After being reborn, the aloof female CEO became a paranoid.

“Zhou Yu, you better watch yourself. If you’re still this cold and aloof when you go back to the old house, my mom will start nagging about us again.”

Xu Xinran had a sly smile on her lips. She knew perfectly well that Zhou Yu's subtle reaction during the last family gathering had not escaped her notice. This guy clearly cared a lot about her mother's opinion.

"Xu Xinran..."

Zhou Yu finally spoke, his voice tinged with complex emotions, as if he was carefully considering his next words.

"What's wrong? Just say it, don't keep pulling your tongue like you're squeezing toothpaste."

Xu Xinran urged, but there was no impatience in her eyes, only anticipation.

Zhou Yu took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind.

“I…I hope you understand that our problems should be resolved by ourselves. Don’t drag innocent people into this, and don’t try to solve everything with money. Doing so will only make things worse.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Xinran smiled gently, elegantly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, then turned to look Zhou Yu directly in the eyes, her tone unusually firm:

"Zhou Yu, you're right. But I also want to tell you that all of this actually depends on you!"

……

After leaving the hospital, Zhou Yu noticed that the car wasn't heading towards the villa, so he casually asked:

"Where are you going?"

“My mom said Xiao Chuan really wants to meet you, his future brother-in-law, and he insists on going to the villa to find you. So, I told her I’d just take you back to the old house,” Xu Xinran replied casually.

Aunt Xu... and Xiao Chuan...

They were among the few people in his past life who genuinely treated him well and gave him warmth.

Unfortunately, they all died in that car accident, and Zhou Yu became the "murderer" who killed them.

"This time, I will never let history repeat itself," Zhou Yu vowed silently in his heart.

……

Upon arriving at the Xu family's old residence, the butler greeted them with great enthusiasm.

The moment I stepped inside, a sense of familiarity washed over me.

In his previous life, after marrying Xu Xinran, they lived in this old house for five whole years. He was very familiar with every brick and tile here.

While he was still in a daze, a little one suddenly rushed out of the living room and hugged his leg.

"Brother! I'm Xiaochuan!" the little guy introduced himself in a childish voice, his eyes full of excitement and curiosity.

Looking at Xu Shangchuan's innocent smiling face, Zhou Yu's heart tightened suddenly.

This child is still as lively and adorable as he was in his previous life, only in the end...

Thinking of this, Zhou Yu quickly shook his head, trying to banish these negative thoughts.

"Brother, why are you unhappy? Did sister bully you?" Xiao Chuan asked earnestly, tilting his head back. He then turned to Xu Xinran, "Sister, did you make brother angry again?"

Xu Xinran smiled and patted her younger brother's head. "I love him so much, how could I bully him? Don't you think so, Zhou Yu?"

As she spoke, she looked at Zhou Yu with a hint of amusement in her eyes.

Zhou Yu smiled slightly but didn't respond. He squatted down and looked at Xiao Chuan with gentle eyes.

"My brother is overjoyed to see you, how could he not be happy?"

Just then, Xu's mother walked over, interrupting the delicate atmosphere between the two.

"Xiao Yu, ever since Xiao Chuan saw you at the engagement ceremony yesterday, he's been nagging to come and play with you. There's just no way to deal with him. Thank you for making this trip."

Zhou Yu quickly stood up and replied with a smile, "Auntie, you're too kind. Xiao Chuan is so cute, I like him very much too, and I'm having a lot of fun playing with him."

He thought to himself that coming to the old house was indeed a good thing; at least the atmosphere was lively, unlike the awkwardness he felt when he was alone with Xu Xinran.

As it turned out, his idea was quite correct.

After lunch, Xiao Chuan followed Zhou Yu into the garden, insisting that he play with him.

This little guy is full of energy and wants to try all sorts of new things. Zhou Yu is also having a great time playing with him.

On the contrary, Xu Xinran, who used to be the one he always pestered to play with, now seemed to be neglected, standing aside watching the two of them laugh.

Xu Xinran was a little annoyed, thinking that she finally had a chance to spend time alone with her fiancé to cultivate their relationship, but this little guy ruined it all.

But then she thought about it again and saw Zhou Yu smiling so happily, and she felt relieved.

As long as Zhou Yu is happy, anything goes. Besides, seeing how much her mother and younger brother like him makes her genuinely happy too.

That evening, Xu's mother called Zhou Yu into her room alone, holding an exquisite brocade box in her hand.

She opened the box, and inside lay a pocket watch that looked quite old.

“Xiao Yu, this pocket watch was left to Xinran by her great-grandfather. I have been keeping it since her father passed away. Now, I am handing it over to you.”

Xu's mother lovingly held his hand and placed the pocket watch in his palm.

Zhou Yu stared at the pocket watch in his hand. Although his heart was in turmoil, he tried his best to remain calm on the surface.

"Auntie, this pocket watch is too valuable... I can't accept it..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xu's mother waved her hand, interrupting him.

"Silly child, why are you being so polite with me? Once you've entered the Xu family, you're one of us. This pocket watch is a small token of our family's appreciation; you must accept it, understand?"

Xu's mother had a serious expression, yet it also conveyed a sense of warmth, making it impossible for Zhou Yu to refuse.

Left with no other choice, he clutched the pocket watch tightly in his hand, but he couldn't feel happy at all. This gift only brought him immense pressure.

As soon as Zhou Yu came out of the room, Xu Xinran saw the pocket watch in his hand. She raised the corner of her mouth, clearly with a hint of smugness.

"Zhou Yu, if you accept this letter, you'll be completely tied to the Xu family. From now on, you'll truly be one of my people."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yu felt utterly helpless.

He knew Xu Xinran was teasing him on purpose, but he couldn't refute it.

After all, he was truly helpless under the relentless onslaught of Xu's mother.