Chapter 102 You Have to Take Responsibility

Zhou Hairong watched the retreating figure and sighed.

He knew that his sister was no longer listening to him.

He had said everything he needed to say, but she didn't want to listen, and there was nothing he could do about it.

But some paths, no one can dissuade you from walking them; you have to walk them yourself.

But thinking about it, if it weren't for those people chasing me to the point of having nowhere to run, I would have been fine.

He couldn't recall exactly how good Zhou Shufen had been to him.

He was able to wake up because he had suffered enough.

Perhaps Zhou Lijuan also needs to fall hard before she can understand these principles.

He wanted her to be happy, but he wanted her to be clear-headed even more.

After packing his things, Zhou Hairong went to set up his stall.

After finishing his day's work, he immediately went to the department store to lend Zhou Shufen a hand.

There was a newly rented shop there, which he and Zhou Shufen planned to open as a small supermarket.

Zhou Shufen's shop is almost finished with renovations.

As soon as Zhou Hairong entered the room, he saw Zhou Shufen squatting on the ground tightening screws.

"You're here? Are you tired today?"

As soon as Zhou Shufen saw him, she immediately handed him a bottle of water.

She knew he had been busy all day and must be very thirsty.

"It's alright, business is good. We did a promotion and cleared out all the fruit that was almost unsold."

Zhou Hairong grinned and picked up his tools to get to work.

"Don't rush, take a break first."

Zhou Shufen quickly held him down.

You've lost weight recently.

"It's okay, I'm not tired."

Zhou Hairong smiled, but still obediently sat down.

Actually, he was already exhausted.

But he didn't want her to worry, and he didn't want to delay the progress.

At this moment, Guo Zhenyi also arrived.

"You've come!"

As soon as Zhou Shufen saw the figure appear at the store entrance, a warm smile instantly appeared on her face.

She turned her head and gently waved to Zhou Hairong, who was standing in the corner.

"By the way, Hai Rong, it was he who helped you with your matter. It was Uncle Guo who personally stepped in and scared away those loan sharks."

A look of disbelief flashed in Zhou Hairong's eyes.

"So it was you who did the work, thank you Uncle Guo!"

Zhou Hairong immediately stepped forward, his tone sincere and respectful.

"If it weren't for your help, I really don't know how I would have ended up like this... I might be driven to a dead end by now."

"You're welcome."

Guo Zhenyi slowly waved his hand.

"I did it all for your mother."

His gaze was fixed on Zhou Shufen's face, his eyes deep and gentle.

Their eyes met, and it was as if a faint electric current emanated from the air.

Zhou Shufen's heart skipped a beat, and a faint blush unconsciously rose on her face.

Zhou Hairong stood to the side, his gaze sweeping back and forth between his mother and Guo Zhenyi.

Although he is young, he is not a fool.

He suddenly realized that the relationship between his mother and this Uncle Guo had long since gone beyond the boundaries of ordinary friends.

So, a thought struck him, and he immediately made up his mind.

He can't stay here any longer, or he'll become a superfluous third wheel.

He needed to give his mother some space, and also give Uncle Guo a chance to say what he wanted to say.

He spoke casually, as if to make it sound like nothing was wrong.

"Mom, you and Uncle Guo can continue chatting. I have something to do, so I'll head out first."

"What happened? Is it serious?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Shufen immediately frowned.

Just as things were starting to look up for Zhou Hairong, she was terrified that something might go wrong again.

"It's nothing, just a minor problem. I'll go take care of it first."

Zhou Hairong quickly waved his hand.

"Don't worry, it's nothing, I'll be back as soon as I've taken care of it."

Before Zhou Shufen could ask any more questions, he turned and strode towards the shop door.

As the footsteps faded into the distance, the air inside the store seemed to suddenly become quiet.

At this moment, they were the only ones left in the shop.

Guo Zhenyi watched Zhou Hairong's departing figure and let out a soft breath.

Then, he took two steps forward and stood in front of Zhou Shufen.

After a moment, he lowered his voice, his tone carrying a hint of restrained reproach.

Why did you sneak away that morning?

Zhou Shufen shuddered, her fingers instinctively gripping the edge of the counter.

Her throat felt like it was blocked by something, yet she also felt a strange tremor.

What happened that morning felt like a dream.

She turned her head and saw that Guo Zhenyi was fast asleep.

At that moment, she felt both sweet and flustered.

She didn't know what to do, nor did she know what this relationship meant.

She acted on instinct, quietly got out of bed, and slipped out the door like a thief.

She didn't regret that night of tenderness; in fact, she secretly cherished that memory in her heart.

But she was afraid of defining the relationship too quickly, afraid of being judged, and even more afraid of hurting her son's feelings.

She wanted to take it slow, to wait a little longer, and to sort everything out.

But now, Guo Zhenyi stood right in front of her and asked the question she had been avoiding all along.

Her mind was in complete chaos.

My heart was beating faster and faster, and my cheeks were getting hotter and hotter.

"What? Are you feeling guilty for not saying anything?"

Guo Zhenyi's tone carried a hint of aggressiveness.

His eyes were fixed on Zhou Shufen.

The two were so close they could almost feel each other's breath.

Zhou Shufen lowered her head, and the stray hairs on her forehead fell down, covering her flushed cheeks.

She didn't dare to look up, and could only mutter softly.

"I...I haven't figured it out yet!"

Upon hearing this, Guo Zhenyi almost burst out laughing in anger.

Having come this far, having done everything that needed to be done and said everything that needed to be said, how can you so casually say, "I still haven't figured it out"?

He felt both pained and angry.

Finally, he could no longer restrain himself and suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist.

"So what exactly do you want? Are you just going to take advantage and leave?"

"What are you talking about? You didn't lose anything!"

Zhou Shufen raised her voice a few decibels, filled with grievance and embarrassment at being misunderstood.

Her face turned completely red.

"I don't care, you have to take responsibility!"

Guo Zhenyi spoke in a deliberately relaxed tone.

"You can't just abandon me now, can you? Don't you mean anything by what you said or did?"

He was determined not to give up.

Zhou Shufen would be better off accepting her fate sooner rather than later and stopping these futile struggles.

He knew she cared about him too, but she just didn't want to admit it.

"What responsibility are you in? How can you be so unreasonable!"

Zhou Shufen was sharp-tongued, but her voice was as soft as cotton.

In fact, both of them knew that there was no use in hiding or delaying.

Their relationship had long since changed.

"You're asking me whether I should take responsibility?"

Guo Zhenyi's voice suddenly lowered, becoming hoarse and suppressed.

"If you really run away, you'll be a heartless person!"

Zhou Shufen took a deep breath.

Finally, as if she had made up her mind, she slowly raised her head and met his gaze.

"Nonsense! I didn't deny it, why are you saying such harsh things? I just... need some time."

Her voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable seriousness.

This relationship is so important, involving the future, family, and responsibilities, she doesn't want to treat it lightly.

It's not that she doesn't love him, but rather that she loves him too much, which makes her even more hesitant to take the next step.

Just then, a slight noise came from the doorway.

Yao Mingzhu walked in.

But the two were so engrossed in the tense standoff that neither of them noticed.

When she pushed the door open, she saw them face to face, almost touching.

Zhou Shufen tilted her head slightly, while Guo Zhenyi bowed his head and bent down.