Chapter 7 Meeting again

It was Gu Qing Zhou’s idea to hold a dance party at the Governor’s Mansion.

She wanted the governor’s wife to admit that she was the fiancée of the second young master of the Governor’s House in front of the city’s dignitaries.

As for withdrawing from the marriage in the future, Gu Qing Zhou promised to let the second young master take the initiative and abandon her.

The governor’s wife still thought it strange at first, and she refused to admit it publicly.

However, Gu Qing Zhou said something.

“If you admit to the second young master having a fiancée who was raised in the countryside, how would the world praise you for your noble integrity? Gu Qing Zhou encouraged the governor’s wife, “Two years later, let the young marshal find an excuse to withdraw from the marriage and then the world would only say, ‘In the end, she’s a country girl and unknowledgeable. How can she be worthy of the young marshal? The Governor’s Mansion has done its best.’

You see, you and the young marshal would have attached great importance to friendship and righteousness, and your reputation will only increase, not decrease. You will be more respected by the people, and the young marshal will be respected by the soldiers!

During these two years, I promise to keep a low profile and not cause trouble. I will not use the name of the Governor’s Mansion to ruin your face. You can trust me.

If you openly acknowledge me, then we have mutual benefits. If the young marshal marries eight or ten mistresses, it will just be a man’s social grace. You admitting my identity would not delay the young marshal’s merry life, and he would also be willing. “

Gu Qing Zhou was really good at scheming. All at once, she pointed out all of the considerations and concerns that the governor’s wife had.

The governor’s wife thought about it and she felt that what Gu Qing Zhou said was very reasonable, so she agreed.

In order to make Gu Qing Zhou look more decent, the governor’s wife even took the initiative to send a dress to Gu Qing Zhou.

This dress was custom-made in Italy and it was originally a birthday gift for the second lady of the governor’s House.

The governor’s wife estimated Gu Qing Zhou’s figure which was about the same size as the second lady’s and asked someone to bring it to the Gu family’s house.

The Gu family exploded.

Everyone looked at Gu Qing Zhou in shock, including Gu Gui Zhang.

Had she not withdrawn from the marriage?

Withdrawing, did Gu Qing Zhou need to dress up still?

Qin Zheng Zheng and Gu Xiang also looked far from good and their faces had turned purple. Especially Gu Xiang, who looked at Qin Zheng Zheng hurriedly, hoping to find comfort from her mother’s face.

However, Qin Zheng Zheng’s face was even more ugly.

The two mistresses sneered and gloated over the misfortune. They approached Gu Qing Zhou, “Look at this dress. It was mailed by air from Italy. The Governor’s Mansion is really rich! Miss Qing Zhou, you’ll be rich in the future, but don’t forget your family.”

Gu Qing Zhou smiled, not disturbed by the words of the two mistresses. She said, “You’ve misunderstood.”

Qin Zheng Zheng took the dress.

Unfortunately, the size was not suitable for Gu Xiang who was tall, so it could only be worn by Gu Qing Zhou.

Qin Zheng Zheng gritted her teeth with hatred, “Didn’t you say you withdrew from the marriage, why did the governor’s wife send you clothes?”

She interrogated her in front of everyone.

I don’t know either. Gu Qingzhou looked blank.

Gu Qing Zhou’s simplicity and dazedness highlighted the greedy faces of Qin Zheng Zheng and Gu Xiang. Moreover, Qin Zheng Zheng’s pressing question was even more blatant.

Gu Gui Zhang could not bear it any longer. Seeing the ugly state of his wife and daughter, he angrily said, “Go back to your rooms!”

Gu Qing Zhou carried her dress back to her room.

The customs office was closed today.

Gu Gui Zhang was at home all day and the house was quiet. Even the third child, who was crying in pain after the anaesthesia had worn off, just bit her lip and shed tears, not daring to make a sound.

When it was nearing lunchtime, Gu Qing Zhou came downstairs and said to Gu Gui Zhang who was reading a newspaper in the living room, “Dad, I… It’s my first time coming to the city and I don’t know what it looks like. Can I go out and have a look?”

Gu Gui Zhang was vexed.

He raised his head and saw a pair of bright eyes, so clear that they could even reflect himself.

In that reflection, he saw a stalwart father, which was him in the eyes of his daughter.

Gu Gui Zhang still remembered that Qing Zhou had very quick eyes when she was a child. Mother Li, the nurse who took care of her, had said that Qing Zhou was very bright.

