Chapter 591: The Bold Gu Qingjiu

When she reached the 8th story, Gu Qingjiu searched for Room Number 888.

She couldn't be too conspicuous because the guests here were all higher class people wearing gowns and formal wear.

Gu Qingjiu's ordinary outfit made her stand out like a sore thumb enough.

But she didn't feel ashamed of that.

She had already entered a world that perhaps even this group of rich people didn't understand.

They were probably all the same, so no one should look down on another person here.

Hence, she felt relatively calm.

The suites here weren't simple, but they occupied a large area that resembled more like halls.

Especially Room Number 888.

Gu Qingjiu saw two staff standing at the entrance welcoming guests.

The carpet laid out at the entrance reminded one of the red carpets at galas.

Those who entered the suite emanated a high-and-mighty noble air. One look and you know there was a big difference between them and ordinary people.

Although they weren't asked for an invitation when they entered, Gu Qingjiu wasn't sure if she would be allowed entry.

It was undeniable...

They were holding a banquet there.

And He Niancheng was inside.

But why did he ask her to come to such a place?

Gu Qingjiu had never been to such an occasion. Although she didn't feel fearful, she did feel uneasy.

Most importantly, she didn't know what was going on with He Niancheng in there.

If she sent a message to He Niancheng, he would just ask her to enter.

She hesitantly walked to the entrance. One of the staff saw her and suddenly asked, "Miss Gu Qingjiu?"

Gu Qingjiu froze. "You recognize me?"

"No, Young Master He gave us instructions."

He bowed at Gu Qingjiu, then pointed in a direction inside. "Young Master He is waiting for you there."

Gu Qingjiu heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing that He Niancheng had informed the staff about this.

She nodded and replied with a faint smile, "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Miss Gu."

When she entered the door, Gu Qingjiu truly sensed that...

Some scenes she saw on TV weren't just there to deceive audiences...

Extravagant was the word best used to describe everything there.

There were various types of people in the hall, likely the rich and famous in the capital.

Gu Qingjiu even saw a few celebrities.

Some mega-superstars were known internationally...

And they are extremely popular in China.

They wore bright smiles on their faces as they socialized with a group of socialites.

Two of the female celebrities even had their arms hooked with two men.

They seemed pretty intimate.

But these two celebrities were the sort who didn't have boyfriends...

Gu Qingjiu's world view was astonished at the sight of all this.

She subconsciously walked in the direction pointed out to her by that staff at the door.

It was a secluded and quiet corner.

Black Italy genuine leather sofas formed an arc, and over there, sat a person.

That noble and extravagant back view simply sat there quietly, and he exuded a tranquil and excellent vibe.

He exuded the noble, elegant aura of an influential person.

Despite the extravagance of this banquet, everyone present seemed to know not to go near there.

Only Gu Qingjiu...

Was so bold!

That was because Gu Qingjiu recognized that person to be He Niancheng.

Even though it was only a back view, Gu Qingjiu couldn't be mistaken about it.

She briskly walked over with a smile.

It was because she didn't feel a sense of security at an event like this.

But when she saw He Niancheng, she felt incredibly at ease.

"Chief Instructor!"

Gu Qingjiu ran over to him and quickly covered He Niancheng's eyes.

Those socialites and tycoons who were originally talking amongst themselves suddenly noticed this scene. They instantly looked over with their eyes widened, dazed by what they saw.

Chapter 592: Friend's Birthday Banquet

"I told you to address me differently."

He Niancheng pulled down her fingers and turned his head as he rested them upon his chest.

At that moment, the tip of his nose was near enough to touch the tip of Gu Qingjiu's nose.

She suddenly felt shy with so many people present.

She subconsciously glanced towards those people and froze.

"..."

Why were all these people staring fixedly at her and He Niancheng?

And with an astounded expression, too!

Had they never seen lovers behave intimately before?!

Feeling uneasy, Gu Qingjiu immediately shrunk towards He Niancheng's side. "I'm too used to it and can't change my habit so suddenly..."

As she spoke, she asked cautiously, "Why are they all staring at us?"

At the mention of this, He Niancheng turned his gaze towards the center of the room.

In that instant, everyone present felt a cold air emanating, jolting them out of their trance.

They hurriedly turned their heads away and went about their respective businesses, pretending they hadn't seen a thing.

