mtl008 Chapter 158, isn't it...? Take a look?
Chapter 158, isn't it...? Take a look?
On a chilly night, Li Xiangyang and Li Xiaoyun walked side by side on a country road.
The moonlight shone on the snow, casting long shadows of the two people.
Li Xiaoyun kept stealing glances at Li Xiangyang along the way, her cheeks flushed in the moonlight.
After walking for a while, she finally mustered her courage and whispered, almost to herself, "Xiangyang, you...you didn't...arrange this on purpose, did you?"
Li Xiangyang paused, his heart skipping a beat.
He turned to look at Li Xiaoyun, only to see her with her head down, her slender fingers nervously twisting together.
Bathed in moonlight, her profile was delicate and beautiful, her long eyelashes trembling slightly.
“Yes,” Li Xiangyang called softly, reaching out to grasp her cold fingers. “But I will definitely take you back to the educated youth settlement. As for Er Gou…”
Before she could finish speaking, Li Xiaoyun suddenly looked up, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling with tears: "Then are you willing to do it?"
These words were like a fire, instantly igniting the long-suppressed emotions in Li Xiangyang's heart.
He gazed into Li Xiaoyun's eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing, his voice slightly hoarse: "I can't bear to. But it won't do, if it happens before the wedding..."
Hearing his honest answer, Li Xiaoyun bit her lower lip, remained silent, and tightened her grip on his hand.
In the darkness, their hands were clasped tightly together.
Feeling the warmth of Li Xiangyang's palm, Li Xiaoyun suddenly looked up and said softly, "How about... I don't go back to the educated youth settlement tonight? Anyway, we're getting married soon, so let whoever wants to say what they want..."
Li Xiangyang's body stiffened, and his heart suddenly raced.
Under the moonlight, Li Xiaoyun's cheeks were flushed, and her eyes held an unprecedented tenderness.
At that moment, all he wanted to do was nod frantically.
But reason ultimately prevailed.
He took a deep breath and gently shook his head: "No."
Seeing a hint of disappointment in Li Xiaoyun's eyes, he quickly explained, "Xiaoyun, we've come this far, I can't let anyone say a word about you. Besides, after we get married, it'll be..."
Li Xiaoyun lowered her head, her face turning even redder: "You...you're so annoying."
"What's wrong?" Li Xiangyang teased her deliberately, "You were the one who brought it up first."
"I...I didn't..." Li Xiaoyun stamped her feet anxiously, then suddenly remembered something, looked up and glared at him fiercely, "Then why did you arrange for Wang Ergou and the others..."
"It wasn't my arrangement, was it? I swear to God, Wang Ergou begged me." Li Xiangyang smiled and pulled her into his arms. "Don't be angry, let's hurry to Master Zheng's house."
Just then, a dog barking came from afar, breaking the ambiguous atmosphere between the two.
Li Xiaoyun was startled and instinctively shrank into Li Xiangyang's arms. Then she realized her rudeness and blushed as she tried to back away.
Li Xiangyang didn't let go; instead, he hugged her even tighter: "Don't be afraid, no one's here."
Li Xiaoyun glared at him, gripped his hand tightly, and the two walked towards Old Zheng's house.
"Hehe, that's great, even better after we're married, so I can hold your hand openly like this every day."
Li Xiangyang turned his head to look at the girl beside him, his voice gentle.
Li Xiaoyun blushed and said, "That will take a long time, we'll have to wait until the wedding is held."
"Soon," Li Xiangyang said with a smile. "In just over a month, you'll be my wife."
"Who...who wants to be your wife?" Li Xiaoyun glared at him reproachfully, but her eyes were full of sweetness.
Looking at her charming appearance, Li Xiangyang couldn't help but pull her closer to him: "Are you cold? Do you want to wear my cotton-padded coat?"
“No need,” Li Xiaoyun moved closer to him, “this is fine.”
The two walked forward, leaning on each other.
Before long, they arrived at Old Zheng's house.
At this moment, the gate to Old Zheng's courtyard was ajar.
