Chapter 33: Song Yuzhou: I’m Not Gay

Leaving behind that sentence, Song Yuzhou walked away under Xia Chunyü’s incredulous gaze.

“Brother Yuzhou!”

Song Yuzhou stopped in his tracks and said sternly, “Xia Chunyü, I’m already a married man. Please don’t do things that could be misunderstood.”

With that, he turned and headed home.

Xia Chunyü stomped her feet in frustration. “How could Brother Yuzhou treat me like this? He even ate at my house for a whole year!”

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. She felt it should’ve been her standing beside Song Yuzhou, being protected by him. But now he was married, and she didn’t know what to do next.

While Xia Chunyü stewed in frustration, Song Yuzhou had already arrived home.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw Jiang Zhi Ning playing blindfolded hide-and-seek with Xixi.

“Xixi, where are you? Can you make a sound for me?” Jiang Zhi Ning called out as she fumbled around with her eyes covered.

“Here!” Xixi giggled, running past Song Yuzhou.

Hearing her voice, Jiang Zhi Ning turned and carefully moved in that direction. Bending down, she reached out and grabbed something. “Got you!”

But something felt… different. She squeezed the leg she had grabbed—it was too muscular.

“Ahem.” Song Yuzhou cleared his throat.

Jiang Zhi Ning took off the blindfold to find herself face-to-face with a pair of long legs in military trousers… and the handsome face of the man attached to them.

Behind him, Xixi was giggling and hiding.

Song Yuzhou took her arm and helped her to her feet.

“You’re back,” Jiang Zhi Ning smiled warmly. “Have you eaten?”

“No.”

“Knew it. I’ve been waiting for you to eat together.” She took Xixi’s hand in one of hers, and his hand in the other, leading them inside.

Song Yuzhou looked at her slender wrist and felt the warmth of her hand in his. The coldness in his heart slowly thawed.

Inside, Jiang Zhi Ning brought out the dishes she’d kept warm.

Looking at the delicious spread, Song Yuzhou was surprised. “You cooked this?”

“Of course.” She lifted her chin proudly.

Her cooking was really good. Even simple home-style dishes looked like they were made by a chef from a fancy restaurant.

“Comrade Yuzhou, you have to take me to the market next time. There’s not enough vegetables or spices here—it’s affecting my performance.” Jiang Zhi Ning said playfully.

“Okay.”

Song Yuzhou picked up Xixi and placed her in a chair. The little family began to eat.

“How does it taste?” Jiang Zhi Ning asked expectantly.

“It’s delicious,” Song Yuzhou replied without hesitation, shoveling food into his mouth with gusto.

There were scallion oil baby bok choy, spicy and sour shredded potatoes, and dry-fried green beans. Though simple, he found them incredibly tasty.

“So good!” Xixi echoed.

Looking at father and daughter enjoying the meal, Jiang Zhi Ning felt a wave of happiness. She used to cook just to save money, and later, to please herself. Now, cooking for her family filled her with a sense of pride.

After the meal, Xixi ran outside to play. Song Yuzhou stayed to clear the table and wash dishes.

Jiang Zhi Ning didn’t stop him. She didn’t mind doing laundry, but she hated washing dishes.

When he finished, she picked up a towel and gently wiped his hands.

“Don’t you have anything to ask me?” she asked casually, knowing the gossip about this morning’s incident must’ve reached him by now.

Song Yuzhou’s expression didn’t change. “Whatever you want to do is your choice. I trust you.”

Her heart warmed at his words. She looked up at him and explained, “She deliberately splashed me with foot-washing water and tried to humiliate me. I couldn’t let it go.”

Hearing that, Song Yuzhou’s face darkened. “She really did that? I’ll go find her.”

Seeing he wanted to stand up for her, Jiang Zhi Ning lifted her chin proudly. “There were no other witnesses. If we really pursue this, it’s like losing eight hundred to kill a thousand. Don’t worry, she’s definitely not lightly injured.”

Seeing the smile in her eyes, Song Yuzhou nodded. “If something like this happens again, keep doing exactly what you did.”

Getting his full support, Jiang Zhi Ning felt delighted. She looped her arms around his neck and nuzzled his chin with her nose, speaking softly, “Mmm~ Comrade Yuzhou is the best.”

Her sweet, coquettish voice was almost bewitching. Song Yuzhou’s heart stirred. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he lowered his head and said:

“I’m not comrade.”

“Huh?” Jiang Zhi Ning looked up at him, her eyes reflecting his deep gaze.

“Call me by my name,” he murmured.

Jiang Zhi Ning’s lips curved upward. In a soft, intimate tone like a lover’s whisper, she said, “Yuzhou.”

When he heard her say his name, Song Yuzhou suddenly realized… his name actually sounded quite nice.

“Zhi Ning,” he called her name, and then his slightly cool lips pressed gently against hers, sealing it with a kiss.

Nearby, Xixi covered her eyes and giggled happily.

That night, after finishing their homework, the children gathered around the small TV, watching cartoons with joy. Although the color TV only had a few channels, to kids of that time, it was more than enough.

“Are those peanuts?” Song Ye asked curiously.

“Yep. I’m making fried peanuts for you today. Eating snacks while watching TV is the best way to relax,” Jiang Zhi Ning explained with a smile.

“Sounds delicious!” Song Ye’s eyes sparkled.

“Tastes even better,” she chuckled.

She drained the soaked peanuts and poured them into a wok. Then she added just enough cooking oil to cover them. Turning the heat to medium-low, she began slowly frying them.

The scent of peanuts wafted from the pan, making Song Ye almost drool.

“Can you turn the heat up?” he asked impatiently.

“Nope. High heat burns them easily. They still have water inside, and you have to fry them slowly to get them fully cooked.”

Once done, she strained them and sprinkled a bit of cooking wine on them while they were still hot.

“Wow, they smell even better now!” Song Ye’s eyes lit up, staring at the peanuts eagerly.

Drawn by the smell, Xixi and Song Chen also came over.

“Come on, come get some peanuts!” Jiang Zhi Ning brought a small plate to the living room.

As soon as she set it down, the children’s little hands reached over.

“Wait—what do we do before eating?” she asked gently.

“Wash our hands!”

Hearing that, Song Ye and Xixi immediately ran to the kitchen. Song Chen gave her a glance and followed suit.

After washing their hands, the kids eagerly grabbed the peanuts.

“So yummy!” Xixi cheered.

“I think so too,” Song Ye said, happily munching, his face full of satisfaction.

“Eat as much as you like—but not every day, or you’ll get heaty,” Jiang Zhi Ning reminded them gently.

“Got it! Thanks, Mama!” Xixi replied sweetly.

When Song Yuzhou came back in, he saw the children happily eating snacks and watching cartoons.

Looking at their smiling faces, he knew—it was all thanks to her.

Noticing his gaze, Jiang Zhi Ning brought the plate to him, holding up a peanut between her fingers.

“Open up—ahh.” She coaxed him like a child.

Song Yuzhou obediently opened his mouth, and she popped the peanut in. “Tastes good, right?”

He smiled faintly. “Delicious.”

“Of course! You know who made it!” she said smugly, her eyes shining with confidence and mischief—like a little fox flicking its tail.

Looking at her, Song Yuzhou found himself liking her even more.

---

The next day, Jiang Zhi Ning dressed up in a beautiful cheongsam and headed to the market near the military compound to buy groceries.

She stood out in the crowd with her refined appearance.

Just as she approached the market, someone suddenly grabbed her wrist tightly.

“Jiang Zhi Ning!”