Chapter 51
For an adult, having dated and had a girlfriend was perfectly normal.
But having an ex-girlfriend who would come back to pester you and ask for money under various pretexts was a perfectly normal reason for Qi Baizi to be annoyed.
Qi Baizi didn’t doubt that she was being petty; she just couldn’t accept Gu Yuetong repeatedly going soft on someone like that. Regardless of whether there were other hidden details, what she knew so far was enough to prove that Wang Lin was thoroughly detestable.
Although she hadn’t heard the name or seen the person recently, it didn’t mean she had disappeared. What if she was still pestering Gu Yuetong in private?
The thought of looking at Gu Yuetong’s phone suddenly crossed Qi Baizi’s mind, but she was quickly startled by her own idea. The internet said that trust was the most important thing between a couple. If she really did that, Gu Yuetong would surely be disappointed in her.
But Wang Lin was an unforgettable shadow in her mind. Perhaps it would be better to just ask her directly another day?
After drifting off for a moment, she came back to her senses to find the car turning onto the uphill slope in front of the guesthouse.
Gu Yuetong had taken motion sickness medicine before getting in the car, so she wasn’t feeling dizzy. Right now, she was clearly more concerned about Qi Baizi’s condition.
“After such a long drive, are you feeling dizzy?” Gu Yuetong asked, taking the water Qi Baizi handed her. “How are your eyes?”
Qi Baizi was about to go to the guesthouse to buy some water to put in the car, as the one she just gave Gu Yuetong was the last bottle. Hearing Gu Yuetong’s concern, she showed a slightly embarrassed smile. “I’m not dizzy. I felt much better when I woke up this morning.” She blinked a couple of times to show that she was perfectly fine now.
Gu Yuetong took a sip and handed the water back to Qi Baizi. “You… you all should drink more water too.”
Just then, Li Yi and Auntie Qin returned to the car. While grabbing their luggage, they said, “We booked four king-sized beds, but one is a suite with two beds, one in the inner room and one in the outer.”
Li Yi felt a bit guilty for not being clear when she booked the rooms. She said cautiously, “I can sleep in the outer room of the suite. Little Bai, Auntie Qin, which of you wants the inner room?”
As Li Yi spoke, she winked at Qi Baizi, hoping she would give her a way out. But before Qi Baizi could say anything, Gu Yuetong suddenly spoke up. “This team-building trip is about your comfort. The outer room of the suite is inconvenient, so I’ll take it.” After speaking, she gave Li Yi a reassuring smile.
Qi Baizi quickly chimed in, “Then I’ll sleep in the inner room.”
With both of them helping her out, Li Yi breathed a sigh of relief, yet she also felt a sense of fortunate predictability.
She turned to look at Auntie Qin, wanting to thank her for comforting her in the guesthouse just now, but instead, she saw a mysterious smile.
“What’s wrong?” she asked in a low voice.
Auntie Qin snapped back to reality and immediately composed her expression. “Nothing. Let’s go in.”
Qi Baizi and Gu Yuetong each took a piece of luggage, and the four of them walked into the residential area in the back of the guesthouse together.
It had to be said, the guesthouse environment was excellent. The front hall, directly opposite the courtyard gate, was where check-in was handled. A few pots of lotus flowers were planted on either side, and there were also lamps and wind chimes woven from dried grass. Passing through the back door led to a series of exquisitely decorated independent courtyards. The guesthouse owner was a girl with a high ponytail who spoke a bit shyly. She explained that because they were a group of four, she had specially chosen two courtyards that were close to each other. One courtyard contained two rooms for Auntie Qin and Li Yi, while the other was the aforementioned suite with only one entrance.
After entering the room, Qi Baizi and Gu Yuetong briefly set down their luggage before coming out to meet up with Auntie Qin and the others.
Li Yi had asked the guesthouse owner and found out that it was only a ten-minute walk to the campsite from here, whereas driving would take half an hour. After discussing it with Gu Yuetong and Auntie Qin, they immediately decided to walk.
Qi Baizi bought some water and took it to the car. On her way back, a kitten followed her. When she asked the owner, she was told it was likely born to a stray cat nearby. Qi Baizi agreed with the plan to walk but wanted to get some food for the little cat first.
The owner happened to bring out a cat treat stick and some cat food from the front hall, taking the task upon herself. “I feed them often, I’m experienced. You all go have fun.”
