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Wang Chao watched as Lin Xudong dashed away like a rabbit, disappearing from sight. He didn't mind, but Wu Wan'er turned to him and said, "Brother Wang Chao, although the Lin family isn't very prominent among the Seven Great Families, their influence is still significant. Moreover, he knows quite a few skilled martial artists and has good relations with some people from the Seven Great Families. You should be careful of any retaliation from him."
Wu Wan'er's voice was as soothing as a gentle breeze, almost melodic, making it pleasant to listen to. Wang Chao felt a bit embarrassed and asked, "I mean, Wan'er, why do I feel like you don't quite fit in with the people from the Seven Great Families? It's not that I'm prying into your privacy or anything..." He trailed off when he noticed a hint of melancholy on Wu Wan'er's face.
Feeling awkward, Wang Chao quickly added, "I didn't mean to."
Wu Wan'er sighed and replied, "It's okay. I actually know that everyone tends to isolate me. Whether it's the boys or the girls, they don't really welcome me. I've tried hard to fit in with them, but it seems ineffective. I don't understand it; I've been like this since I was little. I hardly have any friends. When I was younger, there were a few playmates around me, but as I grew older, I became more and more lonely."
Hearing Wu Wan'er's words made Wang Chao reflect on his own past; he too had grown up without any friends. He could guess that over these past few days, he had come to understand that Wu Wan'er’s fate had been sealed from the moment she was born. In her life, aside from Zhang Fusheng, she would never be able to marry anyone else. Those little kids who might have played with her when they were young likely found themselves forbidden by their families from associating with her as they grew older; after all, no one wanted unnecessary complications.
The other women from the Seven Great Families had also been influenced since childhood, each taking pride in marrying Zhang Fusheng. Naturally, they looked down on someone like Wu Wan'er who was betrothed by arrangement from birth. However, she was still the young lady of the Wu Family; they couldn't provoke her but could easily gossip about her behind her back. Growing up in such an environment meant that no matter how good-natured or approachable Wu Wan'er was, it wouldn't change much.
Wang Chao couldn't help but sigh inwardly; perhaps this was the sorrow of being born into one of the Seven Great Families. At his age, he viewed these matters with indifference, but Wu Wan'er was different—she was in her youth and naturally cared about others' opinions. It wasn't her fault; it wasn't even the fault of those young heirs of the Seven Great Families or the families themselves. When one possesses so much, one must inevitably give up many things—that's just how life works.
"Don't worry too much about what others think," Wang Chao wanted to pat Wu Waner's head reassuringly, but as his hand reached out, he suddenly felt it inappropriate and withdrew it.
At that moment, Wu Wan'er fixed her gaze on Wang Chao's eyes and slowly said, "But none of the Seven Great Families are indifferent to outsiders' opinions."
Wang Chao fell silent again; she was right. The larger the family, the greater their reputation—and maintaining that reputation required even more effort. It wasn't just these ancient families; even ordinary people cared about others' views. Just like Lin Xudong wanting to regain his lost face. Wang Chao found himself at a loss for words due to Wu Wan'er's statement and could only shake his head.
"Do you really like Zhang Fusheng?" Wang Chao asked again.
Wu Wan'er lowered her head at that moment and remained silent for a while before finally saying, "Brother Wang Chao, please don't tell anyone what I've said!" Wang Chao nodded in agreement. She continued, "To be honest, aside from living in the capital recently, I've been studying abroad and hardly get to see Brother Fu Sheng each year. So how could I say I like him?"
"Then why do you still insist on marrying him?" Wang Chao asked. "Do you really have to obey your family's heartless arrangements?"
"After I became aware of things, my grandfather and my parents told me that I must marry Brother Fu Sheng in the future. Besides Brother Fu Sheng, I can't marry anyone else. Who else could I marry? Who else could I like? Moreover, no one wants to be with me, and no one likes me. Even Brother Fu Sheng has never come to find me. I..."
As she spoke, Wu Wan'er’s eyes began to glisten with unshed tears. Wang Chao felt a pang of sympathy; how could such a beautiful girl not be liked by anyone? However, he quickly recalled that everyone from the Seven Great Families seemed to be quite good-looking. It wasn't hard to deduce that the wives chosen by those family heads were all stunning beauties, so their offspring would naturally be appealing as well. Even Lin Xudong, whom he had kicked down, was rather handsome.
Wang Chao said, "Haven't you considered going out to see the world? How many people are there in this small military district? If you don't like someone, then don't marry them. It's such a simple principle. Why does it become so complicated within the Seven Great Families? But then again, saying this now is pointless; the outside world has turned into a zombie-infested place, so it might be difficult for you to find someone to marry."
Upon hearing Wang Chao's words, Wu Wan'er smiled—a perfect smile that clearly showed she had practiced it since childhood. Fortunately, her mood seemed to have lifted a bit as she asked, "Brother Wang Chao, do you have someone you like?"
Wang Chao thought of many people, but the one who stood out most in his mind was Liu Xiaoxiao. To this day, he had encountered many beautiful women: the graceful and charming Yang Mengying, the sultry and stunning Chen Feifei, the playful and clever Shen Zhitao, and the gentle and elegant Wu Wan'er. Yet in Wang Chao's heart, Liu Xiaoxiao's position had never wavered—she was an ordinary girl with an ordinary personality and an ordinary family.
He pondered that if the zombie outbreak hadn't occurred, he might still be thinking about how to earn money to buy a house and how to marry Liu Xiaoxiao. But some things in life just don't go as planned. More than once, Wang Chao had dreamed of Liu Xiaoxiao—dreams of her cooking for him, washing his clothes, tucking him in... In the end, it was these simple acts that touched a person's heart.
Wu Wan'er watched Wang Chao closely; she didn't understand why his expression turned so somber after she asked her question. His deep-set eyes seemed to hold an ocean of sorrow within them. When Wang Chao noticed Wu Wan'er looking at him, he closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again, he wore his usual cheerful smile and said:
"Yes, of course I do!"
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