Chapter 08 The Final Chrysanthemum Tea.

Lou Luqiao looked at the scenery outside the window. The farmland and houses kept receding as they traveled. Along the way, it felt increasingly simple and crude. The sky seemed to be getting darker and gloomier. As time went on, the repetitive scenery made her feel tired, and combined with several days of travel fatigue, she became drowsy and confused.

She had promised him many years ago, "I will definitely learn how to cook in the future and cook for you. I will be your cooking wife for a lifetime."

She spoke very slowly, enunciating each word as if it were being forced out of a cut throat, dry and laborious.

Lou Lüqiao raised her arm and gazed at the old silver bracelet on her wrist. She only found out about it when she saw her mother's portrait. This silver bracelet was her mother's heirloom. Although it was not valuable, it was priceless and irreplaceable to the right person.

At that time, he always laughed at her and said she could never learn to cook. Every time he teased her, she would almost get angry, but he would then coax her with a smile, saying he would cook for her for the rest of his life. However, if she really dared to cook, he would definitely "risk his life" to eat it all up.

Her discomfort and vomiting during the performance were not learned from watching TV. In fact, she had a reaction after he left. She felt nauseous and vomited every morning and evening, hugging the toilet and vomiting heavily. ... Later on... ... Later on, Shui Mo also experienced the same thing, so she was the first one to see through it.

A few days ago, she went to a place that the two of them had promised to visit together. She always remembers him, remembers his extremely painful appearance. Love is often a double-edged sword, hurting him at the same time, also hurting herself.

Qin Mutian watched her gently closing her eyes, and in an instant, he felt a sense of pure bliss filling his entire body. He naturally knew that she liked to drink this. Every time he came back, he would always bring a small bag of it, as if he knew that one day, she would get to drink it.

If it's a secret, let her bury it alone. It's better for one person to suffer than for two to suffer together. Since there's no way to turn back time, let it be.

I have never been pregnant. I'm sorry! Before, whenever I thought of you, I just wanted to kill you. I used to love you so much, I treated you so well, but all you gave me was betrayal. So I have always hated you, and I have been planning to hurt you deliberately, no matter what way or method! But our babyーー

A father who has been upright all his life, will he blame himself in another world? So over the years, I have never wanted to enter his dreamland to visit him.

Not long after, they reached the end of the asphalt road, and the car had already entered the mountains. He opened the car door for her, and a sudden cold wind howled in.

I'm going back now. The snow is getting heavier and heavier. You rarely bring your girlfriend here, so you must stay for two days before going back. Alas, why did the patriotic brother and his wife leave so early? Otherwise, they would definitely be happy. You are already so old, but you have never brought any girl back. Look at Xiaozheng and Afeng, who are the same age as you in the village. Which one of their children doesn't know how to do anything? Your Aunt San is worried sick about you. Alright, alright, now we can rest assured. Uncle San kept talking and talking, and I left step by step.

He knew that this time, he truly lost Lou Lvqiao.

Qin Mutian was slightly stunned, turned his head and looked at her. She took the bok choy and said, "I'll wash and cook it." He pushed her hand away and said, "No, the water is very cold, your hands will freeze."

Watching Qin Mutian's busy figure, Lou Luqiao couldn't help but think of the days in America. She couldn't cook, but he didn't mind at all. Every time, he would lovingly pinch her nose and say, "With me here, what is there to be afraid of? Even if you never learn, I will cook for you for a lifetime."

Lou Lüqiao would rather deceive him. However, she aborted their baby herself, she personally aborted it.

The rose branches in their yard are sprawling, blooming in clusters and bunches, sifting through the sunlight of a whole city. However, his heart at that time was chillingly clear.

During that period of time, Mu Tian, because of you, I have no regrets now.

After arriving home, he still pinned her at the stove to watch the fire, feeling warm and cozy. Qin Mutian was picking cabbage leaves, and Lou Lvqiao suddenly had an impulse and stood up, saying, "I'll do it."

I and my elder sister sleep here. This small desk is shared by me and my elder sister.

Until he reached the front of a few dilapidated tile houses, he finally stopped his footsteps. Lou Lüqiao was startled.

But he seemed not to have heard her, and went straight to take off her boots, one foot after the other, staring at her transparent black stockings, he sighed lightly and said, "It's so cold outside, you're wearing so little. You'll be lucky if you don't get arthritis or rheumatism when you're older!"

However, he did leave later, but she still lived well. She didn't starve to death, nor did she lack an arm or a leg, and she lived very well.

His voice came through low and faint, and a wave of inexplicable sadness surged in Lou Luqiao's heart. She couldn't blame him, but who else could she blame? No one could be blamed, no one was at fault, just because everyone had different perspectives.

