It was Feng Jianye.
He turned around and looked at Zhou Chenyu.
This guy was still refusing to leave. His skin was really thick.
“Hey, comrade, don’t you know the family compound has a curfew for visitors?”
Zhou Chenyu glanced at him and smiled faintly.
“Sorry, I didn’t know.”
Feng Jianye nodded.
“Well, now you do.”
Of course, he had completely made that rule up, but that didn’t stop him from using it.
“Besides, Old Shen isn’t here. Why don’t you come visit another day?”
Zhou Chenyu paused and looked toward He Ruchu.
Indeed, it wasn’t appropriate for an unmarried man and a married woman to be alone together.
He could disregard his own reputation, but he couldn’t ignore Chuchu’s.
“Fine,” he said. “Then I’ll wait until he comes back.”
“Sorry, but Old Shen won’t be coming back tonight.”
Feng Jianye smiled broadly, looking as though he was only one step away from physically throwing him out.
For the sake of his good brother’s happiness, he was truly doing everything he could.
After hearing that, Zhou Chenyu secretly felt relieved.
Even better if Shen Siyuan wasn’t coming back.
Ignoring Feng Jianye, he continued looking at He Ruchu.
“Chuchu, it’s not safe for you to stay here alone tonight. Come home with me first.”
“Hah.”
Feng Jianye immediately shot back.
“If the military compound isn’t safe, then where is?”
Trying to take their sister-in-law away?
Not a chance.
“You ”
After being interrupted and provoked again and again, Zhou Chenyu finally lost his patience.
“I’m talking to Chuchu. What right do you have to keep speaking?”
“Comrade Feng is right. The compound is very safe.”
Seeing the atmosphere becoming increasingly tense, He Ruchu quickly stepped in.
She looked at Zhou Chenyu and said,
“When Shen Siyuan is home another day, we’ll invite you over as a guest.”
No matter what, she was now carrying the title of a married woman.
In an era where relationships between men and women were strictly scrutinized, it was better to be careful and avoid unnecessary gossip.
“Chuchu…”
Zhou Chenyu swallowed, wanting to say more.
But before he could continue, she interrupted him again.
“Comrade Zhou, please be careful on your way back. I still have some things to do, so I won’t be seeing you off.”
“Sister-in-law, I happen to be leaving too. I’ll escort him out for you.”
Feng Jianye had already returned after placing the fan inside.
He Ruchu nodded.
“Alright. Thank you for the trouble.”
She deliberately didn’t look at Zhou Chenyu.
Some things were simply impossible.
It was better not to give him any hope at all.
“Sister-in-law, you’re too polite. It’s on my way anyway.”
Feng Jianye walked toward Zhou Chenyu with a smile.
“Comrade Zhou, let’s go together.”
The pain in Zhou Chenyu’s chest was almost suffocating.
He no longer had the courage to stay.
The distance and indifference in He Ruchu’s eyes were things he simply couldn’t endure.
He looked at her deeply and murmured,
“Alright. I’ll come see you again tomorrow.”
He Ruchu replied politely,
“Okay.”
After watching Zhou Chenyu and Feng Jianye disappear into the distance, she let out a soft sigh and returned inside.
Looking at the fan sitting in the living room, she still found it somewhat surprising.
But surprise didn’t stop her from using it.
She immediately moved it near an outlet, plugged it in, and switched it on.
A powerful blast of cool air rushed toward her.
Instantly, she felt much more comfortable.
Closing her eyes in contentment, she enjoyed the breeze for a while before deciding to make dinner.
Before heading to the kitchen, she even adjusted the fan so it would blow toward the kitchen entrance.
Upon entering, she discovered that the previously empty kitchen had begun to look like an actual kitchen.
Not only had Shen Siyuan carried her purchases inside, but he had also organized everything neatly.
The more she looked, the more satisfied she became.
The male lead really was an excellent roommate.
