Chapter 3, Seven Injuries Fist

He began to play the game of teasing her again. She often became so angry that her face turned red, threatening to tell her parents, yet she never took action. He thought they could remain in that summer forever

Shen Junhe quickened his pace, took the car keys, and ran outside without looking back. A voice came from outside the door, "Just step out for a moment"

Xin Yitian found it somewhat amusing and exasperating, "Of course, I am full."

So you are always this happy

Xie turned to look at her, raised an eyebrow and said, "I will treat you to Haagen-Dazs after we finish eating"

The two individuals decided to return to Xin's home, or more accurately, to Shen's home. Upon learning that they were going to Shanglin, Wang Yishi exclaimed, "That's great! I have something to attend to there as well, but I will drive myself. I was just looking for a companion, as driving for seven or eight hours alone is truly exhausting. When are you leaving? I can adjust to your schedule."

Standing in front of the iron gate of the Shen family courtyard, Xin Yitian hesitated to ring the bell. Xin's mother, knowing they were coming, had been looking forward to it since early morning, attentively listening to the sounds outside. Upon hearing the sound of a car, she hurried out, opened the door, and upon seeing them, smiled with joy, playfully saying, "What are you doing standing outside like a fool? Come in, come in." As she spoke, she reached out to take the luggage from Wei Xian's hand, asking him, "Are you tired from the journey?"

Well, how should I put it, you must believe that you are happy, and gradually, you will truly become happy. He gives off a feeling of being too silent and gloomy, and Xin Yitian, in the role of an elder, attempts to enlighten him

He smiled and made a gesture of invitation, opening the car door for her

Xie stood beside her, leaning on the handrail, looking down at her, and said softly: "I haven't thanked you yet for the elective course matter."

6:30. Before going to the airport, I still need to return to Shenjia. I’m afraid I won’t have time to eat, maybe next time.

She decided to play a joke on Xie De. She ran to the public telephone booth to call him, deliberately lowering her voice and saying: "Is this classmate Xie De? This is the department office."

When?

She spoke up, her voice very soft, "I am getting married, the wedding is scheduled for December 18th, and you are welcome to attend." After saying this, she hailed a taxi and left

She has no expertise in cuisine, only knowing that it is authentic French cuisine; however, she is quite knowledgeable about wine. France is renowned for its wine, and she has had the fortune to taste some rare vintages, yet none compare to the bottle she is drinking tonight

Xin Yitian secretly praised his quick reaction and immediately said: "No, it is not allowed"

Mother Xin cautiously said: "Jun'an, are you feeling any better today?"

If you think that not graduating is also a trivial matter

The conversation at the dining table revolves mainly around trivial matters related to work and life. Everyone seems to lack enthusiasm for discussion, hastily finishing their meal and concluding dinner

You have not completed the required credits for your elective courses, and it is likely that you will have to postpone your graduation

After a while, a woman dressed in pajamas, her complexion pale, floated into the living room like a ghost. Upon entering, she said to Shen Jiashan, who was watching the news, "Could you turn down the volume on the TV a bit? I have a headache; it's too noisy." Shen Jiashan let out a slight sigh, turned off the television, and sat down at the dining table

Previously, both I and Old Shen were opposed to their marriage. That man is not a good person; he deceived Jun'an into getting pregnant, and now they have no choice but to marry. He gambled away all of Jun'an's dowry and then turned around to demand a divorce. Jun'an refused to agree. Old Shen was so furious that he was beside himself, regretting his poor judgment for marrying his daughter off to such a beast, and he forced Jun'an to get a divorce. This child, Jun'an, despite everything, did not want to separate, and instead, she grew to resent Old Shen.

You are still short of 1.5 credits in the arts category

He smiled, "Perhaps it is because I sincerely want to invite you to dinner. However, I am not sure if it has touched you."

The scene began to grow chaotic and fragmented. Countless people surged towards him, surrounding him in the center, pointing and gesticulating, their words a jumble of incoherence. Meanwhile, she, dressed in a dress and barefoot, walked away from him, growing increasingly distant. No matter how he called out, she never turned back, vanishing like a green light in an instant

He was quite surprised that the school's call had actually reached his personal mobile phone. Without having time to ponder, he politely said: "This is I. May I ask what the matter is?"

