Heartthrob, Your Image is Crumbling!

Chapter 384: Zheng Yanyan, Traveling Across the Ocean to See You

Zhou Yuwen was genuinely stunned when he learned that Zheng Yanyan had come to Xuhuai, but he quickly recovered and sent her a message, telling her not to wander around the station and that he would be right there to pick her up.Originally, Zheng Yanyan had been obediently waiting at the station, her heart full of joy for Zhou Yuwen to pick her up.

But when she grew bored, she sent a photo to her dormitory group chat, announcing that she had come to find Zhou Yuwen!

Su Qing was naturally dumbfounded upon seeing this message, and she called her immediately without a second thought.

"No, it's the Lunar New Year. What are you doing in Xuhuai?"

"I can go wherever I want! Is it any of your business?" Zheng Yanyan retorted, still maintaining her fearless attitude.

Su Qing gritted her teeth in anger. "You just wait, I'll be right there to pick you up!"

"Tch, why should I wait just because you told me to?"

Zheng Yanyan was full of disdain.

She had originally been waiting honestly at the station for Zhou Yuwen, but after nearly fifteen minutes without him showing up, Su Qing called to ask where she was.

Zheng Yanyan certainly had no desire to waste her breath on Su Qing.

Truth be told, during the New Year period, Zheng Yanyan frequently flirted with Zhou Yuwen online, sending him seductive photos.

Naturally, Zhou Yuwen felt aroused upon seeing them, so he simply sent Zheng Yanyan his family's location and challenged, "Come over then."

The problem was that Zhou Yuwen never actually expected Zheng Yanyan to show up.

And so, Zheng Yanyan decided to give Zhou Yuwen an even bigger surprise; she hailed a taxi herself and headed straight for the alleyway near Zhou Yuwen's house!

For a nineteen-year-old girl—especially a girl from a big city—to travel specifically to a small town just to see someone she missed, the messy and dilapidated state of the place was predictable. Logically, Zheng Yanyan should have been disgusted by everything around her at this moment. Yet, her mind was entirely filled with Zhou Yuwen, causing her to overlook it all. She could only think about how excited Zhou Yuwen would be when they met in a moment, and how she would throw herself directly at him.

Aside from that, nothing else mattered.

Su Qing called Zhou Yuwen to inform him that Zheng Yanyan had arrived in Xuhuai.

At that moment, Zhou Yuwen had just escorted his Elder Aunt home.

Logically, Zhou Yuwen should have left to pick up Zheng Yanyan much earlier, but there was always the customary back-and-forth between relatives. For example, his Elder Aunt told Zhou Yuwen's mother, "Yuwen's Mom, Xiaoyong's girlfriend has been staying at your place for so long and caused you trouble. Here are some newly pickled vegetables from my house, take some back with you."

Yang Lirong did not decline, so the two sides went back and forth, delaying things for a good fifteen minutes.

Zhou Yuwen could hardly just say, "Mom, take your time with the pickles, I'm leaving first!"

"I know. I'm out with my mom right now and can't get away. Why don't you go to the station to pick her up?" Zhou Yuwen told Su Qing.

Su Qing replied, "I am at the station, but she isn't answering my calls."

"Then wait for me a bit. I'm almost done here," Zhou Yuwen said as he noticed his mother coming out with his Elder Aunt outside the car.

Su Qing was somewhat panicked. Just as Zhou Yuwen was about to hang up, she suddenly called out to him, "Hubby."

"Yeah?"

"Do you think she... she won't sprout nonsense, right?" Su Qing's voice carried genuine fear, terrified that Zheng Yanyan might actually drag their two families into this and cause a reckless scene.

Zhou Yuwen's family might be fine, but Pan Min would absolutely never agree to it.

No matter how much money Zhou Yuwen offered, Pan Min was ultimately a rather traditional woman. How could she ever be willing to let her daughter share a husband with another woman?

Because of this, Su Qing was absolutely terrified at this moment.

Zhou Yuwen could only comfort her over the phone, saying, "Don't overthink it. I'm here. Anyway, there's no way we'll let our Mom find out about this."

Just as he finished speaking, Yang Lirong loaded the pickles into the trunk and got into the car. As soon as she sat down, she heard her son murmuring agreements on the phone.

Yang Lirong did not even need to guess to know who was on the other end of the line.

Once Zhou Yuwen hung up, Yang Lirong asked bluntly, "Is it your girlfriend again?"

Zhou Yuwen felt very helpless hearing this and smiled. "Mom, you and my Elder Aunt were busy over there. Can't I just make a phone call?"

"Sure, I didn't say you couldn't. I'm just worried she's asking you for something again," Yang Lirong muttered sullenly.

Zhou Yuwen did not reply; he lightly stepped on the gas and started the car.

Along the way, Yang Lirong complained relentlessly to Zhou Yuwen. Even though Zhou Yuwen had told her countless times that Su Qing had also contributed to his career, Yang Lirong simply felt that demanding a car before marriage was inherently wrong.

