The evening breeze was light, making the tips of Jiang Ran’s bangs flutter across her forehead.
A few strands stuck to her eyelids, and she wanted to reach up to brush them away, but her stride was too wide.
Her movements were clumsy and uncoordinated, looking quite comical as her body struggled to maintain balance.
“Slo… slow down, I can’t keep up.”
Jiang Ran breathlessly exhaled a cloud of white mist.
Because of the height difference between her and Gu Ge, her gait was beginning to falter.
To keep up, she had to increase her walking frequency, causing her to wobble like a goose patrolling its territory at the entrance of a village.
“How about this speed?”
Gu Ge suddenly slowed her pace.
Caught off guard, Jiang Ran bumped directly into her.
The expected pain of a swollen nose never came; instead, her cheek felt something soft and springy.
Slowly opening her eyes, she found herself face-to-face with the softness of Gu Ge’s chest.
Wait…
Wasn’t she just walking behind Gu Ge?
If she bumped into her, it should have been her back.
How could she have ended up right in her arms?
“Ran, you didn’t fall, did you? Sorry, I stopped too abruptly. Does anything hurt? Should I rub it for you?”
Gu Ge’s warm, soft hand brushed against Jiang Ran’s face, which had been chilled by the wind.
The gentle sensation quickly spread across half her face.
Jiang Ran dazed for a moment before refocusing her gaze on Gu Ge’s smiling face.
Recalling the resolve she had made that afternoon, Jiang Ran did something uncharacteristic and stepped back.
“I-I’m fine. I’ve been bothering Sister Gu Ge too much. Actually, I can go upstairs on my own. You don’t have to support me anymore; I’ll walk by myself.”
As she backed away, Jiang Ran waved her hands dismissively.
She still remembered the strangeness Gu Ge had displayed in the restroom, which aligned with the clues mentioned by the APP.
For the sake of caution, she should try to be as invisible as possible.
However, Gu Ge didn’t seem to agree with Jiang Ran’s idea.
Seeing the rejection, she stepped forward and reached for Jiang Ran’s hand, which was already hidden behind her back.
“You just got out of the hospital, and your body hasn’t fully recovered yet. What if you fall? Be obedient.”
This time, her tone was slightly sterner, though no trace of her ability being used was felt.
‘Is my Numbing Plan working?’
Jiang Ran couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if she turned and ran.
Ever since they started heading upstairs, she had truly wanted to do so, but she was afraid Gu Ge would force her hand.
Running away might feel good for a moment, but getting caught would be a disaster.
Besides, Gu Ge knew Hypnosis.
Who knew how high she would drive one of her stats?
Her meager Resistance would break at a single poke.
Once that was gone, what would be waiting for her?
Jiang Ran didn’t dare to think about it…
For the sake of safety, Jiang Ran had no choice but to reluctantly take Gu Ge’s hand.
“Fine, I’ll listen to you. But don’t do this next time. I’m not used to people holding my hand.”
Looking at Jiang Ran, who couldn’t even manage to stay angry and instead looked like she was acting cute, Gu Ge whispered in her ear, “Alright. I’ll do it again next time.”
Jiang Ran’s ear twitched.
What did she just hear?
Gu Ge really wasn’t taking her warning seriously!
“Alright, I’m just kidding. Don’t sulk. We’re already home. Little one, where are your keys?”
“We’re… already here?”
Jiang Ran looked up and saw the familiar iron gate.
She remembered she had installed this secondary iron door to prevent anyone from picking the lock in the middle of the night; it was an extra layer on the outside.
Fumbling through her bag for the keys, Jiang Ran opened the outer iron gate.
Just as she was about to close it, she saw that Gu Ge had somehow already wedged her foot into the gap.
*Gulp.*
Jiang Ran swallowed hard as fear began to spread through her heart.
Her fingers gripped the keys tightly, unwilling to pull them out.
The shadow behind her felt like an invisible mountain.
“Ran, why aren’t you taking out the keys? Do you have no strength left?”
Gu Ge’s hand moved faster than her words, gripping Jiang Ran’s hand as if to help her pull the keys out.
“N-no… I was just wondering why Sister Gu Ge isn’t going back to her own home?”
