57: Childhood sweethearts

Wu Fan was stunned for a moment, then exclaimed, "Wu Danyan, you're home?"

Wu Danyan's house and Wu Fan's house were only separated by one road. The two of them were fated to be in the same class from elementary school through middle school and high school.

They were truly childhood sweethearts.

The distance from Wujiabao Village to the school in town was about 8 kilometers.

The two of them went to school together since they were young, leaving many beautiful memories on this road. Especially the pine forest by the reservoir entrance of the village; they would always stop and play for a long time on their way home from school.

After entering the same high school, since it was in an outer town, they still rode the bus to school together and returned home on the same bus during holidays.

It wasn't until university, because they were in different provinces, that they rarely contacted each other.

Wu Fan heard that she had gotten a Boyfriend in university, but for some unknown reason, they broke up a few years later.

Wu Danyan looked Wu Fan up and down and smiled, saying, "It looks like life is treating you well; you seem to have gained some weight."

Wu Fan raised his fist and said, "Little sister, I haven't gotten fat, I've gotten strong! Your Brother Fan is now immensely powerful."

Although the two were the same age, Wu Fan was born a few days earlier, earning him the title of older brother.

Wu Fan's birthday was January 14th, and hers was January 18th.

Wu Danyan laughed heartily, revealing her signature little canine tooth.

Wu Fan really liked her smile. When he was little, he often envied that little canine tooth of hers, finding it especially cute.

He liked her back then, but they were simply too familiar with each other for him to make a move.

"Brother Fan, are you heading out?"

"Do you want to go to town together and look around?"

Wu Danyan said with a sweet smile, "I wonder if they still have the dried vegetable pancakes we used to eat when we were kids?"

"Let's go, get in the car. We'll go find some."

"Okay."

It was surprising that after so many years apart, the two of them felt no awkwardness whatsoever.

On the way to town, through conversation, Wu Fan learned that something had happened to Wu Danyan's family.

Her father used to work at the village quarry. A month ago, his right leg was crushed by a large rock and had to be amputated.

He had just returned home and needed a period of rest. Once the wound healed, he would need to get a prosthetic limb.

Wu Danyan had no choice but to quit her original job and return home to take care of her father.

Her mother passed away when she was very young.

Her mother had epilepsy. Once, while washing clothes by the pond, she had a sudden seizure and fell in. Since no one saw it happen, she never got out.

Now that something had happened to her father, if she didn't come back, there would be no one to look after him.

After hearing about her situation, Wu Fan felt deeply saddened.

Misfortune always seemed to favor those who were already suffering.

Who could she tell her troubles to?

Wu Danyan wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and smiled, saying, "I am already very relieved that my father was able to keep his life."

Wu Fan nodded, but he couldn't find any comforting words to say right away.

He remained silent for a long time before saying, "Wu Danyan, if you ever need money, tell me anytime."

Wu Danyan glanced at Wu Fan and hummed in acknowledgment.

Before they knew it, they had driven into town.

After Wu Fan parked the car by the side of the road, the two walked side-by-side toward the familiar baked pancake shop.

The familiar auntie was still there, but her once black hair had turned white.

Nearly ten years had passed, taking too much with them.

Love, youth, marriage—all the beautiful things in the world are the least able to withstand the test of time.

As usual, they each ordered a dried vegetable and meat pancake, but Wu Danyan insisted on paying, which touched Wu Fan deeply.

She hadn't changed; she was still as optimistic, cheerful, and generous as before.

Just like when they were children, the two looked at each other, counted to one, two, three, and simultaneously took the first bite. It was incredibly fragrant and delicious.

Time flowed on, but the taste of their childhood hadn't changed.

She accompanied Wu Fan to find the foreman.

After Wu Fan explained the general situation and requirements for the house, the foreman patted his chest and promised, "This room will definitely be completed for you within the year, and we will ensure both quality and quantity."

