On this day, Chi Ying came over for dinner as usual.
When Gu Chi opened the door, his smile was softer than usual.
But Chi Ying, whose head only reached his chin, didn’t look up—so she missed it.
She walked into the kitchen naturally, glanced around, and noticed there were two extra dishes on the counter. There were also some chopped vegetables and meat, half-prepped for cooking, clearly for the next day.
She pointed to the ingredients and asked curiously, “Do you have guests coming?”
“No, just preparing for tomorrow.”
“What for?” Chi Ying looked confused.
Gu Chi narrowed his eyes slightly. “You didn’t forget… did you?”
Chi Ying’s heart tightened.
What did I forget?!
【Anniversary… ANNIVERSARY!!】
The system panicked.
“Oh—oh, oh! It’s our second anniversary!” Chi Ying blurted out.
Gu Chi’s expression softened. “So you remembered…”
“I would never forget!” Chi Ying shook her head like a rattle, her voice guilty but firm.
“Mm.” Gu Chi brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. “Let’s eat.”
“Okay!”
Gu Chi’s gaze drifted toward the wooden cabinet in the corner, a flicker of nervousness in his eyes.
Hope she likes tomorrow’s gift…
__
A few nights earlier~
After showering, Lu Yunfei laid in bed reading a book. Since becoming a mid-level commander, he’d been responsible for training lower-level ability users when not on missions.
Knock, knock.
He put the book down and opened the door, only to blink in surprise.
“Captain? What brings you here?”
Gu Chi cleared his throat. “I need to ask you something.”
He stepped inside before Lu Yunfei could say more.
Lu Yunfei reached for the kettle. “Want water?”
“No, this’ll be quick.”
Lu Yunfei set it down. “Alright, go ahead.”
Gu Chi hesitated. “What do you think is the best gift to give?”
Lu Yunfei’s expression shifted. The corners of his mouth curled with subtle amusement.
“For Chi Ying?”
Gu Chi nodded.
“Honestly, you should ask Mu Yu. I’ve never given a gift to a girl—I’m drowning in alliance reports.”
Gu Chi frowned. “Mu Yu and Chi Ying are close. If I tell her, she might let something slip.”
“Fair.” Lu Yunfei nodded. “Mu Yu really can’t keep secrets.”
He paused, thinking.
“Generally, the best gifts are things they like. You know what Chi Ying likes, right?”
Gu Chi lowered his head in thought.
“Then just give her that.”
Gu Chi fell silent for a moment, then his eyes brightened. “I’ve got an idea.”
__
Meanwhile, Chi Ying was lying on her bed, flailing in panic.
What do I do?! What should I give him?!
He probably wouldn’t mind if I didn’t give him anything…
But she remembered how a small trinket she gave him once had ended up carefully stored in his bedside drawer.
The thought of him feeling disappointed made Chi Ying feel like a criminal.
【Based on the system database, standard anniversary gifts include: watches, ties, and electronics such as keyboards. But considering the technological regression post-apocalypse, electronics are… questionable.】
Chi Ying frowned. Where would I find a watch or a tie in just one day?
【Agreed.】
【Then why not try the “match what you like” method?】
What do you mean?
【Think about what Gu Chi’s most interested in—and give him that.】
“Match what you like…” Chi Ying rolled over and stared at the ceiling.
Then suddenly, her eyes lit up.
__
The next day.
After dinner at Gu Chi’s place, Chi Ying waited quietly for the right moment to give her gift.
Gu Chi stood, then casually pulled a small black box from his coat pocket.
“Ahem… here. A gift.”
Chi Ying blinked, then took the box with both hands, heart thudding.
Thank goodness I prepared something too!
She opened the lid—and her almond eyes widened.
So pretty…
It was a delicate, silver cross.
She stared at it silently, unsure what to say.
Her feelings were complicated—happy, but also a little… confused.
She didn’t know it yet, but this feeling was what people called: receiving a gift from a straight man.
She felt a slight pang of regret.
It’s so pretty… but I’m not even religious. How am I supposed to wear this? Just to bluff?
Gu Chi asked expectantly, “Do you like it?”
“I do,” Chi Ying nodded.
Even if it didn’t quite make sense, her mood was mostly happy.
“I have a gift for you too—close your eyes.”
Gu Chi’s ears flushed immediately. He obediently shut his eyes.
Chi Ying took a small green box from her pocket, about to let him open his eyes—when she caught sight of his lowered lashes.
Suddenly, she hesitated.
Then, standing on tiptoe, she leaned in and kissed his lips.
Gu Chi’s lashes trembled. He started to open his eyes, only for Chi Ying to scold, “Close them!”
Blushing furiously, she waited for her heartbeat to slow.
Then whispered, “Okay, now.”
Gu Chi opened his eyes to see Chi Ying’s face glowing red.
He coughed lightly and forced himself to look down at the gift box instead.
Inside was a stunning—
Zombie crystal nucleus.
Gu Chi: “…”
He was speechless.
“Thank you, I… really like it,” he managed.
Chi Ying narrowed her eyes. “Liar. You don’t like it.”
Gu Chi pursed his lips.
How do I even explain this…?
It wasn’t that he disliked it—it was just so far outside the realm of what he’d expected.
【Really! That’s the crystal nucleus you picked out yourself after Chi Ying wiped out an entire zombie city overnight!】
【It’s like… slaying a city for one person. Isn’t that romantic?】
Not to mention—wasn’t Gu Chi most interested in zombies?
Chi Ying said nothing, just glanced down at the nucleus—then a little lower—and suddenly reached out and closed the lid in a panic.
“Just… don’t throw it away.”
“How could I…”
“I’m heading back now—the headquarters needs me later!” Chi Ying turned and fled.
Gu Chi stood there, watching her hurried retreat, dazed and a little baffled.
sarcastisaurus On CFRFGC Chapter 102