Chapter 19
Edward Quan ·
Me: “…”
Children really were children.
They never forgot what mattered most.
I laughed.
“All right!”
Just then—
A man’s voice sounded behind us.
“Give me one more.”
I turned around.
Gu Mingzhe was standing a few steps away.
He wore a white shirt.
No tie.
His face looked much gentler than it had when we first met.
I was surprised.
“President Gu?”
He smiled.
“How many times have I told you? Outside work, you don’t have to call me that.”
I thought about it.
“Then what should I call you?”
He looked at me.
“Mingzhe.”
I paused.
Baozi immediately grinned mischievously.
“Big Sis, Dad likes you!”
Me: “…”
Gu Mingzhe: “…”
I crouched down.
“Baozi, who taught you to say that?”
The boy pointed straight at his father.
“Dad!”
Gu Mingzhe immediately coughed.
I looked at him.
He looked at me.
After a long while, he said slowly:
“Ruoxi.”
I looked up.
“Yes?”
“Can I ask you something?”
I nodded.
“Sure.”
He took a deep breath.
Then looked straight into my eyes.
“I’m single now.”
“The things from the past have been settled.”
“I’m no longer a husband trapped in an unhappy marriage.”
I was silent.
He continued:
“I know I made things difficult for you before.”
“And I don’t want to do that again.”
I looked at him.
My heart began to beat faster.
He smiled.
“But if you don’t mind…”
“I’d like to officially pursue you.”
I stood motionless.
Baozi immediately clapped.
“Say yes, Big Sis!”
I lowered my head.
“Be quiet for a moment!”
The boy immediately covered his mouth.
But his eyes still sparkled.
Gu Mingzhe looked at me.
He didn’t pressure me.
He just waited patiently.
I thought for a long time.
At last, I asked slowly:
“Do you really like me?”
He nodded.
“I do.”
“Not because I helped your family?”
“No.”
“Not because Baozi likes me?”
“Not that either.”
I looked at him.
“Then why?”
Gu Mingzhe smiled.
“Because when I’m with you, life doesn’t feel as frightening as it used to.”
I paused.
He continued:
“You always say things no one expects.”
“Sometimes you give me a headache.”
“Sometimes you make me unsure whether to laugh or cry.”
“But you’re also someone who dares to speak the truth.”
“Someone who dares to protect others.”
“And someone who has never lost her kindness.”
I felt my face grow hot.
He looked at me.
“I like all of that about you.”
I was silent for a long time.
Then asked slowly:
“So…”
He held his breath.
I said seriously:
“If we date, can I keep working at the company?”
Gu Mingzhe: “…”
Baozi: “…”
I continued:
“And my attendance bonus…”
He suddenly burst out laughing.
He laughed so hard he had to bow his head.
I was annoyed.
“What are you laughing at?”
He stepped closer.
Gently took my hand.
“Yes.”
I was stunned.
He smiled.
“You can keep doing the work you enjoy, with the same benefits as every other employee.”
I thought about it.
Then nodded.
“Then…”
He looked at me.
I smiled.
“I’ll give you a chance.”
Gu Mingzhe stood motionless.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
Then he laughed.
A radiant smile.
Baozi immediately jumped up and down.
“HOORAY!”
I looked at the father and son.
I couldn’t help laughing too.
But just then—
My phone suddenly vibrated.
It was Dad.
I answered.
“Dad!”
He asked:
“Where are you?”
“At Wanhe Mall.”
There was immediate silence on the other end.
Then Dad asked:
“Did you find another lost kid?”
Me: “…”
“No!”
“Then why are you there?”
I looked at Gu Mingzhe.
Then at Baozi.
Finally, I replied cheerfully:
“Dad, I have a boyfriend!”
The other end fell completely silent.
After a long while—
My dad slowly asked:
“Who?”
I smiled.
“Gu Mingzhe!”
A loud crash came through the phone.
I jumped.
“Dad!”
My mother shouted from the other end:
“Honey! What’s wrong?”
I panicked.
“Dad!”
After a long moment, my father’s weak voice came through.
“Ruoxi…”
“Yes!”
“Could you…”
He took a deep breath.
“Give me one peaceful day?”
Me: “…”
I looked at my phone.
Then at Gu Mingzhe.
Finally, I sighed.
Honestly.
Adults were so hard to understand.
I only wanted to fall in love.
What was so scary about that?
But just as I was about to hang up, Dad suddenly continued:
“Wait!”
I jumped.
“Yes?”
He asked seriously:
“Does Gu Mingzhe know you once made an entire tactical team deploy?”
I nodded.
“Yes.”
“Does he know you nearly made Third Uncle get divorced?”
“Yes.”
“Does he know you once got an entire corporation into the news?”
“Yes.”
Dad fell silent.
Then said slowly:
“And he still wants to date you?”
I immediately got angry.
“Dad!”
He sighed.
“All right.”
“I understand.”
I was confused.
“Understand what?”
He answered slowly:
“That guy must have extraordinary courage.”
Me: “…”
GU MINGZHE!
WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING?!
STOP LAUGHING!
But Gu Mingzhe didn’t stop laughing.
Baozi was laughing too.
Even my mother on the other end was laughing.
I stood between the three of them.
So annoyed I wanted to stomp my feet.
But then—
For some reason—
I started laughing too.
Because I suddenly realized—
My life had changed completely.
From a girl who had been unemployed for three months.
Living on instant noodles.
Worrying over every cent of her attendance bonus.
I had found a lost child.
Made a phone call.
Gotten the police to misunderstand me.
Then accidentally stumbled into a secret that had lasted more than twenty years.
I found the truth about my identity.
Found my biological mother.
Protected the people I loved.
And found a man willing to listen to even my strangest words.
I used to think my mouth only brought trouble.
But it turned out—
Sometimes—
Those seemingly ridiculous words made people listen.
They brought the truth to light.
And helped people who thought they had no hope find their way home.
I looked at the sausage in my hand.
Eighteen yuan.
Still the familiar taste.
I took a bite.
Then turned to Gu Mingzhe.