“Okay,” Qi Baizi said with thanks, turning to join the other three.
They didn’t bring much camping gear. The campsite had tents and stoves for rent, and tables and chairs were readily available. Their backpacks only contained food and raw meat skewers.
The walk to the campsite required going up and then down a hill. After carrying her backpack for a while, Li Yi was a bit out of breath. Seeing this, Qi Baizi took the bag from her. Gu Yuetong leaned in and asked, “Can you manage?”
“No problem,” Qi Baizi smiled. “I just did my horse stance training last night.”
“You did horse stance training yesterday? For your legs?” Li Yi exclaimed. “Then aren’t your legs sore from climbing the hill?”
“I stretched very thoroughly.”
“Amazing. You truly are the Fitness King.” Li Yi caught her breath and looked up for Auntie Qin, who was already out of sight ahead. She couldn’t help but sigh, “Thanks for waiting for me. I remember you always passed your college fitness tests on the first try.”
“I did.” Qi Baizi turned to look at Gu Yuetong, a hint of a challenge in her eyes. “Speaking of which, President Gu’s stamina is usually quite good, but you seem to be struggling a bit today?”
Gu Yuetong shot her a glare and then pursed her lips in silence.
Li Yi was walking in front, her pace slowing considerably on the uphill climb. Gu Yuetong deliberately created some distance between them, then reached out and pinched Qi Baizi’s butt.
Qi Baizi hadn’t expected her to pull such a trick and let out a silent scream. She immediately wanted to retaliate but was stared down by Gu Yuetong. So this is what flirting is like? Qi Baizi was secretly delighted, thinking she would have to give Gu Yuetong a good ‘relaxation’ session tonight.
When they reached the campsite, the group finally sat down, enjoying the cool river breeze.
Li Yi breathed a sigh of relief, wiped the sweat from her face, and volunteered to light the fire and grill the skewers. She and Auntie Qin rented a stove and charcoal and asked Qi Baizi if she wanted to try her hand at barbecuing.
Qi Baizi wasn’t particularly interested in that. She was busy rummaging through her bag for alcohol and tissues to wipe down the tent for Gu Yuetong to rest in later.
Unexpectedly, Gu Yuetong offered to give it a try. Today, she was wearing a pair of well-fitting dark blue jeans and a light-colored chiffon shirt, her hair piled high, which made her look less serious.
Li Yi had been camping before and was always in charge of the barbecue. She derived a strong sense of satisfaction from feeding others, watching as the grilled skewers were distributed and devoured.
She first demonstrated for Gu Yuetong, showing her the basic principles of fire control and when to add which seasonings for the best flavor. Gu Yuetong followed her instructions and grilled two skewers, and they turned out to be surprisingly delicious.
Gu Yuetong got a little addicted, grilling one skewer after another. Worried she would get dehydrated from the heat of the fire, Qi Baizi repeatedly brought her water. Li Yi quietly helped out on the side, not wanting to spoil her fun. This continued until a gust of river wind blew by, suddenly changing the direction of the thick smoke and blowing it right into Gu Yuetong’s face. Qi Baizi quickly pulled her away.
“Did you choke? Quick, have some water.”
Gu Yuetong was still wanting more. “I’m fine.”
However, she couldn’t bear to keep Qi Baizi waiting on her, so she handed the battlefield back to Li Yi.
Li Yi was happy to have something to do and also added charcoal to the stove where Auntie Qin was boiling tea by the stove.
The tea being brewed was a refreshing green tea, made with mountain spring water from the Jingzhou suburbs and a bit of honey. The charcoal fire might have been a bit small, as the water hadn’t boiled for a long time, but it didn’t dampen Auntie Qin’s spirits at all. She happened to have time to take out her phone and take some beautiful pictures. Seeing Qi Baizi and Gu Yuetong lounging idly on deck chairs nearby, she asked if they wanted to take a picture together.
Qi Baizi waved her hand, about to refuse, when Li Yi suddenly remembered something. She told her to open the second zipper of her backpack. Qi Baizi did so, confused, and then saw a Polaroid camera.
“The film is in the side pocket. I got it all by freeloading, so use as much as you want,” Li Yi said generously.
Qi Baizi took out the Polaroid. She had used one before during her part-time job as a mascot at an amusement park, so it was no trouble to operate.
“President Gu, shall I take a picture of you?”
Gu Yuetong thought for a moment and agreed.
