A thunderclap out of nowhere.

As soon as Shen Nan finished speaking, Gao Zhuo and Xiao Tong exchanged a glance and exclaimed in unison, "What did you say?!"

The two men, with their deep, gruff voices, and the spacious venue, carried their voices far and wide, attracting the attention of their teammates walking nearby and around them, all filled with curiosity.

Gao Zhuo ignored the others, grabbed Shen Nan's shoulder, and stared in disbelief: "What did you just say?"

Is there something wrong with his ears?

Wife??

When did Shen Nan get married?

Why don't they know?

Shen Nan frowned, glancing indifferently at the hand Gao Zhuo was holding. Gao Zhuo awkwardly released the hand, coughed, and stared intently at him: "Master Shen, when did you get a wife?"

It wasn't that they were surprised; it was that none of them knew about this at all.

It's always been rumored in the unit that Shen Nan is abstinent and detached from worldly desires. Since joining the army all these years ago, not a single woman has ever appeared in his life, and even if one does, he'll immediately chase her away. Whether stationed on the frontier or here, many people admire Shen Nan—from the cultural troupe to the doctors and nurses in the unit. Many are fooled by his face and fall in love at first sight.

But Shen Nan was like a clueless old man. No matter how bluntly someone spoke, he remained indifferent, with a straight-laced look on his face as if he didn't understand what they were saying.

Over time, people started talking behind his back that he might never find a wife in his life.

And then... a wife suddenly appeared?!

Gao Zhuo glanced at Xiao Tong and couldn't help but say, "Brother Chen, you can't just make up some excuse to avoid going to the social event with us, can you?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Nan scoffed and arrogantly said, "I need it?"

Gao Zhuo: "..."

It may or may not be necessary, but that's not the truth, is it?

Suddenly, Xiao Tong's eyes lit up as he looked at Shen Nan: "Captain! That beautiful woman from last time, could she be your wife?!"

The captain looked very nervous when Leopard and his men took him to that ancient town for questioning.

Shen Nan chuckled, patted the child's head with his hat, and said, "Not too stupid yet."

After saying that, he ignored their reactions and walked away.

Gao Zhuo looked at Xiao Tong: "Which woman? Why don't I know her!"

Why was he kept in the dark all this time, as the vice-captain?

Xiao Tong was silent for a while, then recounted everything about the ancient town, and then asked curiously, "Didn't the captain tell you?"

Gao Zhuo: "Shut up!"

If he had known earlier, he definitely would have gone to find out!

Shen Nan had no obligation to report this matter to his subordinates, but his superiors certainly knew. Gao Zhuo stroked his chin thoughtfully, so the leaders must know about Shen Nan's marriage. He pondered for a moment, then patted Xiao Tong on the shoulder: "Find out some information with the captain later."

He wanted to see if Shen Nan's wife was real or fake, and who this mysterious person was that made this repressed old man, Shen Nan, able to marry someone.

As evening falls, the sun sets in the west.

Shen Nan returned to his dorm, glanced at his phone, and after thinking for a while, sent a message to Zhou Zuizui.

Shen Nan: How is your friend?

Zhou Zuizui: We're at a bar, and she's drinking.

Seeing his wife's message, Shen Nan subconsciously frowned and immediately dialed her number: "How much did you drink?"

Zhou Zuizui chuckled and smiled, saying, "I didn't drink it. Xia Wen was in a bad mood, so I didn't dare to drink it."

She was still sensible in this regard, worried that Xia Wen might do something foolish. Although Xia Wen didn't seem likely to do anything, what if she did? If she really did something stupid and Zhou Zuizui was drunk and couldn't take care of her, she would regret it for the rest of her life.

So when she got to the bar, she didn't order any drinks. She just quietly sat next to the person next to her, watching Xia Wen drink, without trying to persuade her to drink.

When people are sad or upset, they always need to find a way to vent. They can't always suppress their emotions; having a good cry or getting drunk is perfectly fine.

Shen Nan hesitated for a moment: "Do you want me to pick you up later?"

"No need," Zhou Zuizui chuckled. "You still have training to do! Focus on your training. Ai Zeyang will be coming over later. I'll message you when I get home."

Upon hearing this, Shen Nan choked for a moment, then nodded in agreement: "Okay."

"be safe."

"clear."

After saying that, the two hung up the phone.

A moment later, Ai Zeyang rushed in. When he saw the two of them, his face turned ashen: "What happened? I heard..." He stopped mid-sentence when he noticed Xia Wen's strange expression.

Zhou Zuizui shrugged and said silently, "Just stay with me."

Ai Zeyang frowned as he looked at Xia Wen, then put his arm around her shoulder: "What's wrong?"

Xia Wen glanced at him: "Of course you wouldn't understand, you're a single dog."

Ai Zeyang: "...You guys can't look down on single people, okay!"

Zhou Zuizui chuckled and looked at him: "Are you stupid?"

Ai Zeyang: "..."

It's wise for a man not to argue with a woman.

The two of them quietly kept Xia Wen company while she drank. Zhou Zuizui was playing on her phone listlessly, lost in thought, when several messages popped up on her phone. She glanced down at them, her pupils contracting, and turned to Ai Zeyang: "I'm going out to make a call."

"Go."

Zhou Zuizui took her phone outside to make a call. It was still quite cold, and she was quite eye-catching standing outside in a sweater.

She stood to one side with her head down, speaking to the person on the other side: "Have you found out?"

"We have a tiny clue, but it will take more time."

Zhou Zuizui hummed in agreement, vaguely replying, "Thank you for your help, I'll do my best."

