Chapter 78. Chapter 78. They came to ask for my reward.
The two chatted for a while longer before reluctantly hanging up the phone, as Gu Sui had been called away. Shang Shu stared blankly for a moment before deciding to go find Lin Lang to get to the bottom of things.
"Did you do it?"
"Yes, I did it."
"Is this what you meant by not going to count last time?"
Shang Shu, the warrior of pure love, was deeply shocked.
It wasn't so much that she was shocked by this particular pattern—after all, she'd heard of even more outrageous ones—that she was shocked that it happened to Lin Lang, someone who was even a little aggrieved when his first kiss was stolen.
Although Shang Shu and Gu Sui started dating in Aicheng, they progressed step by step, from secret crushes to confessions, holding hands, hugging, and kissing. Unexpectedly, it was Lin Lang and Gu Xiangyi who made a big move right under their noses.
Looking at Lin Lang with the same gaze he gave her as if he were an ancient relic, Shang Shurun said, "Let's not talk about anything else. Can I ask you something first?"
Lin Lang glanced at her sideways without saying a word, implying that she should spit it out.
"Which one of you is the one on top?" Shang Shu blinked, looking innocent and eager to learn.
"she."
"Huh?" Shang Shu tried her best to hold back her laughter. She felt like she was about to suffer internal injuries from holding it in, and her voice was trembling slightly. "Lin Manman, you're a bottom for love?"
It's so surreal, the two of them didn't even have the same number.
"How dare you laugh at me? Isn't your Dr. Gu the same?" Lin Lang was speechless, grabbed a cushion and threw it at her. "This is called balance, you know? Otherwise, if the Gu family suddenly has two zeros, it would make us look like we're bullying them."
After listening, Shang Shu actually felt that there was some truth to it, but she knew that Lin Lang was talking nonsense, so she asked, "Seriously, what do you really think?"
They were friends with benefits, but their relationship seemed quite innocent. However, Lin Lang said it wasn't a real relationship, which left Shang Shu a bit confused.
Lin Lang twirled her hair with her fingers, her thoughts drifting back to the foot of Mount Fuji.
It was another harp performance. This time, Gu Xiangyi extended the invitation on Christmas Eve. Lin Lang knew it was just an excuse, but she accepted anyway and even took him to her house. A romantic day, a romantic place—both of them knew something might happen, and that's exactly what happened.
That night, the two opened a bottle of wine, ostensibly to celebrate Gu Xiangyi's successful completion of another audition. Later, when the atmosphere was right, Gu Xiangyi took the initiative, and she didn't refuse, because she could sense that this reason made them both a little unhappy.
The process was wonderful. Lin Lang discovered that the little white rabbit was actually quite wild, which she found very interesting and made her want to learn more about this girl and take things further.
Even the most impulsive person can have moments of hesitation and timidity. Lin Lang knew that while his body could take it a step further, other aspects of his health were not up to par.
She had sensed Gu Xiangyi's resistance to going abroad and knew that it was mostly because of her. She could no longer be an accomplice. She didn't want to be a stumbling block to Gu Xiangyi's studies, nor did she want to prevent Gu Xiangyi from seeing a richer world, especially the world of emotions. So she had to slow down first, before she got too deeply involved.
The result was that the next morning, she acted like a heartless woman, staring into Gu Xiangyi's shy eyes and asking, "What? Are you going to take responsibility for me again?"
Gu Xiangyi got angry, her eyes red, and for the first time called her by her full name, asking, "Lin Lang, what do you take me for?"
Lin Lang then realized that a rabbit biting when cornered can really hurt. She quickly chased after him, explaining somewhat flusteredly that she didn't mean to belittle his feelings and emotions, but simply wanted to make the relationship more flexible.
"I like you and I'm willing to explore things with you and do things we want to do, but could you give us a little more time? Let's stay like this for now. If you still like me when you come back from your vacation next year, then we can talk about other things, okay?"
Gu Xiangyi bit her lip and remained silent, so Lin Lang had no choice but to say again, "Because I really hate breaking up, I want us to think things through more clearly before making a decision about our relationship."
