Chapter 77: Diligent Gou Dan

If we had known this would be the result, why did we act that way in the beginning?

Yan Rushan pulled Zhong Yuxiu away into the distance, and Wan Yuning instinctively followed. He didn’t know why he was doing it, but he knew he couldn’t let this opportunity slip by.

“Comrade, please stop.” Hao Nan blocked his path. Tian Shangguo walked beside Zhong Yuxiu. The three of them heard the commotion but none of them looked back.

Wan Yuning tried to push past Hao Nan, but he was no match; Hao Nan held him firmly in place. He could only watch helplessly as Zhong Yuxiu was escorted farther and farther away, and eventually he stopped struggling.

Hao Nan released him, and seeing his defeated expression, looked at him with clear disdain.

“Comrade Yan is right. Comrade Zhong has not had it easy to get where she is today. Please, just let her go.”

“We just want to make it up to her!” Wan Yuning lifted his head abruptly. “Why are you stopping me? Yuxiu is kind—she can’t possibly refuse to acknowledge her father and me, her brother, forever.”

Hao Nan frowned, feeling that Zhong Yuxiu was undeserving of such treatment. “So you’ve latched onto Comrade Zhong’s weakness and keep pressing her?”

“We haven’t.” They only wanted to reclaim their sister.

“When Comrade Zhong needed you, you weren’t there. Now that she’s managed to pull herself out of hardship and doesn’t need you anymore, you suddenly show up talking about compensation. Don’t you think you’re being incredibly hypocritical?”

Not wishing to argue further, Hao Nan turned and jogged away.

After repeated blows, Wan Yuning’s mind was a muddle of confusion and uncertainty. Was it really because of them that his once gentle, kindhearted, and well-behaved sister had become so cold and unfeeling?

When they returned home, Zhong Yuxiu sat on the sofa. Yan Rushan brought hot water from the kitchen.

“Are you cold? Come, soak your hands.”

“Alright.” Yan Rushan placed the basin on the coffee table. Zhong Yuxiu plunged her hands into the water, feeling warmth spread instantly through her whole body. “This is wonderful. The weather here in the capital is so cold, and it’s not even winter yet.”

Yan Rushan nodded in agreement. “Compared to Province C, the capital is much colder. The temperature now is already like winter over there.”

“Winters in the capital are even colder. Right now it’s a dry cold; when the snow comes, it’ll be a damp cold. I haven’t been back in two years—I wonder if I’ll be able to get used to the climate here.” The original owner had lived in the capital for many years, bundling up in thick layers every winter, but still felt cold.

She still wasn’t sure what to do about it.

“Don’t worry, we have heating indoors. And if you’re working at the university, you can bring a brazier to the office and light it when you get cold.” He figured Professor Ding would approve.

That was a bit unconventional and would probably draw some complaints.

“Better not. I won’t be working every day anyway. I’ll think about it later. If it comes to it, I’ll make an electric hot water bottle I can carry around.”

Yan Rushan took note of this and changed the subject. “Yuxiu, about the remedy you gave me—I’ve sent someone to look for pomelo peels. I’m not sure if we can find them around here. If not, we’ll have to go to Province C, where pomelos are more common.”

It was pomelo season in Province C.

“If we can’t find any here, that’s our only option.” Zhong Yuxiu nodded slightly, then a thought struck her. “By the way, do you have contacts in Province C?”

“We do,” Yan Rushan replied.

“Then you can ask them to help collect some pomelos and ship them over. Pomelos keep well and won’t spoil easily.”

“Alright, I’ll get in touch with them as soon as I get back.” Yan Rushan stayed at the Zhong house for a while, helped Zhong Yuxiu pour out the basin of water, and then left.

As soon as he was gone, Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo said, “Comrade Zhong, we’re a bit hungry.”

“I completely forgot.” Zhong Yuxiu smiled. “I’ll call Gou Dan down to make a late-night snack.”

She spoke as she headed upstairs, and a moment later, brought Gou Dan down to prepare food. Once the three of them had eaten their fill and washed up, they went upstairs.

As soon as she reached the upper floor, Zhong Yuxiu headed straight for the lab. “Gou Dan, how’s the progress?”

“Ten percent complete. The wiring isn’t finished yet,” Gou Dan replied, following behind her.

She entered the lab, squatted next to the circuit and checked each solder joint. Finding no problems, she said, “Not bad. Keep going at this pace.”

“Yes, Master. You should rest now,” Gou Dan said in a low voice, afraid the others outside might hear.

“I know.” After checking a few other parts, satisfied, she straightened up. “I’m off to bed. Keep working.”

“For Master’s sake, I’ll work hard. Rest well, recharge your energy, and be the beautiful master you are. That will make me happiest. Goodnight, Master.”

Zhong Yuxiu: “……”

This sycophantic robot—she didn’t know it.

Still, everyone likes to hear nice words, and she accepted them.

Back in bed, nestled under her warm quilt, Zhong Yuxiu felt cheerful and soon drifted off to sleep with a smile.

In the lab, Gou Dan worked diligently and seriously. When it ran out of power, it recharged and continued, since the wiring task was a long one.

The next morning, at first light, Zhong Yuxiu got up early and called Gou Dan down to make breakfast.

Within half an hour, Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo came downstairs as well.

“Good morning, Comrade Zhong.”

“Good morning.” Zhong Yuxiu finished tidying up in the bathroom, responded to their greeting with a bright smile, and said, “Gou Dan is almost done with breakfast. You two go wash up.”

They nodded and headed off. Zhong Yuxiu sat on the sofa. After the two had washed their faces and brushed their teeth, they emerged looking refreshed and energetic.

Gou Dan brought breakfast over. Zhong Yuxiu glanced back and said, “You’re quick—just in time to eat.”

Hao Nan smiled and asked, “When did you get up? Earlier than us!”

“Not that much earlier. I’m not going to the university today; please help me request leave. Also, pass a message to Professor Ding: the research has begun, and if he has time, he’s welcome to join us.”

“Alright, I’ll go to the university after breakfast.” Hao Nan hesitated, then asked, “What if I run into the Wan family…?”

Zhong Yuxiu’s eyes grew cold. “Ignore them. If they pester you, send them away.”

Call her cold-blooded or heartless if they must—she could give up the original owner’s family at any time. She would never trust them.

“Understood.” With that, Hao Nan knew where her boundaries lay.

The three went to the dining room and sat at the table. There were steamed buns, mantou, flower rolls, a small bowl of porridge, and three sets of dishes.

Gou Dan stood by the table. Zhong Yuxiu looked at it. “Gou Dan, keep assembling. I’ll come up after I eat. Speed up the progress—we should finish today.”

“Beep beep beep…” Gou Dan turned and went upstairs, while Zhong Yuxiu continued eating. She had several buns and two bowls of porridge, then wiped her mouth and stood up.

“Take your time. I’ll get back to work. Hao Nan, thanks for handling the leave. I’ll catch up my classmates tonight, so Professor Ding needn’t worry about the course.”

“Yes, I’ll be sure to pass on your message.”