A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Chapter 747 Mr. Zhang's Unreasonable Thoughts

Guier listened quietly, feeling rather disgusted by Mr. Zhang's behavior. However, she knew that she was living under someone else's roof, so she couldn't say much, and only smiled politely occasionally.

Time flew by as they played cards. Before they knew it, it was getting dark, so Gui'er said goodbye and went back downstairs with Jinbao.

That day, Gui'er returned to school and just walked into the classroom, she saw Zhou Huifang sitting in her seat, looking a little lonely.

Gui'er thought something had happened at her house and went over to ask about it. Zhou Huifang frowned and said, "Zinong failed in his mission and was shot in the leg. He might be disabled. It's said that he made a mistake in judgment, which led to a major mistake and the failure of the operation. He was given a serious warning and has now been demoted to a sinecure."

Gui'er naturally knew what was going on, so she consoled him by saying, "You're lucky to have survived the gunshot wound. Take care of yourself, and you should be all right."

Zhou Huifang raised her head, a complicated look flashing in her eyes. She nodded and said, "Gui'er, we're already engaged. It would be immoral for me to abandon him at this time, so my parents made me get married."

Zhou Huifang continued, "After careful consideration, I decided to marry him after I graduate this year."

Gui'er sighed inwardly. She knew full well that Gao Zinong was both a Communist traitor and a fringe member of the secret service, a position that doomed him to a bleak future. She couldn't help but offer gentle advice: "Huifang, have you truly thought this through? Gao Zinong's situation is complex, and his actions could negatively impact you. Furthermore, his current situation... I'm afraid he'll have a difficult time in the future."

Zhou Huifang looked at Gui'er firmly and said, "Guier, I know you're doing this for my own good. But I love him. He's been so good to me. He said he's been committed to me since the moment we met. No matter what he's done, I'm willing to face it with him."

Gui'er looked at Zhou Huifang's determined eyes and knew that no matter what she said, it would be of no use, so she had no choice but to give up trying to persuade her.

After returning to the apartment, Gui'er was still preoccupied. Shortly after she sat down, she heard Jinbao complaining, "Oh, I don't know what's going on with Mr. Zhang upstairs. He's been sending us food and drinks lately, and he's even told me to take good care of you."

Gui'er's heart moved, and she remembered the look in Mr. Zhang's eyes when he looked at her before, and she vaguely guessed something.

Since then, Guier often "ran into" Mr. Zhang near the apartment. One time, Guier went out to buy books and stationery. As she reached the stairs, she saw Mr. Zhang standing there, pretending to chat casually with a passing neighbor. When he saw Guier coming out, his eyes immediately lit up and he greeted her with a smile: "Miss Guier, what a coincidence, are you going out?"

Guier politely responded, "Hello, Mr. Zhang, I'm going to buy something." Mr. Zhang smiled and said, "I'm going out too, let's go together."

Gui'er was reluctant, but she couldn't refuse, so she had to go downstairs with him. Along the way, Mr. Zhang kept finding topics to chat with Gui'er, and Gui'er just responded politely, but in her heart she hoped to get rid of him as soon as possible.

Another time, Gui'er went for a walk downstairs. After a few steps, she saw Mr. Zhang strolling in the garden with his hands behind his back. Seeing Gui'er, he immediately came up to her and said enthusiastically: "Miss Gui, you also like to walk in the garden. The air here is really nice." Gui'er felt annoyed, but she could only respond with a forced smile.

Mr. Zhang not only frequently "ran into" Gui'er, but also had his wives and concubines constantly send various foods and drinks to Jinbao, always asking Jinbao to convey his concern for Gui'er. Jinbao also noticed Mr. Zhang's feelings. One day, she pulled Gui'er aside and said with a smile, "Guier, Mr. Zhang seems interested in you. You see, he always has his wives send him things. Why don't you consider it? Mr. Zhang has a wealthy family, and you will definitely live a good life with him."

When Gui'er heard this, she quickly refused: "Jinbao, stop joking. I don't want to be a concubine. Besides, Mr. Zhang is over 40. How can I rely on a man who spends his days drinking and having sex outside?"

Jin Bao sighed and said, "I know you're well-educated and must be very ambitious, but, Gui'er, your background is obvious. You're just an adopted daughter, and you won't have any dowry when the time comes. The gold and silver jewelry you have now were given to you by your second brother because he doted on you, and now, in the blink of an eye, it's been snatched away by your eldest sister-in-law, and you can't get it back. This is your status in the Marshal's Mansion. You'd better wake up. Don't do as I did early on. Find a reliable man while you're still young, so that you can have a support for the rest of your life."

Gui'er said firmly, "Sister Jinbao, everyone has different pursuits. I really don't want to think about these things. If Mr. Zhang wants to send me something next time, please help me decline."

However, Mr. Zhang did not seem to give up because of Gui'er's refusal. One day, Jinbao received another box of expensive snacks from Mr. Zhang's second wife, with a note attached, saying that he hoped Gui'er would do him the honor of having dinner with him. Gui'er read the note and frowned. She knew that she could not go on like this, so she asked Jinbao to take her to see Mr. Zhang.

After meeting Mr. Zhang, Gui'er said politely but firmly, "Mr. Zhang, thank you for your care during this period, but I think there may be some misunderstanding between us. I have no romantic feelings for you, and I don't want to be involved in these matters. Please don't give me any more gifts or do these things again."

Mr. Zhang's face flashed with embarrassment when he heard this, but he quickly regained his smile and said, "Ms. Gui'er, I'm sorry for being so abrupt. Since you said that, I will pay more attention next time."

After this incident, Mr. Zhang really restrained himself a lot. He no longer "ran into" Gui'er so frequently, and he no longer asked his wives and concubines to send him gifts. Gui'er finally breathed a sigh of relief.

As the days passed, Guier continued to study hard at school, while also keeping a close eye on the situation around her. Zhou Huifang seemed completely absorbed in her relationship with Gao Zinong, ignoring the advice of those around her. And after experiencing what happened with Mr. Zhang, Guier became even more cautious in her approach to the people and events around her.

One day, Gui'er was reading in the school library when she overheard a few classmates talking. One of them whispered, "I heard the situation has become tense again recently. It seems to be related to some revolutionary activities."

Another classmate echoed, "Yeah, they're arresting people everywhere, I don't know what's going on."

Gui'er's heart trembled. Sure enough, there was a reason why their superiors arranged for them to enter a state of silence.