A Marshmallow: Chapter 9
Chapter 9: Grow Taller
His voice is very pleasant, but most of the time, he is extremely aloof. At such close proximity like now, it's like having a subwoofer by your ear; its impact is beyond imagination.
She leaned against his shoulder, not daring to move a muscle.
His black coat carried a clean and pleasant hint of mint, and his body warmth seeped through the sportswear fabric, slowly reaching her cheeks.
Her heartbeat was unprecedentedly chaotic; Gu An even feared it might be too noticeable to the person beside her.
Fortunately, the bumpy public bus came with a hypnotic effect. In no time, she had truly fallen asleep again.
"Approaching the next stop, Intercontinental Manor."
Jiang Yan, with half-closed eyes, leaned on the seat, his back straight as a sword, a result of his police academy days and good upbringing.
Hearing the station announcement, he lifted his eyelids to look at Gu An.
Perhaps she was truly exhausted; she was soundly asleep on his shoulder.
It turned out that when she didn't smile, the corners of her mouth still curved upwards.
He turned his head, raised his hand, and tapped her head, "Gu An, we're home."
Gu An responded with an "Oh," slowly sitting up like a lazy cat, rubbing her eyes with a small hand.
She followed him, watching the slender and upright figure of Jiang Yan, pretending as if nothing had happened.
She didn't hear the words he said, "Good girl, go back to sleep," and she didn't sleep against his shoulder for half the journey.
It wasn't until she returned to the attic, closed the bedroom door, that her tense nerves gradually relaxed.
How could she actually fall asleep?!
Did she have poor sleeping habits... like drooling or grinding her teeth, for instance?
What if something happened?!?!
But can you really blame her?
It's clearly him! He reached out and turned her head!
She's just a momentary fool, lost in the allure of beauty!
Gu An scratched her messy bangs.
She patted her chest, hoping her heart wouldn't jump around, but it was completely useless. In the end, she sprawled on the bed in large font, hugging a pillow and sending a WeChat message to Gu Zhen.
【Brother, I went mountain climbing today!】
【Taking a taxi is so expensive, I could've bought so many cups of milk tea QAQ】
【But I've decided not to drink milk tea anymore】
She sat cross-legged on the bed, with an arched window behind her. The evening sky gradually changed color, like spilled oil paint.
【I was so tired on the way back that I fell asleep leaning on Jiang Yan's brother's shoulder, but he's really patient and didn't throw me out of the car window...】
His low tone and the pressure of her head on his shoulder, the faint scent of lime and mint on him, she remembered it all too clearly.
Gu An's cheeks began to flush, and she quickly deleted the last line.
She seemed to suddenly have a secret that she couldn't speak out loud.
About him.
During the entire holiday, Gu Zhen was away on a business trip, and Jiang Yan's appearances were completely irregular.
Sometimes in the early morning, sometimes at night, each time bringing a lot of delicious food she had never seen before.
During these times, the dignified and handsome German Shepherd puppy would wag its tail cheerfully.
Gu An squinted contentedly, thinking, "If I had a little tail, would I be flying in the sky now?"
On the last day of the National Day holiday, Gu An took the puppy for a walk. Although this German Shepherd sent by Jiang Yan looked intimidating, it had a very gentle and obedient personality.
For some reason, as they walked, they arrived at the entrance of a certain institution. In front of her were several large characters, solemn and dignified, of the Jing City Public Security Bureau.
Gu An was momentarily stunned.
She had just gone out to walk her dog, how did she unconsciously end up here?
The only reasonable explanation was that the puppy recognized the way, and when she wasn't paying attention, it led her here.
Gu An lowered her head and mumbled softly, "Puppy, did you want to come find him, right?"
The gentle and well-behaved German Shepherd looked at her, and when it arrived at its familiar place, it let out a happy howl.
Gu An nodded, "That's right, it's definitely you who wanted to come find him, not me."
She put on a small, doll-like face, but her eyes were fixed on the institution's compound next door. It was almost time to get off work; would a certain person appear in the next moment?
For some reason, the gentle and dignified German Shepherd suddenly became excited. When it stood up, it was taller than Gu An. Following its gaze, Gu An happened to see Jiang Yan.
He was wearing a loose black coat and black trousers, talking to a colleague as he descended the stairs. His profile was cold and fair, his eyebrows and eyes were dark, and even if his features weren't distinct, just looking at the outline, one could tell he was a fair-skinned, handsome guy.
Perhaps his many years as a criminal investigator had made him particularly sensitive. Just as she was discreetly watching him, their gazes collided without any buffer.
Gu An quickly averted her gaze and looked at the sky, the ground, and the scenery.
As he approached step by step, her face gradually grew warmer.
She started to rehearse in her mind: "It was the puppy that wanted to come find you, it was the puppy that wanted to come find you, not me."
"How did you end up here?" Jiang Yan lazily stood in front of her with one hand in his pocket, his beautiful eyes devoid of emotion, staring at her.
"I took the puppy for a walk, and then, it ran over here."
Gu An explained while gesturing, reenacting the scene. This seemingly dignified German Shepherd brother was so disobedient, it transformed into an energetic Husky, leading her in various twists and turns until they arrived right at the entrance of the Jing City Public Security Bureau.
A smile tugged at the corner of Jiang Yan's mouth. The little companion who had just arrived at his side had a small bun on her head, her bangs poorly cut, just above her eyebrows, and her round cheeks. When she spoke, she would reveal a little fang.
After Gu An finished speaking, Jiang Yan did not respond.
