Gu Yunzhe’s sharp features carried an unreadable expression. He seemed troubled over how to introduce Mu Guiying.
After a moment of silence, he finally said, “She’s a distant relative of my family from Ancient City Village. Her name is Mu Guiying.”
Bai Lin’s smile brightened slightly, though her cheeks flushed faintly with restrained amusement.
The disdain in her eyes flashed by for only an instant.
Clearly, Bai Lin had nearly laughed because the name “Mu Guiying” reminded her of the famous heroine from folklore.
Mu Guiying turned her head and looked elsewhere.
In the original novel, Mu Guiying existed purely as Bai Lin’s foil. The more unbearable Mu Guiying appeared, the more perfect Bai Lin seemed.
Mu Guiying’s parents were deserters who had fled overseas to “enjoy life,” while Bai Lin’s parents were heroic martyrs.
Mu Guiying was sharp-tongued, petty, and materialistic, while Bai Lin was generous, gentle, and considerate.
Mu Guiying was illiterate, while Bai Lin was highly educated.
Mu Guiying had a terrible temper, spoke loudly, and loved arguing, while Bai Lin was soft-spoken and delicate…
Seeing the breathtakingly beautiful Mu Guiying staring coldly into the distance, Bai Lin stepped forward and grabbed her hand. A trace of mockery and impatience flickered through her eyes, though she concealed it quickly and returned to smiling sweetly.
In a gentle and affectionate tone, she introduced herself.
“My name is Bai Lin. I’m twenty this year. Comrade Mu, how old are you?”
Mu Guiying glanced at Bai Lin’s slender pale hand holding hers and awkwardly withdrew it.
“I’ll turn eighteen next month.”
“Then you’re younger than me. I never really had siblings growing up. From now on, Brother Yunzhe and I will treat you like our own little sister.”
Bai Lin’s smile looked gentle, but in Mu Guiying’s eyes, it carried the heavy scent of fake sweetness. It reminded her exactly of those livestream customers from her previous life who demanded “refunds without returns” while calling her “pretty sister” every other sentence.
Mu Guiying smiled faintly.
Brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, she asked, “Sister Bai Lin, if you’ll treat me like your real younger sister, does that mean I can dress as beautifully as you from now on?”
Bai Lin’s expression immediately stiffened.
This outfit had cost her months of savings. She had only worn it today because she was coming to meet Gu Yunzhe.
Gu Yunzhe closed his eyes helplessly before scolding Mu Guiying coldly.
“Xiao Mu, you can’t be so rude. Once we arrive in the capital, my mother will buy you new clothes.”
Mu Guiying had expected this reaction. One acted falsely humble while the other disliked her for appearing materialistic.
That was exactly the effect she wanted.
After all, she had never intended to become some distant relative of the Gu family.
If it was a competition of who could act more fake and sweet, she could play too.
Biting her lip, Mu Guiying looked at the two elegantly dressed people before her. Tears welled in her eyes as she spoke pitifully.
“So Sister Bai Lin was only saying it casually. I misunderstood and thought a wild girl with no one to care for her since childhood might finally have an older sister who loved her.”
The trembling in her voice made Gu Yunzhe feel uncomfortable.
He was just about to explain on Bai Lin’s behalf that she herself lived under her aunt’s roof and was not financially well-off either—
When Mu Guiying suddenly choked back a sob and said, “I’m sorry, Sister Bai Lin. I grew up without parents or sisters. No one ever taught me that speaking honestly was rude. I’m sorry.”
After speaking, she quietly lowered her head and stared at her cloth shoes.
Across from those worn cloth shoes stood Bai Lin’s polished leather shoes, gleaming brightly.
Although Bai Lin disliked Mu Guiying, she now found herself trapped in an awkward situation.
Grinding her teeth, she forced out, “How about this, Brother Yunzhe? Let’s first take Sister Guiying to buy a few decent outfits.”
Mu Guiying looked up at Bai Lin again and awkwardly tugged at her shirt.
“Sister Bai Lin thinks my clothes are indecent and embarrassing for you?”
“No, that’s not what I meant!”
Bai Lin hurriedly explained in panic before helplessly looking toward Gu Yunzhe.
Keeping a cold face, Gu Yunzhe set down the suitcase.
“That’s not what your Sister Bai Lin meant. Come on, we’ll go buy clothes first.”
