I Heard You Liked Me First - Chapter 25
What kind of gift could it be? It couldn’t possibly be her, right?
Gu Nan was startled by her own imagination.
The next second, Chi An grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her along. Gu Nan looked back, silently begging Su Wan and Gu Yue to save her but Su Wan only held Gu Yue back, stopping her from following.
Madam Xiao! Gu Nan screamed internally. This grudge between us is eternal now!
That was the last thought in her mind before she was dragged away from the square.
Once she found herself sitting inside Chi An’s car, she knew the outcome was already sealed.
After sitting in silence for a while, she finally said weakly, “Can I refuse your gift?”
Chi An frowned, thinking for a moment. “I don’t think that’s an option.”
When did she become this assertive? She’s never been this domineering with me before!
Life was cruel, and Gu Nan felt doomed. She tried to compose herself, rehearsing in her head how to politely reject whatever Chi An was planning to do.
By the time they reached Chi An’s apartment, Gu Nan was dragging her feet, stalling until they stood in front of her bedroom door. She hesitated, glancing at Chi An nervously. “You’re… taking me into your room?”
“The gift is inside,” Chi An said calmly.
A completely absurd thought flashed through Gu Nan’s mind. Don’t tell me… the gift is her. She’s going to give herself to me? On Christmas Eve?!
No way!
She didn’t even like Chi An like that! She had zero experience in… those kinds of things!
What if I can’t handle her?!
Gu Nan took another cautious step back. “I don’t think this is a good idea. Maybe you should reconsider? Some things take time you can’t just rush into them…”
“At least give me a moment to process this!” she blurted out.
Chi An paused, hand resting on the doorknob. “But I think you’ll really like this surprise.”
Gu Nan looked at her elegant face and for a brief, traitorous moment, almost believed her. Who wouldn’t like a gift from someone like Chi An?
No, wrong! I don’t like her! I’m a firm non-believer in marriage and romance!
Her thoughts were spinning in chaos.
Then Chi An opened the door.
Gu Nan was about to bolt when, from the corner of her eye, she caught a small movement something poking out through the crack at the bottom of the door.
It was a kitten, a tiny orange one. Its fur was a mix of warm yellow and white, with a heart-shaped tuft of fur on its forehead. It was small, fluffy, and ridiculously cute.
Gu Nan froze.
All her earlier thoughts vanished like smoke.
Her brain short-circuited completely.
Chi An pushed the door open wider, revealing the kitten in full, and said softly, “This is your Christmas gift.”
“But… cats are afraid of me…” Gu Nan’s voice trembled, as if even speaking might frighten the little creature away.
Yet the kitten sniffed at her shoes, then walked right up to her and rubbed its face gently against her leg.
Its touch was feather-light, but to Gu Nan, it felt heavy so heavy it made her chest ache with emotion.
In that instant, there was nothing else in her world only the kitten.
She stood there like a statue, voice shaking. “That’s impossible… Cats are supposed to be afraid of me.”
And yet… she had seen this kitten before.
It hit her suddenly. When she’d just returned to the Gu estate, she’d seen this same kitten outside the gates it had arched its back and hissed at her for minutes.
So why now…
Tears welled up in her eyes. “This doesn’t make sense. It should be scared of me. Why isn’t it? It even rubbed against me… no cat has ever done that before…”
Her throat tightened painfully as she spoke.
Chi An went into her room and came back holding Gu Nan’s scarf, handing it to her. “Because I’ve been letting her sleep with your clothes these past few weeks. She’s gotten used to your scent.”
“She really likes you now. So… do you want to keep her?”
Gu Nan looked up at her, and her lips trembled before curving downward tears spilling uncontrollably.
“Can I really? Will she really stay with me? Cats never like me.”
Chi An bent down, scooped up the kitten, and placed it in Gu Nan’s arms. Gu Nan froze, holding it stiffly.
“Try petting her head,” Chi An said.
Gu Nan raised a trembling hand and gently stroked the kitten’s fur. The little creature immediately began to purr softly in her arms.
“She’s purring,” Gu Nan whispered, eyes wide. “She’s comfortable. She really likes me…”
It was something she’d never thought possible. For nearly twenty years, no cat had ever let her hold it, much less fall asleep in her arms.
“How did you know I’ve always wanted a cat?”
She figured Chi An must have gone to great lengths for this but how had she known something so personal?
“I heard it from your mother,” Chi An said softly.
