Chapter 25 Disgust

As soon as Gu Zhiye sat down, he captured Chen Nian’nian’s gaze. Dressed in a green shirt, his long fingers firmly grasped the coarse ceramic bowl, the veins visible on the back of his hand. His sleeves were casually rolled up to his forearms, emphasizing their strong lines, while a belt cinched his waist, adding definition — a strong waist, broad shoulders — a contrast from Jin Chuan, who had stayed in a laboratory for a long time. The man was filled with aggression. Just a single glance from him was enough to make Chen Nian’nian hold back whatever she wanted to say. She could tell he was not an ordinary farmer — his identity was suspicious, making her afraid to be impulsive. After experiencing what had happened to the Chen family, she was already a nervous bird, eager to shrink back into Su Jianshan’s side.

The two were acting somewhat intimately. Gu Zhiye raised his eyebrows.
“Your friend?”

This was a difficult question to answer. He couldn’t just honestly say, “This is Su Nian’nian, the one you originally wanted to bring home to care for your elderly mother.” Furthermore, if Nian’nian knew Gu Zhiye’s identity, there might be even more trouble. Su Jianshan might be a bit slow, but his senses told him not to do anything that might harm Su Nian’nian. So he tried to ease his grip on Chen Nian’nian’s arm.
“It’s… a distant relative. Eat first, I’ll see her out.”
He tugged her arm and turned to leave.

Chen Nian’nian swallowed nervously. “Big Brother—!”
He covered her mouth again.
This “Big Brother” made Gu Zhiye’s eyebrows tremble. He put down his chopsticks and turned his gaze toward Chen Nian’nian — a face that was tanned and a bit rough, with short, unevenly cut hair. So… this was Nian’nian from Xiangyang Village?

Gu Zhiye suddenly lost his appetite. He knew Su Jianshan was avoiding suspicion, but there was no need — his wife had already made everything clear to him on their wedding night. All these people and their stories meant nothing to him. However, the Su family was oblivous to the fact that when he went to Xiangyang, he was there to break off the engagement. He didn’t want to delay someone else’s future. After years of danger, soldiers sometimes left their last words or a will, but upon seeing Su Nian’nian, he changed his mind. Call it selfish or hypocritical — in Gu Zhiye’s heart, she was different from everyone else.

…

“Who was that just now?”
“That’s my military superior.”
“Brother, you’re impressive! Are you in the army now? I heard the Northwest Military District is garrisoned in Ningcheng. When did you come?”

Chen Nian’nian hadn’t expected her stupid brother to be so fortunate — to connect with someone related to the army. If only she’d used this opportunity when their family fell into chaos, maybe then she wouldn’t be left stranded. She was a pragmatic person, and upon realizing this, she affectionately held her brother’s arm, begging him to take her to the Jin family.

While a fake sister, the affection was real. Chen Nian’nian was practically raised by Su Jianshan. So even after losing track of each other for a long time, their reunion felt warm. Su Jianshan dutifully left his brother-in-law at the state-owned restaurant and decided to bring his sister to the Jin family. He was also a little curious to see the man who was supposed to become Su Nian’nian’s husband — although he kept this to himself.

The two walked together. The Jin family kept a residence in Ning County. Jin Chuan had already asked his mother to have it cleaned up in preparation for their arrival — a large courtyard with a main gate and two side entrances, big enough to accommodate two families. Jin Chuan stood waiting at the gate.
When he saw that small figure, Chen Nian’nian’s heart started to race. She rushed forward, excited. “Jin Chuan, were you waiting for me?”
She knew he didn’t care much for someone rustic, so she made sure to speak more properly.
Jin Chuan, wearing a white lab coat and black-framed glasses — a clear sign he had just come back from the laboratory — pushed up his glasses and nodded with a faint smile. “You could say that.”
He turned the knife in: “I heard your family was forced down? And you’re the only one left…”

He kept his calm gaze on her, and for some reason, it made her nervous. She stepped back and grabbed Su Jianshan’s arm. “Where… Where… Our family’s fine! My parents may have been forced down, but I still have a big brother. He was worried about me, so he personally brought me here… Brother, this is Jin Chuan — my fiancé…”

Su Jianshan raised his chin, quietly assessing the man.
Jin Chuan smiled faintly. “Your brother… Is he a battalion commander or a regiment leader?”
“…”
Su Jianshan stood up straighter. “I’m… I’m a food server in the mess hall…”
He saw this as a profoundly important role — food is the basis of everything — but the moment the words fell from his lips, he was pushed aside by Chen Nian’nian, whose face turned red with embarrassment. She hadn’t expected him to be just a food server — how humiliating!
“Alright, Su Jianshan, you can go! I’m fine without your care.”
Su Jianshan glared back and snorted. “Who said I wanted to care? This man’s just so-so…”
Chen Nian’nian was so mad, she almost cried. “Don’t talk nonsense if you don’t know anything! I don’t need you!”
“That’s fine. You’re not even my sister anyway…”
After delivering his judgment, Su Jianshan turned and walked away, leaving an ashamed and nervous Chen Nian’nian stranded there.

“Jin Chuan, I… I didn’t mean to lie to you.”
“Comrade Chen Nian’nian, my mother already explained your situation. Come in first.”
Chen Nian’nian felt a rush of relief. As they entered the courtyard, its spacious and lavish setting opened up before her. In a bid to prove her worth, from the moment she stepped in, she kept busy, even sweeping the entryway spotless. When Jin Chuan came back with the tea, he paused and noticed her nervous activity.
He warmly said, “I see there’s some dust on the ground; I cleaned it up.”
Jin Chuan casually placed the cup down and said with a faint smile, “With our two families’ friendship, there’s no need to be nervous. Besides… your behavior kind of reminds me of someone.”
“Who?”
He tasted his tea and casually answered, “Zhang Ma.”