Chapter 511: 'Chameleon' Cruff

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes and watched as the commanders discussed here, Pan Shiyuan definitely wouldn't have believed it.

As the commander of the Shooting Department, no one else knew better than him how impressive it was to not miss the target even once.

"Big Boss Yin, didn't you say that she has strong spatial awareness earlier? Then under such circumstances, do you possess such senses?"

Chen Yan asked Yin Ruoyi with an incredulous tone.

Yin Ruoyi's finger moved slightly before halting. He answered straightforwardly, "Actually everyone has a certain perception ability, and it only differs in degree. Under such circumstances, I can do it. But I can't guarantee it'll come as easily for me as it is for her."

Yin Ruoyi didn't exaggerate or deny, merely directly admitting to it.

"My goodness, in any case, if I were put in such a situation, it definitely wouldn't have occurred to me if someone was in hiding..."

Pan Shiyuan was dumbstruck.

So that meant, Yin Ruoyi and Gu Qingjiu were both perverse...

"What I rely on is intuition accumulated over many years. As for Gu Qingjiu, it is a natural-born talent. It's just that she didn't have the chance to showcase her talents in the past. That's why everyone is so astounded by her," Yin Ruoyi speculated.

Chen Yan nodded in agreement. "I feel so too."

"After all, among those present here, only you are confident of achieving that. The rest of us are sure that we couldn't pull off such a feat in those circumstances. Our movements and observation skills are limited at night, unlike the two of you, who not only aren't at all affected but can move freely as you please."

Chen Yan also smiled bitterly.

Lu Yimei sighed. "So that means everyone at the international competition are perverse characters. But, Big Boss Yin, do you feel that Gu Qingjiu's abilities can be targeted at..."

Yin Ruoyi looked towards Lu Yimei and instantly got it. "You mean Cruff?"

Cruff was one of Yin Ruoyi's biggest competition for this year's international event.

Chen Yan's eyes lit up. "Cruff has the nickname of 'Human chameleon' in the international competition arena!"

Human chameleon sounds like a funny nickname.

It simply meant that Cruff was superb at concealing his capabilities.

In the same competition arena, he could come and go like a shadow, like a chameleon hiding in a spot you least expected, and then he would carry out his hunting and killings from that spot.

Although sharpshooters tend to have pretty good intuition, Cruff was just hard to find.

It was a headache for many participants.

But if Gu Qingjiu's abilities were to meet Cruff...

It did seem to be a good match.

"It's hard to tell before they get to compete with each other. Moreover, at the earliest, Gu Qingjiu could participate in the international competition three years from now. We don't even know for sure if Cruff would take part next year. This time around, we can only depend on Big Boss Yin."

Hearing them praising Gu Qingjiu to the skies and even saying things like she could be a formidable opponent for Cruff, Yang Guanglin—who couldn't take it lying down—tried to speak up for Yin Ruoyi.

"Not only Cruff..."

Yin Ruoyi suddenly revealed surprising news. "This time it's me up against Cruff, but next time it could be Gu Qingjiu up against someone else. I heard that a few sharpshooters had emerged in the US and Germany recently. It's just that the news hadn't gotten out yet. I've heard from my instructing teacher that among them, there are a few whose abilities rival Cruff's."

This made everyone fall silent.

Abilities rival Cruff's...

Somehow it made one feel helpless.

Chapter 512: She Already Cut Them Slack

"If Sheng Ming hadn't disappeared so quickly back then, it's hard to tell what the international competition scene would be like now."

Jiao Yujin let out a sigh. When others heard this name, they also fell silent.

"We only see one Sheng Ming emerge in a hundred years if we're lucky. Moreover, even if Sheng Ming was still around, he would probably be old by now."

"Don't think too much. After all, you're going to start competing in the summer. Ruoyi, just do what you ought to do."

Jiao Yujin patted Yin Ruoyi's shoulder. Among those present, only he had the right to address Yin Ruoyi by his name.

"I know. I came here because of Gu Qingjiu this time. My teacher asked me to observe and bring back the result. Now, I more or less can confirm."

He looked towards Lu Yimei and said solemnly, "You can't train a person like her using old methods. If you don't mind, you can bring her to my teacher so that she can receive better instructions."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yimei nodded. "I will. After I go back, I will pass this message on to the commanding officer. I believe they will permit it."

Yin Ruoyi's teacher was a legendary figure in the shooting world.

