Since neither of them had any major injuries, the doctors observed them for another two days before clearing them for discharge.
On the day they left the hospital, besides Zhang Jiting and Ji Chen, Chu Fanyin and Chen Mian also came.
The moment Chen Mian saw Jiang Hezhou, he dropped to his knees without a second’s hesitation—smooth as silk.
“Brother-in-law, it’s all my fault—every bit of it. I was impulsive and stupid. Thank goodness you didn’t end up seriously hurt, or I’d be the biggest villain in history.”
With his ash-gray hair and kneeling posture, hugging Jiang Hezhou’s leg, the scene was utterly ridiculous. Chu Fanyin also approached with an uneasy expression, full of remorse as she spoke to Jiang Hezhou: “Hezhou, I’m so sorry. That day, Xiaomian and I were too short-sighted and misunderstood you…”
Jiang Hezhou did feel some annoyance inside. He resented anyone and anything that tried to separate him from Chu Luyu. But since they were her family in this world, he couldn’t afford to show his true emotions with hostility.
In the end, he simply said, with appropriate composure, that the matter was in the past—and let it go.
On the way home, Chu Luyu wrapped her arms around his and leaned her head on his shoulder. “Mom told me about Chen Zhou. She said Xiaomian went to Uncle Chen’s place the day before yesterday and caused a scene—told him that Chen Zhou had done a lot of terrible things and that he wouldn’t acknowledge him as his brother anymore. After Uncle Chen looked into it privately, he found out… that the whole incident where he slept with his ex-wife while drunk a while back was actually orchestrated by Chen Zhou.”
When Chu Fanyin had brought it up, her expression had been incredibly complicated—lost, even.
Chu Luyu had been silent for a few seconds before asking, “Now that you know Uncle Chen didn’t actually cheat, do you want to remarry him?”
Chu Fanyin paused for a moment, then shook her head. “I don’t know. Over the years, our feelings weren’t fake. But the way things fell apart so ugly recently is also real. Besides, he’s Chen Zhou’s father. No matter what that child has done, your Uncle Chen can never truly abandon him. If I choose to stay with him, that means I’d have to tolerate all the offenses and ill intentions Chen Zhou had toward you—and that’s absolutely impossible.”
Hearing that, Chu Luyu would be lying if she said she wasn’t moved. How complex human hearts were—just earlier, she had been resenting her mother and brother for their foolishness that indirectly led to Jiang Hezhou’s accident and, in a chain reaction, the system’s erasure.
But hearing that her mother had chosen her without hesitation between her marriage and her daughter—she realized this mother really did love her deeply.
She didn’t make any decisions for Chu Fanyin at that moment. She just gave her a gentle hug and said, “If you don’t know how to solve something right now, leave it to time. Maybe as the days pass, the problems will sort themselves out.”
After hearing all this, Jiang Hezhou was quiet for a moment, then said in a low voice: “Actually, I looked into his history with you before. I just didn’t mention it back then because I didn’t want you to find out… The investigator said that when he was younger, he had an intense need to control the original you. Apparently, he even dictated what brand of milk you drank or what size sanitary pads you used.”
Chu Luyu was shocked at first, then realization dawned on her.
“No wonder I always felt uncomfortable around him from the very beginning, but I could never put my finger on why… The system had said that the original host’s stepbrother was supposed to be good to her and tolerant in the plot, so I didn’t overthink it.” She nodded, looking as if she had just confirmed a suspicion. “I knew my instincts were right!”
Jiang Hezhou smiled and reached over to ruffle her hair. “Mm, baby’s got good judgment. Well done.”
Chu Luyu’s bright eyes darted around as a mischievous idea popped into her head.
She deliberately leaned closer to his ear, lowered her voice to a sweet, velvety whisper, and breathed against his ear: “Brother praised me… shouldn’t there be a reward for that?”
As she spoke, her little hand started wandering downward, seeming to grab something. Jiang Hezhou instantly sucked in a sharp breath and reached down to stop her.
The driver in front was still dutifully driving, seemingly unaware of what was happening in the back seat. Jiang Hezhou’s face tightened as he said in a low voice, “Don’t mess around.”
Ever since they’d been in the hospital, Chu Luyu had shed all her inhibitions and responsibilities, living entirely by impulse. Where she used to be restrained, she was now bold. Twice, when nurses came to check on them, she pretended to be asleep curled up in Jiang Hezhou’s arms, but under the blanket, her little hand kept wandering back and forth, making his voice tremble slightly when he answered the nurses’ questions.
Of course, she didn’t get away with it either time. He’d drag her into the hospital room’s shower and teach her a lesson until she was red-eyed and begging for mercy before he’d stop.
But Chu Luyu had a short memory. As soon as she had her strength back the next day, she’d be up to her tricks again.
Now, hearing Jiang Hezhou’s words, she paid no attention at all. With her wrist pinned down, she leaned in and breathed hot air against his ear: “Brother’s being so stingy today—that’s not like you at all—”
Jiang Hezhou had had enough. He held her down firmly, turning his head to shoot her a warning glare.
