His father turned away, looking out the window, silver strands visible in the strong light.
The late autumn sky was distant, with a few leaves swept up by the wind.
I moved next to Ye Zhengchen, tugging his clothes and frowning. He turned away, avoiding my gaze.
Helpless, I reached for my bag to leave, but Ye Zhengchen suddenly grabbed my wrist.
“I’m sorry, Dad,” he said softly.
His father softened his tone. “Okay, since your mother and I are here, let’s meet. Miss Bao, let’s have lunch with your parents.”
“Oh, okay.” I considered my father’s health and reminded him: “Uncle, my father can’t handle stimulation.”
“Hmm, I know.”
“I’ll book a restaurant.”
“No need, I’ll have Xiao Chen arrange it.”
“This is Nanzhou; we should be the hosts.”
I booked a characteristic restaurant in Nanzhou and ordered a table of distinctive dishes.
I’m not unable to afford a luxurious restaurant, nor can I order rare delicacies. I’m an ordinary person living an ordinary life; I see no point in forcing extravagance for others’ approval.
Sitting with strangers who had a special relationship felt awkward, but Ye Zhengchen helped adjust the atmosphere.
After a few drinks, everyone began asking questions about age, health, and where they lived, gradually becoming more familiar. Sensitive topics, such as family, inevitably arose.
When discussing work, Ye Zhengchen’s mother mentioned, “Old Ye is now the commander of the Nth Military Region… I worked as a nurse for a few years and later focused on taking care of the children at home.”
Hearing “commander,” my parents were stunned, a mix of joy and worry on their faces. Many leaders’ children in Nanzhou had become spoiled and arrogant, with some even causing local scandals.
Out of concern, my mother tentatively asked, “Do you have only one child?” I felt sweat break out on my back and quickly tugged at her.
“Yes,” Ye Zhengchen replied, changing the subject. “Uncle and Aunt, when are you free to visit Beijing?”
Before my mother could respond, his father spoke up. “Zhengchen originally had an older brother who came to the military base to find me when he was young and had an… accident. So I’ve always been strict with Zhengchen, and he’s very motivated…”
Ye Zhengchen’s gaze darkened, lost in thought for a long time.
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” His mother hurried to apologize.
“It’s okay, it’s all in the past,” his mother said. “Let’s eat; the dishes are getting cold.”
I glanced at Ye Zhengchen. He smiled at me and mouthed, “Don’t worry, I’m here!”
With him here, what could I worry about? There’s no problem he can’t solve!
On the plane to Beijing, I whispered, “Can you stop arguing with your father in the future?”
“I’m not arguing; this is called resistance!” he replied. “I’ve been resisting Commander Ye’s authoritarianism since childhood, losing every time. But this time is my first victory!”
“Staff Officer Ye, he’s so authoritarian, yet you still resist. If he were more democratic, you’d probably stage a revolution!”
“Where there is oppression, there will be resistance,” he insisted.
“Oppression? You’re a high-ranking official, driving luxury cars, wearing famous watches. How can I not see your privilege?”
“I have no freedom! Do you understand freedom?!”
Discussing political power with a military man was unwise, so I shifted to emotions instead. “Your father cares for you deeply. Maybe his strictness comes from love.”
He hummed in agreement. “I only understood today. He used to love my brother almost to the point of spoiling him. After my brother’s accident, he changed completely and has been critical of everything I do. I thought he considered me inferior…”
“He’s afraid of losing you again.”
“Yes.”
The plane flew steadily in the sky. I nestled into the wide leather seat, surrounded by his scent, and closed my eyes.
“Kiddo, are you tired?”
“What do you think?” I didn’t open my eyes. After last night’s events, how could I not be tired?
Ye Zhengchen stood up, and I quickly sat up straight. “Do you need something? I’ll help you.”
“I’m going to the bathroom. If you insist on helping, I don’t mind.”
Perhaps too exhausted, I soon fell asleep. In a hazy state, I felt a blanket being carefully placed over me and a warm pillow supporting my head.
I dreamed that I married Ye Zhengchen. Many people attended my wedding, including Brother Feng, Sister-in-law Feng, and Lingling. I even saw Yin Zhongtian in the distance, wearing a familiar white shirt from his youth.
I called to him until he finally turned around. “If you ever need help with anything, you can always come to me.” But he turned and left, still unable to forgive me.
“Kiddo…”
I heard Ye Zhengchen calling me, running back to the hall in my wedding dress. To the melodious wedding march, I linked arms with Ye Zhengchen and walked up the red carpet.
Yang Lan left, and I held the VIP card, asking Ye Zhengchen, “Is this mall about to go out of business?”
“This mall belongs to their family and carries world-class brands like LV and Dior.”
These brands at half price make one imagine how expensive the gift was. “Isn’t this a bit too precious? Should I return it?”
Someone confidently replied, “No need. We’re all friends, why be so formal?”
I looked at the shiny card in my hand. “Do you have many friends like this?”
“Not bad!”
Later, I discovered that his friends were extraordinary.
In the afternoon, another handsome guy arrived, looking more unrestrained than Ye Zhengchen. Before he entered, Ye Zhengchen grabbed an apple and threw it. “You actually know how to come back?”
The handsome guy caught it and took a bite. “Bro, I just got back from a business trip. As soon as I heard you were escorted to Beijing by the old man, I rushed back to see what torture you’re enduring.”
He looked at me and smiled mischievously like Ye Zhengchen. “Looks like you’re not doing too badly, with a beautiful companion.”
“How am I not miserable? It’s worse than being in prison,” Ye Zhengchen complained, pointing to the guard. “Quickly think of a way to get me out of here.”
“I’m powerless. Your father has arranged everything. Unless your injury is completely healed, you can’t step out of here.”
Ye Zhengchen deflated, lying back on the bed.
The handsome guy walked to my side. “Hi, I’m Zheng Wei…”
Hearing these two words, I remembered Yin Zhongtian’s last conversation where he mentioned Ye Zhengchen’s friend Zheng Wei was handling his case.
Before I could respond, Ye Zhengchen pulled me aside, “Stay away from him. He has everything except good character!”
It was the first time I’d heard someone praise their friend like this. Zheng Wei laughed, patting my shoulder, “Don’t believe him. He has everything except a conscience!”
I was certain they were best friends!
Zheng Wei sat in the hospital until dusk, chatting for three hours. Before leaving, he glanced at the supplements, “You don’t even need these. I’ll take a few back for my old man.”
“Take whatever you like.”
He picked up several items and walked to the door, holding them out to the guard, “Can you come with me?”
The guard hesitated, looking at Ye Zhengchen.
“Go quickly!” Ye Zhengchen commanded.
The guard saluted and left with the items. Zheng Wei waved at Ye Zhengchen, “No need to thank me!”
“I’ll treat you to drinks when I’m discharged.”
Zheng Wei locked the door behind him.
For a continuous week, we barely touched. The moment someone left, this beast would seize the opportunity to hold me close.
“Do you have to be this urgent?”
“The nurse will come to give me an injection in twenty minutes.”
“What if someone comes to visit?”
“Who would come this late?”
