Chapter 1289: A Rare Opportunity, Don’t Waste It

As Chu Ci spoke, he kept looking at his wife, then gave a light smile. “No need to thank me. For Mo Ran’s sake—and since it’s rare for Mr. Gu to come back to the country, even rarer for us to get together.”

When he finished, he fixed his gaze on his wife, even holding her hand as he asked very gently, “Isn’t that right?”

Zhao Mo Ran forced a smile. “Gu Fei, you guys sit.”

With that, she took the initiative to sit down beside Chu Ci. He kept holding her hand, giving off a thick sense of possessiveness, and Gu Fei naturally couldn’t ignore it, his eyes also locked on them for a moment.

Chu Ci gave a slight smile and finally let go of her hand. He called the manager over, then lowered his voice to ask Zhao Mo Ran, “What does your senior like to eat?”

Zhao Mo Ran looked at him and blinked very slowly. “You’ll have to ask him.”

“I thought you’d know.” Chu Ci pinched her chin with just the right amount of force, then lifted his brows. “Mr. Gu, why don’t you order?”

“A set menu is fine. Same for my assistant,” Gu Fei said.

Once he spoke, Chu Ci’s expression turned unpleasant, because Gu Fei’s answer was exactly the same as his wife’s earlier: just a set menu was fine. It looked casual, but the tacit understanding was obvious. Zhao Mo Ran could see his face darken and was sensitive enough to know why he was angry. She was a bit surprised—since when had Chu Ci become so thin-skinned?

But she ignored him, let him be. After Gu Fei finished, the manager went to handle it.

Chu Ci, a bit depressed, took a sip of the aperitif, his face growing even darker. Zhao Mo Ran felt this was pointless and copied him, taking a small sip as well. But she wasn’t used to drinking; that sudden mouthful almost did her in. She choked on the spot, her face flushing lightly, eyes shimmering with moisture… there was something rather captivating about it, a look she didn’t usually have.

Chu Ci’s expression improved a little. One hand took the glass from her, the other braced on the back of her chair as he patted her back for her, his voice low and hoarse. “If you’re not used to it, don’t push yourself.”

Even as he said that, he still very considerately helped soothe her, then had the waiter bring over a glass of plain water, pressing it to her lips. “Drink a bit to calm it.”

There wasn’t the slightest sense of awkwardness to his movements, everything as natural as if he’d done it hundreds of times. They really did look like an old married couple.

Gu Fei’s face went taut, while his assistant watched the couple with open curiosity.

She’d heard about President Chu’s scandal. Even though they’d tried to keep it under wraps, it had blown up badly. The other party was a somewhat well-known actress, previously treated like a treasure in his hands, so the story’s credibility was high. She’d thought that with such a little sweetheart around, President Chu’s attitude toward his wife would more or less… But reality proved otherwise. The way President Chu was acting now, you couldn’t say he was pretending. Even if he’d once been a film king.

A man’s possessiveness toward a woman can’t be faked.

But she could also tell that Mrs. Chu’s heart wasn’t with President Chu. She wasn’t used to this; in their relationship he was the one taking the initiative, while she passively accepted it, even disliked it. But she also didn’t feel that Mrs. Chu still had her boss in her heart. This was a very smart woman, who wouldn’t let herself be shackled by the past. Whether it was Chu Ci or her boss, neither was in her heart anymore… But has anyone told this Mrs. Chu that loving and not getting can drive a person mad?

The assistant propped her chin and smiled slightly. “Mr. Chu and Mrs. Chu really are affectionate.”

She turned her head toward Gu Fei. “Boss, don’t you think so?”

If she didn’t speak up, her boss was about to lose his composure.

Gu Fei stared fixedly at the couple, his voice slow. “It’s different when you’re newlyweds.”

Chu Ci chuckled at that. “What, Mr. Gu is thinking about marriage too?”

He stayed lounging back in his seat, long fingers lightly holding the delicate wineglass, lips curving. “If I remember right, Mr. Gu isn’t yet thirty. For a man, it’s better to build a career first, then start a family.”

“Not yet thirty?” Gu Fei’s words hit just as hard. “Back then, when President Chu wasn’t yet thirty, didn’t you also want to get married? It’s just that… things didn’t go your way. The regret of not being able to marry the one you wanted— I don’t think anyone can relate to it more than President Chu and myself.”

Chu Ci didn’t get angry; instead, he laughed. “Life is always full of regrets, isn’t it?”