"You are hypnotizing me right now," he said, and unexpectedly kissed her. He extended his tongue to lick the remnants of ice cream from the corner of her mouth, then placed his hand on her waist, adjusting her position to better align with his. He had been planning this for a long time, so he was adept at it, leaving her no room to resist.

The secretary knocked and entered to inform him of the meeting, abruptly interrupting his impulse. He gestured for the secretary to prepare a cup of tea for him, a habit he had developed over years of attending meetings

She rested her chin on her hand in a thoughtful manner, "Well, this..."

Before finishing work, Xin Yitian received a call from Xie De, who said he wanted to make up for the dinner she missed yesterday.

Thank you for quickly going to open the door, bringing over two cups of Haagen-Dazs on a tray

Mother Xin called out "Jun An" from behind, and Shen Jianshan impatiently said, "Don't mind her, let's eat." He was utterly disappointed in his children. However, no matter how unaccomplished they were, they were still his own flesh and blood.

After finishing their meal, the two took a walk in the yard, with the sounds of insects and frogs occasionally ringing in their ears. In the corner of the wall stood a beautiful wicker swing, shaped like an egg shell, adorned with a layer of plush cushions and a backrest. She took off her shoes and climbed up, finding herself sinking into it so deeply that she almost couldn't get out, exclaiming repeatedly, "Wow, this is so comfortable!"

She made an "OK" gesture and said, "It's just a small matter, nothing to be concerned about"

Waking up feeling utterly unwell, his throat felt as if it were engulfed in flames, accompanied by a headache and a sense of despair. The boundless darkness enveloped the empty room, leaving him all alone. Sensing the smell of alcohol on his body, he got up to take a shower. Standing in the steamy bathroom, he gazed at his indistinct reflection in the mirror, and the people and events from his dreams resurfaced in his mind, as vivid as if they had occurred just yesterday

The two individuals arrived at a siheyuan near Houhai. Xin Yitian peeked through the half-open door and looked inside; the decor and furnishings were completely unlike those of a restaurant. He asked suspiciously, "We haven't come to the wrong place, have we?"

Yes, I came back to see my mother and also to visit He Zhen

"Sure." He said nonchalantly

Ah, I am very sorry, I have an appointment with someone." She noticed Xie's displeasure and quickly reassured him: "How about tomorrow? I will treat you.

As usual, the evening was spent socializing and entertaining. He returned home inebriated, not even changing his clothes, and collapsed onto the bed, falling asleep. He had a very long dream. At first, he was only four or five years old, riding on his brother's shoulders to steal grapes from someone else's yard. After stealing, they stuffed the grapes into their clothes and ran home, not bothering to wash them, and sat side by side under a tree to eat. Just as they were about to finish, his eyes darted around, and he told his brother that their mother had called for him. By the time his brother returned, there was only a pile of grape skins left on the ground. At first, he was only four or five years old, riding on his brother's shoulders to steal grapes from someone else's yard. After stealing, they stuffed the grapes into their clothes and ran home, not bothering to wash them, and sat side by side under a tree to eat. Just as they were about to finish, his eyes darted around, and he told his brother that their mother had called for him. By the time his brother returned, there was only a pile of grape skins left on the ground

He gazed deeply at her, as if there were a thousand words in his eyes. Under his intense stare, Xin Yitian could not bear it and lowered her head as if to escape. The two remained silent, neither of them speaking, until the sound of knocking on the door interrupted their divergent thoughts

Alright, alright, if you are angry, I can apologize. However, you are still short 1.5 credits for your elective art course, and that is true; the notice has been posted. Remember to ask the teacher for a make-up exam. " After saying this, she was about to hang up the phone, but Xie hurriedly said, "Wait a minute, how do you know I don't have enough credits? Are you in college?"

She let out a sigh of relief, surprise temporarily replacing her embarrassment, "Can Haagen-Dazs also be ordered for delivery?"

