Forced into a romantic relationship

Chapter 206 I Like Them All
Seeing that Han Zhou was so heartless, refusing to work as her private chef even with such a generous offer, Zhang Xinyue had no choice but to give up this unrealistic idea.

She looked at Ouyang Lianyu with a dejected expression and sighed, "Sister Lianyu, it seems I can't win this kid over. I can only rely on you from now on. You have to get along well with him. I'll be coming over for meals often in the future."

Ouyang Lianyu shook her head helplessly. No matter how good she got along with Han Zhou, she couldn't get him to come to her house and cook for her. So she didn't respond to her roommate's words and changed the subject, saying, "You still have a lot of things you didn't move last time. Are you going to move everything this time?"

"Yes, the company will be very busy for a while. If we don't finish moving this time, we might have to wait until the month after next."

"But can you carry it all by yourself?" Ouyang Lianyu asked worriedly, "I can't help you like this..."

“It’s okay, I drove here. Xiaomei will help me unload the goods when I get back.”

Zhang Xinyue took out a car key from her bag, glanced at Han Zhou triumphantly, and said with a shake of her head, "Little Han Zhou, do you want your big sister to take you for a drive? I just got a new car recently."

Han Zhou looked surprised, then immediately put on a respectful expression, cupped his hands and said, "My apologies, I didn't expect Sister Xinyue to own a car."

"Haha, no problem, no problem." Zhang Xinyue was amused and imitated him by cupping her hands and saying, "It's just a car worth a few hundred thousand yuan, nothing to brag about, nothing to brag about. The car that Teacher Ouyang in front of you drives is much more expensive than mine."

Han Zhou looked at Ouyang Lianyu in surprise: "Teacher Ouyang, you bought a car too?"

As he spoke, he glanced uncertainly at the wheelchair beneath the other person, "Then wouldn't it be very difficult to have the chance to drive it even once?"

"Pfft!"

Zhang Xinyue laughed out loud, thinking to herself that this kid was really mean, actually making fun of her teacher like that. She quickly turned her face away, forcing back her laughter, and said, "You should watch your mouth, kid. Your teacher has a lot of influence at school. Be careful she doesn't give you a hard time. Tsk... her salary is something to be envied."

Her shoulders were trembling, clearly trying to suppress a laugh.

Ouyang Lianyu glared at Han Zhou, but wasn't angry. Then she looked at Zhang Xinyue and smiled gently, "There's nothing to envy. I've just worked a few more years than you. In a few years, your salary will definitely surpass mine."

"I hope so. I don't even know if I can keep working for a few more years. I'm exhausted." Perhaps thinking of something sad, Zhang Xinyue's smile faded, and she slumped back in her chair, rubbing her lower abdomen and sighing, "Sister Lianyu, why do people always feel so reluctant to go to work after a full meal?"

"Because you can still have enough to eat."

Han Zhou suddenly said something.

Zhang Xinyue was taken aback for a moment, then giggled. To be honest, what she said made a lot of sense.

Ouyang Lianyu also covered her mouth and chuckled, saying, "That's right. We go to work to make a living. If we save enough money and don't have to worry about making a living anymore, then we don't need to go to work."

"Huh? Sister Lianyu, you think so too? I thought you were someone who really enjoyed working," Zhang Xinyue said in surprise.

“Who likes going to work? Of course I don’t either, but teaching is my passion, so I don’t hate being a teacher,” Ouyang Lianyu said frankly.

"It's fine if you don't dislike him. I'm different. Right now, I just want to find a rich boyfriend so I can quit my job and live a carefree life as a wealthy housewife."

You just said your criteria for finding a boyfriend was someone with my cooking skills, and now it's changed to wanting someone rich. What a fickle woman... Han Zhou thought to himself.

Ignoring her roommate's wonderful fantasy, Ouyang Lianyu hesitated for a moment before asking, "By the way, Xinyue, besides moving things, do you have anything else to do today?"

