Chen Fu’s words clearly conveyed his refusal.
Tong Xinhua agreed not to disturb Chen Fu, but she quietly followed him.
As they walked, they entered Chen Fu’s former junior high school.
The school gate was half-open. An old man sat by a charcoal brazier in the guardhouse, warming himself, and paid no mind to those entering.
Ten years had passed, and the school had changed significantly. Although the teaching buildings remained on their original sites, they had all been rebuilt, leaving no trace or memory of the past.
As Chen Fu turned to leave, Tong Xinhua grabbed him. "Come on, let's go to the back. There’s an old building back there that hasn’t changed, and neither has the back wall."
Chen Fu pulled his arm free. "The back is the high school section. I never went there, and I have no memories to revisit."
"You’re insecure!" Tong Xinhua pointed out sharply. "You have immense feelings of inferiority, and regret in your heart."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Chen Fu turned and walked away briskly.
Tong Xinhua chased after him, running a distance before catching up. She grabbed his arm.
"You're tall with long legs, and you walk so fast. Are you bullying me, this short-legged person?"
Chen Fu looked down at the woman whose pretty face was slightly flushed from running, hanging from his arm. Hearing her words, he suddenly laughed.
"Hahaha, alright, I won't bully you. Let go, and I'll walk slowly."
The two walked slowly along the deserted street, casually chatting about interesting anecdotes of some old buildings along the roadside. Both tacitly avoided prying into each other's current lives.
...
After Li Weihao and Li Wanting had visited some old and ancient buildings in the county town, they went into a cinema.
Li Weiyan brought Li Wanzhen to follow.
The cinema had been renovated and divided into several screening rooms, each showing different films.
Li Weihao chose an art film and warned the followers not to enter the same screening room as them.
Li Weiyan: "..." He would be a fool to follow them into the same screening room.
He bought seats in the last row, then bought popcorn and cola. He entered the screening room, which was already in progress. Using the screen's light, he found their seats and patted his lap, signaling Li Wanzhen to sit down.
Li Wanzhen blushed, but obediently sat down.
With soft jade and warm fragrance in his embrace, Li Weiyan pulled her close, almost entirely fitting her into his arms.
Li Wanzhen was not afraid of Li Weiyan’s domineering nature. This man gave her a great sense of security. No matter what he wanted to do, she would not refuse, because she knew he would not let her down, provided she behaved herself.
Li Wanzhen’s docility made Li Weiyan unable to control his inner longing. He lifted her and had her straddle him, facing him.
This position made Li Wanzhen’s face turn completely red, and she lowered her eyes.
Li Weiyan lifted her chin and passionately kissed her lips.
As their lips touched, both their bodies trembled. Half a year of longing across screens melted into this kiss.
Only when they couldn’t breathe did Li Weiyan release her.
He then turned her around to face away from him, leaning against him. He opened his down jacket and enveloped her in his embrace, allowing them to be closer.
His chin rested on her head. "Let's watch the movie."
Li Wanzhen huddled in Li Weiyan’s arms, not daring to move, because she could feel his body undergoing changes.
After a long time, Li Weiyan’s chin rested by her ear. "Be prepared. The year after next, once the first month of the lunar calendar is over, I will marry you. Next year’s time is given to Brother Hao and your eldest sister."
The warmth by her ear made Li Wanzhen involuntarily shrink her neck and nod nervously.
Li Weiyan chuckled. After spending time with her, he increasingly liked Wanzhen’s disposition – docile and obedient, with occasional stubbornness, like when she confessed to him.
In another screening room, Li Weihao also bought seats in the last row. He looked at Li Wanting, who was sitting rigidly, and smiled and shook his head. If the mountain won't come to him, he’ll go to the mountain.
He rested his large head on Li Wanting’s shoulder. "Do you like summer or autumn?"
Seeing that Li Wanting didn’t understand his meaning, he asked again, "We're getting married next year. Are you willing?"
Li Wanting’s body stiffened. "I, I don't know."
"Sigh," Li Weihao sighed softly. "Haven't you thought about our future? Even if you haven't, haven't you thought about your sister?"
"If you and I don't get married, she and Yan’er will have to keep waiting. Without special circumstances, two daughters won't marry within a year, so they'll always be delayed by a year."
Li Wanting was silent for a moment, then said, "You can let them go first."
Li Weihao was stunned. Then he lifted his head from Li Wanting’s shoulder. "Let's watch the movie."
Li Weihao's action made Li Wanting feel inexplicably flustered. Was he angry?
The movie ended. Li Weihao held her hand, telling her to watch her step on the stairs, but her heart was still in turmoil. "Weihao?"
"Shush!" Li Weihao gestured for her to be quiet. "Don't be afraid, I won't rush you."
Li Wanting's eyes welled up with tears. "Weihao, I am willing. I'm just afraid, afraid I won't be able to manage our home well."
Li Weihao suddenly pulled her into his arms, comforting her tenderly. "It was my fault for being too hasty. Let's wait a bit longer. Next year hasn't even started, and the team's housing hasn't been built yet. No rush, no rush. Don't cry."
Li Wanting looked up in his warm embrace. "Weihao, I love you."
Immediately, a sense of joy radiated from Li Weihao's entire being, even his hair strands. His eyes sparkled. "Me too."
Li Wanting blinked her moist eyes. "I want to hear you say it properly."
Li Weihao’s smile widened. "Wanting, I love you, forever."
Li Wanting gazed at his smiling face intently. Even now, she still felt like she was dreaming. Such a good man actually liked her?
Li Weihao gently caressed her face. "Let's go home and I'll let you look all you want. For now, they're asking people to leave the screening room."
Li Wanting's blood rushed to her head, her cheeks flushing, even her neck turning red.
Li Weihao put his arm around her and led her out of the screening room. They met Li Weiyan in the lobby.
Seeing Li Wanting's shy expression, Li Weiyan winked at Li Weihao.
Li Weihao shot him a glare. "We're going home."
"Yes!"
...
They waited for a short while at the designated spot and then Chen Fu arrived, looking refreshed.
Li Weiyan teased, "Cousin, you seem in such good spirits. Did you run into some romance?"
Chen Fu glanced at his unrestrained younger cousin and said, "I met an old classmate, and we talked. I feel much better now."
Li Weiyan stepped on the gas and turned the steering wheel to head home.
"From now on, if you feel down and it's inconvenient to talk to your family, go out and chat with classmates and friends. Once the knots in your heart are untangled and you don't get stuck in a rut, your family will be harmonious."
Chen Fu nodded. "Yes, cousin, you're right."
...
The five of them returned to Kushan Mountain. It was past lunchtime. Mother Li wanted to warm up their food, but Li Weiyan refused.
"Grandma, we two couples want to be affectionate in the kitchen for a while. You can take Xiao Fu with you."
"You little rascal," Mother Li chided. "Where am I going to take Xiao Fu to eat?"
Chen Fu didn't mind. He scooped some warm rice from the rice cooker and took a plate of vegetables to the dining room. "I'll just eat something simple."
Mother Li glared at her second grandson and followed her grandson to the dining room. "Are you feeling better?"
"Much better," Chen Fu nodded. "Sorry to have worried you, Grandma."
Mother Li was relieved. "In life, we often encounter many obstacles. No one's life is completely smooth sailing. Once you understand and overcome them, those obstacles truly become the past."
Chen Fu nodded and continued eating.
Mother Li sighed inwardly. Her eldest grandson had always been under immense pressure. Lin Hua'er not only failed to share it but added to it.