Chapter 121 "I'm not sure."...
Wei Ran's gaze involuntarily drifted over again. Zhou Yue leaned down and said something. Xia Zhiyao looked up and smiled. Their shadows were elongated and overlapped, as if they could never be separated.
Wei Ran felt a tightness in her chest. Was it jealousy? She didn't know. It felt more like an emptiness, like something she had held onto for a long time suddenly slipping away. She couldn't hold onto anything. The intimacy she thought she could protect forever had actually broken down at some point.
Applause rose and fell, and the crowd was noisy, but she only felt cold, a chill that seeped into her bones.
After the wedding, Wei Ran walked briskly through the corridor in her high heels, the sound of her heels clicking on the marble echoing in the empty hallway, all the way from the elevator to the underground parking lot.
Just as I pressed the lock button, a voice came from behind me, "Mom."
Wei Ran turned around. Zhou Yue was standing not far away, watching her with an expression so calm it was almost frightening, like the calm before a storm.
“Zhou Yue,” she said, her voice a little soft, “go back, it’s cold outside.”
"Mom, what did you mean by what you just said?" He approached, his tall figure almost blocking out the light.
She frowned: "What did you say? I've said a lot."
"You're denying her." He took another step closer, the light slicing his face into a hard, cold line. "You don't want anyone to know she's my girlfriend."
Wei Ran opened his mouth, "I just feel... that occasion was inappropriate. It was someone else's wedding, it shouldn't have been..."
"Inappropriate occasion?" Zhou Yue sneered, "Then when is it appropriate? Do you have to wait until you feel satisfied and respectable enough before it's appropriate?" His voice gradually rose, echoing in the empty parking lot.
“Zhou Yue,” she tried to steady her voice, took a step forward, and said urgently, “She’s too smart, not someone you can handle!” Her voice began to tremble, and she could no longer suppress her emotions.
"If you recklessly plunge in without considering anything else... in the end, you'll only hurt yourself!"
As she spoke, her eyes were already red. It wasn't hatred or blame, but fear, love, and the vulnerability she least wanted to be seen through. But to Zhou Yue, it all sounded like a cold judgment.
Zhou Yue stood there silently. He looked up, his deep eyes as cold as a lake on a winter night: "My belief in her is one thing, and whether you agree or not is another."
"Furthermore, we are equals, and no one is trying to control the other."
Wei Ran stared at him blankly. At that moment, she didn't see the man in front of her, but the child who used to fall down and cry for "Mommy, hold me." When did that child grow up? When did he learn to look at her with such eyes?
"Zhou Yue," her voice trembled softly, "you've grown up."
"Yes," he answered calmly, as if responding to a fact.
Wei Ran stared at him, her lips moving slightly: "But you... have changed." She didn't say "have become a stranger," swallowing those words back.
Zhou Yue lowered his eyes, and after a few seconds, he nodded slightly.
Wei Ran wanted to say something, but couldn't utter a single word. In the end, she simply turned around, opened the car door, and slammed it shut.
The engine roared, the headlights suddenly blazed, and the beam of white light enveloped Zhou Yue. He raised his hand to shield his eyes, and the moisture in his eyes was reflected in the light as a fleeting glimmer.
Zhou Yue stood motionless, his head lowered, his voice so soft it was almost inaudible: "Mom, I don't want to run away anymore."
He knew she couldn't hear him, but he still spoke.
When Zhou Yue drove up, Xia Zhiyao was standing at the hotel entrance waiting. She was wearing a black cashmere coat and a red scarf. Zhou Yue noticed that her hair had grown long; it used to only reach her shoulders, but now it hung down to her waist, fluttering slightly in the wind.
The car stopped in front of her, and Xia Zhiyao got in. The cool red on her lips made her look even brighter. Her black hair, fair skin, and red lips were like a warm light in the winter night.
Zhou Yue didn't answer. He waited until she fastened her seatbelt before restarting the car. The car slowly drove out of the hotel and disappeared into the flowing headlights.
"I just spoke to my mom," he said calmly, as if stating an ordinary matter.
Xia Zhiyao smiled wryly and said, "Judging from your expression, it didn't end well."
Zhou Yue reached out and took her hand, which was resting on her lap. Her fingertips were cool. "Zhiyao," he said softly, his thumb stroking the back of her hand, "Don't worry."
"I just don't want to affect you and your son..."
