Volume One, Chapter Three: Accidentally Taking Liberties with Gu Hanxiao...

After the flood, the Su family was completely destroyed. Favoring one daughter, Su Xunan, who saw Grandma Gu as a lifesaver, insisted that Gu Hanxiao take the “obedient and well-behaved” Song Niannian to temporarily stay with the Gu family in Pengcheng. Meanwhile, the “disliked” Su Nuan was left behind in the hometown to suffer alongside the Su family.

Later, as Pengcheng flourished and became the country’s first special economic zone, Song Niannian benefited greatly, thriving in an air-conditioned office. In contrast, Nuan, branded as a “promiscuous woman,” faced lifelong scorn and exclusion, relegated to a life of menial temporary work.

Having endured hardship all her life, Li Man was determined that her daughter would not suffer even a fraction of the pain she had. This time around, no matter how much she had to throw a tantrum, she was resolved to make Gu Hanxiao take Su Nuan to Pengcheng.

With this resolve, Li Man called Su Xunan aside to speak privately.

“No divorce, but you must agree to one condition,” she said.

After twenty years of marriage, Su Xunan was naturally reluctant to divorce Li Man, so he replied kindly, “No problem, Xiaoman. Whatever you ask, I’ll agree.”

Li Man glanced at Su Nuan and Gu Hanxiao before continuing, “Our hometown is flooded, and the in-laws are missing. We have neither the energy nor time to care for the two children. I hope you can ask Captain Gu to take them to Pengcheng for a while.”

This was exactly what Su Xunan wanted to hear. He was even pleased that Li Man shared his thoughts. As long as Song Niannian had a good place to stay, having the troublesome Su Nuan tagged along was insignificant.

He readily agreed and went to plead with Gu Hanxiao.

“Mom, I’m not going,” Gu Hanxiao refused.

Hidden behind the bushes, Su Nuan had overheard everything. Once Su Xunan left, she stepped out with red-rimmed eyes.

In her previous life, Li Man had never mentioned asking Gu Hanxiao to take her to Pengcheng. Coupled with Li Man’s unusual behavior lately, Su Nuan was almost certain her mother had been reborn like herself.

She moved forward and hugged Li Man tightly, tears blurring her vision. “Mom, I’m not leaving. Last life, I didn’t get to fulfill my filial duties. This time, I want to stay with you, protect you. No one can separate us.”

“You really are...” Li Man trembled with emotion. She wiped away her daughter’s tears and choked out, “You’ve suffered enough with the Su family for eighteen years. Enough. Listen to me and go with Captain Gu to Pengcheng. Once I finish the divorce, I’ll come find you. I’d rather endure hardship working and starting anew with you than stay here and suffer under the men of the Su family.”

Li Man’s words made Su Nuan purse her lips. Reluctantly, she acknowledged her mother’s choice was right.

It was 1975. In a few years, private businesses would be permitted. People always said those born in the late seventies caught the right time and reaped the golden opportunities of the eighties. Having the chance to live again, she refused to end up like last time—a mere temporary worker at the textile factory until death.

She loved beauty and fashion, dreamed of being a clothing designer, a runway model, an entrepreneur making money, bringing her mother a good life.

With two lifetimes of experience and her eidetic memory, even without the Gu family’s protection, Su Nuan believed she could make a name for herself in Pengcheng.

“Mom, I’ll go,” she wiped her tears. “Don’t worry. I’ll find every way to stay in Pengcheng.”

Li Man smiled with relief.

“I believe you can do it now. You’re an adult; it’s time to plan your future. Captain Gu seems decent—unlike those shallow men back home. He’s disciplined, responsible, a navy officer. Someone you can truly depend on.”

Su Nuan wasn’t naive; she knew her mother hoped she’d date Gu Hanxiao to secure the Gu family’s protection. Unfortunately, her mother hadn’t lived long in the previous life and didn’t know how high the Gu family’s status was.

Gu Hanxiao’s grandmother came from an aristocratic family in the old city, a figure whose very footsteps caused tremors. Gu Hanxiao himself, though only a small naval fleet captain now, was destined to become China’s first aircraft carrier captain and the navy’s supreme commander—a prominent figure frequently seen on television and newspapers.

She, a simple girl from the outskirts of the hometown, could never aspire to such heights.

Moreover, Gu Hanxiao was twenty-seven; she had just turned eighteen. Most men his age back home were already fathers. Su Nuan suspected he might have issues in that regard. Perhaps Gu Hanxiao wasn’t even interested in women and was a timid type who would scream for help at the sight of a mouse at night. Otherwise, why would he have bound her, such a delicate beauty, like a bundle upon their first meeting?

The more she thought about it, the more it made sense. Unwilling to hear more from her mother, she pouted playfully, “I don’t want to marry an old man.”

Across the way, an older man who had overheard their conversation narrowed his eyes coldly.

Gu Hanxiao’s grandmother disliked owing favors, and as a soldier of the people, he loathed seeing civilians suffer. That’s why Gu Hanxiao agreed to Su Xunan’s request to take Su Nuan and Song Niannian to Pengcheng temporarily.

Yet, he hadn’t expected Li Man and her daughter to try to use the Gu family as a stepping stone, setting their sights on him personally. To want to exploit him yet disdain him for being older—how shameless could a girl be?

Gu Hanxiao’s disgust towards Su Nuan had reached its peak.

...

After bidding farewell to the Su family, Gu Hanxiao led everyone toward the train station.

Due to the flood, people were on edge. After inspecting Gu Hanxiao’s and the young soldier’s introduction letters and officer IDs, the ticket clerk allowed them direct entry into the station.

It was then that Su Nuan learned the young soldier who had been chatting with her was Huang Guixiang, a member of Gu Hanxiao’s team.

“My mom was superstitious back then and insisted on giving me a girl’s name to help me survive. Because of it... I almost couldn't enlist,” Huang Guixiang complained.

Hearing this, Su Nuan laughed heartily and wasn’t watching where she was going. She accidentally collided with Gu Hanxiao, who had just turned to carry his luggage, and unintentionally grabbed a handful of his sturdy chest muscles.

Gu Hanxiao: “...”

Su Nuan: “...”

Gu Hanxiao clearly hadn’t expected to be groped by a woman in broad daylight. His cold eyes twitched uncontrollably.

Though subtle, Su Nuan noticed and felt so embarrassed she wished she could crawl into a hole.

“S-sorry, I didn’t mean to...” she stammered.

“...”

Gu Hanxiao said nothing, but Huang Guixiang teased, “Opposites attract, no kidding~”

Attract my foot!

Song Niannian bit her lip and looked at Su Nuan with a mocking tone, “Oh, Su Nuan, are you alright? In public like this, a young unmarried lady really should be more mindful of her reputation.”

Her words reminded Gu Hanxiao of the earlier conversation between mother and daughter, and he realized Su Nuan had deliberately created an opportunity to get close to him.

Hah, Gu Hanxiao had seen all kinds of women. Did she think a few cheap flirtations would make his heart stir and let her control him?

He snorted coldly and stepped first into the train station.