AYLS – Chapter 66

After finishing her evening routine, Lin Qiao lay down on the bed and asked Gu Huayuan, “How did Li Yan and Zhang Tuo meet? Their personalities are so different.”

One is so outgoing, the other incredibly aloof.

Gu Huayuan said, “I’m not really sure. Probably love at first sight.”

Lin Qiao replied, “I’ve heard that all ‘love at first sight’ is really just attraction at first glance. Isn’t it just because the person looks good?”

Gu Huayuan: “……”

“Hey, why do I feel like their relationship isn’t that great? During dinner today, Li Yan didn’t even say a word to Zhang Tuo.”

The other two couples, though more reserved, would occasionally exchange smiles or help each other with dishes.

Even she and Gu Huayuan, this “plastic couple,” knew how to put on a little show.

Gu Huayuan said, “You’ve been busy all day and you’re not tired? And yet you’re worrying about other people’s relationships?”

“I’m just bored tonight with nothing to do, so I’m chatting to pass the time.”

Who doesn’t get a little curious? She loved listening to other people’s stories.

Gu Huayuan asked, “Feeling bored?”

“A little. Why don’t you talk?”

Then Gu Huayuan rolled over.

“Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing?”

“Aren’t you bored? I’m keeping you company to pass the time.” He had felt a little guilty that she worked hard during the day, but clearly, her energy was boundless.

The next day, Lin Qiao slept in until almost noon. They didn’t go to the compound but ate outside instead.

The main reason was to take some wedding photos. They had been too busy before and couldn’t find the time.

Now that everything was done and time was ample, they could take more photos.

The photographer was still someone Zhang Tuo helped hire. After Lin Qiao and Gu Huayuan finished their meal at the state-run restaurant, he arrived, bringing a young assistant along.

These days, it was rare for someone to go out and help with a photoshoot.

Lin Qiao felt embarrassed to make too many requests and said they could just take a couple of shots on the street.

Zhang Tuo said, “That won’t do. If we’re taking photos, let’s do it properly. Don’t worry, I know Master Zhou well.”

Master Zhou was in his forties, with a beard, giving off a bit of an artist vibe. “Everything’s been arranged beforehand. No problem at all. Don’t be polite. If we’re taking photos, we’ll do it properly. You can’t be careless with things like this.”

Hearing that, Lin Qiao felt that being polite was just unnecessary fussing and smiled in thanks.

Gu Huayuan planned to take ten photos in total—at home, at famous landmarks, and in alleyways. Later, when they went to the Northwest, Xiao Qiao could get familiar with the capital through the pictures.

First, they took a group photo in front of the largest department store.

At Lin Qiao’s insistence, they linked arms for the shot.

After that, Lin Qiao had a solo photo taken.

Gu Huayuan walked over, and Zhang Tuo jokingly teased him, “Wow, your wife really likes you.”

Gu Huayuan said, “Some things can’t be envied by others.”

Zhang Tuo pouted at that.

“Your wife is still like that? You really need to pay attention. Some things can’t be solved by just giving way,” Gu Huayuan said to his friend with a mix of exasperation and care.

He had advised Zhang Tuo to be cautious about marriage from the start. Marrying someone incompatible would make life unnecessarily difficult.

A harmonious marriage had to be compatible, just like him and Xiao Qiao—they lived every day joyfully.

As for Zhang Tuo’s wife, apart from some education, Gu Huayuan saw no other advantages. She hadn’t wanted to have children after several years of marriage and always wore a sour expression, never interacting with them. She clearly didn’t want to be part of Zhang Tuo’s life.

Zhang Tuo coughed, “Some things take time.”

Gu Huayuan smiled, “Take too long and by the time you act, I’ll already be a father. You’ll still be waiting.”

“…I tell you, why can’t you wish me well for once?”

“If you wanted the best for yourself, you’d ask her whether your life together could work. If not, you’d go separate ways. No need to torture yourselves forever.”

For Gu Huayuan, such words were only spoken to a truly close friend. To anyone else, he wouldn’t waste effort on something thankless.

Zhang Tuo said, “Let’s wait… He’s already married her previous acquaintance. I think she might change her mindset. We can try again.”

“Married? That Sun family really is reckless. They actually accepted such a son-in-law,” Gu Huayuan said with a hint of disdain. The daughter of the Sun family had come from the military district compound, later moving to a government position. The family had relocated to the city government area.

