Grandpa Zhou sighed deeply.
“So, you mean that last night, the two of you…” he asked tactfully.
Zhou Shu understood what he was getting at. “Yes. Exactly what you’re thinking.”
Grandpa Zhou froze for a moment, then took out a cigarette he hadn’t touched in a long time. He lit it and took two puffs, feeling that the situation was rather tricky.
“Since it’s already happened, and you’ve chosen to tell me about it, I assume you’ve already come up with a plan?”
Zhou Shu said, “I’ve thought it through. A woman’s reputation is very important, so after we regained consciousness, we immediately went our separate ways. When Liang Feng brought people to search the riverside hut, they didn’t find us.”
That was indeed a reasonable decision.
No matter how you looked at it, the image of two people being caught lying together was certainly not a good one. Even if no one said anything to their faces, the villagers would remember the incident forever.
Every now and then, someone would bring it up to tease them.
However, this approach also created another problem.
“If you want to keep this matter a secret, then we have no grounds to demand an explanation from Liang Feng and his mother. Besides, that girl Zhong Yi is still engaged to Liang Feng. No matter what you’re planning, if you interfere rashly, people might misunderstand and think that you and Zhong Yi were already having an affair. That wouldn’t do either of your reputations any good.”
Zhou Shu had already considered that possibility.
“I know. That’s why I plan to make Liang Feng take the initiative to go to the Zhong family and break off the engagement.”
Grandpa Zhou’s eyebrows shot up in anger.
“Wouldn’t that let the Liang family off too easily? They might have set up this whole scheme because Liang Feng has found someone better and wants to dump Zhong Yi!”
There was a saying that ginger grew hotter with age, and Grandpa Zhou certainly lived up to it. He had immediately guessed Liang Feng’s intentions.
Looking at his grandfather, Zhou Shu couldn’t help smiling.
“Grandpa, you’re as sharp as ever.”
“Stop buttering me up,” Grandpa Zhou snapped.
Zhou Shu quickly said that he wouldn’t dare.
“Actually, I’ve thought about this carefully, too. Since Liang Feng’s mother was the one who drugged us, even if we pursue the matter, Liang Feng will definitely shift all the blame onto her. He’ll make himself out to be completely innocent.”
Realizing this, Grandpa Zhou slammed his hand on the table.
“That little beast!”
“Even if that happens, it wouldn’t be the worst outcome. What I’m worried about is that once he gets himself out of trouble, he’ll still hold a grudge against Zhong Yi and refuse to change his ways. There’s no guarantee he won’t try something even more vicious next time.
“This time, he tried to ruin Zhong Yi’s reputation. What if, the next time, he uses an even more underhanded trick? For example, he could sell her to human traffickers, who might take her to some remote mountain village. By the time the police get involved, they might never be able to find her. That would truly destroy Zhong Yi’s entire life…”
“Since we already know that the Liang family is rotten to the core, in my opinion, the most important thing now is to help Zhong Yi break free from them. Only then can we ensure her safety.
“After all, there’s a saying that’s absolutely true: Never test the limits of a bad person’s conscience, because you have no idea just how cruel they can be!”
If Grandpa Zhou had still harbored any doubts before, his grandson’s words had now completely convinced him.
He was an old man, and he wasn’t the sort to show favoritism toward any particular child in the village.
But if he had to choose between Liang Feng and Zhong Yi, he would undoubtedly stand on Zhong Yi’s side.
“So, your plan is for our family to step in and use the fact that Liang Feng’s mother drugged you as leverage to force him to break off the engagement with Zhong Yi. And then…” Grandpa Zhou paused and looked at his grandson.
Zhou Shu replied firmly, “I’ll marry her.”
Grandpa Zhou was stunned.
He knew exactly how outstanding his grandson was. It wasn’t that Zhong Yi was unworthy of him, but…
“Grandpa knows you’re doing this out of a sense of responsibility, but as someone who’s lived through more of life, I have to remind you of something. If the two of you marry without having feelings for each other, what happens if you end up unhappy together? That wouldn’t be good for either of you. After all, a lifetime is a very, very long time…”
“Grandpa, I’m grateful that you’ve spoken so frankly with me. All I can promise you right now is that I’m certain I’m willing to marry her. Maybe my feelings for her aren’t that strong yet, but I’ll be a responsible husband. I won’t let her suffer or feel wronged for being with me!”
