——Marry me, and I’ll protect you. For life.
Those words sound so easy to say, but actually keeping that promise? Damn hard—really, really hard.
Back then, in that situation, Shen Nan still made that promise to Zhou Zuizui. She never knew if he said it just to comfort her or for some other reason, but he definitely said it, clear as day.
Shen Nan paused, staring at her with those deep eyes for a few seconds, then nodded.
Zhou Zuizui tugged at the corner of her mouth, letting out a mocking laugh: “Fine. I’ll go back with you.”
After getting everything sorted at the little tavern, Zhou Zuizui set off with Shen Nan the next day to head home.
When Ai Zeyang found out Zhou Zuizui was also going back to Beicheng (the northern city), he was shocked. He straight-up changed his flight ticket to the exact same one as theirs.
The whole flight back to Beicheng, Zhou Zuizui was in a bad mood from start to finish. The girl who used to be super cheeky and playful stayed dead silent the entire way. Even Ai Zeyang—this guy who jokes around all year long—didn’t really dare talk to her.
After getting off the plane, the three of them got in the car together and headed out.
Ai Zeyang’s driver came to pick them up. Once Zhou Zuizui got in the car, she turned to look out the window, her eyes flickering a little. It had been way too long since she’d been back.
Two years ago when she left, she was burning up with a fever, totally out of it when she got to the old town. She never even got a proper look at the city scenery back then, never took in all the hustle and bustle of the streets.
She stared intently outside. Even if Ai Zeyang wanted to say something, he didn’t get the chance. As for Shen Nan—he stayed completely silent the whole time, only speaking once to give the driver the address.
Everyone just sat there quietly until they got out.
Zhou Zuizui thanked Ai Zeyang, then walked into the neighborhood with Shen Nan.
She looked up at the apartment complex in front of her. Her down mood actually lifted a bit. She raised an eyebrow and teased Shen Nan: “Captain Shen, after all these years, you still haven’t moved up in the world? Still living here?”
She’d been to this place before.
Shen Nan gave her a cool glance, scoffing: “Making it tough for you, huh.”
Zhou Zuizui: “…”
That comeback felt like punching cotton—nothing to grab onto, no way to argue back.
Truth is, nobody had lived in Shen Nan’s apartment for two whole years.
Back then, he bought this place just as a spot to crash occasionally—not for living long-term. After meeting Zhou Zuizui, he brought her here a couple times. She even stayed for a while. Then she left, Shen Nan got deployed on a mission and took off too, and the apartment just sat empty ever since.
Only today, when they were heading over, did Shen Nan call someone to come clean it up. So when the two walked in and opened the door, the place was spotless—not a speck of dust, even the floors were shiny.
Zhou Zuizui didn’t have much luggage—just one small suitcase that Shen Nan carried for her the whole way. Once inside, they changed into house shoes. Without anyone saying who sleeps where, Zhou Zuizui just naturally dragged her suitcase straight to the guest room on the side.
Shen Nan watched, raised an eyebrow, but didn’t stop her.
After they tidied up a bit, Shen Nan looked at her: “Want to rest, or go to the hospital?”
Zhou Zuizui went quiet for a moment, meeting his eyes without a word, then said coldly: “Hospital.”
Early or late, she had to go anyway.
The two grabbed a quick bite outside, then drove to the hospital.
The weather in Beicheng today wasn’t great—drizzling rain the whole time, and the temperature was over twenty degrees colder than the old town. Freezing cold.
At home, Zhou Zuizui changed into a black wool coat and put on a hat too. The whole vibe screamed “don’t come near me.” She sat in the car with her eyes narrowed, resting quietly. Shen Nan glanced at her now and then, frowning a little, but he didn’t say anything.
When they got to the hospital, Shen Nan went to park.
“Which room is she in?”
Shen Nan looked at her: “Third floor, Room 301.”
“Got it.” Zhou Zuizui grabbed her bag, turned, and walked off.
Shen Nan didn’t stop her. Sometimes, for certain things, you gotta give people some space.
Zhou Zuizui went upstairs, heading straight to the third floor. Only when she was standing in the hallway did she reach up and press her hand over her racing heart, trying to calm down a bit.
