Chapter 80. Everyone, both in heaven and on earth, heard it. ...

That night, they didn't make a fuss, but simply held each other tenderly, sharing their experiences of the past two days. Perhaps sometimes it's like this: the tenderness in love is stronger than desire.

"Didn't someone say that Scarlet Gown was opened for me? Then why didn't you ask me first before lending it out?" After hearing Gu Sui's story about Gu Xi wanting to borrow Scarlet Gown, Shang Shu played with Gu Sui's fingers and questioned him.

Gu Sui inserted his fingers one by one between Shang Shu's fingers, then intertwined his fingers and clenched them together: "I haven't lent it yet. The landlady said she doesn't want it, but I can go back on my word."

Hearing the title "boss lady" for the second time, Shang Shu was still not immune to it. She dug her own grave again. She tried to slip away from Gu Sui by moving her fingers, but Gu Sui didn't give her the chance.

"Ouch!" Shang Shu pretended to be in pain.

Gu Sui knew he hadn't used any force at all, so he chuckled and stepped back, patting Shang Shu's palm: "Is the boss lady willing or not?"

"Hey, stop yelling." Shang Shu simply turned her back to her and buried her head under the covers.

Gu Sui pulled her out, hugged her from behind, and whispered, "The best ones haven't been called yet."

Gu Sui's voice was clear and noble, yet he spoke in such a way that Shang Shu felt dizzy and her whole body was covered in small bumps.

"Gu Sui, can you behave yourself?" Shang Shu turned around in his arms to face Gu Sui again. She felt sorry for him because he had been working hard for several days and had refrained from making a fuss.

"Conditions." Gu Sui closed his eyes and said nothing more.

Wow, this guy even knows how to make demands of her now. He's really taking advantage of her kindness and acting recklessly.

Shang Shu didn't let her have her way. She simply reached out a finger and lightly touched her lower lip before launching her counterattack.

Seeing Gu Sui half-open her eyes in confusion, wanting to lean in and kiss her, Shang Shu mischievously placed her hand on Gu Sui's lips.

"What do you mean? I don't understand." Shang Shu blinked innocently, pretending to be stupid, and deliberately rubbed her fingertip against Gu Sui's soft lips.

Gu Sui turned his head and kissed her palm.

Shang Shu shook her head again, her beautiful eyes blinking slowly. Then she stroked Gu Sui's cheek with her gaze before returning it to her lips: "I'll only know if you tell me."

“A-Shu…” Gu Sui’s breathing became heavier.

"Yes, I'm listening." Shang Shu's eyes were alluring, and her voice became sweet.

"The little girl is getting worse and worse," Gu Sui thought, but she knew her weakness.

Gu Sui closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, his eyes were already smiling. He leaned close to her ear and whispered two words.

Upon hearing this, Shang Shu sat up immediately. The term "boss lady" was already enough for her to bear, but hearing this one made her turn into a boiled shrimp, her face turning red from head to toe.

"Gu Sui, you, you, you, don't shout like that!" Shang Shu thought to herself that she was doomed and that her weak point had been completely controlled.

"What do you mean?" Gu Sui replied with a leisurely smile, "I don't understand."

Gu Sui won a great victory in this battle, and Shang Shu had no choice but to obediently surrender and hand over the spoils of war in large quantities.

Gu Sui moistened his lips with satisfaction and pulled the person back into his arms.

Shang Shu hooked her fingers and kneaded them, recalling what they had just talked about Gu Xi. Besides the scandal, there was also the chance encounter in Coloane. This suddenly reminded her of the unfinished topic with Lin Lang that day: whether the Gu family knew about it. Macau is so small; if Gu Xi bumped into her today, it could be someone else tomorrow. Gossip and such can be easily dealt with, but what about the Gu family elders…

Shang Shu couldn't help but frown.

"What's wrong?" Gu Sui looked down and saw Shang Shu frowning, so he reached out and touched her brow.

"Do your parents... know about our relationship?" Shang Shu asked softly, her eyes lowered.

