Can following the rules be called rebirth?

Chapter 291, Section 289: Gu Caiwei's Views on Relationships

Gu Qionghua's temporary residence is an executive suite at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, located in the core area of ​​Jiangcheng.

Even though I'm on a business trip, after setting aside some time to work, I still need to spend quality time with my daughter in the evenings.

That evening, Li Zhi and Gu Caiwei met in the hotel lobby on time and went upstairs together.

"Aunt Gu!"

Upon seeing Gu Qionghua, Gu Caiwei greeted her sweetly, gave her a warm hug, and giggled as she approached.

The little princess was as radiant as ever, her makeup even more striking than Li Zhi's, with slightly upturned eyeliner, a rich berry color lip gloss, and a bright smile radiating unbridled confidence.

"Aunt Gu is getting younger and younger! How many days will you be staying in Jiangcheng this time?"

"Weiwei really knows how to talk!"

Gu Qionghua patted Gu Caiwei on the back and said with a smile.

She had always been quite fond of this girl who she had watched grow up since childhood, a girl with a lively personality like a little sun.

"I'll stay for three or four days this time. There's a forum here in Jiangcheng, so I'll take the opportunity to see you two little ones."

"Let's go upstairs to eat."

The restaurant on the top floor of the Grand Hyatt Hotel is called "Cloud Restaurant," and it truly lives up to its name.

The huge, curved floor-to-ceiling windows resemble an IMAX screen, offering a panoramic view of the bustling CBD nightscape of Wuhan.

Below, a constant stream of cars weaves a golden ribbon of light, while in the distance, skyscrapers are brightly lit, creating a cold yet magnificent urban skyline.

The restaurant was cleverly lit, and jazz music quietly filled the air.

Guided by the waiter, Gu Qionghua took a seat, took off her trench coat, and looked at the two younger people sitting opposite her, feeling a sense of peace and warmth in her heart.

"Weiwei, what would you like to eat?"

"If Aunt Gu is treating, then I won't be polite!"

Gu Caiwei giggled and snatched the menu: "I'm going to have a really good meal today."

"loquacious."

Gu Qionghua couldn't help but chuckle, and the fine lines at the corners of her eyes smoothed out.

Normally, very few people would joke with her like Gu Caiwei does.

The process of ordering food was naturally handed over to Gu Caiwei.

Of course, she not only understood Gu Qionghua's taste preferences, but also exchanged glances with Li Zhi and quickly finalized several dishes suitable for all ages.

Pan-seared foie gras, black truffle and wild mushroom soup, sous-vide M5+ Wagyu beef steak, and a bottle of fruity Burgundy red wine.

"Weiwei, with your lively personality, you must be thriving at school, right?"

Soon, the appetizer foie gras arrived, with a delicate and rich flavor.

Gu Qionghua cut off a small piece, seemingly casually initiating a conversation with the younger generation.

"It's okay~"

Gu Caiwei smiled, resting her chin on her hand as she spoke.

"Many people have told me to join the student union or some clubs, saying that soliciting sponsorships and doing external relations must be my strengths!"

"But I don't have much time, for example..."

"French majors have a lot of classes in their first year, and on top of that, they also have to take care of the shop. They're usually too busy to keep up."

She described the wonderful life on campus with great emotion and gestures, which made Gu Qionghua smile from time to time.

"Yeah."

Li Zhi listened quietly, a faint smile on her lips, occasionally adding a detail or two.

The conversation naturally turned to the cafe they ran together, called "Relief Cafe".

"By the way, Aunt Gu, my coffee shop with Xiao Lizhi is now a popular spot around Nanhu!"

Gu Caiwei excitedly shared, took out her phone to look at the photos, and handed it to Gu Qionghua.

"Look at our new Christmas latte, it's perfect for taking amazing photos!"

With great interest, Gu Qionghua looked at the uniquely designed coffee shop and stylish shop decoration in the photo and asked a question.

"Sure, it must be tough running a physical store, right?"

"Site selection, decoration, product development, daily management, how can you two girls manage all of this?"

"Uh"

As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Caiwei and Li Zhi immediately turned their heads and exchanged a knowing glance.

"The main reason is that we also have a collaboration."

"It's mainly due to Vivi's creativity and execution."

Gu Caiwei had only spoken halfway when Li Zhi subconsciously interrupted her.

"She handles everything from product development and marketing to daily store management."

