Gu Wuyou followed closely behind Li Qingyuan, step by step.
Perhaps he had been tormented by her to the point of having no solution, or perhaps he simply didn’t want to pay her any attention. Li Qingyuan had no intention of accommodating her at all, walking at a rapid pace. He was tall with long legs, and each of his steps covered twice the distance of Gu Wuyou’s… She had barely walked for a while before she was already panting slightly.
Back when she was in Langya, she had fallen into the lake. Although she had almost fully recovered by now, her body was still somewhat weak.
Adding to that, she had lived a pampered life for so many years, always traveling by carriage or sedan chair. When had she ever had the experience of chasing someone down the main road like this? Gu Wuyou bent at the waist, propping her hands on her knees. Seeing that Li Qingyuan was still walking ahead without even turning his head, she opened her mouth, wanting to call out for him to wait.
But recalling Li Qingyuan’s earlier attitude and temperament, she pressed her lips together. The words that had reached the tip of her tongue suddenly became hard to say.
The winter wind was harsh, especially in old alleyways like this. The biting northern wind could practically strip a layer of skin off a person. Even though Gu Wuyou wore a hood and wrapped herself in a cloak, it didn’t help much.
She felt cold and wronged.
Though she had spoken so resolutely to her second sister yesterday, now that she was truly being treated this way by the Great General, Gu Wuyou still felt somewhat aggrieved. Especially when she thought about how well the Great General used to treat her—comparing it to the stark contrast of his current attitude—it made her feel even worse.
Her eyes turned red.
She didn’t know whether it was from the wind or because she felt too wronged. She felt so miserable she wanted to cry. Sniffling, she saw Li Qingyuan turn a corner, and only the hem of his white robe was still visible. She quickly straightened up, wiped her damp eyes with the back of her hand, lifted her skirt, and ran after him.
So what if she was being coldly treated? It—it wasn’t that big of a deal!
At least it was better than not being able to find the Great General at all.
With that thought, Gu Wuyou felt a little less upset. She had always had a quick temper, but it came and went just as fast. After marrying Li Qingyuan, she had even learned how to regulate her emotions.
Now, although her eyes were still red, her cheeks—slightly reddened by the wind—had regained a hint of a smile.
She chased after Li Qingyuan in the direction he had left.
It was still the same kind of old alleyway, but this one was much livelier than the last. It seemed to be a residential area, with doors left open, and the sounds of people talking filled the air—elderly voices, children’s laughter, and couples chatting idly.
On both sides of the alley, many stalls were set up, selling breakfast, candied hawthorns, and other goods. It was bustling with activity, even livelier than the East Street outside.
“Old Zhang, one bowl of wontons.”
“Alright! Are you eating here or taking it to go today?”
“To go. I have to hurry to work in the eastern part of the city, afraid I won’t make it in time. I’ll settle the payment later.”
“Alright.”
Most of the people buying breakfast here were locals, familiar with the place. They chatted casually while making their purchases. Gu Wuyou had never been to such a place before, and for a moment, she was dazzled by the scene in front of her.
Her round apricot eyes widened as she looked around, finding it both novel and lively—but… she couldn’t find the Great General, which made her anxious.
As she was observing her surroundings, others were also looking at her.
It was quite rare to suddenly see a young lady dressed in luxurious silks, with pearl hairpins adorning her head, appear in a place like this. People stared at her curiously, unable to figure out whether this obviously wealthy young lady had gotten lost or something else had happened.
The wonton vendor, Old Zhang, was a kind and easygoing man. While waiting for the wontons to cook, he noticed Gu Wuyou looking around and smiled as he asked, “Young lady, are you lost?”
“I—I’m not.”
Gu Wuyou shook her head, thought for a moment, then asked, “Did you just see a young man in white come in? He’s about—” she gestured with her hands to indicate his height, “—this tall, and very good-looking.”
“Huh? Are you talking about Young Master Li?”
