"Besides, I'm not just a little short on funds for my startup; your meager contribution won't make much of a difference."
Sister Wang was sharp.
Seeing how handsome Zhong was and that he had a good job, she figured he was a promising prospect, and there was no need to worry about the house issue for now.
"Oh my. Look how well-spoken and filial this child is. It's rare to find young people who are obedient, capable, and filial these days!"
"Sister Wang thinks highly of you. What's a house or material possessions? We don't care about that."
"As long as the person is good and the couple's feelings are strong, that's more important than anything. Uncle Zhou, don't you agree?"
Dad Zhong nodded profusely, "Yes, yes, yes."
Nurse Wang finally let go of Zhong and took out her phone.
"Let's add each other on WeChat. I have many pretty nurses, and I can introduce you to one who's suitable in terms of conditions and personality."
Zhong didn't want to add her.
He didn't know much about the nursing profession, nor the people she was going to introduce. He had no expectations for the forced relationship that was about to come.
But Dad Zhong was anxious.
"Look at your Sister Wang, she's not even related to you, yet she's so concerned about you. She's already got her phone out, what are you waiting for? Add her quickly!"
After all, his father had bragged about him.
It wouldn't be good to embarrass him in front of everyone.
At worst, he could add her and then not talk to her.
Zhong handed over his QR code.
Nurse Wang chattered on for a while longer before leaving.
Zhong was thirsty and was about to get some water from his father's thermos, only to find it empty.
"Dad, you sit here. I'll go get some water."
Zhou Jinbei slid off the accompanying bed and ambled over to him.
"I'll go with you. You don't know where it is."
As they went out together, Zhou Jinbei didn't hide her unhappiness. With a sullen face, she asked him.
She asked about his work since he was back for a few days.
The basic framework was done these past two days, and they were having professionals test the data, so he was taking two days off.
Zhong said he would leave early the day after tomorrow.
"From what you're saying, you're just visiting and don't plan to hire a caregiver for your dad."
Zhong hadn't really thought about the caregiver issue. He was taken aback when she mentioned it.
"What do you mean?"
Zhou Jinbei said sarcastically.
"What do I mean? I'm not related to you, nor am I your friend or subordinate, yet I've been inexplicably taking care of your dad day and night for so many days."
"He's a man, and I'm a young woman. How long do you expect me to serve him?"
Perhaps it was because she had visited his home before and had a good relationship with his father.
Perhaps it was because they had had that kind of relationship.
Subconsciously, Zhong still considered her someone close.
So when Zhou Jinbei offered to help take care of him, he agreed without a second thought.
He felt at ease, even comfortable.
He even added some other elements to it, being overly sentimental.
But now, with Zhou Jinbei saying such things, he felt ashamed of his sentimentality.
He tried his best to keep his expression calm.
"It's too late today. I'll find a caregiver starting tomorrow. Thank you for your hard work during this time."
Damn it.
She was just upset that he had added someone else on WeChat and was trying to mock him.
This scoundrel, he actually planned to hire a caregiver?
She had taken such good care of him with all her heart, and where had she fallen short?
And now he was saying he would just discard her, preferring to find someone unrelated!
Fine, Zhong Jia Ming, you have money, you hire!
Go ahead and hire yourself a sucker!
"If you're thanking me for my hard work, aren't you going to treat me to a meal?"
She reeked of alcohol, clearly having already eaten, and it was already past nine o'clock.
But Zhong owed her a favor, so he couldn't refuse. He could only say.
"Okay, pick a time tomorrow, and I'll treat you."
"What tomorrow?" Zhou Jinbei was persistent. "I'm very hungry now!"
She had reverted to her appearance when they first met.
Her posture was loose, her expression was defiant, like a little delinquent.
Knowing that traveling was tiring, he felt she was deliberately making things difficult for him.
Zhong couldn't help but get annoyed.
"You reek of alcohol, shouldn't you have just eaten your fill? And you're hungry?"
Was that so? Did he think she smelled like body odor? Feeling awkward, Zhou Jinbei stomped her foot in anger.
"That's none of your business! Who says you can't be hungry after drinking? I'm hungry now, and I want you to treat me to a meal. Are you going to or not!"
A few minutes later, the two were in Zhong's car.
Zhong asked her what she wanted to eat.
"Just drive. I'll tell you to stop when I see something I like."
Fine. As expected of Miss Zhong.
When she was in Jincheng, she had no relatives and was forced to act subserviently. He thought she had reformed.
But as soon as she returned to Nancheng, her true colors showed.
Zhong stopped talking and focused on the road, driving quietly.
After driving around for a long time, Zhou Jinbei called out to him.
"Stop."
He looked out the window. It was a night market street with food stalls, seemingly selling seafood.
Even though it was this late, there were still quite a few people.
The clatter of stir-frying in woks, the steaming oil fumes, combined with the noisy crowd, created a lively atmosphere.
He thought she would find some high-end restaurant to rip him off, but he didn't expect her to choose a place like this.
He parked the car, and they got out together, sitting at a small, unoccupied square table.
The proprietress, wiping her hands on her apron, hurried over.
"Here you are, what would you like to eat?"
Zhou Jinbei asked, "What's your specialty?"
"It's almost autumn, and these are the last batches of plump, seasonal crayfish. Would you like to try some?"
"Give me ten jin. And a dozen beers."
"Ten jin?"
The proprietress was a little surprised.
"Are there more friends coming later? Would you like us to switch to a bigger table?"
"No, it's just the two of us. I can eat a lot."
"Alright. Then please wait a moment, we'll start preparing it."
He didn't even care about the price, and she immediately ordered ten jin of crayfish. She really had ulterior motives.
Zhong sat quietly, thinking: Let's see if she'll continue to be so demanding later.
Neither of them spoke to each other. After more than ten minutes, the crayfish arrived.
It was a huge aluminum plate, filled with three plates.
The boss handed them a dozen disposable gloves.
Zhong put on a glove, peeled one, and bit into it. Zhou Jinbei sat still.
He raised an eyebrow, "Didn't you say you could eat a lot? That you were hungry? Why aren't you eating?"
"Peel them for me."
"Hmm?"
"Your dad was hospitalized for so long, and he couldn't move in bed before. I took care of his every need, feeding him and cleaning up for him every day. Don't you owe me a reward? You peel them for me."
Fine. He owed her.
Zhong paused for a few seconds, then signaled the proprietress.
"Get me a bowl."
"No need. Feed me directly. I can't wait."
Zhou Jinbei moved her plastic chair a little closer to him.
Although they weren't talking to each other, they were quite close, their arms occasionally brushing against each other.
Zhong was about to feed her crayfish into her rosy little mouth, and she would occasionally take a sip of beer.
Soon, an awkward and suppressed sense of intimacy began to rise between them.