Noticing Comrade Gu stealing glances at him…
Chu Yu wasn’t wearing his Jun Zhuang today, but had clearly made an effort with his appearance.
His white shirt and black trousers were ordinary enough attire.
Yet his upright posture, impressive height, and handsome features made him stand out remarkably.
Gu Fangbai was momentarily stunned, both by his sudden appearance and his attire…
“Isn’t he your cousin?” Seeing Fangbai remain motionless, Hu Yaoying pressed with suspicion.
Fangbai snapped out of it. Without confirming or denying, she merely gave her colleague a vague nod before quickly rising to greet him.
Chu Yu had been watching Comrade Gu’s expression closely. Reassured that she showed no displeasure beyond surprise, he relaxed somewhat: “I hope I’m not interrupting your work?”
Fangbai shook her head with a smile: “Not at all. Shall we talk in the meeting room next door?”
Chu Yu: “Certainly.”
As the attractive pair departed, the remaining editorial staff turned curious eyes toward Hu Yaoying:
“Xiao Hu, who was that gentleman?”
“His build suggests military background.”
“Could he be her sweetheart?”
“Didn’t the deputy director say he wanted to match Xiao Gu with his nephew?”
“Hadn’t you heard? Xiao Gu already declined.”
“What? Isn’t she worried the deputy director will make things difficult for her?”
“…”
As the speculation grew increasingly unfounded, Hu Yaoying quickly intervened: “Don’t spread rumors. He’s not her sweetheart – he’s Fangbai’s cousin.”
Though Fangbai missed the actual conversation, she could well imagine its content, making her all the more appreciative of Brother Chu’s thoughtful approach. The man was unexpectedly… considerate.
“What is it?” Chu Yu chuckled, noticing Comrade Gu stealing repeated glances at him.
Pushing open the meeting room door with feigned nonchalance, Fangbai replied: “Nothing.”
He didn’t press further, following her inside while deliberately leaving the door wide open.
“Have you reached a decision, Brother Chu?” Not wanting to be away from her desk too long, Fangbai went straight to the point after they were seated.
If the lady could be so direct, he as a man should be even more forthright. Suppressing his discomfort, Chu Yu responded: “Yes, I’m free over the next few days. When would be appropriate for me to visit?”
Finally hearing the answer she’d hoped for, Fangbai relaxed completely: “There are many watching me closely. Would the evening after tomorrow work?”
She didn’t know if others visited family in the evening, but both their situations were unusual. Though it felt somewhat clandestine, being cautious before obtaining the marriage certificate was only prudent.
“Certainly. Shall I pick you up after work that day?” Chu Yu clearly shared her perspective, finding nothing unusual about an evening visit.
Fangbai: “Good. I finish at 5.”
“I’ll wait downstairs from 4:30 then. There’s one more thing…” He expected Comrade Gu might be displeased about his private investigation into her family, but Chu Yu decided honesty was best.
Fangbai wasn’t angry – military marriages required background checks anyway. In fact, she considered investigation the logical approach.
Putting herself in his position, if a perfectly tailored opportunity suddenly appeared during her family’s turbulent times, she’d hesitate to accept it too.
Not only would she hesitate – she’d suspect all manner of conspiracies.
Gu Fangbai thought this way and conveyed it to Brother Chu, concluding with a summary: “…If you don’t investigate anything at all, I’d have to question your motives.”
Frankly speaking, Chu Yu was both surprised and unsurprised by this response.
After all, though they hadn’t spent much time together, he could somewhat discern Comrade Gu’s character traits.
She was independent, rational, generous, and resolute… Upon learning of his petty actions, she might have been angry, but in the end, she would likely have forgiven him.
Yet he hadn’t expected that Comrade Gu not only wasn’t angry but actually approved of his behavior.
He had to admit, at that moment, Chu Yu was deeply moved. He hadn’t thought he could be so fortunate: “…Thank you.”
Seeing the other person staring intently at her, clearly touched, Gu Fangbai felt a bit uncomfortable and averted her gaze: “Let’s invite Xiangxue the evening after tomorrow.”
