Chapter 9

Several rows of clothes were drying in the yard, with the slanting rays of the setting sun casting a warm glow on them. The evening breeze stirred, lifting the fluttering shadows. Aunt Pang, a stout woman from the compound, stood at the entrance of the yard and almost didn’t recognize it as Gao Jianguo’s place.

"Is the sun rising from the west? Has the lazy daughter-in-law of the Gao family washed so many clothes?"

The lazy daughter-in-law couldn’t cook, and when they had guests at home, they had to ask for help from others. Aunt Pang was good at cooking, so she received a call from Gao Jianguo and helped by making a couple of her signature dishes to deliver.

After placing the dishes on the table, the hostess came down to greet her. Gao Jianguo, wearing an apron, was frying dishes in the kitchen. In the corner, a radio played the news. A man in a military uniform sat upright on a wooden chair, holding a document.

"Is this your friend? The young girl is really pretty," Aunt Pang said, knowing that Qin Yao had children at home. Qin Yao took out some milk candies and gave them to Aunt Pang as a token of appreciation for her trouble.

Chen Baozhen wasn’t good at small talk with others, but Qin Yao was quite popular with the elders. She was fair and plump, resembling a large fortune baby. The older people were, the more they adored her appearance.

Aunt Pang chatted with her about various household matters, and Chen Baozhen also spoke a few words, "It dries quickly here in the sun, just an hour or two."

"You should take them in later, be careful, it might rain at night."

Chen Baozhen said, "If it gets wet, it will dry by morning."

"No, that won’t do."

Aunt Pang had rarely communicated with Chen Baozhen before and thought this city girl was too proud to talk to her. Now, after chatting for a few sentences, she realized the girl was a bit absent-minded.

"Comrade Qin Yao, do you have a partner?"

Qin Yao smiled, "No, why? Are you going to introduce someone to me, Sister-in-law?"

Aunt Pang nodded and gave her a knowing look, "Of course, I know quite a few people here."

Qin Yao playfully asked, "Do you know anyone from the Fishing Company?"

"Yes, I’ll go ask for you."

After a brief chat, before leaving, Aunt Pang said a few more words to Gu Cheng, "Captain Gu, I’m off now. Come over to my place for a visit when you have time."

As Aunt Pang’s figure disappeared, Gu Cheng’s face showed no expression. The sunset outside the window cast a golden glow on his snow-white military uniform, giving it a warm hue that, instead of feeling warm, exuded a hint of chill.

Chen Baozhen didn’t expect Gao Jianguo to invite Gu Cheng over for a meal. She didn’t dare to look at Gu Cheng much, and just one glance made her uneasy.

When her family found her such a match, they must have had a grudge against her.

Gu Cheng’s cold gaze swept over Qin Yao, who gave him a bright smile.

The young girl had clear, bright eyes, and her long, curly lashes fluttered as she blinked. Her cherry-pink lips were pretty, with a glossy sheen.

Qin Yao smiled carefree, realizing that when the Fishing Company was mentioned, Captain Gu had given her a strange look. Was he thinking of introducing his brother to her?

That would be fun. She would definitely reject him decisively!

Qin Yao held grudges.

Despite being good to him, his favorability towards her had dropped instead of rising. His favorability towards her was negative! If there was another chance, she would reject him first, showing that she had no interest in him and would not misinterpret his intentions.

Even if she liked Gu Cheng’s younger brother type, she wouldn’t persist and make him dislike her rejection.

Qin Yao imagined herself openly "rejecting Gu Cheng" and felt a secret thrill.

"Get ready, it’s time to eat," Gao Jianguo said, taking off his sleeves.

Qin Yao helped set the table. It wasn’t troublesome for four people to eat. Chen Baozhen didn’t cook but helped serve the dishes. Gao Jianguo took off his apron, changed his clothes, grabbed two bottles of wine, placed two small wine cups, and poured them for the two men.

Rolling up his sleeves, Gao Jianguo wiped the sweat from his forehead. Today was tight on time, and he didn’t have a chance to invite more people over for drinks. His wife, Chen Baozhen, couldn’t be relied on to call people over, so they had to make do.

Qin Yao and Chen Baozhen didn’t drink alcohol, and they ate quickly, finishing before the two men continued drinking and talking.

Gao Jianguo was talkative, and although Gu Cheng spoke little, he was a good listener. When he did speak, it was always insightful and pleasant.

Gao Jianguo enjoyed chatting with him, feeling admiration in his heart. Captain Gu was young but had achieved much, and his temperament was steady. Unlike some people who liked to show off when they achieved a little success, Gu Cheng remained composed.

Over the years, Gao Jianguo had seen all kinds of people. At the wine table, some had sat on the bench for years, eager to rise in rank. Others, at such times, would jump out to show off, talking about their achievements and how everyone had to give them face.