She was wearing his black woolen coat, and the scent lingering in the air was all his. Lou Luqiao's first reaction was to take off the coat and throw it on the back seat. She didn't notice that Qin Mutian's hand on the steering wheel tightened, he took a deep breath, and then relaxed slightly.

Little Tian, come and take this. Your Aunt San knows you're back and has slaughtered a chicken. Hurry, bring your girlfriend over for dinner.

He is an elderly man with gray-white hair, full of wrinkles on his face, and looks simple and aged.

When she left, she didn't even glance at him. When she came back, she still couldn't look at him. She was afraid that she would break down first! The car finally came to a slow stop downstairs from where she lived.

So much so that later on, apart from the needs related to work, even when she went on vacation, she would avoid those hundred places. Because those places were the ones they had agreed to visit together in the future. But the person who had originally promised to accompany her left halfway, so she couldn't go, she couldn't. She couldn't go to a place and be reminded of him, ruining her mood and the atmosphere.

After standing for a long time, Qin Mutian finally said, "Let's go back."

Lou Lvqiao turned his head to glance outside. He didn't know when they had already exited the highway. The road here was very simple, but it was not the worst kind of yellow mud and gravel road seen in TV documentaries. It was a black asphalt road.

At this moment, the temperature has already dropped to an extreme low. The wind blowing carries a piercing coldness, and the snow is still falling, swirling and tumbling down. She is dressed somewhat thinly, and the wind is howling, as if she could be blown away at any moment.

Are you surprised? This is the home where I have lived since I was young. Compared to your small villa in Luo Hai, it's like comparing heaven and hell.

Lou Lvqiao stood behind Qin Mutian, watching his thin back, feeling a sudden heartache and soreness in her eyes. His mother passed away when he was very young, and his father raised him and his sister alone. He had told her many times about his wish to graduate early, earn more money, and make life better for his family.

Qin Mutian finally regained his composure and turned around to leave. The conversation between the two could be heard coming from the hall.

Upon hearing Qin Mutian's words, Uncle San took it very seriously. It's inevitable to feel embarrassed when Little Tian's girlfriend comes for the first time, so it's better not to force it. He nodded and said, "Alright then. You must stay for a few more days. When the snow melts, go to your parents' grave and pay your respects so that they know you have found a good girlfriend and will soon be getting married and having children. The old Qin family needs to have descendants."

My father never knew until his death that he had taken their family's money and signed the divorce papers with her.

When I woke up, the car was still moving. Surprisingly, it was snowing outside, and large snowflakes were falling from the front of the car.

Qin Mutian found a worn-out school uniform in a small and shabby wooden cabinet. It was probably from his junior high school years, but his current body shape was not the same as before, so wearing it made him look short and funny. He skillfully brought some firewood from under the eaves and lit it neatly. After that, he burned a pot full of water.

Qin Mutian stood by the stove holding a spoon, staring at her motionlessly. The corners of his mouth slightly lifted, revealing a vague sense of bittersweet satisfaction.

She slightly moved her body, closed her eyes, and softly "mm"ed, indicating that what she just said was what she heard.

She stopped and clenched her teeth, trying hard to continue speaking with certainty, word by word, as if nothing had ever happened: "Our baby, never really existed!"

So she knows a lot about her former mother-in-law. Now, even though she goes to visit his parents in the name of friendship, it can be considered as fulfilling a promise from the past.

Lou Lvqiao bit her lower lip and reluctantly followed up.

She didn't know what had happened to herself. While on vacation in the sunny beach with a gentle breeze, she couldn't help but think of Qin Mutian.

I want you to go somewhere with me.

Qin Mutian seemed determined and said directly: "Do you think I want to take your elder brother's money? But... But what can I do? My father also had good intentions, he drove the tractor to take the villagers to the small county town. But who could have expected that, due to an unavoidable accident, not only he, but all the villagers on the vehicle fell off the cliff. People in the other vehicle also suffered casualties. He was held fully responsible by the traffic police for driving without a license. But back then, no one in our rural area had a driver's license for driving tractors..."

Recently, he often cooked soup for her to drink. However, in order to act, she would vomit nine and a half times out of ten after drinking it. But he still cooked it every time, cooled it down, and fed her sip by sip.

Lou Lvqiao forcefully pulled his own arm and said firmly, "I'm not going. Let go. We have no relationship anymore."

The sky gradually darkened.

Lou Lvqiao couldn't help but lower his eyes with a sour and astringent feeling.

Everyone deserves to be happy! It's not in vain that we have gone through such a journey of hardship!

He then picked up his chopsticks and ate voraciously, until the plate was empty.

