Zhang Shulan's words were like a pebble thrown into a still lake, the ripples leaving Liu Li restless for days. It wasn't that she doubted Fu Jingchen's character, but that invisible sense of disparity, like a thin mist, quietly settled in her heart. Subconsciously, she reduced her visits to the library after work, and if she saw a crowded table at the cafeteria, she would hesitate and find another seat.
This subtle change did not escape Fu Jingchen's notice.
That afternoon, the preparatory team for the technology center held a long meeting, which ended late at night. Liu Li packed her things and walked out of the office building, where she found Fu Jingchen waiting under the bare old locust tree in front of the building, his shadow stretched long by the dim streetlights.
"Want to chat?" He stepped forward, his tone gentle, but his eyes held an undeniable seriousness.
Liu Li's heart skipped a beat; she knew what was coming was bound to happen. She nodded, and the two walked slowly along the quiet, tree-lined path in the factory area.
“These past few days, it seems like you’ve been avoiding me.” Fu Jingchen cut to the chase, his voice exceptionally clear in the quiet winter night.
Liu Li lowered her head, kicking at the pebbles at her feet, unsure of how to begin.
Fu Jingchen stopped and turned to face her, the streetlights shimmering slightly on his glasses: "Is it because of those rumors, or... because of something Comrade Zhang Shulan told you?"
Liu Li suddenly looked up at him, somewhat surprised.
Fu Jingchen smiled slightly: "The factory is so small, any little thing that happens will eventually reach your ears." His smile faded, and his expression became serious. "Lily, I should have told you about my family situation a long time ago."
He spoke calmly, as if stating an objective fact: "My parents do work in Beijing. My father works at a research institute under a ministry, and my mother teaches at a university. They are intellectuals and have high expectations for me. They also hope that my future...partner will be someone of equal social standing and with similar interests." He did not hide anything and frankly spoke of the potential obstacles.
Liu Li's heart sank slightly.
But Fu Jingchen immediately changed the subject, looking intently at her, his voice low and powerful: "But, Lili, that's my parents' idea, not my choice. I admire you, I like you, not because of your family background, but precisely because you are you—the Liu Li who works in the workshop without fear of getting dirty or tired, earning her living through her own hard work; the Liu Li who dares to put forward bold ideas in front of experts and leads her team to overcome tough challenges; the Liu Li who has the factory in her heart and is thinking about how to improve the technology!"
His words carried an undeniable sincerity: "When we discuss technology and solve problems together, the resonance of our thoughts and the sense of security of fighting side by side are irreplaceable by any external conditions. To me, your talent, your perseverance, and your character are a thousand times more important than so-called 'matching social status'."
He took a small step forward, closing the distance between them, his gaze earnest: "Don't let those trivial things affect you, and don't distance yourself from me because of a few words from others, okay? I hope that our relationship will always be like it was when we were on the project team—honest, trusting, and supportive of each other."
A cold winter wind blew by, but Liu Li felt her face burning. Fu Jingchen's honest and firm words were like a warm breeze, dispelling the fog and unease that had lingered in her heart for days. His insight was so clear, and his attitude so unambiguous, that her anxieties about the "gap" and "marrying up" suddenly seemed superfluous and laughable.
Looking into his clear and earnest eyes behind his glasses, the last bit of resentment in her heart vanished, replaced by a feeling of being fully understood and cherished, a sense of gratitude and peace.
She took a deep breath of the crisp air, and a genuine, relaxed smile appeared on her face—the first one she'd shown in days. She nodded vigorously: "Okay, I understand."
Three simple words, yet they carried a weight heavier than a thousand pounds. The two looked at each other and smiled; the subtle barrier between them vanished in that instant. The streetlights cast their shadows on the ground, pressed closely together, as if they could never be separated again.
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