Chapter 116: ...Who says my taste is bad? My man is the best in the world

The two felt as if they were cast into a vast ocean. A wind rose over the sea, and a torrential downpour began beneath the surface. Violent winds whipped up waves dozens of meters high, pressing in fiercely from all directions, shaking the entire bed until it seemed on the verge of falling apart.

The howling sea wind lasted for a long time, and no one knew when the thunder and lightning had begun. The "Boom— boom— boom—" sounds were incessant, like a symphony. The melody spiraled upward, growing more fervent as it went, until it reached the climax of the concert. The entire audience stood up, offering thunderous applause—"Clap, clap, clap"—that lasted for a long time, like a surging river rushing a thousand miles, finally converging with the storm into the vast ocean, unrestrained and thorough.

Doing happy things with a lover is always something one never tires of. Li Heng held Chen Zijin in his arms, lowering his head to smell the fragrance of her hair:

"It's almost mealtime. Are you hungry?"

"Has it really been that long?" Chen Zijin asked in surprise.

Li Heng smiled and said, "What does this prove about me?"

Chen Zijin stared at him with a smile, her face flushed a peach-blossom red.

Just as Li Heng felt his scalp tingle from her gaze and his right hand moved over involuntarily, she held his hand and said, "Tell me about your experience writing *To Live*."

Seeing her serious expression, Li Heng put aside his playfulness and said, "That's a long story, but it was mainly for you, to shorten the gap between us."

Chen Zijin nodded silently, resting her head gently on his shoulder, and continued to listen.

Li Heng recalled, "A lot has happened to our two families over these years. My old father was persecuted and lost his job, and his health also suffered."

"And your grandfather and Li's father were rehabilitated one after another, soaring into the sky once again."

"Originally, I didn't pay much attention to these things, nor did I realize what this huge gap would mean. It wasn't until last summer vacation, when your aunt and the others gave me a vivid lesson, that I suddenly felt I should do something. I should strive to improve myself so that your family would look at me with new eyes."

"And I'm just a student now; what earth-shattering thing can I do?"

"By chance, I suddenly got inspiration from a newspaper and thought of writing."

"You know that I've always loved reading over these years; I read quite a few books to slack off and avoid labor. Once the idea of writing a book took hold, it became unstoppable. So, I wrote *To Live* day and night. You already know what happened after that..."

Listening to him recount it all, Chen Zijin's eyes softened again and again, finally filling with tears.

She considered herself understanding and confident that she was a strong person who could hold fast to this love for a lifetime, but she hadn't expected that after she had just left Shangwan Village for Jingcheng, he would still endure so much suffering and bear such great psychological pressure.

Back in the village, she had experienced gossip from all directions, which made her afraid to step out the door and almost suffocated her. But she had still underestimated the immense psychological pressure her mother and aunts had brought upon her sweetheart because of this matter.

Although he had spoken very simply just now, and his tone was neither heavy nor light, as if he were lightly clarifying the origin of a matter, Chen Zijin could still imagine the inhuman torment he had endured during this period from his few words.

Every day must have been very oppressive, right?

Thinking of him bracing himself every day, thinking of him being tormented to the point of sleeplessness by gossip and family pressure every day, yet still having to pull himself together and be strong just to narrow the gap with her family, just to see her—Chen Zijin felt flustered and deeply pained in her heart.

"Don't push yourself so hard in the future. I'm your woman; I won't run away."

Chen Zijin tilted her head slightly again, moved, and kissed his cheeks twice in succession.

Li Heng smiled and said, "I was just young and impetuous, caring about face. Fortunately, Heaven blessed me, and the novel *To Live* became an overnight success."

Thinking of the huge success of the novel *To Live*, the light of worship shone faintly in Chen Zijin's eyes as she looked at Li Heng.

She said happily, "Dad and Grandfather both read your novel and praised it for being very well written. Grandfather doesn't praise people easily; he read your book twice."

This made her feel especially proud and gave her a lot of face, and it also directly reversed the terrible impression Li Heng had in the Chen family.

In the past, whenever the Chen family's sisters-in-law talked about Li Heng, they would gnash their teeth and accuse him with increasing severity.

But now, whenever Li Heng was mentioned, the Chen family would suddenly fall into silence, and then someone would start to change the subject, and only then would the atmosphere gradually improve.

She asked with concern, "Did you encounter any difficulties while writing?"

Li Heng shook his head: "It was alright. With the prototype of the Second Great Uncle, it went quite smoothly."

Next, Li Heng detailed his creative experience and the source of his inspiration. Chen Zijin listened with her blood surging, as if she had witnessed the rise and birth of a great event.

This made her feel incredibly amazed and magical.

To be honest, if the novel *To Live* hadn't been written by her man, and if it didn't exist in reality, she would still feel like she was living in a dream.

