Winter Returns

Chapter 48 The Goddess of Destiny Who Controls the Young Lady's Future
Zhang Shutong put away her phone, putting her mother aside for the time being; the most pressing issue at hand was the conflict between the two girls.

—Ruoping can be a little temperamental sometimes, but she always makes sense when it comes to important matters. Just explain the family matters to her and everything will be fine.
What worried him was Gu Qiu Mian. He couldn't even guess what she was going to say. She was a genuine young lady from a wealthy family; expecting her to take the initiative to reconcile was impossible. On the contrary, she was very likely to say something arrogant:
"Why can't I be here?"

To put it more bluntly:
"This shopping mall is owned by my family. Shouldn't you be the one leaving?"

Zhang Shutong assured Ruoping that she would turn around and leave, otherwise things would really get really ugly.

The fuse must be extinguished before it ignites. Just as Zhang Shutong took a step, the two girls said in unison:

"Don't talk!"

Then they looked away and met each other's eyes.

Then Zhang Shutong saw Gu Qiumian walk up to her. She parted her pink lips slightly, and what she uttered was not an arrogant statement, but rather...

"I'll take it."

These four light words were spoken to Zhang Shutong.

Zhang Shutong then turned his gaze to his hands.

She was carrying a bag in her hand—the one that had been shoved into her hand before she went to the toilet, which Zhang Shutong herself had forgotten about.

Gu Qiu Mian casually took the bag from his hand and slung it back over her arm.

Then she calmly smoothed her hair, and although her hair wasn't messy at all, she suddenly exuded a composed aura.

There was no other communication.

But just those four words seemed to seal the victory, as if the bag was some important prop that whoever got it would win.

Ruoping's gaze was still fixed on the bag; she hadn't noticed it before. The girl blinked, then looked at Zhang Shutong with a shocked expression, her mouth opening and closing silently.
So fast?
Judging from her lip movements, these should be the words.

Then Ruoping sighed. She had always been the leader among them, and her word was law.

This time, it was like one of his underlings suddenly insisted on marrying a girl. Even though his gang had a long-standing feud with the girl, the two had already slept together, so how could they be forcibly separated?

They had no choice but to swallow their anger and accept their defeat.
"welcome."

Ruoping squeezed it out through her teeth.

This is the clash between women.

Zhang Shutong was amazed.

But he knew Gu Qiumian had cheated—the bag wasn't proof of any kind of relationship at all; it was just that she was in the bathroom and her hands were full.

But Ruoping had no idea about the cause and effect. In her eyes, it probably meant that the two of them were close enough that they could help each other carry bags, and she imagined a whole bunch of things.

Zhang Shutong really wanted to say that he would help her carry things to the toilet, but in a way, this solution was not bad. So he voluntarily let Gu Qiumian tie him to the chariot and pretended not to see anything.

That's a really clever tactic.

Who said Gu Qiumian is stupid?
Zhang Shutong complained that Lao Song's taste was terrible; this girl was anything but stupid. But what he didn't expect was that Gu Qiumian came to Ruoping's side again. He thought she was about to deliver a victory declaration, but instead, Miss Gu stuffed the chocolate her mother had given her into Ruoping's hand and whispered:
"What happened before was my fault, let's eat together."

Zhang Shutong then remembered that the feud between the two stemmed from a bag of chocolates—

They were only thirteen or fourteen years old then, in the first or second year of junior high school. Ruoping offered to share a bag of gold coin chocolates with Gu Qiumian, but Gu Qiumian didn't like them and politely declined.

Of course, it can't be said that she looked down on people; she simply looked down on chocolate made with cocoa butter substitutes. On the contrary, she brought a bunch of high-end chocolates the next day, perhaps hoping to make friends. However, while she could distinguish the different types of chocolate, she couldn't read other people's minds, which backfired and hurt Ruoping deeply.

As a result, a group of people treated Gu Qiu Mian as if she didn't exist.