However, hushed whispers started ringing in the hall. It was obvious they were discussing the duo.

Although Gu Qingjiu was aware that He Niancheng's identity was not simple, the way so many rich and famous people were staring at He Niancheng was still too exaggerated!

He Niancheng got to his feet nonchalantly and pulled Gu Qingjiu into another room in the hall.

"Let's go in and talk."

Gu Qingjiu nodded. She placed her hand in He Niancheng's, and the duo walked in hand-in-hand.

After they left, the hushed whispers gradually grew louder.

"My goodness. Is that Young Master Helian's girlfriend?"

"Why have I never heard of this?"

"They must be a couple. Who is that girl? How did she manage to hook up with the Young Master from Helian family?"

"I've never seen Young Master Helian treat someone so gently before!"

"This is too shocking..."

...

The door blocked out the din outside.

Gu Qingjiu saw the place was a small resting lounge, which was illuminated by glamorous lights that gave off an understated opulent vibe.

A unique fragrance permeated through the air, a scent that made one feel a little dizzy.

On the right-hand side of the room, there was a minibar.

She could see two full cabinets of red wine at the bar.

All of which were Western brands. Although Gu Qingjiu recognized them, she had never heard of them before.

She then recalled that time when she drank a can of beer. Although she didn't get too drunk, the alcohol did get to her head.

Seeing alcohol again, she felt a dizzy sensation.

He Niancheng walked near one of the cabinets, retrieved a bottle of red wine, and then poured himself a glass.

It was the first time Gu Qingjiu saw He Niancheng drinking alcohol.

The man in front of her wore a retro-style dark-colored coat with floral prints, his deep-set and handsome facial features engraved on his face, his pretty eyes making one can't help but sink into them. He looked so elegant and noble as he drank the red wine that one would have thought he was a perfect deity.

Gu Qingjiu swallowed her saliva as she watched him drink the red wine. "Does it taste good?"

"You're not to drink it."

He denied Gu Qingjiu's idea with these five words. She pouted. "I was merely asking."

He Niancheng raised a brow. "Don't you know your situation?"

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

Of course, she did.

After some thought, she decided that she wouldn't be able to win an argument with He Niancheng regarding this, so she then asked, "What's going on outside? Why are you attending a... banquet today?"

One look, and you know it was a high-class banquet.

"Mm. It's a friend's birthday banquet. The main lead isn't here yet, so I brought you in to get a breather here first."

Chapter 593: The Main Lead of the Birthday Banquet

But this wasn't a good place to take a breather either.

Sometimes Gu Qingjiu couldn't understand He Niancheng's thinking.

Since she couldn't understand, she decided to leave it at that for now simply. =.=

"But is it inconvenient for me to be here? I don't know your friends."

Gu Qingjiu worried if she would drag down He Niancheng's class.

He set down the red wine glass. "It's fine. You can just look around. It doesn't waste much time. Do you need to return to school in the afternoon?"

Gu Qingjiu paused for a moment at the sudden question, then nodded.

"Mm."

Thankfully, He Niancheng didn't ask her about what happened yesterday.

He didn't even seem to mind the fact that she didn't reply to his message for an entire night.

Gu Qingjiu felt both uneasy and relieved regarding this.

She felt conflicted, not sure what He Niancheng was thinking inside.

"Do you want to try this?"

He raised his wine glass, and his lips arched devilishly.

Gu Qingjiu, who was confused momentarily, nodded. "Sure."

It seemed like most people could drink red wine, and Gu Qingjiu quite wished to try it too.

She had thought that He Niancheng would pour her a cup.

But then, He Niancheng suddenly drank a mouthful, then set down the glass, before pinning a hand against the back of her head.

His aggressive aura shocked Gu Qingjiu momentarily, making her forget to put up a resistance. With her eyes widened, she saw his cold lips press against hers.

A mouthful of red wine flowed into her mouth, carrying with it a sweet fragrance and an alluring and refreshing scent of alcohol.

She didn't know what brand this red wine was. Apart from thinking that it tasted pretty good, He Niancheng's actions made her feel bashful.

Never mind a kiss, had they evolved to this stage now?

Only until Gu Qingjiu swallowed that mouthful of red wine completely did he retract his hand in satisfaction.

However, when he parted from her, his tongue still wickedly licked her lips.

