Chapter 06 Between a Kiss

Upon hearing this, Du Fanghua was momentarily taken aback, and for a time, she found herself at a loss for words

On the second day after returning, Du Weian resumed work at the Fang family and, on behalf of the Fang family, donated a substantial amount of funds and supplies to assist the disaster-stricken areas

It is said that when you truly find a beloved in this world, it is as if two semicircles have come together to form a complete circle, perfectly fitting together

She leaned forward and blocked his lips. It was so sudden that Du Weian was taken aback for a second. ... The warm, soft lips on his ... . ... There is nothing more enticing in the world than this ... . Du Weian trembled as he embraced her slender waist and kissed her passionately ... ...

I felt her gradually waking up in my arms. She remained still for a long time before getting up

Du Fanghua suppressed all her emotions: "Weian, you know very well that she hates the Du family, hates me, and wishes to skin me alive and eat my flesh." Du Weian sat still, not refuting or defending himself.

These are the happiest days of her life, apart from her childhood.

Du Weian did not know how to explain it to his family, and thereafter he moved in with her in the apartment

The three-bedroom, two-living-room apartment resembled a model home showcased in a real estate development, so clean that it felt devoid of any human presence. Du Weian said, "After purchasing this place, I will come over from time to time to stay for a while." Noticing Shen Ningxia's surprise, he seemed to explain, "Everyone needs a private space free from others."

Du Weian captured the scene of snowflakes falling from the sky with his mobile phone, also recording the beautiful expression of Shen Ningxia with her hands outstretched, patiently waiting for the snowflakes to descend

Two people hummed a tune, walking one after the other along the mountain path, descending steadily. At a spot halfway up the mountain, they spotted a beautiful flower. The petals were a delicate, droplet-like pale yellow, swaying gently in the breeze. Ningxia fell in love at first sight: "Brother Weian, I will go pick it."

A warm breath brushed against Shen Ningxia's neck, tickling her to the point of desperately trying to evade it: "Don't make a fuss." Du Weian kissed her neck like a woodpecker, lingering tenderly for a moment: "I need to go on a business trip to Luohai for a few days"

Later, Shen Ningxia still accompanied Du Weian on a business trip to Luohai

Louis Zhou glanced at Xu Lianzhen beside Jiang Zhengnan and laughed heartily: "Jiang, in this day and age, who would complain about having too many beautiful women around? Of course, there are exceptions for those who have someone to support them." Jiang Zhengnan was momentarily taken aback by his last remark and fell silent. He calmly raised his glass to toast Louis Zhou: "Lu, I will remember this statement."

Wei An, your aunt and uncle will grow old, and sooner or later, the responsibility of the Fang family will fall on you. After your aunt is no longer here, we will still rely on you to take care of Rui Rui!

The room was filled with the unique warm aroma of ginger tea. Shen Ningxia felt a pang in her heart, her eyes stinging, and she just wanted to cry

On the third day, Du Weian informed her that several of Luo Hai's friends would be hosting him in the evening, and asked her to prepare to go along.

While speaking, Du Weian's phone rang. Du Weian said "Excuse me" and went to the corner to talk.

The old house of the Du family collapsed in this earthquake, and the two peaks merged into one; that place no longer exists. Should she also learn to look forward?

Du Wei'an paused for a moment and replied with a simple "good". His aunt had always been protective of her own, occasionally visiting the company to let everyone at the Fang family know that he was her nephew, Du Fanghua, and also the maternal nephew of their boss, Fang Liming

You are a grateful child. Your aunt knows that you have always wanted to study medicine and become a doctor. You pursued business only to express gratitude for your uncle's support over the years... However, you indeed have a talent for business, and your uncle never easily praises anyone, yet he always speaks highly of you in front of me. With such a great talent and a solid foundation from the Fang family, why are you not making the most of it? Your aunt knows that you feel like a guest in someone else's home, and she knows you are not happy... You have such a great talent and a solid foundation from the Fang family, why are you not making the most of it? Your aunt knows that you feel like a guest in someone else's home, and she knows you are not happy... But you are Fang Liming's nephew, and who in the entire Fang family would dare to say a word against you...

Her every word flowed like a sharp fist striking against cotton, yet Du Wei'an offered no response whatsoever

Du Fanghua also fell into a reverie, her face radiating a soft smile reminiscent of infatuation

The lush green lawn outside the window reminds one of the continuous mountains in front of my hometown, equally filled with layers of green hills. Du Weian: "I remember. At that time, Mr. Fang would come to our home in Ningxia during the summer vacation; he loved to eat the pastries you made. In the two days before he arrived each time, you would go up the mountain to pick flower petals..."

Ten years, such a long time. If he works very hard, will there be such an opportunity?

