"Soon, in a week." He chuckled gently, finally reaching out to touch her hair. "Don't worry, I'll take care of everything."

And Xue Fu asked about his whereabouts for the first time.

She had never experienced such a long period of time without Gu Chong by her side.

She had already sensed that she would feel uncomfortable and out of place.

Gu Chong reassured her unease, but he didn't give a direct answer. He said softly, "How about I tell you when we get back?"

Xue Fu bit her lower lip and could only nod: "Okay."

She lost her appetite for breakfast, and instead took his hand and earnestly reminded him, "Be careful outside."

Gu Chong felt like she was treating him like a child.

However, he really likes this kind of concern.

Because he was leaving that day, Xue Fu followed him around like a little shadow all day long, sticking to him wherever he went.

Her clinginess actually made Gu Chong waver for a few moments. Should he not leave?

But after a moment, Gu Chong quickly reaffirmed his resolve.

If he wanted to be with Xue Fu, he couldn't let her live with him in that dilapidated house.

Gu Chong wanted Xue Fu to choose him, but he couldn't provide her with a comfortable life. Gu Chong would only feel like a good-for-nothing and not worthy of her at all.

He has to earn his capital.

After they finished dinner, Gu Chong carried a gray bundle and prepared to leave.

Xue Fu originally intended to give it to Gu Chong.

But Gu Chong only let her stand at the door and watch him leave, not let her see him off to the village entrance.

Seeing Xue Fu's clearly affectionate expression, Gu Chong wanted to say more to reassure her, but all he could manage were a few dry phrases like "Don't worry," "Don't be afraid," and "I'll be back soon"...

In the end, Xue Fu took the initiative to hug him.

The hug, initiated by Xue Fu, was devoid of romance; it only contained her reluctance to part.

Gu Chong stood there dumbfounded, not expecting it to happen so suddenly.

His heart trembled, and when he tried to reach out and hug the soft person in his arms, Xue Fu had already ended the embrace.

She said, "Go soon and come back soon, we'll be waiting for you."

She held Gu Fei's hand, and the two of them, one big and one small, waved goodbye to him obediently.

Gu Chong felt a tingling sensation on his waist where she had hugged him and on his chest where she had leaned against him, but he had to come back to his senses. He gave her a smug smile, a kind of bright and unrestrained one, which was rare for Gu Chong: "Wait for me to come back."

As Gu Chong and Zhou Zhi boarded the southbound truck that evening, he was still slowly savoring the memory of that embrace.

Gu Chong suddenly felt confident.

Actually, maybe, perhaps... she also had feelings for him?

Otherwise, why would I hug him?

Thinking of this possibility, Gu Chong couldn't help but laugh out loud, which was particularly noticeable in the quiet carriage.

Seeing that he kept smiling with his eyes sparkling and his lips never drooping, looking like a fool, Zhou Zhi couldn't stand it anymore and slapped Gu Chong on the back, asking inquiringly, "What good thing happened to you?"

Because of Zhou Zhi's interruption, Gu Chong's expression turned aloof again. He glanced at Zhou Zhi with an air of nonchalance and let out a soft sigh: "None of your business."

Zhou Zhi: ...He shouldn't have said that.

Even with Gu Chong away, Xue Fu still goes to the Gu family's house every day for the past few days.

Although Gu Chong had prepared all the ingredients, she and Gu Fei still figured out what to eat and how to cook it for three meals a day, and were ready to get to work.

Gu Fei was a child, and although he could do housework, he was still a novice when it came to cooking. Gu Chong had only let him do things like washing dishes, starting a fire, heating up food, and washing vegetables.

These past few days, Xue Fu and Gu Fei have been eating very simple meals.

They cook a big pot of sweet potato porridge every morning, enough to eat all day.

For side dishes, you can either scoop some kimchi from the kimchi jar.

Alternatively, you can cut a piece of cured meat and throw it directly into the porridge to cook together.

Cured pork is also delicious when cooked in porridge.

Although compared to the delicious food Gu Chong prepared, Xue Fu and Gu Chong's meals these past few days had been rather bland, neither of them complained.

