Chapter 72
Room 719 at the Peace Hotel features an elegant, bright white moon-shaped door and high-quality wall panels that reach the ceiling.
Room 719 at the Peace Hotel features an elegant, bright white moon-shaped gate, high-quality wainscoting that reaches the ceiling, an intricately crafted carpet woven with white peach blossoms, and a majestic golden dragon playing with a pearl. Every few steps, you'll find a small ornament, whether a lacquered bronze vessel, a porcelain plum vase, or a small round fan.
Bei Bitang followed behind him silently, as if this person didn't exist.
Gu Wangxi turned around and saw Bei Bitang in a daze, lost in her own thoughts. He couldn't help but frown and asked softly, "Would you like something to drink? Or would you like to watch some TV first?"
Bei Bitang came back to her senses, shook her head slightly and said, "It's getting late, I'm going to take a shower first."
Now that it has come to this, why be so hesitant?
A trace of surprise flashed across Gu Wangxi's face. Did Bei Bitang take him by surprise?
He nodded and said, "I'll take you to the bathroom. Do you want me to help you?"
Bei Bitang probably didn't know how to use those bathing facilities, so in order to avoid embarrassing Bei Bitang, Gu Wangxi spoke vaguely.
Bei Bitang blushed. She looked at Gu Wangxi embarrassedly, pursed her lips and shook her head.
Gu Wangxi also felt a little uncomfortable, as if this procedure was a little wrong. He coughed lightly and said, "There are pajamas on the shelf at the bathroom door. You can wear them. They are new and have been washed in the hotel laundry room."
Bei Bitang lowered her head, pinching the corner of her clothes, and said "hmm".
Bei Bitang didn't use the bathtub, she just turned on the shower, adjusted the temperature to a suitable temperature, and washed herself.
After taking a shower, she wiped the water droplets off her body and changed into the pink and purple silk nightgown prepared by Gu Wangxi, and of course, brand new underwear.
Bei Bitang felt her face stiffen. She was not embarrassed at all when she saw the exquisite and bold underwear.
After cleaning the bathroom, Bei Bitang came out and returned to the bedroom.
The bed was made and didn't need Bei Bitang to tidy it. Gu Wangxi didn't know where it was in the room, so Bei Bitang reached out and turned off the overhead light in the bedroom, leaving only the night light on Gu Wangxi's side.
She lifted the quilt, lay down in it, turned over, faced the other side of the bed, and closed her eyes.
After a heated fight and another emotional outburst, Bei Bitang was exhausted both physically and mentally. However, she was so nervous that she didn't feel sleepy at all, not even yawning.
Bei Bitang didn't know how long she had been waiting. The footsteps in the bedroom came closer and then stopped.
The bed moved, as if someone was pressing on Bei Bitang.
Bei Bitang knew that Gu Wangxi slept in the same bed with her.
She didn't say anything, nor did she open her eyes. She was like a coward, pretending to be dead. We can't let her take the initiative in this matter, right?
The night light was on, and occasionally Bei Bitang heard the sound of pages turning. After a while, Gu Wangxi took off his gold-rimmed glasses and placed them on the bedside table. The metal frame made a light "dong" sound.
Bei Bitang became more and more uneasy.
Gu Wangxi put down the embroidered pillow and lay down as well. He suddenly asked, "Miss Bei, are you asleep?"
Bei Bitang clutched the corner of the quilt, swallowed, and closed her eyes even tighter.
Looking at the quilt that was stretched tight because of Bei Bitang's strong pulling, Gu Wangxi raised the corners of his mouth and smiled silently.
Gu Wangxi suppressed his smile and pretended to be serious and said, "Miss Bei is asleep, so I have to say good night to you too. Good night, Miss Bei, I wish you a sweet dream."
Bei Bitang immediately opened her eyes, the night light dimmed, and Gu Wangxi let it rest.