She added, "Son, you are at least a famous writer now. Are you really that desperate for women?"

"Why would you settle for just any woman?"

"I heard she also comes from a divorced family?" Yang Lirong asked casually.

Zhou Yuwen genuinely felt a bit displeased upon hearing this and asked, "Who did you hear that from?"

With Yang Lirong's connections, finding out these things was actually not difficult. The problem was that in his previous life, his mother had clearly stated that regardless of the other party's family background, as long as the little girl was kind-hearted, it would be fine.

Why was the difference so massive in this lifetime?

Zhou Yuwen told Yang Lirong exactly that, saying that when two people are together, getting along well is all that matters.

Yet Yang Lirong stated as a matter of course, "But my son is so excellent, you surely deserve someone better."

"When I went to work, I told my colleagues about you, and so many of my colleagues were fighting to set you up on dates! Hey, son, take a look at this."

It seemed Yang Lirong was serious; she even pulled out her phone to scroll through photos.

Zhou Yuwen was driving at the moment, so naturally, he was unwilling to look.

However, he heard Yang Lirong say, "This one is the former mayor's granddaughter. She's currently attending a university in the city. After learning about you, she was quite interested. You should add each other on WeChat and chat."

Zhou Yuwen replied, "Mom, I already have a girlfriend."

"There is no way I would do anything to betray my girlfriend."

"Mom, when did you become so snobbish?"

In just a few words, he rendered Yang Lirong speechless.

Zhou Yuwen drove the car to the front of their house, then got off to help his mother carry the jars of pickles. Before stepping out, he did not forget to drop one last remark: "Mom, I never expected you to be this kind of person. You've truly made me too disappointed."

These words indeed stirred a sense of guilt in his old mother.

But this guilt did not last for long.

"Zhou Yuwen?"

A familiar voice sounded from behind him.

Yang Lirong turned to look toward the source of the sound.

In the distance, traces of snow had not yet completely melted away.

In truth, the alleyway outside these self-built houses was somewhat cluttered.

And yet, against this messy, snowy backdrop.

Stood a tall and strikingly beautiful girl.

She had a head of beautiful black hair and wore a slim-fitting wool coat paired with tight pants and long boots. The girl was already quite tall, and with the long boots, she naturally appeared even more imposing.

What a gorgeous girl!

Yang Lirong could not help but praise her inwardly.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yuwen, whose back was turned, merely heard the voice and instantly thought, 'I'm doomed!'

He turned around somewhat reluctantly.

At this moment.

The two former lovers met once again.

Zheng Yanyan's eyes instantly welled up with tears.

Without a second thought, she threw herself directly into Zhou Yuwen's arms right in front of Yang Lirong.

In this instant, she truly cried. For a young girl to travel hundreds of miles to an unfamiliar place, taking a taxi all the way to a neighborhood that looked like a shantytown.

To tell the truth, when the taxi dropped her off, she felt a bit of regret.

Because she knew neither the place nor the people here, leaving her standing there all alone.

The people in this area were all old neighbors who had lived here for over a decade. Suddenly encountering a foreign face, everyone passing by couldn't help but steal a few glances. And these unfamiliar stares filled Zheng Yanyan with profound unease.

In fact, Zheng Yanyan had already begun to regret her decision.

Just as she was about to leave.

Suddenly, a familiar car appeared before her eyes.

She had simply followed the car to get here.

The moment she threw herself at Zhou Yuwen, all her feelings of being wronged vanished into thin air. She even wiped her tears on Zhou Yuwen's shoulder and cried out, feeling wronged, "I... I thought I... I thought I came to the wrong place!"

Faced with such a deeply affectionate ex-girlfriend.

And seeing his mother's shocked and astonished gaze, Zhou Yuwen also felt extremely helpless. However, in this moment, all he could do was pat Zheng Yanyan's shoulder and whisper softly, "It's alright, as long as you've arrived."

This wasn't the place to talk. Whatever needed to be said could wait until they were inside.

Fortunately, Zhou Yuwen's home was not as dilapidated as Zheng Yanyan had imagined. The interior decoration was actually quite decent; although it was a self-built house, the interior genuinely resembled a small villa.

Zheng Yanyan sat on the sofa in the living room, feeling somewhat reserved.

Yang Lirong poured Zheng Yanyan a cup of hot tea to let her warm up her body.

In response, Zheng Yanyan even made a point to stand up and express her thanks.

Yang Lirong was certainly welcoming, saying, "It's fine, it's fine, just stay seated."

Despite those words, Zheng Yanyan was indeed acting very stiff and proper at the moment. After all, this was Zhou Yuwen's mother.

Upon hearing that Zheng Yanyan had come from Jingcheng, Yang Lirong developed an immense interest and sat down to chat with her.

Zhou Yuwen walked over and made a phone call to Su Qing, telling her to stop searching because Yan Yan was now at his house.

"She's at your house!?" Su Qing instantly furrowed her brows. "What is she doing at your house?"

