Chapter 162
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Gu Nianzhi turned back in shock, not expecting Zhao Liangze and Brother Huang to say the same thing . She was closer to Zhao Liangze because she had met him when she was 12 years, old and had practically grown up with him .
Clutching Zhao Liangze's elbow, Gu Nianzhi refused to let him go and began pouting . "You both are so wary! Did you team up like this just to bully me?" Gu Nianzhi looked up at Zhao Liangze . "Brother Ze, tell me clearly, how do I lack a conscience? I'm clever, smart, and I always get the top marks in any subject . I cracked the Copernicus code before as well, so tell me, how do I lack a conscience?"
This was an insult! Gu Nianzhi thought .
"Getting top marks and cracking codes are not related to whether one has a conscience or not . You've proven my point if you ask me such things . " Zhao Liangze yanked his arm away and ruffled her hair . "Like your Brother Huang, you treat him like a senior classmate and joke around with him, but you have no idea what is on his mind and what he has to deal with . So, you have to keep your distance! Keep a distance, got it?"
"Hmph!" Gu Nianzhi shook her head and stuck her tongue out at him . "Don't talk about my classmates that way! They're nice to me . "
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"Hmph!" Zhao Liangze made the same childish pout and then laughed . He took her hand and sat down with her on the couch . Then he said, "I'm a man too, so how could I not understand the look Brother Huang was giving you?"
"Brother Ze, don't flatter yourself . You say that you're a man? Gu Nianzhi teased him instead . "You're 25 right? Have you had a girlfriend? Have you 'popped your cherry'? If you haven't, then don't act all high and mighty in front of me!" she defiantly continued, "Also, Brother Huang warned me about you too . He said that since we're staying alone together, I should be careful . See, he isn't as bold as you're saying "
Zhao Liangze's jaw dropped . "Have I popped my what?! My cherry? Y-You… where did you learn to speak this way?! Also, how's that the same? My relationship with you and your relationship with him are on different levels . I'm practically your guardian! I treat you like a little sister . "
Smack!
Gu Nianzhi slapped his head with a pillow . Her face was flushed and her usually friendly eyes were glaring st him in anger .
"That crossed the line! You're just older by a few years . I hate it when you act as thought you're so much more older and wiser than I am just because of our age gap . I'm a young woman, but I'm not naive, and I don't need to be sheltered all the time!"
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Zhao Liangze hadn't expected such a strong outburst and felt bad at having hurt her feelings . He immediately tried to comfort her, running to the fridge and then back to her with a glass of milk in his hands, and a plate of her favorite cookies . "Don't be angry, don't be angry! That was just a figure of speech to express my affection for you . Elders will never have ulterior motives for youngsters, only unquestionable love and care . Why are you so caught up with the term? I'm not taking advantage of you, it was just an example . " He sighed and then said, "You've been with us at the base for the past six years, so just consider how we've we've treated you . Even normal parents don't treat their children as preciously as we treat you . "
Gu Nianzhi didn't understand why she was so enraged . She only felt a lodge in her heart, like she was trapped in a small, windowless room and couldn't breathe . She held the milk and gulped it down, quelling the unease in her heart . She looked away, and Zhao Liangze remembered the scrawny and reckless, wild girl she had been when she had first arrived . Watching over her all these years, he had been there by her side supporting her as she grew from a brat into the woman she was now .
Zhao Liangze was very proud that she had grow up to be so beautiful and bright . He sat by her and spoke sincerely . "Nianzhi, I understand how you feel . I'm afraid I understand your situation more than anyone else, because I have felt the same . "
Gu Nianzhi gave him a suspicious glance, not believing his words .
"Believe me . " Zhao Liangze tucked one arm under his head and leaned back against the sofa . "Back then, I was probably too smart for my own good, but the rest of society saw the makings of a child prodigy . I started university when I was 10, even earlier than you . I graduated from my undergrad at 13, then studied broad in the States as a Computer Science post-grad and had completed my doctorate at 15 . I was the same as you back then; I thought I was smart and could do anything I wanted . I did whatever I wanted online and was invincible . I was the king of the Internet!"
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Gu Nianzhi finally giggled . "Sure, keep on making things up . "
"I'm telling you the truth . " Zhao Liangze lazily stretched his legs . "Back then, I didn't know any better and only did the things I liked . I didn't want to find a job after graduation and only wanted to beat the Russian and Eastern Europeans hackers . Then eight years ago, I was taken in by Mr . Huo and came back to the Empire to join the Special Ops . " Zhao Liangze looked at her . "After going through all sorts of training with the Special Ops, I finally realized that I had just been an idiot that had known a lot about computers and programming . "
Gu Nianzhi looked at him . "That's it? I thought that the end of your wild ways would be due to a girl who appeared out of thin air and touched your heart . That she had taught you how to be a man . I guess I was overthinking it . "
"A girl?" Zhao Liangze thought of Bai Yueran, his expression changing for a moment, before laughing the sudden thought of her away . "What girl? I haven't come across from a girl who makes me feel that way yet . But in my eight years at the Special Ops, I've learned a great number of and skills outside of academics and computers . "
Gu Nianzhi was curious . "Like what?"
"Like how to judge a person's true intentions, how to cope with flirting, how to determine if someone is telling the truth . Also, how to make someone completely trust you during a mission . "
Gu Nianzhi was stunned . "What on earth were you guys learning?! 108 ways to seduce girls?"
"That's just a small part of what we have to study, so don't assume that's all . " Zhao Liangze corrected .
"Gu Nianzhi, honestly speaking, in contrast to 10 kilometer cross-country running, or obstacle courses, or shooting practice, I think these studies are more important for you . Unfortunately, Mr . Huo won't listen to me . You are smart enough, but can you tell if a man is interested in you? Would you know how to tell if a man is being sincere? Can you see the truth in extreme situations? These things aren't taught by textbook, but for a genius like you, you'd excel at it!" Zhao Liangze gave a confident smile and leaned closer to Gu Nianzhi, speaking conspiratorially . "Even more importantly, could you tell by a man's gaze, if it's a man's desire for a woman, or the platonic affection between friends and family? If you can differentiate this, it'll save you a lot of unnecessary trouble in the future . "
Gu Nianzhi's mouth gaped slightly, her eyes focused intently on Zhao Liangze . His words had opened up a new world to her . "Brother Ze, I'll be your disciple! Please teach me!" Gu Nianzhi stood up and dragged Zhao Liangze to the computer . "Tell me and I'll write it down . What is the procedure!"
Zhao Liangze couldn't help sighing . These were skills that couldn't be put into words, so how could he write out the procedure? He also suddenly realized he had said too much . If Mr . Huo found ever out, he would probably send him to the ends of the earth .