Zuko shook his head like a rattle drum and rushed out of the living room in a panic. Melissa wore a cryptic smile watching his anxious figure."Oh, honey!" Jesse rubbed his eyes and came out, startled by Melissa standing at the bedroom door. "Are you summoning spirits here when you're not sleeping in the middle of the night?""Get lost!" Melissa slapped his head with a palm and rolled her eyes.Jesse became much more awake. He saw the figure on the porch and looked at his wife's mysterious smile, suddenly understanding something.He pulled her back into the room and lowered his voice. "Say, you wouldn't really choose him as our daughter's husband, would you?""Why not?" Melissa raised an eyebrow, looking pleased. "I just asked about his family background! His family background may not be great, but if we want to find a son-in-law for Lina, he's quite suitable!""What!?""Do you want our daughter to marry into another family and leave us in the future?"Jesse froze, shaking his
Zuko was involved in various activities with the family. He would send and pick up Lina from school, and she would assist at the store.Melissa would engage in conversations with him, while Jesse would pour him wine whenever he drank. Dave looked up to him and occasionally received fighting lessons from him. Overall, he felt connected with the family.However, Zuko noticed that Lina had been ignoring him lately. She would not turn her head to acknowledge him when entering the university gate as she used to.Moreover, she started leaving school later and would quickly walk ahead of him, keeping her head down. At home, she acted as if he didn't exist, and even at the store, she pretended he wasn't there. It was clear that she was deliberately avoiding him.This confused Zuko. They were fine just two days ago, so why was she pushing him away now? Could it be that all women were fickle-minded?Being accustomed to women approaching him whenever he was in a social setting, Zuko found it
Lina looked melancholic and worried on her way home.She was in no mood to participate in the university activity. The calendar filled her head—it was the 15th today, yet her period had been two weeks late.Lina did not know what was happening.A few days ago…Lian happened to hear about a fellow student who had gotten pregnant from her boyfriend a few days ago. She was helpless and wanted to get an abortion at the hospital.At that moment, Lina shivered as the strange night she had spent with Zeke flashed through her head!Her arms and legs felt weak, so she bought a pregnancy test stick.Lina tested uneasily and was only slightly relieved when she saw only one line on it. However, she had read on the Internet that many people said testing one time might not be accurate.As such, she was so stressed that she was almost breaking down.…Lina had been treating Zuko as if he were invisible and being cold to him the past few days.Firstly, she felt numb from the stress. Secondl
“Oh, this?”Zuko took out what he was holding. It was a banknote.Lina was stunned at first. She only realized that it was not a banknote but a drawn one!It was just that the patterns and the lines were too real!Zuko could totally fool someone with that.Lina was dumbstruck and looked at him blankly.Zuko noticed the complex emotions flashing through her eyes at that second.Did she think that he was forging banknotes?Zuko chuckled. “Your father asked me if I could forge banknotes. I don’t, but I can draw them. I drew this, especially for you.”“For me?” asked Lina.“Mm-hmm.” He gestured and said, “Flip it over.”Lina flipped it over in doubt. The normal banknotes should have the location of the bank printed on the center-right side, but there were two alphabet characters in their place instead—LJ.Lina was confused at first and then stunned. She suddenly looked up. Zuko no longer looked unfathomable and cold like before. There was a strange warmth in his eyes now.“I d
Zuko was stunned."My class starts at 8:30 a.m., and it's already 8:20 a.m." Lina felt troubled. "I need it for the third period. I—"Zuko turned around and departed without saying another word, leaving her standing there alone.Lina stood there, lost in thought. She couldn't seem to comprehend this man's intentions... After arriving in the classroom, she still had five minutes to spare. She took a bite of her granola bar and noticed that it contained sugar, yet it failed to taste sweet.As the third period approached, Lina struggled to focus. The lecturer's words felt like rocket science to her. She filled her mind with excuses for potentially being unable to submit her homework on time.During a break, she made a quick visit to the bathroom.Upon her return, Gia intercepted her outside the classroom. "Lina!""Hmm?" Lina was stunned. "What's up?""Don't… go in yet." Gia looked rather odd.Lina looked into the classroom.Violet was spewing nonsense. "I guess you guys didn't k
"You!" Violet was mad from the humiliation and almost hit Lina. However, she held back as her classmates were watching.After all, she had been putting on the facade of a friendly and generous princess. If she really slapped her and those ill-intentioned people uploaded the clip onto the Internet, the facade she had put so much effort into would be completely ruined!Her lips quivered, and she tried her best to smile."Get over yourself, Lina!" Violet gnashed her teeth and enunciated each word. "Don't think you're safe just because you married that fool! I'll never let you go!"Lina glanced at her and continued reading as if nothing happened.Gia went to sit next to Lina and held her hand softly.Zuko stood at the door, having witnessed everything. Frowning in disgust, he cast a glance of disapproval at Violet. He then turned around and made his way to a quiet corner in the corridor, where he made a call, speaking softly. "Jacob, it's me."The latter was surprised as Zuko hardly
Violet grinned. "So, Lina, when will you guys hold a party? I'm sure you can't afford that, right?"That man is poor, yet you insisted on marrying him. What do you like about him?"Gia gnashed her teeth. "Violet, you know very well why she got married!""How would I know?" Violet laughed out loud. "Don't tell me she's keeping a secret?""Absolutely not," Lina declared, rising from her seat. Her gaze turned cold as she scanned the room, ultimately fixing it firmly on Violet.Lina displayed no fear as she confronted Violet. The latter was taken aback by Lina's unwavering posture, rendering her speechless."Since everyone is so curious about why I got married, I'll fulfill your wish today." She smiled and said, "It's because… I love him!""What!?"Everyone was shocked, including shell-shocked Violet.Lina smiled. She was happy that Zuko was not there, or she would feel embarrassed."Yes, I love him!" She raised her voice intentionally. "My husband is the best man in the world. H
A hush fell over the students as the lecturer entered the classroom.It was a design theory class, and Lina had consistently excelled, earning praise for her homework numerous times.However, her heart was in disarray right now.Her gaze fixated emptily on her homework, her thoughts consumed by Zuko's presence as he entered the room.She absentmindedly touched her hair, still feeling the lingering warmth from his touch...A smile gradually spread across her face as she stared into space.What had he said before he left? He had mentioned bringing her lunch.For a moment, she was taken aback, revealing an awkward smile.How could that be possible? The store would be crowded at noon, and he was expected to remain there with her parents. How could he possibly find the time to bring her lunch? Moreover, did he even know how to cook?Perhaps he had simply said it without much thought.Yet, despite her skepticism, his words brought her joy.…Soon, It was noon, and the students we