(39)
Wen Chuan walked side by side with her on campus, smiling as he said, "Let's go buy groceries first, and then go to my dorm to cook."
Ye Wenyu had never been to Cai Wenchuan's teacher's dormitory. Because she liked him, she wanted to know everything about him. Therefore, she was filled with curiosity and joy, and even a little excited. The depression and pain she had felt before because her classmates had all gone home for the National Day holiday and she was homeless had vanished. Now she was overjoyed.
"Sure, can you cook?" she asked him with a smile as they walked.
Cai Wenchuan laughed and said to her, "I can cook a few home-style dishes. After living alone for a long time, even people who can't cook will learn to cook."
Ye Wenyu said happily, "My mom often has to work overtime, and I've been cooking since I was very young. Let's have a cooking competition later."
"I'll definitely lose—"
"Haha, it's necessary."
The two chatted and laughed as they arrived at the market. To strangers, they looked like a sweet young couple, a match made in heaven.
The vegetable market in the western suburbs is right next to Q University. Many teachers and their families buy groceries here. Because it is close to the holiday, the vegetable market is bustling with people and vehicles everywhere.
Seeing the crowd, Cai Wenchuan naturally reached out a hand to gently shield Wenyu from the flow of people. He didn't put his hand on her shoulder, even though he really wanted to. Wenyu glanced at him, and a smile involuntarily appeared on her lips. This must be the simple happiness. To love you is to watch the gentle flow of time with you.
As Wenyu walked to the vegetable stall, she picked out gourds. Holding the tender green gourds in her hands made her feel inexplicably happy. She glanced sweetly at her brother Wen standing beside her, her little face smiling like a newly opened pink rose.
The proprietress glanced at her, then at Cai Wenchuan, and smiled at her, saying, "Young lady, your boyfriend is really handsome!"
Wen Yu smiled even more happily.
Cai Wenchuan seemed to have heard it too; his handsome face flushed slightly, and his neck felt hot. He quickly took out his phone and paid for the groceries with WeChat Pay, then turned away, avoiding looking at Wen Yu and the vegetable stall owner.
But their conversation still reached his ears.
Wen Yu laughed so hard her shoulders shook. The proprietress said, "Wow, young lady, your boyfriend is still shy. These scallions are a gift from me. Good-looking people just make people happy. I'm in a good mood today, so they're free!"
Ye Wenyu got a bunch of fresh, juicy green onions for free. She walked up to Cai Wenchuan, waved them, and teased him, "The proprietress said you're handsome and gave them to us for free. Brother Wen, your face really can be used as a credit card."
"Don't talk nonsense." But his neck also turned red. Ye Wenyu couldn't stop smiling. Shy Brother Wen was so cute.
The two were still strolling around the market. Cai Wenchuan said he would make Wenyu his specialty braised ribbonfish. He picked out the ribbonfish at the fish stall, always wanting to choose the biggest one. Perhaps it was because it was evening at the market, but the ribbonfish were only as wide as a watch. He couldn't find one he was satisfied with.
Wen Yu leaned against Cai Wenchuan, carrying her grocery bags. Being with the person she loved, she was always full of patience, no matter what she was doing.
These little things in life are all sweet moments of happiness.
An elderly man with white hair walked over, saw Cai Wenchuan, and immediately greeted him, "Professor Cai, are you buying groceries too?"
Cai Wenchuan immediately stood at attention and respectfully greeted, "Hello, Professor Xun—" He then pulled Wen Yu over and introduced her, "This is my mentor, Professor Xun—"
Wen Yu immediately greeted him politely, "Hello, Professor Xun," and bowed deeply. Professor Xun was overjoyed, seeing that the young girl was quite handsome and charming, even though she was wearing a mask.
He looked at the two of them with a smile and said to Cai Wenchuan, "Is this your girlfriend? Bring her to my house for dinner tomorrow! Wenchuan, you're my most outstanding student. You've dedicated yourself to your studies all these years, but you should also think about your marriage. I'm truly happy for you to have such a beautiful girlfriend—"
Professor Xun acted like Wen-gege's parents. He had originally come to buy fish, but ended up abandoning that purchase and standing there earnestly and endlessly lecturing, his voice as loud as a gong: "Wen-chuan, when are you planning to get married? Have a banquet! You absolutely must invite me! Seeing you settle down will put my mind at ease. I'm truly happy. And after you have children, my wife and I can help take care of them—"
Ye Wenyu was somewhat bewildered, thinking that he was indeed her mentor, but this mentor was too good. He was even already fantasizing about helping them take care of their babies after they were born. Was this professor a literature professor? His imagination was too rich.
Cai Wenchuan's handsome face flushed crimson, like a winter sunset. He said, "This...this...okay, okay, okay, early, early, early." He meant that Wenyu was only a freshman at Q University, and even if they became a couple, they would have to wait until she graduated. He hadn't confessed his feelings yet, and admitting she was his girlfriend would be disrespectful. Moreover, given his position as a teacher, acknowledging their relationship would definitely impact her studies. Therefore, he could only reply with "this...this..." "Okay, okay, okay" meant that Professor Xun was treating Wenyu to dinner tomorrow, and he was worried she'd be bored, so he wanted to take her out for some fun. Besides, Professor Xun was a highly learned professor; "a single conversation with a wise man is worth more than ten years of study." Following a parental approach, taking Wenyu out for some cultural enrichment would be beneficial. As for "early, early, early," it meant that Professor Xun hoped they would marry and have children, and he would help raise them for at least four years, so it was too early to say anything.
However, apart from himself, probably no one understood what he meant. For Cai Wenchuan, knowing that his mentor liked him, cared about him, and liked the girl he liked filled him with excitement and joy. He felt warm all over, and his hands were so excited that he didn't know what to do with them, and he couldn't decide on the ribbonfish for a long time.
Professor Xun was a wise old man. Although he didn't understand what Wen Chuan was saying, he understood his meaning. When his foolish apprentice looked at the girl, his eyes shone like stars, and his lips were full of smiles, reminding him of his own youth—
He immediately said, "Okay, it's a deal. I won't buy the fish tonight. I'll come back to buy it first thing tomorrow morning. Remember, bring your girlfriend early tomorrow at noon."
Cai Wenchuan nodded, and Professor Xun left happily.
After the old professor left, Ye Wenyu gently tugged at Cai Wenchuan's clothes and asked him, "Brother Wen, are we really going to the old professor's house for dinner tomorrow? I'm a little nervous."
Cai Wenchuan immediately smiled and said, "Professor Xun is one of the top law professors in the country. Even if you just listen to him speak, you can learn a lot by taking him there."
Ye Wenyu could only stick out her tongue quietly, thinking that her Wen-gege (brother Wen) seemed like a strict parent, still hoping that she would improve.
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