46: Notes from a Paranoid Educated Youth 15

After that day, Zhou Linchuan outwardly reverted to his cold and stern demeanor.

But Wen Ci noticed.

This man seemed to be learning how to play mind games.

For instance, just now, as she was on her tiptoes reaching for something on top of the grain cabinet, a scorching body suddenly pressed against her from behind.

“I’ll do it.”

Zhou Linchuan’s voice was cold and indifferent, yet his arm deliberately brushed against her earlobe, taking the jar with a slowness that seemed to be measuring her figure.

Wen Ci could even feel the rise and fall of his chest; his shirt buttons pressed into her back, sending a subtle shiver through her.

Yet, when she turned her head, she saw no expression on his face.

As if he really was just there to help.

It was the same when they slept at night; he would deliberately lie very close, even taking the initiative to tuck her in.

“It’s getting cold.”

Zhou Linchuan propped himself up to tuck in her blanket, his broad chest almost trapping her on the kang.

With every two movements, he would “accidentally” brush her shoulder, his rough fingertips tracing her sensitive skin.

By the time Wen Ci’s ears were burning, he had already lain back down, even casually smoothing her hair, which had fallen to the side, to prevent it from being pressed.

“…”

Wen Ci felt that this man was absolutely doing it on purpose.

But every time she looked over, about to speak, he always had a serious expression or innocent eyes.

Making her swallow the words she was about to say.

The most infuriating thing wasn't these subtle physical contacts.

The most infuriating thing was his gaze.

Whenever she turned her back, she could feel a tangible gaze sticking to her back.

Hot, heavy, with the focused intensity of a beast eyeing its prey.

But when she suddenly turned around, Zhou Linchuan was always “busily” doing something else.

What a difficult man.

Lying on the kang that night, Wen Ci couldn't help but sigh.

Keep up the act.

He might act decent during the day, but at night, in his dreams, who knows what mischief he was up to.

She knew that recently, every morning, he would change his pants first thing, very diligently.

And he was afraid of her finding out.

He clearly looked like he had a guilty conscience.

Time flew by in a blink.

Wen Ci was soon assigned a private room.

“Comrade Wen Ci, that room on the west side has been cleared out for you!”

Old Chen, the production team leader, puffed on his dry tobacco, cheerfully patting the newly pasted window paper, while Sister Xinghua and the others chattered and laughed.

“Sister Wen Ci, come quickly, this room is great!”

“The kang is newly built, the door panel has been reinforced, it’s so comfortable!”

Wen Ci stood outside the threshold, her fingertips lightly tracing the doorframe, her peripheral vision glancing behind her.

Zhou Linchuan leaned against the old Sophora japonica tree outside the courtyard, his hat brim pulled low, his expression unreadable.

She turned around and walked towards him step by step.

“Captain Zhou—” she deliberately drew out her tone, swaying up to him, “Is it okay if I move there?”

The wind swept through the treetops, and a withered leaf spiraled down to the ground between them.

Zhou Linchuan finally looked up, his dark, deep eyes staring intently at her, his Adam's apple bobbing, but he said nothing.

Wen Ci blinked, then tiptoed closer to his ear, “If you don’t say anything, I’ll take that as a yes?”

His breathing suddenly deepened, the hand at his side clenched and then relaxed, ultimately just giving a stiff nod.

Still the same deadpan expression.

His eyes were clearly swirling with undercurrents that threatened to swallow her whole, yet he insisted on pretending to be indifferent.

Wen Ci rolled her eyes inwardly, but she knew how to deal with a repressed man like Zhou Linchuan.

Just four words.

Play hard to get.

As she turned, she deliberately shook her head forcefully, letting her braid brush against his chest, “Then I’ll move tomorrow!”

That night, Zhou Linchuan was eerily quiet.

Wen Ci hummed a little tune as she packed her belongings, folding each piece of clothing with a rustling sound. Zhou Linchuan sat on a nearby chair, lost in thought, though she could feel the low pressure around him.

But she pretended not to notice.

Wen Ci’s hair swayed gently with her movements, even the hem of her dress curved with a cheerful arc.

Like a canary about to fly out of its cage.

Zhou Linchuan sat on the low stool in the shadows, his eyes growing darker.

“Captain Zhou.”

Wen Ci suddenly hugged her bundle and sidled up to him, her upturned face innocent yet cruel.

“Can you see me off tomorrow?” She blinked, “I know I’ve caused you trouble these past few days, you must really dislike me.”

Trouble?

Dislike?

Zhou Linchuan’s jawline tightened, turning white, and his Adam's apple bobbed, creating a sharp line.

“I’ll repay you well later.” She continued to twist the knife in his heart, her fingers unconsciously twirling her braid, “I promise not… to… bother… you… again.”

With each word, Zhou Linchuan’s eyes darkened a bit more.

How dare she?

She was the one who said she liked him.

She was the one who burrowed into his arms.

And now she was the one so eager to escape.

Zhou Linchuan suddenly stood up, his tall figure completely overshadowing her. Wen Ci was forced to retreat, her calf hitting the edge of the kang, and he steadied her with one hand on her waist.

“Repay?” His low, hoarse voice was laced with a hint of bloodlust, “How will you repay me?”

Wen Ci pretended not to sense the danger, tilting her head in thought, “By making you a pair of shoe insoles?”

“Heh.”

He let out a short, sharp laugh, then suddenly leaned in close.

Wen Ci held her breath, ready for an angry kiss or to be pushed down.

But Zhou Linchuan merely reached out…

And brushed away a non-existent speck of dust from her shoulder.

“Alright.” He took half a step back, reverting to his cold and stern Captain Zhou persona, “Six AM tomorrow.”

Wen Ci stood frozen.

That’s it?

She had practically said “never see you again,” and that was his reaction?

Even after the lights were out and she was lying down, she was still glumly tugging at the corner of her blanket.

The next day, everything went smoothly.

The new room was indeed bright.

Wen Ci sat on the smooth kang mat, watching Zhou Linchuan deftly help her nail up a clothesline, fix the stove eye, and even add a latch to the window.

Yet he didn’t leave, and he never once mentioned the words “stay.”

“Zhou Linchuan.” She finally couldn’t help but lightly kick his calf, “Don’t you have anything to say?”

His hand, which was adjusting the kerosene lamp wick, paused. In the dim yellow glow, the outline of his profile was exceptionally sharp, “...Hm.”

Wen Ci laughed in exasperation.

Good, very good.

She cooked a meal to treat Zhou Linchuan, but he didn’t eat, leaving early. Well, there was nothing she could do about that.

Those delicious dishes exchanged with the system, she would just have to enjoy them all by herself.

Zhou Linchuan returned and pushed open the door to his home; the room was pitch black.

The home that had finally begun to warm up now became cold and desolate once more.

Beside him, there would no longer be such a warm and bright person.

No warm yellow kerosene lamp, no hot soup bubbling on the stove, and no figure humming strange tunes.

She really left.

He stood at the doorway for a very long time.

“Liar…”

He murmured to the empty room, a hint of madness gradually spreading through his eyes.

His world,

It shouldn’t be hers to come and go as she pleased.