You didn’t accept my confession, why are you crying because I changed my mind?
Chapter 69

Chapter 69: Admit It, Your Life Is All About Him

By the time they returned to Linjiang City, it was already three in the afternoon.

There was no rain here, just clear, bright skies.

Along the way, their QQ messages never stopped buzzing.

After all, everyone had been away at university for a month.

They’d seen more of the world, grown more mature, and now that they were back home, everyone wanted a chance to show off.

Thus, under the pretense of “reconnecting feelings,” a class reunion was inevitably organized.

But Jiang Zhou had no interest in such shallow affairs.

These gatherings, meant solely for showing off, were often full of lies.

Some would brag, “I dated three girls in a row at university. Each one prettier than the last. They were all madly in love with me.”

But in reality, perhaps only three girls even spoke to them during the entire month.

And the conversations? Something like:

“Excuse me, could you move?”

“Hi, that’ll be thirteen yuan eighty.”

“Hold the tray steady, kid. If the food’s short, don’t blame my shaky hands.”

One was a stranger. One was a cashier. One was a cafeteria auntie.

So the true theme of these reunions was sharing self-invented stories.

For Jiang Zhou, they were a total waste of time.

Ten minutes later, the four of them arrived in the suburbs of the city.

Guo Wei stood at the roadside, lugging his suitcase, gazing sentimentally at his hometown after a month away. “Linjiang, your emperor has returned!”

Just as he finished, a large drooling black dog darted out of an alley and started chasing him down the street, baring its teeth.

To this, Jiang Zhou could only say: Youth sure is full of energy.

Meanwhile, the two girls in the backseat were already chatting excitedly.

“Big Sis Han Rou, can I come find you to hang out sometime?”

“Of course! It’s my first time in Linjiang too. I’d love someone to show me around!”

Chu Yuwei clung to Han Rou’s arm. “How about tomorrow? Let’s go shopping.”

Han Rou looked at Jiang Zhou. “Brother, are you coming?”

“I might go check out the redevelopment district tomorrow. Don’t have time.”

Chu Yuwei hesitated. “Oh, I think I need to go back to my hometown tomorrow too. Then… the day after tomorrow?”

Jiang Zhou tapped the brakes. “I’ve got to go to the Administration for Industry and Commerce the day after. Still no time.”

“Wow, what a coincidence. I have to help my mom with housecleaning that day. Then how about the day after that?”

At that moment, Han Rou looked straight at Chu Yuwei.

You say you want to hang out with me?

Be honest. You’re trying to hang out with Jiang Zhou, aren’t you?

Treating me like a prop? Fine, then I’ll take Feng Siruo from you later!

Soon, the three of them arrived at Jiangdong Courtyard.

Chu Yuwei got out of the car, retrieved her luggage, then stood at the roadside, looking at Jiang Zhou.

“You said before you were coming to my house for dinner. Did you mean it?”

Jiang Zhou leaned a hand on the window. “I’ll check with my dad. We’ll take both families out to eat together.”

“Okay, I’ll let my dad know.”

“No need. He already knows. In fact, it was your dad who told you. Be good.”

“I meant my biological dad…”

Jiang Zhou smirked. “Bio dad? Nope, no kisses from dad. Now scram.”

Chu Yuwei blushed, pulled her suitcase, and walked into the building.

In her hurry, she tripped a little as she went in.

Just then, a call came from Yuan Youqin.

They had been delayed for over an hour due to traffic and the incident with Zheng Yu.

The couple, waiting anxiously for their new “daughter,” finally called.

Jiang Zhou didn’t even answer. He just hung up and tossed the phone into the backseat.

They were already at the door, so why waste the phone bill?

Meanwhile, Han Rou leaned forward, resting on the back of the seat and whispering into Jiang Zhou’s ear.

“Brother… I’m getting nervous. What should I do?”

Jiang Zhou nodded seriously. “Tell me about it. I’m nervous too.”

Han Rou was startled. “Are… are your parents scary?”

“They’re not exactly scary…”

“Then why are you nervous?”

“I’m afraid I’ll get home and find out my parents made alternate accounts.”

Han Rou was confused.

So his parents are into gaming? That’s pretty trendy…

—

Five minutes later, the two of them parked downstairs.

Pulling their suitcases, they entered the apartment.

BANG!

A sudden muffled pop, and colorful confetti burst through the air.

