Chapter Sixty-One: Confession

Even if he pretended not to care, Zhang Can truly had no wish to hurt Liu Xiaoqin without reason. This girl, apart from deceiving him once about family matters, had otherwise treated him impeccably well. Even now, Zhang Can could sense that Liu Xiaoqin was devoted to him, heart and soul.

She had quit her job at home, burned all her bridges, and come to Jin City without hesitation. Liu Xiaoqin had bound herself entirely to him; the only thing left was what she herself said—her promise to love him wholeheartedly, and she was earnestly working toward that. Furthermore, over these past few days, ambiguous moments had arisen between them. Even if nothing was spoken outright, both sensed a budding affection quietly growing.

Crucially, Zhang Can felt Liu Xiaoqin suited him. Both were from the countryside, from the same place, with little difference in age or background. Their parents approved, and truthfully, he did like her a lot. She was beautiful, kind, and filial. When he’d been angry before, it was precisely because he liked her; if he hadn’t, why would he be hurt for her sake?

But what about Zhou Nan? Did he truly not like her?

Zhang Can couldn’t clarify his feelings. Zhou Nan was even more beautiful and refined than Liu Xiaoqin; it would be a lie to say he felt nothing. Yet, between them stood a chasm he felt he could never cross. Besides, with Zhou Nan’s background, would she ever genuinely care for someone like him?

He couldn’t be sure. Even if Zhou Nan had some fondness for him, with her status as the daughter of wealthy officials, perhaps her interest was only fleeting, a momentary novelty that wouldn’t last.

“Are you going home or not?” Seeing Zhang Can hesitating, Zhou Nan pressed him again, clearly annoyed.

Zhang Can gave an awkward smile and said quietly, “Zhou Nan, I’m sorry. If you need rest, I’ll book a room for you at the hotel. Bringing you home… I’m afraid that’s not very appropriate.”

“What do you mean ‘not very appropriate’? Afraid you’ll take advantage of me?” Zhou Nan retorted without a moment’s thought, then snorted in irritation. His words angered her—she was a girl herself, unafraid and unconcerned, so why should he, a grown man, have anything to worry about?

Zhang Can felt at a loss. Without some explanation, she wouldn’t let it go. So he said, “It’s like this—my sister… she just came here from home. If I bring you home, it’s really not ideal. My sister’s from the countryside, her thinking is a bit old-fashioned. If I bring a girl home who isn’t my fiancée or anything, it wouldn’t sit well.”

Zhou Nan burst out laughing and said, “You really are something. Let me ask you…”

She swept aside a stray lock of hair and smiled, “Your sister’s here—she’s your real sister, right?”

“Yes!”

“You’re not married?”

“No.”

“No fiancée?”

…”

Zhang Can hesitated, then nodded, “No.”

“Then what’s the problem? You’re not married, you don’t have a fiancée—there’s nothing shameful about me coming home with you. What’s the issue? Besides, if your sister meets such a charming and elegant girl, maybe she’ll even like me!” Zhou Nan smiled, and though she didn’t say outright she liked him, her words implied it.

But Zhang Can didn’t dare entertain the thought. He deflected, “Zhou Nan, you should go home. I have work, I need to earn a living. If you really don’t want to go home, I’ll get you a room at the hotel…”

“What hotel?” Zhou Nan snapped, growing frustrated. Why didn’t he understand? Did he need her, a girl, to spell everything out for him? Irritated, she said, “I already said I want to go to your place. What exactly are you doing?”

Zhang Can breathed heavily. Zhou Nan was so direct—should he really tell her what her father’s secretary had said? He hesitated, then decided against it, and said calmly, “Either you go to the hotel, and I’ll book you a room, or you go home. If you don’t choose either, I’m going back to the shop.”

“You—!” Zhou Nan’s face flushed with anger. What was with him? Compared to the concern he showed during her kidnapping, he was a completely different person. He wouldn’t abandon her then, and now, when all she wanted was to rest at his place, he was making excuses. For what?

Her chest heaved with fury, and with a fierce glare she spat, “You bastard!” Then she turned and stormed off.

Watching Zhou Nan’s beautiful figure leave, Zhang Can felt a strange blockage in his chest. He stood silent for a long moment, sighed, and turned toward the shop. But after a few steps, his frustration grew, and he decided to head home instead, to sleep.

