Chapter 81
◎After a light snowfall, Bei Bitang, wearing a large scarf, walked along the main road of the campus. As a southerner◎
It was the first time the sky cleared up after a light snowfall. Bei Bitang was walking on the main road of the campus, wearing a large scarf. As a southerner, she kept looking at the remaining snow on the grass.
There were a few classmates who were more curious than Bei Bitang. They walked to the grass, bent down and surrounded the remaining snow, staring at it non-stop. Bei Bitang guessed that they must be from the south, even further south than she was.
Bei Bitang half-buried her head in her gray scarf as she walked past the library, dormitory building, teaching building, canteen... and arrived at the staff and family building, entering a tube-shaped building.
Bei Bitang did not go home during the winter vacation. She wanted to stay in school and study hard. There were many students like her who stayed on campus during the winter vacation. In such a big campus, Bei Bitang was not alone.
But Bei Bitang was luckier than many of the students who stayed in school because she had excellent grades. A professor in the department found Bei Bitang and asked her if she would be willing to type out her handwritten work manuscripts on a typewriter. She was old, her eyesight was poor, and she could not type fast.
Of course Bei Bitang was willing. Even without any pay, she could learn an extra skill and learn typing.
During the first half of the winter vacation, Bei Bitang stayed at the professor's house from eight in the morning to nine in the evening every day, typing out handwritten manuscripts for her.
Two weeks later, Bei Bitang took the reward of 100 yuan, walked out of the school gate with a smile on her face, and got on the bus to the Bund.
The streets were cold and windy, with only occasional pedestrians, but the shops were crowded with people, and red lanterns were hung, creating a festive atmosphere.
Bei Bitang, who had not left the school for a long time, felt dazed for a moment. She suddenly remembered that the New Year was almost approaching.
Bei Bitang had saved up the money to treat Gu Wangxi to a meal, but hesitated at the last minute. Gu Wangxi was a very refined eater. Sometimes he wouldn't even look down on the food at the Peace Hotel, bringing ingredients from home and instructing the hotel's chef to cook it his way back home.
She had a meager budget and invited him to a small restaurant outside for dinner, but she was afraid that the food might not suit Gu Wangxi's taste.
Bei Bitang thought about saving more money for a few months so that she could treat Gu Wangxi to a meal at the Peace Hotel restaurant. If it weren't for this unexpected fortune, she didn't know when she would be able to treat Gu Wangxi to a meal.
With indescribable anticipation, Bei Bitang took out the key from her backpack, turned the key a few times, and the door opened.
The room was quiet and the lights were off. Bei Bitang reached out and turned on the light at the door.
A yellowish light suddenly poured down from above Bei Bitang's head. Bei Bitang looked towards the shoe cabinet and saw that Gu Wangxi's usual pair of black leather shoes were not there. She looked up and saw that his winter cashmere suit and coat were not hanging on the hanger.
The corners of Bei Bitang's mouth drooped unconsciously, and she changed her shoes listlessly and went into the house.
Bei Bitang didn't call for anyone. She walked from the small study to the bedroom, and then from the bedroom to the bathroom... She walked around the house without missing any functional area.
As expected, Gu Wangxi was not there. Bei Bitang sat down on the long velvet sofa and leaned her head back.
God favored Bei Bitang. This was the first time Bei Bitang had come while Gu Wangxi was not there. More accurately, it could be said that Gu Wangxi favored Bei Bitang. As long as he could handle matters in Room 719, he would try not to leave.
But every Chinese New Year is when Gu Wangxi is busiest. He would come out of a cocktail party in the early morning, take a nap in the car, and then go to a teahouse to have morning tea with others. He was overwhelmed with social engagements.
Bei Bitang hasn't come to see her for two weeks. Gu Wangxi thought, for someone as ambitious as Bei Bitang, would she be interested in a partner who is clingy and slow?
So Gu Wangxi didn't tell Bei Bitang and accepted the appointment with peace of mind.
Bei Bitang tilted her head, waking from her drowsy state. She raised her head slightly and looked at the exquisite clock hanging on the wall. It was already past eight o'clock in the evening. Even if Gu Wangxi came back, he should have eaten dinner.
Thinking of this, Bei Bitang stood up, picked up her schoolbag from the sofa, and prepared to leave. This time she came to Gu Wangxi to treat him to a meal, not to sleep with him.
Since the goal has been frustrated, why wait any longer or stay any longer?
Thinking this way, Bei Bitang wanted to do something before leaving.