"No, I was planning to go shopping, but Xiaomei went with her boyfriend and won't be back until tonight. I'll be alone in my room when I get back... What's wrong?"

"If there's nothing else, I was wondering if you'd be willing to come with me to the police station later..."

Ouyang Lianyu told Zhang Xinyue about finding the wallet last night.

“No problem, I’m free anyway, and I’d like to spend more time with you, Sister Lianyu.” Zhang Xinyue readily agreed.

"Thank you."

Ouyang Lianyu thanked him softly, then turned to look at Han Zhou and said gently, "Since Xinyue is willing to go to the police station with me, then you can go and do your thing. You're moving today, which should take quite a while."

"Okay." Han Zhou nodded.

As early as when Ouyang Lianyu asked Zhang Xinyue, he had a vague idea of ​​what she was thinking. In fact, he guessed that Ouyang Lianyu had not intended to have anyone accompany her to the police station. The reason she specifically asked Zhang Xinyue to come was to let him feel at ease to complete the moving.

"Oh, Han Zhou, are you moving? Do you need me to drive you home?" Zhang Xinyue waved her car keys again. "Don't worry, I'm a very steady driver."

I don't know which driver you're referring to...

"Thanks, but no need, a friend is picking me up later." Han Zhou took out his phone, sent a message and location to Lin Anyu, then stood up and said, "Since we still have some time, do you need me to help you move your things to the car?"

When Zhang Xinyue went into the room to get the dishes, he glanced inside. There were quite a few things in the room, and it would probably be difficult for this guy to carry them all by himself.

"Yes, yes, of course I want it!"

Zhang Xinyue was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, then was deeply moved, her eyes welling up with tears as she said, "Sister Lianyu, remember to give me your student's contact information later. Such a considerate and handsome younger brother, I must pursue him by any means necessary!"

Han Zhou silently sat back down in his chair: "I'm sorry, Sister Xinyue, my arm suddenly hurts a bit, so I probably won't be able to help you move things..."

Zhang Xinyue: "..."

……

As Han Zhou loaded the last cardboard box into the trunk of his car, he saw Lin Anyu's car pull up and stop at the intersection not far away.

"I have arrived."

The Fetion notification sounded; it was a message from Lin Anyu. Han Zhou saw Lin Anyu open the car door and climb out for some fresh air. Lin Anyu quickly saw him too, waved from the car door, but didn't seem to be coming over.

"right away."

Han Zhou replied, put away his phone, and looked at Zhang Xinyue beside him: "Sister Xinyue, have you finished moving everything?"

"Mmm! Thank you so much! I'll treat you to a meal sometime!" Zhang Xinyue said with a big smile. "When I look for a boyfriend in the future, I definitely want someone like you who is both handsome and strong. By the way, do you have abs? Hehehe."

The laughter was so lewd that Han Zhou no longer wanted to pay attention to her. This woman had changed her criteria for choosing a partner countless times in a short period of time, and he was basically certain that she was a talkative weirdo similar to Lin Anyu.

Han Zhou turned to Ouyang Lianyu and said, "Teacher Ouyang, my friend is here to pick me up. If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now."

"Okay, be careful on the way."

Ouyang Lianyu handed him the backpack she was holding and said with a gentle smile, "Also, thank you for the doll you gave me, it's very cute."

"Just don't catch me if I skip class again."

Han Zhou smiled, took the bag and was about to leave, but Zhang Xinyue grabbed his shoulder as soon as he took a step.

"and many more!"

Zhang Xinyue stared intently at Lin Anyu, who was leaning against the car door and looking around not far away, and said breathlessly, "The friend you mentioned, it can't be him, can it?"

"Yeah, what's wrong?"

"Is that car his?"

Han Zhou raised an eyebrow slightly: "Otherwise what?"

"hiss--"

Zhang Xinyue gasped sharply, and said in a tone that said, "You have no idea how much that car costs?"