Both parents held party poppers, beaming with excitement.

Their eyes sparkled as they looked at Han Rou.

“This must be Han Rou! Come, come, let mom take a look.”

Yuan Youqin shoved Jiang Zhou aside and wrapped an arm around Han Rou.

Jiang Hongshan grinned. “Finally, we’ve got a child in the house. We’ve waited all these years.”

Jiang Zhou’s face darkened. “Dad, I’m still alive, you know.”

“Funny, I thought I just heard the air calling me ‘Dad’?”

Yuan Youqin glared at him. “Quit the nonsense. Sit down and eat.”

At that moment, Jiang Zhou and Han Rou looked at the table.

It was filled with delicious dishes. It was truly a feast.

But Jiang Zhou noticed something alarming: There were only three chairs and three sets of tableware.

A bad feeling crept in.

Had his parents forgotten to prepare a spot for Han Rou?

Girls were sensitive. What if she thought they didn’t welcome her?

But in the next second, Jiang Zhou realized he was overthinking it.

“Here, Rourou, come sit next to mom. Let’s have a chat.”

Han Rou’s cheeks turned red.

She tried to speak but feared she might cry.

For over ten years, she had never felt such warmth from a family.

But she didn’t want to cry now, she just wanted to be happy.

Meanwhile, Jiang Zhou really did want to cry.

He’d driven all the way home, and they didn’t even set a place for him.

No bowl? At least give me a dog dish!

“Mom, Dad… seriously? Just gonna pretend you don’t see me?”

Jiang Hongshan looked up. “Sorry, we don’t welcome outsiders.”

Jiang Zhou frowned. “Wait a minute! When did I become an outsider?”

“We’re a family of three. Where did you come from, wild child?”

“If I’m a wild child, does that mean my biological parents are rich?”

“Screw you! Let me ask you this. How did you get to university?”

Jiang Zhou finally understood.

They knew he’d bought a car.

No doubt Uncle Chu had spilled the beans.

He felt betrayed.

After all the care I gave his daughter? And that old cop stabbed me in the back?

“At least tell me what car you drove and who it belongs to?”

“No need to act. I’ll admit it, I’m a millionaire.”

Jiang Hongshan snorted. “You got 500,000 yuan reward for reporting a murderer, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Then why did you tell us you only got a certificate?”

Jiang Zhou sighed. “Dad, I just drove five hours. Can I at least eat something before we get into this whole interrogation?”

Yuan Youqin handed him her chopsticks. “Eat. Then we’ll hold a full trial. You better confess all your sins from the outside world.”

—

Evening descended, the setting sun casting the sky in hues of burning clouds like fish scales stretching across the heavens.

Before the meal was even over, Jiang Zhou had already climbed out the window and escaped.

After all, with little sister Han Rou at home, those two elders would be cheerful for at least three days.

He couldn’t possibly wait around for a full-blown interrogation, right?

Still, this couldn’t go on forever. He couldn’t just wander the streets for seven days.

Though problems must be faced eventually, there were different ways of doing so. Jiang Zhou understood that the best way to resolve a family conflict was to bring in an outsider.

He had learned this trick when he was young.

If he got a zero on a test, he’d drag his little cousin home with him.

With her around, his parents wouldn’t dare scold him too harshly, fearing his aunt would hear about it and mock them. Thus, the whole test thing would be quietly dropped.

If his cousin wasn’t around, he’d simply find a kind stranger on the street and say he was lost then offer a full home address and get walked back.

Back home, his parents would greet the stranger, chat away, and forget all about the test.

Though that last move was risky. One wrong person and he’d be in serious trouble.

In that sense, Jiang Zhou surviving childhood was already a miracle.

But now, his uncle’s family had moved to the neighboring city three years ago.

He was a university student, so he couldn’t just tell strangers he was lost anymore.

So, Jiang Zhou took out his phone and dialed Chu Yuwei.

—

At that moment, Chu Yuwei had just finished her shower.

She wore a white bathrobe with little bears printed on it, her long, wet hair draping down to her waist.

Crystalline droplets clung to her fair collarbones, glowing under the light with pure, delicate charm.

“Baby, how’s college life treating you? Are you adjusting well?” Chen Wanying picked up a towel and began drying her daughter’s hair.

Chu Yuwei nodded. “It’s going great! I’m currently ranked first in class activities, and it’s all thanks to Jiang Zhou.”