"Yes, don't worry too much, everything will be fine."

Zhou Zuizui chuckled softly, looking up at the night sky. Even with the cold wind blowing in, she didn't feel particularly cold: "Alright, I've waited for so many years, I can wait for this too."

She heard something said on the other end, hummed in agreement, and then hung up.

Zhou Zuizui stood in the cold wind for a long time, and only when the wind was about to blow her silly did she turn around and go back into the bar.

What she didn't realize was that while she was outside, someone was always watching her.

After spending a day and a night with Xia Wen, by Friday evening, Xia Wen suddenly recovered her spirits and became lively and energetic, showing no signs of the sadness and tears she had shown the day before.

Except that her eyes were still swollen.

"Go pick up Qiuqiu?"

“Yes.” Zhou Zuizui smiled. “Want to come with me? I’m also planning to take Qiuqiu to Shanghai Disneyland for two days. She’s always wanted to go.”

Hearing this, Xia Wen glanced at her and said, "Great! I've taken a few days off anyway, so I'll hang out with you guys!"

"OK."

Zhou Zuizui was silent for a while, then suddenly looked at Xia Wen: "What do you think about me finding a job?"

Xia Wen paused, looking at her in surprise: "What kind of job are you looking for?" She subconsciously asked: "Didn't you want a free and easy life the most? Why do you suddenly want to find a job? Are you going to abandon your little bar? Or what?"

"Are your parents pressuring you?"

Zhou Zuizui chuckled and shook her head: "I wasn't forced, I just suddenly wanted to find a job."

Xia Wen was silent for a moment, then offered a guess: "Want to be a reporter?"

Zhou Zuizui: "..."

Seeing the expression on the face of the person next to her, Xia Wen knew she had guessed correctly. She pursed her lips and couldn't help but ask, "Have you not given up on finding them yet?"

Her only response was a silent reply.

The air inside the car felt momentarily turbulent. After a while, Xia Wen finally said, "Are you atoning for your parents' sins?"

Zhou Zuizui was quiet for a while before saying, "No, it's just that I want to find it."

She actually has a younger sister, but they lost contact when she was young.

Xia Wen nodded, indicating that she understood: "So that's why you're so good to Qiuqiu, right?"

It's about transferring love, about shifting the care that was directed towards the younger sister.

Zhou Zuizui smiled and said, "I can tell the difference. Qiuqiu is Qiuqiu, and my sister is my sister, but they are both my sisters now."

Xia Wen rolled her eyes: "Do whatever you want. Actually, I guessed it when you first came back. You wouldn't be going back to the ancient town anytime soon."

"Well, I guess so."

The two changed the subject, not intending to discuss such sad things. Upon arriving at the airport, Zhou Zuizui immediately spotted the girl with the long braid and waved, "Qiuqiu, over here."

Qiuqiu's eyes lit up, and she looked at her and called out happily, "Sister!"

After picking up Qiuqiu, the two first treated her to a big meal, then helped her change into a new outfit, and spent the whole night out before going home.

Tonight, all three of them will sleep at Zhou Zuizui's house.

As soon as Xia Wen entered the room, she couldn't help but laugh: "You brought Qiuqiu here, isn't Captain Shen angry?"

He had just reunited with his wife when these third wheels showed up.

Zhou Zuizui laughed: "You're not angry, are you? I can't tell you're angry."

Xia Wen turned to look at her: "I feel like being your husband is a bit of a tragedy."

Zhou Zuizui shrugged, raised her eyebrows and smiled: "It's too late to regret it now. Military marriages can't be easily divorced!"

Xia Wen: "..."

It was a noisy night, and I didn't fall asleep until after 1 a.m.

The guest room couldn't fit three people, so Zhou Zuizui waited until the other two were asleep before getting up and returning to the master bedroom. After glancing at the time and thinking for a moment, she sent a message to Shen Nan: Are you asleep?

She received a message from Shen Nan when she received Qiuqiu.

She was busy taking care of Qiuqiu at the time, so her reply was a bit perfunctory.

Just then, my phone chimed: No, they've gone to sleep?

Zhou Zuizui: Right, why aren't you asleep yet?

Shen Nan sat in the car, opened the door and got out, leaned against the hood, lit a cigarette, took a puff and asked: Are you sleepy?

Zhou Zuizui: Actually, there's more.

Her sleep quality is inconsistent, and she had a cup of milk tea with Qiuqiu and the others last night, so she's feeling quite energetic right now.

Shen Nan: Can't sleep?

Zhou Zuizui: Hmm.

Shen Nan: Would you like to go out for a walk?

Zhou Zuizui: At this hour? It must take you a long time to get out from your place.

Shen Nan dialed the number directly, his voice low and deep, incredibly sexy, and asked very concisely, "Do you want to or not?"

Strong and domineering.

Even Zhou Zuizui couldn't help but laugh at him.

"think!"

Shen Nan chuckled, raising his eyebrows: "Get down."

"where?"

Shen Nan looked up at the dark room and said in a deep voice, "Come down, I'll take you to see the city at three in the morning."

Zhou Zuizui was startled and subconsciously pulled back the curtains to look. There was a man standing downstairs. A dim light shone up, and as she looked down, the man looked up at her.

Their eyes met, and she quickly said, "Wait for me to change my clothes."

Wear more clothes.

"good."

After changing her clothes, Zhou Zuizui ran downstairs without stopping. As soon as the elevator doors opened, she was pulled into a hard chest, and a passionate kiss followed.

Author's Note: Waaaaah!

The next chapter about Master Shen is going to be so romantic!!!