Ordinary People

“Yes.”

By now, Shen Yi had no reason to avoid the topic, so he admitted it directly.

“What am I lacking compared to her?”

Cheng Jun stared intently at Shen Yi, questioning him.

Shen Yi's expression was serious.

“You’re not lacking in anything compared to her, but this isn’t about who’s better or worse. It’s about…”

“That’s enough. I don’t want to hear the rest!”

Cheng Jun cut Shen Yi off, her gaze sharp and confident, as if she had regained the aura of a fungal master from the apocalypse.

“Since love is inherently unreasonable, there’s no such thing as who comes first or later.”

“I won’t give up so easily. I’m going to compete with Sister Nan fair and square!”

Shen Yi sighed, defeated by her childish words. Competition is never fair.

If there had to be a balance between the two, Fu Nanzhi already held a commanding lead in his heart.

Shen Yi wanted to advise her not to waste her efforts, but Cheng Jun took the initiative to lecture him instead.

“Shen Yi, you’ve changed. You were never hesitant like this in the apocalypse.”

“I’m not afraid, so what are you afraid of? Don’t make me look down on you!”

“Where has that person gone—the one who was always positive, confident, and spirited?”

Her words struck a chord, leaving Shen Yi silent.

Yes, back in reality, he seemed to have reverted to being that ordinary, mundane office worker.

Despite having the system, he couldn’t shake off the essence of who he was.

The love from Fu Nanzhi and the admiration from Cheng Jun had thrown him off balance, making him anxious and uncertain.

“You don’t understand.”

Shen Yi weakly defended himself.

“Don’t I?”

Cheng Jun furrowed her brows, her delicate face suddenly moving close to Shen Yi’s.

“Why not say it if you like me?”

“Kiss me,” she suddenly demanded.

Her face was breathtaking, like a piece of jade meticulously carved by the heavens, with smooth, natural lines. The tear stains on her cheeks had yet to dry, adding a touch of natural beauty to the flawless surface.

“What?”

Shen Yi was momentarily stunned by the sight.

Cheng Jun moved even closer, their breaths mingling on each other’s faces.

“Kiss me. You’ve secretly kissed me before, haven’t you? Why are you hesitating now?”

“You… so you weren’t drunk that time…”

“Mmm…”

Before Shen Yi could say more, the bold Cheng Jun had already pressed her lips against his.

Her kiss was clumsy, almost like a collision, with their teeth bumping into each other, making it far from perfect.

But Cheng Jun was lost in the moment, her eyes half-closed as she savored the experience.

The clear lake water surged, willow branches swayed, and the two kissed under the tree, oblivious to everything around them.

Within just a few seconds, Cheng Jun’s face turned crimson.

Her hair danced in the wind, her heart racing as her hands clutched tightly, betraying her outward calm.

Soon, they parted, and Cheng Jun took a step back, trying to maintain her composure as she spoke.

“That’s just a little taste. Sister Nan can do it, and so can I—maybe even better!”

“Anyway, I won’t give up. You can tell Sister Nan directly if you want; I’m not afraid.”

“Oh, and I know your secret too.”

With that, she turned and prepared to leave.

Shen Yi’s expression changed, and he couldn’t help but step forward to ask.

“What secret? Explain.”

“Curious? I’ll tell you next time.” Cheng Jun glanced at him sideways.

“And from now on, call me Zhu Jun.”

Cheng Jun showed no hesitation, walking faster and faster until she reached the bridge and disappeared.

Shen Yi stood still, his thoughts racing, his mind in turmoil.

Just moments ago, he had firmly decided to reject her completely, but at the crucial moment, he had faltered.

The time they had spent together in the apocalypse wasn’t fake, and Shen Yi couldn’t remain indifferent.

This moment of weakness had only fueled Cheng Jun’s determination, turning what might have been a clever move into a misstep. The consequences of this act were yet to be seen.

Perhaps it was Cheng Jun’s words that prompted Shen Yi to deeply analyze his own thoughts.

To be honest, he was a common man, the kind of ordinary person you’d find anywhere.

He had read a few novels and watched several TV dramas, where scenarios of having multiple wives and enjoying the blessings of many women were not uncommon.

To say he hadn’t entertained such fantasies would be a lie, but fantasies are just that—fantasies. In the end, reality must take precedence.

On one hand, he wanted to remain faithful to his love for Fu Nanzhi, but on the other, he couldn’t help but feel a secret thrill at Cheng Jun’s admiration.

Stripping away his facade, he was a mix of reason and impulse, which made up who he was.

Shen Yi sighed. He was beginning to lose sight of himself.

Childish people talk about liking, while mature people talk about responsibility.

It’s easy to like someone, but love requires careful consideration.

Despite his headache, for now, he could only take things one step at a time.

…

Leaving the lakeside, Shen Yi didn’t forget his task of buying groceries and immediately drove to the supermarket.

After a busy spell, Shen Yi carried the bags and pushed the door open to his home.

Hearing the noise, Fu Nanzhi called out,

“Honey, is that you?”

“It’s me. I’m back with the groceries.”

Shen Yi replied and put the ingredients in the kitchen.

Entering the living room, he found Fu Nanzhi already downstairs, sitting by the garden tatami, arranging flowers.

She had always had this hobby, which suited her introverted personality.

“Why did you come down by yourself? Aren’t you in pain?”

Shen Yi walked over and sat down to ask her.

As soon as Fu Nanzhi saw Shen Yi, she lost her composure, leaning half her soft body against him lazily.

“It still hurts, but I was bored lying in bed alone.”

“Besides, it’s not far from upstairs to downstairs. I just moved slowly.”

Shen Yi kissed her on the forehead in praise.

“That’s my good girl. Give me a kiss.”

Fu Nanzhi proudly raised her chin.

“Of course.”

Then she held up the vase of flowers to show off to Shen Yi.

“Honey, look, how do they look? Pretty, right?”

Shen Yi took it and examined it, saying,

“Of course they’re beautiful. You’re the one who made them; how could they be anything less? Let me appreciate them.”

The vase contained windflower and chamomile, giving it a small, fresh vibe, suitable for indoor display.

Fu Nanzhi had always favored windflowers.

Because their flower language is: One life, one love, heartbeats for only one person.

Shen Yi was silent for a moment, then suggested,

“They’re great. I think they’d look nice on the bedside table.”

“Really? I think so too.”

Fu Nanzhi nodded her little head like a rattle.

Shen Yi smiled and patted her head as he stood up.

“Hungry? Today, your husband will show off his skills.”

Fu Nanzhi lay back on the tatami, her surroundings blurring like water, and she joked,

“Great, I wholeheartedly approve with both hands and feet.”

Shen Yi stood up and walked to the kitchen, rolling up his sleeves as he went.

He tied on an apron, giving off the vibe of a family man.

In fact, Shen Yi only knew how to cook some simple home-style dishes; he couldn’t handle anything too complicated, but it was enough for everyday meals.

A plate of scrambled eggs with tomatoes, a dish of garlic sprouts with pork, a plate of lettuce with shrimp, and finally a soup.

“Alright, that’s it.”

Shen Yi brought the dishes to the table, set the bowls and chopsticks, and then called out to Fu Nanzhi.

“Dinner’s ready. Come and eat.”

In the living room, Fu Nanzhi was still lounging on the tatami, taking advantage of her injury to indulge in some shameless flirting.

“No way, I need a hug…”