Chapter 24: Zhou Yu is Not Stupid Now

After Wen Yaowu and Su Xiaoyang carried the things back, they left happily with smiles on their faces.

Xu An sat on the chair, letting out a sigh of relief. She rested for a while, then turned her head to look at the man beside her with a haughty expression. He still seemed unhappy.

Just as she was about to speak…

Obtain task reward: Ningxiang Pill

The system’s abrupt voice rang out in Xu An’s mind. Xu An was stunned for a moment, somewhat surprised.

System, why are you suddenly giving out rewards?

She hadn’t done anything yet.

The system just detected that the scumbag’s emotional state is in a low state. The host has done well.

Scumbag?

Is that Gao Jincheng?

He’s already starting to waver. He thought he had a true love with his girlfriend in the city, but now that he’s seen Xu An again, he’s hesitant.

Heh, Xu An couldn’t help but sneer. What a perfect scumbag.

However, Xu An’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Why is it another Ningxiang Pill?

The last time the host reasonably exchanged for other rewards, but the system’s rewards will not change.

So last time she didn’t want it, now it’s being given to her as a supplement. She had to take it.

Xu An sighed softly. Oh well, it’s better than nothing.

After dinner, Xu An went to take a bath and exchanged the reward. She ate it directly, and after waiting for a while, she didn’t feel anything unusual. Everything about her body was normal.

Compared to the last one that cleansed her meridians and was almost fatal, this one was like a gentle breeze.

After showering, Xu An returned to the bedroom, folded the clothes she would wear the next morning and placed them beside the bed. She yawned softly and lay down comfortably on the bed.

Zhou Yu turned off the light in the outer room and walked in. He turned over and lay down beside Xu An. In the darkness, the man’s straight nose twitched, then his brow furrowed in displeasure, his voice rough.

“What kind of soap did you use? It smells weird.”

A faint, pleasant fragrance entered his nostrils. It wasn’t unpleasant, but Zhou Yu lay in bed, arms defensively crossed over his chest, jaw clenched, unable to bear it.

Xu An held her breath and whispered, “Nothing, I used the same soap as you.”

Zhou Yu’s throat rumbled, and he turned his back to Xu An in discomfort, his voice hoarse, “I don’t have that scent on me, it’s annoying.”

His whole body itched unbearably. Zhou Yu’s voice was filled with impatience.

Xu An felt a little guilty and sniffed lightly. She didn’t think there was anything wrong. Remembering that the man used to smoke and drink, she frowned.

“Dog nose.”

She threw his words back at him and mumbled, “It’s better than your stinky smell.”

The scent kept invading Zhou Yu’s nostrils, and he gritted his teeth and closed his eyes, his voice rough.

“Sleep.”

“This soap… smells bad, don’t use it tomorrow.”

Xu An turned her face slightly, only seeing the man’s broad back beside her. “It smells good.”

“It smells better than cigarette smoke.”

After saying that, Xu An closed her eyes. She couldn’t change it anyway. She almost whispered to herself,

“I like this scent. If you can’t stand it, we’ll have a new house later, and you can sleep in a separate room.”

After saying that, she didn’t speak anymore and drifted off to sleep.

The woman behind him breathed evenly. Zhou Yu turned over and lay on his back, his black eyes fixed on the empty darkness. After a while, he closed his eyes in defeat.

Xu An rarely slept in, resisting the cold air in the quilt. She woke up naturally and comfortably. After fully waking up, she put on her clothes in the quilt before slowly getting out of bed.

Zhou Yu had already gotten up, she didn’t know when, and had made breakfast.

Xu An covered her mouth and yawned, slowly pouring hot water to wash her face and brush her teeth.

She sat by the stove and had breakfast with Zhou Yu.

“We’ll go mail the letter first, then go shopping and buy some things.”

It was a rare day off, and she wanted to make the most of it.

Zhou Yu said calmly, “Go to the mall first.”

Xu An frowned, “It’s just a matter of mailing the letter while we’re at it. Why do we have to bring it to the post office when we go shopping? It’s a hassle.”

The man in front of her looked at her lazily and said casually,

“Buy some things at the mall and mail them back with your letter.”

