Chapter 2

Qiao Nuan looked around and asked, "Where are Qing Yan and Nan Nan?"

The changes are indeed quite significant, completely altering the previously refined image of him with bangs covering his brow. He has tanned considerably, sporting a buzz cut, and a ring of stubble around his chin. The youthful innocence and naivety of the big boy from three years ago have completely faded away; at this moment, he resembles a well-oiled gun, exuding a rugged charm, and he is exceptionally handsome. Qiao Nuan suddenly realizes that the apparent age gap in appearance between herself and him has narrowed to an almost imperceptible degree. At least now, walking together on the road, she no longer feels the stark six-year difference that once lay between them. This realization brings her a sense of secret delight.

Sister Xie is indeed the one; her daughter is already so grown up. He Jue turned his gaze towards Nan Nan

Qiao Nuan let out an "oh" and, seeing that there was only one set of cutlery on the table, asked: "Aren't you eating?"

At the age of thirty, the time left for her to indulge is becoming increasingly scarce, almost at an end. As for her parents' patience, it is likely already exhausted. How she wishes to return to the family like Qing Yan, to wash her hands and prepare meals, and how she longs for someone to be affectionate with during rainy and snowy weather. Yet, encountering the right person at the prime of her life is such a matter of luck. Her unsuccessful romance with He Jue has probably consumed all her luck in love for this lifetime. Indeed, encountering the right person at the prime of her life is such a matter of luck. Her unsuccessful romance with He Jue has probably consumed all her luck in love for this lifetime.

"How could we let you treat us? It is we who should host a welcoming gathering for you." Xie Qingyan turned to Qiao Nuan, squeezed her hand, and said, "Aren't you going to call your aunt to report in? Be careful, or she might scold you to death"

Thank you! Clear! Calm! Qiao Nuan took a step forward and roared out loud

"Whether it is possible is not for me to decide." On the other end of the phone, Nan Nan was shouting "Mom." Qing Yan responded and said to Qiao Nuan, "Nan Nan refuses to take a bath and is causing a fuss with her dad. I will go take care of it, and we can discuss it in detail tomorrow."

He slowly pushed the door open and took a glance inside, but for a long while, he did not take another step.

Xie Qingyan's husband, Han Ce, often travels for work, so Xie Qingyan would come over to live with Qiao Nuan for convenience and mutual support. Qiao Nuan then gave a spare key to Xie Qingyan, allowing her to enter the house at any time

A waft of food aroma greeted him as He Jue emerged with a bowl of dumplings, while a steaming hot pot was placed on the dining table

After entering the room, Qiao Nuan poured tea for everyone and sat down next to Xie Qingyan. The mood of the group gradually calmed down, and Qiao Nuan allowed Nan Nan to continue watching the animation, while Xie Qingyan engaged in conversation with He Jue.

Qiao Nuan, I just had a brief conversation with He Jue. He does not have a girlfriend in the United States, so you can rest assured

What a decision to remain silent; at that time, he nearly fled in a panic. Upon arriving in California, he immersed himself in his studies, preoccupied with coursework, experiments, and part-time jobs, consciously avoiding all news from his home country. Every year during the New Year, he did not return home; it was his mother who obtained a tourist visa to visit him. Three years can be neither long nor short, but upon returning home, he discovered that City W had changed significantly.

Qiao Nuan shook her head vigorously, remaining silent and not looking up. He Jue, seeing her like this, became even more certain of his judgment. Without hesitation, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her up, disregarding her resistance and struggles, and pressed down on her shoulder to turn her around.

He bent down, leaned close to Qiao Nuan's ear, and said word by word: "Love, believe, do not believe." After finishing, he straightened up and walked towards the bathroom, saying, "I will take a shower." Leaving Qiao Nuan with her ears burning from his breath.

Hearing Xie Qingyan say this, Qiao Nuan then seriously looked at He Jue. Previously, in a state of panic, it was either that there was no opportunity or that she did not dare to.

Xie Qingyan sighed, "How much you have changed."

The sound of water gradually ceased, and Qiao Nuan heard He Jue's footsteps approaching. In a clear voice, she asked him: "Which room should I sleep in?"

He raised his eyebrows and said, "I am not attending a feast at Hongmen, so naturally I am well-fed."

Qiao Nuan huffed in dissatisfaction, "Speaking of which, I still want to ask you, why were you exactly there?"

Xie Qingyan also stood up and said with a smile: "You are back."

It's all the same, whether one gets used to it or not

Listening to these superficial pleasantries, Qiao Nuan felt inexplicably restless and uneasy

Qiao Nuan pulled at the leaves of the spider plant, "What does it matter to me whether he has a girlfriend or not? Why should I be concerned about that?"

And Qiao Nuan looked at him with a gaze that was almost despairing in its sadness, her voice cold and trembling: "Why did you come back"

Xie Qingyan observed her peculiar behavior and furrowed his brows, "What is the matter"

At this very moment, the human being is real, the body temperature is real, the tears are real, and the gaze is also real. Even though they are in close contact with the skin, there is an inexplicable sense of despair.

Qiao Nuan shook her head. How could such a coincidence occur

He smiled faintly and nodded, "In a couple of days, please invite Sister Xie and your husband to dinner"

He did not leave, and asked with a hesitant tone: "What happened"

Xie Qingyan walked over and said, "Hey, the door is not locked?" as she directed her gaze towards the little one in her arms, "Nannan, what happened?"

