Chapter 4: Unforgettable Old Flames

I saw your identification card when you were checking into the inn," Chen Yuxing stated with a pragmatic approach

Chen Yuxing sat alone at a dining table, ordering the same four dishes as five years ago, and requested a bottle of beer. Looking at the empty chair across from him, a genuine and tender smile appeared on his face. He poured a glass of beer and raised his glass towards the empty chair.

"Speak quickly, you scoundrel." Xiaoqing widened her eyes in surprise, her pink lips pouting high, looking quite angry.

Xiaoqing's complexion suddenly lost its luster, and her mood also fell into a state of gloom

During the past few days of togetherness, the two have become quite familiar with each other. Chen Yuxing's care and affection for her are well understood by her. Whenever she sees the deep love reflected in Chen Yuxing's eyes, her emotions stir. She realizes that she has fallen in love with Chen Yuxing, but her deep-seated insecurities prevent her from expressing her feelings to him. Despite Chen Yuxing's numerous overt and subtle confessions, she has painfully ignored them all.

The smile on his face turned into a sorrowful expression, with tears welling in his eyes. He downed the drink in one gulp, poured another glass, and extended his hand over the intricately carved pear wood railing, slowly pouring the liquid into the clear stream outside the railing

From this day forward, the world underwent tremendous changes because of Chen Yuxing

Will you marry me

On the eighth day, Chen Yuxing checked out of the hotel and embarked on the journey to Yufeng Snow Mountain

Xiaoqing introduced herself

Husband, if I call you this way, you won't be angry, will you? These past few days have been the happiest days of my life in over 20 years. You have given me so much joy and care, making me feel like a princess being cherished by you in every possible way. I fear that I may become deeply entrenched in this happiness and unable to extricate myself, because I know it is difficult for us to be together; your parents would not allow you to marry a girl from the countryside.

"No, no, that's not it." Xiaoqing vigorously waved her slender, fair little hand

Name: Chen Yuxing, Age: 23, Residing at: No. × ×, Xiaobeibianmen, Dongda District, Fengjing City, Liaodong Province, Parents: Healthy, Only child in the family, Unmarried, Phone number: 139404 × × × × ×

Xiaoqing shook her head, her expression resolute

... ...

"She is a graduate student, I have just graduated from high school," said Xiaoqing dejectedly

I respect you, Xiaoqing. How are you? I miss you so much

Then what was to be expected by both adult men and women occurred

May I ask you a side question, despite having done a lot of rough work, how is your skin still so good? Chen Yuxing is curious to know.

Will you marry that thug

I settled in Shanghai when I was three years old, and I have been attending school in Shanghai ever since

"I can't get up." she cried in agony

Chen Yuxing has evolved from a novice into a man, while Xiaoqing has also completed her transformation from a girl into a woman

The next day, after Chen Yuxing got up, he did not see Xiaoqing. Upon looking around, he discovered a letter left by Xiaoqing on the table

In the following two days, they eagerly sought each other, like parched land yearning for the nourishing rain. The sofa, the bathtub, and the floor bore the marks of their love, as the two were immersed in the joy and happiness of their affection, unable to extricate themselves.

"After you return home, wait for my call. I will discuss it with my parents and then come to find you." Chen Yuxing made up his mind

Naturally, hehe

You are truly shameless, no way, I still do not know your name yet said as she waved her small, fair fist at Chen Yuxing, making a threatening gesture

"You lie down, and I will make you a cup of coffee." Chen Yuxing opened his backpack, took out the coffee, and busied himself by the coffee table

In the following three days, Chen Yuxing retraced the travel route he had taken with Xiaoqing, indulging once again in the local delicacies of the ancient city, including steamed buns, chickpea cold noodles, cured pork ribs, dried fish, potato chicken, three-layered water, and rice sausage. Whenever he thought of Xiaoqing's small belly accommodating so much food, a knowing smile would appear on Chen Yuxing's face

Xiaoqing was born into a farming family in the suburbs of Luoyin. When she was three years old, her mother tragically passed away during the birth of her second child, who also did not survive. Her father took her, along with the 20,000 yuan compensation from the hospital, to Shanghai. In Shanghai, they rented a small storefront of over 20 square meters on Wuyi Road, relying on selling large bowls of noodles to make a living. When she was five, a fellow villager from Luoyin became her stepmother, and a year later, she had a younger brother. From that point on, she became the surplus member of the family. Her stepmother was very cruel to her, often beating and scolding her. Her father would always stroke her hair with tears in his eyes after she had been wronged, holding her tightly in his arms. At that time, she understood that her father was also suffering.