Hearing the man’s seemingly indifferent words, Xu An was slightly taken aback.

Is he going to buy gifts for his family back in Nancheng?

She hadn’t thought of that. She looked up at the man in front of her. He looked unconcerned, but he was actually thoughtful. Xu An’s lips curled into a smile, and she nodded.

“Okay, I’ll listen to you.”

“Let’s go to the mall first, then mail the letter.”

After breakfast, the couple didn’t waste any time. They locked the door to the east room and went out together.

They arrived at the bus stop and boarded the bus. They went to the large shopping mall first.

Xu An followed Zhou Yu and walked forward, following him into the mall.

Xu An pulled out the original owner’s memories from her mind, understood the original owner’s family situation, and as she followed Zhou Yu, she scanned the things in the mall and explained to him.

“My parents and brother and sister-in-law are still at home, four people in total. Just buy them some things and send them back.”

Zhou Yu responded faintly, without any objections.

Xu An followed him around for a while, and finally bought each of them a set of good quality clothes. After buying the clothes, Zhou Yu carried them in his hand.

They boarded the bus again and went to the post office.

As they reached the entrance of the post office, before they even entered, they saw a man guarding the entrance. Xu An frowned, turned her head to look at Zhou Yu beside her, and whispered.

“I didn’t know he would come.”

Zhou Yu responded with a heavy face. He knew this, of course.

At this time, Gao Jincheng had already spotted the couple at the entrance of the post office. He hurriedly greeted them with a smile, looking at Xu An.

“An’an.”

“Xu An.”

Xu An stared at him and said calmly, “My name is Xu An.”

Gao Jincheng was stunned. Seeing that the little girl he grew up with didn’t seem to be lying, he sighed and responded, “Okay, Xu An.”

“Are you here to mail letters to your uncle and aunt?”

Xu An took a step back and stood side by side with Zhou Yu. She frowned and said, “It’s none of your business.”

After Gao Jincheng left yesterday, he was still afraid that Xu An would write back and say bad things, so he came to the post office early this morning to wait.

“We’re from the same place, after all. I’m also afraid that your uncle and aunt will blame me for not taking good care of you, so I have to come and see.”

“Are you afraid I’ll tell them bad things about you? Are you afraid you won’t be able to hold your head up in Nancheng?”

Xu An chuckled lightly, “If you want to be a human, don’t do things that only animals do. Wearing human skin and doing animal things, don’t you find it disgusting?”

Gao Jincheng really didn’t expect Xu An, who had always been gentle and kind to him, to become like this. The person who had always spoken softly to him was now covered in thorns, impervious to reason. He didn’t know what to say.

He looked up at the man beside Xu An, who looked fierce. How long had Xu An been with this man? She was already corrupted. This man wasn’t a good person at all. But he was a local after all, and Xu An had somehow married into the city, settling down earlier than him.

Seeing his bad complexion, Xu An didn’t continue. She reached out and pulled Zhou Yu into the post office.

Watching the two of them enter the post office side by side, Gao Jincheng’s eyes widened as they fell on Zhou Yu’s legs. When he saw Zhou Yu limping into the post office with Xu An, he finally realized.

No wonder.

No wonder she could marry into the city.

It turned out she married a cripple who wasn’t wanted in the city.

Xu An and Zhou Yu entered the post office, first getting stationery from the staff and then having it packaged.

She sat down on a chair, spread the stationery on the table, held a ballpoint pen in her hand, and frowned, not knowing how to start writing.

Zhou Yu rested one hand on the table, tapping lightly and irregularly, sarcastically.

“If you can’t think of anything, don’t write.”

Xu An looked up at him and sighed softly. She lowered her head and started writing.

Zhou Yu’s gaze slanted down, falling on the paper in front of the woman. He only glanced at the contents of the woman’s letter a few times. When he saw that she had actually written about their marriage, his expression stiffened slightly, his eyes dimmed, and he moved his gaze away, no longer looking. A trace of subtle discomfort appeared on his impatient face.

Xu An first greeted her family, then told them that she had found a home for herself in Kyoto, so they didn’t have to worry about her being an old maid who couldn’t get married. She wrote a few lines about how she came to find Gao Jincheng, but still felt that he wasn’t the right person for her. Now she had met the right person, he was very good to her, and she would bring him back to see them when she had time. She wrote two pages in a flowing script, and Xu An stopped writing.