For Gu Qingjiu to receive instruction from this teacher, even with her strong talent, she will undergo great improvement in her abilities.

Yin Ruoyi said, "No need to watch the competition anymore. The outcome is as predicted."

Yang Guanglin was speechless.

Can Big Boss Yin spare him some face?

But at least this time the National Defense University (NDU) still had seven to eight survivors. The biggest loser was Pan Shiyuan's school. Who asked him to speak so confidently just now?

After he got the information he needed, Yin Ruoyi was prepared to leave. Yang Guanglin was a little worried. "It's very late now. Why don't you stay here to rest for the night, Big Boss Yin?"

"No, I've still got an event in the morning. I have transport back from here."

With that, he left, and there was nothing Yang Guanglin could do about it.

He could only send Yin Ruoyi away first.

As he left Yin Ruoyi even asked them to send him a copy of the video afterward.

Because he could sense that in this competition...

Gu Qingjiu had visibly shown improvements in certain areas.

These two hours were torture for certain members.

When the results were out, Pan Shiyuan's Communications and Transmission University (CTU) ranked at the bottom, with five survivors.

Haihe Military University and Jiao Yujin's Information Engineering University (IEU), with six survivors, ranked second to bottom.

This time NDU and NMUC[National Military University of China] tied with seven survivors. But judging from the number of eliminations, NMUC still emerged victorious overall... once again.

All thanks to Gu Qingjiu.

Lu Yimei nearly wanted to worship Gu Qingjiu.

Actually, although the number of eliminations was more than the previous time, one needed to consider that there were an additional thirty participants this time.

The battle wasn't as brutal as last time.

It was because this time everyone kept their calm.

Those unlucky ones were in the minority.

After Gu Qingjiu was informed of the result, she came down from the mountain and rushed back.

The reason the competition wasn't as brutal this time was because Gu Qingjiu acted according to Lu Yimei's instructions, to cut them some slack...

But it wasn't within her control to choose which school to cut slack.

There were a few times where she sensed a person's presence, but because the other party didn't move, she didn't act either.

She simply let things pass peacefully in those instances.

Amongst these people, there was perhaps a mix of her fellow teammates and opponents from other schools.

Or else, the battle scene would have been more brutal.

No idea if Pan Shiyuan would roll his eyes when he found out his team ranked bottom.

Chapter 513: The Competition Ended

When she got back to the gathering spot, Gu Qingjiu saw sour expressions on the members' faces.

Most especially Pan Shiyuan, whose countenance was darker than dark.

He had thought that they would do better this time. Who knew they would rank at the bottom?

National Defense University (NDU) and Haihe Military University now knew what Gu Qingjiu was capable of, and they all had terrified looks in their eyes as they stared at Gu Qingjiu.

No doubt, it was Gu Qingjiu who had eliminated most players.

One could dismiss the previous occurrence as a fluke, but the improvements she showed this time further consolidated the fact that Gu Qingjiu had incredible capabilities in this area.

The other two schools that newly joined now learned of Gu Qingjiu's intimidating prowess, and there were complex emotions in their hearts.

Especially since they would only be around over this period, yet they suffered such a great blow at the hands of Gu Qingjiu.

"Qingjiu."

Seeing Gu Qingjiu return, Lu Yimei came up to her with a broad beam.

She patted Gu Qingjiu's shoulder. "Not bad."

Gu Qingjiu smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Commander."

Upon hearing this, Pan Shiyuan was seething with anger. Gu Qingjiu did so well, and Lu Yimei only commented, 'Not bad?'

So annoying!

Recalling what he had said earlier, it felt like a slap in Pan Shiyuan's face.

To think he even asked his members to cut them some slack!

They probably needed it more!

While Pan Shiyuan was puffing with anger in his heart, he faced Lu Yimei with an aggrieved expression.

"Yimei, why didn't you tell me about this earlier?"

His members felt that it was simply embarrassing to have a commander like him.

To be questioning his ex-girlfriend after losing was the image of a resentful husband!

Lu Yimei rolled her eyes. "What could I have told you?"

Pan Shiyuan had looked so confident and presumptuous then. What could Lu Yimei have said?

Moreover, surely she couldn't have said something like 'Our Gu Qingjiu is super impressive, all of you watch out!'

Although it was a fact, it would be shameless of her to say it out loud like that.

