Chapter Seventy-One

Liu Long asked, “So what about Xinxin?”

Zhou Yu replied, “Why are you asking me?”

Liu Long said, “Nonsense, who else would I ask? Xinxin likes you, not me. Should I ask myself instead?”

Zhou Yu said, “How should I know? Enough, stop asking, my head’s spinning. Look at those three, how close they are now. I feel like such an extra. And you still ask me what to do about Xinxin—why don’t you ask what I’m supposed to do?”

Liu Long said, “What can you do? Just endure it, you brought this on yourself. Who told you to rack up so many romantic debts?”

Zhou Yu cursed, “Easy for you to say, standing there with nothing to worry about. Who told me, huh? Wasn’t it you who taught me all this? And now you’re making fun of me. Some brother you are.”

Liu Long realized with some embarrassment that he really had taught Zhou Yu how to chase girls. He scratched his head awkwardly and said nothing.

Zhou Yu said, “Alright, enough chatter. Let’s get some rest—we’ll have to go again later.”

After Zhou Yu and Liu Long returned to the group, Zhou Yu said, “If there’s nothing going on, get some rest. Wang Kui, could you stand watch for a while? I’m a bit tired.”

Wang Kui simply replied, “Alright,” then climbed onto a car roof to keep watch without another word.

Zhou Yu was the first to head into the vehicle.

As soon as Zhou Yu lay down, Nianyu came in. She lifted his head, sat down, and let him rest it on her lap. In a gentle voice, she asked, “Honey, what do you intend to do about that girl Xinxin?”

Zhou Yu answered softly, “I won’t lie to you—I’ve known Xinxin longer than you or Xiao Jie. At first, I really did see her as a little sister. But now I’m not so sure, especially after seeing the tattoo on her back. I’m a mess—I don’t know what to do.”

Nianyu said, “Xinxin is a good girl, and I feel she loves you deeply. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have gotten that tattoo.”

Zhou Yu replied, “I know, but I already have you and Xiao Jie.”

Nianyu asked, “Are you worried that Xiao Jie and I won’t accept it?”

Zhou Yu said, “That’s part of it, but I’m also not used to the idea of a former little sister becoming a lover.”

Nianyu said, “You really are something, attracting so much affection.”

Zhou Yu said, self-mockingly, “Yes, what did I ever do to deserve you, Xiao Jie, and even that girl Xinxin all caring for me so much?”

Nianyu said, “Zhou Yu, you really have changed—not just grown more mature. You never used to make fun of yourself, never showed any sign of defeat. I thought I knew you well, but now I realize I never understood your past, and I don’t fully grasp who you are now. But one thing hasn’t changed—your so-called principles. Maybe that’s why we all fell for you.”

Zhou Yu replied, “You’ve said many times that I’ve changed, and it’s true—I’m starting to understand myself more, and that’s why I can joke about myself now.”

Nianyu said, “If you can, accept Xinxin too. Don’t let her wait for you forever. That’s a bitter feeling.”

Zhou Yu gave a faint smile and said, “I’m tired. I want to sleep for a while—just like this. Is that alright?”

Nianyu replied, “Why wouldn’t it be?”

She leaned down and kissed his forehead, smiling gently. “Darling, sleep.”

Zhou Yu smiled back at her, said nothing, and closed his eyes.

After a while, Zhou Yu had fallen asleep.

Outside, Xiao Jie and Pan Yuxin were starting to grow impatient. When they came in, they saw Zhou Yu sleeping with his head on Nianyu’s lap.

Nianyu made a gesture for silence to Xiao Jie and Pan Yuxin.