Chapter Sixty-Eight: Jiachang City (2)

The street was bustling with people, groups of three or four wandering together. Compared to them, it seemed he was always alone. Gu Zhiheng mocked himself inwardly—why did he suddenly care about such things? He had always been solitary. In truth, there was a certain freedom in it—carefree, unconstrained, able to be himself.

“Hey, young man, are you a tourist?” An older woman, her eyes playful, walked toward Gu Zhiheng.

She looked to be in her thirties or forties, elegant and alluring, her charm undeniable.

“Yes, it’s my first day here. I’m not too familiar with the place,” Gu Zhiheng replied, sensing something unusual about this woman. There was a slyness about her—a fox, in every sense.

“Well, isn’t that a coincidence! It’s my first time here too,” she said, her coquettish manner practically bewitching.

But with Gu Zhiheng as her audience, all her efforts seemed wasted.

“So, how about having a drink with me? I can show you around,” she offered, her gaze sultry, drawing the attention of passersby.

Truth be told, with her looks, she would have bewitched an entire city in ancient times. It was a pity Gu Zhiheng was impervious to her charms.

“I suppose I could, but I wonder if we share the same interests. It would be a shame if we didn’t,” he replied with a sudden smile, his tone playful.

“You won’t know unless you try. What’s wrong—afraid I’ll eat you alive?” she teased, delighted by his apparent innocence.

The woman moved closer, draping an arm around his waist, her entire body leaning against him.

Onlookers quickly lost interest, though some cast contemptuous glances at Gu Zhiheng. So young and healthy, yet already relying on women for support? Such a handsome young man, why would he choose this path? Couldn’t he leave a chance for others?

Gu Zhiheng remained unfazed, letting her lean on him and even thoughtfully supporting her arm.

When the crowd dispersed, Gu Zhiheng guided her toward a nearby alley.

“So, are you planning to let go, or do you mean to cling to me forever?” He pushed her away with a laugh, his eyes full of mischief.

This little trickster, she certainly knew how to play a role! Of all disguises, she had to choose the look of a seductress—did she really think he was the sort of man easily swayed by desire?

“Heartless boy, did you not miss your elder sister?” the woman pouted, sending him a flirtatious glance.

“You know why I’m here. Why aren’t you staying in the ancestral shrine? What brings you out?” Indeed, this was the ghost from the Gu family shrine.

“I just missed you. With everyone gone, I’m all alone there,” she complained softly, her head bowed in an air of pitiable loneliness.

“My dear sister, are you trying to say all our ancestors have passed on?” Gu Zhiheng sighed. Why were the people around him always so unreliable?

“Don’t worry. I only came to tell you that you’ll meet an old acquaintance this time—he’ll help you greatly in the days to come.” With that, she turned to leave.

“A’Li, if you get too bored, go out and take a walk. You don’t need to wait for us,” Gu Zhiheng called after her, grateful for all the years she’d looked after him.

Though she often acted frivolous, she truly cared for him.

“I know. Master told me the same thing before she left. But I was her maid in life—I can’t bear to leave her.” A’Li’s eyes shimmered with tears as she glanced at Gu Zhiheng.

It was about time for her to return.

“Go on back. With the old ones at the shrine, you’ll be safer,” he waved, smiling as he watched her go.

She was just lonely, using the excuse of delivering a message to see him. She also longed to see her old master, but Chu Xingran had not yet returned, and so A’Li missed her once more.

After A’Li’s figure faded from sight, Gu Zhiheng emerged from the alley alone.

The sunset outside painted a picture of breathtaking beauty.

He took a few photos on his phone and sent them to the family group chat, letting them know he was safe.

Gu Zhiheng: “The scenery is as beautiful as a painting. When time allows, I’ll take you all here.”

Gu Zhixia: “Wow, it’s gorgeous! If only you were in the picture, too.”

Jun Luan: “She’s right. We want to see you, big brother.”

Gu Minghui: “Yes, let’s see our son.”

Qin Anlu: “Show us a picture, son!”

Gu Zhiheng: “Jun Luan, maybe you should change your name. How can you have the same name as Mom?”

Jun Luan: “Baby feels wronged and won’t say anything.”

Qin Anlu: “It’s just a name, Ah Heng, don’t be so harsh with your brother.”

Gu Minghui: “Your mother is right, don’t bully your brother.”

Reading their messages, Gu Zhiheng nearly spat blood. If he remembered correctly, those were his parents! Had Jun Luan managed to win over his whole family in just three days? Unbelievable. He always knew Jun Luan was trouble.

He exited the chat, took a couple of selfies, and sent them to the group. Without checking their replies, he could easily imagine them praising his looks, saying the scenery paled in comparison. When it came to flattery, his family was second to none.

Glancing at the time, he saw it was still early.

Perhaps because the city was large and densely populated, the nightlife was lively. There were special streets for snacks and night markets, and stalls began to appear as evening fell.

Curious, Gu Zhiheng decided to visit the snack street and night market to see what was on offer, wondering if he’d find any southern specialties.

It was summer, and though temperatures in the northwest weren’t high in the mornings and evenings, there were still plenty of vendors selling chilled mung bean desserts and icy red bean drinks.

Gu Zhiheng had loved icy red bean drinks since he was a child. He walked over to a nearby stall, bought a cup, and sipped as he strolled.

Arriving so early, he could only spend his days eating and exploring.

“Big brother, would you like to buy a flower?” A girl of about five or six, carrying a basket of roses, looked up at him.

“I’ll take one. Use the extra money to buy yourself some ice cream,” he said, taking a rose and gently patting her head. Seeing her messy bangs, he couldn’t help but tuck them behind her ear.

She was about the same age as Jinghua, yet already out making a living, while Jinghua spent her days eating and sleeping.

“Thank you, big brother. Goodbye!” she replied in a sweet, soft voice—utterly adorable.

Watching her walk away, Gu Zhiheng glanced at the rose in his hand. There seemed to be no one he could give it to, yet he couldn’t bear to throw it away, so he simply held onto it.

Night markets were much the same everywhere, mostly offering barbecue and the like—which didn’t interest him much.

He kept walking, hoping to find something more to his taste, preferably something lighter.

“Hey, handsome, want some crayfish? Fresh from the pot!” a particularly attractive vendor called out to him.

But Gu Zhiheng politely declined. It just wasn’t to his liking; he preferred milder flavors.

After a round through the market, he found nothing suitable for a light evening meal—everything seemed too greasy.