In fact, Sun’s daughter had started a relationship with Li Yan’s previous partner before.

But the Sun family wasn’t foolish—they knew the man was unsuitable and never agreed.

It was only because that man had betrayed her first that Zhang Tuo, this foolish kid, had the chance to win her. But even then, Li Yan still thought about her previous partner every day.

Sometimes Gu Huayuan wondered—if that man tried to reconcile, who knows what would happen to Li Yan and Zhang Tuo? Yet the Sun family actually agreed.

Since Zhang Tuo saw hope again and wanted to wait, Gu Huayuan didn’t advise him further.

Matters of the heart were sometimes truly complicated.

Feeling slightly affected, he went to check on Lin Qiao.

Lin Qiao had finally found a good pose, smiling radiantly at the camera. Seeing her, Gu Huayuan couldn’t help but smile too.

The whole afternoon, they wandered around the capital.

Fortunately, the city wasn’t as big back then, and traffic was light. Two bicycles were enough to navigate the streets.

The final photo was taken in front of the Forbidden City.

Lin Qiao had thought she didn’t need to visit it since she had seen it before. No need to go out of her way.

But seeing the real Forbidden City in person, she realized it was truly different.

She felt she lacked literary talent, searching for the right words, and finally settled on: a sense of historical weight.

From this unrenovated section of the Forbidden City, she could imagine its centuries of standing.

While taking photos here, Lin Qiao became more serious, adjusting her clothes and hair, and tidying Gu Huayuan’s. They stood arm in arm, and instinctively, Lin Qiao tilted her head toward him. Gu Huayuan noticed and looked down at her with a smile.

Click! The moment was captured on camera.

Lin Qiao said, “Ah, you already took it? I don’t even feel ready yet.”

The photographer, an experienced older man, looked a bit embarrassed. He admitted he couldn’t help himself and pressed the shutter because the scene was just too perfect—radiating a warm feeling.

Lin Qiao was excited. “Doesn’t it look like we’re really in love?”

“…” Even so, it was quite direct. The photographer nodded sheepishly.

“Ah, then let’s use this photo. Master, can this one be printed larger later? I want to hang it on the wall.”

“…”

Gu Huayuan rubbed his forehead. Zhang Tuo, standing nearby, finally admitted to feeling a twinge of jealousy.

After the photo session, Gu Huayuan went to buy tickets back to the Northwest in advance, planning to return after getting the wedding photos.

During the remaining days, he didn’t waste any time. He took Lin Qiao around the capital to eat, shop, and have fun. Just thinking about her choosing to endure a tough life in the Northwest with him made him want to give her as much joy as possible before leaving.

He even stocked up on plenty of snow cream for Lin Qiao. Naturally, Lin Qiao didn’t forget to prepare some clam oil for him in return.

Seeing Gu Huayuan in a bad mood, Lin Qiao pinched his cheeks. “You’re still sulking? Look, your skin has improved so much recently. Keep it up, and it’ll get even fairer. Then you’ll look even better.” She was very satisfied with this personal “makeover” project. No perfect spouse? She could just make one herself.

Even if her husband was temporary, her life was her own.

Gu Huayuan asked, “You like fair skin?”

Lin Qiao replied honestly, “Yes. Fair skin makes people look cheerful. A fair complexion hides three flaws. Who wouldn’t like someone with good skin?”

Gu Huayuan scoffed. Just fair skin makes a scholar perfect?

Even though he was usually rational, he couldn’t help feeling a little envious sometimes.

Knowing Lin Qiao liked fair skin, he even found himself mentally noting who around him had better skin, planning to keep her away from them in the future.

It was also good that Lin Qiao was going with him to the Northwest. Otherwise, with so many universities in the capital, he really couldn’t keep an eye on her.

At this moment, he even admired Zhang Tuo—if he felt restless this early, how had Zhang Tuo endured for so many years?

…

On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, Lin Qiao and the others received their wedding photos. The enlarged one was the shot of Lin Qiao and Gu Huayuan taken near the Forbidden City.