She picked up the letter with both hands, blew on it gently, and looked up at Zhou Yu, who seemed to be ignoring her. She smiled softly.

“I’m done writing.”

“Zhou Yu, is there anything you want to tell them?”

Zhou Yu raised his hand, which had been resting on the table, and lazily crossed his arms. “Once you’re done, send it quickly.”

It seemed he didn’t want to write anything. Xu An nodded indifferently, stuffed the letter into an envelope, and handed it to the staff along with the package to be mailed. Zhou Yu paid, and the couple walked out of the post office together.

At the entrance, they saw Gao Jincheng, who hadn’t left yet.

Xu An frowned, she was really getting annoyed.

Zhou Yu simply let out an impatient “tsk” and his expression turned cold.

Gao Jincheng was oblivious. Seeing the couple come out, he immediately ran to Xu An and anxiously asked her,

“An’an, are you really marrying this man willingly? You’re not being forced? You’re not marrying him because he bullied you?”

He bombarded her with so many questions all of a sudden. Xu An frowned, staring at him, her tone also tinged with impatience.

“Of course I’m marrying him willingly. He hasn’t bullied me at all. It seems like none of this is your business, outsider. Instead of worrying about me, you should worry about whether you can successfully stay here after graduation.”

After saying that, Xu An pulled on Zhou Yu’s sleeve, wanting to leave.

Gao Jincheng stared at Zhou Yu’s limping leg, his eyes filled with anxiety. “An’an, I don’t believe you’d be willing to marry a cripple in such a short time. He must be forcing you. Don’t be afraid, we can call the police now, and I’ll send you back to Nancheng.”

Gao Jincheng’s words exploded in Xu An’s mind. She tightened her grip on Zhou Yu’s sleeve, took a deep breath, not daring to look at Zhou Yu beside her. She turned back and stared at Gao Jincheng.

“Did you feed all your education to the dogs? Your heart is blackened by all that ink. I’m telling you clearly, we’re not in any of the situations you’re imagining.”

“I married him willingly. He’s good, at least a hundred times better than someone like you with a wolf’s heart and a dog’s lung. This matter has nothing to do with you. Are you pointing fingers at me because you want me to point fingers at you in school?”

Gao Jincheng was a little stunned by Xu An’s outburst. He was just being nice to Xu An because they were from the same hometown. She didn’t appreciate it, and now she’s blaming him for being nosy.

“An’an, I’m just worried about you. How can you be so ungrateful?”

“You’re with a cripple. Don’t even mention me, your uncle and aunt wouldn’t agree to it.”

“Bang!”

Zhou Yu pulled away Xu An’s hand that was gripping his sleeve. He stepped forward, raised his good leg, and kicked Gao Jincheng hard, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Zhou Yu walked towards Gao Jincheng, who was curled up on the ground, his steps uneven. He bent down slightly.

“You know I’m not a good person, yet you still badmouth me in front of my wife. Do you really think I’m a pushover?”

“Even if I’m crippled, you can try it. See if you can take a beating.”

Gao Jincheng never expected the cripple to actually hit him. The place where he was kicked hurt badly. He pushed himself up slowly from the cold ground.

“An’an, you’re letting him get away with being unreasonable, solving problems with violence. You’re the one who’ll suffer in the end.”

The scumbag was kicked. Xu An tapped her toes. She even wanted to kick him too.

Now, hearing Gao Jincheng say this, Xu An tilted her head and looked at him.

“He’s the one who makes the decisions in our family. I listen to him. If you don’t talk nonsense, he won’t hit you.”

Gao Jincheng felt that Xu An’s words were full of sarcastic undertones.

His gaze fell on Zhou Yu in front of him. Although he was a cripple, he was tall and strong, looking intimidating. Gao Jincheng was a scholar and had never fought before, nor did he want to. He was definitely no match for this kind of ruffian.

Gao Jincheng looked at Xu An, “An’an, you’re willing to live with him now, and I won’t stop you. If he ever bullies you, come to me, and I’ll send you back to Nancheng. It’s not in vain that we’re from the same hometown.”

