In the following days, Chen Chong indeed didn't come. Materials needed for building the house were delivered one after another, but Chen Chong never appeared. Tian Yu tried various ways to inquire, but everyone said they hadn't seen him, or that he was busy in the county town. On the first day, Tian Yu was still in the mood to set up the shed, but her feet were still a little sore, so she only did what she could. Chen Chong even had Zhao Jinxin bring her some ointment. Tian Yu thought Chen Chong wasn't angry and that she was just overthinking things. But on the second and third days, there was still no news from Chen Chong. The food was burnt, and Tangyuan thought she was sick and told her to see a doctor. Her feet didn't hurt anymore after applying the ointment Chen Chong had brought, but she didn't want to do anything. She wondered if Chen Chong was really angry and that's why he didn't want to talk to her anymore.

On the fourth night, Chen Chong still hadn't appeared. Tian Yu couldn't sleep. She covered Tang Yuan with a blanket, then put on her clothes and went out into the yard. The shed was already set up; Zhao Jinxin had brought people to build it that day, and the house would be demolished tomorrow. The yard was also piled with stones and dirt. Tian Yu looked up and saw the moon in the sky, round and bright. She couldn't help but sigh. She felt like there was someone at the door, but she wasn't sure. She wondered if it was someone coming to steal something. Tian Yu took a stick and tiptoed to the door. She pulled open the door and raised the stick to hit him, but he grabbed her. Only then did Tian Yu see that it was Chen Chong standing in front of her. He looked much more haggard. Tian Yu felt wronged, her eyes reddening. She said angrily, "What are you doing here so late?"

"I came to see you." Chen Chong took the stick from Tian Yu's hand, his eyes never leaving Tian Yu's face as he spoke.

"Look at me? What were you doing during the day?"

Something's up.

"Is something really wrong, or do you just not want to see me?" Tian Yu said, tears streaming down her face.

"All of them"

"As expected, you can't even lie. Now that you see me, you can leave."

"I'm sorry, please don't cry," Chen Chong said, hugging Tian Yu tightly. His voice was heavy.

"I didn't cry, it's all your fault. Why are you angry and ignoring me?" Tian Yu angrily patted his back, trying to push him away but couldn't.

"I'm sorry, it won't happen again. I won't get angry anymore."

"Then why are you angry?" Tian Yu pushed Chen Chong away and looked at him again, still not understanding why Chen Chong was so angry.

"It doesn't matter anymore." Chen Chong reached out and wiped away the tears on Tian Yu's cheeks.

"Important, I want to know what made you so angry."

Chen Chong turned his head away from Tian Yu's gaze, unwilling to answer. Seeing his conflicted expression, Tian Yu seemed to understand. She tiptoed and gently kissed his cheek, then smiled and said, "Is it because of this?"

Chen Chong was stunned for a moment before he came to his senses and looked at Tian Yu, saying, "Yes and no."

"I'm sorry, I just want to wait until I'm completely innocent so we can be together openly and honestly. That way, no one will bother us anymore, and we can stay here forever. Do you understand?"

"I understand, it's my fault, I shouldn't have been angry with you."

"So you're not angry now."

"I'm not angry anymore, I just don't know how to face you. I was too impatient."

"I'm sorry, if I had told you earlier that I was divorced, maybe we wouldn't have to be so careful now."

"Don't blame yourself, blame the world."

The two stood in front of the door for a long time, until Tian Yu's legs were sore, but she didn't want to leave. In the end, Chen Chong noticed her discomfort and told her to go back and rest. But how could Tian Yu leave him alone? After hesitating for a long time, she twisted her fingers and said softly, "It's so late, how are you going to go back? Why don't you stay?"

Chen Chong looked down at Tian Yu, trying to make sure he hadn't misheard, but seeing Tian Yu's shy expression, he leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Are you sure?"

"Don't misunderstand me. What I mean is, it's too late and it's not safe on the road. You can stay here for the night and leave early tomorrow morning."

"Alright, then I'll stay."

"Really...really!?"

"Yeah! Anyway, I was planning to stay here anyway, but you found out. Now that you know, I'll stay."

"Is that so? Are you sure?" Tian Yu was no longer sure.

"Okay, just kidding. It's cold, go home and get some rest!"

"Then what are you going to do? Why don't you come in? There's still another room. I can tidy it up a bit."

"I'll just make do here for now. I have to go to the county town early tomorrow morning. You should go in." With that, Chen Chong sat down by the door.

"Here? What if a wild animal comes?"

"No, I've been here for several days..." Chen Chong realized he had let something slip and quickly stopped himself.

"What!? Have you been guarding this place for the past few days?" Tian Yu had already guessed, and squatted down to look at Chen Chong and asked.

"No, I just missed you and came here to look around." Under Tian Yu's gaze, Chen Chong could only offer a vague explanation. Actually, he came here every night. Ever since he met Tian Yu, he felt his home was empty, and he never wanted to stay there when he went back. Sometimes he would unconsciously find himself at Tian Yu's doorstep, but he didn't want to disturb her or let others misunderstand, so he would just stand at the door and look around, often for the entire night. These past few days, he had been staying here even more, constantly thinking about how to apologize to Tian Yu, but he also felt he hadn't done anything wrong, so he could only sulk.

"Are you an idiot? Why didn't you tell me to come in with me now?" Tian Yu pulled Chen Chong up angrily, angry that he didn't cherish himself, angry that she couldn't be with him properly, and that she made him suffer like this.

"It's really nothing, I'm used to it. When we go hunting in the mountains, we often spend the night outside, it's really nothing," Chen Chong said, patting Tian Yu's head.

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