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墨書 Inktalez
Because she promised Zhou Xuanyu to go back to the Zhou family for dinner, Junxi took the time to buy a new outfit.
Although Zhou Xuan Yong might not like her, that didn’t stop her from wanting to present herself in the best light possible before him.
After all, this time her identity was Zhou Xuanyu’s girlfriend.
The dinner at the Zhou family was simpler than she had imagined. Zhou Xuan Yong sat alone at the main seat facing south. The dishes in front of him were plentiful but not overly extravagant.
“Elder brother,” Zhou Xuanyu called out.
Zhou Xuan Yong nodded and then shifted his gaze to Junxi. He didn’t show much emotion, merely saying, “Sit. Enjoy.”
Zhou Xuanyu led Junxi to sit down, fully aware that her brother knew Junxi, yet she introduced her again.
“This is my girlfriend, Wen Junxi.”
Girlfriend…
This seemed to be the first time Zhou Xuanyu introduced her like this to someone. He wasn’t lying, but Junxi’s heart raced uncontrollably, filled with an inexplicable excitement and unease.
Zhou Xuan Yong nodded again and then gestured for Junxi to start eating.
They remained still; naturally, Junxi wouldn’t be the first to dig in. She still had enough sense of etiquette for that.
At that moment, Zhou Xuanyu picked up his chopsticks and placed a serving of vegetables into Junxi's bowl, saying, "Eat up; you must be hungry too."
Junxi glanced at Zhou Xuanyu and then at Zhou Xuan Yong.
"Go ahead and eat," Zhou Xuan Yong said, and he began to use his chopsticks as well.
The meal was somewhat quiet.
However, Zhou Xuanyu took good care of Junxi. Whenever he noticed a dish she liked that was farther away on the table, he would get up to serve her a portion.
Junxi ate even more than she did at home.
"Did you hear that Zhou Ziyan resigned?" Zhou Xuan Yong suddenly asked as the meal was nearing its end.
"Yes," Zhou Xuanyu replied, putting down his chopsticks and nodding.
"What’s going on with that?"
Zhou Xuan Yong was asking knowingly, but Junxi was unaware. She recalled what Zhou Ziyan had said when he left and couldn't help but feel a bit guilty.
"Zhou Ziyan has things he wants to pursue. No matter what reason he had for joining the company, Hengfu Group cannot keep him," Zhou Xuanyu paused, looking at Zhou Xuan Yong. "Besides, I don't want Hengfu Group to become a cage that traps him."
How many people in this world can truly live freely? If Zhou Ziyan could, then he would be willing to support him as his eternal backing.
Zhou Xuan Yong had initially intended to use Zhou Ziyan's situation for his own purposes, but unexpectedly, Zhou Xuanyu's few words dashed his plans.
The topic could not continue any further, and Zhou Xuan Yong had to let it go.
After dinner, the butler came over and pushed Zhou Xuan Yong's wheelchair. Zhou Xuan Yong suggested taking a stroll in the garden.
Zhou Xuanyu nodded, taking the wheelchair from the butler and pushing Zhou Xuan Yong toward the garden. Junxi put on a coat and followed beside them.
In the late winter garden, there was nothing much to see; only two rows of evergreen trees by the path still retained their vitality.
"Junxi, do you remember how you often fought and played with Zhou Ziyan in this garden, only to cry your way home afterward?"
Zhou Xuan Yong suddenly brought up their childhood memories, catching Junxi off guard.
"I remember," Junxi replied.
"In the blink of an eye, you’ve all grown up. Fate has its twists and turns; it’s truly remarkable. Who would have thought you would end up with Xuan Yu?" Zhou Xuan Yong's tone was hard to decipher—whether he was lamenting the passage of time or mocking it.
Junxi dared not respond.
"Second Master!" A voice called out from the northwest corner of the garden.
Junxi and Zhou Xuanyu turned at the same time to see an old woman standing there—it was Aunt Jiang.
"Second Master, Big Yellow broke free from its chain and ran away!" Aunt Jiang said anxiously, pointing toward the open lawn ahead.
Following Aunt Jiang's finger, Junxi saw a large dog with a coat of brownish-yellow fur. The dog had escaped from Aunt Jiang's grasp and was joyfully running ahead.
“Second Master, I can't catch it. Big Yellow listens to you the most. Can you help me? I'm afraid it will run out and bite someone,” Aunt Jiang called back to Zhou Xuanyu as she ran.
Zhou Xuanyu pulled Junxi closer, allowing her to steady Zhou Xuan Yong's wheelchair.
“Wait for me, I'll be right back.”
