Afraid that Director Yuan might misunderstand, Su Yun quickly covered up, saying,
"Comrade Gu Hai is here to sell scrap!"
She hurried over to Director Yuan and changed the subject.
"Director Yuan, you came so early to see me—what's the matter?"
Hearing this, Director Yuan smiled warmly and asked,
"Su Yun, do you have a partner yet?"
The moment she heard that, Su Yun groaned inwardly.
Oh no, not this again!
Gu Hai also became alert, quietly pricking up his ears as he slowly edged closer to them.
Su Yun forced a smile.
"Director Yuan, I'm only seventeen. There's no rush to find a partner."
Director Yuan disagreed.
"Seventeen is the perfect age! We shouldn't rush, but when you meet someone good, you have to act quickly—otherwise someone else will take him. Don't you think?"
Before Su Yun could respond, Gu Hai couldn't help but interrupt,
"Director Yuan, did you come today to introduce someone to Comrade Xiao Su? Who is it? Do I know him?"
Director Yuan glanced at Gu Hai without much thought and said cheerfully,
"Of course you know him—it's our Subdirector Wang from the neighborhood office, Wang Yang!"
As she spoke, she patted Su Yun's hand and said earnestly,
"Su Yun, Deputy Director Wang comes from an excellent family. His father is a section chief in the district, and his mother is the head surgeon at the People's Hospital. He himself is also a deputy director at the neighborhood office. You've met him before—the young man who came with me last time and even spoke up for you…"
"To be honest, Su Yun, he specifically asked me to come today. After meeting you that day, he had a very good impression of you and wants to get to know you better. So he asked me to convey his intentions and see what you think."
Hearing that the match was Wang Yang, Gu Hai blinked, and his whole demeanor dimmed.
Wang Yang's conditions were indeed excellent—and he seemed well-matched with Su Yun.
Gu Hai had to admit that at this moment, his heart felt bitter. He only regretted that he couldn't measure up.
Su Yun forced a polite smile and vaguely replied,
"Director Yuan, I still have to work and can't leave…"
"That's fine," Director Yuan said. "The recycling station is under our neighborhood office anyway. Deputy Director Wang has invited you to meet tomorrow at noon at the state-run restaurant. Just go directly—I won't count it as absenteeism."
To her, this was clearly a good opportunity, and she didn't even consider that Su Yun might refuse.
In a hurry to get to work, she simply said,
"Su Yun, remember to go to the state-run restaurant tomorrow at noon. Don't miss it!"
Then she turned and left.
---
After Director Yuan left, Su Yun subconsciously glanced at Gu Hai. He was also looking at her, his eyes carrying a silent sense of grievance.
Feeling a bit guilty, Su Yun coughed lightly and broke the silence again.
"Um… Comrade Gu Hai, since no one is around, shall we start studying?"
Gu Hai nodded silently, clearly in low spirits.
He had nothing—how could he possibly compete with Deputy Director Wang?
After opening his physics book and struggling internally for quite a while, Gu Hai finally spoke cautiously,
"Comrade Xiao Su, I think something you said the other day was very right."
"Huh?" Su Yun looked confused.
"You said that right now, the most important thing for us is to study hard and get into university. We shouldn't get entangled in romantic matters, so as not to delay our future."
Gu Hai repeated her words seriously.
"I think that makes a lot of sense."
"So now, I want to say the same to you. The college entrance exam is only a few months away. Since you've already decided to aim for Peking University, you can't afford to be distracted at this critical moment."
"As for Deputy Director Wang, you'd better not pay him any attention."
Su Yun was suddenly fed a bowl of "motivational soup" and didn't know how to react.
"But Director Yuan came personally to tell me this. Out of courtesy, I should at least meet him once…"
"No!" Gu Hai said firmly. "That would delay your studies! I suggest that tomorrow at noon, I go meet Wang Yang on your behalf. I'll try to reason with him and persuade him not to disturb you during your studies. Everything can wait until after you get into university!"
It was rare for Gu Hai to be so serious. Su Yun subconsciously nodded, going along with him.
"Alright… then you can go in my place tomorrow."
After saying that, she suddenly remembered the matter of the watches. She put down her pen and stood up.
"Oh! How could I forget about this?"
As she spoke, she started to leave.
"Comrade Gu Hai, I need to go out for a bit. Please watch the recycling station for me—"
Before she could finish, Gu Hai stopped her, looking wary.
"Comrade Xiao Su, what are you going out for? At such a critical time for studying, why are you always getting distracted?"
Su Yun: "...I'm just going to find a friend and deliver two watches."
Gu Hai immediately replied,
"That's such a small matter—why do you need to go yourself? Where is your friend? I'll have someone deliver them for you."
With a single command from Gu Hai, Gouzi came running over immediately. He grabbed the two boxes of watches and rode off on Gu Hai's bicycle.
He was even smiling, clearly honored to help!
Seeing Gouzi, Su Yun pointed at his retreating figure in surprise.
"He… he… isn't he that…"
That young thug who had beaten Jiang Yaozu in the alley?
Gu Hai's eyes flickered. He pretended not to know Gouzi well.
"He's my neighbor. He's usually very helpful and always willing to lend a hand—very reliable."
Gu Hai lied without the slightest hint of guilt.
The last time Su Yun dealt with He Hua, she had used tricks that Gouzi often used, which meant she must have seen Gouzi fight before.
So he absolutely couldn't let her know about their connection—he was afraid she'd think he was just a street thug!
Su Yun nodded.
"So he's your neighbor… do you know if he… well…"
Gu Hai pretended not to understand.
"What do you mean?"
Su Yun thought for a moment, then shook her head.
"Nothing. I probably mistook him for someone else."
Better not let Gu Hai know about this.
He was the descendant of a martyr—kind and righteous. If he knew his neighbor was a street hooligan, it would surely trouble him.
Besides, he still had younger siblings at home. It wouldn't be good to scare them.
Su Yun smiled as if nothing had happened.
"It's nothing. Let's continue studying."
Seeing this, Gu Hai secretly let out a sigh of relief.
---
Meanwhile, Gouzi, after receiving Gu Hai's instructions, rushed straight to the recycling station, grabbed the two boxes of watches from Su Yun, and headed to the department store.
In Gouzi's eyes, Su Yun was their major benefactor. Any task she gave had to be completed perfectly!
With that thought, he quickly entered the store and found the watch counter.
At that moment, there were no customers. Xia Ying, dressed in her white sales uniform, was busy doing accounts on an abacus.
Since there were many people around, Gouzi didn't dare approach her directly. Instead, he whistled at her and blinked exaggeratedly.
"Hey! Hey!"
Xia Ying looked up, frowned at him, and felt instantly annoyed.
What's wrong with this guy?
Why is he making those noises for no reason? And he even dared to whistle at me—he's got some nerve!