Listening to such people was like hearing boasting that made one smile without warmth.

Gu Cheng’s light words occasionally made people feel pleasant and even a bit flattered.

Seeing Captain Gu like this, Gao Jianguo was relieved that he hadn’t minded his relationship with Chen Baozhen. He feared those petty people the most.

He wondered what kind of woman would be worthy of Captain Gu.

Outside, Qin Yao and Chen Baozhen enjoyed the evening breeze, pulling a light bulb outside. They lit a mosquito coil at their feet. Chen Baozhen brought out a cello and sat on a small stool, preparing to show off her skills to Qin Yao.

Qin Yao smiled and watched her play. The sound of the cello was deep and resonant, like the low rumble heard in a seashell, reminiscent of the ocean’s waves.

"Beautiful."

In the seventies and eighties, the most popular instrument was the harmonica. Young boys and girls almost each had one. It was inexpensive and produced pleasant sounds. Many young men had a harmonica in the pocket of their white shirts, which added a touch of style.

The original Qin Yao could play the harmonica, and now she played along with Chen Baozhen. She played casually, and Chen Baozhen played even more freely. The pleasant and clear harmonica sound intertwined with the deep cello sound, creating an unusual contrast.

As Qin Yao played, she hit a wrong note and couldn’t help but laugh. Chen Baozhen became serious and urged her, "Be more serious."

Qin Yao deliberately teased her, playing off-key randomly, leading Chen Baozhen’s cello astray.

"Oh, you’re so annoying!"

The two girls stretched out their hands and laughed under the orange light. The laughter of young girls was more beautiful than any music played by instruments.

After being married to Chen Baozhen for some time, Gao Jianguo saw her so lively and happy for the first time, and he couldn’t help but smile.

Even though Chen Baozhen wasn't a particularly virtuous or suitable wife, Gao Jiangui had a fondness for her in his heart.

He withdrew his gaze, turned his head to look at Gu Cheng beside him, and for a moment, felt dizzy. Gao Jiangui thought he saw a lingering smile on Gu Cheng's face, but it disappeared in the blink of an eye. He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination.

"My wife is getting more lively now that she's with her friends. Isn't it a bit noisy? I'll ask them to make noise upstairs."

Gu Cheng said indifferently, "No need."

The moon hung on the horizon. Qin Yao and Chen Baozhen estimated that it was getting late and touched the drying clothes, all of which were completely dry.

"They're dry. Let's pack them up."

Qin Yao took down the clothes, folded them, and placed them on the wooden bench. Chen Baozhen carried a stack of neatly folded quilts upstairs. After exchanging farewells with Gao Jiangui, Gu Cheng adjusted his hat and walked out, standing behind Qin Yao.

A tall man over six feet tall appearing beside her in the night was like encountering a black bear in the forest. The huge shadow loomed over her. Qin Yao looked up at him, and this time they were closer. Even in the dim light, she could clearly see the small mole under his right eye.

Gu Cheng gazed into the young woman's amber pupils, where he could distinctly see his own reflection. His Adam's apple bobbed as he muttered in a low voice, "Pretending."

With that, he turned around and strode away.

Qin Yao stood stunned, her mind feeling like countless shells were exploding, causing a splitting headache. That mole, that mole, that mole... Did this Captain Gu have that mole when he came in? She hadn't looked closely enough from a distance.

Upon closer inspection, the mole under Captain Gu's eye was exactly the same as the one on the younger Gu Chen she had met at the port! The position and size were identical!

The mole was so small and inconspicuous, only visible when up close.

Could it be that two people with identical moles were actually the same person?

Qin Yao dropped the clothes and ran upstairs in disbelief. "Zhenzhen, I have a question for you. What's the real name of Captain Gu, the guest who visited your house today?"

Chen Baozhen said, "Gu Cheng."

"Ah!" It was as if Qin Yao had been hit on the back of the head. It really was him! The name was exactly the same!

"He was my previous match, and he's quite fierce, isn't he? Let me tell you, he's very fierce. People say the navy is gentler than the army, but Captain Gu is different. When he scolds people, it's like he's a king of the underworld..."

Captain Gu? Gu Cheng? The same person?

—What the hell, an employee of the Fishing Company.

Whether he was a king of the underworld or not, Qin Yao wasn't sure, but she felt that Captain Gu might be a schizophrenic. Or maybe he had two personalities within him? Or was he just an excellent actor? He could totally write a book called "The Self-Cultivation of an Actor."

Qin Yao tried to recall the Captain Gu she had met today. She hadn't associated him with the Gu Cheng she knew at all. This was entirely due to the "first impression" trap.

In her impression, serving officers and soldiers were easy to identify. From their appearance and the way they walked, it was easy to see the signs of training. But the Gu Cheng she had met before, was there any indication that he had served in the military?

Qin Yao: "..."

Speechless.