Chapter 282: Love-Brain 3.0

At noon, while eating in the cafeteria, the two women met again. Ding Qiunan didn't say a word, just looked at Zhong Mingzhu with a teasing expression.

"Sister Qiu Nan~"

Zhong Mingzhu finally couldn't stand Ding Qiunan's gaze and chattered away, telling her everything that was on her mind.

"Hmm... Mingzhu, are you having a one-sided crush?"

Ding Qiunan didn't understand why this young lady would like this type of person; could it be because Zhang Ping'an didn't revolve around her like the sycophants she was used to?

"Oh, Sister Qiu Nan~ hurry and help me come up with an idea." Since she had already spilled everything, Zhong Mingzhu didn't care about being shy anymore.

"Hmm, I'll go back and ask Guangtian. Let's study Zhang Shu carefully. Don't worry, Mingzhu, I said I would help you."

"Mm, okay, thank you, Sister Qiu Nan."

After work that evening, Ding Qiunan told Liu Guangtian and Lao Liu about the matter.

"This is a good thing. Ping'an really does need someone to care for him, but your colleague comes from such a prominent family—can she take good care of Ping'an?" Liu Haizhong asked with a serious face.

"This..."

Ding Qiunan was a bit speechless; Lao Liu's perspective on things was always unique. However, he wasn't wrong—which child of a high-ranking official wasn't pampered? Their family backgrounds and personalities might not necessarily be a good match.

Zhang Ping'an was a pure country man and was easygoing in the Siheyuan, while Zhong Mingzhu had grown up in a large compound since childhood and might not even know how to cook a meal.

"I think we should ask Zhang Shu first. If he isn't willing, we'll just be wasting our efforts," said Liu Guangtian.

"Mm, we do have to ask for Ping'an's opinion. I'm just afraid that, sigh..."

Liu Haizhong didn't continue, but they all understood. Over these years, they had all seen how doting Zhang Ping'an was toward Wang Xiaoling; no one else in this courtyard could compare.

"Alright then, let's go talk to Zhang Shu."

Although this didn't align with Ding Qiunan's plan, they all said so. Having married into this courtyard only two years ago and having spent only one year with Wang Xiaoling, she certainly didn't know Zhang Ping'an as well as Lao Liu and the others did.

"Let's go."

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Who is it?"

"Zhang Shu, it's me, Guangtian."

"What's the matter? Come in and sit." As soon as Zhang Ping'an opened the door, he saw Liu Guangtian and his wife standing at the entrance.

After the two sat down, Liu Guangtian couldn't wait to return the words Zhang Ping'an had said to him two years ago.

"Hehe, Zhang Shu, do you want a wife?"

"No, are you two alright?"

"Hehe, Zhang Shu, it's about Qiu Nan's colleague, the girl who gave you the letter yesterday."

"That's right, Zhang Shu, if you're interested, I'll play matchmaker for you."

"Cough, Xiao Ding, I'm afraid you don't know Zhong Mingzhu's family background. This isn't something she can just decide on a whim. Besides, what is my status? I'm not a match for her."

"Alright, Guangtian, Xiao Ding, I appreciate your good intentions, but it really isn't suitable. Guangtian, we are all ordinary folk. Zhong Mingzhu's family background is even stronger than the family that transferred you into Public Security. Do you understand now?"

"Alright, Zhang Shu, I understand. We'll be heading back now." Liu Guangtian held back Ding Qiunan, who still wanted to say something.

"Mm."

It was only after working at the Police Station for a few years that Liu Guangtian realized how powerful the Mu family, who had squeezed him into the Public Security system, was. But now that Zhang Ping'an said the Zhong Family was even stronger, it was certainly not something they, as commoners, could reach.

"Guangtian, didn't we agree on everything when we came? Why did you..."

"Qiu Nan, you heard what Zhang Shu said just now. How much do you know about your colleague?"

"How could I not know? She's a relative of Dean Du from our hospital."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

"Sigh, your colleague's family isn't as simple as it looks on the surface. This marriage really isn't suitable. You should tell her Zhang Shu's attitude directly."

"But I already promised Mingzhu..."

"Qiu Nan, this is a matter between two people. If Zhang Shu doesn't agree, can we force him?"

"Fine."

Ding Qiunan looked distressed. She had originally thought it was a sure win, so how did it turn into this?

The next morning at work, Zhong Mingzhu looked at Ding Qiunan with anticipation, but Ding Qiunan felt slightly awkward. Yesterday, she had been so confident about helping her, only to be rejected immediately after.

"Cough, cough, Mingzhu, that... Zhang Shu doesn't have any thoughts in that regard for the time being. He..."

"Oh, I see," Zhong Mingzhu said disappointedly. It was over before it had even begun.

Ding Qiunan opened her mouth behind her, not knowing how to comfort her. After all, in this day and age, there were very few people who fell in love and got married on their own; basically, everyone married first and then cultivated feelings.

Time flew by like a white horse passing a crevice. In the blink of an eye, a month had passed. Fearing unnecessary misunderstandings, Zhang Ping'an hadn't gone to the Library during that time.

Zhong Mingzhu's three attempts to wait for him at the Library yielded no results, and she roughly guessed that Zhang Ping'an was avoiding her. She finally experienced the taste of being rejected, but she didn't give up.

Zhong Mingzhu had never been in love and had only read about it in storybooks. In truth, she didn't even know if she liked Zhang Ping'an, but her unwillingness to give up was real.

However, in this one month, due to her overthinking, Zhong Mingzhu's face had shrunk by a circle, changing from a baby-fat face to a pointed chin.

When it was time to return the books, Zhang Ping'an specifically chose to go to the Library near closing time. He didn't expect to run into Zhong Mingzhu.

Seeing Zhang Ping'an, Zhong Mingzhu was first pleasantly surprised, then her eyes turned red, and finally, she threw herself into Zhang Ping'an's arms...

"..."

Zhang Ping'an felt incredibly awkward at this moment, not knowing where to put his hands. He didn't know which nerve this woman had misfired, but fortunately, there were few people in the Library at this time.

"Cough, cough, that... why don't you two go outside to hug? We're about to get off work."

The librarian was also amazed at the young woman's boldness, but since it was closing time, he didn't want to work overtime and could only speak up to interrupt.

"That, could you let go of me first? I need to return a book."

Zhong Mingzhu felt a bit awkward herself now. She didn't know why she had rushed up just now. She silently let go of Zhang Ping'an and stood to the side like an ostrich.

Looking at the wet stain on his chest, Zhang Ping'an was helpless and had to quickly process the book return.

"Let me take you home first," Zhang Ping'an sighed softly. It was late now, and Zhang Ping'an was not at ease with Zhong Mingzhu going home alone.

"Mm," Zhong Mingzhu still felt too shy to lift her head even now.

"Where is your Bicycle?"

"I, I didn't ride a bike."

"Get on."

"Mm."

"Where do you live?"

"Not far from my eldest sister's house."

Just as he started pedaling the Bicycle, Zhang Ping'an felt his waist tighten and his back soften; this girl was truly Dadan, little knowing that Zhong Mingzhu on the back seat also had a face flushed completely red.

"Um, could you loosen your grip a bit?" Zhang Ping'an had just finished speaking when Zhong Mingzhu tightened her grip instead of loosening it.

"..."

"Do you dislike me that much?"

"No, no, we haven't even met a few times, your reaction is a bit much..."

"I don't care about that..."

"It's not that, I feel I'm not good enough for you. Setting aside status, just in terms of age, I am much older than you."

"I don't care about these things, and my father and mother don't care either..."