"Xiaoxi, I really like you. I'm serious about you and about being in a relationship with you. I will cherish, protect, and love you. I will do my best to make you happy. I will never let you down."

The sudden confession left Wenxi at a loss. She hadn't even figured out what to do in the future, and now she was being confessed to, making her feel like she was on a sinking ship with no way off.

Furthermore, while she didn't exactly like He Chen'an, she didn't dislike him either, so...

Wen Xi looked at He Chen'an in front of her. He was tall and straight, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. He had sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and his features were well-defined. He was a rare handsome man, no less than the movie stars that would appear later.

In her past life, she was sent to another family by her older sister and brother-in-law, but she had never even had a boyfriend. Should she give it a try with He Chen'an?

If you date for a while and really don't feel anything, then you can end the relationship, and neither of you will lose anything.

Thinking of this, Wen Xi tentatively said, "I'm sorry, Dr. He, although you are very young and outstanding, I don't know you at all. I can't just listen to your side of the story and start dating you. What if I get deceived by you? Besides, I've never been in a relationship before. I don't know how to do it or whether it will work out. So how about we start as friends? If we find it works out after a while, we can start dating. If not, we can stay friends."

"Okay, then let's be friends first."

A smile appeared in He Chen'an's eyes as he said softly, "It's almost dawn now, so you can rest here with me. I'm going downstairs to sleep at my colleague's place for a few hours. Don't leave until I get back, okay?"

After He Chen'an left, Wen Xi locked the door and leaned against it. Surprisingly, she didn't find this strange feeling offensive.

Thinking that it was almost dawn, Wen Xi lifted the covers and lay down. She brought her nose close and sniffed the blanket. There was no unpleasant smell, so it seemed that He Chen'an was a clean person.

Lying on He Chen'an's bed, covered with his blanket, Wen Xi's heart was in turmoil. Then she thought that she had already agreed to give it a try with He Chen'an, so there was no point in worrying about it now.

She couldn't just agree to give it a try and then say she didn't want to, could she? That would be like crossing the river and then burning the bridge. If He Chen'an hadn't vouched for her, she'd probably still be suffering there.

Wenxi set an alarm for her through the check-in system, then closed her eyes and slowly fell asleep.

The next morning, He Chen'an returned home carrying his packed belongings. An older woman from the apartment building saw him and asked, "Dr. He, didn't you stay in the dormitory last night?"

He Chen'an didn't mind the probing tone in her voice and said frankly, "Yes, my girlfriend came to see me yesterday, so I gave her my dorm room and stayed at my roommate's place downstairs for one night."

Before the aunt could recover from the shock, He Chen'an had already taken his things upstairs.

At this time, most people in the family dormitory building had gone to work, so even the slightest sound outside could be heard clearly. When Wen Xi heard He Chen'an's words, her cheeks flushed.

Not wanting to delay He Chen'an, she immediately threw off the covers and got out of bed. Then she went to open the dormitory door, afraid that He Chen'an would be afraid to knock and would stand outside the door, which would affect his work.

He Chen'an returned to the dormitory and saw that the door was open a crack. Knowing that Wen Xi had woken up, he pushed the door open and came in carrying his things. He first reached out and touched Wen Xi's forehead. Seeing that Wen Xi did not have a fever, he was relieved. "Xiao Xi, I brought you some clothes. Change into them first. There are still dumplings in the lunchbox. Eat them quickly before they get cold."

After giving his instructions, He Chen'an turned and left, standing by the dormitory door like a guardian deity.

Wen Xi was somewhat surprised, not expecting him to have arranged so many things for her. However, she did need clothes now, as her clothes from yesterday were soaked through and unwearable. She couldn't very well go back to the Harvest Brigade wearing He Chen'an's men's clothing, as that would definitely cause quite a stir.

Wen Xi took out her clothes and changed, then braided her hair into a fishtail braid and put it behind her head. She looked very gentle and charming. Wen Xi did not expect that He Chen'an would be so thoughtful, even paying attention to small details such as hair ties and hair clips.

After tidying herself up, Wenxi said softly, "I'm changed."

Then He Chen'an pushed the door open and came in. When he saw Wen Xi looking completely different, he was stunned. He had to admit, she was really beautiful, and even more beautiful when she smiled. Such a beautiful girl was now his friend. After a while, He Chen'an came back to his senses, his ears turning red. "How is it? Does it fit?"

Wen Xi lowered her head, tugged at her clothes, and nodded. "It's fine, thank you. How much do these things cost?"

He Chen'an walked up to Wen Xi, took her hand, looked down into her eyes, and said seriously, "You're my friend, why are you asking how much money?"

Wen Xi immediately retorted, "No, we're just friends now, and even if we were dating, I wouldn't take advantage of you."

He Chen'an works himself to the bone for a month and only earns a few dozen yuan, while she makes several years' worth of his salary in one black market transaction. So in her eyes, He Chen'an is a pitiful little thing. How could she bear to let He Chen'an spend so much on her?

"How about this, next time you come to the county town, you treat me to a meal. If once isn't enough, then treat me a few more times, okay?" He Chen'an suggested. Only by giving and receiving can the relationship heat up quickly.

"Alright then!" Wen Xi said helplessly.

In the small single dormitory room, the two were very close. Wen Xi saw He Chen'an with his eyes lowered, glancing at her from time to time. Wen Xi felt her heartbeat becoming erratic, and she felt like she was having some difficulty breathing.

The sunlight streaming through the window fell on his handsome face, highlighting his high nose, sharp eyebrows, and bright eyes, as if he were enveloped in a sacred glow.

"Hurry up and eat your breakfast, I'll take you to catch your ride." He Chen'an raised his hand and stroked Wen Xi's braid hanging down behind her head.

"Mm." Wen Xi nodded.

The two shared a box of dumplings. He Chen'an then put Wen Xi's wet clothes that she had changed out of the night before into a bag, and then took Wen Xi to catch her ride.

Coming down the stairs, she ran into the aunt who had asked He Chen'an why he wasn't living in the dormitory. When the aunt saw Wen Xi, with her fair skin and bright, dark eyes, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. "Dr. He, is this your girlfriend? She's so beautiful! Dr. He, when are you going to invite everyone to your wedding?"