At this moment, Gu Hai deeply regretted selling the camera to Chu Chengsong.
Now look at this—Chu Chengsong was showing off with that camera and even dared to take photos of his Su Yun!
The more Gu Hai thought about it, the angrier he became. His whole body felt restless. While Su Yun was posing, he quietly shifted his steps and drifted behind her, trying to sneak into the photo—but Chu Chengsong mercilessly called him out:
"Gu Hai, stand a bit farther away. Don't affect the composition of Comrade Su Yun's photos!"
Hearing this, Su Yun turned around and said to Gu Hai, "Go stand over there. I'll be done soon."
Gu Hai immediately shot Chu Chengsong a fierce glare!
But Chu Chengsong didn't even look at him. He focused entirely on guiding Su Yun on how to find the camera angle, quickly taking several photos of her in an elegant, refined style.
When it came to the last shot, Gu Hai quietly moved closer again. As soon as the camera shutter clicked, he quickly stepped behind Su Yun—successfully sneaking into the photo!
Chu Chengsong didn't stay long at the recycling station. He had to return to Haicheng that day, and a car was already waiting for him outside.
After he left, Su Yun happily spun around in place before sitting back behind the counter and grabbing the steamed buns Gu Hai had brought for her.
Gu Hai looked utterly displeased, feeling irritated all over.
After standing there for several seconds, he suddenly hoisted his bicycle and ran out!
Seeing this, Su Yun quickly called out, "Gu Hai, where are you going?"
Without turning back, Gu Hai replied, "I'm going home for a bit!"
Half an hour later, Gu Hai returned, drenched in sweat. Walking up to Su Yun, he pulled out his own camera from his shoulder bag, his eyes shining as he said:
"Xiao Yun, I can take photos of you too!"
Su Yun blinked. "You rushed home just to get your camera?"
Gu Hai nodded vigorously.
Su Yun smiled. "You can take photos anytime—why rush like that? …Alright, let's take some together! This digital camera has a timer function. Figure it out, and we can take a few photos together."
Hearing this, Gu Hai became excited and immediately started figuring it out.
Before long, he successfully took numerous photos with Su Yun.
Looking at Su Yun's smiling face in the camera, Gu Hai felt incredibly happy. Just as he was about to praise how photogenic she was, he heard Su Yun say:
"Gu Hai, I think you were quite rude to that police officer earlier. The moment he arrived, you had such a stiff expression, like you were about to fight him. That's not good."
Gu Hai immediately felt wronged. "I wasn't! I was just reasoning with him!"
"That's what you call reasoning? You said he was making things up and even accused him of being heartless…"
At that point, Su Yun suddenly remembered something. She looked at Gu Hai suspiciously and asked, "Gu Hai, when you went to see Deputy Director Wang from the neighborhood office on my behalf last time… you didn't 'reason' with him like that too, did you?"
Gu Hai felt guilty, but his expression remained utterly sincere. "Of course not! I had a great conversation with Deputy Director Wang. Later, when he saw me, he even greeted me first!"
Yes—snorting disdainfully at him could also be considered a greeting.
Although Su Yun was only half-convinced, she didn't press further.
Gu Hai silently let out a sigh of relief.
---
Two days later, after Chu Chengsong returned to the Haicheng Public Security Bureau to wrap up his business trip, he went home that very afternoon with the television set.
The Chu family lived in a military compound, occupying a standalone three-story house.
As soon as Chu Chengsong entered, he saw his father, Chu Zhengjun, sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper. A 14-inch black-and-white television was playing in the living room, while his aunt, Chu Yanling, watched TV as she knitted a sweater.
The sweater's color and style were clearly meant for his younger sister.
Surprised, Chu Chengsong asked, "Dad, why are you home today?"
Hearing his voice, Chu Yanling turned around happily. "Oh, Chengsong is back! Why are you carrying a television? Didn't you give your TV coupon to your comrade?"
At the sound of conversation, Chu Zhenzhen came running downstairs. She was wearing a pretty dress, with shiny hair clips in her hair. She immediately began acting spoiled:
"Big brother, did you buy this TV for me? You're the best—I love you the most!"