Junxi nodded, gripping the armrest of Zhou Xuan Yong's wheelchair tightly.
Zhou Xuanyu dashed outside, his speed far surpassing Aunt Jiang's. As he ran, he placed his pinky finger to his lips and whistled loudly.
The excited dog heard the sound and gradually slowed down, turning back.
Zhou Xuanyu whistled again.
Big Yellow seemed to suddenly realize who had returned home and immediately turned around, charging toward Zhou Xuanyu.
Zhou Xuanyu crouched down, opening his arms wide. Big Yellow ran up to him, nuzzling against his neck and playfully shaking its head.
The two of them, a person and a dog, were bathed in the warm afternoon sunlight, creating a scene filled with tenderness.
He didn’t like cats but loved dogs immensely. For that love, what did a little allergy matter?
Junxi watched in a daze until she heard Zhou Xuan Yong's voice, which brought her back to reality.
“Miss Wen.”
Zhou Xuan Yong had just been calling her "Junxi," but now he suddenly changed his tone, causing Junxi to tense up.
"Leave Xuan Yu."
Zhou Xuan Yong got straight to the point, not giving Junxi a moment to adjust.
"What did you say?"
"I said, leave Xuan Yu." Zhou Xuan Yong repeated himself and added, "It's not that I don't like you; you're a good girl. But unfortunately, you have the surname Wen."
"Uncle Zhou, what's wrong with my surname Wen?" Junxi raised her voice in agitation. "Back then, you and my father were close friends. Even if others doubt his character, do you not believe in him?"
Zhou Xuan Yong fell silent for a few seconds before replying slowly, "The heart is hard to read. No matter how good friends are, there are times when they can't see through each other."
"So, you don't believe in my father either?"
"What I believe or not is irrelevant. What matters is that the Wen family's scandal cannot be erased, and I do not wish to see anyone from the Zhou family associated with that scandal."
"But..."
"No 'buts' needed." Zhou Xuan Yong interrupted Junxi directly. "The reason I invited you here for dinner today was to tell you this face-to-face. I hope you'll think it over carefully. If you truly love Xuan Yu, you should know what is best for him. The position of president of Hengfu Group is not easy to hold. If you cannot contribute positively, then do not let him be scorned because of you."
Scorned...
Junxi felt a pang in her heart. She never expected that after five years, someone would still use such words to describe others' attitudes towards the Wen Family.
Seeing Junxi's silence, Zhou Xuan Yong sighed dramatically.
"I don't want to create such an unpleasant situation. Miss Wen has always been a smart person. For the sake of both our reputations and Xuan Yu's feelings, I think you should understand that what I say today shouldn't reach Xuan Yu."
Junxi scoffed coldly.
Zhou Xuan Yong dared to say this because he was sure she wouldn't tell Zhou Xuanyu. Indeed, she wouldn't share this humiliation with him. Since she could swallow it alone, there was no need for Zhou Xuanyu to know what kind of two-faced person his respected elder brother truly was.
"I won't tell him," Junxi said.
Zhou Xuan Yong smiled with satisfaction. "I knew I wasn't wrong about you."
"Thank you for your concern, Uncle Zhou."
"I'm genuinely looking out for Xuan Yu; it's not about concern."
"How can it not be? Even the Big Yellow Dog managed to escape from such thick chains. Uncle Zhou, aren't you putting in a lot of effort?" Junxi said with a smile, exposing Zhou Xuan Yong's intentions.
All his actions were just to distract Zhou Xuanyu.
Zhou Xuan Yong's expression stiffened.
This woman was indeed smarter than he had imagined. If she weren't Wen Wei's daughter, he would have accepted her as either a sister-in-law or daughter-in-law without hesitation.
It’s a pity that there are no “what ifs”; fate has arranged things this way.
“Since you know I’ve gone to great lengths, then just leave Xuan Yu,” he said.
“No. I won’t leave him,” Junxi firmly shook her head.
“You…”
“Uncle Zhou, you were once one of the most prominent figures in Qingcheng. Now, you don’t even have anyone by your side to share heartfelt words with. Have you never thought about why that is?”
“I don’t need you to lecture me,” Zhou Xuan Yong said, anger rising within him.
The reason for his anger was that Junxi's words had indeed struck a nerve.
“I’m not lecturing you. I’m just trying to help because if Zhou Xuanyu finds out that you used such methods to make me leave him, then you will lose him too.”
In that moment, Zhou Xuan Yong, who had navigated the ups and downs of the business world for many years and was accustomed to storms, was unexpectedly taken aback by the aura of this young girl.