Du Fanghua's tone was low and gentle as she pleaded, "Weian, if you think that Zeng Jingru introduced by your aunt is not suitable, then your aunt can introduce you to other girls. There are many excellent girls in Qidao, talented and beautiful, with good family backgrounds. Your aunt will definitely be able to find someone you like"

In this world, no one is obligated to be kind to others. The kindness others show you is a matter of goodwill. Shen Ningxia felt immensely grateful to Lu Jiayao. She quickly immersed herself in her work, continuing to complete the bespoke project for the wealthy client from before

Du Weian recalled that year when she was fifteen and he was nineteen. That summer, as usual, her parents sent her to his home for the summer vacation. She appeared before him with a smile, carrying her backpack, and called out to him: "Brother Weian."

Jiang Zhengnan said with a smile to Lian Zhen: "Let us go to the study inside. Please take good care of my sister-in-law for me." Such a domineering figure could actually speak with such a gentle tone

Du Fanghua took her nephew's hand and gently patted the back of his hand, saying: "Weian, consider this a request from your aunt. Even if you don't take your aunt into account, then think of your parents, think of your late grandmother, please don't be with her... Is that alright?"

Du Fanghua booked a hotel near the company, which is a vegetarian restaurant that Fang Liming has always favored. Each vegetarian dish is meticulously crafted to resemble meat dishes, both in appearance and taste, making them almost indistinguishable from the real thing

At last, the day had come. Du Fanghua called him: "Weian, are you free tonight?" Du Weian was listening to a report from his subordinates; he gestured for them to pause and answered the phone: "What is it, Aunt?"

Many years later, Shen Ningxia still remembered that deep night. The hotel lobby staff stared at their disheveled appearance in astonishment, as if they were looking at two fools

Du Wei'an came to his senses... he lowered his head and saw Shen Ningxia curled up in his arms like a cat... her delicate skin and warm body temperature indicated that she was truly there. Du Wei'an's heart steadily returned to its rightful place

When the two reached the summit, the sun had already risen, and the rosy glow illuminated her face, vibrant and colorful, even more radiant than the wildflowers by the roadside. He taught her hand in hand how to pick tea leaves: "Pick this tender bud..."

They stayed in the disaster area for a week, helping the siblings find their mother, and then returned to Qidao last night

Before leaving, he held Shen Ningxia's hand and placed the key in her palm: "This is the key to the apartment." Shen Ningxia remained silent, and Du Weian said: "Rest assured, this is a house I bought with my own salary, not a single cent of the Fang family's money was spent."

From a distance, one could see Jiang Zhengnan exchanging pleasantries with others, nodding slightly and smiling faintly. His every gesture exuded a sense of comfort yet made it impossible to truly approach him. It was only upon encountering Du Weian and a few others that he raised his fist to greet each of them, simultaneously revealing a sincere and radiant smile: "What are you guys hiding here for?"

This is merely a matter between him and Ningxia, and does not require anyone else to know. Just as the feelings between him and Ningxia do not need to be understood by others

Du Weian suddenly spoke softly: "Ningxia, if we don't use an umbrella and just keep walking like this, can we really walk together until we grow old?" His voice was deep yet earnest, and there was a faint longing in his eyes

Du Fanghua filled a bowl of soup to the brim and handed it to Du Weian: "Aunt remembers that you like this soup the most. This time, when I went back to repair your grandmother's grave, I specially went to the mountain to pick this for you."

Shen Ningxia was caught off guard and was embraced fully by him. Through the misty floor-to-ceiling glass, Shen Ningxia saw the supermarket staff whispering and smiling with their hands covering their mouths. She was shy due to her thin skin and gently pushed Du Weian, saying: "Let's go home"

Shen Ningxia received a call from Du Weian at the supermarket: "Where have you been?" His tone was very anxious. Shen Ningxia handed the milk in her hand to the cashier: "I need this too." Only then did she respond to Du Weian, "The refrigerator at home is almost empty. I am buying some food at the supermarket at the entrance."

It was clear that there was more to the words than met the eye. Shen Ningxia ignored him and continued to busy herself with the cold dishes. Du Weian pecked at her neck again and said softly, "How about you accompany me?"

He actually still cared about her past sharp and hurtful words. Shen Ningxia opened her mouth to say sorry, but in the end, she said nothing and silently closed her palms

Du Weian's jaw was pressed into a line, yet he remained silent

Du Fanghua simply said: "Aunt is cooking today, come and taste Aunt's skills." Aunt would definitely not make such a call to him for no reason. Du Weian then replied with a "good".

However, Wei An, you absolutely should not be in a romantic relationship with her. How could she possibly love you! I wouldn't believe it even if you killed me. The gifts your uncle sends every year have all been smashed by her, and the money in her bank account has not been touched by her even once over the years... In her heart, she harbors deep hatred for me, your aunt, and your uncle, and she despises our Du family...

Du Weian said with a bitter smile: "Yes, we were truly poor back then. They say poverty makes a sound, but we didn't have a single cent in our pockets, so there was no way to make any sound at all."

It is almost noon, let us take a break. We will harvest when it is a bit cooler

She took a few sips of water and then handed it back to him. A few drops of water lingered at the mouth of the water bottle, and Du Weian suddenly felt a tightness in his throat, becoming parched and dry. He tilted his head back and gulped down a few mouthfuls, finally feeling somewhat quenched.

