CHAPTER 10 

Watching Gu Cheng’an’s tall figure stride away, Su Yin still couldn’t figure out his attitude toward his so-called future wife. He really didn’t give her any face at all.

Then again, this wasn’t something a cannon-fodder supporting character like her should even be worrying about.

She had already decided to steer clear of this future big shot… but to her surprise, he was the one who started approaching her.

In the days after she arrived, Gu Cheng’an had been kept on a short leash by the old man. Not only did his grandfather make sure he stayed home, he even scared away any friends who tried to come calling.

“Cheng’an, don’t blame us, man. The moment the old man looked at me, my knees went weak.”

“Grandpa, I’m not some sheltered young lady—why are you locking me up at home?” Gu Cheng’an protested helplessly.

“You’re just lucky you were born decades too late, otherwise I’d have trained you till you were crying for your parents! You need to settle down. You’ve got work to do, and it’s about time you started a family—stop loafing around all day.”

With no way out, Gu Cheng’an lounged around the house for a few days, occasionally dismantling the family radio and then trying to put it back together. But an eagle could only tolerate a cage for so long.

“Grandpa, today’s He Songping’s birthday. I can’t not go.”

“I’ll send a gift for you. He’ll understand. Come here and play chess with me—it’ll help you learn some patience.”

Gu Cheng’an reluctantly sat down for a game of Go. Nearby, Su Yin was chatting with Aunt Wu about what to cook for tomorrow.

Halfway through the match, Gu Cheng’an’s attention drifted toward Su Yin, and suddenly he perked up.

“Grandpa, I don’t mind staying at home, but Comrade Su Yin came all this way. We can’t keep her cooped up inside. How about I take her out for a bit—show some proper hospitality?”

Su Yin, who had been perfectly happy at home: “…?”

Old Master Gu gave a light snort without even looking up. “Finish this game first.”

Then he glanced at his grandson. “Take her around, let the two of you spend more time together.”

“Got it.” Gu Cheng’an’s sharp brows lifted slightly.

Before Su Yin knew it, she was being whisked outside. His legs were long and his strides even longer—she could barely keep up.

The worst part? She hadn’t even agreed to go out.

Breathing in the fresh air beyond the gate, Gu Cheng’an finally felt free. He looked back at his perfect human shield—turns out she was more useful than expected.

“I’ll just go to the bookstore by myself…” Su Yin offered considerately, figuring they could each do their own thing.

“Nope. If I slack off again today, I’ll get chewed out when we get back,” Gu Cheng’an said meaningfully.

“You mean your grandpa noticed last time?”

“Of course. Those eyes of his have seen through more than a few spies. With your half-baked story, plus the fact he knows my temperament…” Gu Cheng’an led her to the far side of the compound and called over He Songping, asking him to find his cousin Gu Chenghui.

Gu Chenghui was the youngest daughter of his second uncle—eighteen, fresh out of high school, and already working as an accountant in a factory. It happened to be her day off.

When she arrived and heard that her fourth brother wanted her to take his fiancée out to play, she immediately seized the chance to fleece him.

“Fourth Brother, if we get tired at noon, we’ll need to eat at a state-run restaurant, right? And order the signature dishes?”

“You’ve got quite the picky mouth.” Gu Cheng’an handed her three one-yuan notes and a catty of grain coupons—generous enough. “After you’re done, take her to He Songping’s place. Don’t come home early.”

If you’re going to act, you have to commit.

“Got it!” Gu Chenghui happily took Su Yin by the arm.

Su Yin had only seen her once on her first day at the Gu household—they’d barely exchanged a few words. Meeting again today, she found the girl lively and cheerful, completely different from Gu Cheng’an.

“Sister Su Yin, are you really my fourth brother’s fiancée? When’s the wedding?”

Su Yin: “…”

Straight to the point, wasn’t she.

Golden sunlight spilled across the ground, heat shimmering in the air. Su Yin patiently explained, “It was just a joke between our grandfathers back then…”

“How could it be a joke?” Gu Chenghui, well aware of her grandfather’s stubborn personality, said with certainty, “Don’t worry, my fourth brother’s arm is no match for our grandfather’s leg.”

Su Yin: “…”

She wanted to tell her that her fourth brother actually liked another girl from the compound—Xin Mengqi, not her—but that kind of thing wasn’t her place to say.

Either way, Su Yin was quite fond of the charming Gu Chenghui. She reminded her a little of her aunt’s granddaughter back in the village—her own little cousin—bringing out Su Yin’s big-sisterly side.

The two girls chatted and laughed all the way out of the military compound. Gu Chenghui talked non-stop, pointing out various sights to Su Yin. At noon, they went all out at the state-run restaurant.

“Don’t worry, my fourth brother’s loaded, and he’s got plenty of coupons. We’ll make him treat us well!” Taking Su Yin for her future sister-in-law, Gu Chenghui ordered only the best dishes.

Braised pork, soy-braised duck, eight-treasure rice, stir-fried greens—the state restaurant’s chef had real skill, and the two of them polished off every last bite.

In the afternoon, Su Yin accompanied Gu Chenghui to the department store, where she picked out two hair ties—one red, one goose-yellow—each adorned with a pearl at the end, fashionable and pretty.

Just two simple hair ties, yet they cost a full yuan—enough to make Su Yin gasp at the price.