It sounded like she was inviting the other person to have a relationship that would last forever, but she didn't think that much about it at the time.
"You broke up with him?" Gu Xiangyi finally spoke.
“No,” Lin Lang hesitated, “but I have seen him.”
So Lin Lang said to the person on the sofa whom he had "met" before, "I don't want to rush into a relationship like this, like making her sign a contract of servitude. She hasn't even seen the full spectrum of the world yet. Who sets their mind on things at eighteen?"
"Me," Shang Shu said softly.
Lin Lang paused, her hand still holding the end of her hair, and clicked her tongue: "Not an isolated case."
Shang Shu rolled her eyes at her, tossed the cushion back at her, and teased, "I'm going to Sister Gu Qi's house for dinner on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year. Is there anything I need to say or give her as a token of my affection?"
"Hongyan, you are?" Lin Lang heard her smugness and replied with a smile.
As the Lunar New Year approached, several of Lin's relatives from abroad returned, making the large house even more lively. Lin Lang played with sparklers in the garden with his little cousin and niece. Shang Shu, who wasn't very good at interacting with children, sat on a chair to the side and watched, thinking of Gu Sui amidst the fireworks.
Amidst the chorus of "Happy New Year" greetings from everyone, Shang Shu took out her phone and sent a message to Gu Sui. However, she waited for a long time without receiving a reply. It would be a lie to say she wasn't disappointed, but she knew that Gu Sui was busy, so she stayed a little longer before deciding to go back to her room to rest, hoping that if she could video chat with Gu Sui later that night.
At 12:50, Shang Shu was about to take a shower when she suddenly received a call from Gu Sui.
"Ah Shu, come downstairs."
Those few words made the fireworks in Shang Shu's heart soar even higher than what she had just seen. She didn't even have time to worry about the half-undone buttons on her collar. She hurriedly tidied herself up, put on her coat, and ran downstairs.
As soon as she stepped outside, Shang Shu saw Gu Sui standing by the car not far away. She wasn't wearing a coat, but the one Shang Shu had picked out for her before she left: a half-open burgundy knit sweater and black wide-leg jeans that made her long legs blend into the night. Shang Shu couldn't describe how beautiful she looked; she just felt that Gu Sui had stolen her heart and soul.
"Why are you here?" Shang Shu didn't care if anyone was watching, she ran over and threw herself into Gu Sui's arms, her eyes reddening.
It still has that pleasant scent of white moss, and even with a hint of smoke and alcohol, it's enough to dispel the grievances and longing I felt earlier.
"Come and ask for my reward." Gu Sui hugged her back and kissed Shang Shu's earlobe, which was covered by her long hair.
"Here, take it with you." Shang Shu couldn't resist any longer; she really wanted to kiss her.
The two sat in the back seat and couldn't help but kiss passionately. The brief separation was more agonizing than anything else. Shang Shu knew this, and Gu Sui knew it too. That's why she specially drove a five-seater Cullinan. There was no obstructive center console, only a starry sky roof. With the firecrackers and fireworks outside, they could use the things they hadn't used before to their heart's content.
"Don't rush." Gu Sui chuckled lightly, panting, noticing that the little girl was almost sweating with anxiety.
"If I'd known, I shouldn't have chosen these pants for you," Shang Shu said gruffly, continuing her struggle with the pants.
The wet wipes were tossed aside. Gu Sui saw Shang Shu tear open two at once, took a small breath, and grasped her wrist: "Shu... we still have to drive later."
Shang Shu wasn't in a hurry anymore. She slowly finished, then leaned close to her ear and whispered sweetly, "You can do it."
I want to fill my heart, which has been hollowed out by longing, a little more.
Shang Shu didn't dare to drag things out too long, because Gu Sui had to get up early the next day to pay respects to his ancestors, and she already felt bad that he had to make such a late trip. So after they had eaten and drunk their fill, the two lingered for a while, and then Shang Shu let him leave with tears in her eyes.
Before going to bed, Shang Shu received another call from Gu Sui. She snuggled under the covers, answering with a mix of excitement and confusion: "What's up?"