After saying that, he didn’t even look at Zhou Yu in front of him. He bent over and left.

After he left, Xu An slightly tilted her head, looking at Zhou Yu in front of her.

Zhou Yu’s gaze slanted over, giving Xu An a casual glance, then he walked towards the bus stop.

Xu An pursed her lips lightly and followed.

They sat side by side, Xu An glancing at the man beside her. His expression was indifferent, and Xu An subjectively felt that he must be unhappy.

She fidgeted with her fingers, rubbing them together. Xu An turned to look at Zhou Yu.

“Zhou Yu, you know how we got married. I insisted on marrying you. You weren’t even willing at first.”

It wasn’t like Gao Jincheng said, Zhou Yu forced her to marry him.

Zhou Yu’s lips curled into a mocking smile.

“He’s right, you’re putting yourself through so much trouble marrying a cripple. Who wouldn’t think I’m forcing you?”

Xu An lowered her gaze slightly, pouting. “We’ll just live our own lives. You’re quite concerned about what others think.”

Hearing the woman’s low mumbling beside him, Zhou Yu said calmly.

“Did you tell your parents about our marriage?”

Xu An nodded honestly.

“Yeah.”

“Did you tell them you married a cripple?”

Xu An bit her lip, feeling a little guilty. She shook her head slightly.

“No.”

Then she heard the man’s mocking laughter beside her. She didn’t know if he was laughing at her or at himself.

Xu An tilted her head to look at Zhou Yu, explaining seriously.

“I wanted to take things slow. Things always need to be said one by one. They were already worried about me coming to the capital. Now that I’m getting married, I definitely… need to pick and choose what to tell them.”

Just like she didn’t mention Gao Jincheng’s cheating in her letter. She wanted to give Xu’s family time to adjust.

Zhou Yu didn’t look at her, his head leaning back against the seat. He snorted and said calmly,

“You’re right.”

“It’s just hard to say.”

Xu An couldn’t stand his sarcastic tone. She took a deep breath, reached out and grabbed Zhou Yu’s wrist, stood up directly, and pulled him towards the back door of the bus.

Zhou Yu grabbed the woman’s wrist, frowning.

“What are you doing?”

Xu An turned her head and looked up at him. Her watery black eyes were filled with determination. “If you’re not happy, we’ll go back now. We’ll tell them everything about your injured leg.”

Zhou Yu lowered his gaze, meeting those watery eyes. Without a moment’s hesitation, the man gritted his teeth, clenched his jaw, reached out and put his arm around Xu An’s shoulders, almost hugging her and lifting her back to the seat.

His voice was filled with grudging compromise.

“Don’t say it.”

Xu An turned her head to look at him.

“We’ll have to say it sooner or later.”

“Tsk.”

Zhou Yu let out an impatient “tsk,” held down the woman who was about to stand up again, and coldly decided.

“Go home.”

Xu An rolled her eyes, looking at Zhou Yu’s expression, then wrinkled her nose and said, “Then you can’t make fun of me about this anymore.”

“I won’t make fun of you either.”

Zhou Yu closed his eyes.

“I know.”

Xu An finally gave up on getting off the bus and sat obediently beside Zhou Yu, whispering.

“Since we’re not going back, let’s go to the mall. I want to buy some things.”

Zhou Yu responded lazily.

Seeing the young couple finally settle down, the gazes of the people on the bus who had been watching them finally dispersed, no longer staring at the couple.

Zhou Yu took Xu An to the mall and got off the bus.

They went back to the mall and Xu An immediately bought the things she had liked earlier.

She bought a power strip, then a heated blanket she had been craving for a long time. She took Zhou Yu to buy the few sets of clothes they had liked earlier.

She bought several sets of clothes for herself and Zhou Yu to change into. After buying them, they left the mall.

They had so many bags that they didn’t want to squeeze onto the bus again. They hailed a taxi and went back to the alley. After getting off, the couple carried their things home.

Back home, Xu An put the things she bought into the house, organizing them neatly, putting them in the cabinet and arranging them properly.

She didn’t feel like cooking in the afternoon, so she asked Zhou Yu to make a bowl of noodles for them to eat.

