RMM -Chapter 147 An Unexpected Encounter Between Zhou Yunzhen and Xi Yuechen

When Zhou Yunzhen returned home, Zhou Tingzhang wasn’t there. She didn’t know where he had gone so early, but she didn’t care—probably off for morning exercise.

Or maybe he had gone to the military base; it wasn’t certain.

The Zhou household was always empty. At most, there were three or four people present. Besides Zhou Tingzhang and his daughter, there were two soldiers assigned by the military to him: one guard and one service soldier.

So if Zhou Tingzhang wasn’t home, naturally it would just be Zhou Yunzhen in the house. She had grown up in such an environment and was long accustomed to it.

Now, in the huge house, with only herself, she didn’t feel lonely. She went straight to her room, took a shower, and fell asleep.

By the time she woke up, it was nearly one in the afternoon. She shook her head with a smile, thinking how she had slept so soundly.

Feeling a bit hungry, she changed into casual clothes, tied her hair up loosely, and went out of the bedroom to look for something to eat.

Since she had been on night duty last night, she could rest during the day, so there was no rush. She strolled slowly downstairs.

She hadn’t even reached the kitchen when she heard movement coming from her father’s study. Hmm, had her father returned?

While thinking this, she glanced back—and was suddenly frozen. The first person to come into view was the one who had made her restless these past few days.

Xi Yuechen?!

How was he here?

Xi Yuechen and Zhou Tingzhang had lost track of time in the study. By the time their discussion ended, it was already one o’clock.

“Oh, it’s so late?” Zhou Tingzhang exclaimed, surprised by the time. “See, I always forget the time when something comes up. Little Xi, you must be hungry, right?”

Xiao Xi had come early this morning and probably hadn’t eaten yet.

Xi Yuechen shook his head. “No, I ate quite well in the morning.”

This was the truth. Shen Liang, concerned that it might be inconvenient for him at the Zhou household, had let him eat a lot earlier.

Plus, meals in the military weren’t always at regular times, so he wasn’t particularly hungry at the moment.

“Don’t be so formal with me. Although I am your superior at work, it wouldn’t be inappropriate to treat you like a nephew. Just have a little something here.”

Zhou Tingzhang’s tone was warm and enthusiastic. He was around the same age as Xi Jian’an and Su Feng, and could rightfully call Xi Yuechen a nephew. By now, he already considered Xi Yuechen part of the family.

“I’ll leave it to you. I won’t disturb you.”

Xi Yuechen certainly had no intention of staying at the Zhou household for a meal. Aside from work-related interactions, he wasn’t close to Zhou Tingzhang, and no matter how good their relationship was, he wouldn’t stay.

It was already one o’clock, and he would soon return to D Province. At this point, he wanted to spend as much time at home as possible.

Zhou Tingzhang nodded after a moment of thought. “Alright, next time then. We’ll have a meal together, but today you should go back.”

Actually, he wanted very much to have Xi Yuechen stay for a meal. In his life, no junior had so immediately gained his favor and enjoyable conversation. But he understood that Xi Yuechen needed to return to D Province, so he didn’t insist.

As the two of them stepped out of the study, they saw Zhou Yunzhen dressed casually at home.

Seeing her look surprised, completely losing her usual composure, Zhou Tingzhang thought it was from Xi Yuechen’s sudden appearance and laughed. “Yunzhen, come back to your senses! You’re not a little girl anymore.”

Though his words seemed reproachful, his tone was full of affection, without any displeasure. Zhou Tingzhang had only one daughter in his life. Though strict at times, he loved her deeply.

Zhou Yunzhen’s momentary distraction was, of course, because of Xi Yuechen. The person she longed for had suddenly appeared, catching her off guard. Even the calmest person would be unsettled.

Hearing her father, Zhou Yunzhen quickly recovered. She was both surprised and embarrassed, her heartbeat quickened, her face flushed, and she cast Zhou Tingzhang a slightly reproachful look.

“Dad.” She spoke as if coquettishly, while sneaking glances at Xi Yuechen.

Zhou Tingzhang had never seen his daughter act so like a little girl. Though sensible and independent, her youthful, playful side had been brief.

Delighted by this sudden, girlish reaction, Zhou Tingzhang noticed nothing unusual and laughed heartily.

It had to be said, Zhou Tingzhang was a rare talent in the military, but when it came to feelings, he was a big, clumsy man. He didn’t even notice such a clear change in his daughter.

Xi Yuechen cast a calm glance at Zhou Yunzhen’s bright eyes and rosy cheeks before looking away, remaining unaffected.

