Wang Wenfeng quickly waved his hand to clarify: "That's not it. I'm planning to pursue her again, but Zhan Chunlan doesn't know anything about it yet."

Fang Li carefully examined her son's expression: "Are you serious this time?"

"Absolutely serious." Wang Wenfeng's tone was firm. "I did treat her like a little sister before, after all, how old was she when we first met? About the same age as Xiao Cheng."

His gaze softened slightly: "When I saw her again this time, she had changed so much. She was completely unrecognizable; she was a completely different person. To be honest, I didn't even recognize her when we first met."

Fang Li couldn't help but tease, "I think you just got lustful because she's so pretty."

Wang Wenfeng did not deny it, nodding naturally: "All emotions begin with attraction to beauty. Only if two people's personalities are compatible can they stay together for a long time."

Wang Wenfang raised an eyebrow and pressed, "So are you sure now that you two can stay together for a long time?"

"Of course I'm certain." Wang Wenfeng's gaze was resolute. "I already know and wholeheartedly agree with her character and personality. I believe we are the most suitable people for each other."

"Tch~" Wang Wenfang scoffed. "Men!"

After finishing his meal, Wang Wenfeng left in a hurry, leaving his family looking at each other in bewilderment.

Fang Li was clearing away the dishes, but her eyes kept glancing towards the door. Finally, she couldn't help but ask, "Where do you think that mistress rushed off to in such a hurry?"

Wang Wenfang, who was wiping the table, chuckled upon hearing this, drawing circles on the surface with the rag in her hand: "Is that even a question? He must have gone to see that Comrade Zhan Chunlan." She gestured towards the door, "Didn't you see the intensity he showed at the dinner table? Once he's made up his mind, he can't wait even a day longer."

Fang Li slowed down her movements, but the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up: "This child..." Her tone carried a hint of reproach, but more so a knowing smile.

Suddenly remembering something, he flicked his finger and tapped Wang Wenfang's head: "I have no problem with you talking about your brother, but don't bring Zhan Chunlan into it. It hasn't been easy for that young girl to get to where she is today on her own."

Hearing this made Tan Shuang's teeth ache. She was acting so caring now, but why didn't she show any concern for her eldest daughter-in-law? Just wait, once that girl named Zhan Chunlan marries in, she'll show a completely different face.

When I first met her, she was so kind and approachable. Who knew that she would turn her back on me after giving birth to a child for the Wang family?

Wang Wenshan, who was holding and playing with his youngest daughter, looked up when he heard this and asked, "Has Third Brother finally come to his senses?"

The five-year-old child in his arms echoed his father's words: "He's finally figured it out."

"That's right," Wang Wenfang tossed the rag into the basin, splashing a few drops of water, "Our blockhead is finally going to blossom."

On the other hand, Wang Wenfeng did indeed go to find Zhan Chunlan.

Just now at the dinner table, he was already thinking about how to pursue her. Going to the movies? Strolling in the park? These common dating ideas for young people circled in his mind, but he rejected them all - he suddenly remembered that her foot injury had not fully healed and she was afraid that she could not stand for long periods of time or walk long distances.

As she hesitated, another thought popped into her head: she still kept her dog, Zhan Xiaoman, and every morning and evening, no matter how busy or late she was, she would take it out for a walk. Given her personality, even with her injured foot, she probably wouldn't be able to give up the habit of walking the dog every day.

So he rushed out in a hurry because he was worried that she would disregard her own health and go walk the dog anyway.

With that thought, his feet unconsciously turned toward that familiar alley. Only when he stood in front of that familiar wooden door did he belatedly feel a little embarrassed—knocking on the door of a girl living alone so late at night was really a bit presumptuous.

He used to treat her only as a little sister who needed taking care of her, his heart was open and his actions natural. Now… he looked down at his empty hands and couldn’t help but smile bitterly. His intentions had become impure; even his gestures carried an inexplicable awkwardness.

Just as he hesitated to raise his hand to knock on the door, the wooden door creaked open from the inside.