In fact, whether in the past or now, she was not sure about this matter. She didn't know how much the Gu family elders knew, nor did she know their attitude. However, given Gu Qi's experience, she didn't think their situation would be much better in comparison, so it was difficult for her to have any optimistic expectations.

Gu Sui didn't expect Shang Shu to suddenly ask about this, but she remembered that Shang Shu seemed to mind it when they brought it up before they got together.

"I don't know," she hesitated for a moment, then asked directly, "Do you want me to come out?"

"Of course I don't want to!" Shang Shu answered almost instantly, then felt that her words were not quite right, so she reorganized her thoughts, "What I mean is, after what happened with Sister Gu Qi, they were all like that, so I guess they probably won't be able to accept our situation either. I don't want you to break up with your family because of me."

Gu Sui understood; so that was what she was worried about.

She wanted to say that she would if necessary, but she didn't want to make assumptions in advance and cause unnecessary trouble, nor would she say it and make Shang Shu worry.

"Okay, then don't worry about it," Gu Sui gently stroked her arm, not wanting her to worry about it anymore, so he asked her, "What were you doing at home waiting for me?"

She actually knew that Shang Shu was discussing furniture with the designer, because earlier, Shang Shu had sent her a few questions she was unsure about and asked for her opinion.

“You know, we were discussing the sofa in the master bedroom,” Shang Shu’s attention was successfully diverted, “The material of the one you liked was quite nice, but it wasn’t very waterproof.”

Gu Sui chuckled: "Why would I need waterproofing, hmm?"

"Well, it's easy to manage." Shang Shu pressed the tip of her tongue against the inside of her mouth, trying to suppress a laugh. She had her thoughts exposed, but refused to admit it and just made up a bunch of nonsense.

"Oh, easy to manage." Gu Sui repeated slowly.

"Yeah, what else are you thinking about?" Shang Shu took the initiative and pressed her for answers, poking her collarbone as she asked. "Tell me, tell me."

"If you want to hear it, here are the conditions."

Not again?

Seeing that she couldn't outsmart Gu Sui anymore, and to avoid getting herself caught in the trap again, Shang Shu decided to stop in time and settle the score later.

She turned her back and said, "I'm so sleepy, I want to go to sleep."

The expected embrace did not come as expected. Instead, she was gently tapped twice on the back. Shang Shu hummed in response but did not turn around.

He struck twice more, without saying a word.

Only after Shang Shu turned around did Gu Sui speak: "Where's my goodnight kiss?"

Shang Shu blinked. He's so clever. He even knows how to phrase it differently. He won't give up until he's kissed her. In such a short time, he's asked for a kiss several times. She's noticed that ever since Gu Sui learned to take the initiative to ask for kisses, he's become a bit uncontrollable, especially when he's thinking about her.

"So good at being coquettish?" She leaned over and kissed Gu Sui's lips, giving him a light bite before pulling away. It wasn't a long bite; she knew her own limitations, and if she continued, she wouldn't be able to resist getting physical.

Gu Sui didn't refute her, but he wouldn't let her back down either. He kissed her lips again, lingering tenderly, and only released her after a long while.

"Isn't this supposed to be a goodnight kiss? Are you going to say goodnight or not?" Shang Shu deftly extended a finger and pressed it against Gu Sui's lips, which were about to cover hers again.

If this continues, she'll really turn into a ninja.

Gu Sui lightly brushed her fingertips with his lips twice before obediently stepping back: "The ones from the past two days, make up for them."

They fell asleep in each other's arms again, sleeping soundly until almost noon. After getting up, Shang Shu said she wanted to go to a temple to pray and absorb some incense offerings, saying it was a habit she had developed over the years by going to temples with the Lin family.

The habit was indeed formed in the last three years, but she didn't tell Gu Sui that she had always gone alone, nor did she tell her that she was going this year to fulfill a vow.