Xu An bought a soft cushion and placed it on the chair. She sat down comfortably, yawned softly, and she was a little tired from shopping.

Zhou Yu stared at the woman in front of him and said calmly, “Tomorrow, only Xiaoyang and Yaowu will be with you.”

Xu An looked at him with half-closed eyelids, blinking lightly. “You’re not going to be here tomorrow?”

Zhou Yu nodded.

“Yeah.”

“The goods have arrived. We need to sell them quickly. Make some money before the New Year, and then buy another batch next year.”

It’s the time of year when everyone is preparing for the New Year, and things are in short supply. It’s sure to sell well.

Xu An propped her hand on the cardboard box, leaning her head against her arm, her eyes glazed over as she looked at Zhou Yu. She responded,

“Okay.”

“It’s just like I told you. People are already coming to steal our business. I should be able to relax a bit.”

“We can have a proper holiday during the New Year.”

Other people who run these kinds of stalls make the most money during the New Year and holidays. This woman is doing the opposite, wanting to rest when she should be making money.

Zhou Yu didn’t mind. He responded faintly.

Xu An yawned loudly. She was tired from shopping today, and she had worked up a sweat, so she couldn’t avoid taking a shower.

She could only force herself to drag her tired body to the bathroom with her pajamas. After showering, she went straight back to the bedroom and went to sleep.

Zhou Yu went to the bathroom in his pajamas. His gaze fell on the woman’s clean soap. He remembered the alluring fragrance from before, and without thinking, he leaned in, his tall nose stopping just a short distance away. He took a subtle sniff.

His thick eyebrows furrowed tightly. It wasn’t that scent.

His gaze fell on the soap. Realizing his unusual behavior, Zhou Yu straightened up, acting as if nothing had happened. He quickly showered and returned to the east room.

He added coal to the stove, adjusted the lid, closed the door, turned off the lights, and went into the room.

He could only see a slight bulge in the quilt. Zhou Yu strode over and got into bed.

He paused, turning slightly to face the woman who was breathing evenly. A faint, clear fragrance entered his nostrils, subtle and not overpowering, yet it subtly drew his attention.

Zhou Yu clenched his fist, took a deep breath, and turned his back to Xu An. He closed his eyes, trying to endure it.

The next morning, when Xu An woke up, Wen Yaowu and Su Xiaoyang were already inside, brought in by Zhou Yu.

They had also brought the ordered ingredients early.

The three of them worked for the entire morning. At eleven o’clock, they pushed their cart of braised meats to the market.

The power of taking a day off was strong. As soon as they arrived at their stall, before they even started setting up, a long line formed in front of them.

Fang Shu, their regular customer, was leisurely waiting in line. When her eyes met Xu An’s, she waved to her with a smile.

Xu An waved back, fearing that people would get impatient, she quickly got ready to start setting up.

She started working quickly.

When it was Fang Shu’s turn, Xu An quickly packed her things and handed them to her. She said to her in a hurry,

“Come visit me when you have time. I won’t be open during the New Year. If you want to eat, you’ll have to come to my house to get it.”

Fang Shu nodded with a smile. She didn’t delay the people behind her in line. After buying her things, she went to the side.

She smiled and said, “You’re not open during the New Year? You’re not trying to make money?”

Xu An chuckled lightly.

“I’ve been making money for over 300 days a year. I’m not celebrating the New Year all year round. I’m going to take a good rest when I can.”

Fang Shu was stunned, then nodded. “You’re right.”

“My man wants to make money for almost 300 days a year. There’s no end to making money.”

“I’m going to make him stay home with me for the New Year. He’s not allowed to go out.”

Xu An raised her eyebrows slightly. “Cough, I was just saying that. Don’t take me seriously.”

Seeing her nervousness, Fang Shu couldn’t help but laugh. “I know.”

After that, she didn’t bother Xu An with her business and left with her things.

They opened late today, so they closed late too. Xu An didn’t get home until the afternoon, after buying ingredients with Wen Yaowu. Zhou Yu wasn’t back yet.

He must be busy these next few days.

The three of them cleaned the ingredients and put the large iron pot on the stove, putting the braised meat in to cook.

