Chapter 31: Marriage First, Love Later, and a Side of Villain-Bashing 9
The air of intimacy exploded around Ning Qingqing’s ears, all her senses heightened.
The warm breath near her ear stirred her nerves, sending a surge of blood to her brain. Ning Qingqing clearly felt the heat spreading from her earlobes to her cheeks, making her feel almost feverish.
She was still trapped between Gu Youchen’s chest and the fire door. She could easily push it open, but she had forgotten to do so.
Just then, something clicked, and the sensor light turned on.
Ning Qingqing clearly saw the man’s face inches away.
He was slightly bent over, matching her height, his gaze was deep as he looked at her.
Clearly not expecting the light to suddenly turn on, a fleeting look of surprise flashed across Gu Youchen’s face.
Ning Qingqing saw his Adam’s apple bob, as if he wanted to say something.
Her brain short-circuited, she spoke before he could, “Then I’ll give you another one?”
She regretted it the moment the words left her mouth. Gu Youchen said her previous kiss was substandard, and now, drunk, she was proactively offering another…
Ning Qingqing was close to tears.
But the emotions in Gu Youchen’s eyes disappeared, replaced by a smile. He looked down at her, “Mm, okay.”
What did ‘Mm, okay’ mean? Couldn’t he politely refuse?
Ning Qingqing’s entire face was red, she didn’t know if it was the alcohol or embarrassment.
Her throat was dry, and she unconsciously licked her lips.
Sighing inwardly, she had to do what she promised. She really made mistakes when she drank!
The last time she drank and met Gu Youchen, she married herself. This time, she had to kiss him twice…
Seeming to notice Ning Qingqing’s embarrassment, Gu Youchen teased, “It’s not really suitable to practice at the door, let’s go inside.”
With that, he gently pushed open the door.
At that moment, Ning Qingqing’s back felt as if it had been scalded by the man’s body temperature. She quickly darted into the room.
Gu Youchen looked at Ning Qingqing’s back and chuckled helplessly.
After entering the room, Ning Qingqing pricked up her ears to listen for any movement from Gu Youchen. She had promised to kiss him again, but she didn’t know when Gu Youchen wanted her to do it.
However, the man seemed to only be teasing her. After entering, he went straight to the kitchen.
Ning Qingqing was alone in the room, stewing until she finally mustered the courage to go to the kitchen door and smelled a sweet fragrance.
She curiously went over and found that a pot of cooled milk was on the side, and Gu Youchen was whisking egg whites.
Seeing her come over, Gu Youchen handed the electric mixer to Ning Qingqing, “Qingqing, help me continue whisking.”
Then, he took something out of the steamer.
Ning Qingqing found that it was steamed red beans.
Gu Youchen first cooled the red beans, then took honey from the refrigerator and drizzled it on top, finally putting them into a storage box.
Ning Qingqing had already whipped the egg whites, Gu Youchen took it over and poured in the cooled milk.
“Are you making double-skin milk?” Ning Qingqing looked at the man’s skillful movements, “With honey and red beans on top?”
Gu Youchen nodded, “Mm, it’s your first day at the company tomorrow, you can bring some small portions to share with your colleagues.”
As he spoke, his movements were very careful, he lifted the milk skin, and poured the mixed milk and eggs back into the milk bowl.
Ning Qingqing watched from the side, curiously asking, “Youchen, what other desserts can you make?”
“Tiramisu, mango mousse, light cheesecake.” Gu Youchen turned to look at her, “Do you want to eat them, Qingqing?”
Ning Qingqing quickly nodded, her eyes full of anticipation: “Mm, I like them! But I’m not very good at it, I’ll help you when you make them, and I’ll be able to make them for you too after I learn.”
Gu Youchen poured the double-skin milk mixture into a container and put it back in the steamer to heat.
“Okay, we’ll make them together in the future.”
Gu Youchen thought, his Qingqing was really good, she never took others’ efforts for granted. Every time he wanted to be kind to her, she would think of how to reciprocate.
He was incredibly lucky to have met the girl he loved at first sight, and to love her even more upon further acquaintance.
The double-skin milk in the pot was still bubbling, the sweet milky scent filled the kitchen. Gu Youchen tidied up the things on the table and came to Ning Qingqing.
“Qingqing, it’s time to fulfill your promise.”
Ning Qingqing’s eyes widened, “I really have to?”