“Oh, you mean that kid from your dad’s comrade-in-arms’ family?”

“Yep! He’s amazing. He made a million before classes even started, and now he’s a rising entrepreneurial star at Shangjing University!”

“An entrepreneurial star?”

“Yeah, the school’s really supporting student entrepreneurship. He’s pretty famous there.”

But Chen Wanying didn’t seem interested in the topic. “Still, students should focus on studying. Are your courses difficult?”

Chu Yuwei shook her head. “We haven’t started our major courses yet. I haven’t missed any classes, but Jiang Zhou takes leave all the time. I don’t even know if he’ll pass!”

Huh?

Jiang Zhou again?

Trying to steer away, Chen Wanying asked, “You’ve never lived on campus before. Are you getting along with your roommates?”

“They’re great! Really take care of me. Maybe because Jiang Zhou treated them to steak.”

Seriously? Still him?

Even this had to circle back to Jiang Zhou? Time for another change of topic!

Chen Wanying asked again, “What time do you usually go to bed in the dorm? Don’t stay up too late.”

“Usually around ten. Unless I have student council duties, it might be later then.”

“That’s good. Being part of the student council is a great experience.”

Finally, a topic unrelated to Jiang Zhou.

Just as she allowed herself a satisfied smile, Chu Yuwei suddenly lit up. “Mom, guess what? Jiang Zhou brought home a girl who’s their school’s student council president!”

“…”

“What’s wrong, Mom?”

Chen Wanying put down the towel. “I’m realizing now. Every topic somehow leads back to Jiang Zhou.”

Chu Yuwei blushed. “No… it’s not like that. It just comes up naturally.”

“Oh really? Every topic? That’s pretty impressive.”

“Mom, even if I talk about other classmates, you wouldn’t know them anyway!”

“Fine then, let’s talk about something else. How’s the dorm food? Getting used to it?”

Chu Yuwei’s eyes lit up again. “Jiang Zhou made a website listing all the delicious meals at 787. He updates it daily! I check it every day!”

“Again with Jiang Zhou!”

“I can’t help it! He keeps coming up!”

Unconvinced, Chen Wanying challenged, “Okay then, remember that girl Qian Rongrong who used to always come over? You two still keep in touch?”

Chu Yuwei threw her hands up. “Don’t even mention her. She got tricked by our classmate Zheng Yu, and it was Jiang Zhou who helped her out!”

Chen Wanying’s eyes narrowed. “Daughter, I’m starting to realize that your whole life revolves around him.”

“Does it… really?”

Her mother’s expression turned serious. “Remember what we talked about the night before you started college?”

Chu Yuwei looked down. “I know. Focus on studying, don’t date.”

“So… nothing going on between you two?”

“Nope…”

“Be honest.”

“Really nothing. He’s only contacted me three times this whole month. I barely even get to see him.”

“Oh? You want to see him?”

Chu Yuwei quickly covered her mouth. She wasn’t saying another word.

Just then, her phone began vibrating on the coffee table.

She picked it up, checked the caller ID, and lit up.

“Hello? Jiang Zhou? Why are you calling me?

“Oh, I’m free right now?

“Got it! I know the address. I’ll head over right away!”

She hung up. “Mom, I’ve got something to do. I’m heading out.”

Chen Wanying grabbed her arm. “You’re not going on a date with Jiang Zhou, are you?”

“Nope. Just going to visit his place.”

“You’re a young lady. He calls and you just run off to his house?”

“Just this once, Mom! I won’t go again!”

Grinning, she darted off to her room to change, slipped on her shoes, and hurried out the door.

Ten minutes later, Chu Xiong came home from work.

The moment he walked in, he saw his wife sitting grim-faced on the sofa.

“Hey, what’s up? Where’s our daughter?”

“She went to see Jiang Zhou.”

Chu Xiong blinked. “That girl, she’s home for such a short while and can’t even wait for her dad!”

“Right? I’m also wondering what makes that Jiang Zhou so darn charming.”

“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?”

Chen Wanying crossed her arms. “Alright then, tomorrow, invite Jiang Zhou’s family out for dinner. In your name. I want to meet this kid.”

Chu Xiong didn’t think much of it. “Sure, we should treat them anyway. Jiang Zhou’s been picking her up and dropping her off all the time.”

“You seem a little too pleased.”

“Of course! Jiang Zhou’s a great kid.”