The Golden Cane and the Wild Rose - Chapter 35.2

Chapter 35.2

Xueyu bought her a cup of iced cola and watched her drink it. Alan had a weak stomach and didn’t dare to drink anything iced. She finished it in just half a minute.

“Is it that good?” Xueyu asked, swallowing.

“It’s nothing special,” Alan said. “It just tastes like cola.”

“Oh,” Xueyu said, swallowing again.

Alan took her away from there, and they played a few rounds of go-karting before finally leaving the amusement park to go to the birthday party.

In the car, Xueyu said to Alan, “I had a lot of fun this afternoon. Thank you, Alan.”

“As long as you’re happy, Miss,” Alan replied.

The car stopped at the address the classmate had given them, a small two-story house.

Xueyu got out and walked up the steps to knock on the door. The door was pulled open from the inside, and she was faced with a somewhat familiar face.

Gu Hongfei looked at the strange expression on the girl’s face and asked, “Are you Qi Qi’s classmate?”

Xueyu nodded blankly. Gu Hongfei said, “Please, come in.”

Xueyu didn’t go in. Instead, she turned to look at Alan behind her. Alan’s face was full of worry. The thing she and Mr. Jiang had tried so hard to prevent had happened. Xueyu had seen this person who looked seventy to eighty percent like that beast from before.

“Miss, he’s not him.”

“Right. He’s not,” Xueyu said, taking her eyes off Gu Hongfei’s face.

Gu Qiqi came out of the house. “Xueyu, you’re really here! Why are you standing at the door?”

Gu Hongfei stepped aside, and his cousin, Qiqi, stepped forward to warmly take Xueyu’s arm. “I thought your brother wouldn’t let you come out again.”

“No, he didn’t,” Xueyu said with a smile, but she couldn’t help but look at Gu Hongfei again. He looked a lot like the boyfriend she had given her heart to. Their faces were very similar, but their bodies were not. He was taller and stronger than that person.

Alan stood silently behind her, holding the gift, but her heart was anxious.

Gu Qiqi followed Xueyu’s gaze to her cousin. She didn’t know the full story, so she misunderstood the situation. No wonder they had been lingering at the door for so long—they had caught each other’s eye!

“Xueyu,” Gu Qiqi said, snapping her fingers in front of Xueyu. “That’s my cousin, Gu Hongfei. Let me introduce you.”

Xueyu felt the name was a little familiar, like she had heard her brother and Hang Yi talk about him. She smiled faintly at Gu Hongfei, but her smile was filled with a bit of sadness.

Gu Hongfei was a little confused. Due to politeness, he nodded back at Xueyu. Gu Qiqi saw this and smiled even more broadly. Maybe her birthday party could lead to a romance.

“Cousin, this is my friend and good classmate, Jiang Xueyu. It’s been two years, and this is the first time I’ve been able to get her to come. You’re lucky to have met her.”

Gu Hongfei didn’t have much interest in socializing with his cousin’s friends or classmates. He was still in the shadow of losing Ah Ran. If his cousin hadn’t asked to borrow his house for the birthday party and his parents had agreed, he would never have come.

When he heard the girl’s last name was Jiang, he finally made an effort. His eyes suddenly sharpened. “Which Jiang?”

Gu Qiqi thought her cousin was genuinely interested and tried even harder to set them up. “Which other Jiang? The big sister from the Jiang family, the one whose brother controls her so strictly. Of course, it’s Jiang from Jiang Shang!”

Gu Hongfei gritted his teeth. He heard “the Jiang of Jiang Musheng.” A noble young lady from the Jiang family was almost certainly Jiang Musheng’s most treasured younger sister.

Once he realized Xueyu’s identity, the way he looked at her changed. His expression softened, and he adopted a relaxed and gentle manner. He took a few steps forward and extended his hand to Xueyu. “Hello, Miss Jiang.”

As Xueyu hesitated about whether to shake his hand, Alan stepped forward and stood between them, at the same time handing the gift to Gu Qiqi. “Miss Gu, this is a gift from Miss Jiang.”

“…Thank you!” Gu Qiqi gratefully took the gift, not only for the present but also for Alan’s timely intervention that cut the awkward moment. “Everyone, don’t stand at the door. Let’s go in.”

Xueyu followed Alan inside, this time refraining from looking at Gu Hongfei again.

He wasn’t that person.

And she had already remembered who Gu Hongfei was—the young master of the roast goose shop, the man who had some history with her sister-in-law.

He was someone she shouldn’t get involved with. No wonder Alan hadn’t let her look in that direction when they were flying kites at the square last time. She was afraid she would see Gu Hongfei, the man who looked so much like that other person.

Gu Qiqi and Gu Hongfei walked behind. Gu Qiqi was worried her cousin was disappointed by the awkward start, so she whispered, “Cousin, don’t be discouraged. Xueyu’s family is very strict. It’s not that she dislikes you; she just has a strict upbringing and wasn’t comfortable shaking your hand.”

“How are you so sure?”