The lick made her shiver.

It was foul play!

Gu Qingjiu gulped down the red wine and let out two coughs.

After all, it was alcohol, so it felt spicy on the throat.

She hadn't felt so while she was drinking it, but after she had gulped it down, the after-effects were quite vigorous.

He Niancheng patted her twice on her back. "Does it taste good?"

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

How was she to answer this!?

He let out a silent chuckle at seeing Gu Qingjiu's response.

After keeping the red wine glass away, he glanced at his wristwatch and said, "Let's go. It's about time. Let's go out first. I'll send you back to school at night."

Gu Qingjiu nodded. She went over and held his hand, then said, "Okay."

When Gu Qingjiu and He Niancheng reappeared in the hall, a silence fell over the hall once more.

But this time, Gu Qingjiu saw an eye-catching figure in the center of the hall.

How to put it? He was a man with striking looks, and he also exuded celestial airs.

One look and you can tell he was different from ordinary mortals.

Gu Qingjiu gazed at him for a moment too long, and He Niancheng noticed that. The latter stared at her.

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

She quickly retracted her gaze.

But she could sense that the man, who was like the moon surrounded by a myriad of stars, cast his gaze upon He Niancheng through the crowd.

When he saw him and Gu Qingjiu appear, there was an interest in his eyes other than shock.

Chapter 594: Extremely Surprising News

Even until the end, Gu Qingjiu didn't manage to figure out who the birthday banquet's main lead was.

Of course, the greatest likelihood was that man.

But He Niancheng didn't introduce him to Gu Qingjiu, and neither party interacted with the other, so Gu Qingjiu didn't ask.

Throughout the birthday banquet, she and He Niancheng sat quietly by the side.

Nobody dared to come and bother them.

When it was more or less time, He Niancheng left with Gu Qingjiu.

Noon was just over, and He Niancheng was going to send Gu Qingjiu back to school.

On the way there, Gu Qingjiu didn't ask about the birthday banquet. She bought a pack of tidbits and ate it in the car.

"... Let's head to Bao'er's place first. I need to get my military uniform from her."

Her military uniform was still with her. She wanted to ask Bao'er to bring it to her, but the latter had been busy.

It was on the way for her to retrieve it.

He Niancheng sent her to Yu Bao'er's rented apartment first as she had requested.

Yu Bao'er happened to be at home at this hour.

Seeing Gu Qingjiu, she was both surprised and shocked. "Qingjiu, what brings you here?"

"I came to retrieve my uniform. Did you get your clothes back?"

She went away in Yu Bao'er's clothes previously, and subsequently, she had someone deliver it back.

"Yeah. I washed your military uniform for you, too."

Seeing Gu Qingjiu come here to collect her uniform, Yu Bao'er hurriedly went in to get it for her. But she couldn't help making a dig at her.

"Is your school so stingy? Can't they give out a few more sets of uniforms to students?"

Gu Qingjiu laughed helplessly. "It's not that the school is stingy, but we can't get new sets without any reason. Surely I couldn't have said that I stayed outside the entire night and left my uniform in someone else's home?"

"Hehe, you can say you stayed out the entire night at a woman's home. See what the higher-ups in your school will say about that."

Yu Bao'er handed her clothes to her and asked, "Aren't you staying for a while? Although I have classes in the afternoon, I can play truant if you stay."

"Forget it. You should go to class. I need to return to school, anyway. I only came out because I have something on."

"What?" Yu Bao'er cast a suspicious look at Gu Qingjiu. "Surely you didn't just come out to get this uniform?"

"Of course not."

Gu Qingjiu didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

But she couldn't explain herself either.

Yu Bao'er nodded. "Got it. Eh, by the way, I need to tell you something..."

Gu Qingjiu responded with an 'Mm' then gazed curiously towards Yu Bao'er. "What?"

Yu Bao'er had a rare hesitant look on her face. "Do you still remember that Feng Meiyun whom we trained together with at the camp?"

It was impossible for Gu Qingjiu not to have an impression of her.

She certainly had a deep impression of a person like Feng Meiyun. However, she wasn't a person who was worthy of leaving a trace in the depths of her heart.

"Mm. Of course. What about her?"

Since Yu Bao'er mentioned her, the matter must concern Feng Meiyun.

