Reborn in the 1980s: I became a stepmother in the 1980s

Part 175 Home

Zhutao, dressed elegantly, looked at them with surprise. Si Nian raised an eyebrow and glanced at Zhou Yue Shen.

Zhou Yue Shen, however, remained indifferent and asked, "And you are?"

The woman seemed to recognize him and exclaimed with delight, "It's really you! I'm Zhu Tao, from the Performing Arts Troupe. Don't you remember?"

Zhou Yue Shen paused. During his time in the military, there were often performances and events by the Performing Arts Troupe, but he had never paid much attention. After so many years, it was hard to recall.

"Sorry, I don't."

Zhu Tao was surprised that he truly did not remember her. She said urgently, "If you don't remember me, you must remember Yang Yujie. During our field training, it was you who saved us."

Yang Yujie?

The name sounded familiar. Si Nian instinctively looked at Zhou Yue Shen, who frowned slightly. It was clear that the name resonated with him as well.

Zhu Tao recalled that Zhou Tingting had mentioned someone like this before, saying that Zhou Yue Shen didn't marry because of this person. Oh? Was she the "white moonlight" or the "red mole"?

When she first heard about it, Si Nian hadn't thought much of it. She even thought it was normal for a man to have a "white moonlight."

But now, Si Nian's perspective was: Hmph.

The atmosphere suddenly became quite strange. Zhu Tao finally noticed Si Nian standing beside Zhou Yue Shen. She was momentarily taken aback by Si Nian's beauty and remarked, "Comrade Zhou, is this your sister? She's really pretty."

Seeing that Si Nian was young, Zhu Tao assumed she was Zhou Yue Shen's sister. She had heard that Zhou Yue Shen had a sister and a younger sibling, but she hadn't expected them to be so beautiful.

Zhu Tao had retired from the military after Zhou Yue Shen, and she knew that Zhou Yue Shen was from the Happiness Village, which was over an hour's drive from their town.

So, despite retiring years ago, she had never run into him. Zhu Tao had always regretted this. She hadn't expected to encounter him here, which was quite a surprise.

She had heard rumors that Zhou Yue Shen was involved in business and had made some money, but she had never verified them. Now, as she looked at Zhou Yue Shen, she noticed that although he was over thirty, his physique and appearance hadn't changed much. The difference was in his demeanor—he was more reserved, lacking the harshness and coldness he once had in the military. He seemed much easier to get along with now.

Her gaze soon fell on the watch on Zhou Yue Shen's wrist. Her eyes flickered.

Having recently divorced and struggling with her situation while raising her child, Zhu Tao was both shocked and thrilled to see Zhou Yue Shen appear.

Zhu Tao, who had always been overshadowed by Yang Yujie in the performing arts troupe, had never managed to win Zhou Yue Shen's affection despite her efforts. Now, with her recent divorce and still being relatively young, she saw a potential match in Zhou Yue Shen, who seemed to be a perfect fit for her. The prospect excited her.

"You're not married yet, are you?" Zhu Tao asked, her enthusiasm evident. "I heard you took in your sister's children to care for them. I've been back for a few years now, and as old comrades, would you like to have a meal together? It's on me."

Zhou Yue Shen frowned, about to respond, when suddenly, Si Nian cheerfully took his arm.

With a sweet, unfamiliar tone, she asked, "Brother-in-law, who is this?"

Zhou Yue Shen: ""

Zhu Tao's smile faltered.

"You're married?" Zhu Tao asked in disbelief.

Si Nian continued in a sugary voice, "If you go out with her, will it upset my sister? Oh, and brother-in-law, when are you and my sister getting divorced? Didn't you say you were going to divorce her and marry me?"

Zhu Tao: "!"

Zhou Yue Shen: ""

He suddenly understood why his comrades always said it was better to offend a villain than a woman.

"Brother-in-law~ why aren't you speaking~" Si Nian pretended to shake his arm. "Are you regretting taking me to the hotel today? Don't worry, I won't tell my sister."

Zhou Yue Shen's Adam's apple bobbed as he spoke in a low voice, "Nian Nian, stop joking."

Zhu Tao's mouth fell open in shock.

"This lady, I'm sorry, but my brother-in-law is going to have dinner with me tonight, so he might not have time to catch up with you. Isn't that right, brother-in-law? You promised to take me home tonight."

Zhou Yue Shen's forehead twitched with veins, his voice strained, "Nian Nian."

Zhu Tao's face turned beet red as she realized that the stern, aloof Zhou Yue Shen from the military, who was known for his chastity and self-discipline, was completely different behind closed doors! Not only was he married, but he was also entangled with his sister-in-law!

This was too shocking!

Flustered, she quickly waved her hand and stammered, "I-I just remembered I have something to do. I'll, I'll talk to you next time."

With that, she hurriedly left, forgetting to even buy the sugar figurines for her child.

"Was it fun?" Once the crowd had dispersed, Zhou Yue Shen looked at Si Nian with a resigned expression.

Si Nian blinked innocently and said, "Brother-in-law, what are you talking about? I don't understand."

She was clearly enjoying herself. Zhou Yue Shen took a deep breath, rubbed his aching temples, and, under the curious gaze of the old man selling sugar figurines, paid and led Si Nian away.

Si Nian was intentionally being difficult. She was still upset, feeling that Zhou Yue Shen's behavior seemed strange, as if he had someone in his heart despite his kindness. Now she felt her idealized view of him had disappeared, leaving her annoyed.

When they were getting on the bicycle, Zhou Yue Shen handed her the sugar figurines, but she huffed and didn't take them.

Zhou Yue Shen thought her displeasure was because of the earlier invitation from Zhu Tao. He explained, "I don't know her. We just happened to rescue them once during a field training exercise."

There were so many people they had rescued; he couldn't remember every detail.

Si Nian's response was simply, "Oh."

She wasn't interested in his explanation. What she wanted to know was about Yang Yujie. Her pride, however, wouldn't allow her to admit it. In her view of relationships, the first person to back down was the one who lost. So even though she was upset, she wouldn't say it outright. She wanted Zhou Yue Shen to guess and was determined to be difficult.