"It's a long story. Just go home for now, I'll handle it."

He said that, but in truth, Zhou Yuwen had no idea how to handle it either.

He glanced back at his mother and Zheng Yanyan.

It was truly bizarre; how had his mother suddenly become so enthusiastic?

She was even smiling.

Zhou Yuwen inwardly cursed, thinking this was bad, and hurriedly walked over to ask, "What are you two chatting about, looking so happy?"

Before Zheng Yanyan could speak.

Yang Lirong smiled and said, "Look at you. Yan Yan is such a wonderful girl, yet I've never heard you mention her."

"..."

Zhou Yuwen said, "Alright then."

"Mom, Yan Yan came all the way from Jingcheng, she must be exhausted. I'll take her to a hotel to book a room so she can get some proper rest." As he spoke, he helped Zheng Yanyan push her suitcase, ready to lead her away.

But Yang Lirong grabbed the suitcase and protested, "What hotel? The house has plenty of rooms. Are they not enough to stay in?"

Zhou Yuwen replied, "Yan Yan is a girl from a big city. You're going to let her stay in this worn-down house? I'd better take her out to stay somewhere else."

Yang Lirong was highly dissatisfied. "How is it a worn-down house? Your cousin's wife is from Singapore, and she still stayed here just fine. Stop talking nonsense and let Yan Yan decide for herself."

Hearing this, Zhou Yuwen chuckled lightly. "Alright then, Yan Yan, tell her."

Zheng Yanyan sat on the sofa. First, she glanced at Yang Lirong, then she looked deeply at Zhou Yuwen, asking in a resentful tone, "If we stay at a hotel..."

"...Will you come keep me company tonight?"

"..."

The expression on Yang Lirong's face was extremely subtle. It looked as though she wanted to laugh but held it back; there was a sense of someone intentionally keeping a straight face, coupled with the eagerness of a bystander craving gossip. Regardless, it was very subtle.

She just stared at her son, wanting to see his reaction.

However, Zhou Yuwen felt a chill running down his spine under his old mom's intense stare.

"Forget it, forget it. You can stay at my house!"

Hearing this, Zheng Yanyan immediately stood up happily and wrapped her hands around his arm.

Good lord, the aloof mature woman had instantly flipped into a clingy little wife!

She had no choice; after all, Zhou Yuwen was the only person she knew here.

Fortunately, Lu Wanting's room had been cleaned out a long time ago. It was still quite tidy, making it perfectly suitable for Zheng Yanyan to stay in for a few days.

Zhou Yuwen led Zheng Yanyan into the room and then helped her lay out the quilt.

The air conditioner in this room was newly installed, so the heating effect was decent enough.

As for the quilt, it had been purchased when Lu Wanting was here. It had only been used for a few days, so they could make do with it if needed.

But he suspected Zheng Yanyan probably wouldn't be used to it.

"Later tonight, I'll take you out to buy a new quilt."

Zhou Yuwen turned his back to Zheng Yanyan, busy with his task.

Zheng Yanyan gazed at the broad back in front of her.

For some reason, her eyes instantly turned red again.

Without overthinking, she hugged Zhou Yuwen's waist directly from behind.

Pressing one of her cheeks against Zhou Yuwen's back, she murmured softly, "Hubby, I missed you so much!"

With such a tender and fragrant beauty pressed against him, despite the trouble it brought, the affection was undeniably genuine.

Zhou Yuwen could only offer a wry smile and comfort her, "I missed you too."

Then, Zheng Yanyan started caressing Zhou Yuwen's body, turning him around to offer a kiss on her own initiative. Ultimately, Zhou Yuwen couldn't hold back and called out, "Baby."

"?" Zheng Yanyan opened her eyes in curiosity.

Only to see Zhou Yuwen say, "You... before you came over, you could have at least let me know."

Zheng Yanyan naturally caught the meaning behind Zhou Yuwen's words. It was a rather mood-killing statement, and she immediately felt wronged, asking him, "Did you not want me to come?"

As she spoke, she looked as if she were on the verge of crying.

Zhou Yuwen clarified, "It's not that I didn't want you to, it's just that I wasn't prepared. Baby, don't cry, since when did you become such a crybaby?"

In the blink of an eye, large tears began to stream down Zheng Yanyan's face.

This time Zhou Yuwen panicked. He quickly wiped Zheng Yanyan's tears away, softly comforting her.

Zheng Yanyan indeed felt wronged. She sniffled, "I sat on the train for so long, and I even had to transfer midway. Then, when I hailed a taxi just now, the driver looked extremely fierce. He even asked me what I was here for. I didn't even dare to answer him."

"It was so hard just to see you."

"And you still blame me for not telling you."

"You just didn't want me to come, did you?" Zheng Yanyan rattled off resentfully.

Zhou Yuwen felt a bit helpless and could only cup her little face in his hands, cooing, "Oh, alright, alright, please don't cry, baby."

"Fine, fine, fine, it was my fault, okay?"