RMM -Chapter 122 Where Life’s Paths Cross Again

Zhou Yunzhen hadn’t expected to run into Su Ruo here and was quite surprised.

Indeed—life is full of unexpected encounters.

“I told you, didn’t I? If I saw you again, I wouldn’t let you off so easily,” Su Ruo said with a smile, her expression warm and gentle.

Toward Miss Zhou standing before her, Su Ruo felt deeply grateful. Even if what she’d done last time had been nothing more than a small, effortless favor to her, Su Ruo was still sincerely thankful.

“Alright then. I’d like to see exactly how you plan not to let me off,” Zhou Yunzhen curved her lips into a smile, clearly in a very good mood.

“First of all, of course, we should find a place and get to know each other better,” Su Ruo said. She was about the same height as Zhou Yunzhen and looked at her straight on.

“Then I’ll gladly comply,” Zhou Yunzhen nodded slightly.

Su Ruo didn’t take Zhou Yunzhen home. Inviting someone she’d just met over to her house didn’t seem very appropriate, so the two of them drove to the café closest to the residential compound.

They didn’t order much. Both had just finished breakfast—Su Ruo only ordered a glass of plain water and a small dish of preserved plums.

Zhou Yunzhen stirred her coffee, glanced at what Su Ruo had ordered, and couldn’t help laughing. “They say sour means a boy and spicy means a girl. Looks like the baby in your belly is a little young master.”

Su Ruo shrugged. “A lot of people say that. Who knows? We’ll only find out once the baby’s born.” As she spoke, she looked up at Zhou Yunzhen and blinked playfully. “I don’t even know your name yet. I can’t keep calling you Miss Zhou, can I?”

After saying that, Su Ruo extended her hand, her brows curved like a painting. “My name is Su Ruo. Nice to meet you.”

Zhou Yunzhen smiled as gently as a spring breeze and mirrored her gesture. “My name is Zhou Yunzhen. Nice to meet you, Su Ruo.”

Su Ruo felt that Zhou Yunzhen gave off an almost perfect impression. Just her outward appearance alone naturally made people feel close to her. That soft, gentle temperament was especially attractive.

This must be what people meant by a young lady from an illustrious family.

Beautiful as a flower, with an extraordinary presence—every movement carried elegance, noble yet not affected.

“But you look like such a delicate woman, barely able to truss a chicken,” Su Ruo said curiously. “How did you manage to grab me so firmly that day?”

Though it had only been a brief pull, Su Ruo knew that with the force of her momentum as she slipped, it couldn’t have been light. Yet this woman, who looked as slender as a willow branch, had managed to hold onto her.

Hearing this, Zhou Yunzhen couldn’t help laughing. “My dad’s taught me combat skills since I was little. I’ve been training for years now. Don’t let my ladylike appearance fool you—if we really fought, even men who’ve just joined the army might not be my match.” Seeing Su Ruo staring wide-eyed in surprise, the smile on Zhou Yunzhen’s face deepened. “I’m actually a military doctor. I was just transferred this year from the army to the PLA General Hospital in B City.”

Hearing this, Su Ruo felt genuine admiration rise in her heart. She was incredible. Meeting her in a military residential compound meant she likely lived there too, so her family background must be impressive. A woman like this choosing to join the army—and now transferring to the PLA General Hospital—clearly meant she had real ability.

Born into an influential family and yet achieving so much on her own—women like this were truly rare. With such a gentle temperament, being a doctor suited her well; patients would surely love having someone like her as their attending physician.

“You’re amazing,” Su Ruo said. “You don’t look much older than me either. And then look at what I’m doing with my life.” She smacked her lips regretfully.

If she’d joined the army too, would she have been able to follow a chief officer?

“There’s nothing amazing about it. It’s just a choice,” Zhou Yunzhen said with a smile, shaking her head lightly. Yes—she’d chosen this path and simply walked it as well as she could.

“A choice?” Su Ruo took a sip of water, a little puzzled. “Then why did you choose to join the army? Your temperament doesn’t really seem suited for it.”

In Su Ruo’s impression, people who joined the army were usually tall and strong. Even female soldiers, though sometimes petite, generally carried a powerful presence. Someone as gentle as Zhou Yunzhen was truly rare.

“That?” Zhou Yunzhen hesitated slightly. “My dad likes it. I didn’t really mind, so I joined.”

In truth, it was more accurate to say her father had chosen for her. He’d been strict with her since childhood, teaching her combat skills and holding her to military standards in daily life. She’d long been accustomed to such a lifestyle, so when her father suggested she apply to a military academy after the college entrance exams, she agreed without much hesitation.

What was a choice, really? Weren’t they all just different ways of living out a lifetime? And now—she was already twenty-six.

Su Ruo was a little surprised by her answer. Someone so outstanding should have strong opinions of her own—so why did she seem a little lost?

“Joining the army is great,” Su Ruo said, breaking the silence. “Protecting the country and serving the people.”

She genuinely felt that soldiers were admirable.

Of course, this was also influenced by Xi Yuechen—loving him made her admire soldiers even more.

“No wonder we never ran into each other even though we both live in the compound. If you were in the army, it really would’ve been hard to meet,” Su Ruo added.

Zhou Yunzhen nodded in agreement. “Yes. I went to a militarized boarding school from middle school onward. I was basically always living on campus. Otherwise, we might’ve met much earlier.”

