CH 40

The neighbor across the hall was startled by the barking and opened her door.

"What's going on?" A girl poked her head out, her voice trembling. "Are you okay, senior?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine." Cheng Chu turned on the light and sternly commanded, "Quiet, Meow Meow!"

In an instant, the "vicious dog" that had just been baring its teeth was silenced as if its throat had been squeezed. 

It looked up with big, round eyes and saw Cheng Chu on Gu Miao's back. It quickly sat down obediently, its fluffy tail wagging back and forth.

Gu Miao lowered his gaze and gave Meow Meow a cool glance. 

He placed Cheng Chu on the sofa and turned around to say gently, "Where's your medicine? I'll go get it for you."

"It's in the drawer of my bedside table, in a small medicine box."

The bright light in the room shone on the handsome face of the young man, and he felt a surge of nervousness in his heart. Her room was...

His footsteps hesitated, but he couldn't resist the temptation and pushed open the door.

The moonlight shone in through the window, illuminating the girl's large and tidy room. On the off-white bed lay the oversized stuffed bear they had caught together last time. 

The clean dressing table was adorned with various hair accessories, and the spacious balcony was filled with many potted plants.

It was completely different from his own cramped and dark room.

The boy silently took out his medical kit and left the room.

The living room was brightly lit, and the girl lay on the large sofa with her cat, Meow Meow, snuggled in her arms. Its little red tongue licked her hand playfully.

"Meow Meow, it's itchy," the girl said with a smile, still holding onto it. 

Gu Miao's dark eyes flickered as he said in a deep voice, "Let me hold it for you. You can see which medicine to use."

"Okay." Cheng Chu handed the puppy to him and reminded him, "Be gentle, it's very timid."

The little dog in his arms struggled, its big black eyes wary as it let out a threatening growl.

Gu Miao reached out to touch its head, but his movements were stiff, as if he wanted to shave off the fur on its head.

He looked down at the restless dog in his arms and furrowed his brow.

Timid? It just made a deafening noise a moment ago.

"Okay, I found it." The girl handed him the ointment, her voice clear and crisp. "Can you help me apply it?"

Gu Miao's hands suddenly stiffened, and the dog in his arms took advantage of the opportunity to quickly jump out of his frightening embrace. 

Its little head was pressed so hard that it ran under the chair, whimpering and looking at Cheng Chu with pitiful, grape-like eyes.

But the owner didn't even look at her, just lifted her eyes and stared unblinkingly at the young man not far away.

The summer night wind blew up a corner of the curtain.

Gu Miao's throat was dry, and it took her a while to find her voice, "Help, help you?"

The girl lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, looking pitiful and fragile.

"Just hurt my hand a little while ago, and this medicine needs to be rubbed in." She bit her lip, her voice soft, "I don't have the strength."

Rub, rub, rub it in?

Gu Miao's fingers trembled, and his heart almost exploded in an instant.

"Is it okay?" The girl looked up, her watery peach blossom eyes making people's hearts soften at first glance.

The young man pursed his lips and lowered his head, his voice already hoarse and unrecognizable, "Okay." 

He stiffly reached out to take the ointment, crouched down, but dared not look at her.

"If it hurts, tell me."

Gu Miao hung his head over the girl's delicate and white instep, his dark eyes filled with emotions.

He gently held the girl's foot, his movements as reverent as holding a priceless treasure.

The living room was peaceful and quiet, and the pale palm slowly touched the snow-like skin.

The boy's hand was like a burning furnace, making Cheng Chu tremble unconsciously.

"Did I hurt you?" His hand suddenly stiffened.

Cheng Chu quickly shook her head, "No."

The strength was as light as touching cotton.

Several summer flowers were planted by the window, and the night breeze brought a fragrant scent throughout the room.

Gu Miao dared not use too much force with his hand, rubbing and caressing instead of massaging. 

Cheng Chu's eyes sparkled with a smile. "You need to press harder. You're so light, how can it be effective?"

The girl's ankle was swollen high, and when Gu Miao touched it with his fingertips, his heart ached and he didn't dare to use too much force.

He stopped in confusion and apologized in a low voice, "Yes, I'm sorry."

If he hadn't come to find her, they wouldn't have gone to that restaurant, and she wouldn't have slipped and gotten hurt.

Gu Miao was filled with regret.

It was all his fault!

Cheng Chu felt a little frustrated. "Sorry for what?"

"If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have fallen." The young man half-squatted, his always straight back bending humbly.

"I'm very happy, you know?" The girl whispered, "I'm so happy you came to find me."

The cold night wind drifted into the room, but her voice was warm. "In this place, everyone is so busy. Except for Mingyue, I don't have any friends whom I can speak my heart to. Every day after school, I go home alone, and no one talks to me on the way. I really miss my classmates from No. 1, and I miss...you."

Gu Miao stood still in her place.

"So, when I saw you today, I was especially happy. You never initiate contact with me, nor do you call me, so I'm always afraid of bothering you."

The boy looked up in disbelief, his voice trembling with urgency: "No, that's not true."

"You haven't bothered me."

He was always afraid of annoying her, so even though his feelings had long overflowed, he still gritted his teeth and timidly hid his longing.

The summer night breeze drifted into the living room, and Gu Miao looked at the girl's warm eyes, and the fire in his heart slowly rose.

He closed his eyes and couldn't suppress the surging emotions in his heart any longer. 

"I miss you so much," he said in a hoarse voice.

The girl suddenly burst into laughter. "I'll be back soon, just a few more months," she said gently.

The boy's ears turned red like they were on fire. He was shy about his bold and passionate words just now, and his voice became much quieter at this moment.

"Okay," he said. 

I'll be waiting for you here, obediently.

The author has something to say: 

Gu Miao was afraid of disturbing her, so he didn't dare to send her text messages or call her.