What about Shen Junhe

"No." She said with a stern face and an expressionless demeanor

The scene suddenly shifted, and he transformed into a rebellious youth. A young girl with a ponytail, carrying a backpack, came to tutor him. He appeared before her with a green snake coiled around his arm, intending to scare her away; while she went to the restroom, he poured tomato juice on her chair, and when she sat down, he innocently reminded her. In a show of defiance, he stuck his chewed gum in her hair and rudely urged her to leave. The next day, she came with her hair cut short, dressed in a windbreaker, ready to face his challenge like the goddess of war, Athena.

Mother Xin nodded: "She treasures this daughter very much and is reluctant to let anyone hold her easily. I do not dare to intervene too much. This child does not know what is wrong; she cries as soon as night falls"

However, she cannot allow the Wei family to look down upon her. Last time, Wei Xian mentioned that she had contributed to the renovation costs, and therefore wanted her name added to the property deed, which resulted in opposition from various relatives in the family. Fortunately, she has a broad-minded disposition and jokingly said: "Whether or not my name is added has nothing to do with whether we can grow old together, nor does it affect our marriage registration. So it is best to keep the property deed unchanged to avoid trouble." On the other hand, Wei Xian was very insistent, stating that once they are married, he must add her name.

After work, everyone went downstairs together, chatting and laughing along the way. She felt downcast, walking at the back with her head lowered. Suddenly, the sound of a car horn startled her, prompting her to quickly step aside. A black Mercedes slowly approached and stopped about one meter away from her. The window rolled down, and Xie De, wearing sunglasses, turned his head in her direction. She was taken aback, "Oh, how come you are here?" The window rolled down, and Xie De, wearing sunglasses, turned his head in her direction. She was taken aback, "Oh, how come you are here?"

She did not believe that the president of the Xie Group had the time to notice such an inconspicuous notice. After thinking for a moment, she decided to stop by the department office to inquire how many credits Xie De still needed. The student working at the department office informed her that elective courses are divided into four major categories: Humanities and History, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Arts. It is not sufficient to simply complete the required total credits; rather, a certain number of credits must be achieved in each category to graduate. Xie De had completed the total required credits, but most of them were in the Natural Sciences and Social Sciences categories, leaving him short by 1.5 credits in the Arts category. It is not sufficient to simply complete the required total credits; rather, a certain number of credits must be achieved in each category to graduate. Xie De had completed the total required credits, but most of them were in the Natural Sciences and Social Sciences categories, leaving him short by 1.5 credits in the Arts category

She could not help but stop in her tracks, turning her head to look at Xie De, confirming that she was not dreaming in broad daylight

They haven't made things difficult for you, have they

The clear laughter of the other party came through the phone, "Hey, Xiao Xie, don't be so serious. It's not wrong for you to call me teacher. I used to give you tutoring classes, you haven't forgotten, have you?"

If you promise to take me to Haagen-Dazs." After teasing him, she couldn't help but clap her hands and laugh, looking innocent and adorable

He patiently waited for her to make a decision

Where is Qiqi? Is she asleep? Seeing that she did not respond, Mother Xin hurriedly placed a bowl of turtle soup in front of her. Upon smelling the fishy odor, she frowned and tipped the bowl over into the trash can at her feet, saying, "I won't eat this." She had a few bites of the vegetables but did not touch the rice before leaving.

There is nothing wrong with this; after all, a person's life is either self-hypnosis or being hypnotized by others. What matters is to ensure that one can get by.

The entire courtyard was occupied by only the two of them. The clothes drying on the rooftop and the unfinished game of chess on the coffee table in the corridor indicated that someone lived here. The decorations in the courtyard, whether the painted walls, the wind chimes under the eaves, or the carvings on the doors and windows, were all exquisitely crafted, showcasing the owner's elegant and unique taste. A row of red lanterns hung along the path, and various flower pots lined the cobblestone walkway. At the corner, an archway made of green plants suddenly appeared before her eyes, adorned with blooming red and white flowers. Looking up and around, the stars twinkled like rain overhead, and in the distance, the lights flickered faintly, creating a scene that felt dreamlike. This was perhaps a paradise beyond the world.

