Chapter 140 Drawing Her into My Arms

Jiang Zhizhi was still somewhat dazed even after she sat down at the dinner table.

They overheard most of Zhou Xiaochuan and Fang Hua's conversation. Did the original owner really have many boyfriends before? And was she so close to that Li guy? Was she going to be his wife?

What is all this about?

She tried to recall the original owner's life before. Because she was pretty, the boys in the compound all liked to play with her, and they would secretly slip her any treats they had.

Some boys even stole food and sugar coupons from their families to give to her.

The original owner accepted all these offers without hesitation, but would not agree to anything in return. It was an attitude of neither taking initiative nor refusing, nor being responsible.

But boys are always willing to do it.

Therefore, many of the girls in the compound disliked the original owner, thinking she was frivolous.

To be honest, the original owner didn't have any memories of having intimate contact with any boy.

Even the Li guy that Zhou Xiaochuan mentioned, the original owner liked to stick to him for a while because he was good-looking, gentle, and always smiling.

After Sun Xiaoyue returned, the original owner was busy dealing with Sun Xiaoyue every day, and then she became infatuated with Zhou Xiye, insisting on marrying him no matter what.

Jiang Zhizhi felt like facepalming. She felt that the original owner hadn't done anything wrong. From a moral standpoint, one would say that the original owner's values ​​were skewed, but from a personal perspective, she was just trying to make her life better.

Seeing that Jiang Zhizhi seemed a little distracted, Zhou Xiye put a piece of pork knuckle in her bowl and said, "Eat first, then rest for a bit. There will be a movie showing in the courtyard tonight, and I'll take you to see it."

But a strange feeling crept into her heart. Was Jiang Zhizhi's unusual behavior these past two days, and her current absent-mindedness, all because of Li Simin?

Li Simin is five years younger than him. Because he had lung disease when he was a child, his health has never been very good, and he cannot participate in strenuous exercise.

Therefore, because he rarely goes out and is often without sunlight, his skin has a sickly pale color, and he is unusually thin. However, he has a very good personality and is particularly intelligent. He likes to tinker with some strange inventions at home when he has nothing to do.

Zhou Xiye glanced at Jiang Zhizhi, who was happily eating braised pork knuckle, and his eyes darkened.

Because Zhou Chengzhi was there, Zhou Xiaochuan didn't dare to say anything out of line and buried his head in his food, full of resentment.

Aside from urging Zhou Xiye to eat meat, Fang Hua didn't say much.

Only Zhou Chengzhi would occasionally ask Zhou Xiye about his work, and then comment: "You guys are really too incapable of enduring hardship. Back when I was fighting, I could get through the dead of winter with just a pair of straw sandals."

"By the way, take a couple of days off and bring Zhizhi to visit the Bian family. Wang Qinglan came to our house the other day, and I could tell she wasn't very satisfied with you."

Zhou Xiye frowned: "She's not satisfied with me, so why should I visit her?"

Zhou Chengzhi glared: "No matter what, they are elders, and now Uncle Bian..."

Zhou Xiye interrupted him before he could finish, saying, "What does it matter to me what kind of person Uncle Bian is? Didn't you say that once I leave Beijing, I should never think about using your connections to go back to Beijing? And I really don't need to, so I won't go."

Fang Hua became anxious upon hearing this: "You can't stay in the Northwest forever, can you? Uncle Bian is in charge of this area. With just one word from him, you can come back."

Zhou Xiye's tone was slightly cold: "No need."

Zhou Chengzhi suppressed his anger: "Why are you arguing with us? Do you think I would harm you if I were your father? As parents, don't we just want you to live a peaceful and happy life?"

Zhou Xiye looked up at his father calmly and said, "Then... your level of awareness is too low."

"you!"

Zhou Chengzhi was so angry that he couldn't say a word. He slammed his chopsticks down, got up, and stormed off to his study.

Fang Hua was caught in a dilemma. She looked at the study door and then at Zhou Xiye: "Why do you make your father angry as soon as you come back? He's doing this for your own good. You've suffered so much in the Northwest all these years. Look at yourself, you look older than other kids your age... Your father and I are getting old now, and all we want is for you and Xiao Chuan to be safe and sound around us."

"You didn't even manage to save your younger siblings, that's why we're scared. Now it's just the two of you brothers left. If anything happens to either of you, do you think we'll even be able to live?"

Zhou Xiye didn't say anything, but picked up another piece of fish belly meat for Jiang Zhizhi, which had few bones and was tender.

Jiang Zhizhi remained unaffected and ate her meal in silence. It must be said that although Fang Hua disliked her, he was a very good cook.

The braised pork knuckle is savory and tender, rich but not greasy, and paired with pickled garlic, it's simply irresistible.

There's also braised fish, which is deep-fried and then stewed. The fish meat is firm and flavorful, with a slightly sweet and sour taste, making it incredibly delicious with rice.

Seeing that Jiang Zhizhi was eating whatever was given to her and seemed to enjoy it, Zhou Xiye's mood improved, and he ate in silence.

After dinner, Zhou Xiaochuan sneaked out, while Fang Hua rushed to the study to persuade Zhou Chengzhi.

Jiang Zhizhi pushed Zhou Xiye to rest in the bedroom on the first floor.

The room was simply furnished, with a double bed, a three-drawer table by the window, a tall and short cabinet next to it, and a double-door wardrobe opposite the bed.

However, Fang Hua still put in a lot of effort. The bedding was all new and red. The pillowcases were red with mandarin ducks playing in the water, and the pillowcases were pink with magpies perched on branches. The two quilts were red and green, both with auspicious dragon and phoenix patterns.

The bed sheet and pillowcase are the same color, also pink, with peonies printed on them.

Even the curtains were changed to a festive pink, and a red mirror was placed on the three-drawer table, with a magpie perched on a branch pattern on the back.

It's a very festive room.

Fang Hua dislikes Jiang Zhizhi, but he cares about his reputation and doesn't want the neighbors and relatives who come to visit to see her and find fault with her.

Jiang Zhizhi looked around and helped Zhou Xiye sit down on the bed: "I didn't expect Mom to be so thoughtful."

She deftly took off Zhou Xiye's shoes, then hugged his legs and placed him on the bed: "You rest for a bit, I'll unpack my luggage."

Just as she was about to turn around, Zhou Xiye reached out and grabbed her wrist: "Don't rush to pack, you should rest for a while too."

Jiang Zhizhi turned around, her eyebrows curving into a mischievous smile as she looked at Zhou Xiye: "Really? Aren't you afraid that after we lie down, I'll get handsy with you?"

Zhou Xiye's brows relaxed, and he looked at her gently: "Don't be afraid."

Jiang Zhizhi had the illusion that Zhou Xiye's expression seemed to be expecting her to make a move.

Some hesitated for a second, unable to resist the temptation: "It's too much trouble. I have to change clothes before I can lie down. You have to take off your coat and pants too, and the sheets are all new."

As he spoke, he grinned mischievously and reached for Zhou Xiye's belt.

Fang Hua pushed open the door carrying a bottle of hot water and saw Jiang Zhizhi pushing Zhou Xiye down in a flustered manner...