Chapter 80 - Chapter 80: Son and Dog
Chapter 80: Son and Dog
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Gu Ci felt a twinge of annoyance, but she couldn’t do much about it. Lu Zhiyuan got up and started to leave, but Gu Ci stopped him.
Lu Zhiyuan furrowed his eyebrows, and the two of them silently locked eyes. They stood a meter apart in a long corridor, illuminated by the light overhead like a full moon.
There was a long silence.
Gu Ci took out her phone. There were five watches displayed on the screen. She asked Lu Zhiyuan, “Which one do you dislike the most?”
Lu Zhiyuan glanced at the five watches Gu Ci had chosen and pointed to a Star Moon watch. Then, he strode away, ignoring Gu Ci. She had achieved her goal and headed downstairs to the mall.
She entered a store called X and purchased the Star Moon watch. It was inspired by the racing numbers of the Mille Miglia race car. The sapphire blue crystal watch had a translucent black PVP limited-edition engraving on the bottom cover. Equipped with a speed measuring device, the watch had a black and red minute scale, which was the iconic color of the race.
If Lu Zhiyuan hated it, it must be something he actually liked. It was also related to racing. It was a limited edition and quite expensive, causing Gu Ci’s heart to ache a little.
“It takes a lot of money to please a man.”
Next, she went to the neighboring store and bought a sports watch for Gu Ziyu. It cost only 500 yuan. Gu Ci sighed, “Our son is still so easy to please.”
The following morning, Gu Ci attempted to call Lu Zhiyuan, but she was still blocked. Without having breakfast, she went upstairs to meet him. Lu Zhiyuan was dressed in sportswear as he headed out and encountered Gu Ci.
The two of them faced each other silently across the long corridor.
Gu Ci smiled and presented him with the watch. “This is for you.”
“I can’t accept it,” Lu Zhiyuan replied indifferently. He walked past her, intending to go for training. Gu Ci blocked his path. He tried going left, but she blocked him. He went right, but she blocked him again. Lu Zhiyuan’s face turned cold. “Move!”
“I was wrong,” Gu Ci pursed her lips. “I’m sorry, Lu Zhiyuan. Please don’t ignore me.”
Lu Zhiyuan asked, “Where did you go wrong?”
“I shouldn’t have let myself get beaten on purpose. I shouldn’t have lied to you,” Gu Ci raised two fingers. “I swear.”
Lu Zhiyuan looked down at her, his expression unchanged. Gu Ci opened the watch. “I bought this watch specifically because it’s the one you like. It’s a limited edition.”
“I hate this watch the most.”
Gu Ci was taken aback. “How is that possible?!”
Didn’t what Third Master hate the most correspond to what she liked the most?
Lu Zhiyuan brushed past her and left. Gu Ci was at a loss. She knew very well what Lu Zhiyuan would like in five years. She knew both Third Master and Lu Zhiyuan.
But that was the Lu Zhiyuan of five years later.
A person in their twenties had different preferences compared to someone in their mid-twenties.
Third Master and Lu Zhiyuan had opposite tastes, so she could only ask Third Master what he hated the most.
Stepping on a landmine was impossible!
She asked Li Jiang, “Why does he hate this watch? Why did he lie to me?”
“Third Young Master doesn’t like this brand because of its design. He isn’t fond of watches inspired by racing cars,” Li Jiang hesitated. “Miss Gu Ci, Third Young Master is very passionate about collecting watches. He has a diverse range of interests. Are you really… you really stepped on a landmine there.”
Gu Ci was speechless.
After Li Jiang left, Gu Ci was furious. So, this was the brand that Third Master liked?
She had been suppressing her anger the entire day. Gu Ziyu noticed and knew that she had a day off from training. Chen Fei was also on leave, so Gu Ziyu was staying at home and studying.
“Mom, what’s wrong?”
“I’ve been deceived,” Gu Ci said, puzzled. “Why did he lie to me?”
“Who deceived you? I’ll avenge you!”
“Your dad.”
“Then I can’t help you.” Gu Ziyu fumed. “I’m too young and not strong enough.”
