#7: Pitiful

After the college entrance exam, Lu Zhou didn’t choose a prestigious university but instead went to a military academy, the top one. Graduation would make him at least a first lieutenant.

But today, Shen Yihuan saw Lu Zhou’s epaulets: he was already a lieutenant colonel.

Back then, when she knew Lu Zhou was going to a military academy, she didn’t really think much of it. She only knew that Lu Zhou’s father was a general and had planned for him to take the military academy exam early on.

After the exam, Lu Zhou told her he might go to a military academy, and she, being naive and sweet, just said, “Okay!” Then she pestered Lu Zhou to wear a military uniform for her to see.

Lu Zhou gripped her shoulders and seriously asked if she could truly accept him going to a military academy.

Shen Yihuan blinked, smiling sweetly, and said she wasn’t the kind of overbearing girlfriend who interfered with her boyfriend’s future.

It wasn’t until a month passed and she couldn’t see Lu Zhou at all that she became bewildered.

They had been deskmates for three years, and though they had argued and nearly broken up, this was their first true separation.

During her first year of university, for the National Day holiday, as soon as she saw Lu Zhou emerge from the military academy, her eyes turned red. She felt terribly wronged. Trying to ruffle his hair as she used to only hurt her hands, as it was now short and spiky.

She pouted, tightly clutching his sleeve, glaring at him with anger and grievance, accusing him of not coming out to play with her for so long.

Lu Zhou knelt before her, looking up, holding her hand.

Classmates around them laughed and teased, but he ignored them all.

When Shen Yihuan cried, he completely lost his composure.

“Baby, I told you before I left that it would be a month before we could meet. Did you forget?”

Shen Yihuan didn’t listen to him at all, crying fiercely and coquettishly. Lu Zhou couldn’t stand her like that.

“Then next time! When will we meet next time?”

Lu Zhou pursed his lips and said, “It might be New Year’s Day.”

Seeing the girl’s shocked face, he quickly added, “There might be a holiday in between; I’ll come find you.”

Shen Yihuan righteously yelled at him, “Lu Zhou! I don’t want to be with you anymore!”

She had thought she couldn’t endure such agonizing days, yet she managed to get through the first two years of university. During the times Lu Zhou couldn’t accompany her, she found friends to play with, and she traveled everywhere with her camera.

Lu Zhou’s holidays were erratic. Sometimes, he would suddenly be notified of leave, only to learn that Shen Yihuan had already been in another province for several days.

Thus, they began to have conflicts.

Shen Yihuan had always known about Lu Zhou’s paranoia; she just thought it wasn’t serious.

After all, his psychological evaluation when entering the military academy showed that his mental health level met the standards.

Only later did she realize that Lu Zhou’s paranoia and stubbornness were directed solely at her.

When Lu Zhou was angry, he wouldn’t argue with her. Most of the time, Shen Yihuan would be arguing unilaterally. Lu Zhou would just wait until she was tired, then hug her, his movements almost hurting her, repeating over and over in her ear, “You can’t leave me.”

His voice was deep, his breathing suppressed and rapid, like a voice from hell.

Even in high school, many people said that the two were completely unsuited for each other, worlds apart. Whether out of jealousy or disdain, their judgment was subjective, yet they weren’t wrong.

Shen Yihuan had an inherently fiery personality, while Lu Zhou was accustomed to burying all his emotions deep inside.

________________________________________

The last time they met before their breakup, Shen Yihuan was drinking at a bar until the early hours of the morning. By the time Lu Zhou dragged her back, she was already incoherent, only remembering his cold, stern face, seemingly furious.

The next day she woke up, imprisoned.

In the bedroom of the apartment they had rented together.

The bedroom door had been modified by him; it could only be opened from the outside. No matter how much Shen Yihuan protested, it was useless. This time, she had truly angered Lu Zhou. She was well-fed and cared for, but couldn’t move an inch.

He was pathologically twisted: the more he loved, the hotter and colder he became.

