8. Grandma Arrives

That boy is certainly earnest, Jun Lengche thought, casting a glance at Qin Xiangyang, who was eavesdropping at the door, before walking away on his own.

Inside his car, Jun Lengche rested his head on one hand, his fingers tapping a rhythm on the steering wheel. That wild girl had quite the influence; not only had she caused significant fluctuations in his own emotions, but she had also affected Qin Xiangyang. Was her appearance truly a coincidence?

Jun Lengche carefully recalled the details from last night until now, but despite his scrutiny, he could find nothing suspicious.

In his memories, whenever the narrative involved Tong Zhenzhen and another man—even Qin Xiangyang—it left him feeling unsettled.

What was wrong with him? Jun Lengche felt a flicker of annoyance at this abnormal emotional state. How could Tong Zhenzhen so easily sway his composure?

After ruminating for a while longer, he started the car and drove away from the apartment complex where Tong Zhenzhen lived.

Sometimes, the mind tries to ignore someone, but thoughts inevitably circle back, forcing the person to the forefront of one’s consciousness. That was exactly how it was for Jun Lengche. Throughout the drive, he kept thinking of Tong Zhenzhen, nearly running a red light in his distraction.

Upon reaching his home, Jun Lengche rubbed his temples and took a deep breath, trying to purge her image from his mind. As he opened the door, he caught the faint sound of footsteps.

Someone was inside!

Instantly, Jun Lengche grew alert, his gaze sharpening and his muscles tensing. He quickly pushed the door open, slipped inside, and grabbed a baseball bat from beside the shoe cabinet. "Who's in here?!" he shouted.

"Xiao Che, it’s Grandma, and Auntie Qin." A thin, elderly woman of about seventy emerged from the guest room.

Her silver hair was combed meticulously, her complexion was ruddy, and she stood straight as a ramrod. The wrinkles on her face were as sharp as knife cuts, her eyes were piercing, and she moved with an agile grace. This was Jun Lengche’s grandmother, a former soldier.

"Grandma?" Jun Lengche arched a brow. He lowered the bat and walked over to embrace her. He found it strange; his grandmother rarely visited his place. If she needed him, she usually summoned him to the Jun family estate at the military district.

Jun Lengche noticed that, aside from the "beast" graffiti still on the wall, the order of the room had been restored. He saw Auntie Qin busy tidying up.

Even if it were an unprecedented occasion for his grandmother to visit, how could she have known the place was a mess and brought Auntie Qin along?

A moment later, it dawned on him: Mo Chuchu must have gone to the Jun estate.

He had long sensed the neighbor girl’s excessive enthusiasm and hidden motives, but he had no interest in her and remained distant. Moreover, he despised people who engaged in petty schemes behind his back.

For some reason, he was reminded of the straightforward Tong Zhenzhen.

"Xiao Che, sit here." After the embrace, his grandmother sat on the sofa and patted the empty spot beside her. Though her tone was calm, it brooked no argument.

While Jun Lengche was cold by nature, he was well-mannered and held his grandmother in high regard. He sat beside her.

"Xiao Che, it’s been three years since Lin Zhixue went missing, hasn't it?" his grandmother asked, deliberately slowing her pace.

"Yes." At these words, Jun Lengche’s pupils contracted, and his brow furrowed.

Seeing the change in her favorite grandson's expression, his grandmother knew she had touched a nerve. She said softly, "Xiao Che, it’s been three years. It’s time you found another woman. But you mustn't be too casual about it."

"Grandma, Mo Chuchu must have said something to you, didn't she?" The flicker of disgust in Jun Lengche’s eyes did not escape his grandmother’s notice.

She had been keeping an eye out for a woman of equal social standing for her grandson. She considered Mo Chuchu an excellent candidate: a university student, beautiful, sweet-talking, respectful to her, and devoted to Jun Lengche. Furthermore, her father was the political commissar at the military hospital.

When she sensed Jun Lengche’s dissatisfaction with Mo Chuchu, she subconsciously felt it was a rejection of her own judgment. Having spent years in the military and as the matriarch of the family, she had developed an authoritative, "my way or the highway" temperament.

"What’s wrong with Chuchu? The girl is truly devoted to you," his grandmother’s voice rose. "Don't go getting involved with just anyone. Those women are self-indulgent and no good! Didn't you bring home some disreputable woman last night? Look at the state you’ve left your home in!"

Hearing his grandmother label Tong Zhenzhen as a "disreputable woman" grated on his nerves. "Grandma, I can handle my own affairs."

His grandmother had not expected her usually filial grandson to talk back. This only reinforced her belief in what Mo Chuchu had said—that the woman who left his place this morning was no good. Her grandson, who had been without a woman for three years, could not simply settle for anyone.

"What is that attitude, Xiao Che? I am not trying to interfere in your choice of partner, but do not forget your position. You are a military doctor; your marriage requires a political background check. A good wife will aid your career. Mo Chuchu’s father is the political commissar at your hospital and has always treated you well. What is wrong with choosing her?" she insisted firmly.

A wave of intense resentment welled up in Jun Lengche. Being born into a high-ranking official's family meant many things were beyond his control, just like his first marriage.

His ex-wife, Lin Zhixue, was the granddaughter of a late comrade-in-arms who had died saving his grandfather on the battlefield. Her parents had also died in peacekeeping missions. She had been taken into the Jun household at age ten. Once grown, she joined the police force, specializing in anti-narcotics.

Four years ago, during an operation, Lin Zhixue was captured by a group of brutal thugs and violated. She was twenty-five at the time.

Jun Lengche, who viewed her as a younger sister, spent several sleepless nights hunting down the thugs with his closest friends. Young and hot-blooded, he had even castrated them.

But Lin Zhixue attempted suicide repeatedly.

In the end, his grandfather ordered him to marry her. He was twenty-six.

At the time, Jun Lengche already had a girlfriend, and since he only felt brotherly affection for Lin Zhixue, he refused.

Not long after, however, his girlfriend left him without a word. Although the relationship hadn't been soul-deep, the betrayal was a massive blow that shattered his faith in women.

Seeing Lin Zhixue living in despair, weeping daily, Jun Lengche ultimately relented.

In truth, Lin Zhixue had long been secretly in love with him, so this marriage saved her, but it imprisoned him.

Jun Lengche felt only pity and affection for her, never love. Even after their first time as husband and wife, the image that surfaced in his mind was that of Tong Zhenzhen, whom he had only