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Looking at Lin Yuyao, Lu Jiangting’s eyes softened again. “Just look at the reflection in the water; Yuyao, you’re miles ahead of Fang Qing. How could I like her when I like you? Yuyao, have more confidence in yourself. I like you.”
Lin Yuyao gazed at her reflection in the water, raising her hand to touch her face.
She looked beautiful; she was only twenty this year. Her skin was so delicate it seemed like water could be squeezed from it, fair with a hint of rosy glow, just like the peach blossoms in March. Her hair was thick and black, braided into two plaits that hung down to her chest. She looked beautiful no matter how you viewed her.
At that moment, she was still the most beautiful flower in the big village.
However, in that terrifying dream, for the next few decades, she bore children, served her in-laws, tended to the few acres of land, and took care of a flock of chickens, ducks, and geese.
The heavy burden of life crushed her, knowing Lu Jiangting was entangled with Fang Qing, and the pain in her heart overwhelmed her.
By the time she reached her fifties, her face no longer resembled her youthful self.
Her hair had turned gray, and very little remained.
Her face was lined with deep creases.
Meanwhile, Fang Qing had never suffered and had taken good care of herself.
Although she was several years younger than Fang Qing, she looked like her mother.
So… Lu Jiangting must have chosen Fang Qing later because he was someone who valued appearances.
Thinking of this made her feel ridiculous.
“Oh, so you were just attracted to my looks, which is why you keep pursuing me.”
Lu Jiangting: “…”
“What if I became ugly?”
Lu Jiangting: “No matter how you change, I will still like you. Yuyao, our years of relationship are not just based on looks.”
He tried to pull Lin Yuyao closer.
She dodged away from him.
“That’s enough; I don’t like you anymore.”
“You…”
“Stop talking!” Lin Yuyao suddenly raised her voice, impatiently saying, “Considering you saved my life, I won’t hold many things against you. Can’t we just part on good terms? Why do you have to keep bothering me? I told you I don’t like you anymore.”
After saying this, she kicked the fruit candies Lu Jiangting had dropped on the ground into the pond.
Lu Jiangting: “…”
He felt a pang of heartache seeing the candies in the water.
But this time, Lin Yuyao walked away without him chasing after her. He still believed she was just angry and would calm down soon. When Lu Jiangting returned home, his parents asked him how things were going.
Lu Jiangting shook his head, “She’s still angry and won’t forgive me.”
“Alas!” Lu Cong sighed, chewing on his pipe, coughing a few times before spitting out a mouthful of yellow phlegm, then stepping on it and turning it into a mess on the floor.
“Jiangting, you did wrong in this matter.”
“Dad, I know I was wrong. If I had known borrowing money would make Yuyao this angry, I…” Could he not lend it?
No, when Fang Qing asked, he had to lend it.
He only thought he should have been more discreet, so Yuyao wouldn’t find out.
“If I had told you to ask for it back, you wouldn’t have. Now… sigh! What do you think we should do?”
“Dad, Mom, don’t worry. She’s just temporarily upset; she will be fine in a few days.”
“How do you know it’s just temporary? What if she holds a grudge and doesn’t marry you?”
“That’s impossible. Do you know what she went to the city for today?”
“What for?”
“To buy things for the wedding.”
Huh?
“Is that true?” Both parents found it hard to believe.
“It’s true. I saw it; the basket they brought back was filled with items for the wedding.”
Ah?
Hearing this, the parents felt relieved.
“If that’s the case, then for now, don’t go to their house and provoke them. Everyone should cool down, and maybe in a few days, things will get better.”
Lu Jiangting nodded, “That’s what I think too.”
…
The next day, he rode his bike to Fang Qing’s house.
Fang Qing was looking for a renovation crew today and had asked him to help. He was supposed to go yesterday, but since she was worried about being cheated in the transaction with the elderly couple, she wanted Lu Jiangting to keep an eye on things. However, thinking that Lin Yuyao was still angry, he didn’t go to Fang Qing and waited for Lin Yuyao all day at home.
Now, seeing Fang Qing looking flustered, he felt a twinge of guilt.
“Fang…” He started to call her Fang Qing but then remembered Yuyao’s feelings about his relationship with her and changed his words.
“Sister-in-law, I’m sorry. I had family matters that delayed me yesterday.”
Hearing him call her “sister-in-law,” Fang Qing’s face turned pale, and she forced a strained smile. “It’s… it’s fine. I heard Yuyao is angry with you?”
“It’s nothing, she’ll be fine in a few days. By the way, have you finalized the house purchase?”
“Yeah, I bought it, but… there’s not much money left.”
“Will you still be able to open the hair salon?”
“Yes, the major expenses are covered, and the remaining money is just enough to get the salon up and running.”
“That’s good. Let’s go find the renovation crew today and try to negotiate the price down.”
“Okay, thank you for your help.”
Renovating isn’t something that can be done in a day. Lu Jiangting spent the entire two days with Fang Qing to finalize everything. He thought that after two days, Lin Yuyao should have calmed down by now. He wanted to find her and have a good talk.
Unexpectedly, Fang Qing said to him, “Jiangting, tomorrow is Chen Chen’s birthday. In the past, his dad would celebrate it with him, but now… his dad is gone, and I…”
As she spoke, she sniffed a couple of times before continuing, “Could you come? Chen Chen said he doesn’t want to spend his birthday alone.”
Lu Jiangting was somewhat taken aback and asked, “Aren’t you taking Chen Chen back to your parents to celebrate?”
Fang Qing shook her head and replied, “His grandparents live in the countryside, and there’s no way to get there. It’s over ten miles away, and Chen Chen is too small to walk that far. Besides, he has to go to school the day after tomorrow; it would be a thirty-mile round trip.”
That made sense.
Lu Jiangting nodded and said, “Then I’ll come tomorrow to celebrate Chen Chen’s birthday.”
“Ah, Jiangting, thank you so much.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“Thank goodness you’re here; otherwise, Chen Chen and I wouldn’t know what to do.”
To prepare for Wang Chen’s birthday, Lu Jiangting even ordered a cake. That was his last bit of money; he had originally saved it for his return trip to the army.
Now, he had spent it all.
….
The next day, he celebrated the birthday with Fang Qing and her son. Lin Yuyao didn’t go to inquire about it, but the news still reached her ears.
Although their family lived in the village, it was on the outskirts of the city. The distance from their home to the building where Fang Qing lived was only about two to three miles, similar to the distance to Lu Jiangting’s house.
Due to the tumultuous events of the past few days at Lu Jiangting’s house, the biggest point of contention was a woman named Fang Qing.
The village gossipers, mostly housewives, often visited the square near the building to gather news, and they could find out just about anything.
“Ye Lian, it’s a good thing your daughter didn’t marry that Lu kid. He talks about wanting to marry your Yuyao, but he’s entangled with that widow Fang Qing. He’s been running around with her for the renovations, and everyone thinks he’s her man.”