The number Gu Nianzhi was calling was He Zhichu’s private number. Less than five people in the entire world knew the number.
He Zhichu had just finished his breakfast and was now at his desk, sorting through his work-related emails.
He heard the ringtone for his private phone. When he saw who was calling, he immediately took the call.
“Good morning, Professor He.” Gu Nianzhi’s sweet, gentle voice sounded from the other end of the line. He Zhichu let go of his mouse, and leaned backwards into his chair. He said coolly: “Hello, Nianzhi.”
Gu Nianzhi breathed a sigh of relief. She knew He Zhichu was mad at her, but he had accepted her call. That was a good sign, wasn’t it?
“Professor He, do you remember what I asked you the last time we met? That thing about your signature? When are you free?” Gu Nianzhi asked respectfully, a smile in her voice.
He Zhichu had been toying with a pen in his hand. He slammed it onto the table as he asked her icily: “What, don’t you want to be the Special Ops’ negotiator anymore?”
“That was just a temporary measure. Surely you aren’t suggesting Mr. Huo gave me a job just because he’s my guardian? Are you accusing him of nepotism?” Gu Nianzhi laughed lightly as she sent the ball back to He Zhichu’s court.
He Zhichu ignored her attack. He asked stubbornly, “Are you their negotiator, or aren’t you?”
Gu Nianzhi pouted. She said in a subdued voice: “…No, not anymore.”
“Good, then. Are you free right now? Come over, right this instant.” He Zhichu promptly hung up.
Gu Nianzhi stared at her phone in disbelief. He had not told her where he was—how the heck was she supposed to look for him?
After a moment’s deliberation, she sent a message to He Zhichu: Professor He, where are you?
He Zhichu sent her the address for the B University law department’s faculty building. After that, he went to his bathroom and took a quick shower.
He put on a bathrobe, tying it loosely around him. He hung a towel around his neck as he walked out of the bathroom, drying his hair with the towel as he went.
He had just entered his bedroom when he saw Wen Shouyi come in with a stack of freshly pressed clothes. She put them into his closet.
He Zhichu frowned. He said, in a tone of open displeasure, “Why didn’t you knock?”
Wen Shouyi whipped around. She saw He Zhichu, fresh out of the shower, and was surprised. “Professor He, why are you still here? Shouldn’t you be at the firm by now?”
He Zhichu suddenly remembered he was supposed to attend a meeting at the Sovereign Law Office—the law firm he had opened in the Huaxia Empire—to meet his employees. He had forgotten all about it.
“…I don’t feel like going. Take my place.” He Zhichu picked out a clean set of clothes, and returned to the bathroom to dress.
Wen Shouyi bit her lip. She walked over to the bathroom door and asked worriedly, “Professor He, is anything wrong? Are you sick? Is it another headache?”
He Zhichu finished changing, and walked out of the bathroom. He said dispassionately, “I make my own decisions. Do I owe you an explanation?”
“I’m just worried about your health. Your father worries about you, you know…” Wen Shouyi hastily explained. “Well, I’m glad you’re not sick. I’ll go to the office and attend the meeting now.”
Wen Shouyi walked out of He Zhichu’s room. She checked the time, and realized she would have to hurry. She quickly called the law firm and informed the receptionist that she would be attending the meeting in Mr. He’s place.
The staff at the law firm were sorely disappointed. They had been waiting eagerly to finally meet their famous boss in person, and now it looked like they would have to keep on waiting.
After Wen Shouyi left, He Zhichu walked over to the sofa and sat down. He picked up the newspaper, but was too restless to read it for long. He kept checking his watch and his private phone.
After setting up the appointment with He Zhichu, Gu Nianzhi went to look for Yin Shixiong to ask for a chauffeured car. She told him she was going to B University, which was situated in the northern section of the capital city. The Special Ops HQ was located in the south; there was quite a bit of distance to cover.
Yin Shixiong did not bother informing Huo Shaoheng about it; Huo Shaoheng was in the middle of reviewing documents, and had instructed Yin Shixiong not to bother him. Gu Nianzhi was just going to her university, after all—where was the harm in that? Yin Shixiong immediately arranged a chauffeured car for her.
The car was exceedingly ordinary in every way. But it had a chauffeur behind the wheel. It was a strange combination.
Gu Nianzhi sat awkwardly in the car. She was sure the car would be able to pass for the average taxi on the road. All she had to do was put up a TAXI sign…
The car drove out of the Special Ops base—and was immediately caught in heavy traffic.
There was nothing she could do. She got out her phone and started playing games on it. It was a full hour before the traffic began to move.