The one who answered her this time was a man waiting for his wontons. He looked at Gu Wuyou and smiled. “So, you’re a friend of Young Master Li? No wonder you managed to find this place.” After speaking, he pointed toward a spot. “Look, Young Master Li is inside.”
Old Zhang also chimed in, “You haven’t had breakfast yet, have you? Just in time—Young Master Li’s wontons haven’t been served yet. Go inside and sit down, I’ll bring them to you together.”
Hearing news of Li Qingyuan’s whereabouts, Gu Wuyou instantly beamed with joy. She was already beautiful, and now, dressed in red with her cheeks flushed, she looked even more endearing.
She lifted the hem of her skirt and walked inside but then suddenly remembered something. Turning back, she politely said, “Thank you,” before, under their watchful gazes, lifting the blue fabric curtain and peeking her head inside.
—
Li Qingyuan was seated by the window.
The room wasn’t large, with four or five scattered tables, some of which hadn’t been cleared yet. Perhaps because it was still early and the lighting in the alley was poor, the moderately sized space felt somewhat dim.
But even so, Gu Wuyou spotted Li Qingyuan immediately.
Dressed in white, his handsome face was turned toward the latticed window covered with white paper. The usual playfulness or indifferent amusement in his long, narrow phoenix eyes was absent—replaced instead with a deep, unreadable look. His dark pupils seemed to be fixed on something, though it was unclear what, and his expressionless face revealed nothing of his thoughts. His entire being exuded a maturity beyond his years.
For a moment, Gu Wuyou was struck by an illusion—she felt as though she were looking at the Great General of the future.
Still holding onto the blue curtain, she stared at this version of Li Qingyuan in a daze.
Li Qingyuan had already heard the approaching footsteps earlier, but he hadn’t paid them any attention. However, when they stopped at the doorway and didn’t come in, and instead, a lingering gaze fell upon him, he frowned slightly and turned his head.
He saw Gu Wuyou.
At first, he was stunned. Then, his brows furrowed again.
He had thought this little girl had already left, but not only had she not gone, she had even tracked him down here.
Li Qingyuan had no idea what Gu Wuyou wanted, but he found it rather annoying. He disliked such clean and pure eyes, and even more so, the look she gave him—filled with trust and joy.
That kind of gaze was harder to endure than contempt, neglect, or ridicule.
The two of them stared at each other across the space, locked in silence, until Old Zhang’s voice broke the stillness. “Young lady, why haven’t you gone inside yet?”
“Huh?”
Gu Wuyou snapped back to her senses, feeling a bit embarrassed. She had lost herself in thought yet again upon seeing the Great General… She lifted the curtain, stepped aside, and, not daring to look at Li Qingyuan, said with a flushed face to the approaching man, “You go in first.”
Only after Old Zhang entered did she let the curtain fall, sneaking a peek toward the window.
The young man was still sitting there, his expression back to its previous indifference.
Old Zhang, unaware of their situation, assumed they were acquaintances. Carrying two bowls of wontons, he walked over and cheerfully told Li Qingyuan, “I wasn’t sure what the young lady liked, so I got a portion according to your taste.”
Then he called out to Gu Wuyou, who was still standing by the curtain. “Why are you still standing there? These steamed dumplings are best eaten while they’re hot.”
Gu Wuyou did want to sit with Li Qingyuan, but considering how much the Great General disliked her—he hadn’t even waited for her earlier—would he really be willing to sit with her now? She hesitated, slowly stepping forward without immediately sitting down, stealing a cautious glance at him.
Li Qingyuan noticed her gaze but said nothing. He merely gave her a brief, indifferent look before withdrawing his gaze and starting to eat his wontons.
In a place like this—
He didn’t believe that this pampered little girl could endure staying here.
The slightly chipped celadon bowl emitted steaming heat. The wontons inside glistened with a thin layer of oil, topped with a sprinkling of chopped scallions, making them look incredibly appetizing. Gu Wuyou had woken up early today and had only eaten a few pastries to fill her stomach.
She was already starving.
