Chapter 123: Opening Up

While others were discussing their little married couple, inside the bedroom, Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao were sitting with their son, talking about what had happened today. Zhou Jiao would chime in every now and then, sharing her thoughts. When it came to Zhao Yuanyuan, whom the three of them had mentioned, Zhou Jiao kept her opinions to herself—after all, who could really make sense of matters of the heart?

Back then, she never imagined she’d get married. She always saw herself as a lifelong single. She’d seen too many couples, deeply in love at first, end up tearing each other apart in court. Who’s good, who’s bad, who’s right for whom? They were friends, not family, so it was better to say less. Everyone has both good and bad inside them; she’d rather just keep her guard up in her heart—why say it out loud? In other people’s eyes, was Zhou Jiao really a good person? Not necessarily.

Seeing Zhou Jiao remain silent when Zhao Yuanyuan was mentioned, Zhang Guoqing smiled knowingly and said softly, “Today, Li Qinglin said that you used to be like a bamboo stalk. At first, he thought he liked you, but later realized it was just admiration. He said he couldn’t understand you or guess what you were thinking. If he had to spend his whole life with a girl like that, he’d be exhausted—especially emotionally. He said you looked as clear and bright as crystal, but inside, it was all ice, with layers of defenses.

People like that are tough inside. They only care about those they truly care for; everyone else doesn’t matter. He said he envied me most of all, that I was so lucky to have you put me in your heart.

That made me think of how I chased after you for over a year, and you were still unmoved. My old dorm-mate dragged me up to the rooftop to drink and told me, ‘She’s smart, sees through everything, so she’s cold by nature. Looks gentle and harmless on the outside, but deep down, she’s got thorns—she’ll prick others, and herself too. People like that are hard to read, hard to get close to.’

He spent the whole night analyzing you and concluded you were born emotionally indifferent, even cold-blooded. A natural-born singleton, who’d rather be alone than let anyone into her heart. He told me to give up, that it’d be nearly impossible for you to fall in love with anyone. Wanting to be with you was a pipe dream.

But I was happy—really happy. I felt like we were the same kind. I understood you, and only I could truly understand you. On our wedding day, that guy patted his own head and laughed, saying how lucky I was to finally become your person in your eyes.

Jiaojiao, I really am so lucky. I’m grateful to be in your heart, in your eyes.”

Zhou Jiao stroked his face, her gaze a little distant, and murmured, “I’m lucky to have you too. They weren’t wrong. The more I’ve seen of human nature, the more disappointed I’ve become—whether in the past or now, I just can’t trust others.

Not even my own mother. In my previous life, she treated me like I was invisible when I was a child, and when I grew up, I was just an ATM. Is my mother better now? Yes, but only to a point—she gives money and things. But I don’t lack money or things. She loves herself most, then my dad. When my dad came back, she met with me. If he disappeared again, who knows what would happen? If you don’t expect anything, you won’t be disappointed.

So, it’s best to keep some distance from everyone. Don’t hope, don’t beg, and you won’t get hurt. I’m really afraid of giving and not getting anything in return, really afraid of getting hurt. If I hadn’t met you, if you hadn’t quietly stayed by my side until I got used to you being there, I really wouldn’t have gotten married.

I’m indifferent about feelings, even to the point of being cold-blooded. In my past life, aside from you, there wasn’t a single person in my family I could trust. Even my eldest sister—she seems nice to me now, right? But as a child, her jealousy and hostility toward me—I never forgot.

My grandfather-in-law passed away too early. He was a good man, loved you, so I respected and loved him too. He was the only elder who ever showed me real kindness.

When I was at my lowest, friends and relatives never reached out a helping hand—in fact, some even kicked me when I was down. When I became successful, they all came smiling, asking for favors. If I refused, they’d curse me out.

Even my high school homeroom teacher, who showed me some kindness, only did it for the 10,000 yuan bonus he’d get. He insisted I choose my school and major according to his wishes, just for that money.

In college, I met all kinds of people—most would do anything for their own interests, even stab me in the back. Out in society, a few small things showed me that yesterday’s friends could become today’s strangers.

And after coming here, the Zhou family is even worse. Scheming and manipulation everywhere. The only one who cared about me, Grandma, was just trying to keep the family peace by asking me to give in. You say she didn’t know what was happening, but was she really clueless? Of course not. She knew where all the big and small things in the house came from. She tried to make it up to me with apologies.

Even the people in Zhoujia Village saw my situation, but pretended not to. No one’s really stupid—everyone just looks out for themselves.

Other than you, the only one close to me is Zhao Yuanyuan. Is she stupid? No. She can tell I’m afraid of the cold, knows what I like—how could she not notice my difficulties? Why are people at school polite to me? Besides having you by my side, it’s also because the Lin family is there as a shield.

People all have good and evil inside them. That’s human nature. I can calmly watch people put on an act, or calmly play along myself. I’ve seen too much, so I’m used to it.

Don’t laugh at me, ge. I really am afraid of getting hurt. If I lose money, I can earn it back. If things are unfair, I can scheme to get even. But with feelings, you might give and never get anything in return. All I’ve ever gained is you. Now I have a son, though who knows how he’ll turn out. And then there’s my dad, Zhou Xiaozheng. He’s the only one in the world who truly cares about me, and the only one I don’t have to worry about scheming against me.”

Listening to her, Zhang Guoqing felt a pang in his heart and hugged her tightly. He’d known her for so many years and thought he understood her well. But he never knew the details of her life before college—only that her childhood was stifling, and she’d relied on herself ever since.

He hadn’t realized there was so much pain behind it all—maybe even more than what he’d suffered as an orphan. He’d met people with bad intentions, but far more who genuinely wanted to help him.

No wonder she was so reserved, always wary of others’ kindness. Growing up without a sense of security, she’d learned to keep people at arm’s length, afraid they’d take advantage of her, use her. She’d been hurt, so she learned to protect herself.

He swore to himself that he’d always protect her, raise their child well, and never let her believe the world was only ugly. No matter what happened outside, their family would always stick together and support each other.

He thought he’d already understood her, but it still wasn’t enough. He hadn’t realized how much she resisted outsiders, how insecure she was, or how extreme some of her thoughts were. The pure family love and friendship she wanted—where did that exist in the world?

“As long as I’m here, you can treat others however you want. We don’t need others to give us their all—seven tenths is enough. We’ll give back five. How about that? Jiaojiao, as long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.

Let’s try trusting people who won’t bring us harm. Like your mother-in-law—hasn’t she been good to you? You could give her a chance.”

Zhou Jiao snorted and whispered in his ear, “Silly, haven’t you heard? A mother-in-law isn’t the same as a mother. You have to show respect. When dealing with people, always keep a little bit of your heart guarded.”

Zhang Guoqing burst out laughing, remembering his colleagues’ stories about mothers- and daughters-in-law. “Alright, you do what you think is best.”"