Of course, Lu Yimei didn't want to say anything.

Pan Shiyuan was furious.

Perhaps because the outcome was already final, the other commanders didn't look upset.

This time, NDU didn't rank bottom but managed to clinch the second spot.

Having accepted the fact that Gu Qingjiu was perversely talented, Commander Yang felt slightly better now.

This time, because of the two newly joined schools, everyone didn't leave immediately but continued to stay the night.

When they got back to the dormitory at night, Gu Qingjiu and Lu Yixin both went back to the dormitory.

Naturally, Yan Hanqi slept together with them like the other night.

Lu Yimei had gone off to discuss matters with the other commanders and was nowhere to be seen.

"Qingjiu, shall I bathe first or do you want to go first?"

Lu Yixin asked Gu Qingjiu in the dormitory.

She didn't ask Yan Hanqi.

She kept feeling that Yan Hanqi was kind of weird. Especially after losing the competition today, Lu Yixin sometimes felt her hair standing on end whenever she saw Yan Hanqi's expression.

"You can go first. I'll go later."

After replying to Lu Yixin, Gu Qingjiu then recalled that Yan Hanqi from the other school was also in the same dormitory.

After all, since she was a guest, they shouldn't ostracize her too severely.

Hence, Gu Qingjiu turned towards Yan Hanqi and asked, "Yan Hanqi Classmate, do you want to go in and take a shower first? Yixin and I can shower later."

"I'm okay."

Yan Hanqi curled her lips. Although her smile looked as vibrant as before, there seemed to be some other intent behind her smile.

"Senior eliminated me rather quickly today, so I didn't use too much of my energy, and I also don't feel hot. Seniors, you may shower first. It's fine for me."

Chapter 514: Terrible Countenance

Once she had said those words out loud, the atmosphere in the dormitory grew quiet.

Lu Yixin cast a strange look at Yan Hanqi and felt that her words had an underlying meaning.

Yan Hanqi was eliminated much earlier than her today that by the time she got out, Yan Hanqi was already out there with the rest of her eliminated teammates.

She didn't know who it was that eliminated Yan Hanqi. But from the looks of it, it was Qingjiu?

Lu Yixin had no idea why she got a kick out of the knowledge that Yan Hanqi Qingjiu eliminated her.

She picked up her clothes and went to the bathroom first.

After she went in, Gu Qingjiu raised her brows and gazed at Yan Hanqi with a hint of a smile. "I've been curious as to why you've been addressing me as Senior."

She and Yan Hanqi were both first-year students.

It wasn't that she particularly cared about the form of address, but somehow she felt like Yan Hanqi had another meaning for it.

Yan Hanqi heard Lu Yixin enter the bathroom, and Gu Qingjiu's expression changed accordingly. Astonishing thinking surfaced in her heart all of a sudden.

"Senior? In our hometown, this is a respectful form of address towards people who are stronger than us. It's fine."

"This is China. I remember your mother is Chinese, so you should do as the Romans do when in Rome."

After saying this, Gu Qingjiu turned around and started packing up her clothes.

"Senior, do you have a problem with my nationality?"

Yan Hanqi smiled. "You don't have to mind this, Senior. Although I grew up in Japan, I've always been close to my mother, and my mother's side treats me extremely well. Also, I identify as a Chinese."

"That wasn't what I meant."

Gu Qingjiu turned back to look at her, a slight smile brooding on her face. "I don't have a problem with your nationality, but I feel that calling me a senior is a little strange."

She was already putting it quite plainly, that Yan Hanqi made others feel uncomfortable in certain ways.

Yan Hanqi's expression halted, and she finally restrained the smile on her face a little.

"Senior, you're pretty straightforward."

Gu Qingjiu nodded. "Yes, I've always been a straightforward person."

Yan Hanqi paused for a moment, then stopped talking.

The dormitory plunged into silence.

Shortly after, Lu Yixin came out from the shower. Gu Qingjiu said nothing, merely picking up her clothes and entering the bathroom.

Lu Yixin and Yan Hanqi didn't have much to say to each other. Hence that night, this dormitory appeared particularly quiet.

They didn't speak much with Yan Hanqi, all the way until Lu Yimei came back.

The next day, all the schools returned to the capital.

Jiao Yujin and Pan Shiyuan's schools had to rush back to Changhui Province today, and their flight was at 5 p.m.

They only came over for a friendly exchange this time.