Chu Yu’s heart warmed, but he still refused: “The timing won’t work.”
“Then we’ll invite her another time.” Gu Fangbai’s main intention wasn’t really to invite Xiangxue—after all, they would have plenty of time to spend together later. She just wanted to steer the conversation toward Fang Zhifan; she couldn’t resist the urge to sow some discord: “Isn’t Xiangxue about to get married too?”
Chu Yu paused as he reached for the gifts. Instead of answering the question, he asked something else: “During our last phone call, you mentioned wanting to take Xiangxue for Sui Jun?”
Gu Fangbai admitted: “Yes.”
Chu Yu: “Why?”
Gu Fangbai: “Her current situation isn’t good. It might be better for her to change her environment.”
“Xiangxue is engaged. What about her fiancé if she changes environments?”
“If he’s willing, he can follow. If not, she can find someone else.”
The idea of changing partners, though somewhat unexpected to Chu Yu, only left him stunned for a few seconds before he quickly regained his composure and grasped the key point: “Have you… noticed something unfavorable about Fang Zhifan?”
Gu Fangbai wasn’t surprised by Brother Chu’s quick reaction and directly stated the reason she had prepared earlier: “Nothing definite, but after encountering so many strange news stories, I always feel like Fang Zhifan wears a mask—he seems particularly fake.”
In truth, she had tens of thousands of words of criticism about Fang Zhifan she wanted to share, but fearing that saying too much might backfire, she could only offer such vague remarks.
After listening to Comrade Gu’s perspective, Chu Yu didn’t speak further or press for more details. Instead, he thought seriously for a while before responding: “I’ll look into it carefully.”
“Can you find anything?” Gu Fangbai wasn’t very confident. Fang Zhifan was a cautious person. Although he hadn’t considered marrying her grandmother, before her grandmother became an Educated Youth, he had no ambiguous relationships with other female comrades and was meticulous in his work.
In fact, aside from his hidden desire for the Chu family’s wealth, there was nothing about him that could be criticized. Everyone would praise him as a refined gentleman.
“I can find something.” In Chu Yu’s view, Fang Zhifan’s lack of attentiveness toward his sister was reason enough to call off the engagement, but he still needed to investigate thoroughly.
As for how exactly to investigate—that was his expertise, and he didn’t plan to elaborate. Instead, he took out the gifts he had bought earlier from his bag and changed the subject: “See if you like them? If not, I can exchange them.”
The subject change was rather abrupt, and then there was all this stuff… clothes, shoes, assorted pastries. Gu Fangbai was astonished: “All of this is for me?”
Chu Yu nodded: “My apologies. Our meeting yesterday was too rushed, and I didn’t have time to buy any gifts.”
No one dislikes receiving gifts, and Gu Fangbai was no exception. Especially when they were bought by a potential partner—generosity was always better than stinginess. Without any affectation, Gu Fangbai held the clothes against herself and remarked, “They’re quite lovely. You have good taste.”
One was a pink floral knee-length dress with a small round collar, the other a black checkered long dress with a pointed collar—both in very elegant styles.
This was Chu Yu’s first time buying clothes for a woman other than his mother or sister. Seeing that she liked them, he felt pleased and handed her the shoes: “Would you like to try them on to see if they pinch?”
Gu Fangbai took them, changed into the shoes, took a couple of steps, and then smiled: “They don’t pinch. How did you know my shoe size?”
Chu Yu honestly replied: “Xiangxue told me.” As for the clothes, he had relied entirely on visual estimation… ahem… Fortunately, Comrade Gu hadn’t asked.
After changing out of the new shoes and storing them away, Gu Fangbai said, “Thank you. I really like both the clothes and the shoes. Brother Chu, you’ve been too generous.”
Chu Yu gazed steadily at the dazzlingly beautiful girl before him: “No need to thank me. Aren’t we seeing each other?”
Though she considered herself experienced in life’s ups and downs, Gu Fangbai maintained her composure: “Yes, we are seeing each other.”
