Zhang Qingqing pushed Mu Guiying aside angrily and headed for the door.
"If you won't give it, then don't! Why bring up exchanging it for a Shencheng household registration? That's a coastal new district—where would our family find connections to get there?"
Bai Lin clenched her fists tightly. She realized Mu Guiying was different from what she had imagined. Originally, she had wanted to use Mu Guiying to dissuade Zhang Qingqing from going to the capital.
Given Zhang Qingqing's personality, she would definitely target Mu Guiying, and that crude, rustic Mu Guiying was no pushover either. The two would clash fiercely over the household registration quota. That way, Gu Yunche would dislike Zhang Qingqing and also despise Mu Guiying.
One wouldn't get the household registration, and the other, even if she had it, wouldn't be able to stay in the Gu family. Bai Lin wouldn't have to face these two annoying women anymore.
But Mu Guiying actually proposed going to Shencheng and wanted a Shencheng household registration. Moreover, with just a few words, she dragged Bai Lin, who had wanted to stay out of it, into the mess.
Bai Lin felt that Gu Yunche's gaze toward her had grown much colder. He was so clever—he must have figured out that she was the one giving Zhang Qingqing advice behind the scenes.
Bai Lin walked to the door to wait for Gu Yunche; she needed to explain things clearly to him.
But Gu Yunche said, "Bai Lin, wait for me downstairs."
Bai Lin glanced nervously at Mu Guiying, but Mu Guiying didn't even look her way.
She nodded. "Alright, Brother Yunche, I have something to say to you too."
Gu Yunche gave a slight nod, and only then did Bai Lin close the door.
She pressed her ear against the door, trying to hear what the two were saying, but all she could make out was the sound of running water.
Mu Guiying was washing the lunchbox.
After finishing, she packed it up and placed it in front of Gu Yunche. She picked up a towel, wiping her hands as she glanced at Gu Yunche, who stood there staring at her.
"Eldest Brother Gu, do you have something to say to me?"
Gu Yunche leaned against the table, his gaze fixed intently on Mu Guiying. His eyes held an ambiguous mix of scrutiny and a barely perceptible emotion. When Mu Guiying turned around, he lowered his gaze.
His hand, resting on the table, tapped lightly on the surface, producing a soft "tap-tap" sound.
"Have you decided what new name you want to give yourself?"
What the—?
Mu Guiying thought Gu Yunche's train of thought was anything but ordinary!
If he were speaking up for Bai Lin at this moment, she could understand it better. But why was he asking her what name she wanted to change to right off the bat?
Mu Guiying cleared her throat and nodded.
"I've decided. I want to be called Mu Cheng."
A faint glimmer flickered in Gu Yunche's deep eyes. His brow furrowed slightly. "Which 'Cheng' character?"
Before transmigrating, Mu Guiying had been named Mu Cheng. Her name was given to her by her grandfather. The character "Cheng" was taken from the chapter "Speaking of Mountains" in Huainanzi, symbolizing peace, stability, and still water.
The Mu family had hoped that, as a daughter, she would be serene in all seasons. The character "Cheng" means clear, bright, and contemplative, symbolizing a pure heart, tranquility leading to far-reaching goals, and achieving success.
Thinking of the origin of her name, Mu Guiying tightened her jaw and forced out a sentence.
"The 'Cheng' for orange. I've never eaten one, but I've heard they're sour and sweet, very delicious."
Gu Yunche, "…"
He was stunned for a moment, then shook his head. "The 'Cheng' for orange doesn't sound nice. Use the 'Cheng' for clarity—clear, pure, tranquility leading to far-reaching goals."
Hearing this, Mu Guiying quickly nodded. "Alright, I'll listen to you, Eldest Brother Gu."
Gu Yunche noticed the sparkle in Mu Guiying's eyes, as if she were very expecting about the character he had chosen. The corners of his lips curved into a slight smile.
"Do you know how to write this 'Cheng' character?"