Yu Bao'er said with a sigh, "I don't know how to put it. I heard from a friend in the Dayi City military camp that Feng Meiyun was recently forced to discharge from the army. They said that she went away to marry a man. She came from a farming family in the rural area, and she had a younger brother. Feng Meiyun refused to oblige, so her mother locked her up at home."

"She lived on the second story. When she tried to escape, she accidentally lost her footing and fell from the balcony. Her head landed on the ground first, and she died on the spot..."

Chapter 595: Couldn't Change Her Habit

Gu Qingjiu froze upon hearing this.

She hadn't expected to hear something like this suddenly.

"I don't know the authenticity of the story, but a friend of mine described it to me. But I did hear from others that it was indeed true that she already died. Moreover, her parents were arrested. Regardless, her parents couldn't absolve themselves of responsibility for her death."

Yu Bao'er felt that this was a fickle world. "Back then, we got ourselves into such a fierce conflict with her. I've always wanted to pin her on the ground and give her a few tight slaps across her face. After learning all of this, I don't know what to say. I feel that this person is rather pitiful..."

But the affairs of the world are inconstant.

The changes of this world often caught one off-guard.

One couldn't even take any precautions against them.

Though Gu Qingjiu and Feng Meiyun were in principle two people who didn't have any intersections, she didn't know how to describe this situation when she heard something like this. She couldn't help feeling a trace of sympathy towards her. But after that?

She didn't feel much.

It wasn't that she was heartless, but because most people were like that.

Would you feel extremely sad for a person who had nothing to do with you?

Unless you saw it with your own eyes.

Even then, one would only feel a slight emotion.

"Made her go back to marry?"

She merely murmured to herself. She did sympathize with what had happened to Feng Meiyun, out of basic human instinct. However, she couldn't help but recall her previous lifetime. Suddenly, she felt that she was incredibly fortunate in this lifetime.

The heavens had given her a chance to live her life over again.

But others might never have such a chance.

"Yeah. I never expected that her family was like that, seeing how she usually behaves."

Yu Bao'er shrugged. "Back then, when I learned about this, I was quite shocked. But that's that."

That's that.

Other than saying this, what else could she say?

"Mm, got it. I need to go back now. I'll ask you out again when I'm free."

"Alright, bye, Xiao Jiu'er."

Yu Bao'er smiled at the leaving Gu Qingjiu, who simply nodded then went downstairs with her clothes.

He Niancheng was waiting for Gu Qingjiu in the car downstairs.

Gu Qingjiu got into the car, and he drove out of the car park immediately.

Although Gu Qingjiu wasn't affected by what happened earlier, she was affected by another matter.

That was her rebirth.

If, if she really had the chance to walk to the end with He Niancheng...

Would she dare to tell He Niancheng about this?

She definitely didn't have the guts to do so now.

That was why she felt conflicted over this matter and didn't speak much.

As he drove, He Niancheng glanced over at Gu Qingjiu several times.

It was like there was a sea of stars hidden in his eyes. Clearly, he had a lot to say.

But he didn't utter out a single word.

While she thought about this, Gu Qingjiu unknowingly fell asleep.

When she woke up, they were about to reach their destination.

At the thought of how she had to part with He Niancheng again, she felt depressed.

But when she then thought of her secret, she didn't dare to speak much with He Niancheng.

The duo said nothing as the car arrived at the school.

Gu Qingjiu got off at the spot where she usually got off at. He Niancheng gazed at her with calm eyes. Though still feeling vexed, Gu Qingjiu planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Bye, Niancheng... Chief Instructor."

For some reason, she still felt shy calling him by his name.

It was a side effect from addressing him as Chief Instructor too many times before.

Chapter 596: Throwing Temper

He Niancheng said blandly, "Mm, goodbye."

He didn't bother to correct the way Gu Qingjiu had addressed him.

He watched as Gu Qingjiu entered the school, then made a phone call to Huo Yingcheng. "I want all of Gu Qingjiu's past information in greater detail. If you can't get your hands on it, get it from your contacts in China?"

"... Oh, what happened..."

Huo Yingcheng asked cautiously.

He Niancheng clearly didn't sound too happy.

"She's throwing a temper," explained He Niancheng.

