Chapter 98 As long as we can turn back

"It wasn't me. How would I know about these things? Just listening to you talk about it, I think he's pretty bold, daring to reason with loan sharks."

Zhou Shufen denied it firmly.

People from those places are ruthless and merciless.

Who dares to negotiate with them face-to-face?

Zhou Haiqing has always been a law-abiding citizen. He had never even met that kind of person before, so how could he dare to go?

"Who could it be..."

Zhou Hairong himself couldn't understand it either.

"That's really strange."

Zhou Shufen also shook her head.

“I can’t really explain it, but since this happened, I finally understand how important it is to be educated.”

Zhou Hairong said slowly.

His voice carried a hint of regret, but even more so, a determination.

"I have made up my mind to work on the construction site during the day and to make time to read and study at night."

"Even if it starts with the most basic literacy, I will learn!"

"Good job. I feel relieved that you think this way."

Zhou Shufen nodded gently.

"It doesn't matter if you went astray in the past, as long as you can turn back now."

She spoke calmly, yet with deep emotion.

Zhou Hairong hadn't completely gone astray after all; his mind had finally cleared up a bit.

Although we started late, there is always hope as long as we don't give up.

Who stepped in to help them?

Zhou Shufen still had some doubts.

She went through everyone she knew in her mind one by one.

When a certain figure appeared, her heart skipped a beat.

Maybe it's him!

She tried to calm herself down, but her thoughts kept drifting uncontrollably in that direction.

If it wasn't him, who else could it be?

Zhou Shufen silently uttered the name, as if she already had the answer in her heart.

"You guys eat first, I have something to do outside!"

She just wanted to see Guo Zhenyi immediately and get to the bottom of this matter in person.

"Mom, where are you going?"

Zhou Haiqing called out from behind.

But Zhou Shufen didn't turn around at all.

She knew where Guo Zhenyi lived; it was about a fifteen-minute walk away.

At that moment, I couldn't think too much; only one thought kept churning in my mind.

We must go now; we can't wait until tomorrow, we can't put it off until the next second.

She walked very fast, her heartbeat quickening with each step.

Until I stood at his doorstep.

As the initial surge of energy dissipated, reason slowly returned.

It's almost evening, past eight o'clock, isn't it?

Was it too abrupt of me to come here so rashly?

The hallway was quiet, and she stood alone, looking particularly out of place.

Various thoughts swirled in her mind...

She knew perfectly well that these worries were just a sign of her insecurity.

She was afraid that if she asked, she would receive a cold denial.

Just as she hesitated, the door suddenly clicked open.

She was startled and instinctively took a half step back.

Guo Zhenyi was carrying a bag of tied-up trash, clearly preparing to go downstairs to throw it away.

He looked up and the two of them came face to face.

"Did I see wrong?"

He muttered to himself, unconsciously rubbing his eyes.

Zhou Shufen couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.

"Are you stupid? You're standing right here, you're not going to disappear. I'm a real person, not a ghost, and I won't come knocking on your door in the middle of the night to take your life."

"It really is you!"

Guo Zhenyi finally realized what was happening, his tone filled with surprise and delight.

"I thought I was seeing things, dreaming! Come in, come in! It's cold outside, don't stand there."

He quickly stepped aside and gestured for him to enter.

Since we've already run into each other, there's no point in trying to avoid it.

Zhou Shufen nodded and stepped inside.

Guo Zhenyi lives alone. After she entered the house, she couldn't help but look at the furnishings.

The living room is not large, but it is well-laid out.

All the items were arranged neatly.

That's exactly what she thought; a person who is a senior executive in a foreign company should indeed have such a neat and efficient life.

She had heard from a colleague that Guo Zhenyi was meticulous in his work.

Now it seems that this habit has extended into daily life.

"Sit down, let me pour you a glass of water."

Guo Zhenyi turned and went into the kitchen.

After Zhou Shufen sat down, her gaze slowly moved around the room.

The house doesn't feel deserted; on the contrary, it has a lively atmosphere.

The curtains are light beige, and there's a potted green ivy on the windowsill.

There was a photo under the coffee table; it must be of his father.

It turns out that Guo Zhenyi is not as boring as he looks.

He is usually quiet and polite and restrained.

But in such a private space, he reveals a completely different side of himself.

"Here, water and fruit are ready."

Guo Zhenyi walked out of the kitchen carrying a tray.

Two glasses of steaming ice water were neatly placed on the tray.

Next to it was a small plate of cut fruit, carefully arranged in the shape of flowers, which looked particularly refreshing and delicious.

Zhou Shufen shifted her gaze from the television screen to him.

"I've come today to ask you something."

She paused, then asked, "Did you help resolve Zhou Hairong's debt issue?"

"He said that a few days ago, someone suddenly came to their door and warned the loan sharks. They didn't say much, but their attitude was very tough. They said that if they dared to cause trouble at their home again, they would be in big trouble. Since then, those people have never come again."

Her gaze was fixed on Guo Zhenyi's face.

"Was it you?"

She desperately wanted to know the truth.

The room fell silent for a moment, as if the air had frozen.

Guo Zhenyi slowly raised his head and met her gaze.

"yes."

"Why?"

Zhou Shufen's tone was filled with confusion and shock.

"Most people would avoid this kind of thing like the plague, wanting to stay as far away as possible. Why do you insist on getting involved? What if you get into trouble? Have you thought about the consequences?"

Her voice revealed heartache and anxiety.

"You don't need to take this risk for our family at all!"

Guo Zhenyi actually has a lot to say.

But he never managed to say those words.

Now is not the time.

He dared not.

He forced a smile.

"Haven't we always considered each other friends? It's only natural for me to lend a hand when you're in trouble."

He spoke softly, as if comforting her, or perhaps trying to convince himself.

These words struck Zhou Shufen like a dagger to her heart.

She froze, her breathing slowed to a beat.

friend?

Are they really just friends?

If they are friends, why would they risk offending a loan shark gang to stand up for them?

If they are friends, why did he resolve something that even she herself couldn't handle with just a few words?

Her mind was in turmoil, her thoughts were churning, and her emotions were surging.

The umbrella he handed her when he walked her home in the rain.

She secretly placed the medicine by the door when she was sick.

His hesitant gaze when she was sad...

They all came rushing out at once, shattering the defenses she had built up over the years.

She didn't want to endure it anymore.

I don't want to pretend nothing happened anymore, and I don't want to deceive myself with the word "friend" anymore.

What will happen in the future?

She didn't know.

It might be awkward, it might damage our current relationship, maybe...

But at this moment, she only wanted to listen to her heart.

"You did this because of me?"

She said in a low voice.

Before he finished speaking, he had already moved forward uncontrollably.

She closed her eyes and kissed Guo Zhenyi on the lips.

The kiss was so light that we didn't even have time to feel the warmth of each other's lips before we parted.