Destined

Liu Yu Ru responded, bid a detailed farewell to Su Wan, then stood up and walked out. Gu Jiusi, Yang Wenchang, and Chen Xun were standing at the door, whispering about something. The moment Liu Yu Ru appeared, Yang Wenchang and Chen Xun immediately greeted, "Hello, sister-in-law."

Liu Yu Ru felt somewhat shy. She lowered her head and acknowledged the greeting, then stood behind Gu Jiusi and said softly, "Husband."

"Let's go, I'll take you out to have fun today."

Gu Jiusi said cheerfully, "You've probably never experienced it before and don't know how many fun things there are in the world. I should have taken you out to spend money earlier."

Liu Yu Ru pursed her lips and smiled. Gu Jiusi pulled out a stack of silver notes from his chest and said, "I brought a lot of silver today, let's spend it generously!"

Hearing this, Liu Yu Ru sighed softly, but seeing Gu Jiusi's beaming expression, she didn't say much. She pressed her lips together and smiled without speaking.

Gu Jiusi led the four of them first to a cockfighting arena. Liu Yu Ru followed behind him, feeling quite curious. Gu Jiusi swaggered in and said to Liu Yu Ru, "This is where they usually fight chickens and crickets. You buy a chicken or cricket, and everyone places bets together. My chicken is the champion here—I spent a fortune to buy it back then."

As he spoke, Gu Jiusi took her to a gold-edged cage. A servant stood nearby, and Gu Jiusi handed him a silver ingot. The servant repeatedly thanked him, then took the chicken out of the gold-edged cage. Gu Jiusi held the chicken and boasted to Liu Yu Ru, "See? This is my chicken, General Gold!"

Liu Yu Ru covered her smile with her round fan. "It's called General Gold?"

"Yes," Yang Wenchang chimed in immediately. "Chen Xun and I came up with the name. Jiusi originally called it General Iron, but how can iron compare to gold in extravagance? And how can a general compare to a marshal in prestige?"

"Makes sense," Liu Yu Ru nodded. Gu Jiusi held the chicken and said to her, "Come on, I'll take you to watch the cockfight."

The group made their way familiarly to the cockfighting ring. Liu Yu Ru watched as Gu Jiusi placed General Gold on the side and carefully wiped its feathers, saying, "Sweetheart, your master is counting on you today. You have to fight well, understand? When we get back, I'll give you the finest grain. Be good."

As he spoke, Gu Jiusi even bent down and kissed it. Liu Yu Ru hid her laughter behind her round fan. When Gu Jiusi walked over, she gently patted him and said, "That's so dirty."

"What do you mean?" Gu Jiusi quickly retorted. "General Gold is groomed every day. It's not like ordinary chickens—it's not dirty."

Whether General Gold was dirty or not, Liu Yu Ru didn't know, but it was indeed different from ordinary chickens.

Its build wasn't particularly large, but compared to the plump chicken opposite, it was much more robust and agile. Once in the ring, the chicken was full of energy, strutting proudly with an air of arrogance. Its disdainful demeanor made Liu Yu Ru laugh involuntarily. "Now I really believe this is your chicken."

Gu Jiusi knew she was teasing him and snorted coldly. Then the two chickens began to fight. The plump chicken opposite charged rapidly at General Gold, which nimbly started circling the ring quickly. Liu Yu Ru frowned. "Is it scared?"

"Scared of what?" Gu Jiusi exclaimed excitedly. "Marshal, charge! Don't be afraid! Charge!"The surroundings erupted in cheers, and Liu Yu Ru, caught up in the atmosphere, found herself inexplicably excited. She couldn't help but start cheering for General Gold. Beside her, Gu Jiusi placed silver coins in her hand and urged, "Quick, place your bet!"

Liu Yu Ru was momentarily dazed, so Gu Jiusi reached from behind her, grabbed her hand, and pressed it firmly onto a nearby table with a "smack." Leaning over her shoulder, he exclaimed excitedly, "General! Yes! Go on, beat it! Beat it!"

"Beat it!" Once the money was placed, Liu Yu Ru suddenly felt a shift in her emotions—she began to hope for victory and fear defeat. Her eyes remained fixed on the roosters as she joined Gu Jiusi in cheering for General Gold.

When General Gold delivered a fierce peck, completely overwhelming its opponent and began chasing the plump rooster relentlessly around the arena, Liu Yu Ru and Gu Jiusi cheered together. In front of everyone, Gu Jiusi wrapped his arms around her tightly, and they both exclaimed joyfully, "We won, we won, we won!"

Nearby, Yang Wenchang and Chen Xun also embraced each other. After a moment, Yang Wenchang suddenly remarked, "Why does this feel a bit odd?"

Chen Xun glanced back at Gu Jiusi and Liu Yu Ru. What had been a normal expression of brotherly affection for over a decade suddenly seemed strange.

The two of them let go and coughed lightly. It was only then that Liu Yu Ru realized the impropriety and quickly stepped back, saying to Gu Jiusi, "Ahem, I was too unrestrained just now."

Gu Jiusi felt somewhat embarrassed too, but he couldn't show it—doing so would only make things more awkward. So he patted Liu Yu Ru's shoulder and said, "No worries. This is how we brothers are. Just consider yourself one of us. Come on, bring my General Gold over here—the poor thing must have been scared out of its wits."

