"Thank you, Sister Zuo."

Zuo Ling waved her hand dismissively and walked into the plantation on her own.

The two were left behind, one wiping away tears of grievance, the other unsure of what to say.

After a long silence, Pei Nansheng said:

"It's too late, let me take you home."

Perhaps because she had waited for too long and was exhausted, Zhou Yuanyuan obediently got into the tricycle.

The two remained silent.

It felt like all four seasons in one day. The night breeze was cool, and Zhou Yuanyuan, dressed in midday clothes, hunched over, her back hunched against the cold. Pei Nansheng's tall, broad back swayed before her eyes.

The moment Zhou Yuanyuan caught a glimpse of Pei Nansheng, she fell in love with him.

With frequent natural disasters, everyone is short of food and clothing, and everyone looks malnourished. So when they suddenly see a healthy, strong, clean-cut man with an extraordinary demeanor, it's hard not to be attracted.

Tears welled up, and she hugged Pei Nansheng without hesitation. Pei Nansheng froze and stepped on the brake.

"Get down."

Zhou Yuanyuan sniffed, remaining still and silent.

Pei Nansheng tried to pry Zhou Yuanyuan's hands off him, but Zhou Yuanyuan held on even tighter.

After struggling for a while, Pei Nansheng angrily said, "Let go."

He really used his strength, and Zhou Yuanyuan was no match for him, but he was soft-hearted and afraid of hurting her.

"Don't loosen it."

Zhou Yuanyuan's soft, sobbing voice softened Pei Nansheng's heart even more, and he said in a hoarse voice:

"I only want to grow old with my younger siblings. I have no intention of starting a family. You should find someone else."

“What if they get married?” Zhou Yuanyuan asked back.

"We'll talk about that later."

Pei Nansheng had thought about his younger siblings leaving him, and what he would do when that day came...?

There were no answers, and he didn't want to think about it, nor could he think that far ahead. He drifted through life, taking it one day at a time.

Zhou Yuanyuan let go of his hand, wiped away her tears, and said in a more emphasizing tone:

"Then remember, I was in line first. On that day, you have to choose me first."

After saying that, he jumped out of the car and rushed into the night.

Pei Nansheng was worried, so he rode his bicycle after them.

Zhou Yuanyuan ran ahead as fast as she could, while Pei Nan, afraid of giving the girl the wrong impression, followed slowly behind.

Occasionally, a few pedestrians would come across them, looking on in bewilderment at the two people running and chasing each other.

Zhou Yuanyuan and Pei Nansheng were somewhat well-known in the base. When people recognized them, they would whisper to those around them as if they had discovered a new continent, sharing the big news.

Pei Nansheng watched Zhou Yuanyuan enter the military dependents' residential area before turning back.

When she got home, Zuo Ling waited with a half-smile, ready to watch the drama unfold.

"Bro, how's it going? What did you guys say?"

Pei Nansheng rolled his eyes at her, "You really want to marry me off like that?"

Zuo Ling chuckled and said, "It's about marrying, marrying a new sister-in-law into the family. Hey, what did you say to your sister-in-law?"

Pei Nansheng's face darkened: "What sister-in-law? What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, a lone man and a lone woman, riding in the same car, under the same starlight and moonlight, wouldn't they spark something special?"

Pei Nansheng couldn't help but recall the gentle warmth of Zhou Yuanyuan when she hugged him.

Having lived with Pei Nansheng for two lifetimes, Zuo Ling knew something was wrong just from one look at his expression.

Something really did happen, tell me, tell me quickly.

Seeing his younger sister's expression of wanting to eat melons while they were still hot, Pei Nansheng felt annoyed.

"Nothing happened. Can't you think about something more important?"

"Marrying your sister-in-law is the most important thing; there's nothing more serious than that."

Pei Nansheng ignored her and turned to leave.

Zuo Ling laughed: "Hey, the iron tree has blossomed."

Looking around my house, hmm, it's a bit small... no, it's too small!

In a year or two, I'll have another nephew or niece... Oh my, I'll be an aunt soon.