She missed him terribly.
Whenever something happy happened that she wanted to share, or something sad she wanted to confide, she missed him terribly.
This secret, suppressed longing, too afraid to tell anyone, was so bitter.
If the family continued to decline and her brother remained unreliable...
She didn't know what other choices she might make.
The incapable had to pay the price for their powerlessness.
She no longer felt the joy of living.
She had intended to drive home, but distracted, Zhou Jinbei had driven to the neighborhood where Ah Zhong used to live.
Only when the car stopped and she looked up at the complex name hanging on the gatehouse, did she realize she was in the wrong place.
What are you doing, Zhou Jinbei?
He was gone, Ah Zhong had completely given up on her.
Why was she here, moping and inviting humiliation?
Snapping back to reality, she hurriedly turned the car around, wanting to escape her own feelings.
As she was halfway through the turn, two men walked towards her.
One, dressed in a neat uniform suit, held a stack of files labeled with a real estate agency name, talking volubly as he walked.
The other, in casual wear, tall and long-legged, walked beside him, listening silently.
Neither of them noticed the car, and they quickly brushed past her.
Zhou Jinbei's heart pounded wildly.
She clearly saw that the man in casual wear was Ah Zhong.
Why had he returned?
When had he returned?
What was he back for?
Bringing a real estate agent home?
Could it be her imagination?
Had he truly decided to leave Nancheng for good and sell his property?
Distraught, after driving for a while, she couldn't help it and, in her usual weak way, called Zhan Beijue.
Knowing Ah Zhong was back, and had returned specifically to see her, after a long time, Zhan Beijue was having dinner with him tonight.
Upon receiving Zhou Jinbei's call, he sounded lazy.
"What is it?"
Not daring to ask directly, Zhou Jinbei didn't know how to phrase it appropriately and could only make up an excuse.
"What are you busy with?"
Zhan Beijue knew she wouldn't call him without a reason; her contacting him after work meant something was up.
"Just say what you want. Why do you care what I'm busy with?"
Her behavior was indeed a little unusual.
Their sibling relationship wasn't close enough for her to question his activities.
Zhou Jinbei thought for a moment.
"Nothing much, I just wanted to come over to your place for dinner. I haven't seen the kids in days and miss them. Are you welcoming?"
"Not welcoming. We aren't eating at home tonight."
"Not eating at home, then where are you going?"
"What is it, Assistant Zhou? Are your post-work plans also under my jurisdiction?"
"That's not what I meant, I'm just concerned about you."
Zhan Beijue was not cooperating.
"Just say what you want. If you keep beating around the bush, I'll hang up immediately, believe it or not?"
He was a man of his word, and Zhou Jinbei dared not provoke him.
"Ah, I think I saw Ah Zhong on the road just now. Is he back?"
So, she was calling about Ah Zhong.
Knowing they both had feelings for each other, Zhan Beijue deliberately teased her.
"If I remember correctly, aren't you driving Ah Zhong's car? You two are so close, why don't you ask him directly?"
"..."
"Zhou Jinbei, why are you feeling guilty? Afraid to call him?"
Second Brother is always so blunt!
He never considered a girl's feelings when he spoke!
Zhou Jinbei had to backtrack.
"I just happened to see him, thought it was strange, and asked casually."
"Really?"
"Of course! What else could it be?"
"It's best if it's nothing more."
Zhan Beijue said meaningfully.
"I'm going out to have dinner with Ah Zhong later. If you want, you can join us."
"What do you mean, 'if I want'? Second Brother, you're becoming more and more nonsensical!"
Zhan Beijue didn't expose her.
"Fine, I'm nonsensical, and you're perfectly innocent. It's fine if you don't come; I'm bringing someone else anyway."
"...Who?"
"Who? A beauty. Do you remember Shen Min'er? Isn't she quite pretty and suitable for Ah Zhong?"
Zhou Jinbei certainly remembered Shen Min'er.
She had helped her mother find a hospital a couple of days ago, and they had interacted for a day.
Young and beautiful.
More importantly, she had saved Zhan Beijue's life, making her extraordinary in his eyes.
Introducing her to Ah Zhong...
Zhou Jinbei felt betrayed by two men at once, pierced by a thousand arrows.
"Heh. Introducing people? Since when did you become so enthusiastic?"
She was angry.
Zhan Beijue could clearly sense it.
"I've always been quite enthusiastic. I even wanted to introduce you to Ah Zhong before, but you're so heartless, I was afraid you two wouldn't be compatible."
"..."
"Alright, I'm not wasting any more time with you. We're about to leave."
Jiang Nanfang, overhearing, thought he was actually going to introduce Shen Min'er to Ah Zhong.
"Are you really going to introduce them?"
"Am I that kind of boring person? I was just joking with her."
"Can't you tell there's something unusual about their relationship?"
Zhan Beijue gave her a mischievous look.
"So, you've noticed too?"
Jiang Nanfang had noticed long ago.
When Zhou Jinbei was hospitalized for a miscarriage, Ah Zhong visited her, and the atmosphere between them was strange.
"And that Jiang Sicheng, doesn't he dislike women? I've even wondered if that child at the time was..."
"Beibei is divorced now. What can't be said openly? Why are they still hiding it?"
Zhan Beijue: "Who knows."
"Ah Zhong used to be like an open book in front of me. Since meeting Zhou Jinbei, secrets have started to accumulate."
"But if they don't want to talk about it, there must be a reason, and I'm too lazy to ask."
Jiang Nanfang nodded.
"But judging by Beibei's current state, she definitely has feelings for him and can't let go."
"So what? Zhou Jinbei is so smart. If she really wanted to solve this, she would have found a hundred ways by now."
"The fact that she's willing to drag it out shows her heart isn't in it. Besides, I know my uncle's character quite well."
"He's snobbish and vain. If Zhou Jinbei really got together with a poor boy like Ah Zhong, she'd definitely be subjected to his constant criticism. I wouldn't want Ah Zhong to suffer like that."
Jiang Nanfang couldn't help but pinch his cheek.
"I never realized you considered Ah Zhong like a brother, caring so much for him."
For once, Zhan Beijue didn't think of anything else when she made a playful gesture.
He continued to speak with a serious expression.
"Ah Zhong has been by my side for so many years, I know his character and conduct best."
"He's steady and earnest. Positive and motivated. Honestly, he deserves someone better."
Jiang Nanfang didn't entirely agree.
"But our Beibei isn't bad either. She's beautiful and intelligent. Her father has nothing to do with her; all that matters is if she and Ah Zhong are compatible."
"So, you think highly of them as a couple?"
"Of course. Beibei calling you must mean she wants you to help with something. Can you bear not to help?"
Zhan Beijue rubbed his temples.
"I'm not good at matters of the heart. Since you care about her so much, you help."