Chapter 81: A Match Made in Heaven

The three of them drank together the entire night. None were truly drunk, yet their heads were spinning. When Pei Yi saw the newcomer, he thought at first he was mistaken. But upon taking a closer look, he was certain.

Seven years had passed, and Lu Qingli's appearance had changed little. He seemed more mature now, his bearing sharper and colder. When Lin Youqi recognized him, he glanced at Gu Zehuai, quietly observing his reaction.

Gu Zehuai’s expression was calm and unreadable, betraying nothing of his thoughts. Seeing this, Lin Youqi finally relaxed, reassured by the lack of any unusual reaction.

From the moment Lu Qingli noticed the three of them, his gaze stayed fixed on Gu Zehuai. His eyes were filled with complicated emotions, feelings that outsiders would find hard to fathom. Lu Qingli did not greet them; instead, he stepped aside, making way for the three.

They said nothing and left without looking back.

To this day, Pei Yi and Lin Youqi still could not understand Lu Qingli’s motives back then. If it had been for the family business, they knew him well enough to be certain he wasn’t that kind of person. But if it was because of Xu Xinying, why would he help her win over Gu Zehuai? Could he have loved her so much that he was willing to do anything for her?

Unable to make sense of it, the two chose not to dwell. After all, what was done was done; no amount of searching for answers could change the past or return them to that time. Most importantly, Ah Huai was doing well now—there was no need for old wounds to trouble him.

Each of the three called for a driver and went their separate ways.

Once home, Gu Zehuai made himself a cup of honey water to sober up. But he simply sat at the dining table, holding the cup, unmoving for a long while.

The same questions that puzzled Lin Youqi and Pei Yi also troubled him, yet now, he no longer let such things disturb his peace. After a long while, he shook off his thoughts, raised the cup, and drank the honey water in one gulp.

At that moment, his phone vibrated. When he looked down and saw the message, a smile blossomed on his face.

It was Wen Jiu: [What are you doing?]

Gu Zehuai immediately started a video call. Wen Jiu answered quickly, appearing on the other end of the line in long-sleeved pajamas, lying on her bed, smiling at him.

Gu Zehuai smiled as well, his voice low and husky. “Jiujiu, it’s only been two days, but I already miss you so much.”

Noticing the faint blush on his cheeks, and recalling that he’d asked her earlier if she wanted to go out for drinks, Wen Jiu guessed he must have been drinking.

“Have you been drinking? You’re so clingy tonight.”

Gu Zehuai shook his head. “I’m not drunk. I just really missed you.”

Wen Jiu believed him then—after all, she had seen how he acted when he truly was drunk.

“Yes, I believe you’re sober. I’ve seen you when you’re really drunk,” she teased.

Gu Zehuai sobered up even more at that. He honestly had no memory of what he’d done the last time he drank too much.

“Jiujiu, you never told me. I didn’t do anything too embarrassing, did I?”

Wen Jiu laughed. “No, nothing like that. Oh, let’s not talk about it. I’ll be back at the apartment tomorrow.”

Only then did Gu Zehuai let go of the matters that had been troubling him, his mood brightening once more.

———

The next evening, Gu Zehuai left work on time and drove to Jingyan to pick Wen Jiu up. When he opened the passenger door for her, some colleagues from the design department, also just off work, happened to witness the scene.

Unsurprisingly, the design department’s employee group chat quickly erupted with heated discussion.

[Designer Wen’s boyfriend looks just like President Gu—so handsome!]

[Isn’t that President Gu? They look perfect together—what a beautiful couple!]

[I’m so jealous of Jiujiu. Her boyfriend is handsome and rich!]

[Me too! But honestly, Jiujiu herself is amazing.]

[True.]

A string of messages followed, all marveling at how well-matched Wen Jiu and Gu Zehuai were.

Meanwhile, Wen Jiu, sitting in the car, remained blissfully unaware that she and Gu Zehuai had become the hottest topic among the employees.