Xiaoqing shook her head and said: "Will your parents agree? You are going to take the master's entrance exam next year, and I am just a high school student, with my household registration still as a farmer. Moreover, my father is suffering; my stepmother never cares for him, and I do not want to be too far away from him, as he needs my care"

Chen Yuxing looked at her expression, which seemed to convey both realization and anger, and couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Little scatterbrain, how come you've finally caught on? I thought you wouldn't ask at all."

This is an open-air restaurant built by a small stream that flows through the ancient city, with the lobby of the restaurant located across the road. The architecture of this open-air restaurant is quaint and elegant, allowing patrons to listen to the sounds of musical instruments from the ancient buildings across the stream while being accompanied by the gentle murmurs of the flowing water.

"Of course not, you will grow old and have a face full of wrinkles." Xiao Qing's crescent-shaped eyes reappeared.

Hmm

... ...

... ...

The hardships of her family have made her very strong and independent, while her school life has brought her much happiness. She has not become twisted in character due to the abuse from her stepmother; on the contrary, her beauty has earned her the affection of those around her, making her even more confident and lively

I am leaving, do not look for me, I hope you live happily and joyfully. I will always think of you, until the day I forget you, at which point I will be married. Goodbye, my husband

Xiaoqing nodded

Chen Yuxing, wearing only a pair of briefs and barefoot, ran wildly towards the inn's entrance, shouting: "No, Xiaoqing, don’t, don’t, come back, come back." In that instant, Chen Yuxing's world changed.

"All this time, you have called me a bad guy dozens of times, and I truly want to introduce myself." Chen Yuxing looked at the little tigress, who was exuding a feminine fierceness, with a gentle and affectionate gaze

When she graduated from high school, her stepmother did not allow her to take the university entrance exam, but instead pushed all the hard and laborious work of the small family restaurant onto her. The family restaurant had not grown or prospered with the passage of time and the economic development of Shanghai, and could only barely make ends meet. Years of savings had only purchased a 40-square-meter tenement, where the family of four was crammed together. The stepmother found her bothersome and was eager to find a man for her after her high school graduation, wanting to marry her off as soon as possible, but her strong resistance thwarted those plans. A month ago, the son of a nearby restaurant owner took a liking to her and sent a matchmaker with a betrothal gift and cash, which the stepmother accepted, urging her to get married. That ruffian also came to the noodle shop every day to harass her. Unable to endure it any longer, she ran away to the ancient city.

The two people are playfully fighting again

Xiaoqing was amused to the point of doubling over with laughter by Chen Yuxing's quirky self-introduction.

I am exhausted, utterly exhausted, my back is so sore, and my legs are in so much pain. Xiaoqing continued to grunt and groan, baring her teeth.

"I am getting old, I am getting old, look at the wrinkles on my forehead now," Chen Yuxing said, pinching his forehead with his thumb and index finger, revealing two prominent flesh bumps on his forehead. Xiaoqing laughed even more happily

Now, I would like to introduce classmate Li Xiaoqing, whose name is Li Xiaoqing, female, 21 years old, residing in Jiangnan Province

On the fifth day, Chen Yuxing stayed in the inn without going out. He devoted all his thoughts to reminiscing about those two unforgettable days.

Chen Yuxing gently stroked Xiaoqing's hair and asked, "Do you like that delinquent?"

Over the course of these two days, Xiaoqing gradually shared her story.

"I won't, if you push me again, I will run away. Yesterday, Dad called and said he wouldn't push me anymore, and asked me to come home"

Bad guy, how did you know my name

Li Xiaoqing held the drink cup with both hands, sipping lightly through the straw, her gaze wandering over the hurried passersby around her. Suddenly, she put down the drink cup and stared intently at Chen Yuxing

I will help you with that. Chen Yuxing placed the coffee on the bedside table, sat on the edge of the bed, clenched his empty fist, and gently tapped it against Xiaoqing's long, straight leg...

It was very late when Chen Yuxing and Xiaoqing returned to the inn from Tiger Leaping Gorge. She was already exhausted and in pain all over, while Chen Yuxing, despite carrying both of their backpacks, was not as worn out as Xiaoqing. Xiaoqing followed Chen Yuxing to room 207, took out the local specialties from the underground city that Chen Yuxing had purchased from her backpack, and before she even placed the items on the bed, she had already laid herself down on it

Chen Yuxing was momentarily at a loss for words, his mouth opening but failing to utter any comforting phrases. After pondering for a few seconds, he made a face at Xiaoqing and said eagerly: "Little girl, with your youthful beauty, if you frown every day, you will develop wrinkles."

Graduated from university in September last year, just resigned from a job, and preparing to take the master's entrance examination next year