Chapter 109: Two in One

Chapter 109: Two in One

Old Master Gu returned, his throat parched from talking so much outside, and reluctantly came back in. He guzzled a large cup of hot tea, as if steam was rising from his entire body.

The Gu family was quite surprised. Liu Shuqin was a bit worried that the old man, given his age, might be harming his health with such emotional ups and downs. The northern winter was especially tough on the elderly, and Liu Shuqin worried that Old Master Gu might not survive if he wasn’t careful. Every winter, many elderly people passed away. Compared to others, Old Master Gu had lived a long life. Many people didn’t make it past their sixties, and Liu Shuqin had already lost many of her husband's peers along the way.

Liu Shuqin called a doctor to check Old Master Gu’s blood pressure, but Old Master Gu waved her off, saying, "I’m not sick. I’m in great spirits."

Qin Yao and Gu Cheng watched, amused, as the old man was nearly dragged to the hospital. After much fuss, he was still lively and full of energy, eating well. It seemed that Death was still far away from him.

"At this age, it's all about keeping your spirits up. That's what keeps you going," Qin Yao thought.

She also believed that people live for hope. As long as there was something to hold onto in this world, something to look forward to, life would continue. Many elderly people in the countryside, who tended vegetables and raised chickens, lived long lives despite their old bones.

But once they moved to the city to live with their children, they often didn’t last more than a year or two.

With nothing to do, life felt pointless, and people started to feel useless. Once their spirits broke, their bodies followed, fragile as a house of cards.

Old Master Gu had shaken off his past and rekindled his zest for life. His entire demeanor had changed.

He was determined to see the story published. He wanted to show off in front of his old friends.

"I told you, I’m fine. This ‘last hurrah’ business is nonsense. How long has it been now? I’m still standing strong. I know my own body, don’t I?" Old Master Gu, with his coat slightly open, had a smile he couldn’t hide. The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepened, and his previously cloudy eyes now sparkled with vitality, showing his old age. Even the age spots on his face seemed to fade.

"We’re glad to see you’re doing well, Old Master," Liu Shuqin smiled.

"Relax, relax. We’re all good," Old Master Gu patted his chest. "My first task is to stay humble. Overconfidence can lead to failure. My second task is to assist and supervise Comrade Qin’s work."

Qin Yao: "?!"

"Granddaughter-in-law, I’ve read what you’ve written. It’s very good, full of the vigor that young people of the new generation have. How about I set a slightly challenging little goal for you?"

"This winter break, not too much, just 10,000 words a day. Before you leave, writing 200,000 words shouldn’t be a problem, right? If the inspiration strikes, 15,000 words a day… We should give you a trophy."

"I’ll give you my retirement pension from last year as a reward! Consider it an incentive."

Qin Yao was taken aback. "Ah?"

Old Master Gu was joking, of course. His pension wasn’t small, at least a four-digit sum, which was considered quite a reward in this era.

But 10,000 words a day? That was ridiculous. Even online writers didn’t write that much daily. There were only a few good days when one could hit 10,000 words. For most writers, the majority of the time was spent in a less productive state.

Liu Shuqin gave Qin Yao a look: just play along with this old prankster for a while, and he’ll calm down soon.

No sane grandpa would lock his granddaughter-in-law in to churn out 10,000 words a day. She’d write herself into the ground!

Old Master Gu dragged Qin Yao off to write in seclusion. Seeing how excited he was, Liu Shuqin couldn’t help but shake her head and cover her mouth with a smile. "What’s gotten into him? We used to be such serious people, but now the old man is acting like a kid again."

"He’s lost all sense of seriousness."

Standing nearby, Gu Cheng rubbed his nose and thought that he wasn’t exactly serious either.

"Now it’s just you and your brother. You should smile more often. At your age, Xiao Cheng, you don’t even have laugh lines around your eyes. You really should smile more."

Gu Cheng: “……”

Old Master Gu was a good man, sincere and kind-hearted. To ensure a proper writing environment for Qin Yao, he had prepared the best study room in the house on the second floor and supplied it with fragrant tea and snacks. “Take your time and write from start to finish,” he said.

“I’ll look at the materials first, Grandfather. This really can’t be rushed.” Qin Yao picked up the materials in her hand. These materials related to Old Master Gu were already collected before and were quite comprehensive, even more so than she had imagined.

Qin Yao skimmed through them and formed a rough outline in her mind, but that didn’t mean inspiration would strike immediately. Writing was something that required careful planning.

After pulling herself away from the materials, Qin Yao noticed the surroundings. The study had two large windows that opened outward, offering a splendid view. She could see far into the distance, where the bare branches in the snow were a wonder of winter.

