The summer heat was intense, and the rows of trees outside had their leaves withered from the sun. Even the birds were not singing as cheerfully as usual.
There was no air conditioning in this era. Some families had electric fans, which would whir all day long, and that would get them through the hottest period.
Xu Nuo is naturally not afraid of the heat. Even when taking a nap in the summer, she needs to cover her chest with a thin blanket. At this moment, her face is flushed and she is sleeping soundly.
Li Xian returned at the appointed time, quietly opened the door and went inside. He then washed his face by the sink, water droplets falling down his neat short hair, making his cold and deep-set eyes appear somewhat gentle. He casually wiped his face with a towel and then carefully dried his hands.
He walked to the bedside, squatted down, and placed his slightly cool palm on her soft face.
He called to her softly, "Nuonuo, wake up."
The person in their sleep groaned, rubbed their face against his palm, opened their eyes groggily, and grinned when they saw him.
Her voice was soft and sweet: "Hmm? Li Xian, you're back?"
As he spoke, he curled up into a small ball and moved closer.
Li Xian hugged her and helped her sit up. Seeing that her forehead was a little wet, he used a large grass fan to fan her.
Are you feeling better?
"Mmm." Xu Nuo responded lazily. She was awake, but she just clung to him and didn't want to let go.
"I'm going to rehearsal later. Are you going to see Uncle Liu?"
"Mm." Li Xian nodded, put her hand on his neck, and carried her to the bathroom to wash her face.
Because she wasn't wearing shoes, Li Xian let her step on his feet. Xu Nuo playfully stepped on his feet twice and giggled.
Li Xian smiled, squeezed some toothpaste onto her, and whispered, "Uncle Liu said he wants to see you."
"Hmm?" She had already brushed the toothbrush and didn't want to speak, but after brushing for a couple of times, she bit the toothbrush with her mouth, leaned back, and leaned against him.
Even with just a glance, Li Xian knew what she wanted. He chuckled softly, reached for the toothbrush, and gently and skillfully brushed her teeth.
Xu Nuo looked in the mirror; the man was tall and imposing, encircling her completely.
A person who is reluctant to speak much in front of outsiders will patiently coax her to get up and carefully brush her teeth.
Hearing her silly giggles, Li Xian looked up at his glasses, then affectionately rubbed his chin against the top of her head.
After brushing his teeth, he held the cup to her lips, rinsed his mouth, and spat out the water. Xu Nuo looked up and said, "Did you tell Uncle Liu you have a girlfriend?"
It was a topic the two of them hadn't finished discussing earlier.
Xu Nuo often called him her boyfriend in private, but he still couldn't help but feel his ears burning: "Yes, I said so."
...
Liu Zhao truly treated Li Xian like a son, arranging jobs for him and caring about his health. A couple of days ago, he started worrying about his marriage: "Xiao Xian, you're a young man now, it's time to find someone to date."
Li Xian said, "I have a boyfriend."
Liu Zhao was so shocked he almost dropped his cup: "What? You have a boyfriend?!"
Li Xian nodded.
Liu Zhao was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Well, you little rascal, you've got a girlfriend without a word. When are you going to bring her over so I can meet her?"
Since Li Xian arrived in Shanghai, Liu Zhao had often taken him with him, referring to him to outsiders as his godson. Naturally, others had many thoughts about Li Xian. Originally, Liu Zhao had thought of giving him some pointers, but he didn't expect that the boy would act so decisively in other matters. Whenever a woman tried to curry favor with him, he would turn cold and remain silent, his rejection so obvious that Liu Zhao felt a bit pressured.
I thought this kid was slow to catch on, but I didn't expect him to already have a boyfriend.
Liu Zhao was cautious throughout his life and rarely smiled in front of outsiders, so he was unusually talkative in front of close friends: "I'm really curious, what kind of woman is she, does she have three heads and six arms, that she can take down a blockhead like you?"
When Xu Nuo was mentioned, Li Xian's eyes softened, which amazed Liu Zhao, who looked at him with a look of exasperation: "No, you kid, I, Uncle Liu, am always so attentive to you, but I've never seen you smile at me once. I just mentioned your girlfriend, and look at you, you're all smiles."
Li Xian suppressed his smile, somewhat embarrassed, and coughed lightly: "Ahem, she's fine."
Xu Nuo poked Li Xian's cheek with her finger, but he grabbed it and held it gently.
"Nuonuo, are you... are you willing?"
Li Xian asked this question with a hint of nervousness. Liu Zhao was his elder; if she was willing to go with him to see Liu Zhao, wouldn't that mean...?
"Okay, but I have rehearsals these days, it'll be tiring."
She turned around and hugged his waist, rubbing her face against his clothes.
Li Xian wrapped his arms around her, wrung out a towel for her, and held the back of her head to wipe her face.
