Xia Zhe was not completely unaware of Zheng Yuan’s intentions. The Xia family and the Zheng family were both from the capital. Although the Zheng family was not very influential, the whole family had always been dutiful citizens. Zheng Yuan could be considered to have grown up together with Xia Zhe.
However, Xia Zhe had always treated Zheng Yuan like his younger sister. He took care of her in the way an older brother took care of his younger sister and he did not expect Zheng Yuan to misunderstand him.
“Zheng Yuan, calm down,” Xia Zhe said to Zheng Yuan with a frown.
Tears welled up in Zheng Yuan’s eyes and she could no longer suppress the love and grievances in her heart. She pointed at the tent and said, “Xia Zhe! What have you done to me for this woman!”
Xia Zhe shook his head and said, “She’s my wife. It’s my duty and obligation to protect her and it’s what I need to do. You’re just my subordinate and what I’m doing is my job.”
Zheng Yuan’s eyes were filled with disbelief when she heard that. “Subordinate? Am I just your subordinate?”
Zheng Yuan stared fixedly at Xia Zhe’s face, afraid that she would miss any trace of Xia Zhe’s feelings for her. Even a look of pity from him would be good enough for her, but Xia Zhe’s face remained cold and emotionless.
“Xia Zhe, isn’t that a bit harsh.” Zhuang Hua could not help himself from saying.
It would have been better to call her a friend rather than use a word like subordinate. By putting it across like that, it would be like Zheng Yuan had nothing to do with them anymore and they would purely have a superior-subordinate relationship.
Xia Zhe thought about it and felt that it was better to make it clear. Being too kind in this situation would only cause Zheng Yuan to misunderstand again and cause more problems in the future.
“Is there any other type of relationship between us?” Xia Zhe asked.
Zhuang Hua, who had wanted to step in to advise Xia Zhe, also fell silent. He understood what Xia Zhe was trying to do, but he was afraid that Zheng Yuan would not be able to accept it and could not handle the situation well.
“We grew up together and risked our lives in the same troop together. My father even made an agreement with your father! Xia Zhe! You were supposed to marry me!” Zheng Yuan looked at Xia Zhe and shouted herself hoarse.
Zhuang Hua and Xia Zhe were also childhood friends who grew up in the same compound. However, unlike Xia Zhe, he preferred to muddle along and did not have any grand ambitions. His family did not have any expectations of him either. Zheng Yuan and him could also be considered to be childhood friends, and he had never seen her like this before.
There were many boys in the military compound, but not many girls. Therefore, the adults paid special attention to Zheng Yuan and would give her a share of anything nice. As time passed, she became spoiled and domineering, but she had also always been aloof and had never lost her composure like this before.
“…I told your father before that I only see you as a sister. I’ve never had any other thoughts about you. Your father also knows this,” Xia Zhe said slowly.
Zheng Yuan’s eyes widened as if she had heard something ridiculous.
“Impossible! You must be lying to me! My father told me! You said you love me!” Zheng Yuan squatted down looking pained, with her hands clutching her head and muttering to herself.
“My father said that you would marry me. He even said that he had made an agreement with your father. Xia Zhe, you lied to me! You lied to me!” Zheng Yuan squatted and screamed in agony.
“Xia Zhe, that’s a little too much,” Zhuang Hua said as he looked at Xia Zhe.
Xia Zhe still had the same expression on his face and his eyes were filled with forbearance. He gave Zhuang Hua a look to ask him to bring Zheng Yuan away.
Zhuang Hua and Xia Zhe had a tacit understanding after so many years. Zhuang Hua immediately understood what Xia Zhe meant and sighed helplessly. He shook his head and said, “I really owe you…”
Zhuang Hua made his way slowly to Zheng Yuan’s side. He gently took the hand that Zheng Yuan was using to pull at her hair and slowly stroked the top of her head with his other hand.
“Zheng Yuan, calm down. Look at who I am,” Zhuang Hua said gently.
Zheng Yuan gradually calmed down and looked at Zhuang Hua as her tears flowed down unknowingly. She got on best with Zhuang Hua when they were kids in the military compound. When they were young, Zhuang Hua would always put aside all the delicious food for her.
“Zhuang Hua… Zhuang Hua…” Zheng Yuan looked at Zhuang Hua with tears in her eyes. She grabbed Zhuang Hua’s hands as if she saw her lifesaver.
