“If there’s anything you’re not used to, just let me know,” Zhu Shiyu finally managed to say after a moment of thought.

Still the same as before, not good at socializing but trying her best to consider others’ feelings.

“Okay,” Meng Siyi nodded, but then hesitated, pursing his lips.

“Do you think it’s not appropriate for me to come to your house for the New Year? I actually feel the same way… But Uncle and Auntie were so insistent, and since I’m on vacation and would be alone at home these few days…”

Meng Siyi was worried and expressed his concerns.

“Not at all,” Zhu Shiyu quickly shook her head, looking at him sincerely. “Why would you think that? My parents really like you. They’re happy that you’re willing to come to our house for the New Year.”

“Really?” Meng Siyi seemed slightly relieved, a hint of a smile appearing in his eyes, but then he quickly became anxious again.

“What about you?”

Zhu Shiyu’s expression was blank for a few seconds, and she swallowed before being forced to nod and reply, “I’m also very happy.”

Meng Siyi was content.

Tonight’s dinner was exceptionally rich, giving a sense of an early New Year’s celebration. To express their welcome to Meng Siyi, Zhu AnYuan even opened a bottle of aged Moutai. For once, Zhou Zhen did not object.

Because of his work, Meng Siyi usually did not drink, but since he was on vacation now, he accompanied Zhu AnYuan and had several glasses.

It was clear that this son-in-law was truly to his liking. Zhu AnYuan was especially happy during the meal. If it weren’t for Zhou Zhen’s intervention later, Meng Siyi might have been half-drunk.

Even so, he had quite a bit to drink. Zhu Shiyu saw him for the first time in a relaxed state, half-leaning on the chair, with a lazy look in his brows and a slight blush on his fair face.

“Do you want to go to the room and rest for a while?” she asked with some concern.

“I’m fine,” Meng Siyi waved his hand at her, his eyes shining under the light. “I’m not drunk.”

“Do you want to go out for a walk? To clear your head a bit,” Zhu Shiyu worriedly suggested.

Meng Siyi’s current state was indeed a bit unusual. Zhou Zhen and Zhu AnYuan were still busy in the kitchen and living room, and Zhu Shiyu was worried that he might do something inappropriate while drunk. She wanted to take him outside for a walk to sober up.

She felt that… Meng Siyi was different when he was drunk compared to his usual self.

“Okay,” Meng Siyi agreed without hesitation, propping himself up to sit straight.

Zhu Shiyu grabbed her phone and keys, turned to inform her family, and heard that she and Meng Siyi were going out for a walk. Before leaving, Zhou Zhen also asked her to take out the kitchen trash.

At the entrance of the residential area, the environmental protection vehicle was parked by the roadside. The two of them walked to the main gate, where Zhu Shiyu asked Meng Siyi to wait for her. She carried two black bags and walked towards the vehicle.

After disposing of the trash, Zhu Shiyu remembered that the hand soap at home had run out. The convenience store was just ahead, so she looked back at Meng Siyi but didn’t call out to him. Instead, she jogged towards the convenience store.

The fresh air outside was mixed with a chill, and after coming out, the alcohol in Meng Siyi’s system dissipated somewhat, and his mind cleared up a bit.

He looked around but didn’t see Zhu Shiyu returning, so he furrowed his brows and walked towards the exit of the residential area.

Twilight had descended, and it was that time between day and night when the streetlights hadn’t been turned on yet, making the surroundings a bit blurry.

The security guard was on duty at the entrance of the residential area. A person was standing in front of the security booth, pacing back and forth by the gate, explaining, “I really came to find my girlfriend. She lives inside. I just forgot to bring my ID…”

“My phone? She blocked me after we had a fight, otherwise, I wouldn’t have come all the way here to find her.”

“Brother, believe me, I don’t look like a bad person, right? How about this, I’ll treat you to some water and snacks. Later, when I see my girlfriend, I’ll definitely have her bring me here to register.”

Lu Ge was tall and handsome, and today he had just come from a class reunion, dressed in a suit and leather shoes, with an expensive-looking watch on his wrist. He indeed didn’t look like someone with bad intentions.

The security guard’s attitude had already softened a bit, and he tentatively asked for the building and apartment number.

Lu Ge’s expression relaxed, and he immediately reported Zhu Shiyu’s floor number.

The security guard nodded but hadn’t spoken yet when a voice came from the front, sounding angry and cold.

“What do you want with my girlfriend?”

Lu Ge was stunned and turned to see the person in front of him. After looking closely, he recognized him.

He had seen Meng Siyi before, in Zhu Shiyu’s friend circle. Someone had sent him the photo that very night.

However, all his contact methods had been blocked by Zhu Shiyu, leaving him no choice but to come to her house to find her after returning to Wenbei City.

Lu Ge didn’t believe that this person, who had only known Zhu Shiyu for a few months, could surpass their decade-long relationship, even if this person was exceptionally outstanding.

He furrowed his brows, looking at Meng Siyi with a cold and hard attitude, “I’m looking for Shiyu.”

The intimacy and familiarity in his words were evident, as if in their relationship, Meng Siyi was the outsider.

An inexplicable hostility and jealousy surged up, perhaps due to the alcohol, and Meng Siyi, without much thought, spoke maliciously, “We are already engaged. Please don’t disturb her life anymore.”

Lu Ge’s expression, he couldn’t remember clearly, and whether he said anything more, he didn’t notice.

Inside the residential area, Meng Siyi walked back in a daze. The cold wind blew on his head, making him fully sober.

He realized what he had said, standing there stunned, with a chill running down his back and his heart trembling slightly.

He had never thought that one day he would become a despicable person, actively interfering in someone else’s relationship, becoming the third party he once despised the most.