Chapter 45: Bringing Back a Young Aunt

All day Friday, Wen Jiu looked forward to the evening. As the end of the workday approached, she received a message from Gu Zehuai.

“Did you drive to work today?” he asked.

“I took the subway,” she replied.

He responded instantly, “Great, then I’ll come pick you up (≧ω≦)/”

When Wen Jiu arrived at the company entrance, she expected to wait a little while for Gu Zehuai, but to her surprise, his car was already there.

Seeing her from a distance, Gu Zehuai got out and opened the passenger door for her. Wen Jiu smiled, thanked him, and got in.

Gu Zehuai suggested, “Let’s get something to eat first, then go to the movies.”

“Sounds good,” Wen Jiu replied.

As he drove, eyes fixed on the road ahead, Gu Zehuai asked, “Is there anything in particular you’d like to eat?”

Wen Jiu thought for a moment before blurting out, “Hotpot! This weather is perfect for hotpot. But if we eat hotpot, the smell will stick to our clothes. Oh well!”

Though autumn had just begun and it wasn’t very cold yet, it was already pleasantly cool outside—a perfect time for hotpot.

Sensing Wen Jiu’s hesitation, Gu Zehuai said, “Let’s have hotpot, then. We can always see a movie another time.” He even named a hotpot restaurant.

Wen Jiu realized that it was the same place she often went with Shen Mengxia, though the place was always packed and reservations were a must.

She thought that sounded fine, but voiced her doubt. Gu Zehuai explained, “The place is owned by Aqi. We have a private room reserved.”

Only then did Wen Jiu understand.

At the restaurant, Gu Zehuai led Wen Jiu straight to their private room and handed her a tablet to order food.

The room was spacious, enough to hold ten or twenty people. Besides a large round table, there was also a smaller square table to the side.

Gu Zehuai led Wen Jiu to sit at the small table.

Wen Jiu ordered a few of her favorites and passed the tablet to Gu Zehuai, who added a few dishes of his own.

Soon, the ingredients arrived, and Gu Zehuai began to place them into the bubbling pot.

At first, Wen Jiu tried to maintain her composure in front of Gu Zehuai, but the hotpot was simply too delicious, and she quickly forgot all about appearances.

After their meal, Wen Jiu suggested a walk to help with digestion.

They left the hotpot restaurant and, instead of driving, strolled along the street. Most of the time, Gu Zehuai kept the conversation going, and Wen Jiu responded warmly, never dampening the mood.

After eating hotpot, Wen Jiu could hardly stand the lingering smell on her clothes. It was only after wandering outside for a while, letting the scent dissipate, that she felt more comfortable.

Still, she told Gu Zehuai she wanted to head home. “Zehuai, let’s go back. How about we watch the movie tomorrow night instead?”

Gu Zehuai had no objections, and the two of them made their way back to the hotpot restaurant to get the car.

As they drove, Gu Zehuai had the nagging feeling he’d forgotten something, but couldn’t quite recall what it was.

It wasn’t until he’d dropped Wen Jiu off at home and noticed a book that Gu Yulin had left on the foyer cabinet that he remembered.

Gu Zehuai quickly called Gu Yulin.

A slightly aggrieved voice came through, “Uncle, do you even remember you have such a cute little nephew? I waited for you for so long…”

Gu Zehuai realized his mistake—he’d spent the whole day immersed in the joy of planning his movie night with Wen Jiu and had completely forgotten.

“I’m sorry, Yuyu. This time it was Uncle’s fault. Uncle apologizes, please don’t be mad, all right? Do you want Uncle to bring you back a little aunt?”

Gu Zehuai coaxed gently.

At the mention of “little aunt,” Gu Yulin’s eyes lit up; his earlier tone of complaint vanished. “Yes, yes! I’m not mad anymore. Uncle, you have to work hard and make Sister Jiu my little aunt.”