Chapter 58: Pushing the Limits

Ruan Cha took a few deep breaths, her round, clear eyes glaring at Gu Zhenzhi. "So just now you were treating me like some emotionless radiator?"

Gu Zhenzhi fell silent, clearly unable to follow Ruan Cha's peculiar train of thought.

"Gu Zhenzhi, I'm angry," she declared, truly upset with him. It had been such a beautiful moment, yet in his hands, it had somehow turned odd and awkward.

Hearing her words, Gu Zhenzhi said nothing. Instead, he brushed past her and headed straight for the staircase.

Ruan Cha's expression grew puzzled. She hurried after him. "Gu Zhenzhi, you—"

Before she could finish, Gu Zhenzhi turned around and swept her up into his arms. The movement was all too familiar—the same embrace, the same scent, the same effortless lift.

Ruan Cha finally gave up resisting. Downstairs, Gu Zhenzhi set her gently onto the living room sofa and headed into the kitchen.

As he walked, he rolled up his cuffs, revealing a lean, muscular forearm. Once in the kitchen, he opened the refrigerator, taking out a glass of fresh milk, two eggs, some fruit, and a few basic ingredients.

Watching him open the fridge, Ruan Cha suddenly recalled a passage in the book—Gu Zhenzhi was said to be an excellent cook, though he rarely stepped into the kitchen himself.

She scampered over, watching as he deftly separated egg whites, methodically prepared the fruit—every movement pleasing to the eye.

In less than half an hour, a miniature fruit cake appeared on the table.

Ruan Cha's eyes sparkled as she gazed at the cake.

"For my apology." Long, slender fingers pushed the cake toward her. Gu Zhenzhi’s voice was low and magnetic, the sound curling softly into her ears.

"Is this for real?" She could hardly believe it—Gu Zhenzhi, making her a cake to apologize! Clearly, her efforts these past days had not been in vain.

Ruan Cha picked up a small spoon, scooped out a delicate piece, and as she raised it to her lips, a fragrant fruit aroma drifted into her senses.

She placed the bite in her mouth; the moment the tip of her tongue touched it, a pure, sweet flavor spread softly between her teeth.

Ruan Cha’s eyes lit up.

Her gaze shone brightly. "Gu Zhenzhi, this is delicious!"

She took another bite, savoring it slowly. "Mmm, Gu Zhenzhi, you’re amazing! Could you make this for me every day from now on?"

Gu Zhenzhi tidied the table with calm, steady eyes, watching her satisfied little face. "You’re pushing your luck."

Ruan Cha grinned, eyes narrowing with delight. "How is this pushing my luck? This is a compliment to your culinary skills!"

With that, she scooped up another bite and offered it to Gu Zhenzhi. "Here, try it!"

He was still cleaning up when she thrust the little spoon toward him. Just as he turned, the clean collar of his shirt collided with the cake’s cream.

Ruan Cha’s arm froze.

She looked up at him, blinking, then quickly snatched a tissue from the side. "Sorry, sorry, let me wipe it off!"

She practically lunged into his arms, rapidly wiping the cream from his collar. Once she’d finished, the top two buttons of his shirt had come undone, exposing a glimpse of the defined lines of his chest.

Ruan Cha gulped.

In the quiet of the night, the sound of her swallowing was unusually clear.

Hearing it, Gu Zhenzhi’s brows knit as his gaze dropped to her.

In the next instant, he saw Ruan Cha, who had been grinning sheepishly, now boldly reaching out her hand. "Gu Zhenzhi, do you know what it really means to push your luck?"