After considering it, Wu Fan ultimately chose to hire labor only and buy the materials himself, which was also to guarantee quality.

He generously added, "I am willing to pay 100 yuan more per day than others for the labor, as long as the work is done well."

Wu Fan believed that as long as he was willing to pay, the workers would naturally be more conscientious.

When the foreman heard this, his eyes lit up, and he smiled, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth.

He immediately did some calculations, took out paper and pen, and listed the quantities of the materials Wu Fan needed to purchase.

Wu Fan was genuinely impressed by his budgeting skills; indeed, every profession has its masters.

Based on this list, Wu Fan immediately bought all the necessary materials, spending just over an hour.

He only bought the most expensive options; without a shortage of money in his pocket, things got done quickly.

Wu Fan instructed the bosses to deliver all the materials to his doorstep by tomorrow morning.

The matter of materials was thus properly arranged.

On the way back, the two talked about their respective love lives.

A single sentence from Wu Danyan completely bewildered Wu Fan for quite some time.

She said she liked Wu Fan, and had liked him since middle school.

She also said that her first love was Wu Fan.

It was just that she was too young at the time and truly didn't have the courage to confess.

She said the Boyfriend she found in college was sought out based on Wu Fan's image.

But in the end, she realized she couldn't genuinely fall in love with him.

Wu Fan instantly fell silent.

He had liked Wu Danyan too, but later forced himself to treat her as a little sister.

He couldn't believe they had missed each other like this.

When they were almost at Wujiabao Village, Wu Danyan asked Wu Fan to stop the car so they could go look at the pine forest by the reservoir again.

When they were little, that place was their secret base.

Smelling the pine scent, picking pine cones, rolling and playing on the ground covered in pine needles—they had too many happy memories there.

Wu Danyan walked ahead and said happily, "Brother Fan, look, the pine trees have grown up. They are much lusher and taller now."

Wu Fan looked at her happy silhouette, and his heart suddenly stirred.

Perhaps this girl had always resided in a corner of his heart.

At this moment, it seemed to have awakened again.

Earlier in the car, watching her beautiful profile and listening to her talk about her past love, Wu Fan's heart had already melted.

He even dared to imagine: if she had confessed to him earlier, and they had continued together until they walked down the aisle, would they have been very happy?

Wu Fan looked at the pine forest, feeling as if time were flowing backward.

Wu Danyan proactively reached out and took Wu Fan's hand.

Her small hand was very soft and warm.

Wu Fan looked up, and she turned back to share a knowing smile.

Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled, somewhat illusory light.

The two of them sat down again in the spot where they used to sit as children.

Wu Danyan leaned her head on Wu Fan's shoulder and softly asked, "Brother Fan, can we be together?"

Wu Fan's heart trembled.

At this moment, he hesitated instead. "Wu Danyan, I am not worthy of you."

"Why do you say that?"

"I've been married and divorced, and I have a daughter."

"That doesn't matter, I already know all of that." Wu Danyan sat up straight and looked at Wu Fan very seriously.

Wu Fan looked at her familiar and kind face, truly not wanting to deceive her.

In Wu Fan's heart, she represented the joy of his childhood and his lost youth.

"I'm not the same as before. After the divorce, I haven't had any intention of entering marriage again. Also... I have many women."

Wu Fan saw Wu Danyan's face twitch slightly.

The expression in her eyes made Wu Fan unable to gauge her thoughts.

Wu Fan looked at her beautiful face and repeated, "Seriously, I have many women, many!"

Wu Danyan suddenly threw herself into Wu Fan's arms, her voice trembling slightly as she said, "Since you have many women, why can't you have one more?"

Wu Fan was startled. He looked down at her pretty face, which was truly endearing.

The faint, delicate fragrance of her hair reminded Wu Fan of Qian Ning.

Wu Danyan looked up and said earnestly, "Brother Fan, I truly don't care."

Her moist eyes were full of tenderness. Wu Fan finally raised his hand and hugged her tightly...