19 Chapter 19: A Villain's Facial Paralysis

When the group returned to A City, Su Ning went back to her study routine. It can be said her schedule is fairly boring however she likes these ordinary days the most. Recently, she had been spending her time at the A City library where she finds it easier to concentrate, especially surrounded by other people studying. The saying holds some truth 'Misery loves company. Hehe. When I see the faces of students cramming for exams. I feel somewhat better. Hohoho'

"What are you laughing about?" a male voice suddenly sounded behind her. "Oh ma yah!" Startled, Su Ning who had been leaning so far back on her chair that it was balancing on its hind legs nearly stumbled over. Luckily before her head could hit the ground, her back was supported by a pair of men's shoulders. She lifted her eyes to meet a pair of inky black phoenix eyes. "Gu-Gu YuChen?!" "Mm, you usually study here?" "Yeah. You?" "Well, The Gu Family has their own private study room at the top floor." "Oh." "I was on my way up. Then I found you laughing by yourself over here."

Realizing she was situated fairly close to the elevator, Su Ning cringed internally she must've looked like a lunatic to the passersby. "Ahh…Well that... I was just observing how nice this library is!" Su Ning fibbed trying to change the subject. Gu YuChen took the seat across from Su Ning and raised his brows indicating he didn't believe her explanation. "Mm, we hired the architect Dominic Claude Perrault when we commissioned the city library." "Ah..The Gu Family is certainly generous." 'Goodness, this level of rich is too demonic. Who donates a library to a city?!'

The pair studied quietly for a few hours. When Su Ning completed her homework, she noticed it was getting dark outside. Since it will take a 45 minute bus ride home, she decided it's best to head out now so she can be home for dinner. As she was about to say her farewells, the tall teenager began to pack his stuff as well. "I'll drop you home." Gu YuChen suddenly remarked. "Mmm...Ah?!" Su Ning must have had a rather horrified look on her face that Gu YuChen's normally expressionless face cracked a smile. "Afraid of me?" "Oh no no. It's just sudden. We don't usually talk or meet outside of the weekend lunches at the Gu Manor. But thank you." Su Ning explained. "By the way how have you been? It's been 3 weeks right?" she added trying to make small talk. "Mm, 24 days. I've been okay." "So what were you working on back there?" Su Ning asked.

Earlier, Gu YuChen was so focused on his work that she didn't want to interrupt. "Looking through some phone game prototypes. Want to see?" "Yeah! Let me see!" The two had just made their way out of the library and were standing a few steps away from the paved walkway. Su Ning excitedly craned her neck to take a look at the prototypes on Gu YuChen's tablet. "PvP MMORPG.. Woah the graphics are all so good. Hmm I really like this…" 'Gu YuChen is really brilliant. How is this the work of a 14 year old? I am a 29 year old soul in a 12 year old's body and I am not even capable of this.' thought Su Ning. 'She's small.' Gu YuChen thought as he stared down at Su Ning's head. Gu YuChen was quite tall for his age at 175cm while Su Ning was only 152 cm. 'She smells of roses.' Seeing Su Ning so interested, Gu YuChen took the time to explain in detail how he and a friend brainstormed through the initial ideas and created the prototypes. They even discussed his game's timeline from development to launching. Su Ning ended up asking so many questions that before they realized it they had boarded his car and arrived at her place. "Ah! When you need beta testers text me! Okay??" She made an okay sign in front of Gu YuChen. "Okay. But I don't have you on Vechat." "Ohhh! Here Scan me." Su Ning said as she pulled out her phone.

Su Ning got off the car and was about to say her thanks when she noticed Gu YuChen had begun to walk towards the elevator of her apartment. "It's late. I'll walk you." "Oh. Thank you." "Hey, Gu YuChen." "Mmm?" "You're pretty amazing. You're actually a nice guy. Mmm. I think I had some preconceptions about you before which made our conversations a little awkward." Su Ning smiled at him apologetically. "It's okay." Gu YuChen's lips quirked a bit. As they stood side by side in the elevator, "Gu YuChen. You are really tall." she said with a bit of awe. "Mmm." "And you have a very good looking face as well just…" "Just?" he asked.

Truthfully, Gu YuChen was slightly embarrassed at Su Ning's compliments. He is used to hearing those words to describe him but never were they said to him with such a pure innocent gaze. "You seem to have facial paralysis." Su Ning looked straight at Gu YuChen and finally said these words with a serious face but her short stature made her look particularly adorable. "Pffft." Gu YuChen chuckled at the sight of her. "Gu YuChen! That's it! Smile like that sometimes. It looks really nice. Oh, we're here. Thank you for dropping me off!" Then out of habit (when she hangs out with Li Youqing and Lin Miao) she said "Text me when you get home. Bye!" "Okay." Gu YuChen said as he gave a small wave back.

That day, Gu YuChen went home in a good mood. He had been wary the past couple of weeks since his assistant had informed him of the suspicious movements on Gu Han's side. In reality, he had just gone out to get some air when he saw the girl go into the A City Library. Unconsciously, he had begun to follow and watch her study. He hadn't seen her in a while and realized now that he missed her. He even missed the polite face she always tried to keep during lunch with Grandma Gu. Gu YuChen knew Su Ning's grades have tremendously improved and he even saw the clip of her performance at ACISC. He was regretful and wished he was there in person to hear her sing. Somehow his curiosity for her just keeps growing stronger. It was laughable that just a few months back he didn't even put her in his sight. When he saw her laughing by herself, he finally made up his mind to come up to talk to her. He never would've thought that they would be able to converse so naturally with each other.

[YuChen_Fox]: This is Gu YuChen. I am home.

[NingNing_Star]: (◍•ᴗ•◍) Okay.

[YuChen_Fox]: By the way, I saw the clip of your performance in ACISC.

[YuChen_Fox]: You sang very well.

'I actually have both of your songs saved on my phone.' he whispered internally.

[NingNing_Star]: ≧☉_☉≦ To suddenly be praised by the esteemed Gu YuChen. I feel shy.

[YuChen_Fox]: Haha

[NingNing_Star]: Gu YuChen, I can see you saying that with a blank face. （っ＾▿＾）

[YuChen_Fox]: (;一_一)

As Su Ning prepared for bed that night, she cannot help but wonder at how her and Gu YuChen's relationship has changed. He is a genius but still works hard; those are qualities that Su Ning really admires. 'Actually, being friends does not seem so bad. I am not interested in his fortune or in him romantically so I wouldn't be involved in their complicated family politics. Plus, I don't have to pretend to be a child when I speak with him which is more comfortable for me. And maybe some of his brilliance will rub off on me and I can make more money in the future.' she decided and happily turned in for the night.

By the time the end of the year exams were over, Su Ning had successfully placed in the top 10 of their grade. She has raised her score to 725 out of 750. But of course Qin Rong was still at the top with a grade of 749 out of 750. However Su Ning was very satisfied with her score and reaching her goal. It was snowing outside when she waved goodbye to her buddies in school and ran to Father Su's white Mazda. On her way, she missed Qing Mei's spiteful gaze.