Xu An clapped her hands and told Wen Yaowu and Su Xiaoyang about her plan to close during the New Year.

Both of them had no objections.

Wen Yaowu touched his short, growing hair and grinned,

“Sister-in-law, I’ve never seen a boss as good as you. We’re in the food business, but we’re the only ones who can take a break during the New Year and holidays.”

Xu An chuckled lightly. “I’m not just giving you two a break. I want to take a break for myself too.”

Their treatment is already very good. Wen Yaowu is only nineteen years old, and Su Xiaoyang is only twelve, but their wages are already higher than many regular factory workers.

They’re happy to have a break for the New Year.

Xu An looked at Su Xiaoyang and said softly, “Xiaoyang, are you and Xiaotong still living in that room?”

Su Xiaoyang nodded.

“Yeah.”

Then he looked at Xu An with a bright smile, his voice raised. “Sister Xu An, don’t worry, we’re not cold anymore. I bought thick clothes for my sister, and I also bought thick quilts.”

Xu An said softly, “Buy an electric blanket later. It’s warm and comfortable.”

“Okay!”

Xu An patted his head. “Alright, that’s about it for today. You two can go home now.”

The two of them quickly cleaned up the remaining things and left together.

Xu An stood up from the chair, went back to the inner room, and spread the electric blanket she bought yesterday on the bed. She wanted to try it out tonight.

Xu An waited for a while. It was already late at night, and Zhou Yu hadn’t come back. She was a little sleepy and didn’t want to wait any longer.

After showering, she turned off the lights and went back to the bedroom.

She lifted the quilt and got in. The warm quilt didn’t need her to warm it up for the first time.

Xu An sighed contentedly and lay down on the bed. Surrounded by warmth, she instantly felt sleepy.

The next morning, when she woke up, Zhou Yu wasn’t beside her. If she hadn’t heard Wen Yaowu and Su Xiaoyang say that they had met Zhou Yu early in the morning, she would have thought he hadn’t come back.

After a busy day, Xu An returned to the courtyard and saw Zhou Dandan walking past her cheerfully. When she saw Xu An, she sneered with a look of disdain.

Xu An frowned and walked past her calmly.

Zhou Dandan pouted and sneered, “You’ve made some money selling a few trinkets and you’re acting like you’re better than everyone else. You even look down on your own family.”

Xu An frowned. “What are you talking about? Even if I wasn’t selling these trinkets, I wouldn’t look down on you.”

“Heh, just like my second brother, mean and sarcastic.”

Zhou Dandan stared at Xu An, then laughed. “As if anyone can’t do business.”

“Wait until my brother starts his business, then see if you’re still so arrogant.”

Zhou Hongguang starting a business?

Xu An looked at Zhou Dandan in front of her, raising her eyebrows. “Zhou Hongguang has a regular job, doesn’t he? He’s going to start a business? Is he quitting his job?”

Zhou Dandan glared. “What’s it to you?”

Xu An crossed her arms. “You’re showing off to me, so I have to play along.”

“If he hadn’t quit his job and was working outside, wouldn’t that be a violation of the rules? I wonder if I can report him.”

If he had a job in the factory and was still taking on private work, Zhou Hongguang probably wouldn’t be able to stay in the factory.

She looked up at Zhou Dandan. Zhou Hongguang had always been steady. Why would he tell his big-mouthed sister, who couldn’t keep a secret, about this, and even show off to them?

Hearing that Xu An was going to report him, Zhou Dandan quickly shut up and denied it. “I’m just kidding. My brother is doing well in the factory. Xu An, don’t try to do anything bad.”

Zhou Dandan was a little panicked. Her brother hadn’t told her about this. She had overheard her brother and sister-in-law talking.

She was afraid that her hot-tempered second brother would use this to hold them hostage. Her brother and sister-in-law were discussing finding something else to make some money, and she overheard, so she couldn’t help but show off to Xu An.

If she caused Xu An to report her brother, she would definitely be scolded to death.

“You want me not to do anything bad? Then make your own brother be honest and aboveboard. If he’s not guilty, why would he be afraid of me doing something bad?”

Zhou Dandan stared at Xu An, her eyes nervously darting behind her. She called out in fear.

“Brother, sister-in-law.”

