Chapter 55: Marriage First, Love Later, and a Side of Scum-Bashing 33
Ning Qingqing stared at Gu Youchen in shock.
Although this guess had become clearer since seeing the old photo in his wallet that evening, hearing Gu Youchen say it himself still shocked Ning Qingqing into silence.
Her ears buzzed, and her heart beat erratically.
Gu Youchen locked eyes with her, speaking word by word: “Qingqing, I couldn’t forget you here ten years ago. After I recovered from my injury, I looked for you many times but couldn’t find you. It wasn’t until later, when I went abroad and accidentally saw a WeChat Moment, that I knew you went to high school in the Imperial City.
“So, my flash marriage with you after we reunited wasn’t because I was desperate to get married, but because I had always wanted to marry you.”
The surroundings seemed to fall completely silent. Ning Qingqing tightly gripped the rose quartz in her hand, as if holding a beating heart.
Her lips moved, seeming to want to say something, but in her dazed state, she couldn’t get a word out.
But a sweet feeling surged in her heart. The sweetness spread rapidly throughout her body, making her spirits soar with happiness.
The man in front of her gazed at her after speaking. He seemed nervous; the hand clutching the aquamarine showed bulging veins from the force, and his expression appeared somewhat unnatural.
He asked awkwardly, “Qingqing, now you know I actually liked you long ago. So… do you like me a little bit?”
Only after asking did he realize his heart was slamming against his chest; it was a nervousness he had never felt before.
And a faint expectation he couldn’t even describe.
Ning Qingqing met Gu Youchen’s gaze. She thought of their time together recently, from the initial unfamiliarity to now, how relaxed and spirited she felt in front of him.
She nodded slowly, her voice light but certain. “Mm, I do.”
Gu Youchen’s pupils quaked; he almost couldn’t believe his ears.
He was always confident in other aspects, but only he knew that when it came to feelings, he still felt insecure.
And now, Ning Qingqing in front of him said she liked him.
So, he waited ten years, and finally, in the place where they first met, he received the echo he wanted!
Gu Youchen’s lips moved, and the corners of his mouth couldn’t help rising. His voice was lower than usual. “Qingqing, I am very happy.”
With that, he lowered his head and kissed her.
The surroundings were quiet. At this time in the small town, only the sounds of insects and birds were exceptionally clear.
Under the moonlight, the man kissed the girl in his arms, his fingers sliding into her long hair, kissing carefully yet passionately.
Ning Qingqing’s breath was filled with Gu Youchen. In the place where she grew up, she earnestly felt the man before her.
Gu Youchen’s words were still in her mind.
He said he did fall in love with her at first sight, but it was ten years ago.
He liked her ten years ago, so meeting again ten years later, he only wanted to marry her.
Ning Qingqing also recalled that day back at high school when Teacher Zhang said, “He seems to have looked for you.”
She also thought of Nan-Nan saying Big Brother didn’t smile at anyone back then, but smiled every time he saw Ning Qingqing.
It turned out time really bore witness; she just never knew.
Lips and teeth entangled, breaths hot. The tips of their tongues conveyed Gu Youchen’s joy at this moment. Ning Qingqing was infected by it. She wrapped her arms around his neck, all previous thoughts in her mind drained away, leaving only the man in front of her.
They kissed in the place where she had lived since childhood.
The moonlight overhead bore witness.
Nameless little flowers in the surrounding garden swayed gently in the night breeze, and the air was filled with the scent of soil and grass.
After an unknown amount of time, Gu Youchen pulled slightly away from Ning Qingqing’s lips.
He looked down at her, his breathing completely chaotic.
One arm clamped around her waist, the other still holding the aquamarine she gave him.
“Qingqing—” He called her name lowly, his voice husky.
Ning Qingqing responded.
Gu Youchen called her name but didn’t know what to say. He just opened his palm.
The blue stone lay soft and quiet under the moonlight, just like the lake water in his heart.
Ning Qingqing also opened her hand to show the rose quartz—pale pink and very translucent.
Gu Youchen pressed his forehead against Ning Qingqing’s and asked, “How long has it been buried here?”
Ning Qingqing said, “My mom gave it to me in my first year of middle school. I buried it then.”
Speaking of this, she was a bit embarrassed. “Back then, it was popular in class to give gifts to people you liked. I didn’t have anyone, so I thought I’d give it when I did.”
Buried for over ten years, these two stones finally saw the light of day again.
Gu Youchen lowered his head to kiss her again, a sound of pleasure coming from his throat. “Qingqing, I like it very much.”
That was the girlish heart of a teenage Ning Qingqing.
Taken out at twenty-five, seen only by him—it made him joyful and satisfied.