He began to feel that something was amiss. Failing a major course could be made up with a retest, let alone a trivial elective course. The contact number he left at the school was for external communications, and it was impossible for anyone to reach his personal phone. Moreover, the school would not notify students about insufficient credits via phone. Realizing that he had been played, his expression changed, and he coldly asked, "Who are you?"

Being teased by her like this, Xie was left in a state of both laughter and tears, and he huffed, "Hey, don't joke around like that"

"Old Shen is quite good," Mother Xin said at the end

It was not until she could no longer breathe that she awoke, began to struggle, and signaled for him to let her go

It was merely an ordinary conversation, yet Xin Yitian's heart suddenly raced. To alleviate this unexpected sense of pressure, she pretended to be cheerful and said, "Did you not just invite me to dinner?"

Mother Xin smiled, "The meal will be ready soon. This morning, I specifically went to the fish market in the south to buy a large soft-shelled turtle, and it is currently being stewed." Turning her head to look closely at her daughter's face illuminated by the hallway light, she said with concern, "Why are you so thin? Haven't you had enough to eat outside?"

Seeing that she had been silent, he cautiously asked, "Is the food not to your taste?"

"Auntie, I can do it myself, I can do it myself." Wei Xian quickly took it into his hands to divert her attention, "I'm not tired, just a bit hungry."

The troubled and perilous adolescence gradually faded away amidst her nonsensical humor and companionship. That summer was both sultry and hot, with the cicadas in the trees creating a cacophony that was quite irritating. She fell asleep on his English textbook, unaware of what she was dreaming about, her face adorned with a sweet smile. He felt his heart suddenly racing, and braving the scorching sun, he dashed outside. The weather in June was as unpredictable as his emotions; suddenly, thunder roared and lightning flashed, followed by a torrential downpour. Soaked to the skin, he had no choice but to run back.

Xin Yitian quickly put on her shoes, ran to the stone table under the wisteria trellis, and happily began to eat ice cream. "There are two kinds of food in the world that can bring happiness, do you know what they are?" She did not wait for Xie to respond and continued on her own: "One is chocolate, and the other is ice cream. As long as they exist, no matter how bad life gets, I will not despair"

Xin Yitian shook her head, "That's not possible, I have a flight back to Beijing tonight, and I have to work tomorrow"

Xin Yitian quickly interrupted her, "That is due to the fatigue from the journey."

According to general customs, when two people get married, the groom's family provides a house, while the bride's family is expected to contribute at least a moderately priced car. Her father passed away when she was in middle school, and her mother, a primary school teacher, has not seen her salary exceed two thousand yuan in twenty years. Should she ask her stepfather, Shen Jiashan, for help? The money for her first year of studying abroad was paid by Shen Jiashan, and at that time, she was not financially independent, which still weighs heavily on her mind. Therefore, even if Shen Jiashan were to present her with a Rolls-Royce, she would absolutely refuse it. The money for her first year of studying abroad was paid by Shen Jiashan, and at that time, she was not financially independent, which still weighs heavily on her mind. Therefore, even if Shen Jiashan were to present her with a Rolls-Royce, she would absolutely refuse it

"Why do you always appear at just the right moment?" Xin Yitian looked at him and smiled, her eyes filled with wonder and joy

"Where shall we eat?" Xin Yitian asked, looking at the fleeting skyscrapers on both sides of the road.

Xin Yitian did not know how to describe her shock. Everything before her felt like a dream, yet also like a poem. She had never been treated so lavishly and thoughtfully by anyone before. She was filled with surprise, yet also with trepidation. In order to prevent her mundane and ordinary self from ruining the atmosphere, she chose to say nothing and do nothing. She ate whenever the knife was lifted, and drank whenever the cup was raised. In order to prevent her mundane and ordinary self from ruining the atmosphere, she chose to say nothing and do nothing. She ate whenever the knife was lifted, and drank whenever the cup was raised

She quickly shook her head and made a playful expression, "One should not speak while eating, nor talk while sleeping." In reality, her heart raced like a deer, feeling inexplicably tense. Usually calm and composed, she was far from her usual self tonight, either spilling water on the tablecloth or bumping her knee against the table. It was only when her empty stomach was filled with delicious food that her uneasy emotions began to ease.

