Playing as a group of four

"Tap! Tap! Tap!"

Footsteps approached, and Du Lili entered, carrying dishes.

"What are you two talking about?" Du Lili looked at them curiously.

Seeing Tian Runye's eyes red, she couldn't help but ask Zhao Dongchuan, "What's going on? Did you make Runye cry?"

"No, it's not his fault!" Tian Runye quickly explained, afraid Du Lili would misunderstand.

"Oh, alright, then you should pay attention!"

"Comrade Zhao, come and get the dishes!" Du Lili called to Zhao Dongchuan.

Zhao Dongchuan quickly got up and followed Du Lili into the kitchen.

"What happened? What did you talk about? Why was she crying?" Du Lili asked with concern.

"Oh, didn't she tell you?" Zhao Dongchuan countered.

"No, she didn't! She probably wanted to say something, but then you showed up, and she couldn't!" Du Lili glared at Zhao Dongchuan.

Zhao Dongchan was a little stunned!

Is it my fault?

"Well, it's like this. Some time ago, Sun Shaoan went to Liulin, Shanxi, and then brought a girl back!" Zhao Dongchuan explained helplessly.

"A girl?"

"Yes, a big-eyed girl from Shanxi. She's very kind and deeply devoted to Sun Shaoan. She didn't ask for a dowry and just followed him back. They're expected to get married during the Spring Festival. Sister Runye asked about the situation, and I, being a bigmouth, said a few too many words!"

Du Lili also knew Sun Shaoan. Although they had never met, she often heard Runye talk about him.

After all these years, she knew Runye was deeply in love with Sun Shaoan, but as a "best friend," she didn't quite approve of their match.

Aside from the disparity in family wealth, their individual life trajectories were very different. Their living habits and attitudes towards life were completely unalike.

Even if they got married, it would probably be very difficult, but first loves are always beautiful. After all, the future she didn't approve of hadn't happened yet, and it was only one possibility.

Du Lili nodded, not speaking, thinking about how to comfort this "silly girl" when she got the chance!

Then she carried out one dish and had Zhao Dongchuan carry the last one. The two of them entered the room together.

By this time, Runye had composed herself and returned to normal, appearing even better than when she first arrived. Du Lili couldn't quite grasp Runye's thoughts at the moment, so she simply greeted, "Dinner's ready. You must be tired from your journey. Hurry up and eat!"

Zhao Dongchuan looked at Runye and felt that she no longer seemed as sad as before. He secretly nodded, figuring that she had taken in at least some of what he had said.

"Come, come, Sister Runye, let's eat. People are iron and rice is steel; you'll be hungry if you miss a meal!"

"Mm-hmm, let's eat, let's eat!" Tian Runye said with a smile.

Then the three of them began to eat. During the meal, they tacitly avoided mentioning Shaoan again, only discussing recent editorials and news.

After dinner, Zhao Dongchuan eagerly washed the dishes.

Having eaten at someone else's home, it was only natural to do what he could. By the time Zhao Dongchuan had finished washing the dishes and emerged from the kitchen, Du Lili had already brewed a pot of green tea.

So, the three of them sat in the living room, each holding a cup of green tea. The room was filled with the aroma of tea, and after a light sip, the fragrance lingered on their lips.

"What kind of tea is this? It smells so good!" Zhao Dongchuan asked curiously.

Du Lili introduced, "This was given to my dad by someone else. He usually treasures it and only occasionally brings it out to drink. I heard it's something called Ziyang Maojian!"

"Ziyang Maojian? I'm not very familiar with it!" Zhao Dongchuan didn't study tea, but he felt it tasted very authentic.

"It's probably your dad's treasure. If you brew it for us to drink, what if your dad finds out...?" Runye was a little worried.

"It's fine, I just brewed a little tea. I'm using it to entertain distinguished guests, what can he say!" Du Lili smiled mischievously.

The three of them chatted while drinking tea. Just as Zhao Dongchuan was about to leave, someone arrived outside.

The newcomer was tall and handsome, dressed appropriately, with a calm demeanor, looking like a young talent.

"Huiliang, you're here!" Du Lili got up to greet him.

"I was waiting for you at home, but you didn't come, so I came to check." Wu Huiliang said with a slight smile, looking at Zhao Dongchuan and Tian Runye.

"Runye is here, so I didn't go to your place... This is Zhao Dongchuan, you've met him before, and this is my good classmate and sister, Tian Runye!" Du Lili introduced.

Wu Huiliang immediately said to Runye, "Lili often talks about you. Although we've never met, I feel very familiar with you. I didn't know you were coming, otherwise I would have invited you all to dinner at my place."

"Lili also often mentions you in her letters!" Runye said to Wu Huiliang with a smile.

"Comrade Zhao, long time no see. I still have to thank you for helping Lili move last time!" Wu Huiliang said to Zhao Dongchuan.

Zhao Dongchuan quickly waved his hand and said, "There's no need to mention that again. It's only right for colleagues to help each other!"

The group chatted for a while, then sat and drank a cup of tea, after which Zhao Dongchuan said his goodbyes and left.

It was very late when Zhao Dongchuan returned to his dormitory. Runye stayed at Du Lili's house, and Wu Huiliang also went home. They weren't going the same way, so they naturally parted.

Du Lili suggested that the few of them accompany Runye to famous scenic spots in Huangyuan City over the next couple of days to help her get out of her sadness as soon as possible, and Zhao Dongchuan readily agreed.

So, over the following week, Zhao Dongchuan, Du Lili, Wu Huiliang, Tian Runye, and others went sightseeing, visiting all the major and minor attractions in Huangyuan City. Runye's complexion also improved, and she slowly became more lively, regaining her former spirit.

Zhao Dongchuan was naturally very pleased. With their help, Tian Runye had moved on, seemingly forgetting Sun Shaoan. Of course, he also understood that Runye had only deeply hidden him in a corner of her heart.

...

On this day, Zhao Dongchuan and Tian Runye bought bus tickets to Yuanxi County together. Runye's leave had ended, and he also wanted to return to Shuangshui Village, so they traveled together.

The two got on the bus together and sat side by side, occasionally discussing matters of Shuangshui Village along the way. Naturally, they couldn't avoid mentioning Shaoan and his family. Hearing Zhao Dongchuan talk about Wang Manyin, Runye said with indignation, "This Wang Manyin is truly not a good husband or a good father. He just wanders around all day, nowhere to be found, and Sister Lan Hua suffers so much! A marriage like that is better off without!"

Runye also shared some interesting stories she encountered at school. With companionship, the two were not lonely on their journey.

As the two chatted, time unknowingly passed, and soon they arrived at their destination.

The two got off the bus, and Zhao Dongchuan helped carry Runye's bag, which was filled with gifts from Zhao Dongchuan, Du Lili, and Wu Huiliang.

Zhao Dongchuan unloaded his bicycle from the back of the bus and said to Runye, "I'll take you to school. This bag is so heavy, it won't be convenient for you to walk with it!"

Tian Runye thought for a moment, then nodded gently and said, "Alright, thank you!"