Chapter 12: Haircut. Love it. Ah, even more in love now.

By the time the meal was prepared and brought upstairs, half an hour had passed.

He Gu found an extra round table in the storage room and set it up in a corner of the living room before fetching the dishes.

This time he brought his own portion as well, so they could eat together. Otherwise, like at noon, the food would get cold.

Throughout this process, Lou Dongzang remained seated on the floor, offering no assistance.

Any help he would've given would likely have been counterproductive. His previous life experiences had taught him this lesson numerous times, so he had learned.

Once everything was in place, He Gu crouched down in front of him and asked, "Want to get up? I brought in a new table and chairs. We should sit to eat, not stay on the floor."

Lou Dongzang nodded compliantly.

He Gu took his hand, helping him to his feet, and began leading him towards his room, saying, "I contacted a guide dog adoption center. But they're short on dogs and there's a waiting list. Currently, it might take three to four years to get one, which is too long."

Lou Dongzang: "…Okay."

Those few sentences made it clear to him that he and He Gu were very different individuals.

While he might succumb to setbacks, He Gu was already considering what resources were available to improve their current situation.

He Gu: "So for now, I'll have to go the extra mile. Whenever I'm home, I'll guide you around as needed."

He led him to the entrance of Lou Dongzang's room, placing his uninjured right hand on the doorframe, saying, "Feel this? This is the frame of your door."

Lou Dongzang: "Mm-hmm."

He Gu: "Turn around."

He Gu moved to the side, adjusting his direction alongside Lou Dongzang's, then following closely behind, spoke softly, "This will be your routine exit from the room. Once you’re out the door..."

"Right, when you touch the wall of the living room, turn left and proceed to the end."

"One, two, three, four... keep going forward..."

"A total of fifteen steps."

"After fifteen steps, you'll reach the dining table. Reach out..."

Lou Dongzang felt the carved design on the back of the chair.

He Gu described from beside him, "The chair is in linen white. The top half has carved patterns while the bottom half is hollowed out, with four wooden legs and a cushioned seat. The table matches the chair in color, a not-so-large round table, roughly one and a half steps in diameter. It's perfect for two. From now on, it will be a part of our upstairs living area."

He Gu took a seat opposite Lou Dongzang, "Whenever I add something new to the house, I'll guide you through it first, pointing out the layout, just like today. This way, you won’t bump into it later."

He Gu picked up a pair of chopsticks and handed them over, "We can start eating now."

Noticing that Lou Dongzang remained silent, he quickly added, "The pumpkin cools down fast. It's better eaten warm."

After a while, Lou Dongzang picked up the chopsticks upon hearing them placed next to his bowl, responding, "Alright."

Seeing him with the chopsticks, He Gu handed over a spoon.

He tapped the back of Lou Dongzang's hand with the spoon handle to signal its location, and continued, "There are four dishes: roast duck, garlic oysters, dry-fried green beans, and a pumpkin bowl. The pumpkin bowl contains mashed pumpkin, oyster meat, and cheese. Start with this one. You can use the spoon. It's right in front of you and most convenient."

Lou Dongzang: "Mm-hmm."

He had already located the edge of the pumpkin, lifting its lid to be greeted by an enticing aroma.

The rich cheese blended perfectly with the tender oyster meat, sitting atop a layer of grainy mashed pumpkin, creating a delightful texture.

The first bite was a symphony of flavors, intensified by the steaming process, as the aromatic blend filled both the nostrils and the palate.

He Gu: "Is it good?"

Lou Dongzang: "Before long, I might have to worry about my weight, rather than my eyesight."

He Gu chuckled.

Lou Dongzang: "What time is it?"

His voluntary inquiry about time was certainly a good sign.

He Gu: "It's precisely six-thirty."

Lou Dongzang: "Who are the two people you brought today?"

He Gu swallowed a green bean: "One is my agent, the one who texted me during dinner yesterday, his name is Ren Ning. The other is someone I hired temporarily, his surname is Yue. I'm not sure about his character yet."

After a brief hesitation, He Gu continued: "Can you stay in touch with me at all times over the next couple of days? I have to work tomorrow. While I'm at work, he'll be looking after you. If you feel he has any ill intentions, please let me know immediately, and I'll send him away. If he doesn’t cause any trouble, I'm considering keeping him here long-term. That way, if you need anything, you can contact him. If I can't come back, he can assist you."