She’d thought Gu Chenghui was buying them to wear alternately, but instead, Chenghui tied the bright red one directly onto Su Yin’s braid and grinned. “Looks great.”

“You bought them—keep them for yourself. I’ve already got some,” Su Yin protested.

“Just take it. I’m going back to get Fourth Brother to reimburse me anyway.”

….

In He Songping’s bedroom, Gu Cheng’an had finally managed to sneak out and was now crouched with Han Qingwen and He Songping, fiddling with a radio. Last time, when he’d taken apart Han Qingwen’s radio, he’d gotten stuck right before putting it back together. But a few days at home—plus dismantling the family radio—had helped him figure out the problem.

Today, with just a few deft moves, he reassembled the casing, pressed a button, and the voice of a broadcast host floated out.

“Whoa, An-ge, you actually fixed it!” He Songping stared, slack-jawed. Those long, deft fingers moved quickly and confidently, slotting each delicate piece into place. He’d thought the reason to stick by Gu Cheng’an was because the guy could fight—no one dared mess with him. But now? His respect had just gone up another notch.

“Impressive!” Han Qingwen flopped back on the bed. “I kinda get the mechanics, but I wouldn’t have figured it out that fast. You’re sharp.”

Gu Cheng’an kept his expression cool, pulling out a well-hidden cassette. He slid it into the player, and the stern, revolutionary opera abruptly gave way to a gentle, lilting melody.

Knock, knock, knock—

“Brother, Mom told me to bring you some snacks.”

“Coming!”

He Songping opened the door to find his sister, He Songling, holding a plate of pastries.

“Come in, sit for a bit. We’ve got something good to listen to.”

“What is it?” She’d already caught a faint trace of unfamiliar music—soft and warm, tugging her curiosity.

Then she spotted Gu Cheng’an, dressed in all black and lounging casually in the chair, and immediately shrank back. “Actually… never mind, I’ll go downstairs.”

Han Qingwen chuckled—he knew she found Gu Cheng’an intimidating. And to be fair, the man could be downright fierce when he wanted to be… but his heart was good.

He remembered when Songping first arrived at the compound with his mother, just a six-year-old with a shy, stiff manner. A group of older boys had cornered him, forcing him to kneel and pretend to be their horse. He hadn’t dared resist—he’d heard their fathers outranked his, and besides, he couldn’t take on all of them.

Then Gu Cheng’an—also six at the time—had walked in. He told Songping to get up, that no man should bow like that. Then he’d gone one-against-several. For someone so small, his punches were fierce, and somehow he hadn’t been overpowered. By the end, everyone had bloody noses.

Of course, Gu Cheng’an got a beating from his father afterward, but he’d stood tall and said he’d done nothing wrong. Songping had been so moved, he decided then and there to call him “Big Brother”—and had done so for over a decade.

Now, the three of them sat eating walnut pastries from Fuping Zhai, listening to a tape from Hong Kong—relaxed and content.

“Once the time has passed, it never returns… all that remains are memories… the spring breeze has once again turned the blossoms red, and you have grown another year older…”

Knock, knock, knock—again.

This time, it was Gu Chenghui and Su Yin.

Catching sight of the “decadent” pop music they were listening to, Chenghui’s voice jumped an octave. “You’re listening to this in secret? Quick, Su Yin-jie, come here! There’s food, too!”

Gu Cheng’an glanced at his cousin. In this short span, she was already calling Su Yin “Sister”? This girl’s heart was all too easy to win.

Su Yin quietly settled into a bamboo chair. She had never heard music like this before—so unlike the rigid revolutionary operas from the brigade office radio. This melody was soft, tender, and low, as if it could sing its way right into a person’s heart.

Her gaze stayed fixed on the radio, eyes wide and unblinking. Gradually, a faint smile touched her lips, lighting her features. Sunset poured through the window, a halo of warm gold wrapping around her, making her seem as if she herself were glowing.

Beside her, even the usual wild glint in Gu Cheng’an’s dark eyes seemed smoothed by the music. He sat still, quietly listening, but his sidelong glance toward Su Yin was intent—like watching something precious.

Chenghui’s voice broke the hush. “Fourth Brother, I bought two hair ties today. One for Su Yin-jie, one for me. Pretty, right? You have to reimburse me~”

Gu Cheng’an’s eyes flicked to them. Chenghui had a pale yellow tie on her braid; Su Yin’s was bright red, a splash of color against her otherwise simple clothes. It made her skin look even fairer. Sensing his gaze, Su Yin turned her head. Her braid swayed, and the tiny pearl on the tie shimmered with the movement—delicate and striking.

“You’re always trying to drain my wallet.”

“Hmph! You should be honored to buy something for two beautiful young ladies like us. Most people wouldn’t get the chance!”

Su Yin couldn’t help laughing at Chenghui’s words, dimples showing. The red hair tie made her smile all the more vivid.

Gu Cheng’an pulled his gaze away, his long lashes lowering to hide whatever had flickered there. From his pocket, he pulled out two yuan. “Here. If you like it, buy it.”

“Wow, Fourth Brother, you’re the best! So generous—the best brother in the whole world!”

He smirked—this girl really knew how to sweet-talk people. Then he turned to the quiet Su Yin, mischief sparking in his mind.

“And you? Got nothing to say?”

Su Yin: “…”