Du Fanghua was taken aback with anger: "Weian..." However, as soon as she uttered a single word, she immediately realized that she absolutely could not be confrontational with Du Weian. She softened her tone: "Weian, if you don't think about yourself, at least think about your aunt and Rui Rui, think about your parents. Do you really believe she will marry you? Can she be with you for a lifetime?"

Du Weian did not know how long he had been gazing at her, nor did he know how many times he had kissed her while she slept. It was only when she lazily turned over that he closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep

Two people are staying in a hospital room. Ningxia: "Brother Wei'an, I almost thought I was going to die." "How could that be?"

He used a wooden stick to part the grass, and before long, he discovered a strange plant. He wasn't entirely sure, but for the sake of Ningxia, he had no choice but to take this gamble. He chewed a few green leaves in his mouth and applied them to her.

Perhaps it was because of the unfamiliar streets of Luohai, or perhaps it was due to the guilt she felt towards Du Weian, at that moment, she truly forgot many things. She nodded to Du Weian

On that day, two individuals picked two baskets of tea. On their way down the mountain, he broke off a branch for her to hold over her head as they descended. She was so fair that he was concerned she might get sunburned.

Du Weian chuckled softly in her ear: "This is Jiang Zhengnan." So this person is indeed the Jiang Zhengnan he had mentioned several times.

The soup seemed too bland... Shen Ningxia added a bit more salt to the soup... She tasted it again and nodded in satisfaction. Suddenly, she seemed to sense something was amiss. Shen Ningxia turned her head and saw Du Weiyan leaning against the door, a gentle smile playing at the corners of his mouth

Du Fanghua suddenly raised her head, her gaze firmly fixed on him

Ningxia only felt a cool sensation at the wound, and her leg gradually regained feeling: "Brother Wei'an, I feel a bit of pain at the wound, and it is also a bit chilly."

Shen Ningxia stared blankly out the window, as the entire Seven Islands gradually awakened in the morning light. This is Du Weian's apartment

As the days passed, the kitchen of the Du Wei'an apartment gradually filled with pots, bowls, and utensils, as well as oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar. The once empty wardrobe slowly became filled with the clothes of the two individuals, and the room gradually began to take on the essence of home

Her desk is tidy and clean. A colleague smiled and said, "Xiao Lu, she helps you organize your desk and clean every day."

Her voice, softer than glutinous rice by a few degrees, floated into his ears like a small brush gently stroking beside them, evoking an itch, an indescribable itch. Du Weian did not know what this feeling was, just as he did not understand why he wanted to approach her yet feared doing so. But what he did know was that he was willing to do anything for such a voice

Du Weian accelerated the speed of the car. However, as soon as he entered, the room was pitch dark, and there was no sign of Ningxia at all

Du Fanghua tenderly served dishes to Wei An, saying: "Wei An, this vegetarian chicken is very light, you should eat more of it"

Du Weian carried her down the mountain, climbing over rocks and crossing the ravine. Ningxia lay on his frail yet sturdy back, her gaze only able to see his dark short hair. Above them was the blazing sun hanging in the sky, and there was not a breath of wind in the entire mountain area

Du Fanghua called out to him: "Weian, I have reserved a table; join us for lunch at noon." The managers who were in the meeting discreetly dispersed.

Brother Wei'an, could you sing a song?

The mountain path was rugged and difficult to traverse, and he climbed very slowly, occasionally turning to pull her hand. Her hand was soft, even a few degrees softer than cotton. Du Weian was cautious and did not dare to exert too much force, fearing that he might accidentally hurt her.

The substance that flowed out was a dark, poisonous blood. Du Weian's expression was extremely serious as he bent down. As if they shared a telepathic connection, Shen Ningxia understood what he intended to do. She curled her legs up and said, "Brother Weian, what if you get poisoned too? Uncle and Aunt are all down the mountain..."

Chu Sui Feng laughed heartily without any regard for appearances. Louis Zhou remarked, "Chu has always been the most understanding among us." Jiang Zheng Nan added with a sharp retort, "Louis, you couldn't be more right. Chu is the most 'understanding of people's clothing.'" The crowd burst into laughter.

Du Weian also realized for the first time that an entire night can sometimes be as brief as a moment

"No, I have to go to work." "Someone once said to take good care of my ... ..." The tone of a certain person resembles that of a resentful wife

Uncertain whether it was due to the conversation with his aunt, that one sentence of doubt lingered in Du Weian's ears. He anxiously opened one door after another: "Ningxia?"

Du Fanghua's smile deepened slightly: "I have always known that Wei He is sweet-tongued, but I didn't expect you to be so flattering as well." Du Wei'an replied: "I am just speaking the truth."

Du Fanghua: "Weian, you know that Weihe has always been carefree since childhood, and Rui Rui is just like this... Auntie cannot rely on them! You are the eldest son of the Du family, and you are also the only support for Auntie and our Du family in the future. Even your uncle has said that the entire Fang family will have to rely on you to bear the heavy responsibilities in the future"

She slowly turned around and called out, "Du Weian." Du Weian responded softly. In the dim light of the room, she surprisingly saw a glimmer flickering in his beautiful eyes

Du Weian shouted sternly: "Aunt!"

