Especially those deep-set eyes. They were no longer as unfathomable as usual. Instead, there was a glimmer of light that Su Mingyu had never seen before, as if all the starlight had gathered in them.
The inner turmoil was unbearable, but at this moment, all Su Mingyu could see was this man.
Just as they were getting closer and closer, suddenly a bird chirped outside. In an instant, it woke Su Mingyu up.
Su Mingyu took a step back and coughed dryly. "Thank you. If there's nothing else, I'll leave first."
Gu Ruobai didn't stop her.
Watching Su Mingyu flee from his sight, Gu Ruobai squinted his eyes and seemed to be lost in thought.
After leaving Gu Ruobai's study, Su Mingyu walked with her head down all the way until she reached the tea garden and stopped.
Looking at the withering camellias in the garden, Su Mingyu covered her burning cheeks and frowned.
She wasn't a naive girl on her first date. So why did she always seem so awkward in front of Gu Ruobai?
Letting out a long sigh, Su Mingyu seemed a bit uncomfortable all day.
Especially when Gu Ruobai helped her pick up some dishes during dinner, Su Mingyu felt her whole body go stiff.
Gu Ruobai naturally noticed her obvious evasive actions.
So this time, he didn't force-feed her like before. Instead, he just thoughtfully helped her pick up some nourishing dishes.
As night fell, Su Mingyu didn't feel sleepy at all.
Zhizhu came in with hot water to change her dressing. Looking at the dazed Su Mingyu suspiciously, she asked with concern, "Miss, what's wrong with you?"
Su Mingyu shook her head. "It's okay. The wound hurts a bit."
Just as Zhizhu was about to say something, a cold voice sounded at the door. "Zhizhu, you can go first. I'll change her dressing."
Zhizhu responded, glanced at Su Mingyu, then turned around and went out, closing the door behind her.
Su Mingyu bit her lips and looked at Gu Ruobai, asking in a low voice, "You... Why are you here?"
Gu Ruobai didn't answer her immediately. Instead, he carefully cut open the gauze on Su Mingyu's arm and then gently wiped the stains around the wound with warm water. "Even Zhizhu can tell that something's wrong with you. Can't I come and check on you?"
His gentle actions made Su Mingyu relax her brows. "It's... It's nothing. Maybe I'm just a bit excited thinking that I can finally leave the Su family."
"You didn't say that just now." Gu Ruobai didn't give her any face and directly exposed her lie.
Su Mingyu pouted. "Digging into every detail isn't something a gentleman would do."
Gu Ruobai almost reflexively retorted, "Unfortunately, my nickname is the Handsome God of War. Being gentle with women isn't my thing."
Su Mingyu: …
Fine. She must have been out of her mind to talk about gentlemanly manners with Gu Ruobai.
Before Su Mingyu could say anything else, Gu Ruobai had already applied the medicine and changed the gauze for her.
Gently putting down her arm, Gu Ruobai looked up at Su Mingyu. "Girl, I didn't mean to force you."
Su Mingyu was suddenly stunned, and her voice trembled without her even noticing. "You... What are you suddenly talking about?"
It seemed that his girl had many unknown secrets in her heart, including the wounded look in her eyes that appeared unconsciously.
Gu Ruobai clenched his fist. He found that he was actually a bit jealous of the man who made Su Mingyu show such an expression.
"I'm saying that you can live however you want. If you feel bored living here with me, you can leave whenever you want. If you're happy here, you can stay as long as you like."
Gu Ruobai looked deeply into Su Mingyu's eyes, and his dark eyes were filled with sincerity. "Girl, you don't have to change for anyone. You're still you. Do you understand?"
The last two words were so soft that they seemed to drift away with the wind, but they hit Su Mingyu's heart heavily.
She lowered her head and looked at Gu Ruobai, as if trying to see something in his eyes. In the end, all she saw was unwavering sincerity.
Gu Ruobai calmly met Su Mingyu's gaze. "I did all these things for you because I wanted to. You don't have to have any psychological burden."
He could tell that his feelings for Su Mingyu were different.
In front of others, Su Mingyu was like a cold and untouchable snow lotus.
But in front of him, she would also act coquettishly, bargain, and even act like a spoiled child.
However, he could also tell that Su Mingyu always kept a certain distance from him.
Whenever he got a little closer, Su Mingyu would hide like this, just like a small animal that had been hurt and was reluctant to trust anyone.
So what Gu Ruobai needed to do now was not to make Su Mingyu open her heart, but to make her lower her guard.
Su Mingyu parted her lips, and her voice was a bit hoarse. "I... I once liked someone. That person said the same thing to me... But later..."
Thinking of the scene before she time-traveled, Su Mingyu felt nauseous as if she was suffocating. "Gu Ruobai, I don't not trust you. I just need some time."
Sure enough, it was just as he thought. Gu Ruobai lowered his eyes. "Don't be in a hurry. I said I don't want you to change anything. You just need to be yourself."
Su Mingyu bit her lips and looked deeply at Gu Ruobai. After a long time, she nodded gently. "Thank you."
Seeing her expression relax a bit, Gu Ruobai said gently, "Take good care of your wound. You have a big show tomorrow."
Saying that, Gu Ruobai patted Su Mingyu on the shoulder and then wheeled himself out of the room, leaving only a resolute back for Su Mingyu.
Raising her hand to touch the place where Gu Ruobai had touched her, there was actually a trace of warmth.
Su Mingyu's lips curled up involuntarily, and the ice in her eyes quietly melted into gurgling water.
That night, Su Mingyu slept extremely soundly.
Early the next morning, yawning, she went to the main hall to have breakfast with Gu Ruobai.
While eating, Su Mingyu suddenly asked, "Are you going to watch the show tonight?"
Mu Yi and Zhizhu were both stunned. Only Gu Ruobai calmly took a bite of his food before saying, "If I'm free, I'll go and watch."
Su Mingyu let out an "oh". "Then you should go early. If you're late, there might not be any good seats left."
Gu Ruobai nodded. "Since you've said so, I'll naturally go early and choose the best seat."
Su Mingyu curled her lips. "Why do you make it sound like I really want you to go?"
Gu Ruobai raised his eyebrows. "Isn't that so?"
Su Mingyu forced a smile. "Which ear of yours heard me invite you? Come if you want, or don't. Your Highness, enjoy your meal slowly. I'll leave first!"
Saying that, Su Mingyu drank the porridge in her bowl in one gulp and then got up and left the main hall with a smile.