Seeing that Li Qingyuan was not angry, Gu Wuyou cheerfully sat down.
Old Zhang was not busy at the moment and didn’t rush back outside. Instead, he stood to the side, watching them. The more he looked, the more he felt they made a good pair. When guests came to his shop, he often chatted with them when he had spare time. Now, out of curiosity, he asked, “Young lady, are you an old acquaintance of Young Master Li?”
Gu Wuyou had just picked up her spoon. Hearing this, she softly responded with a “Mm.” She glanced at Li Qingyuan, and seeing that he had no intention of answering, she took it upon herself to reply, “He and I study at the same academy.”
“Luming Academy, right?”
Old Zhang looked a bit surprised. When Gu Wuyou nodded, he smiled and said, “That’s a great place! Right now, I’m just hoping that my good-for-nothing son will put in some effort and get the chance to study at Luming Academy.”
Li Qingyuan had heard Old Zhang talk about this many times before. Old Zhang’s son was thirteen this year and had decent grades. Old Zhang believed the boy had potential, so he would occasionally bring it up.
The people in the alley were straightforward and genuine in their interactions. When Old Zhang talked about his son, others would usually offer congratulatory words.
However—
Li Qingyuan glanced at the girl sitting across from him. From head to toe, she exuded an air of extravagant wealth. A pampered young lady like her, untouched by the mundane world—what kind words could she possibly have to say? She was either going to dismiss Old Zhang’s hopes as wishful thinking or… He curled his lips into a faintly mocking smile.
Gu Wuyou had no idea what Li Qingyuan was thinking. Tilting her head slightly, she looked at Old Zhang with bright, curved eyes, listening attentively to his words. Then, in a sincere tone, she encouraged him, “He definitely can do it!”
After entering the shop, Gu Wuyou had removed her hood.
Now, her entire face was exposed. Because of the warmth inside the shop, her brows and eyes were relaxed, making her look even sweeter and more charming than before.
Seeing her like this, Li Qingyuan’s expression froze for a moment.
He had been accustomed to reading people’s faces from a young age, mastering the skill of seeing through others. A smile so genuine as this couldn’t possibly be an act. If it was, then the Gu family’s daughter was truly remarkable.
He wasn’t sure what to think.
But the irritation he had felt earlier at seeing Gu Wuyou had lessened slightly.
Stirring the wontons in his bowl, he had originally intended to eat quickly and leave as soon as possible. Yet now, he unconsciously slowed his pace.
Hearing Gu Wuyou’s words, Old Zhang’s face wrinkled up in a wide smile. Elderly people tended to favor cheerful young girls like her—just looking at her made him happy. Now, seeing her speak with such a bright expression, his fondness for her grew even stronger.
He glanced at Li Qingyuan not far away and chuckled. “Speaking of which, this is the first time Young Master Li has ever brought someone here to eat.”
Li Qingyuan was in the middle of eating his wontons. When he heard this, his hand paused slightly. Before he could speak, Gu Wuyou had already lifted her brows in delight. “Really?”
Old Zhang was about to answer when Li Qingyuan interrupted, “Uncle Zhang, there’s someone calling for you outside.”
“Huh?”
Old Zhang was momentarily stunned. He perked up his ears and listened carefully—sure enough, someone was calling for him. Laughing, he said, “Oh! I’ll head out first. Take your time eating, and let me know if you need more.”
Gu Wuyou nodded and replied crisply, “Okay!”
The room quickly became quiet again, leaving only the two of them. Li Qingyuan sat right across from her. As soon as Gu Wuyou lifted her head, she could see him. At such close range, she could even see the shadows cast by his eyelashes on his face.
Her open and unreserved gaze made Li Qingyuan frown once more. He curled his fingers and lightly knocked on the table in front of her.
“Hm?” Gu Wuyou blinked, looking at him in confusion.
“Eat.”
Li Qingyuan furrowed his brows and said in a low voice, “Stop staring at me.”
He had never seen a noble young lady like her so brazenly fixate on a man. How shameless.