He Tiantian assumed it was a confidential work matter and didn't press the matter further.

Huo Yingjie didn't finish his work until Jiang Lifang and Huo Zhekun were on vacation.

After that, He Jingyu, Huo Zhekun, Old Man Qi, and Huo Yingjie locked themselves in the study and discussed things for the entire night. The three or four women outside wanted to know, but the door was closed, and the room was very soundproof, so no one could hear them eavesdropping.

Even after they came out of the house, when asked how many men there were, they just laughed it off.

They simply announced that the Huo family of three would take the train back to Yanjing for the Chinese New Year early tomorrow morning.

He Tiantian couldn't sleep at night. Her brother Yingjie was going back to Yanjing the next day, and he would probably go straight to his workplace after the New Year.

He Tiantian isn't the only one having trouble sleeping!

Huo Yingjie is the same!

Finally, Huo Yingjie decided to use the last bit of time of the year to say goodbye to He Tiantian alone. With his own parents and He Tiantian's parents both around during the day, he had the desire but not the courage!

Huo Yingjie put on his cotton-padded coat and a thick military overcoat, and came to the corner of the wall very close to He Tiantian's house.

"Bugu Bugu..." Huo Yingjie put his hands to his mouth and made a few coded calls.

Upon hearing the code, He Tiantian was overjoyed. She quickly put on her cotton-padded coat and carefully climbed out of the window.

"Meow..." He Tiantian responded.

Just as the cuckoo started to sing, He Jingyu and Wang Shuping inside the house were both amused and exasperated. These two kids, since they were exchanging secret signals, didn't they even consider the weather? It was freezing cold! What kind of cuckoo wouldn't freeze to death? Even the kitten was going to go wherever it was warmer! In this freezing weather, who would run outside? There weren't any mice around!

Jiang Lifang was half asleep when she heard the sound of a cuckoo and muttered, "Where is that bird calling from?"

Huo Zhekun, standing nearby, was speechless. Was that idiot outside his own son? He was way dumber than him. Old He and his wife were probably laughing at their stupid son right now.

Huo Yingjie moved some stools over there, while He Tiantian stood on the stone table over there.

"Sweetie, why are you dressed so lightly?" Huo Yingjie saw that He Tiantian was only wearing a padded jacket, so he quickly took off his own clothes and handed them to her.

He Tiantian didn't answer, saying, "I'm not cold!"

"Quickly, listen to me!" Huo Yingjie was unhappy. He didn't want He Tiantian to get cold. Catching a cold in this cold weather is no fun!

He Tiantian didn't want to upset Huo Yingjie, so she accepted the coat.

On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, after the three members of the Huo family had a meal at the He family's house, they packed their belongings and prepared to go to Yanjing to celebrate the New Year.

He Tiantian made scallion pancakes for them in the morning, with rabbit meat added inside. They bought some vegetable soup and ate them soaked in it; it tasted pretty good.

Huo Yingjie was reluctant to leave, but he knew now was not the time for sentimentality; he had many things to plan. Only when he became powerful could He Tiantian have someone to rely on and a protective shield!

He Tiantian went to see them off, feeling reluctant to part.

Huo Yingjie held He Tiantian's head and kissed her passionately; their feelings for each other grew even more intense in the cold air.

"Brother Yingjie, you must take care of yourself and don't worry about me. Look, I can not only cook now, but I can also take care of myself. In Qijia Village, I have Grandpa Qi, Grandma Qi, and Secretary Qi to take care of me. No one dares to bully me." He Tiantian saw the worry in Huo Yingjie's eyes and whispered to comfort him, gently touching Huo Yingjie's face, feeling the stubble prickling on her hand.

When he returned this time, he saw that He Tiantian had changed a lot. She could do all kinds of housework, was strong, and had become quite eloquent. What surprised him most was that He Tiantian understood social etiquette, knew how to make friends, and improved her own situation.

While Huo Yingjie felt gratified, he also felt even more bitter.

It's because he's incompetent and can't protect He Tiantian.

"Okay, make sure you're safe no matter what. Give me a year." Huo Yingjie repeated that he would do his best to improve the situation and reunite with He Tiantian.

“Okay, no matter how long it takes, I’ll wait for you,” He Tiantian said. In this life, there were no misunderstandings between them, and no one could separate them.

He Tiantian is full of confidence in her future life and is not afraid at all.

She now has the ability to protect herself, and even more so, the ability to deal with Qi Jianguo and his ilk!

“We can definitely be together,” Huo Yingjie assured him. “In Taoyuan County, as long as it’s not a murder case, I can handle it, so don’t hold back and be bold. If anyone bullies you, you can fight back.”

"I will. Now I've fought back against all those who bullied me. I doubt they'll dare to do it again," He Tiantian said with a smile. This was the truth; Lin Xiaoru had reported her and was slapped twice in the face.

After his scheme was exposed before the Lunar New Year, Qi Jianguo went to hide at a relative's house in the county town to learn how to repair agricultural machinery such as tractors and harvesters.

Qi Shuli was very cunning, like a slippery eel, and his whole body reeked of fish. Secretary Qi couldn't find a way to suppress Qi Shuli.

At the same time, He Tiantian also believes in Qi Shuli, and that Qi Jianguo will not take action for the time being.

Even so, He Tiantian wouldn't let Qi Jianguo off so easily. When she returned to Qijia Village next year, she would definitely find a chance to take revenge. In her past life, because of Qi Jianguo's deception, He Tiantian led a tragic and numb life.

In this life, He Tiantian has seized the initiative and can take revenge on Qi Jianguo. She will prepare a chaotic and miserable life for Qi Jianguo, one that will last a lifetime.

Huo Yingjie concluded by saying, "I'm going to Yanjing this time to discuss some matters with my grandfather. If I can get any help, I'll let you know in my letter."

“Okay, your letter is from the army. Qi Shuli from Qijia Village doesn’t dare to peek at it, so you can write whatever you want to say directly,” He Tiantian said. If Huo Yingjie could provide connections in Taoyuan County, Huai’an City, that would be even better.

The two embraced tightly, reluctant to part.

Huo Yingjie would kiss He Tiantian's forehead from time to time, and He Tiantian would also take the initiative, kissing Huo Yingjie's cheek.

After a moment of deep affection, they shared another passionate kiss, exchanging breaths.

"Achoo!" He Tiantian sneezed, and snot ran down her nose.

Although both of them were passionate, the cold weather outside was the biggest obstacle.

Seeing He Tiantian like this, Huo Yingjie knew he couldn't continue and had to send her back, otherwise she would catch a cold tomorrow.

"Alright, Sweetie, go back and rest. Take good care of yourself," Huo Yingjie said, ruffling the fluffy hair on He Tiantian's head.

He Tiantian nodded obediently and said, "Okay, you should go back and get some rest too."

Although neither of them wanted to part, they had no choice but to go back to their respective rooms.

The joy of reunion was so intense, it felt like living in a honey pot.

Parting was so painful, it felt like I'd fallen into a bowl of bitter melon water. (To be continued.)