Is It Virtual or Real

Chapter 248

It was 5:30 in the morning, the first day of the National Day holiday.

The temperature had dropped sharply, and the morning breeze carried a distinct chill.

In the bedroom, Gu Xiangcheng's snoring rose and fell in a rhythmic cadence, loud enough to make one's heart tremble.

Gu Ran threw off his covers and got out of bed with slow, gentle movements.

Wearing slippers, he stepped carefully, accurately avoiding the floorboard seams that were prone to creaking.

After a quick wash, the young man changed into a black tracksuit.

He silently opened the security door and slipped out.

Downstairs at the building entrance, the morning mist had yet to dissipate.

Ye Zhenzhen stood by the flower bed fully geared up, wearing a light gray, slim-fitting tracksuit.

The zipper was pulled all the way to the top, covering her fair neck.

She wore a white baseball cap with the brim pulled low.

With her hands stuffed in her pockets, she idly kicked at the fallen leaves on the ground with the tip of her shoe.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up.

Their eyes met in the crisp, cold air.

"Happy National Day, Dr. Ye."

Gu Ran walked over and reached out to tug at the brim of her cap.

The girl slapped his hand away, her chin raised in a haughty manner.

"Keep your hands to yourself. We agreed this is just a morning run. If you try anything funny, I'll scream for help."

"Alright, whatever you say, Sister."

Gu Ran raised both hands in a gesture of surrender, a smile hidden in his eyes.

The two of them jogged out of the residential complex side by side.

The early morning streets were empty and quiet, with only a few elderly folks in Tai Chi uniforms practicing their moves at the intersection.

Maintaining a steady pace, Gu Ran led Ye Zhenzhen across two streets and turned into the Riverside Park ahead.

As soon as they entered the gates, he didn't follow the rubber running track forward.

Instead, he pivoted, grabbed the girl's wrist, and pulled her into a dense grove of ornamental trees nearby.

The area was secluded, with branches growing intertwined.

It perfectly blocked the view from the outside, and there were no surveillance cameras overhead.

"What... what are you bringing me in here for? The track is out there!"

Ye Zhenzhen protested in a hushed voice, trying to break free from his grip.

Before she could finish her sentence, Gu Ran pulled hard, pinning her entirely against a thick tree trunk.

The dew condensed on the bark dampened her back, sending a shiver through her.

"Let's just run properly..."

Just as Ye Zhenzhen opened her mouth, Gu Ran's face leaned in, accurately sealing her lips with his.

The chilly morning breeze rustled through the bamboo leaves, making a soft swishing sound.

The temperature between the two of them, however, was rising rapidly.

Gu Ran placed one hand behind her head to prevent her from bumping against the trunk.

His other hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her tightly against him.

This kiss came fast and fierce.

It left absolutely no room to breathe.

He pried open her teeth and drove straight in.

The girl's hands, originally pressing against his chest, gradually lost their strength amidst the dizzying sensation of oxygen deprivation.

Eventually, she could only cling weakly to his shoulders.

Closing her eyes, she felt his body heat and responded to his demands.

What kind of morning run was this!

This was just him acting like a hooligan under the guise of exercising!

But at this moment, screaming for help or morning runs were completely thrown out the window by the girl.

After a long time, Gu Ran finally pulled back slightly, reluctant to let go.

Ye Zhenzhen gasped for air, her legs turning to jelly as she leaned against his chest for support.

Gu Ran looked down at her and raised a hand to tidy the messy loose hairs by her ear.

He then helped her re-zip her crumpled tracksuit.

"Dr. Ye, it's been so long, how are you still panting like this?"

A wicked smirk curled on Gu Ran's lips.

"We need to increase your training."

The usually aloof girl, now a mix of embarrassment and anger, reached out and pinched the soft flesh at his waist fiercely.

"Hiss... you're murdering your husband!"

Gu Ran gasped in pain.

"Shut up! Spout any more nonsense, and I'll dismantle you with a scalpel!"

Ye Zhenzhen shot him a coquettish glare, flusteredly adjusted the baseball cap on her head, and turned to stride out of the woods.

Gu Ran rubbed his waist, quickly caught up to her, and naturally took her hand.

The girl gave a token struggle, and upon finding she couldn't break free, the corners of her lips curled up slightly.

Leaving the park, the two arrived at a breakfast stall on the street corner.

Deep-fried dough sticks were rolling in a vat of oil, emitting a tempting aroma.

There were quite a few people in line, and the two stood at the end.

"Oh, isn't this Lao Gu's Xiao Ran and Zhenzhen?"

An auntie holding a grocery basket in front of them turned around and greeted them with a face full of smiles.

Ye Zhenzhen's heart skipped a beat, recognizing her as Auntie Zhang, who lived in the same apartment building.

She instinctively tried to pull her hand back from Gu Ran's grip, struggling hard for a moment.

Gu Ran, however, didn't change his expression, nor did he let go.

Instead, he intertwined his fingers with hers and pulled her hand into the blind spot between them.

"Morning, Auntie Zhang. Going grocery shopping?"

Gu Ran smiled brightly, his tone completely natural.

"Yes, going early to the market to pick out something fresh. You siblings really have a great relationship, coming out to exercise together so early in the morning."

Auntie Zhang's gaze swept over their closely pressed figures as she praised them loudly.

Ye Zhenzhen was so nervous her palms were sweating, and she could only squeeze out an awkward smile.

"Morning, Auntie."

Gu Ran seamlessly went along with the conversation.

"Can't help it. My sister is timid, so this early in the morning, I have to tag along and protect her a bit, in case she gets scared by some stray dog."

Ye Zhenzhen was roasting him wildly in her head.

He's talking about himself, isn't he!

Gu 'Dog' Ran!

Thinking this, she burst into a giggle, but then noticed the two of them casting her suspicious looks.

She coughed lightly, put away her smile, and stood there obediently.

Auntie Zhang didn't think much of it and looked at Gu Ran, sighing in admiration.

"Xiao Ran has really grown up and become sensible. Lao Gu and Shulian are truly blessed to have two good kids like you."

Ye Zhenzhen's cheeks flushed red, and she buried her head a little lower.

After buying two deep-fried dough sticks, three bamboo steamers of soup dumplings, and four cups of soy milk, the two walked back carrying their breakfast.

"Gu 'Dog' Ran, why didn't you let go just now? What if Auntie Zhang figured it out?"

As soon as they entered the stairwell, the girl wrinkled her pretty face, put her hands on her hips, and demanded an answer.

Gu Ran shook the soy milk in his hand.

"Figured out what? A younger brother holding his older sister's hand to cross the street—isn't that the model of a loving family?"

"That wasn't a street at all, we were lining up for breakfast!"

"Same difference."

"How is that the same?"

The young man looked with amusement at the girl blocking his path, freed up one hand, and rubbed her head.

"Haven't you realized that you only have these concerns because you have a guilty conscience?"

Ye Zhenzhen puffed up with anger, her pretty cheeks bulging into two little mounds, looking incredibly cute.

Gu Ran couldn't resist reaching out to poke them, only to have his hand slapped away.

"Aren't you guilty?!"

Gu Ran chuckled lightly; how did this turn into a personal attack?

"Sister, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't just say whatever you want. As for whether I'm feeling inadequate..."

Halfway through his sentence, he paused deliberately.

"Do you want to test the waters and find out?"

As soon as his voice fell, he laughed and ran upstairs, the entire stairwell echoing with the young man's hearty laughter.

Blushing fiercely, Ye Zhenzhen let out a coquettish shout.

"Gu! 'Dog'! Ran!"