Republic of China, 1922: Rise from the Post-Zhili-Fengtian War

Seeing that she was even more anxious than he was, Gu Cheng quickly said, "See? I told you we shouldn't make a fuss about this."

"Sister, think about it, this guy is bold and capable. He can take away the Marshal's Mansion's special funds just like that. You're asking Brother Chao to fight with this guy? Isn't that just asking for trouble? What if this guy is also from the General Staff Department and tries to trip up our brother?"

Jiang Yingrong was taken aback by his words, and the anxiety on her face gradually faded: "What you say makes sense... I was so angry that I didn't think about it that much. If I really cause trouble for my brother, then it would be a loss."

Hearing this, Wang Yuyou, whose pretty face was full of determination, said: "Commander Gu, that may be true, but this is no small amount. A full 40,000 silver dollars. Even if it causes trouble, we can't just sit idly by."

I had heard my father talk about the importance of the Jinzhou camp long ago. Besides, you have so many soldiers under your command who need to eat, and everything requires money.

If it were just a few hundred dollars, I would gladly take money from my own private account to make up the difference for you. But this is forty thousand, and I simply cannot afford it on my own.

I think I should still go back and talk to my father. Even if it doesn't trouble him to do anything, letting him know about this might help him find a solution.

Hearing that she was actually willing to pay for his debts, Gu Cheng was moved, but he quickly shook his head and said, "How can we disturb Lord Min? His health has just started to improve, and we absolutely cannot let him worry about these things... If his condition worsens, I will become the sinner, and all my previous care will have been in vain."

Wang Yuyou wanted to say something more, but Gu Cheng raised his hand to stop her.

He pondered for a moment, looked at Jiang Yingrong, and slowly said, "Sister Rong, it's not that we can't disturb Brother Chao Liu at all, but we can't let him show up directly."

You could give Brother Chao Liu a call, but don't mention the specifics of the interception of the funds, and don't ask him to help you get involved. Just subtly try to get his opinion.

This way, we won't get Brother Chao Liu involved in any trouble, and we can also find out the details, find out who tampered with the money, and whether they have any powerful backers.

Jiang Yingrong's eyes lit up, and she immediately nodded: "Hey, that's a great idea! It avoids trouble and we can still get information. I'll go call my brother right now!"

As she was about to get up, Gu Cheng stopped her again.

"Don't rush," Gu Cheng said softly. "When you call, be casual in your tone, just like it's a casual conversation. Don't let my brother think you're calling on purpose to find out."

As for the 40,000 silver dollars, don't bother with it anymore. I'll find a way to get it back myself—since they dared to use the Marshal's Mansion's special funds, they have to pay a price.”

Seeing his resolute expression, Wang Yuyou felt a little more at ease and said softly, "Commander Gu, if there's anything we can do to lend a hand, please don't hesitate to ask. Even if it's just running errands or gathering information, we're willing to help... Don't worry, we definitely won't cause you any trouble."

Jiang Yingrong chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes! Yu'er is right. We won't make things worse, but we can't let you shoulder this alone! I'll tell you the news after I finish the call. If you have any plans, tell us too. More people means more ideas."

Gu Cheng felt a warmth in his heart and nodded slightly: "Thank you both. Don't worry, if I really need help, I won't hesitate to ask. Sister Rong, you go ahead and make the call, I'll think about what to do next."

Jiang Yingrong left as instructed, leaving only Gu Cheng and Wang Yuyou in the living room.

The hall fell silent suddenly, with cicadas chirping outside the window, making the room even more tranquil.

The remaining plum juice in the porcelain bowl still had a slight chill, and the sweet and sour aroma lingered between the two of them. For a moment, neither of them spoke first.

Wang Yuyou lowered her gentle eyes, her slender fingers lightly twisting the hem of her clothes. Just now, in her haste, she blurted out that she was willing to use her private funds to help. Now, alone with her, she recalled the words, and her cheeks couldn't help but blush slightly. She felt a little uneasy.

Gu Cheng glanced at the gentle and quiet woman beside him. Apart from the awkwardness of being alone with a man in a room, he felt a genuine warmth.

Having lived two lives, he had seen all sorts of sycophancy and hypocrisy... especially during the Republican era, when everyone interacted with each other for personal gain.

It's rare to find a girl as pure-hearted as her who is willing to spend her own money to help others solve their problems.

He deliberately softened his tone: "Miss Wang just said she was willing to use her own savings to cover this shortfall for me. I feel both touched and guilty..."

Wang Yuyou shook her head: "Commander Gu, you don't need to take it to heart. In my eyes, you are not only a general who guards a region, but also an elder brother who helped my father get rid of his illness and truly cares for us."

Seeing you in such a difficult situation, I was truly anxious and only wanted to do what little I could to help.

"But you are, after all, a young lady from a prominent family. Although you have no worries about food and clothing on a daily basis, those private savings are all the sentiments you have accumulated over the years. How can I accept them so easily?"

Gu Cheng's gaze fell on her delicate and gentle features, his tone full of pity, "The situation in Jinzhou is chaotic. There are stubborn old subordinates within, and various forces outside are eyeing us covetously. There are difficulties everywhere."

These hardships should be borne by us men, not by you vulnerable women.

These kind words made Wang Yuyou lower her head again, blushing: "I know you have great ambitions and are determined to reorganize Jinzhou and stabilize Liaoxi, but this path will surely be difficult at every step."

Others only see your high-ranking position and glamorous life, but no one knows how much grievance you suffer behind the scenes, or how much pressure you bear that others cannot fathom.

At this point, she lowered her voice further, "If you ever feel tired in the future, or if you have something on your mind that you can't talk about, you don't have to force yourself to keep up appearances all the time. If you don't mind, I'd be happy to listen to you quietly for a while."

The evening breeze wafted in through the window, ruffling the light gauze on the table and tousling a strand of hair at the girl's temple.

Looking into her eyes, where genuine worry was not concealed, Gu Cheng felt his tense heart, which had been filled with military affairs and factional struggles for days, quietly relax at this moment.

In the midst of a chaotic world, every move is a calculation and weighing of options, and everyone has their own agenda. But the person before me is unconcerned with power or profit; he is simply concerned about my hardships and difficulties.

Gu Cheng's eyes gradually lost all sharpness and cunning, his gaze becoming gentle as water: "Your kindness is more valuable than a thousand pieces of silver."

Along the way, I've witnessed too much coldness in people's hearts, and it's rare to find someone who genuinely cares for me like this. I, Gu Jingchuan, will remember this kindness deeply in my heart and never forget it in this lifetime.

Wang Yuyou's cheeks flushed even more from his straightforward yet gentle words. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, her heart pounded, and she was filled with an indescribable shyness.