Gu Ci looked at Gu Ziyu, who resembled a mini version of Third Master. Her heart ached even more. However, Gu Ziyu cherished the rare moments he spent with his mother. “Mom, I have the day off today. Since you’re also free, let’s go out and have fun.”
“Alright.” Gu Ci hugged her son. “I’ve been neglecting you lately.”
“I understand. I’ve been busy with training and didn’t have time to accompany you.”
Mother and son set out once again in matching outfits. Gu Ci took Gu Ziyu to drink Coke and eat hamburgers. They went to an arcade to play shooting games and dance. In the afternoon, they went shopping together.
While shopping in the afternoon, Gu Ziyu received an invitation from Chen Liangdong to visit his house. Gu Ci took Gu Ziyu to the mall to buy some nutritional supplements and fruits before heading to Chen Liangdong’s place in the evening.
Chen Liangdong lived in a military compound. His small villa had guards stationed at the entrance, and there was a spacious courtyard filled with vegetables—loofah, bitter gourd, cucumbers, and various other vegetables, as well as flowers.
When Gu Ci and Gu Ziyu arrived, Chen Liangdong was peeling vegetables. “You’re in luck. It’s loofah harvest season. Today, I’ll show you something special.”
“Uncle Chen, let me help you,” Gu Ci offered.
“You’re a guest. How can you do the work? You and Ziyu can sit wherever you like.” Chen Liangdong rarely had a day off, so cooking had become one of his hobbies. Gu Ci looked around the first floor, noticing that it was filled with books and sandalwood furniture. The decor had an antique feel, but there was no trace of a female presence. The photo wall displayed pictures of Chen Liangdong and his comrades.
Chen Liangdong had a Border Collie named Chuyi, who was full of energy. He was friendly and not afraid of strangers, surrounding Gu Ziyu and Gu Ci.
“Chuyi is very well-behaved, don’t worry,” Chen Liangdong reassured them.
Gu Ziyu rubbed the Border Collie’s head. Gu Ci asked softly, “Isn’t he married?”
“Getting old, still single,” Gu Ziyu remarked astutely. “I don’t think anyone likes him.”
“Brat, I can hear you.”
Gu Ci was speechless.
Though embarrassed, Gu Ci was also curious. The director of the National Security Bureau, a dignified figure with white hair, was elegant and gentle. How could he not have found a wife? Unless all the women in the country were blind.
Chuyi caused a commotion, and Gu Ci and Gu Ziyu took turns walking him around the courtyard.
Just like an ordinary mother, Gu Ci captured a video of Gu Ziyu sneaking around with the dog. She also took a photo and posted it on her WeChat Moments.
Mother and son, together with the dog.
Zhou Jinjin liked the post and left a comment with a question mark.
Despite being busy, Jiang Junlin gave her a thumbs up.
Zhou Jinjin teased her about raising Gu Ziyu as her own son. Lately, she had been joking about Gu Ziyu being her son, so no one suspected anything. Gu Ci changed her Moments background to a photo of Gu Ziyu.
For dinner, Chen Liangdong prepared pork ribs, corn and winter melon soup, steamed loofah with garlic, scrambled eggs with bitter gourd, steamed crab, braised beef brisket with tomatoes, cold cucumber and fungus, and cold beef. It was a sumptuous feast, and all the vegetables were grown in his own garden.
The dishes looked, smelled, and tasted wonderful. They were all home-cooked meals, and the flavors were well-balanced. Gu Ci remarked, “You’re really good at cooking.”
“I worked in the kitchen when I was young.”
Gu Ziyu happily enjoyed a large crab and asked, “Is the chef making a comeback?”
“Don’t underestimate chefs. These logistics units are the backbone of any organization. If you understand the supplies of each unit and the work of the chefs, you’ll be amazed,” Chen Liangdong replied.
Gu Ci smiled and engaged him in conversation about various trivial matters. Chen Liangdong was knowledgeable and talented. He could hold discussions on the four arts and had a wealth of life experience. His way of speaking and acting was like a gentle spring breeze, making him approachable.
It was a delightful meal. Gu Ziyu even had two large bowls of rice..