Lin Qiao held it in her hands and immediately loved it. She first checked her own appearance—her smile was perfect. After examining the details and finding nothing amiss, she looked at Gu Huayuan. Hmm, also good. The photo made him look spirited and full of character. And that gaze…

Lin Qiao’s heart softened suddenly. Did Gu Huayuan usually look at her this way?

Through the photo, she could feel the tenderness and care.

“I think… he really likes me,” she thought happily, yet a little conflicted.

Fat Cat commented, “Newlywed love is always sweet, but humans are fickle. There’s a three-year crisis, a seven-year itch, isn’t there?”

Lin Qiao said, “But Gu Huayuan and I won’t last that long anyway. As long as we’re happy together now, that’s enough.”

She didn’t mind that Gu Huayuan might forget her in the future—it relieved her of pressure and made their relationship feel lighter.

Fat Cat was speechless at her response.

It wasn’t sure if it was imagining things, but it felt the player was getting smarter.

It said to Lin Qiao that she had changed, no longer the cute player she once was.

Lin Qiao replied wistfully, “Don’t you know? When women are deceived enough times, they just get smarter.”

Fat Cat: “…”

With the photos in hand, Lin Qiao and Gu Huayuan went straight to the compound to show them to Gu Bicheng and the others, and to mention that they were leaving for the Northwest.

Tickets were already bought for the train the next evening.

Gu Bicheng had rarely seen his eldest son and daughter-in-law in the past few days and missed them. In contrast, Zhang Wenjuan was overjoyed.

She realized that not living with a daughter-in-law had its perks.

This experience would help her in her future women’s federation work. If mother-in-law and daughter-in-law couldn’t get along, the couple could just handle their own household separately. Otherwise, a home would never be peaceful. She was now armed with firsthand experience.

Huarui and Huayin, the siblings, still made a few remarks about their brother and sister-in-law.

When Lin Qiao and Gu Huayuan arrived, aside from Zhang Wenjuan’s forced smile, everyone else was extremely warm.

Gu Bicheng looked at the photos of his son and daughter-in-law and praised them repeatedly.

Especially seeing Gu Huayuan looking down at Lin Qiao in one photo, he couldn’t help glancing at his son with deep satisfaction.

The marriage arranged by him and Shitou’s mother had been absolutely perfect.

The children watched eagerly, especially admiring how many photos Lin Qiao had taken.

Zhang Wenjuan glanced at them too, her face calm but her heart bitter.

She hadn’t even had one wedding photo with Old Gu! And seeing Lin Qiao, she felt even more resentful.

“This must’ve cost a lot. Huayuan, Lin Qiao, you two are living together now, so you need to be frugal. Photos are optional—the important thing is living well. Don’t you think, Old Gu?”

Gu Huayuan also thought they had taken enough—two photos would suffice. Having grown up in a particularly tough era, he couldn’t understand the mindset of today’s youth.

Like eating out…

He wanted to protect Lin Qiao, but she felt the need to protect him. Immediately, she agreed wholeheartedly, “Auntie is absolutely right. We didn’t understand before, but now we do. Huarui, Huayin, you must learn this lesson. Take it as a warning—don’t repeat the mistakes me and your brother made.” After all, the photos were already taken; they couldn’t be returned. The ones who hadn’t taken any would lose out.

Zhang Wenjuan: “……”

Gu Huairui and Gu Huayin: “……” Why is it always them who get hurt!

Gu Bicheng saw that his daughter-in-law had admitted her mistake, and said, “Consider it a lesson learned. The photo isn’t bad either. Xiao Qiao, don’t take it to heart.”

Lin Qiao immediately nodded happily. “Dad, you’re really kind.”

After lunch, Gu Huayuan told Gu Bicheng and the others about the plan to leave tomorrow.

Upon hearing this, Gu Bicheng was silent for a moment, then said, “Let’s go, let’s go. It’s about time. Young people should take advantage of their youth and contribute more to the country.”

Then he looked at Lin Qiao. “Xiao Qiao, you really aren’t planning to stay?”

“Mm, I want to be with Gu Huayuan.”

“Hahaha, alright then. You young people go live your lives. I’ll be leaving in a couple of days too. From now on, if you want to reach me, just write me a letter.”

Hearing this, Zhang Wenjuan lost her appetite, feeling a tightness in her chest.

They’re all leaving.

This… isn’t even as good as the current life. Sure, there’s a bit of quarrelling, but at least the house is lively.