Chapter 39: Meeting the Family?

In Zhou Jinye’s mind, placing Xu Wu behind him and standing in front of her equated to protecting her. However, he had forgotten that ever since the accident seven years ago, Xu Wu had already been deeply involved in this matter. She was inevitably hurt by it all along. As Xu Wu had said, even if he didn’t want her to get involved, that was his subjective wish—he had overlooked Qin Shili.

From the very beginning, they had been trapped in this whirlpool, unable to escape.

For someone as introverted as Xu Wu, it was rare for her to express her inner thoughts aloud, let alone shout at Zhou Jinye with such seriousness. Her outburst seemed like the lingering aftermath of what happened seven years ago—she couldn’t bear the thought of another life-and-death separation happening again.

Xu Wu rarely showed her emotions openly, let alone cried. Since she could remember, she had only cried three times in total.

When she was five or six years old in Jiangcheng, she would think of Lin Qingshuang and cry uncontrollably into her blanket. She cried when her father passed away, and she cried silently when Zhou Jinye lay motionless in her arms after being stabbed.

And now, this counted as the fourth time…

Zhou Jinye had made her promise not to push him away, and Xu Wu had already said she wouldn’t do so. Yet, in another way, he had pushed her aside. She had already lost too much. She didn’t want a repeat of what happened seven years ago—she couldn’t bear to see the person she loved most get hurt.

Her eyes were red from crying, and Zhou Jinye placed her on the sofa. After some time, he returned with a basin of warm water and a clean towel.

She stared at the reflection of the ceiling light in the water without saying a word. Zhou Jinye soaked the clean towel in the warm water.

Before Xu Wu realized what Zhou Jinye was doing, a gentle warmth spread over her swollen eyes. The heat from the damp towel soothed the pain in her eyes, leaving a comforting warmth in her heart.

Her nose was still red from crying, and she sniffled softly.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Jinye flipped the towel over and pressed it against her nose.

The warmth had cooled slightly, and the towel blocked her breathing. Xu Wu pushed his hand away, her voice hoarse and soft from crying: “Take it off, you’re trying to murder me.”

He withdrew his hand and looked at her. The area where the warm towel had been applied was now tinged with pink, and the traces of tears were no longer visible.

She sat cross-legged on the sofa, looking down at him as he knelt to rinse the towel. From his perspective, her upper lip was slightly upturned—it seemed she was still upset.

The water temperature had been adjusted by him, and Zhou Jinye picked up the towel again, gently pressing it against her eyes without speaking. Xu Wu wasn’t sure if he had heard her earlier words, but before she could say anything, his voice came from below.

His tone carried an indulgent laugh, and though her vision was obscured, her hearing became sharper. His raspy, yet tender voice reached her ears: “Where’s the murder? Your eyes are so swollen from crying—they need to be soothed with warm water so they won’t stay puffy tomorrow.”

Her voice was nasal from crying, turning her usually clear tone soft and cute: “I think you’re deliberately trying to suffocate me. If you don’t want me involved, why not just smother me? Then you can solve everything on your own. I’ve already promised not to push you away, but you’re pushing me away in this way, planning to act alone!”

The warmth moved away, and her vision cleared. Zhou Jinye leaned closer to her. Her nose was still slightly red, and her adorable tone from earlier made him want to pinch it, which he did.

“Do you have any conscience? Your eyes were so red from crying. If I hadn’t used warm water to soothe them, they’d probably swell up even more tomorrow.”

Even after all this, Zhou Jinye still hadn’t given her the answer she wanted. Xu Wu could only look at him and ask directly: “Are you still thinking of pushing me away?”

The water had cooled, and he placed the towel back in the basin before sitting beside her.

The bangs above her forehead were messy from the compress. Zhou Jinye reached up to fix them, then let his hand linger on her cheek: “I was wrong. So this time, I won’t push you away. But you can’t act alone anymore.”

Hearing this, Xu Wu’s tense expression softened. The touch of his hand still carried warmth: “Alright. Then tell me—what’s your plan?”

Zhou Jinye glanced at her face. He had never seen her expressions change so quickly: “For now, I don’t have one.”

Xu Wu eyed him suspiciously. Last time, he said he would handle it, so it was hard to believe he had no plan. Was he fooling her? “Really?”

“It’s true. Didn’t I promise not to push you away?” Zhou Jinye lowered his hand: “When the time is right, I’ll take you to meet someone.”

“When will you have time?”

Xu Wu thought for a moment. She had a business trip coming up for a recently signed project. After communicating with the client, the trip was scheduled for tomorrow.

