Destined

These words left Liu Yuru momentarily stunned. It wasn't the first time she had heard the phrase "a lifetime" from Gu Jiusi's lips. Before they left Yangzhou, he had once told her that he wished her "every year like today, every day like this present" for a lifetime.

Yet the "lifetime" from back then felt entirely different from the "lifetime" in this moment.

Liu Yuru couldn't quite articulate how they differed. She only felt that when he said "a lifetime" now, she could clearly sense it wasn't a hasty or reckless response.

Meanwhile, Gu Jiusi, carrying her on his back, felt his face burn hot after speaking those words.

He knew the words were somewhat impulsive. Before saying them, he hadn't even believed he would utter such things. Yet once spoken, they felt undeniably right.

Was Liu Yuru truly this remarkable?

He questioned himself with some doubt, only to find the answer was—yes, she was.

He had never met another woman who possessed her composure, her courage, her kindness, her resilience, her determination.

Most importantly, no one had ever accompanied him through so many difficult times in his life as she had.

Gu Jiusi couldn't help but smile silently, suddenly realizing this woman's extraordinary and irreplaceable nature. Seeing his silence, Liu Yuru finally spoke slowly after a long pause, "Do you really want to spend a lifetime with me?"

Gu Jiusi lowered his head and responded, "Yes."

Liu Yuru didn't know whether to sigh in relief or react in some other way. She simply felt that hearing Gu Jiusi say those words settled her heart. Leaning against his shoulder with a smile, she continued, "If you promise to spend a lifetime with me, but later meet another woman you like, what will you do then?"

Gu Jiusi remained silent. Liu Yuru tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "Gu Jiusi."

"Hmm?"

"If you truly meet someone you like, don't abandon me. You can bring her into the household. I promise I won't compete with her for favor. Just don't divorce me, alright?"

Liu Yuru's question was earnest.

In the past, Gu Jiusi would have thought she had lost her mind.

But now, hearing this, he felt inexplicably stifled and somewhat pained. Liu Yuru tugged at him again, "Is that alright?"

"Let's talk about it later," Gu Jiusi murmured. "It's still far off. Why worry needlessly?"

When they returned to their room, Gu Jiusi fetched hot water for Liu Yuru.

He had never done such tasks before, but now with fewer people in the household as the only man, fetching water and chopping wood had become his duties.

Liu Yuru valued cleanliness and bathed daily, so he would boil pot after pot of hot water for her.

While Liu Yuru bathed, Gu Jiusi sat in the outer chamber. As she poured water over her back, she remarked casually, "Once I earn more money, I'll bring Munan back. We still need more men to help with chores. You should spend more time studying instead of doing these tasks."

Gu Jiusi acknowledged with a sound but said no more.

The sound of splashing water echoed, and his mind felt troubled.

When they went to bed, Gu Jiusi was still pondering Liu Yuru's words.

He wanted to spend a lifetime with her, but what if he met someone he liked?

If he met someone he liked, would he have to part with Liu Yuru...For some reason, he suddenly felt it would be better not to have someone he liked at all. He should just stay with Liu Yu Ru as they were now.

As this thought surfaced, he felt his face grow warm. Because he clearly realized that if he were to be with Liu Yu Ru, it shouldn't... shouldn't be like this anymore.

He should regard her as his wife.

Lost in thought, his mind involuntarily drifted further—perhaps he should actually try to like her?

Gu Jiusi felt his breathing grow somewhat labored in the night. He pulled the quilt over his head, not daring to look at Liu Yu Ru any longer.

Preoccupied with thoughts of Liu Yu Ru, Gu Jiusi was still distracted the next day when he reported for duty.

After arriving, during the routine morning drill, Huang Long seemed to be saying something. Noticing Gu Jiusi spacing out, he angrily raised his hand and slapped Gu Jiusi on the head, shouting, "What are you daydreaming about? Are you even listening to me?!"

"Boss," Gu Jiusi quickly replied, "what are your orders?"

