Lin Xiaojiao was inwardly ranting furiously when she heard the question. Without thinking, she blurted out:
“Yeah! That’s the one, Xu Deyou! Tsk, I must’ve been blind back then—uh, I mean, my eyesight was poor!”
Gu Tingzheng’s fingers on the steering wheel paused slightly in surprise.
He had been wondering how to comfort the young girl, only to find she was merely angry at her own “poor judgment.”
This reaction… was rather unexpected.
Wait, was this girl putting on a brave face in front of him?
She’d reacted so strongly just moments ago—was she forcing a smile now?
What a sensible yet stubborn little thing…
Unconsciously, his tone softened further, carrying a trace of indulgence and comfort he himself hadn’t noticed: “It’s good that it’s over.”
Lin Xiaojiao nodded vigorously in full agreement.
The heartbreak of the original host had nothing to do with her.
She continued her rant with considerable conviction:
“Exactly! It’s long over! I just think the ori… cough… I just think I was so foolish and naive back then, to actually fall for someone like that! How pitiful!”
She nearly slipped up and almost said “original host,” quickly swallowing the words, but the disdain in her tone was utterly genuine.
Gu Tingzheng: “……”
Listening to the girl’s completely unexpected “concluding remarks” and looking at her puffed-up, angry little face without a single tear stain, he found himself both amused and exasperated.
This girl was far more open-minded and clear-sighted than he had imagined.
Even a bit adorably carefree.
In the end, he didn’t say anything more, merely shaking his head very slightly, the corners of his lips curling into an almost imperceptible smile.
…
After the trip to the county town, Lin Xiaojiao felt her quality of life had undergone a dramatic transformation.
Of course, it was all thanks to that entire large woven bag of supplies.
When Gu Tingzheng helped carry her purchases home, he kindly explained to her parents: “I just helped Jiaojiao buy some daily necessities—nothing expensive.”
With everything out in the open, she felt even more at ease using the items.
One day, she was in the yard with her second brother, fiddling with the profits from buying and selling.
Ahem, she was purely bored.
She wanted to see just how much money her second brother could actually make.
Just then, the “good neighbor” Uncle Gu from next door came over.
It was close to dinnertime, and Zhang Guilan was busy in the kitchen.
“Sister Guilan, could I borrow your coal stove for a bit?”
Gu Tingzheng walked over wearing just a white tank top, holding a small aluminum pot in his hands.
Lin Xiaojiao in the yard was instantly captivated.
No wonder she’d thought at first glance he looked like a character from a comic strip.
Those muscles, those lines.
Tsk tsk.
Even dressed so casually and down-to-earth, he couldn’t hide that “man-leaping-out-of-a-comic” aura.
“Staff Officer Gu, I’ll bring it right out.” Zhang Guilan hurried out of the kitchen, carrying the small coal stove.
“Are you planning to steam some buns?”
“Yes, I might need to borrow it for a few days. I’m having my kitchen repaired these next couple of days,” Gu Tingzheng explained.
“Oh dear! How thoughtless of us. Why would you cook for yourself alone!” Zhang Guilan set down the coal stove and took the aluminum pot from his hands. “Our family can easily spare an extra set of chopsticks. Have your meals with us from now on.”
Inside the house, Lin Yunli also came out upon hearing the commotion. “Exactly! We’re neighbors! We can share meals with you from now on!”
“You two, stop standing there dumbfounded! Come and invite your Uncle Gu inside! Dinner will be ready soon!” Zhang Guilan called out to her daughter, who was standing stunned in the yard, and her son, who was watching the scene unfold.
And so, Gu Tingzheng was warmly invited to stay by the enthusiastic family.
Not to mention Gu Tingzheng, even Lin Xiaojiao found it surreal.
She would be eating at the same table with him from now on?!
This was… downright magical.
Of course, Gu Tingzheng didn’t freeload either. That same day, he brought over a sack of rice and a sack of flour, and even insisted on giving Zhang Guilan a stack of grain ration coupons.
“This won’t do! It’ll be like our family is eating off you!” Zhang Guilan waved her hands repeatedly.
