Chapter 25: Love in Progress, Qin Huairu Enters the Courtyard

Let's take another look at our comrade He Yuzhu. Since obtaining the auditor slot, He Yuzhu goes to Huaxia University to attend lectures every afternoon. Each time he attends, he invariably sits next to Gao Yue. Whenever He Yuzhu arrives, several male students stare at him covetously. Of course, He Yuzhu simply ignores those gazes.

After Old Mo found out Gao Yue liked sweets, He Yuzhu occasionally made pastries for Gao Yue using styles he had seen in his previous life. Each time he made only one or two, and the rest went to He Yushui and Wang Tingting. As a result, those two little girls have gotten quite plump.

Thus, He Yuzhu and Gao Yue's relationship grew closer. During this period, He Yuzhu also participated in several research experiments organized by Professor Chen. He Yuzhu, drawing on his past-life experience, offered suggestions for some problems that seemed unsolvable. Professor Chen adopted a few of them, and to his surprise they all succeeded. This delighted Professor Chen, who couldn't help but think more highly of He Yuzhu.

In May, because Professor Chen needed to go to Modu for technical guidance due to a work transfer, He Yuzhu's research team was temporarily disbanded. However, He Yuzhu's auditor certificate was retained, which delighted him immensely.

During this time, He Yuzhu and Gao Yue's feelings rapidly heated up, giving off a vague romantic atmosphere.

After Sunday morning class ended, He Yuzhu and Gao Yue sat by the lake. He Yuzhu handed over the filled milk biscuits he had made the night before. Seeing another treat, Gao Yue's little eyes sparkled as she awaited his feeding.

After He Yuzhu passed the biscuits to Gao Yue, she took one, bit a small piece, narrowed her eyes, and savored the aroma of the milk biscuits, saying, "Zhuzi, your baking skills have improved again—these biscuits are tastier than last time."

"Here, have a sip of milk; it'll taste better," said He Yuzhu as he took a bottle of milk from his bag, unscrewed the cap, and handed it to Gao Yue.

To make milk biscuits for Gao Yue, He Yuzhu had gone to the countryside several times; milk was a rare commodity hard to buy these days. After finally obtaining a few bottles, he used them to bake the biscuits, leaving three bottles. He gave one each to Wang Tingting and He Yushui, leaving only the last bottle in his hand.

After taking a sip of milk, Gao Yue said, "Not bad, little Zhuzi—you're getting better at enjoying life."

"Little Yuezi, could you stop calling me little Zhuzi? It's like calling a eunuch in feudal society," said He Yuzhu, putting on an annoyed expression.

"Little Zhuzi, you've grown bold—you won't even call me sister?" she said, moving to hit He Yuzhu.

Seeing Gao Yue reach out her little hand, He Yuzhu grabbed it firmly and, unexpectedly, did not let go after taking hold.

Gao Yue tried to pull her hand back twice but couldn't; her face flushed and she whispered, "You… let go, there are so many people around."

He Yuzhu looked up and indeed saw many people across the lake, then released her hand and looked at Gao Yue, asking, "Gao Yue, can we be friends?"

Gao Yue hadn't yet processed what just happened, and offhandedly replied, "Aren't we already friends?"

"I mean, I want us to be boyfriend and girlfriend—I just want you to be my wife," He Yuzhu said, staring at Gao Yue without blinking.

Hearing He Yuzhu say that, and with him still gazing at her, Gao Yue's face grew redder; she said nothing, kept her head down, and fiddled with the milk bottle with both little hands.

"I understand. Sorry, Gao Yue comrade—I shouldn't have said that. I'm heading back first," He Yuzhu said, then prepared to leave.

"No, it's not that—I just haven't decided yet. If I were to agree to you… I…" Before Gao Yue could finish, He Yuzhu immediately sat beside her again and said, "So you've agreed."

Gao Yue nodded, her blush deepening. With a smack, He Yuzhu lifted her little hand and kissed it.

Gao Yue jumped in surprise, quickly pulled her hand back, looked around, saw no one, and said, "Oh dear, He Yuzhu, I'm ignoring you!" Then she took the biscuits and milk and ran off.

He Yuzhu laughed as he watched Gao Yue run away, didn't chase after her, slung his bag over his shoulder, walked to the shore, mounted his vehicle, and headed toward the Courtyard House.