After Xue Fu finished washing the dishes for the day, she saw her younger brother sitting in the yard, so she moved a stool over and sat down to rest.

"Are you making a flower wreath?" Xue Fu asked as she approached, only then noticing what her younger brother was doing.

This afternoon, while Xue Fu was working at the fishpond, Gu Fei went out and played with his friends for the afternoon.

When Gu Fei returned, he brought back a large bunch of wildflowers.

Xue Fu was pleasantly surprised when she saw it and asked Gu Fei if it was a gift for her.

Gu Fei smiled shyly, like a little angel, and handed her a handful of neatly bundled flowers, trimmed of any tangled branches and leaves.

Receiving flowers is of course a joy, even though they are just ordinary wildflowers by the roadside, Xue Fu was still overjoyed.

Although Xue Fu never had a boyfriend in modern times, she still received quite a few bouquets of flowers.

She wasn't interested in those suitors, but seeing the beautiful and delicate flowers couldn't help but brighten her mood.

Xue Fu truly enjoyed this glamorous lifestyle at heart.

She has always had the best of everything since she was a child, so naturally she likes and enjoys a good life.

She is quite particular about rituals, if she could afford it now.

Gu Fei was weaving a flower wreath, made from the leftover flowers he had picked that afternoon.

Xue Fu watched him weave. Although he was small, he was very skillful, and in no time he had woven a flower wreath and handed it to her.

Xue Fu was so pleased that her eyes crinkled with laughter, revealing her bright eyes and white teeth.

"Is your sister feeling any better?"

Xue Fu heard Gu Fei ask her that question.

Only then did she belatedly realize the concern hidden beneath Gu Fei's actions.

She couldn't help but laugh again, feeling utterly useless. She even had to make a child worry about her.

She said, "I'm very happy."

She took the flower wreath and, remembering Gu Fei's kindness, immediately put it on her head. She was about to ask Gu Fei if it looked good, but then her younger brother appeared in the next chapter.

"Sister, do you miss brother?"

Xue Fu hesitated for a few seconds, thinking that Gu Fei would have no trouble finding a girlfriend when he grew up.

He can't hold back at all; he's definitely a straightforward guy.

Xue Fu took another breath, looking somewhat troubled.

She felt that Gu Fei was really very sensitive.

She has indeed been feeling a bit uneasy these past few days.

I'm not used to it, and I'm not used to it.

Even though everything is the same as before, doing the same work, these past few days have felt incredibly boring and tedious.

Gu Fei noticed this odd behavior in her.

Then the child exposed her vague thoughts.

She really...misses Gu Chong a little.

Looking into Gu Fei's innocent black eyes, Xue Fu stammered, too embarrassed to admit it, her cheeks and ears growing increasingly red.

The more embarrassed she became, the happier she saw her younger brother laughing.

His smile was one of genuine joy.

Gu Fei said, "I miss my brother too!"

When Xue Fu left the Gu family, she didn't let her younger brother see her off.

What a joke! She's the adult here. How could she possibly let Gu Fei drive her home!

After waving goodbye to Gu Fei, Xue Fu headed towards the educated youth settlement.

The night was quiet, and with no internet or entertainment, everyone generally went to bed early.

But Xue Fu was far from calm.

Gu Fei pointed out a fact to her today.

Xue Fu pinched her earlobe in distress.

She didn't deny it, but she missed Gu Chong very much.

I miss the days when Gu Chong was by my side.

So, does she like him...?

Xue Fu prided herself on not being emotionally clueless, but when she encountered this problem for the first time, she still felt lost and helpless.

I don't know how to deal with it.

The chaos and confusion kept Xue Fu from sleeping well all night.

When she woke up in the morning, Zheng Peipei, who lived across the street, saw her and exclaimed in surprise.

"Xue Fu, did you not sleep last night? Your dark circles are so bad!"

Xue Fu touched her eyes, feeling annoyed.

She couldn't figure it out all night, but after hearing Zheng Peipei say the word "dark circles," Xue Fu decisively banished Gu Chong's name from her mind, not wanting him to bother her anymore.