The firewood inside the stove is burning vigorously, with flames flickering and occasionally making crisp popping sounds.

The green Qiao in the building was stunned and restless, the only thing she could do was to hold the bronze stove tightly. In her lowered eyes, there was an indescribable bitterness and astringency.

But she said to him like this: "Yes, I lied to you."

Lou Lvqiao is also swallowing hard.

The snow has temporarily stopped. However, the sky is still very dark, with a gray and gloomy atmosphere pressing down, as if snow could fall at any moment.

Actually, in this snowy weather, being embraced by the beloved one and watching the snowflakes falling from the boundless sky, piece by piece, is the most blissful and romantic thing.

Finally, the hot and steaming bok choy was taken out of the pot. She went to heat up the chicken soup again, served two bowls of rice, and brought them to the table.

Actually, many international students are very poor and have to rely on their own part-time jobs to supplement their living expenses. She didn't mind, nor did she ever think deeply about it.

In the room, it was pitch black, with only the two small windows letting in a little light. She couldn't sleep, staring wide-eyed at the dark gray wall without moving.

These three items occupy most of the space in the room. The old wall is adorned with black and white photos of his parents, evidently showing signs of age.

He will always remember how he woodenly took the check from her older brother's hand. The thin paper felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, and he held it, his hand trembling involuntarily. ... From beginning to end, he didn't look at the disdainful look in her older brother's eyes, because he didn't need to look to know...

He rarely speaks to her in such a tone. After a moment of hesitation, she reached out to pull her clothes, her fingertips touched the soft woolen fabric, and then felt the cold water-like buttons. In the end, she stopped.

This time, Qin Mutian did not forcefully grab her hand, but she followed him involuntarily.

The first thing that catches the eye is a two-story building with red bricks and gray cement floors exposed. An old man is standing under the eaves, moving dry firewood and squinting in their direction. However, in just a few seconds, the old man has already smiled and greeted them.

Anyway, it's impossible to hide forever!

Due to the heavy snowfall, the graves have been completely covered with thick snow, including the tombstones. He carefully brushed away the snow on the tombstone and placed a few branches of blooming golden winter jasmine, which he had picked near his house, in front of the tombstone.

He also didn't sleep. When he heard her words, he almost thought he was dreaming, so he had auditory hallucinations. He swallowed some saliva and moistened his throat before saying, "Xiao Qiao, what did you say?"

The environment she grew up in with him was indeed vastly different since childhood, so her parents and elder brother strongly opposed her being with him. If the situation were reversed, it would also be difficult for her to agree if she had a daughter.

Holding onto his neck, pointing at the printed list of the top 100, she coquettishly said, "From now on, we should go to every continent, okay?" He took the list, studied it for a long time, and finally replied with a simple "okay".

Qin Mutian's hand slowly reached out and held hers. Her fingertips were very cold, piercingly cold. He held it tightly, wanting to warm it up. After a while, he whispered softly, "Xiao Qiao! I'm sorry."

Lóu Lǜqiáo dīdī de tàn le kǒuqì: "Guòqù de jiù ràng tā guòqù ba. Wǒmen fàngkāi guòwàng, hǎohǎo shēnghuó ba. Mù Tiān, gěi zhè zhī zhuózi zhǎodào zuì shìhé tā de zhǔrén ba." Shuōwán, tā yòng lì chōu chū le shǒu, yìrán de xià chē ér qù.

The hand tucked in the sleeve slowly clenched into a fist. Lou Lüqiao felt as if she was shaking her head and faintly heard her own voice saying, "Don't say it anymore. It's all in the past."

Qin Mutian carried a bag on his back, nodding continuously, silently vowing in his heart to live up to his father and sister.

Accompanied by the unique and refreshing fragrance, it is hard for one to resist. She took a slow sip and it was indeed as she had imagined. The tea exuded a lingering aroma, with a hint of chrysanthemum's light and delicate flavor. After a few sips, even her body started to warm up.

Qin Mutian found a rag and began to clean up neatly.

However, who could have imagined that a sudden car accident would take my father away forever.

Qin Mutian's face was haggard, with deep-set eye sockets and a scruffy beard. It was evident that he had been having a tough time these past few days. It seemed fair enough; she would feel sad, desperate, and upset, and so would he. Now, he was not doing well either. Good, tit for tat. A wave of malicious satisfaction surged in her heart.

Qin Mutian sat silently in the car, watching her figure slowly fade away.

Lou Lüqiao quickly regained his composure, pulled up his luggage, and walked towards the main gate.

In the room, there are only two small beds placed, with a steel wire stretched between them, hanging a blue printed cloth. In addition, there is a small desk and a chair. The most valuable item in the whole room is probably the table lamp on the small table, but it can also be seen that it is a style from a long time ago.

