Chapter 73: Please Join Me for a Meal

After spending the day with Wu Xiaowen at Jiacheng University, Gu Zhiheng received a call from the principal in the evening, inviting him to dinner. Wu Xiaowen, tired from a day’s outing, said her goodbyes to Gu Zhiheng and headed home, while Gu Zhiheng hailed a cab to the address the principal had sent him.

Judging by the occasion, it seemed tonight’s meal would involve quite a bit of drinking; his teachers were all notorious for their drinking prowess, the sort who could hold their liquor with ease.

The restaurant was not far from where Gu Zhiheng lived—a humble eatery specializing in homestyle dishes. By the time he arrived, most of his teachers had already gathered.

“Don’t stand on ceremony, come and sit!” The principal pulled Gu Zhiheng over to sit beside him.

None of them were particularly fastidious about venues, so the place was simple, but the food was truly excellent. These old friends often gathered here, with or without reason, and the sight of Gu Zhiheng brought them back again.

To them, Gu Zhiheng was more than a student; he was like family—a well-behaved, sensible child. He’d had his rebellious moments, of course, but they understood: they knew how hard his journey had been.

His sister had applied to a dozen schools for him; during the exam period, he was perpetually occupied with tests, one after another for a month straight. Recognizing his academic struggles, the principal and professors had always been lenient with him, supporting him in whatever he chose.

Even the matters concerning the Gu family—they’d heard bits and pieces. When it came to Gu Zhiheng’s decisions, they stood firmly behind him. Few believed in those things anymore, and the tradition was nearly lost. But it was the Gu family’s legacy, and if they wished Gu Zhiheng to inherit it, his teachers had no grounds to object.

As long as he remained their student, it was their duty to support his choices.

“The food here is really quite good. I ordered takeout from here this afternoon. You teachers certainly know how to pick a place!” Gu Zhiheng smiled as he accepted the juice handed to him by the principal, paying his respects with a compliment.

He knew these old gentlemen were sentimental souls, unconcerned with extravagance. Though esteemed educators, nostalgia ran deep in their bones.

So, when he learned where they’d chosen to eat, he wasn’t surprised at all. He understood them, and was happy to share a meal and a few drinks.

“Everyone’s here now. Come, eat, eat!” The principal urged the group to start, but handed Gu Zhiheng juice instead of alcohol.

Perhaps, in their eyes, Gu Zhiheng was still a child.

He accepted it with a smile, knowing these elders deserved his respect. Whether juice or wine, it was a token of their affection.

Seeing his teachers in such good spirits, Gu Zhiheng felt content; it was his first time gathering with people outside his family and Chu Xingran.

Family, Chu Xingran—they were different, but his teachers played another unique role in his life.

“Zhiheng, we’re all delighted to see you, and we know you have your own path to follow.” The principal spoke on behalf of everyone, gazing at the young man beside him, barely in his twenties.

“Do what you must; we support you, whether it’s inheriting your family’s legacy or preserving its culture. In our eyes, you are the finest among all.” The principal looked at Gu Zhiheng, thinking that if this child devoted himself to education, he might become a legend. A pity, his path would not lead him there.

No matter—it was enough that he followed his heart, whatever he chose.

“Thank you for your understanding and support. Your teaching, I will never forget.” Gu Zhiheng bowed deeply, expressing his gratitude for their guidance and care.

The group of old men, together with their young protégé, sat from five in the afternoon until ten at night.

The dinner was a resounding success; apart from Gu Zhiheng, every teacher drank themselves into oblivion.

Gu Zhiheng called each teacher’s wife, helped them all into their cars, and only after everyone had left did he settle the bill and return to his hotel.

By the time he got back, washed up, and lay down to sleep, it was already midnight.

He felt that ever since he’d left home, he hadn’t kept regular hours—always staying up late or pulling all-nighters, his schedule completely reversed.

But he was used to it; a few hours of sleep sufficed, the rest didn’t matter.

He drifted into slumber almost immediately, sleeping soundly.

Meanwhile, because Wu Xiaowen had been out with him all day, her family gave her a cold look when she returned home.

She offered a brief explanation, not caring if they listened, grabbed her phone and bag, and walked out.

The Wu family was constantly embroiled in internal strife—never at peace, always arguing or throwing fits.

Wu Xiaowen found it tiresome, so she spent her days out and her nights in bars, drinking.

Her relatives didn’t bother with her, letting her do as she pleased. No one cared about her affairs.

So Wu Xiaowen lived without restraint; it was more interesting to spend time with Gu Zhiheng than to stay home and fight.

Though Gu Zhiheng was a bit aloof, after spending time together, she found him quite decent—a good friend.

However, the Gu and Wu families were rivals; getting too close to Gu Zhiheng wasn’t good for either of them.

A pity—the Wu family believed the Gu family to be steeped in sin.

But what did it matter to her? She dismissed such thoughts.

Driving aimlessly around the city, she eventually settled into her usual spot, though Gu Zhiheng wasn’t there tonight.

“So, didn’t you just hook up with that Gu family boy? Why are you here drinking alone?” The speaker was Wu Xiaowen’s fiancé, Chu Zhuang.

He was handsome enough, but his gaze toward Wu Xiaowen was unsettling.

Gu Zhiheng had seen this man at Jiacheng University that day—a well-cultivated pheasant spirit, though his intentions were dubious.

Gu Zhiheng assumed he was part of the Wu family and paid him little mind.

“Watch your mouth. If you can’t speak properly, shut it and get lost!” Wu Xiaowen was fierce and wild, bristling with aggression.

Chu Zhuang, however, was renowned for his patience and ignored her tantrum, instead getting up to wrap an arm around her waist as he sat down.

He simply treated it as Wu Xiaowen having a fit.

After all, she was just a young girl—some temper was normal. His way was to placate her patiently.