Chapter 3, The Forests Are Drenched in Color (3)

Zhou Zhengxian woke up with a start from his dream, and when he opened his eyes, a thin layer of sweat had already formed on his body. He frowned slightly and sat up from the bed

I had that dream again

"Yes, young master," Zhou Yan said, looking at Zhou Zhengxian with some concern. "Young master, did you have another nightmare?"

The girl's choked voice, the deafening sound of the house collapsing

Zhou Zhengxian did not speak

"Xiao Luo, the steward asked you to fetch the wine from the cellar, where have you gone?" Suddenly, someone shouted at the young man.

You, you really have a poor memory. Hurry up, if the Third Young Master returns to his room and doesn't find what he needs, he will surely get angry. Upon hearing this, the person called Xiao Luo's expression changed drastically, "Alright!"

I would like to ask, what happened to Mr. Zhou who came yesterday? Why does he need to use a wheelchair

At this point, a hint of disdainful smile appeared at the corner of Lin Jinran's mouth

Zhou Zhengxian's gaze slightly retracted, his voice somewhat heavy, "You may leave now"

The adoptive father is a retired soldier, and it was he who rescued her from the ruins. During that earthquake, she was left battered and bruised, her face a bloody mess. The adoptive father knew full well the price he would have to pay to take her away, yet he did not hesitate.

In this way, Uncle Zhou Ming retired two years ago

He instinctively raised his hand to touch his forehead, and the back of his hand immediately felt damp and cool.

"If you are done, you may leave. I feel more at ease knowing you are at the Zhou family; Old Yang will take care of you," Bao Chunbin said, directly issuing an eviction order. "I have class; you should head back first."

She truly does not know whether she should return here. Perhaps if it were not for the phone call from her mother two days ago, expressing a desire to go out to work, she would not have made the decision to come.

Then let's go together, I happen to be going to have a meal with my classmates

Bao Chunbin looked at her with disdain and said, "When did you become so timid that you fear making mistakes?"

How did he get injured

Lin Jinran no longer paid him any attention, turning around and heading towards the dormitory

Lin Jinran pushed the door open and, as he closed it, he faintly heard Bao Chunbin muttering, "He's just a young kid, why doesn't he take better care of his health? The Zhou family, indeed, is not quite normal..."

Zhou Yan's brows slowly furrowed, "So many years have passed since the incident, and you have done nothing wrong. Why must you torment yourself like this"

Zhou residence, a spacious room, the lighting is dim

Currently, my father is ill and requires a large amount of medication, while my mother is merely a housewife. Relying solely on the pension is absolutely insufficient to support this family

Wu Jitong let out a sound, "Senior sister, have you eaten?"

Wu Jitong glared at her, his eyes filled with displeasure

Zhou Zhengxian said nothing and simply sat down on the sofa. Seeing this, Zhou Yan had no choice but to silently retreat, but as he closed the door, he heard Zhou Zhengxian softly say, "You all can, but I cannot..."

On the way back to the dormitory, Lin Jinran's mind was filled with the image of Zhou Zhengxian from yesterday. In fact, one could not discern any issues just by looking at his appearance. She had never considered that he had not been able to walk out unscathed from that earthquake. She thought he would always be well taken care of, after all, in everyone's eyes, only he, the eldest young master of the Zhou family, was the most important.

Yes, the Third Young Master has also returned

Miss Lin, the pharmacy is just ahead. You need to keep walking straight, and when you see the fork, turn right, and you will arrive. " After saying this, Xiao Luo hurriedly ran off

Lin Jinran pressed her lips together and said no more. However, when she reached the office door, she suddenly stopped and said, "Teacher"

The forest is dyed in colors

By the way, I heard that the Zhou family has very strict rules, and the person in charge is called Zhou Ming

Lin Jinran shot him a glance and said, "Children should not meddle in other people's affairs"

With meticulous care, a brand new appearance, they led her out of the shadows, allowing her to become a new person. This kindness, she will never forget

Zhou Zhengxian set down the glass. He did not turn around; only a cool voice came through, "It is not that I want to torment myself, but I cannot forget. That child, I truly owe her an apology."

Hello, may I ask if this is Miss Lin?" A young man in his twenties walked out from the door

The Zhou family has been passed down for a hundred years, and has developed into a prominent family in this era. Long ago, apart from the direct descendants of the Zhou family, many people here did not bear the surname Zhou; it was only later, after following the head of the Zhou family, that they changed their surname. Her ancestors probably did not originally have the surname Zhou either; it was only because they served the Zhou family for generations that they changed their surname according to custom.

Lin Jinran paused slightly; she was well aware of his old ailment. However, during the earthquake, was he not brought back intact by the Zhou family?

It's nothing, just curious

"Oh, Ji Tong, this is quite remarkable," one of the boys said. "I suppose you two are not together, are you?"

The Zhou family is a very tempting presence. Bao Chunbin is absolutely right; there is no better treatment than that of the Zhou family. The salary is significantly higher than that of an average family. Therefore, she must go

At that time, she could never have imagined that this vast Zhou family was not her home at all

Senior sister, what a coincidence, where are you going

The door was quickly pushed open, and a man approached, standing respectfully by the bedside, "Young Master, you are awake."

What are you asking this for

The forest is dyed, leaving my heart empty; I do not know whether to feel fortunate or disappointed

So much time has passed, yet that dream remains so vivid

En. Zhou Zhengxian lifted the quilt and got out of bed, and Zhou Yan hurriedly went to assist him.