The stove is emitting a faint white heat, and the enticing aroma fills the entire room.

Lou Luqiao didn't actually fall asleep. He was clear-minded enough to say how many times he had suppressed his cough until now. Perhaps because of his occasional return, there was only one bed in the room, and he gave it all to her, only finding a tattered blanket for himself. In this sub-zero Celsius weather, it would be strange not to catch a cold!

She still looked steadily at the dilapidated wall just a few inches away, as if she could faintly smell the sour mildew. Slowly flashing through her mind was her own bedroom in the small western-style building: the delicate floral wallpaper, the clean shining floor, the white European princess bed, the white European cabinet, the white lace canopy hanging layer by layer from the top, and the vase on the dressing table filled with flowers from her own garden, blooming luxuriantly.

She sat down as instructed, and he reached out and grabbed her foot. She looked up in surprise, curled her foot, and nervously asked, "What are you doing?"

The past events are vividly remembered, as if they happened just yesterday.

However, she is not the right person, so she cannot accept such a valuable gift.

From childhood to adulthood, stubborn Lou Lvqiao never believed in fate, but at this moment, she unexpectedly felt a sense of resignation.

Qin Mutian asked in a low voice, "Xiao Qiao, tell me, our two babies never existed, right? You have been lying to me, haven't you?"

Lou Lüqiao placed the bracelet in the empty space on the steering wheel. She turned her head and said softly, "Mu Tian, in the future, give this bracelet to your wife. I wish you happiness! May we all be happy! Goodbye."

But now, she is by his side, so warm and tender. How can he resist this temptation?

Lou Lvqiao lay on his former bed, which he shared with his sister. Only a small piece of cloth separated the two beds. The bedding was slightly damp and moldy, so he filled a copper pot with hot water and ironed the bedding inside and out. Now it was soft and warm, and she didn't want to move at all. However, his unique breath lingered strongly beside her, whether it came from the bedding or from him in his own room.

Qin Mutian looked at her in surprise as she poured the oil neatly, added the vegetables to the pot, and skillfully stir-fried them. He never knew that she had learned how to cook, let alone so proficiently.

Qin Mutian seemed to change his expression, and his smile disappeared in an instant. He politely called out, "Uncle San, how are you?"

On the table were two dishes and one soup, the most typical home-cooked style. There were vibrant green stir-fried vegetables, steamed salted fish, and a soup of ham and wild mushrooms.

His hand slowly moved down along her collar, from neck to shoulder to chest, bit by bit, sliding down. His fingertips were clearly cold, but she only felt heat. Wherever his fingertips touched, it seemed as if there were scorching hot air currents blowing from there... So hot, so hot...

She obediently took it and didn't say anything, slowly tidying up herself.

Qin Mutian watched as Uncle Sanbo's hunched figure gradually disappeared into the distance. But what flashed through his mind was his father's upright figure, thin but straight. That year, his father carried him on a tractor and sent him to the town more than ten miles away. As the first child in the town to study abroad, everyone in the village knew this good news. Along the way, people kept stopping to greet him: "Patriotic brother, your child is really impressive."

He turned and left.

The room to the east is obviously his parents' bedroom. He led her to the one on the west, which only had a small wooden window with two tiny pieces of glass letting in the light. By now, it was almost dusk and the room was already quite dark, almost approaching the darkness of night.

She raised her hand and the clothes fell to the ground the next second. She's so stubborn! Qin Mutian pulled her over, covered her with the clothes, and buttoned them up: "Dare to take them off and try."

She let him hold her hand and said, "Don't apologize anymore!"

In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed. But she actually fulfilled her promise, and he also kept his commitment, finishing all the food without leaving a single bit.

The two of them silently had their meal.

His tone was so calm and collected, as if he was telling someone else's story: "In her mind, my going to college was equivalent to her going to college. In my mind, it was the same. I always secretly told myself that others were going to college alone, but I had two people, me and my older sister. Later, I won a scholarship to Stanford..." He didn't continue, because she became a part of his life from then on. I always secretly told myself that others were going to college alone, but I had two people, me and my older sister. Later, I won a scholarship to Stanford..." He didn't continue, because she became a part of his life from then on.

As Lou Lüqiao turned his head, he saw that she was also gazing at him. The two of them had reached a dead end. There are countless paths in this world, but there is no way left for them to go.

And she shrank into the farthest corner of the wall. Whether it was the heat from the copper stove in the quilt or the fragrance on her body, he only felt hot. Suddenly, he spoke softly, "Xiao Qiao, I am not Liu Xiaohui, nor can I be Liu Xiaohui."

