☆, Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Gu Qingyue returned to her room in the west wing. When her mother saw her come in, she asked, "Where have you been?"

When Gu Qingyue came closer, her mother noticed that her face was a little pale. She put down the book in her hand and looked at her carefully: "Why are you so pale? Are you feeling unwell?"

Gu Qingyue evaded the question casually: "No, I was on the way back when a cat suddenly jumped out and I got scared."

Mother Gu rubbed her hands and said, "You are so timid."

Gu Qingyue didn't say anything more. After washing her face and hands, she changed into pajamas and went to bed.

The lights in the room were turned off. Gu Qingyue turned over and touched the hanging gauze curtain with her fingers. Her mind recalled the emerald green bracelet on the woman's right wrist that she had seen in a quick glance two hours ago.

Gu Qingyue was lost in thought when her mother's hand rested on her back. She jumped in surprise. Her mother propped herself up slightly and asked, "Why are you so startled?"

"It's okay." Gu Qingyue sighed and turned over. She snuggled up to her mother and hesitated for a moment, "Mom, I'll..."

Mother Gu lay down and asked casually, "What happened last night?"

Gu Qingyue suddenly remembered what Gu Hengsheng had said. She shook her head, leaned a little closer to Gu's mother, and said with a smile, "Nothing, it's just that the cat is so fat."

Mother Gu smiled and said, "That's your uncle's cat. He really takes good care of it."

The mother and daughter were talking across a gauze curtain, and gradually they fell silent.

The next day, Gu Qingyue felt an itch on her face. She frowned and raised her hand to brush it away, but her fingers touched soft skin. She opened her eyes and saw Gu Simin holding the orange cat and said with a smile, "You're finally awake."

Gu Qingyue rubbed her eyes and asked, "What's wrong?"

Gu Simin held the orange cat in her arms. "Let's go down the mountain for breakfast. I heard the tofu pudding in the old town down the mountain is pretty good. Want to go together?"

Gu's residence is located halfway up the mountain. At the foot of the mountain is the famous old town of Yanjiang City, with alleys crisscrossing, stone-paved floors, white walls and black tiles, and buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. There are many former residences of talented men and beautiful women from the Republic of China period.

Gu Qingyue threw back the quilt and sat up: "Who will take us down the mountain?"

"Third brother, he just happened to have something to go out for."

Hearing the words "Third Brother," Gu Qingyue paused in her movements to get out of bed. The orange cat jumped onto the bed, and Gu Simin quickly scooped it up into her arms: "Hey, little ancestor, this isn't Third Brother's bed, don't jump on it."

Gu Simin looked up at Gu Qingyue again and urged, "Let's go together, okay?"

Gu Qingyue nodded: "I need to wash up, you have to wait a moment."

Gu Qingyue went to the bathroom to wash her face and then fixed her hair in front of the mirror. When they went out, Gu Hengsheng was already waiting at the door. He had his back to the door, holding a cell phone in his hand and talking on the phone. He was wearing a white shirt and trousers.

Gu Qingyue couldn't help but think of last night. The feeling of his hand covering her lips was still as clear as ever. Gu Qingyue felt uncomfortable for a moment. Gu Simin beside her had already said, "Third brother."

Gu Hengsheng turned his head and looked over at Gu Qingyue. He paused slightly, then raised his hand and pointed at the car, indicating that the two should get in first.

Gu Qingyue followed Gu Simin into the car. Gu Simin said, "After we finish breakfast, we'll go for a walk."

Just as Gu Qingyue was about to speak, the driver's door opened and Gu Hengsheng got in. He turned around and glanced at the two of them, then reminded them, "Fasten your seat belts."

Gu Simin pulled the seat belt on her right side and made a face at Gu Qingyue: "Only when I'm in Third Brother's car am I required to wear a seat belt."

Gu Hengsheng smiled slightly.

Gu Qingyue lowered her eyebrows, pulled the seatbelt beside her, and gently buckled it. Gu Simin beside her said, "Third brother, will you have breakfast with us later?"

Gu Hengsheng nodded twice.