Only through repeated possession, delving deeper, offering shattered pieces of each other.

Three days later, the holiday ended, and Lu Zhou had to return to military school.

He ruffled Shen Yihuan’s hair, whispering, “Don’t go to places like that anymore, and don’t drink so much, okay?”

She was good at lying, immediately nodding obediently, “Okay.”

Then, after Lu Zhou left, she immediately moved out of the apartment.

After regaining her freedom, Shen Yihuan learned that Shen Fu’s company had suddenly faced suppression, with its stock plummeting for several consecutive days.

For the next six months, her life was anything but peaceful.

She was suffocated by Lu Zhou’s controlling nature and overwhelmed by life’s pressures.

During those six months, Lu Zhou was still at military academy, while she frequented nightclubs and bars even more than before, using alcohol and heavy metal music to numb herself.

The carefree girl, forced to grow up quickly, sent Lu Zhou a breakup text on a quiet night, then turned off her phone and bought a one-way ticket abroad with her remaining money.

At the time, she didn’t even care about breaking up with Lu Zhou.

The reason for the breakup was also trivial: she just felt annoyed.

Embodying the conduct of a scumbag.

________________________________________

Shen Yihuan sat on the swing chair on the balcony, fiddling with her camera, nonchalantly taking pictures of the city nightscape.

She took a few shots but wasn’t satisfied, so she put the camera down, picked up her phone, and found Qiu Ruru’s WeChat.

Cherry: Ruru, I saw him.

Ruru Ball: Who?! Lu Zhou?!

As expected of her best friend, she immediately guessed it from Shen Yihuan’s vague statement. Shen Yihuan curved her lips slightly and continued to reply.

Cherry: Yeah, I’ve seen him three times these past few days.

Ruru Ball: What kind of fate is this?!

Ruru Ball: Is our military big brother handsome?!

Cherry: ...?

Ruru Ball: No, no, no, my mouth’s too fast. Are you two back together, a blazing fire fueled by dry wood?

Cherry: Your military big brother completely ignored me. He’s so freaking aloof.

Ruru Ball: Hahahaha, wasn’t military big brother like that in school too? Just act cute, and he’ll pay attention to you.

Cherry: I don’t think that’ll work this time.

Cherry: Military big brother seems to have a new girlfriend.

Ruru Ball: ???????? No way?

Shen Yihuan had deliberately avoided the name Lu Zhou all these years. She was indeed afraid of and disliked his controlling and possessive nature, but she had also genuinely loved him.

Unexpectedly, after chatting with Qiu Ruru, saying “military big brother” repeatedly felt quite natural, and it seemed not so difficult to say anymore.

Cherry: I saw him hugging a girl.

Ruru Ball: Holy crap?! Is she pretty?

Cherry: She’s alright, not as good-looking as me.

Ruru Ball: ...Is that what I asked you?! It’s not me saying this, but Lu Zhou really liked you back then without any self-respect. It made my heart ache to watch.

Cherry: What’s your type? You pity him, not me?

Qiu Ruru had just finished her two-day business trip and returned to her hotel when she received Shen Yihuan’s WeChat message.

She and Shen Yihuan were originally two people who wouldn’t normally cross paths. But one evening during self-study in school, the power suddenly went out. Everyone cheered, “School’s out!” and excitedly rushed out of the classroom.

When Qiu Ruru reached the door, she suddenly remembered she hadn’t brought her math homework, so she went back to get it.

But in the dimly lit stairwell, with only moonlight streaming in, she saw two people entangled in the corner. The one closer to the wall was hidden in darkness, only the profile of the person on the outside was visible.

Qiu Ruru covered her mouth in shock. The person gripping someone’s wrist and pressing it above their head was actually the class monitor.

They were kissing.

“Are you a dog or something? You bit me, it hurts...”

A female voice, soft-toned, spoiled and willful, very distinctive.

