“She’s not an ordinary person. Whether she’s single or not, you all mind your own business and focus on the exercise. Anyone who drags behind this time, I’ll personally make you train for a month.”
As soon as Zhou Yushen finished speaking, the conference room erupted with a chorus of pleas for mercy.
Outside the conference room, Lu Wanwan stood frozen. She never expected that coming back, she’d hear Zhou Yushen say something like that. She clenched her hand into a fist to knock, then finally lowered it, turned, and walked away.
Chen Shu, tired from the ride, stayed in the room to nap with Xiaobao.
When Yuanyuan saw her mother return, she happily ran over: “Mom, does SuSu like to eat it?”
Lu Wanwan didn’t know how to answer her daughter. She forced a smile and gently patted Yuanyuan’s head.
“Mom is tired. Let’s go play over there.”
Tuantuan saw that Mom seemed sad, so he took Yuanyuan along. The two little ones squatted head to head in a corner of the yard, whispering to each other.
“Mom’s eyes are red, it looks like she’s been crying. Uncle must have scolded Mom.”
“Mom’s crying, don’t bother SuSu.”
Lu Wanwan went to prepare dinner, unaware that the two children had come to this silent agreement.
That night, Zhou Yuguo came home late, and Lu Wanwan had already put the two kids to bed.
The next day, after feeding Xiaobao, Lu Wanwan helped Chen Shu prepare ingredients.
Soon, someone knocked at the courtyard gate. A slender young woman entered, carrying some items.
Chen Shu immediately stepped forward to greet her: “Yuanrong, come in, sit down. You came all this way and even brought things—so polite of you.”
“Sis, these are some things I bought for Xiaobao.”
Qi Yuanrong spoke with a bright, crisp tone. She walked lightly, her skin fair, and her phoenix-like eyes made her smile very charming.
Chen Shu, seeing her future sister-in-law, was warm and welcoming. She genuinely liked Qi Yuanrong. Though they had only met twice and spoken little, Chen Shu could tell she was capable and had a good grasp of life.
Chen Shu personally poured tea for her: “Shen will be back soon. You two can chat, and we’ll have lunch at home.”
“Thank you, sis.”
Qi Yuanrong took a sip of tea. She knew many girls liked Zhou Yushen, and she liked him too.
Zhou Yushen entered carrying a fish. His brother insisted he bring it back, though he knew the visit was for a blind date. Seeing Qi Yuanrong seated in the living room, he only gave a slight nod in acknowledgment before heading to the kitchen with the fish.
In the kitchen, Lu Wanwan was busy cooking. Aunt Zhang hadn’t come, so Chen Shu entertained the guest, leaving Lu Wanwan to handle the cooking. Even Tuantuan and Yuanyuan helped pick vegetables obediently.
In the living room, Qi Yuanrong’s smile faded slightly. She was annoyed at Zhou Yushen’s indifferent attitude. He had always been aloof and rebellious, and now that they were meeting for a blind date—eventually to marry and have children—why was he still like this?
Chen Shu noticed the tension and hurriedly called Zhou Yushen to accompany her outside for a walk.
Zhou Yushen was indifferent, but as he walked over, Qi Yuanrong frowned and critically noticed his clothing. Following her gaze, he realized a fish scale had stuck to the hem of his shirt—probably from when he carried the fish earlier.
Qi Yuanrong, sensitive to smells since childhood, couldn’t stand the fishy odor. As he approached, she had to speak: “Can you change your shirt? The fish smell is strong.”
“I don’t have clothes here.”
Zhou Yushen spoke honestly, pausing with his gaze fixed on Qi Yuanrong. In his mind flashed the image of Lu Wanwan efficiently carrying the fish to the sink to rinse it.
“She has some. I’ll get one for you to change into first.”
Chen Shu immediately went to fetch Zhou Yuguo’s jacket for him and then pushed them outside for a walk.
Zhou Yushen, not wanting to disappoint his sister-in-law, followed Qi Yuanrong outside.
Watching the two figures leave the courtyard—one tall and handsome, the other slender and graceful—Chen Shu couldn’t stop smiling. Back in the kitchen, cooking with Lu Wanwan, she couldn’t help praising Qi Yuanrong.
“Yuanrong has trained in ballet since childhood, won many awards, and even performed abroad. She comes from a good family. Shen is truly lucky to marry her.”
“Qi is easy to get along with. They look very compatible.”
From Lu Wanwan’s perspective, Qi Yuanrong was much better than Fang Anqian. Zhou Yushen, though well-off, had his flaws—yet he dared to say behind her back that Lu Wanwan wasn’t ordinary?
Chen Shu also found Qi Yuanrong easy to get along with and praised her a few more times.
This was Qi Yuanrong’s first close interaction with Zhou Yushen. Seeing his tall, straight posture and sharp, handsome face, she felt shy. She regretted criticizing the fish smell earlier.
“Captain Zhou, I know what I said earlier wasn’t very appropriate. Since this blind date is for marriage, I’m being direct. You’re not angry, right?”
“No.”
“In that case, do you have any opinions or requirements about me?”
“None.”
“Why don’t you ask me anything? Captain Zhou, you don’t really like this blind date, do you?”
Qi Yuanrong stopped walking, bit her lip slightly aggrieved, wanting to know if he had any dissatisfaction with her.
Zhou Yushen raised an eyebrow and gave a faint smile. The usual sharpness around his face softened: “Comrade Qi, feel free to say whatever you think. You’re a lady, so ladies first.”
“In that case, I’ll be frank. Marriage is a big deal. Watches are common, but I don’t want a mass-market brand. I saw a beautiful one in Country F. I want that brand. Also a car, a washing machine, and most importantly, I want to keep dancing. I don’t want children.”
Zhou Yushen nodded, not arguing.
Qi Yuanrong thought he agreed and shyly asked another question: “Who handles the money after marriage?”
“If I marry, I’ll hand over my salary.”
Zhou Yushen’s answer made Qi Yuanrong smile even brighter.
At the dining table, Qi Yuanrong frowned at the dishes.
“To maintain my figure for dancing, these dishes are too greasy. This fish should be steamed, not braised with chili.”
Chen Shu slapped her forehead and laughed: “My bad, I forgot to tell Lu. From now on, we’ll do steamed fish.”
“And the kids’ eating is too noisy.”
Qi Yuanrong glanced disdainfully toward the small room next door, her words full of contempt: “My servants are never allowed to eat at home.”
Zhou Yushen put down his chopsticks and walked toward the small room. A look of triumph flashed in Qi Yuanrong’s eyes; she thought he was sending the kids away.
Unexpectedly, Zhou Yushen called Lu Wanwan and the two children out to join them at the table.
Qi Yuanrong stared at the three unexpected guests, her face instantly flushing: “Are you in the wrong place? The main door is that way.”
Zhou Yushen didn’t speak. Only the sound of utensils clinking filled the table.
Lu Wanwan understood her meaning. She didn’t want Zhou Yushen to be embarrassed. She was already an outsider, so she considered taking the children away, but Tuantuan and Yuanyuan had already climbed onto the seats with wide eyes, drooling at the food.
Lu Wanwan steeled herself to lift them.
Qi Yuanrong, clearly unwilling to let it go, noticed Lu Wanwan glance at Zhou Yushen and sarcastically said: “Is Comrade Lu staying here to bother us? Should she go train with my servants? And these two kids, are they from the Zhou family? Such bad manners…”
Zhou Yushen could not stand her spoiled attitude. His strong, defined hand rested on Lu Wanwan’s small arm.
His thin lips pressed into a tight, straight line.
“Tuantuan and Yuanyuan are my children.”