My Aloof Husband Can't Stop His Devoted Affection

Chapter 218 - 217: Vividly remembered

Walking out of the apartment building, Jiang Baizhou chuckled lightly. Hearing the laughter, Cen Jin turned her head to look at him and asked in confusion, "What are you laughing at? What’s so funny?"Jiang Baizhou stopped, looked at her directly, and gently brushed her bangs behind her ear, "I just found it funny what you said to Nan Jiayan before we left, that’s all."

"What do you mean?" Cen Jin glanced at him, full of doubt.

"You said you wouldn’t let him off. What method do you plan to use not to let him off?"

"I..." Cen Jin was momentarily speechless, unable to answer, and finally let out a cold snort, "Though I don’t have a way, if it’s a warning, it should have some deterrent power, right? Besides, look at Nan Jiayan, all calm and composed, acting like nothing’s wrong. And then look at Shi Shu, how much pain she went through because of this, and the changes she made. You’ve seen it all yourself! I’m just standing up for her, feeling especially angry about it."

"I know you don’t want Lu Shishu to get hurt again, but matters of the heart are something only they understand." Jiang Baizhou smiled and pulled her hand, heading towards where he parked his car.

Cen Jin was pulled along by him, with a small face drooping and lips pressed together. Of course, she knew this. However, as an intimate friend of Lu Shishu, she really didn’t want to see that despondent version of Lu Shishu again. Lu Shishu had changed so much for him, unlike her original self. She had painstakingly spent seven years trying to forget, and now he suddenly appeared—how could she accept that!

The past events were so clear in her mind, watching her bit by bit become indifferent, the light in her eyes fading—the naive and lively Lu Shishu could never come back.

Cen Jin took a deep breath, nodded, and seemed somewhat despondent, "I think, after so many years, suddenly seeing Nan Jiayan, Shi Shu probably wasn’t prepared mentally. We are all onlookers, so it’s indeed difficult to intervene. However, I want to be a strong support for Shi Shu. Inside, she’s actually very fragile, not as unbreakable as she appears on the surface."

"Yes, as long as she needs, it’s enough that you’re there." The corners of Jiang Baizhou’s mouth lifted with a faint smile as he put an arm around her delicate waist and drew her into his embrace.

Once home, Cen Jin changed into her pajamas, snuggled under the covers, and texted Yu Feici about the events of the evening, but Yu Feici didn’t reply quickly.

Jiang Baizhou walked in with a cup of hot milk, noticing her worried expression as she leaned against the headboard, her brows still furrowed, knowing she was concerned about Lu Shishu’s situation. He pressed his lips together, slowly walked over, and handed her the hot milk, "Don’t think too much. After she sobers up tomorrow, you can go over to check on her. Drink this cup of milk and get a good night’s sleep."

Cen Jin looked up at him, took the milk, and felt warmth in her heart, then gave a sweet smile, "Thank you." She then lowered her head and took a couple of sips.

Jiang Baizhou just silently gazed at her, seated at the edge of the bed, letting out a silent sigh. His struggles, only he truly understood them.

After Cen Jin finished the milk, she wanted to get up to put down the cup, but Jiang Baizhou took it from her hands, replaced the lid she had lifted on the cup, "I’ll do it, you just lay down properly."

"Okay."

After Jiang Baizhou left with the cup, Yu Feici called directly through WeChat. She said she was surprised about the situation and revealed that Lu Shishu had called her last night around eight but she was busy and couldn’t answer. Additionally, she mentioned being on a business trip and wouldn’t return to Nancheng until the next week.

The two of them chatted for about ten minutes before ending the call, but Cen Jin felt even more restless. Both she and Yu Feici had witnessed Lu Shishu’s transformation from an outgoing, lively girl into a glamorous woman addicted to alcohol and cigarettes.

It was only around half-past one that Cen Jin gradually fell asleep, and she didn’t wake until nine the next morning. When she woke, Jiang Baizhou had already left for school, leaving her a message on WeChat to rest at home today. After replying with a simple ’okay’, a sudden thought of Lu Shishu struck her, and she hurriedly exited WeChat to call Lu Shishu.

The call was answered on the third ring. Compared to the drunken sweetness from before, today’s Lu Shishu seemed like a new person; her tone was refreshingly pleasant.

"Shi Shu, are you okay?" Cen Jin hesitated for a while before tentatively asking.

"Yes, I’m fine. Just made some soup to sober up. Thank you for bringing me back last night, Cen Jin." Lu Shishu laughed lightly, her words carrying a subtle sense of ease and relaxation.

"There’s no need to thank me between us." Cen Jin thought for a moment and still asked, "That... are you really okay?"

"Hmm?" Sensing her repeated questioning, Lu Shishu laughed, "I just got drunk, what trouble could there be? It’s not like I haven’t been drunk before."

Cen Jin pressed her lips, "Nan Jiayan..."

As soon as she mentioned Nan Jiayan, the laughter on the other end of the call abruptly ceased. After a while, Lu Shishu spoke again, still with a smile, "You found out?"

"Yes, last night when Jiang Baizhou and I went to the bar to pick you up, he happened to be there too. And... what surprised me the most was, he said he lives next door to you. Didn’t you know this already?"

Hearing this, Lu Shishu involuntarily glanced toward the dining table where breakfast sat, her expression darkening. She turned and walked toward the balcony, letting the golden sunlight bathe her, "Yes, I knew."

"You knew?" Cen Jin exclaimed in surprise; Nan Jiayan had said she didn’t know when asked yesterday.

"Yes, he just brought me breakfast."

"Oh, I see!" Cen Jin realized, yet a new wave of doubt arose in her heart, leading her to probe once again, "Then... Shi Shu, what do you think now? You and Nan Jiayan..."

Lu Shishu chuckled, clearly understanding what Cen Jin was referring to, and placed her hand on the railing, lowering her gaze, "Just a normal working relationship, don’t worry. I know my limits, Cen Jin. I’ve passed the age of being wilful and reckless for love. He and I ended seven years ago. The me now, you should understand."

Hearing this, Cen Jin felt somewhat relieved yet still worried, but refrained from delving further into the reasons behind last night’s drinking.

"Alright, you should rest well at home today. Don’t drink anymore these days. Don’t forget you’re someone who suffers from gastritis; be careful it doesn’t flare up again, especially after drinking so aggressively last night." Seeing that her condition was relatively stable, Cen Jin reminded her a few times.

"Yes, I know." Lu Shishu smiled, finished speaking, and ended the call. She took a deep breath and gazed into the distance.