272

This bicycle was a betrothal gift that was returned to Guo Cuicui when the engagement was called off.

Li Yunzhong was very quick, and that special pass was also very useful; he soon brought over the photographer, Master Wen.

I first took a few photos of He Tiantian at home; her smile was sweet and lovely.

He Tiantian knew that Grandma Qi liked taking pictures, so she said, "Brother Yingjie, take a solo photo of Grandma, and then take a photo of me and Grandma together."

“Sure, we still have film anyway.” Huo Yingjie readily agreed. Actually, he had photos of He Tiantian, but the main reason he had someone come to take photos was to photograph Grandma Qi.

Grandma Qi waved her hands repeatedly, saying, "I'm just an old woman, I won't take any more pictures, I won't take any more..."

"Grandma, these photos won't cost much. Just keep them as a memento," He Tiantian reassured her. She knew that Grandma Qi was worried about spending money, but she actually enjoyed taking the photos.

Hearing He Tiantian's advice, Grandma Qi smiled shyly and said, "Then I'll go wash up and change into new clothes."

A while ago, He Tiantian used the fabric her mother sent to make a new navy blue dress for Grandma Qi.

"Okay, I'll help you." He Tiantian stepped forward to help Grandma Qi San wash up, change into new clothes, apply face cream, comb her hair into a neat bun, and bite her lips to make them darker so she would look healthier.

Grandma Qi San sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, holding a palm-leaf fan and smiling. Behind her were canna lilies that had already bloomed with red and yellow flowers.

With a "click," Grandma Qi's image was imprinted on the film.

With a "click," He Tiantian, standing to the left and behind Grandma Qi, landed on the film along with Grandma Qi.

Afterwards, He Tiantian and Huo Yingjie went up the mountain to take some more photos, including photos of the livestock team members. Master Wen promised to develop the photos as quickly as possible and deliver them personally.

Huo Yingjie paid thirty yuan and still had a few tickets left.

A few days later, when Master Wen came to deliver the photos in person, he also specially made two photo albums for Huo Yingjie and He Tiantian, putting their photos in them, one for each of them.

Grandma Qi San took out four of her own photos and carefully placed them in her photo album.

This photo album is a microcosm of her entire life!

The old photos showed her husband and son, but now she's all alone!

Fortunately, she now has a kind young woman, He Tiantian, standing behind her, offering some comfort in her lonely old age.

In the blink of an eye, Huo Yingjie had been in Qijia Village for twelve days.

Although He Tiantian was reluctant to part with him, she appeared happy on the surface.

She didn't want Huo Yingjie to see her looking gloomy; she wanted to always be happy and cheerful in his eyes.

She knew this wasn't good, but her past experiences made her timid in certain ways. Although her personality had changed significantly, the deepest parts of her heart were the hardest to change.

Huo Yingjie was indeed happy to see He Tian's sweet smile, but he felt even more heartache!

How can anyone not be sad when they are about to part with a lover? Unless they no longer want to love!

Huo Yingjie was absolutely certain that they were in love!

So He Tiantian remains the same, leaving happiness for others and keeping sadness to herself.

For a whole year, He Tiantian's life was devoid of his involvement.

It was his regret, but also his most cherished memory.

Huo Yingjie and He Tiantian walked in front, followed closely by Zhang Aijun and Li Yunzhong.

Li Yunzhong tugged at Zhang Aijun's sleeve and said, "Brother Zhang, Comrade Huo is about to leave. Let them be alone for a while. We should keep our distance."

Zhang Aijun was taken aback, but he did not accept Li Yunzhong's suggestion and insisted on following them.

“They are lovers. We’ve been by their side the whole time. They have some private things to say, but they haven’t had time to talk about them,” Li Yunzhong said. “We are here to protect Comrade Huo’s safety, but Qijia Village is very safe. Comrade Huo’s life is not in danger.”

Zhang Aijun thought for a moment, then stopped and said, "We'll maintain a 20-meter perimeter!"

"Yes!" Li Yunzhong saluted, awaiting Zhang Aijun's orders.

Upon seeing Zhang Aijun, Li Yunzhong distanced himself, and Huo Yingjie understood that this was to give He Tiantian some space to be together.

"Sweetie, I'll be leaving in a couple of days," Huo Yingjie said. "I'm leaving the little tortoise with you. I can rest easy knowing it's by your side."

At first, Huo Yingjie considered taking the Little Whirlwind Turtle with him, but then he thought about how He Tiantian was in Qijia Village, while he was in a remote town under Nanshi City—so far away that he couldn't reach her. With the all-powerful Little Whirlwind Turtle, at least He Tiantian's safety could be protected.

Furthermore, he is a man, and even if he is currently unable to move freely, he can still protect himself.

He Tiantian knew Huo Yingjie meant well, but while Huo Yingjie was worried about her, she was also worried about him. Besides, Xiao Xuangui liked Huo Yingjie and wanted to stay by his side; she couldn't force him.

"Hehe, okay!" He Tiantian agreed, but how to do it was beyond Huo Yingjie's control.

"You must take good care of yourself," Huo Yingjie said. "I won't marry anyone but you. Wait for me to come and marry you!"

"I won't marry anyone but you, I'll wait for you to come and marry me!" He Tiantian tilted her head and buried her face in Huo Yingjie's chest, so close to his heart, feeling the beating of his heart!

Green hills and flowing water, wildflowers in full bloom!

The birds in the woods chirped melodiously from time to time!

In this beautiful environment, Huo Yingjie and He Tiantian left behind their sweet figures and firm vows.

Time flies, and before we knew it, it was time for Huo Yingjie to leave.

These past few days, He Tiantian made a pair of cloth shoes with a thousand-layer sole for Huo Yingjie, hoping they would make his feet more comfortable. Wearing those rubber-soled canvas shoes for a long time isn't breathable and can cause athlete's foot! Cloth shoes are much more comfortable!

“Little Turtle, come in,” He Tiantian said. “Your master kept you by my side because he was worried about my safety, not because he didn’t like you. I have the Snake King with me now, so nothing will happen, but I can’t tell him. But I know you like to stay by your master’s side. Crawl into my shoe and put Yingjie’s luggage in with you. You can come out when we get there.”

The little tortoise was very depressed, feeling that its owner treated it badly.

However, it still wishes to be by its owner's side.

"What if I disobey my master's orders and he gets angry?" the little tortoise asked worriedly. It had never disobeyed its master's orders before, and it wouldn't dare to now.

"Idiot!" He Tiantian flicked the little turtle's shell. "Just say I threatened you, say I was worried about him and sent you. Push everything onto me. Even if he's angry, he'll be angry at me, not at you."

The little tortoise was overjoyed and said, "That's right! I knew you threatened to kill yourself, and I had no choice but to agree!" (To be continued.)