Chapter 388: Yan Luoxi: You bastard, I’m waiting for you

Chapter 388: Chapter 388: Yan Luoxi: You bastard, I’m waiting for you

However, Song Sisi had no idea what Gu Yizhou was thinking.

She lightly bit her lip and murmured, "Brother Yizhou, can I... get a ride home with you today?"

"Huh?"

Gu Yizhou was lost in thought and didn’t quite catch what Song Sisi had said.

"Er... Sisi, my apologies. I just zoned out for a moment. What did you say?"

He said, rubbing the tip of his nose, looking a little embarrassed.

DING~

The elevator doors opened.

Gu Yizhou stepped inside, and Song Sisi followed closely behind.

The elevator was crowded with colleagues from other departments leaving work, and the two of them were separated by the crowd.

The elevator descended slowly. Though the space was cramped, it was filled with an invisible sense of distance.

Gu Yizhou stood in one corner of the elevator, wondering what to have for dinner.

Meanwhile, Song Sisi stood silently on the other side. She looked at Gu Yizhou’s profile, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

The floor indicator ticked down, and the elevator soon arrived at the underground parking garage.

Gu Yizhou was the first to step out of the elevator, with Song Sisi right behind him. The dim lights of the parking garage cast long shadows on the ground.

"Sisi, what was it you were saying earlier?" Gu Yizhou stopped and turned to look at Song Sisi, his voice tinged with apology.

Song Sisi bit her lip, seeming to hesitate, but finally worked up the courage to say, "Brother Yizhou, I was wondering... could I get a ride home with you? It’s getting late, and it’s hard to get a cab."

Gu Yizhou frowned slightly. He glanced at Song Sisi, feeling hesitant.

He knew this might give her the wrong idea. Since he now had a girlfriend, he felt he should keep his distance and really didn’t want to give her any false hope.

"Sisi, I actually have something to do in a bit, and it’s not on my way..." Gu Yizhou started to refuse, but then felt that was too blunt and might hurt her feelings. He paused before trying a different approach. "Um... how about I call a car for you instead?"

Hearing this, Song Sisi’s heart sank.

She understood what he meant. He was intentionally keeping his distance.

So, she suppressed her disappointment and forced a smile. "There’s no need, Brother Yizhou. I’ll just get a car myself. But thank you."

With that, Song Sisi turned and stepped back into the elevator.

Gu Yizhou watched her retreating figure and sighed to himself.

He knew this might hurt Song Sisi’s feelings, but he believed it was better to deal with it now than drag it out. Making his intentions clear sooner rather than later was for the best, for both of them.

Soon, the elevator doors slowly closed again.

The doors slid shut, separating them.

Just like that, Gu Yizhou had drawn a clear line between them...

...

「6:40 PM」

Gu Yizhou returned to the Binjiang No.1 Mansion District.

Building 7, Unit 3, Apartment 305.

CLICK~

Gu Yizhou took out his keys and opened the front door.

Meanwhile, in the living room, Yan Luoxi had already heard his footsteps. She leaped off the sofa and ran behind the door to wait for him.

"Xiaobai, Daddy’s home~"

Gu Yizhou called out habitually as he opened the door.

"MEOW~"

The familiar, pleasant meow came right on cue, and Gu Yizhou breathed a sigh of relief.

’Hmm...’

’As long as the cat’s here, everything’s fine.’

Just as Gu Yizhou was about to change his shoes, he felt something soft and fluffy against his leg.

He looked down and saw Yan Luoxi crouching at his feet, her big eyes blinking up at him as she rubbed against his pant leg.

"Xiaobai, what are you doing hiding here?"

"Were you waiting to welcome Daddy home?"

Gu Yizhou said softly, a wave of warmth washing over him.

He knew that rubbing against him was her way of showing affection.

"MROW~"

Yan Luoxi tilted her little head up, her face overflowing with happiness and anticipation, as if to say, ’That’s right, you jerk. I was waiting for you.’

Gu Yizhou knelt down and gently stroked the kitten’s head, his eyes full of tenderness. "Such a good girl, Xiaobai."

With that, he quickly got up and slipped on his house slippers.

"Come on, Xiaobai, let’s go over to the sofa."

He said this as he scooped up the cat, walked to the sofa, and sat down, then began to gently stroke her fur.

Xiaobai seemed to sense Gu Yizhou’s gentle touch. She closed her eyes, enjoying the intimacy.

Gu Yizhou sat on the sofa holding the cat, enjoying the rare moment of peace.

The day’s exhaustion seemed to melt away in that moment, replaced by the warmth and comfort of home.

Yan Luoxi lay quietly beside Gu Yizhou, her eyes half-closed, not causing any trouble.

Mrowl~

’This damn man.’

’This home is only so warm and complete because I’m here.’

Yan Luoxi thought to herself smugly.

Gu Yizhou glanced up at Yan Luoxi and saw her lying quietly beside him, a contented look on her face. A surge of warmth filled his heart; he knew his home was more complete with Yan Luoxi in it.

He gently stroked the cat’s fur, enjoying its soft texture while he mulled over his dinner plans.

"Xiaobai, what should Daddy have for dinner tonight?"

Gu Yizhou asked gently.

"?"

Yan Luoxi opened her eyes and looked at Gu Yizhou.

’Seriously?!’

’Has he lost his mind?’

’This damn man, you’re asking me—a cat—what *you* should eat tonight?’

’You’re unbelievable!’

Seeing the cat’s confused expression, Gu Yizhou chuckled and said, "Oh, so Xiaobai, you’re saying Daddy should have hot pot tonight? Hot pot it is, then!"

Yan Luoxi: "?????"

He got up, went to the kitchen, and started preparing the ingredients for dinner.

Soon, Gu Yizhou was bustling about, and the clatter of pots and pans filled the kitchen.

Out in the living room, Xiaobai was simply napping lazily on the sofa.

Their little home was filled with an air of happiness and warmth.

Before long, the fragrant aroma of hot pot filled the entire living room.

Gu Yizhou and Yan Luoxi sat around the dining table, enjoying the delicious food while he browsed a stock market recap.

The aroma of the hot pot seemed to entice Yan Luoxi as well. She hopped onto the dining table and started sniffing at the food.

"Xiaobai, be a good girl. You can’t eat this stuff."

"Here, these boiled shrimp are for you!"

Gu Yizhou gently blocked the cat’s advance.

Seeing this, Yan Luoxi resigned herself. She wanted to eat the hot pot too, but what could she do?

...

「A little over half an hour later.」

Gu Yizhou had finished off the hot pot and was feeling a little stuffed.

The same went for Yan Luoxi, who had been eating boiled shrimp beside him.

It took them a good half hour to recover.

After dinner, Gu Yizhou cleared the dishes and then settled onto the sofa to watch some TV.

Xiaobai also curled up on his lap, snuggling close.

Petting his cat while watching TV.

Life doesn’t get much cozier than this!

When it grew late, Gu Yizhou turned off the TV and got ready to carry the cat to his room for the night.

Once in the bedroom, Xiaobai obediently hopped onto the soft cushion beside the bed.

Home... the warmest harbor, and the heart’s eternal sanctuary...