9
The Third Party
Song Zhian’s eyelids twitched as he looked toward the dark alley.
A tall, upright figure slowly emerged from the darkness, like a vigilant lion inspecting an intruder in its territory.
Song Zhian instinctively took a step back, then straightened his posture. A Chun was rightfully his—they were mutually devoted—while Lu Xuanzhou was the shady third party who didn’t belong.
“I need to talk with A Chun—”
Before he could finish speaking, he was knocked to the ground.
Song Zhian hadn’t even seen how Lu Xuanzhou struck; he was already lying on the ground, his entire body aching.
Lin Jianchun watched with satisfaction as Song Zhian lay in a pathetic heap on the ground and couldn’t resist giving him a couple of kicks.
“Aren’t you going to the restroom?”
Only then did Lin Jianchun withdraw his foot, stepping over Song Zhian’s body as he headed toward the public toilet.
Just as he was about to enter, Lu Xuanzhou called out to him.
“Wait a moment.”
Lin Jianchun turned around, opening his mouth to ask what was wrong, when a piece of candy was popped inside.
Suck, suck.
Lin Jianchun savored it—it was a fruit candy.
“The public restroom smells strong. Sucking on candy helps.”
Lin Jianchun tilted his head and looked at Lu Xuanzhou. What kind of experience was it to eat candy while using the toilet?
Lu Xuanzhou felt a bit awkward under Lin Jianchun’s sparkling gaze. He turned Lin Jianchun around by the shoulders. “Aren’t you in a hurry? Shh—”
Lin Jianchun stamped his foot in annoyance, feeling even more urgent. “Just you wait.” He’d settle both old and new scores together.
Song Zhian lay on the ground, watching the two standing extremely close under the light. He refused to believe that Lin Jianchun could shift affections so quickly, but what did it matter? He was afraid Lu Xuanzhou’s fists would beat him to death.
Lu Xuanzhou kicked the feigning-dead Song Zhian. “Still not leaving?”
Song Zhian struggled up from the ground, enduring the pain. He couldn’t accept that the woman he’d pursued for so long had been snatched away by Lu Xuanzhou. Even though Lin Jianchun was from the countryside, she was no less attractive than their factory’s “factory flower.” He knew his family’s circumstances made dreaming about the factory flower impossible, so when he finally found someone both beautiful and easy to coax, he couldn’t stand being cut off by Lu Xuanzhou.
“Lu Xuanzhou, you picked up a secondhand item I didn’t want. What’s there to be proud of!”
Song Zhian limped away.
Lu Xuanzhou casually picked up a brick from the roadside and hurled it at Song Zhian’s back. The brick hit Song Zhian’s leg squarely, causing his knee to buckle and sending him kneeling to the ground.
“Lin Jianchun is a living person.”
Besides, had he looked proud earlier? That fool Song Zhian couldn’t even distinguish whether Lin Jianchun was a person or an object—how could he possibly read the expression on his face?
When Lin Jianchun emerged from the public restroom, Song Zhian was no longer on the ground.
Only Lu Xuanzhou stood there with a cold expression. Lin Jianchun could guess with her toes that Song Zhian must have said something to Lu Xuanzhou.
She merely glanced before looking away. She was only here to break up the male and female leads and take advantage of the situation along the way. She didn’t care what Lu Xuanzhou thought.
The two walked back toward the courtyard, one after the other.
Just as they reached the entrance, the flashlight suddenly went out.
“Ah—” Lin Jianchun let out a soft gasp.
“Don’t be afraid. The batteries might have died,” Lu Xuanzhou’s steady voice sounded beside her.
Lin Jianchun curled her lips and burrowed into Lu Xuanzhou’s embrace, rubbing against him gently as if seeking comfort. “But it’s so dark~~~”
Lu Xuanzhou couldn’t handle this. He felt the blood in his entire body surge with exhilaration.
“I know the way. I’ll lead you.”
Lin Jianchun listened to Lu Xuanzhou’s wildly beating heart, feeling her own heartbeat quicken considerably.
“Hold my hand.”
His voice seemed to carry a misty quality, lingering and tender, drawing out the final syllable.
Lu Xuanzhou’s Adam’s apple bobbed heavily as he reached out to grasp Lin Jianchun’s fair, soft hand.
Lin Jianchun didn’t understand the concept of quitting while ahead. She only knew that when there’s meat, you should eat it heartily. So on the way back, she half-draped herself over Lu Xuanzhou, her hand naturally resting on his chest.
“We’re home.”
Lin Jianchun let out a long sigh – they had arrived home too soon.
She had no choice but to detach herself from Lu Xuanzhou. With a snap, she turned on the flashlight and pushed open the door to return inside, leaving Lu Xuanzhou staring in stunned silence.
Hmph, how dare he shush her? She had nearly lost her composure earlier – she definitely needed to get some sweetness back.
Next door, the lights were on in the house.
Song Zhian and his sister stood at the window with ugly expressions, watching Lu Xuanzhou and Lin Jianchun walking closely entwined.
“All that hugging and clinging – aren’t they afraid of being reported and taken away?”
Song Zhian was applying his mother’s leftover medicated wine to his chest and didn’t respond.
“Brother, are you just going to let it go? You told Mom you wouldn’t marry anyone but Lin Jianchun. Are you willing to let her be taken by someone else?”
“What can I do even if I’m not willing? I don’t want to be beaten to death by Lu Xuanzhou.” He could tell that Lu Xuanzhou genuinely intended to kill him, so he didn’t even bother making empty threats.
“I don’t care. Brother Lu is the one I like. He can’t be snatched away by some country woman you brought back. You have to take responsibility.”
Song Zhian cursed irritably: “What does that have to do with me? It was your mother who made trouble, causing me to lose my wife and you to lose your man. If you want to blame someone, blame your mother…”