After all, this Yue reminded him so much of his former butler.

Deep down, He Gu hoped he wouldn't have to let him go and that he harbored no ill intentions.

Although He Gu was astute in judging people, when it came to choosing those around him, he always practiced extreme caution. One could never be too careful.

Lou Dongzang: "Alright."

He Gu: "Since it's getting late and we're quite a distance from the city center, I let them stay in the room to the left of the main entrance."

Lou Dongzang didn't object.

He Gu: "Let’s eat."

Lou Dongzang: "Mm."

After dinner, as He Gu began to clear the dishes, Lou Dongzang offered, "Should I help?"

He Gu, while gathering the leftover bones with his chopsticks, responded, "Feeling good today?"

Lou Dongzang: "Mm."

He Gu raised an eyebrow: "No need. I'll take care of it downstairs. Ren Ning can be a bit... offhand. I don’t want him saying something thoughtless and ruining your mood."

Lou Dongzang began, "Didn’t you..."

He Gu interrupted, "Why didn’t I tell him you're blind?"

Lou Dongzang: "Mm."

He Gu: "Telling him might not make a difference. Some people instinctively react to unfamiliar situations, and there's no telling what he might blurt out. Can't hold it against him, really. But if he upsets you, I'd have to get mad at him."

Lou Dongzang paused for a moment, "But you wouldn't."

He Gu smirked, "How did you figure?"

Lou Dongzang: "?"

He Gu: "Look, Lou, I'm not like him. I'm He Gu, got it? I'm special, the best at handling things."

Lou Dongzang: "..."

Seeing Lou Dongzang's reaction, He Gu's smile widened, "Enough teasing. I’m heading downstairs. I’ll be right back up. With these two around, things will be much more convenient for me. Assuming all goes well, they'll be with me for a long time. It’d be great if you could get along with them."

Lou Dongzang: "Mm."

He Gu added, "It's okay if you don't want to, it's just a suggestion."

Lou Dongcang replied, "Mm-hmm."

He Gu went downstairs to put the dishes in the dishwasher. He had already tidied up the trash and asked Uncle Yue to vacuum the first floor.

This was met with Ren Ning's protest, "Why only let Uncle Yue do it? Am I not here? Don't you see how old he is?"

He Gu exclaimed in disbelief at their quickly warming friendship, "Haven't you been busy all day? If you're not tired, you can share the work with Uncle Yue. With two or three hundred square meters on this floor, I surely don’t expect Uncle Yue to finish today."

Ren Ning said, "Since I’m here, I might as well help you out. Watch me."

He Gu saw the two of them getting busy and, holding another vacuum, headed upstairs, "Old Lou, where are you? Which room?"

Lou Dongcang answered, "Bedroom."

He Gu said, "Alright, stay inside. I’m cleaning out here, and it might get noisy."

Ignoring He Gu's advice, Lou Dongcang came out from the guest room, asking, "How do you clean this? It's quite spacious."

Seeing him come out, He Gu paused just as he was about to turn on the vacuum, "Just vacuum for now, the rest can be done after work tomorrow."

Lou Dongcang replied, "I'll do it."

He Gu looked at him in surprise, "Really? I might actually hand you the vacuum and slack off. I’m not diligent. Are you sure about this?"

Lou Dongcang replied, "Give it to me."

To He Gu's astonishment, he agreed, "Alright then."

Pulling the vacuum towards him, He Gu handed over the handle and asked, "Shall I turn it on for you?"

Lou Dongcang nodded, "Mm-hmm."

Handing over the activated vacuum, He Gu stepped aside and inquired, "Were all the seeds eaten by the sparrows?"

Lou Dongcang answered, "There was half left after breakfast, but now they're all gone."

He Gu nodded, "There are quite a few sparrows around here."

Watching him start cleaning from the cloakroom doorway, He Gu thought for a moment, then tugged his sleeve, leading him to the entrance of the second floor.

He Gu instructed, "Start from here, facing the corridor. Turn right, go straight...yes, from here. Continue until the end, then follow the wall and turn left. Repeat this cycle. Once you reach the table, consider it done."

Lou Dongcang acknowledged, "Mm-hmm."

He Gu added, "Don't strain your left hand. If you get tired, call me. I’ll go and refill the seed plate."

Lou Dongcang replied, "Mm-hmm."