Huo Yingcheng was instantly enlightened. "No, Major-general. Isn't this very normal? Women tend to have mood swings in those few days. Can't you just coax her the way you usually do? Aren't you very good at that?"

For that final statement, Huo Yingcheng had said it in a sour tone.

He Niancheng scoffed. "No wonder someone like you can't find a girlfriend."

Huo Yingcheng was speechless.

Before he had the time to refute, He Niancheng already hung up the phone.

Someone like you!

F*ck!

Huo Yingcheng nearly flung his phone at the ground.

Clearly, he had been single all along. But the minute he shook off that status, he couldn't wait to mock this brother with whom he had gone through weal and woe together.

He finally saw this person for who he was!

*

After Gu Qingjiu returned to school, she pondered a lot. Somehow, the atmosphere between her and He Niancheng earlier was kind of funny.

Were conflicts starting to arise between them?

At the thought of this, Gu Qingjiu felt sweat forming on her forehead.

Since she returned early, no one had yet to return to the dormitory.

Lying on her bed, Gu Qingjiu felt that He Niancheng's attitude earlier was too strange. Was it as though she had offended him?

But then again, it didn't seem right.

She sat up straight and made a phone call to He Niancheng.

He Niancheng picked up the phone quickly and merely responded with an "mm."

Gu Qingjiu's heart felt much more at ease upon hearing his voice.

"Are you on your way back now?"

"Yes."

There didn't seem to be anything amiss from the tone of his voice.

Gu Qingjiu heaved a sigh of relief inwardly. She thought about it for a moment, then said, "I... I miss you very much."

Upon hearing this, the man finally felt himself in a much better mood.

"Why did you throw a temper when you miss me?"

He said straightforwardly.

Gu Qingjiu was shocked. "I didn't."

Although she wasn't in the right state of emotions earlier, she didn't throw a temper.

She wasn't someone who would do something like that.

"Just now, I simply suddenly got into a bad mood."

That was the honest truth. In any case, women on their periods could not be reasoned with.

He Niancheng replied, "Since you're in a bad mood, I'm in a bad mood as well."

Gu Qingjiu smiled. "Got it. I'll be happier in the future."

As she spoke, she heard footsteps outside the door.

Gu Qingjiu lowered her voice and said, "My dorm mates are back. I'll hang up now. Chief Instructor, I'll call you when I have time."

She couldn't be bothered to correct herself anymore, so Gu Qingjiu simply continued addressing him as Chief Instructor.

Thankfully, He Niancheng didn't mind that. After an "mm," the duo naturally hung up.

Gu Qian and Chu Lian, who just returned to the dormitory, widened their eyes at the sight of Gu Qingjiu, who was lying sprawled at the head of her bed. "Huh, you still remember to come back, huh? You're itching for a beating now, eh? You even dare to go out during the week when we're supposed to be training!"

Gu Qingjiu immediately got to her feet with a smile. "I had an urgent matter to attend to, can't help it."

Chapter 597: The Final Exams Are Coming

Gu Qian and Chu Lian weren't the sorts to ask a lot of questions.

There was Qi Xiaoran, who frequently disappeared from their dormitory way more often than Gu Qingjiu.

Since the school didn't punish them for it, they likely could sense something.

"Good that you're back. Feng Yumeng came by to look for you while you weren't around."

Gu Qingjiu told her training would be canceled yesterday, but she didn't inform her about her applying for leave today.

After some thought, she decided to go after changing her clothes. "I'll train with her later. Nothing else's going on in school, right?"

Chu Lian reminded her, "Nothing, but the exams are about to begin. Qingjiu, even if you're confident, you have to make preparations."

They weren't just tested on what they learned in training in schools in the exams, but also textbook knowledge.

Since Gu Qingjiu specialized in Computer science, they would conduct her exams online this year.

Gu Qingjiu didn't feel pressured in this area. But since Chu Lian reminded her out of kindness, she nodded her head. She then picked up her phone and rushed towards the combat room.

In the days that followed, Gu Qingjiu resumed her routine.

Other than the first mission, Gu Qingjiu hadn't received any other tasks from Lu Ziyang.

It had been so long since that mission that Gu Qingjiu sometimes wholly forgot about her identity as a member of the Ninth Department.

From Monday to Friday, she would train, and on the weekend, she would report at Elder Gong's.

