After a male student transmigrated into the body of a widow,

Chapter 165 Sweetness

After a long silence, under the young man's gaze, Gu Lin pursed his lips. After a long while, he opened his mouth, his voice slightly strained, and said, "I promise you I won't leave the capital..."

"However, I still cannot accept your feelings."

The young man repeatedly expressed his conviction, asserting the impossibility between himself and the youth.

Although Zheng Hao had already made the necessary mental preparations, he still couldn't help but feel shrouded in gloom.

Uncle Gu...

Is it simply that she can't accept his feelings, or is it just that she can't accept his feelings?

If he doesn't accept him, will Uncle Gu want to accept other people's feelings in the future?

Was it Fang Jiyue, Peng Zhizhi, or someone else?

Many faces flashed through Zheng Hao's mind. If Gu Lin could see them, he would recognize them as men he had met. In the past, Zheng Hao had looked down on these men, thinking they were unworthy of Uncle Gu and that Uncle Gu deserved the best men.

After realizing his feelings for Uncle Gu, Zheng Hao slightly changed his mindset. Although he still felt that these men were not good enough for Uncle Gu, he became wary of any eligible men who approached Uncle Gu.

If they dare to disregard the seriousness of the matter and disturb Uncle Gu...

A ruthless glint flashed in Zheng Hao's eyes.

"It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature." Even now, in front of the young man, Zheng Hao has not fully revealed his true colors. He has concealed his ruthlessness, and his eyes are gradually covered by thick black ink. His face still has a gentle and humble appearance.

Zheng Hao murmured to himself, his fingers rubbing together slightly beneath his sleeve, "Uncle Gu, don't let me find a reason to lock you up."

He lowered his eyes slightly, concealing his thoughts that could not be brought to light.

After thinking it over, Gu Lin said to Zheng Hao, "Let's continue to get along as before..."

Before the young man could finish speaking, the youth cast his gaze upon Zheng Hao's dark eyes. Gu Lin's thoughts faltered, and he paused in his speech.

After a moment, he seemed reluctant but had to say it, his tone slow: "We can try... take it slow."

Gu Lin uttered those words with difficulty and hesitation.

Zheng Hao's cold brows relaxed as well.

The young man relented. Whether the other party was willing or forced, they took the first step, which was also the most difficult step.

Seeing the change in the other party's expression, Gu Lin was not about to let the other party take all the benefits while he suffered a loss.

He said, "Although I agree to your request, we need to agree on three rules for our future relationship."

Without interrupting, Zheng Hao's expression turned slightly serious, as if he were listening attentively.

Withdrawing his gaze from the young man, Gu Lin spoke, stating his thoughts: "From now on, you cannot interfere in my affairs, disregard my wishes, or have any physical contact with me."

By outlining the three rules, Gu Lin was clearly trying to restore his relationship with Zheng Hao to its original state.

Zheng Hao said, "I can agree to the content of the first two chapters, but I will have to disappoint Uncle Gu for the last chapter."

Gu Lin frowned and turned to stare at him: "You said that as long as I don't leave the capital, everything will remain the same."

He didn't say anything specific, but the two of them understood each other perfectly.

Under the young man's glare, the young man sighed slightly, his usually cool yet gentle face revealing a hint of helplessness.

He looked up at Gu Lin, his tone gentle: "Uncle Gu, I won't pressure you to give me an answer anytime soon, a few years, ten years, it's all fine, but..."

Zheng Hao said softly, "The long years should always bring me some sweetness."

On a cool night, a clear, slightly lingering voice seemed to reach someone's heart. The young man had a face as beautiful as jade, and was incomparably handsome. His deep, dark eyes, which were warm, were fixed on the young man in front of him, as if his eyes could see nothing else but the person in front of him.

Under such focused gaze, Gu Lin tried to ignore it, but still couldn't help but sway his mind.

Having witnessed Zheng Hao's true nature—unlike his outwardly gentle and kind demeanor—he knew he couldn't push the other too far. The young man pursed his lips, took a step back, and said, "Without my permission, you can't do anything, otherwise..."

Gu Lin closed his eyes, suppressing his shame, and opened them to stare at Zheng Hao, saying, "There is no possibility between us after this."

Knowing that this was the young man's limit, Zheng Hao did not push his luck any further.

Having initially resolved the issue between the two, Gu Lin was not entirely relieved.

A hint of hesitation and struggle flashed across his face. Zheng Hao lowered his eyes slightly and caught the unease in the other's eyes and brows.

After a moment's hesitation, Gu Lin asked Zheng Hao, "My identity..."