Good-looking and hardworking.
Sometimes she genuinely worried she might eventually develop feelings she shouldn’t have.
“Mmm… I’m probably overthinking things.”
Shaking her head, she dismissed the random thoughts and started preparing dinner.
Since she was eating alone, she didn’t intend to cook anything complicated.
A couple of stir-fried dishes and some steamed rice would be enough.
Thanks to her experiences providing medical aid in remote mountain villages in her previous life, she was perfectly capable of using the old-fashioned wood-burning stove.
Unlike some transmigration heroines who seemed capable of setting the entire house on fire just trying to start a flame.
Although she hadn’t cooked in a long time, her skills hadn’t deteriorated much.
Before long, dinner was served.
The dishes looked and smelled delicious.
Compared to the lavish lunch Shen Siyuan had arranged for someone to deliver, however, it seemed rather modest.
As she ate, He Ruchu couldn’t help smiling.
Meanwhile, Feng Jianye lived up to the principle of “seeing a task through to the end.”
He escorted Zhou Chenyu all the way out of the military compound before finally turning around and leaving.
Then he headed straight to Shen Siyuan’s office.
“Old Shen, I’m a good brother, aren’t I? I personally got rid of your love rival.”
Shen Siyuan glanced at him.
“Unnecessary.”
Feng Jianye rolled his eyes.
“Oh, come on. If I hadn’t gone, your wife might’ve been taken away by that guy.”
Ignoring him, Shen Siyuan casually organized the documents on his desk.
It was obvious he didn’t want to discuss the topic.
The reason he had allowed He Ruchu to accompany the army was, firstly, because it had been his grandmother’s wish to keep her by his side.
Secondly, he feared that leaving her at home would cause endless trouble for his family.
As for whether she wanted to leave with someone else
What did that have to do with him?
Seeing his silence, Feng Jianye changed the subject.
“Old Shen, don’t you think the He family’s daughter isn’t quite like everyone says she is?”
Shen Siyuan frowned.
“I asked you to deliver a fan, not come back with so much nonsense.”
“What nonsense? I’m just telling the truth.”
Feng Jianye dropped into a chair opposite him and continued:
“Look at her. She’s beautiful, kind, and down-to-earth.
The things people say about her spoiled, mean, selfish, vain it doesn’t seem to fit her at all.
And her family background is pretty good too. It’s not like she needs to cling to you for status.
If you ask me, the worst thing she did was like you a little more obsessively than the other girls who admire you.
You really don’t need to be so prejudiced against her.
Besides, whether you like it or not, you’re married now.
If you don’t even try to accept her, are you planning to spend the rest of your lives as strangers?”
Shen Siyuan continued sorting through the papers without expression.
Yet Feng Jianye’s words made him involuntarily recall He Ruchu’s behavior over the last two days.
She really had changed quite a bit.
But who could say for certain that it wasn’t just another act?
After all, she had fooled people before.
Pretending to be innocent and harmless, lowering others’ guard, then striking unexpectedly.
Otherwise, how could he have ended up trapped by her schemes?
Thinking of that, Shen Siyuan let out a cold laugh.
“I trust my own judgment. Don’t be fooled by the act she’s putting on.
I know exactly what kind of woman she is.”
“Your judgment isn’t necessarily right either.”
Feng Jianye argued back.
“I only trust what I see.
Old Shen, when are you going to get rid of that stubborn streak of yours? Why won’t you listen to reason?”
Shen Siyuan looked up and gave him a calm glance.
“Can’t change it. So stop trying.”
“Fine, fine.”
Feng Jianye shook his head helplessly.
“Your marriage is your business. I won’t interfere anymore.
Keep acting stubborn if you want.
I’ll just sit back and wait for the day you regret it.”
Shen Siyuan chuckled lightly.
Regret?
Was that even possible?
Of course not.
Still, this time he intended to see just how long He Ruchu could keep up her act.