"Orders? How would I dare give you orders?" Huang Long sneered. "A big shot who's connected to the Zhou Eldest Young Master. I wondered who put in a good word for you from the start—turns out it was the Zhou Eldest Young Master."

Hearing this, Gu Jiusi thought for a moment and realized Huang Long was probably angry with him over yesterday's incident with Madam Du. After all, Huang Long was a regular at Madam Du's establishment, and having been made to lose face in front of her and the other girls yesterday, Huang Long was bound to hold a grudge.

So Gu Jiusi remained silent, thinking that once Huang Long finished venting, it would be over. But seeing him stay quiet only infuriated Huang Long further. Pointing at Gu Jiusi's nose, he snapped, "Don't think just because you have the Zhou Eldest Young Master backing you, I can't do anything to you! Remember, I'm your boss, and I'm the one who ultimately decides what happens to you! Think you're so capable, huh? So arrogant?"

Huang Long roared, "Today, you're on latrine duty! You're responsible for all the latrines in the Magistrate Office!"

Hearing this, Gu Jiusi's expression shifted slightly.

But thinking of his monthly pay, he took a deep breath and replied, "Yes."

Seeing him leave so meekly, Huang Long's anger subsided a little. He snorted coldly and muttered, "What a piece of work!"

With that, Huang Long led the others on their patrol, while Gu Jiusi went to the latrines. He had never encountered such filthy work before, but after staring quietly for a moment, he still picked up the tools and began cleaning.

By the time Huang Long returned, Gu Jiusi had just finished cleaning the latrines. Not only had he cleaned them, but he had also swept the rest of the County Government Office. He respectfully reported his work to Huang Long, whose face showed neither pleasure nor anger as he acknowledged it and dismissed him.

Gu Jiusi bowed and took his leave, finally exiting the County Government Office. As soon as he left, a young soldier approached Huang Long with a suggestion: "Brother Huang, if you're still not satisfied, why don't we get a few guys to ambush him on the road and give him a good beating to vent your anger?"

Huang Long was tempted by the idea but hesitated. "But he's still under the Zhou Eldest Young Master's protection..."

Hearing this, the other man chuckled. "He's just a foster son, Big Brother, what are you afraid of? Besides, we won't confront him directly. We'll corner him in an alley, throw a sack over his head, and beat him up. Who's to say it was us?""You're right." Huang Long nodded, then said cheerfully, "Go make the arrangements now! He just left, there's still time!"

Gu Jiusi went out and wandered around the streets for a while before heading home.

As he entered a narrow alley, before Gu Jiusi could react, a large net descended from above. Then people rushed out, shoved a burlap sack over his head, and fists began raining down on him like a storm!

Almost the moment they struck, Gu Jiusi knew who they were. His instinct to fight back paused briefly before shifting into a defensive posture.

The assailants were merely venting their anger. After beating and kicking him for a short while, they left. Only then did Gu Jiusi remove the sack. He lay flat on the ground for a moment before struggling to his feet and limping away.

When he returned home, Liu Yu Ru had come back early. She was calculating accounts with an abacus and called out from afar upon hearing Gu Jiusi enter, "I recently shipped out a new batch of goods. Once the payment comes through, I'll treat you to a meal."

As she spoke, she noticed an unusual smell in the room. She sniffed the air and asked, "What's that smell?"

Gu Jiusi was changing his clothes and felt embarrassed upon hearing her question. After all, he had always told his family he was doing well, and the smell was too strong to hide with lies.

Liu Yu Ru thought for a moment, set down her book, stood up, and walked to the dressing room.

Gu Jiusi was in the middle of changing when he turned and saw Liu Yu Ru, startling him.

Her gaze fell on the bruises covering his body. After a moment, she frowned and demanded, "Who did this to you?"

"No one, I just..."

"Who did it?!"

Gu Jiusi fell silent. After a pause, he smiled weakly, clinging to what little pride he had left.

"I'm fine," he said softly, lowering his eyes. "Really, I'm fine."