After seeing the three off, Tian Yu was busy tidying up the house. She didn't know where Tang Yuan had gone off to play again. Just as she was about to sit down and rest, Chen Chong returned. Seeing the man standing in the yard, Tian Yu remembered the glances he had kept stealing at her all day. She was momentarily at a loss for words, stammering, "Brother Chen... is there anything else?"

"Don't call me Brother Chen," Chen Chong said, putting down what he was holding and standing in front of Tian Yu.

"Then...what's it called?" Standing so close, Tian Yu didn't dare to look at him, wondering what was wrong with her today, something just felt off.

"Chen Chong!"

"Okay, Chen!? Chen Chong, is there anything else?"

"No, I just wanted to confirm something with you."

"What is it? Tell me!"

"I love you and want to marry you. Do you agree?" Chen Chong took a step forward, getting closer to Tian Yu.

"Huh!? I...I don't know. I thought we'd be like friends and family. I never imagined we'd become husband and wife." Seeing him take a step forward, Tian Yu instinctively took a step back. She didn't understand why people here were so direct. Although she felt he was a good person, he wanted to marry her after only knowing her for a few days!

Chen Chong took another step forward and said, "Then think about it now, do you like me?"

Tian Yu took another step back, her eyes darting around, and said, "Well, I can't think of anything right now. How about we talk about it another day?"

Chen Chong remained silent, continuing to approach step by step. Tian Yu retreated step by step until she reached the edge of the water vat. Seeing no way to retreat, Tian Yu tried to go around him, but Chen Chong, quick as a flash, encircled her and kept getting closer. Tian Yu had no choice but to lean her upper body back. She couldn't lean back any further, so she could only remain still, but she also turned her face away from Chen Chong. Chen Chong leaned down to her height and looked at her, saying, "Are you scared? Why aren't you looking at me?"

"No, listen to me, we can become sworn brothers and sisters, and you can be Tangyuan's godfather, but let's put the marriage on hold for now." Tian Yu couldn't hold on any longer and reached out to push him away, but she couldn't budge him at all. She could only hold onto his clothes tightly to prevent herself from falling down, thinking to herself, "Why are you staring so closely when I'm not prey?!"

"I don't want to. I want to be with you forever. I want to marry you!"

"I have children! I've been married before!"

"I don't care, I will still love Tangyuan like my own child."

"But, but..." Looking into his eyes, Tian Yu didn't know what to say. Things had happened too suddenly, and she couldn't think of a good solution. Although she had always hoped to have a family since she was a child, she had just gained a son and hadn't even adjusted yet! And now she was being given this to her husband for free? Wasn't that too fast?

Tian Yu sighed and said, "But you deserve someone better. It's not worth it for a discarded woman like me. Haven't you heard what the villagers are saying about me?"

“I don’t care. What they think has nothing to do with me. I know you’re not that kind of person.”

“But I do care. I don’t want to hurt others because of me, especially you and Tangyuan. You are the closest people to me here. I don’t want anyone to hurt you, including myself.”

"Tian Yu, let me protect you, okay?"

"Chen Chong, we have many issues that need to be addressed. Can you let me think about them carefully?"

"Okay! So, do you like me?" Chen Chong asked excitedly.

Tian Yu looked into Chen Chong's eyes, her emotions stirring. She wasn't sure if she truly still held feelings for him or was simply moved by everything he had done. But right now, she didn't want to see him sad or disappointed. She closed her eyes and said, "I like you!"

“But we can’t be together right now because… because… you know, nobody knows that Zhao Moyan and I are divorced.” He quickly added.

"I understand! Don't worry, I won't do anything reckless." After saying that, he kissed Tian Yu on the forehead and left happily, not forgetting to take his own dinner with him.

Liu Tianyu stood there dumbfounded for a long time. What had just happened? She and Chen Chong were now engaged. It all felt so unreal. When she got tired of standing, she remembered she still had to tidy up the house. She shook her head, telling herself not to overthink, but she couldn't help but recall the past few days with Chen Chong, sometimes even letting out a silly smile. Tangyuan came back from outside, bringing back two bowls she had packed up. Seeing Tianyu lost in thought and smiling foolishly, she asked curiously, "Mommy, what's wrong? What happened?"

"Hmm! Oh!? Nothing much, Mother just thought that our house won't leak anymore, and she's so happy! So happy!"

Tangyuan told her that when he came back, he met Uncle Ping and Zhao Jinxin who had brought the bowl back, and he had left it in the kitchen. Tian Yu responded and asked Tangyuan what he wanted for dinner. Tangyuan said he would eat whatever his mother made, as it would all be delicious. She playfully pinched his nose and went to prepare dinner. The dishes and rice she had made at noon were all eaten, and there were only a few steamed buns left, which she heated up and ate.

Back home, Chen Chong ate the dinner he'd brought back, chuckling to himself as he ate. He felt the gloom of the past few days had finally dissipated. He wanted to work hard to give Tian Yu and Tangyuan a happy home, but then he thought about how until Tian Yu and Zhao Moyan's situation was resolved, he and Tian Yu couldn't be together openly. This made him angry again, angry at himself and angry at Zhao Moyan. He took a big bite of his steamed bun.

Meanwhile, after Uncle Ping returned home, he told his family about what had happened that day. His wife didn't believe him at first, but after eating the food he brought back and seeing that the children liked it, she didn't say anything, but her opinion of Tian Yu had indeed changed. They all knew Zhao Sibao was a scoundrel, but none of them wanted to believe Tian Yu, since she was an outsider and her interactions with others didn't reveal her true nature. Naturally, they were more inclined to side with the Zhao family, who were with them.

When Zhao Jinxin returned home, he praised Tian Yu profusely. The village head, upon learning of this, also said that Zhao Moyan had been kind to them; without him, Zhao Jincheng wouldn't have been able to pass the imperial examination, and if he hadn't, he would have been conscripted. He instructed his family not to follow the villagers' gossip, and to help Tian Yu if she encountered any difficulties. After all, Zhao Moyan was still around; who knew what the future held? But they shouldn't be the ones to kick someone when they're down. The two brothers nodded in agreement. Only Zhao Jinxiu felt uneasy hearing them praise Tian Yu, and in a huff, said she wasn't hungry and went back to her room. Because of this incident, some people's attitude towards Tian Yu changed slightly, however small, but it was a good start.

Before going to bed, as usual, I taught Tangyuan to recite poems. I've been busy these past two days and missed the morning lessons, but I'll finally have time to teach Tangyuan properly tomorrow. Has that person returned home yet? I wonder if they've eaten, and if they know how to take care of themselves. Tianyu feels like she has another person to worry about.