"do not know."

Han Zhou didn't care. It wasn't his car, so why would he need to know the price?

"Actually, I don't know either, but I do know it's very expensive."

Zhang Xinyue took a deep breath, her eyes darting around, and cautiously probed, "So, Han Zhou, what do you think of our relationship?"

Han Zhou looked her up and down, and after a moment's consideration, said, "If we were to measure it by a score... I'd barely give it a 90."

so tall?
Zhang Xinyue was overjoyed, but before she could speak, she heard the other person say in an encouraging tone, "You still need to work harder on the remaining 910 points."

Her face immediately fell: "Less than one-tenth of the friendship points... I'm your good friend, Teacher Ouyang. Is Sister Lianyu's face only worth such a small number of points to you?"

"Of course, Teacher Ouyang's influence is worth a lot of points. Otherwise, how do you think you got those ninety points?"

Han Zhou said in a cold and ruthless tone, "Of course, if you're willing to stop calling me 'little' in the future, I can give you another point."

Zhang Xinyue sighed and asked with little hope, "Do you think that with our current 91-point relationship, you can get me to tell you all of that guy's contact information in five minutes?"

She glanced at Lin Anyu, who was not far away.

Han Zhou pondered for a moment, then a warm smile appeared on his face.

"...Of course not."

After saying this, without giving the other party a chance to continue entangled, he picked up his backpack with one hand behind his back and immediately fled the place, not forgetting to shout "Goodbye, teacher" before leaving.

"Goodbye."

Ouyang Lianyu smiled and waved, showing no intention of comforting the distraught Zhang Xinyue.

……

"What? A girl finally asked for my contact information, and you actually rejected her?"

In the driver's seat, Lin Anyu, who had just finished listening to Han Zhou's story, beat his chest and stamped his feet, looking pained. "You gave me a chubby baby to bless my marriage yesterday, and it has already come true. But you actually blocked my love life? Do you even want your good brother to fall in love?"

Han Zhou said irritably, "Come on, they've already graduated with master's degrees for a year or two, and they're much older than you. What kind of romance is this?"

"What do you know?" Lin Anyu said with a devout expression, in a tone that said "love cannot be tainted." "True love can transcend everything, and the mere age gap is not a problem at all."

"Are you serious?"

“Of course,” Lin Anyu said solemnly. “Imagine if you truly liked someone, would you care about her age?”

"That won't happen..."

Han Zhou thought for a moment and compromised, "Alright, since you're so eager to pursue a love that transcends everything, I'll ask her for her contact information for you."

He took out his phone, found Ouyang Lianyu's Fetion profile picture, and typed text in the chat box.

"Wait... I need to confirm something before that."

"what's up?"

"Was the older woman with glasses the one who asked for my contact information?"

Big sister… Han Zhou’s lips twitched: “No, that’s my university professor. The one who asked for your contact information is someone else.”

"Oh, never mind then, no need to ask."

Lin Anyu spoke very quickly, as if afraid that if he was any slower, Han Zhou would send the message out.

"Hmm?" Han Zhou looked at him with feigned confusion. "Don't you want to have a love affair that transcends worldly conventions?"

"I don't want to think about it anymore." Lin Anyu said resolutely. "I've realized that I still prefer people my own age. A big age gap might create a generation gap."

"Are you sure you don't want it?"

"Pretty sure."

"Ok."

Han Zhou put away his phone and closed his eyes to rest.

Not long after, Lin Anyu's voice rang out again.

“That…Han Zhou.”

"what happened again?"

"I have a heartfelt request."

"explain."

"Could you send me your university professor's Fetion contact information?"

"……roll."

"okay."

"..."

The car drove off into the distance.

Lin Anyu was taking Han Zhou to see houses this time. He had contacted a real estate agent he knew last night and found several houses in good locations with reasonable prices.

