Gu Qimiao paused and said, "That can’t be, I see he’s quite good at picking up girls, just not serious. Maybe he’ll mature when he’s a bit older."
Fang Shaobei didn’t correct her view but simply said, "I have a teacher’s apartment at the art school. It’s empty. If it’s inconvenient for you to stay at your friend’s place, you can stay there. It’s fully furnished, you can move in directly." He had specially renovated it for her.
Gu Qimiao was stunned for a moment, then laughed awkwardly and politely declined, "No need to trouble you, my brother said the house will be ready in two weeks. I’m too lazy to keep moving around." She seldom had time with Shen Yanchen as it was, and she didn’t want to cut it short.
She thought, she would rather shamelessly cling to staying at his place; she just didn’t want to part with him so quickly.
"Alright, it’s up to you. Just so you know, it’s available anytime if you need it. Here’s the key."
Gu Qimiao looked at it and was about to refuse, but he said, "Take it, having an extra place to stay isn’t a bad thing."
Gu Qimiao smiled. As it was a kind gesture, she accepted, "Thank you, Teacher Fang."
When they returned to the gallery, Fang Shaobei’s clothes were soaked on one side, while Gu Qimiao only had wet shoes.
As they walked upstairs side by side, he made sure his dry side was next to her, so she didn’t notice his wet clothes until they reached her studio.
Returning to her studio, Gu Qimiao took off her wet shoes and left them by the door, wandering around barefoot.
She then turned on her computer to study the new drawing software Fang Shaobei had taught her.
It had been briefly mentioned by a teacher at school but was seldom used, so she had long forgotten about it. Now, learning it was quite challenging for her.
In class, it seemed simple when Fang Shaobei used it, drawing whatever he wanted. But in her hands, it seemed so complicated; she couldn’t even remember a few shortcut keys.
As she was watching a tutorial recorded by Fang Shaobei, someone suddenly pushed open the door.
Xiaoxiao was drenched, her dark blue dress clinging awkwardly to her body. She looked at her despondently and said, "Gigi..."
Gu Qimiao quickly put down the mouse and walked over, "Xiaoxiao, why did you come in such heavy rain?"
Xiaoxiao just looked at her with teary eyes. The water on her face was unclear whether it was tears or rain dripping from her hair.
Fang Shaobei, who had probably also noticed her, came over and stood by the door, saying, "Xiaoxiao?"
Xiaoxiao turned to look at him and, despite her sadness, didn’t forget to greet politely, "Professor Fang..." Her voice was a bit choked.
Fang Shaobei quickly pulled her in, "Come, I’ll find some clothes for you to change into. If your brother finds out, he’ll nag."
Gu Qimiao, worried, followed along.
Fang Shaobei went to the supplies room and found a small-sized uniform. Gu Qimiao took Xiaoxiao to Fang Shaobei’s office, which was fully equipped, and let her take a hot shower.
While showering, Xiaoxiao spoke to her, "Gigi, can you say some good things about me to your brother? Even if we can’t date, being regular friends is fine. I don’t want him to hate me..."
Gu Qimiao squatted, helping wash her hair, and comforted her, "He doesn’t hate you. He’s just got that weird temper. Are you upset over this?"
Xiaoxiao’s muffled voice said, "I know his birthday is coming up. I want to spend it with him, but I don’t dare to go to him."
Gu Qimiao paused, then chuckled, "I didn’t even remember his birthday! It only came to my mind when you mentioned it."
Xiaoxiao’s mood gradually stabilized. Gu Qimiao rinsed off the foam with clean water, then wrapped her in a towel. Sitting in the bathtub, with mist still in her eyes but showing a determined look, she asked, "Gigi, what does he like? I want to get him a gift."
"Him? I don’t even know what he likes! He just loves tinkering with his cars."
"Then what’s usually suitable to give to a man?"
This kind of question asked to Gu Qimiao was like asking for nothing. She didn’t understand men at all. Speaking of which, Shen Yanchen’s birthday...
Gu Qimiao suddenly asked, "What date is it today?"
Xiaoxiao answered, "The 28th."
"Huh?" Gu Qimiao exclaimed in surprise, muttering to herself, wasn’t that tomorrow? She had been so out of it these past few days that she had completely forgotten!