Gu Yunche absentmindedly answered the driver Xiao Wu's question about his purpose for going to the provincial capital.
Yet before his eyes emerged the image of Bai Lin kicking a shuttlecock in his family's courtyard as a child, her fair, delicate face gradually flushing pink from the exertion, glistening with a thin layer of sweat.
Mu Guiying overheard Gu Yunche mention his father's comrade-in-arms' daughter?
Could he be referring to Bai Lin?
In the original story, the female lead Bai Lin was indeed Gu Yunche's childhood friend—the only daughter of Gu Fu's comrade-in-arms, the martyr Bai Zhenbang. After her father's passing, she had been raised in Gu Yunche's household.
At that time, the Gu family hadn't brought back the three-year-old Mu Guiying precisely because they couldn't manage caring for so many children.
Recalling this, Mu Guiying tentatively asked, "Uncle Gu's comrade-in-arms' daughter—how old is she, and what's her name?"
Gu Yunche turned to look at Mu Guiying, his eyes filled with confusion.
He wondered to himself—Mu Guiying didn't even know Bai Lin, so why did she seem so concerned and curious?
Gu Yunche adjusted his shirt cuff, pulling it up slightly to reveal the distinct muscle lines on his forearm.
Mu Guiying stared momentarily dazed, inwardly scolding herself for being so easily swayed by looks.
She wasn't someone who prioritized romance, but even in 2024, she appreciated handsome men with broad shoulders, narrow waists, and long legs.
If a man like Gu Yunche had appeared during her days as a live-streaming hostess, she would have definitely taken the initiative to flirt with him until he blushed and his heart raced, making him utterly captivated by her.
But this was Gu Yunche—with a childhood sweetheart on one side and admirers on the other, surrounded by plenty who liked and pursued him. As Mu Guiying, a country girl akin to a weed, she needed self-awareness—the farther she stayed from a man with an official match, the better.
"What are you looking at?"
Gu Yunche's cool, magnetic voice reached her.
Mu Guiying's cheeks flushed. "Um… the buttons on your shirt cuff are really nice."
Embarrassing moments happen every year, but my family has more than our share!
As Mu Guiying averted her gaze, she heard Gu Yunche clear his throat. "The girl I'm picking up is named Bai Lin. She's two years older than you."
So it really was Bai Lin!
Hearing Bai Lin's name, she couldn't help but drift into thought—
In the original story, Bai Lin appeared during the second year of university, when Mu Guiying and Gu Yunche's marriage was as turbulent as fire and water. Bai Lin, like a serene and uncontested moonlight, shone upon Gu Yunche, bringing peace and tranquility to his life, which had been agitated by Mu Guiying.
Mu Guiying and Bai Lin were two extremes—one intensely disliked, with even the Gu family's neighbors avoiding her when they saw her; the other immensely beloved, with even crying one-year-old babies breaking into smiles at the sight of her.
"How tragic!"
Thinking of this, Mu Guiying couldn't help but sigh in sorrow.
Gu Yunche paused, surprised that Mu Guiying even knew the word "tragic."
"What did you just say?"
Mu Guiying froze for a moment, then deflected. "Nothing, I just think Miss Bai's name is very beautiful."
Mentioning names gave Mu Guiying an idea—she wanted to change her name.
She didn't like the name Mu Guiying; it was prone to misunderstandings and awkward situations.
Sharing a name with the literary and warlike female general Mu Guiying—how thick-skinned would she have to be not to mind?
Seeing that Mu Guiying had fallen silent and was now closing her eyes to rest or doze off, Gu Yunche awkwardly turned back. "Did I mishear?"
Due to delays on the road, Gu Yunche and Mu Guiying arrived at the county town too late to catch the train to the provincial capital.
The county town wasn't far from the provincial capital, but few people traveled there—only one train per day and a single long-distance bus.
Driver Xiao Wu brought the two to the county guesthouse.
Mu Guiying watched the dust rising from the county's rustic streets, feeling intensely nostalgic for her own era.
Gu Yunche found it amusing to see Mu Guiying gazing around in wonder.