Such a result was unexpected to them.

Now, Gu Qingjiu's reputation had more or less spread throughout all the military schools.

Basically, everyone knew that there was a new sharpshooter from the National Military University of China (NMUC) whose abilities rivaled Yin Ruoyi.

On the way back to school, Lu Yixin couldn't hold herself back from finally asking her older sister Lu Yimei.

"Sister, I've been wanting to ask you about Yan Hanqi from CTU[Communications and Transmission University]. What's the matter with her? I feel uncomfortable every time I see her. The same thing applied during yesterday's competition. After Qingjiu eliminated her, her countenance looked terrible."

Chapter 515: I Just Don't Like Her

"Really? I felt that she was pretty normal?"

When Lu Yibin heard this, he turned around to look at Lu Yixin.

Lu Yixin rolled her eyes. "You just find her good looking from a perspective of a guy, right?"

With his younger sister's retort, Lu Yibin subconsciously glanced towards Gu Qingjiu. Seeing an aloof and emotionless expression on her face, he touched his nose. "I didn't sense a problem with her."

"Alright, you guys can even argue over something like that."

Lu Yimei shook her head and looked at her siblings in amusement. "Pan Shiyuan told me something about Yan Hanqi yesterday."

She suddenly looked towards Gu Qingjiu. "Qingjiu, do you think there's a problem with Yan Hanqi?"

With Gu Qingjiu's sharp intuition, she should have sensed it if there was a problem with Yan Hanqi.

At this question, Gu Qingjiu shook her head. "I felt that she suppressed herself a little. Other than that, nothing else."

"Your intuition is on-point."

Lu Yimei sighed, and she said, "Pan Yishuan mentioned that the stringent way Yan Hanqi's father brought her up had a lot to do with the impression she gives to others."

"I've been wanting to ask, how did a mixed-blood person like Yan Hanqi get into our country's military school?"

Lu Yixin couldn't resist but ask.

Lu Yibin retorted, "What era do you still live in? It is normal nowadays. It's not as if there aren't any mixed-blood persons in other military schools."

"This is one of our country's policies, and the objective is to show that we can coexist in harmony. Yan Hanqi's family in Japan has high prestige, and at that time, her father's relationship with China's local civilians wasn't too bad. Hence why Yan Hanqi could enter the military school with her outstanding results. Regardless of what policy it is, such students who carry non-Chinese blood will never be able to access confidential matters."

"Moreover, they are under surveillance at all times, and all their information is reported on a regular basis. Don't fall under the wrong impression that our country is that open-minded.

"I feel that rather than being subject to such scrutiny, they might perhaps be better off going to an ordinary school."

After hearing Lu Yimei's explanation, Lu Yixin somewhat got it. "I see. But weren't we talking about what was wrong with her earlier? So, her being weird has something to do with her father's strict training?"

Lu Yimei nodded. "Yan Hanqi was born in a family of sharpshooters. Her father is a typical chauvinistic Japanese man, and he had disciplined Yan Hanqi in an extremely strict manner. How shall I put it? It's severely stringent. As such, young Yan Hanqi had been living in a suppressed manner. Since her mother couldn't tolerate this, she had asked China's side to help, so that she could fetch Yan Hanqi over to China's military school to carry on her education."

"Qingjiu said she felt that Yan Hanqi suppresses herself, and this is the reason for that. If my guess is right, after Qinjiu eliminated her yesterday, she felt very upset about it. It is because she was raised to place extremely great importance on winning. I don't know how she felt for sure, though. All these were what Pan Shiyuan told me yesterday. If we're speaking about talent, Yan Hanqi indeed is talented in this area."

Lu Yixin wrinkled her nose. "Even then, that has nothing to do with us. In any case, I just don't like her."

As Lu Yixin mumbled to herself, Lu Yimei and Lu Yibin exchanged glances and smiled helplessly.

Chapter 516: Two Messages

Gu Qingjiu gazed outside the window and didn't pay much heed to Yan Hanqi's matter.

They were heading back already, and she didn't have her phone with her, so she had no idea what the Chief Instructor was doing at that moment.

She missed him so much.

Since they were on their way back now, she wished she could fly back immediately.

"Qingjiu?"

Gu Qingjiu snapped out of her trance. She turned her head to see that it was Lu Yibin who had called her.

"Vice-Commander."