Equally, after all, he is not home from morning till night

He pondered for a moment and asked, "Teacher, may I ask if it is possible to take a makeup exam?"

He suddenly felt that he could no longer endure it. If he wanted something, he should strive for it, after all, she had never cared about him from the beginning to the end. Why should he be concerned about these things?

In the context of filling in the blanks for ancient poetry, he always loses points. She teaches him how to memorize: "The belt gradually widens, yet I have no regrets, for I have grown thin for her." This refers to weight loss, which she is currently undertaking; "The road is long and winding, yet I shall seek diligently up and down." This speaks to not knowing on which floor the elevator will stop; "The sun rises in the east while it rains in the west, it is said to be overcast yet there is sunshine." This is the weather forecast from the meteorological station

Xin Yitian leaned against the headboard, gazing at the wrinkles on her mother's face, and thought to herself: this is not necessarily a bad thing. She pulled the blanket and lay down, softly saying: "Mom, you should go to bed early and not tire yourself out. I need to sleep too"

She did not know why, but she felt as if she had been punched, her vision filled with stars, unable to stand or sit steadily

Xin Yitian has been feeling quite troubled lately

Xin Yitian lowered his head to look at his feet. To his surprise, there was no response, neither blame nor shock. After about a minute, which felt like half a century, she stood up and walked outside, taking slow, deliberate steps. Xie De silently followed behind her. She passed by his car without stopping. Xie De hurriedly ran forward, reaching out to pull her back. She desperately shrank away, and he had no choice but to give up. She passed by his car without stopping. Xie De hurriedly ran forward, reaching out to pull her back. She desperately shrank away, and he had no choice but to give up.

The seven-injury fist she struck first harms herself, then harms others

Shen Jiashan came out upon hearing the sound. He was in his sixties, with graying hair, a slender figure, and his gaze remained sharp. His thinking was still clear, and although he had some minor ailments, he did not have any serious health issues. When Xin Yitian saw him, he politely called out "Uncle Shen." He warmly invited the two to sit down and said, "Let's talk while seated, let's talk while seated."

The car drove southward, and the monotonous and similar scenery along the way made Xin Yitian feel drowsy. At first, it was Wang Yishi who was driving, but as she continued, her eyelids grew heavier, prompting Wei Xian to engage her in conversation to keep her awake. After stopping at a rest area for a meal, they switched to Wei Xian driving. Compared to Wang Yishi's reckless driving, Wei Xian drove with the same steadiness as his character, and thus the group did not arrive at Shanglin until after dark.

He immediately said, "I will return to school in the evening; how about we have a meal together?"

Xin Yitian was momentarily taken aback. She caught a whiff of that mysterious scent emanating from him again, this time more distinctly, confirming that the aroma she had perceived last time was not a figment of her imagination. What exactly was that fragrance? Lavender? Rosemary? Bergamot? No, no, no; those were all too overpowering

He gently moved the hair that covered her face to her shoulder, his gaze resembling the rippling water under the moonlight, filled with tender emotions

Upon entering the room, one finds around one hundred candles lit, elegantly displayed in antique-style metal candle holders. The dim light renders everything surreal, evoking a sense of uncertainty akin to "flowers are not flowers, mist is not mist." The meal is already set on the table, presented in Western style, while another long wooden table is lined with a selection of foreign wines.

Xin Yitian, feeling extremely bored, could only wander around alone in her senior year. She stood in front of the bulletin board of the School of Management, reading the various announcements of the department. Even the monotonous and tedious notices, course schedules, and transcripts seemed to be filled with interest. In the lower left corner, there was a yellow urgent notice, mostly covered by a meeting notice from the department office, stating: The following students have not completed the credits for their elective courses. To avoid affecting normal graduation, please contact the course instructor for a make-up exam as soon as possible. Below was a long list of names, with Xie De's name glaringly at the end.