She walked around and found the room clean and tidy, with everything neatly arranged. Gu Wangxi had the room cleaned twice a day, morning and evening. If the room was still messy at this frequency, he could complain.
Bei Bitang moved to the cloakroom and opened the cabinet. Gu Wangxi's clothes were neatly arranged in it.
Out of the corner of her eye, Bei Bitang caught sight of something she shouldn't have seen. Her face turned red, her heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly closed the cabinet door.
There was nothing she could do. Bei Bitang felt inexplicably disappointed. She left. As she walked, she felt that there was something wrong with her. Was it because she just loved working and couldn't enjoy herself that she actually wanted to help Gu Wangxi clean the room and organize clothes?
What kind of behavior is this for a young wife? Bei Bitang blushed.
As the cool air blew, the blush on Bei Bitang's face faded a little. She tightened her clothes and looked at the street blankly, not knowing where to go.
Should I go home? Bei Bitang thought hesitantly.
Since when, Gu Wangxi's residence has become Bei Bitang's first choice after she graduated from school, even though her family now takes good care of her.
Bei Bitang spent ten yuan to buy some soft persimmons, large green dates and loose biscuits, and took them back to the Shikumen.
She earned money, but only spent it on Gu Wangxi, not giving any to Miao Xiuxiu and the others. It was unacceptable and her conscience was uneasy. Anyway, there was only 90 yuan left, all for Gu Wangxi, which was enough for him to spend.
I went upstairs and returned home, putting down the fruit and biscuits. Miao Xiuxiu and the others had already finished their dinner and were sitting in the house, warming their feet with a thermos of hot water.
Miao Xiuxiu asked her, as usual, how was her school life? Did she eat well? Did she sleep well?
Lin Bilan interrupted and told Bei Bitang the gossip about the factory and the alley.
Bei Bitang sat for more than half an hour and left in a hurry. Miao Xiuxiu and the others did not ask her to stay, and asked her to sleep at home and return to school tomorrow morning.
The light was dim yellow. Huo Shixun took out the key from Gu Wangxi's suit pocket to open the door, and then gritted his teeth to help the half-drunk Gu Wangxi into the house.
Gu Wangxi can drink much better than him, but he has had some stomach problems recently. Gu Wangxi helped him block a lot of alcohol tonight, so he was drunker than him.
Gu Wangxi, who had been keeping his head down, suddenly moved his nose, raised his head and sniffed the air.
His eyes lit up and he said excitedly, "She was here!"
Huo Shixun frowned and asked doubtfully, "Who?"
Gu Wangxi stretched out a finger, blinked his eyes and said, "Bei Bitang, you don't know?!"
Huo Shixun was speechless. He said angrily, "Change your shoes! Otherwise, I'll leave you on the floor to die. I'm leaving."
Gu Wangxi, half awake and half drunk, looked down at the shiny floor, frowning in disgust.
As he changed his shoes, he shouted, "She was here!"
Huo Shixun looked around the room and saw no sign of anyone having been there. He questioned, "You must be missing someone so much that you've lost your mind. How could anyone have been here? There's not even a single long hair."
Gu Wangxi chuckled and said with a silly smile, "You don't know this. Bei Bitang rarely loses her hair. Her hair is in great condition, black, shiny, and has a fresh fragrance. I've secretly smelled it several times."
Huh! Huo Shixun's cheeks felt sore, and he didn't know how to look at Gu Wangxi.
He shook his head in disbelief and said, "Fragrant? I can't tell what it smells like. I only smell the strong smell of alcohol on both of us."
Gu Wangxi stood up from the sofa unsteadily, pointed at the door and said, "Let's go! Let's go ask the people in the lobby!"
After taking the elevator down to the first floor, Huo Shixun looked regretful, not knowing why he was arguing with Gu Wangxi.
He half supported and half pulled Gu Wangxi, saying, "Let's go back. I believe it, I believe it. It will be okay, right?"
Gu Wangxi shook his head and said word by word, "Bet. One. Hand."
Huo Shixun's eyes lit up. This was a golden opportunity. He didn't bother to stop Gu Wangxi and said, "The convertible sports car you left at the villa halfway up the mountain!"
Gu Wangxi frowned, then realized what Huo Shixun said. He nodded indifferently and said, "Okay."
Gu Wangxi felt angry, but he didn't know what the anger was about. He just wanted to prove to others that Bei Bitang had been there.