Li Xiangyang gently pushed open the courtyard gate, and was about to call for help when he heard voices coming from inside the house.
"Who is it? It's so late." Old Zheng's aged but strong voice came from behind.
"Mr. Zheng, it's me, Li Xiangyang."
Before he could finish speaking, the door was pulled open, and Old Zheng, wrapped in a thick cotton-padded coat, stood in the doorway. Seeing it was Li Xiangyang, his face immediately lit up with a smile: "I was wondering why 'Night Shadow' kept peeking outside today; turns out it was you coming, kid."
Li Xiangyang smiled and handed over the meat in his hand: "I hunted a roe deer with Er Gou today, so I brought you some meat."
Old Zheng took the meat, his gaze falling on Li Xiaoyun behind Li Xiangyang, a knowing glint in his eyes: "This must be your girlfriend, right? Come in, it's warm inside."
“This is my girlfriend, Li Xiaoyun. Xiaoyun, say hello to Master Zheng,” Li Xiangyang reminded her softly.
Li Xiaoyun blushed and greeted Old Zheng with a sweet voice, "Hello, Master Zheng," which made Old Zheng nod repeatedly.
The kang (heated brick bed) in Old Zheng's house was warm, and entering the room made one feel cozy and comfortable.
Old Zheng put the meat in the kitchen and shouted into the inner room, "Old woman, come out quickly! Xiangyang has brought his girlfriend to see us!"
"Coming, coming." Old Zheng's wife came out from the inner room, holding a needle and thread in her hand.
Upon seeing Li Xiaoyun, her eyes lit up: "Wow, this girl is really pretty, I like her just by looking at her, no wonder she can charm this guy."
Li Xiaoyun became even more embarrassed by the praise.
"Don't be shy, Grandma is just telling the truth. Sit down, sit down and let's talk."
At this moment, Old Zheng started placing peanuts and melon seeds on the kang (a heated brick bed), saying, "Xiangyang, you're a lucky guy, you've found such a wonderful girl."
Li Xiangyang smiled and said, "Yes, I have good taste."
Old Zheng opened the thermos on the kang table and poured hot water for the two of them: "I heard you're getting married soon?"
“Yes, May 15th.” Li Xiangyang nodded. “Please make sure Grandpa Zheng and Grandma come then.”
"Absolutely!" Old Zheng readily agreed. "I have some good wine that I've stored for several years; I'll treat you all to it."
Old Zheng's wife held Li Xiaoyun's hand and said kindly, "Girl, you're so lucky. Xiangyang is a kind-hearted and capable young man, and most importantly, he knows how to care for others. You definitely won't suffer any hardship if you marry him..."
Li Xiaoyun glanced at Li Xiangyang secretly and saw that he was looking at her too. Their eyes met, and they couldn't help but smile.
As night deepened, Li Xiangyang got up to say goodbye.
Mr. and Mrs. Zheng escorted Li Xiangyang to the door. Mr. Zheng patted Li Xiangyang on the shoulder and said, "Be careful on the road. It's freezing cold. If you can't manage, don't take him back to the educated youth settlement. It's quite a distance."
Old Zheng's wife chuckled and teased, "You silly old man, what nonsense are you spouting? Xiangyang, don't listen to the old man. But actually, it's fine. Remember, you live your own life. It's nobody else's business."
"Yes, I understand. It's cold, you two should go back inside too."
Li Xiangyang turned around and responded, then took Li Xiaoyun's hand and walked back.
Under the moonlight, Li Xiangyang held Li Xiaoyun's hand tightly and said softly, "Let's go back to the educated youth settlement. Now that your parents have mentioned it, I'm even less inclined to send you back."
"It's too late." Li Xiaoyun gently pushed Li Xiangyang away, a hint of coquettishness in her eyes. "I gave you a chance just now, but you didn't cherish it. Hesitating like that, are you even a man?"
"Isn't it...you feel it?"
After Li Xiangyang finished speaking, he pulled the person into his arms...