She was also upset, but how could the young lady stand this insult? After school, with red eyes, she ran to the back of the classroom and threw away the whole bag of chocolates.

Her cold war with Ruoping has lasted for so many years.

But why has Gu Qiu Mian suddenly changed her personality? Putting aside who is right and who is wrong, Zhang Shutong didn't think she would take the initiative to apologize to someone, but in fact, he didn't hear a trace of reluctance in her tone, but rather a hint of wanting to make up.

Ruoping was also a little surprised. She was more responsive to gentle persuasion than force. After holding back for a while, her face turned a little red. She also apologized softly and took the initiative to unpack the chocolate and break it in half.

Zhang Shutong watched the two reconcile with relief, but was glared at by Ruoping:
"Why are you acting like nothing happened? Do you think this has nothing to do with you?"

"Why am I here too?" Zhang Shutong asked, puzzled.

"It was clearly a conflict between Qiu Mian and me. Who told you to stand up for me back then? She gave you the chocolate and you ate it, that's all. Did I stop you from eating it or what?"

Now that he heard this, Zhang Shutong remembered that it was his turn to clean up after school that day. Gu Qiumian didn't just throw away the chocolate; instead, she asked him if he wanted some. He felt he shouldn't "prioritize his girlfriend over his friend," so he shook his head and refused.

Zhang Shutong knew that these words weren't really a complaint against her. She was just a little embarrassed and wanted to help her new friend vent her anger. Didn't she see that she had already become "Qiu Mian"? Of course, the big sister would start by taking down the little brother.

Zhang Shutong was happy to be the scapegoat, and he also felt that he had been a bit tactless back then, which had only exacerbated the conflict. So he smiled, nodded, and apologized, giving Ruoping a way out.

The atmosphere became more relaxed.

The four of them agreed to go to the supermarket inside the mall next.

Ruoping was quite self-aware; after finishing her chocolate, she went to chat with Qingyi. Before leaving, she glanced at him, and Zhang Shutong knew that she was saying that she and Gu Qiumian were fine, but she still had something to "discuss" with him.

The two of them walked ahead.

Zhang Shutong and Gu Qiumian walked behind. Zhang Shutong gave Qiumian a thumbs-up in admiration, only to see Miss Gu roll her eyes.

"Do you think I want to admit my mistake?"

"Why not?"

Unfortunately, there was no follow-up.

Gu Qiumian said irritably, "I still have a score to settle with you. Why didn't you accept my chocolate back then?"

Zhang Shutong could only apologize. But she seemed to be just complaining and didn't really take it seriously, quickly moving on to a new focus:

"Your mother looks so young."

"well enough."

"Was my attitude towards the auntie just now not very good?"

"It's alright, she's very easygoing," Zhang Shutong said casually.

“Oh dear, you really are…” she stamped her foot and hummed, “but your mother told me all about your childhood.”

"What did she say to you?" Zhang Shutong was taken aback.

"I told you you can't cook."

"This is alright, anything else?"

"Crybaby."

"That's not true," Zhang Shutong said with a dark face. "You didn't say anything else, did you?"

He was worried that his mother would let something slip—to borrow Qingyi's words, it was a secret that every man must keep—his nickname.

Even his best friends didn't know about this. After entering junior high school, he made an agreement with his mother: she would either call him "son" or call him by his name.
It's not that they feel ashamed of the name "Tongtong," but rather that they know people actually dare to call themselves Tongtong, especially Ruoping.

I suddenly understand how Mianmian felt back then.

Zhang Shutong was very curious about this, so he asked, "What else did you two say?" Gu Qiumian, however, mimicked his usual tone and deliberately gave a cold reply:

"Secret."

"What's there to keep secret?"

"It's because you always say the same thing when I ask you."

Zhang Shutong thought to himself, "How can that be the same? He kept it a secret to find the murderer, but what are you keeping it a secret for?"
They quickly reached the supermarket entrance, and Zhang Shutong casually pulled a shopping cart and pushed it.

