“Fourth Aunt.”
“Mm…”
Hearing someone call her, Qiao Shuran swallowed the food in her mouth and looked up. Her eyes lit up.
It had to be said—light colors really made people look younger.
Unlike that old man, who wore black all day long. Not only his clothes were black, even his face looked dark—so gloomy it was frightening.
Seeing her staring straight at him, Zhou Bingchen gave a shy smile. “Why is it only you here? Where’s Fourth Uncle?”
“He… went outside.”
Qiao Shuran withdrew her gaze. “You didn’t eat either?”
“No.” Zhou Bingchen pulled out a chair and sat down. “I just got back after finishing some business.”
“Mm.” Qiao Shuran didn’t ask what business he had handled and just lowered her head to continue eating.
But Zhou Bingchen was still looking at her plate. “The dishes here are quite light in flavor. Can you get used to it?”
“I can’t,” Qiao Shuran shook her head. “It’s too bland.”
Compared to this, she still preferred the heavy oil and salt dishes from Hancheng.
“Oh, by the way,” Qiao Shuran asked him, “when you were home, did you ever eat at that fatty intestine noodle place on Huacaolu Street? The one where you always have to queue.”
For some reason, faced with all this bland soup and simple food, she suddenly missed that noodle shop.
The glossy, braised fatty intestines… just thinking about it made her mouth water.
Zhou Bingchen also shook his head. “No. I came here right after graduation. But when we go back, we can try it.”
“You’re going back too?” Qiao Shuran was surprised. “On a business trip?”
“No, I’ll stay there for a while. I won’t be coming back here for the time being.”
“Oh.” Qiao Shuran nodded thoughtfully, still unaware that his position had already been removed by certain people.
In her understanding, she thought he was going back for blind dates.
After all, they were about the same age, and she was already married.
She even briefly considered whether there was anyone suitable for him in her circle.
But unfortunately, she couldn’t think of anyone for the moment.
Zhou Yannan had been outside discussing business matters with Zong Lei—about the next investment project.
The conversation ended quickly, and then he suddenly remembered that certain someone was still in the restaurant.
He extinguished his cigarette and strode toward it.
But before he even stepped through the doorway, through the glass door, he heard laughter from inside.
That certain someone was sitting across from his nephew, eating and talking, looking extremely cheerful.
Her delicate face carried a relaxed expression he had never seen before.
So she could smile.
But why, when she was in front of him, was she either overly cautious—or crying endlessly?
A faint irritation rose in the man’s chest.
He reached up and loosened his collar.
“Done eating? If you’re done, let’s go. The plane is waiting.”
He walked in, his voice indifferent and unreadable.
“Fourth Uncle.”
Seeing him, Zhou Bingchen quickly stood up. “Have you eaten?”
“I have.” He glanced at the young man impatiently.
Dressed in a white suit, with a floral silk scarf around his neck—too flashy, too showy.
He couldn’t help but lecture again. “Dress properly when you go out. Don’t imitate Liu Yunting’s style, dressing like a male model every day.”
“Pfft…”
Qiao Shuran sprayed out the soup she had just drunk.
She quickly wiped her mouth with a tissue and tried to smooth things over for Zhou Bingchen. “You don’t understand, young people dress like this nowadays.”
Then she realized something was off and hurriedly added, “I, I mean it’s trendy now, not that you’re old or anything…”
That explanation only made it worse.
Zhou Yannan had never been looked down upon before—not for his height, looks, or career.
But for the first time, he started questioning his age.
Did men and women both prefer the young?
Whatever.
Whether she liked it or not didn’t matter.
She was just his Madam. As long as they maintained surface-level harmony, that was enough.
He never expected her to like him anyway.
“I—I’m done eating.”
Feeling his gaze on her, Qiao Shuran had completely lost her appetite. “We… should leave now.”
But seeing her obedient, well-behaved expression, the man’s face darkened even further.
Exactly like this. Just moments ago she was laughing and chatting with others, but in front of him she became so respectful again.
Zhou Yannan couldn’t figure it out—who exactly was her husband?
“Let’s go.” He responded flatly through his nose.
Receiving his instruction, Qiao Shuran stood up. But just as she took a step, pain flared up again.
She couldn’t help but hiss softly.
“Uncomfortable?” the man frowned.
“My legs hurt,” Qiao Shuran said awkwardly.
With outsiders present, she couldn’t say anything more explicit.
But Zhou Yannan immediately understood what she meant.
After all, when he applied medicine for her, he had already seen it—red and swollen.
“I’ll carry you.”
“Huh?”
Before she could react, she was suddenly lifted into his arms.
The man, over 1.9 meters tall, held her effortlessly.
Qiao Shuran was startled. “I can walk myself, just slowly…”
“I don’t have time to wait for you to walk slowly.”
Zhou Yannan believed he was responsible. Since he had caused it, it was only right that he made up for it.
Sheng Biao and Zong Lei, along with a few others, were waiting in the courtyard. Seeing him carry her out, they weren’t particularly surprised.
Everyone who loved their wives had moments of affection like this.
They just hadn’t expected Zhou Yannan—so cold and stern-looking—to also be the type who doted on his wife.
Tsk tsk. So even heroes couldn’t resist beauty.
Even an iceberg melted a little in front of his wife.
A few hours later, the private jet landed on the rooftop of Jinghong Group’s building.
At parting, Sheng Biao stood at the cabin door and shouted, “My daughter’s turning two the day after tomorrow! We’re having a banquet at home—everyone come!”
“Got it, got it,” Liu Yunting replied lazily, fiddling with the bow tie around his neck. “I’ll bring the wildest girl I can find the day after tomorrow and show you all what’s what.”
He wasn’t getting married, nor was he in a relationship—so no one could control how he played.
But Sheng Biao didn’t like that. He leaned halfway out the door, then came back again. “No inappropriate stuff for a kid’s birthday! Your sister-in-law hates that kind of thing. Don’t bring trouble to her.”
“If I don’t bring inappropriate stuff, what am I supposed to bring?”
Liu Yunting was unhappy. “A successful man is supposed to have women.”
He pointed at Zhou Yannan. “He has a wife, he has a wife, and I don’t. If I don’t bring a woman, am I supposed to stand there alone for you all to laugh at?”
“Uncle Liu, Uncle Liu,” Zhou Bingchen poked his head out from behind. “I’m alone too. I’ll keep you company.”
“Go away, I don’t play with kids.”
Liu Yunting hated these young men the most.
Even though he wasn’t much older, he just didn’t have their energy.
Last time he chased a curvy, sweet girl—after sleeping with her twice, still not satisfied—she actually dumped him and went for a younger guy instead.
The reason? She said he didn’t last long enough.
Every time he thought about it, he still burned with anger.
It was too damaging to his pride.
After being rejected, Zhou Bingchen looked disappointed. “I’m a kid, so what are you all? Old men?”
He had just been joking, but he didn’t realize that the words “old men” somehow struck a nerve in certain people.