She felt extremely guilty, lifted her eyes to look at him, but saw him looking at her.
That face is still as cold as snow, only the corners of the eyes slightly curved, apart from this, there is no extra expression.
Gu An stood with her hands behind her back, gazing at the sky, the clouds, and the scenery. Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a young man on the nearby basketball court, freely dripping with sweat.
"Wanna play basketball?" Jiang Yan absentmindedly asked the little one, his wrist fair and slender.
Gu An vigorously nodded.
The sports meet is coming up soon, and she really needs to practice her basketball.
It's just that after being crushed by Gu Zhen the last time, she hasn't set foot on the basketball court.
Jiang Yan took off his black jacket and casually draped it over the field's railing.
He wore a loose black short-sleeved shirt, revealing clean and sharp muscle lines on his pale arms.
Gu An stood on the basketball court, suddenly feeling nervous.
"Come on." Jiang Yan's handsome and nonchalant face was now within her reach as she slightly tilted her head, with his eyes narrowing slightly due to the incoming sunlight.
Her heart suddenly raced as if she had just finished an 800-meter race.
She wanted to dribble the ball past him, but it was impossible. The tall, long-legged handsome guy opposite her defended effortlessly, as if playing with a child.
The basketball in her hand wasn't even warm yet, and he reached out to easily intercept it, and in the next moment, it effortlessly swished into the hoop.
Jiang Yan watched her eager little eyes, his lips gently curling up.
The little girl tried to snatch the basketball from his hand, looking pitiful yet serious, almost grabbing onto his shirt.
Her frowning face was really cute, as innocent as a newborn police puppy.
Men are forever young at heart, and Jiang Yan's mischievous side surfaced.
At the moment the basketball left Gu An's hand, he casually dunked it down.
Gu An looked at the basketball in his hand and suddenly felt aggrieved.
She ran around the court like a fool, and not a single ball went in.
Her proud ball-handling skills have been utterly humiliated by others. Quite embarrassing, in front of him. She stood there like an injured deer, wiped the sweat from her cheek absentmindedly, and watched the basketball make a beautiful parabolic trajectory as Jiang Yan effortlessly made a three-pointer.
"I quit..."
Her forehead and nose were covered in sweat, and the corners of her mouth had turned down.
Will he think she was bragging about being able to 'play basketball'?
In reality, she was quite terrible and was showing off in front of him.
But she genuinely could play basketball...
Among the girls, there were few as tall as him.
Somehow, her eyes suddenly felt warm.
Besides the embarrassment, there was a slight sense of grievance, turning into bitterness.
On the nearby court, a group of guys didn't hold back at all. A basketball completely deviated from its original path and flew directly toward her.
The speed was too fast, and her brain instantly froze. Finally, she stood there blankly, not knowing how to react.
Gu An closed her eyes, and a rush of wind passed over her cheek.
She didn't wait for an intimate encounter with the basketball. Instead, she was met with his lightly scented mint fragrance.
Her eyelashes quivered, and Gu An opened her eyes.
In front of her was his black short-sleeved shirt with the word "Police."
Her gaze moved upward, following the smooth lines from his jaw to his neck, his Adam's apple clearly visible.
Jiang Yan put one hand on her shoulder, pulling her in front of him, and used the other hand to block the ball. He dribbled it twice and threw it away, the basketball making a heavy sound as it hit the ground.
Her heart was pounding just as fast, as if it might jump out at any moment.
Jiang Yan lowered his gaze, and the little girl in front of him gazed up at him, her innocent eyes round and her pupils black and large, with the corners of her eyes hanging innocently. Her small nose tip was still a little red; she had just been bullied during the basketball game. She was a small, cute, and pitiable.
Gu An looked at the basketball that had flown out and then at Jiang Yan, her lips pursed in confusion.
At that moment, he slightly lowered his upper body, resting his hands on his knees, eye level with her. The face that had once captivated the entire school with its otherworldly beauty, now stood almost within reach. His eyes were clear and bright, like spring water; one glance was enough to captivate anyone.
"Big brother made a mistake." His cold and distant voice, carrying a refreshing hint of mint, gently fell upon her ears.
Gu An lowered her head, the sourness from a moment ago had suddenly vanished. She hesitated and said, "Oh," biting her lower lip to suppress the urge to pout.
"Gu An, how tall are you?" Jiang Yan asked in a low voice.
"I'm 1.6 meters (5'2), what's it to you!" Gu An replied with caution. "Are you making fun of me for being short and playing basketball?"
Children have quick tempers; she glared at him, "I'm still young; I'll grow taller! Starting tonight, I'll drink a glass of milk every day, no, one in the morning and one at night. After a year, I'm sure I'll grow much taller..."
She mumbled on and on, her little mouth going non-stop, showing off her talent for small talk.
But then, she suddenly heard him laugh, his pure and clear youthful voice was pleasant to the ears. When she looked up, her gaze happened to meet Jiang Yan's clear eyes.
The handsome man, as cold as snow, with beautifully curved eyes, and thick eyelashes, carried a smile.
He gently rubbed her head, then stood up straight.
His hand slowly moved from her head, landing below his own shoulder.
"What are you...?" Such beauty is enchanting, and Gu An's voice trembled.
Jiang Yan pointed with his long fingers to his shoulder, "Mark a line, this is where you are this year."
Those captivating eyes, now only focused on her, with her tiny shadow deep in their pupils.
His lips, with a shallow dimple, were pure and gentle, exuding youthful charm.
He looked at her earnestly and said softly, "Let's see where our classmate Gu An can grow next year."
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