“There’s no need. This outfit was newly made at the end of last year. It’s not old yet and still perfectly wearable.”
With that, Mu Guiying picked up her small cloth bag and walked ahead.
Turning back with a bright smile, she said, “Brother Gu, Sister Bai Lin, let’s go.”
Bai Lin pressed her lips tightly together.
Looking at Gu Yunzhe, she hesitated.
“Brother Yunzhe, I…”
Gu Yunzhe understood Mu Guiying’s little trick. Her thoughts were much deeper than Bai Lin’s. She had intentionally made both of them uncomfortable.
Smiling helplessly, he said, “Guiying doesn’t understand proper manners. Don’t take it to heart. She’s… suffered quite a bit these past few days. Please be patient with her.”
Bai Lin’s smile grew even gentler.
“How could I mind? I just think Sister Guiying seems very sincere and straightforward.”
Watching the sticky affection in the way they looked only at each other, Mu Guiying rolled her eyes and walked ahead alone.
Gu Yunzhe called after her.
“Xiao Mu, wait!”
After leaving the station, Bai Lin looked awkwardly toward Mu Guiying again.
“Sister Guiying, I’m staying temporarily at my aunt’s house. It’s very cramped there, and I only prepared a room for Brother Yunzhe.”
She then looked sincerely at Gu Yunzhe.
“Brother Yunzhe, there’s a guesthouse up ahead. My uncle works there. Let’s settle Sister Guiying there first. If she doesn’t want to stay at the guesthouse, she can squeeze in with me.”
Gu Yunzhe had already been worried about leaving Mu Guiying alone in a guesthouse.
He nodded.
“Sorry for troubling you. Xiao Mu, she—”
“I’ll stay at the guesthouse.”
Mu Guiying interrupted immediately.
“My sleeping habits are terrible, and I don’t want to disturb Sister Bai Lin’s rest.”
She had no interest in tagging along to Bai Lin’s home and becoming a third wheel between Bai Lin and Gu Yunzhe.
The two had not seen each other in a long time. It was only natural they would want to pour out their feelings to one another.
Why would she insert herself into that?
Besides, while she did not know what Bai Lin’s aunt’s house was like, she could already tell at a glance that Bai Lin did not like her.
Gu Yunzhe felt guilty.
He thought the conversation earlier with Bai Lin had wounded Mu Guiying’s pride, which was why she would rather stay at a guesthouse than trouble Bai Lin’s family.
Meanwhile, Bai Lin secretly felt pleased.
She truly disliked Mu Guiying.
If Mu Guiying had merely been a rustic country girl, it would have been fine. But aside from her outdated name, she was beautiful and carried herself gracefully.
Most importantly, she lacked the timidity common in village girls.
She was confident and bold.
If a girl like that were properly dressed up, wouldn’t she completely overshadow Bai Lin?
Gu Yunzhe had little experience with women. In his eyes, Mu Guiying’s behavior was merely daring and fiery.
But Bai Lin could sense the spirit hidden deep inside her bones.
And that made Bai Lin uneasy.
When they arrived at the guesthouse, Bai Lin found her uncle Zhang Qingguo, the guesthouse manager, and had him arrange a room for Mu Guiying.
The moment Zhang Qingguo’s gaze landed on Mu Guiying’s face, his eyes brightened noticeably.
He had not expected a country girl to be this beautiful.
Her skin was snow-white, her red lips moist and glossy. The natural curve of her lips seemed permanently touched with a smile, and her lively almond-shaped eyes sparkled with spirit every time she blinked.
After looking at Mu Guiying and then at Bai Lin, he realized this girl was actually more attractive than Bai Lin.
If she dressed herself up properly, she would look like a heavenly fairy.
Gu Yunzhe carefully asked about how many people were staying in the guesthouse before taking out his military identification.
“Uncle, open another room beside Guiying’s.”
It was Mu Guiying’s first time in the provincial capital, and Gu Yunzhe was not comfortable leaving a young woman alone in the guesthouse.
Bai Lin’s uncle glanced at Gu Yunzhe before noticing Bai Lin’s expression shift slightly.
Quickly, he replied apologetically, “Commander Gu, there’s an inspection delegation from another province arriving soon for study and observation. Rooms are tight right now. There’s only this one room left.”