Cheng Fangqiu had no idea what Shen Xilian was thinking. As soon as she arrived at the educated youth spot, she got busy. After discussing task assignments with He Shenghui, she went to the kitchen entrance to peel potatoes.
Before long, the technicians began to wake up one after another—some were washing up in the courtyard, some were chatting under the eaves, and some were helping out in the kitchen…
“Is this how you’re supposed to wash it?” The one speaking was Zhao Zhigao. He held up a few scallions as if presenting a treasure and showed them to Cheng Fangqiu.
Cheng Fangqiu glanced at them and saw that they were quite clean, so she nodded. “Yes, that’s how you wash them. They’re very clean.”
Being praised, even if indirectly, sent Zhao Zhigao’s mood soaring, as if he had been injected with adrenaline. He immediately declared, “Then I’ll wash the whole basin.”
“Thank you.” Having someone to help with the chores made Cheng Fangqiu very happy. She smiled at Zhao Zhigao, her eyes curving into crescents. The sight of her smile made Zhao Zhigao momentarily dazed, and a faint blush spread across his wheat-colored face. He quickly lowered his head and focused on his task.
Yet, deep down, he couldn’t help but think: Comrade Cheng is really beautiful.
When Zhou Yinghuai stepped through the doorway, this was the scene he saw. His eyes darkened instantly, and the hand hanging by his side slowly clenched. However, considering the many eyes around, he restrained himself in the end. He merely cast a cold glance at Zhao Zhigao before casually picking up a small stool by the entrance and striding over to sit beside Cheng Fangqiu.
“I’ll help.”
Suddenly, there was someone next to her. Cheng Fangqiu instinctively turned her head and met Zhou Yinghuai’s resentful gaze. This early in the morning, why did he look like a bitter, neglected husband?
“Did you just wake up?” She was puzzled and took the initiative to start a conversation.
Seeing that the moment he appeared, he had captured all her attention, Zhou Yinghuai’s mood improved significantly. Then, his eyes fell on the hair clip she was wearing. Her jet-black hair was braided into a neat plait resting on her chest, and the pink butterfly-shaped hair clip stood out conspicuously—it was the one he had bought yesterday. The corners of his mouth couldn’t help but lift slightly.
So, as he picked up a potato, he replied, “I woke up a long time ago. I just went for a run.”
After saying this, he paused for two seconds before adding in a quiet voice, “Isn’t that what you like?”
What do I like? Cheng Fangqiu blinked in confusion. Then, noticing the faint redness creeping up his ear tips, realization struck her like a flash of insight. Last night, she had held onto his arm and casually complimented his muscles, saying she liked them.
So, did he wake up even earlier today to go for a run and work out?
Recalling what had happened last night, Cheng Fangqiu’s gaze involuntarily flickered to his lips. The spot where she had bitten him had already formed a faint scab. Set against his strikingly handsome features, it carried an air of both wild allure and fragile beauty.
The longer she stared, the hotter her face grew. Suddenly flustered, she hastily responded before shifting her gaze elsewhere to change the topic. “If you want to help, then hurry up and peel the potatoes.”
“Okay.”
A faint smile surfaced in Zhou Yinghuai’s eyes. Feeling that he had regained some ground, he even deliberately shot a glance at Zhao Zhigao.
Zhao Zhigao felt an inexplicable chill run down his spine. He raised his head in confusion and met Zhou Yinghuai’s gaze. Realizing who it was, he immediately broke into a big grin and greeted him, “Brother Huai.”
“Have you finished your report from yesterday?” Zhou Yinghuai, dressed in work attire, still exuded an air of discipline and authority—even with a large potato in hand. Instinctively, Zhao Zhigao straightened his back and, feeling guilty, shook his head. “Just a little bit left.”
The technicians had to write daily work reports, similar to a journal. However, these reports were only checked once a month, so many people would procrastinate and rush to complete them in the last couple of days. He was no exception.
Zhou Yinghuai was usually busy with work and turned a blind eye to these things, as long as the reports were properly submitted on the final day. But why was he suddenly asking about it today?
“Finish writing it first, then come back to help.” Zhou Yinghuai’s lips curled slightly, but there was little warmth in his eyes.
Zhao Zhigao’s heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Brother Huai caught wind of an inspection this month and is giving me a heads-up? There had been similar instances before—when reports weren’t completed on time, people got reprimanded, and salaries were even docked!