It wasn't that she looked down on her man or doubted him, but it was truly too dreamlike.

Originally, she had prepared for a long-term struggle with her family. Her best expectation was that he would be assigned a good job after graduating from university and then have a little capital to marry her.

And the worst-case scenario didn't need to be discussed: that was to burn her bridges, ignore her family's opposition, marry him privately, have children, and make the raw rice thoroughly cooked.

To her surprise and delight, she hadn't expected happiness to come so quickly.

Thinking of his current success and fame, and thinking of him traveling thousands of miles to see her, Chen Zijin felt that everything was worth it.

She felt that the grievances she had suffered at home over the past year were nothing at all. This was called "bitterness first, sweetness later," which would only make her cherish this hard-won relationship even more.

Others and her family thought she had been deceived into bed by Li Heng's sweet talk. Only she knew that she truly loved this person.

In the blink of an eye, the two had been in love for 6 years, and they had even been forced to separate for a year last year. Recalling all the past events, Chen Zijin's nose couldn't help but ache.

She suddenly buried her head in Li Heng's arms. At first, he thought his woman couldn't suppress her joy, but after feeling the wet tear stains on his chest, he realized something was wrong.

Li Heng held her beautiful, tear-streaked face in his hands and said with pity and love:

"Why are you crying? Haven't the hardships all passed? Our future days will definitely be better than now, getting better day by day."

Tears were still falling, but Chen Zijin said with a smile, "Who's crying? I'm clearly just excited.

From now on, let's see who dares to say my taste in men is bad. My man is the best in the world."

Li Heng was silent. After gazing at her for a long time, he lowered his head and kissed away all her tear stains, then whispered playfully in her ear:

"Wife, you really have good taste, and I really am the best! So great!"

Feeling his stirring, Chen Zijin was startled, "No, that's already three times. I'm hungry; let's go eat."

Because it wasn't very early, after some playful banter, the two took a shower and walked out of the room, dressed neatly.

Li Heng said, "The English teacher and 'Dimwit' have also come to Jingcheng. Let's go call them to eat together."

"Okay, I'll treat this meal. You're not allowed to fight me for it. I have to thank them for their help to you," Chen Zijin said, reaching out to take his arm.

The English teacher had provided great convenience for his writing, and 'Dimwit' often spent one person's money for two and even accompanied him to Jingcheng. Chen Zijin naturally wanted to thank the two of them properly.

Li Heng understood her meaning and patted his chest, promising that he wouldn't fight her for the bill this time.

The result was that when they knocked on the door of the next room, the English teacher wasn't there.

When they knocked on Zhang Zhiyong's room, there was also no response.

Chen Zijin asked in confusion, "Where did they go? Haven't they come back yet?"

Li Heng nodded, "They went to the university; it's possible."

Chen Zijin asked, "Then should we wait a bit longer? Wait for them to be together."

Li Heng glanced at his digital watch.

The time was 5:41.

He said, "No need. It's already mealtime. If they haven't come back by now, they definitely won't be back that soon."

What was the reason?

Of course, it was to provide a convenient space for the two who were dating, for fear of disturbing them.

Chen Zijin also thought of this, her face rippling slightly, and she said somewhat embarrassedly, "Then let's go. I know a restaurant that definitely suits your taste."

Li Heng asked, "Xiang cuisine?"

Chen Zijin said, "Not Xiang cuisine, it's an improved version of Sichuan cuisine. The boss and his wife are from Zigong and cook excellent dishes. When Mom and the aunts don't want to cook sometimes, the whole family goes there to eat."

Hearing that there was good food, the foodie Li Heng couldn't sit still immediately and asked hurriedly, "Is it far from here?"

Chen Zijin said, "Not particularly far. Walk to the right, about 8 minutes."

Li Heng looked at the bicycles coming and going on the main road and sighed, "That's indeed not far. If only we had a bicycle, it would probably be faster."

Chen Zijin said, "There's one at home. I'll ride it out tomorrow."

Seven minutes of travel—the two chatted and laughed, not feeling it took long, and soon they arrived.

"Zijin is here."

The landlady in charge of entertaining guests seemed to know Chen Zijin, and seeing the two appear, she walked over enthusiastically.

"Sister Wu, is there a quieter spot?" Chen Zijin asked with a smile.

The landlady glanced at Li Heng, "Yes, follow me."

Leading the two to a private room, the other party asked tentatively, "Is this your friend?"

Chen Zijin shook her head with a smile, "No, he's my partner."

The landlady was familiar with the Chen family and roughly knew the Chen family's power, so she was astonished, "You have a partner so soon?"

Chen Zijin nodded shyly, "Yes, we are from the same place. We are engaged."

