RMM -Chapter 248 The Iron Tree Blooms for You

After that day, Zhou Yun Zhen didn’t call Su Ruo anymore.

Su Ruo let out a cold laugh. Was she being pretentious, or was she just feeling guilty?

It didn’t matter. Sooner or later, she would still reach out to her—her plan hadn’t succeeded yet, so how could she possibly give up?

Su Ruo just needed to wait. After all, she “didn’t know” Zhou Yun Zhen’s thoughts or motives, so it was best to act as usual. If she got too eager, it would only look suspicious.

As for the person responsible for this whole matter—Xi Yuechen—Su Ruo hadn’t confronted him yet.

That day, after she had called He Wen but before going out to see her son, Duan Wei called. From the very start, she launched into a scolding tirade so sharp it made Su Ruo flinch. Apparently, a high-born lady could curse just as brilliantly as anyone else—she herself had never cursed so exquisitely.

Duan Wei was also emotional, completely losing control when she heard He Wen mention that Zhou Yun Zhen wanted to steal Su Ruo’s man. Her reaction mirrored He Wen’s exactly.

Listening to Duan Wei’s righteous indignation, Su Ruo rolled her eyes and smirked. Since when had Duan Wei become as fiery and impulsive as He Wen?

Normally, when someone got into trouble, people around them would hurry to comfort them. Why was it reversed here? It took some effort to calm Duan Wei down, and only after repeatedly assuring her she wouldn’t go easy on Zhou Yun Zhen did Duan Wei finally stop ranting, panting with relief.

Duan Wei was more meticulous than He Wen and, once calm, immediately started probing another crucial question.

For Zhou Yun Zhen to want to steal Su Ruo’s man, she’d first have to get close to Xi Yuechen, right? The key point was Xi Yuechen himself.

“Pfft, I always thought someone like Xi Yuechen, an iceberg of a man, would repel all romantic entanglements. Yet, somehow, he attracted a woman like Zhou Yun Zhen, who thinks herself refined. Incredible—it’s like a tale from the Arabian Nights.”

But Zhou Yun Zhen must have high standards, right? What did she see in Xi Yuechen? Beauty? Su Ruo admitted that Xi Yuechen was handsome, but it was purely superficial. He hardly ever smiled and carried an aloof aura. Such an icy man, even if he were stunning, would be meaningless to anyone else. Only Su Ruo could enjoy this fortune. Zhou Yun Zhen wasn’t foolish, so why hadn’t she realized this?

Or maybe Zhou Yun Zhen was after Xi Yuechen’s promising future? Then why bother with such trouble? With her looks, she could have easily settled for someone respectable. A strong vanity or ambition would have led her to simply become a mistress for a powerful figure. Social status aside, it would have been easy to execute. Why go through these convoluted schemes? Duan Wei rolled her eyes, guessing.

Perhaps it was love at first sight? Pfft—shameless. The man was already taken; what a morally corrupt woman.

“Commander? How would I know? But he probably doesn’t know. If he did, he’d be thrilled. Accidental luck, but it worked out.”

Su Ruo spoke with suppressed irritation, her face sour.

“What do you mean? You haven’t told your commander about this?” Duan Wei exclaimed.

“Of course not. I didn’t say anything.” Su Ruo sounded casual.

“You… why not? Could it be that your commander is already involved with her?”

In a flash, Duan Wei imagined the possibility, her face turning pale. That would be serious. No way. Xi Yuechen didn’t seem like the type to betray.

“He wouldn’t dare!” Su Ruo ground her teeth, raising her voice.

She guarded him at home, keeping herself pure and bearing his child. If he dared see another woman, she’d destroy him—or rather, castrate him!

“Calm down, calm down. I was just asking…” Duan Wei quickly tried to soothe her. “So there’s nothing between them yet? It’s just Zhou Yun Zhen acting on her own?”

Su Ruo snapped, “Of course she’s imagining things. If there were anything between them, do you think I’d have time to chat with you here?”

“Phew… that’s a relief. I thought someone like Xi Yuechen, an iron tree, blooming once in a lifetime is already shocking. How could there be a second bloom? As long as he stays unmoved and pure, Zhou Yun Zhen can’t do anything.”

“Hey, what do you mean by that? Iron tree blooming, second bloom, purity—did your math teacher teach your middle school Chinese?” Su Ruo frowned, annoyed at the misuse of words.

