Zhou Xiaoye held a large watermelon and stood outside the Li family's courtyard. His little face was flushed from the sun, and his clothes were soaked with sweat.
Li Weidong immediately felt sorry for him: "Why are you standing at the door in such bright sunlight!"
Zhou Xiaoye smiled shyly: "My aunt and Lili aren't home, so I'll wait at the door."
"Why don't you find some shade to hide under?"
Li Weidong sighed helplessly, quickly took the large watermelon from her arms, and hurriedly opened the door.
"Come in and sit down, look how hot you are!"
Then he went to the well to draw water.
The Li family's well was dug deep, and the water drawn from it was cool and thirst-quenching.
Zhou Xiaoye drank a large bowl of water in one go, and his complexion improved.
She handed him the bowl, feeling embarrassed: "Brother Weidong, I'd like another bowl..."
"We'll drink it later."
Li Weidong shook his head: "You've been in the sun for so long and drunk so much water, don't let your stomach hurt later."
After saying that, he asked again, "How did you get here? On foot?"
Zhou Xiaoye nodded: "The watermelons in the field are ripe, so I was thinking of bringing one over. I didn't expect it would happen to coincide with Brother Weidong's return home..."
As she finished speaking, she secretly glanced at Li Weidong, then blushed and lowered her head again.
Li Weidong was both amused and annoyed: "Silly girl, it's just a watermelon, why would you go to all that trouble to bring it over? You've come all this way, aren't you tired? What if you get heatstroke?"
The two villages are quite far apart, several miles apart!
Under such a blazing sun, carrying a huge watermelon, it must have been exhausting.
Zhou Xiaoye smiled shyly: "These watermelons are homegrown, and they're so sweet! I wanted you all to try them too."
Li Weidong was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but smile wryly.
This girl has always been a woman of few words and reserved nature, but these two short sentences allowed him to feel the sentiments she held within them.
It's obvious that this watermelon just grew in her field. She must have carefully selected the best one from the field before carrying it here with great care.
This affection is far too heavy.
Li Weidong felt a surge of emotion, determined to take good care of Zhou Xiaoye in this lifetime and let her live a happy life completely different from her previous life!
Though touched inside, she feigned anger and said, "No matter how sweet it is, it's still just a watermelon. How can it compare to a person?"
"Don't do such a stupid thing again!"
As she spoke, she poured another bowl of water, added a large spoonful of white sugar, and then pushed it in front of Zhou Xiaoye.
These days, white sugar is a rare commodity. People usually only buy a pound or two to take with them when visiting patients or the elderly, or to make a cup of sugar water for distinguished guests.
Ordinary guests would drink plain boiled water or tea.
Normally, I wouldn't dare to eat that.
Zhou Xiaoye's eyes widened: "This... there's too much sugar in it! Brother Weidong, could you get another bowl? I'll share some with you!"
The Zhou family also had white sugar, but usually only Zhou Jun was entitled to drink it. If she even glanced at it, she would be scolded.
Li Weidong saw through her thoughts and felt even more sorry for her. He said sternly, "Just drink it!"
Zhou Xiaoye dared not disobey, so he could only hold the bowl and sip the water slowly.
The cool well water tasted even better with added sugar.
The sweet taste brought tears to Zhou Xiaoye's eyes.
This was the first time she had ever drunk sugar water, and with so much sugar added...
Not wanting Li Weidong to see her crying, she quickly lowered her head.
Li Weidong sighed, his tone softening slightly: "Don't do this again next time. If anything happens, have someone pass on a message, and I'll drive over to your house."
As they were talking, she inadvertently glanced at the shoes on Zhou Xiaoye's feet and immediately frowned.
A girl of fifteen or sixteen is at the age when she loves beauty. After the engagement, perhaps because the Zhou family was worried that Li Weidong would blame her, they bought Zhou Xiaoye a nice set of clothes.
But the shoes were still those worn-out canvas shoes, with the toes almost sticking out.
Zhou Xiaoye noticed his gaze and awkwardly pulled her foot back.
Li Weidong shook his head: "Your feet must be blistered from walking so far?"
"No!"
Zhou Xiaoye quickly shook her head, but the sharp pain from her feet made her frown.
Li Weidong didn't expose him, only saying, "Anyway, you're not allowed to do such a stupid thing again, understand?"
Zhou Xiaoye smiled shyly but didn't say anything.
Anyway, it's common for country folk to get blisters on their hands and feet, so what's a little bit of road?
Li Weidong was exasperated, so he changed the subject, saying, "You came all this way just to deliver a watermelon?"
Every household has watermelons, so why would it be worth making a special trip?
Zhou Xiaoye shook his head, but hesitated and refused to speak.
Li Weidong didn't rush her. After she finished drinking the water in her bowl, he got up and poured her another half bowl.
It's hot, so drink plenty of water to avoid heatstroke.
Zhou Xiaoye bit her lower lip as she watched him do his work, and after a long while, she finally made up her mind: "Brother Weidong, actually, the reason I came here today is... because there is something very important I want to ask you."
"What's up?"
"Um……"
Zhou Xiaoye twisted the hem of her clothes with her slender fingers, and after a long while, she managed to stammer out, "The day after tomorrow is Sunday, will you... will you still come to my house?"
Before she could finish speaking, her face turned as red as a ripe apple, and she was too ashamed to lift her head.
After all, it's really too embarrassing for a young woman to come to her husband's house to ask if he will come to propose marriage.
Li Weidong was stunned for a moment before remembering the engagement.
Last time we went there, we just discussed the date. Although Zhou Xiaoye is not old enough, we still need to have the proper ceremony for the engagement.
That's why Sunday was chosen as the alternative date.
This girl, she traveled so far under the scorching sun just to ask about this?
Li Weidong shook his head and smiled, "Of course I'll go. I've already told your family, haven't I?"
Zhou Xiaoye suddenly raised her head, her big, doe-like eyes filled with joy.
But when she met Li Weidong's gaze, she hurriedly looked away, her lips curving into a wide smile: "Okay!"
Her cheerful voice revealed her true feelings.
Without waiting for Li Weidong to speak, he took off running.
"Why……"
Li Weidong was speechless.
After running out the door, Zhou Xiaoye suddenly stopped and turned around, saying, "Brother Weidong, I...I'll wait for you at home!"
After saying that, she could no longer contain her shame and ran away without daring to look back.
The girl's vibrant figure ran in the sunlight, and even her two jet-black braids exuded endless vitality.
Li Weidong was mesmerized, a feeling he couldn't quite put his finger on welling up inside him.
Just then, Zhao Xiulian and Li Xiaoli returned carrying hoes.
"Weidong, why are you back?"
Zhao Xiulian was both surprised and delighted, then somewhat puzzled: "Who were you talking to just now?"
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