Gu Youchen’s lips curled slightly, “Qingqing, do you want to back out?”
“No.” Ning Qingqing quickly shook her head, looking at the bright lights in the kitchen, feeling a little shy.
There were so many people during the truth or dare game, she felt fine then, why now…?
She took half a step forward.
Gu Youchen leaned over, adjusting to Ning Qingqing’s height.
Ning Qingqing leaned closer, and when her breath fell on Gu Youchen’s cheek, she subconsciously closed her eyes.
Unbeknownst to her, feeling her breath on his cheek, Gu Youchen subconsciously turned his head slightly.
So Ning Qingqing’s kiss landed on the corner of his lips.
The girl was clearly very nervous, remembering that it shouldn’t be too short, so she didn’t pull away immediately, and the warm, elastic touch remained on Gu Youchen’s lips, igniting his breath.
A few seconds felt infinitely long.
Gu Youchen’s eyes changed, but he finally suppressed the surging emotions in his heart.
He had waited ten years, he didn’t care about a few months.
He couldn’t scare her.
So, the moment Ning Qingqing’s lips left, Gu Youchen turned his head slightly.
The girl opened her eyes, thinking she had kissed Gu Youchen’s cheek. But the touch just now felt a little different, but she didn’t think too much about it.
Her heart beating fast, Ning Qingqing was about to say something to ease her nervousness, but the man had already put his arms around her.
His chin rested on her head, almost completely enclosing her in his embrace. When he spoke, his moving Adam’s apple brushed against Ning Qingqing’s forehead.
“Qingqing, that was quite satisfactory,” he said.
Ning Qingqing’s cheeks were still flushed, she asked, “Youchen, are you deliberately cultivating feelings?”
So he liked holding her hand, hugging her, and learned to kiss her cheek.
Gu Youchen rubbed Ning Qingqing’s hair, “Not deliberately.”
Heaven knew how thrilled he was.
Ning Qingqing guessed half of it correctly. She thought that intimacy between couples was normal, and there was no need to be deliberate.
After their initial unfamiliarity, they had gradually become more familiar with each other.
She didn’t seem to reject Gu Youchen’s closeness.
Like now, although she was a little nervous, she felt a strange sense of security in his embrace.
“Me neither,” Ning Qingqing said, “It’s quite comfortable being with you.”
Gu Youchen’s breath hitched, he looked down at the girl in his arms in disbelief.
Perhaps the sweet scent around them was too relaxing, or perhaps she had drunk a little wine tonight, making Ning Qingqing’s inner defenses not as strong as usual, she rarely talked about her true feelings:
“Youchen, I really like the atmosphere in your family, your parents are very nice.”
“My parents always fought when I was young, they separated when I was very young, I always envied others for having a complete and happy family.”
“I actually…lacked love.”
Because she lacked love, she wanted stability, but Shen Zhiqian had given her everything except the stability and security she craved.
Hearing Ning Qingqing’s words, Gu Youchen’s first reaction was heartache.
The young him never imagined that the girl who had haunted his thoughts for years had also been lonely and downcast.
He couldn’t make up for her past, he could only promise her future.
“Qingqing, you’ll find out later that marrying me won’t be a regret.”
Because he wouldn’t give her the chance to regret.
Ning Qingqing lifted her eyes from Gu Youchen’s embrace, and she said seriously, “Youchen, I will like you in the future.”
Gu Youchen was stunned, then nodded, “Okay. Me too.”
The hourglass on the stove gradually ran out, Gu Youchen let go of Ning Qingqing and turned off the heat.
The double-skin milk was cooked, Gu Youchen took it out, lifted the cling film, and asked Ning Qingqing, “Qingqing, do you want to eat some tonight?”
Ning Qingqing hesitated, “I’ll get fat.”
Gu Youchen shook his head, very serious, “You’re not fat, you’re too thin, I’ve already measured it just now.”
Ning Qingqing’s cheeks immediately turned red, “Where did you measure?”
Gu Youchen smiled at her, “Where do you think I measured?”
Ahhh, this man is so bad!
But when Gu Youchen cut a piece and sprinkled honey and red beans on it, Ning Qingqing couldn’t help herself, she took small steps over, “I’ll just eat a little.”
“Mm.” Gu Youchen nodded, handing her a small spoon.
