"Buying things for the kitchen," Jiang Mo greeted the other person. "What are you here to buy?"
"Just browsing, picking up some snacks," Kong Xue'er was also wearing sunglasses and a hat, looking around. "Are you alone?"
Jiang Mo hemmed and hawed, "No."
"Oh, came with a friend," Kong Xue'er said with a hint of regret. "I was thinking if you were alone, we could grab coffee later."
She was just bored, killing time by wandering around the supermarket.
Just as she was about to leave, someone approached. "Jiang Xiao Mo, is this the snack you wanted to eat?"
The voice was familiar. Kong Xue'er looked over and saw someone dressed in a similar style. She lowered her sunglasses. "Gu Ye?"
As he got closer, Gu Ye noticed the person beside Jiang Mo. He put the item in the shopping cart. "Long time no see."
"I was wondering who it was. So Jiang Xiao Mo came with you. Well then, after we check out, let's find a place to sit. My treat for coffee," Kong Xue'er invited with her usual easygoing familiarity.
Gu Ye looked at Jiang Mo, leaving the decision to her.
Jiang Mo thought about it. Since the other had mentioned it twice now, she nodded. "Alright, let's go sit for a while later."
The duo in the supermarket became a trio. Gu Ye pushed the shopping cart while Jiang Mo and Kong Xue'er walked alongside, selecting items and chatting.
"I'm not a nanny at the Gu family anymore; I'm at a law firm now," Jiang Mo mentioned her job change during their conversation.
"Being a lawyer is great! I can ask for your help if I ever need it, sis," Kong Xue'er said. "But since you're not working for the Gu family anymore, you're still out here helping Gu Ye shop?"
"Gu Ye, that's not right. You can't just order people around like that."
Jiang Mo stammered an explanation, "I'm off today anyway, so I'm just helping him out."
Gu Ye felt like he'd taken a shot out of nowhere. His perfectly good date had been interrupted, and he hadn't even complained.
"We're close. Are you jealous?"
"Jiang Xiao Mo, if he's bullying or oppressing you, tell me. I'll help you," Kong Xue'er teased jokingly.
Jiang Mo glanced at Gu Ye and smiled, nodding. "Okay."
When Kong Xue'er walked ahead to look at items, Gu Ye reached for Jiang Mo's hand.
Jiang Mo shook her head and whispered, "She's right in front."
"Sometimes I feel like I'm some kind of secret that can't see the light of day," Gu Ye grumbled.
"Hehe, are you mad?" Jiang Mo tugged at Gu Ye's arm.
"Not mad," Gu Ye turned his head and raised an eyebrow. "Actually, I feel bad for you. My profession attracts too much attention. I've been thinking about it."
Jiang Mo was about to ask what he meant when Kong Xue'er turned around and asked if she had any tissues.
The topic was sidetracked for the moment.
Kong Xue'er didn't buy much at the supermarket, but Jiang Mo and Gu Ye had quite a haul.
They followed Kong Xue'er to a uniquely decorated coffee shop.
It wasn't crowded and was very quiet.
"The coffee here is excellent. You should try it," Kong Xue'er highly recommended.
Jiang Mo tasted the coffee—it was okay. She tried the dessert, however, and was pleasantly surprised.
While eating, a bit of dessert accidentally fell on her clothes.
Gu Ye, sitting beside her, quickly grabbed a tissue and helped wipe it off. "There, all clean."
Jiang Mo didn't stop him, letting it happen quite naturally.
Kong Xue'er, sitting across from them, watched the whole scene. Her eyes shifted between the two. Something about their vibe seemed... off.
So intimate and natural. Were they really just ordinary friends?
Recalling the scene in the supermarket, things seemed more and more suspicious.
Could it be... that these two...
Let me test the waters.
"You two are dating, aren't you?"
Jiang Mo blinked and touched her nose. Was it that obvious?
"Yes, we are dating," Gu Ye answered. Since she had already figured it out, there was no point hiding it.
"I knew it!" Kong Xue'er slapped her thigh. "When did you start? You've kept it well hidden!"
Jiang Mo stirred her coffee. "Actually, it hasn't been that long."
Kong Xue'er was full of curiosity. "So, who pursued who?"
"I pursued her," Gu Ye said. "I've liked her for a long time."
"Well, well~ Who would've thought? You're quite the romantic," Kong Xue'er teased. "My fault for not noticing sooner."
Gu Ye said, "We haven't made it public yet. It's not the right time. We'd appreciate it if you could keep it confidential."
"I get it, I get it," Kong Xue'er said with the expression of someone who's been there. "My lips are sealed."
Jiang Mo sighed helplessly. They agreed not to go public, but now the secret was leaking like a sieve. Anyone around them who wasn't a fool could probably tell.
After leaving the coffee shop, Jiang Mo slumped into the passenger seat, looking utterly defeated.
Gu Ye drove home. They unpacked the groceries, leaving the cleaning to the housekeeping auntie they had hired.
They ordered takeout for dinner. Afterwards, they browsed online for small decorative items for the house.
Seeing how late it was getting, Jiang Mo stood up and stretched. "I should head home."
Gu Ye stood up too. "Why don't you just stay here?"