The people at the Peace Hotel were very impressed by Gu Wangxi's "girlfriend". It was because Bei Bitang was dressed too simply. Even though they were also working there, they thought Bei Bitang's dress was a bit inconsistent with the identity of Gu Wangxi's girlfriend.
They whispered to themselves, "Gu Wangxi isn't stingy, he's always generous with his tips. Maybe Miss Bei just likes to dress that way. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder." Besides, Miss Bei is so beautiful, even without any make-up, she's stunning. If she dresses up a bit, who knows how many people will look at her. It doesn't matter to the women, but for the men, Mr. Gu will be utterly jealous."
Gu Wangxi asked, "Has Miss Bei been here today?"
The person in the lobby immediately said without hesitation: "Miss Bei was here. She came around five in the afternoon and left around eight."
Gu Wangxi turned around and looked at Huo Shixun triumphantly.
Huo Shixun frowned and said dejectedly: "Tell me what you want. For the sake of our good brother, don't take away my beloved one."
Gu Wangxi shook his head, patted his chest vigorously, and said with a flushed face, "I'm happy. I don't want your things anymore."
It was not until the eve of summer vacation in 1980 that Bei Bitang finally had the chance to invite Gu Wangxi to dinner.
Gu Wangxi entered the room carrying a bag of butter biscuits and saw Bei Bitang sitting on the sofa with a dazed look on her face, holding a traditional Chinese version of Bazaar magazine in her hands.
Putting the brown paper bag on the coffee table, Gu Wangxi asked softly, "Have you finished reading it?"
Bei Bitang suddenly came back to her senses and blurted out, "I've finished reading it."
As she spoke, she closed the magazine and placed it on the table.
Gu Wangxi signaled Bei Bitang with his eyes and added, "Freshly baked butter cookies, still steaming hot."
Bei Bitang glanced at the bulging bag, shook her head, and said seriously, "No, Mr. Gu, go take a shower. Eating before exercise is not good for your stomach."
Gu Wangxi was puzzled. It didn't make sense that Bei Bitang didn't want to eat the cookies and stopped him from eating them.
But Gu Wangxi just thought that Bei Bitang was concerned about him. He felt happy in his heart. Looking at the slightly damp hair of Bei Bitang, he said with a smile: "Okay, go to the bedroom and wait for me."
It was still dark and the room was quiet. Bei Bitang could still hear the sound of traffic outside when she listened carefully.
"Summer vacation is coming soon, right?" Gu Wangxi's low voice sounded.
Bei Bitang didn't look back at him. She wiped the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief and said "hmm".
Gu Wangxi sprawled out, the quilt sliding down to his waist. He tapped the bedside table intermittently and asked, "How are you spending your summer vacation? Any plans?"
Bei Bitang took off her light and thin skirt and said casually, "Same as usual, studying at school."
Gu Wangxi paused and said casually, "Why don't you come with me to Beijing? I'm going to Beijing for a meeting, and I have two days of free time during the meeting. I can take you around Beijing. We can take a plane, and someone will arrange it as soon as we land. If you want to study, you can study anytime, anywhere."
Bei Bitang complained enviously in her heart, "Damn capitalism, hedonism."
Beijing, she really wants to go there. If she hasn’t been to the Great Wall, she is not a true man. At least she must go to the Great Wall once in her lifetime.
Bei Bitang said regretfully, "I'm afraid not. I'm going to Guilin to work as a tour guide during the summer vacation. The round trip will take more than half a month, which means I won't have much time left to study."
The light in Gu Wangxi's eyes went out, and the knocking sounds started again.
The silence lasted until Bei Bitang finished getting dressed and fixing her hair.
Gu Wangxi looked at Bei Bitang's graceful back and asked tentatively, "Are you leaving? Then I'll see you when you come back from Guilin?"
Bei Bitang remained silent. She turned around and looked at Gu Wangxi with bright eyes. She asked, "Mr. Gu, can I treat you to a meal?"
Gu Wangxi became interested, moved away from the bed, raised his eyebrows, and said, "Now?"
Bei Bitang smiled and said, "It's best to do it now. If you want to do it later, that's fine too."
What later? The later will take care of itself!
Gu Wangxi quickly threw off the quilt and got out of bed, saying, "No, just today! I'm just hungry."
Bei Bitang blushed and said, "I'm hungry too."
Gu Wangxi said in an ambiguous tone, "How about treating me to a candlelight dinner?"
"Candlelight dinner?" Bei Bitang murmured softly, looking thoughtful.