“This is my own business.” He interrupted her, his tone lower and more resolute. “I have to deal with them myself.” He turned to look at her, his gaze calm and gentle, yet filled with unwavering determination: “I will not let you suffer any more injustice.”
The red light came on. The car stopped, he released the steering wheel, turned around, and cupped her face in his hands. The warm touch almost made her tremble. "Zhiyao," he whispered, as if making a vow, "this time, it's different."
She looked at him, his eyes, which were usually full of smiles, now looked so serious it was heartbreaking. Her nose tingled, but she still smiled and reached out to hold his wrist: "I believe you."
Zhou Yue sat at his desk, staring at his phone screen for a long time. His mother's profile picture lay quietly in the chat box. He clicked on it, typed a few lines, deleted them, rewrote them, hovered his fingertip over the "send" button for a few seconds, and finally exited.
He raised his hand to rub his temples, took a deep breath, and pressed the dial button.
When the call connected, Wei Ran's voice was as calm as ever: "Why are you calling so late? Is something wrong?"
“Mom,” Zhou Yue said with unusual seriousness, almost as if he were preparing for a job interview, “are you free on Saturday? I’d like to invite you and Dad to dinner.”
"Your dad?...Together?" Wei Ran's tone faltered slightly.
“Yes,” he said softly, “just the three of us.”
After a brief silence, she softly said, "Okay."
After hanging up, he dialed a second number, and a deep male voice came from the other end: "Hello?"
"Dad, it's me."
"Hmm, what made you think of calling me?"
"Are you free Saturday night? I'd like to invite you and my mom to dinner, to that little restaurant we used to go to." The other person paused noticeably for a moment: "Why did you suddenly think of that place?"
“Some things,” Zhou Yue smiled, his voice soft yet firm, “should be said face to face.”
That small restaurant has now transformed from a one-story shop into a three-story restaurant, with a new neon sign outside. Wei Ran arrived first, and as soon as she entered, she paused.
"Why did you choose this place?" she asked in a low voice.
"I want to eat hot pot," Zhou Yue laughed. "This place still has the most authentic flavor."
Wei Ran nodded and said casually, "It's been a long time."
Not long after, Zhou Bingcheng pushed open the door and came in. When he saw the two of them, he was slightly taken aback, then gave a restrained smile: "You've both arrived?"
"Sit down, Dad." Zhou Yue stood up, poured him some tea, and said, "I had chrysanthemum tea made."
The three of them sat down, ordered their food, and the hot pot arrived. The atmosphere was relatively calm at first. The three chatted casually about their recent situations, with Wei Ran nodding occasionally and Zhou Bingcheng responding occasionally, as if they were performing a carefully designed peace ceremony.
Wei Ran suddenly put down her chopsticks, her tone casual: "Do you know why Zhou Yue invited us out for dinner today?"
Zhou Bingcheng raised his head, his expression unchanged, as if waiting for a briefing: "Oh? Then tell me about it."
Zhou Yue put down his chopsticks and smiled, "I want to formally tell you something." He paused, his gaze sweeping over their faces, "Xia Zhiyao and I are together now, so I wanted to tell you first."
Wei Ran was about to speak when Zhou Yue's voice followed immediately, "Mom, don't interrupt me." His tone was still gentle, but more determined than ever, "I'm not saying this to ask for your consent. I just want you to know—I'm serious."
He paused, his breathing noticeably deepening, "I plan to marry her."
Wei Ran's brow furrowed almost instantly. "Zhou Yue—"
“I know you can’t accept it right now,” he interrupted her, speaking a little faster than usual, but still with restraint. “The reasons are nothing more than the same old ones: she’s older than me, she’s too mature, she’s too opinionated.” He chuckled softly, but the smile was sharp. “But you’re older than Uncle Jiang too, aren’t you?”
Wei Ran was stunned. "This is different," she finally spoke, her voice low and cold, "You're still young, you have no idea..."
“I’m thirty years old, I know that.” Zhou Yue looked up, his eyes clear and calm. “I know what I’m doing.”
Wei Ran smiled, but the smile was cold. "Of course you think that way." Her voice was hoarse. "Because you love her."
Zhou Yue raised his head, his expression suddenly becoming very calm. "Yes, she was there for me during my childhood," he said. "Mom, you may not remember how busy you were when I was little, but she was there for me during my childhood."
