The Slacker Stepmother and the Non-Domineering CEO

Chapter 172

Nian Suian quickly covered Gu Junxing's mouth, stopping him from continuing.

"Stop talking, how did you start comparing yourself to money? Men become insufferable when they're too confident."

She pushed him away, saying, "Go back to work. I didn't get to nap earlier and I'm tired, so I'll sleep here for a while. When you're done with work, you can take me to look at the apartment."

"Alright, call me if you need anything."

Nian Suian waved her hand and started shaking out the bedding to prepare for sleep. "I know, now go work."

After Gu Junxing left, Nian Suian took off her shoes and coat before getting into bed. She really was tired, as she'd said.

Nian Suian had always been a good sleeper, and sleeping in Gu Junxing's bed for the first time didn't feel strange at all. She fell asleep quickly and didn't even notice when Gu Junxing opened the door to check on her twice.

"I can't believe I slept so long." When Nian Suian woke up again, she saw it was already 6:30 PM and quickly put on her clothes to go out.

"You're awake? What would you like for dinner?"

"Let's just eat somewhere nearby. Are you done with work?"

"Yes, let's go."

On their way to the residential complex after dinner, Nian Suian told Gu Junxing about the lively atmosphere she'd seen there earlier.

"Don't you think it's much more vibrant than where we live now?"

Their current neighborhood was so spread out that they barely saw anyone when going out.

Gu Junxing smiled, "Now I understand why you want to move here. Once the renovation is done, we can come stay here for a few days from time to time."

Nian Suian nodded happily. Though renovation hadn't even started, she was already imagining what style to decorate in and what furniture to buy.

"Ta-da! Fresh new keys!"

Nian Suian pulled the keys from her bag, opened the door, and turned on the lights. "Welcome, Mr. Gu!"

The apartment was empty now with not much to see, but Nian Suian immediately pulled Gu Junxing to the master bedroom, her favorite room.

As soon as they entered, she rushed to the window. "Look here, there's a tree! You can't see it well at night, but it looks beautiful in the daylight! When we renovate, I want to put in large windows here. It'll be gorgeous!"

Gu Junxing stood behind Nian Suian, smiling as he listened to her chattering about what kind of glass to use, what curtains to hang, and what style she wanted for the bedroom.

After finishing, Nian Suian turned to ask him, "What do you think?"

Gu Junxing took a couple steps forward to stand with her by the window. "I think it's great, but will there be room for me here?"

This was the master bedroom, and Gu Junxing's meaning couldn't have been clearer. Nian Suian deliberately avoided his gaze, "Well, that depends on how you behave."

The room's light fixture must have been old, casting a soft yellow glow from the ceiling while darkness filled the window outside.

Neither could say who moved closer first, but when Nian Suian came to her senses, her hands were already around Gu Junxing's neck, and his hands were on her waist.

Nian Suian secretly opened her eyes for a moment before closing them again, her toes inching closer to Gu Junxing.

Finally, Nian Suian was the first to give in, pushing Gu Junxing slightly away.

"You're too tall, my neck hurts."

The comment made them both laugh, instantly dissolving the intimate atmosphere.

"Shall we go? Would you like to see that other apartment nearby?" Originally, Gu Junxing had planned to have Butler Su take Nian Suian, but since they were together tonight, they might as well go look.

"Sure! Besides this place, do you have apartments anywhere else?" Nian Suian asked curiously.

"I can't quite remember, you can ask Butler Su later."

Hearing this, Nian Suian couldn't help but punch Gu Junxing in the waist.

Gu Junxing was confused, "What's wrong?"

"I'm feeling class envy!"

Gu Junxing wanted to tell her that she was "wealthy" too.

As they got in the car and were about to leave, Nian Suian suddenly grabbed Gu Junxing's arm before he could start driving.

"Wait..."

"Look at that person, isn't that Chen Shu?"

The figure had passed quickly under the streetlight, and while Nian Suian thought it looked like Chen Shu, she wasn't close enough with him to be certain.

"It is him. What's he doing here?" Gu Junxing hadn't heard that Chen Shu had returned from Switzerland, though Chen Shu wasn't the type to volunteer such information unless asked.

Seeing him about to get in his car, Gu Junxing quickly opened the door and called out to him.

Clearly, neither party had expected to see the other in this complex.

Chen Shu and Gu Junxing asked simultaneously: "What are you doing here?"

"When did you get back from Switzerland? How's your mother doing?"

"I got back yesterday. Took my mom for a check-up at the hospital today. The doctor said it's nothing serious, just needs proper care going forward." After answering, Chen Shu repeated his initial question, "What brings you two here? Something up?"

Gu Junxing nodded, "Suian bought an apartment here, we came to take a look."

Chen Shu was surprised to hear they'd bought a place here, but not being one to pry, he just nodded and said "That's nice."

Gu Junxing then asked him: "What about you? What brings you here?"

Nian Suian had a guess about who Chen Shu might know living here.

"I brought some gifts for Jiaojiao from Switzerland. Sheng Xia was at work during the day, so I just dropped them off now."

"You..." Gu Junxing wanted to ask something but didn't know how to phrase it.

"Oh! I think I left my phone in the apartment, I'll go get it. You two chat for a bit."

What a perfectly natural performance!

Nian Suian figured that with her there, Chen Shu probably wouldn't feel comfortable talking even if Gu Junxing asked, so she'd better make an excuse to leave.

Understanding her intention, Gu Junxing played along, "Alright, go get it. Take your time, I'll wait here."

Aliali: 67358287d72ede934945062fNian Suian walked into the building entrance but didn't go upstairs. Instead, she squatted down and took out her phone to play with it.

Meanwhile, Gu Junxing raised an eyebrow at Chen Shu, "What's your situation? Just visiting Jiaojiao?"

Chen Shu and Gu Junxing had been close friends for many years, so he had no reason to hide anything.

"You probably know what I think. My feelings haven't changed - I really did just come to bring Jiaojiao gifts, nothing more."

Gu Junxing knew Chen Shu had no reason to lie; he'd said before that he didn't want to get married, and apparently that hadn't changed.

Gu Junxing didn't press further, only saying, "As long as you're clear about what you want. But since you don't have those intentions, you should be careful not to give the wrong impression. It wouldn't be fair to Sheng Xia or Jiaojiao."

Chen Shu nodded, "I didn't think it through before, but I'll be more mindful in the future."

When he first met Jiaojiao, Chen Shu felt like he was seeing his sister from childhood, which naturally drew his attention. Later, he genuinely grew fond of Jiaojiao and felt sorry for her growing up without a father.

Throughout this process, he'd unconsciously overlooked how his behavior might appear to others. Even if his intentions were pure, outsiders might see things differently.

"I should go now. You better go find Suian," he said, before driving away.