For a man, that was a promise with real weight behind it.
Grandpa Zhou had nothing more to say. He raised a hand and patted his grandson on the shoulder.
“You’ve grown up. You’re a real man now. Grandpa respects your decision!”
“Thank you, Grandpa!”
With his grandfather’s approval, Zhou Shu finally felt relieved.
As for his parents and the rest of the family, he had his own ways of convincing them. Besides, he had spent most of his years serving in the military, so his parents rarely interfered in his personal affairs.
“Grandpa, you’ve lived in this village for a long time. You understand the villagers’ personalities, and you know the Liang family well. Please think about how we can handle this matter in the most appropriate way. I’m going to take a quick shower first.”
He hadn’t bathed after spending the entire day busy yesterday, and the strenuous physical activity last night had left him sweating heavily. Even he thought he smelled terrible.
He wondered whether Zhong Yi had noticed.
“Leave this matter to me,” Grandpa Zhou assured him.
Zhou Shu had no reason to worry. He knew what his grandfather was capable of. Back when the Japanese invaders were conducting raids, the old man had managed to deliver messages to the soldiers and help the villagers evade enemy searches. He was a man who had weathered great storms and possessed extraordinary wisdom.
With that, Zhou Shu headed into the courtyard. There was a well there, and he drew two buckets of water before entering the washroom.
Men didn’t need to fuss much over bathing. Just a few minutes later, he emerged with water still clinging to his body, wearing a fresh set of clothes. Water droplets were still falling from the ends of his hair.
With his face freshly washed, his features looked even more striking and well-defined. He casually ran his fingers through his hair, his movements crisp and effortless, giving him a refreshingly rugged air.
He was just about to speak when a hurried series of footsteps sounded outside.
It was Zhou Shouye, Zhou Shu’s eldest uncle and the current village chief of Laotianwan. He rushed in anxiously.
“Zhou Shu, are you here? We just received a phone call from the military. They said you must return to your unit immediately!”
Zhou Shu froze.
Hearing this, Grandpa Zhou immediately came out of the house as well.
That was the life of a soldier. Even when on leave, a soldier had to obey orders and return to his unit whenever called back.
Zhou Shu understood what he had to do. He headed toward his room to pack his belongings.
“Grandpa…”
Grandpa Zhou understood, too.
“Don’t worry. Leave this matter to me.”
“Thank you, Grandpa.”
Zhou Shu didn’t have many belongings to begin with. After quickly packing everything, he came out of his room carrying a travel bag.
Over in the eastern side room, Gu Qingtang had also appeared at the doorway. She watched Zhou Shu with reluctance, unable to tear her eyes away from him.
She had finally gotten her wish when Zhou Shu returned home on leave to visit his family. Now that he was leaving again, she had no idea when he would come back next.
All Gu Qingtang wanted was to look at him a little longer.
Zhou Shu noticed her, too, but calmly shifted his gaze away.
“Uncle, doesn’t the village have a tractor? Could you please take me to the county seat?”
In those days, a tractor was already the fastest means of transportation available in the village. Given the urgency of the situation, Zhou Shouye understood how serious things were. Even if Zhou Shu hadn’t asked, he would have made the same arrangements.
“I understand. I’ll drive the tractor to the village entrance. Meet me there.”
“Alright.”
Zhou Shu answered before giving Grandpa Zhou one last, solemn look. Then he picked up his travel bag and headed out.
To leave the village from the Zhou family’s home, he had to pass right by the Zhong family’s house.
His departure had been so sudden that he hadn’t yet put his plan into action. Naturally, he felt disappointed, but he was a soldier, and military orders could not be disobeyed.
Besides, after returning to his unit this time, he had no idea how long it would be before he could contact anyone outside again.
Before leaving, he wanted to see Zhong Yi one last time.