She unlocked her phone and saw that it was Mei Xiawen calling. To see that someone was seeking her out while she was lonely was like being gifted a fire on a winter’s night, like a parched traveler seeing a fountain in the middle of a desert—one one could refuse such kindness. Gu Nianzhi answered in a soft voice.
Mei Xiawen smiled on the other end of the line, “Nianzhi, you went home? Did something happen?”
Gu Nianzhi shook her head. “It’s fine now, I want to come back to campus.”
“Then I’ll come pick you up.” Mei Xiawen had woken up early to train and just finished eating breakfast when he realized he hadn’t eaten with Gu Nianzhi in days, so he called her in a hurry.
Gu Nianzhi supported herself on the soundproof door of the shooting range in order to slowly stand up, her voice trembling slightly., “I just got up, I’ll call you after I have breakfast.”
Mei Xiawen laughed as he agreed and hung up. Gu Nianzhi put away her phone and suddenly hesitated. If Huo Shaoheng had taken away all his belongings, should she move out too? The apartment was under Huo Shaoheng’s name and with the owner away, it wouldn’t be proper if she squatted here. She was also about to graduate and wouldn’t start her post-grad until next year, so she still had time to look for a summer job. With an income, she’d be able to rent her own place and not have to worry about people barging in and taking things away. Gu Nianzhi was sulky and called Yin Shixiong.
“Brother Big Xiong” Gu Nianzhi said, “did I wake you?”
Yin Shixiong was in a meeting with Huo Shaoheng, Zhao Liangze, and a few essential members of the Special Operations Forces. Seeing that Gu Nianzhi was calling, he picked up right away and got up to leave the conference room.
“Nope, I’m already up.” Yin Shixiong poked his head into the room to mouth “Gu Nianzhi” at Huo Shaoheng and let him know she was calling.
Huo Shaoheng didn’t move an inch, and instead indicated that Yin Shixiong was to continue speaking with her.
“The first phase of preparations for 6th Military Region is nearly complete; the funds and personnel are ready. General Huo Shaoheng, we should confirm the plans and report it.” Zhao Liangze picked up a report from the printer and distributed it to everyone at the meeting.
Gu Nianzhi gritted her teeth and said to Yin Shixiong, “Brother Big Xiong, I’m at the apartment in the Fenya Precinct. All of Uncle Huo’s things are gone. We’re we robbed? Should I call the police?”
“Oh?! No! Don’t call the police!” Yin Shixiong’s forehead began to sweat, “There… there were no thieves! Who would dare rob your apartment?”
“My apartment? This isn’t my apartment, I’m just staying here.” Gu Nianzhi stated calmly. She walked to the window.
“So, if that’s the case, then why are Uncle Huo’s things gone?”
“This… it’s because…” Yin Shixiong had always been quick witted, but he was at loss for words now. He stammered for a while before finally saying, “Aren’t you going to the Imperial capital for your post-grad, so we—”
“Haha, yeah right. Brother Big Xiong, don’t find some random excuse. You know that I’m not going to the Imperial capital for my post-grad until next spring. It’s fine, I don’t have to worry now that I know we weren’t robbed. You know Uncle Huo’s things are confidential, it’d be a disaster if they went missing. Uncle Huo takes cares of a thousand things a day. I understand and I won’t give him trouble. Please tell him that I’m moving out today.”When she wanted to, Gu Nianzhi could speak with an even sharper tongue than Yin Shixiong, or even her uncle.
“No! Don’t move out!” Yin Shixiong’ silver tongue was useless now. He quickly muffled the phone and poked his head into the conference room. “General Huo, please come out for a second, it’s urgent.” Huo Shaoheng didn’t move and so he had no choice but to add, “It’s concerning Miss Gu.”
Huo Shaoheng looked up at him, his expression indifferent. “That’s your responsibility.”
“But she said she’s moving out!” Yin Shixiong was helpless. He had no choice but to blurt it out.
Huo Shaoheng remained silent, but Zhao Liangze had already faked a cough and patted the mouse heavily, “What did I tell you?! We Special Ops can’t be brusque with our work with civilians!”
Huo Shaoheng ignored him and stood up from his seat. The black, heavy belt on his waist further accentuated his toned midsection. He put one hand in his pocket and held a cigarette in the other as he strode out with his long legs, the tall military boots tapping on the floorboards.
Yin Shixiong hurriedly repeated Gu Nianzhi’s words to him and complained quietly. “I don’t even know how to explain this to her! She thought the apartment was robbed and wants to call the police! See, I told you that you shouldn’t move your things out, right? That was too excessive! The young lady couldn’t take it and now she’s talking about moving out—”
“Moving out?” Huo Shaoheng flicked the cigarette ash. “Tell her that the apartment is now under her name, it’s hers. The deed is in the safe in the study. She knows the password.”
Yin Shixiong’s almost choked. He stammered, “T-t-t-the house is now under Nianzhi’s name?”
Jesus, this is a penthouse in the best area of the Fenya Precinct. With 160 square meters of living space and a current market value of at least five million yuan…he just gave it away to Gu Nianzhi?
Huo Shaoheng grunted. “Also, the villa in Dexing Precinct, that’s her dowry, but don’t tell her yet.
He turned back towards the conference room and said before he left, “Alright, convince her and I’ll continue the meeting.” He walked back.
Yin Shixiong watched Huo Shaoheng’s broad back in awe. The door to the conference room shut in Yin Shixiong’s face with a thud. He stared at the door and almost crumpled to the floor.
This is truly the best guardian in the Empire, and our role model! Yin Shixiong thought in wonder.
Unfortunately he didn’t have the ability to gift a penthouse apartment. He collected himself and picked up the phone, laughing in disbelief. “Don’t be angry, Nianzhi. Mr. Huo has business to take care off. Also, the apartment is under your name now, so it wasn’t appropriate that he continued to live there. That’s why his things were moved. If you don’t like living alone, you can stay at our base! You have a room here too, did you forget? Why do you have to move out?”
Gu Nianzhi didn’t expect this at all and was stunned. She reacted just like Yin Shixiong did and stuttered, “W-w-w-what what did you say? This apartment is under my name?! This is Uncle Huo’s home! I can’t take it!”
“I know. Mr. Huo said…” Yin Shixiong almost blurted out the truth and quickly changed topic: “Mr. Huo completed the paperwork before he left on business, so go look in the safe in the study, the deed should be there. You know the password, right?”
Gu Nianzhi grasped the phone, her voice shaking as she sputtered, “I…I thought Uncle Huo didn’t care about me anymore.”
“Why would he not care about you anymore?” Yin shixiong was astounded. “You forgot that you have a room in Mr. Huo’s quarters at the base too? If he really didn’t care about you anymore, why did he make all these arrangements for you?”
He’s even prepared a dowry, but it’s a shame that can’t be revealed right now. Yin Shixiong sighed. He chastised Huo Shaoheng internally and again thought about how the General had overcomplicated what had been meant to be a simple thing. Gu Nianzhi was slumped against the heavy leather door again, and felt beyond ashamed. She had thrown a fit for nothing, gauging a gentleman’s heart with her own pettiness. She raised her hand and slapped herself once, hard.
“Nianzhi, what happened?” Yin Shixiong heard a slap on the phone, as though someone had just been hit on the face. He became alert instantly. “Did someone hit you?!”
Gu Nianzhi spoke faintly, “It’s nothing. I just slapped myself.”
Yin Shixiong gasped, “How vicious! Nianzhi, you get so sad that you would even slap yourself!”