The shopping cart wheels rolled thumping on the small tiles. There were so many people today that Qingyi and Ruoping disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"What are you here to buy today?" Gu Qiumian asked curiously.

"I'll just pick some snacks as gifts, mainly depending on what Du Kang likes."

Looking around, the first thing that catches the eye is the promotional items, such as laundry detergent and milk. Speaking of which, Zhang Shutong thought her mother was there to buy something, but she didn't see her holding anything.

That said, Mom had another clever trick up her sleeve—

She took the snack from Ruoping's hand, not because she was really hungry, but because she noticed there were three of them, and it would be difficult to divide among the four of them.

He thought his mother was truly insightful, and wondered if all women could become so shrewd. For example, Gu Qiu Mian's performance just now was also quite remarkable... Zhang Shutong quickly shook his head and realized that he had been too influenced by Lao Song recently, and now he was also talking about women all the time.

Let's just relax and shop at the supermarket.

Zhang Shutong doesn't shop at large supermarkets much. When she does go, she only pushes the cart. In the past, her mother would push the cart, but now it's Ruoping's turn. Today, however, it's another woman.

Gu Qiumian pulled the cart and walked in one direction. She wasn't happy if Zhang Shutong slowed down, so she simply pushed the cart with one hand while typing with her head down. It was to Qingyi. It seemed the other person was also a bit bored.

The two were still discussing the issue of a nanny.

“I just explained to Ruoping, and she said she’s just inexplicably a little annoyed with you. But you know Ruoping always knows what’s important, and she said she’ll definitely help if there’s anything.”

"That's good. Anyway, just be mentally prepared."

"We understand, that's why we specially gave you our private space."

"I wasn't prepared for that. I was talking about the case."

"Are you still planning to investigate the case?"

"Maybe. I might have to keep busy today."

"You can ask Gu Qiumian whether her nanny is from outside the island or inside the island."

“I could tell from her accent,” Zhang Shutong replied. “She’s not a local, and her line of thinking is a bit off.”

"How to say?"

"Analyzing her motives is too difficult. We can't possibly find out everything—whether she's from inside or outside the island, who she has a grudge against, or what caused it. All we can do is take precautions, or rather, use the process of elimination."

Just as Zhang Shutong was about to launch into a long speech, Qiu Yu Mianmian kept asking him if he wanted to eat this or that... It really sounded like a light rain in his ears. Zhang Shutong looked up and realized that they had already walked to the snack area.

Now, one of them is pushing the cart while the other walks beside it. Based on Zhang Shutong's limited understanding of women, they are always tempted to buy things by the dazzling array of goods on the shelves.

Gu Qiumian, holding a bucket of potato chips, turned around and asked:

"Do you want to eat this?"

It's actually Kobik!

It feels like it's been many years since I've seen him. Zhang Shutong just shook his head. "Du Kang doesn't like barrel-packaged food."

“Who asked him?” Gu Qiumian wrinkled her nose. “I’m asking you.”

"I don't care." "How can you be so casual about everything?" Gu Qiumian tossed the potato chips into the shopping cart, then grabbed a bag of milk biscuits. "What about this?"

"Unappetizing."

"Didn't you just say you like sweets?" she said, putting the cookies back on the shelf. It seemed that it wasn't because she wanted some but was too embarrassed to take them directly, so she made up an excuse to ask someone else.

Zhang Shutong was wondering when she had ever said she liked sweet things.

Oh, I think I did say that.

It was the day we first became deskmates. I lent her my test paper and she stuffed a bag of salty cheese biscuits into my hand. When I asked if I could have some sweet ones instead, she said she didn't bring any.

I never expected that she would remember those words to this day.

Zhang Shutong then said, "Don't ask me anymore, just look and see if there's anything you like." Miss Gu replied, "I have plenty at home. This is just about enjoying the pleasure of shopping." Then she took a card out of her bag.