Hearing this, the landlady sized up Li Heng carefully and asked Li Heng politely and enviously, "Good fortune. How should I address this gentleman of yours?"

Li Heng said, "Sister Wu, just call me Li Heng."

Sister Wu said generously, "Li Heng, welcome to Jingcheng. I'll treat this meal today. Order whatever you want to eat."

Li Heng didn't take this, but smiled and watched Chen Zijin chat and laugh with the other party.

Before long, the restaurant's signature dish, Zigong Three Tenders, was served—a rice-accompanying dish made of stir-fried pork liver, kidney, and tripe.

Just one bite, and he felt that this trip today hadn't been in vain.

Li Heng ate three mouthfuls in a row and shouted wildly that it was satisfying, "Delicious, really good! With such a good taste, we can't keep it to ourselves. Tomorrow, we must bring the English teacher and 'Dimwit' to taste it."

"Hmm." Seeing that he truly liked eating it, Chen Zijin felt as sweet as if she had drunk honey. While eating herself, she didn't forget to pick food for him.

Halfway through the meal, Li Heng asked, "Is your family resting at home this weekend?"

Chen Zijin nodded and shook her head, "Mom and the aunts are resting, but Dad and Grandfather have things to do and aren't at home. They won't be back until the evening."

Li Heng asked, "Then are you going back tonight?"

Chen Zijin thought for a moment and nodded, "Yes."

Her sweetheart had been seen, and the information that needed to be conveyed had probably been conveyed back. She still had to go home.

Because no matter who it is, in the major matters of love and marriage, everyone ultimately hopes to receive the family's blessing.

Li Heng thought for a while and said, "After eating, accompany me to buy some gifts for your grandfather later. Since I've come to Jingcheng, I can't go empty-handed. You help me bring them back."

Hearing this, Chen Zijin was somewhat happy, but also had complicated feelings.

As intelligent as she was, she immediately understood Li Heng's thoughts. He was probably still holding a grudge against her mother and sister-in-law.

Buying for her grandfather was out of respect for her, and at the same time, it showed the polite attitude a junior should have.

And not buying for her mother, and not going to the house—what that meant was already clear enough.

Thinking of this, Chen Zijin suddenly felt a bit sad, raised her head, and asked tentatively, "Do Uncle and Aunt not like me?"

The uncle and aunt she referred to were Li Jianguo and Tian Run'e.

She wasn't stupid, nor was she deaf; she naturally understood what excessive things her mother and several aunts had done to Aunt Tian last summer.

Although she wasn't at the scene at the time, she had heard and guessed many things intermittently over the past year. Especially her younger sister, who had secretly listened to the scene and later told her the whole process, which led to a big argument with Zhong Lan.

Li Heng saw the worry in her eyes, reached out to grab her hand, and said, "No, don't worry. When I came to Jingcheng, the two elders were extremely supportive. Mom even told me to bring you a message."

Chen Zijin's eyes brightened, "They really support you coming?"

Li Heng said, "Naturally. You are my wife; how could I lie to you?

If they didn't support it, could I have come over so quickly?"

Chen Zijin leaned forward slightly, "What message did Aunt want you to bring?"

Li Heng stopped picking food and said seriously, "Mom said, our old Li family has let you down and owes you an apology. I hope you can forgive us."

Chen Zijin was silent for a long while. After a moment, she picked up her chopsticks, picked a piece of food for him, and said, "I am also half a Li family member now. No need to apologize. Uncle, Aunt, and you don't owe me anything."

Li Heng said happily, "Good. When I go back, I'll be sure to tell my mother word for word. Let her be happy, what a sensible daughter-in-law is, what an atmospheric daughter-in-law is."

Chen Zijin gave him a reproachful look, and with full joy, continued to pick food and pour water for him, serving him.

"Don't just look after me, you eat too."

"Hmm."

"If you don't eat, I won't eat either. How boring it is to eat alone."

"I like watching you eat. Besides, it's your first time in Jingcheng; I have to fulfill the duties of a host properly."

"You already fulfilled the duties of a host in bed today. I'm very satisfied. Come! Eat with me."

"Aren't you ashamed? You're not allowed to talk nonsense."

"Hehe, then will you eat with me?"

"Hmm, okay, I will."

Even though they hadn't seen each other for a year, after a short period of adaptation, their feelings were even richer, and they got along like glue, without any awkwardness or barriers between them.

After the meal, the two bought a gift before dark and then walked together toward the hutong where the Chen family lived.

When they reached the entrance of the hutong, Li Heng stopped and said, "You go in, I'll watch you."

Chen Zijin wanted to say something several times, but the thousands of words finally turned into a short 10-character sentence:

"Okay, let's have breakfast together tomorrow."

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(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 117 =====