Zhou Jinshan entered the Feng residence, accepted the hot tea offered by Wang Ma with both hands, thanked her, placed it on the tea table, and sat upright with his back straight and hands resting on his knees.
“Will you be my brother-in-law?” Xiao Mingxue approached him, studying him curiously.
Before Zhou Jinshan could respond, Xiao Mingyu snorted, “He’s not! Sister said he isn’t.”
Facing the hostile little boy, Zhou Jinshan managed a smile and nodded, “Not for now.”
“And not ever, hmph!” Xiao Mingyu lifted his chin proudly.
Zhou Jinshan paid no mind to the little boy’s provocation, nor did he attempt to win him over. All his attention was focused on the far end of the corridor ahead.
At the end was the study.
Inside the study.
Looking at her daughter sitting across from her but with her face turned away, Yu Jingqiu poured a cup of hot water and pushed it toward her. “Pearl, have some warm water first, then you can be angry.”
“Mom,” Feng Mingshu couldn’t hold back any longer and turned to face her. “You know I’m angry, so why did you tell everyone outside that he’s my partner?”
Yu Jingqiu smiled gently. “Because he helped you, and I also think he’s quite good. I believe you two could try getting along.”
“Mom, you only see his good side. You don’t know how awful he can be.”
“At yesterday’s social, I didn’t want anything to do with him, but he insisted on walking me home. In the evening, he even snatched my water bottle away.”
“And tonight, he clearly had many other ways to help me, yet he chose to publicly declare himself as my partner. He’s forcing me, he’s being a rogue!” Feng Mingshu remained furious. Only in front of her mother could she freely vent her dissatisfaction and grievances.
Yu Jingqiu listened quietly, her gaze gentle and tolerant. “Pearl, last night’s water bottle was prepared by you for him. Although it was rude of him to take it, it also shows his keen observation skills. As for tonight, while he certainly had other solutions, they might have left lingering troubles. By claiming to be your partner, he not only cleansed the dirt others threw at you but also protected you. His status as a military officer can block all those idle gossip.”
After hearing her mother’s analysis, Feng Mingshu was stunned.
“Pearl, you’re not usually an impulsive child. Have you thought carefully about the reasons behind your unusual behavior these past two days?” Yu Jingqiu gently prompted.
What abnormal behavior?” Feng Mingshu felt inexplicably nervous. She was afraid her mother would discover that she had once considered dragging someone down with her, even though she had later dismissed the thought.
Yu Jingqiu squeezed her hand reassuringly. “Pearl, don’t overthink it for now. I just want to ask you, do you truly dislike Comrade Zhou? If you really can’t stand him, I’ll go out and send him away right now.”
Seeing her mother rise to dismiss him, Feng Mingshu immediately grew restless and pulled her back. “Mom, he helped me. Wouldn’t it be inappropriate to just send him away like that?” She would feel guilty.
Yu Jingqiu smiled at this. “Alright, we won’t send him away. You go out and talk to him. If it goes well, you can get to know each other; if not, I’ll step in with some gifts to thank him for his chivalrous help tonight.”
Couldn’t they just give him the gifts directly?
Feng Mingshu wanted to ask, but under her mother’s gentle, watery gaze, she surrendered once again.
Fine, she’d treat it as going through the motions.
“Big brother, my sister is coming out.”The moment the study door opened, Xiao Mingxue, who had been waiting in the hallway, immediately ran happily to the living room to deliver the news.
Zhou Jinshan nodded gratefully to the little girl, then quickly stood up, straight as a pine tree, like a soldier awaiting inspection by his superior.
Feng Mingshu: “…”
Yu Jingqiu smiled warmly and gestured with her hand. “Don’t be nervous, Xiao Zhou. Please sit.”
Zhou Jinshan respectfully addressed her as “Auntie” but remained standing, his gaze turning to Feng Mingshu as if awaiting her instruction.
Feng Mingshu said irritably, “Just sit if he tells you to sit.”
A smile blossomed in Zhou Jinshan’s eyes as he reached out. “You sit first.”
Feng Mingshu: “…”
Was this man trying to take over as host?
“Sister, why aren’t you sitting?” Xiao Mingxue asked innocently. “Big brother is waiting for you.”
“Feng Mingxue, whose side are you on?” Xiao Mingyu called out discontentedly.
“I’m on big brother and sister’s side,” Xiao Mingxue replied with a giggle.
“Stop being mischievous, you two. Come upstairs with Mom,” Yu Jingqiu called to the twins. Then she instructed Feng Mingshu, “Zhuzhu, stay and entertain our guest.”
Feng Mingshu had no choice but to agree.
Taking a deep breath, she approached the table and noticed that the teacup in front of Zhou Jinshan was full but the water had gone cold. She reached out to take it. “Let me get you a fresh cup.”
“No need, this is fine.”
Zhou Jinshan moved swiftly, his fingers brushing against Feng Mingshu’s as they both touched the cup simultaneously.
Feng Mingshu jerked her hand back, causing the cup to wobble. But the man’s large hand quickly steadied it. Water splashed onto his hand, yet he paid it no mind, tilting his head back to drain the cup in one gulp. His sharp Adam’s apple bobbed powerfully.
Realizing where her gaze had landed, Feng Mingshu quickly averted her eyes and pulled out a handkerchief. “Here, dry your hand.”
Zhou Jinshan set down the empty cup to see a plain handkerchief being offered to him. But the young lady refused to look at him, so he shook his hand. “I don’t need a handkerchief. Please put it away.”
Feng Mingshu watched several water droplets fly through the air, then turned back in surprise to see the man quickly wipe his right hand on his sleeve, leaving a damp patch.
Zhou Jinshan suddenly seemed to realize something and asked awkwardly, “Do you think I’m too rough around the edges?”
“Not at all,” Feng Mingshu replied, withdrawing her gaze and tucking the handkerchief back into her pocket.
In her previous life, she had spent fifteen years on a farm where refinement was a luxury she couldn’t afford. Now returned to being eighteen, she had the means to be particular about her own life again, but she wouldn’t judge others for their habits.
“I’ll try to do better in the future,” Zhou Jinshan said.
Feng Mingshu was taken aback by his words. Looking up, she saw the serious expression on his face and knew he meant it. For a moment, she didn’t know how to respond.
“I forgot to bring the water bottle you gave me yesterday when I went out today. All I have in my pocket is this packet of chocolate. If you don’t mind, please try some.”
As he spoke, Zhou Jinshan pulled out from his pocket the care package that ‘the political commissar paid for and Zhai Qingping delivered’ and offered it to her.
Feng Mingshu was stunned again. When she was young, she had studied foreign languages with a foreign teacher who once told her that chocolate symbolized love in Western countries.
She couldn’t help asking, “Why are you giving this to me?”
Zhou Jinshan was momentarily puzzled by her question, then answered honestly, “This candy is rare. I thought you might like it, so I brought it for you.”He added, “If you don’t like this, just tell me what you’d prefer, and I’ll bring it for you next time.”