The room was filled with bookshelves holding all kinds of books. On the walls hung calligraphy and freshly printed newspapers exuding the scent of ink. The desk, typical of the time, had newspapers and photos under a glass cover. There were seven or eight black-and-white photos, all of the Gu family, including a solo picture of young Gu Cheng, probably taken when he was seventeen or eighteen, looking particularly youthful.

Old Master Gu, noticing where Qin Yao’s gaze lingered, voluntarily said, “Are you looking at Xiao Cheng’s photo? This grandson of mine looks the most like his grandfather. Take a good look. Aren’t we cut from the same cloth?”

Qin Yao blinked. “You do look alike.”

“Exactly the same,” Old Master Gu emphasized, pointing at the photo. “That’s how I looked when I was young!”

“Take a good look at my face. When Xiao Cheng gets old, he’ll look just like me. You should get used to it now.”

Qin Yao fell silent: “……”

At that moment, Gu Cheng, standing by the door, thought: “Grandfather, can you stop talking nonsense!”

It wasn’t that they didn’t look alike, but there weren’t that many similarities. If anything, Gu Xing, Gu Cheng’s older brother, resembled Old Master Gu more.

Gu Cheng walked in with a thermos cup, speaking calmly, “Grandfather, maybe you should take a look at older brother’s photos.”

“Go away,” Old Master Gu waved him off. “You have nothing to do here. Don’t disturb my granddaughter-in-law’s creativity.”

Qin Yao sat on the long chair, her chin resting on her hands, feeling somewhat troubled. She couldn’t get into the writing mood with Old Master Gu watching over her.

Inspiration came and went. Yesterday, she had been in the right mood, but today, she couldn’t find it. For any writer, each writing session was a new beginning.

If she couldn’t write, would Grandfather confine her to a small room?

“Grandfather, I’m taking her out for a walk,” Gu Cheng stood in front of the desk, pulling Qin Yao up, meeting Old Master Gu’s gaze. “Keeping her cooped up inside, she won’t be able to write.”

The two locked eyes for a few seconds before Old Master Gu relented. After all, she was Gu Cheng’s wife.

“Go for a walk. When you’re ready, come back and write.”

Gu Cheng smiled slightly. “Grandfather, there’s no need to rush. Even Second Sister’s book, my brother’s wife, will take half a year to write. Yours will take at least a year or more. You can’t lose to her.”

“Fair enough. You know how to speak well,” Old Master Gu realized that rushing wouldn’t help.

Gu Cheng and Qin Yao went downstairs and out of the yard. Outside, it was a world of ice and snow, with snow-laden branches creating a winter wonderland.

Walking on the snow, the crisp sound of their footsteps resembled the crunch of chips, making one want to grind their teeth. Walking on snow was manageable, but the real danger lay in the thin ice formed from melted snow refreezing. These patches were like real ice rinks, and one could easily slip and fall if not careful.

Such icy patches were usually found on downhill paths, and even the most careful walkers would crouch and tread carefully.

Qin Yao and Gu Cheng walked side by side in the snow. Once outside, Qin Yao sighed in relief, feeling free from the study’s confines.

As the cold wind blew, she wrapped her scarf tighter, wishing she could cover her entire face, leaving only her eyes exposed.

In contrast, Gu Cheng walked steadily, his tall frame moving with a dignified stride. In the snow, his expression grew as cold as the snow. He was cold, his face unreadable, and his words gave no hint of what he was thinking.

Qin Yao suddenly felt a barrier appear beside her, separating her from the outside world. Only his profile was visible, and it was breathtakingly handsome, especially when he was silent. His high nose, thin lips, and the clear contours of his face gave off an air of arrogance.

Qin Yao turned to look at the two rows of footprints behind her, winding side by side. One pair was large, and the other was small, like a long line of ants. A sense of warmth suddenly washed over her, and she couldn't help but curl her lips into a smile.

People are perhaps so easily unsettled. After seeing him shamelessly clinging to her, it felt unbearable to see him walking coldly now.

Damn him!

When he was shamelessly clinging and teasing her, she found him unrefined and annoying. Now that he was behaving more formally, returning to his previous self, she felt distant and lonely. Her heart felt like it was crawling with ants, making her feel uneasy, though she couldn’t pinpoint why.

She was tempted to kick him into a snowbank, but then she didn’t want him to freeze outside all day with a cold expression.

Qin Yao sulkily pulled her hat down, her nose buried in her scarf, and silently hummed several times.

Her heart felt heavy, like a tangled mess. She couldn’t figure out what version of Gu Cheng she liked or what his true personality was.

