Xiuzhu lay in her room, unable to sleep. Tossing and turning, she kept thinking about her conversation with her grandfather in the study.  

Who would have thought that she actually knew both of the influential families at the center of power? One was her eldest brother’s comrade-in-arms, and the other was her significant other.  

Just think about it—who else could boast such a setup? It almost felt like something out of a sweet romance novel. Was this the kind of script she had been given?  

Well, it made sense. She was this beautiful—who else deserved to be pampered if not her?  

The heavy weight in her heart could finally be lifted. Tomorrow, she would wait for Gu Yu’s good news, and then she would lead the Lin family to its peak.  

And then there was that Ling Luochuan, whose face practically screamed “Do Not Disturb.” She’d have to build a good relationship with him too.  

With these two powerful families as her backing, she could just sit back and coast to victory.  

The stars dotted the sky like scattered pearls, their distant and serene light twinkling quietly.  

With sweet dreams in her heart, Xiuzhu drifted off to sleep.  

*  

Amidst the overgrown grass and trees, where few traces of people could be found, only the wind and birdsong intertwined into a melody, making the atmosphere inside the car especially tranquil.  

Gu Yu coaxed her gently from the side, “Be good, I’ve already driven us somewhere secluded—no one will see us.”  

This little heartless one still refused to acknowledge their relationship in public. He knew pushing too hard now would backfire, so he’d let it go for the time being.  

Once she got used to his presence, he’d visit the Lin family in person. This wasn’t something he could let her dictate.  

“Hmph, you could’ve just told me over the phone. Did you really have to make me come out? It’s so hot in the summer,” Xiuzhu grumbled, frowning in displeasure.  

Over the phone, it would’ve been a simple matter, but Gu Yu had insisted on meeting in person to tell her yesterday’s results.  

The weather was scorching, and she was going to sweat again. She hated that sticky feeling.  

Gu Yu took out a large bag from the car and led the sulking girl under the shade of a nearby tree.  

He spread out a picnic blanket he had prepared the night before and settled his little darling onto it.  

Then, from the bag, he pulled out an assortment of snacks, soda, grapes, and apples.  

Under the tree’s shade, a refreshing coolness washed over Xiuzhu, easing both her discomfort and her mood. Sitting on the blanket, she watched with interest as Gu Yu set everything up.  

Wasn’t this just a picnic? She shot him a questioning look.  

Gu Yu, ever attentive to her emotions, knew her irritation had faded by now.  

He explained, “When I studied in the Soviet Union years ago, there weren’t many restrictions there. I traveled to many other countries with classmates. The foreigners there really knew how to enjoy themselves—they called this a picnic.”  

Upon hearing this, Xiuzhu was pleasantly surprised—she hadn’t expected Gu Yu to be an overseas returnee. Picking up a grape from the picnic blanket, she noticed how fresh it was, droplets of water still glistening on its skin.  

The moment it touched her tongue, sweetness burst in her mouth. The corners of Xiuzhu’s lips curled up in satisfaction, and her eyes brightened even more.  

A glistening trail of grape juice lingered at the edge of her lips.  

Seeing how much she enjoyed the food he brought, Gu Yu felt a quiet sense of fulfillment. His efforts—rising before dawn to have someone pick these grapes from an orchard in the outskirts—had not been in vain.  

“You should eat too. This place is really comfortable,” she said, her voice now sweet and syrupy from her good mood, sending a faint itch through Gu Yu’s heart.  

His voice dropped slightly, roughened with restraint. “Mm, it’s all for you. If you can’t finish, take the rest home.”  

Pleased by his generosity, Xiuzhu selected a plump grape and gently handed it to him.  

Gu Yu’s sharp, phoenix-like eyes remained fixed on her face. At her gesture, the corner of his mouth lifted faintly.  

*So this little heartless one finally has a conscience—she still remembers me.*  

…

Over the next few days, Gu Yu continued luring Xiuzhu out with topics that piqued her interest.  

He had a knack for lightening the mood with humor, sharing stories from his time in the Soviet Union—delicious foods, fascinating places.  

In the entertainment-starved 1960s, these little outings added much-needed color to Xiuzhu’s otherwise mundane life.  

Gu Yu also occasionally gifted her rare treats and daily necessities, items hard to come by at the time.  

Within just a few days, their understanding and tacit understanding of each other deepened significantly. For Xiuzhu, this period was one of relaxation and happiness.  

“Wow, beige leather shoes! How did you know I liked these?” Xiuzhu exclaimed in delight. The last time she’d gone to the department store with her cousin, she hadn’t even seen this color in stock.  

Watching her kitten-like excitement, Gu Yu chuckled softly. “You mentioned it offhand once during a conversation. So I had someone find the style you liked in Hong Kong.”  

Even someone as carefree as Xiuzhu had to admit—the longer she spent with this man, the more she noticed his attentiveness.  

He always picked up on the smallest hints in their chats, then tracked down and gifted her exactly what she desired.  

Any other young girl would’ve long fallen for him, unable to resist such devotion.  

But Xiuzhu’s nerves for romance were naturally underdeveloped. In her mind, her beauty and youth made it only natural for Gu Yu to court her and treat her well.  

Seeing her eager to leave after receiving the gift, Gu Yu’s eyes darkened. These past few days, whenever she was in high spirits, she’d occasionally brush her lips lightly against his cheek—like a dragonfly skimming water.  

He had given her time to adjust, never pushing for more.  

But now, with an upcoming mission leaving him no time to see her, patience ran thin.  

His voice lowered, roughened with intent.  

“Xiuzhu, don’t you think you’re forgetting something?”