Chapter Thirty-Nine

Nian Yu covered her head in exasperation and said, “Oh my God, how could I have been so blind as to fall for someone so utterly brainless?”

Xiao Jie replied with a hint of helplessness, “That’s exactly why I said all that to you earlier. If you make a name for yourself in the survivor base, your reputation will always be confined to that place. But it’s different out here—the more capable you are, the more people will know your name.”

Zhou Yu glanced at Nian Yu, looking somewhat troubled. “But…”

Before Zhou Yu could finish, Zhao Yan interrupted, “But what? Are you a man or not? If you’re a man, then act like one. If you’re going to do something, do it with vigor and flair—otherwise, don’t bother at all.”

Zhou Yu looked at Nian Yu with a conflicted expression. “I want to, I really do. But I once promised her that we’d live a peaceful life. I don’t want her to live in constant fear because of me.”

When Nian Yu caught Zhou Yu’s sincere gaze, her heart softened. She said, “You don’t have to worry about any of that. I can let it all go.”

Zhou Yu shook his head. “No, you know what kind of person I am. You know I don’t make promises lightly, but once I do, I always keep my word. You know that.”

For a moment, the room fell silent. Everyone was lost in thought over Zhou Yu’s words.

Nian Yu’s mind wandered back to all the moments she had shared with Zhou Yu.

Zhou Yu, who disliked carrying an umbrella, would always bring one to fetch her when it rained.

Back then, he didn’t have much money, but he still took her out to eat, never minding the cost. In the years they were together, they savored the flavors of the entire city.

In winter, he would tuck her hands into the warmth of his own clothes.

No matter how late it was, no matter what he was doing or where he was, a single call from her would bring him to her side in the shortest possible time.

While they were together, he spent every month’s wages buying her clothes, food, and cosmetics. Among his peers at work, others might have two thousand a month to spend, but his allowance was just a quarter of that. He never saved any money, spending it all on her—just so she would never feel embarrassed at school or work.

Before they became a couple, he once told her what kind of lover he dreamed of—not someone like Xiao Jie, nor someone like her.

After they got together, he told her she hadn’t grown into the image he’d once imagined loving, but he said it didn’t matter—love was love, even if it wasn’t what he’d pictured. If he loved, he’d never regret it.

He’d told her he wasn’t the type to break promises, so he wouldn’t give her empty vows. Yet everything he ever said to her came true, and every promise he made, he fulfilled.

He often flashed a mischievous grin, teased her for no reason, and when she was upset, he’d be beside himself with worry. When she was playful, he’d gaze at her with doting affection; when he was ill, he’d hold her hand gently and reassure her that he was fine.

Now, Nian Yu’s mind was filled with memories of Zhou Yu from the past. It seemed, in all her recollections, she’d never seen him defeated by anything.

Only when she was sick did he ever seem at a loss; otherwise, in her presence, he was always carefree and unruly.

Suddenly, Nian Yu spoke. “Zhou Yu, come with me for a moment.”

She started walking toward the inner room. Halfway there, she turned and called, “Xiao Jie, you too.” Without another glance, she disappeared inside.