The cicadas chirped and frogs croaked in the tranquil fishing village.
“I’m not going back tonight,” Murong Yanran said, turning her flushed face away.
“What?” Li Haochen exclaimed in shock, his heart a mix of excitement and apprehension as he stared at Murong Yanran.
“You don’t welcome me? Then I’ll go back,” Murong Yanran declared, feigning a pout.
“No~ no, you’re welcome, you’re welcome, you can stay as long as you like,” Li Haochen rejoiced, his face beaming with delight.
Murong Yanran playfully blinked her big eyes. “Are we living together now? Hee hee!”
Li Haochen, unsure how to respond, fidgeted and simply grinned foolishly.
“Mmm…”
Suddenly, Murong Yanran frowned, a hint of pain on her face. She crossed her legs and bit her lip.
“Yanran, what’s wrong?” Li Haochen asked with concern, noticing her discomfort.
“I~ I got my period,” Murong Yanran mumbled, unable to meet Li Haochen’s gaze. Her face turned crimson, and she wished she could disappear into the ground.
“Your what?” Li Haochen was momentarily confused, not quite understanding.
“Idiot, my period,” Murong Yanran scolded him with a playful glare before turning away, her face still bright red.
Realization dawning, Li Haochen dashed out as if propelled by the wind. “I’ll be right back.”
…
Li Haochen pushed his electric tricycle to a blistering 60 miles per hour, racing non-stop to a 24-hour supermarket near the school. In the feminine hygiene aisle, faced with an overwhelming array of brands, lengths, and types, he was utterly clueless.
“Excuse me, sir, are you buying sanitary pads for your girlfriend?” a sweet female voice inquired from behind him as he hesitated, lost in indecision.
Li Haochen scratched his head, his face flushing slightly as he nodded. “Yes, but I don’t know which ones to get.”
“These ‘Feifei’ ones are good. International brand, 29cm for extra protection, comfortable, soft, and breathable for a peaceful night’s sleep…”
The sweet sales associate’s enthusiastic explanation left Li Haochen utterly bewildered. In the end, he decided to buy a pack of every type – for daytime, nighttime, and various lengths.
“What a thoughtful good boy,” the sales associate remarked enviously as she watched Li Haochen’s retreating back.
“Creak~~”
Li Haochen, carrying several large bags, entered with a slight puff, his breath coming in short gasps. “Yanran, here you go.”
Murong Yanran, too shy to look at Li Haochen, bashfully accepted the bags and hurried into the restroom.
About ten minutes later, Murong Yanran emerged, the black bags clutched behind her back. Her lips were pressed together, and the lingering blush on her cheeks evoked a desire to cherish and protect her.
“Why… why did you buy so much?”
“Uh, I wasn’t sure what size would be right, so I just bought a bit extra,” Li Haochen replied sheepishly, scratching his head.
“I’ve prepared new bedding in the upstairs room, and the toothbrushes and towels are already there. Rest early if you feel unwell.” To ease Murong Yanran’s embarrassment, Li Haochen went out into the courtyard for some fresh air.
Entering the upstairs room, he saw the steaming cup of brown sugar water on the small table. Murong Yanran felt a warmth spread through her, and the seed of love in her heart seemed to break through its shell. She looked out the window at the distant night sky. “Mom, being cared for and thought of feels so good. Is this happiness?”
The next morning, a soft ray of sunlight streamed through the glass window, illuminating a perfectly sculpted figure with flowing dark hair, making her appear even more enchanting and graceful.
“Mmm, I slept so well.”
Murong Yanran pushed open the window, embracing the gentle caress of the morning sun and breeze, and took a deep breath of the fresh air.
“It’s so beautiful. How happy it would be if it could always be like this…!”
“Yanran, come down for breakfast,” Li Haochen called out, gazing up at Murong Yanran by the window, captivated.
“Wow, it smells so good, Haochen. What is this?” Murong Yanran looked at the pot of golden-yellow, fragrant porridge on the table, her mouth watering slightly.
“It’s sand crab congee, my secret recipe. I guarantee you won’t be able to stop eating it,” Li Haochen boasted.
“Is it really that amazing?”
Murong Yanran was skeptical. As a wealthy heiress, she had tasted countless delicacies, yet after just one bite, those expensive dishes seemed to pale in comparison.
“The flavor is so fresh and sweet, fragrant with every mouthful.”
Murong Yanran’s appetite was whetted. In no time, she had finished two bowls, a satisfied smile gracing her lips.
“Don’t you want more?”
Murong Yanran shook her head and smiled faintly. “I’ve eaten as much as a week’s worth in the past day and night. I’m afraid I’ve gained quite a bit of weight. If I eat any more, I might turn into a fat pig and no one will want me!”
“Even if you turn into a pig, I’ll still want you, hahaha!” Li Haochen teased.
“Ah, it hurts, it hurts…!”
Before Li Haochen could finish laughing, his ear was subjected to the woman’s invincible skill – the ear-twisting technique. He pleaded for mercy.
“Hmph, you’re the pig. See if you dare say that again,” Murong Yanran declared triumphantly, clapping her hands.
“Alright, let’s go, or we’ll be late.”
“Okay, wait for me.” Li Haochen pushed out the tricycle, locked the door, and checked his surroundings to ensure nothing was left behind.
“Let’s go, off we go!”
…
From the moment Li Haochen’s tricycle entered Binda University with Murong Yanran aboard, it caused countless traffic accidents.
“Damn it, do beauties these days like riding electric tricycles?”
“You idiot, how could you be as handsome as me? This is so unfair!”
A third-year student driving a Porsche Macan, upon seeing Li Haochen’s tricycle carrying Murong Yanran, had a jolt and accidentally stepped on the accelerator, veering onto the road shoulder and crashing into a utility pole. “Seriously, didn’t they say girls would rather cry in a BMW than laugh on a bicycle?”
A group of first-year girls, still unburdened by cynicism, once again believed in love.
…
“It’s all your fault. You made me look like a monkey. I’m so embarrassed,” Murong Yanran said, covering her face, wishing she could disappear.
“Ah, there’s nothing we can do. We’re just too cool, and they’re envious and jealous.”
“Brother Long, do you believe in love?”
“Slap~” Qing Long smacked Ah Nian on the back of the head. “You believe in it? With money, what kind of love can’t you get?”
“Look at them, the guy driving a tricycle can bring a beauty with him. You’re driving a Cayenne, yet you don’t have a beauty by your side?” the youth grumbled somewhat resentfully.
“Slap~”
“Boss, you can’t play it like that.”
“These days, have you ever seen anyone laugh on a bicycle? Did that junior schoolmate exhaust you last night? Is your brain not working? How could there be…” Qing Long followed Ah Nian’s gaze and exclaimed, “Holy crap!”
“Quick, quick, quick, inform Young Master Yang. This damned bastard is abducting our sister-in-law again, making us squat here feeding mosquitoes for so long. Little brothers, get in the cars, don’t lose them!”