Chapter 54

Gu Zhao first went to a design company.

After providing ample geographic data and stating his requirements, he slapped down one hundred thousand yuan in cash, meeting the other party’s bewildered gaze.

“Rest assured!” the manager swore with a raised hand, “We guarantee to design every inch of this Daoist temple complex to perfection—as if a true immortal lived here!”

Gu Zhao reminded him again, “Design everything according to ancient craftsmanship and capabilities—no modern elements.”

“I’ll hand this project to our lead designer—he specializes in Xia-style aesthetics and knows ancient architecture inside and out; you’ll be delighted!” the manager patted his chest in assurance.

Gu Zhao nodded, “Fine, design it as if a true immortal lived here.”

…

Graduation ceremony.

What the hell have you been up to lately? I can’t find you anywhere—had it not been for your daily replies, I’d have thought you were kidnapped to Shan State.

At school, Zhang Hang pulled Gu Zhao aside, scanning him up and down, “You feel different somehow—did you get cosmetic surgery these past few days?”

“Do you want me to be your sister?” Gu Zhao swatted away the hand reaching for his handsome face.

Zhang Hang laughed heartily, but then asked seriously, “You really have changed—what have you been up to?”

“Secluded cultivation.” Gu Zhao told the truth.

Seclusion meant traveling to another realm, where phone signals couldn’t reach; cultivation meant slaying demons and ghosts, absorbing malevolent qi to advance his cultivation.

“You’re fat and you’re puffing up?”

Zhang Hang naturally didn’t believe him—he assumed Gu Zhao had been shaken by some setback. “Is it because your palm lightning video briefly went viral, but then got exposed?”

Gu Zhao frowned, “Exposed? What do you mean?”

“The special effects were exposed,” Zhang Hang said matter-of-factly. “Someone commented you were striking with purple sandalwood, and your effects weren’t even done properly.”

Gu Zhao, “...”

“Let’s talk about how your store-hopping videos are going,” Gu Zhao said wearily.

“Great!” Zhang Hang boasted enthusiastically. “I specialize in contrast—I portray myself as a rich guy, then go to shops and get rejected for love. The comment sections are crazy active.”

“So if you ever actually date someone, your persona collapses,” Gu Zhao sneered.

Zhang Hang grinned, “What if I date one today and break up with her the same day?”

Gu Zhao chuckled, “Nightclub prince?”

“Campus king works too,” Zhang Hang winked at Gu Zhao, then tilted his chin toward his back. “Look at those two girls—I’m making them my girlfriends today.”

Gu Zhao turned his head following Zhang Hang’s gaze—and was slightly startled.

The two women who had just entered the campus, glancing around, clearly noticed the gaze directed at them, and smiled back.

Zhang Hang spun his Porsche key. “Three sentences—I can get them to spend the whole day with me.”

Gu Zhao shook his head with a smile. “I don’t believe you.”

“Let you see my real power,” Zhang Hang boasted. “The love confessions in my videos? All fake. Every time I finish a store visit, those girls cry and beg me to take them away.”

“I believe that—but not these two,” Gu Zhao still shook his head.

So Zhang Hang strode toward the two women, spinning his key—and to his satisfaction, the two beautiful girls also smiled and walked toward him.

“Ladies—”

“What a coincidence—I just got to campus and found you.”

“I was going to say—”

“Xiao Ya just asked about you.”

“You’re talking to—”

“Is this your friend? Hello!”

Zhang Hang saw the two girls finally turn their attention to him—he suddenly realized, whirled around, and saw Gu Zhao behind him waving at the girls, then saying, “Three sentences done?”

“What the hell!” Zhang Hang exploded. “You knew these two girls? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I told you and you didn’t believe me,” Gu Zhao patted Zhang Hang’s shoulder, then walked toward Xiao Ya and Jiang Shishi. “You said you’d give me a surprise yesterday—I guessed you’d come to Yangcheng again, but I never expected you’d show up at my school.”

Jiang Shishi beamed and teased Gu Zhao, “You need a beautiful girl beside you in your graduation photo, or people will think you’re a lonely dog.”

Gu Zhao was startled, glancing around. “Lower your voice—the damage is too widespread.”

Xiao Ya looked at Gu Zhao with glowing eyes. “My grandfather’s health has improved—he can stand and move a little every day now.”

Gu Zhao nodded knowingly. “Good. That confirms it—qi deficiency and weak constitution.”

Xiao Ya lifted her head slightly; her long hair fluttered in the breeze, brushing her ear, carrying a faint, sweet fragrance as she leaned closer to Gu Zhao, cheeks flushed, eyes filled with admiration. “You’re incredible.”

Beside them, Zhang Hang’s heart skipped a beat—he suddenly found every lavish meal he’d ever eaten tasteless.

Gu Zhao himself felt overwhelmed and stepped back—only to have Jiang Shishi slip her arm through his, pulling him into a soft embrace. “We came to keep you company—surprised? Delighted?”

“Surprised! Delighted!” Gu Zhao could only nod. “We can finish the graduation photos by morning—I’ll treat you to lunch.”

Jiang Shishi nodded happily. “The [Dian Dou De] we ate last time was great.”

Zhang Hang was startled and couldn’t help but interject, “Don’t go to [Dian Dou De]!”

Gu Zhao surprisingly agreed with Zhang Hang. “Let me pick a place.”

Jiang Shishi frowned. “Why? I heard it’s the most famous, best value, and everyone online recommends it.”

Zhang Hang took over. “That’s exactly why locals avoid it!”

Gu Zhao added, “It’s mass-produced pre-made food—soulless. I’ll take you to an authentic old shop and let you taste real Cantonese dim sum.”

“Fine,” Jiang Shishi didn’t care either way—she’d only asked out of curiosity.

…

Xiao Ya and Jiang Shishi toured Gu Zhao’s campus together, waiting for him to attend the graduation ceremony.

At the ceremony, Zhang Hang asked Gu Zhao enviously, “How the hell did you quietly land two gorgeous girls? Their quality far exceeds those night club girls!”

Gu Zhao replied seriously, “We’re just friends.”

Zhang Hang scoffed. “Friends? Bullshit.”

He was a seasoned player—he could tell Jiang Shishi and Xiao Ya looked at Gu Zhao differently. Even if they weren’t officially a couple, there was unmistakable attraction.

After the ceremony and group photos with classmates, the two girls accompanied Gu Zhao to take pictures at meaningful spots around campus.

By noon, everything was done.

Zhang Hang was desperate to find out the story between the two girls and Gu Zhao—why they treated him so differently.

He knew Gu Zhao better than anyone—he never pursued or flattered girls; otherwise, with his looks and family background, he wouldn’t have been single for four years. He usually lived in his own world, so no outstanding girl had ever chased him.

“Come on, let’s eat!” Zhang Hang spun his Porsche key.

So…

Gu Zhao took a taxi with the two girls, while Zhang Hang drove his two-seater Porsche alone.