Volume One, Chapter 15: Could Zhou Jingmo Also Get Married?

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Zhou Jingmo tore off some lobster meat and placed it on his mother’s plate. “You should eat something too. Don’t just talk and waste energy without replenishing it. Aren’t you afraid of getting weak?”

“You little brat,” his mother teased as she tossed the lobster meat back at him, laughing. “Whoever marries you will have bad luck for eight generations.”

She then turned to Jiang Yihuan. “When you look for a boyfriend in the future, keep your eyes wide open. Someone like your brother is not acceptable, understand?”

Jiang Yihuan smiled dryly. “Brother is very good.” She paused and glanced at Zhou’s father. “Uncle is good too.”

Zhou’s father chuckled softly, his gaze flickering briefly to Zhou Jingmo, his brows instinctively furrowing.

Zhou Jingmo nonchalantly peeled the shrimp shells beside them, then, without a care, placed one shrimp after another onto Jiang Yihuan’s plate.

Jiang Yihuan stared at the lustrous, jade-like shrimp meat with an alluring sheen, her eyes widening.

She simply couldn’t understand why this demon king enjoyed playing such heart-stopping games at the edge of cliffs.

What advantage was there for Zhou Jingmo in sending her back abroad?

Zhou Jingmo turned his head to look at her and tapped the plate. “Eat. Do you think I peel shrimp for just anyone?”

Jiang Yihuan forced a smile. “Brother, why do you still treat me like a child? I’ve grown up. I can handle these things myself now.”

“You’re still a kid to me, even if you’re buried underground,” Zhou Jingmo said, picking up a piece of shrimp with his chopsticks and bringing it to her lips. “Come on, let brother feed you.”

Jiang Yihuan felt as if her heart might leap out if only her throat were bigger.

She looked at the shrimp meat by her mouth, uncertain whether to open or close her mouth.

She snatched the chopsticks away and put the shrimp into her mouth, noticing her teeth trembling.

She looked at Zhou Jingmo, and while chewing, ground her teeth and said, “Brother, you should eat too. You’ve been hovering around me all night. Take care of yourself as well.”

“Okay.”

Zhou Jingmo raised his eyebrows, took a piece of shrimp with his chopsticks, put it in his mouth, and chewed while watching Jiang Yihuan with a very satisfied expression.

“It’s really delicious. Eat more. You have to finish all the shrimp I peeled for you.”

Jiang Yihuan took a deep breath. Damn it, she really wanted to stab him and make a specimen out of that big face to place by her bedside, so he would always look so spirited and confident.

She turned her face away to hide her emotions and started talking to Zhou’s mother.

Compared to Zhou Jingmo, Zhou’s mother was easier to deal with.

Zhou’s father sat nearby, quietly observing their every move.

Having spent many years in the military, rising to the rank of general through outstanding achievements, his insight was naturally sharp, and he immediately sensed something off between the two.

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Though Zhou Jingmo had treated Jiang Yihuan like this since they were young, the subtle affection in his eyes now was completely different from before.

Recalling the scene just now in the yard, Zhou’s father tightened his grip on his wine glass.

Suddenly, he spoke in a commanding tone, “Jingmo is already 28 this year. It’s time to get married.”

The chopstick holding shrimp meat fell with a ‘plop’ into Jiang Yihuan’s bowl, splashing a few drops of broth.

This action seemed jarringly out of place in the otherwise peaceful atmosphere.

Married?

Zhou Jingmo, married?

Zhou Jingmo glanced at Jiang Yihuan’s reaction and a sly glint flickered in his eyes.

He smiled and said, “No rush. My energy is all focused on work right now, and I haven’t met the right person yet. When I do, I’ll definitely bring her home for you all to meet.”

“Why the delay? You’re already 28,” Zhou’s father said, lifting his cup for a sip before continuing, “Your Uncle Gu’s daughter is about your age, quite nice-looking. I think she’d be a good match for you. Otherwise, if you find someone yourself, your mother and I might never get to meet her.”

Zhou’s mother frowned. “Isn’t Old Gu’s daughter abroad modeling? I thought she left for that.”