Only then did Gu Qingjiu find out that Yin Ruoyi already didn't go over there often.

Elder Gong's instruction method differed from ordinary shooting instructors.

He knew that Gu Qingjiu relied more on her astounding intuition and critical observation skills.

The principle he had been instilling in Gu Qingjiu throughout was that she had to comply with her talents.

Comply with her intuition.

And that she had to discard conventional standards when it came to training. Elder Gong said that that didn't suit her.

It had only been a month, so perhaps she might not be able to sense anything. But sometimes, when Gu Qingjiu spoke with Elder Gong, she didn't feel anything, but subsequently, she felt enlightened when she thought back.

She was becoming more and more impressed by this teacher as the days went by.

Elder Gong said that after Yin Ruoyi finished his international competitions, he would let Yin Ruoyi train with Gu Qingjiu. By then, her proper training would begin.

Gu Qingjiu very much looked forward to this 'proper training.'

However, with her intensive training schedule, there was now less time for her to meet with He Niancheng.

Most of the time, she could only make a phone call with He Niancheng after her training ended.

He seemed to be busy with his matters as well, and he didn't seem to be dawdling his time away after leaving the school.

However, every time he received Gu Qingjiu's call, he spoke gently and patiently.

Sometimes even though the training was tough and tiring, but when she thought of He Niancheng...

It didn't seem that difficult to endure anymore.

In the blink of an eye, it was now June.

The schoolwide competition was also a point of assessment for the entire semester for the students.

Especially since this year, Yin Ruoyi from the National Defense University's Shooting Department would be graduating. He would be competing in the international competition in July, which made the end of this semester seem all the more bustling with activity.

Gu Qingjiu's school first assessed students' textbook knowledge before evaluating how much they had learned from their training. Hence, early this morning, she had to go to the classroom to prepare for their specialization's final examinations.

Gu Qian was more nervous than usual. Although her training results were very average, her textbook knowledge was quite terrible.

She had a natural phobia of exams.

She was crying and complaining early in the morning. "I thought I would be relieved of suffering in university. I shouldn't have come to military school."

Chapter 598: End of Examinations!

"Alright, you've been saying the same thing since the semester started. Even if you're not tired of saying it, I'm tired of hearing it!"

Chu Lian waved a hand impatiently. With eyes glowing, Gu Qian ignored Chu Lian and locked her gaze upon Gu Qingjiu.

She put her palms together.

"Oh God of Studies, God of Studies, please bless me..."

Her actions made Gu Qingjiu sputter with laughter. "It's no use praying to me. You've got to depend on yourself. Stop dropping psychological hints."

"Just in case it works."

Gu Qian continued praying, and after packing up, headed to the school building first.

Besides their classes, Gu Qingjiu had an exam on public foundational courses such as Mathematics and English. Of course, achieving stellar grades wasn't mandatory, but it would be terrible to fail these subjects.

What mattered most was their specialization classes.

The first test was their specialization knowledge, and it wasn't something that stressed Gu Qingjiu.

Following that, she did pretty well in her Mathematics and English tests as well.

In conclusion, after a day of examinations, Gu Qingjiu didn't feel much pressure at all in terms of academics.

Military schools' examination schedule was usually jam-packed, so they had to take whatever they had in their curriculum within a day.

What was most crucial were the test results on the second day.

After the examinations were over for Gu Qian and Chu Lian, Gu Qian and Chu Lian dragged Gu Qingjiu outside for a big meal.

In the name of celebration.

Also, it was so that they could relax before the second day's examinations.

This type of examination wasn't much different from the schoolwide competition where they were tested on shooting and combat. The only difference was that each person's results depended only on themselves and were individually recorded on file. After that, it would determine their ranks according to those results.

Before this, Gu Qingjiu's only concern was Feng Yumeng's combat results.

It was because they would formally calculate group scores in one's final examination grades.

Feng Yumeng's combat results were lowered for every mark, and it was equivalent to dragging down Gu Qingjiu's specialization scores by ten marks.

It was a rule that gave one a headache.

But having trained with her outside of class time for so long, it wasn't entirely useless. On that day's examination, Gu Qingjiu heard from others that Feng Yumeng's performance was not bad.

Feng Yumeng herself also especially went to Gu Qingjiu asking to be praised.

