Chapter 31

Together

Today was the last day for seed selection; tomorrow they would start planting. Xia Wanyang recalled the first day she worked in the fields in her previous life, and she still had lingering fears.

At that time, she wasn’t sent to the countryside voluntarily, and she didn’t have the iron box her mother gave her. Her small savings of over three hundred yuan were barely enough, and she had to eat with the other youth in the station, dealing with their tasteless food and the harassment from Li Wenzhuo. She felt miserable and irritable, which caused her to faint from heatstroke the first day she worked in the fields.

Luckily, she had been given a second chance, and this time, she was fully prepared. She had taken care of the two troublemakers and even confessed to Zhang Shiye.

Once Zhang Shiye figured things out, he couldn’t wait for the third day. Just one afternoon was all it took. He stood on the path she would take after work, waiting for her. The little girl had already taken so many steps toward him, and if he kept shrinking back like a coward, he wouldn’t deserve to like her.

Xia Wanyang also saw him and her gaze softened, focusing on him.

His face had clear lines and contours, each detail exuding a unique charm. His thick, well-shaped eyebrows were slightly raised, giving off a free-spirited aura. His deep-set eyes, like stars in the night sky, held a mysterious glint. At this moment, Zhang Shiye’s lips were slightly pressed together, conveying a sense of determination and calm.

As she got closer, he whispered, “I’ll still be here in a while.”

Xia Wanyang frowned a bit. *Why does this feel like a secret agent meeting?*

Still, she nodded and followed him. Back at the youth station, dinner hadn’t been prepared yet, and Xia Wanyang was anxious to leave again, telling them she wouldn’t eat tonight and heading to her room.

She washed her face, changed into a new outfit—a light green dress with a cinched waist—and paired it with beige little leather shoes.

As soon as she left the room, she heard Xu Jiaojiao’s sarcastic voice. “Xia Wanyang, why are you always so out of place? You don’t eat with us, and now you’re dressed up and running outside. Aren’t you afraid of attracting troublemakers?”

Xia Wanyang turned around with a slight smile and slapped her across the face. “Are you looking for a slap? Why do I need to report to you about where I go? Who do you think you are?”

Li Jing, hiding behind Xu Jiaojiao, nervously said, “Xia Wanyang, you’re too much. You hit anyone you want?”

Xu Jiaojiao quickly reacted and lunged at her. “Xia Wanyang, you dare slap me? Let’s see if I don’t tear you apart today!”

Xia Wanyang dodged to the side, causing Xu Jiaojiao to fall face-first into the dirt. “With people like you, even if I add five more, you wouldn’t be a match for me. Get lost and don’t show up in front of me again!”

She glared at Li Jing, who quickly took several steps back in fear. Xia Wanyang snorted and walked out of the youth station.

Arriving at the old locust tree, Zhang Shiye was still standing there, motionless. Xia Wanyang frowned. *Is this guy possessed?*

Zhang Shiye looked at the girl walking toward him, his heart pounding fiercely. The part of him that always felt incomplete now felt whole, as if everything had come together in this moment. “You’re here? This isn’t a good place to talk. Shall I take you somewhere?”

Xia Wanyang nodded, following behind him at a distance of five steps.

Zhang Shiye silently led her forward. The two of them didn’t exchange a word, and the atmosphere was quiet.

Time passed, and they had been walking for over twenty minutes, yet neither of them spoke. They felt like two strangers with no connection, and Xia Wanyang’s heart was filled with unease and uncertainty. She didn’t know what Zhang Shiye was going to say to her next, and she was incredibly nervous.

Eventually, they passed through a dense thicket, and ahead of them appeared a clear, shimmering stream. Colorful wildflowers grew along the riverbank, exuding a sweet fragrance. A few uniquely shaped large stones lay by the river, adding a sense of mystery to the place.

Xia Wanyang had no idea this place existed in her previous life, and she was overjoyed. Seeing her happy expression, Zhang Shiye couldn’t help but smile as well.

After watching for a while, Xia Wanyang looked at Zhang Shiye and asked, “Zhang Shiye, what do you want to say to me?”

“The words you said to me at noon…”

Xia Wanyang stretched out her hand to stop him. “Didn’t I ask you to think for three days? You don’t have to tell me if you reject me, just don’t show up!”

Zhang Shiye slowly walked toward Xia Wanyang, each step careful as though afraid of disturbing her. His gaze was filled with determination and tenderness, making it impossible not to be moved.

“I’m not rejecting you, I just…” Zhang Shiye took a deep breath and slowly said, “I just can’t believe this is real. I’m a very stubborn person. Once I’ve decided on someone or something, I never change my mind easily. So, when you told me that you feel the same way, I was very surprised.”

After saying this, Zhang Shiye paused, as if organizing his thoughts.

Xia Wanyang looked at him in confusion, her heart filled with both doubt and anticipation. Zhang Shiye sighed deeply and continued, “Confessing like this should have been something I did first, but you beat me to it. I’m sorry, I’m not as brave as you, but please believe me, my feelings for you are no less than yours for me.”

Finally, Zhang Shiye gazed at her with the most sincere eyes, softly saying, “Xia Wanyang, from the moment I saw you, I’ve liked you. And it’s not just a simple case of love at first sight, it feels more like a fated connection, like we were meant to meet again. I want to tell you that I will cherish this love and will always treat you well.”

On the surface, Xia Wanyang remained calm, but inside, the little devil in her heart was already laughing and celebrating: *Haha, yes!*

“So, so, so, you’re my boyfriend now, right?” Xia Wanyang lowered her head, kicking a stone as she spoke.

Zhang Shiye’s gaze burned as he looked at her, almost charmed to death by her directness. Which girl is this bold? He wanted to hug her so badly!

And that’s exactly what he did. Zhang Shiye gently pulled her into his embrace. She smelled so nice and soft, and he didn’t dare hold her too tightly—just gently wrapping his arms around her. “Yes, I’m your boyfriend, and I will be your husband in the future.”

Xia Wanyang greedily inhaled his scent, a faint tobacco and soap mixed together. It was a bit strange, but very pleasant, just like the smell he had when he carried her out of the mental hospital in her past life.

Thinking about the mental hospital, Xia Wanyang cursed Li Wenzhuo and Fang Zhaodi in her heart again. She regretted letting the snakes kill them so easily. She should have tortured them a bit before letting them die.

The two of them stayed like that, silently hugging for a while. Eventually, Zhang Shiye reluctantly let go of her. It was getting dark, and Xia Wanyang lived at the youth station. If she returned too late, people would start gossiping.

Zhang Shiye patted her fluffy little head. “I’ll walk you back!”

Xia Wanyang nodded. The two of them walked back together, Xia Wanyang pouting. “How about we hold hands?”

Zhang Shiye, who had been floating in a bubble of pink, was startled by her sudden words. “Hold… hands?”

“Mmm, aren’t you my boyfriend? Then it should be fine to hold hands!” Xia Wanyang’s voice got softer as she spoke.

The next second, his slightly callused large hand gently covered her small one. Both of them had flushed cheeks—one with red ears, the other with a red face. Xia Wanyang followed behind him, her face showing that familiar mischievous grin.