Lu Yibin smiled. "What are you day-dreaming about? My older sister just said she's going to bring you to see Yin Ruoyi's teacher in mid-May. You're about to receive proper systematic training."

"Yin Ruoyi's teacher?"

The surprised Gu Qingjiu quickly sat up straight. "Who is Yin Ruoyi's teacher?"

Most importantly, was she already good enough to be recommended to Yin Ruoyi's teacher for training?

Just the fact that the person was Yin Ruoyi's teacher was impressive enough.

"Yin Ruoyi's teacher is a senior in the world of shooting. We don't know who exactly that person is because they only go by code names. You will find out when you meet them. When Yimei goes back, she will apply for permission from the Commanding Officer and your level's Chief Instructor, then get the principal to apply to the higher-ups. If everything goes well, she'll be able to bring you over in the middle of the month."

After all, they had to go through certain procedures before bringing Gu Qingjiu over to train.

"Yin Ruoyi proposed it."

Lu Yibin's words made Gu Qingjiu pause momentarily.

Yin Ruoyi?

Why would Yin Ruoyi suggest this?

She hadn't even spoken a word with Yin Ruoyi before.

But towards Yin Ruoyi, Gu Qingjiu viewed him as a senior just like how Yan Hanqi viewed her as one.

After all, the other party was someone with solid capabilities, and he was to take part in the international competition during the summer break.

He was undoubtedly a senior.

"Yin Ruoyi is not a bad person. Since you have the capabilities, of course, he will give you support."

But Lu Yibin didn't say some things out loud.

After all, it was just his speculation.

Lu Yimei never told him in detail before either.

The reason he was supporting her was perhaps because of the international competition.

"Then I'll just wait for the news. Thanks for the trouble, Commander Lu."

Gu Qingjiu felt a sense of anticipation after learning of this.

But she still missed the Chief Instructor dearly.

She couldn't wait to tell the Chief Instructor this news of her about to advance into another world.

When they got back to school, it was still early. After all, they had set off early in the morning.

But the unfortunate thing was that they encountered a severe traffic jam.

Vehicles had congested the route they took despite it being quite remotely located.

When they got back, they missed the mealtime in the canteen.

Since she hadn't eaten, Gu Qingjiu was a little hungry.

They were back in school now, but there was nothing for them to eat.

She rarely ate outside because it was free to eat in school!

Though Gu Qingjiu wasn't a very frugal person, she didn't like to waste.

The food served in the school canteen wasn't too terrible, and it was free. There was no need to eat outside.

She had thought that she would be able to make it for mealtime in the canteen, so she didn't get off the bus to eat outside earlier. Now that she was back in school, even if she wanted to head out, she couldn't...

Gu Qingjiu first returned to the dormitory to retrieve her phone.

There wasn't anyone in the dormitory, and she had no idea where the two crazy lasses, Chu Lian and Gu Qian, went off to have fun.

As usual, Qi Xiaoran was nowhere to be seen.

After retrieving her phone, she saw two messages quickly popping up on her phone.

[ Chief Instructor: Are you back yet? ]

[ L: I am Lu Ziyang. If I need to contact you in the future, I will send messages to your phone directly. Our communications will be kept confidential. Messages will be deleted automatically after you read it, and it won't leave a trace behind. ]

Chapter 517: Mischievous

When Gu Qingjiu saw her boyfriend's message at the first instant, she felt a warm feeling in her heart.

But Lu Ziyang's message baffled her. After tapping it open and reading it, the message automatically deleted itself.

It seems like she would have to keep her phone properly, just in case Lu Ziyang might assign her some mission at any time.

It would be terrible if anyone saw it.

She first replied to the Chief Instructor.

[ I'm back. But I missed the mealtime. I'm famished! =△= ]

It was rare for Gu Qingjiu to add an adorable emoticon at the end of her message.

The Chief Instructor replied pretty quickly.

[ Wait for me at the school entrance. I'll take you out to eat. ]

These words made Gu Qingjiu's heart burst with happiness.

The Little Angel Chief Instructor was simply too sweet.

Since he had asked her to wait at the school entrance, of course, she obliged.

After preparing herself, she changed into a set of casual clothes and went out.

But it was too conspicuous to meet at the school entrance. Also, Gu Qingjiu had no idea where exactly to wait at the school entrance.

When the school's patrolling guard saw her, he said, "Classmate Gu, your Chief Instructor asked you to go outside."

