Chapter 28 Old Friends

Zhou Zhengping led Gu Yan into his room, found a cotton-padded jacket and handed it to him: "Put this on."

Zhou Anping followed him in and handed a cup of hot water to Gu Yanbing's cold hand.

Gu Yan sat on the edge of Zhou Zhengping's bed, holding a cup of hot water. The warmth from the heater gradually restored feeling to his frozen limbs, but the chill in his heart did not lessen at all.

He knew Zhou Zhengping's room all too well.

On the wall hang a group photo of them when they were little, including him, Zhou Zhengping, Gu Yan, and... Nan Zhiyi, who was like a little sun.

Zhou Anping followed Gu Yan's gaze and saw the photo. His eyes dimmed. "I wonder how Zhiyi is doing now... She said she would write to me, but I haven't received it. Brother, have you asked around and found out anything?"

Zhou Zhengping shook his head: "No. Her file seems to have vanished into thin air; there's no trace of her at all."

He had used his father's connections, but there was no trace of Nan Zhiyi's whereabouts. This situation left him both confused and filled with a strange sense of panic.

Gu Yan's knuckles turned white as he gripped the water glass.

His throat tightened, a huge secret weighing on his heart, but thinking of his fifth brother's warning and Nan Zhiyi's current identity, he clenched his teeth tightly.

Silence fell over the room.

Nan Zhiyi suddenly disappeared without a trace.

These childhood friends, who grew up together, always felt something was missing whenever they got together. The carefree intimacy and liveliness they once shared could never be reunited.

In the midst of this oppressive silence, Song Lanxin's warm and cheerful voice suddenly rang out from downstairs: "Zhengping! Anping! Come down quickly! Lily is here!"

Immediately afterwards, a clear and sweet female voice said, "Aunt Song, Happy New Year! Is Brother Zhengping home?"

Zhou Anping curled his lip: "That annoying guy is here again."

An impatience and resistance flashed across Zhou Zhengping's face, and his tone returned to its usual gentleness: "Anping, go down."

He glanced at Gu Yan, whose face was pale, said nothing, and walked out of the room first.

Zhou Anping reluctantly followed him out.

Gu Yan remained alone in the room, listening to Wang Lili's incongruous laughter and chatter coming from downstairs.

Downstairs living room.

Song Lanxin's face was full of enthusiastic smiles as she pulled Wang Lili's hand and sat down on the sofa, their manner intimate and familiar.

The reason is quite practical. Wang Lili's father, Wang Ganshi, has now been promoted to deputy director of the Revolutionary Committee, wielding real power, especially in cadre review and resource allocation, where his influence is immense.

Although Zhou's father was the chief of staff, he sometimes had to rely on Deputy Director Wang's "care" in local affairs.

For Song Lanxin's sake, considering her son's future and the stability of the Zhou family, Wang Lili was undoubtedly the best choice.

In her eyes, the convenience and security brought by power far outweighed the vague and ethereal "childhood sweetheart relationship".

"Lily, you look so beautiful today. This new scarf suits you perfectly."

Song Lanxin kept praising them and busied herself having the maid serve the best tea and snacks.

Wang Lili enjoyed the attentiveness, her chin slightly raised, a smug smile on her face.

She wore a brand-new military green wool coat and a bright red scarf today, feeling radiant with confidence.

"Aunt Song, you're too kind. My dad was saying yesterday that the supply of New Year's goods this year was made so smoothly thanks to Uncle Zhou's coordination. He specially asked me to bring some of the snacks and cured meat that we just received."

Zhou Zhengping stood by the window, his back to the living room, gazing at the bare branches of the sycamore trees outside, his face calm and expressionless.

Zhou Anping stood next to his brother, his little face tense, making no attempt to hide the annoyance in his eyes.

I can't believe Wang Lili's arm healed so quickly! Next time she might as well break her leg, so he won't have to come to her house looking for her brother every day!

Listening to their mother's praise of Wang Lili and the other party's boastful "repayment of kindness," the brother and sister felt both cold and bitter.

When has my mother ever treated Zhiyi like this?

When Zhiyi came to our house, she was quiet and well-behaved, while her mother was polite but distant.

In their mother's eyes, was the bond they had formed since childhood truly worthless, no match for the power held by Deputy Director Wang?

Zhou Anping didn't want to understand; she only felt heartbroken.

My brother clearly likes Zhiyi so much. My father could easily have kept Zhiyi by using his privileges a little bit... Why not?

Zhou Zhengping's heart sank even further.

He disliked Wang Lili; he had disliked her since childhood.

Relying on her father's status, she acted arrogantly and domineeringly in the compound, a stark contrast to the gentle, lively, and sincere Nan Zhiyi.

When Nan Zhiyi was around, their friends would always get together in a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere, and everyone's eyes would involuntarily follow Nan Zhiyi.

As her fiancé, he received countless envious glances.

But now... his mother is forcing him to please the woman who once humiliated Zhiyi, and even hinting that he should marry her?

The thought made his stomach churn.

Wang Lili seemed completely oblivious to the siblings' coldness, or rather, she simply didn't care.

She stood up and walked to Zhou Zhengping's side: "Brother Zhengping, I heard you've been doing exceptionally well at the division headquarters lately? My dad even praised you, saying that among the young cadres, you're the most steady and reliable."

After the New Year, there will be a performance of revolutionary model operas at the city's Workers' Cultural Palace. Tickets are really hard to get, but my dad managed to get a few front-row seats. Shall we go see them together?

Zhou Zhengping gave a stiff, perfunctory reply: "We'll talk about it later. The training schedule is heavy after the New Year."

Song Lanxin smiled and smoothed things over: "Oh, Lily, you're so thoughtful! Zhengping, no matter how busy you are with work, you still need to balance work and rest!"

She immediately stood up and made the decision: "Zhengping, Anping, aren't you going out to buy New Year's goods? Take Lily with you. Young people should get to know each other better! Lily has a good eye, let her give you some advice!"

Zhou Zhengping suppressed his irritation and nodded.

Zhou Anping also pursed his lips and remained silent.

They are all children who habitually obey their mothers' arrangements, and they would never disobey in front of outsiders.

Wang Lili's smile widened: "Great! Don't worry, Aunt Song, I'll definitely pick the best for Zhengping!"

She raised her eyebrows.

She knew what her father's current status meant; the Zhou family needed her father, and Zhou Zhengping would be hers sooner or later.

As for the missing Nan Zhiyi?

Hmph, even if she dares to come back now, Wang Lili will make her taste the slap again, and it will only be worse!

What can a stray dog ​​use to compete with her?

Zhou Zhengping silently put on his coat.

Zhou Anping also went to get the scarf with a stern face.

Song Lan smiled and saw them out.

When only Song Lanxin and the maid remained in the living room.

Song Lanxin's smile faded slightly as she looked out the window at her son's retreating figure and sighed.

She knew exactly what her son was thinking. But feelings... are sometimes the most luxurious and the most dangerous thing.