Chapter 366 - 365: She’s Not Into You

"Okay, then I’ll call you... Brother Gu."

Gu Kai Zhi nodded.

"Comrade, two tickets."

"Ten cents."

Daya was about to take out her money when she saw Gu Kai Zhi had already handed the fare to the ticket seller.

Daya looked at Gu Kai Zhi. "I have money. My uncle gave me some when I came out. He said he’d cover the expenses."

Gu Kai Zhi smiled. "No need."

Daya figured it wasn’t much money, so she didn’t dwell on it.

The temperature was pleasant this season and the air was fresh. Gu Kai Zhi took a deep breath.

"An Xin, I heard from Brother He that you’re not from Beijing City. How long have you been here?"

"This is my sixth year. My hometown is in Black Province. The year the college entrance exams were reinstated, my aunt got into a university in Beijing City, so I came here with them."

Gu Kai Zhi smiled slightly. "Six years. I also joined the army six years ago."

Daya turned to look at Gu Kai Zhi, and he nodded. "It’s true. But I’m older than you. Unlike you, I didn’t have much schooling. I learned most of the characters I know after joining the army. I have many siblings, and my family was very poor. We didn’t have money for school and couldn’t even get enough to eat. So when recruiters came to our brigade commune, I signed up."

Perhaps because of Gu Kai Zhi’s sincerity, Daya was touched.

"I also only started school after coming to Beijing City. I was too old, so no school would take me. It was my aunt who found a cram school for me, and then she sent me to study accounting."

Daya gazed at the calm lake surface, her voice soft and slow.

But as Gu Kai Zhi watched Daya’s profile and listened to her words, he suddenly realized she was a girl with a story. He didn’t press for details, perhaps guessing it wasn’t a happy memory.

"I can tell they treat you like family. That’s a kind of good fortune."

"Yes, I am lucky." Daya’s gaze flickered. She then pointed to a boat not far away and said, "How about we go rowing?"

Gu Kai Zhi looked out at the lake and nodded. "Alright."

Gu Kai Zhi did the rowing while Daya sat at the bow.

"Do you usually get time off from the base?"

Gu Kai Zhi nodded. "We do. We get a two-day leave every month, and we can also rearrange our days off. If we go on a mission, we’re also granted leave as a reward when we get back."

"That’s not bad. I’ve heard being a soldier is very tough."

Gu Kai Zhi laughed. "You get used to it. Life in the army is relatively simple, and the people there are sincere."

"So where do you live?"

"There are dormitories and also family housing buildings. Officers at the battalion commander level and above can apply for a spot in the family courtyard, so there are quite a lot of people. If you’re interested, I can take you to see it when there’s a chance."

After saying this, Gu Kai Zhi kept his eyes on Daya, watching for her reaction. Daya did seem to freeze for a moment, but she didn’t respond.

A flicker in Gu Kai Zhi’s eyes, and he continued rowing.

At noon, Daya took Gu Kai Zhi to eat roast duck.

"This is considered a Beijing City specialty, right? I’ve only had it a few times with my aunt and uncle. I’ve never come on my own."

Gu Kai Zhi looked at the menu. "I’ve heard of it. Let’s give it a try."

This time, Daya became the teacher, demonstrating for Gu Kai Zhi.

"By the way, since you’re not going back for lunch, will your comrade be okay on his own?"

Gu Kai Zhi answered almost without hesitation, "He’s fine. His injury isn’t serious. He can get out of bed and walk around. His legs are fine, so it won’t affect his ability to go get his own food."

Daya believed him completely, without a shred of doubt. She didn’t stop to think that if he were really that okay, why would his return to the unit be delayed, and why would he need to be hospitalized?

In the afternoon, they went to Dashilan, Wangfujing, and Shichahai. It wasn’t until evening that Gu Kai Zhi walked Daya to the entrance of her hutong.

"Thank you for today. You’ve given me a new perspective on Beijing City."

Daya’s lips curved into a small smile. "Well, I’m heading back. You should get back to the hospital soon, too. Your comrade is still waiting for you."

Gu Kai Zhi didn’t speak, just stared straight at Daya. Her gaze flickered. "Wh-what’s wrong?"

Gu Kai Zhi blinked, a corner of his mouth twitching into a slight smile. "Nothing. Go on back."

Daya nodded and walked into the hutong. She didn’t look back, walking all the way to her front door before pushing it open and going inside.

When Gu Kai Zhi returned to the hospital and had just entered the ward, a sarcastic voice piped up, "Well, well, if it isn’t Platoon Leader Gu, back from his date? Finally remembered your wounded comrade? So that’s what they mean by ditching a friend for a pretty face, huh?"

Gu Kai Zhi’s mouth twitched. He took off his jacket, tossed it on the edge of the bed, and asked, "Have you eaten?"

"Hah! Now you remember to ask if I’ve eaten? If I had waited for you, I’d have starved to death! I’m telling you, Gu Kai Zhi, you son of a bitch, are you here to keep me company or to hang out with your girlfriend?"

"Don’t talk nonsense. She’s not my girlfriend yet."

"Tsk tsk, you already ditched your friend for her, and you still haven’t sealed the deal? What on earth were you doing all day?"

Gu Kai Zhi sat down leisurely. "I went to the park, ate roast duck, and saw the sights of Beijing City. I was experiencing the local culture and customs."

"FUCK! HISS—"

Seeing the man on the bed clutching his stomach, Gu Kai Zhi stood up. "Why are you getting so worked up? When you’re better, you can go wherever you want. No one’s stopping you."

Then he asked again, "Did you really eat or not? If you haven’t, I’ll go buy you something."

"Hmph, I ate. I had the nurse get it for me. Gu Kai Zhi, you’re really something else. I’m going to report you when I get back. You used taking care of me as an excuse to go on a date. Let’s see how the regimental commander deals with you."

Hearing this, Gu Kai Zhi sat back down. "As long as you’ve eaten. Don’t spread rumors, it’s not fair to the young lady. I already told you, she’s not my girlfriend."

The man snorted. "Heh, so that means she’s not into you."

Gu Kai Zhi nodded. "Probably."

His comrade asked, puzzled, "Then how come you don’t seem sad at all?"

Gu Kai Zhi shot him a glance. "You want me to cry for you?"

"Sure. Come on, I’ll give you a cue."

Gu Kai Zhi ignored him and lay down on the adjacent bed.

"Hey, Gu Kai Zhi, how come I’ve never seen that girl before? When did you two meet? If she doesn’t like you, how about you introduce her to me? I don’t have a girlfriend either."

Gu Kai Zhi replied coldly, "Just give up on that idea. She wouldn’t be into you."

"Hey, how do you know she wouldn’t be into me? I might not be as handsome as you, but I have fairer skin. That’s a good quality too."

"She said she doesn’t like pretty boys!"

"..."

Back at the He Family home, Daya was also being "interrogated."

He Lang looked at Daya and asked, "He didn’t do anything to you, did he?"

Daya looked at them, a little bewildered.

Xue Yue couldn’t listen anymore and slapped He Lang’s arm. "What kind of thing is that to say? You know what kind of person Mr. Gu is. He would never act inappropriately."

Xue Yue looked at Daya and asked softly, "How did you feel about him?"

Daya blinked. "Aunt, what are you all talking about?"

Xue Yue said bluntly, "Didn’t you go out with Mr. Gu today? I’m asking what your impression of him was."

"I didn’t feel anything in particular."