As they passed Senado Square, Shang Shu looked out the car window and saw lanterns of all sizes standing in the square, rows of large red lanterns hanging along the walkways, and decorations such as oranges and gold ingots on the flowerbeds.

The atmosphere was much the same in previous years, or perhaps she hadn't looked closely enough, but Shang Shu felt that the festive spirit was particularly strong this year.

A lion dance was taking place at the temple entrance. The two watched side by side for a while. The golden threads and silver embroidery, accompanied by gongs and drums, awakened the spirit of the deity. It was lively and solemn. After offering incense and joss paper, Shang Shu took Gu Sui's hand and stepped up the stairs, slowly walking into the swirling incense smoke.

Today they were all dressed in simple and elegant attire. Shang Shu neatly tied her long hair down and braided a gentle fishtail braid for Gu Sui.

After washing her hands, Shang Shu held the incense stick, glanced at Gu Sui slightly, and then gently closed her eyes.

The same person, the same place, but the state of mind was completely different. Shang Shu silently thanked the gods for their blessing, allowing Gu Sui to return to her side as she wished. She came to fulfill her vow, but when she prayed for Gu Sui as usual, she couldn't help but tear up.

"I would give up my own lifespan to ensure her peace and good health."

I would gladly exchange my own happiness for her joy and well-being.

If she is blessed with good fortune and long life, she is willing to give all her wealth to Gu Sui; if she is unfortunate and short-lived, she will shield Gu Sui from all misfortunes.

Since the gods have already granted her wish once, they will surely hear her this time as well. She has no desire for anything in return; her only wish is to beg the gods to have mercy on her, considering that she has no other requests.

Shang Shu lit the incense and kowtowed three times devoutly. She lingered on the last kowtow for a long time, silently kowtowing a few more times in her heart.

After leaving the main hall, Shang Shu led Gu Sui along the path inside the temple, watching the wisps of incense smoke rise and brushing past the pilgrims coming and going.

"What's wrong?" Gu Sui noticed Shang Shu's slightly red eyes and squeezed her palm.

"No, it's from the incense smoke," Shang Shu sniffed lightly, then asked her, "What did you pray for?"

Gu Sui pursed his lips lightly: "It won't work if I say it out loud."

She knew that Shang Shu was beating around the bush, otherwise she wouldn't have asked such a question. She also knew that Shang Shu must have pleaded for her just now, so she would plead for Shang Shu's share instead, because their hearts were the same.

"Hmm." Shang Shu looked at her toes and exhaled.

"A-Shu," Gu Sui stopped where he was, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind Shang Shu's ear, "I promised before that I would never leave you again. Today, in front of the gods and Buddhas, I promise you again, okay?"

Shang Shu raised her head and stared blankly at her. Her fishtail braid, slightly loosened from the bowing, draped over Gu Sui's shoulder, exuding a cool yet gentle charm, just like at the graduation ceremony back then. She stood right next to her, and Shang Shu couldn't help but feel a little dazed.

The afternoon sunlight dappled through the leaves onto the courtyard wall, swayed on the eaves, and was hazy in the fragrant mist. Time seemed to stretch out infinitely, and breathing slowed down. Even the floating dust was tinged with gold. Wisps of sandalwood fragrance wafted into the nostrils, seemingly sweet yet slightly bitter.

Whether the surroundings were quiet or noisy, Shang Shu could hardly tell the difference. The crisp sound of the wooden fish, the continuous chanting of scriptures, and the crackling of the candlelight were all present. But what was clearer than these was Gu Suiqing's gentle voice and her heart pounding like a drum.

Shang Shu looked into Gu Suiying's bright eyes, gazed at her quietly and deeply for a while, and then gently squeezed her hand, saying softly, "Everyone in heaven and on earth heard it."

You cannot go back on your word, you cannot break your promise.

"Yes, I heard everything." Gu Sui smiled and gently returned the handshake.

The Bodhi tree outside the main hall, the prayer flags on the corridor, the incense burner in the courtyard, the bells and drums on the side of the hall, every flower and tree heard it.