Zhou Yuguo had a nickname, Ruier, and a few childhood friends called him Brother Rui.
Before, Chen Shu hadn’t paid it much attention, but hearing Fang Anqian call him that now made her feel a slight unease—though she didn’t show it on her face. She was about to respond when Zhou Yushen spoke first.
“Sis, Xiaobao and the kids have been in the car for a long time; they must be tired. I’ll just go to the cafeteria and get some dishes to bring back.”
Fang Anqian’s real purpose wasn’t Chen Shu. She glanced at Lu Wanwan, who was getting out of the car with the items, and deliberately raised her voice with a smile: “That works too, Brother Shen. I’ll go with you to the cafeteria.”
“No need. I’ll take the things up to my sister-in-law first, then go to the cafeteria. I’ve already arranged with them—they’ll save some dishes for us.”
Saying this, Zhou Yushen took the things Lu Wanwan had carried down, along with what she was still holding, his hands full, and strode into the courtyard.
His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, showing taut, strong arm muscles. Broad shoulders, narrow waist, straight back, long legs walking with rhythm—it was visually striking, impossible to look away from.
Lu Wanwan glanced once, then lowered her eyes and adjusted Yuanyuan’s clothes.
Once Chen Shu and Fang Anqian walked ahead, Lu Wanwan followed, holding Tuantuan and Yuanyuan. At the unit, there were more things to pay attention to.
When Zhou Yushen went to the cafeteria for the dishes, Chen Shu deliberately let slip a piece of information to Fang Anqian.
“My main mission during this visit is actually to help Shen find a match.”
“Ah… Brother Shen is going on a blind date? Who’s the girl?”
Fang Anqian was caught off guard. Her eyes flicked toward Lu Wanwan, who was busy tidying things, and she hinted meaningfully to Chen Shu: “Sis, Brother Shen is now the captain. His family background is excellent, so any match has to be of similar status, otherwise it would be unfair to him.”
On this point, Fang Anqian was confident. Her parents worked in the military, and she herself was a Cultural and Art Corps instructor—many people had tried to curry favor with her.
“You’re right. So the match is with Minister Qi’s daughter, Qi Yuanrong. She’s a professional ballet dancer and very beautiful. I’ve inquired about their opinion—they’re very satisfied with Shen as well.”
Fang Anqian was stunned. If it were anyone else, she might have competed, but Qi Yuanrong—both in family background and personal qualities—was superior to her in every way.
“Hmph, it’s just a blind date. Brother Shen might not care only about appearances.”
“I think he’ll like her. I heard from his brother that he’s always had high standards. Whatever he wants, he wants the best; whatever he does, he wants to do it perfectly.”
Chen Shu spoke with some emotion. Luckily, her husband wasn’t like that; otherwise, she wouldn’t have married him.
“Water flows downward, people rise upward. Take Comrade Lu, for example—she got hired as a nanny in the Zhou family and now comes to the unit to broaden her horizons. Honestly, with her background, she really shouldn’t be here, and she’s bringing two kids. Could she be planning to remarry in the military? That would cause so much trouble for Brother Rui and my sister-in-law.”
Fang Anqian’s words were meant to sympathize with Chen Shu, but hearing them, Chen Shu felt a bit uncomfortable and couldn’t help but interrupt on Lu Wanwan’s behalf.
“You misunderstand. I can’t do without Wanwan’s help. She takes care of Xiaobao, feeds him, and soothes him. Not just anyone can do that, Anqian. Thank you for picking us up today. If you have things to do this afternoon, go ahead.”
Chen Shu, feeling slightly uneasy, used the excuse of putting Xiaobao to sleep and didn’t continue talking with Fang Anqian.
When Zhou Yushen brought back the dishes, the four adults and two kids were hungry. They ate quietly, barely talking.
After the meal, Zhou Yushen had to leave for work. Fang Anqian quickly found an excuse to follow him.
Chen Shu watched them go and noticed that Zhou Yushen was intentionally keeping his distance, while Fang Anqian kept trying to get closer.
Since learning about Qi Yuanrong, Fang Anqian had grown nervous. She looked up at Zhou Yushen and feigned indifference while bringing up Lu Wanwan.
“Earlier, I chatted with Sis. Comrade Lu seemed unhappy and made Xiaobao cry. Last time she didn’t get the hairpiece, was she angry? Brother Shen, should I buy her a new one?”
Zhou Yushen’s gaze remained straight ahead. His cold tone carried a reprimand: “Why did you say last time that you thought I gave it to you? You should know, I never give gifts casually, and I never gave you anything.”
Not only did he not give gifts, but he also didn’t accept them casually.
Fang Anqian’s eyes reddened instantly, and her voice choked with emotion.
“Brother Shen, I really thought you gave it to me. Later I realized the mistake. Comrade Lu minded that I wore it—I didn’t expect her to care that much.”
“You don’t need to explain to me. Next time, you explain to Comrade Lu yourself. Whether she forgives you is her choice. Your attitude must be sincere.”
Zhou Yushen’s lecturing tone made Fang Anqian feel very uncomfortable. She forced a smile. “Don’t worry, Brother Shen. I’ll make sure Comrade Lu forgives me. She shouldn’t be petty.”
If she didn’t forgive her, it would mean Lu Wanwan was being narrow-minded.
Zhou Yushen caught the implication in Fang Anqian’s words. He glanced at her, furrowed his brow, and quickened his pace.
That afternoon, Chen Shu and Lu Wanwan made some jujube cakes to give to the neighbors and deliberately kept some for Zhou Yuguo.
Several military wives stayed behind to chat with Chen Shu. Since the cakes would lose flavor if left to cool too long, Chen Shu asked Lu Wanwan to pack some to deliver to Zhou Yuguo.
Zhou Yushen and a few others were in the conference room discussing an exercise. Du Tao hurried in, excited, and said:
“Comrades, I just saw a very pretty girl coming to see Brother Rui. They’re walking over together.”
“What?”
Zhang Hai immediately jumped from his chair and went to the door to look.
Zhou Yushen hadn’t paid attention, but upon hearing the familiar voice at the door, he turned, dropping his pen onto the table, completely ignoring it.
Lu Wanwan handed the lunchboxes to Zhou Yuguo, relaying Chen Shu’s message, and then left gracefully.
Zhou Yuguo didn’t even turn around; he could see the figures at the conference room door. He brought the lunchboxes in, tapped each of them lightly on the head:
“What’s this? Is this how soldiers behave? Stand properly.”
“Brother Rui, this girl is so pretty. Is she from the Cultural and Art Corps? Or is she a relative of yours? She’s single, right?”
“None of that. She was invited by your sister-in-law to help take care of Xiaobao. She just brought jujube cakes. No funny business, no joking around.”
Zhou Yuguo went to his desk, glanced at his brother, and noticed his gaze lingering on the lunchbox. He remembered that his brother didn’t like sweet snacks.
Zhang Hai and Du Tao, both single and flirtatious, nudged closer to Zhou Yuguo, giggling. But the next moment, they caught Zhou Yushen’s sharp gaze and stiffened, no longer daring to giggle.