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

Although the army guy said this with a straight face, Gu Qingjiu felt feeble in her heart.

She immediately went out and saw that army green Jeep next to the walls around the school.

As she gazed around, there weren't many people.

But she was just about to jog over when she caught sight of Lu Yimei and her two siblings.

"..."

Lu Yixin, too, spotted Gu Qingjiu from afar. She excitedly waved at Gu Qingjiu and walked over to her. "Qingjiu, where are you going?"

"I... I haven't eaten. The canteen is no longer serving food, so I'm heading out to get something to eat."

Gu Qingjiu chose to tell the truth.

Though, she didn't reveal with whom she was going.

"Then why didn't you come with us when we asked you along earlier on?"

Lu Yixin looked a little doubtful, for they had extended an invitation to her when they went to eat earlier.

Since Gu Qingjiu missed the Chief Instructor too much at the time, she didn't agree to go with them.

Naturally, she appeared awkward now. "It didn't occur to me earlier."

Lu Yimei, however, noticed Gu Qingjiu's awkward expression, so she tugged at Lu Yixin. "It's okay, Qingjiu, go ahead and eat. Are you alone?"

"Ah... mm."

Her 'mm' was merely in response to the 'go ahead and eat' part, and not her saying yes to the subsequent question.

Lu Yibin glanced at Gu Qingjiu. Seeing the awkwardness on the girl's face, he found it quite interesting.

He figured she was feeling a little awkward about not agreeing to go eat with them.

They understood. Hence, they stopped asking any more questions

And they simply headed back into the school first.

As for Gu Qingjiu, she immediately walked over to the Chief Instructor's car stealthily after seeing them enter.

It was a carpark, and not many students were around, thus it was pretty quiet.

Gu Qingjiu went over and pulled open the car door. At the sight of the Chief Instructor's perfect and flawless face, she felt her mood brighten instantly.

"Chief Instructor."

She shouted in a tender voice. She felt like she was getting more and more clingy.

"Get in."

The Chief Instructor's lips curled at the sight of her as well. After she got into the car, he turned sideways to help her buckle the safety belt.

Though Gu Qingjiu could have buckled it herself, she didn't stop him from doing so.

He was very close to Gu Qingjiu, so close that she could even detect the light fragrance on his body.

Gu Qingjiu leaned against his chest and rubbed her head against his chin.

"Mischievous."

He Niancheng let out a chuckle. After buckling her seatbelt, he gently pinched Gu Qingjiu's face and planted a kiss on her cheek.

Chapter 518: Formally Meeting Her Mother

Gu Qingjiu smiled so hard her eyes nearly narrowed into crescents.

Seated in the front passenger seat, she exuded a finicky air of laziness. "Chief Instructor, what are we eating?"

"I'll bring you to eat at a hotel."

Hotel?

Didn't that mean they were going to the city center?

Gu Qingjiu said, "So far? By the time we reach, I might have already died of hunger. Moreover, it'll be very late when we get back."

"That's why we'll be having dinner there as well. I'll bring you back as early as possible at midnight."

As he started the engine, his cold and deep eyes sparkled like stars in a night sky. He looked towards Gu Qingjiu and exuded an inexplicable warmth. "If you're tired, take a short nap. I'll wake you up when we reach."

"Mm, okay."

Gu Qingjiu felt lazy in front of the Chief Instructor. It seemed like she had become more finicky in front of the Chief Instructor.

But her heart was indeed brimming with happiness.

She lowered her head and got into a relatively comfortable position, and rested with her back leaning against her seat.

After a few hours long ride, Gu Qingjiu felt the car come to a halt amid her sleepy state.

Bam.

She was startled awake by the sound of the car door closing. When she opened her eyes, she found herself in a dimly lit underground carpark.

The Chief Instructor had walked around the car to the front passenger seat door, pulled open the car door, and helped Gu Qingjiu unbuckle her seatbelt.

However, he didn't ask Gu Qingjiu to get out of the car right after unbuckling it. Instead, he edged closer to her face and pressed his forehead against her forehead. He caressed her face, and asked in a deep, sexy voice, "Are you awake?"

Gu Qingjiu's face flushed and heated up because of his gesture. She quickly nodded. "Yes, yes."

Despite so, her voice sounded heavily delicate, just like one did when just woken up.

