Chapter 109

Grandma Han is already in her sixties. Although she has always been in good health and has never had any illness, people have to be more careful at this age. She wants to live a few more years to see Han Shengyi get married and give her a great-grandson. She also wants to take good care of herself and not let her children and grandchildren worry about her.

However, today, when Grandma Han went downstairs, she acted like Mu Guiying, not caring if she would fall. She rushed downstairs and came to Chu Jiujiu and Xiaofen. She gave an awkward but polite smile, "Xiaofen, your aunt is going home. Jiujiu, stop chatting and get up to see her off."

Xiaofen was confused. Why did he leave just after arriving? She hadn't even seen how handsome the man named Chu Shao was.

Chu Jiujiu stood up slowly, walked to the door, opened it for the two people, and sent them away with a faint smile on her face. After they left, Chu Jiujiu turned around and looked at Grandma Han with a sharp look.

Grandma Han: “…”

Chu Jiujiu chuckled, sounding rather sarcastic. "When did you become a matchmaker?"

"Go!" Grandma Han patted her, then looked around to see if there was anyone around. She lowered her voice and said, "They took it upon themselves. Someone mentioned it to me, but I thought Chu Shao would graduate next year, so I didn't say anything final. I had no idea they'd show up so soon!"

Grandma Han had a stern face. She wanted to assert herself as the head of the family, but her words lacked any dignity.

"Be good, Jiujiu, don't tell Chu Shao, do you hear me?"

Grandma Han was such a cold old lady that she could lower herself to coax Chu Jiujiu. This showed that the situation had become extremely urgent. Chu Jiujiu knew why Grandma Han was so nervous. Even she felt that if Chu Shao knew about this, he would definitely be angry with Grandma Han.

Chu Shao never talks back to his elders, so when he loses his temper, he just ignores people. If he vents his anger all at once by yelling and screaming like others, it would be fine. But if it's just a simple cold war, the resentment will spread out bit by bit every day, and it will probably take at least three or four months for this matter to be resolved.

Chu Jiujiu looked thoughtful. Grandma Han looked at her, feeling anxious. "Good girl, don't tell Chu Shao, okay?"

Chu Jiujiu rolled her eyes and looked at Grandma Han.

A second later, she smiled brightly.

Grandma Han: “…”

Suddenly I had a bad feeling.

…

Han Shengyi came back from outside. He was not wearing a coat. There was a strong wind outside today. After staying in the wind for a while, the temperature of his skin was almost close to ten degrees. After entering the house, Han Shengyi first made himself a pot of hot tea, took out Grandpa Han’s favorite Xinyang Maojian from under the coffee table, and opened the teapot.

Halfway through making tea, he raised his head and glanced at Chu Jiujiu, who was curled up on the bench. Autumn had arrived, and Grandma Han had added a layer of plush cushions to the bench. Chu Jiujiu liked to sit here the most because she was rather thin, and every time she sat down, it was as if she were sinking into it.

Her small face, the size of a palm, was turned sideways to him. She lowered her eyes and looked intently at the object in her hand. Chu Jiujiu's eyelashes were long and thick, like a small brush. Every time she lowered her eyes like this, Han Shengyi felt warm and a little itchy in his heart. He wanted to touch it to see what it felt like.

After looking at her for a while, Han Shengyi shifted his gaze to her hand.

"What's this?"

Putting down the half-brewed teapot, he moved to Chu Jiujiu's side.

Chu Jiujiu raised the thing in her hand and said, "Camera, there's not much film left in it."

This camera is as big as Chu Jiujiu’s two palms. The lens on it is retractable and looks very high-end.

This was a gift from someone to Grandpa Han, an imported product. I heard that the lens alone was worth several thousand. After Grandpa Han got it back, Grandma Han treated it like a treasure to protect the house, waiting to use it to take family photos during the Chinese New Year. Chu Shao had been eyeing this camera for a long time, but Grandma Han was determined not to let anyone touch it.

In Grandma Han's words, she didn't trust these little brats, and she wasn't allowed to touch even Wen Xiuwei and Han Shengyi.

Therefore, seeing Chu Jiujiu holding it, Han Shengyi was particularly surprised: “You stole the camera without telling your grandma?”

Apart from this situation, Han Shengyi could not think of any other reason.

Chu Jiujiu kicked him unhappily. She huddled on the bench, wearing only a pair of white socks. "What are you talking about? I don't do sneaky things."

At this point, she raised her head proudly, "I got this from a robbery!"

Han Shengyi: “…”

Might as well steal it.

Han Shengyi asked her, "What's going on? What evidence did you get against grandma?"

Look, it's easy to talk to smart people. Chu Jiujiu paused with the camera, then stretched her neck as far as possible, looked around, and confirmed that Grandma Han was not there. She told Han Shengyi what happened with the girl Xiaofen.