Zheng Hao's voice was gentle: "Uncle Gu was born with a talent for business, but he was held back by staying in the village. Later, he had no choice but to set up a stall to sell food in order to make a living. Fortunately, he was helped by a benefactor and came all the way from Xiahe Village to the capital."

"As for eating habits, things change and people change. Many people experience many setbacks and their habits change drastically, so it is not surprising that Uncle Gu has changed."

The young man spoke gently, trying to comfort the young man. He was the one who pointed out the differences between the young man and Gu Lin in the beginning, and now he was the one comforting Gu Lin.

Step by step, each step intricately linked, leaving the young man nowhere to escape.

Although Zheng Hao did not give a definite guarantee that his identity would not be exposed, his words made up for the many differences between him and the original owner.

As Gu Lin's anxiety subsided, a wave of fatigue washed over him.

Seeing the weariness on the young man's face, Zheng Hao advised, "It's getting late, Uncle Gu, you should go to sleep."

Gu Lin wanted to go into the inner room to sleep, but Zheng Hao showed no sign of leaving and just stood there without moving.

Noticing the young man's gaze on him, Zheng Hao looked back and said with his lips slightly parted, "I have to go to the Ministry of Revenue for my shift in two hours. Uncle Gu, go inside and get some sleep. I'll sleep in the outer room."

Although he didn't want to share a room with the other person, there were no empty rooms in this courtyard. When Gu Lin came to this courtyard with Zheng Hao for a late-night snack, he discovered that the nearest inn was a few hundred steps away.

Gu Lin comforted himself, as long as the other person didn't sleep in the same bed with him, it would be fine.

In the following days, Gu Lin stayed in the courtyard, and Xi Zhu and the others took care of all his needs, just like he was in the mansion. Gu Lin did not suffer any hardship. The only drawback was that Zheng Hao would come over every day after he finished his shift.

Fortunately, the other person was busy with something and would come over late at night each time. The two of them were very tacit, with one sleeping in the outer room and the other in the inner room so as not to disturb each other.

Seeing that the other party did not make any overstepping moves, Gu Lin gradually relaxed and slept more soundly each day.

After staying in the courtyard for six days, Gu Lin figured his cold should be almost healed. So he tried to step out of the courtyard and open the gate. This time, the two guards outside did not stop him. Seeing this, Gu Lin knew he could leave.

He lifted his leg to step over the threshold, but out of the corner of his eye he saw Xizhu looking anxious beside him.

Gu Lin paused for a moment and then said, "I'm going to go outside for a walk. You all go back to the manor and wait for me."

Upon hearing Fu Lang's instructions, happy Zhu was overjoyed. Her honest and simple face was full of gratitude as she repeatedly agreed to Gu Lin's request.

Heaven knows, he was terrified that his husband would leave them there and go straight back to the mansion.

Leaving the courtyard, Gu Lin went out onto the street. Even though he hadn't been out for only a few days, he felt that the sun was shining brightly and the air smelled sweet.

Gu Lin didn't go anywhere else; he flagged down an oxcart and headed to Zhenyu Tower.

Upon arriving at Zhenyu Tower, Gu Lin paid the oxcart driver and then entered the tower.

The first floor was packed with people, and the waiters were serving a group of men and women. When the manager saw him, Gu Lin raised his hand. Seeing his signal, the manager restrained himself and did not come out from behind the counter.

Gu Lin lifted his leg and walked up the steps to the second floor. At this time, Xiao Cui was also busy receiving several wives and husbands. Gu Lin did not go up to disturb them, but found an empty seat to sit down and wait for them.

After seeing off the several noble ladies and their husbands, Xiao Cui finally had some free time. She noticed Gu Lin coming up.

Xiao Cui walked over and said to Gu Lin, "Master."

"Why haven't you come over these past few days? If you hadn't come today, I would have gone to the Zheng residence to look for you."

Except for the first few days after arriving in the capital when Xiao Cui stayed at the Zheng residence, she spent the rest of the time in the room behind Zhenyu Tower. In addition, she was busy entertaining guests all day long, so she was unaware of Gu Lin's illness.

Gu Lin then used a ready-made excuse: "I caught a cold a few nights ago when I went out, but I feel better today, so I came over."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Cui asked with a worried expression, "Are you alright now?"

Gu Lin waved his hand, telling the other person not to worry: "You know what I'm like. It would be strange if I didn't get sick a few times a year."

Even so, Xiao Cui couldn't help but worry.

She said, "Previously, the doctor at the prefectural medical clinic said that the imperial physicians in the palace could treat your illness. I wonder if Lord Zheng could invite the imperial physicians to treat you?"

What was said in jest was taken seriously by the listener. As soon as the other person mentioned Zheng Hao, the smile on Gu Lin's lips gradually disappeared.

