Hello, Comrade. I'm Here to Marry You!

Chapter 33: Chapter 33: The Shadow Brought by an Apple

Xie Huaizheng was taken aback for a moment. He didn’t seem to expect Wen Xiaoqi to ask such a direct question.

Before he could answer, Wen Xiaoqi quickly said, "Sorry, sorry... I-I was just curious. If it’s not convenient for you to talk about it, then never mind."

Xie Huaizheng bit down on his cigarette butt and finally said, "It’s fine. Ours was an arranged childhood betrothal. We haven’t seen each other in years. Now that we’ve met, I can’t say I’m deeply in love or anything. We’re just taking it slow for now."

But to his great surprise, he actually found that he quite liked this kind of dynamic with Su Zhaozhao.

He didn’t even mind their intimacy.

Before Su Zhaozhao appeared, Xie Huaizheng had actually never thought about getting close to anyone.

’Su Zhaozhao is probably the only person I’ve ever wanted to be close to.’

Wen Xiaoqi listened to Xie Huaizheng, stunned for a moment, before saying, "I really envy you two. My engagement with Zhou Chengguo was also an arranged childhood betrothal, but who knew it would end up like this..."

"Either way, it’s not worth trying to kill yourself over a man." The man’s tone was cold and tinged with severity.

But Wen Xiaoqi suddenly realized she didn’t seem as afraid of him as she had been at first.

"I know. It’s all thanks to Zhaozhao talking me down from the balcony. Otherwise, I’d most likely be lying in a hospital right now."

Soon, Su Zhaozhao came out too, having packed up all the leftover food.

Seeing Xie Huaizheng actually chatting with Wen Xiaoqi, she was a bit surprised. "What are you two talking about?"

Xie Huaizheng took a drag from his cigarette. "Nothing. Are you done eating?"

Su Zhaozhao nodded.

"Take the rest of this back with you, Qiaoqi. You barely ate anything. You can have it later when you get back to the guesthouse."

"Okay," Wen Xiaoqi said.

"I also have some apples in my room. I’ll bring them to you later."

Wen Xiaoqi nodded again.

However, Su Zhaozhao sensed that something was off about Xie Huaizheng’s expression.

The man’s brow was furrowed, as if he’d thought of something unpleasant.

’That look... something is definitely wrong.’

But just as quickly, Xie Huaizheng’s expression returned to normal.

Su Zhaozhao couldn’t help but conclude that something must have happened to Xie Huaizheng involving apples.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have reacted like that.

For someone as guarded as him, he was practically wearing his emotions on his sleeve right now.

"You don’t like apples?" Su Zhaozhao asked Xie Huaizheng.

Xie Huaizheng nodded.

"Why?"

"I just don’t. Does there have to be a reason for everything?" Xie Huaizheng took a deep drag of his cigarette, the smoke swirling in front of him.

His sharply defined features were hidden behind the smoke, appearing even more indistinct.

There were only three of them on the way back.

Su Zhaozhao sat in the back with Wen Xiaoqi, who was still a little worried. "Zhaozhao, can he get back by himself?"

Before Su Zhaozhao could answer, Xie Huaizheng spoke up. "Don’t worry. There are public buses around here. If worst comes to worst, I can stay at a guesthouse. It’s not a problem."

"You’re still worried about him? He didn’t seem very concerned about you when he left," Su Zhaozhao teased Wen Xiaoqi.

Wen Xiaoqi lowered her gaze and sighed. "I was just asking. I don’t have any feelings for him anymore."

"Good. Once he pays you back, you two should cut ties. Remember, since the feelings are gone, don’t get emotional when it comes to money. If he has the money, you should get it back as soon as possible."

Wen Xiaoqi nodded. "I know."

’It’s so strange. She and Su Zhaozhao look to be about the same age, so why does Su Zhaozhao seem to know so much more than her?’

Xie Huaizheng drove Su Zhaozhao and Wen Xiaoqi to the guesthouse.

"I’m heading back now," Xie Huaizheng said to Su Zhaozhao.

"Okay," Su Zhaozhao nodded. "Be careful on your way."

"It’s barely any distance," Xie Huaizheng smirked.

But when his eyes met the girl’s smiling ones, his own smile faltered for a second.

In the dim darkness, the girl’s eyes sparkled, as if they were glowing.

Her attire was simple and her hair was tied back, revealing a delicate, jade-like face.

Her features were exquisite, without a single flaw.

The Jiangnan Water Village had raised her to be a pampered young lady, yet she was different from any other girl he had ever met.

It was just that, while she looked delicate, her actions were nothing like those of a pampered lady.

For example, right at this moment, Su Zhaozhao leaned in, wrapped her slender arms around his neck, and gave him a hug right through the car window.

In that instant, the faint, fresh scent of jasmine suddenly seemed to magnify infinitely.

Xie Huaizheng was in a daze for a moment.

But just as quickly, Su Zhaozhao let him go.

"I’m going now!" She took Wen Xiaoqi’s hand and headed into the guesthouse.

Xie Huaizheng squinted, watching Su Zhaozhao’s figure disappear through the doorway. A faint smile appeared on his usually cold and roguish face.

’I seem to be quite indulgent with this girl. Is it because of the arranged betrothal?’

Faced with Su Zhaozhao’s brazen flirting, he found himself watching with the detached amusement of someone enjoying a good show.

’I want to see just how far she’ll go.’

’Just how far could she go...’

The man’s eyes, hidden in the darkness, held a faint glimmer of desire.

He sat up straight again, just about to start the car.

But then he caught a glimpse of Jiang Manzhi not far away.

She was standing in a corner near the guesthouse, shrouded in the dark shadows, and he had no idea how long she’d been there.

Even though her face was obscured by the shadows, making her expression invisible...

Xie Huaizheng could still feel that Jiang Manzhi was filled with sorrow.

’Is she here because her mother is staying here?’

’Right. This is the only guesthouse nearby that accommodates military families.’

’Looks like I’ll be running into Jiang Manzhi for the next few days, won’t I?’

’But that has nothing to do with me. I’ve already made myself clear enough.’

’Since she knows Su Zhaozhao is my fiancée, she shouldn’t like me anymore.’

Xie Huaizheng left without even greeting Jiang Manzhi.

Jiang Manzhi watched Xie Huaizheng drive away, biting her lip hard.

Her nails dug deep into her palms, but she didn’t feel the pain.

’I really am a glutton for punishment.’

’Watching over and over again as Xie Huaizheng shows he doesn’t like me.’

’But why does it have to be Su Zhaozhao?’

’That woman has nothing besides a pretty face.’

’According to my mom, even her family background is just average, nothing compared to ours.’

’And yet, that’s the type Xie Huaizheng likes.’

’Look at how shameless Su Zhaozhao was just now. They aren’t even married, yet they’re hugging like that. Even most married couples don’t act that way. She’s so indecent!’

’She has none of a young lady’s reserve.’

Su Zhaozhao was completely oblivious to Jiang Manzhi’s thoughts.

She went back downstairs and brought the apples to Wen Xiaoqi. Wen Xiaoqi’s mood had improved, and she was now able to eat.

Seeing this, Su Zhaozhao felt much more relieved.

She chatted with Wen Xiaoqi for a while longer before going upstairs to get ready for bed.

She still had to go set up her stall at the market tomorrow. She was already starting to appreciate the joy of earning her own money.

’It’s so satisfying when you get to spend it!’

However, just as she got upstairs, she ran into the woman from the next room, who was holding a washbasin and heading to the public bathhouse.

When the woman saw Su Zhaozhao, she called out to her, "Miss, are you the one who talked that comrade down from jumping off the building?"