Surprisingly, he actually gave it to him.

Lou Dongcang was merely testing the waters.

During the repetitive task with the vacuum cleaner, Lou Dongcang was lost in contemplation about his emotions.

He could distinctly feel the surge of happiness within.

Since He Gu returned home, always by his side and incessantly chattering, Lou Dongcang had been elated.

The feeling persisted even now.

Being with someone who treated him as an equal brought Lou Dongcang immense comfort.

It wasn't as if Lou Dongcang had never been cared for before.

His childhood nanny, who had accompanied him since he was a child, took great care of him.

Being elderly, when she felt down, her mood could be overwhelmingly melancholic. After his blindness, what Lou Dongcang heard most was her sighs of despair.

And her persistent refusals to let him help.

"You don’t need to, Dongcang. Just sit."

"I'm alright; I can manage on my own."

"Go back, quickly, to your room."

Lou Dongcang knew she suffered from back issues, but even so, she wasn't keen on letting him help.

Deep down, Lou Dongcang yearned to assist.

Why was he sidelined because of his blindness?

Why did being blind feel like being exiled from the realm of the living? As though he was incapable of lifting or holding?

Why must he remain still, akin to a motionless statue, to be seen as 'right'?

Such thoughts only deepened his resentment towards himself.

If only he wasn’t blind. Without this ailment, he wouldn't feel so vulnerable, so helpless.

But He Gu made him feel...

As if blindness wasn't all that bad.

He Gu allowed him to experience the world more profoundly.

Today, aside from meals, Lou Dongcang stayed in his room, awaiting the return of the sparrows.

When he awoke in the morning, the sparrows punctually marked the hour.

At around six in the evening, the flock of sparrows returned punctually, finishing off the few grains left in the dish. When Lou Dongcang reached out to check, he found an empty plate.

By the time He Gu called for him, he had just seen off the last sparrow.

He Gu would still involve him.

Despite being blind, he was expected to participate in household chores: if not cooking, then at least preparing vegetables; if not tidying up, then vacuuming around.

Even with his blindness, he had to care for himself on schedule, change his medicine timely, learn to cooperate, and control his temper.

He followed He Gu's instructions, turning when he reached the walls and vacuuming from one end to the other.

In between, He Gu went up and down the stairs, humming a tune unfamiliar to Lou Dongcang.

He Gu was unaware that Lou Dongcang's father was a fervent record collector. From classical music to pop EDM, Lou Dongcang was reluctantly made to listen alongside him during his childhood.

Thus, most songs... Lou Dongcang was intimately familiar with.

Yet, the melodies He Gu hummed... differed from any he had heard before.

It seemed He Gu had "charged" the alarm clock in his room, and now he exited the bedroom, closing the door behind him.

He paused in his tracks.

Lou Dongcang pretended not to hear and continued with his task.

He could sense He Gu's gaze upon him.

For a moment, he felt that being blind might actually be a blessing.

It made him particularly sensitive to such gazes, knowing He Gu was observing him.

Lou Dongcang made his way to the corner of the second-floor living room, where they had dined earlier, and the vacuum encountered an obstacle.

Reaching out, he felt the same intricate carvings on the chair as earlier.

He Gu timely remarked, "Give it to me. You've done enough."

Lou Dongcang replied, "Alright."

He Gu took it, disassembling the dust container and nozzle of the vacuum cleaner, emptying the accumulated dust into the trash.

After washing his hands, he led Lou Dongcang to the bathroom, handing him the mostly-clean dust container and nozzle, "Wash these two. I'll clean the master and guest room closets and the storage room."

Lou Dongcang acknowledged, "Okay."

The two got back to work.

Once the second floor was nearly spick and span, He Gu used another portable vacuum to clean the bedding and mattress. He then placed the freshly washed dust container and nozzle to drain.

Once he was done, he was left sore and exhausted, collapsing onto a thick blanket in the living room to catch his breath.

Over the past days, Lou Dongzang's ability to locate sounds had improved. Plus, having He Guan around prevented him from having headaches, making things much easier.

He squatted down to sit on the blanket. He Guan, thinking Lou Dongzang might move to kiss him, rolled away in panic.

Lou Dongzang: "What's the matter?"

He Guan chuckled awkwardly, "Nothing... my back just hurts. Rolling helps... it feels better..."

