The Crazy Villain Wants Me to Love Her - Chapter 30

Chapter 30: A Kiss Under the Fireworks

The surroundings were dim. Jiang Chilou couldn’t clearly see Gu Wan’s eyes, but the other person’s soft whispers reached her ears, word for word.

Hearing the word “photo,” the momentarily stunned person slowly came back to reality.

She looked at Gu Wan and slowly uttered an “Oh.”

Jiang Chilou looked down and smoothly exited Weibo, opening her album. She pulled up the photo they had just taken together.

The photo was very good.

She looked at Gu Wan in the picture, her mind recalling what the other person had just said.

What did she mean, “I will arrange it?”

Not allowing her to go to Xicheng, but then, for her sake, arranging a signing event in Ning City?

Jiang Chilou uncertainly glanced at the person beside her. If it truly was for her, then why go through such a hassle? Wouldn’t it be simpler and less effort to just let her go to Xicheng?

Sensing the gaze of the person beside her, Gu Wan turned her head: “What is it?”

Caught off guard by Gu Wan’s gaze, Jiang Chilou’s eyelashes fluttered. She lowered her eyes, pointed at the photo on her phone, and quietly asked: “What do you think of this photo?”

Gu Wan chuckled softly.

Although Jiang Chilou asked about the photo, her gaze didn’t fall on it. Instead, it fixedly settled on the person beside her, whose eyelashes were still trembling.

“It’s very beautiful.”

Jiang Chilou nodded: “I think so too.”

She thought the original picture was beautiful and didn’t need any editing, but before sending the photo to Gu Wan, she instinctively asked: “So I won’t edit it? I’ll send you this picture directly?”

Gu Wan: “Okay.”

Jiang Chilou sent the photo of the two of them to Gu Wan, and also selected a few photos of the whale sharks to send, smiling: “I sent you a few of the photos I just took as well, just as a souvenir of our visit to the Whale Shark Hall.”

Gu Wan tapped to open those photos, scanned them one by one, and then quietly hummed her agreement.

Jiang Chilou looked at her, hesitated for a moment, but couldn’t help but ask: “What did you mean by what you said earlier?”

Gu Wan: “What did I say?”

Jiang Chilou: “About the Ning City signing event.”

Since she had started, Jiang Chilou no longer hesitated and directly voiced her thoughts: “Why won’t you let me go to Xicheng, but instead arrange a signing event in Ning City?”

“Isn’t that very troublesome?”

Gu Wan’s tone was very light: “Xicheng is too far.”

“I don’t trust you going alone.”

“And…” Gu Wan chuckled softly, using the dim lighting to slowly lower her eyes: “Since it’s the same signing event, why are you so keen on going to Xicheng?”

Hearing Gu Wan’s initial words about worrying for her, Jiang Chilou felt it was normal, but by the second half of the sentence, she felt something was off.

She suppressed the awkwardness in her heart and softly explained: “I didn’t mean that I had to go to Xicheng.”

“It’s just because I saw the signing event was in Xicheng, and since I have the time, I thought of going. As for you saying you want to arrange a signing event in Ning City…” Jiang Chilou paused, then continued: “If you’re planning this just for me, you really don’t have to.”

“It’s too much trouble.”

Gu Wan’s eyes deepened: “It’s no trouble.”

“Besides, I’m not doing it just for you. Did you forget that Yuanxi Media had already contacted that author?”

Prompted by Gu Wan, Jiang Chilou slowly recalled that Yuanxi Media had bought the copyright to that novel, and since Gu Wan was now a major shareholder of Yuanxi Media, it seemed quite normal for her to arrange a signing event in Ning City…

Thinking this, Jiang Chilou no longer bothered to dwell on the issue. After all, Gu Wan arranging a signing event in Ning City was beneficial to her and presented no harm.

So, she might as well just accept it.

With her mind settled, a faint smile appeared on Jiang Chilou’s lips: “Then thank you.”

Gu Wan: “You’re welcome.”

She looked at Jiang Chilou, her lips slightly curved.

So easy to fool.

She definitely didn’t want Jiang Chilou to go to Xicheng, which was why she planned to arrange a signing event in Ning City.

As for the reason, there was no complex reason. She simply didn’t want Jiang Chilou to be outside her control.