"I'm more of a bystander, helping to look at the financial budget, review supplier contracts, and handle some licensing and compliance issues."

"Nowhere is there!"

Gu Caiwei, however, refused to give in and put her arm around Li Zhi's shoulder, smiling brightly.

"Aunt Gu, don't listen to her modesty!"

"Little Lychee is our pillar of strength. Last time, a supplier tried to play word games in the contract, but thanks to her sharp eyes, she saw through it and saved me from making many impulsive decisions."

"My sister and I are a perfect team; neither of us can be missing!"

"Hahahaha"

Seeing the mutual affirmation between her two best friends, Gu Qionghua couldn't help but nod.

If we were to list the most important things in life, making true friends would undoubtedly be near the top.

The two sisters' relationship was even better than she had expected.

In her view, whether it's starting a business on a whim or engaging in practice based on shared interests and abilities, it's far more valuable than rote learning.

"That's fantastic!"

Gu Qionghua praised sincerely.

"It is especially rare to have such an attempt and successful experience during university."

"Understanding the operating logic of the business world in advance is more profound than any theoretical lesson."

Her affirmation brought smiles to the faces of both girls.

However, Gu Qionghua abruptly changed the subject, seamlessly switching to another topic.

"You all had a very fulfilling first semester of university, balancing your studies, internships, and entrepreneurship so well. I'm really happy for you."

"This shows that you have already understood that the most important thing during the golden period of university is to continuously improve your self-worth and cultivate your inner strength."

Gu Qionghua gently swirled the wine in her glass, her gaze slowly drifting towards the window, as if lost in some memories.

"Strengthen your professional knowledge, improve your practical skills, and broaden your horizons and perspectives."

"When you are strong enough and stand on a high enough platform, you will find that the whole world will be more friendly to you, including... the people you meet."

After a few rounds of drinks, the conversation, in a relaxed atmosphere, quietly veered towards a more personal topic.

Looking at the two beautiful girls, Gu Qionghua, speaking from experience, gently but with a hint of admonition, brought up her views on love.

She paused, and although she didn't explicitly point to anything, the meaning was already quite clear.

"My aunt thinks that there's no need to rush when it comes to matters of the heart."

"It's normal to have innocent crushes during adolescence, but if you invest in an immature relationship too early, by graduation season when your life paths begin to diverge, you may find that the resonance you once shared has disappeared, and your perspectives and pursuits are no longer on the same level." "Such a relationship is not only fragile, but it is also more likely to become a hindrance to each other's progress, adding unnecessary troubles."

These words were rational and calm, even carrying a hint of realism and socialism.

This is, of course, a conclusion that Gu Qionghua reached based on her own struggles and her extensive experience with people.

"."

Li Zhi's fingers tightened slightly as she held the wine glass.

The short-haired girl lowered her head, her thick eyelashes drooping down, concealing the turbulent emotions in her eyes.

Not on the same level?
Are they hindering each other's progress?
These words struck her heart repeatedly.

"Oh dear, Aunt Gu!"

Gu Caiwei expressed her objection almost immediately. She put down her wine glass, leaned forward slightly, and had a face full of stubborn charm and the passion unique to eighteen-year-olds.

"I think you've been there, and what you said makes sense, but you only get to be young once!"

Her voice was clear and crisp, with a hint of undeniable passion.

"But liking someone, that feeling of your heart pounding and your face turning red when you see them, that irresistible urge to get close to them, understand them, and be good to them, is a precious experience that you can never get back no matter how much money you make or how high your status becomes."

Gu Caiwei glanced at the silent Li Zhi beside her, her gaze resolute, and met Gu Qionghua's eyes.

"I think if you meet someone who makes your heart flutter, you should be bold and take the initiative!"

How will you know if something is right for you if you don't try?

How will you know if you'll have a good outcome if you don't try?

"Even if... even if we do break up in the end for various reasons, as you said, it will still be a shining memory of sincere effort."

"Isn't it better than missing out because of cowardice and hesitation, and then regretting it for the rest of your life?"

Li Zhi suddenly raised her head and looked at Gu Caiwei.

It has to be said that these words do reflect, to some extent, my best friend's views on love.

Unreserved passion, a longing for love, and the openness to pursue what one desires.

But Weiwei has such high emotional intelligence, she would never contradict her elders on a normal day, right?
Why today?
Could it be that.
A thought that could stop her heart struck her like a bolt of lightning.

