Chapter 57: Peace Sign

“Got everything?”

Yu Qing meticulously checked the items in the trunk, a thoughtful look on her face. “Should we bring some more fruit?”

Gu Yu shook her head. “They have everything at school.”

“For the road, though,” Yu Qing said, already turning to head back upstairs. “Let me grab another carton of milk.”

Just hearing those two words irritated Gu Yu. “I don’t drink milk,” she said immediately.

“But didn’t you drink a glass every day at your Sister’s house?” Yuqing looked at her daughter, puzzled. “Why the sudden stop?”

“I just don’t feel like it anymore,” Gu Yu, not wanting to elaborate, opened the car door and got into the back seat. “Mom, I’m heading back to school now. You go back inside, too.”

She’d decided to head back two days early. She’d started packing yesterday. Since she was bringing a cat, her dad was driving her. They were leaving now.

Yu Qing peered through the window at the small white cat in the pet carrier, her heart itching to touch it. But her allergy prevented her. “Alright, alright,” she said regretfully. “Be careful on the road, both of you.”

Finally, she’d dropped the subject. Gu Yu sighed in relief and waved at her. “Bye, Mom!” she said with a bright smile.

After double-checking the windows were fully closed, Gu Yu took Wan An out of the carrier, showering it with kisses and cuddles.

Gu Zhenglin glanced in the rearview mirror. “Is that cat a stray you picked up?”

“My biological child,” Gu Yu held it up for him to see. “This is your granddaughter.”

Gu Zhenglin: “…”

During a stop at a red light, Gu Yu suddenly received a WeChat red envelope from her dad. The note read: “A welcome gift for my granddaughter.” She opened it, surprised. The amount inside wasn’t small.

“I suppose you are raising a child while going to school,” Gu Zhenglin said humorously.

Gu Yu didn’t refuse, accepting it with a cheeky grin. But then her thoughts drifted to Jiang Bomu’s scumbag father, the one who demanded living expenses from her every month.

After contemplating for a moment, Gu Yu asked, “When I start working, will I have to hand my salary over to you guys for safekeeping?”

Gu Zhenglin answered without a shred of hesitation. “Of course not. You keep it for yourself.”

Right. Of course, her parents wouldn’t ask for that. They’d probably even give her more spending money. She asked another question. “If parents constantly ask their daughter for money, what would their reasoning be?”

Gu Zhenglin was succinct. “Does she have an older or younger brother?”

Gu Yu actually wasn’t sure about that. She hesitated before saying, “I don’t think so.”

She’d never heard of Jiang Bomu having any siblings.

“Maybe the daughter is successful and the parents aren’t capable themselves, or they feel that supporting them is her duty,” Gu Zhenglin then caught on. “Why are you asking this?”

Gu Yu froze. Yeah, why was she asking? She and Jiang Bomu would probably never see each other again. Whatever happened from now on had absolutely nothing to do with her.

She quickly concocted an excuse. “Just suddenly thought of a friend.”

“A girl should keep her money firmly in her own hands,” Gu Zhenglin said, glancing at his daughter through the rearview mirror. “Make sure to advise that friend of yours.”

Gu Yu muttered an agreement, then stroked Wan An’s head and fell silent.

How could she even give such advice? Meeting her just once was a challenge in itself.

Outside the window, Yue’an Mansion flashed past.

Gu Yu quickly looked away. But in the end, she couldn’t help glancing back one final time. At least most of the memories were happy ones. That was enough.

It could be considered a proper, complete ending.

At five in the afternoon, Gu Yu arrived in Yiqing City. A WeChat message popped up.

Xia Li: [Little Xunxun, are you almost here?]

Surprised, Gu Yu replied with a sticker that said, “How did you know?”

Xia Li: [Because you and I share a telepathic connection~ Take your time. I’m waiting at home for you.]

Sister Xia Li was just as fond of teasing her as ever. Gu Yu laughed and bantered with her for a bit.

Gu Yu’s parents and Xia Li’s parents were old acquaintances. However, Xia Li’s family had later immigrated to the U.S., and Xia Li had gone with them for her studies, only returning to China this year to start her own business.

