Li Xiangqian's collapse

Zhao Dongchuan pulled Tian Runye and ran out of the County Elementary School as if fleeing.

"Whew...!" He let out a long sigh.

"Runye... why is your face so red?"

Zhao Dongchuan looked at Tian Runye, her rosy little face was red all the way to her ears.

He asked, feigning ignorance.

"You... you let go of my hand..." Tian Runye said softly, her face red and slightly panting, with the utmost gentleness.

"Uh... sorry... I was too rushed just now, it was out of urgency that I..."

"Hehe!"

Zhao Dongchuan laughed as he spoke; this excuse was indeed a bit clumsy. Tian Runye wasn't foolish; on the contrary, she was very intelligent, she just hadn't called him out on it.

He squeezed Tian Runye's tender, smooth little hand, then caressed it, before reluctantly letting go.

In this era, holding hands on the street was still a very sensitive matter. Even married couples rarely did so, let alone them who had just confirmed their relationship.

Just as he was about to say something, he felt someone running towards them from behind, and he quickly turned to look.

He saw a slightly plump, dark-faced man rushing towards him, cursing as he ran: "You hooligan, how dare you hold Runye's hand... you..."

He walked closer and made a move as if to hit Zhao Dongchuan.

"Li Xiangqian!"

Tian Runye, afraid that Zhao Dongchuan, a "frail scholar," would be at a disadvantage in a fight, quickly stepped in front of him and shouted at Li Xiangqian.

"What are you trying to do!"

"Runye, he... he held your hand... he's a hooligan!" Li Xiangqian, seeing Tian Runye, was as scared as a mouse seeing a cat, and stammered.

Zhao Dongchuan moved to stand in front of Tian Runye and said to Li Xiangqian: "Heh heh, so you're Li Xiangqian?"

"I won't mention what happened before, but from now on, please stay away from our Runye..."

"Who are you... what did you say? How could Runye be yours...?"

Li Xiangqian didn't react at first,stunned for a moment, then immediately questioned him.

At the same time, he looked at Tian Runye in disbelief.

"Runye... Runye, he's talking nonsense, isn't he...?"

"Li Xiangqian, let me introduce you, this is my boyfriend Zhao Dongchuan... I was the one who wanted to hold his hand... please don't bother me anymore in the future..."

As Tian Runye spoke, she reached out and tightly grasped Zhao Dongchuan's hand, raising it slightly to show Li Xiangqian.

The crowd, who had heard "hooligan" and were preparing to gather to catch the hooligan, realized from this scene that they had misunderstood; it turned out the person shouting was the one trying to break up a relationship.

Everyone couldn't help but cast disdainful glances at Li Xiangqian.

At this moment, Li Xiangqian felt as if a basin of cold water had been poured over him, making him cold all over... he was completely unaware of what was happening around him.

He just stared blankly at Tian Runye holding Zhao Dongchuan's hand... a piercing pain assaulted him!

He murmured: "Impossible... impossible... Runye is mine... Runye is mine..."

Zhao Dongchuan looked at Li Xiangqian's dejected appearance and had no heart to mock or ridicule him anymore.

Matters of the heart cannot be forced. Even if Li Xiangqian and Tian Runye married in the original novel, they were not happy.

Their marriage of over ten years, living in different places, was essentially a marriage of convenience. Neither of them experienced any happiness. In the end, Li Xiangqian fell into an unbearable sorrow, drinking heavily every day, then got into a car accident, resulting in permanent disability of both legs.

Would their parents not hate it, not regret it? If they could start over, Li Dengyun and Tian Futang would definitely not agree to their marriage.

Wasn't this harming themselves and others?

Tian Runye felt that this tragedy was caused by her own reasons. Out of social pressure, family pressure, and her own moral requirements, she chose to fulfill this marriage and take on the responsibility of a wife.

But in reality, she had no love for Li Xiangqian; she had merely compromised with reality. When she decided to take on responsibility, the youthful, lively, beautiful, and straightforward Tian Runye had already died.

What remained was only a Tian Runye who existed for the sake of responsibility.

"Long pain is not as good as short pain!"

"I won't let you force this melon, Runye; she can't quench your thirst!!! She's mine now!!!" Zhao Dongchuan secretly said to himself.

He was not a great benevolent person. If this Li Xiangqian was sensible, then fine, but if he still bothered Runye, he would take action to punish him.

Zhao Dongchuan grandly held Tian Runye's small hand and slowly walked away amidst Li Xiangqian's struggling gaze... "You... please don't mind, Li Xiangqian and I are nothing!" Tian Runye, afraid that Zhao Dongchuan would misunderstand again, quickly spoke up.

"I mind..." Zhao Dongchuan looked at Tian Runye and slowly said.

Tian Runye's eyes widened, a little flustered, she was about to explain.

"I mind that I didn't rescue you sooner, it's all my fault..." Zhao Dongchuan said affectionately before she could explain.

Then, ignoring the surprised looks of the people around, Zhao Dongchuan directly pulled Tian Runye into his arms and hugged her tightly.

Runye's eyes widened, and she numbly felt Zhao Dongchuan's strong shoulders, broad and firm chest. A man's unique scent filled her heart.

She couldn't help but feel a little weak, feeling unsteady on her feet, and unconsciously tightened her arms around Zhao Dongchuan, clinging to him.

After hugging for a while, Zhao Dongchuan, fearing that it would cause "public outrage" and attract the patrol, slowly released Tian Runye.

He smiled slightly and said to the blushing Tian Runye: "Let's go, let's go eat first!"

"Mm..."

Runye was already too flustered to meet anyone's gaze at this moment, she lowered her head and said in a barely audible voice... Zhao Dongchuan then rode his bicycle, taking Tian Runye to a state-run restaurant.

This time, Zhao Dongchuan ordered several of Tian Runye's favorite dishes. Seeing that the restaurant even had soda, Zhao Dongchuan specifically ordered two bottles of orange soda.

Although Runye tried to dissuade him, he still ordered them.

The main point was that he wasn't short on money.

Eating out at a restaurant was not a common occurrence in those days; some people couldn't go to a restaurant even once a year, but he had already gotten used to it.

This was why he had gone to such lengths to earn money earlier.

Without money, he would have to calculate every penny when treating Runye to a meal.

A single penny can stump a hero. Although Runye wouldn't mind, he certainly hoped to provide her with good conditions.

The two ate, chatting and laughing. The events of that morning had completely brought them closer.

It was estimated that if they were in a secluded place right now, and Zhao Dongchuan made some not-too-excessive "unreasonable" requests, Tian Runye would probably half-heartedly agree.

After eating, Zhao Dongchuan accompanied Tian Runye for a stroll. The two decided to go back to Second Uncle's house in the afternoon and bring gifts for the family.

After all, this was the first time Zhao Dongchuan and Tian Runye were visiting the girl's family after confirming their relationship, so the significance was different.

Although it was her Second Uncle and Second Aunt, Runye had been living with them since high school, so in reality, they were no less important than her biological parents.