Chapter 114: You Like That Man?
After learning the truth, Xie Huaizheng went to find Su Zhaozhao.
However, when he arrived at the guest house entrance, he suddenly lost his courage.
So, he stood under a tree, smoking. He felt he needed to calm down first.
The area was silent, without so much as a bird’s chirp.
The sun blazed overhead. Even in the shade of the tree, a trace of heat lingered.
Xie Huaizheng smoked quickly and furiously, going through five cigarettes in the blink of an eye.
Smoke swirled before him, clinging to his clothes and leaving its scent on him.
But the nicotine that had once soothed his moods was having no effect at all.
Instead, the more he smoked, the more agitated he became.
Just then, as his eyes drifted to the entrance of the guest house, he saw Su Zhaozhao emerge.
Their eyes met.
Xie Huaizheng dropped his cigarette.
The emotions he had just barely managed to get under control began to flare up again.
His heart was beating violently.
He strode quickly towards Su Zhaozhao.
In the blink of an eye, he was in front of her.
They locked gazes. The man’s dark eyes were heavy with suppressed, complex emotions.
Su Zhaozhao bit her lip, wanting to ask Xie Huaizheng what was wrong, but not knowing how to begin.
"Have you eaten?" This was the first thing Xie Huaizheng asked.
Su Zhaozhao froze.
When Su Zhaozhao had seen Xie Huaizheng smoking outside, she knew he must be in a bad mood.
Having been with him for so long, Su Zhaozhao had gradually figured out his smoking pattern.
He only ever smoked that furiously when he was upset.
’It must be about what Xu Jiaming said...’
’About my reputation?’
But Xie Huaizheng’s sudden question caught her off guard.
"Not yet."
She had been on her way out to eat when she ran into Xu Jiaming. The encounter had made her so angry that she’d completely lost her appetite.
Hearing this, Xie Huaizheng frowned and took Su Zhaozhao’s hand. "Still haven’t eaten this late? You didn’t have breakfast, and now lunch is so late. Be careful you don’t give yourself stomach problems."
Xie Huaizheng led Su Zhaozhao by the hand towards the military base’s cafeteria.
Su Zhaozhao lowered her gaze, looking at the hand Xie Huaizheng was holding.
He held her hand tightly, enveloping it in his, as if he would never let go for the rest of his life.
She looked up again at the man’s back.
His broad shoulders gave her a profound sense of security.
For some reason, her nose began to sting.
’Something must have happened, something about me. Otherwise, Xie Huaizheng wouldn’t be in such a somber mood. Every time he’s seen me recently, he’s been happy. This is the only exception.’
Thinking of this, Su Zhaozhao couldn’t help but say, "Xie Huaizheng, is there something you want to say to me?"
Xie Huaizheng’s steps faltered, but he didn’t turn back. "Let’s talk after we eat."
Su Zhaozhao thought, ’He seems pretty composed. He really wants to wait until after we’ve eaten to talk about this?’
’True,’ she thought. ’Nothing’s more important than eating. You can’t skip meals, no matter what.’
While they were eating, Xie Huaizheng even asked the cook to give her some extra meat.
Then he carried their trays to a corner table by the window.
They ate in silence. Su Zhaozhao watched Xie Huaizheng as she ate.
The man ate with his head down, very seriously. Judging by his appetite, his mood also seemed quite stable.
’Could it be that he’s already decided to break up with me?’
’He’s the novel’s male lead, and I’m just a cannon fodder side character. We really aren’t a good match for each other.’
’Anyway, I can explain. If he still refuses to believe me, then we can just go our separate ways.’
’It would be a pity, but regret is a normal part of life.’
As Su Zhaozhao’s thoughts ran wild, Xie Huaizheng looked up and saw that much of the food in front of her was untouched.
He couldn’t help but furrow his brow. "You’re not hungry?"
"I’m done," Su Zhaozhao said, trying her best to appear calm. "So, if you have something to say to me, just say it."
’I’m already mentally prepared. I can accept any outcome.’
Seeing that Su Zhaozhao wasn’t eating anymore, Xie Huaizheng moved her leftovers over and ate them himself.
"Can’t waste food," he said.
Su Zhaozhao watched in astonishment as he ate her leftovers.
After finishing, he said to Su Zhaozhao, "Let’s talk while we walk."
The cafeteria was too eye-catching. Even in their corner, people coming and going would always glance their way.
Su Zhaozhao followed Xie Huaizheng as they got up and left the cafeteria.
The two of them walked outside, reaching a small, deserted path.
This was the path where they took their evening strolls. It was deserted, which also made it convenient for more intimate moments.
But now it was broad daylight, and they were here to discuss something heavy.
Su Zhaozhao couldn’t help but sigh. ’I never thought our relationship would reach its end so quickly.’
But even so, she wouldn’t give Xu Jiaming the satisfaction of going with him.
’I can earn my own money, and I have so many supplies in my space. Is there anywhere I can’t go?’
"Su Zhaozhao, is there anything you want to say to me?" The man walking in front of her suddenly turned back to look at her.
Su Zhaozhao had been lost in thought and didn’t expect Xie Huaizheng to turn back so suddenly. She stumbled headfirst into his chest.
The man’s body was all hard muscle. The collision nearly made Su Zhaozhao fall, but Xie Huaizheng reached out and steadied her.
Su Zhaozhao looked up at Xie Huaizheng.
At this moment, the two of them were so close.
"I have nothing to say. Everything that needed to be said, I’ve already told you."
’Let me think... I haven’t left anything out, have I?’
’I already told him about stealing the money, and he didn’t think it was a big deal back then. What else could there be?’
’Could it be about the original owner being sold to a pervert for a hundred-yuan betrothal gift?’
’I already told Xie Huaizheng about that, too. At the time, he even stopped me from saying more.’
Xie Huaizheng let go of her, pulled out his cigarette case again, and lit one up.
Smoke billowed out, obscuring his stern face. Only his eyes remained visible, cold and severe.
Su Zhaozhao knew he was getting agitated again.
’But I should just wait for him to speak first.’
"You... you said before that someone from the meat processing plant wanted to marry you?" Xie Huaizheng asked.
’So it is about that.’
"Yes, I told you. He’s a fat guy, and he really likes me."
"You don’t like him?"
"Why would I like him?" The mere thought of that part of the novel’s plot made Su Zhaozhao feel sick.
’Liking that man? What’s the difference between that and having a pig fetish?’
’I’d rather like a pig. At least you can eat a pig. But that man? He’s a pervert, and he’s ugly.’
Xie Huaizheng quickly finished his cigarette.
As if he had made a decision, he reached out and gripped Su Zhaozhao’s shoulders.
His tall frame bent down as he stared intently at Su Zhaozhao.
"Didn’t you date him? Su Zhaozhao, just tell me the truth. Even if you really did like him once, even if you dated him... as long as you don’t like him now, I don’t mind. But... I don’t want you to be hiding anything in our relationship."
He had thought it through. Even if Su Zhaozhao had really written those letters, and even if their contents were ridiculously mushy, the past was the past. He didn’t care.
But he was worried that the current Su Zhaozhao still had feelings for that man.