Xie Qingyan's voice suddenly rose, "Hey, where is it?"

In the days when he left Qiao Nuan and her hometown, he repeatedly recalled the brief moments spent with Qiao Nuan, often doubting whether the two of them truly experienced what is called love, or if it was merely his one-sided affection from beginning to end, while Qiao Nuan simply bestowed her usual compassion.

Mr. Han has taken it back

Qiao Nuan curiously poked her head out and saw in the living room a woman sitting on a small cashmere carpet beside the coffee table with a little girl, watching television. The exaggerated voice of the character Grey Wolf was coming from the TV: "I will be back!"

He reluctantly said, "You can see for yourself."

At ... ... outside the door

Xie Qingyan smiled and asked, "Are you still accustomed to being abroad?"

He glanced at Qiao Nuan and said, "It depends on the situation"

Qiao Nuan threw the phone aside and collapsed onto the sofa. The faint sound of water from the bathroom flowed endlessly, much like her worries. The mere thought of having to take a shower, remove her makeup, and care for her skin made her feel that life was an unending fatigue. At thirty, one is no longer the naive twenty-year-old. Being thirty means not daring to go out without makeup, not daring to refrain from investing a considerable amount of money to combat the fine lines at the corners of her eyes. It means that being unmarried is a source of public scorn and humiliation, and that willingly remaining single is even more disgraceful than having fallen from grace.

Lying there weakly for a long time, until He Jue came to knock on the door. She responded with a sound, got up, ruffled her messy hair a few times, and opened the door to go out

Fine, go ahead and pretend.

"You first dial the emergency number, and if something seems off, call it immediately." Qiao Nuan licked her dry lips and nodded slightly. He Jue held her trembling hand, turned his head, and said softly, "Don't be afraid, I am here."

He decisively pulled Qiao Nuan behind him, grasped the doorknob, and asked, "Did you close the door when you left?" Qiao Nuan nodded with certainty.

Xie Qingyan noticed her reaction and calmly held her slightly trembling hand, "It's good that you are back, even if it's just to take a look."

His hand was warm and dry, strong enough to instantly calm Qiao Nuan. She took a deep breath and softly said: "Go ahead."

Qiao Nuan buried her face in the pillow, not getting up, and raised her hand to point in the direction of the guest room

Qiao Nuan fiercely pierced a dumpling with her chopsticks, thinking to herself that this person not only looked different but was also even more annoying in character than before. Then she hurriedly touched her flushed ears.

In his weary eyes, there were tears filling his vision, and within the gaze blurred by tears lay an overwhelming sadness that struck deeply at his heart. He could not recall the last time he had seen Qiao Nuan cry; to him, this woman had always been heartless to the point of being infuriating, both innocent and cruel. In his memory, she rarely cried, and never had it been for him.

Qingyan, do you really think there is still a possibility for him and me

Xie Qingyan pulled Qiao Nuan over, and they saw a suitcase standing outside the door, with its owner casually standing there, wearing an innocent expression.

Nannan knew she had done something wrong, and she lowered her head to nuzzle into Qiao Nuan's embrace, not daring to speak. Qiao Nuan was amused by her behavior and chuckled, "Nannan, you really are a little troublemaker; please don't do this again in the future." As soon as she finished laughing, she remembered that there was still a big trouble outside the door that she didn't know how to resolve.

"How are you?" Qiao Nuan tugged at He Jue's sleeve, unable to help but ask

Sitting on the floor, both individuals turned their heads. The little girl got up and rushed towards Qiao Nuan, sweetly calling out: "Aunt Qiao!"

Qiao Nuan understood and gratefully glanced at her, letting out an "Ah" as she withdrew her hand and stood up. "If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten," she said while taking out her phone. "You all continue your conversation."

Upon mentioning his daughter, Xie Qingyan's expression immediately softened, "Indeed, I got married right after you left, and without your contact information, I was unable to notify you."

"No, it should be that they had a quarrel." He Jue handed her the dumplings

Qiao Nuan quickly finished eating and tidied up, then called Xie Qingyan to invite her and Han Ce to welcome He Jue tomorrow.

I said it just happened to be so, do you believe it

... ... He decided to return.

... ...

Isn't Han Ce on a business trip?" Qiao Nuan sat down at the dining table

Will you be going back after returning this time

Qiao Nuan picked up the soft and fragrant little creature at her feet, snorted, "I say, Madam Han, if you are coming, then just come. What does it mean not to lock the door? Are you inviting a wolf into the house?"

She felt a tingling sensation on her scalp and took a step to the side to block Xie Qingyan's line of sight. "Qingyan, there is something I need to tell you. First, promise me you won't get too excited."

She returned to her room, unable to hold on any longer, and fell heavily onto the bed, letting out a long sigh. Faced with the turbulent memories that surged like a river and the relentless decisions of He Jue, she was truly exhausted. The difficulties and pressures from three years ago still lingered; time had not changed them in the slightest. As the years went by, she became increasingly timid, lacking any courage to confront her parents' anger and He Jue's mother's disdain once more. Her character was inherently wavering and weak, and this matter would not change no matter how many three-year spans passed. Now at the age of thirty, how many more years of wasted time could she endure? She sent her mother a text message, lying that she had to work overtime and did not meet the blind date man for dinner, promising to discuss it in a few days.