Plunder-Chapter 204: I Am Very Happy

Women value weddings.

Some like them grand and luxurious, some lively and cozy, and some solemn and ceremonial, but Qiao En knew what she always valued was sincerity.

Being earnestly treated by someone is not for show, it’s simply to let you know, that you are the most important in his heart.

This sincerity is what matters most.

Before Zhou Jin’an could stand up, Qiao En ran over and threw herself into his arms.

"I love you."

She finally said those three words.

Zhou Jin’an, delighted, hugged her and began to spin around quickly.

"En’en, thank you, thank you for loving me."

The indecipherable local dialect did not dilute the heartfelt blessings, the bonfire burned brightly, and people laughed and danced.

Hand in hand, Qiao En and Zhou Jin’an joined the crowd in dance.

It didn’t matter if the moves were not perfect, it didn’t matter if the singing was off key, you didn’t have to care about anything, you just needed to be happy.

Many years later, Qiao En would still laugh when recalling this scene.

In this world, only those who love you deeply know what you want, understand why you want it, and try their best to fulfill all your little satisfactions.

That night, they didn’t return to the hotel.

Instead, they stayed in the village.

The wooden loft, with a strong sense of historical sediment, had new furniture, though it still looked rustic.

"Tonight, you’ll have to rough it."

Zhou Jin’an led Qiao En into the room by the hand.

In the room, only one dim light bulb shone faintly.

However, Qiao En felt that the dim light was incredibly warm.

"I quite like it here."

The two quickly cleaned up and finally lay down.

The bedding was new, smelling of the sun.

"I really want to stay here forever."

Qiao En leaned against the headboard, expressing her wish.

"If you wish, we’ll stay here forever."

Zhou Jin’an pulled her into his embrace.

He was increasingly indulging her; Qiao En was somewhat worried he would spoil her.

"I mean, maybe we can stay here when we’re old."

Qiao En immediately brought him back to reality.

"Alright, it’s all up to you. Whenever you want to come back, we’ll come here."

"I’m really happy right now."

She buried her face in his chest, closed her eyes, and her mind was filled with pink bubbles.

It was somewhat unrealistic.

But when she opened her eyes, there it was—reality.

"I’m very happy too."

Zhou Jin’an looked down and kissed her on the forehead.

He had been distant from others since childhood, it was Qiao En who brought him the long-missed warmth, and little by little opened his heart, allowing him to bravely love and feel loved.

The night was fiery and passionate.

At dawn, neither of them had awakened.

Sunlight spilled in through the gaps in the roof, moving slowly across the bed until it finally landed on Qiao En’s eyelids.

She had a long dream.

In the dream, she and Zhou Jin’an were holding a cute little girl, tender and chubby, still swaddled and smiling, with big eyes and sweet dimples.

But such a small child could already call her "mommy."

In the dream, Qiao En’s eyes curved into smiles, so wide she couldn’t close her mouth.

Smiling like that, she suddenly woke up.

The moment she opened her eyes, Zhou Jin’an was gazing at her, unblinking.

"Dreaming?"

He asked, lowering his head to give a light peck on her lips.

"Mm."

"What did you dream about? You were laughing aloud."

Zhou Jin’an was curious.

Since coming back from Gu Yuan, she had often dreamt, but many times she had woken up crying from nightmares. Sometimes she knew it, sometimes she didn’t.

But he knew it all.

Every time he saw her like that, Zhou Jin’an’s heart ached immensely.

"It’s nothing."

Qiao En didn’t say.

She dared not speak, fearing that voicing it would cause Zhou Jin’an pain again.

But the dream was so beautiful; she had dreamt of their daughter for the first time.

"Tell me, I want to hear."

Zhou Jin’an encouraged her.

Qiao En hesitated a bit, then began, "I dreamt we had a daughter. She was so beautiful and adorable, and she even called me mommy."

A moment of silence filled the room.

Their heartstrings were plucked at that instant.

Zhou Jin’an leaned over and held Qiao En tightly.

"We will have one, we definitely will."

Qiao En was embraced so tightly, she almost couldn’t breathe.

Letting go is the only way to move lightly and steadily into the future.

"Zhou Jin’an, I have something to tell you."

