Downstairs, right after Zhou Zuizui and Xia Wen walked in, they grabbed a comfy spot and sat down.
Xia Wen was a regular here—she got along great with the boss and the staff. After sitting at the bar with Zhou Zuizui and knocking back a couple drinks, some familiar friends dragged her off to the dance floor.
Zhou Zuizui wasn’t into dancing, so she stayed at the bar, sipping her drink.
It had been ages since she’d come here. The bartender had changed, but when Zhou Zuizui wanted to chat someone up and get friendly, it was effortless for her. In no time, the two were talking away.
She was only really interested in the drinks the bartender mixed, so they chatted a bit more about that…
Just as they were having a good conversation, a guy sat down next to her. He put his hands on the bar counter, turned his head toward her, and said: “Hey, beautiful.”
The guy had noticed Zhou Zuizui earlier—actually, pretty much from the moment she walked into the bar, she’d turned heads. Amazing figure, stunning face, skin fairer than snow. Even just standing there doing nothing, she had this unique kind of beauty. And on top of that… he’d been watching—she drank bold and fast, like she was trying to get wasted.
So for a while, quite a few guys in the bar had ideas.
Zhou Zuizui took a sip of her drink, not saying a word.
The guy beside her chuckled lightly, raised an eyebrow at her glass, grabbed one from the side himself, took a sip, and tried to chat: “Good drink.”
Zhou Zuizui didn’t even twitch an eyebrow—just kept drinking.
The guy paused, not liking being ignored. He raised his brows, had someone pass over a bottle, pushed it toward Zhou Zuizui, and said with a flirty tone: “Beautiful, let me buy you a drink.”
Hearing that, Zhou Zuizui finally turned her head, looking at the guy beside her. She sized him up once, expression cool: “No need, thanks.”
“No way, beautiful—you’re not gonna give me any face?” The guy leaned in closer, his body shifting toward her. His hand casually tried to land on her shoulder—but before it even touched, someone grabbed his wrist from behind and twisted it back.
Zhou Zuizui and the guy both looked up at the newcomer.
When the guy saw Shen Nan, he froze for a second, frowned tightly, and asked: “Who the hell are you?”
Shen Nan shot him a cold glare, then looked at Zhou Zuizui.
Zhou Zuizui shrugged with a smile, curving her lips: “My husband.”
The guy paused, his eyes widening in shock—like he couldn’t believe a stunner like Zhou Zuizui, so young and hot, was already married.
Shen Nan’s presence was intimidating, that sharp edge clear in his eyes and brows. It made the guy—who’d had some ideas—chicken out and drop them fast.
After the guy left, Zhou Zuizui looked at Shen Nan’s hand resting on her shoulder. Her lips curved up as she turned to him, eyes full of curiosity: “Brother Shen, you didn’t follow me here because you were worried about me, did you?”
It wasn’t super likely, but teasing him about it? That gave Zhou Zuizui some fun.
Shen Nan didn’t say a word, just gave her a cool glance before seriously checking out what the woman in front of him was wearing. It wasn’t super revealing, but it sure wasn’t shy either. Shen Nan had always known Zhou Zuizui had a great figure, but seeing it clearly like this again right now still made him instinctively remember certain things.
Looking at her exposed fair skin, Shen Nan’s eyes darkened a bit. He changed the subject: “Where’s your friend?”
Zhou Zuizui scanned around, lifted her chin: “Dancing over there.”
Shen Nan thought for a moment, eyeing the hungry looks from the guys around them, and let out a soft scoff: “Wanna go up to the private booth on the second floor? Lu Jiaxiu and the others are there.”
Zhou Zuizui heard that, her eyes lighting up: “Yeah, sounds good.”
Up on the second floor, as soon as Zhou Zuizui and Shen Nan walked into the booth, Lu Jiaxiu—ever the smooth talker—called out: “Little sis-in-law, long time no see! Still as stunning and gorgeous as ever!”
Hu Yi beside him wasn’t about to lose and chimed in: “Little sis-in-law’s getting more charming by the day.”
Zhou Zuizui burst out laughing looking at the two, her mood lifting even more.
“Long time no see.”
However long it had been since she’d seen Shen Nan, that’s how long it had been with these two as well.
As soon as Zhou Zuizui showed up, the conversation got lively right away. Lu Jiaxiu started roasting Shen Nan, teaming up with Hu Yi in perfect sync.
And Zhou Zuizui listened to them talk about childhood stories and Shen Nan’s tales from the border—she was cracking up the whole time.
Shen Nan watched from the side, occasionally letting his gaze fall on the woman next to him. She seemed to have this invisible talent—whenever she wanted, she could click with anyone.
Even Lu Jiaxiu and Hu Yi, who’d only met her three times, really liked her a lot.
She curved her lips in a smile, suddenly turning her head to Shen Nan: “Captain Shen, is the border really that beautiful?”
