Gu Chengfeng lay quietly to one side, his thoughts drifting back to those years.
"That year, I was fourteen years old, and my neighbor's little sister, Bai Siyuan, was thirteen and had just started junior high school."
"Back then, a group of us girls and boys from the compound went to Jingshan Park to play. We were pushing and shoving each other when a hoodlum bumped into us."
"That thug was from the Shichahai area. He wasn't very old, only fifteen or sixteen. He was just a small leader. He took a liking to Bai Siyuan at first sight and deliberately came after her, trying to force her to date him."
"Siyuan was definitely not willing. This guy took advantage of the crowd and didn't pay attention, and started touching Siyuan inappropriately. I couldn't stand it, so I went up and hit him on the head with a stick!"
As Gu Chengfeng spoke, his Beijing accent began to emerge.
Shen Sisi knew he had always been very loyal, but she didn't expect him to be so brave at only fourteen years old, willing to go to great lengths for his friends.
“I started it, and my group of kids from the compound followed closely behind. We were all fighting. I remember there were seven or eight of us on our side and nearly ten on their side. The fight was incredibly fierce, and we were finally pulled apart by the patrol team.”
"You know how it ended. We were all under 18, and the police couldn't do anything about it. They gave us a warning and then let us go home."
“At that time, my dad was furious. He wouldn’t listen to my explanation at all. He picked up a weapon and started hitting me. In a fit of anger, he sent me to my aunt’s house in Lin County.”
Gu Chengfeng was clearly willing to go to great lengths for his friends and stand up for them, but somehow the rumor spread that he was jealous of Bai Siyuan because of her.
After listening to this, Chen Sisi was also deeply saddened; the spread of misinformation was truly terrifying.
"So, you and Bai Siyuan really have nothing going on?" Shen Sisi asked.
Gu Chengfeng nervously hummed in agreement: "Really not!"
Without realizing it, a faint smile appeared on Shen Sisi's lips as she muttered, "That's good..."
Gu Chengfeng's hand quietly moved closer from under the covers, hooking her little finger: "So... you've agreed to have a wedding?"
Sisi gave a soft "Mmm," and before Gu Chengfeng could say anything, she shyly burrowed under the covers and said, "Go to sleep."
She slept soundly that night, as did Gu Chengfeng, so much so that he woke up late.
When Chen Sisi woke up, Gu Chengfeng was still lying in bed.
She rolled over and accidentally touched something strange. She shuddered in fright. This was...
After realizing what it was, Chen Sisi's face flushed red.
Didn't Gu Chengfeng say he was no good? Was he lying to her?
Noticing something amiss, Gu Chengfeng woke up with a start.
"Awake?" His languid voice carried a hint of weariness, alluring without his own awareness.
As Chen Sisi hesitated over how to start the conversation, Gu Chengfeng glanced at his watch beside his pillow: "We're going to be late!"
He sprang to his feet and quickly got dressed: "Sisi, you sleep a little longer, I'm going now."
Just before leaving, Gu Chengfeng seemed to remember something and turned back to say, "The person who handles the formalities will come to your house later."
Sisi nodded blankly, still shrouded in shock, unable to recover for a long time.
Looking at Gu Chengfeng's energetic back, could it be that he really was lying to her?
After Gu Chengfeng left, Shen Sisi stayed in bed for a while, guessing that the people who were handling the procedures should be arriving soon, so she got up and washed up.
I had just finished breakfast when there was a knock on the door.
"Excuse me, is this Commander Gu's house?"
Chen Sisi hurriedly opened the door: "Coming!"
She opened the door, and standing outside was a thin, frail boy, not very old, but with bright and sharp eyes.
"Sister, my name is Jinshan. Commander Gu asked me to come and help you with the formalities. You must be Commander Gu's wife!" The young man was quite charming and outgoing.
Chen Sisi nodded and invited him in for a cup of tea, but he waved his hand and said, "Thank you, sister. Let's hurry up and get the formalities done. I'll invite you for tea after we're done."
He has a very cheerful personality, and he is clearly a capable and efficient person who doesn't fuss over details.
"Xiao Jin, I'm sorry for the delay. What do you need me to prepare?"
Jinshan came prepared, providing a list: "Just bring these documents and come with me."
After some thought, I realized that Jinshan is quite meticulous.
"good!"
After a moment of reflection, she took her ID and money and went out with Jinshan.
First, go to Cotton Lane to find Old Zhang, then we'll go together to complete the formalities.
With Jinshan's expert guidance, the procedures were completed in just one morning. Holding the business license and the land use certificate for the plot of land, I felt like I was in a dream.
"Thank you, Xiao Jin, and thank you, old man!" Shen Sisi insisted on treating the two of them to a meal at a restaurant.
"How about we go eat hot pot?" Chen Sisi suggested.
Jinshan didn't want to refuse her kindness, so he volunteered, saying that he knew a lamb restaurant where the meat was tender, fresh, and reasonably priced.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Chen Sisi put all the paperwork into her backpack and led the group to a restaurant.
As they enjoyed the delicious, steaming hot pot of mutton, the group gradually started chatting.
It turns out that Jinshan was also a man with a hard life. He was unloved by his parents since childhood and had to start making a living at a very young age. He was considered a know-it-all in Jiangcheng. If you had any questions, just ask him.
Moreover, he knew Cao Hua, Dong Xiaojiang, Wang Xiaodao, and even Cheng Biao had dealt with him.
Shen Sisi was amazed by Jinshan's resilience and also felt sorry for his hardships.
Jinshan is not old, but he lives a very carefree life. He raised his glass and said, "Sister Sisi, what's the big deal? It's all in the past. As the saying goes, 'A light boat has already passed ten thousand mountains.' There is no hurdle in life that cannot be overcome."
"My parents don't love me, so I'll love myself. I don't have a home, so I'll build one myself. What's wrong with that..."
Shen Sisi admired his attitude, so carefree and sunny. She also raised her glass, but this time she was drinking Arctic Ocean soda: "Jinshan, your attitude is really great. Nowadays, many people give up after encountering a little setback. There aren't many people like you who can let go so quickly and forge ahead bravely."
Old Zhang smiled and looked at the two of them, saying, "With this kind of dedication, anything is possible!"
"Oh, old man, I appreciate your kind words!"
The three clinked glasses, gazed thoughtfully at the rising bubbles in the glass bottle, and then took a big gulp.
Jinshan downed the wine in his glass in one gulp, then put down the glass, wiped his mouth, and his eyes revealed a kind of worldly wisdom.
At this moment, Old Zhang put down his cup and said with a serious face, "Comrade Chen, don't forget what you promised me. My old buddies are all waiting for you to call them to start work!"
He pondered for a moment and asked him where his old friends were and how to contact them.
Old Zhang gave a name: "Go find Old Li in Cotton Lane, he'll make the arrangements for you."
Upon hearing "Old Li," Jinshan immediately asked, "Is he the one with the big black mole on his face?"
Old Zhang nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, that's him."
Jinshan slapped his thigh: "I know this person, Sister Sisi, I'll go and make the contact for you!"
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