Fang Dongqiang still works part-time every Saturday to support himself and his studies.

He Xiaolei would come to see Fang Dongqiang every Sunday after lunch.

"Dongqiang, final exams are coming up soon. I brought my books over so we can study together. It won't affect your studies." He Xiaolei sat down next to Fang Dongqiang and took out her books from her bag.

Fang Dongqiang nodded and opened his own book.

When she got tired of studying, He Xiaolei would occasionally rest her chin on her arm and stare at Fang Dongqiang's serious profile. She knew that Fang Dongqiang wasn't like other boys who could say sweet words, but it was precisely this steadiness that made her like him so much.

After Fang Dongqiang drove her home a few times, she would go back before dark in the evening. Although she also wanted Fang Dongqiang to drive her home, it was the end of the semester and she didn't want to take up too much of his time. She would just come to see him once or twice a week.

Fang Dongqiang took her to the bus stop. "Dongqiang, can you help me see if I can go back home for summer vacation? I'll go work with you."

"Come on, do you think your parents would let you go? They haven't seen you for six months, go home."

“But if I go home, we won’t be able to see each other for two months.”

Fang Dongqiang's ears turned slightly red. "Then you should go home too. You haven't seen your parents for half a year."

"Okay, I'll do as you say and go home. I'll come back early when school starts."

"The bus is here!" Fang Dongqiang pointed to the bus approaching from a distance.

"Okay, I'm leaving now. I'll come again next week." He Xiaolei waved her hand, and before getting into the car, she didn't forget to look back at him one last time.

Watching the bus disappear into the distance, Fang Dongqiang felt a strange emotion welling up inside him. As time went by, He Xiaolei's understanding nature gradually made Fang Dongqiang develop feelings for her as well.

Every week when He Xiaolei arrives, Fang Dongqiang's roommates tease him. The roommate in the next bed winks and pats his shoulder, "When did you start dating the girl who comes to see you every week? Who said they wouldn't date until they were financially independent?"

“We’re from the same hometown,” Fang Dongqiang explained.

"Who would believe that? Why don't any of the other villagers come to see you, only she does."

Fang Dongqiang sighed helplessly. He said he was "not dating anyone" and that it was an appointment. Who would believe that? Fang Dongqiang laughed at himself when he thought about this title. He hadn't even been in a relationship yet, and he was already in a relationship with a girl like this. Fang Dongqiang laughed at himself for thinking about this.

"Look, look, look, he smiles as soon as she's mentioned," his roommates teased.

"Women say men's mouths are deceitful, and now I'm going to say men's mouths are deceitful too. When you meet a woman you like, you put all other decisions aside."

"No, we already agreed not to talk about it now. We'll talk about it after I start working," Fang Dongqiang was still trying to explain.

"Not going to talk? Then what are you two talking about if not spending every weekend together?"

"study."

Fang Dongqiang's words made his roommates laugh even louder. "Hahaha, using studying as an excuse to date."

"Alright, alright, think what you want!" Fang Dongqiang couldn't explain it anymore.

When Yu Jihong returned in the evening, she brought back a pair of men's slippers. "Fang Yu, next time Lei Feng comes over, give him these slippers."

“Mom,” Fang Yu leaned against the shoe cabinet, “what did he say to you at noon? How could you let him come to our house so easily?”

Yu Jihong put down her bag and sat on the sofa. "You two are in love. Mom can't be with you every moment. Lei Feng talked to me about this face to face, so I'm at ease."

"What did he say?" Fang Yu pressed.

“He said he likes to come to our house for meals, but he knows my worries, so he told me directly that even if we’re not at home, we’ll always have time to be alone together. He told me not to worry about him coming to our house, but that the key is his attitude towards me. He also promised me that he would be with me after he marries me.”

"Ugh, he's so shameless, he says everything." Fang Yu felt embarrassed listening to this.

