kingnovel Chapter 1127 Change
Chapter 1127 Change
Since that day, Wu Mingqiang would occasionally come to pick up and drop off Gui'er.
Occasionally, when school ended early, he would take her to a cafe in Central via a detour. Gui'er would always order a cup of almond cream, while he would order a cup of black coffee. He would watch her slowly stir the frosting with a small silver spoon, not saying much, but the two would chat casually about the events of the day.
When passing by a department store, he would stop the car, take Gui'er to the counter, and ask the clerk to bring out the latest styles of dresses, scarves, bags, or shoes that they had kept. He would smile and say, "I asked them to keep these. Do you like them? If you do, we'll buy them. If you don't, we can come back when there are new arrivals."
Sha Yanxiao used to do these things often. He was usually very busy with official duties, but when he had free time, he would pick Gui'er up from school and then they would go out for a nice meal, or go to Yunshanglou to order new clothes, or go to Yong'an Department Store to buy the latest gadgets. Sometimes when Gui'er looked at Wu Mingqiang's profile, she would feel as if time had overlapped, only the person in front of her had a more rugged profile and the warmth of his palm was heavier.
Upon learning of the "graduation promise," Dingxiang was overjoyed. While tidying up Gui'er's room, she hummed a little tune: "Miss, you've finally come to your senses! A man like Brother Qiang is hard to find even with a lantern. With him protecting us, our lives will definitely be stable." She paused, then leaned closer. "To be honest, I've been looking forward to this day for a long time. Think about it, once you're with Brother Qiang, my life will be secure too, right? It's much better than you marrying into one of those shady playboys or a poor scholar's family."
Gui'er paused, her hand holding the comb still, before realizing that Dingxiang's enthusiasm also concealed a degree of calculation regarding her own situation. She smiled but said nothing—in chaotic times, everyone has their own hopes, which is perfectly understandable.
Ah Cheng, however, had a different thought. That day, when he took Gui'er to school, he hesitated for a long time before finally speaking: "Miss, are you really... sure?"
Gui'er was flipping through a book when she looked up at him and asked, "What's wrong?"
“Brother Qiang is a good man, and he’s especially good to you.” Acheng scratched his head, his tone somewhat troubled. “But he’s been dealing with dock foremen and compradors in foreign firms all his years, and he’s seen all sorts of things involving vying for fame and fortune, so he’s bound to be a bit too calculating. You’re educated, and you have the nation and the world on your minds. You two… I’m afraid you might not get along.”
He sighed: "The Second Young Master used to say that you should find someone to talk about poetry and painting with. But Brother Qiang... he is ultimately not the Second Young Master's kind of person."
Gui'er closed the book, her fingertips tapping lightly on the cover. Acheng's words, like a fine needle, pierced the delicate calm. Yes, Wu Mingqiang's world was about scheming and plunder, while Sha Yanxiao's world was about guns and ideals; they were still different.
“I know,” she said softly, “but Acheng, this world doesn’t allow people to be picky anymore. It’s already a blessing that someone is willing to stay with me and wait for me.”
Acheng didn't say anything more, just stared straight ahead and continued driving, his eyes full of worry.
Gui'er was flipping through her book when she suddenly remembered the new movie Wu Mingqiang had taken her to see yesterday. In the darkness, he quietly pushed the popcorn toward her, his fingertips accidentally brushing against her hand. She recoiled as if she'd been electrocuted, her ears turning red.
That clumsy gentleness, though perhaps different from Sha Yanxiao's mildness, has its own weight.
As for whether they get along or not... Gui'er sighed softly. Who can predict the future? All we can do now is walk the path before us well and wait for a tomorrow that may come.
At first, the classmates viewed Wu Mingqiang's picking up Gui'er with gossip and even some disdain. However, after a while, they seemed less curious. Xie Boqin even spoke up for them, saying that in this era, talent rises to the top, regardless of background. Hong Kong is a place that is more receptive to foreign ideas, and most of the classmates felt that what she said made sense.
Moreover, Wu Mingqiang was an extremely shrewd person. He had seen the curious looks from Gui'er's classmates several times and had roughly guessed the reason for the matter. Sometimes, while waiting for Gui'er to come out, his classmates would take the initiative to greet him. At first, the classmates were quite awkward and some did not want to talk to him, but seeing his handsome appearance, elegant demeanor, and refined speech, they gradually lowered their guard. Wu Mingqiang was very good at dealing with people. When he met the male classmates in Gui'er's class, he could judge their family background based on their clothing and appearance.
Those from wealthy families, after a few words of conversation, he would mention a very influential distant relative of theirs, or a close friend of their parents, making it seem like he knew them very well. So over time, the classmates gradually changed their opinion of Gui'er's housekeeper. This was no housekeeper; he was an exceptionally capable person.
Wu Mingqiang even befriended several wealthy male classmates in Gui'er's class. One of their families invited the two of them to a party, and in everyone's eyes, they were clearly a perfect couple.
However, there was someone who was very unhappy, namely Liu Lanfang, who would occasionally slink away and say something like, "Gui'er sacrificed herself for the servants."
By this time, Wu Mingqiang had already made a good impression on Gui'er's classmates, and naturally some people were willing to speak up for him, while others said that Liu Lanfang was so feudal-minded.
Liu Lanfang was furious and stamped her feet in private, but there was nothing she could do. She couldn't very well say that she had taken a liking to Wu Mingqiang.
Since the graduation agreement was made, Wu Mingqiang has been paying little attention to Liu Lanfang. Even when she extended an olive branch, saying that her father had time to invite him over for tea or to discuss business, Wu Mingqiang would just laugh it off and avoid it. He knew that Gui'er didn't like it, and he had finally waited for this day when he had a chance to be with Gui'er, so he didn't want to give up all his efforts.
That day, Gui'er walked out of the school gate after school and saw that Wu Mingqiang, who was supposed to come to pick her up, was not there. Instead, Acheng was already waiting there.
She asked curiously, "Where's Brother Wu? He told me that after school today he would take me to a newly found tailor shop to choose fabric. That shop not only makes clothes, but also has new sweater designs that can be custom-made. If I order the design now, it will be ready in time for autumn."
Acheng laughed and said, "That was indeed the case, but just before he left, someone called the villa and said they had something urgent to discuss with him. It seemed to be something at Longxing, so he had no choice but to ask me to come and pick you up. He gave me the address of the shop. How about I take you there?"
Since it was official business, Gui'er didn't think much of it and nodded in agreement.
Acheng drove to the tailor shop.