As the car drove on the road, all that came into view was rich green.

In the car, apart from the voices of her and Gu Simin, Gu Hengsheng didn't speak again. Gu Simin, perhaps familiar with her, was no longer as reserved as she had been at the beginning. She took Gu Qingyue's sleeve and asked in a low voice, "Hey, Qingyue, do you have a boyfriend?"

Although her voice was low, the car was quiet. Gu Qingyue subconsciously raised her eyes to glance at the person in the driver's seat. Gu Simin was nervous and kept asking, "No?"

Gu Qingyue cleared her throat, her face slightly hot: "No."

Gu Qingyue was afraid that Gu Simin would continue talking about this topic, so she changed the subject and talked to her about other things.

When the car arrived in the old city, Gu Hengsheng parked the car. Gu Qingyue thought he was just giving them a ride, but she didn't expect him to get out of the car. She whispered to Gu Simin, "Third Uncle, are you coming with us?"

"No, he has something else to do later. We just want to have breakfast together."

The three of them walked on the bluestone slabs. It was still early, so the road wasn't crowded, making it quite quiet. Gu Qingyue and Gu Simin followed behind Gu Hengsheng. He seemed quite busy, having just gotten out of the car and continuing to talk on the phone. But it was the other person who did most of the talking, with him occasionally responding in a low voice.

After entering the store, Gu Simin chose a table in the corner. Gu Hengsheng also hung up the phone at this time.

The waiter came over with the menu and asked what they wanted. Gu Simin placed her finger on the menu, looked up at Gu Qingyue, and made a negotiation: "I want to order two to try, but I'm afraid it will be a waste if I don't finish it. Qingyue, I'll order a salty tofu pudding, and you a sweet one? Then I can have a bite of yours, okay?"

Gu Qingyue was not too particular about food, and nodded when she heard this.

Gu Simin propped her face up with one hand and said with a smile, “I’ll let you taste mine later.”

Gu Qingyue, distracted by last night's events, sat with Gu Hengsheng, her mind wandering. She pulled a pair of disposable chopsticks from the bamboo tube, tore open the plastic wrapping, picked up a shrimp dumpling, and placed it in the bowl. Just as she was about to bring it to her mouth, she felt a slight pain in the finger holding the chopsticks. She put them down and examined the skin on the inside of her index finger.

In the light, a short, thin burr pierced the skin, but fortunately it was not deep. Gu Qingyue frowned and carefully removed the burr.

Gu Hengsheng, who was sitting opposite him, noticed something was wrong. He put down his chopsticks and asked, "Did you get pricked by a burr?"

Gu Qingyue hummed vaguely.

Gu Hengsheng smiled slightly, took out a pair of new chopsticks from the bamboo tube, rubbed the two chopsticks together twice, and then handed the chopsticks to her: "These disposable chopsticks will have some burrs."

Gu Qingyue took it and thanked him softly.

When everyone finished eating, Gu Hengsheng called the waiter over, paid the bill, and left the store.

Gu Simin was still scooping the tofu pudding from the bowl. Gu Qingyue glanced at Gu Simin and followed her out.

Gu Hengsheng held the driver's door with one hand and was about to get in the car.

Gu Qingyue pursed her lips: "Third Uncle."

Hearing the voice, Gu Hengsheng turned around and saw Gu Qingyue standing on the stone steps at the door. She hesitated for two seconds, then walked down the steps and towards him.

Gu Hengsheng stopped and looked at her with his eyes slightly lowered.

Gu Qingyue took a deep breath and then raised her eyes: "What happened last night..."

Gu Hengsheng gently slammed the driver's door shut, then withdrew his hand and said, "Qingyue, nothing happened last night."

Gu Qingyue said: "I just want to thank you."

Her tone was a little anxious, and she sounded a bit like she was throwing a tantrum.

After she finished speaking, Gu Qingyue realized that her tone was wrong. Her cheeks flushed slightly and she repeated it a little awkwardly.

"Okay, I understand." Gu Hengsheng smiled tolerantly. He looked at his watch and said, "Have fun with Simin. I'll pick you up around ten o'clock."