"I brought my card, you can't expect me to be unable to spend it."

Zhang Shutong said, "You're really strange. Why do you have to buy things?"

Gu Qiumian said that you are the really strange one, because you don't want anything I buy for you.

"Wait, how did it become 'buying me things'?"

"I said I don't like owing favors, but you have to accept it even if you don't want to. How about I take you to the third floor? I think there's a men's clothing store there?"

"...Let's buy some food."

Today's script is really strange. I clearly only dragged her out because I saw her home alone, so how did it become that the young lady took me shopping?
He lowered his head and continued typing with Qingyi.

Gu Qiu Mian glared at her and said, "Oh, why are you so busy?" It was funny when she said "Oh," her tone was both reluctant and soft, and anyone who didn't know better would think she was being coquettish.

Zhang Shutong couldn't stand this. He turned off his phone and followed her. After asking a few questions, Gu Qiumian gave up on him and changed her strategy. So most of the time, she would only ask one word:

"eat?"

Zhang Shutong could only nod or shake her head, and then she would either put it back on the shelf or throw it into her shopping cart.

Soon her shopping cart was full, and Gu Qiu Mian quickly came across the first thing she wanted to eat. She actually stood in front of a bag of spicy strips and blinked, which showed that the young lady had never been exposed to this kind of common food before.

"Take whatever you want to eat."

"I can't eat spicy food these days."

"Oh." Zhang Shutong understood.

While she was still hesitating, Zhang Shutong took out his phone to reply to the message.

"I think we can tell her dad about the nanny directly. Do you have her dad's contact information?" This was a message from Qingyi.

"If it can't be ruled out in the end, I'll find an opportunity to say so."

"What do you mean?"

“She had a very good relationship with the nanny.” Zhang Shutong knew that her mother had passed away, and perhaps that nanny was one of the few people she could feel a motherly connection with. “But once you tell her father, no matter whether the nanny is a suspect or not, she will no longer be able to stay with Gu Qiumian. So I want to try to eliminate her using my own methods first.”

"You're starting to soften a little bit, aren't you?"

Have it?

Zhang Shutong looked up and just then heard Gu Qiumian ask very seriously, "Do you have any non-spicy strips?"

"Are you stupid?" he said helplessly.

"You're the idiot." She glared at him. "Can't you tell I'm joking?"

I'm sorry I have no sense of humor.

"Don't let your guard down." Zhang Shutong continued typing, "Right now, my biggest worry isn't the nanny, it's everyone else."

"Who?"

"I always feel like there's someone else involved."

"That's a bit of an exaggeration."

While typing, Zhang Shutong walked to the deli section and saw Gu Qiumian putting a large piece of braised pork liver into her shopping cart. He subconsciously repeated:

"Isn't it a bit exaggerated?"

Why would she buy such a big piece of pig liver?
"I want to eat some, so I'll share some with you."

Zhang Shutong imagined the scene: the two of them, each with a piece of pig liver, hugging and munching on it; the image was truly beautiful.

"Don't you not know how to cook?" Gu Qiumian explained reluctantly.

After saying that, without waiting for Zhang Shutong to understand, he moved on to the next area.

She walked with her hands behind her back, occasionally tiptoeing, her skirt swaying, her feet seemingly tapping out a cheerful rhythm. Zhang Shutong quickly pushed the cart to catch up, and Miss Gu pointed to a cocktail:

"Would you like to drink this?"

"You can't drink it."

"cut."

The phone vibrated at that moment:

"Besides arson, can you also kill people?" Qingyi teased.

You're absolutely right.

Zhang Shutong replied:
"So I'm waiting for the call to go through."

"Who?"

"The police station should have the statements ready soon. We'll take different actions based on the results."

"Then I suddenly have an idea."

Qingyi's idea was quite clever. Zhang Shutong waited for a long time but didn't get a reply. If Gu Qiumian saw it, it would upset her again, so Zhang Shutong quickly put away her phone.

