An Attempt at Sales

In a state of half-belief, Gui Hua fetched a pen and paper, her gaze fixed on Li Hua as she wrote. "Why are you trying so hard to please me?" she asked, suspicion lacing her words. "Do you have some ulterior motive?"

Li Hua, her hand busily moving across the paper, was too preoccupied to respond. She continued writing, paying no mind to Gui Hua's questioning. Gui Hua, receiving no response, shrugged and resumed her task of cracking sunflower seeds.

After a few minutes, Li Hua finished writing. A sense of relief washed over her as she put down her pen and handed the paper to Gui Hua. "Here," she said, "I'm not trying to please you. I just appreciate your straightforwardness. You don't hide your feelings or play games. I want to be friends with you. I hope you won't misunderstand."

A secret thrill ran through Li Hua as she spoke. She hadn't realized she could mimic Gu Zi's manner of speaking so well. She was rather pleased with herself.