“I…” Gu Qiqi turned her head in agitation and suddenly saw her cousin’s face, enlarged and close to her own. She froze.

“Qiqi, what’s wrong?”

Qiqi’s face showed a flash of horror. She looked away and said, “Just forget I said anything.”

Gu Hongfei guessed there must be some reason behind this. Otherwise, Miss Jiang wouldn’t have looked at him with such a sad and pensive expression at first, and his cousin wouldn’t have suddenly changed her attitude. But with no chance to ask further, and throughout the entire birthday party, he didn’t get an opportunity to talk to Miss Jiang. The cool and muscular short-haired woman beside her—probably Jiang Musheng’s personal bodyguard—stuck to her like glue.

He didn’t find a chance all night. When it was time to leave, Gu Hongfei offered to drive Xueyu and Alan home. Xueyu refused. “It’s no trouble. There should already be someone waiting to pick me up.”

Gu Hongfei had no choice but to give up.

After all of Gu Qiqi’s friends and classmates had left, only the two cousins and a Filipina maid remained in the house.

“Qiqi, let’s talk,” Gu Hongfei said, sitting on the sofa.

Gu Qiqi didn’t sit. Her face was the same as before, as if she had just thought of something terrifying. “Cousin, just pretend nothing happened tonight. You must not get any ideas about Xueyu. I’m going home. Bye!”

With that, she ran off without waiting for his reaction.

Gu Hongfei looked at the leftovers on the dining table and the crumbs of cake on the floor and smiled. He was almost certain now that the secrets his cousin was unwilling to reveal were to his advantage.

The person who came to pick up Xueyu that evening was Ah Biao. Alan opened the car door for her. Xueyu bent down to get in and, before Alan closed the door, said, “Sit in the back with me.”

Alan was stunned for a moment but did as she was told.

Ah Biao looked back. “Miss, Mr. Jiang let you go to your classmate’s birthday party, so why don’t you look happy? Is the outside world not so great after all?”

Xueyu “mm-hmm’d,” and then remembered Gu Hongfei. Though she didn’t know much, after what had happened before, she wasn’t as naively foolish as she once was. She could see the change in Gu Hongfei’s eyes after he heard her last name: a mix of suspicion and hatred. After Gu Qiqi confirmed her identity, his attitude changed, and he immediately started looking for a chance to get close to her.

His intentions were so obvious. She would have to be blind not to see them.

“Miss, are you alright?” Alan asked worriedly.

Xueyu closed her eyes, leaned to the side, and rested her head on Alan’s shoulder. “I’m a little tired. Let me lean on you for a bit.”

Alan’s body went rigid. She didn’t move.

“Okay.”

“Miss…”

“I know what you’re going to say. Don’t say anything. I’m not that stupid. Men are all terrible. I won’t fall for a man’s tricks again.”

The only man in the car, Ah Biao, trembled and didn’t dare to speak, just concentrating on driving.

Alan tilted her head slightly and looked at Xueyu leaning on her shoulder. “Miss, it’s good that you can see clearly now, but not all men are bad.”

Ah Biao, although silent, had his ears perked up and was nodding furiously on the inside.

Xueyu said, “Still, there are very few good ones. Anyway, from now on, I’ll listen to my brother more and won’t fall in love recklessly again. Free love is too risky.”

Alan said, “It’s good that you’ve come to this conclusion, Miss. Mr. Jiang will surely choose the best and most suitable man for you.”

“Why does it have to be a man?” Xueyu opened her eyes, her gaze meeting Alan’s, who was looking at her.

Alan looked away and analyzed logically, “In this world, men still have the final say. In all of Hong Kong, I can only think of one woman with a strong will who is worthy of trust.”

“That’s easy. I’ll ask my brother to introduce us.”

Alan had a look on her face like she was trying to hold her tongue.

“What is it? Is she already taken?”

Alan still didn’t say anything.

Ah Biao, who was driving, couldn’t hold it in any longer. “Xueyu, your idea isn’t realistic. I’ve heard that woman is still single, but… she’s already over 50!”

“Oh,” Xueyu said. She didn’t look disappointed. Instead, she smiled happily.

“Xueyu, why are you smiling?” Alan asked.

“I just think that woman is amazing,” Xueyu said. “Over 50 and still maintaining a respected high status. She is truly worthy of respect because she is a role model for all girls.”

“Alan, you know, my brother has always protected me so well since I was a child. I’m lacking in many areas—in my mind and my abilities. Last time, because of a man, I almost caused a major disaster. Maybe I’ll never grow up to be someone my brother can occasionally rely on, but I want to at least try to be a better person and not be a burden to him.”

“Miss, it’s good that you have that mindset, but Mr. Jiang has never seen you as a burden.”

“Really? Does my brother never think I’m useless when he thinks of me?”

“No, and you’re not useless, Miss. Recently, you helped solve Mr. Jiang’s personal problem. He must be very grateful to you.”

“That’s true. If it weren’t for me, my brother and sister-in-law would never have gotten together,” Xueyu said, regaining some sense of worth and confidence. She smiled happily.