At that time, everyone in school knew Shen Yihuan was fiercely pursuing Lu Zhou, but everyone also thought Lu Zhou completely ignored Shen Yihuan.

But now...

Oh my god...

Even in the dim light, Qiu Ruru could clearly see how intense Lu Zhou’s kissing was. Shen Yihuan’s fair, luminous arm was pinned against the wall by him.

Qiu Ruru didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but the scene was too shocking; she didn’t know how to interrupt them.

“Where did you go during self-study this afternoon?”

Lu Zhou’s voice was deep and husky, like a subwoofer, making anyone who heard it feel weak in the knees.

The girl panted softly, “The rooftop, Xu He told me to go up.”

Xu He was a senior, a “grade heartthrob,” and Shen Yihuan was often seen playing with his group of friends.

Qiu Ruru shook her head, mentally categorizing Shen Yihuan as a “love assassin.”

“Hmm?”

Lu Zhou must have bitten her, because the next second, Shen Yihuan gasped in pain.

She got angry from the pain, raised her hand, and slapped Lu Zhou’s face with a crisp “slap.”

She cursed him, “Lu Zhou, are you crazy?! You hurt me! If you have the guts, then break up with me!”

Qiu Ruru was stunned.

She only saw Lu Zhou grab the hand that had just slapped him again and kiss her palm.

“I don’t have the guts.”

The top student, the male god with a boundless future in everyone’s eyes, was now slapped by a girl with a very bad reputation and yet showed no anger at all, even blurting out “I don’t have the guts” without hesitation.

The next day, Qiu Ruru invested all her savings in the school’s betting pool on “whether Shen Yihuan could win over Lu Zhou.” At the time, almost no one bet that she could.

When Shen Yihuan found out, she greatly appreciated Qiu Ruru’s foresight, and the two inexplicably became good friends.

The friendship between girls was truly miraculous.

Qiu Ruru threw her bag on the bed. After a moment of thought, she replied.

Ruru Ball: You’re the one who talks about breaking up and throws tantrums. What’s there to pity about you?

Her best friend hit the nail on the head. Shen Yihuan “tsk”ed, feeling very annoyed. She stopped replying, slipped into her slippers, and burrowed under the covers.

________________________________________

The bedroom was dim as night, heavy curtains blocking out all sunlight, making the room seem like a watercolor painting.

When Lu Zhou woke up, his head was splitting. The wound on his back had been inflamed for the past few days, causing a low fever, but he hadn’t paid it any mind. Now, his throat felt like it was on fire.

He sat up, put a cigarette in his mouth, the glow flickering faintly in the smoke.

His phone next to him was ringing. He glanced at it, ignored it, resting his elbows on his knees, his back hunched. After finishing a cigarette, he picked up his phone and slid to answer.

“Commander Lu.”

On the other end was a booming voice, aged but very clear and steady.

“You brat, you came back but didn’t even come home. I only heard about it from General Feng in your military camp.”

The weather was stiflingly hot, and Lu Zhou’s neck was covered in a layer of sweat.

“I’ve been busy lately. I’ll be home in a few days.”

“Busy my ass!” Lu Youju cursed. “Come home for lunch today!”

“Yes,” his voice was stiff, as if speaking to a superior, not a father.

The weather forecast said rain today. He brushed his teeth, washed his face, grabbed an umbrella, and left.

He had been in Xinjiang for a long time, where the climate was volatile, so he developed the habit of checking the weather forecast before going out. Sometimes, he even predicted it accurately himself.

Actually, there wasn’t much to do at home. He grew up in a military compound, so his concept of family was different from others’.

The car drove into the compound. He slammed the car door shut, his tall figure and long legs very conspicuous.

Pushing the door open, only the guard came to greet him. Lu Zhou casually greeted him, took off his military boots, and put on slippers. “I’m back.”

The Commander’s wife had just finished tidying herself up. Time had left no deep marks on her face. Dressed elegantly and luxuriously, she came down the stairs with a bag draped over her arm. “You’re here. I have to go out for something today.”