“I won’t be staying in the village for long. I don’t treat you all as outsiders, yet you’re treating me like one.”
Lin Xiaojiao rarely saw this everyday side of Gu Tingzheng.
…
A few more days passed, and the temperature grew increasingly hotter.
Lin Xiaojiao stayed home every day, using studying for exams as an excuse to avoid going out.
“You’ve been so quiet lately, child. Come help me take these muskmelons to your Uncle Gu. They were just picked from the field, fresh.”
Caught by her mother for this errand, Lin Xiaojiao let out an “Oh” and took the small basket.
After so many days, this was her first time stepping into this mansion.
All she knew was that construction noises clanged away here every day.
In the countryside, it wasn’t customary to close the main gate during the daytime.
Lin Xiaojiao stepped over the high threshold and entered the courtyard.
She thought to herself, in her own era, stepping through this gate would probably require an admission ticket. In such a large house, where would she even find him?
Might as well—
“Uncle Gu!”
She raised her voice and called out.
“Is Uncle Gu home?”
Inside the side room, the few people discussing matters were momentarily taken aback.
“Staff Officer Gu, since you have a visitor, we won’t take up any more of your time.” The lead guest stood up appropriately. “We’d appreciate your consideration on this matter.”
“Mm.” Gu Tingzheng didn’t urge them to stay. He stood up as well, shook hands, and saw them out.
Lin Xiaojiao had just run into a group of people who looked like they were not to be trifled with.
Holding the small basket, she was unsure whether to step forward or retreat.
Instead, Gu Tingzheng beckoned to her. “Jiaojiao’s here. Go inside and wait for me first.” He pointed to the side room behind him.
Lin Xiaojiao nodded obediently and quickly slipped away.
She only heard him say from behind, “A child from the family. Sorry to make County Magistrate Chen laugh…”
County Magistrate?!
Indeed, they were big shots.
Just what was this “Uncle Gu’s” status, to have the county magistrate personally visit…
All these questions were pushed aside the moment Lin Xiaojiao entered the side room.
An electric fan!
On the wide desk sat an electric fan that was actually oscillating!
Lin Xiaojiao dropped the small basket and rushed over, more excited than chasing a top celebrity!
This thing was a hundred times better than a palm-leaf fan!!
She fiddled with it a few times, fixing the direction of the breeze.
Then she leaned half her body on the desk, facing the electric fan—well, not facing it exactly, but enjoying the breeze.
So comfortable…
This was the silly sight Gu Tingzheng walked in on.
“Blowing air directly at you like that can make you catch a cold.” He tapped her little head.
Lin Xiaojiao winced in pain and reluctantly got up from the desk.
“My mom asked me to bring you some melons.” She pointed to the small basket by the door.
“Help me thank Sister Guilan.”
Just listen to that address!
Lin Xiaojiao was already numb to it.
This man was genuinely of the “uncle” generation.
Someone who called her father “brother.”
Forget it, she wouldn’t dwell on it.
“Uncle Gu, you live here?”
Choosing the side room over the main house.
“It’s more convenient here. The main house still needs some time for repairs.” Gu Tingzheng explained kindly.
“Then can I… take a look around?” Free tourist attraction!
“Mhm, let’s go.” Gu Tingzheng was clearly in a good mood, at least that’s what Lin Xiaojiao thought.
Along the way, Lin Xiaojiao felt all she was missing was a camera.
Look at this framed view, perfect composition.
And the Chinese aesthetic, symmetrical and centered.
Tsk tsk tsk!
This is truly a distinguished household!
I heard their family’s small landlord used to own quite a few houses back in the day, but they were all torn down later.
What a waste of something precious.
“This area is still under construction, it’s not safe. Let’s go back to the front courtyard first.”
After touring around for a while, he finally led her back.
Lin Xiaojiao rushed over to the electric fan again.
She even foolishly went “Ah—” into the fan.
Gu Tingzheng couldn’t help but laugh at her.
“Third Uncle, can I come over and enjoy the fan?”
And also the desk, the sofa…
She wanted to enjoy them all.
“Mhm.”
Lin Xiaojiao felt that Gu Tingzheng was especially easy to talk to today.
Like a kind—elder.