Zhou Jin’an loosened his grip and looked at Qiao En seriously, "Go ahead, I’m listening."

Qiao En broke free from his embrace and sat up straight.

"Can we both try to let go of the past? The child is gone, we can’t keep living in sadness, I want to look forward with you."

This trip to Yun Mountain, Qiao En suddenly learned to let go.

Zhou Jin’an gazed deeply at Qiao En.

She was fragile, yet strong.

Like a plant on the edge of a cliff, possessing a strong ability to heal itself.

"You’re right, only by letting go can we move forward. We’ll have many more children, and I will protect you all, never letting you get hurt again."

"Mhm."

Qiao En nodded heavily.

Just then, her stomach began to growl.

During these days in Yun Mountain, Qiao En had not eaten properly.

"Let’s go downstairs and grab something to eat."

Zhou Jin’an suggested.

The two of them got ready and walked down the wooden stairs.

As soon as they walked downstairs, Qiao En was startled.

The first floor was a large hall where people were sitting around drinking tea in silence.

As they came down from upstairs, everyone looked up at them.

At that moment, Qiao En wished she could disappear into a hole.

She hung her head low and desperately hid behind Zhou Jin’an.

"They weren’t downstairs last night, were they?"

Last night, both she and Zhou Jin’an had been somewhat enthusiastic.

The wooden attic creaked continuously.

Qiao En could not imagine that, while they were being intensely active, there were so many people sitting downstairs.

Her face immediately turned red to the tips of her ears.

Zhou Jin’an teased deliberately, "What, are you scared now? You seemed quite bold last night."

Before he finished speaking, Qiao En reached out and pinched his arm.

"And you, I asked you to be gentle last night, but you wouldn’t listen."

As the two nearly reached the first floor, the previous tour guide had already come to greet them.

"Mr. Zhou, Mrs. Zhou, lunch is ready. It’s all local specialties, not sure if you’re accustomed to eating them."

Under all eyes, Qiao En quickly responded, "Accustomed, accustomed."

She was bold, yet timid.

Whether bold or timid, Zhou Jin’an liked her all the same.

He squeezed her hand tightly, "I’ve got your back, don’t be afraid."

The dining area was in another hall, a small table filled with dishes, simple but authentic.

Qiao En chose a corner to sit down and began eating quickly with her head buried.

"Eat slowly, be careful not to choke," Zhou Jin’an reminded, continuously serving her food.

He understood her shyness.

As people constantly moved around the hall, Zhou Jin’an straightened his back, shielding Qiao En with his tall figure.

After they finished eating, the driver had already brought the car to the front of the village.

As the two walked out, the people of the village came out to see them off together.

"This place is really nice, I really hate to leave."

As they got into the car, Zhou Jin’an looked out the window.

Those unfamiliar yet honest people silently sowed their kindness, giving Zhou Jin’an and Qiao En the greatest sense of acceptance and belonging.

That evening, the group returned to Rong City.

Cheng Lu was already waiting at Chu Garden and started reporting the company’s situation to Zhou Jin’an as he got off the car.

Qiao En, exhausted, had already gone upstairs, and Zhou Jin’an’s face instantly darkened.

"Where is that person now?"

"I found an unused warehouse and temporarily settled him there."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jin’an’s already dark expression grew even darker.

"Let’s go."

He strode out, each step taken with force.

Soon, the two reached the warehouse.

Cheng Lu unlocked it, and the warehouse, filled with dust, revealed the van driver when the light was turned on.

He had been beaten, half of his face swollen, and when he saw Zhou Jin’an and Cheng Lu, he curled up on the ground like a dog.

"It’s really not my fault, I’ve told you everything I know, please let me go!"

The man was panicking, trembling all over.

Zhou Jin’an, with a cold aura, approached step by step, the flames of anger in his heart now fiercely blazing."

Without saying a word, his fists and feet fell on the man like a torrential storm.

Cheng Lu turned his back, and the warehouse echoed with screams.

But it was of no use, Zhou Jin’an did not relent.

Eventually, he stopped his attack, delivering a kick to the man’s shin.

"Please, no more, no more, I really can’t take it..." the man pleaded in a low voice.

Zhou Jin’an’s forehead veins were throbbing, "Find that person, or else, consider yourself dead."