Just now, Lu Jiaxiu had mentioned how Shen Nan’s comrade came back from the border and described it as super, super beautiful—the way he painted it made Zhou Zuizui kinda curious.
Shen Nan froze for a second, snapping back to look at her. He paused before saying: “Mm.”
The border really was beautiful—that kind of beauty you couldn’t find anywhere else, something you’d never feel the same way. Snow-capped mountains, sunlight, blue skies, solid defenses… all of it, everything, made you yearn for it and chase after it.
For soldiers stationed at the border like them, those experiences were unlike anything else in life.
Just thinking about it got Shen Nan’s blood pumping hot in his eyes.
As a soldier, who wouldn’t want to guard the land, strengthen the borders, protect the home and defend the country.
Watching from the side, Zhou Zuizui suddenly felt a strong longing—she wanted to go see it… see that place Shen Nan was willing to guard, see that place that could make a person tougher, more passionate and hot-blooded.
Shen Nan looked down, hiding the thoughts in his eyes before turning to the person beside him. When he caught the yearning in Zhou Zuizui’s gaze, he asked softly: “Curious?”
“A little.”
Hearing that, Zhou Zuizui quickly said: “Then you better keep your word.”
“Mm.”
What she didn’t expect was that Shen Nan wouldn’t just keep his word—he’d give her touches and romantic surprises that no one else could ever match.
After the bar get-together ended, Zhou Zuizui—this girl who could usually drink anyone under the table—got drunk again.
She’d already had quite a bit downstairs, and once upstairs, she went all out competing with Lu Jiaxiu and Hu Yi, downing a ton.
Shen Nan watched from the side and, surprisingly, didn’t stop her.
The night wind was still chilly. When Shen Nan helped Zhou Zuizui up the stairs, she was super obedient—not a bit like her usual cheeky self when sober.
He looked down at the person nestled quietly in his arms, his sharp features softening a little. Once home, Shen Nan helped her to the sofa, then went to the kitchen to pour her some water.
After making sure she drank it, Shen Nan looked down at her and asked softly: “Wanna go to bed?”
Zhou Zuizui was still somewhat aware, but her reactions were slow. She went quiet for two seconds, lifted her eyes to him, and shook her head: “No.”
Shen Nan: “…”
She hugged her knees, sitting on the carpet, tilting her head to look out the window.
Shen Nan’s apartment wasn’t on a super high floor—just the twelfth. From here, you could see the beautiful night view outside. Zhou Zuizui stared at it for a while, then suddenly asked: “Shen Nan, is the border way better than the city?”
He froze, looking at her in surprise.
Before he could answer, Zhou Zuizui mumbled to herself: “It must be really beautiful. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have stayed away for two years.” There was no resentment in her words—instead, Shen Nan heard that same longing.
Sure enough, the next second, the woman beside him continued.
“I want to go too.”
She really wanted to go, really wanted to escape all the places that made her feel trapped. She felt like she never should’ve come back here. Sure, blood ties can’t be cut, but for Zhou Zuizui, it kinda felt like they could—or at least, it wouldn’t matter if they were.
Shen Nan looked down, his gaze burning as he stared at her, not interrupting her words or her dreams.
It seemed like, besides the old town, she’d never been to any other place where people chased freedom. From childhood on, she’d been controlled way too strictly, with zero real freedom in life. On the surface, Zhou Zuizui looked carefree, but deep down, she wasn’t carefree at all. Even after how her parents had treated her, she’d only talk tough out loud—in reality, she was still a soft-hearted woman.
The two sat there in silence, saying nothing.
Suddenly, Shen Nan’s deep voice echoed in the living room. He stared at Zhou Zuizui and said softly: “If you want to go, then we’ll go.”
Hearing that, Zhou Zuizui looked at him for a moment, then suddenly laughed: “How am I supposed to go?”
Forget about her own family—even on Shen Nan’s side, it probably wouldn’t fly. Ever since marrying him, she hadn’t fulfilled any of her duties as his family’s daughter-in-law.
Shen Nan gave her a calm glance: “Forgot what I said?”
“What?”
“If anything happens, I’ll handle it.”
Besides, nothing would happen. Shen Nan’s parents were pretty reasonable—they could understand the situation between the two. Of course, they hoped things would get better.
Zhou Zuizui’s eyes flickered. After silently locking eyes with Shen Nan for a long while, she pressed down on her wildly beating heart and turned her head away.
Suddenly, her eyes lit up. She looked at Shen Nan all sparkly, grinning as she asked: “Shen Nan, have you… fallen for me?”
Shen Nan: “…”
He paused, looking at the woman laughing happily in front of him. When he caught the sly, teasing fun in her eyes, Shen Nan just stood up straight and ignored her.
“Hey!”
Zhou Zuizui called out to him as he headed to his room: “Captain Shen, you’re acting kinda guilty there.”