Realizing this, Zhao Zhigao didn’t dare to dawdle any longer. He quickly shook the water off his hands and was about to leave, but then he suddenly remembered that he had just promised to wash the entire basin of scallions for Comrade Cheng. If he left now, wouldn’t that make him a man of no integrity?
As he hesitated, he saw Zhou Yinghuai casually move the basin of scallions to himself.
“Thank you, Brother Huai!” Zhao Zhigao looked at Zhou Yinghuai with gratitude several times. He had always said that Brother Huai was cold on the outside but kind at heart—truly a good person! Wuwuwu, once they returned to the provincial capital, he would definitely treat Brother Huai to a meal.
Once Zhao Zhigao left, only Zhou Yinghuai remained by Cheng Fangqiu’s side.
Just as Zhou Yinghuai was about to bend down to wash the scallions, he felt a burning gaze from his side. Turning his head, he saw Cheng Fangqiu staring at him with a smirk, her expression full of amusement.
“What’s so sour this early in the morning? Do you smell it?” Cheng Fangqiu deliberately waved her hand in front of her nose, but her brows and eyes were filled with laughter.
At this, a trace of unnaturalness flashed across Zhou Yinghuai’s face. Just as he was about to speak, she teased him again, “Even jealous of your own good brother?”
Zhou Yinghuai became even more embarrassed. It dawned on him belatedly that his jealousy had indeed been rather petty. She had only smiled at Zhao Zhigao, yet he had gone so far as to drive the guy away like a petty villain—hardly the behavior of a gentleman.
Would Qiuqiu dislike him for being so possessive?
“I…” Zhou Yinghuai wanted to defend himself, but no matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t find an excuse. Perhaps, deep down, he was just a domineering person by nature. He only wanted Qiuqiu to smile at him, to speak softly and gently to him.
Seeing his internal struggle, Cheng Fangqiu subtly hooked his fingertip under the water while picking up the scallions. With a soft smile, she said, “Being jealous means you care about me. That makes me happy. But jealousy should have its limits—it depends on the situation and the person.”
“Zhou Yinghuai, can’t you have a little confidence in yourself? I only like you.”
With just a few simple words, the gloom in his heart was instantly swept away. Zhou Yinghuai’s eyes shimmered like clear water, and a gentle smile spread across his lips. “I only like you too. I’ll be more mindful in the future.”
Seeing that he had taken her words to heart, Cheng Fangqiu withdrew her hand.
Then, she noticed several red welts on his arm. The wounds from the mountain had mostly healed, making these new marks all the more conspicuous.
“What happened?”
Following her gaze, Zhou Yinghuai glanced at his arm and replied nonchalantly, “Mosquito bites from last night on the mountain. I applied ointment. They’ll fade in a couple of days.”
There were plenty of mosquitoes in the countryside, so he had prepared ointment beforehand. However, since he rarely got bitten, he had almost forgotten he even had it—until he got attacked last night.
After saying this, he suddenly thought of something and turned to her. “Qiuqiu, how about you?”
Even he, with his thick skin, had been bitten so badly. She, with her delicate skin, must have had it worse.
Thinking of this, Zhou Yinghuai’s eyes flashed with regret. He had been so preoccupied with being jealous that he hadn’t even considered this.
“Let me see.” As he spoke, he reached out, intending to check her hands for any bites. “I have ointment. I’ll get it for you later—it’ll stop the itching.”
Although there weren’t many people around, being grabbed in public still made Cheng Fangqiu a bit shy. She quickly dodged his hand and explained, “I brought an insect-repellent sachet. I wasn’t bitten.”
Zhou Yinghuai snapped back to reality—his concern had made him act rashly again. Hearing her response, he sighed in relief. “That’s good.”
“I’ll make a sachet for you too when I have time,” Cheng Fangqiu said, unable to suppress her curiosity at seeing Zhou Yinghuai so flustered and a little foolish. She stole a few more glances at him.
“Really?” Zhou Yinghuai’s eyes lit up, unable to hide his joy.
She had only been speaking casually, but seeing his reaction, she was momentarily stunned before nodding. “Of course. With a sachet, you won’t get bitten anymore.”
