Ger, So Proud

Chapter 50

“Who is that?” He Ze glanced briefly before turning away.

“You don’t recognize him?”

“No,” He Ze shook his head. “But, Ah Ze… he’s not calling me, is he?”

“You’ve forgotten quickly. You used to be so desperate for him, and it hasn’t even been that long! Now he’s come looking for you, and you say you don’t know him?”

Lin Yu’s tone was sharp, and his face showed a hint of anger. He Ze was momentarily stunned, running Lin Yu’s words through his mind before it clicked. “You mean, he is…”

“Ah Ze, I… I’m back.”

Before He Ze could finish, He Bao’er had already approached the two of them. He was fairly good-looking, with an unpainted face, perhaps due to the cold wind, which made him look quite pale with faint dark circles.

“…He Bao’er?”

He Ze frowned. At first, he truly hadn’t recognized him. In the original memories, He Bao’er had always been heavily made up, never looking this plain.

“Ah Ze… I missed you.”

Hearing his name from He Ze’s mouth, He Bao’er couldn’t hold back anymore and threw himself into He Ze’s arms.

He Ze’s eyes narrowed, and he quickly pulled Lin Yu to the side.

“Thud—”

With a loud noise, He Bao’er predictably fell to the ground, his hand sliding a finger-length away on the ground before he looked up, full of grievance. “Ah Ze, you…”

They were reuniting after a long time, how could Ah Ze treat him so badly!

He Bao’er looked at He Ze, his eyes gradually reddening, and tears started to fall, making him look pitiable.

Lin Yu lowered his gaze, his fingers digging into his palm. He glanced sideways at He Ze beside him, seeing the other’s indifferent eyes, and only then did he slowly release his grip.

“Shall we go?”

He Ze pulled Lin Yu’s hand.

He never liked seeing people cry. If it was He An, he would comfort him; if it was Lin Yu, he would cherish him. But with others, he felt only annoyance.

“Leave? What about this person?”

Lin Yu asked with his eyes.

“The past can’t be chased, let’s go.” He Ze glanced at the fallen He Bao’er, then turned with Lin Yu in tow.

As he looked at the broad hand gripping his wrist, Lin Yu’s lips curled into a smile. Unfortunately, he didn’t notice it himself, and neither did He Ze.

“Ha, the past can’t be chased? The past can’t be chased?” He Bao’er muttered to himself as he watched the backs of the two walking away. He raised his head, looked at the bleeding scratches on his palm from the gravel, wiped away his tears with his sleeve, and then quickly got up to chase after them.

“He Ze, stop right there!”

“…”

Lin Yu glanced back and slowed his pace.

“Why are you concerned about him?” He Ze shook Lin Yu’s hand, urging, “Let’s go. Uncle Zhang is probably still waiting for you.”

This person was probably just like Wu Cui, shameless and relentless.

“He Ze, how can you be so heartless!”

He Bao’er ran quickly, catching up while the two were talking.

His words were strikingly similar to Wu Cui’s. He Ze’s eyes darted around, making sure no one else was around before he spoke, “Heartless? Are you joking?”

Wasn’t the true victim the original He Ze?

“We grew up together and were never apart for so long. Now, upon meeting again, you avoid me like the plague. Even when I fell to the ground, you ignored me. Isn’t that heartless?”

He Bao’er glared at He Ze, his gaze eventually landing on the wrist He Ze was holding. Lin Yu, feeling self-conscious, tried to pull his hand away, but He Ze tightened his grip like an iron clasp. The more Lin Yu struggled, the tighter He Ze’s grip became.

In theory, He Ze shouldn’t be able to match Lin Yu’s strength, but at this moment… perhaps subconsciously, Lin Yu didn’t want He Ze to let go.

He Bao’er turned to Lin Yu with a smile, but the barely concealed mockery in his eyes was unmistakable. “This is Brother Lin? Haven’t seen you in a while; you’re looking better and better. Uncle Zhang must be very fortunate, with matchmakers probably lining up at your door…”

“Shut up!” He Ze interrupted sharply.

He Bao’er pouted but didn’t say another word.

But his words were like a thorn, piercing deep into Lin Yu’s heart, causing a sharp pain. How could he forget? No one wanted to marry him; he was considered to bring bad luck to his husband. He couldn’t harm He Ze.

He was getting greedier, and that wasn’t right!

Lin Yu glanced at He Bao’er, then slowly raised his other hand to pry He Ze’s fingers off.