His eyes briefly skimmed over the girl’s flushed ears, and the smile in Chu Yu’s eyes deepened as he couldn’t help feeling greedy.
Because of Comrade Gu, he greedily hoped that their future marriage would not only be suitable but also mutually joyful. So he extended an invitation: “When you have time off, shall we go out for a walk?”
Gu Fangbai: “…Alright.”
=
It wasn’t appropriate to chat too long during work hours.
After confirming their relationship status, Chu Yu left, and Gu Fangbai returned to her workstation.
With so much to do and time pressing, they could only manage a hurried exchange.
Seeing her colleague return with so many items, Hu Yaoying exclaimed enviously: “Your cousin is really generous!”
Gu Fangbai didn’t elaborate, simply smiling in response: “I’ll share half the pastries with you later.”
“I won’t stand on ceremony with you.” The two often treated each other to snacks, so Hu Yaoying unhesitatingly accepted, while quietly claiming credit: “Just now lots of people were gossiping nonsense—saying he was your boyfriend, or some deputy director… I explained it all for you, and even scolded those who spoke offensively.”
“Well done. That sweet mouth of yours is simply delightful—I love it.” Gu Fangbai didn’t care about other colleagues’ gossip, since she wouldn’t be working there much longer anyway, but she still appreciated her friend’s thoughtful gesture.
Hu Yaoying cupped her face and leaned in closer: “Hehehe, since I’m being so sweet-tongued, could you tell me if your cousin already has a girlfriend?”
Gu Fangbai raised a finger to press against the other’s forehead, pushing her back, and replied without blushing or panting: “He does have a girlfriend, and she’s exceptionally beautiful.”
Dejectedly, Hu Yaoying slumped over the desk with a whine: “That makes sense. Such an outstanding man must have been taken long ago.”
Gu Fangbai stopped bantering and buried herself in work again, though she couldn’t help feeling curious—wondering whether Brother Chu had already started investigating that scumbag Fang, and whether he’d actually be able to uncover any problems…
Chu Yu did intend to investigate Fang Zhifan, but not during the day.
After leaving the newspaper office, he went to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative to buy some cigarettes, alcohol, and pastries.
It wasn’t until 8 p.m. that he finally arrived at the Fang residence, gifts in hand.
Fang Zhifan was quite a shrewd character, he thought. Even if there were any loose ends, they’d likely been tidied up.
Chu Yu didn’t have time for meticulous investigation—it was better to confront them directly.
Fang’s father, Fang Dahe, was an honest man. After his wife passed away, he never remarried, raising his son single-handedly.
When Chu Yu arrived, she was overjoyed, pulling him aside to fuss over him with great concern.
She lamented the unfairness of the world, insisting that Chu’s parents—such virtuous people—should never have suffered such misfortune, and so on.
She went on and on like this for two full hours, then stubbornly pressed some money and coupons into Chu Yu’s hands before finally letting him leave.
After he had gone, Fang Dahe turned to his son, whom he took great pride in: “Chu Yu rarely comes back. Should we take this chance to bring Xiangxue into our family? That child has had a particularly tough time lately.”
Fang Zhifan smiled reassuringly. “No need to rush. Xiangxue is still young.”
Fang Dahe, though honest, was no fool. Seeing his son refuse once again, he immediately grew displeased and asked, “Zhifan, tell me the truth—are you reluctant to marry her because of Xiangxue’s background?”
“Not at all, Dad. Don’t overthink it.” The truth was, Fang Zhifan had no intention of marrying her. After all, he still aimed to climb higher, and marrying Chu Xiangxue would greatly hinder his future promotions.
But he kept these thoughts to himself. Instead, he opened the door, walked a full circle around the house to make sure Chu Yu had truly left, and only then returned with peace of mind.
However, what Fang Zhifan didn’t know was that the moment he opened the door, Chu Yu—who had been standing pressed against the wall in the darkness—had already slipped up onto the roof in a few swift steps.