"You haven't wished me a Happy New Year yet." Gu Sui's voice was soft, tinged with a hint of sorrow.
Shang Shu hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said, "Is that all?"
Gu Sui didn't speak on the other end of the phone.
"Then why didn't you tell me?" Shang Shu was overjoyed, both on her face and in her heart, because she sensed something else and knew that Gu Sui actually missed her.
"Happy New Year," Gu Sui said slowly.
"Anything else?" Shang Shu changed her position, lying flat and staring at the ceiling. She wanted to hear Gu Sui speak first.
She heard Gu Sui's soft breath, followed by a feather-like whisper: "I miss you so much, I love you so much."
Shang Shu slowly brushed her eyelashes twice, feeling her heart go silent for a few seconds, before she spoke with a slight delay: "Me too."
"Go to sleep quickly, you'll have to get up soon." She sniffed slightly, knowing that if she continued, she would start to cry.
"Um."
Happy New Year, Gu Sui, goodnight.
"good evening."
Neither of them hung up or spoke again. Shang Shu placed her phone on her pillow, close to her ear, and listened to Gu Sui's steady breathing before gradually falling asleep.
When Shang Shu woke up again, it was already past ten in the morning. She didn't know when the phone call had ended, but instead received a message from Gu Sui around six o'clock: "Sleep well."
Shang Shu felt a warm glow in her heart.
The Lin family had to go out to visit relatives and offer New Year's greetings in the afternoon, and Shang Shu should be heading back by now. Lin Lang followed her to the car, pointed to two identical cars, and told her to choose one.
"?" Shang Shu looked puzzled.
"I was asked to come in another car to escort you," Lin Lang cleared his throat and imitated, "This is what they said: A-Shu is shy and embarrassed to trouble people. Sending the Gu family's car is not very convenient, so she asked me to make sure that someone takes you home safely. If I didn't have something to do later, I would have gone for a walk with you by the waterfront."
Shang Shu felt a warmth in her heart. She really hadn't expected Gu Sui to be so considerate of her. She smiled and thanked Lin Lang.
"Don't be so polite with me. Just don't say anything bad about me when we go out for dinner on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year," Lin Lang said as she shooed her to the car.
Back at the waterfront, Shang Shu sent Gu Sui a message saying she had arrived home.
When Gu Sui had free time, he came out of the ancestral hall and stood outside to reply.
"Ah Sui, what are you doing standing here?" Zhou Ling came out from inside.
"Hmm." Gu Sui quickly suppressed his smile, put his phone away, and said nothing.
Zhou Ling pulled her large shawl tighter and glanced at her: "You look so listless."
Since Zhao Min's incident, the mother and daughter haven't had much of a chance to talk. The last time they saw Gu Sui come back to welcome her aunt, he disappeared in a flash.
Gu Sui put his hands in his coat pockets and stared at his toes: "You got up too early."
Zhou Ling gave a soft "oh" and then reached out to brush the incense ash off Gu Sui's clothes.
Gu Sui took a small step back and brushed himself off twice.
Faced with this aloofness, Zhou Ling awkwardly withdrew her hand, but only briefly. She straightened her back, put on her elegant, aristocratic air again, and asked, "Did you go out last night?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Sui lowered his eyes and put his hands back into his pockets: "Yes, I went back to the waterfront."
“There’s nothing we don’t need at home, and we still have to go back,” Zhou Ling said, seemingly asking but not really, then brushed her eyebrows a couple of times to distance herself from the situation, and continued, “It’s your aunt. She’s still awake around 2 or 3 a.m., and she said she saw you come back.”
Gu Sui narrowed her eyes slightly and looked up at Zhou Ling. Her aunt had returned a week before Christmas, and she wondered which time zone she was in to be back so late.
However, she didn't expose him. She just turned her head to the side, looked at the rising incense smoke, and made up some nonsense with Zhou Ling: "Well, I need to use my computer for something."
"So urgent?" Zhou Ling said indifferently, without saying anything more. She only asked a couple more questions about Gu Qi as usual. Just then, the banquet started inside, and the two returned to their seats one after the other.
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