Shen Ningxia turned her head, and the morning light quietly fell on her face. She stared at him in a daze, her eyes filled with many things he did not understand. She slowly said: "Look, the sun has risen"

Du Weian hung up the phone and returned to his seat. Fang Liming smiled and said, "Weian, you are not a child anymore. If you have a girlfriend, bring her to show us." Du Weian lowered his head to pick up the chopsticks and replied nonchalantly with a "good".

Du Fanghua smiled and then fell silent. The spacious kitchen suddenly became quiet, as the two listened to the broth in the clay pot bubbling away. Du Weian knew that his aunt had specifically invited him to the Fang family, and it certainly was not just for the sake of drinking soup. He vaguely understood what his aunt wanted to discuss with him.

During the casual conversation among the crowd, they suddenly noticed that the sound in the entire venue had diminished. Shen Ningxia followed Du Weian's gaze towards the entrance. There, a tall man entered, accompanied by a slender woman. From a distance, their features were indistinct, but Shen Ningxia could sense a formidable aura emanating from the man.

Du Weian slowly said: "Aunt, others may not know, but I understand that your relationship with Mr. Fang has never been about his money or any other possessions... You are with him for only one reason—because you love him. You fell in love with Mr. Fang a long time ago"

Du Wei'an released her and took the bag she was holding in her left hand: "What did you buy?"

Du Weian was taken aback: "Mr. Zeng?" Du Fanghua noticed something was amiss, so she decided not to pursue the topic any further. She picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks and offered it to him: "This is the new dish recently introduced by the chef. Come, give it a try."

At that time, Du Weian felt that these few lines of lyrics seemed to be written for him and her. Ten years ago, how could he have dared to hope to meet her!

Du Fanghua spoke with great earnestness, and although Du Weian understood, he remained silent with his head tilted to the side

The bone broth simmering gently on the stove was bubbling away, filling the entire apartment with the unique sweet aroma of food. Du Weian pushed the door open, greedily inhaling a deep breath, and smiled contentedly.

"What song do you want to hear?" Du Weian, unable to evade, had no choice but to ask her. "Anything is fine. Sing it for me to listen."

Shen Ningxia held up the umbrella and replied to him: "Milk, fermented soy sauce ... ... "

Du Weian sang "Ten Years." The reason she can sing this song is that it is the only one in her portable music player that has both Mandarin and Cantonese versions. It is likely that she really likes it

Du Weian has a great sense of rhythm; he can sing a song after just listening to it a few times. In front of his classmates at school, Du Weian has always been a confident and charismatic person. However, for some reason, he always feels inferior in front of Shen Ningxia. It is as if, in the bright sunlight, he is merely a gentle breeze, having to lower his head and pass by the beautiful flowers.

Nie Chongzhi raised his wine glass in a toast to everyone and took a sip: "A true gentleman observes the battle in silence!" There was an unmistakable hint of amusement in his tone

As he sang, he gazed dreamily at Shen Ningxia's beautiful profile, silently pondering in his heart: Will she still be sitting beside him within reach, just as she is today, ten years from now?

Upon hearing this, Xu Lianzhen, who was quietly standing beside Jiang Zhengnan, turned her head and smiled thoughtfully at Shen Ningxia

Du Weian listened to her steady and prolonged breathing, feeling a dull ache in his heart.

No, many people have been bitten by snakes and have been fine.

How long is a lifetime? Neither he nor the other person from Ningxia had ever contemplated such a distant question, not even uttering the word "love" to each other. Yet, Du Weian knew that they were in love! They loved each other more deeply than those who constantly spoke of love.

The sensation of hot water cascading over the skin is so pleasant that it elicits a sigh of contentment. After taking a long bath, when Shen Ningxia emerged dressed, she noticed a steaming cup of ginger tea placed on the bedside table.

"Ten years ago, I did not know you, and you did not belong to me..." He slowly sang a verse, "Do you remember? Ten years ago, I sang this song for you under the big tree on the mountaintop."

Du Fanghua asked with a smile, "Has Auntie's cooking skills declined?" Du Weian replied with a faint smile, "Auntie's culinary prowess remains sharp; it is still as delicious as ever"

Indeed, after a moment, Du Fanghua let out a long sigh: "Weian, I won't beat around the bush with you. I'll get straight to the point: are you together with Shen Ningxia?" Du Weian put down the bowl and replied solemnly and succinctly: "Yes"

Ningxia's complexion was pale as she pointed to the rustling grass, saying, "A snake." Du Weixin was startled, realizing that something was wrong. He crouched down, and before he could lift the hem of her pants, he saw two dark snake bite marks on her snow-white calf.