Was this cold demeanor the real him? Or was his previous playful, charming attitude just to make her happy? This guy had never smiled sincerely, and his almond-shaped eyes never reflected true warmth.

After her frustration, Qin Yao couldn’t help but look up at Gu Cheng’s profile again. Really, she had to admit, this face was exactly her type!

Gu Cheng glanced sideways and immediately met Qin Yao’s starry-eyed gaze, sparkling and impossible to ignore.

Every time he saw her looking at him like that, Gu Cheng felt a twinge of frustration. Was she fond of him as a person? Or just his face?

This girl.

Gu Cheng believed that he didn’t fall for Qin Yao because of her appearance. What exactly he liked about her, he couldn’t quite explain. But it definitely wasn’t just her face—that would be too superficial, right?

Maybe it was her lively and enthusiastic nature, or her whimsical imagination, or maybe... anyway, not her face. Her current appearance was quite different from when they first met.

Yet his feelings had never changed.

Gu Cheng could affirm that his affection hadn’t diminished over time. Instead, it was like aged wine, becoming more fragrant and making him love her more, and making him more reluctant to be without her.

The best emotional comfort for him was seeing her sitting on the sofa, looking at him gently. Just seeing her was like the waves of the sea, able to soothe everything.

This attachment came fiercely and unstoppably, making him want to frolic like a dog when he was happy. The complex emotions were hard to articulate; he just wanted to spend more time with her and playfully tease her.

In three years of marriage, they hadn’t actually spent that much time together, certainly less than he had with his adjutant. Gu Cheng had always been strong and strategic in his work, rarely encountering anything that troubled him.

In this marital relationship, Gu Cheng unconsciously placed himself in a weaker position. As time passed, he harbored fears and worries. Qin Yao was still young; would there be someone better-looking or more interesting who would catch her eye in the future?

Perhaps not as confident as he imagined, the incident at the cultural center involving Tang Runjie had a significant impact on him. Though Tang Runjie wasn’t as handsome as he was, he was younger and more vibrant... Maybe one day, Qin Yao would meet someone who resembled him but was younger. Would she fall for him?

These baseless speculations were unfounded. Rationally, the possibility was almost zero. However, human emotions couldn’t be judged rationally. The underlying tension, worry, and fear enveloped him like a ghost.

It was awkward, like losing control of one’s mind.

Breathing in the icy air, Gu Cheng subconsciously sighed. The next second, he felt a pair of cold little hands touch his palm.

"Your hands are so cold?" Forgetting everything else, Gu Cheng was only concerned that the woman beside him might be freezing. It was too cold outside; he shouldn’t have taken her for a walk in the snow.

"It’s not that my hands are cold; it’s just that yours are so warm!" Qin Yao said with a laugh, standing on her tiptoes to touch Gu Cheng’s face. His face, exposed to the cold, felt as cool as freshly chilled skin. Her slightly warm hand contrasted sharply, bringing Gu Cheng a wave of warmth.

Gu Cheng held her hand tightly, reluctant to let go. He tried to hide his smile but couldn’t help complaining, his voice tinged with bitterness. "Your hands aren’t cold. You’re just taking the opportunity to touch my face, right? You just like my face..."

How could someone as accomplished and successful as him, with such a bright future, start worrying about his looks?

In the past, he used to sunbathe on the deck without a second thought, but now he avoids the sun whenever possible, afraid that his aging face might cause his beloved to lose interest.

"Hmm..." Comrade Qin felt a little guilty when accused of being shallow for liking Gu Cheng's looks. Did she only like Gu Cheng's face? Not really. Even if Gu Cheng were to become disfigured now, she wouldn't divorce him. "Even if you become like Old Master Gu in the future, I won't leave you."

Gu Cheng: "That's a nice thing to say, but this analogy of yours... hehe, you might as well compare me to your elder brother." He wasn't that old, after all.

Qin Yao: "..." You're being a bit mean to your own brother, Comrade Gu.

Qin Yao changed their hand-holding to wrapping her arm around Gu Cheng's. Holding hands felt a bit too insubstantial to her, but holding onto the arm of the person next to her made her feel incredibly secure.

"I like you in every way. It's you, the unique you, that I like, Gu Cheng."

It was at this moment that Qin Yao realized Gu Cheng actually lacked even more security and confidence than she did. Perhaps it was also because of this "affection system" she carried, which wasn't very useful but made life comfortable. Although she didn't use it often, she knew that both Gu Cheng and their child had their affection for her maxed out.

On this point, she never doubted their feelings.

