Chapter 45: The Warmth of Home

“The watch has been found—and your bag too!” Zhan Nanhui placed Yi An’an’s bag on the table. “But the fifty yuan inside is gone.”

“Where did you find it?” Yi An’an was stunned.

“By the river. Someone probably picked it up, took the money without noticing the watch inside, and then threw the bag into the reeds. I searched along the riverbank for a long time this evening and finally found it.”

Yi An’an quickly opened the bag. Seeing that the watch was still intact, she couldn’t help but step forward and hug Zhan Nanhui. “That’s such a relief! I thought I’d owe you a favor forever!”

Her soft body brushed against his. Zhan Nanhui’s eyes darkened slightly. “So, how do you plan to repay this favor?”

Yi An’an looked at him playfully. “Now that the watch is found, there’s no favor to repay!”

Relieved, she returned to her seat and started eating and drinking, her spirits much lifted. She even began to hum a little tune.

Zhan Nanhui smiled faintly and continued his meal.

At that moment, Chen Sisi was standing not far away by the river, stomping her foot in frustration.

Just one step. She had been just one step away from meeting that invigilator and handing over the watch—but Zhan Nanhui had blocked her!

But how did he know the watch was on her?

Thinking of the cold look in his eyes and his mocking tone, Chen Sisi suddenly realized that maybe she never truly understood Zhan Nanhui at all.

She had always thought she was clever, but it turned out Zhan Nanhui had seen through everything from the start.

From the shed came the sound of a woman laughing. Chen Sisi was momentarily dazed and remembered the times she spent with Zhan Nanhui before they were sent to the countryside.

Her mother and Zhan Nanhui’s mother were best friends. His mother had always treated her as her future daughter-in-law.

But then a political campaign shattered both families and destroyed her beautiful plans.

Life in the countryside was too harsh—she couldn’t endure it and chose a shortcut. What was so wrong with that?

Digging her nails into the tree bark, Chen Sisi convinced herself it was Zhan Nanhui’s fault—for not protecting her and leaving her to face all the storms alone.

If she hadn’t followed that deputy commander, maybe today she’d be the one ending up like Wang Xiaohuan.

So she wasn’t wrong!

Chen Sisi turned and walked away.

She would definitely get into university and leave this miserable place!

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“Why were you by the river that day?” Now that Yi An’an was full, she finally asked the question that had been bothering her.

She had fallen into the water, and Zhan Nanhui just happened to be there to save her. According to Yan Dabao, Zhan Nanhui hadn’t been home those two days. So where had he been?

“I was looking for Wang Xiaohuan’s body,” Zhan Nanhui said after a brief pause. “Actually, I need your help with something.”

Yi An’an looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

“Do you know anyone from Chenjia Village?” he asked.

Chenjia Village wasn’t very close—it took half an hour to walk there. But Yi An’an did have a junior high school classmate from there, someone she got along with.

“Yes. What do you need me to do?” she asked.

“I suspect Wang Xiaohuan isn’t dead,” Zhan Nanhui said. “I’ve searched the river several times in the past few days and haven’t found her body.”

Yi An’an was surprised. “You’ve been wading through freezing water these past few days?”

Zhan Nanhui nodded. “Her father was a friend of my father’s. I promised to look after her. The last time I visited Chenjia Village, she seemed fine and didn’t mention being bullied. I want you to help me find out what really happened to her.”

Yi An’an thought carefully. In her past life, there was a news story about a female educated youth jumping into the river in Chenjia Village. But back then, she had been trapped in the Yan household and couldn’t pay much attention to outside events.

“Okay, I’ll ask around tomorrow,” she said. Then she glanced at Zhan Nanhui—this man had been in ice-cold water for days without even catching a cold. He really was in good shape.

She recalled the abs on his lower abdomen—they looked like he was trained in martial arts. But if he was that strong, why had he always endured the bullying in the village without fighting back?

Yi An’an’s scrutinizing gaze made Zhan Nanhui a little nervous. He couldn’t help but swallow, his movements unintentionally seductive.

Yi An’an quickly looked away. “I cooked, so you wash the dishes. And make sure to review—exams are only a few days away. You need to study hard!”

She turned and lay on the heated brick bed with her back to him, afraid he’d notice her blushing over her own thoughts.

Zhan Nanhui silently gathered the dishes. As he cleaned up, he glanced back at her.

Only four days until the college entrance exam. After that, he’d be leaving—perhaps she’d never find him again.

For four years, Zhan Nanhui never expected to feel attached to life here.

His father’s political mistake had forced him into an undercover mission. Now that it was complete, his handler had suddenly vanished.

He didn’t know when he’d regain his identity or be able to leave—but taking the college entrance exam was a viable way out.

Surely, he couldn’t remain in this rural place forever just because his handler had disappeared.

As he washed the dishes, Yi An’an smiled faintly, hearing the sounds of him working.

It was the first time she felt what a home was like.

Though the shed was small, having someone by her side to face life’s storms gave her warmth.

In her past life, neither the Yi nor the Yan family gave her a place to belong. She was forced into despair, unable to escape the mire.

This time, she would live well.

Though it was a pity—Zhan Nanhui would eventually leave.

Even though they were technically married, she was just a poor village girl, and he would be a college student. Worlds apart.

Yi An’an hesitated, then glanced at the Algebra textbook in the corner. It was one of the leftover ones she had tried to sell. She picked it up, glanced through it—and surprisingly, she could understand it.

In her previous life, she had only completed junior high. Her family had one high school recommendation spot, and it was given to Yi Daping.

Later, she attended night school, taught herself the high school curriculum, and eventually entered an adult university. So these problems weren’t too difficult for her.

But now, without a high school diploma, she couldn’t take the entrance exam this year. Still, when the opportunity came, she would take it.

Yi An’an made up her mind. Since she had free time, she continued studying math.

Inside and outside the house, two candles flickered, casting warm reflections on each other.