Zhao Mo Ran, sitting beside him, kept her face stiff. He, however, turned slightly and gently stroked her cheek as if to soothe her. “I’m very happy now— with a wife and a daughter, I’m more than content.”

Gu Fei’s expression stayed drawn.

Zhao Mo Ran spoke quietly. “Gu Fei, you came back this time for a gallery show?”

She finally couldn’t help changing the subject. It wasn’t to help Gu Fei, but because she wanted to properly finish this meal. If they kept sniping like this, she’d never get to eat. When it came to shamelessness and thick skin, ten Gu Feis couldn’t beat the Chu Ci of today.

With a Yan Yan in the picture, expecting him to retreat was impossible.

Gu Fei also realized he’d been too impulsive. Now that he’d been given a way out, his expression eased. “Yes, there’ll be a show next month.”

As soon as he finished, the assistant handed over an invitation, smiling as she said, “We hope Mr. Chu and Mrs. Chu will do us the honor.”

Chu Ci took the invitation and gave it a glance. “We definitely will.”

“Chu Ci.” Zhao Mo Ran called his name. “I might not be free. I have to look after Xunxun.”

“It’s only two hours. I’ll come home to pick you up then.” Chu Ci smiled gently. “What, you won’t even give your senior this bit of face?”

Zhao Mo Ran felt he was being shameless, but this wasn’t the place to say anything, so she could only drink her water. Gu Fei stared at her—

He had to admit that Zhao Mo Ran was doing very well now. She’d come from a good family to begin with, and now her bearing was even better. She looked every bit like someone pampered and well cared for. Even if there were all kinds of gossip swirling around Chu Ci outside, what she radiated was a quiet, peaceful life untouched by storms.

His voice dropped as he spoke. “Naturally, I’d very much like Mrs. Chu to give me this honor.”

Then, as if lighthearted, he added, “Mrs. Chu wouldn’t find it inconvenient because of the past, would you?”

“There’s nothing inconvenient about it.” Zhao Mo Ran gave a slight smile, meeting his eyes. “The past is long gone. What inconvenience is there to talk about?”

Chu Ci also smiled faintly, but didn’t say anything.

After that round of veiled barbs, the main course finally arrived. They each ate their meal and managed to keep the peace. Once they were done, Gu Fei no longer had any reason to stay and bother this married couple, so he stood up. “Let me get the bill.”

Chu Ci, very gentlemanly, said, “Then thank you, Mr. Gu, for the treat.”

As he spoke, he rose and pulled his wife to her feet, saying softly, “It’s about time. The movie will be starting soon.”

Gu Fei’s body stiffened.

They were even going to a movie!

His assistant smiled slightly. “Then we won’t disturb Mr. and Mrs. Chu. Have a pleasant evening.”

Prompted by her, Gu Fei forced a smile and left, looking desolate.

Chu Ci, meanwhile, held Zhao Mo Ran’s hand all the way to the parking garage. Once there was no one around, she yanked her hand free and got into the car on her own. Chu Ci let out a dry chuckle, followed her in, and turned sideways to pinch her cheek. “You’re upset?”

Now that no one was around, he showed his real face, lighting a cigarette and taking a drag, sounding a bit lazy. “In front of your first love, I gave you plenty of face. Mrs. Chu, shouldn’t you be in a great mood right now?”

Zhao Mo Ran bit her lip. “Chu Ci, you did that on purpose… And don’t smoke in the car.”

She turned her face away, making her displeasure clear.

Chu Ci smiled and put the cigarette out, then leaned in and pinched her cheek, his voice low and deep. “What, does acting affectionate with me in front of him make you uncomfortable, or do you feel sorry for him?”

“I don’t.” She didn’t want to look at him. “Chu Ci, are you driving or not?”

“I’d like to.” His voice had gone hoarse, with a rather ambiguous undertone.

Zhao Mo Ran snapped her head around, staring at him in disbelief. Apparently, this dazed expression pleased him. Chu Ci tapped her lips lightly with his fingers. “I’ll settle accounts with you later when we get back. For now, let’s go watch the movie.”

His voice did soften a bit. “It’s a rare occasion. Don’t waste it.”

She actually didn’t remember what movie they ended up watching, only that it was some artsy romance film.

In the theater, they had the place to themselves. She and Chu Ci sat in the dark with no one around… Later, he pulled her onto his lap, kissing her over and over… endlessly patient, as if he could go on kissing her until the end of time…