He only met Zhou Yunzhen once before and didn’t know her well enough to notice anything unusual. Moreover, apart from Su Ruo, he never gave special attention to any woman. Why would he care about Zhou Yunzhen’s reaction?

Seeing Xi Yuechen’s indifferent glance, Zhou Yunzhen felt a momentary disappointment, but quickly masked it, lifting the corners of her lips into a perfect smile.

“Dad, you didn’t tell me we had a guest. You’ve ruined my image completely.”

Zhou Yunzhen looked at her outfit and sighed helplessly. Her expression remained natural, revealing none of her inner turmoil.

Xi Yuechen was married. This thought lingered in Zhou Yunzhen’s mind, unshakable. It hurt her deeply, yet she had to present her best self in front of him.

She didn’t know exactly what she felt, but she knew she had to be perfect in front of Xi Yuechen.

Zhou Tingzhang laughed. “Little Xi isn’t a stranger. Even if he sees you like this, he won’t laugh at you.”

In Zhou Tingzhang’s eyes, his daughter was always perfect. Today, her outfit was fine, only a little casual.

“Dad, what are you saying… he’s still a guest at our house after all.”

Zhou Yunzhen hesitated, unsure how to address Xi Yuechen, then continued.

“By the way, you two haven’t eaten yet, right? I’m off today, so I’ll make something for you.”

She knew from seeing them leave the study that they hadn’t eaten yet. She also knew her father—he would want to finish things immediately and wouldn’t care about the time.

“It’s rare for Yunzhen to go into the kitchen. Little Xi, you really don’t have luck today.”

Zhou Tingzhang chuckled, touched by his daughter’s thoughtfulness. He thought she was being considerate of him not having eaten, not realizing it was for Xi Yuechen alone. If he knew, he might sigh, realizing he couldn’t keep his daughter forever.

Xi Yuechen nodded slightly, firmly intending to leave.

Even if Zhou Yunzhen cooked, or Zhou Tingzhang himself cooked, Xi Yuechen would insist on going home.

Hearing this, Zhou Yunzhen couldn’t remain calm. “You’re leaving already?”

Why so soon?

“Yes. Little Xi has been here since early morning, so of course he must go home,” Zhou Tingzhang said with a smile, walking slowly toward the door as if to see Xi Yuechen off.

“Stay a little longer. I’ll quickly make something for you to eat before you go.”

Zhou Yunzhen tried to persuade him. She worried that after leaving this time, she wouldn’t know when she could see him again.

“No,” Xi Yuechen refused calmly, then glanced at Zhou Tingzhang. “You stay. I can go on my own.”

“Really not staying? It won’t take long at all.” Zhou Yunzhen looked at Xi Yuechen’s tall figure, slightly disappointed.

“Yunzhen, don’t try to force him to stay. Little Xi is returning to D Province today. Of course, he should go home to be with his parents and wife.”

Zhou Tingzhang said this with a teasing tone. Xi Yuechen just smiled faintly, saying nothing.

Hearing this, Zhou Yunzhen could no longer suppress the surge of disappointment and let out a quiet sound.

Zhou Tingzhang looked curiously at his daughter, noticing her clear disappointment. He said nothing and turned to Xi Yuechen. “Little Xi, be careful over there.”

“I will,” Xi Yuechen nodded, accepting Zhou Tingzhang’s concern.

Zhou Yunzhen stared at Xi Yuechen’s departing figure, her expression conflicted and a bit lost.

After Xi Yuechen left, Zhou Tingzhang closed the door. The sound startled Zhou Yunzhen, and she quickly adjusted her expression to hide her disappointment.

“Dad, what made you have leisure time to invite someone over today?”

Zhou Tingzhang turned around to see his daughter smiling teasingly at him, with no trace of upset.

Thinking back to her earlier disappointment, he wondered if he had imagined it. Putting aside the strange feeling, he responded to her teasing with a smile.

“Just chatting casually. Do I not even have that freedom?”

“Of course, I was just a little surprised to see him,” Zhou Yunzhen said, walking up to her father and linking her arm with his. “Dad, what do you want to eat? I’ll make it for you.”

Seeing her so sensible and thoughtful, Zhou Tingzhang was touched. “Make what you’re best at. Dad loves it.”

Ah, my old companion, look at our daughter now—grown up and considerate. I can rest easy. In my lifetime, I will take care of her, never letting her suffer even a little.

Zhou Yunzhen almost fled into the kitchen. Once inside, she took deep, rapid breaths, like a drowning person gasping for air.

Her mind was blank, her heart weighed down by a thousand-pound stone. She felt unbearably heavy, yet didn’t know how to shake off the overwhelming sensation.