The past events came to his mind one after another and Gu Gui Zhang felt that he had done her wrong. His heart softened in a rare moment, “Let your sister accompany you…”

After saying this, he felt that it was wrong.

Her elder sister, Gu Xiang, was worried about the hopelessness of robbing her marriage, so how would she treat her kindly?

Her two younger sisters had wanted to kill her with scissors in the middle of the night.

In short, this home was a den of tigers and wolves to her.

“…Aunt Chen!” Gu Gui Zhang called the servant.

A woman in her thirties wearing a coarse dark blue cardigan entered the living room.

Aunt Chen was kind and was in charge of the meals in the Gu family’s kitchen.

Gu Qing Zhou got up early and had chatted with her before. She liked Gu Qing Zhou very much.

“Aunt Chen, take Miss Qing Zhou out around the streets near us. Go have a coffee, watch a movie, buy some clothes and shoes.” Gu Gui Zhang said.

After that, Gu Gui Zhang took out three pink notes from the wallet and handed them to Aunt. Chen.

30 dollars!

30 dollars was enough to cover the family’s living expenses for half a month. The master was so generous today!

Aunt Chen quickly wiped her hands, took the money, and said yes with joy.

She changed into some clean clothes and took Gu Qing Zhou out.

Gu Qingzhou thanked him, “Dad, I’m leaving!”

Her voice was soft, more like the daughter that Gu Gui Zhang had imagined – a daughter should be gentle like water, but what about the three in his family?

With the comparison, Qing Zhou was more in line with the one in Gu Gui Zhang’s mind.

Gu Qing Zhou followed Aunt Chen out.

They hailed a rickshaw at the door first.

“Notre Dame Road.” Aunt Chen said to the driver. Then she turned her head and said to Gu Qing Zhou, “Miss Qing Zhou, there is a movie theatre on Notre Dame Road and there is a coffee shop across from it. You can not only drink coffee, but also dance.”

“I can’t dance…” Gu Qing Zhou smiled softly.

You can learn it. Aunt Chen encouraged her.

Two rickshaws, one behind the other.

Aunt Chen’s rickshaw was at the front, and Gu Qing Zhou’s was at the back. After riding for about ten minutes, the street was a little chaotic and all the cars were crowded together, and Gu Qing Zhou’s rickshaw was left behind.

At this time, an Austin car suddenly approached her rickshaw.

Two tall and sturdy men got out of the car and stopped the rickshaw.

The driver stopped and Gu Qing Zhou was slightly surprised.

Long legs with military boots stretched out from the car and landed steadily, and a tall and dignified man got out of the car.

He wore a blue cloak, a dark suit, and a vest. Leaning slightly, he put his hands on the rickshaw and leaned over to look at Gu Qing Zhou, “Little thief, it wasn’t easy to find you!”

That man – the man on the train!

Gu Qing Zhou’s heart jumped. He knew she stole the Browning, so he called her a thief.

Who are you? Gu Qing Zhou quickly calmed down and put on an act, not admitting it, “I haven’t seen you before!”

The man laughed and grabbed her arm, “Come and get to know me!”

Without any explanation, he pulled Gu Qing Zhou off the rickshaw and pulled her into his car.

The man’s arms were strong and he almost lifted Gu Qing Zhou up. Gu Qing Zhou could not break free.

The car drove away quickly.

The car was filled with the clear smell of men and cigarettes. The man lit a cigar as soon as he got into the car. In the lingering smoke, his eyes narrowed and nothing could be seen distinctly.

Gu Qing Zhou clenched her fists tightly.

She was about to say something when the man dropped the cigar and pulled her into his lap.

He put his arm around her slender back and rubbed her waist, then put his face beside her’s, “Little thief, where’s my Browning? You’re so brave, you dared to steal that?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Gu Qing Zhou gritted her teeth and struggled to get down, but she was held tighter by him.

His lips and teeth smelled of the cigar. His lips touched her slightly, dry and cold.

Gu Qing Zhou tried to dodge.

“Not admitting it?” The man whispered, “It’s alright, let’s go eat first, it’s dinner time. Let’s talk slowly after dinner!”

“I want to go home!”

After dinner, I’ll take you home, your mom and dad won’t blame you. The man said firmly.

When she said no, he moved closer, almost kissing her.

Gu Qingzhou could not dodge, so she agreed to him first.

It was just that Aunt Chen would be dying of anxiety.