Chapter 121: Business Trip

After the annual holiday ended, Wen Jiu and Gu Zehuai both returned to work, and Wen Jiu went home several days in a row.

Just after resuming work, Gu Zehuai was busy day and night, and they hadn’t seen each other for days.

During dinner, Wen Jiu tentatively mentioned to her parents, “Mom, Dad, what do you think about me bringing Gu Zehuai home for dinner?”

Her mother showed no particular expression; this was inevitable, after all, she had long anticipated it.

Her father felt a pang of distress—his daughter was essentially being swept away by that rascal—but seeing that her mother had no objections, he dared not say a word.

Her mother nodded, “That’s good. Bring him over so we can meet him.”

“Yes, we should find a time to have Ah Huai come over for a meal,” her father agreed.

He wanted to give Gu Zehuai a proper test.

Considering how busy Gu Zehuai had been lately, Wen Jiu thought she would mention it to him after some time.

The Lantern Festival was coming up soon, which was also Gu Zehuai’s birthday, and Wen Jiu was already preparing a gift. She wondered how Gu Zehuai would want to celebrate.

Just as she was thinking this, Gu Zehuai’s video call came in.

“You got off work early today.”

“Yes, Jiu Jiu, I missed you.”

Their video calls always revolved around such topics, but both felt content just to be able to connect like this when apart.

“When do you have time?” Wen Jiu asked.

Gu Zehuai thought for a moment, then seemed to remember something: “Jiu Jiu, I might have to go on a business trip for a few days soon. Once I’m done, I’ll have some free time. Why the sudden question?”

“Nothing, don’t worry about me. You just focus on your work, I’ll wait for you.”

As they chatted, Wen Jiu fell asleep. Gu Zehuai looked at her peaceful sleeping face on the screen, reluctant to hang up.

Early the next morning, Wen Jiu found her phone had run out of battery and shut down—only then did she realize Gu Zehuai hadn’t ended the call after she fell asleep.

She wondered if Gu Zehuai would come back on his birthday. If not, she would celebrate with him belatedly.

When she arrived at the office, Wen Jiu received a message: on the 22nd, the thirteenth day of the lunar month, she was to go on a three-day business trip to Lin City with her company to exchange and learn from a partner firm.

For Wen Jiu, who had hoped to spend her birthday with Gu Zehuai, this felt like dreadful news. But as it was her first business trip and a valuable opportunity to learn, she didn’t want to miss it.

After telling Gu Zehuai, he understood and comforted her, saying he was also going on a business trip, and that it was an international one.

Wen Jiu suddenly realized that was right.

Gu Zehuai was leaving the next day, and it was uncertain if he would return in time for his birthday.

In that case, she decided to go on her trip without worry.

After work that evening, Wen Jiu didn’t return to her family home but went to her apartment.

Gu Zehuai’s small suitcase lay open on the bedroom floor, still unpacked.

He was taking a shower when Wen Jiu opened his closet and folded a few pieces of clothing, placing them inside.

Looking at his wardrobe filled exclusively with suits, with only a few casual outfits hanging lonely in a corner, Wen Jiu thought she should buy him some clothes next time they went shopping.

When Gu Zehuai came out of the bathroom, he saw Wen Jiu crouched on the floor folding his clothes. Smiling, he walked over and teased, “Did I come to the wrong place? I actually caught the Snail Girl at work.”

“You’re really impossible,” Wen Jiu thought. She had once believed Gu Zehuai was as serious inside as he appeared on the surface, but it turned out he had a quietly playful side.