Chapter 36 Pink Slippers
The streetlights stretched Shen Qing’s shadow long across the pavement. After walking for a while, she stepped onto another shadow.
A man with a refined air, radiant as the evening clouds and moonlight, stood downstairs, his back to the entrance. He was absorbed in his phone, the faint blue glow illuminating his sharp nose and long eyelashes.
Shen Qing moved with barely a sound. Only when she stopped in front of him did he look up.
“Ah, you’re back.” Gu Ting smiled at her, strangely reminiscent of a lonely woman waiting in her boudoir.
“How long have you been standing here?” Shen Qing glanced up at him, her eyes drifting over Gu Ting’s phone screen, pausing at a forum page for First High School and a blurry photo of someone’s back.
“Not long,” Gu Ting replied, slipping his phone into his pocket.
“Did you get into a fight today?”
“Yes.”
“You’re not hurt anywhere, are you?”
“No.” Shen Qing’s answer was cold, and she brushed past him.
“I’m a bit thirsty. I want some water.” Gu Ting reached for her wrist.
Shen Qing paused, glancing down at his hand on her arm.
“Sorry, I... I must be too thirsty.” Gu Ting was startled and quickly let go.
With the conversation at this point, Shen Qing lifted her chin at him, “Go drink your water.”
**
The apartment was neither too large nor too small, clean, simply decorated in shades of gray and white.
Shen Qing kicked off her shoes and walked in barefoot. She found a disposable cup, filled it with water, and brought it to the door.
Gu Ting’s mouth twitched. She really was just giving him a glass of water.
“Can I sit while I drink?” He looked at her with innocent eyes.
“As you like.”
Gu Ting stepped inside and asked again, “Which pair of slippers should I wear?”
“Whichever.” Shen Qing sank into the sofa, curling up as she opened a game on her phone.
There weren’t many slippers on the entryway shoe rack, just those disposable hotel ones.
Gu Ting opened the lower cabinet, finding two pairs: one white, one pink, both with rabbit designs, brand new.
“Do you prefer white or pink?” Gu Ting asked.
“White.” After killing someone in her game, Shen Qing glanced over to see Gu Ting squatting by the shoe cabinet, picking and choosing.
These wealthy types sure were picky.
“Then I’ll wear these.” Gu Ting chose the pink slippers, slipped them on—they were comfortable, just a bit small.
A man over six feet tall wearing pink rabbit slippers a size too small.
Shen Qing: ...
“Someone’s coming to attack you,” Gu Ting said, sitting beside her and downing the water in one gulp.
“Oh.” Shen Qing refocused on the game and cast a skill, instantly dispatching her opponent.
“What game are you playing? Looks good.”
“God of War.”
Gu Ting pondered, took out his phone, and quickly downloaded it.
The game was popular, with millions online even late at night.
“Which server are you on?” Gu Ting registered a new account.
Shen Qing glanced up at him, “Server 36.”
“Add me?”
“Mm.” Gu Ting smiled, and soon Shen Qing received his friend request.
“It’s almost eleven-thirty. Go to bed.” Seeing her finish a round, Gu Ting naturally took her phone.
“When are you leaving?” Shen Qing stood, looking down at him.
Gu Ting met her gaze, “Let me have some more.”
“...”
There was a small bathroom off the master bedroom. Shen Qing took her phone and retreated inside, not coming out again that night.
The morning alarm woke her. After washing up and putting on her school uniform, she opened the door to find a note lying on the floor.
[Noodles are cooked in the kitchen, kept warm in the pot. Don’t forget to eat.]
Shen Qing tossed the note into the trash. The living room was empty; the kitchen was tidy. She ate, washed a bowl, and was done.
The noodles were leftover alkaline ones bought by Xia Mang, topped with a poached egg—looked quite decent.
After quickly finishing her meal, Shen Qing grabbed a black cap and put it on. Before leaving, her gaze fell on the living room’s sofa, barely one meter sixty in length.
If she lay there, she couldn’t stretch her legs—let alone him.