He smirked self-deprecatingly and was about to say something when Zhou Xuanyu approached, holding Big Yellow's leash.
Big Yellow seemed to take a liking to Junxi; as soon as it reached her side, it rubbed against her feet and sat down.
Junxi pretended as if nothing had happened and squatted down to play with Big Yellow.
“I remember you were afraid of dogs when you were little,” Zhou Xuanyu looked down at her from above.
Junxi gently stroked Big Yellow's head and smiled, "That was my youthful ignorance. Back then, I always thought dogs could be dangerous. Now that I've grown up, I've realized that people can be much scarier than dogs. At least a dog is always a dog; it never hides its emotions. But sometimes, people are not truly human. There are too many hidden needles in the softness that make one feel afraid. This kind of fear runs deeper than being bitten by a dog."
Zhou Xuan Yong's face turned pale, and he remained silent.
Zhou Xuanyu affectionately ruffled her hair and helped her up, saying, "What are you talking about? Are you tired?"
Junxi nodded, her gaze no longer lingering on Zhou Xuan Yong but softly resting on Zhou Xuanyu instead.
"I am tired; I want to go home."
Upon hearing Junxi express her desire to leave, Zhou Xuanyu bid farewell to his elder brother, Zhou Xuan Yong.
Zhou Xuan Yong did not stop them; in fact, he even kindly invited Junxi to come again next time.
Junxi agreed. In such polite exchanges, Zhou Xuan Yong had his role to play, and she naturally would accompany him until the end.
Zhou Xuanyu went to fetch the car while Junxi walked slowly behind him. It felt as if the moment she stepped out of the Zhou family gate, the sharp thorns that had been so distinct on her body began to soften.
In a daze, she felt a mix of disappointment and fatigue.
She had known beforehand that it would be a battle; she just hadn't expected it to be so hurtful.
"Beep!"
Zhou Xuanyu's car had somehow stopped in front of Junxi. He honked the horn, and only then did Junxi realize he was right there in front of her.
"What are you thinking about?" Zhou Xuanyu lowered the window, looking at her with a thoughtful expression.
Junxi gathered her thoughts and deliberately said, "I was wondering why you didn't get out of the car to open the door for me."
She was joking, simply trying to cover up her moment of distraction. However, Zhou Xuanyu took her seriously. He engaged the handbrake, opened the car door, and jumped out from the driver's seat. With a gentlemanly demeanor, he walked around the front of the car and opened the door for her.
Junxi watched his handsome fingers reflected on the car door.
"Your Highness, are you not satisfied?" Zhou Xuanyu asked with a serious expression.
Junxi fell silent for a few seconds. Before she could respond, Zhou Xuanyu suddenly reached out and swept her off her feet in a classic princess carry.
It was a typical princess carry, but it didn’t last long. Zhou Xuanyu quickly set her down in the passenger seat, attentively buckled her seatbelt, closed the door, and leaned in to kiss her lips...
Watching Zhou Xuanyu do all this for her, though it seemed trivial, warmed Junxi's heart.
On the way home, Junxi felt somewhat quiet while Zhou Xuanyu stole glances at her from time to time.
"What's wrong?" Zhou Xuanyu asked.
Although Junxi had thoughts swirling in her mind, Zhou Xuanyu keenly sensed her sense of loss.
"It's nothing."
"Then what are you thinking about without saying a word?"
"I'm just wondering if I performed well enough today to satisfy your brother."
Zhou Xuanyu's right hand left the steering wheel, and he gently covered Junxi's head with his large palm. Junxi could feel the warmth and tenderness of his touch.
"Whether he is satisfied or not doesn't matter; what matters is whether I am satisfied."
Junxi couldn't help but laugh at his serious expression. Who could make sweet words sound so awkward and clumsy?
Fortunately, she understood.
"Then are you satisfied?"
As they waited for the red light, Junxi wrapped her arms around Zhou Xuanyu's arm, leaning lightly against his shoulder while gazing at his handsome profile.
"If I'm not satisfied, can I still take you home?" he replied.
"But I'm not satisfied," Junxi said, her brows furrowing slightly.
Zhou Xuanyu turned to look at her.
"What are you not satisfied with?"
"I am not satisfied with myself." Junxi blinked, the mist in her eyes making her vision a bit blurry.
"I am satisfied with you. What is there to be dissatisfied about?" Zhou Xuanyu gently comforted her.
Junxi nuzzled against his shoulder.
"You promised me that you would help me investigate my parents' situation. Are you still willing to do that?" He changed the subject.
"I will."
Junxi nodded.