Is he the one who grew up in this kind of place? Lou Luqiao felt a pang of inexplicable heartache.

Long time ago, he once said to her, "Xiao Qiao, I really want to graduate soon and go back to my country. I want to take you to see my mother. I think she will be very happy, very happy to see you."

Child, in the future, you should learn from Brother Xiaotian and go to the United States to study when you grow up.

Qin Mutian nodded: "Hmm, understood!"

Uncle Asan is very enthusiastic: "Let's go, come to my house for a meal. Your Aunt Asan is already preparing the food."

Lou Lvqiao himself didn't know.

She couldn't hear very clearly and asked softly, "What?" He didn't say anything either, but poured a small amount of hot water onto her bare and smooth feet. Then he asked, "Is it hot?" She shook her head lightly. Only then did he hold her feet and put them into the hot water basin. The temperature was just right, and she felt so comfortable that she wanted to sigh.

Uncle Asan...

Dear patriotic brother, your child really makes you proud.

He firmly refused her brother's money at that time, saying, "Brother Lou, I love Xiaoqiao, not for her money or the benefits she can bring me. I just love her. Even if Xiaoqiao is very poor today, just like me, from the lowest stratum of society, I will still love her! So please don't defame her in this way, or defame me! You are Xiaoqiao's brother, you should know how wonderful she is." So please don't defame her in this way, or defame me! You are Xiaoqiao's brother, you should know how wonderful she is.

He approached slowly, breathing lightly and heavily on her bare neck. She felt itchy and hot, but couldn't distinguish between the two sensations, just feeling unbearable.

However, why did she not feel the slightest bit of joy after retaliating against him so decisively?

He was already helping her take off her boots. Upon hearing this, he lightly tugged at the corner of his mouth and smiled faintly, "Wash your feet." She was stunned for a moment before reacting and hurriedly said, "I'll do it myself."

Once thought that holding tightly would walk together for a lifetime. But who would have thought, walking, walking, we separated halfway. Now, still holding like this, will it be the same as before?

Qin Mutian said lightly, "I'm sorry, I think I understand what you mean, but I can't comply with it. Goodbye!"

Qin Mutian probably knew that she was not asleep, and a faint voice sounded: "I used to study at that desk. Sometimes there was no electricity, so I lit a candle. Actually, my sister was even better at studying than me. She ranked first every year. But the conditions didn't allow it, and she reluctantly dropped out after finishing high school. When she went to work in the south, she urged me to study hard and make sure to get into college. Do you see that desk lamp? It was bought with the first salary my sister earned from working."

The cloth cover is quite old, it seems to have been around for some years, but it is still well maintained, clean and tidy, and you can vaguely see the original pattern.

Her gaze stopped at her mother's wrist in the photo. In the faded yellowed edges of the photo, you can still clearly see the bracelet on her mother's hand, which is exactly the same as the one she is wearing now.

Lou Lüqiao woke up at noon. Although it was winter outside, the sunshine was warm and bright, gently pouring in through the small window. He was no longer there, but the warmth still lingered in the quilt. Perhaps it was because of the hot copper stove, it seemed that someone had already changed the hot water.

Qin Mutian still smiled gently, neither admitting nor denying.

The water slowly cooled down, and he went to get hot water and poured it in again. It cooled down again, and he went to get hot water again. This repeated process went on for who knows how long. Finally, he brought a towel to dry her feet carefully.

Qin Mutian said politely, "Uncle San, it's not necessary. We will be heading back soon!" Uncle San replied, "Go back? Look at how thick the snow is piled up. You must not drive back now. Although you have paid to have the road repaired, it's still difficult to drive on these mountain roads. You can afford to wait for another day or two until the snow melts before going back."

When Qin Mutian was tidying up the stove, Lou Luqiao held a warm copper stove, leaning against the door, watching the snow falling silently and silently. Just like love, when it comes, it is also silent and silent.

He somehow found a bag of dried chrysanthemum and brewed a cup of chrysanthemum tea for her. The tiny Hangzhou white chrysanthemums bloomed freely in the water, one by one, as if they were blooming beautifully on the branches.

Qin Mutian pursed his lips and remained silent. Lou Yuanqiao did not expect that he would be so difficult to deal with, raised an eyebrow and said, "Name your price!"

Qin Mutian's face suddenly changed: "No, Xiao Qiao..." He grabbed her hand and said, "Xiao Qiao, what about last night? What does it mean? Xiao Qiao, we clearly still have feelings for each other!"

At this thought, Lou Lüqiao felt as if she had been punched in the face, her eyes and nose burning hot. In order to conceal it, she reached out and took a sip, tasting it lightly.