Bao Chunbin raised his gaze to look at her, "Is there anything else?"

Alright, come in with me, I will take you to Dr. Yang

Wu Jitong shrugged and casually remarked, "It is likely that it is you idle people; she does not particularly like strangers"

"The rules are certainly strict, and you outsiders must abide by them," said the young man. "However, Uncle Zhou Ming returned to Sichuan two years ago, and he is no longer in charge. It is strange that you would know this."

Lin Jinran nodded slightly, "Yes."

You are still curious about this, well, since you might encounter it when you go, let me tell you. Bao Chunbin said, "Mr. Zhou has had a chronic illness since childhood, and his condition fluctuates. According to Old Yang, Mr. Zhou was injured in the Wenchuan earthquake many years ago, and it seems that his health has deteriorated since then"

As she walked along, Lin Jinran noticed some changes in the Zhou family. The corridor, the artificial hill, and the stone bridge no longer resembled what she remembered. She recalled that when she first came here, she was only 10 years old. At that time, her biological mother had passed away, and her father, who had divorced her mother long ago, brought her and her sister here. That person said that this would be their home from now on, and he would take good care of them.

The child version of myself was truly naive, believing whatever was said to me as the truth

Wu Jitong cast him a glance and said, "As a grown man, can you be a bit more serious? Lin Jinran is my senior sister; she has helped me a lot academically. If you dare to slander her again, be careful that I really turn against you."

After Wu Jitong finished speaking, the eyes of the boys beside him all lit up. However, before they could extend an invitation, they heard Lin Jinran say, "No, you go by yourself."

A few boys exchanged glances and said, "Alright, alright, no need to say anything..."

Not yet

Wu Jitong is accustomed to her like this, so he murmured softly, "You better not go smoke again, cigarettes cannot replace food"

I am not sure about that. Bao Chunbin added, "Actually, there is nothing seriously wrong with his leg; it is likely just that he has not been feeling well recently, which is why he is having difficulty walking"

That is all

In fact, she somewhat wanted to see him; she wanted to find out if he was suffering due to the "passing" of their two daughters, and to see whether he would feel any guilt...

Lin Jinran only raised her eyes to take a glance upon hearing the sound. Seeing that it was Wu Jitong, she forced a smile and said, "Return to the dormitory"

"Teacher, is there no other choice?" Lin Jinran remained silent for a long time before finally asking. However, as soon as she finished her question, she was shot a glare by Bao Chunbin. "Other choices? Do you think there is a place with better treatment than the Zhou family?"

The young man leading Lin Jinran paused and said, "Oh dear, I forgot. Doctor Yang asked me to pick someone up, so I hurried off."

Alright, please call Wayne over in a moment

"No need to." Zhou Zhengxian raised his hand to stop him. He walked to the coffee table, picked up a glass of water on the edge, and took a small sip. "Have my second uncle and the others returned?"

Zhou Yan lowered his gaze and said, "If this matter were to happen again, we would still choose to save you, young master. You are the heir of the Zhou family, and as descendants of the Zhou family who support it, we should prioritize the greater good."

Lin Jinran raised an eyebrow, and the meaning of "who else but you" in her eyes was quite clear

After Lin Jinyan walked away, the few boys behind Wu Jitong approached and said, "Hey, aren't you on good terms with Senior Sister Lin? Why can't you even get her to join us for a meal?"

Lin Jinran was lost in thought and did not notice Wu Jitong and several boys approaching, laughing and joking.

It turns out it is no longer here

Lin Jinran responded softly, "Alright, I understand."

Young Master

The collateral and direct descendants of the Zhou family may share the same surname, but their statuses are worlds apart. This is not her home; it is merely where their loyalty and faith reside

Zhou Yan

Zhou Yan slowly clenched his hand, "If my uncle can make this choice, then naturally... I can too"

"Don't keep it to yourself; everyone knows you are the closest to her. So, how is it? What is it like to be with the ice queen?"

It was already a week later when Lin Jinran stood at the entrance of the Zhou residence

"Together?" Wu Jitong almost laughed out loud, "What does this have to do with anything?"

I was just speaking casually, why are you so agitated

And when she was young, she never imagined that loyalty and faith would be more important than blood relations. In that person's heart, she and her sister were not the closest ones at all... biological daughter... These four words probably only served as a mere decoration in his heart

Lin Jinran raised her eyebrows, noticing that this person's demeanor seemed to indicate a great fear of the "Third Young Master." Is the "Third Young Master" really that terrifying? Lin Jinran smiled slightly; in her memory, that boy was clearly very obedient.

Thank you. Lin Jinran followed the young man into the Zhou family home

Lin Jinran paused for a moment and said, "Oh, I have also heard my teacher mention it before, so I have a bit of an impression."

Who is the child!

Lin smiled faintly and said, "That's not it. It's just that you, teacher, have also mentioned that the Zhou family is not like ordinary families, and I am afraid of making mistakes"

Although her current mother is not her biological mother, she treats her no differently than if she were. For Lin Jinran, both her adoptive mother and adoptive father are of utmost importance.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Wu Jitong immediately wore an expression of "I cannot afford to worship this Buddha," and said, "Stop talking nonsense!"

Yes

Zhou Zhengxian smiled faintly, yet there was no ripple in his eyes. "I remember she used to call you 'brother.' If she were still here, would you still be able to say this?"

Zhou Zhengxian let out a bitter laugh; perhaps he would never forget in this lifetime, never forget that fragmented world, never forget the fear and suffering of those people, and even more so, never forget that he could not save her, himself.