“When you have time, and…” Li Xian paused, “Uncle Liu is going to the capital in a few days on business, and he wants me to go with him.”
"Really?" Xu Nuo reached out and moved his hand away, her eyes shining brightly. "He's going to take you to the capital on business?"
The book doesn't mention this person, but Xu Nuo knew that Li Xian's Uncle Liu held a high position in the army and had helped Li Xian a lot. Knowing that he had been hospitalized recently, he even sent a large amount of tonics over.
If he were willing to bring Li Xian along, that would be ideal.
"But I didn't agree."
Xu Nuo frowned: "Why?"
"Your school starts soon."
In a few days it will be the time for new student registration. Li Xian didn't mention it, and Xu Nuo had almost forgotten about it.
She wrapped her arms around his waist, swayed slightly guiltily, and said in a coquettish voice, "I forgot to tell you, my dad and mom bought train tickets and are going to come with me to register for work."
Her big, wet eyes stared at him. "My parents don't know I have a boyfriend."
Li Xian gently stroked her forehead: "It's okay, we made a promise, we'll wait for you to graduate."
This was a reason Xu Nuo made up on the spot when she wasn't sure if reality would unfold as the plot would, but she didn't expect him to remember it so clearly.
She chuckled, put her arms around his neck, and looked into his eyes: "My parents are rather conservative, I'll find a suitable opportunity to tell them."
His slightly lowered eyes lit up, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up: "Really?"
"Okay." Xu Nuo nodded. "I'll take you to meet your parents-in-law later."
Li Xian was somewhat worried: "What if they... don't like me? My grandfather..."
Although his parents have been exonerated, he still carries the burden of his class background.
"No, they won't." Xu Nuo shook her head firmly: "Don't worry, you're so good, how could they not like you?"
Li Xian felt a warm glow in his heart and couldn't help but hug her tightly. He was so happy that he cupped her face and kissed her several times. After kissing her, he was stunned, his usually cold face full of embarrassment. "I...I'm so happy."
"Pfft." Xu Nuo thought Li Xian looked so cute at that moment that she couldn't help but tiptoe, wanting to give him a romantic kiss. However, she could only reach his chin. Fortunately, she pulled him down and he obediently squatted down.
"Kiss kisses." Xu Nuo did the same, cupping his face and kissing him several times, her eyes crinkling as she asked, "Are you happy?"
Li Xianman's eyes were filled with a dazzling starry sky as he gazed at her and said, "I'm happy."
Xu Nuo was laughing when she glanced at the watch on her wrist and exclaimed, "Oh no, I'm going to be late!"
Then she let go of the person and ran to her room. Fortunately, she was naturally beautiful and rarely wore makeup, at most just applying lip gloss. She quickly changed into a dress and put on her shoes, and was ready to go out.
She wore a white cotton-linen dress today, her hair was tied in a ponytail, and her face was full of smiles.
Pure as a flower bud about to bloom.
"I'm leaving now, bye-bye."
"good."
Li Xian watched her walk into the gates of Shanghai University until she was completely out of sight before turning and leaving.
Liu Zhao had originally planned to try to persuade him again today. After all, this trip to the capital would involve meeting some of the most important figures, and if Li Xian could make a good impression, it would be a worthwhile trip.
Unexpectedly, Li Xian agreed as soon as he mentioned it.
"That's great, we'll leave the day after tomorrow."
Li Xian was taken aback: "Not next week?"
"Go a few days early to take care of some other things, and while you're at it, I'll introduce you to some old friends, including... some of Lao Yan's friends."
Seeing that he didn't speak, Liu Zhao asked curiously, "You're not reluctant to part with your little sweetheart, are you?"
After saying that, he himself realized it was impossible.
Wait, what's with this child's expression...?
Liu Zhao became increasingly curious about his girlfriend. Speaking of her, Liu Zhao said, "I drank the tea you gave me before, it's really, really good stuff. When you go to Beijing this time, try to get some more, don't worry about the money."
...
Ke Chongshan was on leave at home today, and Ke Mei happened to be there too. The father and daughter were having a private conversation when Li Xian arrived.
Ke Mei stood up with delight. Seeing that Li Xian's complexion had returned to normal, she asked with relief, "Xiao Xian, what brings you here today?"
The fact that Liu Zhao recently gained a godson has been widely known in this circle.
His lifelong struggle and hard work were all for the purpose of giving her a strong haven, so that she wouldn't have to care about other people's opinions and could live without restraint.
With this goal in mind, Li Xian quickly figured out the buying and selling network of the Shanghai black market, as well as those privately owned products that were secretly emerging from the shadows.
To be on the safe side, he didn't make a move but instead observed the situation.
Even without Liu Zhao's reminder, he had already shown great foresight: "Within a year, private enterprises will spring up like mushrooms after rain."
