Chapter 25 Zhou Yubai Was Hooked

Shen Chuning’s face paled.  Looking at Zhou Yubai’s expressionless face, she stammered, unsure how to explain.

Shen Zhengliang also panicked for a moment.

Zhou Yubai’s identity was clear. If he was here to arrest people, they couldn’t escape.

But he quickly calmed down, “Yubai, Ningning is here with me. Let her go, I’ll take responsibility.”

Hearing this, Shen Chuning’s eyes reddened, tears welling up, “Brother Yubai, are you here to arrest people?”

Seeing the little rabbit’s frightened but composed act, Zhou Yubai sighed helplessly.

“No, I’m also here to buy some things.  I didn’t find what I wanted, let’s go back together.”

Hearing this, Shen Zhengliang and Shen Chuning exchanged glances, relieved.

Shen Chuning smiled through her tears, “Okay, let’s go back together.”

The three left the courtyard silently and retrieved their bicycles from the next courtyard.

Shen Chuning naturally went to get on Shen Zhengliang’s bicycle.

“Ahem…”

But as she was about to get on, she heard Zhou Yubai clear his throat.

She instinctively looked at Zhou Yubai, her gaze meeting his deep eyes.

“Come here.” Zhou Yubai beckoned her.

Without thinking, as if captivated by his aura, she walked over.

Zhou Yubai patted his bicycle seat, “Get on.”

“Oh.” Shen Chuning obediently responded, about to get on the bicycle.

Shen Zhengliang frowned slightly, grabbing her wrist, “Ningning, get on Second Brother’s bicycle. You’re not married yet, what does it mean to ride with him?”

Zhou Yubai remained expressionless, calmly saying, “We’re engaged, and we’ll get married soon.  Riding together is reasonable.”

“No!” Shen Zhengliang insisted, “I’m her brother, I say she can’t ride with you!”

The two men’s eyes met, sparks flying.

Shen Chuning: …

She looked at Zhou Yubai and then at her brother.

She obediently returned to her brother’s side, “Brother Yubai, Second Brother is right, we’re not married yet, it’s better for me to ride with Second Brother.”

Zhou Yubai’s face darkened. He glanced at Shen Zhengliang’s bicycle, ignoring Shen Chuning and saying to Shen Zhengliang, “Look at your bicycle, the seat is just a metal frame. Don’t you know how bumpy the road back is?”

Shen Zhengliang looked at his bicycle and then at Zhou Yubai’s bicycle seat.

Zhou Yubai’s seat was carefully padded, looking soft and comfortable.

Remembering how his sister had gasped from the bumps on the way here,

he frowned and relented, “Ningning, go sit on his bicycle.”

“Oh.” Shen Chuning obediently responded and got on Zhou Yubai’s bicycle.

Zhou Yubai felt her small hands carefully holding onto his clothes, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

They rode in silence.

At the Shen family’s gate, after Shen Chuning got off, Zhou Yubai was about to leave.

“Brother Yubai, wait.”

Shen Chuning quickly called him.

Then, she took out the watch, “Brother Yubai, this is the watch I bought for you, try it on.”

Looking at the girl’s flushed face, Zhou Yubai felt a sweet feeling he’d never experienced before.

This timid girl went to the dangerous black market to buy him this watch?

“Extend your hand, I’ll help you put it on,” Shen Chuning said, her heart fluttering nervously.

“Okay.” The man’s magnetic voice came from above.

A strong, well-defined hand appeared before her.

She blushed as she helped him put on the watch.

Her delicate fingers touched the rough skin of his wrist.

Zhou Yubai felt a feather lightly scratching his heart.

His hands were already long and strong, and the watch added a touch of coldness and elegance.

She looked up, nervously blinking, “Brother Yubai, do you like it?”

“Not bad.” Zhou Yubai glanced at the watch and said calmly.

“I’ll go now.”  He rode away.

Shen Chuning breathed a sigh of relief. He liked it, that’s all that mattered.

Zhou Yubai had been stiff in front of Shen Chuning.

But on the way back, he couldn’t help himself, glancing at the blue watch in the sunlight.

His smile was almost foolish.

Riding past the Zhou family’s house, he met Lin Shulan, who was about to go out.

Seeing her usually unsmiling son smiling foolishly, Lin Shulan was startled.

She touched Zhou Yubai’s forehead, anxiously asking, “Third son, are you alright?”

Zhou Yubai realized his expression was too exuberant and quickly adjusted it, saying coldly, “I’m fine.”

Lin Shulan breathed a sigh of relief.

She noticed the watch on his wrist, “Third son, did you buy a new watch in town?”

Zhou Yubai glanced at the watch, “No, Shen Chuning gave it to me.”

His lips curled up uncontrollably, “Mother, I’ll go now.”

He rode into his courtyard.

Lin Shulan looked at her son’s back and smiled, “No wonder he was so happy! His wife bought him a watch!”

Lin Shulan was even more satisfied with her future daughter-in-law.

She had only heard that Shen Chuning was lazy and spoiled.

Unexpectedly, she was good, not only a good cook but also sensible.  Zhou Yubai bought her a bicycle, and she immediately bought him a watch.

Judging by the watch’s style and craftsmanship, it was probably as expensive as the bicycle.

The news that Shen Chuning bought Zhou Yubai a new Shanghai brand watch spread quickly through Lin Shulan.

When Chen Ziyun heard this, he was furious.

Before, Shen Chuning would have bought this watch for him.

He had lost a new Shanghai brand watch, which made him furious!

Chen Ziyun was thinking when he smelled the aroma of food. His stomach rumbled.

The educated youth center didn’t have enough food, and because of Shen Chuning, the educated youths disliked him, giving him less food.

He was always hungry.

No matter if Shen Chuning was playing hard to get or had truly changed her mind, he had to find a way to see her.

Only by winning Shen Chuning back could he have a good life in this remote place.

There were only five days left until the wedding.

Shen Chuning was worried about the money on her bed.

She had always spent money freely. Although her father and brothers gave her their earnings, she hadn’t saved a cent.

She only had the five hundred yuan dowry from the Zhou family.  She had spent thirty-six yuan and eighty-four cents on dowry at the supply and marketing cooperative and two hundred and forty-six yuan at the black market.

A total of two hundred and eighty-two yuan and eighty-four cents, leaving two hundred and seventeen yuan and sixteen cents.

She had promised to keep half the dowry, but it wasn’t enough.

Shen Chuning decided she had to go to the black market herself.

Fortunately, she had practiced riding her bicycle and should be able to ride to the black market.