Chapter 24. Date

"Maybe it really was just a lighting issue..."

Chen Zixuan didn't give it much thought. There was still half an hour left before Gu Yanxi was supposed to head out.

Besides, what boy wouldn't want to look a bit more handsome?

Realizing it would take too long for the water to boil, he simply turned on the shower and took a quick cold rinse.

After his shower, Chen Zixuan changed into a fresh set of clothes: a black short-sleeved shirt, black casual slacks, and a pair of pure white sneakers.

Though they were all inexpensive items bought online, at least they were clean and tidy.

With his black, untidy hair, pale complexion, and those deep, still eyes resembling ancient wells, Chen Zixuan felt he had acquired a bit of that ascetic look typical of certain youthful idols.

Giving himself a once-over in the mirror, Chen Zixuan nodded in satisfaction.

Why had he never noticed before that he was actually kind of handsome?

It was just his skin—far too pale. He forced a wry smile, thinking it must be due to his lack of sleep lately.

He just hoped Gu Yanxi wouldn't misunderstand; he wasn't addicted to any, ahem, strange hobbies...

Taking his phone from his room, Chen Zixuan walked out the door. By now, the city lights had just flickered on as dusk settled in.

He had set off a little earlier than planned; however, when Chen Zixuan closed his door, he was surprised to find that Gu Yanxi had arrived even before him.

The girl was already standing at the entrance of the hallway, waiting.

She wore a snow-white long dress that draped gracefully down to her calves, accentuating her elegant and slender figure. Below her delicate legs, she wore a pair of pure white, lace-up high-heeled sandals.

Her jet-black, lustrous long hair danced lightly in the evening breeze of the stairwell, emphasizing the fair texture of her delicate profile, with a faint, alluring flush on her cheeks.

At Xijiang City High School, where Chen Zixuan studied, there were many rumors about Gu Yanxi.

Gu Yanxi was, without question, the school's top beauty. Whether in looks or academic performance, she outshone every other girl in school.

Known for her cold aloofness, her family's assets exceeded ten million, making her a bona fide beautiful and wealthy 'Ice Queen'.

It was said that if you could win over such a girl, not only could you sing karaoke every night, but you could also save yourself thirty—no!—fifty years of hard work!

As a result, Gu Yanxi was never short of suitors at school. Those who had a crush on her, either openly or in secret, could easily ring the entire school playground.

But only Chen Zixuan knew that Gu Yanxi wasn't nearly as exaggerated as the rumors suggested. Apart from her slightly above-average looks, she was simply a kind-hearted, ordinary girl.

Her family was not as wealthy as the gossips claimed.

Although their apartment—this very building—might really fetch ten million on the market, from what Chen Zixuan knew, the Gu family lived simply.

Gu Yanxi's mother didn't gamble or play mahjong, Gu Yanxi wasn't obsessed with celebrities, and certainly had no interest in luxury goods.

In fact, Gu Yanxi had even asked Chen Zixuan to help her haggle for bargains online several times before.

What kind of "wealthy lady" was this?

Noticing Chen Zixuan's arrival, Gu Yanxi crossed her arms a bit awkwardly and said, "You're out so early."

Chen Zixuan was taken aback. Girl, that's my line...

He rubbed his nose helplessly and replied, "Early? I think you were even earlier."

Gu Yanxi was stunned, and her exquisite little face showed a trace of annoyance.

Not early at all! I just came out and you followed after me—I've been waiting for so long."

Seeing that the girl was upset, Chen Zixuan, knowing better than to be a clueless guy, quickly apologized, "Alright, alright, you're really not early at all. Next time, I'll come out first and never let you wait again."

Trying to reason with women was like playing music to a cow—this was a truth Chen Zixuan understood well.

There's a next time?

Hearing his words, a ripple of joy rose in Gu Yanxi's heart. Still, she only gave a soft "hmph" and turned, saying, "My mom only let me out for two hours. Where are we going? Let's get going."

"Mhm,"

Chen Zixuan nodded.

Seeing the girl still looked a little unhappy, he blurted out on a whim, "By the way, you look really nice today."

Gu Yanxi had just stepped down a stair when she heard this, and her steps suddenly paused.

Her shoulders trembled slightly as if making a difficult decision in her heart. After a few seconds, a barely audible voice drifted in the stairwell:"I never noticed before... but today... you actually look pretty handsome..."

Chen Zixuan pressed his lips together in a faint smile and quickly caught up to her.

"Let's go."

Neither of them noticed that at this very moment, behind the metal security door, a pair of eyes was watching them from the shadows.

Seeing her daughter and Chen Zixuan head downstairs together, Yao Qian smiled helplessly, thinking to herself, "Youth really is wonderful," then closed the door and returned to her room.

On the other side, Chen Zixuan and Gu Yanxi had already left the neighborhood.

"Where are we going?"

Feeling the occasional glances from people around, Gu Yanxi hesitantly asked.

"I checked on my phone. There's a barbecue restaurant nearby. Do you like barbecue?", Chen Zixuan thought for a moment and asked.

"I don't dislike it", Gu Yanxi said softly, lowering her head.

In her mind, there were two kinds of barbecue restaurants: one, the rowdy and unhygienic outdoor stalls; the other, a buffet-style place where two people sat around a table with a grill in the middle—a much better date atmosphere than the former.

"That's good", Chen Zixuan was relieved.

The thing Gu Yanxi had been worried about didn't happen.

Chen Zixuan wasn't entirely clueless, so he wouldn't take a girl to an outdoor market stall for their first date.

About ten minutes later, they arrived at a barbecue restaurant that looked rather upscale.

Once inside, with the grill set up and dishes ordered, Gu Yanxi finally began to worry.

This place didn't look cheap, and Chen Zixuan had just transferred six thousand yuan to her today. Would he have enough money left?

If not, it would be so awkward for him...

She secretly decided to find an excuse to go to the front desk later and pay the bill in advance.

While Gu Yanxi was still lost in thought, suddenly, at a nearby table, a girl in her twenties, goaded and encouraged by her friends, nervously gripped her phone and walked slowly toward their table.

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