Bei Bitang stared at the black mass in front of her. After tonight, she didn't know if she still had the courage. She was hesitating and annoying people for no reason.
She said, "Mr. Gu, I haven't slept yet."
Gu Wangxi, who had kept his eyes open, did not respond immediately. After a while, he asked, "What does Miss Bei want to do?"
Bei Bitang chuckled and whispered, "This bed is so soft."
Gu Wangxi said: "A Simmons spring bed."
Bei Bitang said, "I don't understand."
Her voice was dazed and fragile.
Gu Wangxi gritted his teeth, suddenly turned over and said, "You don't need to understand."
The bony hand rested on Bei Bitang's arm. The man's skin was very hot, burning Bei Bitang so much that she shrank back.
The fragrance of the roses grew from light to strong, and little night roses bloomed at the tip of Bei Bitang's nose.
Bei Bitang put her hand on Gu Wangxi's chest. She met Gu Wangxi's deep eyes and turned her head slightly.
The next second, as if she had made up her mind, she put her hands on Gu Wangxi's neck, and her fingers couldn't help but stroke the small piece of skin on the back of Gu Wangxi's neck.
Gu Wangxi suddenly pushed Bei Bitang away, stood up, and said softly with Bei Bitang on his back, "I'm going to play some music."
Bei Bitang looked at him blankly.
Gu Wangxi took a deep breath, walked to the bedroom window, turned on the record player, and the sound of leisurely music spread.
Bei Bitang didn’t know what kind of music Gu Wangxi was playing. There was only the sound of the instrument, and no one was singing. It sounded quite nice and matched the night very well.
Before turning around and going to bed, Gu Wangxi moved the corners of his mouth, shrugged his shoulders, took a long breath, and cheered himself up.
He was also quite nervous, as if he was about to enter a big examination room.
Gu Wangxi pushed Bei Bitang down again, with the man on top and the woman on the bottom.
Noticing Gu Wangxi's burning gaze on her lips, Bei Bitang raised her chin slightly and whispered, "Let go first, I'll take off my clothes first."
Gu Wangxi held Bei Bitang's hand, his voice indescribably deep, with a hint of hoarseness in it, "No need, I'll take it off."
Bei Bitang tilted her face, her face flushed, and she said in a low and weak voice, "Wear a condom."
Gu Wangxi was stunned for a moment, then stretched out his long hand, touched the bedside table, opened the second drawer, and took out a condom from it.
Gu Wangxi murmured, and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I forgot such an important thing."
Seeing that Gu Wangxi could easily take out a condom, Bei Bitang's face returned to its former fair and bright color, and she lowered her dim eyes.
In the dark night, Bei Bitang took a breath and hissed.
Gu Wangxi stopped moving, sweat pouring down his forehead. He asked with concern and tenderness, "What's wrong?"
Was I too rude? As he said this, he was about to turn on the light to check if Bei Bitang was hurt by him.
Bei Bitang took his hand down and stroked his wrist, saying, "It's okay, go on. I feel very comfortable."
Gu Wangxi got excited, and this sentence undoubtedly gave him a huge encouragement.
The Peace Hotel, located at No. 20 The Bund, is a legendary landmark in Shanghai, and the street lights here seem to be brighter than elsewhere.
A line of dim light shines through the light brown curtains. The streets are quiet and the houses are quiet too.
The cheap, crudely made dress she had come in in looked so out of place on the printed velvet sofa beside the bed.
Her body was filled with soreness and drowsiness. Gu Wangxi was breathing steadily right next to her. Bei Bitang closed her sparkling eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
The dust clears and the dew gathers, and the dawn begins to appear.
They were both woken up by the sound of the Bund bell. Bei Bitang opened her eyes, but was blinded by the morning light and closed them again.
Gu Wangxi turned around, picked up the watch on the bedside table, glanced at it, and said, "It's past seven o'clock. Do you want to sleep a little longer?"