“She did, but she’s back in the country this year. Old Gu mentioned it to me recently. I neither agreed nor refused, just wanted to discuss it with you, but I got busy and forgot.”

Zhou’s mother was not fond of that girl and frowned again. “I think she’s a bit flighty. She’s been involved in many scandals before. Very different from our Jingmo, who’s never even dated.”

“That girl may be flashy, but she’s still Old Gu’s daughter. Not that different. Do you think your son is some prize?”

Zhou’s mother instantly bristled. “What kind of talk is that? What’s wrong with my son? With his looks and abilities, who in Chengdu can compare?”

Seeing Zhou’s mother upset, Zhou’s father refrained from pressing further and shifted the topic back to marriage. “Old Gu said that if they marry, his daughter won’t work outside anymore. She’ll stay at home to be a proper wife and mother.”

He meant to steer the conversation away, but this remark ignited Zhou’s mother’s temper.

“What do you mean by a ‘proper wife’?” Zhou’s mother slammed the table. “Are you saying I haven’t been a proper wife? Since when is being a housewife a woman’s only role? I raised Jingmo myself; is he crooked because of me?”

Zhou’s father was left speechless.

Zhou’s mother, in her forties, was beautiful and capable, with a military background. Her brows carried a strong heroic spirit, commanding respect even without anger, let alone now when she was starting to lose her temper.

Jiang Yihuan sat nearby, too timid to even breathe loudly.

Zhou Jingmo smiled teasingly at his father. “Uh-oh, you made Director Liu angry. If you can’t calm him down, will he make you carry heavy loads for ten kilometers?”

Zhou’s father kicked Zhou Jingmo lightly. “It’s all for you!” Then he turned to Zhou’s mother with a smile. “I’m not saying you’re bad. We’re just discussing our son’s future. Why do you take everything so personally?”

Zhou’s mother snorted but didn’t get angrier.

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She picked up a rib bone and offered it to Jiang Yihuan, then said, “Anyway, I don’t think Old Gu’s daughter is suitable.”

Zhou’s father and mother continued discussing back and forth, occasionally asking Zhou Jingmo’s opinion.

Zhou Jingmo responded calmly, but beneath the pale yellow tablecloth, his hand quietly reached for Jiang Yihuan’s, gently playing with her fingers.

His fingertips were burning, transmitting an unspeakable heat and fluttering excitement.

Jiang Yihuan’s heart pounded wildly, as if it would burst from her throat, only to be swallowed down in panic.

She glanced sideways at Zhou Jingmo, her eyes silently asking, Are you crazy?

Zhou Jingmo looked back, a meaningful smile curling on his lips.

That smile was nothing like the refined gentleman of a listed company CEO; he was utterly a rakish rogue.

“Yihuan—” Zhou’s father called gently.

Jiang Yihuan’s heart jolted, like a frightened fawn.

She forced herself to stay calm and looked toward Zhou’s father, her hand still entwined under the table with Zhou Jingmo’s.

“What is it?”

“I noticed you haven’t eaten much. Is the food not to your liking?”

“No... it’s just...”

Jiang Yihuan tried to withdraw her hand, but Zhou Jingmo’s fingers lightly clung to hers, unwilling to let go.

Angry and anxious, she tried to pull free again, but Zhou Jingmo intensified his touch, his fingertip slowly tracing invisible circles on her palm, each circle seeming to be drawn on her heart.

Zhou’s parents watched her expectantly, waiting for her to reply.

Jiang Yihuan’s throat felt dry. “I’m not very hungry.”

Zhou’s father nodded and stopped insisting, turning his gaze to Zhou Jingmo. “I’m not saying you have to marry her, just get to know her first.”

Zhou Jingmo’s expression was indifferent. “Dad, don’t worry about this. I’m still young. I have no plans to date right now.”

Zhou’s father frowned deeply. “Still young? When I was your age, you were already walking!”

Zhou’s mother chimed in, “Yes, Jingmo, even if you’re not in a hurry to marry, you should at least date a little. If you never date, how will you know what kind of girl suits you?”