He Bao’er’s smile widened.

He was different from He Ze.

He had lived in He Family Village for over a decade. From the moment he first saw Lin Yu’s face, he had been filled with envy and resentment. He had suppressed those feelings by spreading rumors about Lin Yu bringing bad luck to his husband.

What good was it to look handsome if he couldn’t even get married!

However, what is the situation now? He Bao’er looked at the intertwined gazes of the two before him. Could it be that in just a few months, Lin Yu had hooked up with He Ze?

But how could that be!

Just a while ago, at the mere mention of Lin Yu, He Ze would act as if he had seen a tiger! Even if he looked good, wasn’t he still a tough ger? No, this ger… he could easily take on five or six men!

It’s really…

Thinking of this, He Bao’er finally breathed a sigh of relief. He took two steps closer to He Ze and said softly, “Ah Ze, I know I’ve wronged you, but I had my reasons. I don’t ask for your forgiveness, but at least, could you listen to my explanation?”

Just as he finished speaking, Lin Yu pried He Ze’s hand open. Lin Yu glanced at He Bao’er, then at He Ze, and abruptly turned around saying, “You two take your time talking, I need to go home.”

“Lin Yu!”

He Ze frowned deeply, but before he could utter more than that, Lin Yu quickened his pace and soon ran out of sight.

“Finally, he’s gone!” He Bao’er clapped his hands and raised his chin, “He Ze, I know you’re mad at me. Did you know I was coming back and did this to annoy me?”

He Ze glanced at him, his expression unchanged but his gaze colder.

He Bao’er felt a chill from that look and lowered his eyes, saying, “You really need to hear my explanation! I didn’t want to get married; my Dad forced me. I know I embarrassed you just now, and you have every right to be mad. But He Ze, I realize my mistake. Can’t you forgive me? I’ve missed you so much these days, you…”

As he spoke, He Bao’er reached out to grab He Ze’s arm. But before he could touch him, He Ze suddenly stepped back and pushed him away. He Bao’er lost his balance and fell to the ground.

“He Ze, you…” He Bao’er said angrily, “You pushed me!”

He Ze, who had never laid a finger on him before, had pushed him!

“Why shouldn’t I push you?” Although it wasn’t intentional, He Ze’s eyes remained indifferent.

In the apocalyptic world, women and children were the most vulnerable, but also the most terrifying. If you showed them a bit of sympathy today, you might be the one dead tomorrow.

After nearly dying several times for such reasons, he had learned his lesson. Moreover, in this world, a “ger” was not much different from a man.

“You are a ‘ger,’ so I don’t want to hit you. Consider this push a repayment for what you said. It’s only fair. As for other matters,” He Ze squatted down, meeting He Bao’er’s eyes, “Our engagement was voided a long time ago. You are already married. I don’t care why you came back to He Family Village, but please, do not entangle yourself with me or my family anymore. Otherwise… people change. The He Ze who pampered you is already dead.”

“——Killed by you.”

He Ze paused, then added another sentence.

“No! You’re lying to me, how could you…”

“…”

He Ze listened to He Bao’er’s hoarse cries and frowned again, “Alright, that’s enough. It’s pointless to dig your own grave. Don’t come looking for me again in the future.”

Before the words even finished, he had turned around. But after taking just a few steps, he stopped abruptly.

“He Ze…”

He knew it, he knew it, even if he betrayed He Ze, He Ze would never leave him!

He Bao’er’s face lit up with joy, but the next moment, his expression froze.

He Ze was leaving in the direction Lin Yu had just gone! Lin Yu…

“He Ze!”

He Bao’er shouted, watching He Ze’s figure grow further away. His eyes almost bulged out, and the next moment, he picked up a stone from the ground and threw it fiercely.

Bastard! Liar!

Glancing at the dirt on his clothes, the blood on his palms, and feeling his messy hair, He Bao’er thought of how he had returned to the village just to find He Ze, wanting to apologize to him properly. But He Ze treated him like this, and he bit his lip until it bled.

He didn’t know how long it had been, but with red eyes, he finally rubbed his knees and got up from the ground.

“Hiss…” There was a dull pain in his chest. How could He Ze, one day, be so heavy-handed with him!

But the more severe the injury, didn’t it prove how important he was in He Ze’s heart? A thought flashed through He Bao’er’s mind, and he paused. Suddenly, a smile curved up his lips.

Yes, how could he forget? The bond he shared with He Ze for more than ten years wouldn’t vanish so easily! As for venting his anger on Lin Yu, he didn’t believe it.