Bei Bitang remained silent. She hugged the quilt, bent over, and picked up the pajamas that had fallen beside the bed.
Gu Wangxi looked at the smooth and delicate back, and his throat tightened involuntarily.
Even though they had been close friends last night, he still felt his actions were a bit abrupt and offensive. Gu Wangxi cleared his throat, lowered his head, and put on his watch.
The two of them were doing their own things. Bei Bitang felt a little more at ease, turned around and put on her clothes.
Gu Wangxi quickly put on his watch and glanced up. Seeing the bruises on Bei Bitang's chest, he hurriedly said, "I'm sorry. I'll get you some ointment."
The expression on his face showed apology, regret, anxiety, and heartache that Bei Bitang could not see.
Bei Bitang couldn't help but comfort him and said, "Never mind your business, I already had it before I came here."
After a pause, she smiled and said casually, "I had a fight with my eldest sister, and she didn't get the upper hand. Her mouth and face were all bruised."
Gu Wangxi opened the medicine box in the living room, carefully looked through the various ointments, and handed the most suitable one to Bei Bitang.
"Here, it's for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. Apply it three times a day."
Bei Bitang took it, held the ointment in her palm, and said softly: "Thank you, I'll go to the bathroom."
Various Cantonese breakfasts are placed on the Chinese landscape round dining table.
Shrimp dumplings, steamed chicken feet with black bean sauce, water chestnut cake, pork belly, beef ribs, pineapple buns, egg tarts, and of course hot milk.
Gu Wangxi heard the noise, raised his head, and wanted to get up and pull out a chair for Bei Bitang.
He saw Bei Bitang with a cold expression on her face and changed into her own clothes, and he couldn't help but pause.
He put away the unhappiness in his heart, smiled and said, "Sit down and have some breakfast first."
Bei Bitang stood still and said, "Mr. Gu, I'm going back first."
The two looked at each other for a moment, and Gu Wangxi said helplessly: "Since you want to go home, then I will take you back."
Having already rejected Gu Wangxi's request to have breakfast together, Bei Bitang couldn't refuse him a second time.
Gu Wangxi turned down the driver and decided to drive Bei Bitang home himself. After Bei Bitang sat in the passenger seat, he bent down and fastened her seatbelt.
Bei Bitang's body was as stiff as a rock, her back stretched out.
Seeing Bei Bitang's reaction, Gu Wangxi sighed inwardly. There was nothing he could do to her. The passion of last night had faded, and Bei Bitang treated him like a stranger.
Gu Wangxi started the engine and the black Mercedes merged into the stream of bicycles. Gu Wangxi did not drive fast and he occasionally looked at Bei Bitang.
Bei Bitang, who was sitting in the passenger seat, held a thermos cup filled with hot milk tightly in both hands.
Her expression was blank, her eyes were lifeless, and her fingers were pale blue.
The car was parked on the street opposite the alley entrance. The windows were rolled down and the morning breeze blew, and Bei Bitang woke up.
She turned around and said to Gu Wangxi, "Thank you, Mr. Gu, for sending me back. Goodbye."
After saying that, he opened the car door and got out.
Gu Wangxi said with a calm face, "Are you just leaving like that?"
Bei Bitang turned her head and looked at Gu Wangxi helplessly and innocently.
Gu Wangxi slowly leaned down, Bei Bitang dodged, and Gu Wangxi's thin lips brushed past the corner of her mouth.
Bei Bitang didn't dare to look at him. She lowered her head, opened the car door in panic, and fled.
Gu Wangxi opened his mouth and wanted to speak up to remind Bei Bitang to watch out for cars, but there were no cars passing by on this residential street, so he closed his mouth again.
Putting his hand on the car window, Gu Wangxi watched Bei Bitang enter the alley before starting the car and driving away.
Bei Bitang, who felt that she had done something bad, was preoccupied and did not notice Feng Guangmei.