Having grown up in the countryside, where would she have encountered a bustling county town like this? When she eventually visited the provincial capital and the nation's capital, she'd surely be astounded!
But in her current state, she must be hungry.
"Let's go. Freshen up at the guesthouse, then I'll take you out for a meal."
Xiao Wu nodded in agreement. "Turn right on this road and you'll find Friendship Hotel, with Huimin Restaurant right beside it."
Mu Guiying was indeed hungry and entered the guesthouse cheerfully.
Gu Yunche found Xiao Wu excessively enthusiastic.
After all, Mu Guiying was beautiful—the type men fancied—but her character was lacking. He worried Xiao Wu might be led astray by her.
"Comrade Xiao Wu, you can head back now. Next time you're in the capital, I'll treat you to a meal."
Xiao Wu scratched his head reluctantly, opened the car door, and pulled out a loaf of bread.
"Regiment Commander Gu, could you give this to Miss Mu? She hasn't tried it yet."
Gu Yunche had guessed Xiao Wu's intentions correctly.
He pushed the bread back. "She prefers eggs, not bread."
With that, Gu Yunche turned and entered the guesthouse.
In his daze, Xiao Wu slapped his forehead.
"So they're a couple! No wonder Regiment Commander Gu came all the way from the capital to fetch her."
He took a bite of the bread, got in the car, and smacked the steering wheel. "Tsk, that Gu fellow is lucky! Miss Mu is so beautiful—you couldn't find another like her in this entire county!"
Mu Guiying washed up.
When she emerged, Gu Yunche had changed into a light blue shirt and dark green trousers, already waiting at the entrance.
"Let's go!"
Likely, his previous clothes had been stained with blood from his wound, prompting him to change entirely.
On the street, Gu Yunche walked ahead with Mu Guiying trailing behind, maintaining a deliberate distance.
Girls on bicycles and women with knit bags couldn't help but brighten at the sight of Gu Yunche, as if beholding a radiant light.
Mu Guiying sighed inwardly—who doesn't appreciate a handsome man? Who isn't swayed by looks? And Gu Yunche was undoubtedly the ultimate dream for appearance enthusiasts!
"Miss Mu… could you walk a bit faster?"
Unnerved and impatient under the women's gazes, Gu Yunche turned to urge Mu Guiying to quicken her pace.
Mu Guiying hurried to catch up.
"I'm coming, Regiment Commander Gu."
Hearing Mu Guiying address him as "Regiment Commander," the cycling girls pedaled slower, and those with shoulder bags slowed their steps. Their eyes sparkled like starry skies, yearning to envelop Gu Yunche in their glow, yet they also gleamed with a wolfish green intensity.
Gu Yunche strode swiftly on his long legs.
He murmured, "Don't call me Regiment Commander Gu from now on. Call me…"
Mu Guiying met his gaze, utterly bewildered.
Gu Yunche felt it necessary to clarify their relationship through address. "I consider you a younger sister. From now on, call me 'brother' or 'Eldest Brother Gu.'"
Mu Guiying knew Gu Yunche had a younger brother and sister—how could he become her brother?
Aware of her place, she softly replied, "Alright, Eldest Brother Gu."
"Mm, let's go."
Satisfied, Gu Yunche nodded.
Mu Guiying took advantage of his good mood and said, "Eldest Brother Gu, I happen to have something I’d like to ask you about. Shall we talk while we eat?"
She had something to ask him about?
The word "ask about" was rarely used in the Gucheng Village area. They were more accustomed to saying "inquire" or "chat about something."
Seeing Gu Yunche scrutinizing her, she quickly forced an awkward smile. "‘Ask about’ is a new word I learned from the village Party branch secretary. Isn’t it right? It just means ‘inquire.’"
Gu Yunche gave a slight nod before stepping into the restaurant.
When ordering, Gu Yunche asked for Mu Guiying’s opinion, but she didn’t offer any, afraid she might say something wrong again.
Gu Yunche ordered braised pork, shredded potatoes, and scrambled eggs with peppers on his own.
Mu Guiying thought it was good—all were dishes that went well with rice.
Gu Yunche poured Mu Guiying a cup of tea and spoke slowly, "What did you want to inquire about?"