I Haven’t Even Baited the Hook, and He’s Already Biting

In the morning, bored and uneasy, Su Ran wandered aimlessly around the mansion, which was big enough to get lost in. The restlessness in the courtyard and dealing with Zhou Yuanzhe drove him outside. He meandered aimlessly until he found himself on a winding path adorned with lush, naturally beautiful vegetation.

Feeling slightly uplifted by the scenery, Su Ran continued walking until he noticed someone sitting in a pavilion not far ahead. The sunlight was strong, almost blinding him, and the figure was silhouetted against the light. Initially, Su Ran had no intention of interacting, but the person in the pavilion stood and began walking toward him.

Su Ran stopped, realizing the person seemed to be coming directly for him. As the figure approached, Su Ran recognized him—it was Zhou Zekun, the recently acknowledged young master of the Zhou family. Upon recognizing him, Su Ran turned and walked in the opposite direction.

Quickening his pace, Su Ran instinctively wanted to avoid contact, but the footsteps behind him hastened and soon caught up. Zhou Zekun reached out and grabbed his arm, smiling, “Why run away from me?”

Su Ran didn’t want to engage with him, feeling a deep mistrust, and said, “I’m going back.”

Walking alongside him, Zhou Zekun teased, “Who would have thought that the scholar I met a few days ago would suddenly become the Third Young Master’s wife?”

Taking a deep breath, Su Ran detested this identity, perhaps stung by Zhou Yuanzhe. Hearing such remarks from others felt like mockery.

“It’s none of your business,” he responded stiffly.

Zhou Zekun paused, surprised by Su Ran’s aversion but still smiled, “What happened exactly? Tell me about it.”

Su Ran pursed his lips. He didn’t understand why Zhou Zekun was so familiar; they had only met once in the chaos of the casino, and that wasn’t exactly a place that endeared Zhou Zekun to him.

As Su Ran remained silent, Zhou Zekun didn’t press further but continued walking beside him. As they were about to turn a corner, another person appeared, causing Su Ran to halt abruptly.

Staring at the newcomer, Su Ran was shocked when the man walked up to Zhou Zekun and greeted, “Young Master.”

It was Zhao Jinshun. Surprised, Su Ran asked, “What’s going on?”

Zhao Jinshun turned to Su Ran, respectfully addressing him, “Madam Su.”

Realizing his current identity made it impossible to acknowledge their past, Su Ran simply nodded.

Zhou Zekun glanced between them, then asked, “Jinshun, do you know this madam?”

Zhao quickly replied, “I used to work at the Su Residence and knew Madam Su then.”

Su Ran added, “Yes, he worked for me before.”

Turning to Zhao, Su Ran inquired, “How come you’re working here now?”

Zhao explained, “I met Young Master Zhou at the casino. He needed someone by his side, so I naturally ended up working with him.”

Understanding, Su Ran’s expression softened, and he even smiled at Zhou Zekun, “Zhao is very reliable; you made a good choice.”

Zhou Zekun watched Su Ran, amusement flickering in his eyes, then said, “Indeed, that’s why I have him by my side.”

They continued walking, Su Ran’s mood visibly lighter, deliberately staying close to Zhao and occasionally glancing at him.

Zhou Zekun then suggested, “I need to go out to buy some things. Do you want to come along?”

Without hesitation, Su Ran agreed, “Yes, I’ve been cooped up in the yard these days. It’ll be good to get out.”

Zhou Zekun smiled, leading him to the streets bustling with vendors. While Su Ran showed little interest in the goods, the food stalls caught his eye, making him salivate. The meals at Zhou Yuanzhe’s residence were too bland for his taste, lacking any richness, making his days dreary.

Sniffing the tantalizing aromas, Su Ran could only swallow his saliva, penniless and constantly feeling the emptiness of his pockets.

When Zhou Zekun stopped at a meat bun stall, he asked Su Ran, “Want a meat bun?”

Blushing with embarrassment, Su Ran hesitantly admitted, “I… I didn’t bring any money.”

Zhou Zekun’s smile softened, making his scarred, usually fierce face appear gentler, even mischievous. “No worries, I have money,” he said, then walked toward the stall.

Just as he turned, Su Ran grabbed his arm, looking up at him cautiously, “I don’t have money to pay you back.”

Zhou Zekun’s smile grew, his eyes softening, but he teased, “How stingy can this Third Young Master be, not even giving his wife pocket money? That’s really too much.”

Su Ran pursed his lips, inwardly agreeing but unable to admit it.

Zhou Zekun clapped him on the shoulder, “Don’t worry, it’s my treat. Today, whatever you want to eat, it’s on me.”

As they moved from stall to stall, Su Ran enjoyed the food thoroughly, his lips greasy from devouring two meat buns, several dried fruits, and numerous fried dumplings, his hands full of snacks. Anything that caught his eye, Zhou Zekun bought for him.

This generosity completely transformed Su Ran’s opinion of Zhou Zekun, and they returned home chatting and laughing. Just as they reached the gate, a fine rain began to fall, their timely return a stroke of luck.

Holding various snacks, Su Ran waved goodbye at the gate, “I’m heading back. Thanks for the food today.”

“It’s nothing; don’t be so formal. Let me know whenever you want to eat something,” Zhou Zekun replied.

Feeling slightly embarrassed about his previous cold attitude towards Zhou Zekun, Su Ran thanked him again, then turned to Zhao Jinshun, hoping for a longer look. But Zhao didn’t even glance at him, which was quite disheartening.

