Lu Xiangqian’s shout jolted Feng Mingshu back to awareness. She curved her lips into a smile and said, “Comrade Zhou, your friend is right. Don’t be foolish.”
After speaking, she moved to walk past Zhou Jinshan, but as she brushed by him, her slender white wrist was caught.
The warm, calloused hand touched the delicate skin over her wrist bone, sending a tingling electric current through her. This unprecedented sensation startled Feng Mingshu into immediately shaking off his grip, her movements abrupt.
Fortunately, everyone in the auditorium was dancing and didn’t notice this corner.
“My apologies, I overstepped.”
Zhou Jinshan immediately apologized and released her, but his gaze didn’t waver: “I’m completely clear-headed now. I want to share my thoughts with you. If you’d prefer not to talk here, we can go outside.”
“Lao Zhou…”
Lu Xiangqian tried to say something more, but Zhou Jinshan’s warning glance made him swallow his words.
Feng Mingshu once again experienced Zhou Jinshan’s forceful nature. Not wanting to remain and become a spectacle, she nodded: “Fine, let’s talk outside.”
This time, she smoothly exited the auditorium, with Zhou Jinshan following behind at an unhurried pace.
Feng Mingshu had the illusion of being stalked by a predator.
When they reached the road, Zhou Jinshan moved from behind to walk beside her, his tall, imposing frame shielding her from pedestrians and occasionally passing bicycles.
They walked quite some distance in silence, Feng Mingshu keeping her eyes forward without speaking. Surprisingly, Zhou Jinshan showed no impatience, simply accompanying her in silence.
But the sky grew increasingly overcast, the cold wind turning sharper. Feng Mingshu wished she could bury her face in her winter hat when she suddenly remembered the red cashmere scarf in her bag. Before she could retrieve it—
“You’re cold. Wear my coat.”With a snap, Zhou Jinshan unbuckled his military coat’s waist belt, swiftly removed the coat and draped it over her shoulders.” The hem nearly swept the ground.
Feng Mingshu was startled by Zhou Jinshan’s action. Turning her head, she saw he now wore only a long-sleeved shirt, the fabric hinting at muscular contours beneath. Blushing crimson, she forcefully pushed the military coat back: “I don’t want your coat. Put it on quickly. I have a scarf to wear.”
She rapidly took out the scarf and wrapped it around her neck, simultaneously gesturing for the man to hurry and dress.
“Willing to talk to me now?”
A smile surfaced in Zhou Jinshan’s eyes, the sharp angles of his face softening considerably with that hint of amusement. His military coat and belt remained draped over his arm, in no rush to be worn.
The cold wind whistled, and the man still had bandages on his head. Feng Mingshu grew furious: “If you freeze to death, I won’t take responsibility!”
Seeing her genuine distress, Zhou Jinshan dressed while coaxing: “Alright, I’m putting it on. Don’t cry.”
Falsely accused, Feng Mingshu glared in anger: “Who’s crying?”
Those beautiful almond-shaped eyes, their corners tinged red, glaring at him so fiercely—Zhou Jinshan once again felt that sensation of a kitten’s paw scratching at his heart.
The first time he’d experienced this was in the hospital, waking from unconsciousness to open his eyes and see her.
Earlier in the auditorium, when Zhai Qingping proudly spoke of the girl he’d just met, he hadn’t intended to get involved. But his inadvertent glance toward that corner—he’d recognized her instantly.
Yet she seemed to have no memory of him.
That didn’t matter.Zhou Jinshan lowered his head to coax her, “Let’s say I was mistaken. Don’t be angry. It’s windy here—can we find a sheltered spot to talk?”
What did he mean by “let’s say”?
Feng Mingshu felt irritated, but the moment she opened her mouth, the biting wind rushed in, chilling her to the core.
She decided not to fight her own body and nodded in agreement. They moved behind a red wall not far from the path.
The wall was tall, blocking most of the cold wind. The few stray gusts that slipped through were intercepted by Zhou Jinshan’s tall frame. In this small windless area, Feng Mingshu’s face, which had nearly been frozen by the wind, gradually regained sensation and warmth.
For a moment, she couldn’t tell whether Zhou Jinshan had intentionally shielded her from the wind or simply happened to stand in that position and angle.
Unable to resist, Feng Mingshu looked up at him, wanting to confirm. Just then, Zhou Jinshan lowered his head and glanced down, and she found herself falling into a pair of pitch-black eyes.
His pupils were truly dark, like whirlpools threatening to pull her in and trap her, much like the dark interrogation room from her past life.
Feng Mingshu was somewhat frightened and quickly averted her gaze. Then, she heard the man’s deep voice above her: “You’re afraid of me.”
It wasn’t a question but a statement.
Having her fear exposed, Feng Mingshu grew stubborn and denied it outright: “I’m not.” The prophetic dream had taught her that the more fearful she appeared, the easier it would be for others to exploit her weakness. So, she had to be tough and pretend.
Seeing the young woman’s obvious terror masked by forced bravado, Zhou Jinshan felt a surge of tenderness, but his mischievous side also stirred uncontrollably.
He took a step closer, leaning in with a light laugh: “If you’re not afraid of me, then go out with me.”
The man was too close, his warm breath almost brushing her cheek. Feng Mingshu could no longer hold her ground and pushed him with all her strength: “I don’t want to go out with you! Stay away from me!”
Her strength was negligible to him, but Zhou Jinshan obligingly stepped back. He opened his mouth to placate her, but Feng Mingshu turned and walked away. Zhou Jinshan realized he had overplayed his hand.
Feng Mingshu gritted her teeth against the cold wind and strode forward.
Just then, snowflakes began to drift from the sky, whipped by the wind against her face.
“Comrade Feng Mingshu.”
The man’s deep voice came from behind, and the next second, he was standing in front of her, blocking most of the wind and snow.
This time, he maintained a safe distance, but his gaze remained intense as he looked into her eyes and said, “My earlier behavior was disrespectful. I apologize.”
Feng Mingshu, who had been holding back her frustration, blurted out, “Is your apology just empty words?”
Seeing the young woman’s red-rimmed eyes, Zhou Jinshan felt remorseful and lowered his head to coax her: “You name it, I’ll do it.”
Just as Feng Mingshu was about to speak, Zhou Jinshan quickly added, “But asking me to stay away doesn’t count. I brought you out of the auditorium, and I need to see you home safely.”
Her unspoken words were instantly stifled. Feng Mingshu felt both angry and vexed, thinking this man was utterly detestable.
“What exactly do you like about me? I’ll change it, alright?” Feng Mingshu said irritably.
Zhou Jinshan opened his mouth but hesitated. The word “like” was too blunt for him to voice easily.
Seeing his silence, Feng Mingshu sneered, “Is it my face you like? After all, it was our first meeting—you couldn’t have gotten to know much else about me.”She recalled the premonitory dream where she was targeted by someone who rose to power amidst chaos, forced into a re-education farm for labor reform. Ironically, the other party intended to break her spirit through grueling labor. Yet when they saw her gaunt, scarred face half a year later, their interest sharply waned—yet they still refused to release her from the farm.
She still couldn’t determine whether those fifteen years of isolation at the farm were a blessing or a curse.
But she had witnessed firsthand the man’s superficiality and malice.
That’s why now, she had no intention of marrying or engaging in romantic relationships—both to protect herself and to avoid dragging others down due to her political background.
“This isn’t our first meeting.”
The man’s voice abruptly cut through her thoughts.