“When you and she were still living at the Gu estate, she often told me stories about you. She said you loved cats and had always wanted one, but no matter how many you tried, none would ever get close.”
“She really wanted to find one who could. Even though cats don’t live very long, she hoped there’d be one that could stay by your side for a while make you happy while you grew up.”
“But she never found the right one. She didn’t want to bring you a cat that didn’t like you.”
As Gu Nan listened, tears spilled freely. She crouched down, holding the kitten tight against her chest.
Her sobs came harder, but the kitten licked her cheek gently as if to comfort her. Its tiny tongue was rough and a bit painful, but Gu Nan only felt warmth.
She had no family left in the world, but both her late mother and Chi An still found ways to care for her.
It was that love that had kept her going and would keep her going.
After a long while, she finally calmed down. She was still hiccupping occasionally, but no longer crying just hugging the kitten and pressing kisses to its soft fur.
Once she’d settled, embarrassment came flooding back.
She couldn’t believe she’d actually thought Chi An was a pervert or that she’d believed Su Wan’s absurd theories about Chi An being in love with her. All of it had been ridiculous, but she’d still panicked like an idiot.
The more she thought about it, the redder her face grew. She couldn’t even look at Chi An.
Still, the misunderstanding had been her fault. Even if Chi An had kept it secret for the sake of the surprise, Gu Nan owed her an apology.
After steadying her voice, she said quietly, “I’m sorry. I misunderstood you. I thought you took my clothes for… other reasons. That’s why I lost my temper.”
Chi An smiled. “When I was planning this surprise, I already guessed you might think that. But I also knew that once you saw the gift, everything would make sense. I’m not upset, so you don’t have to apologize.”
Gu Nan couldn’t help looking up and in that moment, Chi An seemed taller, stronger, almost radiant.
She reached out and grabbed the edge of Chi An’s coat. “We’ll be good friends, right?”
Chi An paused, then smiled. “Of course.”
Gu Nan stayed in her apartment for nearly an hour before heading home, the kitten nestled in her arms.
The housekeeper was still awake, waiting for her on the sofa.
When she saw Gu Nan, she scolded instinctively, “Why are you back so late? You had me worried sick! I know young people like to stay out, but you still need to rest. Wait, where did that kitten come from?”
A moment later, she gasped in surprise. “It’s not afraid of you!”
Gu Nan tilted her chin proudly, hugging the kitten like a trophy. “Not only that it let me pet it and even purrs for me.”
The housekeeper’s eyes widened. “You’ve always wanted a cat. You two must be destined for each other!”
Gu Nan smiled, though she explained quickly, “It’s actually a gift from Chi An. She’d taken my clothes before to let the kitten get used to my scent. She said I should be the one to feed her, so she can bond with me properly.”
The housekeeper was stunned.
And Gu Nan, holding the small purring bundle in her arms, finally understood some gifts weren’t just surprises. They were warmth, care, and love, wrapped up in soft orange fur.
***********
“Auntie, I knew it! Xiao Chi’s such a good person. I just knew there had to be a reason she took your clothes, she must’ve wanted to surprise you, right?”
Gu Nan nodded along.
Auntie immediately went upstairs with her. “The kitten’s first night home she’ll need time to adjust. I’ll help you fix up your room a bit.”
“And we should get her some toys and scratching posts too.”
“I saw some people install wooden shelves on the wall so cats can climb around. I’ll call a contractor tomorrow and have them redo part of the villa.”
Gu Nan walked beside her, agreeing. We should also make sure the house is sealed properly. Chi An said if the cat slips out, she might not find her way back and she could pick up germs or parasites outside.
Auntie nodded right away. The two of them, total beginners at raising pets, fussed over the new arrival until three in the morning.
Somehow, the cat took to Gu Nan right away. Not only did she accept her new owner, she stuck to her like glue. When Gu Nan went to sleep, the cat curled up on the pillow beside her. Gu Nan gently stroked her back, and the rhythmic purring soon lulled her into a peaceful sleep. It was like listening to soft white noise.
The next morning, Gu Nan woke up early at nine o’clock and, miraculously, didn’t feel tired at all. She immediately entered bragging mode.
She first posted a few photos of the kitten on her Moments feed, proudly announcing she was now a cat owner. Then, unable to contain herself, she video-called Su Wan.
Su Wan, still in pajamas and leaning against her headboard with a frown, answered groggily. “Why are you calling so early? Did Chi An do something to you last night?”