Sometimes even he felt that the experience was unreal. You were wandering around a supermarket with a pretty girl, and she was buying up a huge amount of snacks. Just thinking about how to carry them home was a headache... But you couldn't refuse, after all, she bought them for you.

Perhaps it's a scene you'll recall years later: you're 16, pushing a shopping cart with this true heiress, exploring every corner of the supermarket. She has a super VIP card that can max out the supermarket's POS machine, and then you're debating whether or not you can eat spicy snacks... Although the supermarket isn't big, not located in a major city's shopping district, and the surroundings are noisy and bustling, the shopping cart's wheels are a bit sluggish, and a light above your head is flashing. Sometimes you forget that it's a cold winter outside, with no flowers or trees, but as long as she smiles, the place is filled with youthful energy.

But at the same time, danger lurks everywhere. From the side, the girl has a delicate, upturned nose and fluttering eyelashes. She must be in a good mood, but you know that her young life will end in these few days.

Then I remembered what Lao Song had said, something like, that the pretty girl had drawn a funny face on the car window last night, which meant she was in a good mood.

Even when the castle was smashed a few days ago, she still looked indifferent, and she didn't laugh even when a group of people deliberately teased her.

But now she's excitedly standing in front of the shelves, glancing back every now and then—to make sure you're not chatting with someone else;
If you chat, she'll just complain and whine... making it hard for you to handle; if you don't chat, she'll come up to you, her little henchman. Zhang Shutong watched her run from in front of him to behind him, from his left to his right, carrying all sorts of food, not knowing what she was busy with.

But the girl who stood in front of the steamed bun shop, calmly yet stubbornly saying, "That would be defeating us," seems to have long since disappeared.

Although there was no glass available for her to squander right now, Zhang Shutong felt that she must be in a good mood. He was willing to go along with her.

Protecting the young lady is the duty of the henchmen. Time will keep flowing, and once this weekend is over, it's time for this henchman to retire and go home.

But we must never let our guard down until the very last moment.

Zhang Shutong finally received a call from Song Nanshan.

He picked up his phone, spoke a few words quickly, and his brows furrowed slightly.

Sure enough, it was pretty much as I expected.

The murderer is someone else.

The phone rang again, and Qingyi's idea finally came to her:

"We could kidnap Gu Qiumian and see how her nanny reacts."

"..."

Zhang Shutong sent a string of ellipses amidst his busy schedule.

He finally hung up the phone—before Gu Qiumian turned around.

Zhang Shutong sighed.

He leaned against the shopping cart, one hand supporting his chin, watching the hair ornament swaying in the girl's hair:

"The plans have changed."

At the same time, send this message to a small group of four people.

"what's the plan?"

Du Kang suddenly started bubbling.

A plan is a plan, something really impressive. I can't explain it.

Zhang Shutong was thinking this, unsure how to respond. A girl had just said she had no sense of humor, but she certainly didn't lack a bit of adolescent angst:

"Operation of the Goddess Who Will Control the Future?"

"I think pursuing the young lady is more like a strategy," Ruoping said sarcastically.

"That's fine too. As for the name, it doesn't have to be anything special."

"I think it would be better to call it 'Operation Goddess of Destiny, Who Controls the Young Lady's Future.'" Qingyi combined the two into one.

"That's settled then." Nine Keys jumped around rapidly. "Sorry everyone, I'll have to take up some of your rest time."

"What's going on?" Only the birthday boy was still completely confused.

The situation is—

Next, he was about to type out a really cool line, but unfortunately, Gu Qiu Mian was also asking:
"What do you mean? Aren't you buying gifts for your classmates?"

She was actually the one who was best protected.

"What I mean is, I don't like owing people favors." Zhang Shutong pointed to the shopping cart full of items.

so.

In any case, this weekend;
You won't die—

Something came up today, so I'm owing ten chapters. I'll make up for it tomorrow! (Could I please give me a monthly vote?)

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(End of this chapter)