He chuckled. Gu Qingjiu could sense a visible vibration at his chest, and then she felt the Chief Instructor shift both hands to her waist. Exerting strength, he carried her out of the car in one move.

"I can get off by myself."

Gu Qingjiu kept feeling like she was too sticky to him now. But the Chief Instructor kept pampering her in an overboard manner.

He set her down, but an arm of his remained circled on her while he poked her face with his free hand. "You don't like it?"

"Of course, I do."

Gu Qingjiu admitted to it shamelessly. "But it wouldn't be good if someone sees us."

People these days couldn't stand public displays of affection.

She was afraid of being pointed at and cursed behind her back.

"Why should you mind other people, hm?" He let go of her and held up her hand, then closed the car door and locked it.

"Let's go and eat. Didn't you say you're famished?"

"Mm."

Gu Qingjiu nodded. She hadn't felt it when she just woke up. Now that the Chief Instructor mentioned it, that sensation of hunger became very apparent.

She felt that she could eat a ton of stuff right now.

Like, she wanted to eat everything.

"We're going back tonight, aren't we? There's still some time. My mother is at the capital, and I'd like to go over and visit her later."

She had recalled that her mother was in the capital, but she hadn't had the time to visit her. Now that she was around, of course, she wished to go over and pay her a visit.

"I'll go over with you to visit her after the meal."

Holding her hand in his, He Niancheng's lips arched in a bewitching angle. "I feel that it's about time for me to formally meet with your mother, too."

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

She meant to visit Qi Yuefeng by herself.

She didn't say she was bringing the Chief Instructor along with her!

However, since He Niancheng said it himself, Gu Qingjiu didn't have the guts to say her thoughts out loud.

Chapter 519: Makes One Happy Simply By Looking

He Niancheng had brought her to a posh Western restaurant.

It was Gu Qingjiu's first time coming to such a place.

Despite being situated in the bustling city center, the restaurant interior had an elegant and tranquil environment.

A chef with at least a 2.5-star rating individually served every customer.

The highest star rating in the culinary world internationally was merely only three stars.

The chefs would prepare food on the spot for the customers.

Since it was her first time there, Gu Qingjiu was amazed by how impressive and expensive-looking this place was.

She and He Niancheng sat beside the long table, and there was elegant and pleasant Jazz music playing in the background. On another side, there was a chef pan-searing a steak.

The fragrance wafting through the air tantalized Gu Qingjiu.

Gu Qingjiu, who was hungry, felt her stomach rumbling even more.

She kept glancing towards the chef with a watering mouth.

"Qingjiu."

Hearing He Niancheng calls her, she responded with a hum. And then she turned her vision towards He Niancheng.

There was a hint of a smile in He Niancheng's cold eyes. "Are you very hungry?"

Gu Qingjiu swallowed her saliva and nodded.

Hungry to begin with, and with that fragrance entering her nostrils, she felt even more greedy for food.

Being tempted felt terrible that she felt like she could even finish a roasted suckling pig if presented with one.

Hearing this, the chef revealed a smile. After searing the fresh and tender steak for another minute, the chef sprinkled some condiments.

After plating it exquisitely, he first delivered the plate to Gu Qingjiu after getting approval from He Niancheng.

"Miss, you may taste it now. But be careful, it's still hot."

Gu Qingjiu's eyes sparkled as she stared at this steak. Still, she held back the urge and asked the Chief Instructor, "Chief Instructor, do you want to eat first?"

"You can eat first."

He Niancheng chuckled. "Greedy little cat."

These three words exuded a heartwarming dotingness.

"I'm not greedy. Just extremely hungry... sss..."

Because of her haste, she nearly drooled by accident while speaking.

How embarrassing!

With a slightly flushed face, Gu Qingjiu picked up the fork and knife and cut a small piece of delicate meat and fed it to He Niancheng. "Chief Instructor, try the first piece."

Under the young lady's anticipating gaze, He Niancheng gently edged closer to that piece of meat and gently bit it.

It was a rather normal action, but he had fixed his gaze on Gu Qingjiu throughout.

Gu Qingjiu felt like she was about to drown in that gentle gaze, so she shyly retracted her own.

"Tastes pretty good..."

He elegantly chewed the steak and gave a soft compliment.

Perhaps because Gu Qingjiu had fed it to him, there was a different taste to it.

The chef was all smiles. "Thank you, sir."

To hear the patron comment that the food tasted good was the greatest compliment to a chef.

