Chapter 23: Calling Gu Yunze

Qin Gang also wanted to go home to raise money, but if the villagers found out, they would gossip endlessly. He couldn’t afford to lose face, but tomorrow was the deadline. If he couldn’t raise the money, he would lose his share in the business.

He gritted his teeth, turned around, opened the courtyard gate, and pushed his motorcycle out. Qin Lan hurriedly chased after him, “Brother, you haven’t taken the money.”

“Keep it.”

Qin Gang roared, twisted the throttle, and the motorcycle shot out instantly.

Bai Jun just turned the corner and was almost hit, he quickly pressed himself against the wall, his heart filled with envy. If his family could afford a motorcycle, why would he have to study so hard?

Qin Lan saw him and waved to him with a smile. Bai Jun quickly ran over, and Qin Lan held up the hundred yuan that Qin Gang hadn’t taken, “My brother came just now and gave me a hundred yuan. What do you want to eat? I’ll treat you to lunch.”

Bai Jun pointed at Qin Gang’s receding back, “Is that your brother?”

“Yes, my brother rides the only motorcycle in our county. He bought it from elsewhere through someone, and it cost a lot of money.”

Bai Jun’s mind raced, “I still owe you money, how can I let you treat me? I’ll buy some vegetables and cook them for you. If you like it, I’ll cook for you every day after school.”

Does he like me? Qin Lan suppressed her excitement.

“How can that be? You’re about to take the college entrance exam, you can’t be distracted by food. My family has plenty of money, we don’t care about this little bit. Let me buy it and cook it for you.”

“This…”

Qin Lan didn’t allow any rebuttal, turned around, locked the door, “Come on, let’s go to the state-run restaurant!”

……

Coming out of the hospital, Gu’s mother looked around and saw the post office not far away, “Yiyi, we’re both free today, let’s call Yunze.”

Jiang Yiyi paused. Her words that day were just an excuse; she hadn’t thought of calling Gu Yunze at all. But since Gu’s mother said so, if she disagreed, Gu’s mother would surely suspect something.

“Okay, Mom, do you have the phone number?”

“I had Yunyang write it down last night.”

Speaking, Gu’s mother took out a slip of paper from her pocket and unfolded it. The phone number was written on the paper in pencil. “You call Yunze later, and my eldest daughter and I will watch the children.”

Jiang Yiyi could only reluctantly agree, praying in her heart that Gu Yunze would be busy and unable to answer the phone.

But things went against her wishes. Jiang Yiyi called, and the person who answered the phone, after hearing that she was looking for Gu Yunze, asked her to wait. After only a dozen seconds, the phone was picked up again, “Hello?”

Jiang Yiyi’s hand holding the receiver tightened. She took a deep breath to relax herself, “Gu Yunze? This is Jiang Yiyi.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end, seemingly surprised that Jiang Yiyi would call him. Then an anxious voice came over.

“Did something happen at home? I’ll immediately ask…”

“Nothing happened at home…” Jiang Yiyi quickly said, “I’m calling to tell you that my eldest sister and I have started selling food, and we have an income every day. You only need to send fifty yuan home every month.”

It was impossible to completely stop him from sending money. The saying “men change when they have money” is true in any era. Even if Gu Yunze is in the army, he’s not necessarily isolated from women. She is Gu Yunze’s nominal wife, and she must prevent this from happening.

Gu Yunze on the other end seemed to have breathed a sigh of relief.

Jiang Yiyi glanced sideways. Gu’s mother and Gu Yunchi, each holding a child, were looking at her intently, not far away. She could be heard by both of them.

“Also…”

She slightly turned sideways, blocking the view of Gu’s mother and Gu Yunchi, and lowered her voice, “Don’t worry about home, and don’t worry about coming back to visit. Everyone at home is fine. Today, my eldest sister and I brought Mother to the hospital for a checkup, and the doctor said there’s nothing serious. Don’t worry.”

“How are Mother and my eldest sister?”

“They’re right here with me. They said the phone call is expensive, so they won’t talk to you.”

Jiang Yiyi’s face didn’t redden, and her heart didn’t beat faster.

“I understand. Please take care of the family. I have a mission right now and won’t be able to go home for a while.”

It’s best if you don’t come back for a long time. After saying this in her heart, Jiang Yiyi hung up the phone and smiled at Gu’s mother, “Yunze said he has a mission and won’t be able to come back for a while.”

Gu’s mother didn’t object to not letting her talk for long. Phone calls were expensive; every extra word cost more money. But she was disappointed that her son couldn’t come back. She originally thought that after receiving the call, her son would be able to come home to visit, even if it was only for three days.

On the other side, after hanging up the phone, Gu Yunze frowned.

He had only spent one day with Jiang Yiyi, and he couldn’t say he knew her well. But a person’s temperament doesn’t change. The Jiang Yiyi on their wedding day didn’t even dare to look at him, timid and fearful, even speaking in a low voice.

The voice on the phone hadn’t changed, but her tone had changed, becoming assertive and forceful.

What happened in the past two years that caused such a big change in her?

Moreover, she deliberately lowered her voice later, probably because she didn’t want her mother and eldest sister to hear. There was nothing wrong with what she said, why didn’t she want them to hear?

What was she hiding from him? Or was Jiang Yiyi not wanting him to go back?

“Still savoring your sister-in-law’s voice?”

A hand landed on Gu Yunze’s shoulder, and the owner of the hand winked at him.

Gu Yunze glanced at him.

In the past, with this glance, Wang Yang would never dare to joke with Gu Yunze again. But today was a rare opportunity. If he missed it, he might never have the chance to tease Gu Yunze again.

Two years ago, Gu Yunze went home to visit his family and returned with wedding candies. At that time, their eyes almost fell to the ground. When they asked what his sister-in-law looked like, he remained silent. In the past two years, he hadn’t even received a letter. They guessed that Gu Yunze’s marriage was arranged, and his wife was not presentable, so Gu Yunze didn’t mention her. But now, seeing Gu Yunze still savoring the call after hanging up, he couldn’t help it.

“Tell me honestly, is your sister-in-law very beautiful? That’s why you’re still savoring it after hanging up?”

Gu Yunze shook off his hand and strode out. Wang Yang followed relentlessly, “When will your sister-in-law come to visit? We’ve been wanting to see your sister-in-law’s beautiful face.”

Gu Yunze stopped, a smile playing on his lips.

Wang Yang’s heart pounded. Once Gu Yunze showed this expression, he wanted to settle the score. He was about to run away.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve sparred. Come on, let’s practice.”

Wang Yang wailed, “I’m wrong, I…”

Gu Yunze walked away again, “If you dare not come, you’ll bear the consequences.”