For the group competition events in her specialization, such as the most crucial parade step and array formation, Gu Qingjiu's computer science specialization only achieved a middle-rank.

Although they would record the score on their file, it wouldn't drag down the students' individual performances.

The end of examinations also marked the end of a semester.

The end of the semester finally arrived.

Gu Qingjiu and the rest could finally relax.

Gu Qingjiu was glad about this because it meant she could finally spend quality time with He Niancheng.

After the examinations ended, Gu Qian and the rest packed up their luggage and prepared to head back home.

Since the examinations in military schools started and ended earlier than other universities, they started their vacation earlier as well.

The examination results would automatically be sent to the students' phones. Alternatively, they could check their specialization's website.

Hence, after the examinations ended, they could formally leave the school.

Like everyone else, Gu Qingjiu packed up her luggage and prepared to leave after the examinations ended.

She had promised Qi Yuefeng that she would go back home during the break.

Her older brother had formally graduated and would receive his graduation certificate in a few days' time. Gu Qingjiu wanted to wait for Gu Qingmo and go back together.

Hence, she planned to bring her luggage with her and stay outside for a few days. She had already thought of where she was going to stay—she was going to stick to He Niancheng.

It had been quite some time since she met with He Niancheng.

Over this period, they had only been communicating by phone every day.

But somehow, that felt a little lacking.

Chapter 599: Booked a Room

After Gu Qingjiu finished packing, Gu Qian asked her, "Qingjiu, are you going to look for your older brother?"

Gu Qingjiu did mention this a few days earlier.

"Mm, yeah. What's the matter?"

"No, I'm just asking in passing."

Qi Xiaoran, who had been quietly packing up by the side, then said to Gu Qingjiu, "If you're going to look for your older brother, let's go together."

Gu Qingjiu froze for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "Sure."

Qi Xiaoran's older brother stayed in the same place as Gu Qingmo. Hence, it would be suitable for them to head there together.

Chu Lian and Gu Qian were rushing to take the train and catch that night's plane. Although they didn't stay in the same city, their planes took off at around the same time. They waved Gu Qingjiu and Qi Xiaoran goodbye, then left with their luggage.

Gu Qingjiu and Qi Xiaoran left the school with their luggage shortly after.

They had changed into casual clothes. When Gu Qingjiu and Qi Xiaoran were taking the train, she asked her a question she had wanted to ask for a long time, "Xiaoran, you're from Dayi City, right?"

Since Qi Xiaoran came from the Dayi City military zone, she should be from there.

"Not really."

To her surprise, Qi Xiaoran shook her head. "When I was young, I lived in another city with my older brother. It was only in my teens that we moved to Dayi City."

"Oh..."

Gu Qingjiu nodded her head in enlightenment. In that case, she could be considered half a Dayi City citizen.

"Are you going back to Dayi City with your older brother?" Qi Xiaoran suddenly took the initiative to ask Gu Qingjiu.

Gu Qingjiu nodded. "Yeah, I promised my parents I would go back. It's been a few months since I last saw them."

"That's nice. My older brother is formally starting work at a law firm during the summer break, so he can't go back. I'm not planning to go back either, so I'm going to stay in the capital with him."

For some reason, Gu Qingjiu felt that this sounded a tad weird. But she couldn't quite put a finger on how so.

She merely asked subconsciously, "Don't your parents want you two to go back?"

Qi Xiaoran's expression turned several notches colder momentarily. "My parents passed away long ago."

"Ah, sorry, I didn't know..."

"Never mind."

Gu Qingjiu hadn't expected that Qi Xiaoran and her older brother had such a parentage. She couldn't quite describe her feelings at that moment.

Could Qi Xiaoran's personality be a result of her family?

Due to this incident, Gu Qingjiu tried to avoid speaking about these topics with Qi Xiaoran, lest she accidentally brought up something upsetting.

After an hour's train journey, they arrived at the capital. But they had to take another bus to Yannan, which would be quite a long journey still.

On the way, Gu Qingmo called Gu Qingjiu and said in a meaningful tone, "Miss Gu, do you want me to find you a place to stay, or are you going to ask your boyfriend to help you find a place to stay?"

He knew Gu Qingjiu was going to go over and have fun for a few days.