Lou Luqiao, who returned from a vacation abroad, suddenly stopped downstairs in her own apartment, dragging her suitcase. Someone appeared in front of her like a ghost, standing like a door god in front of the door of her apartment.

At that time, when their love was at its strongest, she often hugged him from behind and coquettishly said, "Muting, if you weren't here, I would definitely starve to death."

At this moment, only Qin Mutian's bitter voice could be heard slowly saying: "You probably won't believe it, but I grew up here. Come, let me show you what the place where I lived as a child looks like."

Actually, as early as the moment they passed by each other, Lou Lvqiao's hand unconsciously clenched her bag. She somewhat expected him to come to her, so she had instructed the property to replace the door lock for her when she went out for a walk.

Qin Mutian hurriedly opened the door: "Uncle San, there's really no need. Take it back and eat it yourselves." Uncle San couldn't tolerate his refusal. He put the things in his hand on the table and said, "It's cold at night, let's cook some hot soup to drink and dispel the cold."

Unexpectedly, at this moment and in this place, Lou Lüqiao understood for the first time the good intentions of his parents.

Back then, I was too young and thought that a lifetime would come quickly. But now I realize that a lifetime is so long, and a person doesn't even know what will happen in the next second, so how can one guarantee a lifetime? Therefore, as I grow older, when I speak sweet words or make vows, I no longer use the phrase "a lifetime." Because I have learned my lesson! Therefore, as I grow older, when I speak sweet words or make vows, I no longer use the phrase "a lifetime." Because I have learned my lesson!

As they brushed past each other, Qin Mutian grabbed her wrist and said, "Give me some time, and I will tell you everything that has happened."

Lou Lvqiao was stunned. ... When she gets old, what will happen...? She doesn't even know what will happen tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, how can she think so far ahead?

But he actually used the money he earned from working to pay for her tuition for a year! Lou Lvqiao felt a sharp pain in her heart.

Because she was speaking the local dialect, she didn't know what to say, so she stood quietly beside him. Little did she know, when others looked over, they saw them as a perfect match. Due to heavy snow, everyone's doors were tightly closed. It took passing by four or five households before they encountered one or two people. He greeted them warmly with a smile, showing humility and courtesy.

Lou Yuanqiao crossed his arms and sneered, "Qiao Qiao is indeed very good, but you are not worthy of her."

Now looking at her holding the steaming cup in her hands, her face shows a satisfied expression. Qin Mutian almost wants time to freeze at this moment. He feels that this moment is so beautiful, afraid that once it passes, it will be hard to find again.

And he was only wearing a thin white shirt. When the wind blew, the shirt puffed up and filled with wind.

The two sat quietly facing each other, without touching their chopsticks. After a while, Lou Lüqiao picked up her chopsticks and said softly, "Let's eat."

The green qiao said softly, "It's okay." She skillfully peeled off the dry leaves outside.

He walked very slowly, using a thick branch to explore the truth while walking, sometimes having to push aside the branches and leaves on the path. But no matter how difficult it was, he held her tightly and protected her all the way.

He did love her indeed, and they did love each other indeed. This was enough for her.

The car drove out of the city, entered the highway, and headed north all the way. Both of them remained silent, and there was a suffocating chill in the small space of the car.

The next day, Qin Mutian took her to pay respects to his parents. He gazed at her with gentle eyes and said, "My father had always wanted to meet you. If you don't mind, could you accompany me to visit them? I hope..." He paused for a moment and continued, "I hope you can grant me this request!"

Qin Mutiandao: "Uncle San! Next time. She is very shy, so let's not go. I'll just cook something simple."

She rushed over and beat him: "What do you mean by risking your life? You...you explain it to me clearly!" He just laughed, laughed uncontrollably, laughed out loud, letting her beat and hit him. She was angry and said, "Speak, speak quickly. Otherwise, otherwise I won't talk to you anymore." He kept laughing and finally picked her up.

Because I had no other choice. Yes, I was despicable, I was shameless, I know. It was me who willingly gave up our relationship. But at that time, what else could I do, what else...

Actually, I have been to your house, but I have never told you. It was during the summer vacation of our first year of dating. Those few days when you were not around, you went on a trip to Europe with your parents, and your brother brought me to your house. I knew his intention was to make me realize the vast difference between our families, and to make me voluntarily break up with you.

After a long time, Qin Mutian said again: "Wearing so little clothes can easily lead to arthritis and rheumatism. When you get old, you will suffer."

Uncle Asan was obviously both surprised and happy: "Xiaotian, how come you have time to come back to your hometown today? It's so cold, and you're dressed so lightly, be careful not to catch a cold." While speaking, his gaze moved to Lou Lvqiao, with obvious joy in his eyes. He smiled and said, "You even brought your girlfriend with you! Good, good, good!"