Mu Guiying thought to herself—Damn, I could recognize nearly a thousand characters by age five and was basically literate in almost all characters by second grade, but she couldn’t say that!
She shook her head, "No, is it easy to write?"
Could it be that he was overthinking it?
Gu Yunche sighed.
He nodded slightly, "It’s not easy. When we get to the capital, I’ll teach you."
Gu Yunche placed the sunflower seeds he bought on the newspaper, "The sunflower seeds you wanted to eat—I bought them."
Mu Guiying had only said it casually to brush Gu Yunche off, never expecting he would actually buy her sunflower seeds.
She walked over, grabbed a small handful, shelled one with her hand, and chewed it in her mouth.
"Pretty fragrant."
Gu Yunche patted the smoothed-out newspaper beside him, lost in thought.
"How did you smooth the newspaper out so flat?"
Alarm bells rang in Mu Guiying’s mind. So, Gu Yunche had grown suspicious and was testing her.
She suddenly thought of the newspaper plastered on the walls at the Party branch secretary’s house and chuckled, "I thought it’d be a waste to use this newspaper just for sunflower seed shells. Why not take it to the capital to plaster walls?"
Keep the newspaper to plaster walls at his house?
Gu Yunche, "…"
He laughed aloud, leaning slightly forward to tease Mu Guiying, "Plaster your room?"
The Gu family’s financial situation was quite privileged for the time. Even if they didn’t use wallpaper, imitation ceramic tiles, or seaweed mud, they’d at least use paint or whitewash!
Mu Guiying had no choice but to force a smile at Gu Yunche.
"Sure, if you like, plastering your room first is fine too."
One leaned forward, the other looked up—the distance between them instantly narrowed.
Gu Yunche’s sharp eyes could even make out the fine down on Mu Guiying’s fair cheeks; her skin was truly delicate.
Startled, he leaned back, putting distance between himself and Mu Guiying.
Mu Guiying noticed Gu Yunche’s discomfort; his shy demeanor was quite captivating.
Mu Guiying thought to herself that if this were her era, she would’ve pounced on Gu Yunche and kissed him first as a greeting. Unfortunately, this idea of hers remained forever at the level of "fantasy."
"You… don’t take Zhang Qingqing and Bai Lin’s words to heart. Using the name Mu Cheng for your residency is settled."
After saying this, Gu Yunche strode out the door swiftly.
What kind of fate was this?
She could be called Mu Cheng again, just like before.
Did this mean she was no longer Mu Guiying and wouldn’t fulfill Mu Guiying’s destiny? And that it all started when Gu Yunche gave her the name Mu Cheng?
Before closing the door, Gu Yunche said in a deep voice, "Rest early, Mu Cheng!"
Mu Cheng stared blankly at Gu Yunche, the corners of her lips curling into a faint, lovely smile.
"Okay!"
Gu Yunche clattered down the stairs and saw Bai Lin standing tearfully under the moonlight, waiting for him…
Bai Lin spent the entire journey explaining herself to Gu Yunche through sobs.
She recounted her life of dependence at her aunt’s house in meticulous detail, embellishing it further.
She sniffled, "Brother Yunche, I’m sorry. Do you think I’ve become very calculating in your eyes?"
Gu Yunche’s expression was calm, showing little emotional fluctuation.
"What you did hurt Mu Cheng. You should apologize to her."
Mu Cheng?
Who was Mu Cheng?
Gu Yunche was not only clever and alert but also upright and fair.
Since Bai Lin had spoken ill of Mu Guiying at the Zhangs’, inciting Zhang Qingqing to harass her, it was only fair that Bai Lin be the one to spread the news that Mu Guiying had changed her name to Mu Cheng and would be settling in the capital.
His tone was faint yet resolute, "Mu Guiying's new name—she will use this name to register her residency. So, tell your cousin to give up sooner rather than later."
Gu Yunche's cold and unruffled voice made Bai Lin's heart tremble.
She tugged at Gu Yunche's sleeve, "Yes, I will. Brother Yunche, please don't blame me, okay?"