Chu Chengsong smiled but didn't respond. He placed the TV on the dining table. "This television is for Mom and Dad. There should be one in their bedroom so Dad can conveniently watch the news."
Hearing this, Chu Zhenzhen pouted, her face falling. She walked over to Chu Yanling and complained out of habit, "Aunt, look at him—my brother is so mean to me. I don't like him anymore!"
Chu Yanling hugged her lovingly and looked up to scold Chu Chengsong. "If Zhenzhen wants a TV, just give it to her! Why upset her?"
Only then did Chu Zhengjun put down his newspaper and speak in a deep voice. "Chengsong, you came back a few days later than expected from your trip. Did something unexpected happen?"
Of course, Chu Chengsong wouldn't admit that he delayed his return to avoid being pressured into marriage. Fortunately, he already had a ready excuse.
He nodded. "Something did come up."
"Dad, you probably won't believe this—but during my trip to the capital, I saw a young girl who looks exactly like Mom when she was young!"
Hearing this, Chu Zhengjun showed interest. "Oh?"
Meanwhile, Chu Yanling's expression suddenly tightened, and she instinctively pulled Chu Zhenzhen closer.
"Ow, Aunt, that hurts…" Chu Zhenzhen complained softly.
Chu Yanling quickly covered it up with a smile. "My mistake, my hands were too rough. Are you alright, Zhenzhen?"
Before Chu Zhenzhen could respond, Yang Huiru returned, carrying a bag of cherries.
The moment she saw Chu Chengsong, her face lit up. "Eldest son, when did you come back?"
Chu Chengsong quickly walked over and took the cherries from her. "I just got back. Mom, are these for Zhenzhen? Why didn't you ask Fang Jie to buy them?"
"Fang Jie had something to deal with at home, so I gave her time off."
As soon as Yang Huiru finished speaking, Chu Yanling seized the chance to sneer, "Some people are born into capitalist families, used to ordering servants around since birth, yet still pretend to be considerate just to build a good reputation. Hmph—how hypocritical!"
Chu Zhengjun looked at her with displeasure.
Feigning boldness, Chu Yanling said, "Go ahead and glare at me—I'm just telling the truth!"
Chu Chengsong's face darkened. "Aunt, if outsiders heard you say that, our entire family would suffer the consequences. If you're not afraid, then go ahead and keep talking."
Only then did Chu Yanling feel a hint of fear. She muttered weakly, "It's not like I said it outside…"
Feeling slighted, she shot Yang Huiru a glare, thinking to herself: It's all this capitalist daughter's fault. If not for her dragging the Chu family down, my brother Chu Zhengjun would've become the commander of the military district long ago!
Yang Huiru is nothing but bad luck!
Yang Huiru was long used to Chu Yanling's hostility. She took the cherries to the kitchen, washed them, and then gave them to Chu Zhenzhen.
Chu Zhenzhen happily ate the cherries, occasionally feeding some to Chu Yanling herself. Chu Yanling looked extremely pleased.
Seeing this, Yang Huiru felt a complicated mix of emotions.
She and Chu Yanling had never gotten along, yet her own daughter was closer to Chu Yanling than to anyone else.
Once Chu Yanling quieted down, Chu Zhengjun spoke again, "Chengsong, what was that you said about the girl?"
At that moment, Chu Yanling almost choked on a cherry pit!
Without hesitation, Chu Chengsong took out his digital camera and said to Chu Zhengjun and Yang Huiru:
"Dad, Mom, I took photos of that girl. Take a look—you'll definitely be shocked!"
Just as he turned on the camera, Chu Zhenzhen's eyes lit up. She exclaimed, "Big brother, give me that camera! I've been wanting one!"
This time, Chu Yanling didn't support her. Instead, she leaned in slightly, peeking at the screen along with Chu Zhengjun.
When Su Yun's photo appeared on the camera screen, Chu Zhengjun's eyes widened instantly.
Yang Huiru was equally stunned. "This… isn't this me?"
Chu Zhengjun nodded. "That's right—she looks exactly like you when you were young!"