Weiwei spoke with such fervor and determination, was it because she already had a clear goal in mind?

Who is that target?

The short-haired girl couldn't help but bite her lip.

Gu Qionghua took in the two girls' drastically different reactions.

Her daughter's unusual silence, tense body lines, and the repeated blinking of her eyelashes did not escape her sharp eyes.

Gu Caiwei's unwavering persistence and youthful passion touched her heart slightly.

Do these two little ones already have someone they like?

Unlikely?
Don't let Vivi's lively, cheerful, and approachable demeanor fool you; she actually has very high standards!
What kind of talented young men can catch her eye?

In comparison, my own daughter is more of a worry.

Li Zhi is aloof and a typical social person. She doesn't like socializing, and ordinary men can't get close to her unless they have some skill or influence.

But it's precisely this kind of girl who becomes exceptionally devoted when she falls for someone.

She smiled gracefully, choosing not to delve into the topic, but instead summarizing it with an air of elegance.

"You guys are still young, it's normal to have all sorts of ideas and choices."

"Auntie is just sharing some experiences and perspectives as someone who has been through it all, hoping to give you another angle to think about."

"Ultimately, you will have to walk, experience, and choose your own path."

"In any case, remember two things."

"First, protect yourselves; second, don't neglect your responsibilities. This is the bottom line, and it's also about taking responsibility for yourselves."

"Okay, Aunt Gu, don't worry!"

Gu Caiwei immediately put on a sweet smile, as if the little clash of opinions had never happened.

"We won't be fooled. Auntie, try this dessert. I just picked it from the reviews. It's their signature chocolate lava cake, and they say the molten filling is amazing!"

The exquisite dessert was served, and when the cake was cut open, rich dark chocolate sauce slowly flowed out like lava.

Gu Caiwei ate with relish, occasionally commenting on the taste.

Gu Qionghua also savored the food elegantly, occasionally chatting with the two girls about the development of Jiangcheng.

However, Li Zhi felt that the dessert in her mouth, which had been praised by countless diners, tasted not sweet at all at this moment.

Reason and emotion, her mother's admonition and her best friend's encouragement, realistic considerations and youthful impulses—all these factors clashed fiercely within her.

After dinner, Gu Qionghua went back to her room to rest due to jet lag and travel fatigue.

Li Zhi and Gu Caiwei returned to Shanshui Huating.

Without the presence of their elders, the atmosphere between the two became more private and direct.

"Baby!"

"What's going on?"

Why are you suddenly offering to buy me a house?

As soon as Li Zhi walked out of the bathroom, drying her hair and wearing only her newly changed pajamas, Gu Caiwei immediately came over barefoot.

"To be honest, I don't know."

Li Zhi tilted her head back, shook her wet short hair, and turned on the hairdryer with one hand. The skin on the back of her neck reflected slightly under the ceiling light.

Winter pajamas are usually conservative styles with long sleeves and trousers.

But when worn by a clothes hanger, it has a unique charm.

A section of her calf was exposed, her ankles were exceptionally fair, and the top of her pajamas couldn't even cover her collarbone. Most of her shoulder line was reflected in the mirror.

Although the sofa and the full-length mirror are quite far apart, you can still smell the fresh fragrance of a girl just out of the bath by taking a gentle sniff.

But I remember.

Gu Caiwei gently hugged her best friend from behind, bringing her chin close to hers, and helped lift the hair at the back of her neck.

"Hasn't Aunt Gu always been against you moving out?"

"Because she felt I was immature before."

After drying her hair, Li Zhi picked up a warm teacup, the rising steam obscuring her expression.

"This time he's probably on a business trip and came to see me, and he noticed I've been quite busy lately."

"From an efficiency standpoint, it's inconvenient to stay at your place all the time, so I decided to stay on short notice."

"I suppose so."

She avoided the core issue, speaking in a flat tone.

"You decided to buy a house on a whim?"

Gu Caiwei put her arm around her best friend's shoulder and said with wide eyes.

"Okay, I can understand. After all, that's Aunt Gu's style of doing things."

"But thinking about it, it makes sense. You're interning at a law firm, doing your thesis research, and also taking care of the coffee shop. You really need your own place, somewhere quieter and freer."

"Does that mean we can't be together like this every day anymore?"

(End of this chapter)