Gu Qingjiu was embarrassed to say to her older brother that she would ask her boyfriend to help her find a place to stay. After all, the Chief Instructor might not even know her examinations had ended. After a moment's hesitation, she said, "Why don't you find me a hotel first? Just somewhere near your school."

"Then what if you don't need it when the time comes? You'll be wasting my money!"

Gu Qingjiu was speechless. "Am I not worth that bit of money in your heart?"

"Of course you are. But if later on, you tell me you're not going to stay anymore, I'll strangle you to death. That's it, bye."

After Gu Qingmo hung up the phone, the Chief Instructor's text message immediately came in.

'I'm busy with some matters tonight, so I'll be coming back later. Go to the place where you stayed with me last time and stay there these few days first.'

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

Chapter 600: ......

While Gu Qingjiu's mood suddenly improved significantly, she also felt awkward.

Gu Qingmo probably hadn't booked the room yet, so Gu Qingjiu hurriedly called him.

"Brother, no need for that now..."

Gu Qingmo let out a long sigh on the other end of the line. "Qingjiu, you've degenerated."

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

She said with a flushed face, "Brother, don't spout nonsense. It's nothing, okay?"

"Hmph, in any case, I wash my hands off of you. Let's talk in a few days when we head home. Then are you still coming over tonight? We must have a meal together now that you're on break."

"How about tomorrow?"

It would be late at night by the time she reached the hotel, so Gu Qingjiu didn't wish to head over today.

"Alright, tomorrow it is. In any case, our specialization is having a graduation gathering tonight, so it's inconvenient for me to bring you along, anyway."

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

Gu Qingmo speedily hung up afterward.

She was supposed to go to her brother's school with Qi Xiaoran, but now that she received the Chief Instructor's message, a change of plans was in order. Hence, she said to Qi Xiaoran, "Xiaoran, I need to go somewhere else. I'll be finding my older brother only tomorrow. I'll have to get off halfway. Sorry about that."

"It's okay."

Qi Xiaoran shook her head and didn't ask her any questions. "I can just head there myself."

But recalling what her older brother just said, after some hesitation Gu Qingjiu asked, "Just now, my older brother said they'll be having a graduation gathering tonight. Are you going to find him tonight?"

Qi Xiaoran paused for a moment, hesitation flickering across her eyes before she shook her head and said, "I'll go over first and see how things go. My older brother will make arrangements."

"I suppose."

After they finished discussing, Gu Qingjiu got off halfway, then flagged down a cab and headed to the hotel.

Since she had already been here twice, she more or less knew the hotel's bellboy by now.

Those who came here were usually bigshots. Even if it was an unfamiliar face, these hotel staff, who were adept at examining a person's language and observing his countenance, could immediately distinguish if it was a guest who had been here before. Moreover, that person was Gu Qingjiu.

Even if Gu Qingjiu was only clad in a two to three hundred yuan shirt and denim shorts, the bellboy said to her respectfully, "Miss Gu, let me help you."

With that, he reached out to help her carry the luggage in her hands.

"No, no, no, it's okay. Thank you, but I can bring it up myself."

Gu Qingjiu didn't need help with such a small matter.

"Sure, Miss Gu, the room card is at the front counter. You may retrieve it from there."

The room cards to presidential suites were specially prepared, and there was also a dedicated elevator up. Unless it was a guest of the presidential suite or personally brought up there by a hotel's senior management staff, ordinary people weren't allowed to go up there.

Even when a management staff brought a cleaner up to tidy up the place, they had to notify the guest beforehand.

That is if the suite was occupied at the time.

You can imagine the security and stringency.

He Niancheng would be around in the past, but this time, He Niancheng was busy and would only be back later, so Gu Qingjiu had to retrieve the room card and go up there herself.

Although she didn't prove her identity, the front desk staff immediately revealed a perfect smile at the sight of her and handed her a gold-colored room card. "Miss Gu, this is the room card."

Gu Qingjiu took it from her and thanked her politely.

"You're welcome, Miss Gu. Do you need the kitchen to prepare a meal for you now?"

Seeing Gu Qingjiu enter the hotel with her luggage, the attentive front desk staff guessed that she hadn't yet eaten.

At the mention of this, Gu Qingjiu recalled that she hadn't eaten, so she nodded and said, "Okay, just prepare for me porridge and other light-flavored foods like that."

"Okay, Miss Gu, we'll deliver the food to you later."