Shen Nan turned back, glancing at her: “Who’s guilty?”
“…”
He opened his bedroom door, not looking back: “When you’re sober, go to bed.”
Zhou Zuizui: “…”
Her teasing didn’t land. Zhou Zuizui rubbed her temples, quietly got up, and went back to her own room.
The alcohol—
She’d sobered up the moment Shen Nan helped her out of the car.
In the middle of the night, Zhou Zuizui had been staring at the ceiling for hours.
She couldn’t sleep.
Not sure if it was the day’s drama or what—just wide awake.
She turned her head, listening for any noise from the next room. It was dead quiet over there, no sound at all. After thinking for a bit, Zhou Zuizui got up, opened her door, and stepped out. Enjoying the story? Read on at NovelPing.
She looked at the closed door next to hers, hesitated a moment, then turned on the living room lights. Then she went into the kitchen, grabbed a glass, and came back out.
Late at night, Zhou Zuizui sat alone on the carpet, a bottle of liquor in front of her… and started drinking. She felt like getting properly wasted tonight would suit her better.
She’d only had two glasses when the door on the side opened. Shen Nan stood in his doorway, looking down at her: “What are you doing?”
Shen Nan had actually woken up ages ago. When she first came out, he didn’t get up—figured she was just grabbing something. But when things started getting lively out here, he couldn’t hold back anymore and opened his door.
Zhou Zuizui looked at the guy who’d woken up, blinked, and pointed at the stuff in front of her: “Drinking and watching a movie—can’t you tell?”
Shen Nan: “…”
Of course he could tell! That wasn’t the point.
Zhou Zuizui smiled, her eyes curving into happy crescents as she looked at him—those clear, bright eyes shining: “Wanna drink one with me?”
Saying that, she got up on her own, went into the kitchen, grabbed another glass, and right in front of Shen Nan, poured it full to the brim with liquor. She held it out invitingly: “Come on!”
Shen Nan: “…”
The next second, her phone beside her let out those loud “ah ah ah ah” screams.
Shen Nan heard it, his brows twitching hard. His voice got a few degrees stricter: “What movie are you watching now?”
Zhou Zuizui blinked in confusion, not getting where his anger was coming from.
She said: “Horror movie, duh.”
“…”
Suddenly, Zhou Zuizui thought of something and burst out laughing. She looked at Shen Nan with curious eyes, raising an eyebrow: “Captain Shen, you didn’t think I was watching porn again, did you?”
Shen Nan: “…”
“Mad?”
“Jealous?”
Zhou Zuizui was totally teasing him.
“Hey hey hey, don’t walk away—watch the movie with me. It’s a bit scary watching alone.”
Shen Nan just ignored her at first, but then walked over and sat down beside her. He stared at her phone screen… Sure enough, there was a bloody female ghost on it, face covered in blood, that classic black-and-white style—the kind that makes your skin crawl.
He pressed his lips together, frowning instinctively: “Change the movie.”
“Oh.”
Zhou Zuizui looked down, fiddling with her phone as she muttered: “But I only have horror movies and porn…” Her eyes lit up as she looked at Shen Nan with a naughty grin: “How about I show you some good stuff for welfare?”
“Watch or not?”
Shen Nan reached out, lightly knocked her on the head: “No.”
In the end, they still watched the horror movie. Zhou Zuizui talked a ton while watching—nonstop chatter besides drinking. She kept rambling to Shen Nan about which ghost’s makeup was scarier or more terrifying, even commenting on the female ghosts’ figures, criticizing the makeup artists, and all that.
Shen Nan just drank the whole time, barely saying a word.
The two drank and watched the movie… until the breathing from the guy beside her wasn’t so serious anymore. Only then did Zhou Zuizui quietly turn her head to look at him, calling softly: “Captain Shen?”
Shen Nan hummed vaguely, not fully aware.
Zhou Zuizui held back a triumphant laugh and kept going: “Captain Shen.”
“Mm?”
“You drunk?”
“Mm.”
She reached out, slowly leaning toward him, pinched his chin, turned on her phone recorder, and started teasing drunk Shen Nan: “I’m gonna ask you a few questions. Gotta tell the truth, okay?”
“Mm.”
“Am I pretty?”
The guy across from her was quiet for a bit, barely opening one eye to look at her: “Pretty.”
Zhou Zuizui’s eyes sparkled. She leaned closer and asked: “Then do you really like your wife a lot?”
“Yes.”
Zhou Zuizui barely held back her smug grin, gently blowing a breath on his face as she asked carefully: “Then… do you wanna kiss me?”
After asking, her guilty heart was pounding like crazy, waiting for Shen Nan’s answer.
After a long while, Shen Nan didn’t say anything.
Zhou Zuizui took a deep breath, just about to repeat the question, when the man in front of her suddenly opened his mouth—and kissed her right on the lips, perfectly accurate.
Translator’s Note: Please consider buying Kofi.