Gu Wangxi looked at her with a smile.
In fact, Bei Bitang didn’t understand Gu Wangxi’s meaning at all. She was thinking that there seemed to be very few Western restaurants in Shanghai.
After a while, Bei Bitang changed her dazed look and said with renewed energy, "Okay, then, let's have the candlelight dinner! Mr. Gu, hurry up and get dressed. I'll go downstairs and order room service."
Bei Bitang was so excited that she flew away like a light and nimble bird.
Gu Wangxi was neither happy nor unhappy. He shook his head, sighed, picked up his clothes and put them on.
The white gauze curtains were drawn, and all the lights were off. The streetlight across the street looked like a large yellow orange.
The white candles emitted a faint light, and the wind from the balcony blew in, causing the white tablecloth to sway gently.
A waiter wearing a tuxedo, black bow tie, and white gloves came in with a cart, bowed slightly to Bei Bitang and Gu Wangxi, and then picked up the decanted wine.
The red wine was slowly poured into the crystal clear goblet. Gu Wangxi looked at Bei Bitang, whose whole body was tense, winked at the waiter, and then looked at the wine in his hand.
Ask the waiter to charge the drinks separately and put them on his account.
The waiter paused, then blinked at Gu Wangxi, indicating that he understood.
Bei Bitang lowered her eyes, flipped open the menu, glanced at it, then turned to look at Gu Wangxi and said, "You order first."
Gu Wangxi smiled gently in the candlelight, followed her instructions, looked at the menu and said, "Mushroom cream soup, Caesar salad, well-done steak, clam and lobster pasta, tiramisu. Okay, that's it, except for the salad, two of each."
Hearing Gu Wangxi say this, Bei Bitang quickly put down the menu, looking as if she had thrown away a hot potato.
Gu Wangxi couldn't help but laugh.
While waiting for the food, Gu Wangxi took the initiative to say, "You speak English well. Become a tour guide and communicate with foreigners face to face. You can improve further after you come back."
Bei Bitang immediately relaxed when she heard this. She didn't know what was going on. Ever since the lights went out and Gu Wangxi pulled out a chair for her to sit down, she had been inexplicably nervous.
Bei Bitang glanced at the tall candlestick and thought that it was probably because the flame was too close and too hot.
But the air conditioning in the room was clearly on and comfortable.
Bei Bitang smiled happily. The compliment from Gu Wangxi showed that she had worked hard to practice speaking English this year and had made some progress.
Starting with the salad, the dishes were served one by one.
Gu Wangxi thoughtfully found topics to talk about that would make Bei Bitang happy.
Bei Bitang was indeed very happy. She talked a lot and even poured red wine three times.
After eating and drinking, the tables and chairs were removed, the windows were opened for ventilation, and the waiters also brought in flowers and fruit bowls to freshen the indoor air.
Bei Bitang looked at the bill with hazy eyes and wondered to herself, "Why is there no wine charge on it?"
Gu Wangxi said calmly, "The wine is free. The restaurant has these kinds of events from time to time."
Bei Bitang chuckled, a bit silly, and said happily, "Then I've made a profit!"
At just over sixty yuan, it wasn't expensive considering Gu Wangxi's daily expenses for three meals a day. The drinks were actually free, and Bei Bitang didn't feel bad at all; she felt it was well worth it.
Gu Wangxi looked at Bei Bitang holding the bill, looking at it again and again, and said jokingly: "Why, Miss Bei is reluctant to spend money?"
Bei Bitang blushed even more. She hurriedly stuffed the bill into her trouser pocket and explained awkwardly, "I have the habit of keeping accounts."
Gu Wangxi gave a thumbs up and praised, "Good habit."
Bei Bitang's eyes were moving, her lips were bright red, and her face was flushed.
Gu Wangxi asked softly, "Are you going back tonight?"
Bei Bitang thought slowly and realized that returning to the school dormitory reeking of alcohol would have a bad impact.
Bei Bitang waved her hand in the air and said with a puffed mouth: "I'll sleep here tonight. I'll go get my pajamas and take a shower."
After saying that, she stumbled towards the cloakroom with unsteady steps.
Gu Wangxi panicked and rushed over to support her.
Bei Bitang buried her head in Gu Wangxi's chest and rubbed it.
Gu Wangxi looked at the furry head in his arms, his expression darkened, and he said in a low voice: "Comrade Bei, let me help you."