Gu Wan lowered her gaze. She put away her phone and slowly asked the person in front of her: “Do you want me to take pictures of you?”

Jiang Chilou blinked in surprise. After a few seconds, she smiled brightly and handed her phone to Gu Wan: “Yes, please.”

Gu Wan took Jiang Chilou’s phone, took many photos of her, and then followed her to the underwater tunnel area.

As the sun set and the azure sky gradually darkened, Jiang Chilou, exhausted, sat down on a long bench in the resting area. She looked at the person still standing beside her and couldn’t help but pat the spot next to her: “Why don’t you sit down for a bit?”

“I’m too tired.”

Yongning Ocean Kingdom was huge. After spending an afternoon wandering, Jiang Chilou and Gu Wan were already exhausted after visiting only a few areas.

Mainly, they had done too much walking. Her feet ached badly. Although they sat down briefly to watch the dolphin show midway, they were walking most of the time.

Gu Wan sat down next to Jiang Chilou. Seeing her tired expression and the beads of sweat on her forehead, she asked: “Besides being tired, are you feeling unwell?”

Jiang Chilou shook her head: “No.”

“Just sore legs and tired feet.” With that, Jiang Chilou took a pack of tissues from her bag, pulled one out, and placed it on her forehead.

Wiping her sweat, she looked at Gu Wan, who hadn’t even broken a sweat throughout the day, and couldn’t help but ask: “Aren’t you tired?”

Gu Wan: “I’m fine.”

She checked the time. It was almost 7 PM. Given Jiang Chilou’s current state, she probably wouldn’t continue exploring.

Thinking this, Gu Wan looked at Jiang Chilou: “When should we go back?”

“Hmm…” Jiang Chilou pondered for a few seconds. She checked her phone and saw that the park would close in another hour.

Recalling the closing fireworks display she had seen online earlier, she looked at Gu Wan and quietly asked: “I heard they have a fireworks display every night when the park is about to close. Can we watch the fireworks show before we leave?”

Seeing Jiang Chilou’s hopeful eyes, Gu Wan couldn’t help but agree: “Yes.”

Hearing this, Jiang Chilou spontaneously smiled: “You’re so nice.”

Gu Wan didn’t comment.

After wiping her own sweat, Jiang Chilou noticed a fine sheen of sweat on Gu Wan’s forehead as well. She couldn’t help but take a new tissue and wipe Gu Wan’s forehead for her.

It was a good thing neither of them had worn makeup today, or else, in this situation, they would have definitely ruined it.

She was musing this while wiping Gu Wan’s sweat, completely unaware of Gu Wan’s slightly stunned expression.

A moment later, the tissue in her hand was gently taken. Jiang Chilou was slightly surprised, then heard Gu Wan say: “Thank you. I’ll do it myself.”

Jiang Chilou said “Oh”: “Okay.”

She put down her hand, turned to open her phone, and scrolled through the photos she had taken today, planning to select a few to post on her moments.

Seeing Jiang Chilou selecting and editing photos, Gu Wan didn’t bother her. She simply picked up her own phone and found Gu Shuyao on her work WeChat account.

Gu Wan:”Contact Luo Qing, and invite her to hold a signing event in Ning City in the name of Yuanxi Media.”

“The signing date can be set for next weekend. You can discuss the specific time yourselves.”

On the other side.

Gu Shuyao had just finished shopping with Wu Xia and was about to head home when her phone notified her of a message.

She opened it, read Gu Wan’s message, and pondered for a moment.

Luo Qing was the person who personally bought the novel’s copyright. Gu Shuyao had some impression of the author but couldn’t understand why Gu Wan suddenly wanted to invite the author over for a signing event.

She dared not question Gu Wan, so she could only secretly speculate and replied with two words: “Okay.”

After replying, Gu Shuyao quickly scanned her WeChat contact list. As soon as she found Luo Qing, she sent a message.

“Hello, Teacher Luo. Yuanxi Media would like to invite you to hold a signing event in Ning City next weekend…”

After messaging Luo Qing, Gu Shuyao scrolled through her list and sent a message to another person.

