The young soldier led Zhou Chenyu toward the family housing compound.
The entire way, he looked at Zhou Chenyu with obvious dislike.
This guy actually came looking for their sister-in-law. Just seeing him was annoying.
When they arrived at the compound, the soldier immediately stopped and pointed casually.
“Follow this road east. At the intersection, turn left. Walk past seven or eight houses and you’ll reach the commander’s home.”
After saying that, he turned and left without caring whether Zhou Chenyu had understood or not.
After all, the commander had only ordered him to bring the man to the family compound. As for whether he could find the commander’s house, that was none of his business.
Of course, Zhou Chenyu knew the soldier had deliberately abandoned him there.
He could also guess the reason why.
Still, if they thought that would make things difficult for him, they were underestimating him.
Just after finishing her shower, He Ruchu heard a knock at the courtyard gate.
When she opened the door, she was surprised to find Zhou Chenyu standing outside.
“Why are you here?”
“I came to take you home…”
Zhou Chenyu looked at her with burning eyes.
“Chuchu, I’m sorry. I came too late.”
For a moment, He Ruchu genuinely didn’t know how to respond.
She also had no idea how she should handle Zhou Chenyu.
It was quite a headache.
His throat bobbed as he swallowed.
His voice was hoarse and strained.
“Chuchu, come with me. Let’s go back to the Northwest, okay?”
Looking at him, He Ruchu was silent for a moment before sighing softly.
“I already thought it through last night. I’m not planning to return to the Northwest for now. If you want to go back and have a look, then you should go ahead.”
If possible, she actually hoped Zhou Chenyu would return there.
After all, he had come to Beijing because of the original owner of this body.
But whether it was the original owner or herself, neither could give him the response he wanted.
So it would be better to end things sooner rather than later.
Thinking this, He Ruchu raised her head and continued,
“Besides, you’ve been in Beijing for quite a while now. It’s probably time to go back ”
“Chuchu.”
Zhou Chenyu interrupted her.
His heart trembled uncontrollably.
“If we’re going back, we’re going back together.”
He tried his best to suppress his emotions as he stared at her.
“Don’t worry. I’ll deal with Shen Siyuan.”
“No!”
He Ruchu hurriedly stopped him.
“The matter between Shen Siyuan and me is something I’ll handle myself.”
After all, Shen Siyuan was the novel’s male protagonist.
He wasn’t someone who could simply be “dealt with.”
She didn’t want Zhou Chenyu getting himself into unnecessary trouble.
Unfortunately, those words sounded completely different to Zhou Chenyu.
To him, it sounded like she was defending Shen Siyuan.
It felt as though countless needles pierced his heart.
Even breathing hurt.
His lips trembled slightly before he finally managed to speak.
“Chuchu… do you really want to marry him?”
Zhou Chenyu took a deep breath, afraid of hearing an answer that would suffocate him.
Not daring to wait even a second, he continued:
“Do you really know him? Can he make you happy?”
“Chuchu… temporary excitement isn’t love.”
His voice dropped to a murmur, pain filling his eyes.
Many times, Zhou Chenyu regretted coming to Beijing.
He often wondered
If he had never come here…
If Shen Siyuan had never appeared…
Would things have remained the same as before?
Would she have always belonged to his world alone?
“I know everything you’re saying…”
He Ruchu lowered her eyes, unable to bear looking at the pain in his.
Zhou Chenyu’s love for the original owner ran too deep.
That obsession seemed carved into his very bones.
Originally, she wanted to explain that things between her and Shen Siyuan weren’t what he imagined.
But after thinking it over, she decided against it.
Otherwise, he might misunderstand even more.
“Knowing it’s impossible, yet still refusing to give up…”
Zhou Chenyu murmured bitterly.
Did she really like Shen Siyuan that much?
He forced down the bitterness in his heart.
Some things couldn’t be rushed.
“Chuchu, come home with me first.”
No matter what, he couldn’t feel at ease leaving her alone here.
“I think I’m doing quite well here.”
He Ruchu rejected the suggestion.
She was telling the truth.
Shen Siyuan was rarely home, and living alone was actually very comfortable.
“Chuchu!”
Zhou Chenyu’s voice rose involuntarily.
He was about to say more when another voice interrupted him.
“Sister-in-law!”
The sudden shout caused both He Ruchu and Zhou Chenyu to look over.
A man in military uniform was walking toward them, carrying a large electric fan on his shoulder.
Sister-in-law?
Was he talking to her?
Confusion and surprise flashed through He Ruchu’s eyes.
Had Shen Siyuan publicly acknowledged their relationship?
Before she could think further, the man had already arrived.
“Sister-in-law, Old Shen asked me to bring you a fan.”
Old Shen?
Shen Siyuan?
He Ruchu froze briefly.
Then she remembered complaining about the heat to him earlier.
A smile unconsciously appeared on her lips.
Although she had always been emotionally detached, she had to admit that Shen Siyuan’s actions were unexpectedly considerate.
“Thank you for your trouble, Comrade.”
She smiled and reached for the fan.
“You can give it to me.”
The man shook his head.
“Sister-in-law, it’s heavy. I’ll carry it inside for you.”
Looking at the huge fan, which stood over a meter tall, she figured he was right.
“Then thank you, Comrade.”
“Haha, no need to be so polite.”
The man laughed heartily.
“My name is Feng Jianye. Old Shen and I are brothers-in-arms.”
As he spoke, he carried the fan into the courtyard.
While passing Zhou Chenyu, he deliberately bumped him aside.
“Excuse me. You’re blocking the way.”
His tone was far from friendly.
The soldier who had guided Zhou Chenyu there had already told him everything.
This guy was Shen Siyuan’s romantic rival.
Only Shen Siyuan would be so carefree as to let his rival come see his wife alone.
If it were him, he’d have kicked the man away long ago.
Caught off guard, Zhou Chenyu staggered backward.
He glanced coldly at Feng Jianye.
Sure enough.
Birds of a feather flock together.
Everyone around Shen Siyuan was equally irritating.
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, He Ruchu looked toward Zhou Chenyu.
Though she felt a little guilty, she still spoke.
“It’s getting late. You should head back to the city now. Otherwise, there may not be any transportation later.”
“Chuchu…”
How could Zhou Chenyu fail to understand that she was trying to send him away?
Yet he still couldn’t leave.
“Won’t you invite me inside for a while?”
The moment he finished speaking, a mocking snort sounded from nearby.