Runye's concerns

“How have you been lately?” Tian Runye asked, smiling at Zhao Dongchuan.

Looking at Tian Runye, whose smile was like a blooming flower, gentle and lovely, his heart inexplicably calmed down.

“I’ve been doing great lately, no worries about food or drink… and now I have a beautiful woman by my side, how could I not be doing well?” Zhao Dongchuan said jokingly.

“You…” Tian Runye hadn’t expected him to speak like that. She didn’t know if she was angry or shy, but her face flushed a little.

“Haha, Sister Runye, don’t be angry!” Zhao Dongchan said with a chuckle.

“My father asked you to bring me a letter, why did you have my brother deliver it instead?” Tian Runye stopped, turned her head, and stared directly into his eyes as she asked.

“Uh… this… I…” Zhao Dongchuan scratched his head, unsure how to answer the question.

“Are you afraid to see me?”

“No, I’m not!”

“Then you…”

Tian Runye bit her lip, looking as if she wanted to speak but hesitated.

Seeing Tian Runye like this, Zhao Dongchuan could only helplessly explain, “Sister Runye, you really don’t need to overthink it… I…”

“Just call me Runye from now on…” Runye said softly, her pretty face flushing.

Zhao Dongchuan paused, then slowly said, “Runye…”

“Mm!”

“You really don’t need to overthink it… Actually…”

“Do you mind what happened between Shaoan and me?” Tian Runye didn’t give him a chance to explain, getting straight to the point.

“Uh, no, I don’t! I’m very clear about what happened between you and Brother Shaoan! All of that is in the past!”

Tian Runye smiled and nodded.

“Then guess… what did my father write in the letter?” Tian Runye suddenly asked with a sly smile.

“Uh… I’m not quite sure about that!” Zhao Dongchuan was momentarily stunned.

“My father said that a woman three years older brings a golden brick!”

After mustering the courage to say this, Tian Runye walked forward without looking back.

She left Zhao Dongchuan standing there, utterly bewildered… Ever since Tian Runye attended Brother Shaoan’s wedding, she had completely let go of Sun Shaoan.

She had grown up with Sun Shaoan, and Shaoan had taken care of her like an older brother caring for his younger sister.

From a young age, Sun Shaoan had occupied a large place in her heart, and girls mature earlier than boys, so she had long dreamed of being with her Brother Shaoan forever.

Later, when her family urged her to marry, Sun Shaoan was the first person she thought of.

But just as she was passionately ready to defend her “love,” her Brother Shaoan brought back a girl with big eyes from Shanxi… It was like a bucket of cold water poured over her, chilling Runye’s heart completely.

And later, with the guidance of Zhao Dongchuan and others, she slowly came to terms with it, gradually understanding and accepting the situation.

Finally, she completely let go, chose to bless them, and recognized Shaoan as her brother.

However, Zhao Dongchuan’s presence had, at some unknown point, begun to leave more and more traces in her heart.

From the very beginning, when Sun Shaoping introduced this unique educated youth from their village, she had noticed this young man with a distinct temperament.

Although he constantly called her Sister Runye, Zhao Dongchuan had always been mature, like an older brother, constantly looking out for her.

He didn’t feel like a younger brother at all; instead, he was like an older brother.

Later, as Zhao Dongchuan’s poems were continuously published, she read those deeply moving works and couldn’t help but develop an admiring affection for the author of the poems.

She couldn’t imagine what kind of sentiment it took to write such unforgettable and beautiful verses.

It wasn’t just because of his poems; it was also that courageous sense of responsibility.

They met again at Second Uncle’s family dinner, and his views on current affairs, expressed bravely and forcefully, conveyed what many people wanted to say but dared not.

Later, Du Lili, Wu Huiliang, and Zhao Dongchuan accompanied her on excursions around Huangyuan City, and she fully experienced Zhao Dongchuan’s mature charm.

There was also that “accident” while cycling; even now, recalling that embrace made her face flush and her heart pound.

After that, they had no further opportunities to meet. She only saw his new poems in journals and heard bits and pieces of news about him from Second Uncle.

Even her brother, Runsheng, knew more about him than she did.

Sometimes she wondered what was happening to her, why he kept popping into her mind from time to time.

Until her father, Tian Futang, sent her a letter.

In the letter, Tian Futang used explicit words, saying that Zhao Dongchuan was an excellent man and that she should seize the opportunity to win him over.

He even said, “When a woman pursues a man, it’s like a thin veil.”

He also said something about “a woman three years older brings a golden brick”!

Most importantly, her father, Tian Futang, said in the letter that he had invited Zhao Dongchuan to dinner at their home and subtly brought up the matter, testing his attitude.

Zhao Dongchuan seemed to have a good impression of Tian Runye and didn’t mind that she was older than him.

These words made her, a young woman, blush and feel her heart pound with shyness, but also experience a hint of joy.

That night, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep, her mind constantly replaying every little moment she had spent with Zhao Dongchuan.

These days continued for a long time, making her feel as if she had returned to the time she learned of Sun Shaoan and He Xiulian’s marriage.

It was the same sleepless night, but the state of mind was completely different: one was a sleeplessness of sorrow and heartache, while the other was a sleeplessness caused by the restless youthful feelings of a young woman.

Although this time it didn’t affect her work or life, it was equally exhausting.

And her father, at some unknown point, had mentioned this matter to Second Uncle and Second Aunt. Her Second Uncle and Second Aunt didn’t object; in fact, they were very much in favor of it.

If it weren’t for her being the woman’s side and her being thin-skinned,

it wouldn’t have been appropriate to go directly to propose, but her Second Uncle even wanted to be the matchmaker!

Even Tian Xiaoxia privately said that this Brother Zhao was a trustworthy man.

He was talented, had vision, was humble, and had good character, always helping Shaoping’s family!

For the first time, everyone’s opinions on this matter were surprisingly consistent.

Perhaps it was because of this, or perhaps because she didn’t want to endure the torment of self-pity any longer.

She finally mustered up her courage, using the opportunity to find Du Lili to meet him.

She wanted to clarify some things, to get a result. Even if they couldn’t become a couple, it would at least allow her to completely let go of this desire.

But when the words reached her lips, she didn’t know how to begin.

“Sigh!”

Thinking of this, Tian Runye couldn’t help but sigh.

As if venting her anxiety, she quickened her pace, almost fleeing forward.

“Runye, wait for me!”

Zhao Dongchuan’s voice came from behind, making her involuntarily quicken her steps even more.

Just then, a bicycle suddenly sped out from around the corner. Because both parties were moving very fast, the person didn’t even have time to brake.

Just as Tian Runye was about to be hit, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her… At the same time, a huge force came from the arms, lifting her entire body… In that moment, she knew nothing, only feeling her heart about to leap out… “Runye, are you alright!”