Her phone rang. It was He Zhichu, and he sounded displeased. “Late again, Gu Nianzhi? What’s your excuse this time?”
Gu Nianzhi was momentarily at a loss for words. She stared at the heavy traffic before her, and said resentfully, “Professor He, I’m stuck in traffic! Besides, we didn’t even agree on a time—how can you accuse me of being late?”
He Zhichu said icily: “Still trying to make excuses? You live 45 minutes away from campus. It’s been 90 minutes, and you’re still not here.”
Gu Nianzhi knew she was partly to blame—she had wasted some time dragging her feet before asking Yin Shixiong to get a car for her. Still, she had no control over the current traffic.
“Professor He, I don’t have a private helicopter. I’m still bound to traffic conditions.” Gu Nianzhi forced an awkward laugh. “I know you’re a forgiving man, so please forgive me.” She added: “Don’t worry, I’ll be there in…”
She turned to ask the chauffeur: “How long more?”
The chauffeur checked the traffic conditions, and the distance they had to cover. He mentally calculated how long it would take. “…About half an hour, I think.”
Gu Nianzhi quickly said to He Zhichu: “I’ll be there in half an hour.”
He Zhichu’s brow furrowed. He hung up without another word, and walked over to the window with his hands shoved into his pockets. He was on the 28th floor; he looked out the window and surveyed the surrounding roads.
The roads around B University were clear. There was no sign of heavy traffic.
He checked the map on his phone, and saw that Gu Nianzhi had been telling the truth: the highway leading from the Special Ops base to B University was heavily congested. He stared in annoyance at the long red line, indicating bumper-to-bumper traffic.
…
Half an hour later, Gu Nianzhi’s car finally arrived at B University’s south gate.
They did not have an entry permit for the car. Gu Nianzhi would have to enter the campus on foot.
Gu Nianzhi did not mind. She stepped out of the car, and stooped at the door to tell the chauffeur to find a parking spot and wait for her.
The chauffeur was Gu Nianzhi’s personal driver; it was his job to drive her around. He obediently listened to Gu Nianzhi’s instructions, and exchanged phone numbers with her before driving away.
Gu Nianzhi straightened up and was about to walk towards the school gate when she heard a snort of laughter behind her.
She knew the voice. She had heard it only once, more than ten days ago, but she remembered it clearly.
She remembered everything, after all.
Gu Nianzhi complimented herself on her excellent memory before walking towards the school gate. She did not bother turning to look at the source of the voice.
It was the voice of Prime Minister Dou’s second daughter, Dou Aiyan.
“Huh, I didn’t expect you to have a car of your own. Who’s the chauffeur?” Dou Aiyan walked over to Gu Nianzhi, a smile on her face.
Gu Nianzhi turned around and saw Dou Aiyan, dressed in a scarlet belted cashmere overcoat. Her long, wavy hair hung loose over her back. She was tall, and beautiful—she was a lot prettier than her older sister, Dou Qingyan.
There were two girls standing next to Dou Aiyan, dressed in pastel blue and pink cashmere overcoats. Gu Nianzhi guessed they were either Dou Aiyan’s classmates, or her lackeys.
Gu Nianzhi glanced at them, but made no attempt to acknowledge their existence. She continued walking towards the south gate.
Dou Aiyan had never been ignored before this. She was stunned. After a moment, she collected herself and ran to catch up with Gu Nianzhi. She said, annoyed, “Hey! I’m talking to you! What’s wrong with you?”
Gu Nianzhi sighed in resignation. She stopped walking and turned to look at Dou Aiyan. “Who are you? Are you talking to me? If you are, please mind your manners.”
“You don’t recognize me?!” Dou Aiyan had not expected Gu Nianzhi to pretend not to know her. “You were a guest at my house a few days ago. How can you have forgotten me already?”
The two girls beside Dou Aiyan began to laugh. “What a fake!”
Gu Nianzhi’s fingers tightened on the shoulder straps of her backpack. She smiled pleasantly. “I’ve been invited to many parties. I honestly can’t remember the host of every party I’ve been to, not unless they personally introduce themselves to me. Is that all? You’re in my way. Please step aside so I can pass.”
Dou Aiyan watched Gu Nianzhi walk to the school gate and speak a few words to the security guard before entering the campus.
Dou Aiyan stamped her foot, annoyed. She inwardly cursed Gu Nianzhi: You’re just a nobody, how dare you take that attitude with me! You think you’re a bigshot, but I bet you had to lick General Huo’s boots just to enjoy your current privileges…
You’re just a lowly orphan!
Wait till General Huo gets married—I can’t wait to watch you fall from grace!