Qi Yuanrong was so shocked that the chopsticks in her hand fell onto the table. She quickly recovered and, her eyes red, demanded an explanation from Zhou Yushen.
“You’re already married and have children? And you actually let them eat with me? Are you humiliating me? Zhou Yushen, how could you lie to me and make me come on a blind date with you?”
“It’s a misunderstanding… all a misunderstanding,”
Chen Shu didn’t expect things to escalate so quickly and hurriedly tried to explain.
“Comrade Chen was hired to feed and take care of Xiaobao. It’s not easy for her to bring the two children here. I was soft-hearted and let Wanwan bring them along. This has nothing to do with Yushen.”
“Yushen probably found the kids cute and pitied them, and so treated them like his own children. But they’re definitely not Yushen’s kids. Wanwan, speak up!”
Lu Wanwan held the two frightened children in her arms. The gentle expression she usually carried now had a sharp edge. Her voice was calm but firm:
“These two children have nothing to do with Captain Zhou. They have their own biological father and don’t need the sympathy of another man.”
Zhou Yushen furrowed his brows and glanced at Lu Wanwan, his lips pressed tight. His entire presence radiated a strong, commanding aura. Could it really be that he had misunderstood?
Qi Yuanrong clenched her hand on the table, unwilling to accept it, and pressed Zhou Yushen: “I want an explanation. Marriage is between you and me. I absolutely won’t tolerate anyone with ulterior motives trying to interfere.”
Lu Wanwan, the one being implied to have “ulterior motives,” actually wanted to thank her—but she didn’t have that thought at all.
“I have nothing to explain. Comrade Qi, if you’re not satisfied with this blind date, no one will force you to continue.”
“You?”
Qi Yuanrong didn’t expect that when she gave him a chance, he wouldn’t cherish it. Unable to maintain her composure, she angrily got up and ran out.
Chen Shu, worried something would happen, hurriedly followed her.
“Yuanrong! Yuanrong…”
Lu Wanwan, having been busy since morning, tired and hungry and barely having eaten, was dragged into this blind date fiasco. She felt utterly exasperated.
Sensing Zhou Yushen’s gaze on her was off, Lu Wanwan prepared to leave the room with the two children.
But Zhou Yushen called after her: “Comrade Lu, what exactly is your purpose in coming to the Zhou household to take care of Xiaobao?”
What purpose could there be? He wouldn’t think she came for him, right?
Lu Wanwan almost laughed in disbelief. She calmly said, “Captain Zhou, before coming to the Zhou household, I applied to many jobs. The Zhou household pays well, caring for Xiaobao is simple, and I can still look after my children. Of course, I came here to earn money to support my kids.”
Zhou Yushen had investigated, and she indeed had applied to many jobs before coming, yet he still didn’t believe her. He could only conclude that she was clever and might have a bigger scheme.
His gaze was sharp as he interrogated her: “Do you think I’d believe your words? Comrade Lu, don’t you think your timing in appearing at the Zhou household is… too coincidental?”
Just as Lu Wanwan was about to rebut, Tuantuan suddenly rushed forward, spreading his arms to shield her and Yuanyuan, shouting loudly:
“Don’t bully my mommy!”
Chen Shu returned, out of breath, and seeing the tense scene, wearied, told Lu Wanwan to take the children back to the room.
“Wanwan, you go rest first. I’ll clear the table later.”
Lu Wanwan nodded silently and left with the two children. She was hired by Chen Shu, and this had nothing to do with Zhou Yushen.
With only Chen Shu and Zhou Yushen left at the table, Chen Shu finally spoke seriously:
“Yushen, I’ve explained to Yuanrong and calmed her down. She won’t tell her parents that the blind date didn’t go well. Tomorrow, you should buy something girls like and apologize to her. Let today’s matter be over. After all, you two are going to spend your lives together eventually…”
“Sis, I won’t go. Qi Yuanrong and I won’t have a future.”
Zhou Yushen’s uncooperative attitude made Chen Shu’s temper explode. She slammed the table in anger, furiously demanding:
“You won’t go? Fine! You’re so aloof and capable. Have you considered the others at home? Who are you slapping in the face today? Qi Yuanrong came with gifts to meet you for a blind date. Didn’t your brother explain this clearly before? You’re arrogant, you offend people, you’re capable, you…”
Chen Shu didn’t finish her sentence. She bent over, clutching her head in discomfort, her body trembling as if she might collapse. For the first time, she was exasperated at her younger brother-in-law.
“Sis, are you unwell? I’ll take you to the medical station.”
Chen Shu waved her hand, sat down, and caught her breath. Then she looked at Zhou Yushen helplessly: “Are you going tomorrow or not?”
“I’ll go.”
Zhou Yushen frowned, but in the end, he didn’t continue his stubbornness and compromised.
Chen Shu breathed a secret sigh of relief. At least she had finally managed her aloof younger brother-in-law—a tactic she usually reserved for dealing with her husband.
In the room, Tuantuan and Yuanyuan lay on the bed, one on each side of Lu Wanwan. The three of them spoke softly together as usual.
Both children were conflicted. After hearing Zhou Yushen’s words, they felt he really was their dad.
Lu Wanwan hurriedly corrected them: “Captain Zhou is just helping us. He really isn’t your dad.”
“Mom, then where’s our dad? Why isn’t he here to protect Mom, Tuantuan, and Yuanyuan? Does he think we’re a burden?”
Lu Wanwan felt sad hearing Tuantuan’s question. She gently comforted them:
“Dad isn’t refusing to protect us. He’s already passed away. He’s become a star in the sky, watching over us. He loves you both, just like Mom does. So Tuantuan and Yuanyuan are never a burden. Once Mom earns enough money, I’ll take you home.”
Outside the door, Zhou Yushen stood holding some food. He had come to make sure the children wouldn’t go hungry, but unexpectedly overheard this conversation.
Maybe he really had misunderstood Lu Wanwan?
The next day, Fang Anqian came early, carrying some things under the pretense of visiting Chen Shu.
In the living room, Chen Shu was reminding Zhou Yushen about the items he needed to buy.
Fang Anqian listened for a while, sensing something off. She quickly spoke: “Shen, why are you buying scarves that girls like? Sis, what scarf do you want? I’ll go with you to buy it.”
“It’s not for me. It’s a gift for Qi Yuanrong.”
Chen Shu smiled and explained to Fang Anqian: “They met yesterday for the blind date and got along well. So today, Yushen wants to buy a gift for her.”
“Ah… I see.”
Fang Anqian’s face betrayed her disappointment and hurt. She looked at Zhou Yushen sitting across from her, her voice trembling: “Shen, I can go with you to buy it?”
“No need. Comrade Lu will go with me.”
As soon as Zhou Yushen said this, the three other women present were all shocked.