Zhou Yinghuai chuckled softly, his long lashes trembling slightly. Being handsome was truly an advantage—it made it easy to capture a woman’s heart.
“Mm, then I won’t get bitten anymore.”
His voice was low, and the tail end of his sentence lifted slightly, laced with an inexplicable undertone.
In an instant, a certain possibility flashed through Cheng Fangqiu’s mind—did he think that when she said “in the future,” she meant they would sneak into the woods together again?
Her lips twitched, and she rolled her eyes at him internally. Tch, wishful thinking.
Since time was running late, Cheng Fangqiu didn’t chat with Zhou Yinghuai for long. Once she had finished preparing the ingredients, she immediately started cooking.
However, their earlier flirtatious exchange had been witnessed in its entirety by Shen Xilian, who was standing outside the door. She had to grit her teeth hard to suppress the urge to rush in and separate them.
That Cheng Fangqiu really has some tricks up her sleeve! Relying on her good looks, she threw a coquettish glance with every sentence, and yet, Brother Huai seemed to fall for it every single time. But why, when she had batted her eyes at him before, had he only responded with disgust?
Same people, different fates.
Shen Xilian took several deep breaths to steady herself before curving her lips into an innocent, lively smile. She bounced into the room, heading straight toward her target, and sweetly called out, “Brother Huai.”
The sickly-sweet tone immediately gave Cheng Fangqiu goosebumps. She rubbed her arms instinctively and shot a glance at Zhou Yinghuai.
The moment Shen Xilian approached, Zhou Yinghuai had already stepped back to put distance between them. His expression was indifferent and detached. “I’ve told you before—don’t call me that.”
Hearing this, Shen Xilian’s eyes turned red with grievance. She looked at Zhou Yinghuai in disbelief, then glanced at Cheng Fangqiu before biting her lip tightly. “I’ve always called you that… Did someone say bad things about me to you?”
Brother Huai had indeed told her several times before not to call him that, especially in front of the other technicians. But she had always let it go in one ear and out the other, continuing to do as she pleased. Over time, she assumed he had tacitly accepted it.
So why was he suddenly bringing it up again today—and in such a serious tone?
Someone must have spoken ill of her behind her back. Apart from Cheng Fangqiu, she couldn’t think of anyone else.
So underhanded. She liked Zhou Yinghuai, and Cheng Fangqiu liked Zhou Yinghuai. That was fine—then they could compete fairly. Whoever managed to win his heart would be the better woman. But using dirty tricks? That was despicable.
“No one spoke ill of you.”
Zhou Yinghuai frowned deeply, unable to comprehend Shen Xilian’s twisted logic. I was the one who told her not to call me that—how does this suddenly become someone else’s fault? Besides, he had brought this up countless times, yet she had never listened. He couldn’t possibly repeat himself forever, could he?
“Then…”
Shen Xilian still wanted to argue, but Zhou Yinghuai had already lost interest in listening.
Just yesterday, Qiuqiu had told him to deal with the “rotten peach blossoms” around him. If he kept being so indecisive, what if she got annoyed and left him?
No one is more important than Qiuqiu.
“I have a girlfriend, Comrade Shen. It’s best if you and I keep our distance in the future.”
The moment Zhou Yinghuai spoke, the people in the kitchen, who had been quietly eavesdropping, suddenly froze.
What did they just hear?
Zhou Yinghuai had a girlfriend? Who? Since when? How come they had never heard a single rumor about this?
A string of questions popped into their minds, and they were itching to rush up and interrogate him on the spot. But given the current situation, even if they were given a thousand chances, they wouldn’t dare.
There had been no signs at all before this. If Zhou Yinghuai hadn’t said it himself today, no one would have known.
“H-Brother Huai, you’re lying to me, aren’t you?”
Shen Xilian staggered back a step, utterly shaken. She shook her head repeatedly, as if trying to shake this reality out of existence. “Just to reject me, you’re even making up a lie like this?”
Zhou Yinghuai frowned even deeper. “Why would I need to lie to you?”
His tone was light, but to Shen Xilian, it was the final straw that broke her.
She pressed her lips together, forcing back the tears that threatened to spill. She had always known she held no real place in Zhou Yinghuai’s heart, but she hadn’t expected to be so insignificant—lighter than a feather.
But still, she wasn’t willing to give up just yet.
With her last shred of hope, she asked, “Who is she?”