Initially, the Ke and Liu families had a close relationship. Before Ke Wei went abroad to study, the two families intended for their children to marry.
The Liu family has two sons. The elder son, Liu Ping, is of average talent and works in the communications department. The younger son, Liu Zhao, is intelligent and well-liked by Ke Chongshan.
In contrast, the Ke family has three daughters, but the eldest daughter is already engaged and the youngest daughter is too young. Only the equally outstanding Ke Wei is worthy of Liu Zhao.
Coincidentally, Liu Zhao also went to Liu Yang, and the two families agreed to hold a wedding when the two children returned from studying abroad.
Liu Zhao and Ke Wei went abroad in the same year. Their families all thought they were very close. In fact, they were just friendly friends and had agreed to put on an act so that their elders wouldn't ask about it every day.
Later, the Liu family learned about some of Ke Chongshan's shady dealings behind the scenes, and therefore had some complaints about the Ke family, but did not hold it against them out of consideration for their in-law relationship.
We only hoped that Ke Chongshan would restrain himself, but to our surprise, he not only didn't restrain himself, but instead became even more outrageous.
In the third year, Liu Zhao returned from studying abroad, while Ke Wei continued to stay abroad because she had not yet completed her studies.
At that time, Ke Wei was already in love with Cheng Liyan, Liu Zhao's best friend, but because of Cheng Liyan's family background, she dared not tell Ke Chongshan.
Ke Chongshan always addressed Liu Zhao as his son-in-law.
It wasn't until Ke Wei confessed to Ke Chongshan and returned to China with Cheng Liyan that she rejected the marriage proposal from the Liu family.
Ke Chongshan always believed that the deterioration of the relationship between the Liu family and the Ke family was entirely due to Ke Wei's refusal to marry Liu Zhao.
Actually, that's not the case. Liu Zhao had already explained to his family that he and Ke Wei were good friends, and the elders of the Liu family were open-minded and had no intention of forcing him.
The real reason the Liu family distanced themselves from the Ke family was Ke Chongshan's insatiable and petty behavior.
Now, more than twenty years have passed. Yan Kewei has passed away, and Liu Zhao has half-white hair.
He had regular features, a square face, and straight eyebrows. His eyes, which were full of righteousness, were filled with suppressed sadness. Looking at Li Xian, who bore a striking resemblance to Cheng Liyan, he sighed after a long while and said, "Xiao Xian, I am your Uncle Liu."
So on this bright and sunny afternoon, Xu Nuo laughed in the sea of music, while Li Xian sat quietly, listening to Liu Zhao tell the story of him and Cheng Liyan.
The story is long, but it's essentially about two ambitious young people who meet in a foreign country and go from disliking each other to becoming best friends.
Standing by the window, Liu Zhao looked at the bustling traffic outside and said nostalgically, "I'm a year older than your father, but I'm really no match for his brain. I had to ask him for advice on many academic matters. Back then, we used all the money we brought to invest in American stocks. As long as we followed your father, everyone made a fortune."
Through Liu Zhao's connections, Cheng Liyan and Ke Wei gradually became acquainted and eventually got together. As their friend, Liu Zhao was naturally happy to see them get together.
"They thought that with your grandfather's approval, the two of them could finally get married, but then that incident happened."
The smile on Liu Zhao's face faded.
"Back then, the situation was chaotic, and many people were inexplicably convicted. Some were even labeled as spies and labeled as rightists simply because they spoke foreign languages. Everyone was terrified, and people were filled with anxiety."
Liu Zhao shook his head, a bleak smile on his lips.
Cheng Liyan was the first to get into trouble. Liu Zhao heard rumors and wrote a letter of clarification, wanting to testify on Cheng Liyan's behalf. Before the conviction, Cheng Liyan went to see him and asked Liu Zhao to sever ties with him and not to speak for him under any circumstances, let alone send any letter of clarification on his behalf.
"then…"
The air was oppressive and heavy. Liu Zhao's eyes were slightly red, and the image of that exceptionally talented man seemed to appear before him again.
At that time, Liu Zhao was a young man in his early twenties, impulsive and naive. Cheng Yan said, "Brother Zhao, I can't escape this calamity. The road ahead is full of hardships. You just need to distance yourself from us. Even if I am demoted, don't come looking for me or come to see me. Just pretend you don't know me and don't get involved in this mess."
Liu Zhao heeded the advice and ultimately did not submit the letter of clarification, thus escaping a disaster.
Cheng Liyan owned two houses, but at the time, he hadn't had time to transfer them to his own name, so they weren't confiscated by the organization. He gave the land deeds to Liu Zhao, saying that if he and Ke Wei were to return to Shanghai one day, they could ask him to retrieve them.
A few days later, Cheng Liyan was convicted, and within half a day, Ke Wei was also charged. The two were hastily sent to the countryside, and Liu Zhao never saw them again.