Wei Xian returned to Beijing the next afternoon. Xin Yitian had intended to spend more time with her mother, so she took a day off. However, the oppressive atmosphere of the Shen family and the child's incessant crying throughout the night made her prefer to share a dormitory with He Zhen rather than return to the Shen family home.

Xie De silently hung up the phone and turned to look out the window. Outside, the sky was clear and bright, with vibrant flowers and lush willows, full of life. The thought of being confined in this office day after day, endlessly attending meetings and signing documents, ignited a growing impulse to escape within him, growing faster and faster, until he wanted to disregard everything and appear before her.

Since middle school, Xin Yitian has been living in a dormitory at school, and the Shen family does not have a room exclusively for her, so she shares a guest room like Wei Xian. The cries of the child in the next room have been incessant, making it impossible for her to fall asleep. Xin's mother knocked on the door and came in, sitting quietly at the head of her bed, saying: "Jun'an is also quite pitiful; she got divorced less than six months after the child was born. Everyone should be a bit more understanding of her."

"The children are already here, why get a divorce?"

At Shenjiashan, seeing his son changing his shoes, he said with an unhappy expression: "It's time to eat, where are you going again?"

He Zhen stayed on campus to teach and lived in the faculty dormitory. A student openly questioned her in class, asking if she had prepared her lesson, which made her so angry that her face turned green. Xin Yitian patted her on the shoulder and said, "You are still young and inexperienced. Next time someone dares to disrespect you, just threaten to fail them." He Zhen was mainly responsible for the experimental classes, and her schedule on Monday was the busiest, with three classes conducting experiments. She had to eat lunch in the office, leaving her no time to pay attention to Xin Yitian, who was just a bystander.

Xin Yitian found herself in a difficult situation and ultimately said it was not possible. She had made plans with Wei Xian to go out for Thai food. Although they lived in the same city, such formal dates were quite rare. However, Wei Xian called to say that there was an urgent matter at the company, and the dinner that evening had to be canceled. Feeling downcast after work, she had originally planned to rush home and dress up nicely for the date, but now she could only go shopping and eat street food with her colleagues.

Xin Yitian asked Wei Xian for his opinion, and he said that they could save on airfare, so why not go for it. She had no choice but to agree. On a Saturday morning, the three of them set off from Beijing

Xin Yitian has been hesitant about her proposal. In terms of personality, temperament, and personal circumstances, the two are not of the same kind. At first, she declined with the excuse of "I am troubling you too much." However, Wang Yishi called and sincerely said, "It is not you who are troubling me, but I need your help. Your boyfriend can drive, right? I cannot drive that far alone."

The female colleagues all silently formed an "Wow—" shape with their mouths upon seeing him, and whispered to her with raised eyebrows, "Is this your boyfriend? No wonder you've been hiding him and reluctant to bring him out. Totally shocked." After teasing her, everyone left with great tact.

"Hi, I have been here for so many years, what is there to be difficult about?" Mother Xin smiled at her. Xin Yitian felt that her mother's smile was somewhat forced.

She has returned, reappearing before him, taking the initiative to call him, and that is sufficient

After sending them to their destination, Wang Yishi drove away alone

The complexion is also poor. The body is the foundation of the revolution

Xin Yitian listened to the matters concerning the Shen family, feeling as if it were a soap opera playing out on television, and did not express any opinion on it. The child next door was quiet for a while, then started crying again. She rubbed her brow and asked: "Why is she crying so hard? Is she taking care of it all by herself?"

"I will return to Shanglin tomorrow," he said word by word, "Is it not possible to change the appointment?"

Xin Yitian helped her mother bring the dishes to the table. A young man in his twenties, wearing a pearlescent royal blue shirt, descended from upstairs, exuding a pleasant fragrance, with his hair slicked back. Upon closer inspection, she recognized that this flamboyantly dressed man was Shen Junhe

Self-hypnosis? He cannot agree with that

The environment here is relatively quiet

He opened the car door and stepped out, removed his sunglasses, and walked up to her. In front of her many colleagues, he asked her: "Can we reschedule now?" His tone was polite, and his actions were very gentlemanly

I have calculated the credits for the elective courses, and they are sufficient regardless of the circumstances