After an unknown amount of time, Gu Shuyao finalized the specific time and location with Luo Qing and the person in charge of Guyu Bookstore, and negotiated their respective remuneration. Only then did she send another message to Gu Wan: “It’s settled. Luo Qing and the Guyu Bookstore representative have agreed. The signing event will be held at Guyu Bookstore next Saturday.”

Seeing this message, Gu Wan glanced at Jiang Chilou, who was still editing photos beside her, and slowly typed a few words: “Have Luo Qing post a Weibo update.”

Gu Shuyao: “okok.”

Gu Wan put away her phone.

At the same time, Jiang Chilou meticulously reviewed and edited the photos. After spending about half an hour, she finally selected the nine most satisfactory pictures to create a nine-grid collage. The photo of her and Gu Wan occupied the central position.

Having successfully published her new moments update, Jiang Chilou turned to Gu Wan beside her and smiled: “I just posted our photo to my moments. You don’t mind, do you?”

“If you do, I’ll edit it again.”

Gu Wan lowered her gaze. She opened Jiang Chilou’s moments. Seeing the photo of herself and Jiang Chilou placed right in the center of the latest update, she gripped her phone slightly.

“I don’t mind.” After saying that, she was about to exit the other person’s moments when her wrist was suddenly held.

Jiang Chilou held her hand, her starlike eyes smiling: “Give it a like, won’t you?”

Gu Wan focused her gaze and slowly replied: “Okay.”

Her wrist was released. Gu Wan unconsciously rotated her hand. After quickly liking Jiang Chilou’s post, she put down her phone.

Jiang Chilou looked at the red dot that appeared on her moments, tapped on it, and smiled when she saw Gu Wan’s like. Just as she was about to exit, she suddenly saw another like appear.

She refreshed the screen, and Butler Lin’s scenic photo avatar appeared clearly.

Jiang Chilou couldn’t help but laugh.

She looked at Gu Wan, seeing the unperturbed expression on her face, and an idea to tease her arose.

“Gu Wan,” she called out to her, sounding amused.

Gu Wan looked at her when she heard her name: “Hmm?”

Jiang Chilou curved her lips: “Don’t you think we look like we’re on a date today?”

Gu Wan froze.

Seeing Gu Wan stunned, Jiang Chilou, having achieved her goal, smiled spontaneously, stood up first, and changed the subject: “Let’s go. It’s almost closing time.”

“Let’s wait near the plaza. There’s half an hour left. By the time we get there, the fireworks show should be starting right on time.”

In the plaza opposite the Whale Shark Hall.

When Jiang Chilou and Gu Wan arrived, many people had already gathered, most of them crowding the front and center areas.

They arrived late and could only stand in the very back. Even the back area was quite crowded.

Jiang Chilou scanned the area and finally found a spot that wasn’t ideal but wasn’t too crowded either.

She tugged at Gu Wan, pointed to the area where only a few people were standing, and quietly asked: “Should we move over there?”

“It’s so crowded here, we won’t be able to see much if we stay.”

Gu Wan glanced in the direction Jiang Chilou indicated and slowly agreed: “Okay.”

As soon as they reached that spot, a slight stir emerged from the most crowded area ahead.

Seeing this, Jiang Chilou couldn’t help but check the time on her phone.

19:57. Three minutes until the fireworks show.

After checking the time, Jiang Chilou was about to put her phone away when a notification popped up on the lock screen.

Author Luo Qing: Hello everyone, see you next Saturday at the signing event at Ning City Guyu Bookstore. Ticket purchase link…

Seeing this Weibo post, Jiang Chilou was involuntarily stunned.

A moment later, she held her phone out to Gu Wan, quietly asking: “Did you arrange the Ning City signing event that quickly?”

Gu Wan hummed, her eyes landing on Jiang Chilou’s face, and asked warmly: “Are you happy?”

A faint smile bloomed on Jiang Chilou’s lips: “I’m happy.”

“Thank you.”

Gu Wan’s eyebrow slightly raised: “Do I get a thank-you gift this time?”

“Uh…” Jiang Chilou’s smile faltered slightly.

Thank-you gift?

She glanced at Gu Wan. Didn’t she say this signing event wasn’t arranged specifically for her? Why was she asking for a thank-you gift?

Jiang Chilou pondered for a moment. Thinking that the Ning City signing event did have something to do with her, she still lifted her lips, smiling faintly as she asked: “What do you want?”