Su Ruo smiled and nodded, agreeing aloud, though inwardly she thought—even if they had met earlier, it wouldn’t have been the current Su Ruo, this Su Ruo.

The two chatted for a while longer. Despite one being a military doctor and the other currently unemployed, they found they got along remarkably well, soon developing a sense of having met too late.

Zhou Yunzhen felt a strong fondness for Su Ruo. This woman gave off a delicate, warm feeling—not because of her pretty appearance, but something that seemed to emanate from within. Perhaps it was because she was pregnant; her whole being seemed especially gentle. Every expression on her face was filled with contentment and happiness, giving her a unique charm.

Zhou Yunzhen wondered which man was fortunate enough to marry such a woman. His life must be very fulfilling—otherwise she wouldn’t smile with such happiness and satisfaction.

Su Ruo’s life looked so full. Unlike her own—at first glance, every step seemed precise and perfect. But upon closer thought, it felt like there was nothing at all. After the dazzling brilliance came a vast emptiness.

Suddenly, she felt a little envious of the small-woman sweetness Su Ruo exuded. This kind of life—she wanted to experience it too.

After chatting a bit more, Su Ruo’s phone rang. She usually didn’t touch her phone much at home, but whenever she went out, Zhang Huaqing insisted she bring it.

One look and Su Ruo stuck out her tongue. The Empress Dowager was calling. She hadn’t told her when she went out with Zhou Yunzhen—no wonder she was being summoned for questioning.

“My mom’s calling. I’ll take it,” Su Ruo said with a smile, gesturing to the phone.

Zhou Yunzhen nodded, and only then did Su Ruo answer.

“Mom, listen to me first—I’m fine and perfectly safe. I just ran into a friend and sat down for a bit.”

She hurriedly explained everything in one breath before Zhang Huaqing could even speak. Only after finishing did she leisurely lift her cup and take a sip of water.

Seeing this, Zhou Yunzhen couldn’t help shaking her head with a smile. She looked so lively and full of energy.

Hearing Su Ruo’s rapid-fire explanation, Zhang Huaqing found it hard to scold her. She huffed before saying, “Why didn’t you tell me? You really are as careless as ever.”

“I was just right outside the house. I didn’t go far,” Su Ruo explained. Such unnecessary worry.

“So what if it’s outside the house? Is it cold out there? Why don’t you bring your friend home?” Zhang Huaqing glanced outside. The wind had picked up, and Su Ruo hadn’t seemed to be dressed very warmly when she went out.

“Alright, alright, I’ll handle it. Stop worrying so much and go find something else to do,” Su Ruo said.

After hanging up, Zhou Yunzhen asked softly, “Your mom’s urging you to come home?”

“Yeah,” Su Ruo pouted helplessly. “I’m already grown up, but they’re still so worried.”

Zhou Yunzhen smiled slightly, her eyes filled with envy. “They worry because they love you. And you’re pregnant—you do need extra care.”

Su Ruo nodded, smiling as she shrugged. She thought about asking Zhou Yunzhen about her family, but then decided against it.

Since Zhou Yunzhen hadn’t brought it up herself, it would be better not to pry. They’d only just met—no need to get too familiar too fast.

“We’ve been out long enough. Let’s head back. Otherwise my dad will probably start calling too,” Zhou Yunzhen suggested, quickly regaining her composure after her moment of envy.

After all, she still had her father—who cared about her deeply. That was enough.

Su Ruo nodded and stood up with a soft “Mm.” After settling the bill, they walked out of the café. A gust of wind hit her, making her feel a bit cold—thankfully, she was dressed warmly.

The weather was really getting colder.

When they left, Zhou Yunzhen drove her own car and gave Su Ruo a ride back to the compound.

After dropping Su Ruo off at the Su family’s gate, Zhou Yunzhen didn’t linger. She drove off right away, politely declining Su Ruo’s warm invitation to go inside.

Su Ruo didn’t insist either. She simply said, “Let’s sit and chat again sometime,” and let her go.

Not every chance encounter could turn into a deep friendship—it all depended on fate. So even though she was grateful to Zhou Yunzhen, Su Ruo didn’t act overly enthusiastic. She would let things develop naturally.

Seeing Su Ruo return, Zhang Huaqing wanted to scold her a little, but when she noticed Su Ruo rubbing her hands together, she held back.

“Cold, aren’t you? You know it’s getting cold and you still run around,” Zhang Huaqing said, walking over and taking Su Ruo’s hands in hers.

Su Ruo laughed at her mother’s actions and teased, “So this is what they mean by a sharp tongue but a soft heart? As expected of Madam Zhang—so kind and considerate.”

Zhang Huaqing pulled Su Ruo into the living room and snorted. “Stop talking nonsense. Once you give birth, you’ll understand how I feel. I’ve worried myself sick my whole life—you can experience it too.”

Su Ruo slipped her hand free and wrapped her arms around Zhang Huaqing’s arm, gently swaying it. “Mom, you’ve worked hard. From now on, just enjoy life. I’ll be a good daughter, make you a happy little old lady. Taking care of elders? That’s my specialty.”

Zhang Huaqing was amused, lightly pinching the back of Su Ruo’s hand as she scolded with a smile, “You glib little thing—always flattering people.”

But it was clear that Su Ruo’s words had made her very happy. (。。)