Lately, he was still coping with the realization that he had entered a BL novel, instinctively feeling that everyone was interested in men and being overly sensitive.

This mindset needs an overhaul.

Seemingly amused by He Guan's clumsy excuse, Lou Dongzang, even with closed eyes, wore a faint smile.

He Guan, maintaining some distance, quipped, "It's nice. This is the first time in days I've seen you with a different expression."

Lou Dongzang: "Which expression?"

He Guan, hands cushioning the back of his head while looking at the ceiling, replied, "You smiled."

He quickly added, "Well, it was half a smile."

Lou Dongzang: "?"

He Guan: "Because I couldn't see your eyes."

Raising his hand to shield the glare from the living room's ceiling light, He Guan observed the blurred edges of his fingers, "Eyes are the best indicators of a person. No two people have the same eyes. The iris, sclera, the shine, shape, wrinkles..."

"And the emotions they hold."

He seemed to drift into a brief memory, pausing there without continuing.

Not wanting to dwell, Lou Dongzang changed the subject: "Going to work tomorrow?"

Closing his eyes, He Guan replied, "Mm, that was the original plan."

Lou Dongzang remained silent.

Sensing Lou Dongzang had something on his mind, He Guan remembered his earlier promise to stay home with him.

He hadn't forgotten. He said, "Earlier, I promised to stay with you at home. Now that I've signed a contract for work, I might not be able to be home every day. How about this? Keep the phone line open with me tomorrow, stay connected, okay?"

Counting on his fingers, He Guan continued, "This way, if Uncle Yue needs something, you can tell me immediately. I can also keep you company, although you might be forced to listen to me work."

Lou Dongzang had never kept a call going with someone all day.

He Guan was still pondering the feasibility of his idea. "If you wear earphones all day, your ears might hurt. Should I use a speaker for audio output? I bought a small one, anticipating the first day at work wouldn't be too hectic."

He Guan half-expected him to refuse, given how eccentric the suggestion sounded.

Moreover, Lou Dongzang isn't the type to become depressed just because he can't hear people's voices. At least that's how it seems now.

Lou Dongzang: "Okay."

He Guan: "The way you sound is like a neighbor who doesn't really want to play but still has to join me building sandcastles."

Lou Dongzang: "If you still have the energy to set up speakers."

After lying on the ground for what seemed like ages, He Guan finally gathered himself, responding with a slight delay, "Ah... You're right. Let's, let's set it up tomorrow morning."

The soreness from yesterday's lactic acid build-up has subsided today, but tomorrow I'll probably hurt again from today's work. Life is such a grind.

He Guan sighed.

Lou Dongzang: "Why the sigh?"

He Guan, in discomfort, turned over and said: "I held the vacuum for too long; my back hurts."

It seemed as if Lou Dongzang was helpful, but in reality, he only took care of the easiest parts.

It's not that He Guan was slacking, he had already allocated the tasks, shouldering the bulk of them himself.

After a moment's thought, Lou Dongzang said, "Go take a bath."

He Guan got up and said groggily, "Mhm, I will."

Just thinking about the comfort of a warm bath, the misty steam, and the temperature made him unconsciously want to close his eyes.

After taking a couple of steps with his eyes closed, He Guan turned back and asked, "You remember where you are, right? You didn’t move this bedsheet with the vacuum, did you?"

Lou Dongzang: "I didn't. You can walk back to your room on your own. Go take your bath."

He Guan: "That's good to know. Join me in the master bedroom later. Your room is the secondary one; the bed's a bit small, might be cramped for two."

Lou Dongzang: "Mhm."

He Guan thought for a moment, then asked, "You can bathe in your room, right? You can handle bathing on your own?"

Lou Dongzang: "..."

Lou Dongzang: "Do I need a raise?"

He Guan: "Huh?"

In a rare joking tone, Lou Dongzang said, "Getting paid a caregiver's salary while working to the bone... What a loss."

He Guan interrupted, "It's just a few words."

Stretching with a yawn, he continued, "Saying a few kind words, showing a little concern, it doesn't cost anything. At least wait till I'm crying a river in front of all our relatives defending you before reconsidering. Otherwise, I'd be making money too easily. Asking for a raise just for sweeping? You're so easily fooled. If you were my employee, I wouldn't dare send you for negotiations."