In this relationship, there is no right or wrong. Big brother and parents are not at fault, they are afraid that she will suffer because they love her. He is not at fault either. Under the circumstances at that time, being in a long-distance relationship, she might have made the same choice.

Lou Lvqiao curled up her body, hesitated for a long time, and finally spoke: "You... come here." Her voice was hoarse and gloomy, and it didn't sound like it came from her.

If it weren't for what happened back then, he and she might have had their own baby by now. However, however, who can know the outcome!

Later, Qin Mutian finally finished tidying up, and then brought over a large basin of hot water. He also brought over a small chair, sat down, and said, "Come, have a seat."

After just a short while, he had finished cleaning up neatly. He brought over a basin of hot water and said, "Wash your face." Naturally, there were no new towels, so he wrung out the one he had used before and handed it to her, saying, "Just this one. You can make do with it."

He has talked a lot about his mother. His mother is a famous beauty in the village. She is skillful and can knit the most beautiful sweaters with the cheapest yarn in the village, make the most durable cloth shoes for him, and cook the most delicious meals for him. In his mind, his mother is always incomparable.

Next second, a warm object wrapped around her. It turned out that Qin Mutian had draped his coat over her. He only said two words briefly: "Put it on."

Originally, many things have indeed changed. Only he has been foolishly thinking that nothing has changed.

His older sister is disabled, his father was hit and became a vegetable - he was forced into a corner by reality. Perhaps, everything is just fate. In the end, he still chose to take that path, took the money from the Lou family, and broke up with her.

When I was young, my grandmother loved to drink chrysanthemum tea. Every afternoon, she would brew a pot of it and enjoy some cakes and biscuits while drinking the tea. She also taught me: "Hangbai chrysanthemum, cool and bitter in nature, enters the lung and liver meridians, disperses wind, clears heat, and has the functions of improving vision and detoxification. It regulates lung qi, stops coughing, and clears the heat in the three burners."

Finally, Lou Luqiao decided to return to Luohai.

Let the past be the past.

Green Qiao's breathing gradually became steady. Qin Mutian listened attentively. On such a night of raging snow, she listened to his story behind a curtain, and he felt extremely happy.

It was probably a habit developed around that time. She also loved to drink chrysanthemum tea. Over time, in the office, everyone knew that she only drank two kinds of beverages: one was coffee, and the other was chrysanthemum tea. Just like her personality, these two contradictory types naturally combined together.

Delicious and fragrant, this chicken soup is so appetizing, but at this moment, it feels like a thick phlegm stuck in the throat, making it difficult to swallow.

Mr. Qin, I don't think it's necessary anymore. We have already made ourselves clear. Please leave immediately and never appear in front of my house again. Otherwise, don't blame me for calling security.

On the way back, the snow started to fall again, fluttering down without stopping.

One can stand by the roadside and look up to see the misty mountains in the distance, as if in another world. If it weren't for the inappropriate situation and context, she would have exclaimed how beautiful it is.

Her fingers touched the cool surface of the bracelet. She had once wanted to throw it away, but perhaps from wearing it for so long, it had become a habit. She found herself reluctant to part with it. With a bitter smile, she pulled hard with her right hand, and the silver bracelet slowly slid off her hand.

The Lou family has had only boys for generations, until his father's generation, which had only one daughter. Therefore, the entire family treasures her as if she were something precious, especially her grandmother, who is afraid of melting her in her mouth or dissolving her in her hands. Even if she wants the moon in the sky, they will do everything possible to get it for her.

From a distance, I could hear Uncle Asan's voice getting closer and closer: "Xiaotian, Xiaotian, your Aunt Asan asked me to bring the chicken to you. If you don't want it, return it to her. There are also some dried mushrooms, homemade salted fish, and salted meat. And these greens and Chinese cabbage."

But for him and her, this kind of scene brings a different kind of sadness and sorrow. The two of them used to embrace each other and talk about watching the sunrise, the sea, the snow, and all the beautiful scenery in the world together. I still remember that year, she printed out the top 100 must-visit vacation spots in the world from a certain website's forum comments.

He muttered, "No, it's all my fault. If back then--"

Love without blessings, finally failed to bear fruit.

Qin Mutian said softly, "Mom, Dad, I've brought Xiao Qiao to see you."

She could hardly believe what she saw, such a low and dilapidated mud-brick house, such a rundown house—she had only seen it before in poverty documentaries on TV.

After the reunion of the two, she has never revealed this skill. He always thought she was still the same as in California, burning even rice and making it either overcooked or undercooked.

