As a newlywed, he was too shy to call Yu Yao from the living room to help, but Yu Yao came to the kitchen door, took one look at his predicament, and said, “Smelling onions means you weren’t paying attention. Bookworm is just a bookworm, lacking in life experience.”

She came over and wiped the tears from his face with her fingers, and that was how it felt.

It was as if time had reversed, as if old scenes had replayed. He was still that young man trying to impress his wife with his cooking, awkwardly dealing with an onion, but when he let his wife’s fingers touch his cheek, he felt a rush of emotions.

Yu Yao’s fingers touched Jiang Zhonglin’s graying temples. His hair had turned white earlier than others. Yang Jun’s husband Xu Xian, who was older than him, didn’t have as much white hair.

Yu Yao felt a pang of sadness and let go of his face, still holding his hand.

She looked seriously into Jiang Zhonglin’s eyes and asked, “When I decided to marry you, Yang Jun wasn’t optimistic because you’re three years younger than me, and my father didn’t agree. But I still married you. Do you know why?”

Jiang Zhonglin, who had endured many storms in his life, was now holding his young wife’s hand and had quickly adapted to the situation, responding gently, “I thought it was because my father-in-law didn’t approve, so you…”

Yu Yao was slightly taken aback by his response. Although she had a poor relationship with her father and often enjoyed opposing him, Jiang Zhonglin’s answer made her unhappy. So she squeezed Jiang Zhonglin’s hand, not caring for traditional respect for elders.

Though that was part of the reason, Yu Yao said, “That’s not the main reason.” She smiled slightly, bringing the topic back.

Jiang Zhonglin sighed inwardly, showing understanding of the young person’s anger. “Then I must have misunderstood back then.”

Yu Yao said, “It was because you liked me that I decided to marry you.” In her twenty-something years, she had liked many things but never herself. She always felt she had many flaws and was unworthy of affection. When she encountered Jiang Zhonglin and saw his feelings for her, she was both surprised and curious about how long he could like her, which is why she agreed to marry him.

“Do you understand what I mean?”

“…”

“I mean, if you don’t like me anymore, I’ll move out as soon as possible to avoid making you uncomfortable.” If he didn’t want her to stay now, she would really leave immediately.

Jiang Zhonglin felt the movement of Yu Yao’s hand and, after a long pause, said, “Stay.”

“Alright,” Yu Yao smiled, “You should have said so earlier; it’s not like you can’t get anything out of me with just a few words.”

After saying that, she turned to leave, but at the kitchen door, she glanced back and said, “I actually think the old man is quite cute now, and touching you doesn’t feel that strange.”

Once she left, Jiang Zhonglin turned back to rinse the rice. As he rinsed, he suddenly realized that he had just been playfully teased by Yu Yao.

Ah, young people. Jiang Zhonglin had taught countless students in his life and had encountered all kinds of difficult young people, but none like this one. Being scolded by a young person made him laugh despite himself.

Yu Yao was a very gentle person, her kindness hidden beneath her casual demeanor. What she had just said and done was simply conveying one message—“Keep me by your side.”