"...That's it. In order to make me shut up and not tell Chu Shao about this, Grandma Han gave me the camera and let me play with it for a few days."

"But you tell me now." Han Shengyi pointed out this.

Chu Jiujiu looked indifferent. "I only promised not to tell Chu Shao, but I didn't promise not to tell you. Besides, you will keep the secret for Grandma Han, right, Han family boss?"

Recently, there are more relatives and friends visiting him, and many of them don’t know Han Shengyi’s real name, so they just call him the eldest brother of the Han family. This name is nothing special, but when it comes from Chu Jiujiu’s mouth, it doesn’t sound right.

Han Shengyi looked at her helplessly, shook his head, and sat back in front of the tea tray. He said leisurely, "I won't tell him, but it doesn't make any difference whether I tell him or not."

Chu Jiujiu asked him what he meant, but he stopped talking.

Han Shengyi's words were soon verified.

…

In the evening, Wen Xiuwei and Chu Shao came back one after the other. Their bicycles were flat. Chu Shao only came in to drink a sip of water before going out to pump up the tires. Wen Xiuwei was wearing a thick coat today, but her face was still red from the cold.

Chu Jiujiu quickly poured her a cup of hot water. Wen Xiuwei took it and said sympathetically, "It's too cold at night now. Jiujiu, when you go back today, remember to bring two cotton coats with you and leave them at Grandma Han's house. That way, when you go back and forth at night, you can wear a coat and won't catch a cold."

Chu Jiujiu agreed. After watching her drink the entire cup of hot water, she frowned and said, "The weather is getting colder. Can't you talk to your master and come back a little earlier? If it really doesn't work, can't you just get up earlier and make up for the time in the morning?"

"No, I'm on the first bus of the day. If I leave earlier, I won't be able to get through."

Grandma Han heard someone talking outside. She came out of her room and saw Wen Xiuwei coming back. She asked them, "Where's Chu Shao? Why can't I see him?"

Wen Xiuwei: "He was pumping up his bicycle outside. He came in after he finished."

Upon hearing this, Grandma Han turned around and left, returning to her room, and this time, she even closed the door.

Wen Xiuwei: “……???”

They came back late, and the others had dinner early, so every time, Grandma Han would portion out some of the food in advance, keep it warm in the pot, and then take it out when they came back. While they were eating, the others would sit by and ask them how their day was and if there was anything new.

Grandma Han personally took care of these things every day. Today, she was acting so abnormally that Wen Xiuwei couldn't help but ask the two people in front of her, "What's wrong with Grandma Han? Is she sick?"

Chu Jiujiu: "Yeah, I'm sick. I have a disease called guilty conscience."

Wen Xiuwei looked at her blankly: "What do you mean?"

When Han Shengyi saw her open her mouth, he wanted to stop her, but Chu Jiujiu had been a chatterbox for so many years, how could Han Shengyi stop her? She chattered on and on, as if she had told Han Shengyi before, and then she told Wen Xiuwei everything again.

Han Shengyi watched silently from the side, and when he noticed Wen Xiuwei's expression change, he walked away as if nothing had happened.

At times like this, the best strategy is to protect yourself.

…

Chu Jiujiu told Han Shengyi that her gossip-fueled passion had indeed overwhelmed her, leaving her unable to control herself. However, when Wen Xiuwei returned, several hours had passed, and her excitement had long since faded. She was now telling Wen Xiuwei about this in the hope of using it to help her realize a problem.

Chu Shao has matured, and in the eyes of the young ladies outside, he is a rare and popular guy!

After Chu Jiujiu finished speaking, she also told Wen Xiuwei not to tell Chu Shao. Wen Xiuwei pursed her lips and after several seconds, she said "hmm" stiffly.

Looking at Wen Xiuwei's expression, Chu Jiujiu felt a little strange. This reaction seemed wrong. There was no surprise, no thinking, but rather a little... a little angry?

Chu Jiujiu was stunned, and just at this moment, Chu Shao walked in.

"Wei..." Just as she uttered a syllable, Han Shengyi grabbed her collar. He held a fruit plate in one hand and Chu Jiujiu in the other.

"Let them eat first. Your favorite show is on, come watch it."

Chu Shao was completely unaware of anything. He washed his hands, came out, and automatically sat down at the dining table. He and Wen Xiuwei were the only two people left at the originally lively table. Chu Shao felt a little uncomfortable. He stretched his neck to look for where everyone else had gone. Suddenly, with a bang, a bowl fell in front of him.

There was a big bowl full of rice in it. It was heavy enough, so even if Wen Xiuwei didn't place it properly, it just shook a few times and then stood upright on the table.

Chu Shao raised his head in a daze, but Wen Xiuwei didn't look at him. She sat down, took a deep breath, then picked up her bowl and started eating quickly.

