The border was indeed beautiful—a kind of beauty that couldn’t be found elsewhere, something you could never truly experience unless you were there. The snow, the sunlight, the blue sky, the secure borders… everything about it was something to yearn for and pursue.

For soldiers stationed at the border, these experiences were unmatched by anything else.

Just thinking about it made Shen Nan’s eyes light up with passion.

For soldiers, who wouldn’t want to defend their country, to fortify its borders, to protect their homeland?

Watching him from the side, Zhou Zuizui suddenly felt a longing to see it herself… to see the place that Shen Nan was willing to guard, the place that could make someone stronger and more passionate.

Shen Nan lowered his gaze, masking his thoughts as he looked at the person beside him. Seeing the curiosity in Zhou Zuizui’s eyes, he asked in a low voice, “Curious?”

“A little.”

Shen Nan chuckled softly, his interest piqued. “Maybe someday I’ll tell you about it.”

Hearing this, Zhou Zuizui quickly said, “You better keep your word.”

“Mm.”

What she didn’t expect was that Shen Nan would not only keep his word but also give her a touching and romantic surprise that no one else could.

After the gathering at the bar, Zhou Zuizui, who could drink without getting drunk, ended up getting drunk again.

She had already drunk quite a bit downstairs, and after going upstairs, she drank even more with Lu Jiaxiu and Hu Yi.

Shen Nan watched from the side, surprisingly not stopping her.

The night wind was still cold as Shen Nan helped Zhou Zuizui upstairs. She was extremely well-behaved, nothing like her mischievous self when sober.

He looked down at the person quietly resting in his arms, his expression softening. After they got home, Shen Nan helped her to the sofa and went to the kitchen to get her some water.

After Zhou Zuizui drank the water, Shen Nan looked down at her and softly asked, “Do you want to go to bed?”

Zhou Zuizui was still somewhat conscious, but her reactions were slow. After a couple of seconds of silence, she looked up at Shen Nan and shook her head. “No.”

Shen Nan: “…”

She sat on the carpet, hugging her knees, and turned her head to look out the window.

The apartment where Shen Nan lived wasn’t very high, just on the twelfth floor. From this spot, you could see the beautiful night view outside. After staring for a while, Zhou Zuizui suddenly asked, “Shen Nan, is the border better than the city?”

He froze, somewhat surprised as he looked at Zhou Zuizui.

Before he could respond, Zhou Zuizui began talking to herself, “It must be beautiful there. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have stayed away for two years.” There was no resentment in her voice, only a sense of yearning that Shen Nan couldn’t miss.

Sure enough, a moment later, she continued, “I want to go too.”

She really did want to go, to escape from all the places that made her feel trapped. She felt that she never should have come back here. Although blood ties can’t be severed, to Zhou Zuizui, it seemed like it wouldn’t matter much if they were.

Shen Nan lowered his gaze, staring at her intently without interrupting her thoughts or fantasies.

It seemed that, aside from visiting ancient towns, she hadn’t been anywhere that offered the kind of freedom people seek. From childhood to adulthood, she had always been strictly controlled, with little personal freedom. Though Zhou Zuizui appeared carefree on the surface, deep down she was anything but. Even though her parents had treated her the way they did, she would only express harsh words, but in reality, she was a soft-hearted woman.

Both of them fell silent.

Suddenly, Shen Nan’s deep voice resonated in the living room. He looked at Zhou Zuizui and said softly, “If you want to go, then go.”

Hearing this, Zhou Zuizui looked at Shen Nan for a moment before bursting into laughter. “How would I even go?”

Not to mention her family, even on Shen Nan’s side, it probably wouldn’t be possible. Since marrying Shen Nan, she hadn’t fulfilled her duties as a daughter-in-law.

Shen Nan glanced at her indifferently, “Did you forget what I said?”

“What?”

“If anything happens, I’ll take care of it.”

Besides, nothing would happen. Shen Nan’s parents were reasonable and understanding, and they hoped for the best for both of them.

Zhou Zuizui’s eyes flickered. After a long, silent stare at Shen Nan, she suppressed her rapidly beating heart and turned her head away.

Suddenly, Zhou Zuizui’s eyes lit up. She looked at Shen Nan with a mischievous smile and asked, “Shen Nan, have you… started liking me?”

Shen Nan: “…”

He paused, looking at the woman who was laughing happily in front of him. When he saw the mischief and teasing in her eyes, Shen Nan stood up and ignored her.

“Hey!”

Zhou Zuizui called out as Shen Nan headed toward the bedroom, “Captain Shen, you seem a bit guilty.”

Shen Nan turned back and looked at her, “Who’s feeling guilty?”

“…”

He opened the bedroom door without looking back and said, “Sleep it off and go to bed.”

Zhou Zuizui: “…”