Gu Wan chuckled softly: “Whatever you want to give.”

“Alright, then I…” Jiang Chilou’s words were cut short mid-sentence by a sudden pop from the distance.

Brilliant fireworks burst open in the pitch-black night sky, gradually illuminating the night.

They also illuminated the beautiful person beside her.

The few scattered people around them immediately rushed to the front to take pictures and videos the moment the fireworks began. Only Jiang Chilou and Gu Wan remained in place.

Jiang Chilou’s gaze gently shifted, moving from the fireworks in front back to the person watching the fireworks show beside her.

As the fireworks once again bloomed brilliantly in the dark sky, Jiang Chilou suddenly leaned in and briefly kissed Gu Wan’s cheek.

The butterfly-light kiss on the cheek was fleeting, with no pause, not even for a second.

Gu Wan, however, was momentarily lost in thought.

The brilliant fireworks show in front was gradually ignored. She turned her head to the person beside her, whose starlike eyes were bright, and whose eyes and brows were filled with a smile.

“How is this thank-you gift?”

Gu Wan looked at her, and the words Jiang Chilou had spoken earlier suddenly flashed through her mind.

She hadn’t thought much about it before, but now… they really did seem to be on a date today.

Gu Wan’s eyes deepened. She slowly replied to Jiang Chilou: “It’s acceptable.”

On the day of the signing event, because the book purchase, ticket collection, and queuing started at 10 AM, Jiang Chilou and Gu Wan arrived at the venue very early.

After the tedious process of buying the book, getting a number, and queuing, Jiang Chilou and Gu Wan finally entered the venue and met Luo Qing.

Luo Qing was very young, looking only in her twenties, yet she had written such an excellent work.

Truly impressive.

Jiang Chilou quietly marveled, then pulled Gu Wan to an empty seat in the front row, quietly waiting for the signing to begin.

She looked at the ticket number in her hand: number twelve. With such an early number, she shouldn’t have to wait long.

Thinking this, Jiang Chilou couldn’t help but clutch the book in her hand, feeling a little excited.

Soon, the signing event officially began.

As it was about to be Jiang Chilou’s turn, she saw that everyone before her who received a signed copy also took a picture with Luo Qing. She couldn’t help but pull out her phone and adjust the camera settings.

Gu Wan saw her adjusting the camera and frowned slightly: “What are you adjusting that for?”

Jiang Chilou was focused on the settings and didn’t look up, just quietly saying: “I’ll take a picture with Luo Qing after the signing.”

The interaction time during a signing event was limited. If she didn’t adjust the settings in advance now, it would be inconvenient later.

Gu Wan frowned: “You’re going to take a picture with her?”

By now, Jiang Chilou had slowly finished adjusting the settings. Hearing the question, she looked at Gu Wan: “Yes, what’s wrong?”

Gu Wan stared at her: “Why do you need a picture with her?”

Jiang Chilou was confused: “It’s part of the signing process. Didn’t you see many of the people who went up took a photo?”

Besides, she genuinely liked taking photos. Now that she was at a signing event and had the opportunity to take a photo with the author herself, Jiang Chilou would naturally choose to do so.

Gu Wan glanced at the few people who had gone up for the signing earlier, her gaze pausing. She suddenly whispered: “Some people didn’t take a photo.”

Jiang Chilou hummed: “They probably didn’t want to.”

Gu Wan looked at her, her voice slightly flat: “Do you really want to take a picture?”

Jiang Chilou nodded: “Yes.”

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have adjusted the camera settings in advance.

After answering, Jiang Chilou looked at Gu Wan, who kept asking this question, and couldn’t help but ask: “Why do you keep asking this?”

Gu Wan’s lips slightly lifted: “I’ve only ever taken a photo with you.”

“I thought you were the same.”

Jiang Chilou: … She suddenly didn’t know how to respond.

After a few seconds, she pursed her lips, just about to speak, when a voice suddenly interrupted her unsaid words.

“Number twelve.”

Jiang Chilou heard her number and instinctively stood up. However, as soon as she stood up, a cool touch suddenly appeared on her wrist.

Gu Wan’s hand rested on her wrist, and she chuckled softly: “Jiang Chilou, this isn’t fair.”