Ning Qingqing’s ears were a bit hot. “I was a bit chunibyo (delusional/immature) back then.”
“I like it.” Gu Youchen’s kiss landed on the corner of Ning Qingqing’s lips. “This is the most heart-fluttering gift I’ve ever received.”
Standing in the courtyard, perhaps because it was the first time they earnestly spoke their hearts, both were excited and emotional.
Waves of sweetness surged inside, seemingly insatiable.
Gu Youchen hugged Ning Qingqing for a while longer, then took her hand to go upstairs.
Passing the dark room, Ning Qingqing’s steps paused slightly.
Gu Youchen had already pressed her against the door.
He kissed her heavily this time.
In the dim light, defenses collapsed into a mess.
Ning Qingqing felt her whole body heating up. Whether from lack of oxygen or something else, her ears were filled with the sound of heartbeats and breathing, indistinguishable between his and hers.
In front was the man’s warm, hard chest; behind, the old wooden door creaked under their entangled movements.
The sound fell into their ears, seeming to become a signal.
Ning Qingqing felt parched. Even though the sweet taste of each other lingered between their lips, she still felt like something was missing.
Until she was picked up and carried into the bright bedroom next door.
She was placed on the red bedsheet, and the man leaned down to continue kissing her.
A string in her mind snapped suddenly. Ning Qingqing discovered that the awkwardness she thought she would feel wasn’t there; everything felt natural.
The man’s kisses moved from her lips to her forehead, brows, nose, cheeks, and slid to her ear.
The burning breath made her uncontrollably feel like electricity was coursing through her body—not stiffness, but an indescribable numbness.
She whimpered softly.
Gu Youchen asked lowly in her ear, his voice suppressed, “Qingqing, can I?”
Ning Qingqing’s head was buzzing; she didn’t know how to answer.
Her silence, her flushed cheeks, and the lack of any rejection or avoidance gave Gu Youchen the answer.
His eyes darkened abruptly, his Adam’s apple sliding up and down, and he kissed down again.
The sensation on her neck made Ning Qingqing shudder all over. Holding onto her last shred of clarity, she stammered, “Turn… turn off the light—”
She was still a bit shy.
Gu Youchen chuckled low. He picked up a pillow towel from the side and placed it over Ning Qingqing’s eyes.
Suddenly, darkness invaded, but other senses became sharper.
Ning Qingqing huffed in annoyance, accusing, “You can still see.”
He was helping her deceive herself.
Gu Youchen laughed low. Seeing that Ning Qingqing was genuinely nervous, he kissed her reluctantly once more before getting up to turn off the light at the door.
This time it was truly dark, with only the bright moon shining through the window sill.
The towel over Ning Qingqing’s eyes was removed. Having adapted to the darkness just now, she could see everything clearer than Gu Youchen at this moment.
She saw the man’s deep silhouette and his shirt, already wrinkled.
Did I grab that?
Her face felt hot. When Gu Youchen leaned in to kiss her, she quickly closed her eyes again.
Gu Youchen laughed low. Seeing Ning Qingqing close her eyes, he deliberately teased her, lightly biting the tip of her ear.
Ning Qingqing, having no other recourse, couldn’t help but lift her eyelids accusingly.
She met the man’s eyes, gazing deeply at her.
Something in the air ignited instantly. Now, everything was different.
Lips and teeth pressed together, breaths entangled. Clothes scattered amidst the friction, until Ning Qingqing felt something.
Her head buzzed, and her toes curled instinctively.
Just then, Gu Youchen’s actions suddenly froze.
His forehead was covered in sweat, and his breathing was heavy, yet he held himself still, his tone carrying a bit of frustration. “Forgot to prepare—”
Prepare what? Neither needed to say it; they tacitly knew.
They hadn’t been together long, Ning Qingqing’s career was just taking off, and they needed time alone to cultivate their relationship. They had planned to wait two years before having children.
And now…
Ning Qingqing was too embarrassed to say anything.
Gu Youchen sounded full of regret. “I actually forgot.”
In fact, he had bought and prepared supplies at the apartment in the Imperial City, but he hadn’t expected to need them here with Ning Qingqing.
Without protection now, he couldn’t risk Ning Qingqing’s body.
“I’ll go buy some.” He made a quick decision and sat up.
Ning Qingqing quickly pulled the quilt to wrap herself up, revealing a pair of eyes misty from kissing. “You don’t know where it is. What if…”
Gu Youchen quickly kissed her hair. “It doesn’t matter. The town is only this big, and we walked through it during the day. I won’t get lost.”
Seeing his determination, Ning Qingqing could only hum a soft agreement.
Gu Youchen quickly dressed and tidied himself up. Still worried about leaving Ning Qingqing alone at home, he asked, “Qingqing, is it safe to be home alone?”