She even forgot what her teacher told her to do, that is, to lose weight, and just wanted to finish her meal quickly.

Chu Shao was confused, and Chu Jiujiu was also confused. Being emotionally incompetent might be a standard feature of the Chu family. Chu Jiujiu even guessed that Wen Xiuwei was in a bad mood because she was beaten by her teacher today, but she couldn't guess that she was in a bad mood because of Chu Shao.

When Chu Jiujiu was talking just now, she only said that today an old lady brought a girl to Chu Shao's house to ask him to go on a blind date. She didn't say that this was the old lady's own decision. Because she was afraid that Chu Shao might come in at any time, Chu Jiujiu talked about the most important things first. How could she know that once the order of her story was messed up, it would be fatal for Chu Shao.

…

Wen Xiuwei was very angry. She felt that Chu Shao was a two-timing scumbag. Because she was so angry, her emotions showed on her face. After she finished half of her meal and her chewing speed slowed down, her mind gradually became clear.

Chu Shao is not that kind of person. Even if he were, he would not dare to do it so blatantly.

So, there must be a misunderstanding.

Outsiders would focus on what the misunderstanding was, but as an insider, Wen Xiuwei's mind was full of what Chu Jiujiu had just said.

"She seems to be the great-niece of Grandma Han's sister, the wife of that committee chairman. Doesn't she always play cards with Grandma Han?"

"I didn't ask too many questions. Sister Xiaofen is quite shy. She just told me that her father is the principal of a middle school."

The relative is the chairman and the father is the principal. Although I have never seen what the girl looks like, these two sentences are enough.

Others have backgrounds and families, unlike her, who is naked from head to toe, with nothing to show for it.

The more Wen Xiuwei thought about it, the more depressed she became. She picked up a few grains of rice and put them into her mouth, which tasted like chewing wax. Then she paused and put down the bowl. "I'm full. I'm a little sleepy today. I'm going back to sleep first."

She ate fast and ate a lot before, so just looking at the amount of food she ate, no one could tell that she had changed. Seeing her walking so fast, Chu Jiujiu remembered that she hadn't taken out the camera to show her yet, so she put on her shoes and was about to chase Wen Xiuwei. There was someone who was faster than her. Chu Shao put down his chopsticks and quickly chased after her, not caring that he hadn't even eaten half full.

When Chu Jiujiu was putting on her shoes, Chu Shao had already pushed the door open and left. After she finished putting on her shoes, she wanted to continue chasing him outside, but Han Shengyi held her back with a complicated expression, "Don't make trouble by following him."

When Chu Jiujiu heard his words, she couldn't help but widen her eyes: "How did I cause trouble?!"

Han Shengyi: “…”

In just one sentence, he was stumped by Chu Jiujiu's question.

This kind of thing can only be discovered by oneself. After all, the parties involved have no intention of telling everyone, and he cannot spread the news for them privately. Besides, Chu Jiujiu is still a little girl, she is almost like a blank sheet of paper. If Han Shengyi were to tell her what happened between the two and what kind of relationship they have, Han Shengyi would always have a strange sense of guilt, as if he had done something bad.

Chu Jiujiu and Han Shengyi were arguing with each other. One kept asking questions, while the other kept playing Tai Chi. This was a evenly matched war, and it all depended on patience. Unfortunately, Chu Jiujiu's patience was far inferior to Han Shengyi's.

…

Wen Xiuwei outside was walking very fast. She just wanted to get back to her room as soon as possible. She didn't even notice the stone under her feet. Her left foot suddenly slipped and inertia made her fall to the ground. If she really fell, her knee would definitely be broken.

Just when she was about to make close contact with the ground, a hand grabbed her arm. The five fingers were like pliers, firmly clasping her slender arm. With muscles tensed, Chu Shao lifted her up with a little effort. From weightlessness to standing firm again, it took less than a second.

After making sure she was okay, Chu Shao let her go and walked around to Wen Xiuwei. Chu Shao asked her, "What happened to you today?"

Wen Xiuwei was still in shock. Seeing Chu Shao's innocent and puzzled expression, she became unhappy again. However, she knew that her anger was for no reason.

She had been in this state for a long time, moody and unstable, with rapid changes in mood. And every time, it was because of Chu Shao. If he said something warm to her, she would be happy for the whole morning, but if he annoyed her, she would be unhappy for the whole day.

Wen Xiuwei had never experienced such a moment before. All her life, she had tried hard not to let other people's actions and words affect her. But now, even after more than ten years of persistence, she could not withstand the brutal intrusion of Chu Shao.

She seemed to have fallen deeper than she had imagined.

Is this a good thing?

Wen Xiuwei was unsure, very unsure.

Just because she looked delicate didn't mean she was also soft-hearted. She was constantly being objectified by strangers, and what Wen Xiuwei hated most was becoming the person they maliciously assumed she was. She was an independent woman who would never rely on a man to survive, and she certainly didn't want to find a way to breathe at the whim of another man.