Jiang Ran turned to look at Gu Ge, whose lips were curled into a slight, shallow smile.
The hand holding the keys was covered in a thin layer of sweat.
Feeling the damp stickiness, Gu Ge looked down and tightened her grip on Jiang Ran’s hand a bit more.
“Don’t be in a hurry. I’ll see you home first. Look, your hands are sweating. Your body is so weak; how could I feel right letting you go back alone? What if you fall?”
Jiang Ran: ?
‘What’s next? Are you going to offer to tuck me in because you’re worried I’ll have nightmares?’
“But didn’t the doctor say my recovery is going well? The one who should be resting is you, Sister Gu Ge. You have work tomorrow.”
“Is that so?”
Gu Ge pressed Jiang Ran’s hand and pulled out the keys.
Amidst Jiang Ran’s confused gaze, she continued, “Isn’t working just for the sake of making money to change one’s life?”
“I don’t really understand what you’re saying…”
Jiang Ran silently recited her mantra — ‘Don’t interfere, just be a camera’ — as she kept her head lowered.
“You’ll know soon enough. Open the door; it’s cold in the hallway.”
“Oh…”
Jiang Ran didn’t resist this time and opened the door.
Sure enough, the moment she took her first step inside, Gu Ge grabbed the door frame, leaving her no chance to shut it quickly.
“Ran, your place looks a bit old. How about I hire a cleaning company to tidy up for you tomorrow?”
“That’s too much trouble. I can just clean it myself,” Jiang Ran said, waving her hands frantically, determined not to give Gu Ge any excuse to linger.
“Why go through all that effort? It’ll probably just be one auntie coming over; there won’t be any other strangers. Don’t be nervous. I just want to help you with the housework.”
Gu Ge closed the door.
She didn’t change her shoes but instead walked to the sofa and naturally started rearranging the ornaments in the room.
“But I’ve already called a moving company; they’ll handle this work too. I wouldn’t want to trouble Sister Gu Ge. Have you eaten yet? How about I make a few dishes and you eat a bit?”
Gu Ge chuckled, covering her mouth slightly.
“I’ve eaten, but it’s been a long time since I’ve tasted your cooking, Jiang Ran.”
“Alright then, I’ll go make something. But I prefer light flavors. If it’s not salty enough for you, I’ll fry a separate portion for you.”
“No need. I’m quite curious about the flavors you like, Ran.”
“O-okay then.”
Jiang Ran placed the ingredients she had bought into the kitchen sink.
She took a peeler to the potatoes, glancing out of the corner of her eye at Gu Ge, who was on the sofa watching a children’s show.
She couldn’t help but peek at what was playing on the TV.
When she realized it was *Peppa Pig*, her brows furrowed.
This contrast left her baffled.
The aura Gu Ge had exuded while pressing against her didn’t seem fake, yet here she was, sitting obediently on the sofa watching *Peppa Pig*.
Wasn’t that a show for toddlers?
Becoming more confused by the second, Jiang Ran continued peeling the potatoes.
After she finished, she sliced them in half and began julienning them on the cutting board.
The rhythmic *thud-thud-thud* of chopping began to echo in the kitchen.
She gave them a quick blanch in boiling water before scooping them out.
She turned on the range hood and started heating oil in the pan.
With a *sizzle*, the color of the potatoes in the pan began to darken.
Similarly, Jiang Ran sliced the tomatoes and placed them on a plate.
However, she didn’t intend to cook this dish; she would just sprinkle some sugar on them for a cold salad.
As she stood up, something in her pocket began to vibrate.
*Ring-ring-ring—*
An incoming call interrupted Jiang Ran’s chopping.
She wiped her hands with a towel and looked at the screen.
Her heart nearly stopped.
How… how could it be a voice call from Su Nian?
She glanced back at Gu Ge on the sofa.
If she answered, what would happen?
Jiang Ran’s stomach growled — not from hunger, but from a cramp brought on by nerves.
“Jiang Ran, I think I heard your phone ringing. Aren’t you busy cooking? If it’s inconvenient, I can answer it for you.”
Gu Ge prepared to stand up. Jiang Ran quickly waved her hand.
“N-no need! It’s just a call. I… I can handle it.”