The house is extremely simple, with only three small rooms. The first thing that catches the eye in the main room is a large stove, next to which is a low wooden cabinet for bowls and chopsticks, with a grayish color that seems to have been around for many years. There is also a square Eight Immortals table in the main room, also in a dull gray color.

My father always wanted to see her back then. But in the end, he only showed her a photo of the two of them together. Finally, my father smiled with contentment and peacefully closed his eyes. This scene seems to be right in front of me, but in the blink of an eye, so many years have passed.

He has always been a filial person, responsible, and diligent.

This is the first time, and it is also the last time he took her there.

Great, isn't it? Both of them kept their promises! How wonderful! Lou Lüqiao smiled, but tears silently fell.

The green Joe slowly closed his eyes and said sadly, "Don't say it anymore."

Mr. Asan.

If the two people had not met back then, would they be happier now? Each of them would be with their own lover, living a plain life forever.

She has always known that his family background is not good. She knew it from the beginning when they first met. But she never knew that his family background was so bad.

But who can really know whether those days are truly happy? Without experiencing them firsthand, who can truly understand? After all, he and she finally met!

To think that such days will never come again in this lifetime.

The relatives of those deceased individuals come to the hospital every day, demanding a substantial compensation from us. But I am still studying, and even if I were to drop out immediately, I wouldn't be able to come up with any money. Xiao Qiao, I know, I have let you down. Because I knew very well that taking that money would be a dead end for us. But I still took it.

Lou Lüqiao put down his chopsticks, entered the room, leaned against the door panel and breathed heavily.

In the warm quilt, there was her fragrance everywhere, fragrant and faint, overwhelming. He stiffened his body, leaning against the edge of the bed, trying to stay as far away from her as possible, avoiding any contact with her.

Another copper kettle was found from somewhere. It was carefully cleaned and filled with hot water. A specially made thick cloth cover was put on, and it was handed to her, saying, "Be careful not to burn yourself. Warm your hands."

Lou Lvqiao remained silent. The room was very quiet, and the cold wind was blowing against two small windows, making a whooshing sound.

Lou Lvqiao replied softly after a few seconds: "Okay!"

Lou Lüqiao sat on a long wooden bench, with his coat wrapped around him, holding a large, hot copper kettle, staring fixedly at the tip of his shoe, lost in thought.

Qin Mutian served her a bowl of soup: "Take a few sips first to warm up." The thick white soup had a layer of golden oil flowers floating on the surface. He sprinkled a little green onion on it. Just by looking at the color, it was already extremely tempting. Due to the stewing of salted meat and wild mushrooms together, it combined the salty fragrance of the salted meat and the dry fragrance of the wild mushrooms. Just the smell alone made one's appetite soar.

The cold wind is whistling, blowing the trees around to make a whistling sound. He stood alone in front, with a monotonous and sad figure.

The two stood silently in the room, so quiet that they could hear each other's heartbeat rhythm clearly. It was unnecessary to say anything more.

Qin Mutian started to help her knead, very carefully, one toe after another, even rubbing carefully into the fine seams. The fingertips carried the temperature of the water, gentle and slow, treating it as if it were a rare treasure.

Outside the window, snowflakes are dancing, swirling and falling.

At a few moments, Lou Luqiao felt an impulse to reach out and gently stroke his back, wiping away his profound sorrow.

Even in the sweet days between the two, he rarely mentioned to her the environment he grew up in. Occasionally, when she asked, he would casually say, "One word, poor. Two words, very poor."

Such comfort and warmth, such contentment, she almost didn't want to wake up, so she simply closed her eyes again.

Qin Mutian reached out his hand and firmly held hers: "The road is difficult to walk." His hand was warm, and she let him hold it as they walked together, one step at a time. Perhaps this was their final journey.

During the silence, a hearty voice from outside the house said, "Xiao Tian."

Over the years, he has only had her. Shao Mingzhong always finds it unbelievable. He said, desire is just like drugs. Once touched and tasted, it is generally impossible to quit. But Shao Mingzhong does not know that as long as a man is willing, willingly willing, he can do it.

Father himself was seriously injured and admitted to the intensive care unit, in critical condition at any time. My sister... My sister was already disabled at that time, but the responsible boss ran away. I was abroad, but I had no idea because my father and sister didn't want to tell me, fearing it would affect my studies.

However, Qin Mutian was unusually strong and stubborn this time, and he pulled her into the car.

Father laughed so much that the corners of his mouth lifted. When they arrived at the only run-down station in town, Father repeatedly reminded him, "Your father doesn't know anything and can't teach you anything. But remember, no matter what you do, you must not disgrace your parents. Study hard. In short, in short, don't worry about the family, understand?"