After saying that, he tried to crawl into the house, inwardly crying out: "Oh my god, how terrifying! Is this what the aura of a big shot is like? Acting without anger, making people tremble with fear—it really is real!"
She was careless. Although she knew Gu Zhiyuan was a big shot, perhaps it was because they lived under the same roof every day and were too familiar with each other, or perhaps it was because Gu Zhiyuan had not shown his true colors.
She kept saying that she should respect Gu Zhiyuan as a big shot, but in reality, she never really respected him and just treated him like a good brother.
In retrospect, it seems that Gu Zhiyuan had toned down his sharp edges and had been tolerant and accommodating towards her.
When Gu Zhiyuan wanted to be approachable, she naturally couldn't sense any difference between them.
But when Gu Zhiyuan revealed a bit of his sharpness, she suddenly realized that this was the true strength and true nature of the big boss.
For the first time, Xu Ningyan felt a pang of regret. Perhaps she shouldn't have gone to such lengths to cultivate a closer relationship with the powerful figure in order to gain his protection in the future.
Now that things have come to this, it's too late to regret it.
Gu Zhiyuan's initial anger turned into boundless regret upon seeing Xu Ningyan's pale face and bewildered gaze.
He couldn't help but smile wryly. Why should he bother arguing with a little girl? She was still young after all. She had grown up in the Tuanjie Brigade since birth. Although she had recently gone to the county town a few times for work, she would only stay for a few days at most before returning.
This sudden decision to leave the place where she was born and raised would frighten even the strongest and most capable girl.
Moreover, the little girl probably took to heart what the commune member said earlier.
She was just a young girl, all alone and helpless. Staying in the brigade, in this familiar place, she probably felt more secure.
If she actually went to the county town, she must have been filled with anxiety and fear.
Just talk to her nicely, why scare her?
If you really scare people, won't you just feel sorry for them?
With a sigh, Gu Zhiyuan grabbed Xu Ningyan's arm and softened his tone: "Of course, what you said makes sense! I'll only know how the machinery factory has arranged things and what the situation is like when I get there."
"Moreover, whether Sun Zhou helps find a house or vacates a house and renovates it, it's not something that can be done in a few days."
"I'll go to the county town first. Once I've reported for duty, secured a stable job, and taken care of things like housing, I'll come back to pick you up, okay?"
Xu Ningyan blinked and looked at Gu Zhiyuan, not reacting for a moment.
I haven't even said anything yet, why are you changing your mind now, boss? Are you kidding me!
Looking at the little girl in front of him, who was still in a daze, Gu Zhiyuan felt a surge of tenderness and couldn't help but reach out and pinch Xu Ningyan's involuntarily puffed-up cheek. His voice became even gentler: "I was a bit harsh with my tone just now, did I scare you? It was my fault! I promise I'll never do that again. Don't be angry with me, okay?"
Xu Ningyan looked at Gu Zhiyuan suspiciously, and couldn't help but reach out and touch his forehead. Was the big boss just possessed by an evil spirit?
Gu Zhiyuan saw through Xu Ningyan's thoughts at a glance and laughed in exasperation.
I was about to let go after gently pinching her cheek, but then a wicked thought crossed my mind, and I grabbed both cheeks with both hands and gave them a quick tug.
Xu Ningyan could hardly believe it. Gu Zhiyuan, you're such a big shot!
Pinching a girl's cheek, what kind of person does that?
Under Xu Ningyan's strongly condemning gaze, Gu Zhiyuan came to his senses. His fingers felt smooth and slippery, and he couldn't help but pinch them again.
Xu Ningyan could no longer hold back. She slapped Gu Zhiyuan's hand away, took several steps back, and glared at Gu Zhiyuan warily.
Gu Zhiyuan looked at the red finger marks on Xu Ningyan's cheek, the warm and slippery touch of his fingers still lingering on her skin. He couldn't help but purse his lips, subtly curling his fingers into his palm, and a blush crept up his ear tips.
He forced himself to remain calm and was about to say something.
Someone knocked on the door again: "Comrade Gu, is Comrade Gu home?"
The voice was unfamiliar; it was Mandarin, but with a slight accent.
Gu Zhiyuan and Xu Ningyan exchanged a glance, and the ambiguous atmosphere from before instantly vanished.
Xu Ningyan silently mouthed, "Are you an educated youth?"
Gu Zhiyuan nodded, gesturing for Xu Ningyan to go inside while he opened the door.
Xu Ningyan rubbed her cheeks, glared at Gu Zhiyuan, and went inside.
Gu Zhiyuan then agreed and opened the courtyard gate. Sure enough, the educated youth outside were from the educated youth settlement.
There were five or six people, men and women, pushing and shoving each other, all standing at the door, not daring to take a step forward.
Gu Zhiyuan knew without a doubt why these educated youths had come to see him, and he had no intention of letting them into the courtyard. He blocked the entrance and coldly asked, "Who are you?"
One of the male educated youths was pushed to the front by everyone and hurriedly introduced himself: "Comrade Gu, we are all educated youths at the duty station. I am the leader of the educated youth station. My name is Xia Wei. You can just call me Xiao Xia."
Then he introduced the names of the educated youth behind him.
Gu Zhiyuan listened to their introductions without saying a word, simply looking at them.
Xia Wei naturally sensed Gu Zhiyuan's unwelcome attitude, but in order to get information, he still forced a smile and made small talk: "Comrade Gu, it's like this, we are all educated youth from Beijing and the northern provinces. We heard about your rehabilitation, Comrade Gu. First, we want to congratulate you, and second, we want to ask you about something."
The families of these former educated youths, or their relatives and friends, all had members who had been sent down to the countryside.
Previously, all I knew was that those who were sent to the countryside had no hope of being exonerated and could only suffer in the countryside.
Now that they have finally seen someone exonerated, it's like seeing the light of dawn in the dark night. Naturally, they can't sit still and want to find out the truth and see if they can help their family members.
Gu Zhiyuan knew their purpose, of course. It was only because of his special circumstances that he was able to be exonerated. If it were someone else, it would probably be difficult.
Therefore, Xia Wei rambled on for a long time, talking nonsense to build up their so-called relationship, before finally asking about the details.
Before he could finish speaking, Gu Zhiyuan cut him off: "I don't know what happened, nor do I know if there have been any changes in the policies in Beijing. I've had no contact with Beijing since I was sent down to the countryside. I was quite surprised to suddenly receive the exoneration document!"
After a pause, he said, "That's all I can tell you! I don't know anything else!"
It's a sign that they're seeing the guests off.
Xia Wei was alright; his expression didn't betray him yet. But the other educated youths following behind, their hopes dashed, immediately became agitated: "Comrade Gu, how can you be like this? We didn't make any unreasonable demands. We just wanted to ask you about the policies in Beijing. If you're not going to tell us, then don't. Why are you pretending not to know?"
"You know nothing, yet you claim to be exonerated? Who are you trying to fool?"
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