She leaned her head against Zhou Jinye’s sturdy shoulder: “I have to go to Jiangcheng tomorrow for work.”

At the mention of Jiangcheng, Zhou Jinye glanced at her shoulder. Her dark head was turned away, hiding her expression.

In the seven years since the incident, Xu Wu would occasionally return to Jiangcheng during her busy schedule, including during business trips.

Softly, she said: “I’ll also visit my hometown. I should be back in two or three days.”

Zhou Jinye wrapped his arm around her other shoulder. The room’s heating had been on for only ten minutes, but the temperature had already risen.

“Alright. When you have time, I’ll take you to meet him.”

“Who is he to you?” Xu Wu tilted her head to look at his expression, asking instinctively.

As Zhou Jinye spoke, his Adam’s apple bobbed: “He’s part of my family.”

________________________________________

They continued as usual, spending time together until it was nearly bedtime. Zhou Jinye then returned to his own home.

After finishing her shower, Xu Wu stepped out of the bathroom to find Pudding’s little bed empty.

Pudding was sleeping at Zhou Jinye’s place tonight. Xu Wu moved past the empty bed.

At that moment, her phone rang.

The caller ID showed Jiang Zihan.

“Hello, Wu Wu,” Jiang Zihan’s voice came through amidst the background noise of wind and car horns.

Glancing at the time: “You just got off work?”

“No, my shift ended. I’m heading home now.” She replied: “The courier just called me. The gift I sent you will arrive by the afternoon the day after tomorrow at the latest.”

Xu Wu calculated that she should be back from her business trip by then: “Okay, thanks, Han Han.”

“You’ve already thanked me before, don’t say it again.” The sound of rustling leaves mixed with Jiang Zihan’s voice: “When it arrives, remember to try it on and send me a photo. I’m sure the custom-made outfit will suit you perfectly.”

“It’s clothing?”

She rarely bought custom-made clothes, as they were usually beyond her budget.

Xu Wu considered transferring money to her but decided it might ruin the mood: “Alright.”

“When you wear it, make sure to twirl in front of your boyfriend and see his reaction,” Jiang Zihan teased: “I guarantee he’ll love it.”

Hearing this, Xu Wu grew curious about what the outfit looked like.

“Oh, Wu Wu,” Jiang Zihan’s tone turned gossipy: “Work these past few days has drained me. I need to recharge. Do you have time to hang out soon?”

Xu Wu’s schedule was packed these days: “Sorry, I have to meet someone with Jinye after I return from my business trip. It’ll have to wait until next weekend.”

“Meeting someone?” Jiang Zihan paused, recalling how someone kept talking about responsibility and even mentioned meeting the parents. She suddenly asked: “Is he taking you to meet his family?”

Xu Wu answered based on Zhou Jinye’s earlier response: “Something like that.”

“Are you guys already at the stage of discussing marriage?” Jiang Zihan’s shocked tone echoed through the phone.

“No, we’re not there yet.” Xu Wu clarified.

“If it’s not that, then what is it?” Jiang Zihan pressed: “He’s taking you to meet his family!”

Suddenly, Xu Wu recalled what Zhou Jinye had said when they returned from his aunt’s clinic—he had mentioned introducing her to his aunt.

Leaves sprouted from tender shoots, and droplets danced on their surface.

Jiang Zihan’s words resonated in Xu Wu’s mind. Did Zhou Jinye mean that?

She wanted to ask.

“What stage are you guys at?” Xu Wu didn’t respond immediately, prompting Jiang Zihan to speak again.

“Just like a normal couple.”

Her vague response left Jiang Zihan confused. She prompted: “Are you holding hands innocently, kissing, or… further?”

Following Jiang Zihan’s categories, Xu Wu replied: “Step two.”

“Wow, he’s really holding back,” Jiang Zihan chuckled teasingly: “A guy with such a bad-boy look is surprisingly pure.”

Indeed, he had shown restraint. On several occasions when they kissed, he had left abruptly afterward.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” Suddenly, Jiang Zihan’s voice shifted, revealing surprise and a different tone than before.

Through the receiver, Xu Wu heard a familiar voice: “Just passing by. Where are you going? I’ll give you a ride.”

“Wu Wu, I have to go. Talk later!”

Jiang Zihan paused for a few seconds before realizing something and quickly said into the phone: “Sweetie, I have something urgent. Gotta go!”

After hanging up, Jiang Zihan’s words and Zhou Jinye’s earlier mention of meeting his family replayed in Xu Wu’s mind over and over. Was Zhou Jinye really taking her to meet his family so soon?!

Lost in thought, Xu Wu tossed and turned before finally falling asleep.