At the end of his statement, He Guan cast doubt on Lou Dongzang's profession, "Are you really in finance? How come you seem so careless about money? Back when I was running a factory, I'd keep track of every glove we used."

Lou Dongzang: "..."

Exhausted, He Guan took a moment to realize he'd let something slip and swiftly changed the subject, "Let's go, time for a bath. I need to figure out how not to fall asleep in the tub..."

Lou Dongzang sat still, listening to He Guan's footsteps recede and the sound of the master bedroom door closing.

When He Guan, flushed from the bath, emerged from the bathroom, he was startled to see Lou Dongzang, hair wet, sitting by the bed.

The scene reminded him too much of a wife waiting for her husband after their wedding, which gave him quite a start.

Especially since Lou Dongzang's hair had grown a bit longer recently. Although he was still slim and his frame evident, his appearance now was softer, lacking the aggressive vibe he initially had.

He Guan shook his head vigorously, trying to rid himself of the ridiculous thought.

Lou Dongzang: "You're out."

He Guan: "Mhm. Didn't dry your hair?"

Lou Dongzang: "I don't have a hairdryer in my room."

He Guan instantly understood.

Before, when Lou Dongzang was emotionally unstable, he had a tendency to throw things—anything he could get his hands on.

The caretaker had preemptively removed all sharp objects from his room, which was why Lou Dongzang's guest room was so neat.

He Guan handed him a towel, suggesting, "Here, put this behind your shoulders."

Lou Dongzang: "?"

He Guan: "The ends of your hair are long and it's wet since you didn't dry it. Let me trim it for you. Just a little bit."

Lou Dongzang: "Okay."

He Guan exclaimed, "Aren't you going to ask how skilled your Tony is at this?"

Lou Dongzang: "It doesn't matter. I can't see my hairstyle, and besides you, no one else will see it either."

He Guan: "...That's true. But I must tell you, I'm quite good at it. At least when it comes to trimming a few centimeters."

Lou Dongzang: "Alright, I'm looking forward to it then."

Unsatisfied with his placid response, He Guan suggested, "I'd prefer it if you said you're 'eagerly' looking forward to it."

With a hint of amusement in his voice, Lou Dongzang replied, "Fine, I'm eagerly looking forward to it."

He Guan had spotted some hair scissors while tidying up in the storeroom, which inspired his sudden desire to trim Lou Dongzang's hair.

He climbed onto the bed from the other side, kneeling behind Lou Dongzang.

The cool sensation of the scissors occasionally touched Lou Dongzang's nape. When He Guan was focused, he would become silent, leaving only the steady rhythm of their breathing.

One was holding their breath in concentration, making their breathing light, while the other was unusually relaxed, not commenting even when the cold scissors made contact.

Lou Dongzang enjoyed having company.

After He Guan finished trimming, he placed the scissors on the bedside table and removed the hair-laden towel. Out of the blue, Lou Dongzang asked,

Lou Dongzang: "He Guan, can I trust you?"

His question seemed out of the blue, as if it was a random thought.

But He Guan knew it wasn't.

It had been a long time since Lou Dongzang had someone trustworthy by his side. Otherwise, he wouldn't be here, wilting away like a plant awaiting the change of seasons, ready to die as the seasons changed.

He yearned for someone to trust, but the events after his loss of sight made him profoundly distrustful.

Currently, Lou Dongzang didn't have enough trust to bestow on anyone, yet he craved someone to believe in.

Once that slim strand of trust, given to another, is shattered, that would be his end.

He Guan wouldn't allow himself to be the harbinger of Lou Dongzang's downfall.

So, even knowing Lou Dongzang couldn't see, He Guan shook his head, saying, "No, you can't."

Reiterating, He Guan said, "You can't trust me, Lou Dongzang. Don't believe in me."

"I could assure you now. I could tell you... 'Trust me.'"

"But I won't."

"Firstly, because my word is only as good as my current feelings and decisions. If I can't keep it later on, it would be a broken promise, and I don't want that."

"Secondly... trust is a two-way street. I don't know what I might do that could make you feel betrayed, nor do I know if what I do now is enough for you to trust me. These feelings are subjective, based on you. To reiterate, I'm not confident I can always seem trustworthy."

"So, don't."

"This isn't like your previous question. You asked if I'd stay with you, and I said yes because all I have to do is be there. To stay in this house, come back after work, cook, and have dinner with you."

