Irresistibly Drawn (Love After Marriage) - Chapter 4 - Secrets

That night, Jiang Qingyu didn’t sleep well. The anxiety of leaving her hometown and the anticipation of the long-awaited comic exhibition left her with dark circles under her eyes by morning.

Her skin was fair, and even the slightest mark made her look as if she were a refugee fleeing from hardship. When Gu Yunyi came to call her, she was busy using concealer to cover up the evidence of her panda-like eyes.

“Qingyu?”

His voice was cool, and the focused girl was startled. She turned around, slightly dazed.

For the past two days, Gu Yunyi had been dressed in black trousers and a trench coat. Although she knew they were only six years apart, his overly serious appearance made him seem quite distant.

But today, he wore jeans and a white shirt, the clean collar accentuating his slightly prominent Adam’s apple.

How should I put it?

He looked rather handsome.

She had to admit that Gu Yunyi’s looks were exceptional, even surpassing the campus heartthrob from her university days. It was just a pity that he didn’t smile much; otherwise, he might attract a swarm of admirers.

“Didn’t sleep well?”

Gu Yunyi interrupted her thoughts, and Jiang Qingyu playfully stuck out her tongue in her mind.

“A little bit.”

As she turned away, a fleeting smile crossed his face.

Concealment wasn’t her strong suit; it seemed she was quite pleased with his appearance today. At the very least, he needed to step out of the role of an elder in her eyes. Otherwise, with Jiang Qingyu’s personality, if he were to tell her directly that he was her fiancé, she’d probably jump in surprise.

As Jiang Qingyu held a milk carton in her mouth, Jiang Hua peeked through the curtain and asked, “Not having breakfast?”

The girl nodded, stuffing a book into her bag, but it slipped and fell to the ground.

Panic flashed in Jiang Qingyu’s eyes. Before Jiang Hua could see the cover, a pair of slender hands picked it up and returned it to her bag.

In those brief seconds, Gu Yunyi glanced at the book, and its content genuinely surprised him.

Noticing the astonishment in his eyes, Jiang Qingyu quickly tugged on his sleeve with her delicate fingers. She pursed her lips and shook her head slightly.

“Shh…”

Gu Yunyi raised an eyebrow, understanding that Jiang Qingyu didn’t want Teacher Jiang to know. The quirky figures and ghostly images on the book were probably her unique interests, different from other girls.

“I won’t tell-”

He mouthed the words to her, and Jiang Qingyu quickly finished her milk and pulled Gu Yunyi out the door.

“Phew-”

The air outside felt freer than in the courtyard, and Jiang Qingyu took a deep breath of fresh air.

“Why don’t you want Teacher Jiang to know?”

Gu Yunyi’s car was parked at the alley’s entrance, just a few dozen meters away. Jiang Qingyu pulled out the sketchbook from her bag and gently dusted it off.

“My mom, well, she’d probably disapprove of me looking at these.”

After speaking, she stole a glance at Gu Yunyi, her eyes probing to see if his expression had changed.

“Would you?…”

“No, it’s your hobby. Everyone’s thoughts deserve respect.”

“If only my mom thought that way.”

Gu Yunyi looked at her profile, her skin covered in a fine layer of soft fuzz, illuminated by the sunlight, resembling fluffy sugar crystals. Just like the day he met her at the alley, sweet enough to dispel the bitter chill of the misty rain.

Before starting the car, Gu Yunyi deliberately let her sit in the back seat.

That car accident must have left a significant shadow on her. She didn’t mention it to avoid worrying her mother, but Jiang Hua could see the change in her daughter.

Jiang Qingyu didn’t refuse Gu Yunyi’s suggestion. The spacious back seat accommodated her small frame comfortably.

The art center was in the city. As they drove out of the old town, Gu Yunyi glanced in the rearview mirror. Her thick lashes, always fluttering, were now closed. The morning light of Jiangnan was gentle, casting soft, indistinct shadows on her face, making her appear even more docile than usual.

After a half-hour drive, the GPS indicated they were nearby. Soon, a weathered iron gate appeared in view, its paint peeling but connected to a network of intricate pipes, giving it a unique charm.

As the car came to a stop, Jiang Qingyu woke up. While she was checking the guide map, Gu Yunyi had already parked the car.

“There are many categories this time.”

Her eyes scanned the map, where large areas of pink represented romance comics. Further inside, after passing several sections, the horror comic area was upstairs.

Romance comics seemed to be an evergreen genre, but they weren’t Jiang Qingyu’s favorite. Dressed in a simple dress, she walked past a group of girls in cosplay, her plain attire making her the only understated presence in the lively atmosphere.

“My favorite artist is An Ye.”

At the mention of “An Ye,” Jiang Qingyu’s eyes lit up with excitement.

“I’ve always wanted to meet her.”

The horror comic area was on the second floor, and Jiang Qingyu was like an excited little bird.

Gu Yunyi’s worries during the drive were eased by her cheerful demeanor. They ascended the wrought-iron staircase, which swayed slightly, making Gu Yunyi feel uneasy.

Then, Jiang Qingyu’s arm was gently grasped by his large, warm hand, full of warmth and reassurance.

The horror comic area had more male visitors, but there were also girls with dramatic makeup.

An Ye’s “Mist Dock” was immensely popular. From afar, Jiang Qingyu spotted the poster shrouded in gray mist. For atmospheric effect, the sound system played the sound of waves in a loop.

A strikingly beautiful girl sat behind a long table, her hair shoulder-length, eyelashes long, smiling as she spoke with the readers in front of her.

Gu Yunyi glanced at her, his eyebrows slightly raised.

He hadn’t expected to encounter an old acquaintance so far away in Nan City.