Chapter 34: Fortune Favors the Simplehearted

Lin Youqi sighed softly. Ah, fools are blessed with good fortune. Although Gu Zehuai hadn’t said anything, Lin Youqi was certain his intuition was right. After all, having known Gu Zehuai for so many years, he understood his character well.

The four of them went to the underground parking lot and drove their own cars back to the city. It was only a little after six when they arrived, and they parted ways.

Lin Lehan clung to Lin Youqi, insisting he accompany him to stroll along the snack street near the school. Lin Youqi could only agree with a helpless nod.

Pei Yi, hounded by his parents, hurried home to have dinner.

Meanwhile, Gu Zehuai drove straight back to the old family residence.

Inside, the household was just setting the table, everyone preparing to sit down for dinner. Gu Zehuai entered and greeted everyone in turn.

Old Madam Gu’s face lit up with obvious delight at her grandson’s return, though she couldn’t resist a complaint: “I thought you’d forgotten about this old woman.”

Gu Zehuai could only respond with a helpless smile. His grandmother’s sharp tongue was as lively as ever.

His mother quickly soothed Old Madam Gu and gently led her to her seat at the table. The family sat down to eat.

At the side, Gu Yulin was quietly eating his meal. After a while, he looked up at Gu Zehuai, his large eyes filled with anticipation.

“Uncle, can I stay at your apartment with you tonight? I miss Sister Jiujou and want to play with her.”

Gu Zehuai was caught off guard. He hadn’t expected that Yulin wanted to stay over because of Wen Jiu. After a pause, he gently explained, “How about next weekend? Tomorrow’s Monday, Aunt Jiujou has to go to work, and we shouldn’t trouble her.”

He still used the term “aunt,” because in his mind, calling her “sister” would only widen the gap between them, making it seem as if they belonged to different generations.

Although a little disappointed, Gu Yulin was sensible. He nodded obediently. “Alright, I understand. Then you have to come pick me up next weekend, Uncle.”

With that, he went back to eating quietly.

Across the table, the other three—especially Old Madam Gu and Madam Gu—exchanged glances, as though they had reached a tacit understanding.

Old Madam Gu picked up a piece of meat with the public chopsticks and placed it in Gu Zehuai’s bowl, asking offhandedly, “Zehuai, how are you and Jiujou getting along? She’s a young woman living alone in an apartment. Since you two are neighbors, you should take good care of her.”

The moment he heard the first half of her sentence, Gu Zehuai knew this was no ordinary question. Sure enough, the latter half was a subtle hint—he and Wen Jiu lived close by, so he should seize the opportunity.

In his heart, Gu Zehuai silently agreed. They did live close, and he certainly needed to look after her. But the prerequisite was that he actually had the right to do so!

His thoughts circled for a while before he finally replied to Old Madam Gu.

“We’re getting along well, Grandma. You don’t need to worry so much—just take care of your health. If anything happens, I’ll report to you right away, alright?”

At these words, both Old Madam Gu and Madam Gu broke into smiles. If Zehuai was willing to say that, there must be something going on—otherwise, he would never speak so readily.

Gu Zehuai could only resign himself to his fate, knowing he’d never escape their persistent urging. Though he had feelings he wanted to act upon, he still needed more time to get closer to Wen Jiu—he was afraid of frightening her off if he rushed things.

After dinner, Gu Zehuai chose not to stay at the old residence, returning instead to his apartment.

Once home, he took a shower before getting to work. Only when he put away his laptop and prepared for bed did he pick up his phone.

Opening his social media feed, the very first post was Wen Jiu’s nine-photo collage. All the pictures were taken at the hot spring hotel—some showed them barbecuing, others were group selfies with her colleagues, and there was one of Wen Jiu by herself.

Almost without thinking, Gu Zehuai clicked on Wen Jiu’s selfie first, and saved it to his phone.