However, you can't just look at photos of houses; you have to see them in person to get a more intuitive feel for them. That's why he took Han Zhou to inspect the place.

Han Zhou didn't have high requirements. After seeing the first house, he decided to stay there. But Lin Anyu was not satisfied and drove him to see a second house.

"Isn't this place great? What are you dissatisfied with?" Han Zhou asked, puzzled.

"The place is alright, but the people are awful," Lin Anyu sneered. "That landlord practically has 'you country bumpkin, you should be grateful' written all over his face. You can't tolerate this kind of idiot, or you'll be in big trouble later."

"I see...that makes sense."

Han Zhou could tell that the landlord's words were not very friendly, but he didn't really care.

He believed that renting was just a temporary transition for him, and that he should really worry about it when he bought a house in the future. However, Lin Anyu obviously did not know his thoughts, so he took the matter of renting a house very seriously and tried his best to help him find a satisfactory house.

Han Zhou glanced at his friend beside him. Over the years, Lin Anyu had always taken good care of him, whether it was providing him with a job before or helping him rent a house now. He had always been very dedicated. Although he usually seemed unreliable, he would definitely do his best to help him if something really happened.

He kept these things in mind.

"Why are you staring at me?"

Sensing the intense gaze from beside him, Lin Anyu, who was focused on driving, felt a chill. He subconsciously thought of the time when Gu Zheng misunderstood that he liked Han Zhou, and glanced at him warily, "Did Gu Zheng say something to you?"

"What does this have to do with the guzheng?"

Han Zhou looked puzzled, wondering what was wrong with the two of them again. However, when the guzheng was mentioned, he didn't forget to call and ask her to come and help him move. But since the house hadn't been decided yet, there was no need to rush.

The two went to look around the second house and realized that Lin Anyu took this rental matter very seriously. Han Zhou did not rush to make a decision, but planned to compare prices and looked at all the remaining houses.

"So, is anyone satisfied?"

Lin Anyu took two cans of Coke from the vending machine and handed one to Han Zhou. "I think the third house is pretty good. It has everything you need, the price isn't expensive, and the landlady is very pretty."

"...Does the last point have anything to do with renting a place?" Han Zhou glanced at him.

“Of course, think about it. If you are always late on rent, won’t the landlady come to find you every now and then? And once you have the chance to meet, won’t you have the possibility of getting to know each other better?” Lin Anyu said smugly.

"Know what? Know that I'm a deadbeat who owes rent?" Han Zhou knew he shouldn't have asked, and said irritably, "This kind of pursuit isn't for me. If you're interested, you can try it yourself."

"Never mind, I can't bear to part with the top-of-the-line computer at home."

Lin Anyu quickly shook his head. This guy was a typical talkative idiot, always eager to encourage others, but he chickened out when it came to himself.

Han Zhou glanced at the messages on his phone and casually remarked, "Sometimes I really don't understand you. You have such a good computer at home, but you always prefer to go to internet cafes to play games."

"You don't understand. The main difference between an internet cafe and home is the atmosphere. Do you understand what atmosphere is?"

Lin Anyu patted his friend on the shoulder, his gaze deepening. "Han Zhou, you know what? These days, the scarcest thing isn't computer specs, but friends who can play games with you, true friends, you know?"

"Got it, got it. I'll buy a laptop when I get back to school, and I'll play a couple of games with you when I have time."

"Ah? What did you say?"

Ignoring Lin Anyu's surprise, Han Zhou took a sip of cola and said, "I've made up my mind, I'll choose an apartment in this neighborhood."

"why?"

"Because I was too lazy to keep choosing, and the guzheng was getting impatient."

Han Zhou raised his phone; Gu Zheng had already sent several messages asking where he was.

Actually, these houses are all pretty much the same, with only minor differences in details. Of course, there are other reasons why he chose this one.

Although he didn't want his new place to be right next to Mo Yixia's or Gu Zheng's house, he also didn't want it to be too far away.