After the cockfight, Gu Jiusi took Liu Yu Ru to the gambling den. The group gambled wildly inside—Liu Yu Ru excitedly bet on big and small, shook dice, and even learned to play mahjong. By the time they emerged, it was already late. They headed to a tavern to drink and sing loudly. Then, caught up in the mood, Gu Jiusi led Liu Yu Ru, Yang Wenchang, Chen Xun, and the others out of the city.

Liu Yu Ru didn't know how to ride a horse, but Gu Jiusi and his two friends were seasoned riders. Gu Jiusi had Liu Yu Ru sit in front of him, holding her securely as they rode out of the city with his brothers.

The horse's gait jostled Liu Yu Ru slightly, and the night wind carried a chill, but the warmth from the person behind her softened the entire evening.

Her hair gently brushed against her face as she gazed at the vast night sky and the expansive land, listening to the chorus of frogs and cicadas around them, along with the boisterous singing of Yang Wenchang and Chen Xun behind her.

She felt the boundlessness of the heavens and the sea, an indescribable exhilaration on the verge of bursting forth.

"Come on, come on," Yang Wenchang called out as he caught up to Gu Jiusi, "Jiusi, sing us a song!"

Gu Jiusi laughed heartily. "Just trying to trick your grandpa into singing, aren't you?"

"Sister-in-law is here," Chen Xun chimed in, riding up alongside them and smiling at Liu Yu Ru. "Sister-in-law wants to hear it, right?"

"Oh, that's right," Gu Jiusi lowered his head. "My little wife hasn't heard me sing before. Well, today I'll sing one just for you."Liu Yuru listened, her face slightly flushed. She had thought that, given Gu Jiusi's temperament, he would sing some teasing tune at this moment. Yet unexpectedly, the young man suddenly raised his voice and began with—"Do you not see the Yellow River's waters descending from the sky, rushing seaward never to return!"

"Do you not see, by bright mirrors in lofty halls, gray hair mourned at dawn like silken threads turned to snow by dusk?"

"When life favors you, drink your fill—never let golden cups face the moon empty!"

"Heaven has endowed me with talents—they must be put to use! A thousand gold coins spent will return again!"

...

"Bells, drums, fine dishes—these are not true treasures. I only wish to stay drunk and never wake!"

"Since ancient times, sages and worthies have been lonely—only drinkers leave their names behind!"

...

His singing was resonant, carrying an indescribable youthful audacity, as if no sorrow or worry in this world had anything to do with him. Only the wild pride of youth remained, stirring her blood with excitement.

Then she heard him suddenly raise his voice: "My dappled horse, my furs worth a fortune—call the boy to trade them for fine wine!" As he spoke, he lowered his head and smiled at her. His eyes held starlight, his voice softening as he murmured, "To dissolve with you... the eternal sorrows of ages."

Liu Yuru's heart raced wildly. She hurriedly lowered her head, not daring to look further.

Beside them, Yang Wenchang and Chen Xun burst into laughter: "Sister-in-law is shy!"

Liu Yuru grew flustered. She lightly scoffed at them and whispered, "Shameless!"

"Hear that?" Gu Jiusi lifted his eyes, slanting a glance at the two beside him with a half-smile. "My wife says you're shameless."

"Jiusi, Sister-in-law wasn't calling us shameless," Yang Wenchang quickly retorted. "She meant you!"

The group bantered nonsense as they rode until the horses grew tired. When they reached the riverside in the suburbs, Gu Jiusi dismounted. After walking along the riverbank for a while, fearing Liu Yuru might be too tired to walk, he had her remain on the horse while he held the reins and led her slowly.

After some time, they checked the hour. As Chen Xun had a curfew at home, Yang Wenchang left with him. Before departing, both gave gifts to Liu Yuru. Chen Xun said respectfully, "Sister-in-law, happy birthday. Our elder brother here may seem unreliable, but he is truly a good man. I wish you a long and harmonious marriage together, and may you always be joyful and blessed with a smooth life."

"Why so many words?" Gu Jiusi grumbled, kicking him lightly. "Hurry home before your mother scolds you again."

Chen Xun left cheerfully. Gu Jiusi looked at Liu Yuru sitting on the horse and thought for a moment. "Hmm, shall we linger a bit longer? What should we do next?"

"As you wish, my lord."

"Then let me teach you to ride?"

Gu Jiusi said gently, "In life, there will always be times when not knowing how to ride is inconvenient. I'll lead the horse—you get a feel for it."

Liu Yuru agreed.

And so the two of them—one on horseback, the other leading—walked along the road back to the city.

Gu Jiusi sang to guide their way, this time a gentle and peaceful folk tune that, paired with the moonlight, made the world seem softer.

"My lord," Liu Yuru couldn't help asking, "will I still celebrate my birthday next year?"

Hearing this, Gu Jiusi laughed.

He turned to her: "Silly, of course you'll celebrate your birthday."

"Every year from now on," Gu Jiusi turned forward again, speaking casually, "I'll celebrate it with you. Each year different, each year joyful—how does that sound?"

Liu Yuru chuckled softly without replying.

But in her heart, she thought:

Yes.She longed to live like this forever—with someone walking ahead, leading her horse, singing songs for her, granting her this same joy year after year.