Luohai is currently in the depths of winter, with heavy snow falling for several consecutive days. This is Shen Ningxia's first visit to Luohai; outside, breath turns to ice, while inside, it is as warm as spring and summer. The contrast between ice and fire makes Shen Ningxia find it quite interesting

Aunt, in the year I turned nineteen, I fell in love with her

The sun has risen, and the weather is clear today. But what about tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow? Shen Ningxia refused to delve deeply into her thoughts. For the first time, she felt that the phrase "rarely confused" truly encapsulated everything. Life is like this as well; occasionally being foolish or confused might not be such a bad thing.

Du Weian gazed gently at her ... At this moment, Shen Ningxia had retracted all her sharp claws, appearing as docile and obedient as a lovely little white rabbit ... In fact, she had always been very well-behaved and obedient in her childhood; it was time that had shaped her into this way. All her sharpness was merely a means of self-protection. Du Weian softly pressed a kiss of tenderness on her forehead.

Zhang Bichen's "Between a Kiss"

"When are you coming back?" She was surprisingly quiet, like a cat. Du Weian approached her, wrapped his left arm around her waist, and rested his head against her neck: "Just now"

The two politely declined Jiang Zhengnan's offer to take them back. On a snowy night, Du Weian and she walked hand in hand along the unfamiliar streets of Luohai. On either side were lights like pearls, one after another. Looking up, the tranquil sky was filled with drifting white flowers.

Du Weian also fell into memories: "Yes, Grandma raised many chickens and ducks, but only on the birthdays of Wei and me would she be willing to kill a chicken. As for herself, she couldn't even bear to eat an egg, always saving them up until the person who collected the eggs came to exchange them for some money... Grandma endured a lifetime of hardship..."

Later, I finally understood... I was so fond of being close to her, and I was willing to do anything for her. Even if she hated me, scolded me, or drove me away, I didn't mind... It was like a moth flying into a flame; those who do not understand feel sorrow for the moth, but they are not the moth, and they do not know the joy and happiness of the moth

She is very clever and learns quickly. Her nimble fingers flutter like colorful butterflies among the green leaves. Soon, her speed in picking tea leaves matched his, and her small basket was filled to the brim with what she had plucked

Over the years, she has actually longed to be embraced and protected. She often reminisces about the times when her mother held her tightly in her arms, showering her with love and affection

The flower grows in a place overrun with wild grass. Du Wei'an, fearing for safety, hurriedly advised: "I will go. You stay here and don't move." Ningxia stepped over, turned back to him with a smile: "It's nothing, just picking a branch of flowers. I will put it in a small clay pot later, it will definitely look beautiful."

Du Weian laughed, laughing heartily. He pulled her up: "Come on, then let's walk back like this, we will surely grow old together!"

Ten years ago, I did not know you, and you did not belong to me

Under the large tree, the dense shade covers the ground, and sunlight filters through the gaps, shimmering down like scattered gold. Young men and women in white clothing drink clear water and nibble on steamed buns beneath the tree

He said, "I can't sing." Ningxia let out a light hum, a sly smile on her face: "You're lying! I secretly heard you hum before. You sing very well."

Du Weian said, "I promise." After saying this, he lowered his head, pressing his lips against her wound to suck out the blood. The blood he drew gradually changed from dark to bright red. Du Weian was still not at ease, so he went to look for herbs: "Where there are venomous snakes, there must be an antidote."

Once, it rained heavily for several days. Both Grandma and my mother advised you not to go up the mountain, as the roads were slippery in the rain, and encountering a landslide was no trivial matter. However, you were unwilling to listen and insisted on going. That time, you rolled down from the mountain, injuring your face and body, yet upon returning, you did not rest at all and instead made snacks with glutinous rice flour for Mr. Fang... refusing to let Grandma and my mother help. At that time, I did not understand much and could only watch from the side. That time, you rolled down from the mountain, injuring your face and body, yet upon returning, you did not rest at all and instead made snacks with glutinous rice flour for Mr. Fang... refusing to let Grandma and my mother help. At that time, I did not understand much and could only watch from the side. I do not know why, Auntie, even though you were clearly injured, you still smiled while making the pastries, as if you were not working at all, but rather doing something that brought you immense joy.

It seems that heaven is protecting her, as she was unexpectedly correct; that herb indeed possesses detoxifying properties

Du Weian forced a smile to comfort her: "Don't worry, I won't be poisoned. I was bitten by snakes many times when I was a child, so I have antibodies." Shen Ningxia was skeptical: "Really?"

In the space of a kiss, you have given me the most beautiful memories, which can never be erased, the traces left by you, whom I deeply love

Jiang Zhengnan shook his head and chuckled, then turned to Shen Ningxia and said, "Sister-in-law, we are all rascals, speaking without restraint. I hope you don't mind." Shen Ningxia's face flushed at his address of "sister-in-law," and she smiled without saying a word

It was a call from Shen Ningxia, her tone soft: "How about making a soup with green and red radishes and pig's feet tonight?" Du Weian replied: "Can I request a different soup?" Shen Ningxia laughed: "No, it must be complementary in form." Du Weian sighed in despair: "Alright then"

Mr. Fang enjoys drinking wild chrysanthemum tea. Every autumn, when you return to your hometown, you carry a basket and go mountain by mountain to pick the flowers. Then, you dry them in your yard, watching over them every day. Once they are dried, you seal them in clean plastic bags and send them to Mr. Fang. You never let others do it for you, nor do you allow us to touch them. Whenever Mr. Fang comes to our home, you always personally brew chrysanthemum tea for him.