"But 'making you feel trusted' or 'whether I personally am trustworthy'... these questions are too broad."

"So, no, don't trust me."

"All I can say is... I'll do my best in what I should."

After speaking, He Guan pulled up the covers and lay down, not answering any further.

In the soft rustle of the sheets, Lou Dongzang remained silent.

To be fair, He Guan's words were very candid. Another person might not have been so open-hearted, and would more likely have given a straightforward commitment.

Just a simple nod, uttering a two-letter word, "Yes," and then staying in this house to take care of him.

Would that be enough?

He Guan wouldn't make such a superficial promise, especially when Lou Dongzang was lucid.

Lou Dongzang might not realize it, but he was inadvertently seeking a commitment with his words.

He wanted He Guan by his side, allowing him to regain some form of connection to the outside world. While this desire was understandable, He Guan was afraid he couldn't live up to it.

He Guan lacked confidence in his ability.

After all, in various side stories, men and women had tried to help Lou Dongzang out of love, but all had ended in failure.

He Guan wouldn't arrogantly assume he was any smarter than they were.

Lou Dongzang's emotional struggles... seemed to be worsening.

He Guan's thoughts raced, and he was now grateful that Lou Dongzang couldn't see.

That way, he wouldn't witness the worried, helpless expression on his face.

Being the closest person to him now, He Guan felt the responsibility to help, but he...

He couldn't even make a promise.

Right now, He Guan was vulnerable himself. He hadn't even started finding ways to make money; everything was still in the planning phase.

Time was moving too slowly. He needed to speed things up. If things went smoothly, there would be chaos again after he went to work tomorrow morning.

Lou Dongzang remained silent.

He knew how troublesome he was.

Sometimes, he couldn't even control his reactions, like his response to the assistant today.

The assistant didn't suddenly lash out or start hurling insults.

When he entered, Lou Dongzang was washing his face and wasn't mindful of keeping a safe distance. The assistant's proximity, combined with his demeanor and tone, caused Lou Dongzang to react instinctively.

Almost unconsciously, Lou Dongzang grabbed the toothbrush from the cup in front of him and thrust it into the assistant's ear.

With his left hand.

This drove the assistant mad.

The pungent smell of blood that He Guan had detected on the first floor that day... much of it came from the assistant.

If Lou Dongzang were to speak of it, He Guan would discover...

This passage differs from what the original book states...

It's different.

In the original text, the assistant was the first to launch a verbal assault, while Lou Dongzang simply lacked the strength to retort.

The presence of He Guan has made Lou Dongzang more aggressive outwardly, yet more dependent inwardly.

Is this a good or bad thing?

No one truly knows.

As for the phrase "I can trust you"...

It was a subconscious display of Lou Dongzang's greed.

Knowing he wasn't straight, he only declared he was to lower He Guan's guard.

From a young age, he never showed an inclination towards girls.

When peers began dating, with boy-girl couples going out, his gaze often settled on certain silhouettes.

Those silhouettes were always of boys.

Knowing he was different, he wisely maintained a distance from the majority.

Initially, relatives would gossip about his lack of a girlfriend. But as he immersed himself in work and gained fame, no one bothered him much, save for hinting at matrimonial prospects to the family elders.

Lou Dongzang's refusal was for a simple reason.

In Nan Yuan, there currently isn't a larger commercial entity than the Lou family. Agreeing to a union now offers no advantage; being young, he can afford to wait.

Holding the cards at that time, anyone approaching him would tread lightly. By the time he married He Guan, he no longer had the upper hand and had to accept terms unconditionally.

But even with He Guan letting his guard down, he was acutely aware of the weight of a promise.

So sharp.

So lucid.

Admiration.

Once someone long-missed lands beside him, Lou Dongzang instinctively and greedily wants to clip their wings, imprisoning them within his embrace, never to fly again.

Break, and you can stay with me.

Lou Dongzang can't control these thoughts that pervade his mind, hints of which sometimes slip into his words.

He feels somewhat...

Hard to restrain.

Yet, trying to.

Asking "Can I trust you?" — if He Guan were to agree, that would truly disappoint him.

...Because it would mean He Guan isn't any different from the rest.

But He Guan hasn't agreed.

Ah, that makes him even more endearing.

But he must resist.

Because the current He Guan...

Isn't quite the spouse his father described to him.

There's a difference.