Siheyuan: tomb robbing? I am serious about hunting.

Chapter 417 Qin Huairu's Old Lover

As time went by, their conversations were no longer limited to trivial matters, but gradually went deep into their hearts. Zhuzi would listen to Qin Huairu's complaints about the grievances she had suffered in the courtyard, the difficulties posed by Jia Zhang, and the burden of life, which often made Qin Huairu burst into tears. Zhuzi always silently handed her a handkerchief and gently patted her shoulder, his eyes full of pity and love.

One evening, the afterglow of the setting sun dyed the entire city a warm orange. Zhuzi invited Qin Huairu to the small river outside the city. The river was gurgling and sparkling. The two walked slowly along the river bank, and the atmosphere was a little subtle and tense.

"Huai Ru, I feel sad to see you having such a hard time these days. I often wonder, if you had not moved to the city and stayed in the countryside, would you not have suffered so much?" Zhuzi broke the silence, his voice low and sincere.

Qin Huairu stopped and looked up at Zhuzi, tears flashing in her eyes: "Zhuzi, please stop talking. This is fate, I don't regret it. It's just that sometimes, I really feel so tired."

Zhuzi couldn't help but hold Qin Huairu's hands. Those hands were rough and warm, which made Qin Huairu's heart beat faster. "Huairu, I know it may not be appropriate for me to say this now, but you have always been in my heart. It has never changed over the years." Zhuzi's eyes were fiery and firm, looking straight into Qin Huairu's eyes.

Qin Huairu's cheeks flushed. She lowered her head and tried to pull her hand back, but found that she had no strength at all. "Zhu Zi, we are not children anymore. There are so many practical issues to consider. I have children and a mother-in-law in the city. I can't be so selfish."

Zhuzi exerted a little force and pulled Qin Huairu closer. The two were so close that they could feel each other's breath. "I know, Huairu. I won't force you to make any decision. I just want you to know my feelings. I am willing to wait until you have dealt with everything and the day you are willing to be with me."

Qin Huairu burst into tears again. The hardships and grievances she had experienced over the years were transformed into endless emotions by Zhuzi's affectionate confession. She slowly raised her head, looked into Zhuzi's eyes, and nodded gently.

Since then, their feelings have become stronger. Zhuzi would secretly come to the courtyard to visit Qin Huairu in his spare time and help her with some heavy work; Qin Huairu would also show a rare smile and tenderness in front of Zhuzi. However, their love is like a flower growing in the dark, blooming cautiously, for fear of being discovered by others.

But the truth will eventually come out, and the neighbors in the courtyard gradually noticed the changes in Qin Huairu. She was no longer always frowning, and she would occasionally hum a little song, and her eyes had a little more brilliance than before. Jia Zhang was even more keenly aware of the difference, and she began to secretly pay attention to Qin Huairu's whereabouts. A storm was about to set off in this courtyard.

That day, the sun was a little dim, and Sha Zhu followed Qin Huairu as usual. He always felt that something was wrong with Qin Huairu recently, and her behavior was mysterious. Sure enough, he saw Qin Huairu hurriedly leaving the courtyard, looking back from time to time, as if she was afraid of being discovered. Sha Zhu's heart tightened, and he followed quietly.

Qin Huairu turned around and finally stopped in a remote alley. After a while, a man appeared. Zhuzi recognized him as the man who talked to Qin Huairu on the street last time. When the two met, their faces were filled with an indescribable joy, and their eyes were full of warmth. They were close to each other, talking in low voices, sometimes smiling, sometimes with concern, and the intimacy made Zhuzi's heart "swoosh" ignite anger.

"Qin Huairu, Qin Huairu, I've been so good to you, but you're secretly having an affair with another man behind my back!" Sha Zhu was so angry that he clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and the veins on his forehead bulged. He stared at the two people, his eyes seemed to be spewing fire, and he wanted to rush up and question them immediately. But he still suppressed his anger, turned around and walked quickly towards the courtyard, his steps hurried along the way, and the anger in his heart surged like a surging tide.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, Sha Zhu went straight to find Yi Zhonghai. At this time, he was so angry that he didn't care about being polite. "Uncle, you have to give me justice!" Sha Zhu shouted with a red face. His voice was full of grievance and anger, which attracted the attention of many neighbors in the courtyard.

Yi Zhonghai was drinking tea in the room and was startled by Sha Zhu's sudden shout. He put down his teacup, frowned and looked at Sha Zhu and said, "Zhu Zi, what's wrong with you? What happened? Tell me slowly."

Sha Zhu panted and told everything about seeing Qin Huairu meeting that man. He paced back and forth in the room while talking, waving his hands constantly, and was so excited that he could hardly control himself. "Uncle, how could Qin Huairu do this to me? I usually care so much about her and her family, but she let me down like this. I feel so upset!" Sha Zhu's eyes were red, his voice was a little choked, and he looked heartbroken.

Yi Zhonghai listened to Sha Zhu's story, and his expression gradually became solemn. He knew in his heart that Sha Zhu had special feelings for Qin Huairu, and now that something like this had happened, Sha Zhu must be feeling bad. "Zhuzi, don't worry, this matter needs to be clarified. Maybe there is some misunderstanding?" Yi Zhonghai tried to comfort Sha Zhu, but he also knew in his heart that things might not be that simple.

"Misunderstanding? I saw it with my own eyes, how could there be any misunderstanding! Uncle, you have to help me think of a solution, I can't just let it go like this." Sha Zhu didn't listen to Yi Zhonghai's persuasion at all. He just felt that he had suffered great hurt, and he was thinking about asking Qin Huairu to give him an explanation. He was so stubborn that no one could stop him.

The atmosphere in the courtyard became solemn and depressing. Yi Zhonghai looked at the emotional Sha Zhu and sighed helplessly. He knew that if this matter was not properly resolved, it would definitely cause a bigger wave in the courtyard in the future. Therefore, Yi Zhonghai decided to hold a meeting of the whole courtyard to let everyone discuss this matter together, so that the truth could be revealed to the world.

The news spread quickly in the yard, and people put down their work and gathered in the middle of the yard. Soon, the yard was crowded with people, whispering and talking, their eyes full of curiosity and expectation.

Yi Zhonghai cleared his throat and raised his voice and said, "Dear neighbors, I have gathered you all here today because something happened in our courtyard, and I believe you have all heard about it.