Ningxia took out a portable music player from her cloth bag and said, "Brother Wei'an, would you like to listen?" No matter what it was, Du Wei'an would always agree to her: "Sure."

Shen Ningxia swiftly drew open the curtains, and a whole window of sunlight poured in unabashedly, warming him from his face all the way to his heart. That day, what remained in Du Weian's mind was a bright and dazzling golden hue

Du Fanghua's face lit up with joy: "Yes. When will Auntie take the initiative to invite Mr. Zeng and the others to have a meal together?"

Between the two, there is never a discussion of the past, nor will there be any mention of the future. Their days seem to be stolen, and the two indulge in utmost joy

"Go to sleep now." "Brother Wei'an, can you sing 'Ten Years' for me?" "Sure."

"This snake is poisonous." Du Weian took out the small knife he carried with him and made a cross incision at her wound. Shen Ningxia had seen many news reports about snake bites and was extremely frightened: "Brother Weian, am I going to die?"

Du Fanghua: "At that time, I was studying in the town, and every week I would bring some pickled vegetables from home, buy a can of fermented tofu, and have three steamed buns for three years of junior high... Looking at my classmates around me, eating delicious food, wearing new clothes and new shoes, I felt envious, so envious that my eyes turned red. But what could I do? Besides studying hard and defeating those people with my grades, I had no other strengths. I don't know how many times I wanted to drop out of school and go work in factories along the coast with other sisters from the mountains to earn money. But what could I do? Besides studying hard and defeating those people with my grades, I had no other strengths. I don't know how many times I wanted to drop out of school and go work in factories along the coast with other sisters from the mountains to earn money. But your mother said, "Sister, the teachers at school all say you are meant for studying. As long as the family can still support you, I will definitely ensure you continue your education." I was fortunate that there were no sisters-in-law in the family, only my elder sister and brother-in-law. Thus, I gritted my teeth and studied hard, and finally entered the city's first high school with the top score in the county. I was fortunate that there were no sisters-in-law in the family, only my elder sister and brother-in-law. Thus, I gritted my teeth and studied hard, and finally entered the city's first high school with the top score in the county."

Chu Sui Feng laughed nonchalantly, "This corner is great; I can enjoy all the beautiful women in the venue." Jiang Zheng Nan glanced at him sideways and replied, "Chu, is there a shortage of beautiful women around you?"

Du Weian stood up and interrupted her, saying: "Aunt!"

It was just dusk, and the fiery red sunset outside streamed through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Du Weian suddenly felt his eyes stung by the light; he closed his eyes for a moment and then gently said: "No, aunt, no matter how good those people are, I will never like them."

Du Weian was just about to say: "Be careful..." when he suddenly heard a sharp scream from Ningxia. Du Weian quickly dropped the two backpacks and rushed over in a single leap: "What happened?"

Shen Ningxia only knows that she feels very peaceful every day, as if the sunlight has penetrated deep into her heart, and every cell in her body has become lazy and comfortable. She delights in the mountains when she sees them and enjoys the water when she encounters it. Even the continuous rainy days that she dislikes the most feel soft and alluring.

Shen Ningxia responded with a sound of acknowledgment. Du Weian said, "However, my hand has not yet healed, and it is indeed somewhat inconvenient for me to go to Luohai alone"

Beneath the shade of that towering tree, two individuals sit side by side, attentively listening to every note. Nearby is the girl who occupies his heart, while in the distance, the mountains stretch out like a picturesque painting. The blazing sun hangs high in the sky, yet Du Weian feels not a hint of discomfort from the heat. If it were possible, he would wish for time to stand still, never to flow again.

Du Fanghua said softly: "Yes, your grandmother endured a lifetime of hardship, and before we could properly show our filial piety, she passed away. It is her misfortune. If she were still here now and saw how successful you are with the peacekeeping efforts, she would probably wake up laughing in her dreams."

On that night, Shen Ningxia also met several friends of Du Weian: Nie Chongzhi, Chu Suifeng, Louis Zhou, Zhu Anping, and others, each of whom was outstanding to the point of being astonishing

Shen Ningxia stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, slightly pulling aside the curtain. As Du Weian opened his eyes, he was greeted by a picturesque view. She was wearing only his white shirt, and her fair, well-proportioned legs were completely exposed before him. His gaze fell upon her calves. The scars from the past had faded to the point of being almost invisible. His gaze fell upon her calves again. The scars from the past had faded to the point of being almost invisible.

Having changed into slippers, he took a few steps and indeed saw Shen Ningxia busy in the kitchen. Her hair was tied in a ponytail, and she wore a checkered apron, resembling a perfect homemaker. She was bowing her head to taste the soup, her profile appearing exceptionally gentle. The whole person seemed like a gem, radiating a soft glow. Du Weian slowly came to a stop, fearing that if he advanced any further, he would disturb this beautiful scene of happiness.

