Chapter Seventy-Two

Xiao Jie asked softly, “What’s wrong with him?”

Nian Yu replied in a quiet voice, “Nothing, he’s just a little tired.”

Then she turned to Pan Yuxin and said, “Don’t worry, I’ve got a hint from him, but you’ll have to wait a bit. Right now, he still can’t accept the idea of turning from friends to lovers.”

Pan Yuxin whispered, “It’s alright, I can wait.”

Nian Yu said gently, “You two should rest as well, no need to stand around. I’ll watch over him.”

Xiao Jie and Pan Yuxin nodded, found a seat, and soon drifted into a light nap.

Nian Yu lowered her head, gazing at Zhou Yu.

The carriage was so quiet that their breathing was audible to all.

Nian Yu looked at Zhou Yu’s face, lost in thought. Once upon a time, Zhou Yu would rest his head in her lap, grinning as he chatted with her. Now, the face that once held youthful innocence bore traces of wear left by passing years.

Suddenly, Zhou Yu’s calm expression twisted; his head shook from side to side, his brows knitted tight, and he murmured softly, “No, no, Nian Yu, no. Don’t go.”

Nian Yu gently stroked Zhou Yu’s cheek, whispering, “I’m here, I won’t leave. Be good, I won’t go.”

Her manner as she soothed Zhou Yu was tender beyond words.

Zhou Yu suddenly shouted her name and sat up abruptly.

Xiao Jie and Pan Yuxin were startled awake by Zhou Yu’s shout, confusion clear on their faces as they looked at him.

What they saw shocked them even more—Zhou Yu’s eyes were bloodshot, his expression twisted and fierce.

Nian Yu wrapped her arms around him from behind, saying, “Don’t be afraid, I’m right here, I won’t leave. Don’t be scared.”

She comforted him for a long while before Zhou Yu calmed down.

Zhou Yu gently patted the arms Nian Yu had wrapped around him and said, “It’s alright, I’m fine now. I just had a nightmare, that’s all.”

Nian Yu replied, “It was my fault, making you so anxious even in your dreams.”

Zhou Yu turned and embraced her, saying, “It’s alright, really. Just a nightmare, not your fault.”

Xiao Jie chimed in, “Enough showing off, you scared me to death just now.”

Zhou Yu teased, “Oh, jealous are you, silly girl? Come here, let me hold you.”

Xiao Jie retorted, “No way, I don’t want you to hug me.”

Though she protested, she still went over.

When Zhou Yu had both Xiao Jie and Nian Yu in his arms, he turned to Pan Yuxin and said, “Girl, you don’t need to go later. Stay and keep your two sisters company, talk with them, don’t always wander alone.”

He had wanted to say “your two sisters-in-law” but corrected himself in the end.

Pan Yuxin nodded, “Okay, Zhou Yu.”

Nian Yu slipped out of Zhou Yu’s embrace, smiling, “Still calling him Zhou Yu?”

Pan Yuxin asked, “If not Zhou Yu, what should I call him?”

Xiao Jie wriggled free and laughed, “You ought to start calling him ‘husband’ now.”

Pan Yuxin still didn’t understand, her face full of confusion as she blurted, “Huh?”

Zhou Yu, a little embarrassed, said, “Don’t tease her, I’m tired, I want to sleep for a bit.”

Nian Yu and Xiao Jie chuckled softly at the side, saying nothing more.

After Zhou Yu fell asleep again, Nian Yu pulled Pan Yuxin aside and whispered, “Xin Xin, looks like you don’t need to wait anymore. He’s accepted you.”

Pan Yuxin’s face lit up in delight, “Really?”

Nian Yu looked at her smiling face and replied, “Really.”

Then Xiao Jie and Nian Yu started chatting quietly with Pan Yuxin.

Some time later, Zhou Yu woke up.

Seeing the three still talking and laughing together, he didn’t disturb them, picked up his long rifle, and went outside.