"Mom thinks it's good to be open and honest about it. Since he's said that, how could I not welcome him?"

Fang Yu scratched her neck.

"Fang Yu, even though that's true, it's still up to the girl to control herself, you know?" Yu Jihong wanted to remind her again.

"Yes! I understand!" Fang Yu nodded.

Tuesday was the Dragon Boat Festival. Someone knocked on the door early in the morning. Fang Yu hadn't gotten up yet, so Yu Jihong went to open the door. Thor was standing at the door carrying pig's feet and fruit.

"Lei Feng, what are you doing?"

"Auntie, I want to come to your house for meals often." Thor handed the things in his hand to Yu Jihong.

"It's alright, come and eat! Take your food back. There's always something to eat here."

"Here you go. My dad bought these pig's feet at the market this morning. They're fresh."

"Your dad?" Yu Jihong was somewhat surprised.

"Hmm, Auntie, is Fang Yu still not up?" Thor glanced into the room.

"I'll go call her."

"Let her sleep a little longer. I'll find her after get off work. I have to go to work. I'm off." Thor had already started walking down the stairs.

Yu Jihong, carrying pig's feet and fruit, asked, "His dad bought these. What does this mean? It's only been a few days! Is the progress already this fast?"

Yu Jihong went to wake Fang Yu up, "Fang Yu, you two were talking, and his family even bought things, what about this?"

"Should we buy things for their family too?" Fang Yu asked innocently, rubbing her eyes.

"I really didn't know. You haven't officially settled things yet, and it doesn't seem like the house is a good place for people to get around. I feel bad bringing food here!"

“We’ll cook a meal and invite him over to eat. I’ll also ask him what he told his family.”

"Hmm, we should invite him over for dinner. Tonight?" Yu Jihong thought for a moment, "Everyone's celebrating tonight, so let him eat at home. How about tomorrow night?"

"good."

After having dinner, Thor came to find Fang Yu. Fang Yu was at the shop, and he came to pick her up. "Auntie, Fang Yu and I are going out to play for a bit."

"Okay, Lei Feng, come to my house for dinner tomorrow night."

"Okay, Auntie, I'll cook it."

"I invited you to my house for dinner, and you're supposed to cook? I'll cook. You can just come home from get off work and eat."

"Great, dinner's ready when I get home from get off work." Thor chuckled and pulled Fang Yu's hand outside. "Auntie, let's go!"

"Mom, we're going out," Fang Yu called out.

"Go on, Lei Feng, drive slowly." Yu Jihong said as if she were instructing her own child.

Even at the Dragon Boat Festival, the air was still damp from the plum rain season. The asphalt road, soaked by the evening rain, gleamed with an oily sheen. The motorcycle exhaust hummed as Thor carried Fang Yu toward the riverbank on the outskirts of the city.

The wind carried the scent of mugwort and brushed against her face. Fang Yu naturally put her arm around Thor's waist, pressed her face against Thor's back, and heard the heartbeat coming from his waist and abdomen.

Thor stopped the car, put his arm around Fang Yu's shoulder, and asked, "What are you having for dinner tonight?"

"Rice, and cook a few dishes."

Did you burn it?

“My dad and I burned it together. Little Fish, I haven’t told you about my family situation yet, have I? It’s just my dad and me in my family. My mom passed away when I was in junior high school.” Thor’s voice lowered.

Fang Yu approached Thor, turned around and hugged his waist; she understood the pain of losing a loved one.

Thor hugged her tighter, resting his chin on the top of her head. "Actually, I wanted to tell you a few days ago," he said, his Adam's apple bobbing, "but I was just too embarrassed to say it."

Fang Yu looked up at him. "What?"

Thor mustered his courage and said, "I want to marry you, and I also want my dad to marry your mom."

Fang Yu's breathing stopped abruptly. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

Thor, thinking she found it absurd, hurriedly added, "Do you think my family is taking advantage of us by eating and stealing?"