It had been a long time since Chu Shao asked that question, but Wen Xiuwei never said a word. She was not like this when she came back, but her expression suddenly changed when she entered the Han family.

Thinking of what he saw when he entered the room, Chu Shao asked tentatively: "Did Jiujiu say anything to you?"

Chu Shao was a little nervous. Chu Jiujiu had been outspoken for a long time. Although she hadn't made such a mistake since she accidentally called him "Grandma" four years ago, what if she was particularly excited today and exposed herself?

Chu Shao's skin is wheat-colored. He used to be so busy working in the fields that he looked quite dark. But the past year of school has helped him regain his tan, and now he has a healthy, light copper hue. Even when he's not smiling, he looks quite dignified.

When Wen Xiuwei heard his question, she raised her eyes, but did not answer. Instead, she asked an irrelevant question: "What do you want to do in the future?"

Chu Shao was stunned. He didn't ask any other questions. After a moment's silence, he told the truth: "I want to be an engineer."

"What kind of engineer?"

Chu Shao: "Mechanical engineer."

Wen Xiuwei looked at him, "Can you be more specific?"

It was rare for Wen Xiuwei to get to the bottom of things like this. Chu Shao paused and answered without much hesitation, "In the military industry, large-scale weapons, I want to design something like this."

He didn't even tell Chu Liqiang this, because he felt that at his current level and age, if he said it, he would only be laughed at. Everyone believed that he could take this path, but few people believed that he could really go that deep.

Wen Xiuwei's expression changed. It was the first time she heard Chu Shao say this. She was a little surprised, but also a little expected.

Looking up, she said to Chu Shao, "You will do it."

Being looked at like this by the person you like, and her tone is so calm and confident, any man can't help but feel his heart surge. The light in Chu Shao's eyes flashed. He took a step forward and wanted to say something else, but suddenly, Wen Xiuwei spoke again.

"But this road is not easy to walk. If you rely on yourself, you may take many detours and waste a lot of time."

Chu Shao lowered his raised foot back down. Listening to Wen Xiuwei's words, he didn't move immediately. Instead, he asked calmly, "So?"

"So..." Wen Xiuwei lowered her head. The autumn wind was very cold, blowing not only on her body but also on her heart. "So, you need a girl who can help you. Even if she can't help you with your career, her family and herself should be worry-free. That way, you can concentrate on doing what you want to do."

Chu Shao didn't quite understand. He frowned and didn't say anything for a while.

Wen Xiuwei lowered her head and saw the stone that almost tripped her. She wanted to kick it away, but she couldn't muster the strength to do so.

The next words were difficult for Wen Xiuwei. It took her a long time to squeeze them out of her throat. Facing one's most fatal flaw was indeed a painful thing.

"I have no family, no background, nothing. Yet, I still have a dream of becoming a star, which is harder than climbing to the sky. I don't want to give up my dream, and I don't want you to give up yours either..."

At this point, her voice was a little choked, but she didn't want Chu Shao to see it, so she desperately suppressed the urge to cry. After two seconds, she continued: "You and I..."

You and I are of the same kind, but our paths are two parallel lines. If we force ourselves to walk together, there will probably be no good results.

This is what she wanted to say, but Chu Shao heard what she meant next, frowned, and interrupted her.

"I don't need anyone to help me. I want to marry you, not your family or your background. Starting a family is a matter for two people. Supporting each other is the way to be together through thick and thin. No matter what you do, I support you. Even if you decide now that you will never act again, I will support you with both hands."

After a pause, Chu Shao's voice became deeper. He didn't speak loudly, but there was a feeling that he was speaking very hard. His tone was cautious and serious, making it impossible for people to have the slightest doubt.

"I am willing to support you with my whole life. My dream is to make our country stronger, and the rest of my life and time will be dedicated to you."

Wen Xiuwei looked at him blankly. In that era, there was no confession or love. When two men and women formally established a relationship, everyone knew that they were about to enter the palace of marriage.

She and Chu Shao had never talked about the future, and Chu Shao had never mentioned the word marriage. Perhaps he was forced by her today, and was afraid that she would reject him again, so he had to bring up this matter.

Wen Xiuwei was always shy, but today, seeing Chu Shao's serious expression, all her shyness and embarrassment disappeared from her heart. Chu Shao was showing her his determination, so she should respond with the same attitude.

Her heart was beating so fast that Wen Xiuwei could no longer hear the howling of the wind, but her eyes were still clear and her voice was still steady.

"Chu Shao..."

"If, I mean if, after you graduate from high school, your opinion still hasn't changed, then we'll..."

After a moment of silence, Wen Xiuwei's expression became firm, and she even had a feeling of risking everything: "Then let's discuss marriage together."