By her ear was Song Huaizhi's slightly complaining sigh, and before her eyes were his star - bright eyes even in the darkness. Meng Ruyi's breath caught slightly. Before she could say anything, all her words were blocked by the kiss that followed.
Her eyes widened slightly as she watched Song Huaizhi quickly move closer. Then, a warmth spread across her waist as the man in front of her pulled her into his embrace.
"Yuyu..."
Meng Ruyi heard his almost sigh - like voice. His eyes were as gentle as moonlight, and his actions were incredibly tender.
Obviously jealous, Song Huaizhi was still so gentle that Meng Ruyi was almost drowning in it, completely losing the will and strength to resist.
His large, well - jointed hand covered the back of her head. Meng Ruyi felt that she was getting closer and closer to Song Huaizhi, and the two of them were almost squeezed into one.
After a long time, the man in front of her finally let go, looking at her with bright eyes.
Seeing the pride on Song Huaizhi's face, Meng Ruyi somehow couldn't say anything. She just thought Song Huaizhi was so cute, so she let out a soft laugh and said, "Brother Xiaosong is so childish."
Hearing this, Song Huaizhi nodded seriously and said, "I'm really such a person. The moment I met Yuyu, I became childish."
Before they knew it, their fingers were intertwined as they strolled under the moon.
...
The next day, another letter from Gu Ling arrived, saying that he would reach the capital the following day and asking Song Huaizhi and Meng Ruyi to come and see him.
The triumphant return of General Gu from the northern lands was a major event.
The capital instantly became lively, and the faces of the people coming and going were filled with joy.
Meng Ruyi and Song Huaizhi walked side by side as they rushed towards a restaurant that Gu Ling had booked.
Gu Ling said that he would come out to see them right after his audience with the emperor in the palace, so the messenger gave the invitation to the two of them.
"I heard that Gu Ling and the others will pass by this restaurant later?"
Curious, Meng Ruyi saw that when the door opened, there was a large balcony with a wide view, taking in the scenery of the whole street. She immediately understood why Gu Ling had chosen this place. She couldn't help but raise her eyebrows and speak.
After not seeing each other for two years, Gu Ling was still so full of himself. He deliberately chose a room where they could see him and even had the nerve to say that the two of them should wait for him and then he would come to find them.
Although Meng Ruyi was speaking, there was a smile in her tone, and her expression softened unconsciously.
After all, Gu Ling had been their companion for many years. It was impossible for her not to have any feelings for him.
So when she knew that Gu Ling was coming back, Meng Ruyi was really happy.
By her side was a large bunch of lotuses that Meng Ruyi had seen an old woman selling when they entered the city. There were still some water droplets on the leaves that the scorching sun hadn't evaporated, which made people feel comfortable just looking at them.
Song Huaizhi was too lazy to care about Gu Ling, so he just watched Meng Ruyi's actions. He saw her break open a lotus that was about to bloom, then turn to look at him and say, "Let's give him a surprise."
There was a sly smile on Meng Ruyi's lips. Song Huaizhi paused slightly and then nodded with a smile.
So when Gu Ling entered the city and passed by this restaurant, he could only look at the closed window dejectedly.
"General Gu!!!"
"General Gu, look at me!"
"Our great hero! General Gu!!"
The cheers of the common people rang in his ears, and there were sachets thrown at him from who - knows - where, which made a faint blush appear on Gu Ling's face.
General Gu was imposing and ordinary people dared not get close to him, but General Gu's son was much more approachable. He didn't get angry even when sachets hit him. He just kept raising his hand to block them good - naturedly.
Seeing this, the girls got even more excited. Almost half of the sachets in the capital were thrown at Gu Ling, blocking his view completely.
Gu Ling looked up awkwardly and saw that the door and window were still closed. A flash of disappointment passed through his eyes.
He pursed his lips and could only continue moving forward.
Anyway, he would see them soon. Maybe Song Huaizhi and Meng Ruyi were blocked because of the crowds and hadn't arrived yet.
He lowered his head again, with a faint, indescribable look of disappointment on his face.
Forget it! Maybe there would be another chance.
Just as he was about to pass by, Gu Ling suddenly heard a smiling voice.
"Gu Ling!"
He looked up suddenly and saw Meng Ruyi looking at him with a beaming smile. Beside her, Song Huaizhi still had his usual cold expression, but he nodded when he saw Gu Ling.
"Catch!"
Not wanting to show off, Meng Ruyi and Song Huaizhi just threw the flowers down and then turned around and entered the room.
Gu Ling was flustered, but the smile on his face grew bigger and bigger. He stuffed the flowers into his pocket, looking like a proud young man.
General Gu turned his head and glanced at him silently. When he turned his head again, there was a faint smile in his eyes.
As soon as Gu Ling caught the flowers, a rain of purses fell on him. The smile on his face froze.
Watching Gu Ling leave, Meng Ruyi listened to the lively sounds downstairs and felt extremely happy.
In the original book, when Gu Ling first appeared, the Gu family was already in ruins. At that time, Gu Ling was just a man dominated by hatred, no longer full of youthful spirit.
It was really good now. General Gu was here, Gu Ling was here, and they had received their glory.
Seeing Meng Ruyi smiling, Song Huaizhi asked, "Are you very happy, Yuyu?"
"Yes." Meng Ruyi didn't shy away at all and said to Song Huaizhi, "Now that Gu Ling is here, we have one more helper."
As she was speaking, Meng Ruyi suddenly thought of the crown prince, so she asked, "What's the situation with the crown prince now..."
"The emperor has discovered it, so he naturally won't ignore it. Now many people involved have been found and secretly imprisoned." Song Huaizhi said, with a hint of sarcasm on his face. "The crown prince has been put under house arrest, but we don't know if the emperor will really punish him."
"What the Tang family donated has also been used, and everyone has done their best to minimize the losses."
Meng Ruyi was silent for a moment and then nodded.
...
It was already afternoon when Gu Ling finally arrived.
Meng Ruyi and Song Huaizhi had waited for a long time before they realized that this stupid Gu Ling had forgotten that his audience with the emperor in the palace would take a long time because he wanted to show off. So he made the two of them wait for an entire afternoon.
[Hahaha, Gu Ling is in trouble (gleefully), he'll be met with Yuyu and Xiaosong's resentment when he comes back]
[This kind of thing... is really something Gu Ling would do, hahaha]
[I'm already laughing. Hurry up! I want to see Gu Ling's joke]
Meng Ruyi and Song Huaizhi slipped out to stroll around for a while.
When Gu Ling came, his face was more embarrassed than ever. When he saw the two people sitting at the table looking up at him at the same time, his conscience really hurt.
"I'm here!"
Gu Ling said it excitedly, but his voice got softer and softer. Seeing the half - smiling expression on Song Huaizhi's face, he immediately said, "Sorry, I didn't think it through!"
Gu Ling still admitted his mistake as quickly as ever. Meng Ruyi sitting beside him couldn't help but find it funny. She looked up and saw Gu Ling looking at her.
After not seeing each other for a long time, Gu Ling had grown from a teenager into a young man with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. He was handsome and cheerful, completely different from the description in the book.
Seeing him looking at her, Meng Ruyi waved with a smile and said, "Long time no see."