"Crackle~~~" In the simple wooden shed, there were only the sounds of burning firewood and rain falling. It seemed exceptionally quiet, and a subtle atmosphere permeated.

Shen Shuyi was still wearing a small vest. She had been looking at Lu Huai's thick hair. She didn't expect that he would be the first to break the silence.

"Does your ankle hurt?"

"It hurts so much. Can you help me apply some medicated oil when we get home?"

"Yeah." Lu Huai was silent for a moment, but finally chose to speak.

“Shen Zhiqing, do you like chestnuts? I’ll bring them back for you when I go hunting in the mountains.”

"So, don't go up the mountain alone in the future. If you really want to go, call me."

Shen Shuyi looked at his broad, secure back and whispered, "Lu Huai, why do you care about me so much?"

The air was silent for a while.

Lu Huai replied uncomfortably, "I went hunting in the mountains just to bring you some wild fruits. It's not a big deal, not to mention you're helping me more."

"I have selfish motives in helping you."

As soon as Shen Shuyi said this, the air became ambiguous.

Especially when she actually leaned over, got close to Lu Huai's back, and whispered in his ear: "Because I like you."

"Lu Huai."

Lu Huai heard his own and Shen Shuyi's breathing getting closer and closer. He smelled that faint fragrance again, and his heart was pounding like a drum.

He was afraid that Shen Shuyi would hear it.

It took him an unknown amount of effort to calm down and ask in a low voice.

"What do you like about me, Shen Zhiqing?"

Lu Huai doesn't have a photographic memory, but he can't forget the scene he saw Ying Bai. He saw it and should be responsible.

But she was an educated youth with a bright future. She would return to the city one day and should not waste time on this land with him. He could only pretend that nothing had happened.

Even if she said she liked me.

Shen Shuyi smiled and said seriously: “I like that you are young and strong. I feel safe and happy when I am with you.”

Lu Huai felt it was very unreal and was afraid that she was only forcing herself to be with him because she had no one to rely on in the countryside.

He hopes Shen Zhiqing will marry someone better in the future...

Lu Huai couldn't keep her by his side just for his own selfish interests.

He pursed his lips, turned sideways and said, "Even if we are not together, as long as you still live in the Lu family, I will take good care of you."

Shen Shuyi held his head with both hands, moved his face over, and looked into his eyes.

"So, you rejected me not because you disliked me, but because you were afraid that people would gossip about me and that it would affect my future?"

Lu Huai closed his eyes, pursed his lips and said nothing.

Shen Shuyi put her arms around his neck, hugged him, put her face against his neck and said, “I’m not afraid, as long as you like me, brother Huai, I’m not afraid even if everyone points fingers at me.”

But Lu Huai ruthlessly pried her hands off, pulled the dried clothes over her and put them on her, then gathered them up tightly without leaving a trace of whiteness.

He lowered his voice, "I'm afraid. I don't want to feel guilty every day and feel like I owe you something."

"You know my family's situation. My parents passed away, leaving Yingzi and grandma behind. I am the only one supporting this family."

“I understand.” Shen Shuyi nodded, “If we are together, I will naturally stay with you to take care of the family.”

"So what else do you have to worry about?"

Lu Huai's eyes were full of complicated expressions. He was very moved. Shen Zhiqing was a very good girl. Because she was kind and beautiful, he could not bully her.

“Shen Zhiqing, there will be many people who like you, but I am not worthy.”

There was a trace of pain hidden in Shen Shuyi's voice. "If you like it, you like it. If you don't like it, you don't like it. There is no need to belittle yourself. What's the difference between the city and the countryside? As long as you work hard and make progress, you will definitely be successful in the future and let your family live a good life."

"Besides, I want to be with you not because I want you to support me."

Shen Shuyi was very angry, but without warning, she ran into Lu Huai's emotional eyes, and more words were stuck in her throat.

The two looked at each other, and their heartbeats suddenly quickened.

Lu Huai looked at her snow-white face and slightly open cherry lips, and he unconsciously moved closer.

In the end, he just reached out his hand to push the hair that fell beside her cheek behind her ear, sighed slightly, and said softly: "I'll carry you home first."

The rain had stopped in the evening. When putting out the fire, Lu Huai saw the corners of Shen Shuyi's eyes filled with water, and his heart ached.

Shen Shuyi glanced at the favorability value that suddenly rose to 80%. A cunning flashed in her eyes and she lay quietly on Lu Huai's back.

She was very obedient, but the breath she exhaled hit Lu Huai's neck, it was very light, but it made people feel itchy in their hearts.

Lu Huai looked at the door of his home not far away and breathed a sigh of relief, but Shen Shuyi's muffled voice sounded behind him.

"I understand what you mean. The team leader said that the new educated youth camp will be completed next week, and I will move in then."

When they got home, Lu Huai didn't say anything else. He just sent her to the room and waited for her to change into dry clothes before he came over with a small medicine box and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Lu Huai pushed the door open and came in, "I'll apply medicine for you."

"Yeah." Shen Shuyi didn't show any other expression. He just responded lightly and stretched out his left leg while rolling up his trouser leg.

It was dark, and only a kerosene lamp was lit in the room. Shen Shuyi sat on the bed and wiped her hair with a towel.

A section of the calf was exposed, white and tenderer than tofu, glowing white under the candlelight.

Lu Huai only saw the red lump on her ankle. She must be in great pain...

He rubbed the medicated oil in his palms to warm it up, then applied it to the ankles and massaged them. As soon as his palms touched the ankles, he saw Shen Zhiqing's legs shrink back noticeably.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It’s even more exciting later!