"Since you're worried about that, why were you with me last night?"
A Zhong didn't know how to answer.
On one hand, logic told him that two people being together was unrealistic.
On the other hand, his emotions told him that he really liked Zhou Jinbei.
Seeing his conflicted expression, Zhou Jinbei knew she had found the right person to talk to.
No matter what, he was someone who seriously considered the consequences and wanted to be responsible.
In the past, these issues had caused them to delay, afraid to face them bravely.
Now, she didn't want to repeat the same mistakes.
"Don't you already know? Our family's situation isn't as good as it looks on the surface, otherwise, you wouldn't have to sell your house to help me."
"It's true that my parents raised me, but I've already repaid them. They're lazy and expect their children to constantly clean up their messes, which is impossible."
"Before, it was to help the family that I married just anyone. But their reaction chilled me."
"From now on, I won't put their feelings first anymore. How old am I? I want to live for myself."
"And I think you have potential, you'll definitely succeed in the future. Even if my parents don't think highly of you now, they'll eventually give you a thumbs-up. Have some confidence, okay?"
A Zhong wasn't as optimistic as her.
"A starved camel is still bigger than a horse."
Although his family's business had failed, their old savings were still there.
The old villa they were tired of living in alone was enough for him, a working man, to struggle with for half his life.
"What if I never succeed?"
Zhou Jinbei blinked.
"At worst, I'll still be Zhan Beijue's assistant, just like when I first met you. Didn't you still like me then?"
"Don't overthink it. I'll work hard from now on too, and won't put the burden of supporting the family solely on you. Don't give up on me again, okay?"
When a girl said this much, if he were to shy away again, it would seem too unmanly.
A Zhong pulled her into his arms.
"As long as you have faith in me."
Zhou Jinbei hugged him happily.
"My second brother called you this morning and said to give you a week off to handle personal matters."
"What? President Zhan..."
Zhou Jinbei pushed him back.
"Don't be so agitated, he won't eat you. He'll have to know about our affairs sooner or later."
"Besides, you only focus on work all year round. What's wrong with taking a week off?"
He felt awkward just thinking about Zhan Beijue knowing about him and Zhou Jinbei.
Before, they had been secretive, but now... he didn't know what Zhan Beijue would think of him.
"A week off is fine, I'll spend it with you. Tell me, what do you want to do after we get up?"
"Anything as long as I'm with you."
"Then shall we go shopping and see a movie?"
"We can go shopping and see a movie anytime. Isn't Uncle still alone at home? He just got out of the hospital, shouldn't we go back and see him?"
A Zhong was deeply touched that Zhou Jinbei would proactively say this.
The little girl was becoming more sensible.
"Then let's go back and see my dad first. He'll be very happy to know we're together. He's always liked you."
Zhou Jinbei beamed.
"Of course. Who wouldn't like a cute girl like me?"
As she spoke, she suddenly thought of something better.
"Why don't we get him a gift while we're at it?"
"What gift?"
"Never mind, you get up first, and then take me somewhere."
The two of them hurriedly got up and washed up. A Zhong drove her back home.
Soon, Zhou Jinbei came down from upstairs with something.
The household registration book.
She handed it to A Zhong.
"I've established my own household now, and I'm quite lonely. If you don't mind my past, shall we merge into one?"
Zhou Jinbei wanted to register their marriage with him?
A Zhong was truly surprised, and at the same time, deeply moved.
"Beibei, don't be impulsive..."
"I'm not being impulsive. We've known each other for so long, and we even have a child. Do you think I'm not sincere enough?"
A Zhong didn't mean it that way: "...I haven't even proposed."
"I don't mind!"
"I haven't prepared anything..."
"I know, it happened suddenly. I don't mind."
"Then, when we look back on this, or if others ask, won't you feel embarrassed?"
Zhou Jinbei raised an eyebrow: "Am I the kind of person who is easily swayed by others?"
But A Zhong was still worried.
"My company abroad is still in its early stages, and there are a lot of things to deal with. I might not be able to stay in the country for three to five years..."
Zhou Jinbei said: "Since I've decided to be with you, we'll never be apart again. This is easy to handle."
"Once we get our marriage certificate, I'll beg my sister-in-law to arrange for me to go out with you. We'll be together openly, dating on company expense."
A Zhong felt a little embarrassed: "...Will this be..."
Zhou Jinbei pinched his face: "It's decided, don't overthink things."
"Actually, my sister-in-law already knew about us, but she has high emotional intelligence and didn't expose it. Otherwise, how could I have gone to Jincheng alone to find you last time?"
The two of them acted immediately and got their marriage certificate before the Civil Affairs Bureau closed for lunch.
Then, they drove back together to see Zhong's father.
In the afternoon, A Zhong took her to the Zhan family to find Jiang Nan Fang.
The first time she got married, she didn't inform Chen Jiaojiao, who then complained to Zhou Jinbei endlessly.
This time, Zhou Jinbei didn't dare to leave her out.
As she walked towards Jiang Nan Fang's place, she messaged Chen Jiaojiao, telling her to also come to the Zhan family, as there was something big to announce.
By the time Chen Jiaojiao arrived at the Zhan family, Jiang Nan Fang and Zhou Jinbei were already having a lively chat in the living room.
Zhou Jinbei slapped her bright red marriage certificate in front of her, startling Chen Jiaojiao so much she almost jumped.
"Who is it? Who did you get married to?"
"You wicked woman, always doing big things without a word. Hurry and let me see!"
Opening it, she saw Zhong Jiaming.
"You two are together? You two are really together? Since when?"
"Good for you, Zhou Jinbei. You were drinking with me just a while ago, cursing him as a terrible person, and now you're his wife! Tell me quickly what happened!"
Three women make a lot of noise. They gathered around, chattering, and recounted everything that had happened recently.
Chen Jiaojiao sighed with emotion.
"It's so touching. I never thought that you, the heartless Zhou, could have such a poignant and melodious love story."
"Compared to you guys, I..."
Zhou Jinbei stopped her from getting sentimental: "You don't need to be like this in front of me. Someone is more miserable than you."
"Who?"
"Lu Mingzhe. Didn't you know? Xiang Wan dumped him."
"Ah?"
Jiang Nan Fang recounted the bits and pieces she knew to Chen Jiaojiao.
Chen Jiaojiao burst into laughter.
"Oh my, I didn't expect Xiang Wan, who looks so delicate, to be so formidable! Lu Mingzhe chased after her so eagerly, and they even had a child, yet she could still break free so easily!"
"She knows what's important, she's amazing! She's truly a role model for us!"