Chapter 99
Luo Xiu didn't really want the number committed to his memory but his memory was a passive skill. Not to mention that with Gu Nian being with him today, he had already seen this number quite a few times.
Luo Xiu looked up and over at the stairs with no movements o it and answered the call.
The woman's voice coming from the other side was irritated. "You finally picked up!"
Luo Xiu's voice was very levelled. "The only reason I did not block your number was because of the few years of relationship between the Luo and the Zhuo families. My patience is not unlimited."
"I… I was anxious was all, which was why I had called you several times."
"Something's the matter?"
"It's your birthday today, right? Where did you go? I went over to your room a few times and you were not there every time."
"… …"
Luo Xiu didn't say anything.
The very first time that he showed up with Gu Nian at the cafeteria, he could easily throw out some irrelevant words defending her and put her between himself and Zhuo Yixuan.
But now, or perhaps even earlier, he was no longer able to do that.
Zhuo Yixuan was no fool. The reason she called nonstop all day long was the confirm the idea that made her nervous –
"Were you really with that little screenwriter? And the entire day no less?!"
Luo Xiu frowned a little but quickly toned down the emotions between his brows and eyes. Even his voice was calm, "Mmhmm"
"Why? What's so good about her? She was but a silly little screenwriter who needed to sell her scripts for a living. Impossible! How would she be able to measure up to me?"
"Because I don't want to see you."
"… …"
The sound from the other end came to a stop abruptly.
A few seconds later, Zhuo Yixuan said through gritted teeth, "I knew it! Just as I thought… this isn't about you being fond of her. You are only using her to push me away! I shall not give up so easily! Just you wait!"
She hung up.
Luo Xiu lowered his eyes languidly and returned his cellphone to his pants' pocket.
He used her to shield him in the past.
And now he was being her shield.
Karma is surely a b**tch.
A hint of a smile appeared on him. He turned again to look at the stairs. At the very moment, the young couple's conversation drifted into his ears again.
"… All the rooms upstairs are themed suites? Is that true Where did you hear that from?"
"Of course its true. My friend brought his girlfriend here before."
"Wow. I didn't know that this town is that progressive."
"Well? Would you like to book a night here instead?"
"In your dreams!"
Themed… suites?
Luo Xiu looked again peculiarly at the wooden stairs that Gu Nian had ran up.
As if on cue, the girl's silhouette appeared at the end of the stairs the moment he looked up.
"All ready." Gu Nian was smiling at him. One of her hands was hidden behind her and she waved her other one at him. "You can come upstairs now."
"… …"
Luo Xiu paused for two seconds before he lowered his eyes and started heading upstairs.
By the time the two silhouettes had disappeared on the other end of the stairs, the young couple sitting on the couch were still whispering and giggling with each other.
The female patron next to them who hadn't said a word up until now finally couldn't hold back anymore and drummed on the coffee table?
"Huh?"
The young couple, interrupted, looked up blankly.
The female patron pointed at the outside, somewhat irritated, and said, "The themed suites that you were talking about was that building over there. And they had already been shut down during a sweep last year for operating illegally and lost their business license."
"Oh!"
The young couple let out a disappointed sigh.
At the same time, on the third floor.
After turning down the hallway after the stairs, Gu Nian produced a long, silky black ribbon out of nowhere. Then, smiling shyly at Luo Xiu, she said, "In order to increase the effect of the pleasant surprise, I am going to have to do this – Will you please play along, Mr. Luo Xiu?"
"… …"
Luo Xiu didn't say anything but turned back around and lowered his head to look at her.
He stood with his back to the light and his emotions were hidden deep within his eyes. Even Gu Nian wasn't able to tell his feelings at the time when he was not talking.
The little and rare struggle crossed Luo Xiu's eyes and he finally lowered his eyes slowly.
He gave in finally.
"Alright."