Gu Yunxi shook her head firmly, a hint of stubbornness in her eyes, as if silently expressing her stance. "Really, it's not necessary, He Siyan," her voice was gentle yet firm, "It's what I should do, after all, I misunderstood you."
He Siyan looked at Gu Yunxi, a hint of helplessness and doting in his eyes, a warm smile playing on his lips. "Alright, since you insist," his voice held a relaxed compromise, "then let's try another way. Tomorrow, still this restaurant, I'll treat you to dinner, how about that?"
Before Gu Yunxi could respond, Qian Ziyi jumped up excitedly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation and her face beaming with undisguised joy. "Great! Great!" her voice was clear and energetic. "Then we'll be there at five o'clock tomorrow!"
He Siyan smiled and nodded, a hint of appreciation and friendliness in his eyes. "Then it's settled. See you at five." His words carried an undeniable decisiveness.
The three said their goodbyes in a friendly atmosphere and turned to leave. Those left behind exchanged glances, and one of them said, half-jokingly, "This young lady, Gu, seems to be single. Old He, why don't you give her a try?"
He Siyan's smile remained, but a hint of contemplation and hesitation flickered in his eyes. He didn't answer immediately, but pondered silently. In his eyes, although Gu Yunxi was already seventeen or eighteen, she was still, in his heart, that little girl who needed care and protection.
His heart was filled with complex emotions, a mixture of concern and affection for Gu Yunxi, and confusion and hesitation about this sudden suggestion. He knew that their relationship was more than just that of instructor and classmate, but he also understood that he needed to handle this delicate emotion with greater care.
The following afternoon, sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains into the cozy living room. Gu Yunxi and her younger sister, Gu Yuanzhi, were lazily nestled on the sofa, enjoying a rare moment of leisure. Laughter occasionally drifted from the television program, but Gu Yunxi's attention wasn't entirely on the screen.
Suddenly, the silence was broken by the ringing of the phone. It was Qian Ziyi calling. "Xiao Xixi, hurry up and head out! We'll be waiting for you at our usual spot!" Her excited and hurried voice came from the other end of the line, as if something exciting was about to happen.
Gu Yunxi was slightly taken aback, and couldn't help but wonder why Qian Ziyi was so excited. But she quickly replied, "I'll be right there." As she spoke, she stood up, walked towards the dressing room, took off her casual home clothes, and changed into her outdoor attire.
Gu Yuanzhi noticed her sister's actions and asked curiously, "Sis, where are you going?" Gu Yunxi turned around with a relaxed smile on her face, "A friend is treating me to hot pot, do you want to come?"
Gu Yuanzhi's eyes lit up, but then dimmed again. "Is it Sister Ziyi and Brother Jingang?" she asked, her tone filled with anticipation. Lu Jingang had grown up with them, and with Ning Mei and Xia Liang's connections, the children were quite familiar with each other.
Gu Yunxi shook her head. "They didn't invite me, but they're here too. Do you want to go?" Gu Yuanzhi thought for a moment, then replied with some disappointment, "If there are other people, then forget it."
Seeing that her sister wasn't going, Gu Yunxi didn't say much. She just patted her shoulder gently, then turned around, picked up her coat and keys, and prepared to leave.
When the three of them met at the hot pot restaurant, the warm atmosphere and lively ambiance immediately enveloped them. He Siyan and the others were already there, sitting by the window. The street scene outside and the restaurant's lights intertwined, creating a warm and pleasant atmosphere.
After everyone was seated, He Siyan smiled and handed the menu to Gu Yunxi, "You can order now." His voice carried a hint of the host's generosity and enthusiasm.
Gu Yunxi didn't stand on ceremony. She took the menu, quickly scanned it, and tapped a few times to select several dishes she liked. A satisfied smile appeared on her face, clearly showing her anticipation for the food she was about to enjoy.
After ordering her own food, Gu Yunxi handed the menu to the others, indicating that they should also order what they liked.
The others also took the menus and began ordering their favorite dishes. The hot pot restaurant was soon filled with laughter and chatter, the atmosphere very harmonious.
The meal was a great success, with everyone enjoying themselves immensely. The hot pot was steaming, and various ingredients were bubbling in the broth, releasing an enticing aroma. While savoring the delicious hot pot, everyone chatted, sharing anecdotes and snippets of their lives.
Seeing everyone's happy faces, Gu Yunxi felt a sense of warmth and satisfaction. This gathering not only allowed everyone to enjoy delicious food, but also enhanced their friendship and understanding.
After dinner, night had fallen, and soft snowflakes began to drift down, adding a touch of romance to the winter night. He Siyan stood up and politely offered to take Gu Yunxi home, to which she smiled and nodded without refusing.
The two walked side by side on the snow-covered street, the snow crunching softly under their feet, accompanying their light steps. He Siyan would occasionally glance at Gu Yunxi, his eyes filled with concern.
When they arrived at Gu Yunxi's courtyard, He Siyan stopped, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "You live here?" His voice carried a trace of disbelief.
Gu Yunxi nodded gently, "Yes, what's wrong?" Her voice was calm, but her eyes revealed a hint of curiosity.
He Siyan smiled and said, "No wonder I noticed during military training that your movements were so precise. I knew then that there must be someone in your family who was in the military." His words were tinged with admiration and respect.
Gu Yunxi felt a little embarrassed when she thought about how she had misunderstood He Siyan. She said softly, "My father is a soldier." There was a hint of pride in her voice.
He Siyan nodded. "No wonder." There was a hint of understanding in his voice.
Then he added, "My grandparents also live here." This time it was Gu Yunxi's turn to be surprised. "That's quite a coincidence," she said, her voice filled with delight.
He Siyan smiled and said, "Yes, it seems we're quite destined to meet." His words carried a hint of ease and joy.
The two walked directly into the courtyard. He Siyan watched Gu Yunxi enter the house before turning to leave. His figure left a trail of deep footprints in the snow, which gradually blurred as the snowflakes fell.
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