Jiang Zhengnan introduced her: "Sister-in-law, this is Lian Zhen." The woman named Lian Zhen spoke in a clear and soft voice: "Hello"

It was a clear morning when she followed him up the mountain to pick wild tea leaves. The night before, she learned that he would be going up the mountain early, so she pleaded with him: "Brother Wei'an, will you take me with you, please?"

The two naturally came together as if it were a matter of course, something that was meant to be from the very beginning

The sun gradually hung high in the sky, and the heat began to become oppressive. Du Weian turned his head and saw the beads of sweat on her face. He quickly opened the water bottle and handed it to her: "The backpack is almost full. You should go rest under the big tree. I'll take care of the rest."

Fang Liming inadvertently glanced at the corner of the dining table and suddenly smiled as he spoke: "The girl you introduced last time is the youngest daughter of the Zeng family?" Du Fanghua nodded: "What’s the matter?" Fang Liming smiled: "It seems that you, as a matchmaker, have succeeded." Du Fanghua was astonished: "How do you know? Did you hear some rumors?"

He embraced her from behind, resting his head on the top of her hair. There was a faint scent of magnolia among her locks, subtle and delightful, a fragrance of happiness. ... As if enchanted, Du Weian could not help but gently place a kiss among her smooth tresses ...

Later, the doctor stated that fortunately, the emergency treatment was appropriate, and the patient was not in danger. To be on the safe side, both individuals were administered serum injections. The doctor requested that they be hospitalized for observation for two days

Weian, your aunt has no particular demands of you. Neither do your parents! The only hope is that you find a girlfriend soon, get married early, and start a family to carry on the Du family lineage... Weian, our request is not excessive...

Perhaps she can indulge in this warmth for a while, savoring his embrace for a moment... Just for a moment, it is also good

The rain fell heavily like beans, pouring down in buckets. The two of them shared an umbrella, yet in the short distance they walked, both ended up drenched like drowned rats

The spacious kitchen of the Fang family is clean and bright, with a floor-to-ceiling window beside it that offers a view of the lush green grass in front of the door. In the distance lies the most beautiful bay of the Seven Islands, with its vast azure waves and scattered white sails

Du Weian said, "She has no time, she still has to work." Jiang Zhengnan, upon hearing this, lazily smiled and replied, "You still allow your sister-in-law to work from 9 to 5." Du Weian gently glanced at Shen Ningxia beside him and candidly stated, "President Jiang, you think too highly of me; I have no such ability to make her listen to me."

"Therefore, I am sorry, Aunt! I cannot agree to you," Du Weian said slowly, "because I truly love her."

An earthquake destroyed everything. The Chinese value being buried in peace; the house in my hometown can be rebuilt slowly, but the graves of the elderly must be repaired promptly

In front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror in the hotel suite, Du Weian embraced Shen Ningxia from behind: "Look, we really have journeyed together until old age."

When you were little, I was still studying, your father fell ill, and the family of six relied solely on your mother to support us... Alas! At that time, our Du family was truly poor

I have previously seen many news reports about people being bitten by venomous snakes, and it is said that one may need to amputate a leg or an arm. When I was in the mountains, I even thought that I would only have one leg in the future

He never told her that he had always been afraid; he was afraid of gaining something only to lose it again. Only by holding her securely in his arms could Du Weian be certain that she was truly by his side

"You go sit for a while, I will finish picking soon." "No need, two people can pick faster." He insisted, and she also stood her ground. In the end, he compromised.

Shen Ningxia pressed the play button and inserted one of the earphones into his ear. Her fingers were delicate and gentle, and the skin on his ear that she had touched felt as if it had been electrified, tingling and numb.

Du Weian advised her: "Quickly go take a hot shower, don't catch a cold."

Du Fanghua paused and changed the subject: "This bowl of soup has been simmered for a long time on low heat by your aunt, drink it while it's hot." Du Weian took a spoon with his left hand and silently drank a couple of sips.

Du Weian did not speak, but continued to listen to her.

At this moment, Du Weian slowly uttered a sentence: "No, I do not have such great ability to challenge the Fang family." There was already a sense of determination in his tone. Du Fanghua's gaze suddenly became sharp as a knife: "If you do not challenge the entire Fang family, who can? Relying on the pleasure-seeking Wei He, or on someone like Rui Rui..."

The bitten leg has gradually become numb, and upon cutting open the wound, it surprisingly only hurts like an ant bite.

Du Weian's rich and captivating voice, accompanied by the lyrics, gradually floated into Ningxia's ears. He sang with no less skill than the original artist. Shen Ningxia closed her eyes, savoring the experience.

The two people, hand in hand, laughed heartily like children as they ran back to the room

No, just suck the poison out

Shen Ningxia also returned to the company and resumed work. Tang Yifeng welcomed her warmly: "Ningxia, we have all been waiting for your return."