“How should I pose?”
She patted her legs, stood up, and positioned herself with her back to a tree, her hands in her pockets. “Is this okay?”
“Hmm…” It lacks a bit of vitality.
But Qi Baizi didn’t want to criticize Gu Yuetong, thinking it was just a matter of a bad angle.
She took Gu Yuetong’s wrist and led her to the riverbank, helping her onto a large rock. There were quite a few people camping nearby, and several children were running around. Qi Baizi carefully steadied Gu Yuetong, stepped back about a meter, squatted down, aimed at Gu Yuetong, and pressed the shutter button.
A printing sound came from the camera, and a photo slowly emerged from the top.
Qi Baizi took out the photo and was busy helping Gu Yuetong down when two children playing behind them bumped right into her. The camera, tucked under her arm, fell and hit a rock.
When she picked it up, sure enough, the lens was scratched.
Qi Baizi’s mind went blank for a second before she immediately turned and scolded the child. The child who had bumped into her quickly apologized, while the other was frightened and ran off to get a parent.
Gu Yuetong took the camera and looked at it, comforting Qi Baizi, “It’s okay. I’ll talk to Li Yi. I’ll buy her a new one when we get back.”
Qi Baizi was a little upset. “It shouldn’t be you who pays for it.”
Gu Yuetong was about to say something else when the child came running back with a parent. The parent had initially thought they’d run into a scammer, but as soon as she saw Gu Yuetong, she immediately put on a sycophantic smile. “Oh, it’s President Gu!”
They know each other? Qi Baizi asked Gu Yuetong with her eyes.
But Gu Yuetong couldn’t for the life of her remember who this woman was. “You are?”
“I’m Wang Lin’s cousin. Don’t you remember me?”
Seeing no reaction from Gu Yuetong, the parent familiarly took another half step forward. “Are you here camping with friends?”
“Sorry, it’s my girlfriend.”
Qi Baizi was stunned. She was already fuming from breaking Li Yi’s camera, and hearing the name Wang Lin again pushed her to the brink of exploding. Her fingers clenched together as she tried to suppress her anger, but Gu Yuetong’s single sentence instantly extinguished it all.
The woman paused upon hearing this, her expression turning a bit awkward. “Oh… I’m so sorry. I brought my child out to play and didn’t expect this to happen.”
She took the camera, looked at it, and without another word, took out her phone, found Gu Yuetong’s contact information, and transferred the money to her.
“I have one of these at home. I bought it during a limited holiday sale. This should be enough to buy a new one. Please ask your girlfriend to forgive us.”
“This camera isn’t ours.” Gu Yuetong glanced at her phone and then voiced what Qi Baizi wanted to say. “Please take your child and apologize to the camera’s original owner.”
The woman was taken aback and a bit reluctant, but thinking about how Gu Yuetong was still an investor in her family’s company, she immediately nodded in agreement.
When the one adult and two children stood before Li Yi, she was still a bit confused. Qi Baizi explained the situation from the side. Although Li Yi disliked troublesome children, the two little ones who were apologizing seemed sincere, and one of them even shed a few golden beans. Her heart softened, and she forgave them, even giving them two meat skewers.
“President Gu, we won’t disturb your fun then.” The woman gave a slight bow and left with her children.
Finally, it was quiet again. Gu Yuetong poured two cups of tea from Auntie Qin’s pot, handed one to Qi Baizi, and called her away.
The photo in Qi Baizi’s hand had already developed. Although her features weren’t perfectly clear against the light, Gu Yuetong’s natural beauty was there, making it impossible for any photo of her to look bad.
Qi Baizi felt it was a pity that the camera was broken and she couldn’t take any more pictures. Gu Yuetong, however, thought she was jealous. The two found a shady spot with fewer people and sat down on a bench. Gu Yuetong suddenly apologized solemnly to Qi Baizi. “Regarding Wang Lin, perhaps I should tell you about it.”
“Oh…” Qi Baizi said, clutching the photo as she came back to her senses. “It’s okay, I don’t need to know.”
Everything about Wang Lin, good or bad, was reconciled in Gu Yuetong’s single sentence, “It’s my girlfriend.” Admitting her identity in front of her ex’s family was more effective than a thousand explanations.
“As long as I don’t have to hear that name again in the future, it’s fine.” She smiled faintly and looked down at the photo again, missing the flash of stiffness in Gu Yuetong’s expression.