Fog Returns to the Capital

Chapter 101 Why is someone sitting here all by themselves?

I saw Li Wu standing there.

The man walked straight toward her.

Upon approaching, the man nodded to Li Wu and then said directly, "Miss Li, Madam wishes to see you."

……

Zhou Jinghuai held meetings all day that day.

Zhou's father and his elder brother Zhou Bowen were both at that meeting.

After the meeting.

Zhou Bowen, dressed in a black suit, stood there watching his father's convoy depart. Wherever the convoy passed, the guards immediately lowered their guns and saluted respectfully.

Zhou Bowen turned around, looking at the tall and majestic Great Hall of the People, his eyes deep and calm.

"Your uncle means to push you up."

When the topic came up, Zhou Jinghuai didn't even bother to respond, his tone indifferent, "What difference does it make whether it's you or me? Aren't we all members of the Zhou family?"

The words fell.

Zhou Bowen paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "This is different."

“You are Zhou Jinghuai of the Zhou family, while I am just Zhou Bowen.”

Behind Zhou Jinghuai are the Yang family, whose wealth rivals that of a nation, the Xu family, who hold military power, and... the Zhou family, who will be waiting for him to take power.

But he is different.

Hear the words.

Zhou Jinghuai glanced at him. What was taboo for Zhou Bowen to others, Zhou Jinghuai casually brought up, "You're not a member of the Zhou family?"

Zhou Bowen's father was taken in by Grandpa Zhou and raised from a young age.

In the Zhou family, Zhou Bowen's food, clothing, and daily necessities were the same as Zhou Jinghuai's from a young age.

—Except for Zhou Jinghuai having an overly doting maternal grandparents.

Zhou Bowen's current position is almost entirely due to his own hard work and dedication.

It stands to reason.

Zhou Bowen's successful promotion is a good thing for the Zhou family.

However, Zhou's father wanted to promote Zhou Jinghuai. Naturally, everyone in the Zhou family had to pave the way for Zhou Jinghuai.

However, Zhou Jinghuai himself did not have this intention.

Hear the words.

Zhou Bowen didn't bring it up again, but changed the subject, subtly reminding him, "Recently, I don't know what rumors I've heard, but quite a few people have come to visit the Zhou family. Even that person from the Zhao family came, and talked with your father in the study for a long time."

After Zhou Bowen finished speaking, he did not hear any response from Zhou Jinghuai.

Zhou Bowen turned his head and saw that Zhou Jinghuai was on the phone.

He just listened quietly without saying a word.

However, Zhou Bowen, who had already risen to the top position, was very good at reading people's expressions. Almost the moment he looked at Zhou Jinghuai, he felt something was wrong.

really.

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Jinghuai suddenly said in a deep voice, "Secretary Lin, prepare the car."

……

after an hour.

A black car was parked in front of a detached villa on the mountaintop. Along the way, sentry posts and guards stood solemnly everywhere.

Zhou Jinghuai's Hongqi car served as his highest pass, allowing him to drive smoothly all the way up.

"Bang" sound.

Zhou Jinghuai slammed the car door shut, his usual refined and dignified demeanor unusually betraying his composure. He strode across the courtyard gate and headed straight inside—

Suddenly, he stopped.

Li Wu sat alone on the steps.

He stood quietly with his arms crossed, not saying a word, like a homeless child who had been abandoned.

A white camellia petal landed on her thin shoulder, but she was so lost in thought that she didn't even notice.

As you approach.

Zhou Jinghuai then noticed that Li Wu's face was deathly pale, devoid of any color. When he gently touched her shoulder, it was ice-cold.

Obviously.

We've been sitting outside for quite a while now.

"Li Li?"

Zhou Jinghuai squatted down, reached out and carefully pulled her into his arms, his voice gentle, "Why are you sitting here all alone?"

She has always been very afraid of the cold.

Sometimes she even wears thermal underwear and a sweater under her down jacket. But right now, she was only wearing a thin, off-white knitted top.

This made her, who was already slender and petite, appear even more fragile and delicate.

Li Wu didn't speak.

She simply followed Zhou Jinghuai's movements and quietly leaned against him.

Zhou Jinghuai's eyes darkened.

Then, Zhou Jinghuai took off his coat and wrapped it tightly around Li Wu's body, which was as cold as ice crystals.

Just as he was about to speak and tell Li Wu to wait outside for a while—

As if only just noticing Zhou Jinghuai, Li Wu's somewhat dazed gaze slowly focused on his eyes.

She smiled at Zhou Jinghuai.

It was that same affectionate voice as always, "You've come..."

Li Wu reached out and wrapped her arms around Zhou Jinghuai's neck, gently resting her head on his shoulder. Her voice trembled slightly, perhaps from the cold, "Zhou Jinghuai, I'm so hungry..."

There was a moment of silence.

Zhou Jinghuai turned his head and kissed Li Wu's cool hair, then picked her up and turned to walk outside. "Okay, let's go get something to eat first."

……

In the back seat.

Zhou Jinghuai looked at Li Wu, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back, and finally asked her what her mother had said to her.

Li Wu closed her eyes, curled up in Zhou Jinghuai's arms. She was quiet and still, as if she were asleep.

After being asked the question several times, Li Wu simply said in a low voice, "I didn't say anything, just asked a few very routine questions."

Zhou Jinghuai naturally didn't believe it. Didn't he know his mother's personality well? The entire Zhou family, including people like his father, couldn't do anything about her.

But looking at Li Wu's bloodless face, there was an indescribable sense of vulnerability.

Zhou Jinghuai had no way to pressure her anymore.