Gao Yue jogged all the way back to the dormitory, sat on the bed in a daze, then chuckled at the memory of He Yuzhu's actions, making her face even redder. She hurriedly lay down, pulled the blanket over her face, fearing her roommates would see her embarrassed state, and thought to herself, "He Yuzhu, you wait for me, miss; next time I see you I'll definitely choke you."

Waiting for He Yuzhu to return to the Courtyard House, just as he stepped through the gate, he saw a figure he would never forget in two lifetimes—Qin Huairu.

In his previous life he had lusted after Qin Huairu's body; this lifetime his heart was filled only with resentment. Qin Huairu and Jia Dongxu heard the sound of a bicycle behind them, both turned around and saw He Yuzhu. Jia Dongxu immediately said to He Yuzhu, "Silly Zhu, you're back—this is my girlfriend; come call her sister-in-law."

He Yuzhu's mind was a jumble of symbols, but he managed to force a smile and said, "Sister-in-law, I'm heading back first, Brother Dongxu." He Yuzhu pushed his bicycle around them and went back inside.

After He Yuzhu left, Qin Huairu asked, "Dongxu, who is this? He's so young and even has a bicycle."

"That's Silly Zhu from our courtyard; his father ran off with a widow, and he spends all day alone, keeping to himself—don't bother with him," Jia Dongxu said with a look of contempt.

"Ah, his father ran off with a widow—what about his mother?" Qin Huairu asked in surprise, looking at Jia Dongxu.

"His mother? She died after giving birth to his younger sister, so now only he and his sister remain in the household. I don't know how it happened—his sister seldom returns to the courtyard, so he often lives here alone." Having said that, Jia Dongxu took Qin Huairu's hand and led her toward his home.

As they walked, Qin Huairu thought, "That Silly Zhu isn't bad—his household now has only his younger sister; if I married him I wouldn't have to suffer a mother-in-law's nagging, and he even has a bicycle."

What He Yuzhu didn't know was that Qin Huairu had already taken a liking to him; if he had known, he would never have chosen to return to the Courtyard House, even if beaten to death.

At the Jia family, after Qin Huairu followed Jia Dongxu into the house, Jia Zhangshi didn't even glance at Qin Huairu, remaining seated on the bed stitching shoe insoles until Jia Dongxu called out, "Mom, Qin Huairu has arrived." Only then did Jia Zhangshi lift her head and say, "Oh, Qin Huairu has come—please have a seat."

Jia Dongxu added, "Mom, you and Huairu chat first; I'm going to call my master," and kept staring at Jia Zhangshi after saying that.

Seeing her son's reluctance, Jia Zhangshi finally set down the shoe insoles, put on a warm demeanor, took Qin Huairu's hand, and said, "Huairu, you must be tired from walking so far—come, have a drink," as she moved to pour water for Qin Huairu.

When Qin Huairu saw Jia Zhangshi about to pour her water, she hurriedly took the pitcher and said, "Auntie, I can do it myself."

Seeing that the mother and daughter-in-law could get along peacefully, Jia Dongxu left the house and headed toward Yi Zhonghai's home.

At the Yi family, Yi Zhonghai saw Jia Dongxu and asked, "Dongxu, how did you arrange things for noon?"

"What do you mean, Master, how I arranged things?" Jia Dongxu asked, puzzled.

Yi Zhonghai smacked Jia Dongxu on the head and said, "You little blockhead, Qin Huairu is visiting for the first time today, and you're planning to let her drink only water? Hurry up and call Silly Zhuzi over."

"Why call Silly Zhu, Master?" Jia Dongxu scratched his head, even more confused.

"Calling Silly Zhu is obviously to have him cook—do you really think your mediocre skills could show off two dishes?" Yi Zhonghai said impatiently.

Jia Dongxu then realized, "Oh oh, Master, I'm on my way," and started to head out.

As Jia Dongxu stepped out the door, Yi Zhonghai called him back, saying, "Wait a moment—when you summon him, also bring his bicycle over; do you really intend to let Qin Huairu walk back when she leaves?"

"Oh oh, all right, Master, I'm going right away," Jia Dongxu said, and headed toward He Yuzhu's home.