Chapter 23 Taking the Initiative

Lu Shiyan felt a bit helpless about this. Even if he came back home every day, the chances of running into Gu Jinshu were practically zero. He was busy at the military district all day, while Gu Jinshu was constantly running around with Professor Zhang. He’d heard that last night the two of them didn’t get back until around eleven. The real problem was that Lu Shiyan simply couldn’t see Gu Jinshu in person.

“If you’ve got nothing to do, don’t keep coming back here and getting in my way—go do whatever you need to do!” Old Master Lu waved his hand in dismissal, clearly disliking having his grandson hanging around.

Lu Shiyan: “…” Disliked.

…

Around eight o’clock that night, Lu Shiyan once again appeared outside Professor Zhang’s home, pacing back and forth.

At first, Wang Ruizhi hadn’t understood what he was up to, but if she still didn’t get it today, she might as well say she’d lived all these years for nothing.

“Ahem.” Wang Ruizhi cleared her throat, stepped out of the courtyard, and said, “Shiyan, I don’t know when those two will be back tonight. Standing out here at the door must be tiring—why don’t you come in and sit for a while? My dinner’s just ready; keep this old lady company for a meal!”

“Mm.” Lu Shiyan didn’t refuse. His long legs stepped into the courtyard, and when he saw that Granny Wang had made braised mutton, he ate a whole big bowl of it. Even the mutton soup left in the pot was delicious.

“Heh, if you and Jinshu really do end up together someday, you two will definitely be able to eat well together,” Wang Ruizhi said with a smile when she saw how much he liked it. “Jinshu’s favorite is also mutton, especially my braised mutton soup—she can drink two bowls every time.”

“It’s mainly because you make it so well,” Lu Shiyan said softly, silently noting down Gu Jinshu’s preferences.

Wang Ruizhi looked him over. She and her husband had moved into the military compound long ago, and they had practically watched Lu Shiyan grow up. Smart, responsible, and dependable—definitely someone worthy of entrusting a lifetime to.

Of course, marriage was for the young people to decide themselves; others had no right to interfere. Still, if they did like each other someday, she would be happy—Shiyan and Jinshu were a good match.

“Do you like Jinshu?” Wang Ruizhi raised her eyebrows, not beating around the bush.

“Mm,” Lu Shiyan responded lightly. “I like her.”

“In that case, you need to work hard to win her over.”

Her words caught him off guard. “You… don’t object?”

“I know you’re a good kid, and Jinshu’s a good kid too. What right do I have to object?” Wang Ruizhi shrugged in mock lightheartedness and smiled faintly. “But your way of pursuing a girl—tsk, tsk—too old-fashioned. Just like when Old Zhang was chasing me back in the day.”

Lu Shiyan’s lips pressed together, and he tested the waters: “Do you have a better way?”

“For a girl with Jinshu’s personality, you have to take the initiative! As long as she doesn’t dislike you, all the opportunities are for you to create!” Wang Ruizhi continued, “And let me remind you—when it comes to a good girl, there will always be a hundred people vying for her, especially someone as outstanding as Jinshu. If you don’t hurry, you’ll regret it sooner or later.”

Lu Shiyan frowned deeply. What she said made perfect sense.

“Don’t bother waiting tonight,” Wang Ruizhi added. “If they’re not back by this time, it means it’ll be around eleven before they return. If they get caught up with a patient, it’ll be even later. If there’s no patient, they’d already be home by now.”

Lu Shiyan slowly stood. “Thank you for the mutton—it was especially delicious.”

“What’s there to thank? You’re the first person to say my cooking’s good.” Wang Ruizhi’s cooking wasn’t as good as Zhang Pingtian’s, and whenever he was home, she never got the chance to cook.

When he got back, Lu Shiyan lay in bed thinking about what Wang Ruizhi had said. Over and over, back and forth, he mulled it over.

In the end, he reached a conclusion: when it came to Gu Jinshu, he couldn’t be indirect about his feelings. She wouldn’t understand.

——

“Achoo~”

Gu Jinshu sneezed heavily for no apparent reason.

Professor Zhang Pingtian looked over at her. “What’s wrong? Feeling worn out these last couple of days? Just hang in there a bit longer—we’ll get a good rest in a few days.”

“I’m fine.” Gu Jinshu rubbed her nose. She didn’t think it was a cold—maybe someone was thinking about her.

“Jinshu.”

No sooner had the thought crossed her mind than Gu Muyu appeared in the doorway of the clinic. He was really persistent.

It hadn’t been long since the last incident, and yet here he was again.

He was endlessly pestering her! From what she remembered of the original owner’s impressions, wasn’t Gu Muyu supposed to be full of pride? How could he now be lowering himself to keep coming to her like this? Wasn’t one rejection enough?

Gu Muyu didn’t come inside—he just stood at the door and said in a flat tone, “You haven’t been home in a long time. Mom and Dad miss you. Come back with me tonight.”

Zhang Pingtian found the whole thing rather exasperating. This kid really did have a thick skin! If he didn’t know they were blood siblings, he would have suspected something inappropriate.

“Professor Zhang, my parents have always been grateful to you for taking care of Jinshu these past few days. Please come to our home for a meal sometime.” Gu Muyu’s tone of thanks was very sincere.

“Who said I’m taking care of Jinshu for your family? She’s my student! Of course I’ll take care of her.”

“Teacher, let me speak,” Gu Jinshu interjected. She didn’t want her teacher dragged into her personal matters every time—no need for him to keep worrying about her.

“Gu Muyu, I’ll say this one last time: I’ve completely severed ties with that family. I won’t set foot in that house ever again. If I weren’t Professor Zhang’s student, if he didn’t value me this much, you wouldn’t even be standing here saying these things to me. You think I can bring honor to the family, so you beg me to smooth things over. But if I were only trouble for you, you’d be eager to cut ties with me yourselves.”

A mocking smile curled on her lips. “Am I wrong?”

“…” Gu Muyu’s brows knitted tightly.

“I know you suffered in that mountain village for years. Mom and Dad didn’t know before, but now we’re doing our best to make it up to you. If you think Qinghai marrying Chuxue isn’t acceptable, I can make sure Mom and Dad disapprove of the match, and you can go ahead and marry Qinghai yourself.”

“Why would I want a man rotten to the core?” Gu Jinshu said with disdain. “Even if you gave him to me for free, I wouldn’t take him.”

“In that case, why won’t you come home? If Mom and Dad have done something wrong, you can tell them directly! Don’t just keep it bottled up.” Gu Muyu took a deep breath. “Please, I’m begging you. They really do miss you. Even if it’s just to come home and have one meal with me, it would mean a lot.”