Entering his courtyard still somewhat upset, it seemed like he had indeed been cut off. The rain began to pour heavier, and Su Ran hurried to his room, but the door wouldn’t open.

Frustrated, although under the eaves, his robes began to get wet. He banged on the door more urgently, but there was no response, as if no one was inside.

Realizing that Zhou Yuanzhe was likely punishing him, Su Ran pounded on the door in anger.

Just then, a maid ran through the rain, looking guiltily at Su Ran, “Madam, please stop knocking. The young master was angry when he couldn’t find you this afternoon and probably went to sleep. Wait for him to wake up.”

Stunned, Su Ran asked, “So he’s letting me stand in the rain?”

The maid bowed her head, “Just wait a bit.”

As she ran off, Su Ran stared at the door, his eyes reddening. He was merely out buying things, and this was the treatment he received.

Leaning against the door, Su Ran gazed at the rainy horizon, slowly getting soaked. A gust of wind would evenly splash the rain onto him.

System 555 came online to vent for Su Ran, “Zhou Yuanzhe is really difficult.”

“Yeah, he must be the most difficult protagonist to deal with,” Su Ran said, although he didn’t remember his past two lives, “Was it like this in my previous worlds too?”

System 555 responded, “No, in your previous two worlds, the protagonists were psychologically antagonistic, but they were manageable on the surface.”

Su Ran hummed, “This is real punishment then.”

As he stood there lost in thought, a shaky oil-paper umbrella appeared at the courtyard gate.

Su Ran’s face immediately turned sad as he recognized the person—it was Zhou Mingyu.

His voice, clear as it cut through the rain, reached Su Ran, “I happened to be passing by. How come I see my brother’s wife standing outside?”

Tears welled up as Su Ran saw who it was. Zhou Mingyu smiled, “Are you enjoying the rain?”

Hearing this, Su Ran glared at him. Zhou Mingyu then dropped his smile, stood in front of him, and tilted the umbrella, “What happened? Did the Third Brother bully you?”

Su Ran simply said quietly, “I can’t get in.”

“In this rainy weather, how can someone be locked out? That’s too much,” Zhou Mingyu said, then paused before adding, “Brother-in-law, come with me to my place.”

Hesitating, Zhou Mingyu had already grabbed his arm, sheltering him under the umbrella, “Come with me.”

Su Ran followed, already intending to go with him; he wasn’t foolish enough to stay in the rain, and Zhou Mingyu’s gesture felt like he was persuading him, which comforted Su Ran.

As they walked, Zhou Mingyu kept the umbrella tilted towards him until they reached Zhou Mingyu’s courtyard. The rain intensified, the air filled with a damp chill.

Zhou Mingyu opened the door, and Su Ran rushed in, shaking off the chill. His robe, originally sky blue, was now darkened with wetness.

Zhou Mingyu came in, shut the door, and went to the wardrobe, “I’ll find you some clothes to change into. Staying in wet clothes will make you catch a cold.”

“Thank you, Second Brother,” Su Ran said.

Zhou Mingyu pulled out two sets of clothes, handing one to Su Ran, “This was made for me by Nurse Li. Father always disliked me wearing Western clothes, so Nurse Li made this long robe for me. I’ve grown a lot since then, and it’s too small for me now, but it should fit you perfectly.”

Su Ran accepted the clothes, thanking him again. Zhou Mingyu led him behind a screen, “Change here. I’ll change outside.”

Su Ran nodded, removing his wet clothes and hanging them on the screen. Zhou Mingyu glanced at the clothes peeping out, catching a faint scent.

Once changed, Su Ran emerged, and Zhou Mingyu surveyed him from head to toe, his expression brightening with a smile, “It really suits you. Looks good.”

Hearing this, a smile finally broke through Su Ran’s gloomy expression. He moved to the window, watching the rain intensify outside. The green branches outside swayed under the assault of the rain, which showed no sign of stopping.

Zhou Mingyu joined him, “This rain won’t stop anytime soon. Stay here with me for now.”

Su Ran nodded, tears welling up again. Ever since entering the Zhou residence, he had felt out of place, as if he didn’t belong.

Zhou Mingyu moved closer, touched by the sad profile of Su Ran’s face. He gently brushed a lock of hair behind Su Ran’s ear, “Are you doing okay in the Zhou residence?”

Su Ran turned to him, his voice choked, “Not well.”

Zhou Mingyu paused, touched by the sight of the wet, teary-eyed figure before him, feeling an urge to comfort him.

He remembered the night he lifted the bridal veil and saw that stunning face. That moment of astonishment had burrowed deep into his heart.

Without reason, he didn’t want Su Ran to be unhappy. His eyes locked on Su Ran, “Is Zhou Yuanzhe treating you poorly?”

Su Ran shook his head, tears streaming down, “Not well.”

Each tear seemed to weigh heavily on Zhou Mingyu’s heart. As the wind blew the window open wider, rain mixing with the gusts, Zhou Mingyu felt a compelling urge.

Su Ran looked pitifully at Zhou Mingyu, his eyes watery, seemingly pleading, hooking Zhou Mingyu’s heart without a word.

Unable to contain himself, Zhou Mingyu grasped Su Ran’s hand and placed it on his chest, “Let me take care of you, is that okay? If Zhou Yuanzhe won’t treat you well, I will. I care about you, is that okay?”

Stunned, Su Ran’s tears hung in his eyes as he looked at Zhou Mingyu, who then lifted his hand to his lips, kissing it tenderly.