Chapter Ninety-Six: Peng Sha and Zou Lin

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These past days, Lin Zou didn’t know how she had gotten through them. Logically, Zhao Qiang had reunited with his wife, and she should have been happy, yet somehow, every time night fell and everything grew quiet, Lin Zou closed her eyes only to see Zhao Qiang’s chubby, world-weary face flashing through her mind.

In the base—what the survivors called the prison since the name “prison” was unpleasant—on the training ground, in the factory, in the canteen, Zhao Qiang and Peng Sha could be seen always in pairs. Whenever Zhao Qiang was at the base, he was inseparable from Peng Sha. Lin Zou always pretended to run into the couple by chance, giving a hurried nod before brushing past them.

What’s wrong with me? Lin Zou lay in her bed, tossing and turning. She began to fear the night, to fear closing her eyes. It was Zhao Qiang who had saved her life; he was the only one who never cared about her background. He always appeared by her side when she needed him most. Didn’t every girl want the boy she adored to come for her clad in golden armor, treading on seven-colored clouds, in a grand scene watched by all? Even the most humble courtesan would have such a dream.

He had no golden armor, no seven-colored clouds, yet his image and smile were deeply engraved in Lin Zou’s heart. He had finally found his beloved. In this apocalypse, to live and love someone faithfully was a blessing. He had regained his happiness; she should bless him, should be glad. Yet why did her heart ache so?

Perhaps she should tell him, openly and boldly, even if there was no outcome. Only then would she have no regrets. Yes, that’s it—tomorrow morning she would go to him and confess her love!

That night, Lin Zou dreamed she wore a pure white wedding gown, while he wore golden armor and trod on seven-colored clouds, walking slowly toward her amid countless admiring gazes...

Early the next morning, Lin Zou rose from bed early. After freshening up, she put on the down jacket she had treasured for long. This was his gift! she thought quietly. In the mirror, she applied light makeup and let her ponytail down, the soft hair cascading over her shoulders.

Standing before the door of Zhao Qiang and Peng Sha’s room, Lin Zou hesitated again. He had a wife, a family; what was she? A third party? A homewrecker? On the way here, Zhang Yongming’s meaningful smile and his words, “Happiness must be fought for,” echoed in her mind. Could it be that the man who could see the future had seen something?

Lin Zou paced back and forth, several times reaching the door, her hand raising to knock, then falling back. What should I do? she asked herself repeatedly. “Happiness must be fought for!” she whispered Zhang Yongming’s words, summoned all her courage, and just as her hand was about to touch the door, the door opened.

Zhao Qiang, already dressed, stood in the doorway—not clad in golden armor but in military uniform. Seeing Lin Zou about to knock, he was momentarily stunned, then broke into a broad smile. “You’re here. What’s the matter?”

“Um, um...” The figure from her dream stood before her. Lin Zou’s courage vanished instantly; the words stuck in her throat, unable to be spoken.

“Pig, who’s that?” Peng Sha’s voice came from inside. “Let her in, why are you blocking the door?”

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“Hehe, it’s Lin Zou,” Zhao Qiang smiled, scratched his head, and let her in.

Come what may. Lin Zou braced herself and stepped inside. The room was filled with the scent of Zhao Qiang and Peng Sha. The previous mess was gone; everything was neat and orderly. Clearly, as the lady of the house, Peng Sha took good care of their little nest.

“Oh, Lin Zou, good morning,” Peng Sha greeted warmly. The pale, frail woman who had first come here was gone. Now her face radiated vitality, evidently nourished by the days reunited with her husband. “Just got up; it’s a bit messy. Sorry about that. Please, have a seat.”

This was going to be interesting. Zhao Qiang’s head hurt. One was his first wife, the other a woman with whom he shared some ambiguous feelings. Though nothing had happened, now the two women sat face to face—this was surely going to cause trouble.

“Coming so early, what’s the matter?” Zhao Qiang stood awkwardly to the side, his eyes scanning for anything the two women might use as weapons against each other. He knew Lin Zou’s intentions well. Both before and now, Zhao Qiang kept a cautious distance from Lin Zou. Seeing her early in the morning, dressed up and wearing that down jacket, nervous as she was, even a fool could guess why she had come today.

The sunlight was dazzling today. After months without seeing the sun, why did it shine today? The spring day was perfect for an outing, yet Zhao Qiang sensed a whiff of gunpowder in his room. An illusion, it must be an illusion, he kept telling himself.

“Brother Qiang, sister-in-law, it’s like this: I came today to discuss something with you,” Lin Zou said, blushing.

Zhao Qiang’s heart immediately leapt to his throat. He glanced secretly at Peng Sha, whose face was as radiant and bright as the spring sunshine outside. Judging by the current situation, peace today seemed unlikely...

“Just say what you want to say. Sister-in-law, I’ll back you up,” Peng Sha said generously, glancing at Zhao Qiang, who stood like a scolded schoolboy. Peng Sha knew fully well about the matters between Zhao Qiang and Lin Zou. Zhao Qiang had confessed everything in detail. As a woman, few could be so magnanimous as to share a husband with another woman, but what’s meant to happen will happen. Whether blessing or curse, it cannot be avoided. Since Lin Zou had come knocking at the door, as the lady of the house, Peng Sha wouldn’t show weakness.

“Um... um... my younger brother, sister-in-law, I want to ask Brother Qiang to help me find him,” Lin Zou finally found an excuse after a long pause, her small face flushed red.

What a relief! Zhao Qiang quietly exhaled. So that was it.

Zhao Qiang’s small reaction did not escape Peng Sha’s eyes. She, too, breathed a sigh of relief. Lin Zou’s request was not unreasonable. As a sister, wanting to find her brother was natural. If Zhao Qiang hadn’t been delayed at Orange Isle, perhaps they would have news of her brother by now.

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“No problem. I thought it was something big. Sister-in-law, I promise you,” Peng Sha’s eyes filled with a broad smile. “Pig, you promised her, so get on it quickly. You always procrastinate.”

“Sure, sure,” Zhao Qiang nodded vigorously, as if pounding garlic. With one thing after another, he almost forgot he needed to help Lin Zou find her brother. But did she have to dress so beautifully for this?

“Lin Zou, I’m older than you by a few years, so I’ll take the liberty of calling you little sister,” Peng Sha said with a smile. “Zhao Qiang has told me everything about your situation. Don’t be shy; just say what you want. If he dares refuse, sister-in-law will take care of it.”

What am I doing here? The words Lin Zou had prepared had long since disappeared. Seeing the loving couple’s affection, her heart felt like needles pricking it. Holding back tears, she nodded. “Sister-in-law, actually, there’s one more thing I came to say. I... I...”

They both thought it—the moment had arrived.

“Report!” A messenger’s voice outside shattered the unbearably awkward atmosphere.

Timely indeed! Zhao Qiang quickly responded, “Come in.”

“Report! Captain Meng is calling you over. It’s urgent!”

“Alright, you go ahead. I’m coming right away.” Zhao Qiang waved the messenger off.

“Well, I have something to do here, so I won’t keep you. You talk it over. I’ll leave first.” Saying this, Zhao Qiang fled like a man escaping for his life.