They’d met a few times before. Gu Yu’s impression of her was a gentle, cute older sister. So, even though they’d lost contact for a few years, once they added each other on WeChat, they quickly re-established their rapport. There was no sense of distance between them.

Initially, Gu Yu had been resistant, not wanting to be treated like a child needing care. But Gu Yu had always viewed Xia Li as a peer, so that strange, inexplicable barrier between them had quickly dissolved.

When Gu Yu finally saw Xia Li in person, she felt an even stronger sense of familiarity and warmly greeted her: “Sister Xia Li!”

Despite the years apart, Xia Li hadn’t changed much. Her mannerisms had just become more confident and poised. She pulled Gu Yu into a big hug.

“Long time no see, Xunxun,” she said, then greeted Gu Zhenglin with equal warmth. “Uncle, hello! How are you and Auntie doing?”

“We’re both well, we’re both well,” Gu Zhenglin replied, a little wistfully. “Little Li, you’ve grown up so much.”

“Even when I’m fifty, you can still call me Little Li,” Xia Li laughed. “It’s pretty hot out here. Let’s head inside first.”

Gu Yu was already sweating. The moment she stepped into the apartment, a wave of cool air enveloped her. The refreshing chill seeped into her very pores. She collapsed onto the sofa, and a glass of ice water was immediately offered.

Before Gu Yu could take it, Xia Li considerately asked, “Not on your period, are you?”

Gu Yu’s hand, halfway extended, froze. For a moment, she was transported back. Jiang Bomu would never ask like that. Whenever those topics came up, she always seemed deeply embarrassed, even lowering her voice to a whisper when they were alone.

Her fingertip brushed against a droplet of condensation on the glass, and she jolted back to the present. “Nope,” she said, forcing a smile.

Why did everything make her think of Jiang Bomu? Gu Yu sighed as the ice water slid down her throat, spreading coldness through her.

She desperately wanted to forget Jiang Bomu. But everything around her, including her own heart, constantly reminded her it was impossible.

Still, she had to learn to forget. She’d take it slowly.

After Gu Zhenglin had left, Xia Li helped her unpack and organize.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Gu Yu said, “Sister Xia Li, don’t you have things to do today?”

A startup company should be incredibly busy. And it wasn’t even the weekend. But Xia Li didn’t seem rushed at all, leisurely helping her hang up clothes with no sign of leaving.

“Of course I have things to do,” Xia Li smiled at her.

Gu Yu felt even more awkward. “Then hurry and go! I can manage by myself just fine!”

“Xunxun, but isn’t this exactly what I’m doing right now?” Xia Li tilted her head, her smile playful. “My task for today… is to keep you company.”

Her long, wavy hair slipped over her shoulder with the motion, the tips swaying gently in the sunlight. Her smile was teasing.

Gu Yu felt a little flustered by the comment and blushed.

“Xunxun,” Xia Li leaned a little closer, “tell Sister, have you been in any relationships these past few years?”

The word “Sister” made Gu Yu’s breath catch for a second. An image of Jiang Bomu’s face rose uncontrollably in her mind. She was so distracted she didn’t catch the second half of the question. “Huh? What did you say?” she asked, a beat too late.

“I said, have you ever dated anyone?”

“No,” Gu Yu pressed her lips together. “I’ve decided to grow old alone,” she declared stubbornly.

So, a recent breakup, or a rejected confession, Xia Li concluded inwardly.

But that was fine. She affectionately ruffled Gu Yu’s hair, just like she used to. They would begin a new story.

With Xia Li’s help, Gu Yu had everything unpacked and organized by nine o’clock. Exhausted, she still managed to flash a bright peace sign for Xia Li’s camera.

“Mind if I post this on my Moments?” Xia Li asked politely.

“Go ahead,” Gu Yu grinned. “Just make sure you photoshop me prettier.”

She’d seen Xia Li’s social media feed; she loved documenting her life, often posting a nine-photo collage every couple of days.

“Our Xunxun is naturally gorgeous,” Xia Li said, editing the caption and hitting send.

Meanwhile, in the Zhenyan Jewelry office, Bo Shiyue massaged her temples and picked up her phone. After replying to a few important messages, she casually scrolled through her Moments.

Her gaze immediately zeroed in on the very center of the latest nine-photo grid.

Wasn’t this… the girl Xiao Mu liked?