Gu Wangxi hugged Bei Bitang, went to get their pajamas, went into the bathroom, filled the bathtub with water, and turned on the shower.
The bathroom was suddenly filled with mist, and two figures, one tall and lean, the other fair and tender, loomed in the distance.
Bei Bitang obediently let Gu Wangxi do whatever he wanted. She knew that she was naked and not wearing any clothes, but she had become accustomed to Gu Wangxi's breath and did not feel any danger at all.
Instead, because he couldn't stand steadily on the wet floor, he crawled towards Gu Wangxi.
"Hah." Bei Bitang licked her lips and murmured.
Gu Wangxi's eyes were dark. He reached out and stroked Bei Bitang's chin, and said seductively, "Do you want some water?"
Bei Bitang nodded and said obediently, "I do."
Gu Wangxi lowered his head and kissed those crimson lips.
The room was dark, with only the ticking of the alarm clock as the sound.
Bei Bitang took a bath and was then dragged by Gu Wangxi to exercise again. She sweated a lot and the smell of alcohol in her body evaporated.
Bei Bitang felt a chill on her back and whimpered. She reached behind her, but it was empty. She tried to open her eyes, but couldn't. Half asleep, she heard a low voice from the living room. It was exactly what she was looking for.
"...No, you can ask the driver to bring it over. Yes, just leave it to Xiao Huang. I trust Xiao Huang very much. ...No, it's still early, Mom, but it will be here soon..."
Gu Wangxi put down the microphone with a smile and looked out the window. A big full moon was hanging high in the night sky. Tomorrow would be another sunny day.
He turned around and walked into the bedroom with light steps.
As soon as I entered the bedroom, I found that Bei Bitang, who was originally sleeping soundly, looked uneasy and seemed to be about to wake up.
Gu Wangxi threw off his home shoes and fell on the bed. He reached out and took Bei Bitang's thin body into his arms again. He patted her back gently and whispered softly, "Go to sleep."
The familiar atmosphere surrounded her again, Bei Bitang's frown relaxed, and tranquility reappeared on her face.
The light brightened up, and Bei Bitang woke up refreshed.
As soon as I opened my eyes, I saw a smiling face.
"woke up?"
Gu Wangxi's tone was indescribably gentle, and his breath sprayed on Bei Bitang's rosy face.
Bei Bitang left Gu Wangxi's arms in a panic, turned her back to him, and said softly, "Well, did you sleep well last night, Mr. Gu?"
A soft laugh came from behind, with an indescribable mellow magnetism, and also implied a different meaning.
The scenes in the bathroom flashed through Bei Bitang's mind. Her face wrinkled with shame and she really wanted to cover her face.
Seeing that Bei Bitang was silent, Gu Wangxi stopped teasing her. Miss Bei was not someone who could be teased.
He reached out and took out the ring box from under the pillow, handed it over, and said with an unclear expression, "This is for you."
His heart was pounding. Bei Bitang was reading Bazaar magazine last night, and the theme was rings. Bei Bitang should understand what he meant.
Bei Bitang looked back and saw another gift. She reached out to take it, lowered her eyes, and whispered, "Thank you."
Not achieving the expected effect, Gu Wangxi opened his mouth and wanted to say something.
Bei Bitang turned around and opened the drawer of the bedside table. Without even looking at it, she put the ring box in. Inside were gift boxes of various sizes, made of different materials, and similar shapes. Bei Bitang had almost never opened them.
The ring that Gu Wangxi carefully gave away received the same treatment as all the gifts he had given before.
Bei Bitang didn't even know that what she put in was a ring box.
Gu Wangxi, looking dejected, reached for the gum on the bedside table, opened the lid, shook out a piece, tossed it into his mouth, and chewed it vigorously. Ever since he and Bei Bitang became close, he had always had gum on hand.
The refreshing smell of mint stimulated his mouth and nose, and Gu Wangxi felt refreshed. It was nothing, there was still a long way to go.
Gu Wangxi smiled silently, put down his chewing gum, and said to Bei Bitang, "Guilin is a great place, with beautiful scenery. However, there are many mountains, snakes, insects, rats and ants there. You should bring some protective medicine with you."
Bei Bitang also smiled, nodded, and said, "The medicine team leader will have it delivered in advance. If you feel you are missing anything, you can get it yourself in Shanghai. Mr. Gu, don't worry about me. Well, goodbye, Mr. Gu."
Bei Bitang took her things and bowed to Gu Wangxi. She felt that she shouldn't think too much and should just accept the gift.
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