Liu Zhao nodded in satisfaction: "You're really something, kid. You're right. The national situation is changing. Complete nationalization is no longer suitable for the current national conditions. Just wait, things will change drastically soon."
The situation was changing quietly, and the Ke family's patience was finally running out.
On the weekend, Ke Chongshan invited Li Xian to come back to the Ke residence for dinner.
Ke Han and Ke Chongshan are close friends, and Ke Han often brings Lian Aijun to eat. Today, as soon as they entered the door, they saw a man sitting on the sofa.
He was still dressed in a composed black outfit, looking capable and sitting upright like a pine tree, his eyebrows slightly lowered, making it impossible to see the emotions in his eyes.
Ke Mei's initially enthusiastic face turned displeased, but after being glared at by Ke Chongshan, she forced a smile and said, "Xiao Xian is here too."
Li Xian stood up: "Auntie."
Ke Chongshan smiled and waved his hand: "Sit down."
Li Xian sat back down and answered whatever Ke Chongshan asked, usually nodding or shaking his head, or giving a concise sentence that left people speechless.
Ke Han thought to himself, if he didn't know he could speak, he would have thought he was mute.
During the meal, Ke Chongshan asked with a smile, "Li Xian, how are things going with Comrade Liu Zhao?"
Although Li Xian was aloof, he still showed Ke Chongshan the respect due to him: "Not bad."
Recently, a young new face appeared in Liu Zhao's life, and he liked him very much. Ke Chongshan guessed who it was right away, which made him very happy.
He picked up his chopsticks and placed a piece of meat in Li Xian's bowl.
Although it was a gesture of goodwill, there was a condescending smile in his eyes, as if he were a stray dog on the roadside, and he made his requests as if it were perfectly natural.
"In a couple of days, invite Comrade Liu Zhao to dinner and tell him that I'm inviting him."
Li Xian frowned slightly, then nodded: "Yes, I will pass it on."
Ke Han ladled soup into Lian Aijun's bowl, inwardly displeased: "Don't tell him. You absolutely must find a way to get him to agree, otherwise..."
Otherwise, what's the point of bringing you back?
However, before Ke Han could finish speaking, Li Xian put down his chopsticks and looked at her. His silent demeanor was so unsettling that Ke Han was speechless.
She kicked her own son, Aijun, under the table. The usually defiant Aijun was as docile as a quail in front of his cousin.
His bullying nature and fear of the strong told him that he was facing an insurmountable obstacle and couldn't afford to be trifled with.
Unless he wants to die.
Li Xian put down his chopsticks, stood up and said to Ke Chongshan, "Please enjoy your meal. I have other things to attend to, so I'll be leaving now."
Ke Chongshan nodded.
After he left, Ke Han said sarcastically, "I invite him to dinner, but he's never available. Even when he does come, he doesn't stay long before leaving."
Remembering how Lian Aijun had been silent and like a dumb goose just now, Ke Han slapped him on the shoulder: "Is he a monster? You're usually so eloquent, why didn't you utter a sound when he was around?"
Lian Aijun had tried to intimidate Li Xian last time, but he was scared off by Li Xian's casual glance.
He always trusted his intuition and advised Ke Han to be more polite to others, but she always responded with sarcastic remarks.
Lien Ai-Chun said, "Maybe they're busy."
"Pfft, how come he's too busy, he's an unemployed country bumpkin?"
Of course, I don't have time.
Li Xian wanted to go home to see if his pampered little one had eaten properly.
He took out his key and opened the door.
The other person looked at him with surprise: "Why are you back so soon?"
Li Xian's gaze fell on the thing she was holding in her arms.
Xu Nuo was caught red-handed for not eating properly at all; she ate a couple of bites of rice and then ran off to eat watermelon.
Although Li Xian listened to her every word, he didn't back down at all when it came to her not taking care of her health. Xu Nuo hugged half a watermelon in her arms and said coquettishly with a little guilt, "I just ate two bites."
Li Xian glanced at the fruit ladle.
There were more than a dozen holes dug in the pit, indicating that a lot of food had been eaten.
Li Xian was somewhat displeased that she didn't take care of herself, but he still said gently, "No."
Without saying a word, he snatched the watermelon from her arms.
"Have you forgotten that your stomach hurt yesterday?"
On such a hot day, even eating iced watermelon is impossible. Xu Nuo made a desperate, mournful plea: "Drinking some herbal water would be just fine."
Li Xian didn't want her to rely on that thing too much, so he took the watermelon to the kitchen, washed his hands, and then came over to hug her. As soon as he leaned in, he was kicked in the chest.
The instigator glared at him angrily: "Hmph."
He held her ankle, gently stroking it with his fingertips, and said softly, "You cried from the pain yesterday, eat it in a few days."
Xu Nuo has always suffered from menstrual cramps. Last night, her period came in the middle of the night, and she woke up crying from the pain. Li Xian gave her some herbal tea and she felt better.
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