You’re back to watch them make fools of themselves—not to let them watch you make a fool of yourself. Remember, never lose your cool, not for a second.
After hyping herself up like that for a minute, Zhou Zuizui slowly walked to the door of Room 301. Just as she got there, she heard voices talking inside.
“Mrs. Zhou, you’re awake.”
“Mm.” Mrs. Zhou’s voice was very gentle.
“Really?” She let out a soft, warm laugh, sat up in the hospital bed, leaned against the headboard, and propped herself up with pillows.
Mrs. Zhou looked out at the gloomy, rainy weather and sighed: “It’s raining again. Who knows when it’ll stop.”
“Yeah.” The auntie beside her said: “This rain just keeps going nonstop. Feels like it’s been ages since it rained this long.”
…….
Zhou Zuizui paused at the door for a moment, exchanging a glance with Shen Nan, who had caught up.
For once, Shen Nan smiled a little—his face softening a lot. He stepped closer to her, reached out his hand, and said: “Let’s go.”
Zhou Zuizui looked down, staring at that broad, strong palm in front of her. A tiny flicker of emotion stirred inside… Shen Nan showing up like this gave her the courage to go in. She hesitated, then placed her hand in his, letting him hold it.
“Thanks.”
Coming here, she really was scared she might lose control.
The two knocked on the door. The people inside heard and looked over: “Who is it?”
As soon as the door opened, the woman called Mrs. Zhou saw Zhou Zuizui—her pupils shrank for a second. Then, super emotional, she clutched her chest and stared at her, saying excitedly: “Chuichui?”
Zhou Zuizui let out a mocking smile and walked in with Shen Nan.
She plopped down on the sofa to the side all by herself.
Shen Nan, on the other hand, was polite and called out: “Auntie Zhou.”
Actually, he should’ve called her “Mom,” but saying that in front of Zhou Zuizui? She might flip out and storm off right away.
Mrs. Zhou’s eyelashes trembled. She nodded, looked past Shen Nan at Zhou Zuizui, and asked: “Chuichui, did you come back to see Mommy?”
Hearing that, Zhou Zuizui sat there with her legs crossed, lifted her eyelids, and gave her a cold glance: “No.”
Mrs. Zhou froze, looking at her with teary eyes, all pitiful and sad: “Chuichui, don’t you miss Mommy at all?”
Shen Nan glanced at his wife, feeling kinda helpless.
Zhou Zuizui stared at the woman not far away, not sure how to react. Back when they locked her up and threatened her, they’d pulled this same crying act. She felt zero sympathy for it now—just annoyed.
The longer she stayed here looking at these familiar people, the more irritated and restless she got.
Zhou Zuizui shot up from the chair right away, looked at Mrs. Zhou, and fired back sharply to protect herself: “Since you’re not bedridden yet, no need to have Shen Nan call me back.” She let out a cold scoff, mocking: “After all, you’ve already pulled this trick once before.”
With that, she turned to leave.
But before she could even get out, a stern-faced middle-aged man walked in from outside. He was holding some stuff, dressed casually, but his eyes were sharp as knives fixed on her.
“Zhou Zuizui.” The guy stepped right up to her.
Zhou Zuizui instinctively took a step back. Shen Nan reached out, steadying her waist to keep her balanced.
She calmed her racing heart, looked at the man, and pressed her lips together.
The guy snarled coldly, totally furious as he raised his hand to slap her: “You think getting married makes you tough now, huh? Wings all hard and ready to fly?”
Slap!
The palm came down—but it didn’t hit Zhou Zuizui’s face. It landed on Shen Nan’s arm instead.
Zhou Zuizui was fully shielded in Shen Nan’s arms.
She froze for a second, looking at Shen Nan in shock. Before she could even react, Shen Nan was already pulling her behind him by the hand. His eyes darkened as he stared at the man in front: “Uncle Zhou.”
Zhou’s father blinked, totally not expecting Shen Nan to step in and block it.
Shen Nan locked eyes with him, pointed at Zhou Zuizui, and looked at Zhou’s father with a hint of disapproval: “Zuizui came back to visit Auntie—not to get slapped the second she walks in.”
