Tian Runye's concerns

The three of them ate and chatted, finishing their meal in no time.

Zhao Dongchuan originally wanted to help wash the dishes, but Jia Bing quickly stopped him, saying, “How can I let you wash them!” Without giving Zhao Dongchuan a chance to speak, Jia Bing carried the dishes into the kitchen to wash them.

Watching Jia Bing's slightly plump figure, wearing an apron and washing dishes, Zhao Dongchuan inexplicably found it quite amusing.

Indeed, this Jia Bing really resembled the comedian of the same name from later generations; there was a spiritual likeness.

It's just that his cooking skills were a bit lacking!

Zhao Dongchuan took out a bottle of malted milk, a can of lychee, and some cakes and biscuits from his spatial storage; these items appeared in his bag in an instant.

“Sister-in-law Shufen, this is a small token of my regard. I wish you a big, chubby baby boy next year!” Zhao Dongchuan took the items out of his bag and placed them on the table. The malted milk and canned goods were both in net bags.

“Little Zhao, what are you doing? It’s enough that you came; why bring things? Take them back, take them back!” Sister-in-law Shufen said with a slight frown.

“This is a small token of my regard. I often come here to freeload food and drink. If you don’t accept it, I won’t dare to come again!” Zhao Dongchuan said with a cheerful smile.

“Sister-in-law, I’m leaving now!” Without waiting for Shufen to speak, he turned and walked out of the house, pushing his bicycle away.

Looking at Zhao Dongchuan's retreating figure, Shufen could only smile helplessly.

“Little Zhao left?” Jia Bing asked as he finished washing the dishes and wiped his hands with a towel.

“Yes, he left, and he left these things!” Shufen said, pointing to the items Zhao Dongchuan had left behind.

“This Little Zhao is good, very sensible!” Jia Bing smiled.

“Keep them. It’s his kind gesture. Next time Little Zhao has a happy occasion, we’ll return the favor.”

Jia Bing stepped forward, put his arm around Shufen, and said this as they entered the house.

“You’ve reminded me. Shouldn’t we introduce Little Zhao to someone? I’ll keep an eye out… there’s a girl from a family…” Shufen said as she walked.

“This… you handle it. I won’t get involved…” As Jia Bing closed the door, their voices gradually faded.

………………

Zhao Dongchuan returned to his dorm, took a hot shower, changed his clothes, and began his daily studies.

He had fewer than a few volumes left of the self-study series of mathematics, physics, and chemistry to finish. The remaining solid geometry and algebra were tough nuts to crack. Thankfully, he had the system pen; otherwise, these few books would probably have taken him months to get through.

And he certainly wouldn't have been able to multitask, studying while also writing a book.

By the time Zhao Dongchuan filled in the last symbol in the equation, it was late at night.

Stretching, Zhao Dongchuan closed his book.

He stretched his body again, loosened up, took a sip of tea, and then sat cross-legged on the bed to practice the Qi Refining Introduction.

Adjusting his breathing, eyes observing his nose and nose observing his heart, he slowly calmed down.

The night passed without a word…

For the next few days, Zhao Dongchuan moved between the Cultural Center and his dorm, not going anywhere else. He needed to quickly catch up on his work, and the final parts of his novel required his revision and polishing.

One day, around three in the afternoon, as he was engrossed in writing, he heard a commotion from the office next door.

The voice sounded somewhat familiar.

Zhao Dongchuan had just reached a frustrating part in his writing, and a hint of curiosity arose in his heart. He stood up and looked out the window.

Eh? Is that Tian Runye?

Indeed, the voices from outside the window were Tian Runye and Du Lili talking. The two were holding hands intimately, chatting and laughing.

“I miss you too… I even dreamt… dreamt of you…” Du Lili said to Tian Runye.

“What else did you dream of…?”

“I dreamt of the four of us… you and your boyfriend, me and…”

Zhao Dongchuan heard every word of their conversation, even their whispers, thanks to his damn super hearing!

These two women were discussing boyfriends~

Just as Zhao Dongchuan was debating whether he should go out and say hello or pretend not to know.

Out of a girl’s intuition, Tian Runye glimpsed someone seemingly watching her, so she turned her head to look.

For a moment, their gazes met, and their eyes locked!

Zhao Dongchuan looked at Tian Runye, and Tian Runye looked at Zhao Dongchuan, and the atmosphere became inexplicably awkward.

Du Lili reacted at this moment and said with a smile, “Little Zhao, your Sister Runye is here, why don’t you come out and greet her!”

Zhao Dongchuan took the hint, walked out of his office, and smiled at Tian Runye, “Sister Runye, long time no see!”

At this time, Tian Runye was noticeably a bit haggard. Her hair was also cut short, no longer possessing her previous youthful beauty, and her figure was clearly a size smaller, with faint dark circles under her eyes.

“Little Zhao, long time no see. I heard you say you were returning to Shuangshui Village, but I didn’t expect you to be back~ How are things here?” Runye said with a slight smile.

“I’m doing very well here!”

Tian Runye looked at Zhao Dongchuan, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Du Lili smiled and said, “Don’t just stand here foolishly. Let’s go to my house for dinner. We can talk slowly there.”

The three then left the Cultural Center and arrived at Du Lili’s home. Du Lili’s house was a residence allocated to employees by the Huangyuan Cultural Bureau, located in the Nanguan Government Compound.

On the way, Zhao Dongchuan had suggested eating at a restaurant, but neither of them agreed, so he had no choice but to follow Du Lili and Tian Runye into the compound.

“My parents are both at work, so no one’s home. Today, you are both guests, so I’ll cook, and you two chat.” Saying this, she gave them a meaningful look and smiled, then went into the kitchen to get busy. Whether it was intentional or not, she left the two of them there.

For a moment, the two were speechless!

Both Zhao Dongchuan and Tian Runye were visiting Du Lili's house for the first time and felt a bit awkward. Zhao Dongchuan, having stronger psychological fortitude, was the first to break the silence. He found a sofa and sat down, saw a teapot on the table, and took it, pouring a cup of tea for himself and Runye. He acted like a host, inviting Runye to sit down.

“You have something you want to ask me, don’t you?” Zhao Dongchuan blew on the rim of his cup, took a sip, and looked at Tian Runye with a smile.

Runye saw Zhao Dongchuan ask so directly and became flustered. She also picked up her teacup, mimicking Zhao Dongchuan, took a sip of tea, and after a moment, said, “It’s nothing much…”

Zhao Dongchuan slowly drank another sip of tea, not speaking, maintaining a beaming smile. However, the meaning conveyed in his eyes made Tian Runye feel a bit as if she was seen through.

“What kind of person is she?” Runye took another sip of tea, her gaze drifting elsewhere, and asked softly.

“The ‘she’ you’re referring to? I don’t quite understand!” Zhao Dongchuan replied, feigning a bewildered look at Tian Runye.

“Just…”

“Just… the woman Brother Shaoan was arranged to marry!” Runye paused, but finally couldn’t help but ask.

“Oh, you mean Sister-in-law Xiulian!” Zhao Dongchuan said unhurriedly, taking another sip of tea.