The three of them used to drink and chat happily, enjoying life to the fullest. Now, two of them are gone, leaving only Liu Zhao.
Li Xian sat silently the entire time, like a silent statue.
But the sorrow in her eyes and brows was something that even the wind couldn't dispel.
Liu Zhao prepared the house deed, put it in a large envelope, and handed it to Li Xian: "Back then, your father hadn't changed the registered owner, and the house was still under someone else's name. After I learned about you, I had that person transfer the house directly to your name. This is your property, so keep it safe."
Li Xian took it, bowed his head to Liu Zhao, and said in a bitter voice, "Thank you... Uncle Liu."
The past events hadn't brought tears to Liu Zhao's eyes, but this time he couldn't hold back his tears. He said with relief, "Good, good, Xiao Xian, you've grown up so big and so good. I'm so happy, really happy."
Liu Zhao, being at the center of power, has been walking on thin ice all these years, not daring to make a single mistake for fear of giving others a handle to use against him. However, in the matter of overturning the cases of Li Yan and Ke Wei, he personally followed up on everything until the documents were issued.
"I have already had someone apply to the organization for the return of the property under your parents' names back then, and I believe it will be returned to you soon."
…
As soon as rehearsal ended, Xu Nuo quickly packed her things. Su Zhao and Liu Meixiang both had to participate in the play rehearsal and couldn't go with her.
Su Zhao said, "Are you in a hurry? If not, I'll take you home after I'm done."
Xu Nuo picked up her water cup, shook her head and said, "No need, I have to go now. You guys have a good rehearsal."
If it weren't for the fact that they were in a public place, she would have almost turned into a butterfly and flown away.
In a small alley near a university in Shanghai, a man stood silently against a wall.
His already stern face seemed to be covered with a layer of frost, but as familiar footsteps approached from afar, the ice and snow melted into spring rain.
They've all fallen sparsely.
He looked at the person who had come and whispered, "Nuonuo."
Her tone was filled with unconcealed sadness, which softened Xu Nuo's eyes and brows.
The alley was deserted. Xu Nuo quickly reached out and hugged him, just as he usually comforted himself, her palms gently resting on his back.
Xu Nuo knew who he had visited that afternoon: one was Ke Chongshan, and the other was a friend of Li Xian's father. She had forgotten his name, but seeing an old friend would surely bring back memories.
Those old stories that people don't want to look back on.
Xu Nuo gradually transferred her power to him.
Li Xian's body went from stiff to relaxed, and he took the initiative to reach out and hug her, feeling the immense strength she gave him.
He gently nuzzled her ear with his head and let out a soft sigh of pleasure.
She looked up with a smile: "Shall we go home?"
The word "home" touched his heart, and his eyes welled up with tears. He nodded and said, "Okay."
As soon as she got home, before Xu Nuo could even take off her bag, she was lifted up by her armpits and knees.
She was held very high, her whole body pressed against him, and when she lowered her head, she could just touch his slightly upturned face.
He was usually reserved, but at this moment he seemed unable to control himself, his eyes filled with sadness.
Xu Nuo reached out, gently cupped his face, and lowered her head to kiss his forehead.
Her breath was as sweet as orchids, and her movements were as graceful as a dragonfly skimming the water.
The pain seemed to be soothed instantly, and the intense emotion in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by her charming smile.
His breathing instantly became heavy, and his gaze towards her was filled with satisfaction and deep affection, as if the world were a dark and empty place.
She is the only physical object in the world.
Their eyes met, and they slowly drew closer to each other.
In the midst of their bittersweet parting, Xu Nuo could no longer hear the sounds of the outside world; all his senses revolved around him alone.
His scent, his movements, his voice…
His warm palm pressed against the back of his neck.
It must be said that while holding her tightly, this man still managed to free one hand to gently stroke her neck.
In a dizzying moment, he lifted her into a chair, his hand still supporting the back of her neck, bolstering her limp body.
In his naturally deep and resonant voice, he murmured softly and tenderly, "Nuonuo..."
"Li Xian, I'm here."
…
They naturally slept in the same bed at night.
Li Xian originally wanted to sleep on the floor, but Xu Nuo wouldn't allow it, so he had no choice but to sleep in the bed with her.
The two lay together on the bed. His body was a little stiff, as if he was afraid of revealing something that might offend her. He leaned back a little and held her tightly with his long arms.
Speaking of which, after they got together, apart from that night in Luxian Village when Li Xian lost control and kissed her, he was very polite and never kissed her on his own initiative.
On the contrary, Xu Nuo kept asking for hugs and teasing her.
But the two only went as far as kissing, and nothing more happened.
She comes from the 21st century; she's never eaten pork but has seen pigs run, so she's both shy and curious.
Isn't it said that you can't possibly tolerate someone you truly like?