Gu Qingjiu also quickly cut another piece and placed it into her mouth.

Since she was prepared, she wasn't so anxious this time.

The hot and wonderful texture was as though the steak was melting in her mouth.

It was so delicious that Gu Qingjiu thought she might fly or something.

Her eyes were narrowed in a blissful smile.

To be able to eat something so yummy when one was famished was simply the most blissful thing that could happen.

"Mm, delicious! Tastes good!"

When one is hungry, their taste buds tend to be less picky. Naturally, Gu Qingjiu didn't stinge with her praise.

"Since you find it delicious, I'll bring you back again next time."

He Niancheng's serving was ready now. He brought the plate over and was in a particularly good mood as he watched Gu Qingjiu eat.

This little thing makes one feel happy simply by looking.

Chapter 520: Meet Another Day

After they finished eating, it was more or less time for afternoon tea.

In such a restaurant, even if the food wasn't too bad, people tend to savor and sample the pastries while soaking up the ambiance.

But Gu Qingjiu finished four to five servings at one go.

The steak wasn't even enough to fill her up...

She had no qualms about her image in front of He Niancheng.

In any case, it wasn't as if he had never seen her in this manner.

Now that she had a filled stomach, Gu Qingjiu made a call to her mother.

Shortly after, the person on the other end picked up the call. Qi Yuefeng's bubbly voice rang over the phone. "Hello, Qingjiu?"

"Mom, where are you right now?"

Gu Qingjiu could hear wind chime-like laughter on the other end of the line.

"Me?" Qi Yuefeng sounded like she was in quite a pleasant mood. "I'm shopping with your sister-in-law right now."

Sister-in-law?

Gu Qingjiu got it right away. "Sister Wange?"

Speaking of which, Gu Qingjiu hadn't contacted Qin Wange much since the last time they met.

But that was because she had been busy...

Thinking of this, Gu Qingjiu immediately asked, "Where are you and Sister Wange? I'll come over to find you two. I happen to have some free time today. Mom, I'll go over and visit you."

Speaking of which, Gu Qingmo told her the last time not to tell their mom about Qin Wange's existence.

Surprisingly, Qi Yuefeng was hanging out with Qin Wange.

From the sounds of it, she seemed pleased with this girl.

Or else she wouldn't sound so happy.

It seems like she had accidentally chanced upon them. Either that or her older brother came clean himself.

"I'm not too familiar with this place. I'll let you talk to your Sister Wange."

Gu Qingjiu then heard a different voice on Qi Yuefeng's phone. "Hello, is this Sister Qingjiu?"

Qin Wange affectionately addressed Gu Qingjiu.

Gu Qingjiu felt very happy to hear Qin Wange's voice. "Sister Wange."

She had a pretty good impression of Qin Wange.

"Sister, we're in the Longyue Mall right now. We'll wait for you in the cafe beside the plaza door. Take a cab over. Just tell the cab driver this location."

After Qin Wange had told her her address, Gu Qingjiu glanced at He Niancheng. She said, "Okay, coming over right away."

After ending the call, Gu Qingjiu looked towards He Niancheng with a broad smile. "Chief Instructor, I'm going over to look for my mother. My sister-in-law is there as well. Why don't you go back first?"

He Niancheng cast a glance at her. "I'll send you there."

Though, he didn't mention meeting Gu Qingjiu's mother again.

Gu Qingjiu heaved a sigh of relief. Then, she suddenly heard He Niancheng say, "I'm not dressed too presentably today, and I didn't prepare a present. Let's find a suitable time another day for me to meet with Auntie."

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

You call this not presentably dressed?

He Niancheng had deliberately changed before coming out today and was wearing a beige shirt that gave off a casual vibe.

However, He Niancheng, the walking clothes hanger, simply looked like a supermodel in it.

How could such a good looking man claim to be not presentably dressed?

If that was the case, 99% of the people on the streets would be considered unpresentable.

But since Gu Qingjiu didn't wish for him to meet with her mother now anyway, she naturally wouldn't say anything. She quickly nodded and said, "Okay, okay, let's go visit her another day."

Hearing this, He Niancheng's eyes narrowed. "Sounds like you don't wish for me to meet with your mother?"

"No, no, no."

Gu Qingjiu shook her head vigorously. But she wasn't a fool either, so she didn't say anything too certain.

"I was merely agreeing with you when you said to meet another day!"