After Cheng Zi finished cooking, Xie Ci returned only after handling the matter.
“Hubby, is everything okay?”
Xie Ci’s sharp, cold features had softened slightly. “It’s fine. The leaders just visited Xiao Xiangyuan and already left. I’ll take a shower first. We’ll talk after dinner.”
Xia Hongjun was still hiding in the kitchen and didn’t come out. She didn’t know why, but she felt a little afraid of Xie Ci.
Just moments ago she had been arguing fiercely, but now she felt inexplicably nervous.
“Ah Zi, is everything okay?”
Seeing her like that, Cheng Zi found it amusing. “Serve the dishes.”
“Will Xie Ci kick me out?”
“He won’t.”
In truth, Xia Hongjun’s worry was unnecessary.
After showering, the first thing Xie Ci did was thank her.
To outsiders, Xie Ci always appeared stern and intimidating. Even when he did nothing, he carried a strong sense of pressure.
Xia Hongjun quickly waved her hands in panic and ate with her head down the whole time, barely picking at the dishes.
“It’s my fault. They won’t talk like that again in the future.”
There was apology in Xie Ci’s eyes.
Cheng Zi, however, felt a bit ashamed.
The things the original owner had done made it understandable that others would gossip behind her back.
“Hubby, eat. Your favorite braised pork ribs.”
“Mm.”
The conversation was simple. After the meal, Xie Ci didn’t explain much.
How he handled things, how he made people shut up—all of it was left unsaid.
He also saw Cheng Zi’s newly made evening dress. It was very beautiful. On her, it would be even more stunning.
His mood suddenly sank.
“I’m leaving. There are things at the unit.”
He didn’t ask about her plans for the next day and didn’t seem interested.
But despite acting indifferent, he still lingered until Cheng Zi got off work and personally picked her up from the factory.
As he turned to leave, Cheng Zi called out.
“Wait.”
Xie Ci stopped. A faint light returned to his narrow phoenix eyes.
“Give me some money.”
Xie Ci: ?
He had just given her 500 yuan yesterday—already gone in a day?
“You—”
“I need it for tomorrow’s banquet. Just in case. I’ll return it to you double when you come back.”
Her reasoning was simple—she might need gift money, and it was always good to be prepared. Also, the fish business required capital.
Xie Ci’s expression darkened.
What bothered him wasn’t the money.
It was what she said about going to the banquet.
“You’re definitely going tomorrow?”
“Of course. I have to go. I’m going to collect money.”
Xie Ci didn’t want to continue the topic. He took out over a hundred yuan and handed her 100.
“I don’t have much on me. Want to come with me to withdraw more?”
A hundred yuan?
Cheng Zi still hadn’t fully adjusted her sense of currency value.
“…Forget it. Just keep it.”
Xie Ci’s eyes turned stormy. Without a word, he grabbed her hand and pressed the money into her palm.
Then he turned and left.
Cheng Zi muttered, “What’s there to be angry about? I already said I’m going to collect money, not to actually attend a wedding…”
But her words only reached herself.
Xie Ci didn’t hear them.
Neither did Gu Yechen, who was standing in the shade of a tree not far away.
Gu Yechen had come to the military family compound again.
He didn’t know why he came.
Tomorrow was his wedding banquet with Li Qianqian. To him, it felt like a public declaration that he was stepping into marriage.
Over the past few days, Cheng Zi’s image kept appearing in his mind, like a restraint he couldn’t shake off.
He felt he should see her one last time before the banquet—say goodbye.
That would be enough.
But just now, he had seen Xie Ci’s attitude toward her—cold, rough, dismissive.
Then he saw the money in her hand.
A sudden ache rose in his heart.
Was she being so humble just to give him a gift?
The urge to see her disappeared.
He didn’t dare.
He was afraid he would soften.
Gu Yechen turned and left somewhat unsteadily.
Even the gatekeeper old man noticed again, his gossip-filled gaze never fading.
Both men left with different thoughts.
After dinner, Cheng Zi and Xia Hongjun discussed tomorrow’s outfit.
They lay on the bed afterward, wearing pearl powder face masks.
A small fan blew gently.
“Did you settle the accounts? I wrote them down. I’ll definitely find a way to get the money back tomorrow.”
Xia Hongjun clearly didn’t believe her.
After teasing and joking, she still sighed seriously.
“Ah Zi, forget it. You’re both married now. It’s been seven years. If he liked you, he would’ve liked you already…”
Cheng Zi slowly closed her eyes, a wave of emotion tightening her jaw.
It was the original owner’s instinctive reaction.
Liking Gu Yechen felt like muscle memory buried deep in her body.
“I know.”
After a moment, she suppressed the feeling.
The original owner would have died over a man like that.
But Cheng Zi couldn’t understand it at all.
Maybe that was the difference between an emotional brain and a rational one.
The night passed without dreams.
The next morning, they woke early.
Cheng Zi focused entirely on her “200 fish,” moving quickly even while doing makeup—faster than she used to be in the office elevator.
“Ah Zi, is this tie right?”
Without looking, Cheng Zi adjusted it for her directly.
Dress, makeup, hair, accessories, bag, high heels—all coordinated.
She gave Xia Hongjun a larger shoulder bag since her own clutch couldn’t carry much.
When she finished, Xia Hongjun couldn’t stop staring.
“Ah Zi, you’re too beautiful. How did you even design this dress? It’s amazing.”
But Cheng Zi had no time to respond. She pulled her out the door.
It was 6:30 a.m.
As expected, neighbors watched them again, but this time no one insulted them aloud—only cold, unfriendly stares remained.
The Haoshiji Hotel was located at the entrance of Zhou Mountain Road.
Normally it took half an hour by bus, but due to road construction they had to detour, adding another ten minutes.
When they arrived, the fish delivery truck had also just arrived at the back entrance.
It was the same old man who had taken the deposit.
“Uncle, wait here. I’ll go ask the manager.”
“No rush, no rush. I came early,” the old man said politely.
Xia Hongjun, however, was stunned.
“Ah Zi… you really delivered them?”
She kept glancing back at the truck.
So many fish…
Over 2000 yuan worth…
She felt reluctant, but helpless.
She knew she couldn’t stop Cheng Zi.