Before Zhou’s father could say anything, Shen Nan lowered his voice and kept going: “You’re the elder, so whatever you do, us younger folks can’t argue back or say you’re wrong. But…” He paused, pulled Zhou Zuizui to his side, and said softly: “Zuizui is my wife now. No matter what she says or does wrong, that’s for me to handle.”
After that, Shen Nan politely looked at Mrs. Zhou on the side, nodded, and said: “Zuizui and I have stuff to do. Since Auntie’s okay, we’ll head out first.”
Bang—the door slammed shut. When it closed, it also shut out the growing distance between them.
Shen Nan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He grabbed her wrist, looking at her helplessly: “What are you doing?”
“Let me check.” Zhou Zuizui shot him a glare: “Why’d you block it for me? You should’ve just let him hit me.”
That way, no matter what she said or did later, she wouldn’t feel too guilty about it. That guy hadn’t just hit her once anyway—one more time wouldn’t make a difference, one less wouldn’t either.
Shen Nan froze, looking down at the woman fussing beside him. He paused before saying: “I’m really fine.”
“I still gotta see for myself.” Zhou Zuizui kept trying to pull off his clothes.
To get at his shirt, she basically had to lean all over him. But Shen Nan was wearing two layers today—after getting the outer one off, there was still another… So Zhou Zuizui had to scoot even closer.
At first, Shen Nan didn’t feel much, but after a bit, with her body pressing in more and more—that soft figure sticking to him—it was getting hard to handle.
He was a normal guy, after all. And the one clinging to him? His own wife.
When Zhou Zuizui’s cold hand slipped under and her soft fingers touched his skin, Shen Nan’s eyes darkened. His Adam’s apple bobbed. Before his self-control slipped away completely, he grabbed her and plopped her back into the passenger seat, scolding: “Sit properly! We’ll check when we get home!”
Zhou Zuizui: “…”
She choked for a second, eyes full of curiosity as she sized him up and teased: “Check what when we get home?”
Shen Nan was so amused he laughed despite being annoyed.
The two locked eyes in silence, listening to the rain pounding outside for a good while before he asked: “Feeling better?”
“A little, yeah.” Zhou Zuizui looked down, smiling softly: “You shutting him down like that felt pretty damn good.”
Her eyes curved as she laughed: “I’ve never seen you get mad at an elder before.”
In her memory—and from what others said about him—Shen Nan wasn’t the type to argue with older folks. He was like a robot: didn’t get angry much, didn’t smile much either.
Today was honestly kinda surprising.
Shen Nan glanced at her, not saying a word.
Zhou Zuizui went quiet for a bit too, staring out at the heavy rain. Her mood wasn’t actually that great. She was just good at hiding it and didn’t want others worrying about her.
She was pretty okay at dealing with stuff on her own.
After a long pause, Zhou Zuizui pulled out her phone, glanced at it, and looked at Shen Nan: “You on leave right now?”
“Mm.”
“How long?”
“A good while.”
He’d been on the border for two years without a break, then jumped straight into another mission when he got back. All told, Shen Nan had piled up quite a bit of vacation time.
Zhou Zuizui pouted, then suddenly let out an “eh” and pointed at a bar on the side: “Captain Shen, wanna grab a drink?”
Shen Nan: “…No.”
“Come on, let’s drink.” There was a craving in Zhou Zuizui’s eyes: “I haven’t had bar alcohol in forever.”
Shen Nan paused, his eyes darkening as he looked at her and firmly forbade: “You’re in a bad mood. No drinking tonight.”
“Why?”
Zhou Zuizui blurted it out. After asking… she realized why herself.
The last time she was in a bad mood was two years ago. Back then, her tolerance wasn’t great—she got drunk after just a few drinks.
And then—
Zhou Zuizui eyed Shen Nan’s expression, went quiet for a bit, and asked: “Are you worried I’ll get drunk and sleep with you again?”
Author’s note:
Captain Shen: Give me a little face here!
Chuichui: Nope! I slept with you, not the other way around!
Captain Shen: It’s coming soon!