He took out his phone and switched it off—when Zhu Senlin called to celebrate tonight, he wouldn’t get through, and that would be the end of it. The money was earned; there was no need to join their wild revelry.

Zhou Nan was a forbidden zone he couldn’t touch. Zhang Can knocked on his own head, trying to banish her from his thoughts, but the more he tried, the deeper her shadow took root.

He walked slowly home. Reaching the bank, he remembered something, and went in to withdraw a hundred thousand in cash, then opened two cards, transferring two hundred thousand into each—these were for Zhang Hua and Liu Xiaoqin.

He spent about twenty minutes in the bank, three times longer than usual, and it was nearly half an hour before he reached home. He pressed the doorbell; no one answered. Perhaps his sister and Liu Xiaoqin had gone out. He took out his key and let himself in.

He had barely sat down, hadn’t even had a sip of water, when the doorbell rang again. Zhang Can stood up to answer, grumbling, “Don’t they ever take their keys?”

But when he opened the door, he was startled to find Zhou Nan standing there, poised and lovely. “Why is it you?” he blurted, dumbfounded.

Zhou Nan snorted and pushed past him, entering the house, then complained angrily, “Why can’t it be me? I don’t get it—why are you so cold to me? I have my pride. I’m not here to cling to you, I just feel…”

She snorted again, then continued, “I just feel… I’m not willing to accept this. Do you understand?”

Zhang Can shook his head, “I don’t understand.”

“You don’t understand? Fine, then I’ll make it clear!” Zhou Nan bit her lip, stared at him for a long moment, then said fiercely, “Since I was little, I never liked dealing with others. I’m strong-willed. If I got second place in class, I’d cry for a day, then push myself to get first. From primary school to university, I’ve always been that way. So I have few friends. Honestly, whether at home or abroad, I’ve never liked any man. I never compromise. Even if I grow old, I won’t settle for someone I don’t like. Do you understand?”

Zhang Can replied coolly, “I don’t understand, and I don’t want to. That’s your business.”

“I know it’s my business!” Zhou Nan grew angry again. “You keep saying you don’t understand—you think you’re so great? You’re just an ordinary guy. What makes you so special? You’re not handsome, not rich, no fancy degree—what gives you the right to be so arrogant?”

Her outburst stunned Zhang Can, but then he calmed down and smiled lightly, “I never thought I was special. You’re right—I’m just an ordinary guy. Not handsome, not wealthy, no high education. But I’m not arrogant. I know myself.”

Zhou Nan suddenly stood up, startling Zhang Can. He remembered how Liu Xiaoqin had once threatened to jump, and worried Zhou Nan might do something similar. He hurried to the window, just in case.

But Zhou Nan didn’t head for the window. Instead, she spoke through clenched teeth, “Fine, since you know yourself so well, why did you provoke me? Why did you come after me? Why? When we were kidnapped in the mountains, why did you save me? Did I ask you to?”

Zhang Can was dumbfounded. At that time, he’d saved her, and he’d have done the same for anyone. Why was she so angry now?

She was furious, so much so that tears welled in her eyes. After a moment, Zhang Can replied, “Is that what you call provoking you? I was just saving a person. Does saving someone need a reason?”

“Bastard!”

Zhou Nan was beside herself, tears streaming down her face at last. “I don’t care! My pride, my confidence—you’ve shattered them. I know you’re ordinary, I know you’re average. I know you’re trying to make me say it. Fine, I’ll say it—here and now. I like you. I love you. Are you satisfied now…?”

With that, Zhou Nan finally broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

Zhang Can was stunned.

He liked Zhou Nan, but knew they came from utterly different worlds. If he pursued her, his life would be miserable, and there was no hope. Yet he never imagined Zhou Nan would like him too, and say so to his face.

Her confession caught him completely off guard—he never expected it.

During their ordeal in the mountains, they had helped and encouraged each other, but that was survival, mutual support in crisis—a natural response. After returning, everything went back to normal.

But now Zhou Nan was confessing her feelings. Zhang Can hadn’t known her long, but he could tell she was tenacious, never abandoning what she set her heart on.

Seeing him rooted in shock, Zhou Nan continued, “Also, in today’s society, everyone wears masks, never speaks truth, morals are at their lowest, one-night stands are commonplace. But I’m very traditional. I don’t care what you think of me. I gave you my first kiss, and I’ve decided—you are the one I want.”