Chapter 7

In the year 2000, Anping County was economically underdeveloped, and even taxis were rare. Most people used rickshaws for transportation. Gu Qiu waved his hand and stopped a rickshaw, then jumped on.

"East Bund!"

The East Bund was a nice open-air restaurant area by the Lianshui River. During this season, many people came here to eat and cool off. Gu Qiu had also heard about it and had eaten there once before.

Tonight, with nothing to do, he decided to have dinner at the East Bund and then take a leisurely walk back.

The rickshaw driver was a middle-aged farmer, wearing a faded light blue vest and a half-worn towel draped over his shoulder. When Gu Qiu got on, he couldn't help but think of the rickshaw driver Xiangzi in Lu Xun's writings.

Every time he rode in such a rickshaw, Gu Qiu felt a bit guilty, especially when going uphill.

Especially during the hot summer days, the driver would be drenched in sweat, while the men and women on the rickshaw would be affectionate, which always made Gu Qiu feel a bit melancholic.

Tonight, the driver had good stamina and arrived at the East Bund in about ten minutes.

For some reason, Gu Qiu gave the driver an extra two yuan. The driver, showing a mouth of not very straight teeth, smiled kindly and then pulled the rickshaw away.

A cool evening breeze blew, bringing a refreshing chill to the hot summer night.

Gu Qiu puffed on a cigarette and scanned the empty seats by the riverbank.

The East Bund was not the name of a restaurant but the name of the area. Here, there were many small and large open-air restaurants, adding much liveliness to the riverside at night.

As Gu Qiu walked over, the restaurant owner greeted him warmly. Just as he was about to sit down, he caught a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye.

By the riverside, Chen Yan was sitting alone at a table, her back to the road.

Gu Qiu's gaze fixed on the cup in Chen Yan's hand. Beside her feet was a beer bottle, and on the table were two empty bottles.

"What would you like, sir?" the restaurant owner asked, offering a cigarette to Gu Qiu. Gu Qiu waved his hand and walked over to Chen Yan.

Chen Yan seemed lost in thought, her eyebrows furrowed.

Gu Qiu called out, "Director Chen! What a coincidence?"

Chen Yan looked up and saw Gu Qiu, a smile flashing across her face.

Gu Qiu could tell that her smile was forced.

Perhaps the unpleasant events of the afternoon had left her in a bad mood.

"How did you end up here?" Chen Yan asked.

Gu Qiu sized up the woman in front of him, his superior, and politely said, "May I sit down?"

Chen Yan laughed, but then shook her head helplessly, muttering to herself, "What a bookworm."

Gu Qiu knew she was teasing him and could only smile awkwardly.

Chen Yan said, "Sit down, what are you waiting for? You came just in time. I'll treat you tonight."

Gu Qiu replied, "How can I let a leader treat me? I'll treat you. Besides, you're a lady, and it's impolite to let you pay."

Chen Yan rolled her eyes, looking quite charming, possibly due to the alcohol, and said with a hint of coquettishness, "Where are all these rules coming from? Since you admit I'm your leader, I'll decide. No fighting over the bill tonight."

Gu Qiu responded, "If that's the case, I'll follow your lead. I'll do as Director Chen says."

Chen Yan frowned, "Gu, we're alone here. You don't need to call me Director Chen. Call me Sister Chen or Sister Chen Yan."

A woman's mind is like the weather in June, unpredictable.

Chen Yan also felt her mood improve suddenly.

Gu Qiu could sense this but wasn't entirely sure.

Gu Qiu poured her a drink, "Alright, I'll call you Sister Chen Yan when we're alone."

Chen Yan raised her cup, "That's better. Here, Gu Qiu, I'm toasting you. Thank you for helping me out today."

Gu Qiu felt a bit embarrassed. He had heard that Chen Yan was a loose woman who liked to flirt with leaders. Now he realized that wasn't the case.

Those who said Chen Yan was flirtatious were just jealous.

Moreover, the other women in the Investment Promotion Office weren't very attractive, so they naturally said bad things about Chen Yan.

After tonight, Gu Qiu was almost certain that Chen Yan wasn't as they described. She might put on a show in certain situations to give leaders some face.

Gu Qiu said politely, "Sister Chen Yan, don't say that. Today was just an accident."

Chen Yan was about to drink but put down her cup after hearing Gu Qiu's response, "You're wrong. This wasn't an accident. Can't you see? Xie Bisheng is a drunkard and a lecher who's afraid of his wife. He has made advances on me multiple times. When he came back drunk from outside and called me to his office, I knew it wasn't going to be good."

Gu Qiu didn't say anything because he didn't know all the details.

Chen Yan said, "Actually, I also owe you an apology. I shouldn't have used you as a shield. I'm grateful to you, but I'm also sorry for being selfish. So you must drink this cup."

Gu Qiu thought, Chen Yan is indeed very honest, admitting to using him. But then he realized she was in a difficult situation and had no choice. Although he might have offended Xie Bisheng, as a man, Gu Qiu felt his actions today were justified. So he raised his cup, "Don't say that, Sister Chen Yan. Here, let's drink."

They clinked cups, and Chen Yan drank it all in one go.

A few drops of beer spilled from the corner of her mouth and dripped onto her chest.

The white skin slowly absorbed the liquid, which then disappeared into her clothes.

Before Gu Qiu arrived, Chen Yan had already had two bottles. After another cup, her face was even more flushed. She put down her cup, and Gu Qiu, seeing her state, couldn't help but ask, "Sister Chen Yan, you've already had two bottles. Shouldn't you stop?"

Chen Yan raised her eyebrows, her face flushed as she looked at Gu Qiu and laughed again.

Although Gu Qiu was only twenty-two, he was still a virgin and could only say he was just beginning to understand the complexities of relationships. He couldn't guess the deeper meaning behind Chen Yan's smile.

Perhaps it was precisely this seemingly naive appearance that made Chen Yan feel at ease. She looked at Gu Qiu and said, "You're really cute and naive!"

Gu Qiu blushed and said, "What's wrong? I'm just worried you'll get too drunk."

Chen Yan suddenly sighed, "Ah—"

A long sigh stirred her thoughts.

Chen Yan smoothed her hair and said boldly, "Come, let's drink! We won't leave until we're drunk tonight!"

Gu Qiu felt a bit anxious. What if she got drunk? But Chen Yan seemed to understand his concern and smiled, "Don't worry about me. I'm from Anping."

Gu Qiu said, "Alright, I'll toast you. Thank you, Sister Chen Yan, for your care. I'll drink, and you drink at your own pace."

Chen Yan looked at the bold and upright Gu Qiu, smiling.

PS: Finally done. Thank you, Kaibao Toucong, for the generous tip of 10,000 coins, and also to Liao Rao de Yanwu, Huanye, Yishi Jiyi, and Yongbu Fangqi-Zhi for the gifts of the magic pen and emerald!

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