Feng Guangmei stood by the wall and said, "Hi? Bitang, I'm here. Can't you see me?"
Bei Bitang's shoulders trembled, and she looked at Feng Guangmei and said sadly, "Guangmei, aren't you going to work?"
Feng Guangmei said helplessly, "Didn't I tell you yesterday that I switched shifts with someone else?"
Bei Bitang said "Oh" in a daze.
Feng Guangmei approached her and whispered very quietly, "I saw it. The man who sent you back was another Li Jieqi?"
Bei Bitang smiled bitterly, shook her head and said, "He's not Li Jieqi, and I can't be another Sister Baoer. I'm not as lucky as Sister Baoer. Guangmei, don't ask anymore. I don't want to talk about it."
Feng Guangmei reached out and held Bei Bitang's cold hand, rubbing it gently and whispering, "Take precautions and don't get pregnant."
As for what happened between Bei Bitang and that man, and whether it hurt another innocent woman, Feng Guangmei did not ask because she believed in Bei Bitang's character.
Bei Bitang nodded solemnly, her heart warmed, and she said softly, "Guangmei, don't worry, I know the severity of the situation."
The two walked hand in hand. After a moment, Bei Bitang realized what was happening and said in panic, "Guangmei, did you see it? What about the others?"
Feng Guangmei patted the back of her hand and said soothingly, "Don't worry, I've checked it for you. I'm the only one around."
Bei Bitang breathed a sigh of relief. Feng Guangmei accompanied Bei Bitang all the way to the downstairs of her house, which was a silent comfort to her.
Huang Dashan came back from somewhere, still smelling of powder.
The room was quiet. Lin Bilan, who was cleaning up the dishes, had a bruise at the corner of her mouth and a fist mark at the corner of her eye. It was obvious that she had been beaten.
Huang Dashan didn't care about this at all. Instead, he asked, "Why don't you go to work?"
Lin Bilan murmured, "I've asked for leave."
Huang Dashan yelled angrily, "Ask for leave! What leave again? If you ask for leave every other day, will there be enough food in the house?"
Lin Bilan felt guilty and didn't dare confront Huang Dashan, allowing him to accuse her. The house wasn't hers. If Huang Dashan knew, he might divorce her, accusing her of deceiving him. When they were dating, she had clearly said that the family job and the house would be hers in the future.
Bei Bitang came back from outside and smelled the scent of Huang Dashan. She couldn't help but look around. She glanced at Lin Bilan, who looked like a young wife, and went into the inner room without saying a word.
Bei Bitang took out a cloth bag, took out the scraps of paper from the trash can, put them into the bag, and also put in some important papers that Lin Bilan had not damaged.
Zhou Jiewen didn't have classes at home today, so Bei Bitang packed up her things and prepared to go find her. She left her study stuff with her and would not bring it back.
Miao Xiuxiu came back from her neighbor's house upstairs and saw Bei Bitang coming back. She asked, "Where did you go last night?"
Bei Bitang said calmly, "Go to a female classmate's house."
After saying that, she stood up, put on her schoolbag, and left home again.
The following week, Bei Bitang went to the Peace Hotel again. She was the one who took the initiative to find Gu Wangxi.
Bei Bitang entered room 719 wearing her own clothes, took off her clothes, put on her own clothes again, and prepared to leave.
Gu Wangxi's face was gloomy. Looking at Bei Bitang who couldn't wait to leave, he said softly, "I'll take you home."
Bei Bitang shook her head and said solemnly, "Mr. Gu, I'm not going home, I'm going to my friend's house. I'm weak and not as strong as you. I hope our relationship will be limited to this room. I'll come once a week, okay?"
Bei Bitang seemed to always reject him, and Gu Wangxi was very unhappy, but when he met Bei Bitang's expectant eyes, he nodded and did not mention sending her home again.
Combined with what Bei Bitang said last time, that she had a fight with her sister, this time she said that she would not go home but go to a friend's house.
