Chapter 2

For the next week, Zhong Hao was in a daze. He was distracted at work and kept checking his phone, wondering if the girl had replied to his messages. He even got reprimanded by his manager for it. Since their first meeting, Zhong Hao had sent her over twenty messages, each one requiring him to muster all his courage for the day, but she never replied.

“What is she doing? Why isn’t she replying?”

“Is she not interested in me?”

“Impossible, she clearly said she wanted me to pursue her that afternoon…” Thinking back to that day still made his heart race.

Finally, after work, Zhong Hao took several subway transfers and arrived at Gu Yueyue’s apartment complex. He called her several times, but her phone was always off. He kept looking up, but he didn’t have the courage to go upstairs and knock on her door. He waited until late at night. The summer mosquitoes were abundant, leaving red welts on his arms, and his mood grew irritable.

Meanwhile, Gu Yueyue was sipping lemon tea by the window, watching the scene unfold, a pleased curve on her lips.

She glanced at the clock on the wall. It had been about three hours. This fish was quite persistent.

Around 10:30 PM, just as Zhong Hao’s patience was about to run out, Gu Yueyue came downstairs in her pajamas, carrying a bag of trash. She “acted surprised” upon seeing Zhong Hao at the entrance, her face slightly flushed. “What are you doing here?”

Seeing the goddess he had been longing for, Zhong Hao couldn’t take his eyes off her. He stammered, “I… sent you messages, and you didn’t reply, so I waited here for you.”

Gu Yueyue chuckled and said, “I’m so sorry, I dropped my phone and it’s been under repair these past few days. Did you wait long? Why didn’t you come up to find me?”

So that was it.

Zhong Hao smiled in relief and said, “It’s okay, I just got here.”

“Are you hungry? How about I treat you to a late-night snack? Wait for me to go up and change.” Gu Yueyue threw away the trash and turned to smile at Zhong Hao.

“Okay, okay, I’ll wait for you.” Zhong Hao nodded vigorously.

A few minutes later, Gu Yueyue came downstairs after changing. In the night, Gu Yueyue’s lips were red and her teeth white. She exuded a pleasant, faint fragrance. Zhong Hao was restless and accompanied her to the city center, where they arrived at a luxuriously decorated restaurant. Once seated, Gu Yueyue expertly called the waiter and handed the menu to Zhong Hao. “Order whatever you like. You waited so long for me, let me treat you to a good meal.”

Zhong Hao took the menu and took a look. Cold sweat broke out on his back. The dishes here were outrageously expensive. A single “Three Beauties Tofu” cost 288 yuan, and most meat dishes were close to four figures. Zhong Hao’s heart sank, but he tried to maintain his composure. He handed the menu back to Gu Yueyue. “Why don’t you order? I’ve never eaten here before.”

“Don’t be shy,” Gu Yueyue smiled naturally.

“You order, I’ll eat anything.”

“Alright then.” A faint smile played on Gu Yueyue’s lips as she idly twirled her pen. She then made a stroke here and a stroke there. Gu Yueyue’s actions were relaxed and carefree, but Zhong Hao felt as if the pen was scratching at his heart. He touched the bank card in his pocket, praying he wouldn’t embarrass himself later.

The dishes soon arrived. Gu Yueyue ate a few bites and put down her chopsticks, saying she was on a diet and couldn’t eat much at night. Zhong Hao’s mind was filled with the numbers on the bill. He ate the food as if it were tasteless, barely noticing if it was salty or sweet. After Gu Yueyue finished her tea, the waiter approached them, bowing slightly. “How was everything, sir and madam? Did the dishes suit your taste?”

“Very good,” Gu Yueyue replied.

“If it’s convenient, could you please settle the bill? We’re closing in half an hour, we apologize for the inconvenience.” The waiter said with a smile.

“Okay, I’ll pay,” Gu Yueyue said, reaching for her bag beside her and slowly unzipping it.

“Let me, I’ll pay,” Zhong Hao suddenly stood up. His exaggerated movement drew the attention of others. A tragic scene unfolded. Because he had been holding the bank card while eating, it flew under another table in his haste. Zhong Hao, disregarding his dignity in front of his goddess, bent down and crawled under the table, frantically searching for the card.

The atmosphere in the hall became awkward. All eyes were on Zhong Hao and Gu Yueyue. The waiter maintained a polite smile, but a hint of disdain flickered in his eyes as he looked at Zhong Hao.

“No need, I said I’d treat you,” Gu Yueyue’s tone turned cold, and her usually gentle smile vanished.

“How can I let you spend money…” Zhong Hao, sweating profusely, blocked Gu Yueyue’s hand and shoved his card into the waiter’s hand.

“Alright, I’ll wait for you outside then.” Gu Yueyue picked up her bag and quickly walked out the door.

It’s over, I’ve messed it up again, Zhong Hao cried out in despair.

The meal cost over seven thousand yuan, nearly two months’ salary. Zhong Hao’s heart bled. He asked the waiter in a hoarse voice, “Can I get a discount here?”

The waiter replied, “I’m sorry, sir. This is a membership-based system. You can deposit 50,000 yuan to become a member, and then you’ll receive a 5% discount.”

Zhong Hao was speechless and reluctantly entered his PIN.

Outside the glass door, Gu Yueyue watched this scene, almost covering her stomach with laughter. It was too amusing. A toad trying to jump higher and higher, how ridiculous!

But the moment Zhong Hao pushed the door open, Gu Yueyue resumed her displeased expression. She said coldly, “Don’t do this next time. It makes it seem like I’m taking advantage of you.”

“N-no, that’s not what I meant,” Zhong Hao waved his hands frantically, not wanting the goddess to misunderstand him.

Gu Yueyue looked at him intently. After a long pause, she smiled again, her smile as sweet as a spring breeze. She tugged at Zhong Hao’s hand and said, “Alright, look how anxious you are. I just didn’t want you to think I was after something from you.”

Gu Yueyue’s hand was smooth and cool. Zhong Hao couldn’t help but grip it tightly. Gu Yueyue’s face turned red again, her vibrant red lips trembling slightly.

Zhong Hao’s heart raced. He hugged her tightly, but before he could make any further move, Gu Yueyue pushed him away again. Gu Yueyue’s face was flushed crimson, and her voice was barely a whisper, “We’ve only met twice, this isn’t good. I think you’re nice. If you have time, let’s go see a movie on Saturday.”

Zhong Hao’s disappointment vanished, replaced by overwhelming joy. He nodded repeatedly, “Okay, I’ll definitely have time.”