He Xiaolei was looking forward to the holiday even more than her classmates. She hadn't seen Fang Dongqiang for half a year, and her longing for him grew stronger as the holiday approached.

Finally, the holiday arrived. He Xiaolei had already sent some of her luggage back home. Next year, she will return to her hometown for an internship, and her parents have already helped her find a job.

As the car slowly pulled into the station, He Xiaolei looked up at the exit. Fang Dongqiang was already standing outside the gate, wearing a dark gray coat, his back straight, chin raised, looking at the slowly stopping car.

He Xiaolei dragged her suitcase and ran over, throwing herself into Fang Dongqiang's arms. There weren't many couples embracing like this at the county bus station, and people around occasionally cast curious glances, while others whispered among themselves.

"So many people are watching?" Fang Dongqiang turned his face away from their gaze and whispered in He Xiaolei's ear.

"I don't care, we haven't seen each other for so long. When my parents ask me when I'm coming back, I don't tell them, because I'm afraid they'll come to pick me up." He Xiaolei snuggled into his arms, her voice tinged with a hint of grievance and coquettishness.

"Are you hungry? Let's go eat." Fang Dongqiang pulled his suitcase, and He Xiaolei immediately took his other arm.

"Aren't you afraid someone you know will see us?" Fang Dongqiang asked.

"It's okay, I was planning to tell my parents when I got back. It would be best if they saw it; they'll ask me themselves without me having to say anything."

He Xiaolei took Fang Dongqiang's hand, walked around to the front of him, and asked, "Aren't you afraid of being seen? Did you see any other girls while I was away for six months?"

"No, I'm busy enough with work." Fang Dongqiang squeezed her hand tightly.

“I also believe you won’t look for other girls.” He Xiaolei took Fang Dongqiang’s arm and moved closer to him.

After dinner, it was already dark outside. "I don't want to go home. I want to stay with you a little longer," He Xiaolei said, arm in arm with Fang Dongqiang as they left the restaurant.

"It's so cold outside, so come to my place."

"Okay, let's go check out your little place."

Fang Dongqiang lives in a single room next to his workplace. He usually eats at the workplace cafeteria and occasionally goes to Fang Meili and Fang Meihao's house on weekends. He does not cook.

Upon entering, there's a shoe cabinet on one side and a bathroom on the other. Inside, you'll see a bed and a table next to it.

The two entered the room, and the door slammed shut with a "bang," followed by a crisp "click" of the lock, acting as a barrier to keep out the cold wind, the noise, and all prying eyes from outside.

Fang Dongqiang wrapped his arms around He Xiaolei's waist, and the two looked at each other in silence for a moment.

"I miss you!" Fang Dongqiang gently leaned down and touched He Xiaolei's nose with his own.

I miss you too, I miss you so much.

Fang Dongqiang tightened his grip around He Xiaolei's waist and kissed her lips. He Xiaolei released her longing of the past six months at this moment.

When they finally separated, they were both panting heavily, their chests heaving.

He Xiaolei gripped Fang Dongqiang's shirt tightly with both hands, her voice soft with a hint of complaint and coquetry, "I can hardly breathe, why won't you let go?"

Fang Dongqiang flicked He Xiaolei's nose with his finger, "You don't want to let go either." Then he placed his palm on He Xiaolei's head and hugged her to his chest.

"I'll come back for my internship next year, and then we can be together every day."

The phone suddenly vibrated in her pocket, accompanied by a ringtone. He Xiaolei stepped away from Fang Dongqiang's embrace, took out her phone, and saw the word "Mom" flashing on the screen. She glanced at Fang Dongqiang in a panic.

He Xiaolei cleared her throat, took a deep breath, and pressed the answer button, "Mom!"

"Xiaolei, when are you coming back? Hasn't the date been set yet?"

"Mom, I, I," He Xiaolei stammered, unsure of what to say.

"We've received the things you sent back. Do you have any other luggage? Your parents will pick you up at the station."

"Uh, no need to pick me up, Mom. Yes, I'm already back," He Xiaolei quickly said.

"You're back? Where are you now? Why didn't you tell us you were coming back? Where are you so late?" He Xiaolei's mother asked anxiously on the phone.

"Yeah, I wanted to give you guys a surprise. I had dinner with my classmates and friends, and I'll be back in a bit."

"Where are you? Call Dad to come pick you up." Her mother was worried.

"No, no need, I'll be home soon, soon. Okay, Mom, I'll hang up now."

On the phone, He Xiaolei's mother was still saying, "This child, she didn't even say she was coming back."

He Xiaolei hung up the phone, patted her chest, and said, "Dongqiang, I told my parents when I got home tonight."

"Are you nervous?" Fang Dongqiang took her hand. "Do you want me to go with you to talk to them?"

"Are you nervous?" He Xiaolei asked in return.

"Nervous," Fang Dongqiang said truthfully.

He Xiaolei chuckled, "I'll go and talk to them myself first, so they can be mentally prepared."

“My second aunt and my little aunt also asked me to bring you over for dinner.”

"You're seeing so many people?"

“My second aunt and my youngest aunt are like my mom. They’re very nice. My grandparents also told me to take you out to play. I also told my mom that I have a girlfriend, and she understood. She’s so happy,” Fang Dongqiang patiently comforted her.

"I'm so shy, meeting so many people!"

"It's okay, they're all fine."

"I'll go home tonight to talk. Well, I'm going back now, otherwise my mom will come looking for me again."

Fang Dongqiang dropped He Xiaolei off at the intersection near her home. "It's just ahead. I've already talked to my parents. I'll send you a message."

"Okay!" Fang Dongqiang let go of her hand.

He Xiaolei returned home with her suitcase, where her parents were waiting for her in the living room downstairs.

Xiaolei pushed open the door, and her parents immediately got up to greet her. Her father took the suitcase, and her mother pulled her along, looking her over. "You came back so suddenly to surprise your parents? Aren't you cold?"

"It's not cold, I'll go to the restroom first." He Xiaolei closed the restroom door. Looking at herself in the mirror, she breathed a sigh of relief. She was nervous inside, about to tell her parents that she was in love. Her mother had always told her to find someone from the city, that the boy's parents had jobs and retirement pensions, and that their lives as a young couple would be easier.

However, Fang Dongqiang's family lives in the countryside, and his mother is still... He Xiaolei bit her lip. She was determined to talk to Fang Dongqiang sooner or later.

When she came out of the bathroom, her mother had already poured her a cup of hot tea and placed it on the coffee table.

He Xiaolei held the teacup in her hands, letting its warmth warm her palms, and also to bolster her courage, "Dad, Mom, I'm in love."

In the warm light of the living room, there was a sudden half-second of silence. Her father, who was peeling an orange, paused upon hearing this. "Oh? Is it a classmate from school? Where do you live?"

"You silly child, why didn't you tell me you were dating sooner? What does your boyfriend's family do? Do his parents have stable jobs?" He Xiaolei's mother sat down a little closer and put her hands on He Xiaolei's shoulders.

As soon as she finished speaking, He Xiaolei knew that her parents were going to ask these questions.