Xu Chen sighed and said nothing more. Some things can only be figured out by the person involved. He went into the room and helped Xiao Rou with her homework for a while before saying goodbye and leaving.
"Chenchen, Chenchen!" At the mountain pass near Wang Hui's house, Wang Li looked at the location on her phone and called Xu Chen's name. Xu Chen answered the phone, asked for the location, and met up with Wang Li.
"Lili".
"Xu Chen!" Unable to contain her emotions, Wang Li stepped forward and gave Xu Chen a hug.
"Lili, look!" Xu Chen stretched out his hand, made a fist, and punched forward. A second later, a crisp sound reached Wang Li's ears. Wang Li looked in the direction Xu Chen's fist was pointing, reached out and touched it, but felt nothing.
"Xu Chen, is this a barrier that those two seniors specially customized for you?" Wang Li asked helplessly.
Xu Chen nodded. "The important thing is that I still don't know what kind of test he's going to give me."
Wang Li looked around. Although the scenery was beautiful, it was definitely far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. "Xu Chen, I'll go to the supermarket in town to buy some things. We'll stay in the tent tonight."
"Okay, remember to buy lots of snacks. I met a really interesting little girl and I want to reward her."
And so, Wang Li set off to buy supplies, and the two settled down in a tent not far from Wang Hui's house. The tent was quite large, though.
"Xiaorou, this is a big bag of milk candy as a reward for you." Xu Chen brought Wang Li and the prize he had promised to the little girl to Wang Hui. After some introductions, the group got to know each other. Xu Chen gave the milk candy to Wang Hui, and the couple played some games with Xiaorou before returning to their tent.
Three years passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, Wang Li made several trips back to Xingcheng to let both families know she was safe and sound, and every few months she would buy supplies and replace the tents. In the first year, the two of them built a thatched hut themselves. Although it was simple, it was much better than a tent. Xu Chen even cultivated a small plot of land in front of the hut to plant potatoes or carrots. Wang Li and Wang Hui's relationship also deepened day by day, and they addressed each other as sisters.
"Big sister, what are we having for dinner today?" After finishing his work in the fields, Xu Chen grabbed Wang Li, who was sleeping in, and headed to Wang Hui's house for a free meal.
"Potatoes!" Xiaorou said with a smile, as if potatoes were the most delicious food in the world.
"Xiao Rou, sit still, your older brother and sister will serve you rice." Xu Chen touched the little girl's face, and the two of them took out bowls to serve rice to Xiao Rou and Wang Hui.
"Sister, teach me how to build a snowman later!" Xiao Rou skipped and hopped around with her rice bowl, very happy. She leaned against Wang Li, like two real sisters.
"Okay, but Xiaorou, remember to finish your homework. If you don't understand something, come and ask your sister." Wang Li finished her meal in a few bites, patted Xiaorou's head, and said with a smile. Seeing this opportunity, Xu Chen also took out a workbook. Want to build a snowman? At least do a dozen pages first.
Wang Hui glanced gratefully at Xu Chen, then said to Xiao Rou, "Xiao Rou, hurry up and do your homework. After you finish, your older brother and sister will help you build a snowman." Xiao Rou quickly finished her rice in her small bowl, took her exercise book, and went into the house.
"Sister Hui, Xiaorou is very smart!" Wang Li exclaimed, glancing at her previous workbook, which contained almost all correct answers. Wang Hui smiled with satisfaction and said modestly, "That's because you all taught her so well."
“No, no, no, we are not professional teachers. Xiaorou’s improved grades are due to her talent and hard work. Sister Hui, have you thought it through?” Wang Li continued to ask the question she had been asking for the past two years: to move away from here and study in a big city.
Wang Hui remained silent, turned around and went back to her room. Xu Chen and Wang Li looked at each other in bewilderment. They hadn't just decided to help the mother and daughter on a whim; after three years of living together, they had developed some feelings for each other.
"Xiao Rou, do you want to study in a big city?" Xu Chen gently touched Xiao Rou's face as she played and asked tenderly.
"Big city? County town?" Xiaorou asked curiously. Because of her family's poverty, she had never even been to the provincial capital since birth. When her older brother asked this question, she immediately thought of the county town.
"It's much, much bigger than the county town. There are lots of fun things to do there, delicious food to eat, and many well-behaved children like you."
Wang Li was about to tell Xiao Rou about the fun of big cities when Wang Hui waved to Xiao Rou. Xiao Rou's smile disappeared as she realized it was almost time to do her homework.
"Thank you, but... I don't want to leave her father. Can you let me think about it for a while?" Wang Hui said hesitantly.
"It's alright, it all depends on what you think, Sister Hui." Xu Chen waved his hand and pulled Wang Li away.
On the way back to the thatched hut, Xu Chen and Wang Li both sighed. Wang Li turned and glanced at Wang Hui's house, then said to Xu Chen,
"Chenchen, why do you think Sister Hui is unwilling to leave?"
"Maybe it's because she really can't bear to leave her husband. Let's stop thinking about it and focus on how to break the barrier. Otherwise, if Sister Hui wants to leave, there'll be nothing we can do."
"It's a pity that Senior Qin has already passed away." Wang Li recalled the scene three years ago when she went to Qin Ziyue's workplace to find her. At that time, she had already been told that Qin Ziyue had taken a long leave, and her colleagues did not know the specific time of her return.
"I wonder how the capital has changed in the years we've been gone?" Xu Chen knew what had happened to Qin Ziyue. He glanced in the direction of the capital, then touched Wang Li's pretty face and said gently, "Thank you for your hard work, staying with me for so long."
“Xu Chen, I’ve noticed you’ve become increasingly distant with me lately. You’re always saying thank you and asking how hard I’ve worked.” Wang Li was a little sad; she believed that lovers shouldn’t be so calculating. Xu Chen straightened Wang Li up and faced her directly, saying, “Because you have no obligation. Even if I’m your boyfriend, you have no obligation to suffer with me here.”
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