Even Zhou Hongguang, the best brother in the world, couldn’t help but want to get angry at this moment.

He didn’t know what kind of mush was in his sister’s head. How could she be so stupid?

She eavesdropped on their conversation and then foolishly blabbed it to his second brother’s wife. She was good for nothing.

Feng Yirou stood beside Zhou Hongguang and sneered. “You really spoiled her well. She never disappoints.”

She’s been spoiled into a mindless fool. Every time, she can open our eyes.

Xu An turned her head and saw Zhou Hongguang and his wife. She raised her eyebrows and looked at Zhou Hongguang. “Brother, I heard from your little sister that you’re planning to quit your job at the factory and start a small business like us?”

Zhou Hongguang forced a smile and walked over. “Sister-in-law, you’re joking. My wife and I were just joking. Dandan didn’t hear clearly and just said nonsense. Don’t take it seriously.”

He didn’t plan to quit his job. There were already many people in the factory doing other things on the side. The management turned a blind eye. The policies were relaxed, and everyone wanted to make some money. No one would actively say anything.

But if his second brother and sister-in-law found out that they were doing both, and reported them, that would be a different story.

If he was reported, he would definitely be investigated. At that point, he wouldn’t be able to get away with it. Zhou Hongguang closed his eyes and denied it. He couldn’t help but scold his stupid sister in his heart.

Xu An nodded understandingly. “I was just saying. Brother, your treatment at the factory is so good. You’re doing well. Why would you want to quit?”

“We’re just doing this small business, and it’s not guaranteed to last. Maybe the government policy will change, and we won’t be allowed to do this anymore. Then my husband and I will have to eat the wind. I don’t think my brother would be so foolish to give up a stable job and take risks like us.”

Zhou Hongguang, usually so confident, nodded, his face solemn. “You’re right, sister-in-law.”

Xu An raised her eyebrows, not saying anything more. She leisurely returned to the east room.

Zhou Dandan looked up at her brother in fear. Zhou Hongguang stared at her with a stern face. “Satisfied?”

Zhou Dandan tried to justify herself. “Brother, I just didn’t like the way my second brother and sister-in-law were acting all smug and arrogant after making a little money.”

“Is it them who are arrogant, or you? And you even eavesdropped on my conversation with your sister-in-law.”

“Dandan, you’re not a child anymore. You’re going to take the college entrance exam next year. Some girls your age are already married and have families. You should be more sensible.”

Zhou Dandan was uncomfortable and apologized dejectedly. “I won’t do it again.”

Feng Yirou, standing beside Zhou Hongguang, just wanted to laugh when she heard her little sister-in-law say she wouldn’t do it again. She really didn’t want to come to this house anymore.

“I’ll cut your allowance in half next year when you go to school. You need to learn your lesson.”

After Zhou Hongguang finished speaking, he said nothing more and went back to the west room with Feng Yirou.

Zhou Dandan was unwilling but dared not argue. She stomped her feet in anger and ran out.

Xu An returned to the inner room and sat down on the chair leisurely. She didn’t plan to wait for Zhou Yu. She ate dinner alone and went to take a bath.

When she returned to the east room after showering, she saw a familiar tall figure. Zhou Yu was standing in the room with his back to her. Xu An’s voice rose, with a light, cheerful smile.

“You’re back.”

Zhou Yu turned around and saw the water droplets on the woman’s face. He responded with a “hmm.”

Xu An sat down by the stove. Zhou Yu picked up a chair and sat next to her.

“How are the goods doing?”

She hadn’t seen him for the past two days. He only came back while she was sleeping. When she woke up in the morning, he was already gone.

Zhou Yu’s face rarely showed a smile, reaching his eyes.

“No problem. They should all be sold in a few days.”

Xu An leaned on the table, just able to look at him sideways. Thinking about what had just happened, Xu An’s face broke into a smile.

She calmly told Zhou Yu what had happened.

Zhou Yu listened quietly, his gaze falling on the woman’s fair face. He moved his gaze away gently and said softly.

“It was bound to happen.”

Xu An rested her chin on her arm and said with a light laugh, “Do you think we should keep an eye on your brother? If we find out that he’s still using his position to make some extra money while on duty, we should report him.”