This neighborhood is conveniently located, with the subway right outside. It's not too far from Gu Zheng's and Mo Yixia's homes, and the distances are roughly the same. What's even more interesting is that it's also about the same distance from my original home and even Zhong Yin and Zhong Ling's homes...

Well, from the perspective of accumulating points every day, this position is undoubtedly quite good, but something just feels off...

Han Zhou shook his head, trying to clear his mind of those chaotic thoughts.

However, perhaps because of its convenient transportation, the rent here is slightly higher than in other places.

But Han Zhou didn't care.

With his "culinary skills mastered", he is now full of confidence and has no worries about not making money in the short term. He even has some ideas for long-term income and no longer needs to think about saving every day like before.

This is also why he just told Lin Anyu that he planned to buy a laptop.

He's been saving money for so many years, can't he enjoy it now?

"Row."

Since Han Zhou had made his decision, Lin Anyu had no objections. "Then I'll contact the landlord now to sign the contract. The moving company's truck will probably arrive at your house in about two hours."

Han Zhou nodded: "Thank you."

The contract signing process went smoothly. After paying the deposit and three months' rent, Han Zhou received the keys to his new residence and the community access card. Just as he was about to leave and get into Lin Anyu's car, he saw Gu Zheng walking out of the subway station as he stepped out of the community gate.

After a few days apart, the girl's hair seemed to have grown a little longer than before, slightly past her shoulders. She was wearing a light gray hooded sweatshirt with a blue dolphin pendant hanging in front of her chest, and black jeans that covered her legs completely.

Han Zhou was a little stunned. Although it had only been a few days, he inexplicably felt as if he hadn't seen them for a long time.

The same feeling arose in Gu Zheng's heart. She was originally a little angry, but the moment she saw Han Zhou, all her dissatisfaction vanished, though she didn't show it.

"Guzheng? What brings you here?"

Lin Anyu greeted him with a smile, "Han Zhou and I were just about to pick you up."

"I just went out for a casual stroll and I don't know how I ended up here," Guzheng said with a serious face.

The truth, of course, was that she couldn't wait any longer. As soon as she saw Han Zhou send her the location, she immediately took the subway over, but no one there exposed her.

Anyone taking the subway for a stroll...?

Lin Anyu chuckled twice, not replying, but gave Han Zhou a wink. The latter understood and smiled, "Long time no see, Guzheng."

Gu Zheng's expression softened slightly, and she pouted, "It's only been less than five days, how can it be a long time? If you hadn't told me, I would have thought we just saw each other yesterday."

You remember it very clearly, don't you...?

Han Zhou smiled and said, "I didn't realize your hair was so long before. Are you planning to grow it out?"

"No, long hair is too much trouble, and it takes a long time to grow it out."

"Long hair is great," Lin Anyu said with a smile. "I like long, straight black hair. Guzheng, you would look really good with long hair."

Gu Zheng didn't reply, but she was clearly bothered by the question. She glanced at Han Zhou casually and asked, "What about you? Do you prefer long hair or short hair?"

Han Zhou pondered for a moment: "I like them all."

He paused, then added, "Of course, except for bald guys."

"You're just being cheeky. What girl would shave her head like that..."

Gu Zheng rolled her eyes at Han Zhou, her eyes crinkling into a smile. Then she looked at the gate of the residential complex behind him and asked, "Did you choose this complex as your new home?"

"Yes, Building 6, Room 601."

Gu Zheng noted down the number, while secretly considering the possibility of having her parents move here after the New Year. She suggested, "Then let's go back to your house now and pack our luggage."

"Ah."

Han Zhou nodded. Moving would take a lot of time, so it was better to leave as soon as possible. He could go back and check if those guys from last night had left yet.

If these people can really be patient enough to stake out the place all night, then he might have to seriously consider whether Han Long has been doing anything other than gambling to escape debts lately.

(End of this chapter)