“Do you even remember who taught us? And I’m not exaggerating. Your commander, cold and distant to everyone, yet gentle and caring toward you—that’s an iron tree blooming, a once-in-a-millennium occurrence. If he were moved again, that would be a second bloom. And if he remains devoted to you, keeping himself pure for you, that’s what I call ice-pure. What’s there to argue about?”

Duan Wei relaxed and even joked with Su Ruo, chatting freely.

Hearing this, Su Ruo felt a surge of pride. Indeed, this iron tree had bloomed for her. No one else—even the slightest passerby—could get close to him.

A smile spread across her face, though she still teased, “Two days without seeing you, and you’ve become like He Wen, twisting logic left and right.”

Duan Wei laughed, then started talking about ways to deal with Zhou Yun Zhen. Though Xi Yuechen was unlikely to cheat, it was always safer to be vigilant. She had already been hurt by someone interfering in love and didn’t want Su Ruo to suffer the same fate. Her only wish was for Su Ruo to have a peaceful, happy life.

She despised anyone who interfered with love—Zhao Nuannuan, Zhou Yun Zhen—it didn’t matter the motive. Duan Wei had tolerated it once; she wouldn’t allow it again.

She could take a hit, but not her sister. Anyone trying to bully Su Ruo would have to get past her first.

After chatting for a while, they hung up. Su Ruo stared at her phone, deep in thought.

Since being reborn, she had met so many people who genuinely cared for her: family, Xi Yuechen, and friends. She had never dared to imagine this before, yet now she had it. Over such a long time, she could tell that He Wen and Duan Wei truly cared for her. It was impossible not to be touched.

No matter the difficulties or setbacks, no one could take these people from her. Once she had them, she would never allow them to be lost.

To depend on each other and support one another—that was the fulfillment of life, without regrets.

As for Xi Yuechen, who unknowingly attracted attention, Su Ruo was even more determined to claim him for life. No demons or devils would be allowed near him.

She trusted Xi Yuechen completely. Even if he wandered freely all year round, he wouldn’t approach other women. With his temperament, other women were no more than roadside flowers. He wouldn’t even glance at them. So though she got angry, she believed him when he said he didn’t know Zhou Yun Zhen.

After so many years as his wife, how could Su Ruo not understand Xi Yuechen? In his heart, there were only the military, family, and a few select friends. Everything else was invisible to him. Though she didn’t know why he had chosen her, there was no way he would fall for Zhou Yun Zhen.

Su Ruo knew that once Xi Yuechen committed to something, it was for life. How lucky she was to receive this honor. Even if the sky fell, he wouldn’t be interested in another woman—much less cheat.

What could make Su Ruo worry about him? Even if Zhou Yun Zhen acted on her own, even if she appeared before Xi Yuechen, Su Ruo would never believe he would betray her. Otherwise, those photos would never have been so easily settled. Of course, this was just a hypothetical—such things would never happen. Xi Yuechen wouldn’t allow other women near him, and Su Ruo certainly wouldn’t let any woman approach him with ill intent.

At this point, Zhou Yun Zhen was probably prepared to go all out, but Su Ruo didn’t care. She didn’t need to understand why Zhou Yun Zhen was attracted to Xi Yuechen. As long as he remained loyal to her, that was enough. Zhou Yun Zhen could be left to her own devices—there was no need to disturb him.

Xi Yuechen had said he didn’t know Zhou Yun Zhen. Whether true or false, it meant only one thing: Zhou Yun Zhen had no weight in his eyes. He hadn’t even noticed her, so there was no way he could know her vile intentions. Better to remain unknown.

Su Ruo wouldn’t tell Xi Yuechen. The cruelest way to deal with Zhou Yun Zhen was through his indifference. If she sought him obsessively, he wouldn’t even see her—a mere passerby, like roadside weeds and flowers, entirely unaware of her existence.

If she told Xi Yuechen, he might remember her slightly, but Su Ruo wouldn’t allow Zhou Yun Zhen to gain even a sliver of his attention. Not a single glance.

So the name Zhou Yun Zhen would never pass Su Ruo’s lips in front of Xi Yuechen. She would handle it herself, without involving him.

Zhou Yun Zhen, Su Ruo thought, you have no idea. I’m not as harmless as I look.