Ning Qingqing nodded. “Security here is very good. Nothing has happened in over ten years.”
Gu Youchen nodded and placed Ning Qingqing’s phone by her pillow. “I’ll be back soon. Call me anytime if there’s anything.”
With that, he leaned down to kiss her again and walked out quickly.
Watching the man’s impatient manner, Qiao Xiaomian’s demonic laughter suddenly rang in Ning Qingqing’s ears.
She quickly shrank her head further into the quilt, her cheeks burning hot.
Ahhh, she really wanted him just now. She’s done for…
Gu Youchen left the courtyard, locked the door, and walked toward where he remembered the shops were.
Most of this area was residential; shops were concentrated near the parking lot.
Gu Youchen remembered there was a supermarket there. The supermarket should sell them.
He walked all the way there, his pace fast, and arrived at the supermarket entrance in no time.
Fortunately, the supermarket hadn’t closed yet. Gu Youchen walked into the general merchandise section but couldn’t find what he wanted after a lap.
He could only ask the supermarket owner where they were sold.
The owner smiled meaningfully upon hearing this, got up, walked to the door, and enthusiastically pointed the way for Gu Youchen. “In our town, there’s a specific place for selling that. Go straight ahead, take the first right turn, and there’s an adult product store there.”
Gu Youchen nodded, bought two bottles of mineral water, and headed that way.
He walked quickly, not noticing at all that someone was walking towards him from the opposite side of the parking lot.
The person saw him, froze first, then changed direction and followed Gu Youchen’s footsteps.
Gu Youchen arrived at the place the owner mentioned. He saw the sign ‘Adult Products’ on the way.
But the shop was closed, and there seemed to be no light coming from inside.
He checked the time; it was only 9:40 PM. Logically, it shouldn’t be closed this early!
Gu Youchen walked to the door and knocked. “Excuse me, is anyone there?”
There was no movement inside. Looking carefully through the crack in the door, there was no light.
He felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him. Standing there, he felt the fire in his body extinguished, but the fire in his heart burned even stronger.
Just then, a voice came from behind, somewhat cold and sharp. “Why are you here?”
Gu Youchen heard the familiar voice. Because he hadn’t bought the ‘raincoats’ (condoms), his thinking was half a beat slow. It wasn’t until he turned and saw Shen Zhiqian under the street lamp that he realized who the voice belonged to.
After asking Gu Youchen, Shen Zhiqian subconsciously glanced at the shop sign in front of Gu Youchen.
The words ‘Adult Products’ crashed into his pupils.
His pupils shrank abruptly, an indescribable emotion surging in his eyes, and his voice became tense. “What are you buying? Did you find another woman?”
Gu Youchen had completely recovered from his disappointment by now. He walked down the steps of the shop entrance, stood in front of Shen Zhiqian, and said:
“President Shen is quite concerned about my private life… But I must disappoint you. I am buying things here, naturally, to use with my wife.”
Although Shen Zhiqian had guessed something in his heart, Gu Youchen’s words still dealt him a sharp and deep blow!
His fingers tightened. The oxygen in his chest seemed to be instantly sucked away by a high-power pump, leaving him suffocating.
Yes, this is Ning Qingqing’s hometown. Gu Youchen naturally came here with Ning Qingqing.
Presumably, Ning Qingqing is waiting at home for Gu Youchen to buy things to use together!
Use together…
The two words were knives, piercing his heart into a sieve.
He hadn’t expected that while on a business trip in Nancheng, after meeting a client and thinking of Ning Qingqing mentioning her hometown, he would impulsively decide to come and take a look—only to see Gu Youchen buying adult products!
The atmosphere between the two was stagnant and icy.
Until Gu Youchen said indifferently, “If President Shen has nothing else, I’ll take my leave. My wife is still waiting for me at home.”
With that, he stepped away to leave.
However, Shen Zhiqian’s voice rang out from behind. “Gu Youchen, did you like her from before?”
He finally asked the question he had pondered for a long time.
Gu Youchen turned his head, swept a glance around, and pointed in a certain direction. “See that bridge? I saw her there ten years ago. At that time, she shouldn’t have known you yet.”
With that, he walked straight away.
Shen Zhiqian stood rooted to the spot, almost petrified!
Ten years ago…
“So you plotted this long ago—” he screamed in Gu Youchen’s direction.
Indescribable emotions were suppressed in his chest, tearing at every one of his nerves.
No wonder. No wonder Gu Youchen flash-married her! No wonder the progress between him and Ning Qingqing was so fast!
It turns out…
Note: Adult Product Store: Opening here, I have the honor of witnessing a Shura Field (battlefield of love)?
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