Lu Youju immediately chastised, “What business do you have again! Every day I see you at home doing nothing!”

The Commander’s wife ignored him, putting on her shoes, and patted Lu Zhou’s shoulder. “Auntie’s leaving now. Are you eating at home tonight? Want to eat together?”

Lu Zhou: “I have something tonight, won’t be eating at home.”

His mother died in childbirth. Afterwards, Lu Youju married this Commander’s wife, who was only sixteen years older than Lu Zhou.

Their relationship wasn’t as troubled as most children’s with stepmothers, but it only remained at a level of peaceful coexistence.

________________________________________

After dinner, Lu Youju asked him about the military camp in Xinjiang, but after a few sentences, they ran out of things to talk about.

He took a cigarette and went outside.

Passing by the entrance of a KTV, his gaze shifted.

Across the road, a girl held her phone, one hand on her hip. Her denim shorts hugged her well-proportioned figure. Her cheeks were flushed from the sun, and she was slightly frowning, seemingly saying something discontentedly.

It was too far to hear clearly.

Lu Zhou leaned against a lamppost, arms crossed, his face expressionless.

“Gu Minghui! You fucking try standing me up one more time!” Shen Yihuan yelled into her phone.

“Hey, I’m not standing you up, is it my fault the flight was delayed?” he said, then presumably to the driver, “Driver, please drive faster.”

Shen Yihuan wanted to say more, putting her hand on her hip and taking a breath, but was startled by the man with the heavy gaze across the road, stumbling back a step.

His gaze was very faint. Even when caught staring, he didn’t look away. His nose bridge was straight, his eyes so light they seemed incapable of holding any hint of desire, yet still appeared morbid.

Calm indifference intertwined with surging desire.

Shen Yihuan froze in place. The muffled male voice from the phone became inaudible, and she decisively hung up.

Then... she seriously met Lu Zhou’s gaze.

The man’s gaze was so faint that it made her wonder if he was just spacing out, making Shen Yihuan seem even more nervous by comparison.

Count to five. If he doesn’t look away in five seconds, I’ll go over there, she thought.

Five, four, three, two, one...

She inexplicably sighed in relief and stepped off the curb, walking towards the other side of the road.

Lu Zhou finally showed a different expression, pursing his lips and staring as she walked towards him. His brow quickly furrowed, then returned to its usual handsome gloom.

Shen Yihuan bit her lower lip, her expression awkward, regretting coming over. “...Why are you here?”

Lu Zhou’s eyes were long and narrow. When he looked down at her, they conveyed a profound and inexpressible meaning.

“...”

Shen Yihuan wanted to kill the version of herself from a minute ago that decided to come over. But then her gaze suddenly halted, spotting the faint gauze peeking out from Lu Zhou’s shoulder and neck.

She frowned, instinctively reaching out. “Your here...”

Her voice trailed off. Her outstretched hand was caught by Lu Zhou. His palm was warm, like a piece of burning charcoal.

Shen Yihuan blinked blankly, seeing Lu Zhou’s somber expression, his voice even colder: “Don’t touch.”

Was she... rejected?

She wasn’t used to this coldness. Lu Zhou never used to be like this, even when angry. After two seconds of silence, her temper flared.

“Fine,” she said, then turned to leave.

But a burning warmth again enveloped her wrist; Lu Zhou had grabbed her again.

Shen Yihuan immediately shook him off, blurting out in accusation, “If you don’t let me touch you, then don’t touch me either!”

Lu Zhou clutched her slender, cool wrist bone, his palm sweating, his dark gaze fixed on her red lips.

Noticing the change in his eyes, Shen Yihuan was too familiar with this side of Lu Zhou—so familiar that her heart skipped a beat, and she unconsciously took two steps back.

It was exactly like...

...Lu Zhou’s expression when he used to want to kiss her.

He shifted his gaze from her lips to her eyes, a warning.

“Say less.”