Zhang Yunyun didn't expect to receive a gift either, so a look of surprise flashed across her face. Then she reached out to take the gift and said seriously to Gu Ling, "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Gu Ling scratched the back of his head and said sheepishly to Zhang Yunyun, "I was too naive back then. Consider this gift an apology. After all these years, we can be considered friends. If you ever go to the capital in the future, just let me know. I'm Gu Ling, after all."
Seeing the expression on Gu Ling's face, Zhang Yunyun couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. She nodded and said, "Okay, I won't stand on ceremony then."
Actually, Zhang Yunyun had also prepared a farewell gift for Gu Ling. But their relationship was just so - so. If she were to give the gift abruptly, it might seem strange. Maybe in others' eyes, it would look like she was trying to curry favor with him.
The former Zhang Yunyun didn't care about such things, but after leaving the Zhang family, she had become more cautious. So she hesitated for a long time, and the gift had been in her personal maid's hands.
Seeing Gu Ling give her a gift first, she then motioned for her maid. She took the thing from the maid's hand and then handed it to Gu Ling, saying, "You lack nothing, so I thought about it for a long time and finally went to the temple to get this for you."
"It's a safety talisman. I hope it can protect you on your journey and keep you away from all those troublesome things in the future. This is also my sincere wish. I believe that as long as one is sincere, it will work. I hope that after you go to the north, you will keep rising in your career and return to the capital soon."
Although it was called a safety talisman, there was actually a tiny jade - carved gourd inside. The knife marks on the gourd were so amateurish that it was obvious Zhang Yunyun had carved it herself.
Zhang Yunyun had once disliked Gu Ling, this high - ranking and powerful young master. But after getting along with him for several years, she finally saw his true heart. Now that they were about to part, Zhang Yunyun sincerely wished this not - so - likable little companion a smooth future and an early return to his home.
Gu Ling was also surprised. He reached out to take Zhang Yunyun's gift and muttered under his breath, "You're still quite conscientious."
But Zhang Yunyun heard what he said and gave him a big eye - roll.
"Sister Ruyi." Gu Ling first looked at Meng Ruyi, then shifted his gaze to Song Huaizhi beside her. He said to the two of them, "The last gift was from my parents. Now this one is from me."
After saying that, he took out the gifts. He took two wooden boxes from his attendant and handed the longer one to Song Huaizhi, saying, "Brother Song, this is a tattered ancient scroll. It's said to be from the previous dynasty. It would be a waste for me to keep it, so I'm giving it to you."
After handing over the wooden box, Gu Ling pursed his lips and opened the other wooden box in front of them.
Inside the box was a wooden hairpin. It looked simple in style, but the wood used was high - quality agarwood. The grain was clear, the texture was smooth, and it had a luster similar to that of jade.
When Meng Ruyi saw the hairpin, she was instinctively shocked and looked at Gu Ling.
After showing the hairpin to Meng Ruyi, Gu Ling closed the box again. He said somewhat embarrassedly, "This is the first time I've carved something like this, so it looks rather shoddy. I hope you don't mind."
Meng Ruyi instinctively wanted to refuse the gift, but Gu Ling seemed to sense her intention. He stuffed the gift into her bosom and quickly took a few steps back, keeping a distance from them. "Don't refuse. This is also my sincere wish."
[AAAAHHHHH the hairpin! The gift collides with Xiao Song's original idea! Won't Xiao Song be furious?!]
[But how can she refuse? It's a gift from a good friend before leaving! Gu Ling really prepared it with great care. If it weren't for the fact that his parents have been too busy to take care of him during this period, he might not even have had the time to make it himself.]
[Gu Ling is so cute. I'm going to change my allegiance. Sorry, Xiao Song. I still like this kind of cute hunk.]
[Me too. I'm on Gu Ling's side!!!]
Meng Ruyi didn't notice the divergence in the bullet - screen comments. She just looked at Gu Ling, her heart filled with complex emotions.
Seeing the uneasiness in Gu Ling's eyes, she finally felt inexplicably guilty. So she said, "Thank you for the gift. Next time it's your birthday, I'll also make you a small item."
"Okay!" Gu Ling nodded, a bright smile spreading across his face. Like the scorching sun, it carried the enthusiasm of a young man. "I'll be waiting for your gift, Sister Ruyi. Once I arrive at my destination, I'll definitely write to you. Don't forget to write back to me."
The young man's feelings were so obvious. Meng Ruyi looked at the burning passion in Gu Ling's eyes and for the first time felt at a loss for words. She was worried that her words might be too straightforward and hurt the feelings of her friend who was about to travel far away, but she was also afraid that her attitude might be too ambiguous and make Gu Ling have unrealistic thoughts.
Meng Ruyi wasn't a fool. She could naturally sense Gu Ling's hazy feelings for her. This kind of emotion was like the hazy rainbow that appeared in the sky after a rain, beautiful but hard to reach.
She originally thought that Gu Ling's initial liking for her was based on her appearance, and that Gu Ling himself had an unreliable air about him. Everything he said seemed like a joke, especially when he often brought up such things, which made it seem like he was just playing around.
"I..."
"I'll write to you." Seeing Meng Ruyi's embarrassment, Song Huaizhi gave Gu Ling a cold look. His gaze was as cold as an ice - spring, making Gu Ling shiver. "Yu Yu is only fourteen now, and you're still encouraging her to correspond with you. Gu Ling, I hope you can watch your words and actions and don't cause Yu Yu any trouble."
These words were rather harsh, but they suddenly made Gu Ling realize his mistake. He immediately blushed and explained, "Sorry! Sorry! It's just that... I didn't think it through. Sister Ruyi is already this old."
"Brother Song is right to remind me! I'll be more careful in the future. I also hope that Brother Song will write to me often."
After Gu Ling finished speaking, General Gu, who was riding a horse in front, shouted, "Gu Ling, let's go!"
"Okay!"
Gu Ling responded loudly. His face was full of reluctance.
"See you in the capital in the future!"
Gu Ling took a deep look at them, then flipped onto his horse. After sitting firmly, he couldn't help but smile at the three of them before giving the horse a hard whip and riding forward.
Seeing Gu Ling's back, Meng Ruyi suddenly realized how time had flown by. The child in her memory had grown into a young man. Now, as he rode away with his whip in hand, he would finally not have to repeat the fate in the book.
...
After they got back, Meng Ruyi was still sleepy. So she and Zhang Yunyun, who was also sleepy - eyed, went back to their room and lay down on the bed fully dressed.
Zhang Yunyun fell asleep, breathing steadily.
But Meng Ruyi got out of bed quietly. She opened her wooden box and looked at the hairpin.
When she picked up the hairpin, she saw a thin paper strip pressed under it. Her heart skipped a beat.