Chapter 180: Open Relationship
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Whenever Gu Nianzhi recalled her 18th birthday, the one thing that stood out the most was the silver fighter jet roaring through the wind and rain. Although it was regretful that Huo Shaoheng couldn’t personally co, Gu Nianzhi had insisted this was “the beauty in imperfection.” The most beautiful things, like Venus’ missing arm, or the unfinished Dream of the Red Chamber1 were often imperfect. On the other hand, Gu Nianzhi was extrely grateful that He Zhichu had rebuilt his relationship with the US Military and had demanded that a naval warship rescue her, but she had never expected to receive such an extravagant gift from him. Afterwards, she had maintained her distance from him and devoted herself to work and study.
He Zhichu sensed her distance, and although he was saddened by it, he knew he couldn’t force her. He gave her ti to slowly adapt to the transition and temporarily put things with her on hold. He was busy with traveling between Harvard University and B University in the Imperial capital to teach classes and ntor graduate students.
...
Ti flew when life revolved around work. It was nearly December in Washington. One evening, Gu Nianzhi ca out of the Capitol Hill wearing a slim light gray cashre coat with horn buckles to head back to her suite in the hotel. Because her apartnt was close to the Capitol Hill, she had been walking for the past two months as exercise. When she arrived to the entrance, a curvy Huaxia woman wearing a long burgundy coat was waiting at the door and speaking to the doorman.
The doorman recognized Gu Nianzhi and waved when he saw her. “Miss Gu! Soone is here for you!”
Gu Nianzhi looked at the woman. She had fair skin, bold and elegant eyebrows, gentle almond eyes, and a tiny nose. Her delicate lips were lightly glossed and rosy. She appeared to be a sophisticated and beautiful woman in her twenties. Gu Nianzhi was certain she didn’t know her.
She nodded at the stranger. “Hello...who are you?”
The woman scanned over Gu Nianzhi and her eyes widened with surprise. She strode over and introduced herself. “My na is Jiang Hongcha, I don’t know if i Xiawen ever ntioned .”
The Weibo, “Red Tea’s Sky” flashed through Gu Nianzhi’s mind—this woman would have been i Xiawen’s first girlfriend.
“I don’t rember if he ntioned it.” Gu Nianzhi smiled; she hadn’t been contact with i Xiawen much lately. i Xiawen felt that he always had to take the initiative to seek her out everyti the past six months, but Gu Nianzhi didn’t give any favourable response. He was displeased and had decided to ignore her for a bit in hopes she would co to him when she couldn’t stand it anymore–so he could give her so affection and truly conquer the young girl’s heart... However Gu Nianzhi knew she was going ho at the end of the year and still hadn’t decided how she would face i Xiawen, so she didn’t try to contact him at all.
Seeing Jiang Hongcha now, Gu Nianzhi sighed internally, “Why are you looking for ?”
Jiang Hongcha then felt slightly uneasy seeing Gu Nianzhi like this. She had seen her face and assud she was just a pretty and smart commoner girl that she could easily manipulate. However the woman in front of her had apparently just had her 18th birthday and already carried a dignified air and elegance that could only be cultivated from being raised in the upper class. Has she transford from being in the capital region for a re six months? Jiang Hongcha suppressed the jealousy in her heart and smiled amiably, “There are so things I want to tell you about and i Xiawen, do you want to have a coffee with ?” Seeing Gu Nianzhi’s hesitation, she imdiately said, “Let’s not go anywhere, this is a hotel right? There should be a cafe?”
“Yes, co with .” Gu Nianzhi actually didn’t want to deal with Jiang Hongcha, but hearing that it was about her and i Xiawen, she didn’t want to refuse. The point was that she was feeling hesitant and unsure what to do, so she needed so guidance. Jiang Hongcha was i Xiawen’s first girlfriend, so she must know what she’s saying. The pair sat down in a corner in the Capitol Hill Hotel Cafe. The large potted green plants sequestered a small isolated space for them. Gu Nianzhi ordered a cappuccino and used a spoon to slowly stir it, her other hand supporting her chin. She gazed steadily at Jiang Hongcha across from her.
Jiang Hongcha didn’t order coffee and had a warm milk instead, “I can’t have coffee right now.” She smiled softly at Gu Nianzhi.
Gu Nianzhi detected the smile was full of maternal radiance and looked down to remove the spoon and sip at her cappuccino.
Jiang Hongcha held her warm milk and looked like she didn’t know where to begin. After a while, she finally spoke, “Nianzhi, can I call you that?”
“Sure.” Gu Nianzhi smiled and looked up at Jiang Hongcha. Her voice was tender but a bit raspy from the afternoon’s debate on appropriation of funds.
“My family is friends with the i family, we practically grew up together.” Jiang Hongcha imrsed herself in the beautiful mories, “But we only beca a couple in high school.”
Gu Nianzhi’s eyebrows twitched and felt impatient. She had been so busy with work she didn’t have lunch and was rushing ho to dinner. How long did Jiang Hongcha plan to take with her long tale from start to finish? She coughed softly and simply stated, “Xiawen ntioned he had a first love who went abroad after high school. They later broke up, that was you?”
Jiang Hongcha didn’t expect Gu Nianzhi to summarize her romantic first love with i Xiawen in one sentence and felt a little embarrassed. The past was so beautiful, but Gu Nianzhi’s words had no emotions to them. It was clear that this woman had no parents and wasn’t raised properly, so she rudely interrupted others when she didn’t like what she was hearing... When she thought about it this way, Jiang Hongcha’s smile grew brighter as she languidly nodded, “You can say that. But when I ca back after finishing my undergrad, Xiawen and I... t again.”
Gu Nianzhi raised her brows, “Miss Jiang, please be direct if you want to say sothing. You’re mumbling so much that I’m starting to regret having coffee with you.”
“...Ok. Miss Gu, allow to make a long story short.” Jiang Hongcha straightened in her seat and leaned closer, “The thing is, I want to ask if you are i Xiawen’s girlfriend?”
Gu Nianzhi closed her eyes, “...Not yet.”
“That’s a no then?” Jiang Hongcha chuckled gently, “Then I don’t feel so guilty anymore. The thing is, Xiawen and I couldn’t forget our first love, but we have hurdles in our heart that prevent us from getting back together. So we made a promise to give each other another chance, but don’t want to bind ourselves to each other. Please don’t worry, Miss Gi. We’re in an open relationship, which ans I can date soone else and he can also pursue others, like Miss Gu.”
Gu Nianzhi blinked and listened to Jiang Hongcha quietly.
Jiang Hongcha was very sympathetic, “I know Miss Gu also made a promise with i Xiawen, that you would make him wait six months and that if he still like you after that, you would agree to be his girlfriend? Ah, young lady, how can you be so naive? How can you let a man loose like that?”
“Miss Jiang, this is between and i Xiawen. I don’t think I need to explain anything to you.” Gu Nianzhi looked out the window impatiently.
“Don’t be angry, I’m just saying it as is.” Jiang Hongcha shifted in her seat and cradled her belly.
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