Zhou Yu crossed his arms, one leg propped on the ground. The chair swayed slightly. He said casually, “We’ve got nothing better to do.”

“No need to watch him.”

“There are many people who do this. If you report him and stir up trouble, you’ll get mud all over you.”

He made a valid point. Xu An nodded. “I’ll listen to you.”

“We’ll just live our own lives.”

Then Xu An looked at Zhou Yu and asked curiously, “Why did your brother suddenly want to find something else to do?”

She frowned. “Is he really afraid that we’ll overshadow him?”

She had thought it was an unrealistic idea, but now, seeing him slowly approaching that idea, it was hard to believe.

Zhou Yu put his hand on the back of his head and chuckled mockingly.

“It’s not the first time.”

He stared at the woman’s head nestled in her arm, his fingertips twirling. He couldn’t help but reach out and put his hand on Xu An’s head, gently rubbing it.

When he met Xu An’s confused gaze, he quickly pulled his hand back.

He said in a hoarse voice.

“You just do your thing. I’ll run into him sooner or later.”

Xu An frowned. “Why does he keep staring at you?”

Zhou Yu’s expression was calm. “He’s not staring at me. He’s staring at everyone in the Zhou family. No one can surpass him.”

Xu An rubbed her arm and nodded. She stood up from the chair. “Then I’ll continue with my small business. I don’t care about anything else.”

She walked towards the inner room as she spoke.

Zhou Yu followed her into the room, chuckling softly, and said something that startled Xu An.

“He’s not just staring at me. He’s got his eye on you.”

Xu An turned her head in confusion, almost bumping into Zhou Yu. She stopped just in front of him, who was close at hand, and looked up at him.

“What does he want from me?”

“My stall?”

Zhou Yu put his hand on Xu An’s shoulder. Xu An turned her head to follow his strength and walked back into the room, slowly sitting down on the bed.

Zhou Yu said calmly, “Men’s competition is all-encompassing. My brother not only wants to surpass everyone in terms of status, ability, and money.”

He bent down slightly, his eyes level with Xu An’s. A smile curled at the corner of his lips, his tone a little casual.

“The same goes for women.”

Xu An looked up at him. The scene of her first meeting with Zhou Yu, when Pan Hehua brought her to the Zhou family, flashed through her mind. It was only their first meeting.

Pan Hehua and Zhou Hongguang seemed to be very happy about her marrying Zhou Yu.

If they were really thinking about Zhou Yu’s marriage, why would they casually choose a rural woman they hadn’t even seen before, whose character they didn’t know, to be their daughter-in-law?

Zhou Hongguang, the good brother, had never expressed any disagreement. It seemed that he thought a village girl was the perfect match for a cripple.

Xu An said softly, “Didn’t they seem quite happy about our marriage? Why is he staring at me?”

“Are you stupid?”

“That was before.”

Zhou Yu straightened up. “Now, you, a village girl, are making more money than his wife, and you’re also more… beautiful.”

He crossed his arms and chuckled. “My cripple is about to rise to the top. He’s panicking.”

Xu An frowned. Was Zhou Hongguang’s mind so twisted?

He even had to compete with his own brother. He was a little too petty.

She looked up at Zhou Yu in front of her and frowned.

“He wants to be the best at everything. He can’t stand being overshadowed. What about you?”

“Are you the same as him? Do you have to compete in everything too?”

Zhou Yu’s eyes softened. His gaze fell on Xu An, and he chuckled self-deprecatingly.

“If I were really like him, I wouldn’t have been so stupid three years ago.”

Xu An suppressed her expression. Of course.

If Zhou Yu had always wanted to surpass his brothers in everything, he wouldn’t have been so foolish three years ago, silently taking the blame.

Zhou Hongguang, a typical hypocrite who wanted everything, was a self-serving person who hid his black heart under a human skin mask.

However, if such a person had his skin peeled off in public, exposing his black heart to the sun, he would definitely go crazy.

“Zhou Yu, you’re not stupid anymore, are you?”

Xu An looked up, her eyes twinkling with amusement, staring at the man in front of her.

Gazing into those mischievous pupils, Zhou Yu also smiled.

“Of course.”