In just ten months, it seemed that the twelve years of affection between the two had been worn away to the point of being almost gone.

After walking in silence all the way to the teaching building, the two stood facing each other, and the atmosphere was indescribably awkward.

"Huanhuan, I..." She seemed to be the one who started every conversation in the past, but this time she didn't say anything.

It was the first time that Zhou Jingxiu realized how difficult it was to find an opening line to start a conversation.

Thinking about the past twelve years, when she had always been the one to take the initiative to chat with him, and he had almost always simply replied with "hmm", "okay", "very good" and the like, Zhou Jingxiu couldn't help but tighten his hands hanging by his side.

Before he learned that Zhou Jingheng was still alive, as the only young master of the Zhou family, he had been trained as the heir of the Zhou family since he was a child.

Zhou Jingxiu must be quite intelligent as he has been able to consistently rank first on the list for many years.

But his IQ is only slightly higher than that of ordinary people and does not exceed the normal range.

All his achievements were obtained through down-to-earth study and hard work.

His schedule was so packed that he had little time for entertainment.

In addition, calmness, endurance, and composure are all required courses for the heir of a large family.

Having been brought up in this way since childhood, Zhou Jingxiu has long been accustomed to not showing his emotions on his face, and has also become accustomed to being taciturn.

He thought that it was enough for her to talk to him and for him to respond to her, but he never considered whether she would be tired if he kept taking the initiative.

Facing the girl's fixed gaze, Zhou Jingxiu pondered for a long while before finally uttering, "I'm sorry."

Shen Huan had no idea of ​​his thoughts, and thought he was just talking about marrying Shen Yushan, so he said calmly:

"It's all in the past. There was nothing between us in the first place. It's your freedom to marry whomever you want. You don't actually have to apologize to me."

No matter what, he had helped her before, so in a sense, it was understandable that he chose to marry Shen Yushan.

After all, he never made any promises to her.

Times have changed, Chen Huan has already let it go, so there is no need to treat him like an enemy.

Seeing her indifferent look, Zhou Jingxiu thought she was just angry, so he explained anxiously:

"I didn't intend to marry Shen Yushan. When I arranged a marriage with the Shen family, I originally wanted to marry you. It was my mother who changed the name on the marriage certificate without telling me because of some interests."

"I never thought of giving up you in order to fight for the family property, but..."

At this point, Zhou Jingxiu's eyes darkened. "You should know that Zhou Jingheng and I have the same father but different mothers. The grudges and entanglements of our previous generations are destined to prevent us from coexisting peacefully like brothers."

He didn't want her to have a bad impression of him because of what his mother had done.

Zhou Jingxiu finally chose to express some things in an obscure way. He believed that with her intelligence, she would be able to understand.

Although Chen Huan didn't know about Guan Ling yet, even if he had never experienced the invisible polygamy in wealthy families, he had seen it in TV dramas and novels.

She did understand, but...

"It doesn't matter anymore."

"If you have nothing else to do, I'll leave first."

After saying this lightly, Shen Huan raised his foot to leave, but Zhou Jingxiu pulled him back by the arm.

"Huanhuan!"

Why would she react like this? Even if she didn't understand, she should still be angry.

Why does she look like she has nothing to do with it?

Zhou Jingxiu panicked and raised his voice unconsciously.

"I have never liked Shen Yushan, nor have I touched her. What I said to her was just a casual act. Don't take it seriously.

Huanhuan, I have always liked you. I will find an opportunity to cancel my marriage with her as soon as possible, and then..."

"Brother Jingxiu!" Before he could finish, Shen Huan interrupted him, "Who you want to marry is none of my business. You don't have to tell me, and I'm not interested in knowing."

"Are you still blaming me?" She had a bad feeling in her heart, but Zhou Jingxiu deliberately ignored it, thinking that she was just throwing a tantrum.

"It was my fault before. I thought you knew my feelings, so I didn't tell you directly. I will make up for it if you confess or propose. Be good, stop making trouble and come back with me."

"I'm not making a fuss." Shen Huan pushed Zhou Jingxiu's hand away, took a step back, and distanced herself from him. "Let the past be the past. I've really let it go."

"Huanhuan, don't say those angry words. Didn't you say you only like me? If you don't marry me, who else will you marry?"

Seeing that she was avoiding his touch, Zhou Jingxiu became more and more flustered.

"Why do I have to marry someone?" Chen Huan frowned, thinking of the agreement between her and the man, and quickly suppressed her emotions.

"What I wanted when I was ten, I no longer want when I'm twenty. Children say things without restraint. It's just a joke, so don't take it seriously. Have you forgotten it?"