asked strangely, "What are you spacing out for? Let's go. I'll buy you a new one when we get home. Don't be so stingy!"

Ye Zhenzhen: "..."

Was this a matter of being stingy or not?

Do you want to give me your worn underwear?!

Ye Zhenzhen almost choked on her breath, glaring at Gu Ran as she cursed him in her head. But then she caught herself and quickly shook her head.

Pfft, who wants your underwear!

Slowly walking out of the room, she stared at the little bear in Gu Ran's hands. The thought of it ending up on Gu Ran's bed made the corners of her mouth turn bitter.

This was truly a case of inviting a wolf into the house and riding a tiger with no way off...

She shouldn't have left the bear on the bed, nor should she have gone back to the room to reminisce before leaving.

...

After loading the luggage boxes into the trunk, the group got into the car and set off. It wasn't long before they drove into a brand-new residential complex.

Even in winter, with the roads covered in white snow, it was clear that the landscaping in the complex was excellent. Unlike the place they rented before, which had absolutely zero greenery to speak of.

Between the buildings stood bare tree trunks, as well as pine trees still striving upwards.

Within the courtyard of the residential complex was a small plaza, complete with a water fountain to the side. Rows of fitness equipment were set up across the area, and every so often, people bundled up in winter clothing could be seen taking a leisurely stroll.

Ye Zhenzhen rested her head against the car window, her eyes fixed on the neighborhood's surroundings as a sense of nervousness involuntarily washed over her...