Beijing:
“Comrade Fu, wait for me…”
Gu Li carried her bundle and called out breathlessly after Fu Yishen.
She had chased that lunatic through several streets and shouted after him the entire way.
The elderly men and women along the street had all taken notice and were pointing at them while whispering among themselves.
Only this madman seemed completely deaf. Not only did he not slow down, he actually lengthened his stride with those long legs of his and walked as though he had seen a ghost.
“Comrade Fu, you can’t be so irresponsible.”
Seeing that she could not catch up to him, Gu Li resorted to her ultimate move.
The moment those words left her mouth, the effect was explosive.
The curious onlookers, who had been holding back out of politeness, immediately surged forward and surrounded them so tightly that not even water could pass through.
Entertainment was scarce in this era. Running into something interesting in the middle of the street was an exceptionally rare event. Everyone was eager to watch, afraid they might miss the show.
Naturally, the crowd’s actions blocked Fu Yishen’s path.
Seeing that her goal had been achieved, a trace of triumph flashed through Gu Li’s eyes. She quickly lowered her head, her shoulders trembling slightly.
Fu Yishen turned around and fixed her with an unreadable gaze.
To be fair, Zhao Yaqin’s methods had improved this time.
The woman she had sent actually seemed to have a bit of intelligence.
He silently withdrew his earlier assessment that this woman was nothing more than a pretty face with no brains.
Seeing the young girl looking so heartbroken, the enthusiastic and gossip-loving uncles and aunties immediately drew their own conclusions and began condemning the “heartless scoundrel.”
“Young lady, did he deceive you?”
“Did this man do something terrible to you?”
“He looks respectable enough, but he’s worse than a beast.”
“Exactly. Handsome men always play the most tricks. Look at him, dressed so neatly, while the girl’s shoes have holes in them and her clothes don’t even fit.”
“How can you face her with a clear conscience?”
“That’s right, young lady. Don’t be afraid. If this man has wronged you, just say it. We’ll stand up for you.”
“Exactly! Hand this hooligan over to the Public Security Bureau.”
“…”
Fu Yishen stood tall in the middle of the crowd, his eyes radiating endless coldness.
Even though he had not spoken a single word, the chill emanating from him was enough to transform the righteous crowd into a flock of trembling quails.
This heartless scoundrel was not someone to provoke.
He was simply too frightening. Everyone wisely fell silent.
The tall man walked forward.
Even the auntie standing in front of Gu Li stepped aside and made way for him.
The poor girl would have to fend for herself.
The sudden silence made Gu Li uneasy.
She secretly raised her eyes for a glance, only to meet Fu Yishen’s gaze directly.
His eyes were unfathomable, and a faint sneer curved his lips. His breathtakingly handsome features carried an almost sinister charm.
Although it was the height of summer, Gu Li felt as though she had suddenly been thrown into the depths of winter.
A chill crawled up her spine, and an icy coldness seeped into her bones.
Was she done for?
“Explain yourself.”
Fu Yishen stood before her with his head lowered.
The sunlight fell across his face, warming his peach blossom eyes and softening his usually cold features considerably.
If not for the icy tone of his voice, Gu Li might even have mistaken it for affection.
“I lost my job because of you. You have to take responsibility.”
Gu Li pitifully listed his “crimes.”
She desperately tried to squeeze out a tear to make herself sound more convincing.
Unfortunately, her tear ducts refused to cooperate.
Hadn’t she just been acting heartbroken a moment ago?
Now there was not a single tear to be found, and her eyes were not even red.
The elderly spectators, who had assumed she was being mistreated by a man, finally came back to their senses.
Realizing they had been tricked only made them annoyed.
“Speak like a normal person.”
Fu Yishen wasted no words.
“Your Fu Family kicked me out without paying my wages. I have nowhere to go and no money for food.”
Gu Li gave up trying to be subtle.
Being shameless was the correct strategy here.
She was determined to cling to this lunatic.
If he wanted to throw money at her, she certainly would not object.
Fu Yishen paused briefly before curling his lips into a faint smile.
“Turn left here and walk to the third alley. There’s a nunnery there that’s short on people. Food and lodging included.”
The old man was speechless.
The old woman was speechless.
After kindly pointing out a “way to survive” for Gu Li, Fu Yishen turned around and walked away, leaving her standing alone in the wind, completely stunned.
How ruthless! This lunatic was actually telling her to become a nun.
Was he secretly into uniform fantasies?
No wonder he liked Su Baozhu, the star performer of the art troupe.
Female soldiers’ uniforms certainly had their own appeal.
…
Fu Yishen boarded a bus.
Well now!
The “CEO” of a period novel did not even have a private car and had to squeeze onto a public bus with everyone else.
Gu Li felt a tiny bit disappointed.
She was beginning to question whether this man even owned a courtyard house at all.
Before the bus doors closed, she squeezed onboard as well.
Her shoes nearly came off in the process.
The buses of the 1970s reeked of fuel and pungent exhaust fumes.
Some passengers even brought live poultry aboard.
The smell of chicken droppings mixed with body odor made the entire vehicle nauseating.
Gu Li wanted to slap herself. Why had she followed him onto the bus?
Not only had she lost twenty cents in fare, she was also subjecting herself to torture.
To make matters worse, there were no seats available.
Everyone was packed together so tightly they were practically glued to one another.
If she had to stick close to someone, it might as well be a handsome man.
At least then it would not feel like a loss.
Holding her bundle in front of her chest, Gu Li stood on tiptoe and searched through the crowd.
Fu Yishen had boarded earlier.
Thanks to his height, she spotted him immediately.
He stood in the middle section of the bus with one hand casually gripping the overhead rail.
Gu Li raised her own hand toward the rail.
Even standing on tiptoes, she could not reach it.
She would probably have to jump.
Why make life difficult for herself?
“Excuse me, Uncle, Auntie, Big Sister, Big Brother. Please let me through. My man is up ahead.”
Gu Li decided to make her way toward Fu Yishen.
Like a general fighting through five passes and six generals, she pushed her way from the front of the bus toward the middle.
The standing passengers pointed at her and whispered behind her back.
She was just about to reach her target.
Her plan was simple.
At the next sudden brake, she would conveniently fall straight into Fu Yishen’s arms.
Unfortunately, before she could execute it, a familiar figure brushed past her and beat her to the punch.
A wave of cheap perfume nearly suffocated Gu Li on the spot.
“Oh my… Brother Yishen, I lost my balance. Good thing you’re here.”
The green tea woman practically launched herself toward Fu Yishen’s chest.
Her target could not have been more obvious.
Fu Yishen sidestepped. She missed completely.
Without hesitation, she changed tactics and grabbed his left arm with both hands, pretending to panic.
Seeing this, Gu Li felt that even a few seconds of hesitation would be disrespectful to her opponent’s efforts.
Fortunately, Fu Yishen still had a perfectly functional right arm.
“Oh my… Comrade Fu, I lost my balance too. Good thing you’re here.”
Imitating the woman perfectly, Gu Li grabbed Fu Yishen’s right arm with both hands.
Her movements looked flustered, yet were astonishingly precise.
Excitement sparkled in her bright, watery eyes, and her long eyelashes fluttered rapidly.