Isn't Xu Da Piao Liang pretty enough?
Boredom breeds malice, so she playfully twisted her body, lifted her foot and moved it towards him, then pretended to accidentally bump his knee with hers.
Although it was dark and she couldn't see clearly, Xu Nuo could still sense how strong Li Xian's reaction was.
He jumped backward, almost like a cat with its fur standing on end.
Then the two fell into a deathly silence.
Impulsiveness is the devil.
Xu Nuo: "..." What are you doing? This is so embarrassing.
She secretly breathed a sigh of relief, comforting herself, "It's okay, it's okay, I didn't do it on purpose, I'll pretend I don't know anything."
Then, Xu pretended to be calm and turned over, and coincidentally... his hand brushed against her innocently.
"Hmm..."
The man, who had just calmed down, gritted his teeth and let out a muffled groan.
My forehead was practically steaming.
Noticing the little one in his arms trembling incessantly, Li Xian couldn't help but call out, "Nuonuo..."
Xu Nuo, who had been silently holding back her laughter, finally couldn't hold it in anymore and collapsed into his arms laughing.
"Pfft, haha... I'm sorry... I... didn't... pfft... on purpose!"
She couldn't laugh anymore.
She was pinned down by a hot, trembling body, and her ears were filled with his heavy breathing.
His head hung down, buried in her neck, and his hard teeth gently bit her.
It didn't hurt, but it was warm and tingling.
"Don't bully me, or else..."
Xu Nuo's thoughts were hazy from his breathing and the overwhelming scent of hormones emanating from him, and she blurted out, "Otherwise what?"
As soon as she said it, even she was startled.
What an alluring and seductive tone!
Waaah... I really didn't mean to do it this time.
Sure enough, Li Xian's breath hitched for a moment, then he gritted his teeth: "Otherwise, I really will eat you up."
Hmm…
So shy...
When Xu Aipiao gets shy or embarrassed, she likes to pretend to be calm. And when she tries to be calm, she likes to fidget. But she forgets that she's currently being pinned down; every movement…
again…
Oops…
She wanted to cry... *sobs*
Her voice trembled, and she cried out, "Li...Li Xian, I...I didn't mean to..."
Just as she was awaiting her fate's judgment, and prepared to go to rehearsal the next day with swollen eyes and a limp, the man on top of her, who was constantly blowing like a wind machine, suddenly let her go...
He quickly rolled out of bed and ran outside to get some fresh air.
He left her with a retreating figure.
The person abandoned alone in bed was stunned?
Something's not right.
Is the person she's with a man?
Xu Nuo, always ready to ask questions, raised her voice: "Li Xian!"
The door was immediately pushed open, and Li Xian strode in, squatting down beside the bed: "What's wrong?"
Xu Nuo opened her innocent big eyes and asked a serious question that left Li Xian stunned.
Li Xian: "..."
After a long pause, he finally managed to squeeze out the words through clenched teeth: "...I want to."
Thinking like crazy, thinking hopelessly.
It made him want to slap himself.
"Then why did you run away?"
Although Li Xian had encountered difficulties at a young age and was mature yet cold-hearted, he always seemed like a different person when it came to matters related to her.
His face was so red it was almost bleeding, and his voice was flustered with embarrassment: "I thought you didn't want to, I... I won't force you, no matter what."
Xu Nuo asked in surprise, "How do you know I don't want to if you didn't ask me?"
Pshaw, it sounds like she really wants to say that.
...So shy.
Li Xian's voice was very soft, like a feather tickling his ear: "My father said I need to... I need to respect... I need to... get married..."
He glanced at her from the darkness, his eyes burning, and gently hooked his fingertips around hers.
He declared, as if making a vow: "I'm saving money, I've saved money, I'm going to..."
Xu Nuo leaned closer to him: "What?"
"I will marry you."
I want to marry you.
"I want to marry you. The day you said you wanted to be with me, I will marry you."
Before she appeared, he lived only because he wasn't dead, and made a living only to avoid starvation. But after she appeared, he had aspirations for life and a yearning for heaven.
The man, who was usually quiet, was now acting like he was possessed, muttering incessantly about wanting to marry her.
Xu Nuo's lips curled up high as she reached out and hugged his neck, asking with a smile, "So how much money have you saved?"
He held her in his arms and whispered, "It's not enough."
"Um?"
He gently stroked her hair, his eyes filled with inscrutable emotions.
What he has now is not enough for him to stand openly by her side.
His glutinous rice deserves the best in the world.
It wasn't just money; there was so much more that he wanted to present it all to her.
She should be treated with respect and kindness, so that no one can deceive or humiliate her.
Because I experienced the suffering, the scorn and insults I endured firsthand, I know the true taste of it all.
Those filths.
He didn't want her to be involved in anything at all.
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