When Gu Xiaoxi woke up, it was already noon. Her entire body felt sore and exhausted, leaving her without an ounce of energy to move.
After resting for a long while, she sat up to change her clothes. Only then did she notice the deep purple jade pendant resting against her chest. The relief carving on it was quite distinct—a classic, ancient balance scale.
When did Lu Jiansen put this on me?
She unclasped the pendant, intending to find a box to keep it safe, but her legs buckled beneath her as she stood up, sending her tumbling to the floor. Her palm scraped against the ground, and a small drop of blood seeped onto the surface of the jade.
Suddenly, the balance scale carving on the pendant vanished, and two strange structure projections materialized before her eyes.
One looked dilapidated, labeled: [Used Goods Storage].
The other possessed a sleek, high-tech aesthetic, labeled: [New Products Showroom].
Gu Xiaoxi rubbed her eyes in disbelief. “Am I hallucinating?”
Before she could process the strange vision, her mother’s voice echoed from outside the house.
“Xiaoxi wasn’t feeling well yesterday; she’s probably sleeping. Let me check on her first. Director Wang, please have a seat.”
Gu Xiaoxi gasped, hastily scrambling up from the floor to tidy her hair and clothes. But as her hand touched the door handle, she paused and glanced back.
The floating structures had vanished, and the balance scale carving had magically reappeared on the purple jade pendant. Though thoroughly baffled, she carefully tucked the necklace beneath her collar.
Stepping into the living room, she saw her mother, Jiang Xiuqing, accompanied by Director Wang from the neighborhood committee.
“Mom, Director Wang,” Gu Xiaoxi greeted politely.
Jiang Xiuqing checked her daughter’s forehead. Finding no fever, she asked softly, “Xiaoxi, did you see Gu Xinli yesterday?”
Gu Xiaoxi was surprised by the question, but she nodded. “Yes. She and Aunt Liu came by last night to borrow my bicycle.”
In her previous two lives, this conversation had never occurred. She wondered why her mother was suddenly bringing up her cousin.
Jiang Xiuqing exchanged a glance with Director Wang before asking tentatively, “Did you happen to see a young man last night? A soldier?”
Gu Xiaoxi felt a momentary spike of panic, but maintained a calm demeanor as she shook her head. “No. Why do you ask?”
Director Wang sighed in exasperation. “Your brother asked a comrade-in-arms to deliver some supplies to your home. Since your house was empty during the day, the soldier delivered the items to your grandparents’ house instead.”
Gu Xiaoxi blinked. There was such a thing? Why hadn’t she known about this in her past lives?
Director Wang continued, “That soldier is an exceptional young man—only twenty-five, but already a officer. His comrade thought it would be a wonderful idea for him to meet his sister while on leave…”
Gu Xiaoxi froze. The soldier Director Wang is talking about… is Lu Jiansen?!
And the comrade’s sister… was her? Her elder brother, Gu Dachuan, was indeed serving in the Northern Military Region as a company commander. But in her previous lives, her brother had never mentioned setting up a meeting!
“It’s all because of that devious Gu Xinli!” Director Wang fumed. “She lied to the soldier, claiming she was Gu Dachuan’s sister, and pressured him into going out for a meal with her! Then, she tried to drug his soup to force a marriage proposal! Luckily, he realized something was wrong in time and went to the hospital to receive emergency treatment…”
Director Wang was furious. The upper management had chewed her out over the incident!
Gu Xiaoxi’s mind was in total disarray. Lu Jiansen spent the night in my room… Emergency treatment at the hospital? Was my bedroom his hospital?!
Before she could ponder further, Director Wang’s next words snapped her back to reality.
“That soldier reported the incident to the authorities first thing this morning. Gu Xinli’s punishment has already been issued—she is being sent to the countryside for labor reform!”
Director Wang paused, her expression softening. “Furthermore, that officer specifically requested to meet you!”
Gu Xiaoxi’s jaw dropped in pleasant shock. Gu Xinli was being shipped off to the countryside early without Gu Xiaoxi even having to lift a finger? This was incredible news!
Seeing the bright expression on Gu Xiaoxi’s face, Director Wang smiled warmly. “It seems the girl is willing to meet him. This is an exceptional match. Otherwise, given the current climate, Xiaoxi might have eventually been forced to go to the countryside too.”
Jiang Xiuqing understood the subtle implication and fell into deep thought. She couldn’t bear the thought of sending her delicate daughter to do hard labor in the countryside.
Looking at her daughter, Jiang Xiuqing nodded. “Then we’ll trouble Director Wang to arrange a meeting!”
Director Wang chuckled. “Why wait? How about today? That officer’s aunt lives right here in Huai City. I can set up a meeting for both families to sit down for dinner tonight!”
Jiang Xiuqing was startled. “Today? Isn’t that too sudden?”
“It’s a bit rushed, but such a wonderful match shouldn’t be delayed!” Director Wang urged.
Once Director Wang departed, Jiang Xiuqing hurriedly went over to the eldest brother’s house, reclaimed the borrowed bicycle, and rode off to consult her husband, leaving Gu Xiaoxi standing alone in the living room.