Part 2 Hello, Mr. Major General I'm Gu Nianzi

233. I messed up?

Yin Shixiong inwardly rolled his eyes: Mr. Huo was a perfectionist, a complete tyrant with exacting standards and a critical eye, but he was always spoiling Gu Nianzhi silly. Her pajamas were ugly as sin, and yet Mr. Huo had, with a completely straight face, praised them all the same.
You've got to be kidding me.
Zhao Liangze was also mentally cussing Huo Shaoheng out. If he was so insanely protective of her now, what was he going to be like when Nianzhi married?
Zhao Liangze involuntarily shuddered at the thought. He muttered a silent prayer for Gu Nianzhi's future husband.
As for Gu Nianzhi, everyone else had disappeared from her world the moment she laid eyes on Huo Shaoheng.
She launched into a long-winded and detailed account of everything that had happened to her since arriving in America. She did not mention the cameras Wen Shouyi had concealed in the previous apartment, of courseshe did not want Huo Shaoheng to worry.
Huo Shaoheng did not speak. He merely watched Gu Nianzhi as she prattled on in a one-sided conversation.
This went on for some time; Gu Nianzhi eventually noticed Zhao Liangze and Yin Shixiong yawning, and realized she had been dominating the conversation. She said, sheepishly, "Oh, am I boring you? Uncle Huo, I'll be sure to keep it short and sweet next time, but you must call me more often." She looked at her watch and discovered that it was almost time for her afternoon classes.
Huo Shaoheng finally spoke. "How many of those black T-shirts do you have?"
Gu Nianzhi immediately flushed.
Sure enough, she had been caught red-handed.
Gu Nianzhi stammered out," N-Not many"
"How many?" Huo Shaoheng frowned, ever so slightly. "This is very important."
"Just...four." Gu Nianzhi's forehead was glued to the table as she bent over and hid her face. Her posture and expression clearly displayed how embarrassed she was.
Huo Shaoheng said, "Okay. Give them to Big Xiong so he can dispose of them."
He was not in the habit of explaining his instructions, but made an exception this time since Gu Nianzhi seemed about ready to die of embarrassment. "Those T-shirts were custom-made for me, and have very specific markings on them. You might attract unwanted attention if the wrong people over there sees them."
Gu Nianzhi, Yin Shixiong, and Zhao Liangze suddenly understood what he was saying. If they had admired him for his intelligence before, they were ready to put him on an altar and worship him now: Huo Shaoheng had been one step ahead of them, as usual. The black T-shirts belonging to Huo Shaoheng had been especially manufactured by the Imperial Army for him, and were all uniquely marked.
If the United States CIA got their hands on even a tiny piece of the fabric, they might be able to restore the entire shirt, and deduce that one of the Huaxia Empire's major generals, or at least someone with close ties to him, had come to America.
Huo Shaoheng was right: this could end up being disastrous for both Gu Nianzhi and Yin Shixiong.
"I'll destroy them right away, Sir." Yin Shixiong thumped his chest; he ran to Gu Nianzhi's room and rummaged through her closet for the pajamas she had brought with her.
Gu Nianzhi's face had turned a deeper shade of red. She was very embarrassed, but she knew she had to apologize for her mistake. She stood up, bowed towards the camera, and said sincerely, "Uncle Huo, I messed up. This won't ever happen again, I promise."
Huo Shaoheng was not completely convinced the danger was over. He asked, "Did you bring anything else?"
"No." Gu Nianzhi shook her head vigorously. "Only those T-shirts" her lips trembled, and she let out a gentle sob. "Those four shirts are all that I have left!"
It had taken her years to successfully "smuggle" the shirts out of Huo Shaoheng's closet and into hers without him realizing it and now she would lose them all!
Huo Shaoheng watched her for a moment. He said nothing. He got out a cigarette and tapped it on the computer desk as he looked about for his lighter.
Zhao Liangze, hurried over and lit Huo Shaoheng's cigarette for him.
Huo Shaoheng took a drag on his cigarette. He said, indifferently, "You can pick out a few more from my closet once you're back."
"Really?! It's a promise! I'm holding you to your word!" Gu Nianzhi immediately lifted her head, her face lighting up with a brilliant smile. Huo Shaoheng had to look away; he lowered his eyes and took another drag on his cigarette.
"Yes, really." He exhaled a lungful of smoke, momentarily obscuring the camera.
"Awesome! Uncle Huo, I'm off to class now. I'll call you tomorrow!" Gu Nianzhi was more than satisfied. She waved at the camera and turned to leave.
Once she had left Yin Shixiong's room and was out of sight, Huo Shaoheng nodded towards Zhao Liangze. "Delete all traces of Nianzhi's video."