Who Reads Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 74

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, a burst of noise came from outside the window.

Having struck it rich overnight with a pocketful of New Year's money, Gu Ran felt much more confident.

He had stayed up late finding a few graphic designers, agreed on the deposit, and planned to transfer the money to start work right after the holiday.

He had to admit, netizens in this era were truly dedicated. Even on New Year's Eve, people were online on forums, and some were even pulling all-nighters in internet cafes. It was truly admirable.

He had gone to bed a bit late last night and originally intended to catch up on some sleep this morning, but he didn't expect people to start setting off firecrackers so early!

Lying in bed, tossing and turning with a pillow pressed over his ears, he struggled to fall back asleep, dozing in a hazy daze.

If he wasn't so exhausted, he really wouldn't have been able to sleep.

But just past seven o'clock, the balcony door was pushed open. A young girl, having washed up early and changed into new clothes, walked in with her hands behind her back, like a supervisor on an inspection tour.

She pulled open the curtains, turned her head to look at Gu Ran who was still sound asleep on his stomach, frowned slightly, and could not help but step forward to give him a shove.

"Lazy pig, wake up!"

Gu Ran mumbled something, rolled over, and went back to sleep.

Seeing this, Ye Zhenzhen puffed out her cheeks and reached out to push him again. "Hurry up and get out of bed. If you sleep in on the first day of the New Year, you'll be lazy for the whole year!"

As an older sister acting like a mother, she felt she was worrying her heart out.

However, the younger brother lying in bed did not seem to appreciate it. Woken up in a groggy state, he yawned, squinted at the girl, and said resentfully, "Nagging on the first day of the New Year, be careful you don't become a busybody for the whole year."

Ye Zhenzhen: "???"

Was he attacking me?!

"In the end, it is the younger sister's talkativeness that annoys the older brother. Fine, fine, this younger sister will take her leave."

Gu Ran: "???"

In his drowsy state, he suddenly jolted awake, unable to figure out the situation before him for a moment.

What was going on? Who was watching Dream of the Red Chamber?!

With this passive-aggressive tone, anyone who didn't know better would think Sister Daiyu had arrived!

Rolling over, he turned his head to look at the girl standing by the bed, unable to stop himself from sucking his teeth.

The two stared at each other in silence, wide-eyed, neither willing to back down first.

Finally, Gu Ran yielded and said in a negotiating tone, "Um, I'm already awake."

"Uh-huh?"

Ye Zhenzhen blinked, not understanding what he meant.

Awake?

She could see that.

"How about... you go out for a stroll? Or help Aunt Ye make some breakfast?"

Hearing the sound of the TV coming from the living room, which sounded like someone watching the Spring Festival Gala replay, he reasoned with the girl in front of him.

"Look at you, just a year older, and this brother is already bossing people around?"

Gu Ran: "..."

Why did he feel the veins on his forehead throbbing?

He remained silent for a long time, then, under the gaze of her cool eyes, he abruptly threw off the blanket.

"Do I really have to tell you that I sleep naked before you leave?"

Having thrown off the blanket, Gu Ran was only wearing a pair of old man's briefs.

Startled by his action, Ye Zhenzhen froze in place for a moment, standing there dumbly not knowing what to do.

After a long while...

Gu Ran was the first to feel embarrassed. Under the girl's gaze, he hurriedly pulled the blanket back up to cover his body.

"You... why aren't you covering your eyes?"

It was different from what he had imagined, and he began to feel a bit awkward.

As the saying goes, if I'm not embarrassed, you're the one who is embarrassed. The reverse is also true.

After a long delayed reaction, the bewildered girl finally came to her senses. She immediately covered her eyes, let out a soft shriek, and her cheeks flushed bright red with shame.

Gu Ran: "???"

You've already seen everything and now you cover your eyes? Are you just comforting yourself?

Seeing her reaction, Gu Ran twitched the corner of his mouth speechlessly, not knowing how to evaluate this.

"You... you're a pervert!"

Biting her lip lightly, the girl parted her fingers slightly, revealing eyes full of shy annoyance.

Hearing this, Gu Ran choked on his words, not knowing what to say. After all, who would have thought this girl's reflex arc would be so incredibly long!

"You... hurry up and get out of bed!"

Glaring at him one more time, Ye Zhenzhen didn't dare to stay any longer. With a blushing face, she pushed open the bedroom door and ran out.

...

In the living room, Gu Xiangcheng was sitting on the sofa, drinking his morning tea and watching the replay of the Spring Festival Gala, savoring it carefully.

The Spring Festival Gala in this era was very interesting, and he was watching it with great enthusiasm.

Seeing Ye Zhenzhen walk out of the room, he turned his head, smiled, and waved his hand, saying, "Come here quickly, Zhenzhen, this part is really funny."

After saying that, he turned his head back and continued watching the comedy sketch on TV.

But the next second, he suddenly realized something was wrong.

This girl... did she just come out of that boy Gu Ran's room?!

Did he see that right?!

Turning his head to look at the girl sitting beside him with a perfectly obedient expression, he frowned slightly, feeling a bit uncertain.

Seeing Lao Gu's expression, Ye Zhenzhen's heart skipped a beat as she instantly realized her mistake.

Why did she come out directly from Gu Ran's room?

Uncle Gu...

He wouldn't misunderstand anything, would he?!

She blinked and forced herself to look calmly at the TV, while her small hands began to fiddle with the tea set, finding something to do to distract herself.

Otherwise, she was really afraid that Gu Xiangcheng would see through her!

But after pretending for a while, she realized something. Why was she acting so guilty like a thief?

Wasn't it perfectly normal for an older sister to wake up her younger brother?

Perhaps... the only abnormal thing was that she had gone directly into Gu Ran's room through the balcony door.

Thinking of this, she mentally complained about a certain annoying guy again.

If that guy hadn't taken the lead in using the back door, would she have developed the habit of using the balcony door?

Right, it was all his fault!

Both of them kept their own little secrets to themselves as they sat on the sofa watching the Spring Festival Gala.

...

For some unknown reason, during breakfast, the girl beside him seemed like it was her time of the month, her mood exceptionally volatile.

When she came out of his room, she was clearly a shy, gentle maiden. How had she now turned into a roaring lioness?

The crushing weight stomping on his instep hadn't stopped for a moment!

Completely bewildered but not daring to ask, Gu Ran could only lower his head and eat.

Most of the dishes were leftovers from last night, but Ye Shulian still thoughtfully made some porridge and boiled a few eggs.

After all, Gu Xiangcheng had drunk too much alcohol last night, so she had to make some warm porridge to soothe his stomach.

Ye Zhenzhen was also eating her breakfast quietly, not daring to look up at Gu Xiangcheng.

Reaching out and silently peeling an eggshell, peeling it off completely, she placed the egg by her hand, then grabbed two tissues to wipe her hands.

But Gu Ran shamelessly reached out with his chopsticks and snatched up the egg the girl had just peeled.

Right in front of Ye Zhenzhen, he stuffed it into his mouth in one bite and arrogantly raised his eyebrows.

Ye Zhenzhen: "..."

When pretending to be a decent human being, please try to act a little more like one.

Twitching the corner of her mouth, the girl said faintly, "A drop of tear shed in longing last year has yet to roll down to the cheek even now."

Gu Ran: "???"

What did that mean? Who was this girl longing for?