Chapter 348

Shu Ying seemed to sense Du Chenzhou's gaze, paused slightly, but did not turn around to look. Instead, she continued walking forward with an indifferent expression.

Only when he reached Xie Zhiyan's side did a slight smile appear on his indifferent face.

The two chatted intimately with smiles for a few minutes. Xie Zhiyan very gentlemanly opened the car door for Shu Ying, skillfully raised his hand to shield the top edge of the door for her, and said, "Be careful."

His gaze followed her the whole time. He had seemed so serious and indifferent just moments before, but when he was with Shu Ying, he was completely different. His eyes and brows were so gentle that they seemed to melt your heart.

Shu Ying noticed Xie Zhiyan's movements, settled herself in the car, looked up and smiled at him.

That smile was bright and captivating, like the sunlight at that moment, and even the air around her seemed to become different, exceptionally clear.

Du Chenzhou couldn't help but bite his lip.

She had never done this to him before.

Even though he was mentally prepared, Du Chenzhou still felt extremely distressed.

Du Zhiwei waited in the passenger seat for a long time, but the person in the back didn't close the door. She couldn't help but frown and look over.

Then, when I turned around, I saw this scene.

Du Zhiwei pursed her lips with a somewhat complicated expression and couldn't help but remind her.

"Chief Xie and his wife have a very good relationship... and their two children are already in kindergarten."

Although she didn't really want to mention this, seeing how infatuated Du Chenzhou was with Shu Ying, she didn't know what her motivation was, but she couldn't help but say it.

"They were a well-known loving couple in the compound."

"You should have already heard about this, right?"

Du Chenzhou was already trying to adjust his mindset, telling himself that Shu Ying was already someone else's wife and he should slowly accept it.

But he still couldn't accept it for a while. His gaze had followed Shu Ying for so many years, and wherever Shu Ying was, he couldn't help but steal a few more glances.

This has long been a habit, and I've stuck with it for so many years. It's like it's ingrained in my bones. How could it be so easy to change?

He had already convinced himself that he would find a way to change things gradually and there was no need to rush.

In truth, he knew that when he said he was giving himself time, he was actually still harboring a bit of greed. He wanted to give himself another chance and find a reason to look at Shu Ying a few more times without feeling guilty.

To put it bluntly, he still harbored wishful thinking, thinking that what if Shu Ying and Xie Zhiyan's good relationship was just an act, and what if they got divorced in the future?

If that's the case, he might still have a chance.

But Du Zhiwei's words were like a blow to his head.

Yes, Shu Ying already has two children, and both are in kindergarten. The two are also a well-known loving couple in the military region...

No matter what, she is already someone's wife and a mother of two.

How could such a strong bond break down so easily?

His hopes were slim.

Even if Shu Ying really does divorce Xie Zhiyan in the future, she might not even be interested in him...

He was ultimately no match for Xie Zhiyan.

Everyone says that people strive for higher positions, but Shu Ying has always been so ambitious, how could she possibly be interested in him?

Du Chenzhou bit his lip hard, his heart sinking into a cold lake, where ice crystals were gradually forming.

Without a word, he heavily closed the car door, sat in the back seat with his head down, and could no longer utter a single sentence.

Is there anyone more miserable than him?

The person she loved, the person she had silently watched over for so many years, not only married someone else but also had two children.

And the man she married was so outstanding, capable, and powerful, with the entire military behind him, that she didn't even have the chance to steal him away.

...After all, breaking up a military marriage is illegal.

Du Chenzhou himself felt miserable.

Wait a minute, it seems there are actually people worse off than him...

Du Chenzhou suddenly thought of Jiang Yunzhou.

Yes, it wasn't just him who couldn't get Shu Ying; Jiang Yunzhou was too.

For so many years, he had simply stood at a distance, quietly watching Shu Ying and liking her.

But what about Jiang Yunzhou? He's always been by Shu Ying's side.

But after all these years, he hasn't found a single opportunity.

Watching Shu Ying get married and have children from a distance isn't so painful, but watching up close like Jiang Yunzhou, and even being involved, is unimaginably painful.

What's the difference between this and simply handing over the person you like to someone else?

That kind of pain must be no less than being pierced to the bone, right?

Thinking of this, Du Chenzhou suddenly felt much more at ease.

It seems he's not the most pitiful one.

Sitting in the car, Du Zhiwei looked up and observed Du Chenzhou's behavior through the rearview mirror.

While observing, I recalled what had just happened.

Unexpectedly, with Shu Ying being so popular, another man who has secretly loved her for many years has appeared...

Du Chenzhou...

Du Zhiwei's heart skipped a beat.

This person shares the same surname with her? She only just noticed.

Based on what Du Chenzhou just said at the police station... the Du family and the Shu Ying family used to be mortal enemies.

The Shu family is a business, and a fairly large one at that.

Judging from this, Du Chenzhou's family background must have been quite good; he was probably a capitalist to some extent...

Thinking of this, Du Zhiwei's throat tightened involuntarily, and she felt inexplicably flustered.

With the same surname, could she possibly be related to this Du Chenzhou?

Du Chenzhou glanced up casually and his gaze met Du Zhiwei's in the rearview mirror.

Du Zhiwei's expression was not good, and she spoke with a slightly solemn tone.

"You also have the surname Du. Where is your ancestral home? Which clan do you belong to? Do you have any family members in the capital? I don't think so."

Despite Du Zhiwei's attempts to appear casual and chatty, her true purpose was quite clear given how thoroughly she inquired.

Du Chenzhou hadn't failed to notice Du Zhiwei's surname.

He was initially surprised, but seeing Du Zhiwei's lingering fear and the way she seemed afraid of being associated with him, he curled his lip in disdain and snorted inwardly.

He doesn't even care if he's from the same clan as her.

Although his family is in disarray now and not as prosperous as before, they were once a prominent family in Shanghai. Why would he need a little girl to look down on him?

Du Chenzhou adopted a cold, arrogant expression, his tone flat and unchanging—

“My family has always been from Shanghai, and I am a native of Shanghai. My grandfather’s generation has been working hard in Shanghai. Our family’s ancestral graves are all over there, and we will not have any connection with any shady people.”

When he said, "I am also a native of Shanghai," Du Chenzhou visibly straightened his back, his inherent arrogance impossible to conceal.