"I must prove that my parents are innocent, because only then can I stand beside you openly and proudly."
"Junxi..."
"I don't know if you mind my parents' situation, but I care about how others see you."
If Zhou Xuanyu, who was with her, were to be "spurned" by others, she would ultimately feel guilty.
Therefore, before she felt that guilt, she had to uncover the truth.
As the new year began and work had not yet become hectic, Junxi started planning how to investigate her father's Corruption Case from years ago.
At that time, those around her father were all trusted confidants. After her father was imprisoned, the tree fell and the monkeys scattered; these people suddenly vanished without a trace. When Junxi saw Li Mu in Yilan, she hadn’t yet realized that she might learn something about the events of that year from him.
Now, having missed her chance with Li Mu, where else could she go to find those who had intricate connections with her father?
Her head throbbed...
Junxi pressed her fingers against her temples and leaned over her desk.
There was a knock at the door, and before long, it swung open.
Zhou Xuanyu was indeed quite polite; she had merely borrowed his study, yet he knocked before entering his own territory.
Junxi looked up to see Zhou Xuanyu holding a cup of milk.
He placed the cup on the desk and pushed it toward Junxi.
"Drink this. Get some rest."
Junxi shook her head. "I'm not tired yet."
Zhou Xuanyu walked around to stand behind her.
The laptop she was using on the desk also belonged to him. Zhou Xuanyu glanced at it and saw that the screen was filled with search records about the Wenwei Corruption Case from that year.
He reached out and closed the laptop.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
Junxi wanted to stop him, but it was already too late. When she opened it again, the screen was black.
"I told you, leave this to me," Zhou Xuanyu said seriously.
"I just wanted to take a look at the news from back then; I can't see anything unusual," Junxi said, looking up at him with some frustration. Zhou Xuanyu was tall, and the light in front of her was mostly blocked.
"Then don't look," Zhou Xuanyu pointed to the milk. "I can see you haven't been sleeping well these past few days. Drink some milk before you sleep."
Speaking of not sleeping well, Junxi indeed had been struggling.
Ever since she returned from the Zhou family with Zhou Xuanyu, her mind had been filled with Zhou Xuan Yong's cold gaze. That kind of gaze frightened her.
This fear stemmed from her heart; her insecurity in facing Zhou Xuanyu had intensified over these days.
So even though Zhou Xuanyu was lying right beside her, whenever she closed her eyes, she would still have nightmares about him leaving her.
How could she dare to fall asleep again?
"Am I bothering you by tossing and turning?" Junxi held his wrist and shook it slightly with an apologetic expression.
"Yeah," he replied honestly. "So just drink your milk."
Junxi obediently picked up the cup. The glass felt warm to the touch, which was quite comforting. She tilted her head back and drank all the milk in the cup.
After finishing, Junxi licked her lips.
Zhou Xuanyu watched her; it was an instinctive action, and she was completely unaware of how sensual it appeared.
Suddenly, Zhou Xuanyu leaned down and kissed the corner of her lips.
Junxi froze and instinctively shrank back into her chair.
Zhou Xuanyu had no intention of deepening the kiss; he quickly pulled away from her.
"You didn't clean it all off," he said seriously.
Junxi's face flushed, and she hurriedly licked her lips again.
Zhou Xuanyu chuckled as he leaned closer, cradling Junxi's face in his hands. "Silly girl, I was just teasing you."
Junxi, feeling a mix of embarrassment and anger, formed her hand into a loose fist and lightly tapped Zhou Xuanyu's chest.
"Why did you tease me?"
"Because I wanted to kiss you."
With that, Zhou Xuanyu formally leaned down to kiss her.
Junxi dodged left and right, but it was futile. He pushed her back into the chair, leaning in to block all her escape routes.
The chair wobbled under his force, and Junxi feared it might topple over. However, when she looked up and saw Zhou Xuanyu's hands gripping the back of the chair, she felt an inexplicable sense of relief.
His kiss was reckless, as if he intended to consume her entirely in this small space.
Soon, Junxi began to feel uncomfortable. She clutched Zhou Xuanyu's collar tightly, until she found herself hanging onto his neck, trying to escape the confines of the chair.
Zhou Xuanyu lifted her effortlessly.
"Let's go to the bedroom," he said.
With that, he carried her out.
Junxi wrapped her arms around his neck and suggested, "How about I sleep on the sofa tonight?"
"Hmm?" Zhou Xuanyu stared at her, clearly displeased with the idea. "Why?"
"I'm afraid I'll toss and turn and disturb you."
"It's fine. If you wake me up, we can do something else."
"..."
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