Ah Biao was driving the car and was about to turn at an intersection when Xueyu suddenly told him to stop.

“Ah Biao, don’t go back yet. There’s another place I want to go.”

Ah Biao changed his route and drove to the front of the accessory store, stopping there.

“Ah Biao, I didn’t bring any money,” Xueyu said. “Could you lend me some? I’ll pay you back when we get home.”

Ah Biao glanced at Alan in confusion, then took out his wallet and handed it over.

“Thank you!”

Xueyu happily got out of the car with Ah Biao’s wallet. Alan followed right behind her.

“Are the things still here? I have money now.”

The clerk smiled and handed the items over. “They’re still here. If you had come one minute later, we would have been closed.”

This last-minute timing made Xueyu’s mood even more joyful and pleasant as she took the items.

“Here! I bought this for you. This is the first time I’ve ever had to go into debt to buy someone a gift.”

Alan took the gift with both hands, looking down at the “heavy” present. “Thank you,Xueyu. I will cherish this precious gift.”

“What’s so precious about it?” Xueyu raised her hand and poked Alan’s shoulder with her index finger. “In the two years you’ve protected me, you’ve given me a gift every year. At first, I didn’t pay attention, but later, when I was looking at a fashion magazine with my brother, I saw that bracelet and realized how expensive the things you’ve given me were. It scared me so much. Today, I suddenly remembered to give you something in return, and you didn’t even ask for something more valuable.”

“As long as it’s from you,Xueyu, it’s very precious to me.”

A ripple went through her heart. Xueyu pulled her finger back, dropped a “You’re so weird,” and ran back to the car first.

Alan, holding the gift that had put Xueyu in debt, followed her. Ah Biao was in front of the car, smoking. He saw her smiling and couldn’t help but tease her. “Well, you’re smiling so happily. Is it New Year’s?”

Alan tried to rein in her smile, but for the first time, she couldn’t control her mouth; it was curving upward uncontrollably. “Put that out. Don’t let Miss get any secondhand smoke.”

“Sure,” Ah Biao said obediently, extinguishing the cigarette.

The car started again. Xueyu saw Alan holding the large white bag and suddenly thought: This doesn’t look like a gift at all. This was the first time she had ever given Alan a gift, yet she hadn’t even wrapped it properly.

Regret made her want to fix it. “Alan, I’m sorry, but can you give the gift back to me? I want to wrap it nicely for you. This is too careless. It doesn’t look like a gift at all.”

“It’s okay. I don’t mind the wrapping.”

“I mind. It makes me look like I’m just giving a perfunctory gift and not being serious.”

Seeing that Xueyu was serious, Alan had no choice but to give in. Just as she was about to hand over the gift, she suddenly thought of another solution. She took the pink notebook out of the white bag, opened it, and took out a pink bunny pen.

“Why are you opening it now?” Xueyu asked, confused.

“Miss, would you please write your name on the first page?” Alan turned the notebook to the first page and handed it and the pen to Xueyu.

Xueyu was stunned. Why… would she need to write her name?

Alan waited nervously. She was afraid Xueyu would notice something, and her hands, which were holding the notebook and pen, began to retreat.

But Xueyu suddenly smiled and said to her, “I know! It’s like the classmate record books I gave my classmates every time a new semester started, where you write your name, hobbies, contact info, and some well wishes, right?”

“You don’t need to…” You don’t need to do all that.

Alan didn’t finish her sentence. Xueyu had already taken the pen from her hand. The notebook was propped on her leg. “Let me borrow your leg for a bit.”

Following her memory, Xueyu began to write seriously on the first page.

Name: Age: Zodiac: Hobbies: Well Wishes:

The rabbit pen made a pleasant scratching sound on the high-quality paper, each stroke written on the paper, on Alan’s thigh, and etched into Alan’s heart.

Alan had never felt her heart beat so fast. It was faster than the speed of the car speeding through the night.

About fifteen minutes later, Xueyu finally sat up. She had written one and a half pages, and her eyes were sore, her shoulders and hands numb.

“Alan, I’m finished.”

“Thank… thank you, Miss.”

“Let me lean on your shoulder again.”

“Okay.”

Xueyu leaned on Alan’s left shoulder, closing her eyes in a sense of security. “Alan, what do you think my brother and sister-in-law are doing right now?”

Alan, with her still-pounding heart, said, “I can’t imagine.”

She looked out the car window and felt that tonight’s scenery was exceptionally beautiful.

In his room, Jiang Musheng was on the phone with a business partner, discussing a real estate venture in mainland China.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, two small, hurried taps, as if the person wanted to not be noticed by the person inside. But Jiang Musheng heard it. He told his partner that something had come up and he’d talk to them later, then he rushed to open the door.

He saw Ah Ran’s back as she was about to flee. He reached out and held her hand tightly.

Yun Ran’s footsteps halted. She knew that since she had given in to her restless heart and come here, she shouldn’t run away again. But she still didn’t have the courage to turn around. With her back still to him, she asked, “Mr. Jiang, are you still willing to let me see your wound now?”

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