He said to Xiao Cui, "Before returning to his hometown to visit his family, Zheng Hao mentioned the matter of inviting the imperial physician. According to the rules, only officials of the fourth rank or above are qualified to invite the imperial physician. In addition, one must make great contributions and earnestly request His Majesty to grant the imperial physician. Otherwise, the imperial physicians in the palace cannot treat outsiders at will."

In fact, after the Qingzhou Prefecture tax silver case, Zheng Hao could have requested Emperor Jian'an to send an imperial physician to treat Gu Lin. However, given his status and position, the physician sent from the palace would certainly have been an ordinary imperial physician.

Following the doctor's advice, Gu Lin's condition was something that ordinary imperial physicians couldn't treat. The Imperial Hospital's most skilled physician was the hospital director, and if Gu Lin were treated by him, there was an 80% chance of a full recovery.

If he were treated by other imperial physicians and drank various medicinal soups indiscriminately, it might harm his health. Therefore, Zheng Hao did not act rashly.

In addition, Gu Lin's health has gradually improved in recent years due to his continuous use of medicinal diets, and he is no longer as easily frail as before. Zheng Hao has a clear understanding of the situation and plans to make some achievements to ensure that Gu Lin's treatment is foolproof.

Xiao Cui sighed softly, "Sure enough, when it comes to matters concerning the master, Mingzhang has already thought of things a hundred steps ahead of others."

Hearing Xiao Cui's sigh, Gu Lin's expression faltered slightly.

His fingers twitched slightly, and a look of confusion flashed in his eyes. When did it start... that Zheng Hao valued his body more than his own?

Before hearing Xiao Cui's words, Gu Lin hadn't realized this. Now, thinking back on the past few years, every winter Zheng Hao would add charcoal to his room every day, and when he had a cold and fever, Zheng Hao would stay up all night to take care of him...

Gu Lin couldn't help but clench his fists.

Not noticing the young man's odd behavior, Xiao Cui said, "Master, have you had lunch yet? Shall we go out to eat first?"

Without agreeing, Gu Lin snapped out of his thoughts and said to Xiao Cui, "I still have things to do at the manor. Go and eat."

Then he said to Xiao Cui, "Could you send a letter to Master Cui? In a few days, I will discuss the cooperation with him in detail."

Xiao Cui nodded in agreement.

Gu Lin returned to his residence.

Gu Lin was in a mess and wanted to go straight back to his own courtyard, but when he passed by Zhao's wife and Yu'er's residence, Zhao's wife, who saw him, pulled him into the courtyard.

As she walked, Zhao said, "I asked Mingzhang how you were feeling, but he wouldn't give me a straight answer. He just said you weren't seriously ill. But if you weren't seriously ill, why couldn't you even move your body? You've been out here for so long, and it took you so long to recover from your cold."

“I want to see you, but Mingzhang is stopping me, saying that colds are easily contagious and that I am healthy and have nothing to fear.”

While complaining, Zhao's wife observed the young man's expression. Every time he fell ill, he would lose weight, losing all the little bit of flesh he had painstakingly gained.

But this time, Zhao's sister-in-law narrowed her eyes and stared at Gu Lin's face carefully. She found that apart from being a little pale, he hadn't lost much weight.

The more she looked, the more satisfied she became, and the less worried she was. Zhao said to Gu Lin, "Mingzhang is really good at taking care of people. I knew that if I entrusted you to him, he would definitely not let you suffer. Look, you haven't lost much weight even though you're sick."

Upon hearing the words "hand it over to him," "take it seriously," and "he won't suffer," Gu Lin's brow twitched. He wasn't sure if he was being too sensitive or if Zhao's wife had spoken like that before.

Not wanting to continue the topic, and afraid of letting something slip, Gu Lin turned his gaze to Yu Ge'er, who was holding a child not far away, and changed the subject, saying, "Why are you all at home at this time?"

Good Luck Restaurant has already opened in the capital. Zhao's wife and Yu's son always have one of them stay at the restaurant to keep an eye on things, but today, unusually, both of them are staying at home.

Upon hearing this, Sister Zhao and Brother Yu exchanged a glance and said, "Let's ask the craftsmen to renovate Good Fortune Tower again."

"Ok?"

Good Luck Restaurant just opened recently, why does it need renovation so soon?

Holding the child, Yu Ge'er smiled and said, "This was Gu An's idea."

This immediately piqued Gu Lin's curiosity.

He asked Yu Ge'er, "Tell me, what idea did Xiao An give you?"

Faced with the young man's curious question, Brother Yu kept him in suspense, saying, "Don't worry, you'll know when Good Fortune Restaurant reopens tomorrow."