The farmers' market is very close to here, just two apartment buildings away.

When Ali and Zhuang Quan were about to leave, they were not surprised at all when they learned that Fu Daoyuan was also going.

When Zhuang Quan went downstairs, he also ran into many acquaintances.

Many people were secretly glancing at Ali. Fu Daoyuan walked a little closer to Ali. He knew all too well the elderly people in the neighborhood; they especially liked to play matchmaker.

Ahri is beautiful, so don't be fooled by their sweet talk and flattery.

Ah Li herself was also very quiet. She even deliberately moved closer to Fu Daoyuan. The two would occasionally exchange glances before continuing to walk forward with Zhuang Quan.

Zhuang Quan also noticed Fu Daoyuan and Ali's subtle interactions; the two seemed like a perfect match. In a couple of days, people in the neighborhood would definitely be saying how amazing her A Yuan was—he was about to start university and had already brought his girlfriend home.

However, things are still far from certain, and she will continue to support her son.

Zhuang Quan's eyes darted around. She took out her cell phone, which no one had called, and without thinking, put it to her ear, saying, "Okay, I'll be right there. Wait for me."

Zhuang Quan's movements were swift and seamless.

She thought about it again; there was no sound on the other end of the phone, so Ali and Ayuan probably didn't notice.

"Ah Li, someone called me urgently. You and Ah Yuan go buy groceries first."

Zhuang Quan handed the vegetable basket to Fu Daoyuan and left without waiting for Ali's reply.

Ali watched Zhuang Quan hurry into an apartment building before turning her gaze to Fu Daoyuan. "Your mother is still the same as always."

"Yeah, that's just how she is, kind-hearted."

Fu Daoyuan tightened his grip on the shopping basket and said, "Then let's go buy groceries."

Ah Li agreed and walked side by side with Fu Daoyuan.

Upon arriving at the market, before Ali could even begin selecting vegetables, Fu Daoyuan asked, "Would you like some fish head and tofu soup?"

"Can."

Ali and Fu Daoyuan went to the seafood stall together, chose a big black fish, and asked the owner to slice it.

Fu Daoyuan stood in front of Ali to block the water that might splash from the boss when he was pounding the fish.

Ali tugged at Fu Daoyuan's sleeve and said, "Let the boss handle it here, we'll go buy the rest nearby first."

"good."

Fu Daoyuan lowered his eyes slightly, made up his mind, and directly and decisively grasped Ah Li's hand.

Ah Li looked at Fu Daoyuan in surprise. Fu Daoyuan blushed and turned his face away. "I want to hold your hand."

"good."

Ahri smiled, her eyes crinkling into crescents; her smile was beautiful.

Fu Daoyuan breathed a sigh of relief; he had been worried that Ah Li wouldn't like him.

But no, no!

They were childhood sweethearts, grew up together, and even after being separated for five years, they kept in touch.

So, "Ah Li, do you like me?" Fu Daoyuan asked softly, holding Ah Li's hand.

Ah Li held a floret of broccoli in her hand. She looked at Fu Daoyuan with amusement and said, "Are you sure you want to talk about this now?"

"Well, my mom's at home, so I feel embarrassed."

Fu Daoyuan also picked up an eggplant; they were still holding hands.

Ali asked the vegetable vendor to weigh the broccoli and eggplants as well. She shook their clasped hands and said, "We're holding hands now, and I don't think you're embarrassed. Besides, if I didn't like it, would I let you hold my hand?"

Fu Daoyuan's eyes lit up. He knew it! He had been waiting for her for so long.

He then removed the couple title from the game, since he now has a girlfriend and doesn't need that title to ward off unwanted romantic advances.

Ali also took Fu Daoyuan to buy meat, and put everything into Fu Daoyuan's shopping basket.

Fu Daoyuan said that these were all minor matters, none of which could compare to the little plum he was holding in his right hand.

The two of them went to the fishmonger's stall to get some fish, and then went back together.

When I got back, Zhuang Quan wasn't there.

Ali and Fu Daoyuan went into the kitchen to cook together.

Fu Daoyuan and Ali each wore an apron; one washed the vegetables, and the other stewed the soup.

The rice is cooked too.

Fu Daoyuan's gaze kept falling on Ali. He was very happy because he was now just as outstanding as Ali, having been admitted to the same university, and both of them were equally adept at social graces and domestic skills.

If you were to ask when his feelings for her began...

He would answer that after they met, Ah Li saw him, and that they went to and from school together every day, and that he hid a short essay that someone had given to Ah Li for the first time.

At that time, he hadn't received it yet, but she had received it first.

When the kindergarten went on an autumn outing, some people gave her flowers, and when they played games, some people would kiss her on the cheek and hold her hand.

When she was in elementary school, some people even told the teacher that they wanted to be Ah Li's deskmate. During PE class, she played games with other classmates, including a game called "drop the handkerchief".

Short essays started appearing when I was in junior high school.

These things made him very unhappy, and he gradually realized that his feelings for her had been building up little by little.

Just then, Ali noticed that Fu Daoyuan seemed to be lost in thought. She walked up to him and opened the lid of the boiling fish soup to prevent it from overflowing. She asked, "A-Yuan, what are you thinking about?"

When Fu Daoyuan came to his senses, he found that Ah Li was very close to him, as if she was leaning against him. He reached out and hugged Ah Li, saying, "I was thinking of you."