In the warm morning light, Shen Ningxia slowly placed her hand over Du Weian's hand

However, not long after, the affair between Aunt Du Fanghua and Mr. Fang was exposed, standing like a mountain between him and Ningxia, and from that point on, the two became as strangers to each other

One day, after finishing a meeting, Du Weian came out and saw Du Fanghua waiting for him in the office. At the company, he had always referred to her as "Mrs. Fang" like all his colleagues.

How could she forget! She remembers some lines from this song: "Since the embrace cannot linger, why not enjoy it while leaving, with tears flowing..."

In the past, whenever it rained heavily in my hometown, many wild mushrooms would sprout in the woods on the mountain. You would go up the mountain with Wei He to gather them, and each time you would fill a large basket to the brim. Upon returning, Grandma would always stir-fry the fresh mushrooms for a dish, and if there was any cured meat at home, she would slice a few small pieces to fry a plate of cured meat. The flavor was so delicious that both you and Wei He would each eat two large bowls of rice.

Many years later, Du Weian still remembered that melodious song - "Ten Years"

The children in the mountains have all been bitten, and so have the peacekeepers. However, later I learned to catch snakes... Shen Ningxia felt a wave of fatigue wash over her, and she let out a big yawn

Fang Liming pursed his lips. Du Fanghua turned his head and caught a glimpse of Du Weian's profile as he spoke. She could not hear what he was saying, but his brows were relaxed and smiling, radiating an undeniable tenderness. That was a glow only those in love possess. Du Fanghua, being someone who had experienced it herself, recognized it very clearly.

In this world, if there is anyone who still cares about her, apart from Su Jiani, it is only Du Weian.

Du Fanghua was silenced by him. She turned her face away, tilted her head back to inhale, but tears could not be restrained as they rolled down her cheeks: "Weian, how many people outside are saying that I, Du Fanghua, have brought this upon myself and deserve to die! They say it is retribution! I know that none of you say it out loud, but in your hearts...

He paused for a moment and suddenly said: "But Aunt, you are someone who has experienced this. You should understand that love cannot be controlled at will! If it could, it would not be called love."

Du Fanghua's chest heaved with emotion: "Rui Rui is just mentally challenged, just a fool. We can deceive ourselves, saying that he is only a little different from ordinary people. But what about those outside who know? Who doesn't know that the child born to me, Du Fanghua, is a fool! A moron!"

Ningxia is not at home. The house is empty

"Ten years ago, I did not know you, and you did not belong to me..." After a day filled with fright and fatigue, Shen Ningxia fell asleep to the soft and melodious singing of Du Weian

As she approached, Shen Ningxia carefully observed Jiang Zhengnan and the woman beside him, and couldn't help but admire the couple. Jiang Zhengnan was cold and handsome, while the woman he held hands with was beautiful and charming, her dimples shallow when she smiled, exuding an extraordinary grace.

However, my aunt has always been unaware that this is what he has always hated the most. If a person possesses the ability, they can conquer a vast territory even with empty hands. Conversely, if one lacks ability, no amount of wealth will prevent them from squandering it. Yet, Du Wei'an has never voiced this, for he understands that his aunt has always cared for him and Wei He the most. Over the years, his aunt has not had an easy life either

When Shen Ningxia came out to settle the bill, she was surprised to find Du Weian waiting for her under an umbrella. Upon seeing her, he threw the umbrella aside with a strange expression and ran over to embrace her, calling out repeatedly: "Ningxia! Ningxia..."

Each time their skin touched, his heart would constrict once. That trembling sensation of contraction was understood only by him

This was the first time Shen Ningxia met Jiang Zhengnan and Xu Lianzhen, leaving her with a profound impression

Du Weian rested his arm on his own, gazing dreamily at her sleeping face. Her eyelashes were naturally curled, thick and dark like a fan, and her skin was so white and tender that it seemed almost transparent, revealing the delicate blue veins beneath. In this world, there was probably no one more beautiful than her

After leaving the venue, Shen Ningxia looked up at the sky and was instantly filled with joy: "Wow... it's snowing again." Jiang Zhengnan, who had been holding Xu Lianzhen's hand, smiled and said: "Sister-in-law, it's rare for you to come to Luohai. Why not stay a little longer before heading back? There is nothing in Luohai during winter, only snow."

Shen Ningxia gazed at him, feeling a pain in her heart akin to that of ants gnawing: she had never considered that there would be any future between the two of them. Not even once!

Du Weian had an unpleasant parting with his aunt Du Fanghua. As Du Weian drove home, lightning struck down from the sky like a sharp sword, crackling and booming. Moments later, a torrential rain began to fall from the sky

Du Weian answered truthfully: "Aunt, no one knows what the future will hold."

A white cotton long skirt, two braided pigtails, and a pair of sparkling eyes beneath thick bangs that brush her eyebrows, as if all the stars in the mountains are condensed within them. Du Weian, who had always regarded her as a little sister and saw her almost every day at school, suddenly realized her growth at that moment. From that day on, Du Weian no longer dared to look directly into her star-like bright eyes