Qin Xiaoyu walked to the door in a daze, only to realize that she had boarded a pirate ship and how it had become her business.
Her mind was a complete mess the whole way, and she couldn't make sense of anything. When she got back to the Zhou family home, the living room was already full of people. Zhou Xing's mother looked behind her and asked in confusion, "You came back by yourself?"
"No, the two little ones went upstairs as soon as they entered the house."
"You silly child, are you overwhelmed with work? What did your grandpa say to you yesterday..."
"Oh dear, I forgot!" Qin Xiaoyu hurriedly put on her leather boots and ran out.
"No rush, drive slowly," Zhou Xing's mother said, still worried.
Last night, Commander Zhou suddenly stopped Qin Xiaoyu and said seriously, "Tomorrow is the first day of the lunar new year. As usual, we need to invite some people over for dinner. Why don't you invite Qi Si as well?"
"Really?" Qin Xiaoyu had heard from Zhou Xing's mother that the first day of the lunar new year was when Commander Zhou entertained the single officers whose families did not live in the area. She never expected that they would be able to find four of them.
"Just tell them I'd like to invite them over for a casual meal if it's convenient."
Commander Zhou's words were very respectful, but unfortunately, Qin Xiaoyu had completely forgotten about them after her future sister-in-law made a scene with Qi Si.
Upon hearing that he was going to marry her, Fourth Sister-in-law happily went home to rest during her pregnancy. Zhu Bao and Cheng Fuxing finished tidying up the private room and were discussing what to eat that evening.
Where is my brother?
"Why is Sister Xiaoyu back again? Fourth Brother went back to his room to sleep, and no one is allowed to wake him."
Qin Xiaoyu was no one; she went straight over and smashed the door open.
"Women are such a hassle, girl, can't you just let me get a good night's sleep?" Qi Si begged for mercy.
"Commander Zhou is inviting you to dinner, let's go."
"Invite me?" Qi Si was also taken aback, and after hesitating for a moment, he said, "I think I'd better not go."
"Brother, are you chickening out?"
"Why should I back down? He can't possibly shoot me, can he? Let's go!"
Even though he said he was leaving, Qi Si was still quite sensible. He washed his face, brushed his teeth, shaved, and tidied himself up before leaving the house.
"If you two are too lazy to do this, go to the school. I heard some of the students who haven't left are having a party tonight. If you want to go, get in the car, I'll give you a ride." Qin Xiaoyu called to Cheng Fuxing, and the two of them laughed as soon as they heard that. They put on their coats and got into Qin Xiaoyu's car.
Qi Si had just opened his car door when he noticed Qin Xiaoyu's strange look in her eyes. He sighed and got into her car.
"You're definitely going to drink over there. I've told you so many times not to drink and drive!" Qin Xiaoyu said angrily.
"I can't possibly ask you to take me home in the middle of the night, can I? What would that make me?" Qi Si said, feeling wronged.
"I won't see you off, Zhou Xing is here." Qin Xiaoyu was confident that Zhou Xing could handle it.
"You..." Qi Si asked halfway, then swallowed his words.
Qi Si sat in the middle of a table of officers, feeling a little uncomfortable. They were all sitting very upright, while he was originally slouching. But when in Rome, do as the Romans do, so he could only follow suit.
He originally had a somewhat fierce appearance, but after sitting properly, he exuded a cool and aloof aura that made him stand out from the crowd.
Zhou Xing's mother and Qin Xiaoyu didn't sit at the table; they offered a toast and then went upstairs. They drank coffee in the living room on the second floor, listening to the men downstairs talking loudly.
Qi Si couldn't get a word in edgewise and could only drink in silence, which Commander Zhou noticed.
"Jianye." Commander Zhou somehow found out Qi Si's real name.
Qi Si had no idea he was being called; he was gnawing on a bone. Zhou Xing, sitting next to him, gently nudged him. He suddenly realized what was happening and jumped to his feet, as if he were now Commander Zhou's soldier, called upon by his superior.
"Jianye, sit down, I want to have a drink with you." Commander Zhou was quite satisfied with his performance.
Qi Si blushed deeply and sat down awkwardly.
"I have to thank you. You took care of Xiaoyu all last year. There were some things we did wrong, so I apologize to you."
Commander Zhou's words made Qi Si restless again. He picked up his glass, stood up, raised it towards Commander Zhou, and said, "Thank you for your hospitality today, Commander Zhou. You're too kind. We're all family now, so don't be so formal. I'm a rough man and don't know how to say anything. It's all in the wine. Cheers!" He drank it all in one gulp.
After dinner, Zhou Xingma and Zhou Yue brought up tea, and the officers took their seats to watch TV and chat. Commander Zhou gave a look and called Qi Si upstairs.
“I know what you’ve been up to. Since Xiaoyu calls you brother, I have a duty to discipline you. From now on, don’t let me find out anything, understand?” Commander Zhou said with a stern face, a stark contrast to his demeanor at the dinner table.
“Uncle is right. Xiaoyu has always said that since I met her, I have been trying to walk the straight path.”
“I know you’re already changing, but cutting all ties is very important; it’s related to your future and your life.”
"Thank you, Uncle. I have learned a lot today. I am a rough and uncultured man. I spent fourteen years in prison and did not learn much. I am fortunate to have met Xiaoyu and now I have Uncle's guidance. If I do not get back on the right path, I will be letting you down."
"I know you're a kind and loyal person, that's why I called you over. Xiaoyu is a good kid, alas, what a pity..."
"This is fate. I also thought they would eventually end up together, but who knew..."
The two fell silent.
Qin Xiaoyu brought up the fruit platter and stood on the stairs, suddenly remembering what Bai Weiwei had said: Why did Qi Si let Zhou Xing go?
Her life was too chaotic during that time, and she overlooked many details. Qi Si was the one who protected her the most. After Zhou Xing returned, she went to see Qi Si first. It was lucky that she came out alive, and that she was completely unharmed, which seemed out of character for Qi Si.
Is there really something she doesn't know? But the thought of those wounds makes her heart ache. They are things she doesn't want to touch again. Let it all go. There are no ifs, no buts. These things should never have happened in the first place.
The second day of the Lunar New Year was a family meal with no outsiders. Originally, this was the day Zhou Yue was supposed to visit her parents' home, but now that they were divorced, Qin Xiaoyu didn't want to go back to that so-called "parents' home" either. She just wanted the family to have a meal together and have some fun.
"Mom, you were exhausted yesterday, so just have a simple meal today." Qin Xiaoyu felt sorry for Zhou Xing's mother. Although she didn't ask her to do any work yesterday, just keeping a smile on her face must have been tiring enough. She was afraid her face would be stiff from smiling.
"If you ask me, each person should choose one dish they like to eat, so we don't need to make more," Zhou Xing suggested.
“Okay, I’ll eat whatever you like.” Zhou Yue grabbed a handful of cashews and gave them to her younger sister and Hanhan.
"Why don't you say we each make a dish? That would be more fun," Qin Xiaoyu suggested, coming up with a great idea.
"That's great! The New Year should be this lively!" Commander Zhou immediately approved.
"Dad, if everyone has to make one dish, what will you do?"
"I can cook, just wait and see my skills." Commander Zhou rolled up his sleeves and walked into the kitchen, parting the crowd.
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