It must be that he had hurt He Ze too much this time. As long as he gave him time to calm down, to dissipate He Ze’s anger, they would return to how they were before!

Yes! That’s it!

Glancing once more in the direction He Ze had left, He Bao’er’s fingertips tightened on his trouser, but his eyes were filled with determination.

It’s his, and no one can take it away! Failed once, he could fail a second time?

Just wait and see!

…

On the other side, back in Lin’s house fifteen minutes ago.

There was a knock on the door, and Zhang Su opened the courtyard gate to see a familiar face.

“Li Shanfeng, is that you?”

“Why, don’t you welcome me?” Li Shanfeng, wearing a large blue floral coat, chuckled, his breath visible in the cold air. “I’m wearing my husband’s surname, of course you wouldn’t welcome me.”

He was the wife of the eldest son of the Lin family, strictly speaking, Zhang Su should call him brother-in-law.

“But since I’m here, you should at least let me in, right? Don’t worry, I’m not like those troublemakers like Wu Cui. I won’t cause you any trouble. I came this time to talk to you about something.”

Seeing Zhang Su’s hand still on the door frame, Li Shanfeng added another sentence.

“Come in.”

Zhang Su glanced at him and finally let go of his hand. Li Shanfeng was smart and capable. Although he hadn’t helped him much, he hadn’t deliberately made things difficult for him either. He was quite favored by the old folks in the Lin family.

“Injustice has a source, debts have a debtor, and he wouldn’t blame others.”

“For so many years, we’ve been in the same village, but I haven’t seen you for quite some time.” Li Shanfeng entered the courtyard, glanced around, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. “It seems that your family’s affairs are being handled well. Things have turned for the better. By the way, where is Yu-ge?”

“Yu-ge isn’t at home. If you have something to say, just say it.”

“…”

Interrupted, Li Shanfeng’s expression remained unchanged. He sighed, “I just remembered some things from the past. For so many years, I’ve been feeling guilty and uneasy in my heart. Now it seems I did the right thing.”

“You…” Zhang Su raised his eyes.

“Back then, when Father knew about you and that doctor, he intended to report you both. If that happened, you’d be finished for life, and even Yu-ge would be despised by others. I begged Father, but it didn’t help much. Although he didn’t report you, he drove you out of the family. I… sigh, you’ve suffered over the years.”

Li Shanfeng spoke sincerely, and Zhang Su looked at him steadily. After a long while, a faint smile appeared on his face. “So there’s still this twist in the story. I owe you a thank you.”

“How can you say that? It’s ultimately my fault for being insignificant,” Li Shanfeng waved his hand with a smile. “You don’t blame me, so there’s no need to thank me.”

Zhang Su didn’t respond, just poured two cups of tea. “It’s rare for you to come over. I don’t have much to offer you, but sit down and have a drink.”

Seeing Zhang Su’s softened attitude, Li Shanfeng’s smile grew even broader. He walked to the table and sat down, picked up the cup and took a sip, then hesitated a bit before saying, “Actually… I came this time at the request of Father and Dad.”

“You’re kidding, my father and Dad have long passed away.”

“Zhang Su!”

Li Shanfeng sternly called out, but in an instant, his smile returned. “I know you resent it, but back then, Father and Dad were blinded by anger. Actually, they regretted it a long time ago. Over the years, they’ve often talked about you, and this time, they put aside their pride and asked me to come, just to…”

Li Shanfeng paused, continuing only when Zhang Su looked up at him. “Just to bring you back home. Also, to clear Yu-ge’s name. After all, he’s still a member of our Lin family. Moreover, Dad has arranged a marriage for Yu-ge, with a respectable family. If you agree…”

“What marriage?”

Before Zhang Su could answer, a voice suddenly interrupted Li Shanfeng. He turned his head towards the sound, and Lin Yu stood at the courtyard gate, holding a bow in one hand and the back strap of a basket in the other, his face stern.

**Author’s Note:** It’s been too taxing lately, getting stuck on every sentence, sitting since two or three in the afternoon until now, my mind is like a blob of paste. I’m trying to maintain daily updates, but I can’t guarantee the timing anymore. I’m sorry.

Also, cannon fodder is gathering, it’s just a catalyst. The relationship between He Ze and Xiao Yu will quickly heat up, and then… engagement, marriage, honeymoon, the whole shebang~ The experienced drivers are itching to go wild.