His tone softened slightly, "Half of the reason I've gotten to where I am today, and become the person I am today, is the sense of security she gave me."
Wei Ran was stunned, and his throat tightened for a moment.
“I also want to tell you,” Zhou Yue continued, his eyes brightening slightly, yet revealing a certainty, “I’ve liked her since I was a child. I’ve always liked her.” He paused, the corners of his mouth curving slightly, a smile carrying the honesty that had been suppressed for years, “She was someone I pursued for a long time before I finally won her back.”
“I’ve watched your marriage fail since I was a child,” Zhou Yue’s voice was a little hoarse, but incredibly firm: “Back then, I understood how difficult it is to meet someone in this life whom you truly want to cherish.”
He looked up and gazed intently at his mother. "In my heart, there has never been anyone else who could replace her."
Wei Ran stared at Zhou Yue's face. In that instant, she seemed no longer to be the aloof and rational mother, but simply a woman caught off guard in front of her son.
Zhou Yue didn't say anything more, but simply added, "I know you're worried, but I'm really ready."
Wei Ran pursed her lips and didn't speak. There was a light in her eyes, like fragments of old memories intertwined with reality.
After a long silence, Zhou Bingcheng finally spoke, "Zhiyao, were you pursuing her when we had dinner together last time?"
Zhou Yue nodded: "Yes."
Zhou Bingcheng nodded, his expression calm to the point of being gentle. "Zhiyao often stayed at our house when she was little. She was sensible and quiet, and your mother liked her too."
Wei Ran looked up, her brow twitching. "That was when I was little." Her voice was so low it was almost inaudible.
“Yes,” Zhou Bingcheng nodded, “when he was a child. But have you ever thought that for Zhou Yue, those ‘childhood’ days have never passed?”
He placed his fingers on the table, speaking slowly but with perfect logic: "He grew up in that environment, saw how we came to an end, and saw that she never left."
Wei Ran remained silent.
“You always want to protect him, but sometimes, protecting him for too long can also become harmful.” Zhou Bingcheng continued, “The fact that Zhou Yue can say this shows that he has really grown up.” He turned to his son and said calmly, “I can’t say anything now. Only you can take responsibility for this. Who you like, who you choose, and how you choose to live your life are all your own.”
Zhou Yue nodded, his expression steady: "I know."
"That's good."
After Zhou Bingcheng finished speaking, Wei Ran's face darkened noticeably. "In the end," she said coldly, "it's because she's grown up and will never listen to me again."
After saying that, she pushed back her chair with a brisk movement, "Since you and your son are having such a pleasant conversation, I'd better leave now."
Zhou Yue looked up, and his voice suddenly rang out: "Mom—"
Wei Ran stopped and turned to look at him.
“Originally,” Zhou Yue looked at her, his tone steady, “I wanted to bring Zhiyao with me.” He paused for a moment, “but then I thought about it, and it’s my own business. I have to resolve this first before I can bring her back.”
Zhou Bingcheng leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping lightly over the mother and son, and softly broke the silence: "Zhou Yue, I agree with what you said."
Wei Ran frowned, his tone turning cold: "Stop stirring things up."
“What do you mean?” Zhou Bingcheng smiled, unhurriedly. “I just think that children understand the meaning of the word ‘responsibility’ better than we do.”
Wei Ran looked at her ex-husband, then at her son, and though she had so much to say, she couldn't utter a single word. She simply opened the door and left.
Only the father and son remained at the table. Zhou Yue lowered his head and remained silent for a few seconds, his voice so soft it was almost drowned out by the bubbling of the hot pot: "I don't blame her."
Zhou Bingcheng raised an eyebrow: "Then who do you blame?"
“I blame myself.” Zhou Yue smiled, looking tired but relieved. “I should have made things clear to my mom earlier. I always wanted to wait until the atmosphere was right and she was in a better mood before talking about anything.” He paused, his voice even lower. “But I’ve found that there are many things that you can never be ‘prepared’ for.”
Zhou Bingcheng looked at him, a hint of genuine warmth finally appearing in his eyes. "And you? Are you ready now?"
Zhou Yue looked up, his eyes resolute: "I'm not sure," he said softly, "but I know she's worth a try."
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Author's note: There are only 2-3 more chapters left to finish the story. The story of Zheng Xiaotian will also appear in the extra chapters.
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