Zhou Yi anxiously watched, fearing Zhou Cheng might show signs of disapproval.

In reality, since this was their first meeting, how could Zhou Cheng give Yuan Han a hard time?

“Comrade Yuan Han, thank you for treating Xiaolan and me to Peking duck today.”

Yuan Han withdrew his amazed gaze.

He knew he was being tested tonight. Zhou Yi had told him how highly valued her cousin Zhou Cheng was in the Zhou family. If this cousin disapproved of him, Zhou Yi wouldn’t dare bring him home to meet her family.

Yuan Han found this absurd.

How could a younger cousin dictate his older cousin’s choices?

Though displeased, he didn’t show it: “Don’t mention it, we’re family now. I’m older, so treating everyone to dinner is only natural. Zhou Yi often speaks of you both, and I’m glad to finally meet you. Please, sit.”

Yuan Han pulled out the chair for Zhou Yi. His good looks and thoughtfulness explained why Zhou Yi had fallen for him so quickly.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t mind Yuan Han’s lingering glances at her. His gaze showed admiration without lecherousness. With her looks, she couldn’t fault people for staring. Zhou Cheng wasn’t that petty either.

After they sat down, Yuan Han and Zhou Cheng quickly engaged in conversation.

Zhou Yi remained tense until she saw them getting along well, finally showing a smile.

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t understand why Zhou Yi was afraid to bring Yuan Han home, given how well-mannered he was.

Zhou Cheng shared similar thoughts.

Their eyes met, and both realized that beyond his modest background, Zhou Yi must be hiding something crucial. Xia Xiaolan felt annoyed. She understood Zhou Yi’s hesitation to tell everything, but if she wanted Zhou Cheng’s help, she should be honest. Would she wait until Zhou Cheng vouched for Yuan Han to the Zhou family before revealing some unacceptable truth?

Xia Xiaolan wiped a spot of sauce from her hand.

“Sister Zhou Yi, I find Brother Yuan refined and well-mannered. The elders would surely like him if you brought him home. What’s making you hesitate? I know Aunt is planning to arrange blind dates for you. Wouldn’t it be better to introduce Yuan Han soon? It would be awkward to keep refusing arranged meetings and offend the matchmakers.”

Though Xia Xiaolan’s words made sense, Zhou Yi just lowered her head, stammering without an answer.

Yuan Han was startled, then took Zhou Yi’s hand on the table: “So that’s what’s happening – your family is pressuring you into blind dates? Why didn’t you tell me earlier? We’ve known each other for a year, though we’ve only been dating these past two months… I’m sorry I didn’t consider the pressure you’re facing at home.”

Despite his masculine appearance, Yuan Han spoke to Zhou Yi with gentle tenderness.

Zhou Yi’s face flushed enchantingly, clearly delighted by his words.

Xia Xiaolan secretly kicked Zhou Cheng under the table.

Even unreasonable Tong Lili was Zhou Yi’s good friend, and while Zhou Yi was more reasonable than Tong Lili, she wasn’t exactly easy-tempered!

Anyone with Zhou Yi’s background would be proud and confident. Xia Xiaolan remembered their first encounter at the Japanese restaurant quite clearly. To see the proud Miss Zhou acting so docile before a man – Yuan Han must be quite something!

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t afraid of capable people. After kicking Zhou Cheng, he understood and spoke up:

“If Sister Zhou Yi won’t explain, perhaps Comrade Yuan Han could tell us?”

While even Xia Xiaolan had switched to calling him “Brother Yuan,” Zhou Cheng maintained the formal “Comrade Yuan Han” – one intimate, one distant. Yuan Han noticed the difference.

Needing Zhou Cheng’s help, Yuan Han didn’t play coy. He explained Zhou Yi’s concerns straightforwardly:

“I’m not originally from Beijing, nor did I work here before. I was transferred here only two years ago. Zhou Yi and I know and care for each other deeply, but she’s hesitant to bring me home. It’s not just because I come from a common background, but also because I was briefly married before… If I’d known I’d meet Zhou Yi, I would never have followed the organization’s arrangement to marry my ex-wife. I’m not worthy of Zhou Yi!”

Zhou Yi became uncomfortable hearing Yuan Han disparage himself, muttering: “That wasn’t your fault! Your ex-wife had problematic class status, and you had no connections at your old workplace. They took advantage of your kind nature and forced you to marry her. What’s done is done, it’s all in the past, and I don’t mind! The divorce wasn’t your fault either – she received letters from overseas and thought you were holding her back, so she rushed to divorce you for a better life in a capitalist country. You were just unfortunate and pitiful, never doing anything wrong, yet ended up divorced!”

Though Zhou Yi claimed not to mind, her angry tone suggested otherwise.

Had she known Yuan Han was divorced, she would never have given him a second glance.

Yet through their work interactions, she developed feelings for him, essentially pursuing him herself.

Yuan Han had repeatedly refused her, saying they weren’t compatible.

Zhou Yi thought he knew about her family background and scolded him, but then he candidly revealed his divorce history. He didn’t speak ill of his ex-wife, even graciously wishing her well… Zhou Yi’s emotions got the better of her – showing disgust at this point would only hurt Yuan Han more.

She couldn’t control her feelings; the more Yuan Han refused her, the more she wanted to be with him.

The feelings weren’t so deep at first, but after learning Yuan Han’s “secret,” Zhou Yi felt like she shared his burden.

No wonder the masculine and strong Yuan Han occasionally showed traces of melancholy – who wouldn’t after such unfortunate events?

Zhou Yi held Yuan Han’s hand with an unyielding expression as if viewing Zhou Cheng and Xia Xiaolan as villains trying to separate lovers.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t want to hit her – she wanted to drag Zhou Yi to a faucet and wash her head with cold water, hoping it might clear whatever love spell she was under. No wonder Zhou Yi dared not bring Yuan Han home – if Aunt learned that her future son-in-law not only came from a humble background but was also divorced, she might fight Zhou Yi to death!

Aunt cared too much about face – even Xia Xiaolan knew her personality.

Zhou Yi’s husband should at least match the caliber of Tong Lili’s blind date prospects.

Even if Zhou Yi chose a poor but truly talented scholar, the Zhou family might not object.

But passing up countless others to choose Yuan Han, a divorced man?

He claimed his ex-wife abandoned him – but what if this man had dumped his ex-wife after catching the attention of the Zhou family’s daughter? What a fool Zhou Yi was!

Xia Xiaolan forced a dry laugh: “Brother Yuan, please don’t be offended, but when exactly did you divorce your ex-wife?”

Zhou Yi’s grip tightened.

Yuan Han showed some discomfort: “…I won’t lie. We separated when I transferred to Beijing because I couldn’t afford her travel expenses, but the divorce wasn’t finalized until this July.”

“Oh, it’s only September now. You finalized your divorce and then immediately got together with Sister Zhou Yi – the timing is quite convenient. No wonder Sister Zhou Yi can’t explain this at home.”

Though Xia Xiaolan didn’t raise her voice or argue, Zhou Yi’s face turned completely red.

Zhou Cheng stood up expressionlessly, “I shouldn’t have come to this dinner. Zhou Yi, I will tell Uncle and Aunt about this immediately. You can go home and explain yourself.”