“When we get home, you’d better not cry.”
Not crying was absolutely impossible.
In the end, Chu Luyu not only cried—she screamed her throat raw.
Hours later, it was finally over. The two of them lay on the big bed in the apartment, catching their breath. Chu Luyu looked like she’d just been pulled out of water, drenched in a sheen of fragrant sweat.
She was still panting lightly as she gazed up at the dim ceiling reflecting the night outside the window, and said, “Jiang Hezhou, when do you think the next plot kill will come?”
The man’s body stiffened for a moment. He turned and pulled her into his arms—their lingering, scorching body heat melding together once more.
He whispered to her, “Don’t be afraid.”
The girl lifted her head with some difficulty in his embrace and replied, “Which one of us should be telling the other not to be afraid? You’re hugging me so tight I can barely breathe.”
Jiang Hezhou didn’t answer. He only held his beloved even tighter, savoring every second of her being in his arms.
Later, Chu Luyu, exhausted, fell asleep first. Jiang Hezhou lay with her for a while longer, then quietly got up and went to the study.
He hadn’t been to the study in a long time. It used to be the place where he spent the most time in the house, but after Chu Luyu came, he gradually visited less and less.
He walked around to the back of the desk, switching on only the desk lamp. Leaning down, he took out two blank A4 sheets from the drawer, sat down, unscrewed his fountain pen, and began to write.
Fictional World, Plot, Male Lead, Supporting Female Character, Female Lead…
His pen paused here. Recalling what Chu Luyu had once said, after a moment, he wrote down two more characters: [Main Plot].
The main plot of a story generally revolves around the protagonist. If this world truly was, as Chu Luyu had said, a story based on romance, then the two most important figures shaping this world would be himself and the so-called “female lead” designated by the plot.
His mind immediately went to that strange female student.
He couldn’t remember her face at all, but he still recalled those bizarre, inexplicable actions of hers. Gripping his pen tighter, he thought: perhaps he should find an opportunity to meet her.
The next morning, Chu Luyu woke up and turned over, only to find Jiang Hezhou wasn’t beside her. Still groggy, she didn’t bother changing—she simply went out looking for him, her two pale, luminous legs bare.
Jiang Hezhou was in the kitchen making breakfast. Following the aroma, she pinpointed his location and shuffled over with half-closed eyes.
The man felt a soft little thing wrap around him from behind, hugging his waist. He smiled silently, put down the spatula, and turned around to face her.
“You—”
He hadn’t expected to see a stretch of snowy white from top to bottom—she had come out wearing only a pair of underwear!
Chu Luyu seemed completely unconcerned. Still sleepy, she nuzzled against him as she held on. “I what? What were you going to say?”
His voice carried a note of helplessness. “I was going to say—why didn’t you put some clothes on before coming out?”
Chu Luyu shook her head coquettishly and replied, “Too lazy. You put them on for me.”
In fact, after their activities yesterday, the girl had fallen asleep without a single piece of clothing on—the underwear had been put on by Jiang Hezhou himself. Ever since that day in the hospital when she’d made that bold declaration, she had become much more daring and open than before.
Jiang Hezhou didn’t mind it, but the way she so carelessly exposed herself seemed to have no consideration for how easily she tempted him…
He casually turned off the stove, crouched down, and swept her up in his arms.
The sudden loss of balance made Chu Luyu gasp. Any remaining drowsiness vanished as she clung to him and asked, “What are you doing?”
“Not in the mood to move, right? Carrying you back to the room.” As he spoke, his lips unconsciously found their way to her neck.
She glared at him. “You’d better really just be carrying me back to the room!”
The man only let out a low chuckle and said nothing.
……………………………………………………
………………………………………………
…………………………………………
By the time they finally surfaced from the big bed again, two hours had passed.
Chu Luyu waved her hands frantically, completely spent. “No more, Jiang Hezhou. I really can’t.”
He pressed up against her from the side, still clinging to the damp heat of desire. “Who was it that boldly declared we’d kiss like mad and—”
She covered his mouth and said, “We can go crazy again after a two-hour break. I mean, sure, the plot is chasing me down, but there’s no need to fight for every single second like this.”
At that, something seemed to occur to her. She turned to look at Jiang Hezhou very seriously.
“Jiang Hezhou, do you know anyone who makes protective suits and specialized helmets? Can you get me a full set of defensive gear? Mm… if I run into any danger later, wearing some solid protective equipment should at least reduce the chances of dying, right?”
Jiang Hezhou smiled and said, “Put some clothes on, then come with me to the living room.”
Chu Luyu had no idea what was going on, but she obediently did as he said. After changing into her pajamas, he took her hand and led her to the living room. In the corner, a medium-sized delivery box had appeared at some point. Jiang Hezhou walked over, cut the tape on the box with a knife, and pulled out two items.