Ning Qingqing scooped a spoonful, eating while blowing, “Mmm, so delicious.”
Gu Youchen was opposite her, and they shared a piece of double-skin milk. They shared the tiramisu before, but now they were sharing a spoonful of double-skin milk.
When they had finished the piece, Ning Qingqing’s guilt came: “Hopefully I won’t gain three pounds.”
Gu Youchen patted her shoulder, “It’s okay, you’ll still look good even if you gain ten pounds.”
That night, Ning Qingqing dreamed that she ate desserts with Gu Youchen every day, gaining weight from 90 pounds to 140 pounds. Gu Youchen also gained weight, the handsome CEO turning into a middle-aged man with a beer belly. They made a short video of their photos from their honeymoon to their weight gain, which went viral online.
Ning Qingqing was jolted awake by tens of thousands of comments.
She opened her eyes and found it was 6:30 in the morning.
Although it was still early, it was her first day at work, and it was good to go early.
Ning Qingqing went to the bathroom and checked herself in the mirror, making sure she hadn’t gained weight before she breathed a sigh of relief.
After having breakfast with Gu Youchen, Gu Youchen took six small square boxes from the refrigerator and handed them to Ning Qingqing, “Qingqing, this is your lunch and for your colleagues.”
Six portions of red bean double-skin milk, with a bouncy jelly-like texture.
Ning Qingqing took them, feeling that saying thank you was too cliché, and quickly hugged Gu Youchen.
Other couples had wives preparing loving lunchboxes for their husbands, but hers was her husband preparing loving desserts for her, and also making extra portions for her colleagues.
They went out together, Gu Youchen sent Ning Qingqing to work first.
When they arrived at her company, Ning Qingqing suddenly received a call, from her mother.
Ning Ruoyun was always boisterous, “Qingqing, I’m at the airport now, I’ll fly to Di City soon. I have some time today, didn’t you say you wanted to introduce someone to me? Ask if they’re free today?”
Ning Qingqing’s eyes widened, then she turned to Gu Youchen.
When Ning Qingqing answered the phone, Gu Youchen saw the word “Mom” on the screen and immediately guessed what was going on. He nodded at Ning Qingqing.
So Ning Qingqing said to her mother, “Mom, we’re both free, what time will you arrive? I’ll pick you up at the airport.”
Ning Ruoyun gave her a time.
“Okay, Mom, see you then.”
After hanging up, Ning Qingqing turned to Gu Youchen, “My mom will arrive at 12:10 pm.”
Gu Youchen’s body stiffened, “Okay, I have a shareholder meeting at the company, I’ll pick you up at 11 o’clock, and we’ll go to the airport together.”
Ning Qingqing agreed, “Okay.”
Gu Youchen dropped her off at the company entrance, then immediately picked up his phone and made a call, “Linghang, are you free now?”
Zhou Linghang replied, “No problem, Brother Chen, tell me.”
“I have a shareholder meeting this morning and can’t get away, you go to my parents’ house for me, go to my room and get a box I put on the top shelf of my bookshelf,” Gu Youchen said, “Check if it’s correct, it’s a jade ruyi.”
Zhou Linghang was stunned, “Wow, Brother Chen, isn’t that what you bought at the auction and were going to give…”
Before he finished, he suddenly realized, “You’re going to meet your mother-in-law?”
“Mm.” Gu Youchen replied, “Take it and bring it to my company, deliver it personally, don’t lose it.”
“Don’t worry, don’t worry, I wouldn’t let someone else deliver something worth millions,” Zhou Linghang laughed, “Hey, can I go with you to meet your mother-in-law?”
Gu Youchen gave a cold laugh.
Zhou Linghang hung up the phone sheepishly, “I just wanted to see if our sister-in-law has any sisters or younger sisters…”
At noon, Gu Youchen and Ning Qingqing arrived at the domestic arrival hall of the airport on time.
After waiting for a while, they saw people coming out with their luggage.
Ning Qingqing immediately saw her mother, carrying only a small handbag, dressed in a neat business suit.
Author’s Note:
I know this chapter is a little short, but I just finished writing it, I didn’t even have time to proofread…
Well, today is another sweet (fattening) day, after starting this novel, I write late at night after work, and I’ve already gained 4 pounds…
Tomorrow, Brother Chen will meet the CEO mother-in-law, there will be many funny moments!
Thank you for your support!
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