Chapter 368 The Secluded Young Master 2 (2/2)

Zi Xi squinted, trying hard to discern the road conditions ahead, and had to slow down to one-third of her usual speed.

"Oh no, I'm going to be late."

Zi Xi looked at the time on her phone, feeling a little anxious.

The journey from the dessert shop to Gu's residence, which usually takes only twenty minutes, takes at least forty minutes in this weather.

Not only will she be late today, but she will also appear at the Gu residence in such a disheveled state, which is undoubtedly a dereliction of duty.

It was a full eighteen minutes later than usual when Zi Xi finally saw the familiar wrought iron gate of the Gu residence, faintly visible through the rain.

Fortunately, thanks to the multiple layers of protection, the cake box remained dry and intact, with even the wrapping ribbons perfectly neat.

Zi Xi herself was in a sorry state, her hair wet and plastered to her face and neck, her work clothes completely soaked and clinging to her body.

She jogged across the front yard, heading toward the side gate as usual.

However, the moment she looked up, she suddenly stopped in her tracks.

A person was standing under the porch.

It wasn't Uncle Chen, but the boy she had only met once at the corner of the stairs.

He was wearing a light gray cashmere sweater, the soft material making his skin appear even paler.

He was slender and upright, standing there like a fragile white porcelain statue.

The cool breeze brought by the rain ruffled his soft black hair, revealing a pair of eyes as black as ink.

Those eyes were staring straight at her, with an almost abnormal focus.

Zi Xi stood there, stunned, unsure how to react.

This was the first time in three months that someone from the Gu family had personally appeared at the door to greet her.

She hesitated before stepping forward, raindrops dripping from her hair and the hem of her clothes, forming a small, gradually expanding puddle on the polished marble floor of the porch.

In stark contrast to the boy's cleanliness and tidiness, she felt like a drowned rat who had wandered into a palace.

"Sir, here is your cake."

Zi Xi spoke tentatively, her voice trembling slightly from the cold.

The boy did not respond, nor did he reach out to take the cake.

His gaze slid from her face to the cake box in her hand, then back to her face, his brows furrowing slightly as if he had seen something that puzzled him.

Zi Xi stood there awkwardly, unsure whether to go forward or retreat.

The chill from the rain made her sneeze uncontrollably, which made her even more embarrassed.

Just then, the boy suddenly turned around and picked up a heavy, professional waterproof bag from the porch shelf. It looked like a high-end item used to store expensive outdoor gear.

He awkwardly handed the waterproof bag to Zi Xi, his eyes still pure and direct.

Zi Xi instinctively took it, and found it heavy in her hand.

The weight far exceeded that of a bag of ordinary items.

"What does this mean...?"

She looked at the delicate-looking young boy with a puzzled expression.

He didn't explain, but simply pointed to the cake in her hand, then to her soaking wet appearance, and finally his gaze fell on the waterproof bag.

His expression remained unchanged, but his series of gestures conveyed a clear logic.

Zi Xi thought for a moment. Was this a reward for her because she had protected the cake in the rainstorm and delivered it on time?

In the instant she hesitated, the boy had already taken the cake from her hand and taken a step back, clearly indicating that he was seeing her off.

His gaze remained fixed on her, his eyes so pure, devoid of any worldly impurities.

"Thanks……"

Zi Xi finally thanked him in a low voice and hugged the heavy waterproof bag to her chest.

The boy seemed satisfied. He nodded very slightly, so slightly that it was almost imperceptible, then turned and went into the house, closing the door behind him.