“Wow—a pink vest and a helmet!” Chu Luyu’s eyes sparkled with delight. She looked at Jiang Hezhou and asked, “You thought of this too?”
“Mm. After that night when you said all those things, I asked a factory I know to custom-make a set for you.” He walked closer, unfastened the vest’s adhesive strips, and helped her put it on. “This is a stab-proof vest. My colleagues at the bureau wear these on duty. It can’t stop bullets, but ordinary knives and sharp metal objects won’t pierce through it.”
Chu Luyu looked down at the pink little vest he’d put on her, clearly thrilled.
“It’s so pretty—such a soft, lovely pink. I love it!”
Jiang Hezhou smiled but didn’t reply. A moment later, he picked up the matching pink helmet and placed it over her head. Her long hair wasn’t tied up, so after the helmet was on, her straight black hair fell around it, making her face look even smaller and more adorable.
Unable to resist, he leaned down and kissed her on the lips, sincerely complimenting her: “Very cute.”
Chu Luyu beamed, her eyes curving into little crescent moons.
“Jiang Hezhou, let’s go out and stroll around! I want to wear this custom set you had made for me and take a walk outside.”
At this stage, going out was actually somewhat dangerous.
Jiang Hezhou hesitated visibly. Chu Luyu looked at him, seeming to understand what he was thinking.
“It’s okay, Jiang Hezhou. Since I’ve decided to fight back properly, I should live however makes me happy, right? Do you really think if the plot wants to kill me, staying home will keep me safe? It could arrange an earthquake and have a cabinet fall on me, or set up some absurd accident—maybe I choke on water, or get strangled by a fruit pit while eating…”
Jiang Hezhou didn’t want to hear her say such unlucky things anymore. He reached up and covered her mouth.
“I get it. Stop talking. I’ll take you out.”
Having gotten her way, Chu Luyu was exceptionally well-behaved once they were outside. She let Jiang Hezhou hold her hand, walking when he told her to walk and stopping when he told her to stop.
They ended up at the riverside boardwalk where they had taken their final stroll in the illusion that day.
As Chu Luyu stepped onto the boardwalk and looked around curiously, she remarked, “The illusion back then was really exactly like this place—even the scratches on this wooden railing left by some bratty kid are replicated one-to-one! And that bench—remember? That’s where I wrote the last page of the plot.”
At that, she grew curious and asked, “Do you think if I’d actually marked that period back then, we’d have ended up with a completely different outcome?”
Jiang Hezhou also looked toward the bench, his gaze thoughtful.
“Maybe. But at that moment, there was no way I would’ve let you finish that period.”
Chu Luyu scoffed playfully, but soon her attention was drawn to a candied chestnut stall not far away.
“It’s that chestnut stall from that night!” She tugged at Jiang Hezhou’s sleeve. “I didn’t even get to eat any that night. Go buy some for me now.”
Jiang Hezhou glanced around. The boardwalk was fairly empty at the moment, with only an occasional car passing by on the road—nothing too concerning.
He hesitated, then said, “Then you stay right here and wait for me. Don’t wander off or run around, okay?”
“Don’t worry, I value my life a lot now!” Chu Luyu gave him a little push. “Go on, go on.”
The chestnut stall was across the road. Jiang Hezhou walked down the steps from the boardwalk and strode over as quickly as he could.
Chu Luyu stood obediently in place. The wind by the river tousled her hair, and she reached up to smooth it down. When she lowered her gaze, she noticed a child about seven or eight years old standing at the bottom of the steps, looking up at her.
“Big sister, your helmet and vest are so pretty—all pink and adorable!”
Chu Luyu smiled warmly. Looking at the child’s big knitted hat, she complimented back, “Your hat is really lovely too.”
“My grandma knitted it for me. She also made me a cute little sweater, and even the book covers for my textbooks!”
“Wow, your grandma is so talented!”
“Yeah!” The little girl seemed thrilled to hear someone praise her grandmother. She happily pointed across the road and said, “My grandma’s right over there.”
Chu Luyu looked across and saw an elderly woman sitting in a wheelchair in the direction the child had pointed. The old woman had been watching them the whole time, and when she saw Chu Luyu looking, she gave a very kind smile.
The little girl waved at Chu Luyu and said goodbye: “Bye-bye, big sister! I’m going back to my grandma now! We haven’t had lunch yet, so we need to go home and eat!”
“Okay, go ahead.” Chu Luyu gently patted the child’s little head in the knitted hat and smiled as she watched her leave.
But just then, from the intersection not far away, a small delivery truck came barreling out of control! The driver was blasting the horn and shouting out the window for everyone to get out of the way.
Chu Luyu’s heart jolted. Her gaze immediately shot to the little girl who had just been talking to her—the child was now right in the middle of the road!
She instinctively moved toward her, desperate to pull her back. But after only two steps, something made her stop.
At that moment, only one thought remained in her mind—
Could this be yet another plot kill?
Leave a Reply