A yellow figure darted out first—it was Zhan Xiaoman, who had grown to be as tall as his calves. Three years had passed since they last met, and now, standing abruptly in the darkness at the door, Wang Wenfeng was immediately judged a "suspicious person" by the dutiful dog. Zhan Xiaoman immediately barked and pounced on him.

The dog leash tightened instantly, causing Zhan Chunlan, who was leaning on her cane, to stumble. She gripped the leash tightly with one hand and frantically grabbed the doorframe with the other: "Xiaoman! Stop! You can't!"

Seeing that the puppy was about to pull her down, Wang Wenfeng disregarded his awkwardness and immediately called out, "Zhan Chunlan, it's me, Wang Wenfeng!"

After saying that, he immediately squatted down, looked Zhan Xiaoman in the eye, and said in a soft, slow voice, "Three years have passed, and you don't recognize me anymore?"

Using the light from the porch, Zhan Chunlan recognized the person and, surprised, steadied her cane: "Why are you here so late?"

Hearing the tone of his master's conversation with the visitor, Zhan Xiaoman realized that they were acquaintances. He immediately suppressed his fierce demeanor and stood quietly in place, though his tail was still lowered with a hint of wariness.

Wang Wenfeng slowly reached out his hand to the puppy, letting it sniff his scent carefully. Zhan Xiaoman obliged, sniffing closely, and its tail began to wag slightly.

"I suddenly remembered you had an injury on your foot," he looked up at her, the night softening his usual serious expression, "so I rushed over to see if I could help you walk your dog." He paused slightly, a hint of annoyance in his voice, "I almost came too late. You saved me today, so until your injury heals, let me help you walk your dog."

Zhan Chunlan found it difficult to refuse the suggestion. If it were her own problem, she could grit her teeth and handle it no matter how badly her leg injury was. But taking Zhan Xiaoman for a walk was something she simply couldn't manage.

According to her usual routine, she should have been back from walking the dog long ago. The reason she hadn't left the house by this hour was because she was trying to teach Zhan Xiaoman how to relieve herself in the yard.

But the little guy was very stubborn and refused to make do in the yard.

It brought the leash to Zhan Chunlan's hand and, seeing that she didn't budge, kept pointing its head towards the gate. Those little gestures were telling Zhan Chunlan that it wanted to go out; it was practically begging to speak.

Seeing its condition, Zhan Chunlan couldn't bear it and decided to steel herself and take it out.

"Wouldn't that be too much trouble for you?" Zhan Chunlan was still a little embarrassed. She really wanted to, but she still had to politely decline.

"No," Wang Wenfeng replied earnestly. "If you hadn't saved me, I might be dead already. It's just taking care of Zhan Xiaoman, and I'm happy to do it."

Seeing that Zhan Xiaoman was familiar with his scent, Wang Wenfeng slowly placed his hand on its head. It did not refuse; he bent his fingers and massaged its fur.

Zhan Xiaoman wagged her tail contentedly, enjoying the service from this two-legged creature. Although the massage was a bit heavier than her master's, it left her head feeling tingly and numb, which was really comfortable.

The man and the dog stood at the door for about five minutes. Seeing that it was getting dark, Wang Wenfeng got up and took the dog's leash, saying, "You stay home and rest. I'll take it out."

Zhan Chunlan didn't try to be brave; she knew that if she wanted her foot to heal quickly, she really couldn't do strenuous exercise.

"Just follow it," she instructed, leaning against the doorframe. "It knows the way. It's just that it's too familiar with those places, so it always picks and chooses, which might take a little longer."

“Okay.” Wang Wenfeng nodded to her. “Go inside now. There are fewer people around at night. Make sure the door is closed. I’ll knock when I come back.”

"Okay." Seeing that he showed no sign of leaving, Zhan Chunlan understood that he was probably waiting for her to close the door before limping into the house and closing the door in front of him.

All she heard from outside was a voice she'd never heard before: "Alright, Zhan Xiaoman, let's go!"

Zhan Chunlan leaned against the door, looking up at the dim sky, and suddenly felt that this person seemed different from before.