As Zhou Chenyu wandered out of the military compound in a daze, someone approached him from the opposite direction.
It was Xie Qingwan.
Looking at his dejected figure, her dark eyes shifted thoughtfully before she stepped forward.
“Comrade Zhou, what a coincidence. We meet again.”
Zhou Chenyu had been walking with his head lowered and hadn’t noticed her. Only when he heard her voice and looked up did he realize she was there.
At the moment, he had no mood to deal with Xie Qingwan. However, remembering that she was He Ruchu’s close friend, he forced a smile.
“Hello, Comrade Xie.”
Xie Qingwan nodded gently.
“Did you go to see Ruchu?”
Not only had he gone to see her, but judging from his expression, things had ended badly.
Then again, with someone like He Ruchu, how could she get along well with anyone?
She had simply been fortunate enough to be born into a good family and always have people revolving around her.
Unlike herself, who had been born into a family like hers and had tasted hardship since childhood.
“Mhm.”
Zhou Chenyu answered quietly.
Just thinking about He Ruchu’s distant attitude made his chest ache again.
Observing his expression, Xie Qingwan sighed as if feeling sorry for him.
“Comrade Zhou, as Ruchu’s good friend, there’s actually something I’ve wanted to ask you.”
Zhou Chenyu paused.
“What is it?”
“I’ve always seen how you feel about Ruchu. But now…” she probed indirectly, “now that Ruchu and my brother have registered their marriage, do you still…?”
“I still like her.”
When speaking to one of He Ruchu’s friends, Zhou Chenyu was completely honest.
“No matter what happens, I won’t give up on Chuchu.”
Hearing this, Xie Qingwan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Her own strength was limited.
She needed more allies.
Whether it was Shen’s mother or Zhou Chenyu, it made no difference.
“Then you absolutely must not give up, Comrade Zhou.”
A faint smile appeared on her lips as she carefully guided the conversation.
“As Ruchu’s good friend, I’ve always hoped she could find true happiness.
But you’ve probably heard about my brother’s cold personality. He’s simply not suited for Ruchu.
And Ruchu is innocent and still young. It’s only natural for her to become interested in someone new and exciting…”
She looked directly at Zhou Chenyu.
“But do you know something? You’re different from everyone else.
For all these years, you’re the only one who has stayed by Ruchu’s side. That means you’re special in her heart.
Maybe she’s already developed feelings for you without realizing it herself.
Or perhaps there are other reasons why she hasn’t said anything.
Do you understand what I mean?”
“Is that really true?”
Zhou Chenyu murmured, as though grasping at the last lifeline available to him.
“Does Chuchu really feel that way?”
Xie Qingwan nodded.
“Yes. Girls understand girls best. You should trust me.”
After a brief pause, she continued,
“So you need to be brave and take the initiative.
Don’t let pride hold you back, and don’t keep suppressing yourself.
If you like her, pursue her. Don’t overthink it.”
“Mhm. I know what I should do now.”
Zhou Chenyu lowered his eyes thoughtfully.
“Comrade Xie, thank you for telling me all this.”
Xie Qingwan smiled.
“You’re welcome. I only want Ruchu to find true happiness.”
“You’re really good to Chuchu.”
Zhou Chenyu couldn’t help but remark.
The smile on Xie Qingwan’s lips deepened.
“That’s what I should do.”
After parting ways with Zhou Chenyu, her mood improved considerably, and she headed toward the military compound.
As a frequent visitor there, she completed a simple registration and entered without issue.
Following a familiar route, she made her way toward the family quarters.
At this hour, Brother Siyuan should be home resting…
Thinking this, she unconsciously quickened her pace.
The family compound was lively in the evening.
Children played noisily, women sat beneath trees chatting, and laughter filled the air.
As Xie Qingwan walked through the area, she greeted the women warmly.
Whenever she encountered children, she would magically produce candies to entertain them.
She was clearly well-liked.
Not far away, He Ruchu sat in the courtyard after dinner, enjoying the evening breeze.
Through the half-open gate, she watched the scene and clicked her tongue.
“Look at that treatment… surrounded by admirers wherever she goes. As expected of the female lead.”
She muttered to herself while watching idly.
Before long, Xie Qingwan arrived.
Seeing the half-open gate, she pushed it open and walked inside.
“Brother Siyuan, I ”
The words slipped out instinctively but stopped abruptly the moment she noticed He Ruchu sitting in the courtyard.
Xie Qingwan froze briefly before offering an embarrassed explanation.
“Ruchu, sorry. I’ve gotten so used to it. Don’t mind me.”
He Ruchu raised an eyebrow with interest.
“Used to what exactly? And why should I mind? Tell me.”
“I…”
Xie Qingwan was momentarily speechless.
She hadn’t expected He Ruchu to be so naïve that she couldn’t even catch the hidden meaning behind her words.
For a moment, it felt like punching cotton the only one left uncomfortable was herself.
Steadying her emotions, she walked closer.
“Brother Siyuan has always lived here alone. Now that you’re suddenly here too, I’m just not used to it.”
He Ruchu was so speechless she nearly rolled her eyes.
What exactly was the female lead trying to imply?
“By the way, where’s Brother Siyuan?”
Then, as if suddenly realizing something, Xie Qingwan hurriedly added,
“Ruchu, I’m not here to see Brother Siyuan. I came to see you. I only asked casually because he wasn’t here. Don’t misunderstand.”
This time, He Ruchu couldn’t help it and rolled her eyes outright.
This female lead really loved creating drama.
Even if she openly admitted she’d come to see the male lead, He Ruchu wouldn’t think anything of it.
Why go through all this unnecessary explanation?
Too lazy to engage, she replied casually,
“Him? I heard there’s something going on in the unit, so he won’t be coming back tonight.”
“Is that so?”
A flash of delight crossed Xie Qingwan’s eyes.
This was technically rest time. What important matter could the unit possibly have?
Most likely, Brother Siyuan simply didn’t want to come home and had used work as an excuse.
As for why he didn’t want to come home, the answer seemed obvious.
Xie Qingwan’s mood immediately improved.
“That’s just how Brother Siyuan’s job is. He’s often so busy that he can’t make it home.”
She sat down across from He Ruchu with a sympathetic expression.
“You’ve really had it hard, Ruchu. You just got married, yet you’re already spending nights alone.”
He Ruchu smiled.
Hard?
What hardship?
This was practically heaven.
In fact, she’d be delighted if she could spend every night alone.
Seeing that she didn’t respond, Xie Qingwan assumed she had struck a nerve and continued,
“Ruchu, I really feel sorry for you.
You’re such a good person. Why put yourself through this unnecessary suffering?
If you ask me, you shouldn’t keep enduring it.
The sooner you leave, the better it will be for you.
Lots of people get divorced nowadays. It’s really not that big a deal.”