QTIMP -Chapter 166 Character Persona – Love Brained (Part 37)

Seeing the three of them come down, he stepped forward and handed over the meal boxes. “This is the dinner arranged for you by the secretary.”

The three of them quickly thanked him politely and accepted the boxes.

Finally, it was only after the secretary’s reminder that the two of them reluctantly parted ways. They were physically apart, but their phones were practically smoking from constant messaging.

Multimedia messages came one after another, continuing even after Zhou Chengyu entered the private room, his hand still clutching his phone.

Only when he reminded himself of the main purpose of this meal did he pocket his phone. He didn’t beat around the bush; midway through the gathering, he laid out his intentions completely.

With his status, even if they were warned, no one dared to object—they would instead fawn over him while talking to Si Qiu.

Once certain matters were handled, he didn’t want to waste time with these people anymore. That time was better spent calling his girlfriend.

It wasn’t late when he got home, and everyone was chatting in the living room. Zhou Chenyu had also returned today. Zhou Chengyu paused on his way to his room and greeted the elders.

He glanced at Zhou Chenyu. “Xiao Wu, come to the study.”

The old master paused, stroking his cane, watching the two brothers head to the study.

Suppressing his drowsiness, he stayed awake until Zhou Chenyu emerged with reddened eyes.

He couldn’t help but call out, “Xiao Wu.”

Zhou Chenyu looked up, sniffed, and forced a smile. “Grandpa, don’t worry. I don’t resent my second brother. Without him, things between her and me would never have been possible.”

The old master nodded. “Your mother loves you, but she loved herself and the Xu family more. But it’s alright—you’re grown now.”

Though the old master spoke the truth, there was also a hint of redirecting trouble elsewhere. Zhou Chenyu, with his age and experience, could shift his remaining resentment in just a few words.

Seeing his youngest grandson’s expression, the old master patted his shoulder and returned to his room.

When couples enter the early stage of a passionate romance, based on past experience, it usually lasts two to three months. Then, the man begins to feel weary of her increasingly clingy behavior.

After that comes neglect, distance, arguments, and eventually a breakup.

But gradually, Si Qiu noticed something different. Even though winter break had already started, Zhou Chengyu’s enthusiasm for her hadn’t waned—it was even more persistent than hers.

Despite his busy work, he could send so many messages in a single day. The moment he noticed she was free, the phone would ring immediately. Even when busy, he insisted on keeping the call line open.

And on top of that, he still took care of her daily life. Her meals were planned by him, the car was always fully fueled and clean, and even the house near the school slowly accumulated little things he bought for her.

When Si Qiu finally came back to her senses, she realized that under this uncontrollable “love-brain,” her own obsessive tendencies were like a younger brother—and she had been slowly boiled like a frog.

She knew she needed to calm down. Early in winter break, after soothing her grandparents and father, she called Zhou Chengyu before boarding the plane and went straight home.

Not to her mother’s house, but to her uncle’s. Her grandfather had passed, and her grandmother was living with her uncle, though in reality, it was mostly just her grandmother at home—the uncle’s family was always busy.

Seeing her come to spend time with her, her grandmother was overjoyed, arranging for the housekeeper to buy fresh seafood and pulling her along to ask question after question.

Si Qiu snuggled into her grandmother’s arms, acting coquettishly. The old lady was delighted, and while comforting her, Si Qiu checked her pulse. Seeing that her grandmother was fine, she finally felt at ease.

Si Qiu felt relieved, but Zhou Chengyu, still laughing angrily from that phone call, immediately called Secretary Li in to arrange some inspection work.

That day, Si Qiu went to the supermarket to buy snacks with her cousin, who had finally gotten a day off. A thin layer of snow covered the ground, and with every step, it crunched under their feet.

They walked together through the alley toward the residential complex. Song Liye, playful as always, carried a bag but still managed to kick snow at Si Qiu’s shoes.

Si Qiu lunged onto his back, punching him repeatedly. Song Liye pretended to try to shake her off, twisting his body this way and that, causing Si Qiu to scream in fright.

At that moment, the sound of a car door opening rang out, and Si Qiu was yanked off Song Liye’s back.

Both froze. Song Liye, thinking she had fallen, quickly turned around—and saw a man holding his cousin.

His reflexes outpaced his thoughts; he kicked at the man. The man holding Si Qiu stepped back and twisted to dodge, and then two strong, burly men joined in, fighting Song Liye.

Si Qiu panicked and rushed to stop them. Zhou Chengyu also quickly told the two men to hold back. Just then, voices came from behind.

“Is that Qiu Qiu? Why are you standing outside?”

It was her uncle and aunt returning home. Hearing Si Qiu’s voice, they called out.

This time, things had gotten serious.

Her uncle’s house had three bedrooms and a living room. Si Qiu was in her room while everyone else sat in the living room. Zhou Chengyu stood opposite the sofa, gifts piled at his feet.

“How far have things gone?” her uncle asked in a calm voice, though his hands were clenched into fists on his knees.

Zhou Chengyu bowed respectfully. “We met during Si Qiu’s summer vacation and confirmed our relationship after National Day. My family knows about us and has met Si Qiu—they all like her very much. My grandfather praises her endlessly. Originally, we planned to invite her home during her vacation, but Qiu Qiu was eager to come back. Since she didn’t speak up, I didn’t dare visit unannounced. That’s why I waited downstairs in the car.”

He didn’t tell the whole truth, but he also didn’t lie. Taking advantage of Si Qiu being in her room, Zhou Chengyu left the facts vague, making the Song family feel somewhat awkward.

From their perspective, it sounded like this was their little girl—they had already paved the way, and everyone on her side knew and approved. Yet here, she was hiding it from her own family, clearly trying to avoid responsibility.

“Many people pursue Qiu Qiu. I know I’m not perfect—I’m not as romantic as the sons of the Jiangnan Shi family, who make girls swoon. I’m not as carefree as some official families’ sons, who make her feel proud and respected. So after a few months together, it’s natural she might feel hesitant—I understand that. I should be more tolerant and understanding; in a couple of years, she’ll mature emotionally.”

The Song family thought, No, this won’t do! It’s one thing if their girl had been a little fickle, but the person she liked couldn’t be unreliable.

Her aunt cleared her throat lightly, picking up a glass to hide her embarrassment.

When Si Qiu was finally called out, she saw her uncle and cousin had already gone to the kitchen with some people. Her aunt and grandmother held her hands, speaking earnestly: “Qiu Qiu, Aunt knows you’re young and playful, but Xiao Zhou is steady—he complements you well.”

Her grandmother quickly grabbed her other hand. “Yes, yes. Since you’re together, you should treat it seriously. We can’t be half-hearted about this.”