Gu Yu’s act of inviting Xiaozhai back home might seem bold, but they both knew that it was because they needed somewhere private to talk.
The two hailed a taxi and reached their destination almost in no time. The digit on the fare meter remained unchanged at the flag-down price, which was five yuan. When they showed up at the intersection of Phoenix Fair, the neighbors were running around spreading the news: Xiao Yu had brought home a young woman!
Good gracious! Almost instantaneously, mischievous kids were sticking their heads out from behind yard gates and street corners; some even peeked over the courtyard walls.
The enthusiasm the neighbors exhibited was almost intimidating. The undisguised staring was probably an experience they would never encounter again in their lifetime, adding to which was the utterly groundless gossip.
"Dear me, the girl is so pretty. A bit too tall, though."