Gu Wangxi didn't need to think too much to know that Bei Bitang's family atmosphere was very bad. Her relatives didn't seem to care much about her and were not friendly to her.
Gu Wangxi couldn't help but say: "You can live here, your daily life will be very convenient."
Bei Bitang did not say anything to spoil the fun. She calmly put on her clothes in front of Gu Wangxi, silently refusing him.
Okay, Gu Wangxi pursed his lips and shook his head in disappointment.
Gu Wangxi opened the drawer of the bedside table and closed it again. He handed the gift in his hand to Bei Bitang and said calmly, "I bought this bottle of perfume on a business trip. I'm giving it to you. Take it back and use it."
Gu Wangxi's eyes seemed to be able to speak. Bei Bitang couldn't help but take the gift and looked down at the slender bottle in her hand. Amber liquid swayed in the crystal glass bottle. There were four lines of English written on the white label. Bei Bitang only recognized the capital letter N, the period, the number 5, and Paris.
Bei Bitang looked up at Gu Wangxi and smiled, saying, "If Mr. Gu doesn't mind, I'd like to put this bottle of perfume here."
Gu Wangxi spread his hands and said, "Of course I don't mind. You have half the right to use this room, half the space."
Bei Bitang smiled. Gu Wangxi was truly considerate and generous. If she had met Gu Wangxi before she started dating Xu Zeli, she would have been completely captivated by him.
Bei Bitang took the bus home, from the magnificent and fragrant Peace Hotel, back to the little world where she grew up.
She stood in the alley, looking up at the narrow, dim, crowded skyline of Shikumen, as if she was traveling back and forth between two centuries.
Even though Bei Bitang and Lin Bilan had a complete falling out, Lin Bilan still showed no restraint and wanted to curb Bei Bitang's arrogance.
Bei Bitang unexpectedly saw Wei Bili who had been waiting for her at home for a long time.
Bei Bitang's eyes were slightly red. She walked over and said timidly, "Second Sister."
Wei Bili smiled and said, "Little sister, come here, let me see."
Wei Bili smiled naturally, as if she was just going back to her parents' home for a normal visit, not because Lin Bilan said that Bei Bitang had gotten into trouble and asked her to come back to discipline her.
One was asking, the other was answering timidly. Wei Bili didn't mention Bei Bitang's college entrance examination at all.
Bei Bitang couldn't help but say, "Second Sister, please believe me. I will definitely put in all my effort to get into college! Even if I don't pass, I will find a way out on my own and won't burden Mom's later years."
Wei Bili said nothing. She took out ten big unity notes from her pocket and stuffed them into Bei Bitang's hand. She said, "Second sister will give you some pocket money. Take it and exchange it for some smaller amounts. Every once in a while, give one to Mom in front of eldest sister and Huang Dashan."
Bei Bitang returned the money and shook her head, saying, "Second Sister, I have money, you don't have to give it to me!"
Wei Bili stood up, picked up her handbag, and said firmly, "If you have it, it won't stop me from giving it to you. You keep it, I'm leaving."
Wei Bili came back in a hurry and left in a hurry again, without seeing Miao Xiuxiu and Lin Bilan at all.
Bei Bitang pinched the banknotes and bit her lips. She could see that Second Sister's eyes were full of disapproval of her taking the college entrance examination, but Second Sister felt sorry for her and couldn't bear to say anything to her.
Bei Bitang was determined to work harder. If she couldn't continue studying and wanted to sleep, she would just hang her head on the beam and prick her legs with a needle.
Bei Bitang changed her clothes and took a car to Zhou Jiewen's house. She vaguely told Zhou Jiewen that her family did not approve of her taking the exam.
Zhou Jiewen, full of sympathy, readily gave her a key to her house, allowing her to come over to review at any time. Bei Bitang only needed to look after her mother while she was in class, in case of any accidents.
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