Gu Nan rolled her eyes. “Why do you always assume the worst? Chi An didn’t do anything. She just wanted to give me a Christmas gift! She only took my clothes to prepare for it.”
She flipped the camera to show off her new pet.
A small orange tabby appeared on screen, meowing sweetly.
Su Wan blinked, confused. She didn’t know what the cat meant to Gu Nan, and her tone stayed skeptical. “So she gave you a cat. But why would she need your clothes for that?”
Before Gu Nan could answer, another voice came from Su Wan’s side. The camera shifted Gu Yue was suddenly in the frame.
Gu Nan’s eyes widened. “Why are you two together?”
Gu Yue’s cheeks flushed. She hurried to explain, “We were up too late last night, so I just stayed over at Mrs. Xiao’s place.”
At least she hadn’t gotten drunk this time she remembered clearly that nothing had happened between her and Mrs. Xiao.
But Gu Nan didn’t press for details. She was too busy showing off. “Look at my cat, isn’t she adorable? She slept right next to me. I slept so well last night with her there.”
Gu Yue’s eyes lit up. “She’s so cute! Can I come see her later?”
“Sure,” Gu Nan said happily. “You can even pet her just be gentle.”
Gu Yue immediately sat up. “Then I’m going home now!”
Ten minutes later, she was already downstairs in Su Wan’s living room. “Thank you, Mrs. Xiao, for letting me stay over last night. I’ll head home first.”
Su Wan, still in her pajamas, nodded. Her face was unreadable. “I already called you a car. I won’t walk you out. Text me when you get home.”
Gu Yue nodded politely. “Okay. Goodbye, Mrs. Xiao, and thank you again.”
After she left, Mrs. Xiao touched her still-smooth cheek with a faint sigh. “So I’m… not even as good as a cat?”
She really didn’t get it and she definitely wasn’t happy about it.
After the cat’s arrival, Gu Nan became even more reluctant to go to work. Gu Yue often came over, and the two of them spent their days cuddling the kitten, buying toys, and playing together. The cat grew close to both of them.
Time slipped by until New Year’s Day. Gu Yue had no choice but to attend the celebration hosted by Mrs. Xiao’s grandmother.
At the party, the lively old lady was in the middle of chatting when one of her friends suddenly brought up her “future granddaughter-in-law’s” education.
Mrs. Xiao actually liked Gu Yue a lot. She thought the girl seemed obedient, well-mannered, and the type who’d make a good wife. She’d never been one to care much about academic credentials; character mattered more to her.
As far as she knew, Gu Yue was still in college.
But Mrs. Zhang, sitting nearby, smiled meaningfully. “Oh, but I heard Little Yue’s taking a leave from school. And that art academy she goes to wasn’t it founded by the Gu family? You know, Sister Xiao, their private school isn’t quite the same as those elite academies.”
“Students there don’t necessarily learn much, and now she’s not even attending classes. Even if she gets her diploma later, is that any better than a high-school education?”
“Of course, I’m not saying everyone needs a degree,” she added smoothly. “But once you’ve entered university, shouldn’t you at least take your studies seriously?”
Someone else chimed in, “Isn’t your granddaughter-in-law from a prestigious university, Mrs. Zhang?”
Mrs. Zhang smiled modestly. “Oh, yes, but it’s nothing worth bragging about. Though I must admit, her academic background does make her stand out. Still, at our last gathering, she was completely outshone by that eldest Miss Gu from the same family, wasn’t she?”
The other woman nodded eagerly. “Exactly! Both from the Gu family, yet the eldest Miss Gu is already famous in the art world. I even heard that one of her professors won an award, and the school invited her to present it! For the teacher, that’s such an honor.”
She glanced at Mrs. Xiao. “Don’t you think the Gu family’s doing this on purpose? Trying to marry off a pretty face to your family?”
Mrs. Xiao was not someone to take things lying down. She immediately called over Gu Hongyun, who was mingling nearby.
“I heard your eldest daughter is not only a top graduate but also sells her paintings for a fortune,” she said with a polite but cutting smile.
Cold sweat broke out on Gu Hongyun’s forehead.
Then Mrs. Xiao went on, her tone sharp. “And your younger daughter she’s supposedly in college, but from what I’ve heard, she’s been on leave for quite some time. Do you really think studying at home can replace proper classes?”
“Or is it that you’ve decided she’s practically engaged to our family, so there’s no need for her to actually improve herself?”
Standing beside her mother, Gu Yue lowered her head, looking so ashamed she couldn’t say a word.