“Huh? Looking for me?” Gu Qingyu couldn’t keep up her act of decorum after hearing such words, “What for?”
“My master has been living in hiding with me. He taught me magic, martial arts and poetry, you can say he is practically my father.” Qi Yichen spoke and smiled like a gentleman, distracting Gu Qingyu.
“So?” But Gu Qingyu kept her wits, “Then? Why are you telling me this?”Living in hiding? For some reason, that reminded her of Mo Bai. It was not the best time to be reminded of that person.
“My master fell severely ill a few days ago. He said that only a special young lady in this city, named Gu Qingyu, has the means to cure him.” Qi Yichen smiled warmly, “I hope you can accept my bold request.”
Special young lady? Cure him? I may have been a doctor in the modern world, but I was a psychiatrist! Still, I do know a thing or two about general medicine…
“Um…” Gu Qingyu was speechless for a while. She paused, then started her plan to bluff Qi Yichen. “Ah! B-by your looks, you must be a scholar! A handsome and intelligent man like you must know that the world is very large and full of mysteries! Maybe you’re looking for someone else that just happened to share my name? Perhaps there is another Gu Qingyu in this city.”
Qi Yichen firmly shook his head, “No, I’ve already asked around. Young lady, you are the only person with the name Gu Qingyu in this city.” “...” So you’ve really left no stone unturned! Looks like you are determined to take me away!“I am really sorry, but if I just up and left, my family would be terribly worried!” Gu Qingyu smiled in return. Let’s see how you could respond to this!
Qi Yichen gave a profound smile, “To be honest, I learned not only magic, but also a bit of fortune-telling. Just now, I had divined that Miss Gu does not want to stay at the Gu residence, and is actually looking for someone to take Miss Gu away. Wouldn’t you agree, Miss Gu?”
...Is he really a scholar? Is that how all scholars behave in this world?
Gu Qingyu’s worldview instantly shattered. Even a mere scholar could do such things!
“Urgh, fine, you win, but I won’t…” Gu Qingyu waved her hand weakly, but right before she could turn down Qi Yichen’s offer, a thought crossed her mind. Wait! What if Jia Qizhe goes back on his word again? Or, what if I missed something, and didn’t win the competition?
“But I won’t leave without you!” Her stance and attitude took a 180 in an instant.
Qi Yichen smiled, “Thank you kindly, Miss Gu.”
“Hey,” Just then, a cold voice rang out, “so you don’t want me to take you away?”
“Jia Qizhe?” Gu Qingyu spun on the spot, “Hmph! What if you go back on your word again?”
Jia Qizhe smiled as he leaned in, right next to Gu Qingyu’s ears and whispered, “Then, what if you can’t save his master?”
“Um…” Gu Qingyu was stunned.Indeed, he came all this way to find me, what if I can’t save his master, then what will I do…“Sir, I am not very well versed in medicine, what if I can’t do anything about your master’s illness?”
Qi Yichen just sighed, “It’s not an issue. My master just told me to bring you to him.”
“If that’s the case, alright!” Gu Qingyu grinned and turned to Jia Qizhe, “Hey, you want to tag along?”
What a turn of events... First, Gu Qingyu begged Jia Qizhe to take her away, now Gu Qingyu asked Jia Qizhe to tag along…
“Sure,” Jia Qizhe shrugged. “Seems fun.”
“Fun?” Gu Qingyu rolled her eyes. “You think this is a vacation?”
“What, is it not a vacation to you?” Jia Qizhe retorted.
...Yes, he’s right. It is a vacation. I admit, you got me, Jia Qizhe!
“...” Gu Qingyu walked towards the audience of the competition, “They’re announcing the results soon, let’s go check it out.”
The trio sat down together in the audience.
A man walked up... Gu Qingyu realised he was the man that called her out earlier!
He’s one of the judges?Gu Qingyu was shocked.
“Now, let’s announce the winner of today’s competition. In first place, Gu Qingyu. A perfect fusion of beautiful vocals and soothing Guzheng, with a style like no other; In second place, Zhao Jiner. Proficient skills with the Pipa, music as soothing as a river…” The announcer read the list out, Gu Qingyu almost jumped up from her seat, “Oh yeah!”
Qi Yichen clapped, “Miss Gu deserves this.”
Gu Qingyu felt strange to be called Miss constantly, then said, “You don’t have to call me Miss Gu, just call me Qingyu!”
“...Qingyu.” Qi Yichen said, “Then, feel free to call me by my name as well.”
The competition ended, but Gu Qingyu did not have any prize in mind, so she left.
Gu Qingyu said to Qi Yichen, “I’ll head back to pack a few things, then we can leave tonight! Wait for me by the crooked tree in my backyard!”
Qi Yichen nodded, “Thank you, Young… Thank you, Qingyu.”
“Yep!” Gu Qingyu looked at Jia Qizhe, “Let’s go!”
“...” Jia Qizhe said nothing, and left with Gu Qingyu.
Qi Yichen watched as Gu Qingyu disappeared into the crowd, the corners of his mouth curled into a smile.
Back at the Gu Residence, Gu Qingyu’s mother came up to her immediately, “Impressive, Yu’er! Your mother saw your talent show today!”
Gu Qingyu nodded, “Thank you, Mother.”
Actually, her mom does treat her well here... It’s a little sad to just leave her like this…
Gu Qingyu went to her room and Xiao Qi quickly joined her. “How was it, Young Miss?”
“It was great!” Gu Qingyu told Xiao Qi everything about Qi Yichen and winning the competition. “Let’s get ready to leave tonight!” Xiao Qi nodded, “Alright!”
“...Xiao Qi, do you really want to come along with me?” Gu Qingyu suddenly asked. She kept insisting Xiao Qi to go with her, but she didn’t really stop to ask Xiao Qi’s own opinion.
“Young Miss, Xiao Qi will follow you wherever you go!” Xiao Qi nodded with conviction.
Gu Qingyu smiled, “Thanks, Xiao Qi, let’s go pack your things!”
Xiao Qi nodded and left.
Gu Qingyu breathed a long sigh of relief. Finally! We’re leaving!
After packing her things, she decided to go for a short stroll. It would be the last time she sees this scenery.
She walked to the pavilion, and lo and behold, Jia Qizhe was there.
“Hey, what brings you here?” Gu Qingyu asked, bewildered.