QTIMP -Chapter 147 Character Persona – Love Brained (Part 18)

After all, something like this had happened before. He didn’t dare say anything, quickly composed himself, and went back to listening attentively.

At that moment, Si Yanan knocked on the door and walked in. “You’re coming over today—why didn’t you tell me in advance? Anything you want to eat? Dad will treat you to lunch.”

Si Qiu sat on the chair, swaying her legs lightly, tilting her head up to look at him. “I did come to greet you after I arrived, but you were in a meeting! As for lunch, let’s skip it. I’ve already made plans with someone.”

Si Yanan picked up a grape and popped it into his mouth. “Who did you make plans with? That classmate of yours, Tian Shuang?”

“Of course not! But who it is—I’m not telling you for now.”

“Oh ho, keeping little secrets from your dad now, huh?”

Then his expression turned serious. “Dad won’t interfere too much in your affairs, but you must ensure your physical and mental safety. If anything happens, call me immediately.”

He then pulled out his wallet, took out a stack of cash, and placed it on the desk. “Take this and buy something good to eat. If you need anything, just tell me. Whether your mom and I are together or not, I’m still your father—my love for you hasn’t lessened.”

Si Qiu stood up and hugged him. “Dad, I love you too. You have the right to make your own choices. Maybe I resented you before, but now I’ll only love you.”

Si Yanan was completely delighted by her words. “Alright, alright. Your mom isn’t one for sweet talk—how come your mouth is so sweet?”

“That must be inherited from you!”

Si Qiu replied, then suddenly changed the topic. “Dad, can I borrow your car? Mine was taken by my cousin.”

Si Yanan handed her the car keys. “Drive carefully.”

Si Qiu obediently agreed, grabbed her small bag, jingled the car keys, and then picked up a pot of green chrysanthemums before leaving.

Only then did Si Yanan notice the pot of flowers. Just as he was about to ask about it, she had already disappeared.

She drove her father’s car to pick something up first, placing the flower next to that jar of folded stars, and then headed toward the Zhou residence.

When she was almost there, she sent another message, asking Zhou Chenyu to wait for her outside. She said she wouldn’t go in as a guest.

He replied with another simple “okay.” Si Qiu felt a bit puzzled but didn’t think much of it and kept driving.

Meanwhile, Zhou Chenyu was in a difficult situation, scratching his head anxiously. Under the gaze his older brother kept shooting at him, he felt his scalp go numb. As time passed, his stomach began to growl.

But he didn’t dare suggest stopping. He was just hoping that his aunt might come back from shopping in time for lunch—if she did, she might be able to save him.

At that moment, Zhou Chengyu glanced at his watch. “Study for another half an hour, then lunch. After a short rest, continue in the afternoon.”

The moment Zhou Chenyu heard he wouldn’t have to stay hungry, he nodded eagerly. As for his brother taking his phone and leaving, he assumed it was because his brother was worried he’d secretly play with it when left alone.

As Zhou Chengyu walked past the living room, he saw his grandfather sitting there reading the newspaper.

“Well?”

“He’s got some talent, but he can’t settle his mind.”

The old man nodded in satisfaction. “He’s still young—just needs some discipline. As long as he’s not completely hopeless.”

After saying that, the old man watched as his eldest grandson nodded and then walked outside.

Only after the person disappeared through the doorway did the old man turn to the housekeeper and ask, “What did he go off to do?”

The housekeeper simply smiled and continued directing everyone as they prepared dinner.

Just as Zhou Chengyu reached the main gate, he saw a car parked outside. The girl stood there in denim shorts, a white tank top, and a matching light shirt worn over it.

In her arms, she held a potted plant whose flowers hadn’t bloomed yet. Her fingers idly played with the leaves. As if sensing his gaze, she suddenly looked up, her eyes sparkling like they were filled with stars.

But the smile that had been curling at the corners of her lips froze in place. She straightened her posture, her hands tightening slightly around the flowerpot, looking a bit restrained.

“Second Brother Zhou.”

For a moment, an inexplicable surge of joy rose in Zhou Chengyu’s heart. But the instant he noticed her expression, his mood sank again, and his face grew a few degrees more solemn.

“Mm.”

Si Qiu tried to hold the flowerpot with one hand while carrying a jar of folded stars in the other. Zhou Chengyu stepped forward and reached out to take the flowerpot from her.

“I’ll take it.”

Si Qiu looked at her now-empty hands, then at the usually stern and unsmiling man holding a pot of lush greenery. The slight tension and awkwardness she had felt around him earlier, because of his serious and upright demeanor, instantly vanished.

Even her tone became lighter and more cheerful. “Second Brother Zhou, is Zhou Chenyu busy?”

Zhou Chengyu paused slightly as he lifted the flowerpot. “He hasn’t finished his task yet. You might have to wait a bit longer.”

“Oh! Then could I trouble you, Second Brother Zhou, to pass this to Zhou Chenyu for me?” Si Qiu raised the jar of stars beside her face.

“You came all this way just to deliver this?”

A hint of shyness appeared on her face, concealed behind a smile. “Not entirely. I recently got two pots of green peonies that are about to bloom. I wasn’t sure if Grandpa Zhou and Uncle and Aunt Zhou would like them, so I thought I’d bring them over for you all to enjoy during their blooming period.”

Zhou Chengyu saw through everything, yet went along with her words without exposing it. “This green peony looks very well cultivated—and it’s an old, premium specimen. Quite valuable.”

Hearing her gift appreciated made Si Qiu happy. Although it was mainly meant for Zhou Chenyu—after all, he had put in quite a lot of effort for her recently.

She wasn’t lacking in such things, so she had decided to give it as a return gift.

“Zhou Chenyu always says that Second Brother Zhou has refined taste. Since you like it, then everyone else will surely like it too. So I’ll trouble you to pass it along for me.”

At this, Zhou Chengyu looked up at her. She was beautiful, and her soul felt clean, with very little greed in her eyes. She did care about love and romance, but she wasn’t some foolish girl who only knew about such things.

She had plans for her future, a clear understanding of herself, and the initiative to study and enrich her knowledge.

All in all, she was one of the rare few women he had met who were both clear-headed and free-spirited.

But despite all her good qualities, there was just one flaw.

“Alright, I’ll pass it along for you. Aren’t you coming in to sit for a while?”

Zhou Chengyu heard himself speak those words in an even, indifferent tone.

“Thank you for the invitation, Second Brother Zhou, but no need. I’ve already made plans to have dinner with friends. When I have time, I’ll treat you to a meal instead.”

“Alright. I’ll remember that.”

After he said that, he didn’t head back inside. Seeing this, Si Qiu turned and got into the car. As the car started and reversed, she waved at him, then drove off.

Zhou Chengyu watched as the car disappeared beyond the gates of the compound. Holding the green peony in both hands, he tucked the jar of stars between the flowerpot and his chest.

Then he turned and walked into the living room.

The old man looked up and immediately saw the flowerpot in his arms. He quickly stood up and strode over, leaning in to examine it closely.