This certainty removed a lot of insecurity. But for ordinary people without such a system, they could only rely on their feelings to judge, leading to anxiety and doubt, which was only natural.

Like in relationships, people often put each other through tests because of insecurity, needing constant reassurance before they could trust the other's feelings.

And in these repeated tests, the relationship gradually wore down.

"You're my lover, my family, and my friend—apart from you, I don't think I'll find another person like this in the world."

As she said this, Qin Yao felt emotional, thinking back to when she first transmigrated into this book. She was still the Qin Yao who didn't believe in true love, friendship, or family, convinced that the world was built on material desires and interests.

To her, the man beside her was the most complex person. They were lovers, friends, and family without blood ties. After so many years together, they had grown closer and adopted each other’s unique habits.

People often say that couples grow more alike over time, even more so than blood relations and genetics. Gu Cheng's occasional micro-expressions and the way he spoke sometimes reminded her of herself, which was quite magical.

Perhaps humans were natural learners and imitators.

She felt grateful to the man beside her. Thank you for making me forget that I once didn't believe in love, friendship, or family.

"You're really a writer, good at saying sweet words," Gu Cheng said, lifting his hand to indulgently pinch her cheek, warmth flowing through his heart.

If we weren't outside, I'd love to kiss you right now.

"When I'm old and retired, I'll lock you in the study with me, just like Grandpa used to do..."

Qin Yao, half amused and half exasperated, said, "Am I writing Gu Cheng’s autobiography? Help me!"

"No autobiography. Don’t flatter yourself. When you can't hold a pen, you'll say sweet nothings to me every day until your teeth fall out, and then our son can take you to get them fixed so you can continue."

Qin Yao: "... You sound like a jailer. Honestly, you're quite like Old Master Gu."

"Are we being too sentimental? Our child is already two, and here we are saying sweet nothings, talking about love and care. Even without saying all this, we’re still going to spend our lives together."

"Not sentimental," Gu Cheng said, in a good mood, taking his wife to eat roasted sweet potatoes. On a cold winter day, with two little ones in tow, the roasted sweet potatoes tasted especially good.

When he was little, Gu Cheng loved a snack called Mi San Dao, a traditional handmade pastry that was rich and crispy with an enticing color. The outside was honey-glazed and rolled in white sesame seeds. It was softer in the summer and slightly harder in the winter. After eating, there was still sweet oil on his hands, which he would secretly lick off when no one was looking.

Gu Cheng hadn't eaten it in a long time. After middle school, he stopped touching these kinds of snacks. As a teenager, he found them too sweet, but now, it was a nostalgic treat, so he bought a large bag.

Qin Yao ate a few. "These are really good. My dad used to make them too."

"I didn't expect you liked these as a child as well. How come you didn’t end up chubby?"

Gu Cheng chuckled. "Maybe... I moved around more?"

The couple carried a bag of Mi San Dao back and ran into elder brother Gu Xing at the door. Gu Xing's wife was pregnant, and he had been quite happy lately. The couple had been as sweet as honey for the past two years.

Big Brother Gu has aged quite a bit, just like Old Master Gu over the past couple of years. Gu Xing had packed on a few pounds, probably from all the baking he did for his wife—those pastries were hard to resist. Between that and his busy career, he hadn’t had much time for exercise, so he was starting to show a bit of a belly. In his uniform, with that serious expression, he looked every bit his age.

"Little brother, Sister-in-law," Gu Xing greeted them coolly. Noticing the bag of honey-filled pastries in Gu Cheng's hand, he slightly furrowed his brows.

"These are the kinds of sugary snacks that kids go crazy for. Even if you bring it home for the kids, it’s way too sweet and will rot their teeth."

Miaomiao had struggled with cavities when she was little, but thankfully, her teeth improved after she got her permanent ones. At least she managed to keep her teeth healthy.

"Big brother," Gu Cheng said, holding the bag of pastries. He felt a bit out of place, like a young soldier caught sneaking a snack.

He walked up to Gu Xing and exchanged a few words with him. Qin Yao followed behind them, thinking, "I’ll follow behind them; it’ll be easier to walk in their footsteps."

After just a few steps, they encountered another man in military uniform. The man looked surprised. "Commander, is this your son? He’s grown into such a big boy!"

Gu Xing: "What?!"

Gu Cheng: "..."

Qin Yao quietly distanced herself from the brothers.

She quickened her pace, practically sprinting past the brothers, afraid she’d burst out laughing if she stayed any longer.

Qin Yao was the first to get home, passing by the gate as she crossed paths with a woman who hurriedly left. Entering the house, she hurried upstairs and noticed her sister-in-law looking uneasy, holding something in her hands.