"Xiao Mu, when do you think it's convenient for me to meet your family? You're both of age now, and it's time for marriage. I'll pick a good day and let the two families sit down and discuss it."
As soon as they sat down, Zhao Qian started urging marriage.
Ye Longlin sighed inwardly, realizing the meal today would surely be unpleasant.
Mu Hanqi chuckled, "I'm fine with whatever you think, Aunt Zhao. When are you available?"
Although... they had skipped the dating phase, it wasn't entirely unacceptable.
Ye Longlin sighed, helpless, "Aunt Zhao, I really haven't thought about marriage. Please don't try to set us up here. You know I'm a soldier. What if I'm sacrificed on the battlefield someday? What would happen to the widow and orphan?
You see my point. Also, I have quite a few enemies. If I were to be sacrificed, and these enemies came looking for trouble, they would have no means of self-protection. What then?"
Zhao Qian didn't fully grasp the implications, but Ye Longlin's explanation caused her to fall silent.
Indeed, she wanted to see Ye Longlin married with children, but with Ye Longlin's concerns, she had to carefully consider whether this matter could truly be accepted by others.
Marriage and children are a family affair, but no woman could readily accept such a situation.
Only those who can truly persevere deserve the title of military family.
Mu Hanqi remained silent. She actually understood Ye Longlin's worries and his identity, so these issues weren't particularly significant. What mattered was that he truly hadn't considered the matter.
"Forget it, forget it. You have your considerations, and I won't pry into your affairs anymore. You handle these things as you see fit."
Zhao Qian didn't dwell on the matter any further, as she didn't know what else to say to persuade him.
Ye Longlin had his own thoughts and concerns, and as his aunt, she should try not to add to his troubles.
"Alright, stay here tonight. We have a bed."
"No need, Aunt Zhao. We'll head back. We still have some work to finish."
...
After dinner.
Ye Longlin asked Yuan Gang to drive back first, while he and Mu Hanqi walked home. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
They were both silent on the way. Mu Hanqi's mood was entirely different from the afternoon, and Ye Longlin wasn't sure what she was thinking. However, he felt it was for the best.
Some things needed her to figure them out on her own before she could find peace.
"Ye Longlin, I've made up my mind."
Ye Longlin continued walking forward without any change in his expression.
Mu Hanqi ran to him, facing him and walking backward step by step, saying with a smile, "I've made up my mind! Since I like you, I will persevere, even if the outcome might not satisfy me. I will persevere."
"After all, you're the first boy I've ever liked, and I won't give up so easily. Also, let me tell you, if you really find me bothersome, please tell me, and I'll disappear."
Looking at Mu Hanqi's determined eyes, Ye Longlin didn't know what to say and could only respond helplessly, "Whatever you wish."
Hearing this answer, Mu Hanqi chuckled.
Suddenly, she noticed the corner of Ye Longlin's lips curve slightly, and her eyes lit up with joy, "You smiled!"
Ye Longlin: "I didn't. You're mistaken."
Mu Hanqi pouted, her eyes wide, "You did! You smiled!"
Ye Longlin ignored her and quickened his pace.
The weather in Nan Province becomes unpredictable once winter arrives. One moment it's sunny, and the next it might be pouring rain.
Just like now, dark clouds had gathered in the sky, and a flash of pale lightning struck down with a rumble that could be heard across Nan Province.
Ye Longlin looked up at the sky, his brows furrowed slightly, "It's going to rain. Let's hurry."
Mu Hanqi replied with an "oh."
Under the streetlights, Ye Longlin's shadow stretched long. Mu Hanqi followed closely, step by step, treading on his shadow as if she could merge into him.
However, after only a few steps, the downpour began, drenching Mu Hanqi completely. In contrast, Ye Longlin, apart from his shoes getting a little damp, remained untouched by the rain.
Mu Hanqi: "......"
She quickly moved closer to Ye Longlin, chuckled, and hugged his arm. Indeed, the rain did not reach him.
A faint, pleasant scent wafted into his nose, like natural floral fragrance, yet with a hint of personal warmth.
This made Ye Longlin's aged face flush slightly.
As a novice in matters of the heart, Ye Longlin had never been this close to any girl before. This was the first time, and he could even feel his face getting hot.
Fortunately, the darkness served as a natural disguise, preventing Mu Hanqi from noticing, otherwise, he wasn't sure how she would have teased him.
Upon returning home, Ye Longlin silently withdrew his hand and said coldly, "Go take a bath quickly. Don't catch a cold."
Mu Hanqi, however, leaned in, a sly smile on her face, "Are you caring about me?"
Ye Longlin glanced at her, ignored her, rolled his eyes, and bent down to change into his slippers.
Seeing Ye Longlin's demeanor, Mu Hanqi felt a sense of joy. At least he hadn't refused any of what had happened, which, for Mu Hanqi, was good news.
"Alright, I'm going to take a bath."
With that, she headed upstairs.
After she went up, Ye Longlin put down the newspaper he was holding and sat on the sofa, lost in deep thought.
After a long while, he sighed, found some ginger in the refrigerator, smashed it, threw it into a pot, and mixed it with some red soup.
This concoction had always been effective in dispelling cold.
By the time Ye Longlin finished preparing the ginger soup, Mu Hanqi had already finished her bath. She was wearing a pink bathrobe, her fair legs exposed, appearing and disappearing.
It wasn't an overt display, but for a man, this elusive glimpse was even more tantalizing.
Her delicate collarbones and the teardrop-shaped necklace she wore around her neck exuded an alluring aura.
Ye Longlin poured the ginger soup into a bowl and placed it on the table, his voice still devoid of any emotion.
"Drink this."
Mu Hanqi gritted her teeth, "I'm so alluring, and you only care about your soup?"
Ye Longlin: "......"
Seeing his unresponsiveness, Mu Hanqi became irritated. One of her legs emerged from the bathrobe, and her index finger traced her calf from bottom to top, caressing it.
Ye Longlin: "......"