Jiang Ran swallowed, Gu Ge’s words echoing in her mind.
It felt so surreal.
She never expected Gu Ge to say such a thing, let alone actually follow through with it.
She wanted to move, but found she couldn’t make a sound because Gu Ge was covering her mouth.
Just then, the nurse responsible for rounds walked in.
“Patient in Bed No. 36, do you have any discomfort today?”
The nurse’s gaze fell on the slight bulge in front of Gu Ge’s stomach.
Feeling that the patient was acting a bit strange, she stepped forward with concern.
“Is everything really all right?”
“It’s fine, thank you for your concern.”
Gu Ge smiled mischievously.
She took the medicine from the nurse and swallowed it with some water.
Curled up under the quilt, Jiang Ran didn’t dare move an inch.
If the nurse found her, what would she think?
Jiang Ran didn’t even want to imagine it.
Her head was buzzing, as if a mosquito were flying around inside.
She lifted one corner of the quilt.
Seeing that the nurse was about to leave, she breathed a sigh of relief.
If the nurse really left, things would be easier to handle.
Now, it just depended on when she would finally go.
Jiang Ran held her breath, but Gu Ge wouldn’t sit still.
Her calves kept rubbing against Jiang Ran’s, like foxtail grass constantly brushing against her.
The rustling of fabric was incredibly distracting.
“Xiao Ran, she’s gone. Come out.”
Gu Ge’s voice drifted over, but Jiang Ran didn’t dare lower her guard.
She felt like Gu Ge was tricking her.
Jiang Ran opened her hazy eyes, her body feeling hot and flushed.
“What were you doing just now? Why did you pull me in?”
Jiang Ran didn’t understand what Gu Ge was trying to pull.
They had almost been caught.
Biting her lip, Jiang Ran questioned her bluntly, but Gu Ge acted as if nothing had happened, simply looking at her with a silly grin.
“What’s wrong, Xiao Ran? What are you afraid of? It’s not like I’d actually hurt you.”
Gu Ge reached out and rubbed Jiang Ran’s cheek.
The smile on her face grew more radiant.
She was like a drowning person trying to grab onto anything and everything nearby, without exception.
At the same time, Jiang Ran reached out like a cat scratching a post and demanded, “That’s still not okay. You’re too mean. I want to get down.”
“Sure, Xiao Ran, go ahead.”
Gu Ge’s legs wrapped around Jiang Ran like a pair of scissors.
Jiang Ran tried to climb down, but her legs were restricted, leaving her unable to move.
The distance between them widened slightly, only to shrink again in an instant.
While Jiang Ran was busy trying to think of a strategy, Gu Ge’s other hand pressed down on her head.
“If Xiao Ran calls me ‘Mom’ one more time, I’ll let you down.”
“Huh?”
Jiang Ran was completely bewildered.
She had never expected things to go this way.
She thought calling her “Sister” would have been enough for Gu Ge to let her go.
Now, the demands were becoming increasingly bold.
Was this still the Galgame she was familiar with?
Why were so many people clamoring to be her mother?
Jiang Ran’s cheeks were burning hot, like a ticking time bomb.
“No way. I called you that before, and you’re not even that much older than me. Why do you like that title so much? Isn’t calling you ‘Sister’ enough?”
Jiang Ran couldn’t understand what Gu Ge was thinking.
Her gaze followed Gu Ge’s wandering hand as it moved from the quilt onto her body.
Her slightly raised knuckles gently gripped Jiang Ran’s shoulder.
“But I just love it when Jiang Ran acts like this~”
Stars twinkled in Gu Ge’s eyes as the distance between them closed further.
“Xiao Ran, I really hope to take good care of you. It’s just a title. Or, if you’re short on money, you can always come to me.”
Gu Ge’s fingers traced Jiang Ran’s cheek.
“All right, once you’re better, I’ll take you to see the sea. You used to wish for that all the time.”
‘Did that really happen?’
“That’s right. The National Day holiday is coming up soon. Xiao Ran’s school should be going on break, right?”
Gu Ge spoke with a smile, her hands never stopping.
She seemed to have thought of something happy, for her smile was incredibly sweet.
Jiang Ran held her breath.
She realized that the National Day holiday was indeed approaching; it had come quickly.
It felt like school had only just started, and yet a break was already here.
Back in junior high and high school, these holidays were basically for show—just a change of scenery to do homework.
College was different.
This kind of holiday was actually long, and she didn’t know how to plan for it yet.
“I don’t really want to go. Besides, we have the Freshman Gala to participate in. I’ll probably be exhausted once we’re done. There’s a show right before the break.”
“It’s no trouble. It’ll only be for a few days. I’ll only take you for a few days and I’ll definitely bring you back safely. If you feel uncomfortable, you can bring a friend along. Just ask if she wants to go play.”
“Ah, well…”
Jiang Ran was stunned.
She didn’t know if bringing someone else would lead to trouble.
Otherwise, she really would have liked to bring Bai Ranran; Bai Ranran would probably love a party like that.
But remembering that the host was Gu Ge, Jiang Ran didn’t dare invite her.
She could only give an awkward smile.
“I don’t have many friends. Even if I asked them, they probably wouldn’t come. Everyone will likely be taking the bus home to see their parents for the holiday. Um, Sister Gu Ge, why don’t you go see the sea by yourself? You can just send me some photos. I don’t really want to go anymore. I feel like the beach will be too crowded, and I’m scared.”
Gu Ge laughed mischievously and scratched Jiang Ran’s chin.
Her crystalline eyes focused on Jiang Ran’s tender face.
The distance between them shrank until they were almost touching, and then Gu Ge stopped.
“That won’t do. I promised Xiao Ran we would go. Plus, it’s almost your birthday. It’s the perfect time to take you out for some fun. Don’t refuse. If you refuse again, I’ll go to your house, tie you up, and throw you in the car.”
Gu Ge spoke in a joking tone, but Jiang Ran didn’t think it was a joke.
On the contrary, she believed Gu Ge was capable of doing something like that at any moment.
“Fine… all right. I’ll go with you when the time comes. You won’t sell me to Mianbei, will you?”
“Mianbei? We’re going on vacation, not going abroad. It’s unsafe overseas right now. Besides, I’ll hire a few bodyguards for you. You can rest completely easy!”
“I see. Okay then.”
Jiang Ran had no choice but to nod and agree.
She realized that if she kept pushing back, things would only get worse.
She agreed verbally while thinking she would have to adjust the others’ schedules later, or else things would be a disaster if they overlapped.
Tapping on her phone, Jiang Ran saw that Su Wanqing had suddenly pulled her in for a rehearsal, saying the school was about to review the performances.
Consequently, Jiang Ran scrambled off Gu Ge.
“Um, I have to head back for a bit. The school needs to rehearse, and they want me there as soon as possible. Take care of yourself, Sister Gu Ge!”